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Call Me Ted

by Ted Turner, Bill Burke

3.74 · rating details · 272 ratings · 91 reviews

A shrewd businessman, an outspoken maverick, and a generous philanthropist, Ted Turner's story is the stuff of legend. But what drives him? Where did he get such a powerful will to succeed? What has he learned over his illustrious life? Never before has the controversial businessman shared his personal story. Here, for the first time, he will.

From his difficult and t...more

Audio CD, Abridged, 0 pages

Published November 10th 2008 by Hachette Audio (first published January 1st 2008)

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Jan 25, 2009

Darrenglass rated it

· review of another edition

I cant help it. I'm a sucker for Ted Turner. Between an interest in the early days of cable television, a connection to Atlanta, and an obsession with the Braves, I just like the guy. Besides, I have always felt that the world could use a few more eccentric billionaires who are willing to put their money where their mouth is, especially when they are outspoken on issues like world peace, nuclear nonproliferation, and the environment.

Turner has finally written some memoirs, and I...more

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Nov 30, 2008

Suzanne rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: biography, sailing

This memoir lives up to its billing. The voice is Ted's through and through. What makes it unique is his raw, unflinching honesty in conveying his "assets and liabilities" , both personal and professional. I found myself wincing at times while reading, not just because of what was done to Ted, but also because of what he did/neglected to do and/or said to others. "Captain Outrageous" and the "mouth from the South" were terms often used to describe Ted, and, indee...more

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Nov 17, 2008

Ron rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: memoirs, sports, depression, media

I liked this one a lot more than I thought I was going to -- Turner's a pretty outspoken guy, so his stories about how he started turning a billboard business into a multimedia empire were awfully engaging. You've got the CNN stuff, the Atlanta Braves and WTBS stuff, the America's Cup, the Time Warner years, the Jane Fonda years... Turner also incorporates a lot of feedback from his business colleagues (including some rivals) and his family, so it's not all one-sided.

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Nov 25, 2008

Gail Strickland rated it

· review of another edition

Say what you will about The Mouth of the South, but Ted's an astute businessman. He did go on (and on) about financing schemes he used for funding, but overall, it was a good look inside his brain (be afraid, be very afraid...LOL). It was a stroke of genius giving his friends, family, and even Jane Fonda space to write (uncensored, I've heard) about him.

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Mar 26, 2009

Evan rated it

· review of another edition

He's done so much with his life so far. This is one of the best autobiographies I've ever read.

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Nov 08, 2010

Nathan rated it

· review of another edition

"Call Me Ted" is Ted Turner's autobiography on his life from his difficult childhood to inheriting his father's billboard business as a young man after his suicide to getting screwed in the AOL/Time Warner deal. The story is very interesting and Ted presents his story in a take me or leave me manner that doesn't hide his successes or flaws.

While Ted inherited his father's large and successful billboard advertising company, Ted did an outstanding job of finding new opportuni...more

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Jan 29, 2010

Gary Miller rated it

· review of another edition

Call Me Ted by Ted Turner

Basically his autobiography. Some of the financial stuff was dull and boring and I skipped over those parts, but in the process of skipping over those parts, I fear I may have missed some other stuff.

He spoke mostly about his business acquisitions and secondarily about his boat racing, which is a hobby of his. He speaks very little about his children or wives, especially Jane Fonda. I was expecting some interesting tidbits about his marriage to Fon...more

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Nov 04, 2008

Kelly rated it

· review of another edition

I've always been a fan of Ted Turner and now love him even more after reading CALL ME TED. It's a fascinating read and completely delivers.

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Jun 10, 2011

Richard N. Stephenson rated it

· review of another edition

Recommend to anyone who wants to learn about a media innovator and passionate entrepreneur.

====================

Ted Turner is one of those guys a whole lot of people *think* they know a lot about but really don't when it comes down to brass tacks. It is a very interesting position to get the information from ted himself as opposed to the media that he helped create and transform.

This is an inspiring, roller-coaster-esque, fun, and thought-provoking journey through t...more

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Feb 06, 2009

Berrydoo rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is a terrific book! I feel like I learned a lot about Ted, and he seems like a cool guy. Here are my favorite parts:
1. When he was in military school in Tennessee he was the Company commander. They had a drill competition every week, and Ted was determined to win it. So he made everybody in the company get up an hour early to drill. And guess what! They won the competition 9 out of 13 weeks! I think it's remarkable because he convinced everybody to get up an hour early. And it'...moreThis is a terrific book! I feel like I learned a lot about Ted, and he seems like a cool guy. Here are my favorite parts:
1. When he was in military school in Tennessee he was the Company commander. They had a drill competition every week, and Ted was determined to win it. So he made everybody in the company get up an hour early to drill. And guess what! They won the competition 9 out of 13 weeks! I think it's remarkable because he convinced everybody to get up an hour early. And it's clear that he was driven to succeed.
2. When his dad died, he wasted no time taking over as president of the billboard company. He started negotiating and buying other companies. It was cool to hear how he grew the billboard company.
3. When he bought channel 17, he faced a lot of obstacles. They were an independent station not affiliated with a network, and they were UHF, which that people couldnt get their signal unless they bought a new antenna. But I loved how he looked at what his competitors were doing, and he counter programmed. When they showed Sunday sermons, he showed movies. When they pre-empted the national broadcasts with local programming, he became friends with the networks and broadcast their programming.
4. I loved how he got Scientific Atlanta into the satellite business when he decided to build a satellite transponder uplink thing.
5. I thought the story of the FastNet race was awesome. There was a really bad storm, and 40 foot waves, and sometimes he was afraid he would die. But he didn't give up. He just kept fighting. His son Teddy said that he really grew in his admiration for Ted that night. I really like that story for some reason.
6. The whole AOL takeover thing was heartbreaking. How cold they do that to Ted? What a bunch of con men! I didn't like AOL before, but now I think they're awful people.

This is a really good book. It makes me think about my own life, and I wonder about the decisions I've made. Anyway, Ted's a good guy and I enjoyed getting to know him through reading his story.(less)

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Jul 14, 2009

Luis rated it

· review of another edition

Ted Turner is an engaging, funny, intelligent, visionary and humanitarian entrepreneur. I had a lot of fun reading this book. Turner’s has a very unique personality and many qualities that have made him the successful businessman that he is. He is an energetic and committed hard worker. As a businessman myself I learned a lot from the strategies and methods that Turner has used that have helped him achieve success. It is hard not to compare yourself to Turner, and other successful people when ...more

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Sep 20, 2011

Salim rated it

· review of another edition

Phenomenal book on an amazing visionary. I purchased the audiobook because it is read by Ted Turner himself - a brilliant book. If you have any interest in media, including the development of cable TV and cable programming, the big three broadcast networks (CBS, ABC, NBC), media companies, movie studios, sports leagues, tech and media moguls including Rupert Murdoch, Steve Case at AOL, the Time Warner guys, Jack Welch, Kirk Kerkorian, Bill Gates, Jerry Yang, Malone (TCI), all the other cable c...more

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Jul 27, 2011

Ronald Wise rated it

· review of another edition

The interesting tale of Ted Turner's personal life and business career, and better yet an insider's view of the evolution of modern media in the United States. It made me feel old to recall those early days of cable television and the SuperStation out of Atlanta. Turner did not try to minimize his history of intense drive, but in those parts where you might have suspected him of boastfulness, he included short narratives from others that put it back into perspective. I was a little disappointed ...more

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Dec 29, 2008

Derek Meier rated it

· review of another edition

I could not put this book down. Got it for Christmas from the greatest sister in the world and only stopped reading to overeat and oversleep over the holidays.

Ted is The Coolest Guy in the World. I would love to meet this guy.

The book is so well written and put together so you don't get bored. It's part business, part family, part glorification of the personal wins and thoughts on the losses.

I don't think Jane Fonda is gone forever.

I loved t...more

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Aug 28, 2009

Cristian rated it

· review of another edition

A breezy and entertaining read, covering every major beat of Turner's incredibly full life. His accomplishments are staggering, and his fearlessness and energy level are quite inspiring. He's fallible, of course, and even a bit hypocritical -- most notably in the appendix where he, a father of five, encourages readers to only have one to two children in order to curb overpopulation, a subject he's put philanthropic energy towards since being ousted from AOL Time Warner, a merger that cut his onc...more

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Jul 12, 2010

Rachel Hajar added it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, memoir

This book is not literary. It's like Ted Turner is talking to you across the dinner table and narrating his business dealings. Not much introspection; not much on his private life either. Two things are certain: Ted Turner is a man who likes to have "fun" and likes to "keep moving." One thing stands out though: he is very creative and innovative in his business dealings and one has to admire his problem solving skills. Overall, even though his homelife was "chaotic"...more

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Sep 03, 2008

Erica rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: memoir

This guy is absolutely amazing - he's honest about his successes and his failures over the years.

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May 14, 2010

Vida rated it

· review of another edition

For me, Ted Turner is an American hero. He has created American innovation on the scale of historical American tycoons. Since most of the business he has done was during my lifetime and I was old enough to pay attention, reading the book was like reliving the experiences. I enjoyed his recounting of his courage and risk-taking and strength in the face of tremendous adversity in his business dealings and sailing exploits. For the average person, the stress would have killed them. I would lov...more

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Sep 29, 2009

Betsy rated it

· review of another edition

Ted Turner was an innovator, a visionary and a wildly eccentric business man. You might argue with his methods or his priorities, but you can't say the man didn't implement wildly successful business practices to launch, among other things, the country's first "super station," the first 24-hour news channel and the most popular cable networks to date. His philanthrpy is also to be admired. The business tactics that made Turner walthy in the 70's might not be the ones that would work...more

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Apr 15, 2010

Meg rated it

· review of another edition

this was truly a delicious book. i have long watched ted turner on the national scene and wondered at just who he is. well, this book tells that and so honestly. he does not make himself a hero, but a real, honest, down to earth person. he may have his foibles, but so does everyone. he has led an amazing life and learned and taught as he went through it. he achieved so much and overcame tough beginnings.
the financial parts were sometimes difficult to totally understand but were sti...more

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Dec 03, 2009

Leigh rated it

· review of another edition

It's not that the book is amazing. But Ted Turner certainly is. The great experience for me with this book is that I listened to it as an audiobook and Mr. Turner read the whole unabridged version himself. (Apparently he, who is usually in perpetual motion, was grounded for 2 weeks recovering from surgery). Ted Turner is obviously oozing with charisma to have been able to do everything that he has done and persuade so many people to back him in brazen ventures such as starting CNN. That cha...more

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Apr 19, 2009

Mari Anne rated it

· review of another edition

The story of his life as a young man growing up in Savannah and at military school and college was very interesting. It's alway fascinating to find out what shaped successful people. The story of his numerous and complicated business deals grew tedious. Mr. Turner is refreshingly honest about himself and more than slightly self-deprecating. I also really enjoyed some of the vignettes in the book written by family, friends and business partners. The first half was a more compelling read than...more

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Dec 14, 2011

Joy H. marked it as listened-to-partially · review of another edition

Shelves: autobiography, audio-version

_Call Me Ted_ by Ted Turner, Bill Burke ((first published in 2008)
Added 10/12/11.
I'm currently listening to an audio CD of this book. I'm on the third disc; there are 13 discs altogether.

The man must have had enormous energy and ambition to do what he did. It's interesting to learn that early in his life he was involved in the mundane world of billboard advertising. From the beginning I can see that he was a "wheeler-dealer" (in a good sense). He must have loved th...more_Call Me Ted_ by Ted Turner, Bill Burke ((first published in 2008)
Added 10/12/11.
I'm currently listening to an audio CD of this book. I'm on the third disc; there are 13 discs altogether.

The man must have had enormous energy and ambition to do what he did. It's interesting to learn that early in his life he was involved in the mundane world of billboard advertising. From the beginning I can see that he was a "wheeler-dealer" (in a good sense). He must have loved that type of thing. As for me, that type of life would just make me nervous. <g>

Interesting stuff from Wiki:
=====================================
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III (born November 19, 1938)(now 72 in 2011) is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television. As a philanthropist, he is known for his $1 billion gift to support UN causes, which created the United Nations Foundation, a public charity to broaden support for the UN. Turner serves as Chairman of the United Nations Foundation board of directors.

Turner's media empire began with his father's billboard business, which he took over at 24 after his father's suicide. The business, Turner Outdoor Advertising, was worth $1 million when Turner took it over in 1963.
...
Turner kept MGM/UA's pre-1986 and pre-merger film and TV library, ... Turner used these to add cable channels. In 1988, he introduced Turner Network Television (TNT) with Gone with the Wind. TNT, initially older movies and television shows, added original programs and newer reruns. Since launch in 1994, Turner Classic Movies [TCM, my favorite TV channel!] broadcast the older Warner Bros, RKO, and MGM libraries.
...
Turner's penchant for controversial statements earned him the nicknames "The Mouth of the South" and "Captain Outrageous". Turner has also devoted his assets to environmental causes. He was the largest private landowner in the United States until John C. Malone surpassed him in 2011. He uses much of his land for ranches to re-popularize bison meat (for his Ted's Montana Grill chain), amassing the largest herd in the world.
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Turner
=========================================(less)

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Aug 11, 2009

Serena rated it

· review of another edition

Call Me Ted by Ted Turner and Bill Burke on audio is an adventurous ride through Ted Turner's life from his childhood to his "retirement." This audio, which is 13 disks long, is read by the man himself. His southern accent and his passionate reading of this autobiography will make readers feel at home by his hearth as he recounts the biggest and smallest events in his life.

Not only is the audio read by Ted, but there are a number of side stories told by family members, an e...moreCall Me Ted by Ted Turner and Bill Burke on audio is an adventurous ride through Ted Turner's life from his childhood to his "retirement." This audio, which is 13 disks long, is read by the man himself. His southern accent and his passionate reading of this autobiography will make readers feel at home by his hearth as he recounts the biggest and smallest events in his life.

Not only is the audio read by Ted, but there are a number of side stories told by family members, an ex-wife, business colleagues, and others. From an early age Ted was shipped away from the family and his "abusive" father to military boarding schools where he learned self-reliance, discipline, and dedication.

In college, which he did not finish, he was known as two-beer Turner. He spent a great deal of time away from his own family and sailed in a variety of competitions. Turner is an exceptional, passionate, and accomplished man who is far from finished.

Some of the best stories in the book center on his creation of CNN--a 24-hour news channel on cable--which the broadcast stations, like CBS, NBC, and ABC, considered "chicken noodle news." Creating the Turner company, transforming it from a billboard selling firm to a cable giant, he spent more than two decades on the couch in his office.

Some of his proudest moments, however, have been in philanthropy and diplomacy during the Cold War and since. From the Goodwill Games, which never earned much revenue, to his work with the United Nations, Turner continued to inspire others to be better than themselves to make the world a better place. He continues this work today.

The best surprise of this audiobook is the final question-and-answer session with Turner, where he says CNN should remain dedicated to impartial news broadcasting and end its emphasis on opinion--like that of the Lou Dobbs show. Turner also notes that alternative energy is needed today, not tomorrow; population growth must be stabilized; land must be conserved; and nuclear weapons must be eliminated around the globe. Turner says he is eager to write a sequel and have Tom Hanks play him in a movie about his life.

If readers love autobiographies, Call Me Ted is one that will knock their cowboy boots off. Turner is witty, strong-willed, opinionated, and a no-nonsense kind of guy with a lot to offer entrepreneurs and others in the business world, as well as those simply in need of a boost.(less)

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Apr 21, 2009

Tom rated it

· review of another edition

I sat on this book for a while. I'm just not the type to really get into biographies. It's just some guys life, you know? I'm glad I finally decided to read this book. Ted Turner is an extraordinary man, who is still somewhat humble about life while being a great showman and businessman.

I thought the book to be well organized, with each chapter taking a clear break from the previous and delving into a new aspect of his life. His troubles with family life disappointed me, as I'm big o...moreI sat on this book for a while. I'm just not the type to really get into biographies. It's just some guys life, you know? I'm glad I finally decided to read this book. Ted Turner is an extraordinary man, who is still somewhat humble about life while being a great showman and businessman.

I thought the book to be well organized, with each chapter taking a clear break from the previous and delving into a new aspect of his life. His troubles with family life disappointed me, as I'm big on family life myself.

Reading about the beginning of the Cable News Network (CNN) was the most interesting part of the book for me. To hear just how many doubters there were towards a 24-hour news channel, how much they had to struggle, it was inspirational to see the section on the Desert Storm coverage and the validation of Ted's vision for CNN.

The latter stages of the book, his divorce from Jane Fonda, being pushed out of Time Warner, were a bit depressing, although the Time Warner piece intrigued me b/c I happen to work for Time Warner's AOL division. Here is an interesting quote that hits close to home for me, in a "Ted Story" (writings by others that know Ted somehow, placed throughout the book) by Jeff Bewkes, pp303-304:

"For his part, Ted remained unusually quiet until the very end. As Jerry [Levin:] was wrapping things up by stressing the importance of the company moving aggressively in all these areas and as people were literally getting ready to get up from their chairs, Ted suddenly spoke up. "So, are you telling us we need to move aggressively to put all our content on the Internet, is that what you're saying?" to which Rich [Bressler:] and Jerry agreed.

"So, that would include putting material from our magazines on the Internet free of charge, right?" When he got agreement again, Ted turned to Don Logan and asked, "Don, what are you charging for Time magazine?"

Don responded, "What do you mean, the cover price?"
And Ted said, "Yeah, it's like a buck-fifty, right? And for People it's something like two dollars, right? So you make millions and millions of dollars from magazine subscriptions now but we're going to put it all online free of charge?" Ted then waited a beat and said, "So we're going to put ourselves out of business?" It was hilarious, and typical Ted Turner. After a three-hour presentation on a topic he's supposed to know nothing about he puts his finger right on the center of the problem."

An extraordinary guy. Well worth the read just to see into his thought processes and experience all of his amazing accomplishments.(less)

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Jul 19, 2009

queen esther rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: memoirs, autobiographies

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Ted Turner and I have a very special relationship.

When I was a kid in the ATL, there was no cable television. There was WTBS, Channel 17 – the SuperStation! – running an endless and constant array of cheesy sit-coms, classic Hollywood movies, game shows, wrestling matches and a ton of Bugs Bunny cartoons. Even the late-night news fare was askew, with a news desk that was as accessible and irreverent as anything else that came on their airwaves. They seemed to come out of nowhere, and...more

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Dec 04, 2008

Brasel - rated it

Recommends it for: All

I have always been a Fan of Ted Turner. Growing up in the Atlanta area, he was the subject. I admire him and so enjoyed having him to read the book, Actually, he wasn't reading, he was telling the story. Listening to him, I would often say to myself, "I remember that." If I could ever meet him and just sit and talk to him, it would be awesome.

Yes I listen to books everyday on my hour to work and the hour home.

I recommend this book to anyone that has eve...more

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Dec 20, 2010

John rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2010, memoir

I've been mildly curious about Ted Turner for years - first when he won the America's Cup, then when he married Jane Fonda, and finally when his name came up during the AOL-Time Warner debacle.

His memoirs are continually interesting - what a character! He is also a great philanthropist and conservationist. He also let important people from his life make comments along the way - not all positive.

This is an easy read and well worth the effort.

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Mar 18, 2010

Carol rated it

· review of another edition

Turner candidly tells of his most extraordinary life of ambition, intellect, and success with what feels like unemotional honesty - even when he describes very emotional experiences. I was fatigued by his restless energy. Living with him was obviously more than 3 wives could handle. He describes his seventh decade needs as being philanthropically driven - a very worthwhile way to give to a country he loves.

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Jun 21, 2010

Sally rated it

· review of another edition

Very interesting read about a rather eccentric man. Would have liked to have seen a bit more on his personal life (good and bad)--that was glossed over a bit. Nonetheless, it is heartening to see someone who has achieved so much in his lifetime giving back to society. He is the largest landowner in the US, and plans to give the majority of his land to conservancy when he dies.

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About Ted Turner

Little Known Facts About Ted
Only one of a few people who have been on the cover of Sports Illustrated and Time magazine for different reasons

Currently holds 42 honorary degrees from such institutions as Brown University (Providence, R.I.), Morehouse College (Atlanta, Ga.), The Citadel (Charleston, S.C.) and Mississippi University for Women (Columbus, Miss.)

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