Self-Made in America: Plain Talk for Plain People about the Meaning of Success

by John McCormack, David R. Legge

Once a New York City cop, John McCormack made his first million on Wall Street in his twenties, and lost it before he was thirty. He went to work for—and learned from—savvy businessmen who had made it from the ground up. Blending their wisdom with his own entrepreneurial gifts, McCormack made a stunningly successful comeback. Here he shares his inspiring story as well as the lessons he's learned about motivation, setting goals, and how creative companies can bring the American dream to those born without a silver spoon.

Genres: Business

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 21, 1992

About the author

Dr. John McCormack is a professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Georgia. A native of Tennessee, he received his DVM degree from Auburn University and for ten years ran a successful veterinary practice in Choctaw County, Alabama, which is the setting for his books. A proud Dad and Granddad, he lives in Athens, Georgia, with his wife, Jan.

Reviews

[James Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read and re-read this book many times and always find something relevant to how I'm feeling at the time

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part memoir, part self-help. John McCormack, an NYC cop who saved his money and every year he and his brother would open a little neighborhood Christmas tree lot. They saved the money, and eventually invested it, and made a killing in the stock market almost over night--he was a millionaire at 25. He was hired by an Wall Street investment firm, given a big salary and lived high on the hog--limos, champagne and bimbos. 18 months later he was broke and bankrupt, $250,000 in debt, without a job and contemplating suicide. He met an elderly Jewish man who convinced him that it was possible to not only get out of debt, but get his money back, and live a life that was financially sound and enjoyable.

McCormack found out the old gent--then in his 80s--hadn't made his first millions till he was 40, and lost all his money three times before finally keeping it all. The man was worth $80 million at the time McCormack met him, and his kids didn't want to learn how to keep the money, they just wanted the money, and he was dying to pass his knowledge on to someone before he died.

He listened and followed the man's advice. McCormack chronicles climbing back up from the financial and emotional hole he was in as he followed the man's advice.

Eventually McCormack and his wife started the chain of Visible Changes Salons in Texas and Oklahoma. For me personally this book made a world of difference for me when I was ready to make a change in my own life.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very inspiring when I was in the midst of my toughest business struggles. I highly recommend for anyone needing a little encouragement to make it through the tough times, personal, professional or financial.

[Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life changing