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The First Billion Is the Hardest: How Believing It's Still Early in the Game Can Lead to Life's Greatest Comebacks
by T. Boone Pickensbook data
61 ratings,
3.43
average rating, 19 reviews
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published
September 2nd 2008
by Crown Business
binding
Hardcover, 288 pages
isbn
0307395774
(isbn13: 9780307395771)
description
With a Plan for Reducing U.S. Oil Dependency
It’s never too late to top your personal best.
Now eighty years old, T. Boone Pickens is a legendary figure...more
It’s never too late to top your personal best.
Now eighty years old, T. Boone Pickens is a legendary figure...more
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avg 3.43
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Ok, any book that follows one you cherish as I did Sue Miller's work is at a disadvantage. This book had nothing to lose by it's unenviable position in my bedside reading. The book was written by a self-important rich guy. He makes several points: work hard, trust your gut, exercise, donate to charities, and purchase wind turbines. There I just saved you the trouble of reading it. Nothing more in depth than that.
The bit about natural gas fueled vehicles, eh, makes sense when you rea...more
The bit about natural gas fueled vehicles, eh, makes sense when you rea...more
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1 comment
Read in November, 2008
The book, for me, was a great introduction to T. Boone. After seeing Pickens on commercials and several news spots throughout the recent election, I wanted to know more about his business career and to gain a deeper understanding for the motivation of his "Pickens Plan". The book answered some questions but now I have more than I started with. After a brief history of his business career, the book was a call to action to reduce our country’s dependence on foreign oil.
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Read in October, 2008
I've become very impressed with Boone and his Picken's Plan. I wished the book was more about alternative energy and less about his life as I am not into autobiographies. Nevertheless, it was an interesting read!
Some of the things he proposes in his plan would make even more money for this billionaire. That is all well and good as it would serve the country, also. However, I think his idea of piping electricity from Texas wind farms to both coasts could be done a bit more locally. Hi...more
Some of the things he proposes in his plan would make even more money for this billionaire. That is all well and good as it would serve the country, also. However, I think his idea of piping electricity from Texas wind farms to both coasts could be done a bit more locally. Hi...more
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The first part of the book was a little hard for me to follow. It was the history of T. Boone's 60 year career in 150 pages. It jumped quickly and was written in such simple grammar that it seemed really choppy. After page 150 though it got really interesting as Boone laid out his plan for decreasing our dependency on foreign oil. He's made a lot of money from oil but at age 80 he's still working and realizes the importance of investing time and money in different energy sources. He has wind...more
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Read in November, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone worried about America's dependence on oil.
This is a truly fascinating book. The man is obviously very smart and successful at what he does. Therefore, it's hard to figure out if he's patting himself on the back, or really trying to share the fruits of his four score years with us.
If you're looking for a book on energy dynamics, policy, and planning, this is the book for you. It's written in a down to Earth manner that makes it accessible to a very wide audience. It gives a good overview of the history of oil and energy in...more
If you're looking for a book on energy dynamics, policy, and planning, this is the book for you. It's written in a down to Earth manner that makes it accessible to a very wide audience. It gives a good overview of the history of oil and energy in...more
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Read in May, 2009
T. Boone Pickens writes in a straight-forward style that I like very much. He's really on to something with his wind energy project. Too bad the countries leaders have not embraced it. We need major federal funding to get this up and running and Pickens understands exactly how to do it. Maybe Obama will make it happen.
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Read in January, 2009
Boone Pickens is quite a character! This was a quick, easy read. He has some good business-management ideas intertwined with his personal stories. And it's got a nice motivational aspect to it as well.
Also, his energy plan is better than what I've heard from anyone else. Hopefully, it will spur some action.
Also, his energy plan is better than what I've heard from anyone else. Hopefully, it will spur some action.
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very good book. he tells his story without sounding arrogant and his ideas about energy and this country are right on the money. he should be in charge of our country's energy program.
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Read in September, 2008
recommends it for:
Everyone
This is not the type of book I'd seek out, but after seeing his "Pickens Plan" commmercials, I wanted to read what he had to say. Chapter 7 should be required reading for all Americans. It is an honest account of the US energy situation, and what can realistically happen if we don't commit to changes NOW. You don't have to be green or environmentally conscious to read this book (or Chpt 7)- you just have to want a better world and better future for your children. I read the entire ...more
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Read in November, 2008
I really enjoyed this autobiography. I especially liked reading his energy plan for America.
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Read in January, 2009
Not a huge fan of his philosophy on life. He's good at what he does, but I got the feeling that money is his first priority in life. I'm not sure I believe all the doom and gloom.
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Read in September, 2008
Poorly organized, self-indulgent memoir.
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Read in October, 2008
recommends it for:
everyone, particularly political junkies and business types, but comprehensible to us norma folks
It is great to hear simple explanations about how the economy works from an expert. At 80 years old, while he''s still the same larger than live T. Boone Pickens, some of the edge of the ego is gone. What is left seems to be the beginnings of wisdom, at least on things economic. Particularly in this panic involving arcane financial instruments, Pickens' straight forward explanations about how various sectors of the financial markets work was a breath of fresh air.
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Read in October, 2008
Worth reading if you're interested in alternative oil, particularly the last chapter. We're making the rest of the world wealthy by purchasing foreign oil. He has alternatives, natural gas (of course he owns quite a bit), wind, nuclear etc.
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Read in September, 2008
recommends it for:
business types climbing that ladder.
There are some interesting stories and laws to live by, but there more details about take overs than I really wanted to read about. Pickens is a smart man who isn't afraid of work or risk--1st step in amassing a fortune according to me.
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11/13/08
Kristina
marked it as to-read
I saw him on Jon Stewart last night and was utterly smitten. A man of 80 that just sounds completely fascinating.
Can't wait to read.
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Good read although self serving. Some insight into the Oil sector and Renewable energy.
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Read in March, 2009
recommends it for:
baaa
i don't know. the book wasn't bad. the last chapters about peak oil and energy independence are totally worth reading.
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