Losing My Virginity, Richard Branson’s autobiography, weighs in at a hefty 578 pages, and Branson occasionally adds new material. The edition I read covers up to 2007, and it looks like it might have been updated since then. I bought the book after attending a lecture Branson gave at McGill University a couple of months ago. I watched it live, over the internet. Ain’t technology grand?
I never know what to expect with autobiographies (as opposed to biographies). Sometimes the subject dwells on details that were obviously important to him or her, but bore the stuffing out of everyone else. Branson doesn’t do that. The book is easy to get into and offers interesting details about how Branson became an entrepreneur; in fact, he’s never been anything else. While still in high school, he started a magazine called Student.
While working on the magazine and still a teenager, he noticed how much teenagers listen to music and recognized the demand for mail order records (we’re talking vinyl here, folks). He founded a mail order record company that he ran by the seat of his pants. From there, he opened record stores, and from there, built a recording studio. The rest, as they say, is history.
The most surprising thing I learned from the book was how Branson mainly winged his way to success (and before Virgin airlines!). There was never a master plan. Branson seized opportunities whenever they came along, sometimes pulling financing together at the final hour. On several occasions in its early life, Virgin was on the brink of collapse, but Branson’s gift for pulling people together and navigating his way out of tight spots always saved the day. Sometimes the book read like a suspense novel as Branson negotiated his way out of yet another potential catastrophe.
I also agree with his assertion that what he does can’t be taught. It’s one of those things that you can either do, or you can’t. Virgin wouldn’t exist without Richard Branson. He made it happen. He keeps it going. And like him or not, he’s an astute businessman who built an empire through sheer persistence and an absolute belief in himself. He also knows how to surround himself with good people. You could argue that he might not have been as successful without them, but he was astute enough to choose them.
I have a confession to make. I skimmed the last ~150 pages, starting around the time Branson sold Virgin Music. After that point, the book sort of deteriorated into a laundry list of accomplishments, business initiatives, and humanitarian efforts. I also came away wishing that Branson had offered more of a glimpse of Branson, the man, to balance Branson, the businessman. But on reflection, it might be hard to separate the two.
You can’t help but admire the man’s confidence and zest for life. If you enjoy autobiographies, or want to read about someone who really does seize the day, pick up the book.
