Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way Paperback – June 7, 2011

Sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. Normally, you associate those words with a rock star or movie star, but a businessman? In "Losing My Virginity", which is Sir Richard Branson's (auto)biography, Richard Branson tells the (true) story of his life from early adolescence to (almost) present day. Along the way, he tells stories of several affairs with women, hilarious and sad moments, brash and daring moves/acts, witnessing the rise of several, popular British rock bands, name-dropping (hey, if you were there in his position with famous people/celebrities/rock stars, you'd do the same, so don't knock it)., etc. To put it simply, but complexly, this book reads like a Hollywood movie/script and reminded me of the movies "Catch me if you can" and "The wolf of wall street".I must admit, the beginning of this book starts off with Richard Branson travelling (I won't give it away) that made me think "This guy's a wasteful vagabond who doesn't deserve the luck, fame, and fortune he has", but after the initial, questionable chapter/introduction, this book became very interesting and, I must admit again, I did not want to stop reading (it was addictive, much like the drugs mentioned in this book). If you're looking for a review and advice on the subject of this book and whether or not you should buy this book, the answer is "Yes". Although this book does not give step-by-step advice on how to start a business, what licenses to obtain, etc., it does give (quick) tidbits of information (but not deep, detailed information) on how Richard Branson started his Virgin businesses. If you're looking to start a business and want step-by-step advice, you're better off taking a business class in college/university or reading a "how to start a business" book. Anyway, if one word could sum up this book it would be (to borrow from the show "How I met your mother") "Awesome!".Some people hate Richard Branson. Some people love, respect, and admire Richard Branson. Whatever the case may be, this book is an inspiring book/story of one of the greatest (if not the greatest) modern-day entrepreneurs ever to live on this planet and belongs on the list of the top 20 most influential and important books in history (some of the other books/tomes include: The Bible, Tuesdays with Morrie, 1984, Animal Farm, Brave New World, Candide, etc.).

This is a must read for anyone who wants an inside account of one of today's most prolific entrepreneurs's life stories. For generation X, he was right there creating history for us and it's simply fascating to read his experiences. For those who cherish family values, a wonderful confirmation of how the support from parents can encourage children to be successful and socially responsible citizens.Sir Richard was born at just the right time and he grabbed every opportunity that came his way. His good fortune, through a tremendously strong will to survive and prosper - together with a healthy dose of luck and (perhaps) divine guidance - have positively affected millions. His writing is engrossing, very informative and inspiring.The only dark spot in the book comes toward the end when he describes Bill Gates as a tremendous example for other entrepreneurs. Not much of a computer person himself, Sir Richard is perhaps unaware of the illegal activities conducted by Microsoft that continue to haunt it and its co-founder Bill Gates, and of the suffering that millions of computer users worldwide had to endure while they fell for Gates's trap to buy cheap, unreliable PCs with poorly written Windows code that unfairly penalized the competition. Microsoft's plundering of rival competitors's market share surpasses the dirty tricks that British Airways used to play on Virgin Atlantic and which Sir Richard so eloquently describes as having overcome - eventually. Bill Gates may be contributing his money to worthy causes, but it is ill-gotten money. Sir Richard praises a criminal for his good work. I wish he would wake up to the folly of his thinking for he does some mighty good work himself.

I had one of Richard Branson's book sitting on my shelf for 2.5 years until I finally picked it up and started reading. I could not put the book down. Once I was done I ordered this one and the same thing happened. I could not stop reading.Now I usually read only business books of some sort, I am clearly part of his target audience, but I even my wife now shows interest in reading this book.What I like about the book? Richard Branson's style of writing makes it easy to read this book. He is very honest and upfront with quite a few things. I find this book to be extraordinary. The way how he built the Virgin empire is impressive. This is not some CEO who got rich on cashing stock options. RB is a hard worker who likes to have fun and along the way he built a 'few' businesses (a few hundred that is). This autobiography is almost more like a novel, but then it is not. It is motivating and inspiring. It provides lots of business related tips and tricks, and then not. It is refreshing to read for sure.What I do not like about this book? Why did it take me so freaking long to pick up his books and start reading them. There should be an advisory of some sort on the book: Read immediately after purchasing or life will end as we know it. I do not have to say anything negative about as I really like it.In one of his other books Richard Branson says he expects to work another 30 years or so. I hope he does and that he continues to share his stories and adventures with us. He is a truly gifted man, not afraid of a good challenge, and he does business in an ethical way - something so many other businesses have forgotten. If I could meet with one great person of our time - Richard Branson would definitely be on my lists.