Let me tell you at the beginning that it’s a fast paced book which is most unlikely for an autobiography.
Many reviews have been written about the book and hence I will refrain from giving the contents of the book here.
Then what is there in the book for you and me?
The book shows what character Richard is.
We understand contribution of his parents. How he was groomed to be an independent and take his own decision since childhood. His parents also stood by his decisions which may have been nerve breaking and simply out of this world. It appears that they did not lose their patience unlike us who get nervous-breakdown easily if kid is not behaving as per norms.
Early part of the book also brings out the fact that we are putting too much importance on kid’s academics progress on and ignore his other abilities viz. creativity in other fields.
We also understand that Richard was doing what he liked….but at the same time he was resourceful in that he went ahead to look for those resources and probably that has moulded him in his later life…. he never kept on crying for non availability of resources.
The book reiterates great lessons to us:
· Never give up
· Push your self beyond limits
· Think of possibilities…alternatives
The whole book can be divided in to three parts(period wise)
1. Up to Virgin Music company and just before launching Virgin Atlantic Airways
2. Headaches he suffered while establishing his airline and his fight with BA
3. The period after he sold of Virgin Music to Thorn-EMI
The first period shows a strong willed lad turning in to entrepreneur.
The second period shows his determination in fighting for justice and cause.
The third period(at least from the book) shows him more or less as businessman albeit a responsible one. And you know what success breeds success.
I enjoyed the first two parts and the last one is a stereotype of a story of a businessman.
The book is simply fantastic.
A great book to read and treasure! Go buy it, steal it.but read it!
Prashant Koli