Losing My Virginity

by Richard Branson

Compelling. Brilliant. Revealing. Funny. Inspirational. Extraordinary. Sir Richard Branson's amazing memoir is now updated to include the effect on the Virgin Group of 11 September, his views on the war in Iraq, the rise of Virgin Blue and the flotation of Virgin Mobile. Discover how Virgin is moving into the US domestic flight market and why he set up the charitable body "Virgin Unite". As ever, his thirst for challenge is unquenched. Sir Richard reveals the thrills of the world record attempt with the Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer and taking Virgin to the final frontier as Virgin Galactic are poised for a new era of commercial space travel. Revealing Sir Richard's unique story, his personal philosophy on life, the Virgin brand and business, LOSING MY VIRGINITY is an autobiography without equal.

Genres: Business, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Entrepreneurship, Memoir, Leadership

624 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin brand of over 360 companies. Branson's first successful business venture was at age 16, when he published a magazine called Student. He then set up a record mail-order business in 1970. In 1972, he opened a chain of record stores, Virgin Records, later known as Virgin Megastores and rebranded as zavvi in late 2007. With his flamboyant and competitive style, Branson's Virgin brand grew rapidly during the 1980s - as he set up Virgin Atlantic Airways and expanded the Virgin Records music label. Richard Branson is the 236th richest person according to Forbes' 2008 list of billionaires as he has an estimated net worth of approximately $7.9 billion USD.

Reviews

[Otis Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned two major things from this book: the power of branding, and the fact that Richard Branson has balls of solid steel.

Branson is one of the great entrepreneurs of our era, and it was truly inspiring to hear his story in his own words. A kid who skipped college and dove straight into business, and time and time again proved he can succeed with a lot of will, determination, and his maverick ability to take big bets and win. Bransons' success is nothing short of inspirational.

I had no idea until reading this how powerful the Virgin brand is, or how many businesses they have gone into. They effectively function like a VC, except they also lend their brand (and perhaps some infrastructure too). Each business is a subsidiary, given its leaders the freedom to move fast and achieve their goals without being slown down by needing permission from the mother ship. This is brilliant. Many of the businesses also complement each other in profitable ways - such as how Virgin Travel and Virgin Atlantic complemented each other.

Branson is a risk-taker. When Virgin Records was about to run out of cash, instead of scraping what he had left to limp on, he scraped it together to make a big bet. It's kind of like going all-in in poker when your chips are getting low - better than losing slowly!

"I have always believed that the only way to cope with a cash crisis is not to contract but to try to expand out of it."

But the difference with Branson is that he didn't take the risks blindly. When he started the airlines he spent considerable effort leasing the airline for 1 year and limiting his downside.

It is only by being bold that you get anywhere. If you are a risk-taker, then the art is to protect the downside."

One thing I loved about Branson, is he was not afraid to bluff. This was first illustrated early in the book when, learning about a plot to force him out of Student, he acted pre-emptively and told the leader that he had already switched the teams mind - when instead he had no idea how far along the plot actually was. We see this time and time again - Branson is able to divine where things are going, and negotiate on points he isn't even wholly sure about.

Branson detailed a lot of his crazy ballooning adventures, which I wasn't so into. I wanted to hear how he built Virgin. Although I did appreciate that his passion for ballooning did lead to several advances in airplane technology.

The end of the book went into a lot of detail of how Branson is giving back to the world - which I respect a lot - any billionaire worth their salt should do that, but it was great to see him embrace the challenges with the same zeal he embrace business. From climate change to Virgin Fuel to Virgin Galactic, Branson is thinking hard about our planet and where its going and how to get us there. And of course, if Virgin Fuel does well it will only help his airline business - so not a bad bet.

[Vitalijus Sostak · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this book, probably because my expectations about it heavily differed from the actual delivery that was intentional, by design.
This book is about personal journey through life, reminiscences about author's businesses, partners and major victories/battles. A significant part of the book is comprised of author's dangerous grand travels on sea and in the air; the last third of the book is devoted solely to personal travel diary.
Disappointingly for me, this book is NOT about how exactly Branson arrived at his strategic decisions, what were the reasons for his biggest failures/lessons, what are his recommendations about starting up and running businesses. Almost no concrete insight into practical side of the business, in other words - a strange result of writing a businessman's biography!

This book should has been titled "Mr R. Branson's extreme travel adventures with some other memories thrown in" with subtitle "No insight into his tremendous entrepreneurial skills whatsoever."

[Arup · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I am yet to read an autobiography of an entrepreneur, which has been written so magnetically. It feels like that I was very much a part of Sir Richard Branson's journey from his boyhood to being one of century's most successful and chic business man, who happens to be having his feet firmly entrenched on the ground. Richard's humble beginning and the numerous sticky situations that he got into during the initial period of his entrepreneurial endeavors, did not deter him from reaching the awesome heights that he has reached today. A must read for all entrepreneurs, students, executives, bureaucrats and politicians. "

[Jason Navallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best autobiographies I've ever read!

Liked it so much that I actually used it as a source in my book, Thrive: 30 Inspirational Rags-to-Riches Stories.

[Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loosing My Virginity

Excellent autobiography. Mr. Branson has a lot in common with Sam Walton and Ray Crock, except Mr. Branson has a more magnetic personality that he's used to his advantage in the age of mass media. Like all great men, he is a man of his time, and used his adventurous rebellious persona to promote himself and his brand.

His story is insightful, motivational, and more importantly - useful.

Like Walton and Crock, Branson's growth always was happening with bankers in the background knocking at his door - up until he sold Virgin records for over $1B USD (mostly cash) and therefore had the solid collateral to borrow and do whatever he wanted.

There aren't many lessons for an entrepreneur to learn from Branson's post "Virgin Records" sale, and he admits that --- few are ever fortunate enough to make it to that scale. However, he points out many practical, no nonsense management ideas.

Most importantly, Branson always focused on his employees, on working hard and having fun, and on living up to high business standards - even when British Airways actually hired private investigators and PR teams to destroy his image, creditability and ultimately his ability to finance Virgin Airlines.

If you need another reminder to: SCREW IT, LET'S DO IT - then give Branson's autobiography a read. I'll definitely re-read this one some day.

[Ankur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hv long admired branson, so in 2000, when i saw this book at a footpath wala in CP in Delhi, i immediately latched on to it!

The book is an immensely enjoyable, almost no holds barred autobiography of Branson's mercurial rise from a school drop out to the owner of Virgin Atlantic and many other companies, n how he kept building n rebuilding his businesses despite all odds.

Branson has spared nobody, including himself, nor has he let go of any chance to remember those who stood by him!

However, i was fascinated by the open accounts of drugs and free love that he mention - for a 20 yr old small town (i am from allahabad, which is as conservative as the best of 'em) male, this was an eye opener. here was this chap who quit school (we cant even miss extra tuition, and then by his efforts had now become known as 1 of the poster boys of entrepreneurship, and look at the fun he has had all the time! by god, this was the life to be lived!

Again, a recommended textbook for all the constipated (do i mean conservative?) frogs in the well that a lot of my generation (and all of our parents' i ges)remain!

For the rest, just go read it - its roaring fun! :)

[BookOfCinz · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. Richard Branson rocked my world with this book. I've learned so much about entrepreneurship, branding, risk and what it takes to succeed just from reading this book. Its amazing to read a story of a drop out who went on to change the world.

This is a must read.

[Usman Hickmath · Rating 5 out of 5]

How a dyslexic boy who did not perform well in school went onto become one of the most successful businessmen ever?

In his autobiography, Branson takes us through his adventurous, flamboyant life and shows us nothing is impossible. Even with over 600 pages, it never felt boring or slow. Definitely one of the most interesting autobiographies to read. It is full of exciting events, adventures and fun written in a very exciting manner.

[Natalia UN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am petrecut câteva săptămâni extrem de placute în compania lui Richard Branson (desigur am păstrat distanța socială 😁), și vreau să vă spun că sunt foarte incântată de acest om de afaceri, care a putut să construiască un imperiu de la zero. Brandul Virgin vinde produse uimitor de diverse: de la cola și asigurări de viață, până la servicii de transport avia și feroviare. În același timp, Branson are organizații de caritate și a bătut câteva recorduri de zbor cu balonul, riscându-și viața.
A fost de multe ori pe muchie de cuțit, foarte aproape de a da faliment, dar niciodată nu a renunțat și nu s-a oprit de a investi in oportunități noi. O astfel de autobiografie este mai bună decât orice carte motivațională, mi-a plăcut foarte mult.

📚 "Dacă aş fi avut cu şase ani mai mult, simpla absurditate a ideii de a încerca să vând spațiu publicitar unor mari companii într-o revistă care nu exista, editată de doi elevi de liceu de cincisprezece ani, m-ar fi împiedicat de la bun început să ridic receptorul. Dar eram prea tânăr pentru a mă putea gândi că aş fi putut să nu reuşesc."

📚 " Fiecare om de afaceri de succes a eşuat într-una din inițiativele sale și majoritatea întreprinzătorilor care își conduc propria afacere au fost declarați faliți cel puțin o dată."

📚"...SpaceShipOne, cu emblema Virgin, a încheiat cu succes două zboruri în spaţiu - primele zboruri private in spatiu realizate vreodată"

[Huong Pham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Đường Ra Biển Lớn là cuốn tự truyện về hành trình sống và làm việc đáng ngưỡng mộ của tỷ phú người Anh, Richard Branson. Một doanh nhân có tầm ảnh hưởng lớn trên thế giới. Cuốn sách là hững bài học cuộc sống và kinh doanh đắt giá cho bất cứ ai chọn lựa bước đi trên con đường kinh doanh.

Richard Branson đã và đang sống một cuộc đời trọn vẹn cho chính bản thân ông, cho gia đình và cho xã hội. Ông luôn thách thức bản thân vượt qua các giới hạn của bản thân, thậm chí biết trước cái chết thường trực trong những quyết định tham gia thử thách của mình. Phẩm cách doanh nhân của ông thật đáng trân trọng trong thế giới kinh doanh, nơi mà những mánh khóe bẩn thỉu luôn hiện hữu và có thể khiến con người biến chất bất cứ lúc nào.

Con đường tới trường đầy đòn roi và điểm tựa gia đình

Richard Brandson mắc chứng khó đọc, đến tám tuổi mà ông vẫn không biết đọc. Chứng khó đọc lại không được quan tâm và biết đến vào thời của ông nên ông bị coi là ngu ngốc và lười biếng. Ông phải chịu những trận đòi roi vì hai lý do trên và ông bị đánh khoảng một đến hai lần mỗi tuần. Thay vì vật vã với những con chữ trên lớp, ông tập trung vào điểm mạnh của ông là thể thao, thứ giúp ông trở nên vượt trội. Ông thậm chí còn bị đuổi học vì những trò phá rối của mình ở trường như ngủ sớm con gái thầy hiệu trưởng. Ông đã phải dùng mánh khóe tự tử để tránh sự tức giận của cha mẹ. Cuối cùng thì ông cũng rời trường học năm 17 tuổi để tập trung cho sự nghiệp kinh doanh của mình.
Thay vì sự thất vọng của cha mẹ cho kết quả học tập của Richard. Trong suốt cuốn tự truyện chúng ta chỉ thấy hình ảnh về một gia đình có thể sống chết vì nhau, một nguồn động lực lớn lao của Richard vượt qua khó khăn trong cuộc sống.
Câu chuyện về chứng khó đọc và kết quả học tập của Richard tại trường học làm ta liên tưởng đến Thomas Edison, người bị coi là đần độn và không đáng đến trường sau ba tháng nhập học, đã trở thành nhà phát minh vĩ đại bậc nhất thế giới. Gia đình của cả Richard và Thomas Edison dường như đóng vai trò nền tảng và bệ đỡ giúp họ có được bước khởi đầu đi đến thành công sau này. Ở một thời đại mà nhà nhà lo con học dốt, người người cho con đi học thêm thì những tấm gương này cần được nhìn nhận và suy ngẫm.

Khởi nghiệp từ bàn tay trắng

Thương trường như chiến trường. Kiếm tiền vốn đã không phải là việc dễ và kiếm thật nhiều tiền càng khó khăn hơn gấp bội. Một chặng đường dài kinh doanh đầy thăng trầm từ khi mới 15 tuổi, Richard cho thấy một tài trí và khả năng kinh doanh đáng nể và một biểu tượng cho khởi nghiệp. Không khuất phục những khó khăn, chùn bước trước những thất bại hay thỏa mãn với những thành công đã giúp ông xây dựng lên đế chế Virgin hùng mạnh ngày nay.
Năm 15 tuổi, ông và người bạn Jonny lập ra cuốn tạp chí Student (Sinh Viên) để thỏa mãn cho việc đăng các ý kiến của riêng mình về trường học và mang tính chuyên biệt về một tạp chí cho các vấn đề của sinh viên. Ông bắt lên kế hoạch cho việc tìm nguồn đầu tư tài chính và quảng bá cho hình ảnh của tạp chí. Ông vận dụng chiến thuật có thể để tránh các chi phí điện thoại và “Biến giả thành thật (Fake it until you make it)”. Thay vì gọi trực tiếp cho các nhà đầu tư tiềm năng, ông gọi cho tổng đài điện thoại báo cuộc gọi không kết nối được và máy đã tính tiền để có những cuộc gọi miễn phí. Đồng thời gọi đến các doanh nghiệp lớn đang cạnh tranh nhau để giả bộ rằng hãng kia mới đăng ký quảng cáo trên tạp chí của ông và liệu rằng học có nhu cầu đặt quảng cáo không như Coca và Pepsi hay Daily Telegraph and Daily Express.
Cuối cùng thì ông cũng có được khoản tiền đầu tư đầu tiên 250 bảng cho quảng cáo. Nhưng mọi việc không dễ dàng đến thế cho một tạp chí mới xuất hiện. Sauk khi rời khỏi trường năm 1967 ông chuyển đến tầng hầm của nhà Jonny để tiếp tục phát triển tạp chí. Thiếu thốn tài chính, nhân lực, phương tiện và cần có những khoản hỗ trợ ít ỏi từ gia đình để duy trì công việc nhưng ông chưa bao giờ có ý định từ bỏ mà còn liên tục phát kiến ra những ý tưởng mới.

Không ngừng thử nghiệm, mở rộng lĩnh vực kinh doanh

Sau khi có được những thành công từ cuốn tạp chí của mình. Richard tiếp tục xem xét các cơ hội kinh doanh từ nhu cầu thị trường. Năm 1970 ông phát triển dịch vụ “Đặt hàng qua thư Virgin” để kinh doanh bán đĩa nhạc. Kinh doanh có nghĩa là luôn đối diện với những rủi ro phá sản. Năm 1971, khi nhân viên bưu điện đình công, công việc kinh doanh của ông gần như sụp đổ. Thay vì kết thúc công việc kinh doanh băng đĩa ở đó. Ông đã lập ra cửa hàng Vigrin Records năm 1972.
Đối mặt với những lần trên bờ vực phá sản nhưng Richard chưa từng lùi bước trước bất cứ trở ngại nào để phát triển kinh doanh. Sau khi có được những thành công từ công việc kinh doanh ông đã xâm lấn sang ngành hàng không và hãng Virgin Atlantic được chính thức thành lập và hoạt động vào năm 1984.
Những ý tưởng mà khiến người ta từng nghĩ ông “bị điên” và khiến đồng nghiệp, đối tác rời bỏ ông nhưng nếu không có “tính điên” này ông đã không thể tạo dựng được một đế chế Virgin với hơn 400 công ty như hiện nay với đủ các loại ngành nghề từ giao thông vận tải, tài chính, truyền thông, du lịch vũ trụ, khách sạn, mỹ phẩm, thực phẩm…

Cuộc chiến và những bài học kinh doanh

Thương trường như chiến trường. Ngay từ khi khởi nghiệp với tạp chí Student, Richard đã phải đối mặt với cuộc kiện tụng về ngôn ngữ quảng cáo. Sau đó khi bắt đầu mở rộng kinh doanh sang kinh doanh băng đĩa năm 1971, vì lợi nhuận và ông gian lận trong việc đóng thuế và đã phải đi tù. Đó cũng là bài học đau đớn để ông gây dựng một sự nghiệp kinh doanh lành mạnh sau này.
Cuộc kiện tụng tạo danh tiếng lớn nhất trong lịch sử của Virgin Group và từng khiến Richard đứng trên bờ vực phá sản hoàn toàn đó là cuộc chiến với hãng hàng không British Airway(BA). Dù là một hãng hàng không quốc gia lớn, được bảo trợ bởi chính phủ Anh, nhưng trong cuộc chiến kinh doanh, BA đã không tử bỏ bất cứ thủ đoạn bẩn thỉu nào để chèn ép đối thủ cạnh tranh phải phá sản như Lake Airways. Richard đã không chịu khuất phục trước những chiêu trò của BA và quyết đưa BA ra tòa. Để theo đuổi cuộc chiến này, ông thậm chí đã phải bán đi Virgin Music cho Thorn EMI để có chi phí tiếp tục vận hành Virgin Atlantic, trả các khoản nợ và chi phí kiện tụng. Cuối cùng thì chiến thắng đã thuộc về những người xứng đáng. BA thừa nhận những cáo buộc và sai trái của hãng và chấp nhận bồi thường thiệt hại cho Virgin Atlantic.
Tôn chỉ của Richard chính là kinh doanh và cạnh tranh lành mạnh và điều này đã tạo dựng sự thành đạt cũng như danh tiếng cho Virgin Group.

Trách nhiệm xã hội của doanh nghiệp

Những chương cuối của cuốn tự truyện nêu cao trách nhiệm xã hội của doanh nhân, điều mà Richard đã và đang thực hiện rất tốt.
Khi đã gây dựng và phát triển Virgin trở thành một công ty toàn cầu lớn mạnh, Richard nhận thức nhiều hơn về trách nhiệm xã hội và cần làm nhiều hơn nữa để giúp đỡ mọi người. Ông đóng góp lớn trong cuộc chiến chống lại căn bệnh thế kỷ HIV/AIDS cũng như bệnh lao và sốt rét ở các nước Châu Phi. Đồng thời gây dựng trường đại học miễn phí đầu tiên của Châu Phi ở thành phố Johannesburg. Để giúp người dân ở đây thoát nghèo, hãy trao cho họ chiếc cần câu thay vì con cá.

Thách thức bản thân với thể thao mạo hiểm

Xuyên suốt cuốn tự truyện về cuộc đời thăng trầm trong kinh doanh của Richard Branson là những chuyến du hành đầy mạo hiểm qua Đại Tây Dương, Thái Bình Dương bằng du thuyền và kinh khí cầu. Khi đối mặt với cái chết trong chuyến đi của mình, ông đã tự nói rằng đây là lần cuối nhưng những chuyến đi tiếp theo của ông vẫn diễn ra sau đó. Ông luôn viết di chúc, những lá thư để lại cho gia đình trước khi đi và ghi lại nhật ký hành trình. Những vẻ đẹp của thiên nhiên, sức hấp dẫn của việc vượt qua giới hạn bản thân đã thôi thúc ông lên đường.
Sau mỗi chuyến đi như thách thức với tử thần lại mang lại cho ông thêm nhiệt huyết sống và cống hiến. Giá trị và ý nghĩa cuộc sống của ông chính là không ngừng tiến về phía trước.

[HAALO TALDANA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antes de leer este libro, tenía la persepcion de, que, Richard Branson era un millonario excéntrico con pinta de rockero de los años 70, y una vez leí este libro, no me cabe la duda de que lo sea 😃😃😃.

Lo resumo en una sola palabra "Maravilloso", hay personas que te hacen cambiar la percepción de las cosas y este libro es un claro ejemplo para mí, llegué hasta acá, por referencia de otro libro genial, "El Código de las mentes extraordinarias", llegué con la expectativa de un libro de aventuras con enfoque empresarial y es claramente correcta está expectativa, lo que no me esperaba, es lo magnífico del enfoque con el cual Sir Branson, con el que maneja sus múltiples empresas.

En verdad estoy muy contento con esta lectura, ahora confirmo muchas de mi forma de llevar mis servicios a mis clientes, con calidad y dando lo mejor de mi equipo de colaboradores, socios y de si mismo, la vida empresarial es un camino largo y muchas veces difícil, pero la perseverancia, el temple y la ganas de salir adelante es común denominador en la gran mayoría de organizaciones que surgen de cero.

Por último y lo q más destacó, es nuestra labor con enfoque social y ambiental, hacia nosotros como especie humana, nunca había hecho una reflexión de esto, cómo organización, es increíble como empresarios tengan un compromiso ante temas relacionados de salud social y partícipes en temas relacionados a la equidad e igualdad, por lo cual me voy muy satisfecho con esta pequeña semilla, que ha plantado está maravillosa lectura, un abrazo y mil gracias por llegar hasta esta lineas

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What struck me most in the book is 'Virgin is not a big group - it's a big brand made up of lots of small companies. Our priorities are the opposite of our large competitors'. Convention dictates that a company should look after its shareholders first, its customers next, and last of all worry about its employees. Virgin does the opposite. For us, our employees matter most. It just seems common sense to me that, if you start off with a happy, well-motivated workforce, you are much more likely to have happy customers. And in due course, the resulting profits will make your shareholders happy.' Nothing more to add. I share this axiom to the utmost!
А вообще... Читала в переводе, притом, в любительском, сокращенном и весьма посредственном... Так что переводчика на мыло, а Р. Брэнсону за его "философию" готова пожать руку )

[Nazmus Sadat · Rating 3 out of 5]

- ✈️ 🎈 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝: "𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞." The dyslexic dropout went on to build an empire of 400+ companies, buy a private island for $180,000 (originally priced at $3 million), survive hot air balloon crashes, and rewrite every rule about how business should be done.

📖 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤: Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way
✍️ 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Richard Branson
🌐 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Business Memoir / Autobiography / Entrepreneurship
📅 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: First published in 1998 by Virgin Books
📊 𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Ω 𝐎𝐧𝐞-𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: From launching a student magazine to building the Virgin empire across music, airlines, and space travel, Branson’s autobiography reveals how risk-taking, fun, and a people-first philosophy created one of the world’s most iconic brands—and a blueprint for living life with boldness and joy.

💭 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: What is the true engine of a great enterprise? Is it a philosophical blueprint, a raw, visceral struggle, or simply the audacious force of a single personality?

This is the question that defined my reading of Richard Branson's Losing My Virginity. After the profound, soul-searching journey of 'Shoe Dog' and the masterclass in strategic innovation found in 'Made in Japan', Branson's memoir felt like a shift in genre. It is not a manual for the grind; it is capitalism with adrenaline, entrepreneurship with heart, and ambition with a mischievous wink.

Branson's energy leaps off every page in a rollercoaster of near-bankruptcies, ballooning adventures, and boardroom rebellions. His philosophy—"If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you're not sure you can do it, say yes—then learn how to do it later"—is both exhilarating and dangerously inspiring. If my key takeaways were distilled, they would be these: a masterclass in the power of branding through outrageous PR stunts, the art of negotiation as high-stakes poker (watch him play Boeing against Airbus), and the undeniable fact that Richard Branson has nerves of solid steel. He is a master of the calculated bluff, always protecting the downside with return clauses on planes while betting big on the upside.

His dyslexia, mentioned early but woven throughout, isn't just biographical color—it fundamentally shaped his visual thinking, his legendary one-page memo policy, and his genius for delegation. This explains both his strengths (trusting people, moving fast) and the book's limitations (lack of analytical depth).

This is a dare to anyone who's ever been told to “play safe.” From taking on British Airways in a brutal corporate war to launching an airline out of sheer personal frustration, Branson makes a compelling case for the power of gut instinct and a passion for shaking up stale industries. The spirit of learning by doing, trusting people, and building with joy is universally electric.

However, this very strength is the source of the book's greatest weakness for a reader seeking a different kind of substance. The narrative often feels like a thrilling highlight reel of brinksmanship, leaving the operational soul of his empire in the shadows. We see the what—the deals, the stunts, the crises—but we are rarely invited into the strategic how. The book's chronological structure, ending in the late 1990s, freezes before many of Virgin's most instructive lessons—the dotcom crash, the Virgin Galactic tragedies, the hard-won wisdom of consolidation.

Disappointingly, this book is NOT about how Branson arrived at his strategic decisions or the practical lessons from his failures. The writing itself can feel like disjointed dictation—possibly a result of collaboration with ghostwriters—bouncing between topics with the author's own famed short attention span. Roughly 20-30% of the book is devoted to his dangerous ballooning adventures, which, while testament to his courage, often feel like a structural diversion from the business insights I craved.

This lack of strategic insight becomes painfully clear when examining a venture's failure, such as Virgin Cola's exit from Bangladesh. The reasons—the insurmountable distribution power of Coke and Pepsi, the lack of a strong local bottling partner, and weak marketing penetration—are classic business school case study material. Yet, the book offers almost no such concrete analysis. We get the adventure, but not the autopsy.

This reflection becomes even sharper when viewed through the lens of the Virgin Group's current status. Virgin is essentially a venture capital firm wrapped in a lifestyle brand—Branson licenses the "Virgin" name to independently run companies he doesn't fully own. This explains both the empire's sprawl and the memoir's operational shallowness. The contemporary Virgin Group is actively repositioning itself as a "global, growth investor" and brand-licensing platform. Its recent moves—like raising £700 million to launch a cross-Channel rail service—show the enduring appetite for audacious, consumer-focused challenges.

Yet, this model also reveals the limitations of the approach glorified in the memoir. The same reliance on bold bets and brand power has led to high-profile stumbles, like the bankruptcy of Virgin Orbit. The "glory days" of rapid, multi-sector conquest have given way to a more sober era of consolidation.

But here's what the book DOES exceptionally well: If you're a first-time entrepreneur paralyzed by over-analysis, a creative seeking to build a powerful brand, or anyone needing a jolt of courage to start, this book is permission incarnate. It champions a philosophy where business can be rebellious, fun, and built on personality. It shows how to turn yourself into a brand, how to generate free publicity through stunts, and how to negotiate from a position of fearlessness.

In conclusion, Losing My Virginity is an essential, adrenaline-fueled read for its motivational charge. It is a powerful reminder of the human elements—audacity, intuition, and joy—that drive business. It offers a masterclass in one specific, powerful style of entrepreneurship.

But if you are searching for the analytical frameworks, systematic planning, and structured strategic thinking that form the bedrock of a traditional business education, this book will feel incomplete. It is a thrilling story of how to build a brand on a tightrope; it provides the courage for the leap but not the engineering schematics for the safety net found in more analytical memoirs.

It is, in the end, a story "written in wind and altitude," whereas Shoe Dog was forged in silence and grind, and Made in Japan was built with philosophical precision. There is room for all three, but my personal resonance lies firmly with the latter.


🗣 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧-𝐄𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞:
1. “𝑆𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑤 𝑖𝑡, 𝑙𝑒𝑡’𝑠 𝑑𝑜 𝑖𝑡.”
2. “𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘 𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟.”
3. “𝐶𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑑𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡. 𝐸𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡. 𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑒𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠.”

⁉️ 𝐐𝐎𝐓𝐃: Would you rather build slow and safe—or leap, risk the fall, and chase something extraordinary?

⛉ 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥? Hit the ❤️, save it 🔖, and 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄 it ↗️ with fellow readers!

🔔 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐞 for more bookish ramblings, reviews, and recommendations.
🔗 𝑮𝑶𝑶𝑫𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑺: Nazmus Sadat → goodreads.com/dsony7
📸 𝑰𝑵𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑴: @dSHADOWcatREADS

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

What type of person would you imagine Richard Branson to be? That's exactly how he came across in his auto-biography. Cheeky and sensationalist.

It was interesting to read how his businesses developed and how he sought to take on the big dogs, namely British Airways and GTech lottery. The hot air balloon adventures were also fascinating.

Branson is dyslexic, which gives insight into his business success. His brain had to develop ways to 'get around the system' to function properly in life and school. This system of innovative thought is second nature or instinct to Branson. He oftentimes referred to the fact that he can size up a business proposal or person in the first 30 seconds. I attribute this to how his brain developed ways to cope with dyslexia.

The last 100 pages were rambling and boring. A semi-interesting read that makes me want to give Virgin Airways a try at least once.

[Hazel · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I reviewed this in 2011, I was young and naive, still believing the capitalist myth that becoming ridiculously wealthy was just a case of "trying your best". I'm quite embarrassed by this now, but here's my original review:

I thought this book was good. Although he's probably sensationalising quite a lot of it, there's no doubt the book left me feeling inspired - feeling like anything was possible, whatever your background. Definitely a motivational book: great if you're slightly doubting your ability to be an entrepreneur. The message of the book is certainly reach for the stars, no matter how cloudy the sky - the stars are much closer than you think.

[Ajith Ashokkumar (LordOfBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Branson, he has a common trait like other successful businessmen, trying every possible business, and a never give up attitude. From a magazine publisher to music company, then music company to airplane business. Virgin cola, virgin life-insurance, virgin bank, virgin trains what not, this man is incredible, he put hands on every business idea that comes in front of his table. No wonder from the airplane he next aimed at stars, unfortunately the Virgin Galactic and related business adventures are not mentioned in this book. I was very keen to read more about his recently launched business ideas, this book has only stories between 1950-1993 :( Expecting a second part of this book to know more about his business endeavours that happened after 1993.
"If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes - then learn how to do it later!" - Richard Branson.

[Ioan-Calin Biris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Povestea lui Sir. Richard Branson și a brandului Virgin este atât de palpitantă încât ascultatul cărții (narate chiar de Branson) este ca urmărirea unui serial pe care nu vine să-l pui pe pauză. Un roller coaster de investiții riscante și afaceri de succes.

[Andrew Lazenby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody is perfect. Raced through this. Quite a bit of the story I was aware of but I was super interested to find out more about him.

The life story to the date this version was published,spanning the the years 1950 to 2007 covers a time of immense technological change. From riding his brike to Brighton as a child to space travel as a grown up ! he straddles it all.

The early parts of the story were of most interest where he describes starting his first businesses and in particular the record industry. Crazy energy and drive fuelled by having fun .

Later it became David v Goliath , the fun continued but to get his fixes he needed remote tropical islands and sky high adventures.

As his empire grew he managed to retain his popularity with the public by taking on monopolies with great success. His adventures were entertaining to.

To the downside and to me its very significant.

He came to recognising the environmental impact of his business very late. Does he regret this , I couldn’t see any signs of this.
To me the latter part of the book shows an opportunity lost. Where with his profile he could have been taking a lead recognising his environmental damage and making amends I am afraid he paid lip service to it.

In the end the fun to be had from family holidays , space adventures and protecting the business was a greater pull.

Be interesting to see what happens next

[Samuel Salzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: Entertaining and interesting read where Branson shares his and Virgins story to stardom as well as sharing how he survived everything from drowning, freezing and falling to his death during his many grand adventures around the world. I admire what Branson has accomplished through hard work, wit, and vision, yet his formula for success might not be one to live by since chances are that you simply won't live very long following it. Joking aside, the world could do well having more business leaders like Sir Richard Branson and I recommend any young entrepreneur to read this book.

Big thought: Branson writes that "if you are a risk-taker, then the art is to protect the downside.” He gives examples of this time and time again, from his eventually successful Virgin Airlines venture to his not so successful Virgin Cola. With protected downside risk much can still be gained, but little will be lost.

Favorite quote: “Fun is at the core of the way I like to do business and it has been key to everything I've done from the outset. More than any other element, fun is the secret of Virgin's success. I am aware that the ideas of business as being fun and creative goes right against the grain of convention, and it's certainly not how they teach it at some of those business schools, where business means hard grind and lots of 'discounted cash flows' and net' present values'.”

[Henrik Haapala · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My mother was determined to make us independent. When I was four years old, she stopped the car a few miles from our house, and made me find my own way home across the fields. P.15

I was trouble - and always in trouble. Aged eight I still couldn’t read. In fact, I was dyslexic and short-sighted. Despite sitting in front of the class, I couldn’t read the blackboard.

My dyslexia was a problem throughout my school life. Now, although my spelling is still sometimes poor, I have managed to overcome the worst of my difficulties through training myself to concentrate.

When I left Stowe in 1967 aged almost seventeen, my headmasters parting words to me were: ‘Congratulations, Branson. I predict that you will either go to prison or become a millionaire.”

[Florence · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lasting thought with me as I finish this book is of all the fuel tanks and balloon parts dumped in the ocean and scattered over the Atlas mountains following one of Branson’s air balloon challenges. 🥲🌍
The early part of the book tracking the opening business ventures was very interesting.

[The Lion's Share · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly a very interesting and informative biography of Branson. This was the audio book and Richard narrated it thank god.

The battle between BA and Virgin Atlantic is very juicy and his life in general was non-stop interesting.

[Tommy Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three takeaways from Richard Branson's life:
(1) Try to combine fun and business if you can (they don't need to be separate)
(2) When evaluating any new business opportunity always look to protect or cap the downside
(3) It's very important to remain flexible and adaptable and continually innovate your business. Many businesses Virgin went into they stumbled onto serendipitously

He's also completely mad.

[Patricia Makatsaria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just too boring to waste my time reading. I kept waiting for something inspirational - lost me around page 75. There are just so many other books out there from which I can actually learn something.

[Gourang Ambulkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read.

[Schrodingerscat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine offering 150k$ for an island to which asking price was 3million$ and getting that offer accepted at 175k$. You might say, well he got lucky, but who even has the gall to make that offer. Well, that's what sets Richard Branson apart from the rest of the crowd.

This is the first autobiography I have ever read. Very gripping, fast paced. Somewhere at 3/4th of the book, I got tired of the new ventures virgin was taking up 😅😅. I enjoyed reading the early days of student magazine, virgin records, how they toiled day n night to make it big, virgin atlantic and the aholes at British airways, about necker island and most importantly THE AIR BALLOON ADVENTURES 🤩🤩 Richard's stubborn attitude of not backing down at the face of adversity is very inspiring. I would recommend reading this 💯
I held back a ⭐ because I'm just that person 😅


PS- fuck lord king and the british airways.

Also, the book I read is actually 668 pages And goodreads is showing only 400 pages.

[Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly the best autobiography I've ever read.

[Greg Hopper · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a narrative of his life than anything useful for other people. What worked for Richard Branson probably ONLY works for Richard Branson. Entertaining.

[Empress of Bookingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Branson is not one to mince words. Or his deeds. He sets his sights on a goal, girl, vision, mission and he goes for it full force. No holding back. No focusing on what others might think (aside from his close friends and family). No dilly dallying. Going full throttle. 
 
From page one, this was a whirlwind and existing adventure through his growth from a child to adult, his romantic quests, his entrepreneurship journey, breaking his mental barriers and overall his growth all around through his triumphs and challenges. The narrative was flawless and took you back and forth in time portraying a world in ways I never thought a non fiction book could. Went from the hippie time, through the war time. This book had a mix of everything and then some.  
 
“In my life, I've come to expect the unexpected. It sounds easy enough to say, but all the things that have happened to me, to the family and to Virgin have taught me that you have to be prepared at all times to deal with surprises.”  
 
Branson is not only about making profits, giving consumers quality products at a fair price, making a conducive environment for his staff aside from providing them jobs but he is also about giving back to the society and taking care of the environment. 'If I can make a difference in one of their lives then it's worth it. '  
 
“A business has to be involving; it has to be fun and it has to exercise your creative instincts.” If you're looking to start on the entrepreneurship road or are already on the journey, this book will be like fuel because through Branson's journey you'll see the power of an idea, the rewards of being persistence, perseverant and having a sound, empowering vision. If you're an adrenaline junkie like me, you'll enjoy those wild balloon rides that had me at the edge of my sit.  
 
Should you read the book? Why not. It has challenged me to try things beyond my comfort zone even when they scare me. It's only by pushing yourself beyond that real growth happens and that's where all the fun is. So to more adventures.  
 
Let me sign off this review with this quote “At the outset, each of those individual ventures was a step into the unknown for the company - a bit like the loss of one's virginity. But, unlike really losing your virginity, in whatever world you make for yourself, you can keep embracing the new and the different over and over again.”  
 
 
 

[Saurabh Hooda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Branson - the name itself invokes a vivid figure of liveliness, merriment and live life like king size attitude. His autobiography takes you through his entrepreneurial student life, his heady cash strapped days of Virgin Music expansion, his love life, his decision making process, his cross roads in life, his struggles, his failures, his mega successes, his battles and much more. The book presents Richard'��s candor, anecdotes and his attitude on platter to relish. I was surprised to know that Richard is Dyslexic. Despite this limitation he never succumbed to anything. He played from his strengths to strengths and emerges victorious in game called life. He started his business rendezvous with a student magazine and then further moved on to various other things as new opportunities presented themselves in front of him. His attitude of speaking to so called big guys directly without any getting intimidated by their stature is commendable. For his student magazine he called all big advertisers and played all sorts of tricks to get them advertise in their student magazine. Similarly when he had to start his airlines he just dialed out Boeing and was able to cut out a win-win deal with them. Whenever a business opportunity came across he did very basic calculation on whether they will be profitable or not. He says that every business has to be fun to become profitable. Whenever he couldn't decide on something he went ahead with his gut feel and 'Screw it, let's do it' attitude. Many a times he has to part from his friends because of difference of opinion but he did all that so amicably that you feel awed. Couple of times he was in huge debt and was on the verge of financial breakdown but he sailed through everything with his shrewdness, people judgment, tough bargaining skills and sheer perseverance. Despite being a non entity in airlines business he took behemoth British Airways heads on and beaten them on their own game. He was maligned, threatened, bribed, shenanigan-ed however he took all the onslaughts head on and succeeded. Book also depicts his adventurous sports streak where many a times he survived near fatal accidents. His around the world balloon trip or flight to space demonstrate his zeal to enjoy life. Richard is also doing great social work in Africa to eradicate poverty and spreading awareness about HIV. Grab the book and savor.