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The Sky's the Limit: Lessons in Service, Entrepreneurship, and Achieving the American Dream
Stories and lessons from John P. Calamos Sr., a rags-to-riches self-made American billionaire
Sky's the Limit: Lessons in service, Entrepreneurship and Achieving the American Dream tells the inspirational tale of John P. Calamos Sr., an American trailblazer, self-made success story, and living legend in the world of investing. Each chapter contains stories and business lessons he learned along the way.
From a stock boy in his parents' grocery store in Chicago's west side, to 400+ combat missions in Vietnam, to launching his own firm which now has upwards of $35 billion in assets, John's career and the extreme success he's enjoyed through that career have been built on taking risks and being resilient. Some of the events detailed in this book include:
-Teenage John's discovery of stock certificates in his family's basement ignites a passion for investing
-Major Calamos' time in the Air Force, including five years of active duty flying B-52 bombers and twelve years in the Reserves flying A-37 jet fighters
-Pioneering initiatives to launch one of the first convertible funds in 1985 and one of the first liquid alternative funds in 1990
Sky's the Limit: Lessons in Service, Entrepreneurship and Achieving the American Dream earns a well-deserved spot on the bookshelves of all individuals seeking to mirror the success of a man who is a living embodiment of the quintessential rags-to-riches American dream.
Sky's the Limit: Lessons in service, Entrepreneurship and Achieving the American Dream tells the inspirational tale of John P. Calamos Sr., an American trailblazer, self-made success story, and living legend in the world of investing. Each chapter contains stories and business lessons he learned along the way.
From a stock boy in his parents' grocery store in Chicago's west side, to 400+ combat missions in Vietnam, to launching his own firm which now has upwards of $35 billion in assets, John's career and the extreme success he's enjoyed through that career have been built on taking risks and being resilient. Some of the events detailed in this book include:
-Teenage John's discovery of stock certificates in his family's basement ignites a passion for investing
-Major Calamos' time in the Air Force, including five years of active duty flying B-52 bombers and twelve years in the Reserves flying A-37 jet fighters
-Pioneering initiatives to launch one of the first convertible funds in 1985 and one of the first liquid alternative funds in 1990
Sky's the Limit: Lessons in Service, Entrepreneurship and Achieving the American Dream earns a well-deserved spot on the bookshelves of all individuals seeking to mirror the success of a man who is a living embodiment of the quintessential rags-to-riches American dream.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published April 22, 2025
1290 people want to read
About the author
John Calamos Sr.
2 books6 followersJohn P. Calamos, Sr., is chairman and global chief investment officer of Calamos Investments, the firm he founded in 1977.
Major Calamos served in the U.S. Air Force for 17 years and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. His five years of active duty included flying B-52 bombers and a year serving as a forward air controller during the Vietnam War. During his twelve years in the Reserves, he flew A-37 jet fighters.
A dedicated philanthropist, he established The John P. Calamos Foundation to support wide-ranging causes, including educational institutions and organizations committed to active military service members and veterans.
Major Calamos served in the U.S. Air Force for 17 years and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. His five years of active duty included flying B-52 bombers and a year serving as a forward air controller during the Vietnam War. During his twelve years in the Reserves, he flew A-37 jet fighters.
A dedicated philanthropist, he established The John P. Calamos Foundation to support wide-ranging causes, including educational institutions and organizations committed to active military service members and veterans.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 21, 2025
Two things:
1) I really liked John’s story. The guy is cool and has accomplished many great things in both public and private life. As someone in the industry, I really respect his life’s work.
2) The book is not very well written. It’s redundant and filled with corny lines. It glosses over anything negative that a true biography would go into.
That’s why I gave it two stars, had it been written better, I would’ve given it two stars.
1) I really liked John’s story. The guy is cool and has accomplished many great things in both public and private life. As someone in the industry, I really respect his life’s work.
2) The book is not very well written. It’s redundant and filled with corny lines. It glosses over anything negative that a true biography would go into.
That’s why I gave it two stars, had it been written better, I would’ve given it two stars.
May 14, 2025
Well written
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
May 23, 2025O
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews