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 Pick... read full description
It’s never too late to top your personal best.
Now eighty years old, T. Boone Pick... read full description
reviews
Mar 01, 2009
Melissa
rated it: 
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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Dec 04, 2009
Jonny99
rated it:
T. Boone Pickens takes a large amount of revisionist personal history (his predictions were invariably right – you just had to wait long enough for them (40 years in one case) to come true), mixes in plenty of filler (including his personal workout schedule down to what days he and his trainer works on his chest) and tries to mold it into some nuggets of management advice. These bits of advice are introduced with Booneisms which are clunky, forgettable little bits of homespun text often involvi
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Feb 13, 2011
Scott
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Interesting story of the life and experiences of T. Boone Pickens. The biggest strengths of the book come in the last few chapters in which he discusses recent large ventures in water and wind energy and lays out his plan for a dramatic change in U.S. Energy policy. Though his energy plan is self-serving in that it would shift dependence in the transportation sector from oil to natural gas, an energy source in which his companies are heavily invested, it would benefit the U.S. by shifting dema
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Nov 30, 2008
Scot
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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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Oct 07, 2009
Czurich
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Energy, we all need it and we all use it on a daily basis. Where the energy comes from and who is at its source is partially what this book is about. Its primary focus is however on the life and success of T. Boone Pickens a now famous billionaire from Texas. His wealth has been based largely on his success in the oil and gas industry and more recently use of his background to bank roll and fund a highly successful hedge fund which trades in energy stocks.
Based on his experience More...
Based on his experience More...
Aug 27, 2009
David
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This book was intriguing for about the first 4 chapters, and his energy plan does hold merit. However, the book quickly became a disorganized mess of events, almost a stream of consciousness from the Boone. (And at his age, that is not a good thing) He tells bizarre stories about how he exercises and how he hired his secretary which seems to have no place in the book, and adds no real substance. As he drones on about being the best in just about everything, the book becomes more and more disjo
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Apr 09, 2010
Craig
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Ostensibly, this is an autobiography of a man whose life has centered around oil and gas, and who has made (and lost) fortunes in those arenas. (One might even hope to find some kind of practical advice on how to become a multimillionaire, but one would be disappointed.) Realistically, however, Mr. Pickens only uses the first dozen chapters to set the reader up for the final message: The United States of America needs to wake up and install leaders that can cut off our dependence on foreign o
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Oct 10, 2008
Desiree
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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...
Aug 11, 2011
I was looking for a book on energy policy and stumbled onto a memoir of a oil tycoon. Lucky for me, it was still an interesting read. I learned a lot about the oil business, the U.S. economy and at the very end I actually got to the energy policy. T. Boone Pickens is a fascinating man, and it translates into a compelling story. I will take his take on things with a grain of salt, but as a book, it was enjoyable.
Oct 03, 2008
Bridget
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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
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Apr 20, 2010
Rabea
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Pickens is a great example of someone who was able to start over again many times in his life and in each case maintained the enthusiasm and vigor to succeed again. There are valuable lessons in the book about how important regular communication and coordination is (by 9am Pickens has coordinate 3 times with his team), and how useful sport is to keeping a person balanced and productive.
Jan 03, 2011
Dan
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At 80 years old, Pickens is a role model for the longevity of any entrepreneur. Born in 1928, Pickens has led an interesting life and this book is a retelling of that life — the ups and downs. Pickens philosophy is basically ‘never quit,’ and his life reflects a true following of that philosophy. Not as exciting as Branson’s autobiography but still a worthwhile read.
Aug 06, 2011
C.J.
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A quick read with some good info. If you've ever heard Pickens speak, you can imagine him saying everything in each chapter as you read it. It is written as though he dictated the material into a tape recorder. Very matter of fact.
I like that he is lobbying for the U.S. to find an energy policy quickly. He might not have the best plan, but at least he has one.
Booneism #29: "A fool with a plan can outsmart a genius with no plan any day."
I like that he is lobbying for the U.S. to find an energy policy quickly. He might not have the best plan, but at least he has one.
Booneism #29: "A fool with a plan can outsmart a genius with no plan any day."
Dec 02, 2008
Shane
rated it:
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...
May 11, 2009
David
rated it:
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.
Feb 01, 2009
Mike
rated it:
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.
Jun 23, 2011
Joe
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Boone Pickens is an interesting character and his personality is on full display in this book. The book is outlined by bits of wisdom and advice in the form of "Booneisms"; Pickens then follows each of these with a story that exemplifies it. Like most memoirs the book follows his life chronologically we the readers are dragged along for the ride.
My opinion may be colored by the fact that I listened to the audiobook but sometimes it did seem like a grandpa just rambling old s More...
My opinion may be colored by the fact that I listened to the audiobook but sometimes it did seem like a grandpa just rambling old s More...
Sep 17, 2009
Bart
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Interesting read. Pickens has made a lot of money during his life. He also lost a lot betting on natural gas in the 80s and 90s. He will finish way up after incredible gains buying oil futures during the oil price run up. He has good ideas to make our country less reliant on Middle East oil.
Sep 13, 2010
Todd
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An excellent motivational book which should inspire the country to re-think our concept of "retirement" plus Mr. Pickens offers his inspiring, personal story regarding how he overcame financial losses, divorce, and depression. If only I had read my copy when he gave it to me in 2009 but better late than never!!
Nov 19, 2009
Carl
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I got interested in Boone Pickens when he was advertising his energy plan last year. This will never be a classic but it is interesting reading by a charismatic wheeler-dealer.
Dec 10, 2008
Kevin "El Liso Grande"
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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.
Oct 24, 2010
Sally
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Think he either wrote this himself or should have paid more for a better ghost writer. Interesting story but not a masterpiece of writing.
Oct 01, 2008
Aimee
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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
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Jul 24, 2011
Howard
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a very quick and enlightening read, entertaining as well. no muss, no fuss. boone is a straight shooter.
Dec 15, 2008
Lacy
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I really enjoyed this autobiography. I especially liked reading his energy plan for America.
Jan 13, 2010
Peter
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Well, this book kind of sucks. I appreciate the guy for what he's done, but he babbles on about how great he is and how much money he's given away for far too long. Would have much preferred someone else's analysis of his life and fortunes.
Jan 23, 2009
Miriam
rated it:
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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Dec 27, 2011
Peter
rated it:
He started to lose me when he talked about how the government should pick winners and losers in the energy sector. The winner he suggests they pick is of course him and his natural gas. Shows how honest lobbyists can look. I quit reading when he started talking about how generous he is. Valid topic of discussion but don't brag about a billion $ going to OSU athletics as if it was the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.
The end of the book might have had something interesting to offer More...
The end of the book might have had something interesting to offer More...
