Call Me Ted

By: Ted Turner, Bill Burke

Narrated by: Ted Turner

Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

An innovative entrepreneur, outspoken nonconformist, and groundbreaking philanthropist, Ted Turner is truly a living legend, and now, for the first time, he reveals his personal story. From his difficult childhood to the successful launch of his media empire to the catastrophic AOL/Time Warner deal, Turner spares no details or feelings and takes the reader along on a wild and sometimes bumpy ride. You'll also hear Ted's personal take on how we can save the world...share his experiences in the dugout on the day when he appointed himself as manager of the Atlanta Braves....learn how he almost lost his life in the 1979 Fastnet sailing race (but came out the winner)...and discover surprising details about his dealings with Fidel Castro, Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Bill Gates, Jack Welch, Warren Buffett, and many more of the most influential people of the past half century. Ted also doesn't shrink from the darker and more intimate details of his life. With his usual frankness, he discusses a childhood of loneliness (he was left at a boarding school by his parents at the tender age of four), and the emotional impact of devastating losses (Ted's beloved sister died at 17 and his hard-charging father committed suicide when Ted was still in his early 20's). Turner is also forthcoming about his marriages, including the one to Oscar-winning actress, Jane Fonda. Along the way, Ted's friends, colleagues, and family are equally revealing in their unique "Ted Stories" which are peppered throughout the book. Jane Fonda, especially, provides intriguing insights into Ted's inner drive and character. In Call Me Ted, you'll hear Ted Turner's distinctive voice on every page. Always forthright, he tells you what makes him tick and what ticks him off, and delivers an honest account of what he's all about. Inspiring and entertaining, Call Me Ted sheds new light on one of the greatest visionaries of our time.

©2008 Ted Turner (P)2008 Hachette Audio

Under-hyped

... compared to Mr. Boone's biography. This one is much richer (not only longer), and is one of the better examples where the author reads his own book (I have a few in my collection that serve as negative examples of such a set-up). Hands-down the best value of any of my Audible downloads (which amount to 278 over the course of 6 years)--in a good way. The story is very exciting throughout, and to top it all off, there is even an interview of the author included at the end (of the Audible version). I'm already eagerly looking forward to the sequel (you'll know what I mean by this when you listen to the book).

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

A Worthy Listen

After seeing Ted Turner interviewed on 60 Minutes, I knew I wanted to listen to his book. Definitely worth the time. I found his business deals fascinating, but didn't admire his personal life.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Dry

I was disappointed with this book because, perhaps mistakenly, I expected it to be a memoir. Rather, it reads like a biography/business school case. Ted methodically takes us through the factual details of his life, which mostly consisted of work and sailing. I often found myself drifting off while listening and took many "breaks" to listen to more captivating material.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Interesting and honest

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Great read. Recounts great moments from the past. Ted legacy in recent times has been overshadowed but this book really highlights his achievements and impact he has had on the world.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Call Me Ted?

The Impact CNN has had

Which scene was your favorite?

Americas cup and sailing stories

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Ted Turner: Outstanding Human. Living Legend

In 1984 - when my parents were one of the first cable subscribers on a tiny Caribbean island - I had no idea that CNN was a fledgling cable network. I have always known the name of Ted Turner. I guess that it is easy to assume that rich, powerful, outspoken Southern billionaires have always been so. Not quite.

Ted Turner was once a rambunctious, badly-behaved boy who was chucked off to boarding schools at a very tender age, expelled from several schools and repeatedly physically abused by a controlling alcoholic father. Despite his harsh childhood, there is no pity party in the book. Ted tells the story of his troubled childhood with brevity and a matter of fact quality. He continued his career of academic delinquency through military school, where he learned some discipline but eventually dropped out of University, never earning a college degree.

And then come the details of his staggering accomplishments. The trajectory goes like this: troubled child - college dropout - multi-billionaire. He was forced to eat humble pie by joining his father's billboard business, but then went on to win the America's Cup, start a cable net work and eventually CNN, own the Atlanta Braves, become an exceedingly wealthy person and the largest single landowner in the United States. He even gave a billion dollars to the United Nations.

The story is so astounding that, like a work of poor fiction, it is almost unbelievable. He is passionate, outspoken and in many ways a stubborn brat. How did he do it? Vision, belief in his dream and hard work. It makes your head spin, but the failures and frailties are candidly presented too. An important component of the book is the space given to key persons in his life, including ex-wife Jane Fonda and arch-enemies to share their uncensored thoughts on him and experiences they shared. The book is so much richer for it.

I now have both a healthy respect and deep admiration for this extraordinary man - entrepreneur, visionary, humanitarian. Ted Turner is truly a living legend.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fascinating story read by the man himself

I really enjoyed this and was pretty dissapointed when I completed all 18 hours worth of audio - only because it was over. Much of it is fascinating, and Ted had me laughing throughout as well. I really find business self-help titles to be pretty boring, this on the other hand was very inspiring. His personal life is quite a failure really, but there's much to be learned from here, with his energy, vision, and people skills. The Time Warner details at the end were a downer I thought, he seemed to go into too much detail and it seems the events are maybe still a bit raw. His early life and sailing, CNN etc stories we're absolutely awesome. I'm looking forward to listening to this again sometime. Easily the best audiobook I've listened too. This makes me want to get the book - though there's a great richness hearing this story in Ted's own southern accent. Hard to beat.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good until the last hour

The book was good and entertaining until the last hour when he became preachy on the subject of over population (this from a man with 5 kids and 10 grandkids), the evils of a capitalistic, consumer driven society (this from a billionaire), and Americans who drive big cars and own big houses (this from a man with a number of properties all over the country). Until his "do as I say not as I do" finale, the book was very entertaining.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Must Read

Fantastic business book. The deal comes second, first is a no nonsense, non-academic articulation of what business combinations make sense and why. So many businessmen end up successful through high energy, hard work, and being in the right place at the right time. Not so with "Ted". He is a natural strategic thinker, and he's brilliant at it. The personal side is also very insightful. An engaging book, full of humor and strategic insight.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I hate Reading...

But I absolutely loved this book! Lots of lessons in here from everyday life to work! WORTH IT!

TED FOR PRESIDENT USA

This man has the business savvy the personality and the international contacts with Goodwill. His interest in environmental control , people population and Humanity means he would make a wonderful president, he is my new and latest hero. he is the person I would most like to have lunch with and meet in person! I agree with Jane Fonda when she says " Ted Turner is the most remarkable man I have ever known " Me Too! LISTEN AND LEARN, Go Ted Turner!

News to Me.

Until I listened to this book, I had never heard of Ted Turner, so why listen to a book about someone I've never heard off.

When reading the synopsis of this book, I recognised other famous names and this was enough for me to buy this book and I'm so glad I did, his story was amazing and it's not until you hear his story that you realize you have heard of Ted Turner, we all have, indirectly.

I'm short, a great book and one hell of a life story, which is yet to be finished.

Daring Ted

A very inspiring narrative of a man that pursues his dreams and isn't afraid of failure

Inspirational !

Highly recommended,Ted is one of the most influential man alive!
" Set your goals higher the you can achieve them in this life "

Great Biography of Ted!

A neat and energetic account of Ted's life from childhood to Cnn to cartoon network to AOL Time Warner to social projects. Am interesting life I will recommend it.

drive and determination

Ted is clearly quite an extraordinary fellow. fascinating. not sure I learned a lot, but quite an eye opener about drive and determination.

Top Book

Not many business books out there that are also entertaining. To be honest this is more a story of Ted's life but it really is a great listen. Highly recommended.

David

Amazing

This is a very personal and real account of a very succesful business man. Lots of lessons to be learnt; very interesting to listen to, and very inspiring. Would recommend without a doubt.