Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way

Sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. Normally, you associate those words with a rock star or movie star, but a businessman? In "Losing My Virginity", which is Sir Richard Branson's (auto)biography, Richard Branson tells the (true) story of his life from early adolescence to (almost) present day. Along the way, he tells stories of several affairs with women, hilarious and sad moments, brash and daring moves/acts, witnessing the rise of several, popular British rock bands, name-dropping (hey, if you were there in his position with famous people/celebrities/rock stars, you'd do the same, so don't knock it)., etc. To put it simply, but complexly, this book reads like a Hollywood movie/script and reminded me of the movies "Catch me if you can" and "The wolf of wall street". I must admit, the beginning of this book starts off with Richard Branson travelling (I won't give it away) that made me think "This guy's a wasteful vagabond who doesn't deserve the luck, fame, and fortune he has", but after the initial, questionable chapter/introduction, this book became very interesting and, I must admit again, I did not want to stop reading (it was addictive, much like the drugs mentioned in this book). If you're looking for a review and advice on the subject of this book and whether or not you should buy this book, the answer is "Yes". Although this book does not give step-by-step advice on how to start a business, what licenses to obtain, etc., it does give (quick) tidbits of information (but not deep, detailed information) on how Richard Branson started his Virgin businesses. If you're looking to start a business and want step-by-step advice, you're better off taking a business class in college/university or reading a "how to start a business" book. Anyway, if one word could sum up this book it would be (to borrow from the show "How I met your mother") "Awesome!". Some people hate Richard Branson. Some people love, respect, and admire Richard Branson. Whatever the case may be, this book is an inspiring book/story of one of the greatest (if not the greatest) modern-day entrepreneurs ever to live on this planet and belongs on the list of the top 20 most influential and important books in history (some of the other books/tomes include: The Bible, Tuesdays with Morrie, 1984, Animal Farm, Brave New World, Candide, etc.).

This is a must read for anyone who wants an inside account of one of today's most prolific entrepreneurs's life stories. For generation X, he was right there creating history for us and it's simply fascating to read his experiences. For those who cherish family values, a wonderful confirmation of how the support from parents can encourage children to be successful and socially responsible citizens. Sir Richard was born at just the right time and he grabbed every opportunity that came his way. His good fortune, through a tremendously strong will to survive and prosper - together with a healthy dose of luck and (perhaps) divine guidance - have positively affected millions. His writing is engrossing, very informative and inspiring. The only dark spot in the book comes toward the end when he describes Bill Gates as a tremendous example for other entrepreneurs. Not much of a computer person himself, Sir Richard is perhaps unaware of the illegal activities conducted by Microsoft that continue to haunt it and its co-founder Bill Gates, and of the suffering that millions of computer users worldwide had to endure while they fell for Gates's trap to buy cheap, unreliable PCs with poorly written Windows code that unfairly penalized the competition. Microsoft's plundering of rival competitors's market share surpasses the dirty tricks that British Airways used to play on Virgin Atlantic and which Sir Richard so eloquently describes as having overcome - eventually. Bill Gates may be contributing his money to worthy causes, but it is ill-gotten money. Sir Richard praises a criminal for his good work. I wish he would wake up to the folly of his thinking for he does some mighty good work himself.

I had one of Richard Branson's book sitting on my shelf for 2.5 years until I finally picked it up and started reading. I could not put the book down. Once I was done I ordered this one and the same thing happened. I could not stop reading. Now I usually read only business books of some sort, I am clearly part of his target audience, but I even my wife now shows interest in reading this book. What I like about the book? Richard Branson's style of writing makes it easy to read this book. He is very honest and upfront with quite a few things. I find this book to be extraordinary. The way how he built the Virgin empire is impressive. This is not some CEO who got rich on cashing stock options. RB is a hard worker who likes to have fun and along the way he built a 'few' businesses (a few hundred that is). This autobiography is almost more like a novel, but then it is not. It is motivating and inspiring. It provides lots of business related tips and tricks, and then not. It is refreshing to read for sure. What I do not like about this book? Why did it take me so freaking long to pick up his books and start reading them. There should be an advisory of some sort on the book: Read immediately after purchasing or life will end as we know it. I do not have to say anything negative about as I really like it. In one of his other books Richard Branson says he expects to work another 30 years or so. I hope he does and that he continues to share his stories and adventures with us. He is a truly gifted man, not afraid of a good challenge, and he does business in an ethical way - something so many other businesses have forgotten. If I could meet with one great person of our time - Richard Branson would definitely be on my lists.

For me this was a page-turner until the last three chapters. In 2005, Branson did what many billionaires with too much money to spend do - he became an environmentalist and world crusader. That's when I lost interest and it felt like Branson was trying to sell me on his world view. I wish that I had bought the version with the red cover so that I would have been left with a more positive image of the man. That being said, you gotta give a man kudos for moving in a different direction with his life after he has accomplished so many other things. I can't say that if I were in his position that I wouldn't do the same thing. We are a product of our environment and experiences after all. He is still my role model in business matters as the entrepreneur that I can most relate to. So, if you want an entertaining autobiography of a man who has been up and down in life and showed courage and instinct in all that he has done, grab this book and read it. The last time that I read a book this fast was, um, never. It's written in conversational prose, making for a quick read. No big words here, just some British jargon that only well-rounded Americans will understand. (I'm patting my back here.) Oh, and the name-dropping throughout the book is fun. Is there anyone this man doesn't know or isn't friends with?

If you are familiar with Richard Branson's story, you may know how one of his teachers famously said that he would either "be in jail or be a millionaire" by the age of 25. It has taken me a while to be able to articulate my thoughts towards this, but having recently read the rather excellent Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets by Nassim Talem I think I can now put my finger on it. If you read this book you will learn a few things about how to treat employees well, how to build a consistent brand that retains its essence across wildly divergent industries, and how to live an exciting life. It just didn't live up to the really high expectations friends set for me. Branson is undoubtedly a talented entrepreneur, and one can't help but admire how he has dedicated the latter part of his life to social issues. One thing I love about him is his naivety when it comes to doing good. As the saying goes, when you don't know something is impossible it all of the sudden becomes a lot less daunting and achievable. I think he has, or in the process of proving many "experts" wrong when it comes to things as far ranging as saving endangered species and creating a commercial space tourism company (which in the long-term, along with Space X, will do much to benefit human kind). Despite this, there are several points in Branson's story where I can't help but think that if one of the many possible alternatives were to have taken place, he would have been wiped out in a manner that would have been difficult to recover from. Whether in reference to his ballooning adventures, or how some Virgin companies were saddled with very heavy debt, one can't help but wonder how much his success (and current good health) are owed to luck. If there were 100 alternative versions of reality, Branson may very well have ended up in jail or broke in dozens of them. However, knowing him he would probably be okay with that. If you are a fan of business biographies, two others I preferred are Peak by Chip Conley, and Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. If you want to learn about entrepreneurship, The Lean Startup by Eric Ries is one of the best books out there on the subject.

I'm a big fan of Branson to begin with, so it was somewhat of a forgone conclusion that I would enjoy this, so keep that in mind as you read this review. This autobiography is overall quite engaging, and demonstrates clearly that Branson (obviously!) has all of the key elements that make for a successful entrepreneur, such as being open to exploring and trying anything, saying "Yes!" and never accepting "No." It was a pleasure to read, and I enjoyed sharing his journey through his eyes. However, I hesitated on the star rating - I almost gave it 4 stars, but gave it the 5th for the spirit of it all - one should know his story, and I think it worthwhile to hear it from the person who lived it, as you will have a different perspective than a biography written by another. I just - I felt like he held back a bit, even when it seemed like he didn't. I can't quite put my finger on it. However, don't let that stop you from purchasing - it is definitely a worthwhile read, and you will learn from it. Plus, I think it important to read autobiographies overall, one has so much to learn by seeing what others before them have done.

Wow, talking about a thorough autobiography! This is a big long book of nearly 600 pages! I give this high marks because of the notable time that Mr. Branson took to be very detailed and describe his life. The book by no means was rushed together. It was evident that Richard spent a long time and lot of thinking writing this book. The book for the most part has its exciting moments and a few not as exciting moments. He writes a lot about his younger days when he just started out and before Virgin came about. He also wrote a lot about the bitter dispute between Virgin Air and British Airways. He also talks a lot about his ballooning adventures around the globe. He ends the book talking a lot of his work to help others in South Africa and his efforts to curb global warming. I was amazed how such an accomplished person can write in such a humble tone. It is also amazing how someone with so much on his hands has had so much time to do so many adventures! If you are interested about Richard Branson and want a long entertaining read I recommend this book!

One of the greatest autobiographies I have read from one of the most influential person in this world. I wanted to learn more about this incredible man and this book was the perfect place to start. I got to understand first-hand the mind of Sir Richard Branson and see how he began his journey to creating his business empire. The book is witty, funny, and inspirational. I couldn't put the book down! There were times where I would stay up late into the night reading this book, just to know what happened to him, or I would start laughing out loud because of a funny incident he would mention in his life. I can say without a doubt my level of respect grew immensely for this person after this book. His storytelling is on point, and you can literally imagine yourself being there when he describes the moments of his life. A man from humble beginnings. Although he has become a multi-billionaire, it is clear he has no forgotten his roots, which is conveyed in his writing. 5/5 would recommend.

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Si te gustan las historias de emprendedores y estás interesado en conocer más sobre la vida de Richard Branson este libro es el ideal.

De las mejores biografías que he leído. Interesante y motivadora. Muy recomendadable para jóvenes que tengan ganas de vivir la vida al máximo.

This is a great read and very inspirational. I read it in one sitting (I was on holiday mind) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Richard Branson was, to me, a man of relative mystery: he graces our tv screens, magazines, advertising campaigns but do you really know much about him? about his childhood, family life, morals and values, charity work, aims and what drives him/has driven him to success. This book successfully delivers on a lot of that mystique whilst simultaneously not divulging too much personal detail (unlike other "shock" autobiographies which I could mention). This book does not need to rely on revelations as the man has had such a fascinating life: that alone will provide hours of entertainment and things to think about. On the downside (!) I purchased this book whilst deliberating the future of my own career and options for entrepreneurship, but Richard Branson strikes me as such a unique, one of a kind breed, that it did leave me a little downhearted. I can't see that there are many people in the world who would pursue life and business paths in such a positive, risk-averse, determined way. That will be why he is now a multi-millionaire and I'm still treading the path most followed! maybe one day. Also, the book made me feel as if I knew Richard Branson as a friend and left me with a lot of questions - I wanted to call him up to go out for a beer. It was very disappointing to snap back to reality and have to talk to my boyfriend instead :-) Buy, read, learn, enjoy. A fantastic read.

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