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Ross Perot: My Life & the Principles for Success
The author recounts his childhood, education, military service, business career, and entry into politics, and describes the principles he feels are key to leading a successful and fulfilling life
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 1996
4 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
H. Ross Perot
15 books13 followersHenry Ross Perot was an American business magnate, billionaire, philanthropist, and politician who is best known for running for President in 1992 and 1996.
In 1992 Perot got 19% of the votes, which is the most what an independent candidate ever received.
In 2008 Perot spoke out against John McCain as presidential candidate and supported Mitt Romney instead.
In 1992 Perot got 19% of the votes, which is the most what an independent candidate ever received.
In 2008 Perot spoke out against John McCain as presidential candidate and supported Mitt Romney instead.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 28, 2024
There’s an overpass in my current city named after Ross Perot. There’s a theater named after his family. He supported the local college with a huge grant and has flown in by helicopter to be amongst local members of the Boy Scouts of America. And he ran for president many years ago… so I thought I should read up about this local hero.
Ross Perot as a human being: A+++. Great, upstanding, honest, and hardworking human being with an infectious positive attitude. Would have loved to have worked for him.
Ross Perot as a writer… B-. The first part of this book is his life story. Interesting! The second half is an outline he created for his son as a business model. Some super great advice. Just not all concisely written.
Ross Perot as a human being: A+++. Great, upstanding, honest, and hardworking human being with an infectious positive attitude. Would have loved to have worked for him.
Ross Perot as a writer… B-. The first part of this book is his life story. Interesting! The second half is an outline he created for his son as a business model. Some super great advice. Just not all concisely written.
November 21, 2020
"Making money should not be your goal. Building a great company, developing the world's finest products, and creating jobs for thousands of people are worthwhile goals. Making a lot of money is not." ~ Ross Perot, My Life & The Principles of Success, Page 112.
Currently the 403rd richest person in the world according to Forbes (April 16, 2016). He has a net worth of 3.9 billion dollars.
The first edition of this book was written 1996. The copy I read was the second edition produced in 2002.
The book starts off with a biography of his life and then at the last part of the book he shares his principles of success. You will notice that he speaks of everyone highly in his book and has very few people that he does not speak highly about. You would think he lived a perfect life, but I think he wasn't being realistic at times because no one in this world could have such a perfect life, other than Christ. It is worthy to note that this book was written and given as a gift to his campaign supporters when they donated to his campaign as an independent, so that is why I think he is trying to be perfect and have no wrongs, in order to get elected.
Some of the principles to success he shares in this book are:
* "Remember that some of the best thinkers may be the least articulate and have trouble presenting their views."
* "Problems do not disappear if you avoid facing them. They are like cancer-they keep growing. They get worse!"
* "Learn your business until you know more about it than anyone else."
* "One of the keys to successful sales is making a large number of prospecting sales calls each day."
* "New business is the lifeblood of you company. If sales collapse, your company will fail. A great sales force must be one of your highest priorities."
* "Never ignore your instincts regarding other people."
* "Your time and love are far more valuable than money."
The above are only a few points that I underlined in this book.
His father was the one who got him started in business and his mother was the one who got him started into philanthropy by feeding hobos who came to the house when he was young.
This book is worth the read and even is worth reading a second or third time, but ignore that anyone's life could be so perfect with no mistakes or evil, as this is not realistic.
Currently the 403rd richest person in the world according to Forbes (April 16, 2016). He has a net worth of 3.9 billion dollars.
The first edition of this book was written 1996. The copy I read was the second edition produced in 2002.
The book starts off with a biography of his life and then at the last part of the book he shares his principles of success. You will notice that he speaks of everyone highly in his book and has very few people that he does not speak highly about. You would think he lived a perfect life, but I think he wasn't being realistic at times because no one in this world could have such a perfect life, other than Christ. It is worthy to note that this book was written and given as a gift to his campaign supporters when they donated to his campaign as an independent, so that is why I think he is trying to be perfect and have no wrongs, in order to get elected.
Some of the principles to success he shares in this book are:
* "Remember that some of the best thinkers may be the least articulate and have trouble presenting their views."
* "Problems do not disappear if you avoid facing them. They are like cancer-they keep growing. They get worse!"
* "Learn your business until you know more about it than anyone else."
* "One of the keys to successful sales is making a large number of prospecting sales calls each day."
* "New business is the lifeblood of you company. If sales collapse, your company will fail. A great sales force must be one of your highest priorities."
* "Never ignore your instincts regarding other people."
* "Your time and love are far more valuable than money."
The above are only a few points that I underlined in this book.
His father was the one who got him started in business and his mother was the one who got him started into philanthropy by feeding hobos who came to the house when he was young.
This book is worth the read and even is worth reading a second or third time, but ignore that anyone's life could be so perfect with no mistakes or evil, as this is not realistic.
August 25, 2012
Ross is superhuman. He's a good man who worked very hard, raised a strong family and became extremely wealthy. Its inspiring.
October 1, 2015
The first part of the book is a simple autobiography of Ross Perot. Mr. Perot obviously has a great deal of love and respect for his family and country. Hard work, smarts, and some luck allowed him to become a successful businessman. The second part of the book contains his principles for success. I would definitely recommend, especially to young people. This book does not delve into Mr. Perot's run for President in '92 and '96. Look elsewhere for that information.
August 3, 2009
Very nice book. Most of you will relate to the author's early life. His principles are simple and very practical. Author's love and commitment for the family and friends are commendable.
Author re iterates several times in the book that only in America this sort of success is possible which could have been avoided. As we all know there are several such success stories around us.
Author re iterates several times in the book that only in America this sort of success is possible which could have been avoided. As we all know there are several such success stories around us.
December 15, 2011
The first part of the book was an interesting biography of Ross Perot's life. The second part, his success principles, were very impressive. Much of the information is similar to what you would read in a Seth Godin or other business books, but with his own spin. Great info. It would have been very interesting to see Ross Perot as president...
April 25, 2011
A good book in very simple language. The real value of this is found in the last chapters that lays out guiding principles about conducting a successful business for the long term.
May 22, 2018
Great book! Great man! This book is full of important principles to live by.
October 24, 2024
Have an uncle who was with the reformists and he had me read this as a kid. Full of entrepreneurial savvy, e.g.
"Consider the principles of the boy scouts... practice them and your chances of becoming a successful business leader will improve dramatically. A scout is trustworthy, honest, loyal, friendly, courteous, kind, thrifty, cheerful, brave, reverent, and helps other people at all times. A scout promises to keep himself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. The boy scout motto is be prepares.
"Consider the leadership principles of Attila the Hun, who was born at the beginning of the tenth century..."
"Consider the principles of the boy scouts... practice them and your chances of becoming a successful business leader will improve dramatically. A scout is trustworthy, honest, loyal, friendly, courteous, kind, thrifty, cheerful, brave, reverent, and helps other people at all times. A scout promises to keep himself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. The boy scout motto is be prepares.
"Consider the leadership principles of Attila the Hun, who was born at the beginning of the tenth century..."
June 3, 2024
I know the man’s no longer with us but I gotta be honest
Did not enjoy this book, was sort of a poor me tale but had random details showing a pretty good upbringing
Kinda cool he thanks his dad but he does it A LOT
Then second half of the book is really trash (respectfully) and taught me nothing 👨🏫👨🏫👨🏫
Did not enjoy this book, was sort of a poor me tale but had random details showing a pretty good upbringing
Kinda cool he thanks his dad but he does it A LOT
Then second half of the book is really trash (respectfully) and taught me nothing 👨🏫👨🏫👨🏫
December 9, 2020
Timeless advice!
December 23, 2025
Excellent book. Loved reading about his youth growing up around Texarkana.
Then his views on being the leader of a successful company are really really good. Surprisingly similar to my own views.
Then his views on being the leader of a successful company are really really good. Surprisingly similar to my own views.
March 8, 2021
The book achieved what I was looking for - honest, no nonsense, earnest, good-natured views from Perot about family, business and life. The "What is Success" Chapter was a nice surprise because it revealed a philosophical side of him, too, albeit a philosophy that perfectly suits your image of Perot. Useful. Smart. Charming. Memorable. Read that chapter if nothing else.
Glad to have this one on my shelf.
Glad to have this one on my shelf.
July 12, 2023
Any horse can be rode and any cowboy can be thrown
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews