The Fastest Tortoise

Winning in Industries I Knew Nothing About: A Life Spent Figuring It Out

By: Ken Hersh

Narrated by: Keith O'Brien, Keith Sellon-Wright

Length: 15 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Life lessons from an investor who forged his own path to success

Through their entertaining conversations, Ken Hersh and his interviewer, best-selling author Steve Fiffer, recount Ken’s improbable life journey, both personally and professionally. And what a journey it has been! Knowing nothing about the energy industry, Ken ventured in and ultimately helped pioneer an investment methodology that built one of the country’s most successful private investment firms and has been copied by dozens of firms to become the dominant means by which capital flows into the domestic energy industry. As a fearless young capitalist, he never shied away from raising his hand. He says, “I viewed every opening as a gaping opportunity. The uncertainty kind of excited me.”

The Fastest Tortoise is about not just weathering the unknown but embracing it and thriving. Structuring his story around “Ken-isms” that define his personal and professional philosophies—such as “yellow lights don’t turn green,” “be uncomfortable,” and “feed the ducks while they’re quacking”—Ken demonstrates how to approach a volatile world.

Ken’s path, from planting his flag in an industry where an investment model had to be reinvented, to creating a culture in which colleagues and staff felt like family, to pursuing a second career in the nonprofit sector, gives leaders and entrepreneurs of all stripes ample examples from which to draw valuable lessons, inspiration, motivation, and confidence. With his honest, in-depth tales of the ups and downs of his business and personal dealings, we get an inside look at how this optimist has successfully navigated life and business.

©2023 Ken Hersh (P)2023 Greenleaf Book Group

Was not sure what to expect, but a great story

I listen to a lot of books, but have not read many business autobiographies. This one, however, was riveting. Part business success story, part business advice/lessons learned, part snapshot of the 80's and 90's business scene (particularly in North Texas), I found it very engrossing and found myself re-listening to various parts of the book. Ken does not hesitate to tell (in detail) of his successes AND his failures, both in business and life. It does not talk down to the reader and does not dumb down the story either when describing transactions or events.

I also enjoyed the interview format, which gives you the sense of Ken telling his story in his own voice. i have even used a few Ken-isms at work. Yellow lights don't turn green. . . I recommend you read this autobiography.