Biography: business and industry Books

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Book SynopsisThe life and genius of Henry Royce, the outstanding, retiring, and often tyrannical founder of Rolls-RoyceTrade Review"Here, Peter Reese tells the story of Frederick Henry Royce, who, despite two years of formal education and his father dying in the poorhouse when he was nine years old, built the company form nothing." * This England *Feature in Country Life magazine * Country Life magazine *"Eminently readable, fascinating and quite readable..." * Auto Express *

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Book SynopsisHow the founders of Beekman 1802 turned a dream into a multimillion-dollar business—and how you can, too.After growing up in rural, middle-class families in North Carolina and Wisconsin and moving to New York to scale the heights of the corporate ladders in advertising, healthcare, and media, Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell returned to their roots and launched Beekman 1802 in one of New York State''s poorest counties, with no funding in the middle of a punishing recession. They didn''t have much of a business plan. But they did know a few things: they wanted to build a truly good company. They wanted to sell high-quality beauty and skincare products made from goat''s milk that would enrich their customers'' lives. They wanted to make the world a better place by spreading kindness. And they wanted to build a business that would last.Beekman 1802 is recognized as one of America''s most esteemed beauty and lifestyle brands. But it wasn''t built on current management fads; it was built on timeless proverbs that Brent''s and Josh''s parents and grandparents had taught them—the "greatest of all time" principles for good living that also can be applied to any business.For the first time, the authors present the twelve principles that made the greatest difference in the growth of Beekman 1802 and show how they are relevant for anyone seeking to run an enduring business of their own or harness the entrepreneurial spirit to rise within a big corporation.Packed with anecdotes from Brent''s and Josh''s own experiences, insights from other successful entrepreneurs, compelling social science research, and a lot of practical advice, GOAT Wisdom is more than a business guide—it''s a source of inspiration.Part All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten and part Chicken Soup for the Soul, everyone from dreamers and humble hustlers to entrepreneurs and corporate intrapreneurs will find this wisdom to be insightful and refreshing.

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Book SynopsisDISCOVER THE SHOCKING TRUTH BEHIND THE BUSINESS AND LIFESTYLE OF SIR PHILIP GREEN In this jaw-dropping expose, Oliver Shah uncovers the truth behind one of Britain''s biggest business scandals, following Sir Philip Green''s journey to the big time, the wild excesses of his heyday and his dramatic demise.Stunning praise for the book:''A detailed and entertaining dismantling of the ''king of the high street'''' Guardian''Superb'' Evening Standard''From the glitzy parties to the threatening phone calls, the larger-than-life characters to the speedy downfall, this real-life tale of hubris has all the elements of a Greek tragedy'' City AM''Entertaining stuff, pacily written. Filled with colourful characters - and expletives'' The Times''Shah has written a hard-hitting, often funny, ultimately sobering tale of how fortunes were made and lost in late 20th and early 21st century Britain'' FiTrade ReviewFrom the glitzy parties to the threatening phone calls, the larger-than-life characters to the speedy downfall, this real-life tale of hubris has all the elements of a Greek tragedy. Either that or a James Graham box office hit -- Alys Key * City A.M. *Superb. It manages to be both forensic and pacey. It's penetrating, but it's not unfair. If there is a benefit of doubt to be given, Shah gives it. * Simon English, Evening Standard *A sweeping, detailed colourful account of the rise and fall of the king of the UK's High Street, complete with a Dickensian cast of grifters, charlatans, flunkies, the odd dogged hero, and an irresistibly obnoxious protagonist. Shah has written a hard-hitting, often funny, ultimately sobering tale of how fortunes were made and lost in late 20th and early 21st century Britain. * Andrew Hill, Financial Times *Meticulously researched... it's entertaining stuff, pacily written. Filled with colourful characters - and expletives. * Ian King, The Times *Brilliantly researched and sensational. The book reads as though it is on speed: there are moments when Shah's narrative runs like a frantic James Bond script interspersed with moments of Shakespearean farce. There are times you have to prick yourself to remember that Green's wheeling and dealing is not fiction but what actually took place behind the closed doors of the High Street * Maggie Pagano, Reaction *A detailed and entertaining dismantling of the 'king of the high street' * Tim Adams, Guardian *A merciless, profanity-strewn dissection of the tumultuous career of UK retail tycoon Philip Green -- Andrew Hill * FT & McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award *

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Book SynopsisChina's economic rise and influence has been one of the most significant developments in the global economy of recent times. A driving force behind this expansion has been the private entrepreneurs and companies of China, some of which have literally redefined the economic and business landscape, both inside and outside of China. Ren Zhengfei is one such entrepreneur, who has become one of China's most revered and inspiring business leaders. His company Huawei Technologies, which was founded in 1987, is today a world-leading supplier of telecommunications equipment and mobile phones that employs over 150,000 people around the world. Low profile and known for his down-to-earth nature, Ren is hugely popular in China. This book tells the story of how he turned Huawei into one of the world's most recognized business brands and the much admired management philosophy behind its success.

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Book SynopsisIn just a decade and half Jack Ma, a man who rose from humble beginnings and started his career as an English teacher, founded and built Alibaba into the second largest Internet company in the world. The company’s $25 billion IPO in 2014 was the world’s largest, valuing the company more than Facebook or Coca Cola. Alibaba today runs the e-commerce services that hundreds of millions of Chinese consumers depend on every day, providing employment and income for tens of millions more. A Rockefeller of his age, Jack has become an icon for the country’s booming private sector, and as the face of the new, consumerist China is courted by heads of state and CEOs from around the world.Granted unprecedented access to a wealth of new material including exclusive interviews, Clark draws on his own first-hand experience of key figures integral to Alibaba’s rise to create an authoritative, compelling narrative account of how Alibaba and its charismatic creator have transformed the way that Chinese exercise their new found economic freedom, inspiring entrepreneurs around the world and infuriating others, turning the tables on the Silicon Valley giants who have tried to stand in his way. Duncan explores vital questions about the company’s past, present, and future: How, from such unremarkable origins, did Jack Ma build Alibaba? What explains his relentless drive and his ability to outsmart his competitors? With over 80% of China’s e-commerce market, how long can the company hope to maintain its dominance? As the company sets its sights on the country’s financial and media markets, are there limits to Alibaba’s ambitions, or will the Chinese government act to curtail them? And as it set up shop from LA and San Francisco to Seattle, how will Alibaba grow its presence and investments in the US and other international markets?Clark tells Alibaba’s tale within the wider story of China’s economic explosion—the rise of the private sector and the expansion of Internet usage—that haver powered the country’s rise to become the world’s second largest economy and largest Internet population, twice the size of the United States. He also explores the political and social context for these momentous changes. An expert insider with unrivaled connections, Clark has a deep understanding of Chinese business mindset. He illuminates an unlikely corporate titan as never before, and examines the key role his company has played in transforming China while increasing its power and presence worldwide.Trade Review"Anybody who thinks the Chinese just copy or steal technology from the West should read this book and think again. Jack Ma is part Bill Gates, part Steve Jobs, part Larry Page, part Sergei Brin, and part Mark Zuckerberg all rolled into one." -- Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of WPP "Useful, business-minded reporting on an unconventional corporate magnate, containing both corporate and human-interest perspectives." -- Kirkus "This absorbing and well-written portrayal of Ma's character, and his role in Alibaba's development will appeal to a wide range of readers." -- Library Journal "A clean and compelling narrative...[Clark] tells the story with flair." -- Wall Street Journal "A fascinating new book." -- The Economist "A must-read for anyone hoping to navigate China's new economy". -- Financial Times

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Book Synopsis"In this. often hilarious new book, Bethune tells how he approached his turnaround challenges. "-Fortune ". in an age where managing seems increasingly complicated, some of Bethune's prescriptions are refreshingly straightforward. "-BusinessWeek.Trade ReviewIn his new book FROM WORST TO FIRST, Continental Airlines CEO Gordon Bethune tells how he led Continental's transformation into an award-winning carrier after years as an unprofitable airline that angered employees and customers.-USA Today "Some of Bethune's prescriptions are refreshingly straightforward... Bethune includes some fresh examples of his plain-spoken management style."-Business WeekTable of ContentsHOW WE CLIMBED FROM WORST TO FIRST. Is This Any Way to Run an Airline? The Last Suppers, or Whose Problem Is It? Fly to Win, or You Can Make a Pizza So Cheap Nobody Wants to Eat It. Fund the Future, or If There Ain't No Funds, There Ain't Gonna Be No Future. Make Reliability a Reality, or It's Time to Act Like a Real Airline. Working Together, or Which Part of This Watch Don't You Think We Need? Success Has No Autopilot. A FLIGHT PLAN FOR SUCCESS. How the Sickest Patients Need the Best Doctors, and Concerning Tapeworms. Nobody Loses When the Whole Team Wins. Keeping the Lines of Communication Open. Predictability, or the Value of a Zippo. What Gets Measured Gets Managed. Crop Duster's Son. Why You Just Read This Book. Acknowledgments. Index.

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Book SynopsisA wildly entertaining biography of the British fashion designer who set the trends for rock royalty from the Beatles to Mick Jagger to Elton John.Tommy Nutter was a visionary tailor in the bespoke tradition who dressed everybody from Lord Montagu of Beaulieu to Twiggy, who outfitteds three of the Beatles for the cover of Abbey Road (George Harrison preferred jeans), who put Mick Jagger in a white suit for his wedding to Bianca and who dressed Elton John for years, using the singer as his muse for his signature outrageous style. Nutter was alluring for his ambiguity -- a chameleon who could rub shoulders with Princess Margaret and then dance with the drag queens at Last Resort -- and his clothes were the physical expression of a sharp, audacious wit.House of Nutter charts Tommy Nutter’s dramatic career that spanned barely 23 years, ending in 1992 with his untimely death. It is a history of London during an era of economic and cultural upheaval, a celebration of the methods and traditions of Savile Row; and an elegy for what was lost during the worst days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. With archival access to photos, letters and interviews from Tommy Nutter's sole living relative, his brother, David, Lance Richardson takes us behind the '70s glamour to explore the public face and private life of one of Britain's most respected yet rule-breaking bespoke clothiers and the celebrities he dressed.Trade ReviewRichardson has created a pattern-perfect double-breasted biography of two gay brothers, who, in an unlikely rags to riches story, were brought up in north London and went on to shape the social and sartorial side of life in the 1960s -- Helen Davies * Sunday Times, **Books of the Year** *Captivating ... an engaging analysis of the British class system and the fashion industry, gay liberation and the Aids crisis, which plays out like a binge-worthy Netflix series -- Mark C O'Flaherty * Financial Times *Splendidly readable and gossipy ... a gripping read that is as much social history as it is biography ... House of Nutter, Richardson's first book, is a fine match of author and subject. He writes with flair and erudition, making extensive use of interviews with David, and bringing something new to the evocation of an era that might seem overfamiliar ... it's hard to find fault with this thoroughly enjoyably glimpse into high fashion and low life -- Alexander Larman * The Observer *What makes Lance Richardson's biography so much more than a humdrum story of rags to riches -- or rather rags to bespoke -- is its illuminating and vividly drawn account of the milieu, both social and sartorial, in which Nutter moved, and the intriguing parallel history of his elder brother, David -- Mick Brown * Sunday Telegraph *Lance Richardson’s lively, affectionate, occasionally breathless book is a double narrative, the story of two brothers who rose from modest north London origins to the fringes of international stardom ... Compelling -- Anthony Quinn * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisA Wall Street Journal BestsellerFormer IBM CEO Ginni Rometty delivers a powerful combination of memoir, leadership lessons, and big ideas on how we can all drive meaningful change.Ginni Rometty led one of the world's most iconic companies, and in Good Power she recounts her groundbreaking path from a challenging childhood to becoming the CEO of IBM and one of the world's most influential business leaders. With candor and depth, Rometty shares milestones from her life and career while redefining power as a way to drive meaningful change in positive ways for ourselves, our organizations, and for the many, not just the few—a concept she calls "good power."Rometty's "memoir with purpose" combines the experiences that defined her life—personal hurdles, high-stakes decisions, passionate advocacy—with the actionable advice of a coaching session to highlight lessons that shape authentic leadership. Behind-the-scenes stories and practical guidance offer us a blueprint for how we can all use good power to advance our careers, inspire our teams, improve our companies, and create healthier societies.The book begins with raw, vivid memories from Rometty's youth and early professional years as she recalls the trauma and the role models that formed her belief that how we lead is as important as what we achieve. She learns early on that good power is a choice available to everyone, even to those without money, status, or impressive titles.Rometty then shows us how her concept of good power evolved as she grew from a first-time manager to a transformative CEO. Stories told through the lens of five principles—be in service of others; build belief; know what must change and what must endure; steward good tech; be resilient—reveal tools that anyone can apply to achieve real change at any stage of their life and work.Rometty also encourages us to use good power at scale to bring about urgent societal change. She shares insights from her own journey to create a more equitable world by leading the SkillsFirst movement, which connects underserved populations with family-sustaining jobs by transforming hiring, education, and training.With heart, humility, and conviction, Good Power offers an inspiring, compelling guide to creating meaningful change in our lives.Trade ReviewNamed one of the Top 23 Leadership Books of 2023 by The Next Big Idea ClubNamed one of the best management books of 2023 by Børsen."By using a purposeful, practical approach to problem-solving, Rometty demonstrates how to blend authenticity, relationships, and curiosity with vision, rigor, and conviction as she did during her time as the first female CEO of an iconic global company." — INC magazineNamed one of "7 Books by Women Leaders That Will Accelerate Your Success" by CHIEF"An emotive journey of overcoming adversity in life and the exercising of ethical power in managing change." — Irish Tech NewsNamed one of "4 of the Most Anticipated Business Books You Need to Read in 2023" by Inc. magazineAdvance Praise for Good Power:"Rometty's practical wisdom is refreshingly honest and inspiring. Her book will change your definition of power, your relationship to it, and the path you take to earn and deploy it." — Mary Barra, Chair and CEO, General Motors"Ginni Rometty championed stakeholder capitalism, ethical tech, and inclusion years before they were movements. What will you champion? This book will inspire you to find out and act." — will.i.am, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and artist"Good Power is a wonderful read, revealing Rometty's personal journey and outlining a movement to reinvent education and create more inclusive and equitable economies." — Indra Nooyi, former Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo"Ginni Rometty is an inspiring leader who knows that you have what it takes to succeed and improve the world. Her story can be your playbook." — Ray Dalio, #1 New York Times bestselling author, Principles; founder, Bridgewater Associates"An insightful read that I recommend to anyone interested in how an individual can come to influence the world." — Walter Isaacson, author, Steve Jobs and The Code Breaker"In Good Power, one of the world's most admired leaders reveals pivotal principles that propelled her success. It's a refreshingly personal, resoundingly practical read on gaining power and using it to empower." — Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author, Think Again"Ginni Rometty made bold changes to reposition IBM for the future, reinventing 50 percent of the company's portfolio. She knows how to build, transform, and lead a successful life and a successful organization. In Good Power she provides the principles for doing just that." — Hank Paulson, 74th US Treasury Secretary; Chairman, the Paulson Institute"A fascinating book about overcoming disadvantage and claiming one's own potential. What makes Rometty a truly exceptional leader is her commitment to using her power to make a positive and lasting difference in others' lives." — Ken Frazier, former Chairman and CEO, Merck"A humble, authentic book about how to discover and expand the leader within yourself. Rometty's unforgettable story and her book's three-part structure are both a guide for emerging leaders and a call to action for CEOs and government leaders." — Marillyn Hewson, former Chairman, President, and CEO, Lockheed Martin

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Book SynopsisThe son of a meat market porter and an office cleaner, Peter Cruddas left Shoreditch Comprehensive School at the age of fifteen with no qualifications and a part-time job as a milkman. Today he's Lord Cruddas of Shoreditch, the founder of a GBP1.5 billion financial trading company and a distinguished philanthropist, giving to over 200 charities through his foundation, which helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Fed up with Labour's economic mismanagement, Cruddas began his foray into politics, becoming a key Conservative Party donor. But after being elevated to treasurer in 2011, he fell victim to a Sunday Times sting in which he was falsely accused of breaking the law on party donations. With unflinching honesty, he reveals the full story of his successful libel battle and opens a Pandora's box of profound wider questions about newspaper dark arts and the power of the British press over the judicial system. Refusing to be scared off from the political world, Cruddas co-founded the winning Vote Leave campaign. Here, he gives a detailed insider view of the real reasons behind the victory and contemplates how Britain can now thrive outside the EU. Filled with heartbreak and elation, this is the extraordinary story of Cruddas's epic rise from an east London council estate to a Mayfair mansion - and includes plenty of tips for budding billionaires.

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Book SynopsisIn an industry littered with great characters and extraordinary personalities, Joe Hobbs stands out as one of the whisky world's most colourful and interesting entrepreneurs, a man who packed more into each decade of his life than most people manage in a lifetime. Whilst individual episodes and activities of his life are quite well known, his fascinating and wide-ranging full life story has not been told before, despite the fact Joe features in Whisky Magazine's list of Top 100 Most Influential Whisky Figures' of all time. Not Your Average Joe tells the fascinating story of how the son of a bankrupt English farmer rose to be one of the leading figures in the history of the Scotch whisky industry, making two fortunes and losing one along the way. The book explains Joe's pioneering exploits as one of the first military aviators during WW1; his controversial rum-running activities into the USA during Prohibition in the 1920s; his leading role in designing and building the city of Vancouver's first skyscraper; his rise as one of the leading Scotch whisky barons'; and his pioneering transformation of a derelict 10,000 acre Scottish Highland estate into the UK's first cattle ranch during Britain's battle for beef' in the lean years after WW2.

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Book SynopsisThe heroes of John Pilger''s narrative are the many ordinary people he has witnessed coping with their lives in difficult and often brutal conditions: dissidents in the Soviet Union; victims of conflicts in Vietnam, Cambodia, Africa, India, the Middle East and Central America. They also include the Irish labouring generation of his great-great-grandfather, transported in irons to Australia for uttering ''unlawful oaths''. It is a vivid, engrossing and sometimes blackly amusing personal story covering the periods for which his journalism is renowned. John Pilger has witnessed many of the major world upheavals of the past thirty years, as well as the daily realities of injustices normally hidden from society''s view. His reporting of these events has always been distinguished by his tenaciously researched facts - especially facts that governments and powerful interests would prefer to keep secret - and by his unerring and always compassionate pursuit of the truth.Trade ReviewJohn Pilger is the antidote to easy, comfortable thinking, to smugness, to ignorance. He is necessary * Daily Telegraph *Pilger has a gift for finding the image, the instant, that reveals all. He is a photographer using words instead of a camera -- Salman RushdiePilger is the closest we have to the great correspondents of the 1930s. The truth in his hands is a weapon, to be picked up and used in the struggle against injustice * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisFor tens of millions of people around the world, a single name evokes the world of speed - Enzo Ferrari. Today''s Formula One would be unthinkable without the presence of the Ferrari cars on the grid. Win or lose, Ferrari attract more fans than all the other teams combined. And the cars unique appeal - their mystique, their myth - has its origins in the story of one man with a dictator''s will and the cunning of a Machiavelli. Going back to the origins of The Old Man, tracing his remarkable rise to prominence, and using sources which have hitherto remained silent, Richard Williams tells the story of a man who was one of the key figures of sport in the twentieth century, and whose influence over his sport is undiminished today, more than a decade after his death.Trade ReviewFast cars, fanatical fans, glamour and the brilliant writing of the Guardian's sports sage * GQ *Absorbing and authoritative... this book's trove of anecdotes is a treat * Daily Telegraph *Williams is clear and authoritative... he expertly unravels the myths from the facts * Scotland on Sunday *An engrossing read from start to finish - heartily recommended * Time Out *

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Book SynopsisThe man Barron's dubbed "the ultimate Wall Street pro" returns with a stunning follow-up to his bestselling Trader Vic--Methods of a Wall Street Master ("The best investment book of 1992"--The Stock Trader's Almanac). Take an advanced class in his patented trading and investment philosophy and learn how the master makes better investment decisions.Trade Review"The Ultimate Wall Street Pro."--Barron's "Victor Sperandeo is gifted with one of the finest minds I know. Nowonder he's compiled such an amazing record of success as a moneymanager. Every investor can benefit from the wisdom he offers inhis new book. Don't miss it!"--Paul Tudor Jones, Tudor InvestmentCorporation "Here's a simple review in three steps: 1. Buy this book! 2. Readthis book! 3. See step 2. For those who can't take a hint, VictorSperandeo with T. Sullivan Brown has written a gem, a book of valuefor everyone in the markets, whether egghead, novice, or seasonedspeculator."--John Sweeney, Technical Analysis of Stocks andCommodities "Get Trader Vic-Methods of a Wall Street Master by VictorSperandeo, read it over and over and you'll never have a losingyear again."--Yale Hirsch, Smart MoneyTable of ContentsECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS. The Fundamental Principles of a Sound Investment Philosophy. The Economic Principles of Market Forecasting. Money, Credit, and the Business Cycle. Political Influences on the Business Cycle. Applying Macrofundamental Analysis to Economic Forecasting: AnOutlook for the 1990s. The History and Future of the Dollar. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS. Volatility, Opportunity, and Growth of Gross NationalProduct. The Stock Market as Economic Forecaster: The Lessons ofHistory. The Technical Basis of Risk-Reward Analysis. The Technical Principles of Market Analysis Applied. The Principles of Technical Analysis Applied. OPTIONS TRADING. Options: The Key to Triple-Digit Returns. A Professional Method of Day Trading. A TRADER'S PSYCHOLOGY. The Character and Personality of a Trader. Epilogue: The Morality of Wealth. Notes. Index.

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Book SynopsisKate Kelly, acclaimed journalist and author of Street Fighters, investigates the world of commodities tradersWhen most of us think of the drama of global finance, we think of stocks and bonds. But commodities? Crude oil and soya beans? Copper and wheat? What could be more boring?That''s exactly what the elite commodity traders want us to think. They don''t seek the spotlight. They don''t want to be as famous as Warren Buffett. Their astonishing wealth was created in obscurity, because they dwell in private companies or deep within large banks and corporations.But if the individuals in the commodities boom have gone unnoticed, their impact has not. Prices of raw materials have exploded. Are the big traders jacking up the cost of petrol, food, and essentials bought by people around the world? How did such immense power end up in the hands of a few?In this riveting book, Kate Kelly takes us inside the inner circle that affects so many thingTrade ReviewGripping ... even more shocking than you think ... Kelly is a master of storytelling * Independent on Sunday *Engaging * Financial Times *Outsiders know surprisingly little about this world, and Kate Kelly ... has done a good job of shedding light on some of the personalities who dominate it * The Economist *

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Book SynopsisTony Ryan was one of the greatest Irishmen of the twentieth century.Ingenious, driven and sometimes reckless, his sheer spirit and adventurousness made him Ireland's Aviator. Born in a railwayman's cottage in County Tipperary he rose to enormous success. Ryan set up the airline leasing company, Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA), which quickly became the largest such enterprise in the world. But it famously crashed and burned and Ryan lost almost everything.What remained was a little airline called Ryanair which was chronically loss making. Ryan set about turning Ryanair around, putting in one of his assistants, Michael O'Leary, to help knock it into shape. The rest is history.Richard Aldous gives an irresistible insight into the machinations of the man who epitomised what it means to be an entrepreneur.Fascinating'The Sunday TimesMasterful'The Sunday IndependentReveals the warts as well as the successes of the Tipperary native' Trade Review"A former head of Aer Lingus, Michael Dargan has observed: 'The magnitude of Tony Ryan's success is baffling. The historian may record it, but he can hardly explain it.' Richard Aldous makes a good stab at it." -- Joe Carroll * The Irish Catholic *"Failure and redemption are themes peppered throughout this book as Mr Ryan's ambition, hard work, luck and stubbornness led him to grow a global aircraft owning and leasing entity followed by the world's most profitable low cost carrier." -- Joe Gill, Director of Corporate Broking at Goodbody, Finance Dublin‘Tony Ryan biographer Richard Aldous weaves a tapestry of tales about Ryanair's (and the entrepreneur's) fortunes (…). With Aldous having explored the late Tony Ryan's life in the capacity of an official biographer, it's fair to say that one approaches a work such as this with a strong degree of trepidation. Forebodings of a fawning eulogy abounded. But it does reveal the warts as well as the successes of the Tipperary native. -- John Mullingan * Irish Independent *Somehow he managed to leave them still loving him anyway. -- Patricia O’Neill * Irish Independent *It gives an irresistible insight into the machinations of the man who helped to create what is now Ireland's second biggest company - Ryanair. -- John Mulligan * Sunday Independent Review *Tony lived lavishly and elegantly and was a larger than life character who only knew how to play high risk. This often had disastrous consequences, but his tenacity and determination to succeed are the real lessons of this book and as the nation strives for recovery Tony Ryan’s story is an inspirational one. * The Nationalist *

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Book SynopsisShows how the author build his legend: running for sheriff in Aspen, Colorado, creating the seminal road book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, twisting political reporting to new heights for Rolling Stone and making sense of it all in the landmark Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA masterclass in narrative journalism... with inside-the-room detail and color that give it a cinematic feel * Bradley Hope, co-author of the bestseller BILLION DOLLAR WHALE *Compulsively readable... lively, fun and insightful * William D. Cohan, bestselling author of HOUSE OF CARDS *Tim Higgins's electric narrative takes us through Tesla's every hairpin turn.... [A] case study on the thin line between madness and genius * John Helyar, co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller BARBARIANS AT THE GATE *'A deeply reported and business-savvy chronicle of Tesla's wild ride' * Walter Isaacson *Compelling and deeply reported... An exceptional work of business journalism * Washington Post *Simultaneously inspirational and troubling, revealing Elon Musk's risky scrambles to invent the future he's constantly promising to deliver * Sarah Frier, Financial Times prize-winning author of NO FILTER *Readers fascinated by the hype of Tesla history will find a gold mine of facts and foibles in this immersive analysis * Kirkus Reviews *"Exemplary...[Higgins] has interviewed hundreds of people associated with Tesla, both past and present. He knows the financial story like the back of his hand. * The Times *in-depth and well-balanced ... a sometimes appalling, occasionally inspiring, and always entertaining saga * Publishers Weekly *A well-documented and comprehensive look at Tesla, Elon Musk, and the people involved with its creation and successes * Library Journal *[A] sweeping history of the electric-car juggernaut... [Higgins is] right on the button, every time * Los Angeles Times *Tense, detailed and well-crafted... Power Play is a business thriller for real * Associated Press *Outstanding... a deep dive into the nuts and volts of Tesla * Minneapolis Star Tribune *The tale of Tesla's ascent is inherently dramatic and compellingly told * NPR.org *A riveting saga...Power Play reads like a novel * The Free Lance–Star *Eminently readable...A must-read for any fan or critic -- Business Insider

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Book SynopsisMy Thirty Years in China is a collection of autobiographies of select foreign pioneers of business and industry in China. The collection includes memoirs by Sidney Rittenberg, Clinton Dines, Joerge Wuttke, and Michael De Clercq among others. For the few foreign business people who have been engaged with China since this time, the changes have been dramatic. Their memories and insights â sometimes comic, sometimes sad â recall the joys and frustrations of their adopted home and paint a fascinating picture of what has changed in China over the past three decades â and what has not.

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Book SynopsisA rollicking, character-driven narrative by bestselling author Ben Mezrich, Breaking Twitter pulls back the curtain on the biggest business story of our time.Trade ReviewUproarious . . . stimulating enough to keep even an unmedicated narcoleptic awake -- Washington Times on The Accidental Billionaires

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Book SynopsisThe epic road tripsand surprising friendshipof John Burroughs, nineteenth-century naturalist, and Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, inventors of the modern ageTrade Review"[An] intriguing history full of lively details." -- Nature

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Book SynopsisTruman Locke is a television executive. His job - to seek out extraordinary people and stories to put on TV - gives him a licence for adventure; freedom to go almost anywhere and do almost anything, so long as he''s successful. But now, things are going wrong. Under mounting pressure, his manoeuvring and risk taking start to slip out of control, bringing trouble and danger to his ordered world, jeopardizing everything. In Some Things You Should Know, this talented but flawed anti-hero tells his own story - one of lies, crime and complex relationships. It''s a page-turning thriller, inspired by the realities of life in a glamorous but treacherous industry, exposing them in a way no book ever has before. Truman's experiences show what it's like to work at TV's cutting edge: what motivates TV producers, how they think and behave, and what it takes to succeed in a cut-throat creative business.Trade ReviewThe book is crisply written and uses a mystery/adventure story filled with danger and twists to create plot. * CineMontage *Table of ContentsForeword January February March April May June July August September October November December

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Book Synopsis''Much needed inspiration for those working hard to reach a position that matches their potential and their allies'' Ally Owen, Founder of Brixton Finishing School You might not think, right now, that you have what it takes to succeed. But incredible things do happen when you believe. We hope this book will stoke your sense of belief in what it is you can achieve and the gifts you have the potential to give to the world. Relentless in its inspiration, candour and warmth, A Colourful View From the Top is a vital anthology of twenty-one voices who are at the top of their game in business and beyond. Whether their specialism be advertising, tech, law or art, each luminary offers a unique and deeply meaningful collection of lessons and affirmations to draw upon time and time again. Discover how they became influential figures in culture and corporate life; how their achievements haven''t been defined or limited by their race, gender oTrade ReviewMuch needed inspiration for those working hard to reach a position that matches their potential and their allies -- Ally Owen

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Book SynopsisNot long after the death of his father, whose heart gave out suddenly in November 1967, Charles Koch, then in his early 30s, discovered a letter his father had written when his four sons were small. My dear boys, it began when you are 21, you will receive what now seems to be a large sum of money. It may either be a blessing or a curse. Above all, he cautioned, be kind and generous to one another.In the ensuing decades, Fred''s legacy became a blessing and a curse. Two of his sons, Charles and David, joined forces to build Koch Industries, one of the largest private corporations in the world. But they ended up in an epic feud with brothers Bill and Frederick that spanned nearly two decades, tearing the family apart-and nearly Koch Industries along with it. Bill would start his own energy company and attain a modicum of fame as a litigious wine-collector and yachtsman (he likened winning The America''s Cup in 1992 to the ecstasy of 10,000 orgasms.) After being marginalize

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of MR SELFRIDGE, the glittering story of two remarkable women - Miss Elizabeth Arden and Madame Helena Rubinstein - and their legacy which touches the lives of virtually all women today: the creation of the modern cosmetics and beauty industry.Trade ReviewI have seldom enjoyed a book so much . . . the research is staggering . . . a wonderful read -- Lulu GuinnessThe definitive biography of women and their relationships to their faces in the twentieth century -- Linda Grant * GUARDIAN *What a relief it is to read so detailed and well-researched a book . . . Woodhead knows her stuff -- Fay Weldon * SUNDAY TIMES *Gripping biographies of these powder-puff prima donnas. At the same time . . . the history of make-up through the twentieth century -- Val Hennessey * DAILY MAIL *Written with humorous sensitivity and sympathy -- Nicky Haslam * LITERARY REVIEW *These were women who were tough in business, who had a single vision - an idea of what they believed in and would do anything to get there -- Bobbi Brown

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Book SynopsisArianna Huffington is one of the world's most prominent business leaders in media. As co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, she built the first internet newspaper, which eclipsed the traffic of The New York Times and won the Pulitzer Prize. Creating a digital media empire from an investment of just over $1 million, she sold HuffPost to AOL in 2011 for more than $300 million.HuffPost went on to become the flagship publication for global telecommunications giant Verizon, before being acquired by BuzzFeed in 2020. Considered to be one of the most influential women on earth, Huffington went on to establish Thrive Global, a wellness and technology start-up that aims to end the stress and burn-out epidemic.This concise, but richly detailed, biography provides an overview of Huffington's life and career, chronicling her journey from Athens to London, New York, Washington and California, across seven decades. From her e

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Book Synopsis Reed Hastings is one of the world''s foremost business leaders. As co-founder, chairman and CEO of Netflix, he has built one of the largest media and entertainment companies on the planet, with an estimated personal net worth of $3.6 billion. A notable philanthropist, he has served on the boards of a number of non-profit organisations as well as Facebook and Microsoft. This concise but detailed biography provides an overview of Hastings'' career trajectory. From his unique management style to the biggest mistakes he has made along the way, to the reasons behind his decision to take Netflix from a business that dealt with products (rental DVDs) to a technology company that focuses on streaming, Burgess sheds light on Hastings'' success and looks to what the future may bring for him and his ventures. Aspirational and positive, this is the perfect book for those looking for a concise and accessible account of a true global business visionary.

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Book SynopsisNamed a most-anticipated book of 2024 by the Sunday Times, Financial Times, Stylist, Vogue, NPR.org, Oprah Daily, Town & Country and more.A moving story of how easily a life can be submerged by work, and what it takes to regain one''s soul' Oliver Burkeman, bestselling author of Four Thousand WeeksWhat are you willing to sacrifice to get to the top?What it might take to break free and leave it all behind?Carrie Sun can't shake the feeling that she's wasting her life. At twenty-nine, she's left her job, dropped out of an MBA program and is trapped in an unhappy engagement. So when she gets the opportunity to work at one of the most prestigious hedge funds in the world, she can't say no. Carrie is the sole assistant to the firm's billionaire founder: she manages his work life, becomes his right hand and learns that money can solve nearly everything.But amid the

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Book SynopsisThe accomplishments, and initiatives, both social and economic, of Edward Watkin are almost too many to relate. Though generally known for his large-scale railway projects, becoming chairman of nine different British railway companies as well as developing railways in Canada, the USA, Greece, India and the Belgian Congo, he was also responsible for a stream of remarkable projects in the nineteenth century which helped shape people's lives inside and outside Britain. As well as holding senior positions with the London and North Western Railway, the Worcester and Hereford Railway and the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, Watkin became president of the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada. He was also director of the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railways, as well as the Athens-Piraeus Railway. Watkin was also the driving force in the creation of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway's 'London Extension' - the Great Central Main Line down to Marylebone in London. This, though, was only one part of his great ambition to have a high-speed rail link from Manchester to Paris and ultimately to India. This, of course, involved the construction of a Channel tunnel. Work on this began on both sides of the Channel in 1880 but had to be abandoned due to the fear of invasion from the Continent. He also purchased an area of Wembley Park, serviced by an extension of his Metropolitan Railway. He developed the park into a pleasure and events destination for urban Londoners, which later became the site of Wembley Stadium. It was also the site of another of Watkin's enterprises, the 'Great Tower in London' which was designed to be higher than the Eiffel Tower but was never completed. Little, though, is known about Watkin's personal life, which is explored here through the surviving diaries he kept. The author, who is the chair of The Watkin Society, which aims to promote Watkin's life and achievements, has delved into the mind of one of the nineteenth century's outstanding individuals.

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Book Synopsis'The most explosive, mind-blowing business book I've ever read' – Bradley Hope, New York Times bestselling author of Billion Dollar Whale'Jaw-dropping . . . well-told, well-structured and exquisitely reported' – Financial Times book reviewDiscover the unauthorized, unvarnished story of famed Wall Street hedge-fund manager Ray Dalio.When Ray Dalio, billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund, announced in October 2022 that he was stepping down from the company he founded forty-seven years ago, the news made headlines around the world. Dalio achieved worldwide fame thanks to a mystique of success cultivated in frequent media appearances, celebrity hobnobbing, and his bestselling book, Principles. In The Fund, Rob Copeland draws on hundreds of interviews with those inside and around the firm to reveal what really goes on with Dalio and his cohorts behind closed doors.Tracing more than fifty years of Dalio's leadership, The Fund peels back the curtain to reveal a rarefied world of wealth and power, where former FBI director Jim Comey kisses Dalio's ring, recent Pennsylvania Senate candidate David McCormick sells out, and countless Bridgewater acolytes describe what it's like to work at this fascinating firm.Dalio has stepped down from Bridgewater before; will the legacy of his Principles continue to chart the course of the firm? The Fund provides unique insight into the story of Dalio and Bridgewater, past, present and future.'A taut, nonfiction thriller' – Bryan Burrough, bestselling author of Barbarians at the Gate'Manages to both shock and entertain at the same time' – Philipp Meyer, bestselling author of American Rust and The SonTrade ReviewThe most explosive, mind-blowing business book I've ever read - and the most fun, too -- Bradley Hope, bestselling author of Billion Dollar WhaleAt last, the era of the billionaire philosopher-king has a defining book. The Fund is a taut, nonfiction thriller -- Bryan Burrough, bestselling author of Barbarians at the GateA classic American story about the most famous man on Wall Street - or the person he seems to be. The Fund manages to both shock and entertain at the same time -- Philipp Meyer, bestselling author of American Rust and The SonJaw-dropping . . . well-told, well-structured and exquisitely reported -- Financial Times book reviewA terrific dagger of a book, packed with cringey detail, just long enough to efficiently disembowel its subject. For anyone who has had an awful boss, The Fund is the perfect rage-read -- Mark Gimein, reviewing for the New York TimesExplosive . . . rivetingly chronicles a traumatic social experiment in which hundreds of America’s sharpest Ivy League finance alums unwittingly became ensnared -- Ben Naparstek, reviewing for The AustralianEye-opening...[teaches us] to be more sceptical about investment and management gurus -- MoneyWeek Book of the Month review (December 2023)The best thing I read in 2023 -- Robin Wigglesworth, bestselling author of Trillions, writing for the Financial Times' Best of Further Reading list (2023)

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Book SynopsisA cultural and business history of the UFC, tracing the unlikely rise of mixed martial arts from what was derided in the '90s as 'human cockfighting' - more violence than sport - to a global pop culture phenomenon.Senator John McCain once decried mixed martial arts as 'human cockfighting,' while the New York Times despaired that the sport offered a 'pay-per-view prism' onto the decline of western civilisation. But the violent spectacle of cage fighting no longer feels nearly as scandalous as it did when the sport debuted in 1993. Today, it's spoken of reverentially as a kind of 'human chess' played out in real-time between two bodies and the UFC is one of the most valuable franchises in the world, worth more than any team in the NFL, NBA, or MLB and equal to what Disney paid to acquire Marvel Comics. Once banned in thirty-six states and hovering on the edge of bankruptcy, the UFC has evolved into a $10 billion industry. How did cage fighting go so mainstream?A rollicking behind-the-scenes account of one of the most spectacular upsets in American sports history, Cage Kings follows the desperate fighters, audacious promoters, fanboy bloggers, fatherly trainers, philosophical announcers, hustling sponsors, and three improbable twentysomething corporate titans on a darkly comic odyssey to normalize a new level of brutality in American pop culture-and make a fortune doing so. Stylishly written and poignantly observed, the book offers a provocative look at how the hollowing out of the American dream over the past three decades and the violence endemic to modern capitalism left us ready to embrace a sport like cage fighting.

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Book Synopsis'I have no intention of making small bets' - Masayoshi SonIn order to understand what's happening in Silicon Valley, you just need to look at Masayoshi Son.__________There is no one in the world right now who is in a better position to influence the next wave of technology than Masayoshi Son. Not Jeff Bezos, not Mark Zuckerberg, not Elon Musk. They might have the money, but they lack Masa's combination of ambition, imagination, and nerve.Masayoshi Son is the most powerful person in Silicon Valley. As CEO and founder of the Japanese investment firm, SoftBank, 'Masa' has invested in some of the most exciting and influential tech companies in recent memory - Uber, WeWork, ByteDance, Slack, and many others. Prior to that, he was known as one of the first investors in Alibaba and Yahoo!He has an audacious vision for the future and one that is unmatched in the tech industry. Aiming High provides insight into this charismatic and visionary leader.Originally published in Japan, this book charts Son's rise from a Korean immigrant who dropped out of high school to becoming one of the wealthiest people in the world. With unprecedented access to Son, including exclusive interviews, this book creates an authoritative account of how SoftBank and it's visionary and charismatic CEO is shaping the future of tech.__________

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Book SynopsisFrom historical figures such as Marie Curie to contemporaries such as Steve Jobs, a handful of innovators have changed the world. What made them so spectacularly inventive? Melissa A. Schilling, one of the world's leading experts on innovation, looks at the lives of seven creative geniuses--Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Elon Musk, Dean Kamen, Nicola Tesla, Curie, and Jobs--to identify the traits and quirks that led them to become breakthrough innovators.Though all innovators possess incredible intellect, intellect alone does not create a serial innovator. There are other very strong commonalities: for instance, nearly all exhibit very high levels of social detachment. They all have extreme, almost maniacal, faith in their ability to overcome obstacles. And they have a passionate idealism that pushes them to work with intensity even in the face of criticism or failure. These individual traits would be unlikely to work in isolation--being unconventional without having high levels of confidence and direction, for example, might result in rebellious behavior that does not lead to meaningful innovation.Schilling reveals the science behind the convergence of traits that increases the likelihood of success, and shows us how to nurture and facilitate breakthrough innovation in our own lives.

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Book SynopsisEmpty Mansions is a rich mystery of wealth and loss, connecting the Gilded Age opulence of nineteenth-century America with a twenty-first-century battle over a $300 million inheritance. At its heart is a reclusive heiress named Huguette Clark, a woman so secretive that, at the time of her death at age 104, no new photograph of her had been seen in decades. Though she owned palatial homes in California, New York, and Connecticut, why had she lived for twenty years in a simple hospital room, despite being in excellent health? Why were her valuables being sold off? Was she in control of her fortune, or controlled by those managing her money?Huguette Clark was the daughter of self-made copper industrialist W. A. Clark, nearly as rich as Rockefeller in his day, a controversial senator, railroad builder, and founder of Las Vegas. She grew up in the largest house in New York City, a remarkable dwelling with 121 rooms for a family of four. She owned paintings by Degas and Renoir, a world-renowned Stradivarius violin, a vast collection of antique dolls. But wanting more than treasures, she devoted her wealth to buying gifts for friends and strangers alike, to quietly pursuing her own work as an artist, and to guarding the privacy she valued above all else.Empty Mansions reveals a complex portrait of the mysterious Huguette and her intimate circle. We meet her extravagant father, her publicity-shy mother, her star-crossed sister, her French boyfriend, her nurse who received more than $30 million in gifts, and the relatives fighting to inherit Huguette's copper fortune. Richly illustrated with more than seventy photographs, Empty Mansions is an enthralling story of an eccentric of the highest order, a last jewel of the Gilded Age who lived life on her own terms.Trade ReviewAn evocative and rollicking read, part social history, part hothouse mystery, part grand guignol. * The Daily Beast *Empty Mansions is a dazzlement and a wonder... This is an enchanting journey into the mysteries of the mind, a true-to-life exploration of strangeness and delight. -- Pat ConroyEmpty Mansions reveals this mysterious family in sumptuous detail. -- John BerendtAn amazing story of profligate wealth, one so wild that 'American aspiration' doesn't begin to describe its excesses . . . An outsized tale of rags-to-riches prosperity * The New York Times *Empty Mansions is at once an engrossing portrait of a forgotten American heiress and a fascinating meditation on the crosswinds of extreme wealth. Hugely entertaining and well researched, Empty Mansions is a fabulous read. -- Amanda Foreman

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Book SynopsisWinner of the BAC Wadsworth Prize for Business History 2020 When Calouste Gulbenkian died in 1955 at the age of 86, he was the richest man in the world, known as 'Mr Five Per Cent' for his personal share of Middle East oil. The son of a wealthy Armenian merchant in Istanbul, for half a century he brokered top-level oil deals, concealing his mysterious web of business interests and contacts within a labyrinth of Asian and European cartels, and convincing governments and oil barons alike of his impartiality as an 'honest broker'. Today his name is known principally through the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, to which his spectacular art collection and most of his vast wealth were bequeathed. Gulbenkian's private life was as labyrinthine as his business dealings. He insisted on the highest 'moral values', yet ruthlessly used his wife's charm as a hostess to further his career, and demanded complete obedience from his family, whom he monitored obsessively. As a young man he lived a champagne lifestyle, escorting actresses and showgirls, and in later life - on doctor's orders - he slept with a succession of discreetly provided young women. Meanwhile he built up a superb art collection which included Rembrandts and other treasures sold to him by Stalin from the Hermitage Museum. Published to mark the 150th anniversary of his birth, Mr Five Per Cent reveals Gulbenkian's complex and many-sided existence. Written with full access to the Gulbenkian Foundation's archives, this is the fascinating story of the man who more than anyone else helped shape the modern oil industry.Trade ReviewCompelling ... lovingly researched and crafted with skill... The book pulls off a double success: academic researchers will enjoy and be inspired by it, while general readers will appreciate its clarity and concision. While there are other books written about the extraordinary life of Calouste Gulbenkian, none come close to matching this volume. -- Bülent Gökay * BBC History *Calouste Gulbenkian accumulated so many millions as to be an international power of his own. Jonathan Conlin is an astute and tenacious biographer of this Armenian Maecenas-Superman, and is never duped by the subterfuges and skulduggery of the international oil business. -- Richard Davenport-Hinesmagisterial * the Times *Conlin's thorough study of his subject is admirably detailed * Herald *Praise for The Nation's Mantelpiece: Wise, funny, and massively informative -- Jonathan Keates * Spectator *Conlin's in-depth study will remain the authoritative account for many years to come * Daily Mail *Praise for Adam Smith: As thorough as it is entertaining. ... without oversimplifying, Conlin brings Smith's world to life. * Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung *Praise for Tales of Two Cities: Fascinating. Admirable skill and a painter's eye ... The reader will never think of London or Paris in the same way again -- Amanda Foreman

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Book SynopsisElon Musk is one of the world''s most successful entrepreneurs -- the CEO of Tesla, the founder of SpaceX and one of the richest people on the planet. Raised in South Africa, he attended a number of universities, before founding the software company Zip2 in 1995. Just four years later it was bought for $307 million. X.com, the online bank he founded in 1999, merged to form PayPal the following year. His business interests have expanded to include aerospace, artificial intelligence and neurotechnology. This book is a deep dive into his career and how he built his business empire. A fascinating read for aspiring entrepreneurs or anyone looking to build a successful business.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Visionaries series brings together entertaining biographies of leading figures within business world and beyond, tracing their lives, careers and the innovative thinking that made them world-famous.

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Book SynopsisWhat is the key to Jeff Bezos''s success? This biography takes a deep-dive into his career and the decisions he made to become the world''s most successful business magnate.Entrepreneur and e-commerce pioneer Jeff Bezos is a success story of the business world. The executive chairman of Amazon and founder of Blue Origin, he became the first centibillionaire on the Forbes wealth index and one of the world''s most recognisable names in modern history. This book explores his empire of achievement and how his vision and hands-on efforts have led him from a start-up in his garage to his legacy today.Featuring photographs which chronicle his rise to success, this book is fascinating read for aspiring entrepreneurs or anyone looking to build a successful business.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Visionaries series brings together entertaining biographies of leading figures within business world and beyond, tracing their lives, careers and the innovative thinking that made them world-famous.

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Book SynopsisSamuel Smiles published Lives of the Engineers in 1862. The noted biographer presented his engineers as heroic progress makers who conquered nature and overcame impossible obstacles to drive the Industrial Revolution forward, but included twisted and often fabricated accounts in his work.In Ten Engineers Who Made Britain Great, Anthony Burton seeks to correct this narrative by offering nuanced portraits of some of the best-known engineers of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Burton investigates the common themes that run between the stories of John Metcalf, James Brindley, John Smeaton, William Jessop, Thomas Telford, James Watt, Richard Trevithick, George and Robert Stephenson, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and also explores how each of these men learned from one another.

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