Call Me Ted

Only about one third of the way through, and this may be the best book I've ever read. At least at this point in the book, I think that Ted Turner may be the best candidate for the job of benign despot that Michael Herr used to describe Stanley Kubrick's political beliefs:"Stanley had views on everything, but I would not exactly call them political... His views on democracy were those of most people I know, neither left nor right, not exactly brimming with belief, a noble failed experiment along our evolutionary way, brought low by base instincts, money and self-interest and stupidity... He thought the best system might be under a benign despot, though he had little belief that such a man could be found. He wasn't a cynic, but he could have easily passed for one. He was certainly a capitalist. He believed himself to be a realist."

Overall I thought the book was well worth it. It's a quick and entertaining read. The book steps through Teds life from adolescence to adulthood. It shows you hard work and perseverance can pay off..In the wake of his father's suicide and the imminent sale of the family billboard company, Ted turned things around and made his dad proud. Quickly moving into radio, and finally Television, he also made a name for himself in the world of professional yacht racing.. Too bad he didn't have me around to tell him merging with AOL was a bad idea ;)As with the case of most "outliers", Ted was in the right place at the right time doing the right things for "most" of his career. Undoubtedly this book proves once again "timing is everything"... Just the same, Ted seized these opportunities and made it happen. The guy even courted Jane Fonda and was successful.... definitely a person I would like to meet some day. Well played Ted, Well played..

I had forgotten about what an amazing life Ted Turner has had, from winning the America's Cup (as the skipper) to winning the World Series (as an owner) and building the cable industry. His is an inspiring story and the personal side is interetsing as well.I have read many of the big business biographies, and some are more substantive and rewarding than others. This one is worth reading. If you are interested in the history of the media business from the 1960's on, particularly in the creation of cable, you will be interested. If you are interested in entrepreneurial stories in general, I think this will be rewarding. And I think along the way you will get interested in Turner as a person as well.I zipped through it in two nights (not because it was short but because I was interested).If I could change the book at all I might have had him pause more and explain at greater length some of his transitions from conservative to liberal and from Christian to agnostic. That would have been interesting but I think he wanted to focus on the business stuff, which I suppose is smart.

I typically like autobiographies of famous business people. Ted Turner has been a larger than life character for numerous years. The book was fascinating because of the different experiences that Ted went through in his childhood and in his adult years. It is amazing that most of the affluent men could have lost everything if one turn in the company did not work out. Ted is someone who had been against Christianity, but in his book it seems that he takes back some of his comments. The CNN story was amazing and his desire to buy huge ranchers against America was interesting as well. He loves fly fishing which also seems appealing to me. Throughout the book, he is a energetic man who never stops and is always going. He was a workaholic through his early days which causes him to miss most of his kids early years. In his later years, it seems that he has a good relationship with his kids. By the end of the book, you kind of felt bad for him losing the majority of his money in the AOL-Time Warner merger and felt bad about him being kicked out of the company. Whatever you feel about him, when you put your whole life into something, it is sad to have no part in it any longer. It was truly a interesting and enjoyable read.

After hearing so much about Ted Turner, especially in our area, it was revealing to read his own story. While many have been critical of this man, he has been outstanding in so many of his endeavors that he deserves praise. He may sound egotistical, but if one does not blow his own horn, it will not get blown. He dared to go where none had gone before especially in the television field and we would certainly not have the developments of today without his daring where others were afraid to venture. This book is recommended to any who would like to know the story of the mouth of the South told from his own point of view. It just might give some ideas of what it takes to get ahead in this cut throat world.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and learning more about and from a very interesting man. I hope he does write a sequel about the last 10 years or so.

I just got the Kindle. This was the fourth book purchased. This was was a great read and well worth the money. It's not a how to get rich book or a belabored, everything about Ted book (and his family and his friends and his dogs and cats (Snowball...Buffett...TMI)). This book was short and sweet. Very readable.I felt as if it was written in Ted's voice with his direct input. At times I laughed out loud at what a nut he was. At other times I felt sorry for him and what he went through. In all, however, you get a sense of his highs and lows. To me, that's what's you want in a biographical piece.I highly recommend it. I don't read all that much but this book was enjoyable.