Against the odds
by Dyson, James. · first published 1998
9mentions
4recommended by
5HN commenters
2007–2025first – last mentioned
80% recommend20% neutral
"James Dyson is the inventor and designer of the revolutionary Dyson Cyclone, the vacuum cleaner that has generated a turnover of nearly $1.5 billion since it first launched in 1993. Sales of Dyson machines have reached nearly 10 million globally. And he is now embarking on his next great adventure - breaking into the most competitive and challenging market in the world: the USA. At long last the American public will be able to buy a vacuum cleaner with a huge advantage over all others - it does not lose suction." "This is the story of a man whose unorthodox methods, unswerving optimism and se
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James Dyson - Against the odds (http://www.amazon.com/Against-Odds-Autobiography-James-Dyson...) Very inspiring read, especially the parts about how he kept going for almost 10 years and persevered to truly innovate in a market that…
on “Ask HN: What are some good biographies to read?” ↗…(sales, marketing, business development, legal, raising capital, etc...) necessary to grow his company. Before you 'give away' your idea, it may be worth reading> http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/955045.Against_the_Odds
on “Ask HN: How can I give my idea for free and sell myself as its developer?” ↗> Is this typical? Your individual experience may vary. May I suggest James Dyson's autobiography a useful read on overcoming failures and set-backs> https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/955045.Against_the_Odds
on “Ask HN: I keep trying and failing at startups, what am I doing wrong?” ↗…outsider, you are the person most likely to find true breakthroughs. What space frustrates you the most? The James Dyson story is instructive in this regard > http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/955045.Against_the_Odds
on “Ask HN: Where can I find “unsolved problems” for various industries?” ↗An unusually good read - James Dyson's quest to reinvent, build, and then successfully market his vacuum cleaner > http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/955045.Against_the_Odds
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite books on the history of ideas and inventions?” ↗Against the Odds (James Dyson)
on “Ask YC: favorite books” ↗James Dyson's autobiography "Against the Odds". It is an excellent book about original thinking and it is hugly underrated.
on “Ask HN: Books about people who persevered when no one else believed in them?” ↗…ideas and designs... Then pursue your own ideas & designs. Next find a buyer. Figure out a way to get to market. Tangential story-- how James Dyson did it. >https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/955045.Against_the_Odds
on “Ask HN: Advice for a Helicopter Technician?” ↗…were: 1. Made In America - Sam Walton (18 episodes across 3 podcasts) 2. 7 Powers - Hamilton Helmer (15 episodes across 3 podcasts) 3. Zero to One - Peter Thiel (10 episodes across 4 podcasts) 4. Against the Odds - James Dyson (9 episodes across 2 podcasts) 5. Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling (8 episodes across 5 podcasts)
on “Show HN: I built a system that detects book mentions across 2k podcast episodes” ↗