The First Billion is the Hardest

Reflections on a Life of Comebacks and America's Energy Future

By: T. Boone Pickens

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Now 80 years old, T. Boone Pickens is a legendary figure in the business world. Known as the "Oracle of Oil" because of his uncanny ability to predict the direction of fuel prices, he built Mesa Petroleum, one of the largest independent oil companies in the United States, from a $2,500 investment. In the 1980s, Pickens became a household name when he executed a series of unsolicited buyout bids for undervalued oil companies, in the process reinventing the notion of shareholders' rights. Even his failures were successful in that they forced risk-averse managers to reconsider the way they did business.

When Pickens left Mesa at age 68 after a spectacular downward spiral in the company's profits, many counted him out. Indeed, what followed for him was a painful divorce, clinical depression, a temporary inability to predict the movement of energy prices, and the loss of 90 percent of his investing capital. But Pickens was far from out.

From that personal and professional nadir, Pickens staged one of the most impressive comebacks in the industry, turning his investment fund's remaining $3 million into $8 billion in profit in just a few years. That made him, at age 77, the world's second-highest-paid hedge fund manager. But he wasn't done yet. Today, Pickens is making some of the world's most colossal energy bets. If he has his way, most of America's cars will eventually run on natural gas, and vast swaths of the nation's prairie land will become places where wind can be harnessed for power generation. Currently no less bold than he was decades ago when he single-handedly transformed America's oil industry, Pickens is staking billions on the conviction that he knows what's coming. In this book, he spells out that future in detail, not only presenting a comprehensive plan for American energy independence but also providing a fascinating glimpse into key resources such as water - yet another area where he is putting billions on the line.

©2008 T. Boone Pickens (P)2008 Random House Audio

A great book. Well written with a great narrator.

I could not stop listening. Great writing, great story, and a great narrator. You should give it a listen

Excellent book on how to succed in business

This is a great book on the success and how one bounces back from failures in life. A must read on strength of character and on coming back.

Must 👂

Wow this is 1 of my favorite book's that I've listen to all year... I'm truly a fan

Seems like he got lucky in the end and called it skill

I had just finished “I Love Capitalism” and decided another book by an 80-something Billionaire would be great. I loved the Capitalism book, so I thought I’d give the late T. Boone Pickens book a shot.
The contract was stark. Pickens seems arrogant and insecure. I listened to the entire book and the further I got into it, the more it appeared he just got lucky. Which is fine, I’m not hating on a bit of luck. But to write a book about how you came to your success, that’s not a good bet for the rest of us to follow.
By the end of the book it became clear this guy wrote this book as a means of promoting Wind and Solar energies, something he was heavily invested in at the time.
The book read well, had some good parts like any book. His arrogance just didn’t sit well with me.
FYI he also positioned himself in the book to have refined the “hostile takeover” maneuvers we see in today’s market. I respect the technique but not the man that uses them.

It ain't over till it's over!

T. Boone Pickens doesn't excellent job recounting his life story how he became a billionaire period and continues to be successful with strategies he's learned experience. He also demonstrates that just because you get older get smarter and wiser continue to be successful!

Pickens Energy policy alone is worth it

If you could sum up The First Billion is the Hardest in three words, what would they be?

Great business story and his ups and downs. His energy policy outline makes all the sense and our dependence on foreign oil expands that catch phrase. Interesting that he mentions all presidential candidates refer to getting the US less dependent on foreign oil and never layout a plan. I was listening to this as Romney and Obama were doing just that! He has a really sound plan and should be appointed energy secretary of the US and get us moving in that direction. The US has real problems in the near future if something isn't done.

A great book

Great book and a perfect performance on a fabulous life story
Author T Boone Pickens is indeed a beautiful mind

One of the best audiobook ever!

I read a lot guys! At least 10-15 books a month and most of them I’d say are audiobook. Loved the story thank you sir for sharing your story. This book definitely left some mark in my life and his story inspired me to be better and be an entrepreneur who not only builds business but team and make others leader.

Excellent!

I learned so much about investing and our country’s energy requirements listening to this book. This should be a mandatory read for anyone in elected office.

one of the worst books I have ever listened to.

hated this book. got about 4 hrs into it and found out it's just about a dude who's super rich and cry's about not being a billionaire. book straight up blows!