Losing My Virginity
by Richard Branson · first published 1998
71% recommend29% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Candid autobiography of building Virgin, with honest accounts of bad decisions and failed ventures. Readers value its anecdotes, low-risk approach to entrepreneurship, and the motivation it gives aspiring founders.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
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I am half way through Richard Branson's biography "Losing My Virginity" now and really recommend it to anyone who wants a fun read - http://www.amazon.com/Losing-My-Virginity-Survived-Business/... - He made a lot of REALLY bad business decisions (i.e. decisions which lost…
on “Richard Branson: In it for fun not just money” ↗I agree that the scope of books that entrepreneurs would find helpful should be wider. I'd recommend some that might be a little easier to get through (just of the top of my head): -Losing my virginity (Branson) -How to win friends and influence people (Carnegie) -Venture deals (Feld) -Man's Search for meaning (Frankl)
on “Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read” ↗- Losing my Virginity, by Richard Branson and Edward Whitley. It made me realize I've never really hustled in my life. Reading it was a humbling experience. When I finished the book I was on the verge of tears, an odd mix…
on “Ask HN: What are the books that changed the perspective of your life?” ↗I'm a big fan of Richard Branson, and his books read fun with lots of insight. Losing My Virginity had lots of fun wisdom and anecdotes. One of his first rules of doing business is to make it fun, which works for obvious reasons. He puts a lot of time into customer/client experience, and it really…
on “Branson: Fortunes to be made in downturn” ↗If you don't know Branson check out his autobiography 'Losing My Virginity'. Worth a read.
on “Page not found” ↗Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin group. A self-made man. I suggest you read his book, "Losing My Virginity" before you dismiss him as a "LinkedIn Influencer"
on “Richard Branson: "I had tears down my face and a $1 billion check in my pocket."” ↗I've recently read a book which encouraged me to change my lazy habits and strive for more: Losing my Virginity, by Richard Branson and Edward Whitley. It made me realize I've never really hustled in my life. Reading it was a humbling experience. When I finished the book I was on the verge of tears, an odd mix…
on “Ask HN: Biographies for personal development and entrepreneurship?” ↗…Ferris, but whatever, I think this book is cool. Autobiographies: - Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman - Ghost In The Wires by Kevin Mitnick - Catch me if you can by Abagnale - iWoz by Steve Wozniak - Losing my Virginity by Richard Branson All these are fantastic and very intelligent autobiographies by the very awesome people. Now I'm reading "Gödel, Escher, Bach" and "Rationality: From AI to Zombies." "Rationality"…
on “Ask HN: Which book are you reading these days?” ↗…incredible writer and it shines through in every page. Free download link (don't you love the public domain?): http://manybooks.net/titles/carnegiea1797617976-8.html Richard Branson's autobiography, Losing My Virginity, is also a great read even discounting the perfect title- together, Branson and Carnegie really drive home the importance of taking risks and leveraging up at every opportunity.
on “Ask HN: What are some good biographies to read?” ↗I must have read close to 50 biographies. I love "Titan" about John D. Rockefeller (in many ways a hero of mine). and Losing my Virginity - Richard Branson (so honest and realistic).
on “Ask HN: What are some good biographies to read?” ↗I just read Richard Branson's autobiography, Losing My Virginity, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
on “Ask hackers: what books have you read lately and would recommend me?” ↗Reading one of these "business books" will make your head hurt. The memoirs of successful entrepreneurs are often interesting reads (e.g. "Losing My Virginity" by Richard Branson) but things like this are a paragraph of content extended to 200 pages with a $39.95 price tag.
on “C.K. Prahalad: The New Age of Innovation” ↗…Robbins "Unlimited Power" with like 9 million copies sold, but its also about fitness, so its not as targeted as you might like, although I liked it, but I'm not rich. Another one which I liked was, "Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way" Richard Branson It's how Branson got rich which is pretty interesting.
on “Ask HN: Books on getting rich?” ↗…at work, a bit light but hey) "Hackers" (by Stephen Levy, again, kind of light, but entertaining) "The Hacker Crackdown" (by Bruce Sterling, entertaining) ------------General Business------------ "Losing My Virginity" (Richard Branson) "King of Capital" (Steve Schwarzman, guy that started Blackrock) "Art of the Deal" (Trump) "The Age of Turbulence" (Alan Greenspan) "Barbarians at the Gate" (RJR Nabisco takeover…
on “Entrepreneurial Habits” ↗…George Leonard Steve Jobs Biography The Last Lecture Steve Pavlina Books Iacocca Striking Thoughts Bruce Lee Carlos Castaneda Ghost in the Wires Richest Man in Babylon Way of the Superior Man Losing My Virginity Think and Grow Rich Delivering Happiness
on “Ask HN: What are some Good Books you have read in past one year or so..” ↗