1,000 Dollars & an Idea

Entrepreneur to Billionaire

De: Sam Wyly

Narrado por: Phil Gigante

Duración: 8 h y 33 m

Resumen del Editor

"My work is to create companies and build them," writes Sam Wyly in this candid, engrossing memoir, which reveals how he established and expanded companies on the leading edge of advancements in technology, energy, retail, and investments over the last 45 years.

Wyly shares the process, relationships, struggles, and strategies that have made him one of the 1,000 wealthiest people in the world. From the hardships his parents faced trying to hold on to the family cotton farm during the Depression to the coaching he received on the high school football field, this self-made billionaire describes how his early years in Louisiana prepared him for what lay ahead. His sales experience with IBM and Honeywell in Dallas in the early 1960s gave him the idea to start the first "computer utility". Risking $1,000 of his savings, he founded University Computing in 1963 and took it public two years later, becoming a millionaire at the age of 30.

Part autobiography and part inspirational business guide, this audio is full of refreshing insights about what it takes to create, grow, and build successful companies.

©2008 Sam Wyly (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Brilliant Biogaphy, Great Narration

I found this book gave amazing insight into not only the life and times of Sam Wyly, but also into the very spirit of entrepreneurial America.

The narrator, with this southern drawl makes it even more powerful. I really felt like I was sitting on Sam's porch listening to him recount his life.

Sam's life itself is amazing in how many major events it touches on in American history, computer history, and in his change from starting out to confident billionaire.

This is a book that I have been talking to my friends about and pondering for over a week now. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the topics of business and technology.

More Biography, Less Business

I bought this book in a batch purchase of business books. I was looking for inspirations & ideas. To be honest, I got sucked in by the title, thinking it was a business book. Its a biography.
Overall, there were some small learning moments for me, but most of my experience with this book felt like a man politely boasting of his very successful career.
At first, I was discouraged by the amount of biography over business ideas. However, when I did a little homework on the book, I realized it was more of a bio so I adjusted my expectations. Then the book teased me with business "nuggets" admidst all of the stories. I say "teased" because a chapter will start off by telling a story that feels like a backdrop for a good business lesson. However, instead of pointing out how his struggles & successes can apply to you and me, the chapter would just end with an, "...and that's how I was successful with that business."

Worth listening

It was bit boring on first few chapters due to over explanation of historical facts, but later part it was interesting and inspiring.

A great book well narrated.

I loved this audio book! High praise for Sam Wiley. The narrator read the book well.