I Love Capitalism!

An American Story

By: Ken Langone

Narrated by: Ken Langone

Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times Best Seller

Iconoclastic entrepreneur and New York legend Ken Langone tells the compelling story of how a poor boy from Long Island became one of America's most successful businessmen.

Ken Langone has seen it all on his way to a net worth beyond his wildest dreams. A pillar of corporate America for decades, he's a co-founder of Home Depot, a former director of the New York Stock Exchange, and a world-class philanthropist (including $200 million for NYU's Langone Health). In this memoir he finally tells the story of his unlikely rise and controversial career. It's also a passionate defense of the American Dream - of preserving a country in which any hungry kid can reach the maximum potential of his or her talents and work ethic.

In a series of fascinating stories, Langone shows how he struggled to get an education, break into Wall Street, and scramble for an MBA at night while competing with privileged competitors by day. He shares how he learned how to evaluate what a business is worth and apply his street smarts to eight-figure and nine-figure deals. And he's not shy about discussing, for the first time, his epic legal and PR battle with former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer.

His ultimate theme is that free enterprise is the key to giving everyone a leg up. As he writes:   

This book is my love song to capitalism. Capitalism works! And I'm living proof - it works for everybody. Absolutely anybody is entitled to dream big, and absolutely everybody should dream big. I did. Show me where the silver spoon was in my mouth. I've got to argue profoundly and passionately: I'm the American Dream.

©2018 Ken Langone (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

“A joyful, authentic, and entertaining must-read by a patriot and hero who defines what it means to give back. I loved this great American story, and so will everyone who wants to understand true business success.” (Jack Welch, Executive Chairman, Jack Welch Management Institute)

“Insightful and inspirational. Ken reminds us of a very important lesson - that capitalism does work. An authentic, up-by-the-bootstraps story by a shining example of the American dream.” (Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co.) 

“While my own love for capitalism might be conditional, my love for Ken Langone is not! His energy, enthusiasm, grit, and generosity are legendary.” (Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York) 

Save your money, he clearly has enough!

I really wanted to like this book however the author spent so much time patting himself on the back rather than sharing anything that could be deemed useful. My only hope is that he stretched before writing this book because at his age he could really pull something!
I didn't expect a blueprint or a "How to get rich" tutorial however for someone who claims to have done so many great things, and help so many people the only thing he helped me with was being a few bucks shorter in the pocketbook.

Great Story..

I really enjoyed the book and some of the anecdotes were priceless. The best was Ross Perot losing out on making a 2 million dollar investment that would roughly be worth 150 billion today. Why? Read the book and find out.. Great job Ken.
Jim Power

Good autobiography

Ken Langone’s story is an inspiration to those who think you have to be rich to make it big in America. His story shows that it is not only possible but definitely doable IF you are willing to work hard and take chances. It’s never been a better time to be an entrepreneur.

His best advice for capitalism is at the end of the book. Take care of All of your people. From the bottom up. That’s how you have a successful company. Too often today companies only care about their bottom line and are happy to get rid of their people. They should take lessons from Ken. Because they don’t, we get young people wanting Bernie Sanders. They need to change or capitalism will be over.

How inspiring and real is Ken Langone.

I lived un Roslyn & Murray Hill - home to NYU Langone on every block . Thank you KL for sharing your fabulous American Dream story, your contribution to this world and your optimism and support of Capitalism!! Great book

Absolutely loved it from start to finish

This book is a must read for anyone. I stumbled on it as l was looking for leadership books. I learned a lot from being assertive, humility, hardworking and dedication to what you love and do it well. Above all, l love the fact that everything Mr. Langone does as stated is determined by his guiding principles in God.
This book has taught me so many things that l will apply in my leadership role.

Engaging, a real eye opener.

Persistence, hard work and smarts, pays off is the lesson here. Excellent book. The John Wayne of business! Loved it.

Awesome Stories

Excellent insight into history making decisions made by visionaries. Loved the fact that it is read by Mr Langone.

Great book

This is a great book highly recommend. I especially like Mr. Langone's simple and genuine style of writing and the fact he narrated it himself. My highest compliments.

genuinely genial!!!

Listening this old guy telling his story with such passion for his achievements and how his life impacts other people's life's, is REMARKABLE!
WHAT A HISTORY!!!

Fantastic book

Great book! True story with great narrative, done by the author himself. I couldn’t wait to get to my car to listen to it. Highly recommended

Great story, even better to hear it from the author.

How many Billionaires would actually take the time to read their book?

I don’t know, but I bet it ain’t many.

In a way that sums up Ken. It added so much more that he read it, particularly all his New York colloquialisms and quotes. You felt like you lived his life with him. Great book.

Respect

It's a great story, absolutely worth your time.

Narration by Mr Langone is spot on.

Kenneth Langone is an example of Good Business

I love capitalistism too! many entrepreneur s should study the character of men such as Kenneth Langone

What a story

I loved the book from the very start. Ken Langone is such a character. He’s one of the best example of how to be a man of your words. I think the book is a gem in business category. A must read for a business oriented minds.