No British tycoon is more popular, few claim to be richer and none has masterminded a more recognisable brand than Richard Branson. What is behind the success of the buccaneering balloonist, the tabloids' favourite celebrity nude, the "grinning jumper" and the scourge of corporate goliaths? Helped by eyewitness accounts of more than 250 people with direct experience of Branson, Tom Bower has a uncovered a different tale to the one so eagerly promoted by Virgin's publicists. Here is the full story of Branson: his businesses, his friendships, his ambition, his law-breaking, his drug-taking, his bullying. From the cockpit of a balloon in the clouds to the centre of Branson's operations in his Holland Park home the book is an intimate scrutiny of exactly how Richard Branson created himself and sold himself. Tom Bower's biography reveals Branson to be a single-minded profiteer who, while occasionally generous to others, has a fixed purpose to enhance his family's wealth in secret off-shore trust funds. Instead of a glittering saint, Branson emerges as a devious actor, proud of plucking for his own profit the good ideas of others. Now 50, Branson finds himself battling for survival.
The man who so wanted to run the nation's lottery is, up close, something of a lottery himself.
No British tycoon is more popular, few claim to be richer and none has masterminded a more recognisable brand than Richard Branson. What is behind the success of the buccaneering balloonist, the tabloids' favourite celebrity nude, the "grinning jumper" and the scourge of corporate goliaths? Helped by eyewitness accounts of more than 250 people with direct experience of Branson, Tom Bower has a uncovered a different tale to the one so eagerly promoted by Virgin's publicists. Here is the full story of Branson: his businesses, his friendships, his ambition, his law-breaking, his drug-taking, his bullying. From the cockpit of a balloon in the clouds to the centre of Branson's operations in his Holland Park home the book is an intimate scrutiny of exactly how Richard Branson created himself and sold himself. Tom Bower's biography reveals Branson to be a single-minded profiteer who, while occasionally generous to others, has a fixed purpose to enhance his family's wealth in secret off-shore trust funds. Instead of a glittering saint, Branson emerges as a devious actor, proud of plucking for his own profit the good ideas of others. Now 50, Branson finds himself battling for survival.
The man who so wanted to run the nation's lottery is, up close, something of a lottery himself.
A sensational critical biography of the man and his business practices. / Written by a brilliant investigative writer who is unafraid to court controversy / Richard Branson attracts huge media interest / Bower will promote on TV, radio and in the press / 'Wring out the Branson' marketing campaign to include: Flyering at all major Virgin train destinations; signings and events at travel bookshops Praise for BRANSON: 'An addictive read, packed with sex, money, tantrums -- top quality' GUARDIAN 'One of the most devastating books of the year!an explosive book. Bower reveals a remarkable and sinister picture of the man who likes to appear as the ever-smiling hero. His spellbinding account raises disturbing questions about the man set to run the National Lottery.' DAILY MAIL 'Bower's book is a devastating indictment.' SUNDAY TIMES 'A damning biography!startling accusations.' DAILY EXPRESS 'What I have read, has offended me on every single level ! It is a foul, foul piece of work from the first words to the last -- really rotten, nasty stuff.' RICHARD BRANSON
Tom Bower has a distinguished reputation as an investigative historian, broadcaster and journalist and is the author of several ground-breaking books about tycoons. His most recent works are ‘Conrad and Lady Black’, ‘The Squeeze’ and his biographies of Simon Cowell and Bernie Ecclestone. Among his other much-debated biographies are those of Mohammed Fayed, Richard Branson and Robert Maxwell.
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