Entrepreneur Books

Abraham Firestone March, author of "To Beirut and Back", had a vision. At thirty years old, with determination in his heart, he would settle for nothing less than his dream.

A simple dream he had, but one that would be costly. He wanted to answer to no man but himself in his pursuit of financial security for him and his family.

In the late sixties, he worked for IBM for a good wage, but the doldrums of the job did not satisfy him. He soon tired of the day-to-day sameness and desired more than his position could offer.

One chance meeting led him to a man who opened a whole new world for him. After some haggling with the miserly banks, Abe managed to get a loan for the $2500 start-up fee that would pave the road to his later success.

Working at his home base in the United States, and later Canada, Abe flourished in the cosmetic industry. He made more money than was ever possible at his old job, and was pleased that he could provide for his wife and children in the manner they deserved. Still, times were not always easy for him. There were some who were so full of greed; they took advantage of him and other hapless souls who had invested good money into his venture.

When it looked as if things might fall apart, another chance meeting would lead him to Lebanon. He had business sense on this new venture, but soon realized he needed much more than this to succeed in the Middle East. Things were much different in this culture, and came with a whole new mentality. Abe learned through the school of "Middle Eastern" hard knocks, and with time, his enterprise earned him millions of honest made dollars.

Abe reveled in his new livelihood and was proud of what he had accomplished. In those days, even through difficulties, he never gave up on his dream for continued success.

About the time when he thought he could settle down and rest, and enjoy his benefits, the Civil War came to Lebanon. At first, he thought that it just might blow over, but of course, it did not. It was no longer his income that mattered so much. The safety of his beloved family became paramount, and he was at a loss as how to hold it all together.

He saw his income and assets drift away as the gunfire increased. It became a life or death situation even to venture outdoors, and at night the constant barrage of artillery their lullaby. Food and water were scarce; the comforts they were used to were no more. He decided it was time for his family to leave the danger of the country that the March family had come to love. There was only one problem; he no longer had even enough money to escape. With a heavy heart and humiliation as his companion, he borrowed enough money to see his children safely out of the war-torn country. It was then that he reached his ultimate low. He came to a point when he thought dying might be the only saving grace of his family. He had not even enough money to take him or his wife to the shelter of another country.

Finally, through much red tape, Abe and his wife were able to travel back to the United States. His return only brought more humiliation. He was not back to square one, he was much worse off than that.

With nothing left to his name but hope, he did not lose sight of the man he had become, nor the dream that he had carried within for many years. The lure of his beloved land called to him, loud and true. It was a plea he could not ignore.

He left the sanctuary of the United States once again to return to the Middle East.

Would Abe be able to realize his dream for a second time, or would fortune be a thing of long past?



Abe March has written a breathtaking story with perfected accuracy. The story of his years as an entrepreneur draws the reader in and takes immediate claim to their senses. The courage of this man and his family is awe-inspiring. He pays loving homage to his wife, a woman who thought little of her own well-being to stay by his side, and also to his children who made sacrifices of their own to see their father through those bitter times. This is a remarkable biography in every sense of the word. Kudos to you, for a job well done!

I am only left with one question-when is the movie coming out?



Meloni Cassidy

Author of Everlasting Journey

In To Beirut and Back, Abe March has told a true story of his adventures in the various places of the world he has lived. Anyone interested in what it is like for Americans who venture past our borders to live and work in other countries, especially the Middle East, will find this an informative and important book. I recently read a book where the author wrote of the importance of obtaining the points of views of businessmen, not only political leaders regarding life in other countries. Abe paints a vivid portrayal of life in Lebanon. He writes an excellent account of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975 with such description that one can clearly imagine and feel the bullets as they are fired at him, his despair at losing all he worked for, and the fear he felt for his family and himself. The sadness on Abe's return to Beirut and his feelings towards his final time of leaving, show his fondness for the country of Lebanon and the problems preventing this beautiful country from ongoing peace.

Having met this author, I was impressed by his confidence, determination and his entrepreneurial successes. His travels have influenced his viewpoints of life, which involve looking at the United States from the inside as well as outside. What comes out in his writing is his spirit of adventure and his ability to take risks with calculation and success.

I asked about the conversations, and he said he felt they were almost completely accurate, that his memories of what the people in his life had said were vivid, pointing to the importance of his writing of his experiences.

In the end of the book he speaks of walking along the sea in Lebanon, of the fishing boats and swimmers splashing in the surf, "as this magic spell possessed me." He asks what would happen to the Lebanon he had come to love. He speaks throughout the book of his concerns for the Middle East and its future.

I would highly recommend this book as a picture of a beautiful country that leaves the reader with admiration for its citizens, as well as a sense of concern regarding the results of ongoing strife.

To Beruit and Back, An American in the Middle East by Abe F. March is one man's story of building a business across International borders from America to Canada , to Greece to Germany and then to the Middle East, specifically Lebanon . In writing this novel, Abe F. March, not only provided readers with his personal experiences of building businesses in different countries, but he gives readers insight into the lives and cultures of various countries, not as tourist looking in, but as a businessman working day to day and side by side with the people from a different culture and land. It is a must read for anyone wanting to learn more about the Middle East, the people, the culture and the history of the current tensions today.

As the tensions in Lebanon grow and Civil War is eminent, Mr. March faces difficult choices. He must first and foremost think of his family's safety, then of his personal and business assets all of which are tied up in this country on the brink of civil war. After he and his wife are abducted he faces difficult choices, and realizes he must leave everything that he has worked for behind.

This non-fiction story of an American being caught up in the turmoil of the Middle East reads like an International Intrigue novel, wanting to find out how this risk taker will make it out. The novel leaves me wanting to know more about this risk taker.

To Beirut and Back: An American in the Middle East, by Abe F. March, is a fast-paced book wherein we discover Abe's inquiring mind and adventurous spirit prove that truth is far more interesting and exciting than fiction. If you think the cosmetic business and adventure don't mix, think again!

I have seldom read a book in which every page is filled with adventure, risk, warmth, passion for achieving a goal, and courage in the face of adversity. March's endless adventures in the cosmetic industry when starting and running a business in the Middle East were enhanced by learning more about the mentality of the people and their culture.

Finding the Lebanese people to be merchants and not warriors was fortunate; nevertheless, when warring conditions began to escalate among various factions resulting in Abe being shot at and even at one point kidnapped, he was forced to return to the USA until things quieted down. Not to be left behind, when the situation changed, Abe would travel once more to Beirut, but soon would have to leave again.

I highly recommend reading "To Beirut and Back" to gain a better understanding of what he experienced in the Middle East, and to help one comprehend some of what is happening today.

"All life is a preparation for something that probably will never happen"
was written by William Butler Yeats. "Unless you make it happen" could have been said by Abe F. March.

In " To Beirut And Back: An American in the Middle East " by author Abe March I was taken back to a time when, even though freedom was granted to those here in the United States without question, it was difficult being an American business man in a foreign country. Back in the 1970's, many who lived and did business abroad were not immediately concerned about the threat of violence, even though it was around them. When the major violence did break out in the Middle East many fled-except March. He stood his ground. I found the personal account of the trials March and his family faced during the Lebanese Civil War heart wrenching. Now, however, when one goes abroad-especially the Middle East-they are on guard. March risked not only material possessions, but most importantly, his life-not knowing what or having reason to fear what he was walking into. This book is most recommended, not only for its inside look into a tumultuous time in our history, but for its "edge of your seat" effect. Allow Mr. March to take you inside his personal account of his life in "To Beirut and Back".

Candice M. Martin
"Reflections In My Tears" &
"Petals of Life: A Survivor's Writings"

I have been in business for several years and thought I knew it all. Reading Susan's book was a gentle reminder that there is always more to learn. It was full of very readable and full of simply stated and effective advice. I would completely recommed it to anyone who is thinking of going into business for themselves or to someonewho who has decades of experience in business and thought they new it all (like me). There is something for everyone. Having read the book from cover to cover I now carry in my truck ( I am a contractor)and refer to it on a daily basis, much like an oracle. I can usually find some helpful piece of advice to help me navigate through my day a little more easily. Bravo Susan. We need more books like this.

Unless your parents or older siblings have been entrepreneurs, finding yourself facing the choice of starting a business . . . or being unemployed . . . is a dire situation. Relax! You can rely on Susan Urquhart-Brown's advice to sort your way through the psychological brambles and legal barbs of going solo in a business of your own.

Most people who want to become entrepreneurs have been thinking about the subject for years, taking courses, asking questions and toughening up their spirits for the challenging times ahead. When you reach the jumping off point by accident, as more and more entrepreneurs do, you need a quick baptism in the basics. The Accidental Entrepreneur can help.

The book is actually a series of overlapping brief essays with little lists, quizzes and exercises to help you stretch your wings. As a result, you can dabble here and there to get what you need. If you want to go straight through from the beginning, that's all right, too. It's a brief book, and you should finish in an evening.

I have been helping inexperienced start-up entrepreneurs for many decades. Most of them get stuck in the process. They find some step they need to take which they cannot figure out how to do. The Accidental Entrepreneur contains answers to many of those sticking points: Legal requirements, structure, finding allies, raising money, locating customers, hiring that first employee and finding some balance in your life.

No one source is going to do it all for you. This book will be most helpful to someone who plans to work with a coach or consultant to help go through the steps.

The book's main weakness is that it doesn't address important strategy elements like how to craft a superior business model, design cost advantages, adjust prices to make it easier for customers to buy, and add more value for customers. You'll have to read and learn from other books to help you in those areas.

If you do read the book from cover to cover, you may find some of the repetition a little annoying. But it doesn't hurt to see and think through the basics more than once in the same book.

Because of its general focus and examples from Ms. Urquhart-Brown's consulting business, this book will be of the most help to those who are planning a coaching or consulting business.

Buy and read this book! It will be one of your best initial business investments.

The Accidental Entrepreneur: Practical Wisdom for People Who Never Expected to Work for Themselves, by Susan Urquhart-Brown, brought me into the (finally welcome) realization that yes, I am in business for myself (with the emphasis on business). Having thrashed around in the welter of details surrounding what it means to be a small (in my case, one-person) business for many years, never very hopefully or happily, I now find that this book offers me a roadmap to taking myself seriously (and I can take the journey at my own speed, too). Though I still have a lot to learn, thanks to Urquhart-Brown I've moved from being an "accidental" entrepreneur to an "intentional" entrepreneur. This is the only such book I've encountered, and it's (as the subtitle indicates) practical, accessible, and-above all-doable. I recommend this book to anyone starting out or already on the way to being a successful entrepreneur.

-Naomi Rose, Book Developer, Oakland, CA

There has been a certain mystique surrounding "entrepreneurism".
It has sort of been positioned as something you are - or are not - destined to be. As well, it is more associated with the "started in the garage" -> IPOed on Nasdaq company more than the sole proprietor consultant.

That may be changing. Many folks I know - myself included - entered the workforce out of college with the notion of developing our craft and trading it for a steady paycheck from a company.
We expected to be able to carve out a fulfilling career.
However, in this "global, just-in-time" economy, that premise is not nearly as strong as it once was.

When faced with perpetual job in-security and/or becoming a member of the workforce reduced group, a not insignificant number of folks are opting to start their own business... accidentally.

Typically a small business owner is accomplished at their craft.
That works well when you're employed by a company. But if you are the company, your craft is not your business - your business is your business.
Small business is seldom taught in school - even Business school - and you are certainly not likely to learn it working for a large corporation. If you are a small business owner or a candidate, it is incumbent upon the success of your business to learn and develop small business skills.

The Accidental Entrepreneur does not delve into the theory of business. It is a practical guidebook with tips, tools and exercises that focus on what works and what doesn't work.
Few small business owners start out knowing how to run and grow a business. Many do not even know the questions to ask, much less the answers.

Most of the books out there focus on one particular subject, or are more theory based. This book is very pragmatic and covers the full scope of starting and running a business.

The Accidental Entrepreneur is divided into sections that roughly mimic the phases of a small business:
whether or not being a business owner is right for you,
what you need to do to start a business,
the early business-building phase,
sustaining your business,
taking your business to the next level.

Each chapter is a self-contained subject, easily digestible, pragmatic and actionable. You can read a chapter, you can read an entire section. Whatever is applicable to where you are at on your path.

This book provides an essential roadmap for any small business inspired person.

Having become an "accidental entrepreneur" myself at the age of 40, I've found Susan's book both helpful and encouraging. Statistics tell us that 80% of new businesses cease operations within the first 5 years, but with this book as a guide, readers are sure to buck that trend! It was well-organized and easy to read. The book is divided into short sections that make it easy to skip around and quickly find the practical wisdom promised. The quiz alone was worth the price of the book!

This is an excellent book for anyone thinking, even remotely, about starting their own business. It is easy to read and enjoyable with references to events that we can all relate to . . . such as "don't try things for the first time in front of your banker" (and how that advice came about).

There are so many things that go into running your own business that most people really do not understand. This book has a great overview of the things to consider before venturing too far in the decision stage. After reading Thornton's witty and cogent discussion, if you are ready to say "YES, I can do this", then you are already on your way to creating a successful venture. If after reading this book you decide not to proceed . . . well, this may just be the most valuable book you have ever read.

This should be required reading in all business schools.

I have recently started my own company and have been using this book as a guideline on how to do things properly. This book has been a tremendous help and has allowed me to save money along the way. From initial organization procedures to marketing strategies, Bruce has made it easy to understand how to start a company for anyone. Thank you Bruce for making it easy.

Bruce C. Thornton's "Business Start-ups Done Dirt Cheap: For entrepreneurs who want to minimize start-up costs and maximize chances of success" is much like the books from the popular "Dummies" series: readable, engaging, well organized, and clear. But there's something even better about Thornton's book. Unlike its hefty Dummies counterparts, it's not only easy to read but also easy to keep handy for reference. At just over 100 pages and with a very slim profile, it can be tucked it into a coat pocket or stashed into a laptop carry-on without a second thought.

That's a good thing, because this book is chock full of the kind of advice that entrepreneurs will want to keep handy. Especially advice on how to avoid the most common source of start-up collapse: cash failure.

There are a slew of books on how to build a successful start-up, but none that provide as sharp a focus on this problem. And it's an insidious problem, because, as Thornton explains, it can occur even in businesses that are profitable.

That's why Thornton is determined to help entrepreneurs weed out cash flow problems before they have a chance to take root. He does this through a series of practical instructions organized as they would apply at each step of the start-up process. For example, he describes how to evaluate new ideas and markets and develop strategic plans without having to hire a fancy market research firm to do it for you. How to do the initial legwork of setting up your firm's legal structure before getting the lawyers involved. How to gain valuable insights from resources like the Web, local educational institutions, or "helpful old guys" -- retired or semiretired people who have established successful businesses of their own and are happy to share their knowledge in exchange for the personal satisfaction of helping other budding entrepreneurs. (Thornton himself launched and built more than a half-dozen thriving businesses, and today volunteers in mentoring programs at the University of Texas for aspiring entrepreneurs in engineering and other technical fields.)

Note, however, that this is not a "do it yourself" guide to entrepreneurialship. While Thornton does highlight the cost-effectiveness of handling certain preparations and operations internally, he also is careful to point out when and where you absolutely, positively must enlist the help of legal, accounting, and other professionals.

Thornton also briefly discusses different sources of financing -- from personal savings and angel investors to venture capitalists, bank loans, SBA loans, and creative approaches such as extended terms from suppliers and vendors -- as well as various approaches to operations, manufacturing, marketing, and sales. In every discussion he answers one question foremost: how would using this financial source or this approach to (whatever) affect cash flow?

Thornton closes with a couple of lists of the kind that I love in the "Dummies" series. In Thornton's book, they focus on the characteristics and the management tenets of successful ventures. Some of the items are self-evident, but they also bear repeating as lessons that new and not-so-new entrepreneurs should take to heart: among others, to minimize red tape, to treat employees fairly, to maintain a bias for action, and, oh yes, to have a "passion" to conserve cash at all times.

All the more reason it's nice this book can be carried around so easily. Which I would recommend for almost anyone seeking to create a successful start-up business.

"Entrepreneurs...constantly revolutionize our economy, and have made it possible for average people today to live longer and healthier lives, with more access to technology than the kings had in previous generations." This is a very apt quote by Johan Norberg in Bruce Thornton's new book Business Start-Ups Done Dirt Cheap.

While the rewards of successful entrepreneurship can be incredibly lucrative, Bruce suggests that it "isn't about finding the perfect idea or the killer application, then sitting back to get rich. It is about successful application of multiple skills to everyday business, and execution of profitable daily operations over long periods."

This book is an excellent source for a description and application of those "multiple skills" that are necessary to create a successful venture. Chapters 9 and 10 alone are worth the price of the book. A relatively short read, the book is, nevertheless, full of very worthy and valuable advice. I highly recommend it.

This is a must read for anyone even contemplating starting a company. Well written and well researched, the author takes you through the steps needed to start up a company. Relying on real life experiences, the author relates the pitfalls and the triumphs of starting up and owning your own businesses.
Though the topic could be a dry read, his humorous anecdotes and stories keep you engaged, reading on to learn the results of his endeavors.
The forms and reference materials alone are worth the price of the book.
Reading this book will surely decrease the amount of time spent starting up a company and increase your chances of becoming a successul entrepreneur.

I really enjoyed reading Ms Heigl's book. I had no idea what to expect and knew nothing about the catering business. Ms Heigl is a talented writer and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Jennifer Heigl's book, "Career Diary of a Caterer" was enlightening and well written. It is an honest look at the huge amount of work involved in starting and running your own catering business. I would advise anyone who has ever wanted their own business (in food service or not) to read this book before attempting such an immense task. As Mrs. Heigl points out, being your own boss is both a blessing and a curse. Her workday never really ends. Each day is filled with a hundred little things that must get done or the bills do not get paid. Having the diary be just that, a personal diary, really gives the reader insight into the amount of blood, sweat and tears that the author puts into every day. I give Mrs. Heigl a great deal of credit for documenting her struggles so honestly and realistically.

Despite the trials and tribulations the author endures, Mrs. Heigl never discourages the reader from wanting to run a business for themselves. She simply paints an honest picture as best she can. I feel that any entrepreneur would benefit from the insights within this book, especially those in food service. The daily grind is well documented here. It reminded me of Anthony Bourdain's great section in his book, "Kitchen Confidential" which detailed everything he did in one day as an executive chef of a successful restaurant. Like that book, "Career Diary of a Caterer." Makes you both respect and pity the author and all she does for the love of the job. An added bonus to the book is the detailing of Mrs. Heigl's relationship with her husband, who happens to be the company's head chef. As if running your own business were not enough work, the author maintains a healthy relationship with her spouse while cooking and preparing a dinner for 250 people on Friday, and a brunch for 100 on Sunday.

In closing, I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who would like to start their own company. Mrs. Heigle chronicles the ups and downs and everything in between in an honest and realistic voice. As an educator, I would use this book in an instant in my class if I were teaching anything about business management and entrepreneurship. Food service is a tough business to succeed in, which the author has done. It is even tougher to write an enjoyable and enlighten book documenting the struggles and success of a small business striving to succeed.

The Career Diary series of books from Garth Gardner are excellent little vignettes into the daily life of each career featured and what it takes to make it successful. If you have ever considered changing jobs and think opening a catering business might be fun, you need to read Career Diary of a Caterer. The book is a 30-days-in-the-life journal which looks at exactly what it takes to own and operate a catering business. Readers will get an honest no-frills look behind the scenes at this rewarding but fast-paced occupation.

Author Heigl details daily activities such as organizing catering events, training staff, dealing with vendors and clients, prep work required for events, helping in the kitchen, billing and accounting, and troubleshooting last-minute problems. She shares wonderful examples of a few perks of the job as well as why she likes being a caterer.

The book was filled with hidden surprises. As an example, I had no idea caterers also arrange the venues for some of the events, such as booking ballrooms or halls. I thought the client did that and the caterer simply supplied the food and wait staff. I also had no idea that schools (at least in the author's area) are given the choice of having professionally prepared, delicious and nutritious meals for students. I wish that had been an option when I was in school. I also never gave a thought to the incredible organizational skills and flexibility caterers must have to do their work.

After reading the author's account of a-day-in-the-life, I know that it takes an exceptional person with a lot of endurance, incredible multitasking abilities, and the talent to "think on your feet," in order to be a successful caterer.

I highly recommend Career Diary of a Caterer for people interested in the food service industry who might be looking to change career, or for parents with middle to high school age children who haven't yet decided on a career path or perhaps want to see if their expectations meet in or near the vicinity of reality.

Armchair Interviews says: Interesting way for people to sample a profession.

This book gives a great insight into the day to day life of operating a catering business. It is well written, easy to follow and entertaining. I highly recommend it.

This informative short book goes into details about the business "gotchas" of being a caterer. Note: it is NOT about cooking or food. This is more about being a party planner--or at least the organizational aspects of catering, down to the details of renting equipment and whether dishes and silverware need to be washed before returning or just rinsed (hint: find out from the rental agency, as you may incur a large charge if you don't return the items in proper condition.)

Recommended for anyone thinking of going into any aspect of this business, but not about the culinary side.

This is a much needed study. The author looks at two groups -- African-Americans and Korean immigrants -- in the same business and offers important insights into why they have different outcomes in business development. One of the best treatments of the topic I have seen. Silverman goes beyond the typical stereotypes about minority business people, and explains how institutional arrangements impact groups differently. One of the best contemporary discussions of internal colonialism out there.

This book breaks new ground. It develops theory in this area while remaining readable and accessable to all readers. It is a must read for policy makers and others interested in designing urban economic development strategies that work. Recommendations for asset based approaches are natural extensions from this work, and the additional consideration of racism as a barrier to full participation in the economy expands the study's impact. As the author masterfully tells us in the introduction, "the invisible hand of the market cannot conceal color."

This book breaks new ground. It develops theory in this area while remaining readable and accessable to all readers. It is a must read for policy makers and others interested in designing urban economic development strategies that work. Recommendations for asset based approaches are natural extensions from this work, and the additional consideration of racism as a barrier to full participation in the economy expands the study's impact. As the author masterfully tells us in the introduction, "the invisible hand of the market cannot conceal color."

This is the most balanced treatment of this topic I have seen in a long time. The author escapes many of the pitfalls of earlier studies. He avoids the easy outs of social pathology explanations for racial and ethnic strife, and he offers a compelling view of the plight of minority (Black and Korean) entrepreneurs that takes broader structures into consideration. Superb.

This book sheds new light on the study of black-Korean relations. By examining the issue from the perspective of business owners in the same industry, the author avoids many of the limitations of earlier studies. Well worth investigating further.

For those of you who love reading about the great achievements of the various industrialists, this is a great book for you. This book is in the same spirit of Dr. Folsom's currently most widely known work "The Myth of the Robber Barons". That is, it contains a little over half a dozen chapters of various different entrepreneurs who are of great significance in business history.

I recommend this book for several reasons. First, it is written from the perspective from someone who understands economics and is highly appreciative of the benign effects of free market capitalism. Tragically, such is a rarity nowadays. Second, this book contains a lot of unique information. Where else can you read detailed accounts of the pioneering vertical integration of John Jacob Astor's fur trading company, Henry Ford's revolutionary practices in mass production or Herbert Dow's crafty victory over the British bleach cartel and the German bromine cartel or the perseverance of William Kellogg in a single volume? Finally, this book contains *essentialized* history. That is, you can learn about the achievements of these great industrialists without having to commit yourself to reading an 800-paged tome biography.

If this book greatly interests you, I also highly recommend:
* The Myth of the Robber Barons by Burton Folsom
* The Capitalist Manifesto by Andrew Bernstein
* Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal by Ayn Rand
* The Wizard of Menlo Park by Randall Stross

Burton Folsom's Empire Builders is a stunning tour de force--a compelling tale of great entrepreneurs and how their contributions carved a great state out of a mosquito-infested, swamp-filled territory.

The stories of how Will Kellogg got going in the corn flakes business, how Herbert Dow whipped the German bromine cartel, how John Jacob Astor built a flourishing fur trade in direct competition with the federal government, and how Henry Ford and Billy Durant made Michigan a car-producing behemoth are among the fascinating accounts Folsom weaves into this book. Underlying it all is a time-honored principle that so many of today's historians (being left-leaning tenured academics living in their own world while feeding off the toil of the very risk-taking businesspeople they love to criticize)seem to ignore: get government involved in enterprise and the result is poverty and disaster; leave people alone in a free society and the result is opportunity and prosperity for ! all.

Thank you, Dr. Folsom, for this most enlightening and lively history. I hope your employer lets you write many more such works.

I am a history and economics teacher and use this book as a core textbook in my classroom.

We hear many a story of nasty businessmen these days, but seldom are we presented with stories of heroism, other than in fantasy movies or fairy tales. This is a book of real, historical heroes and villains from Michigan history.

Unlike most books about businessmen, this book illustrates historic battles between government-sponsored (political) entrepreneurs and free-market (market) entrepreneurs with riveting results that run contrary to what you generally read in your grade-school history textbooks. If you cross-reference them, you will notice that the traditional history textbooks don't generally contradict the facts of this book. Instead the present select facts without the complete context and let you infer false conclusions.

The fastideous refrencing and historic detail does not attempt to whitewash successful businessmen into flawless white knights, but it does not endeavour to unjustly demonize them as "robber barons" either.

If you appreciate honest history, told as a chronological story with fascinating detail, this book is for you.

The same author has written others of the same nature, the most well-known being "The Myth of the Robber Barons." The author teaches at Hillsdale College, which shares the author's principles.

From my experience, students reading this book learn to view history with interest and inspiration rather than boredom and cynicism. It helps them to leave my classroom believing that honest effort can lead to great success.

This book is a follow-on to Folsom's, "the myth of the robber barons", a great piece on the golden age of American industrialization in the last half of the 19th century. However, This book specifically focuses on "those Michigan entrepreneurs who helped make America great" (the sub-title).

The story of John Jacob Astor in the fur business says it all. It was his fur business against that of the US governments'. Incentives being what they are, Astor florished while the government agent was a miserable failure, but not before dishonestly trying to run Astor out of business. It's the same story with the railroads both in Michigan and across the Pacific northwest; the ones built with private money versus the ones built with government subsidies. Always the same old story! Private ventures have to satisfy market demand while the purveyors for the government ignore it, as though they're living in some parallel dimension. One suceeds while the other is a collosal waste of time and money.

The ensuing chapters catalogue the exploits of Herbert Dow (chemicals), of Will Kellogg (cereal), of William Durant (GM), of Stevens Mason (the first govenour), and of Henry Ford. All of these men were tireless workers with incredible judgement, who engaged in sound business practices while possesing unparalleled visions of the future. It's truly remarkable to live their stories thru these chapters. I own a business with a partner like this and it's fascinating just watching how he operates day-to-day. It's a lot of unusual qualities all bottled up in one person. They don't come along every day, and when you recognize that socialists have always tried to neuter them, you realize why socialist seconomic systems are always doomed to failure.

These men created thousands of jobs by pursuing their own personalized self interests. It's right out of Adam Smith's "the wealth of nations." This is an inspiring read, one all would be entrepreneurs should familiarize themselves with.

I grew up in Michigan, but had little idea of these ripping good tales. If you liked this book, try also the delightful "Eighty Acres."

The Entrepreneur's Guide to Second Life: Making Money in the Metaverse
This book covers the entire range of financial systems and possibilities in Second Life. The information offered here is accurate but, I found it to be rather generalized. As is always the case the data can be gotten from other sources but, the organization that this author imposes on it makes it accessible to the neophyte. My only complaint was the huge mass of subjects prevents any detailed discussion of MY specific interests. Great for that initial think-tanking process and full of really great advice.

Entrepreneur's Guide to Second Life: Making Money in the Metaverse

I figured this would be a useful book because when I was interviewed for it the questions were in-depth, thoughtful, and non-fluffy. And it turns out that the book is even better than I expected. This is a GREAT book for anyone who wants to start an in-world Second Life business, or for someone who wants to improve their existing business. I would have turned a profit quicker if I'd had it when I was a newbie!

This book gave me a lot of great ideas for the Second Life platform. I had no idea of the type of businesses that were in Second Life. Now that I have an idea of how to purchase land and have seen the various software applications being used to create product, I plan on experimenting with it for the next 90 days or so. From there, I'm going to continue using the platform to launch my Second Life business. This Book is fabulous!

Lanesa Stubbs

outstanding. this step-by-step guide is well-written, informative, and easy to navigate. the structure of the book allowed me to get straight to the topics i was interested in - it's clearly laid out and having first-hand advice from residents/experts was extremely useful and gave me confidence - there's a great chapter on Setting Up Shop, for example. It's a comprehensive how-to that makes the metaverse accessible to everyone.

This book is a great way to learn about the many financial opportunities that await you in Second Life. The layout is clean and colorful, the examples shown are interesting and inspiring, and it is a good examination of Second Life overall. The lessons ignite the imagination...where would I like to concentrate my efforts as an entrepreneur? What does it really take to make a business successful? How have others done it, and what can I learn from their experiences? Terdiman did his homework on this project and the guide provides a realistic look at what it would take to create your dream career.

A very good read and one to have in an entrepreneur's library. As he's laid it out himself, which I read as 'Rules are for Obedience of Fools and Guidelines for Entreprenuers'. Also a good personal account of how Heinecke handled the Asian Currency Crisis of 1997/8 with his empire in Thailand.

yes, this book had changed my live, the way I think, live, act, etc. MUST HAVE AND MUST READ BOOK!! very good inspiration for everyone.

This is a fantastic book that is very easy and quick to read. I read it and now am buying copies for friends, children and about anyone else I think would benefit by understanding decision making rules that lead to success. It is one thing to be an "Entrepreneur" and quite another thing to be an Entrepreneur who makes good decisions that lead to business growth and profitability.

I wish I could find a source to buy this book in volume so I could get more copies at a lower cost.

Imagine the opportunity to sit down in your favorite readingchair, mine just happens to be my buckskin leather chair, next to awarm fire... on a cool Florida evening in February. Add a nice bottle of Australian Merlot, and read the most commonsensical, witty, and highly diverse real world business success stories you have ever read, in one night. Directly from the mouth of one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs, in one of the world's toughest markets. This book tells of experiences with success and failure in business and how to keep it all in perspective without being riddled with those $50 words.

Every competent entrepreneur knows full well that starting any new venture in your own backyard is extremely difficult and very risky. Imagine if you move to a new city to start the business or even a new state, can you imagine dealing with a foreign culture or a foreign country as an American? I would expect 9.999 of 10 would fail miserably in this situation. In this new millennium, Global Mega-Corporations with G-V's and Global Express' are still finding that doing American-style business in Asia is tantamount to climbing Everest, not to mention Thailand specifically. But one common theme prevails in Thai business, American business or business anywhere else in the world, it simply takes common sense and the logic of knowing when to check your ego at the door.

This is a must read for every college student that wants to "climb the corporate ladder" someday, all budding entrepreneurs in all industries, middle-level managers who truly want to move-up, and senior level executives who want to understand how to work efficiently with the "team-members" who work with you to "increase the wealth of the shareholder." It is truly a team effort in Global Business today.

Bill, thanks for an inspiring, educational, and motivational read. I look forward to filing your flight plans and breaking speed records on the way to Bangkok with your new..........

This has been one of the best books I have read in a while. Mr. Heinecke shows great insight into the methods of an entrepreneur. In addition, Mr. Heinecke's entrepreneurial endeavors have been centered in Thailand and Southeast Asia, giving the book great insight into Asian culture. After living in Thailand for 6 years as a child, it was very interesting to see the methods and organization of Mr. Heinecke's many business ventures I had grown accustomed to while in Thailand. Overall, and excellent book!

This little booklet is a godsend! While I am no graphic artist (which should be obvious), I found the tips in Manuel's book to work absolutely flawlessly. I used Manuel's methods to make the cover for my book and it skated through Amazon's DTP on the first try.

Graphics on the Kindle is a "must read" for anyone publishing an ebook with the DTP platform. Thanks, Manuel!

David Emberson
Author, The Kindle Cookbook: How To Do Everything the Manual Doesn't Tell You

Burgos' book is clear and straight forward. I used the specifications listed in the book to "Kindle-lize" the graphics for my novel, The Unselfish Gene. Being a somewhat experienced Photoshop user, I didn't need the step-by-step instructions, but I found it re-assuring the author included them. Even better, when I emailed Mr. Burgos prior to buying the book, I got a personal reply within 24 hours.

I've attached a photo showing one the graphic images from my novel as it actually appears on the Kindle -- thanks to this book.

And if you don't have Photoshop, I think you could squeak by with something like Infraview, which is available for free download. Also, there's GIMP, which is also free and ported for Vista now, but it has a fairly steep learning curve.

This is like many of the other Kindle books: small, not necessarily polished, but useful.

If you're an experienced Photoshop user, the book can be read in about an hour. It's about as long as one of the longer how-tos you find online. However, for a couple of bucks, it does provide what the title promises: an explanation of how to produce decent graphics for the Kindle.

Feel free to post any questions for the author as a comment to this post. We'll answer them daily. Thanks!

ATTENTION COMIC BOOK, COMIC STRIP, AND GRAPHIC NOVEL CREATORS AND PUBLISHERS! Because you demanded it! Rare Arts is pleased to present its next title, Formatting Comics for the Kindle (Graphics on the Kindle). This second e-book of the "Graphics on the Kindle" series is the first to tackle the challenge of KINDLE E-COMICS! Check it out today!

One of the wonderful things about the marketplace of the mind that is opened up by the Kindle and other new technologies is that it allows us to focus on the things that we choose, the things we know about, the things we want to learn about, the things that drive us, the things that we are passionate about. Which I suppose is a flowery way of saying that, when there are skills that we do not have, we can find others who have these skills, who share them with us in terrific little e-books like this one. Whether you want to learn how to have fun with graphics on your own Kindle or incorporate graphics into a Kindle document, Manuel Burgos is a great go-to guy to have on your side. I was so impressed with what I read in Graphics on the Kindle that I contacted Manuel and engaged him to help me with the cover design for the print-on-paper version of Beyond the Literary-Industrial Complex: How Authors and Publishers Are Using the Amazon Kindle and Other New Technologies (... to Unleash an Indie Movement of Readers and Writers), and he did a wonderful job. I have no doubt that I will go back to him when it is time for a print-on-paper version of How to Use the Amazon Kindle for Email & Other Cool Tricks: Read and Answer Email Anywhere, Anytime on the Amazing Amazon Kindle (The Complete User's Guide to the Amazing Amazon Kindle).

One of the great mystries of the business world skillfully uncovered, at least for me.

T'was nearly perfect

The basic premise of this book is based on the relationship between two things: location and market. To borrow a quote from the book - " The right location in the wrong market will cause your business to fail - more than if you plan the wrong location in the right market." Building upon this belief, the author teaches the reader how to systematically go about researching for the right information as well as analyzing it. The book is written in a down to earth manner and is very easy to follow. It is comphrehensive and is one of the best books on choosing location.

Simply the best practical book for finding the best location for your retail store. It is full of practical ideas and tips on how to choose a location. I have read evey single page several times. The proposed techniques are useful for a start up business and a mega chiain store. It is full of sketches to show the impact of different locations on the store traffic.

If you only need one book for store location. Then this is it.

The best book about location. No theoretical lesson, but the essentials to work with. I'm a McDonald's rep in Belgium and 'll use the guidelines in my work. Belgium is one of the 7 countries were McDonald's losing money due to bad locatios!