"Oh, screw it, let's do it."

That's the philosophy that has allowed Richard Branson, in slightly more than twenty-five years, to spawn so many successful ventures. From the airline business (Virgin Atlantic Airways), to music (Virgin Records and V2), to cola (Virgin Cola), to retail (Virgin Megastores), and nearly a hundred others, ranging from financial services to bridal wear, Branson has a track record second to none.

Losing My Virginity is the unusual, frequently outrageous autobiography of one of the great business geniuses of our time. When Richard Branson started his first business, he and his friends decided that "since we're complete virgins at business, let's call it just that: Virgin." Since then, Branson has written his own "rules" for success, creating a group of companies with a global presence, but no central headquarters, no management hierarchy, and minimal bureaucracy.

Many of Richard Branson's companies--airlines, retailing, and cola are good examples--were started in the face of entrenched competition. The experts said, "Don't do it." But Branson found golden opportunities in markets in which customers have been ripped off or underserved, where confusion reigns, and the competition is complacent.
And in this stressed-out, overworked age, Richard Branson gives us a new model: a dynamic, hardworking, successful entrepreneur who lives life to the fullest. Family, friends, fun, and adventure are equally important as business in Branson's life. Losing My Virginity is a portrait of a productive, sane, balanced life, filled with rich and colorful stories:

Crash-landing his hot-air balloon in the Algerian desert, yet remaining determined to have another go at being the first to circle the globe

Signing the Sex Pistols, Janet Jackson, the Rolling Stones, Boy George, and Phil Collins

Fighting back when British Airways took on Virgin Atlantic and successfully suing this pillar of the British business establishment

Swimming two miles to safety during a violent storm off the coast of Mexico

Selling Virgin Records to save Virgin Atlantic

Staging a rescue flight into Baghdad before the start of the Gulf War . . .

And much more. Losing My Virginity is the ultimate tale of personal and business survival from a man who combines the business prowess of Bill Gates and the promotional instincts of P. T. Barnum.

Also available in the UK from Virgin Publishing, and in Canada from General Publishing,
In this autobiography, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson says one of his prime business criteria is "fun." Fun made Branson a billionaire, and few business memoirs are one-billionth as fun as Branson's, nor as niftily written. Not only does it relate his side of near-death corporate experiences, it tells how the chairman literally cheated death by gun, shipwreck, and balloon crash.

Branson's empire--now encompassing interests in an airline, pop music, soda pop, e-commerce, and financial services--began when the dyslexic 16-year-old dropped out of school in 1968 to found the British magazine Student. His headmaster said, "I predict that you will either go to prison or become a millionaire." Briefly imprisoned for dodging customs selling records, Branson got his first million by releasing Tubular Bells, a maverick recording all the stuffy executives rejected. (1998's Tubular Bells III puts the series' sales over 20 million.)

Despite wild tales of Branson's wife-swapping and Keith Richards fleeing naked from Branson's studio at gunpoint with another man's woman, the most shocking parts of the memoir concern British Airways' James Bond-like "dirty tricks" campaign against Virgin Atlantic, resulting in the biggest award for damages in English history.

Though it's filled with famous names, witty quotes, and pulse-pounding accounts of lunatic balloon adventures, it is as a business thriller that the book really scores. His instinctive bet-the-ranch tactics could cost him all, or earn another billion. Either way, Branson will likely remain the most entertaining entrepreneur in Europe. --Tim Appelo

Customer Rating:
Summary: Richard Rocks
Comment: I really enjoyed reading this autobiography, a great look behind the scene. I realize this is just a one sided account of events but I found it to be very candid, inspiring and often humorous.

Richard shows us that fun and joy should be the foundation of creating your life, because life is going to happen anyway. There is no such thing as can't, unless you believe in it. It really is good to feel good.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever!
Comment: This is one of the most fascinating, inspiring, and funny books I have ever read. Branson's style is easy to understand (although there are a few British words), and the tale he spins is absolutely spellbinding. I was up until 3AM reading it because I literally could not put it down.

In this book, Branson shares quite a bit of very personal information about his intimate relationships, as well as business details. I felt like he was confiding in me as though we are close friends.

In addition, his sense of humor is wonderful. I found myself laughing hysterically more than a few times. It was entertaining that I went to the computer and ordered his other two books as well.

The real value of the book is that he shows you that anyone can be as rich and happy and successful as he is. He explains his motivations, and shares his feelings with surprising candor. Through revealing the deepest feelings in his heart, and how he cares about people, you can see that even a billionaire is really no different from you or me.

All I can say is this book is really great. You have to read it! Thank you Mr. Branson!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Outstanding life, outstanding book
Comment: Nicely written entertaining book giving an inside perspective about Richard Barnsons life. The descriptions of his early twenties are dominated by explanations about various sexual escapades. Further one, he provides other details about his life which are truly inspiring.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting. Must For Entrepreneurs!
Comment: The book is really captivating. It was interesting to observe that Mr. Branson always looked at the business side of things from an early age.He never relied on elaborate numbers that consulting firms project in feasibility studies nowadays. Business calculations were surely done but there weren't any obscure or abstract business theories that consulting companies dress normal business decision-making with.

The role of banking relationship came to light in this book. One would observe that Mr.Branson had close relationship with banks and they played a major role in all of the business expansion, no matter how risky. Any enrepreneur should take note that close connections with the lending agency (whether it is a bank or venture capital or PE firm) is most important. It is the lifeline for the business, as the book would show.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Exciting, unpredictable, and revealing
Comment: Few autobiographies have the luxury of encompassing such a fascinating topic as Richard Branson who has led a life filled with unremitting vivacious action. Filled with modesty and a nerve that has him taking near unheard of risks (both personal and in business), Losing My Virginity reads like a roller coaster through all the ups and downs of Branson's life.

Richard Branson has created an empire, but few would be aware of just how close he teetered on the edge of bankruptcy for much of his career due to his unwillingness to accept the status quo. His battles with British Airways are epic, but Branson also fills the book with countless highlights of his illustrious life, most notably his near death experiences attempting hot air balloon records.

Where this book really won me over was regarding Branson's interaction with the Jordan royalty and his insight into the first gulf war. As a result of Branson's charitable efforts, he was privy to a point of view that most would not expect. I will leave it to any reader to discover this on their own, but this typifies the interest one should expect to obtain reading this book.

I highly recommend Branson's book to any enthusiast of adventure or business.

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