The image remains pristine: a charismatic high-school dropout turned billionaire, whose stratospheric rise and daring exploits have won him millions of enduring admirers and made him a model for aspiring entrepreneurs throughout the world. But is this story still credible? Over the last decade, has Branson matched the expectations perpetuated by Virgin's relentless publicity machine? Or have we all been seduced by a brilliant showman? In his most explosive book to date, Tom Bower, bestselling biographer of Simon Cowell, Bernie Ecclestone, Conrad Black and Robert Maxwell, dares to explore the reality of the Branson empire. In doing so, he unravels the gripping story of his recent activities - from the astonishing success of mobile phones to his troubled airlines and his long delayed plan to send multimillionaires into space - and asks whether he really remains Britain's heroic buccaneer.
What would you do with a billion dollars? This question gets a definitive answer from billionaire Richard Branson: do everything! Born into a wealthy family in London, Branson suffered from dyslexia and was a poor student. Still, his knack for business started early with a successful parakeet-breeding enterprise at age 11.The charismatic entrepreneur launched his first major business, Virgin Records, at age 22 and spent the next few decades building the Virgin group that now includes more than 400 companies. Known for his eccentric lifestyle and trillion-watt smile, Branson’s hot air balloon flights, innovative leadership, and world record attempts have made him an instantly-recognizable global icon.
Eve Bransons life reads like a fast-paced adventure novel. A classically trained ballet dancer, she appeared in racy West End productions, disguised herself as a boy to take glider lessons, enlisted in the Womens Royal Navy Service, and then embarked on a series of harrowing adventures as a Star Girl air hostess on the ill-fated British South American Airways. Though marrying the dashing ex-Cavalry officer, Edward Ted Branson, brought her down to earth to raise three children, Eves quest for adventure never faltered. After running several businesses, traveling the world, and doing global charity work, Eve is preparing to launch the first commercial space travelers to the edge of space in a Virgin Galactic mother ship that bears her name. In this lively, absorbing memoir part diary, part adventure story, part family history Eve Bransons formidable energy propels the reader through an extraordinary life. Along the way, she divulges some of the unorthodox but effective trade secrets behind raising one of the worlds most colourful entrepreneurs.
***100% of Author Royalties are being donated to charity in keeping with the belief that WEconomy can indeed change the world by empowering families in developing communicates to lift themselves out of poverty with the small business training these book sales are providing. Track your individual impact on a global scale with the specific code on your book’s back cover at WE.org. Your guide to ‘Business with Benefits'... for All! Purpose and profit are powerful human motivators. Combined, this power can change the world. WEconomy is your guidebook to the greatest evolution in business since the assembly line. Discover the secret to achieving purpose with profit in your career and company, all while driving positive impact. Do you crave more meaning in your job? This book is your roadmap. Are you seeking to inspire employees? CEOs are discovering that purpose is the key to increasing productivity and retaining top performers. If you’re in sales, unleash the power of purpose to inspire customers to be passionate brand ambassadors. If you are an aspiring social entrepreneur, learn how to massively scale your mission. Get paid to change the world — who wouldn’t want to be the person doing that? Uncover the methods of megastars like Oprah Winfrey, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Sir Richard Branson, who make the world a better place through purposeful—and highly successful—business strategies. The stellar authorial team share in candid detail, the setbacks and achievements they experienced building successful enterprises and charities—with purpose. With the tips inside this book, you, your business, or your charity can: Find a cause that drives you and your career goals to new heights Create a job that you love and be celebrated by your peers, boss, and industry Inspire brand fanatics to stay loyal to you, your company, and your cause Add a halo to your product, grow your geographic reach, innovate for “the next big thing,” engage Boomers to Gen Z, and much more! This is your blueprint for living by your personal values, achieving career success, and changing the world. Purpose and profit are the greatest human motivators. This is the definitive roadmap for bringing the power of both forces together—achieving purpose with profit in your career, company, and changing the world. Do you crave more meaning in your job? This book will give you the roadmap. Are you seeking to inspire employees? CEOs are discovering that purpose is the secret to increasing productivity and retaining top workers. If you’re in sales, unleash the power of purpose to inspire customers to be passionate brand ambassadors. Everyone wants more meaning. We all inherently know that purpose is powerful, but this is the ground-breaking book to unleashing the purpose within your career, company, and life goals. This book will show you how to profit with purpose, whether you’re the one calling the shots or a junior employee looking to advance. Get paid to change the world – who wouldn’t want to be the person doing that?
One of the world's most famous business leaders (and a well-known avian fanatic) explores the pioneers of flight. Bestselling author and billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson has always been obsessed with the skies. To promote a new Virgin Airlines route, he became the first man to water ski behind a blimp. His Virgin Galactic venture will soon offer ordinary people the opportunity to experience spaceflight aboard the first commercial spaceliner, SpaceShipTwo. In Reach for the Skies, Branson examines the history of aviation over the last two hundred years, putting the spotlight on trailblazers such as: *Tony Jannus, who made the first ever commercial flight over Tampa Bay, Florida, in 1914. *Leo Valentin, the "bird man" who jumped from 9,000 feet wearing a pair of wooden wings in the 1950s. *Steve Fossett, who broke 130 world records in planes, balloons, and airships. The pioneers of flight-not just the world-famous Wright Brothers, but also lesser known visionaries and dreamers-made it possible for any of us with the desire and the commitment to reach for the skies ourselves.
The Shepherd of the Hills is the classic story of the stranger who takes the Old Trail deep into the Ozark Mountains, many miles from civilization. His appearance signals intellect and culture, yet his countenance is marked by grief and disappointment. What is his purpose in taking on the lowly work of tending local sheep? And how is it that he befriends these simple hill folk, despite his coming from the world beyond the ridges? Mystery and romance envelop this gentle yet compelling story as the identity and purpose of the stranger-turned-shepherd is gradually unveiled.
Written by a local author, this guide is filled to the brim with insider information on everything from the top fishing sites to seasonal festivals and the best places to eat, sleep, and play.
Candid, funny, inspirational and often revealing about Branson's family, close friends and his personal philosophy on life and business, this long-awaited autobiography covers dramatic events such as the dirty tricks campaign and the balloon adventures.
Following the shocking death of a teenage boy, Barrett and Amelia are moved to revisit the passing of their own daughter, Edi, which occurred in the same small town nearly a decade earlier. Amelia finds herself caring for the recently deceased boy's "sort of" girlfriend, who faces constant harassment and accusations from the townsfolk, while Barrett combs through Edi's self-published fantasy novels in an effort to connect with her. As he reads, an increasingly bizarre wave of incidents crashes down upon the town involving a talking goat, Bigfoot, and a G-Man with alien thought patterns, to name but a few. As the Missouri River slowly floods, and the thin line between fact and fiction is washed away, Barrett and Amelia struggle against the great unknown and search desperately for inner peace. Blending whimsy and wonder with a mix of mayhem and malevolence, Water, Wasted takes readers on a tour of loss, redemption, and the great unknown.
James Branson longs to be someone else. Overweight and friendless, James isn’t sure he’s worth much. It doesn’t help that he lives in a town named after his ancestors, but there is much more to James than meets the eye. James will wrestle with what he believes about himself as he uncovers the truth of who he really is and where he comes from.
