Body and Soul: Profits with Principles--The Amazing Success Story of Anita Roddick & The Body S hop

by Anita Roddick

The founder of England's Body Shops explains how she developed her philosophies on greed, hype, caring, and communication, and why she thinks her business can change the world

Genres: Biography, Business, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Womens, Autobiography

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Dame Anita Roddick, DBE was a British businesswoman, human rights activist and environmental campaigner, best known as the founder of The Body Shop, a cosmetics company producing and retailing natural beauty products that shaped ethical consumerism. The company was one of the first to prohibit the use of ingredients tested on animals and one of the first to promote fair trade with third world countries.

Roddick was involved in activism and campaigning for environmental and social issues, including involvement with Greenpeace and The Big Issue. In 1990, Roddick founded Children on the Edge, a charitable organisation which helps disadvantaged children in eastern Europe and Asia.

Reviews

[Cathy Rosenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anita Roddick, was a brilliant business woman who figured out that magic formula for making money while making a difference in the world... mostly because the second of the two was her driving force. This will inspire anyone of any age. She founded the Body Shop and made that the huge success it is today because of her conviction to doing what she believed in.

[Melissa Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I picked out for holiday breaks. Maybe I am biased because I used to work for the company, but what Anita writes about in 1991 directly translates to how the business functions today. She was a lot quirkier than I thought she was but found her childhood stories, and descriptions of her TBS becoming a franchise, to be page-turning.

[Christine Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a chance to meet Anita and she signed an original edition (is now out-of-print.) She passed away 5 weeks later....

A truly amazing woman, this chronicles her beginnings both personally and professionally. Recommended highly.

[OxoNewbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a teenager and found it hugely inspiring.

4 stars.

[Sarah Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anita was such an inspiration on how business should be done.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book about the rise of The Body Shop but sad to see that it has just gone into administration.

[Vrinda]

read this in high school (though not in school itself) and recently remembered it

[Callie.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's business if you aren't doing it for yourself? Very insightful read.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish Anita was still with us. The rage she would display at the state of our corporate culture and the world would be spectacular. Such a loss.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anita Broddick was clearly ahead of her time. A fearless risk-taker, her decisions and programs are at the root of the current corporate social responsibility movement.

[Suzanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting book by the founder of The Body Shop about the company's history and principles from the late 70s to the early 90s.

[Ginny Lyke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another must read by one of the greatest women of all time...

[Elizabeth]

Recommended by April