I have read this book twice in the space of two years and it is definitely going to be on my list of annual reading. Duncan is a no nonsense straight to the point entrepreneur who brings a fresh albeit disciplined way of running a business. Having read the book again recently I can't help thinking that some of the business thinking of Duncan could have helped us avert the credit crunch we are going through now. If you want to learn about business read this book.

This book was an excellent journey through the life of Duncan Bannatyne. Divided into 38 short chapters, it gives an insight into the mind of the man. It shows how one can achieve success with guts and determination. Can't wait to read his next book - 'Wake Up and Change Your Life'.

To begin with the end in mind - this is the best Autobiography I've read.

This is a book for people who:

- Have an interest in entrepreneurship
- Want real world proof that with hard work and intelligence you can make it (not how you can get rich quick by self-help gurus, some who have only made millions by actually selling to people how to get rich).
- People who want to create value in this world and make a business out of it
- People who have followed Dragons' Den a lot


Examples of why its a great book:

- Honestly written
- Detailed literature and narration that covered pretty much all his life and significant events
- How he evolved from having pretty much no qualifications, to being broke on a beach at 30, to owning an ice cream van, to where he is right now.


Summary:

Really great book. Story of a Maverick entrepreneur who started late (in his 30s). Started with one ice-cream van. Bought more. Sold his ice-cream vans for a few tens of thousand pounds. Invested that in a nursing home - then expanded like crazy, building nursing homes all over the place against everyone's advice. Sold the nursing home company for a few million pounds 5 years after creating it. Invested the money in creating a new chain of fitness clubs. Is now worth 120+ millions of pounds and a reality TV star in the UK.

It's not a how to guide but you can see lots of great principles in action thorough the book. Determination, action, speed, gut instinct, ignoring negativity and criticism and corporate drones' opinion, making stuff happen, etc etc. Very inspiring. I felt pumped up every time I read a chapter. At times it felt like drinking Red Bull - the guy's mindset is that infectious.

I bought this book thinking that the other reviews may have talked it up a lot but I thought it was great! My opinion of Duncan Bannatyne has totally changed too! I never had much of an opinion on him before but now im totally inspired by his achievements! It's hard to put the book down!

It's all in the title, buy it.

Best investment I have ever made.

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