Losing My Virginity Book Summary - Losing My Virginity Book explained in key points
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Losing My Virginity summary

Richard Branson

How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way

4.4 (170 ratings)
30 mins
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    Losing My Virginity
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    Branson’s family pushed him to test his own limits, once even almost causing him to drown.

    Born in 1950 to a family with an independent spirit, Branson was, from a very young age, pushed by his family to test the limits of possibility.

    As a result, young Branson developed a taste for adventure, eagerly rising to the challenges that his mother, or life in general, presented to him.

    When he was only eleven years old, his mother sent him to visit relatives who lived more than fifty miles away – on a bike and without directions. This was meant to teach him stamina and orientation. And, when finally he returned to his family home the following day, instead of a hero’s welcome he was greeted simply with the instruction to go to the vicar’s house to chop some logs.

    But this wasn’t the first time his family had set him an arduous challenge. On a fortnight’s family holiday in Devon, when Branson was just four years old, his aunt bet him ten shillings that he couldn’t learn to swim by the end of their holiday.

    Rising to the challenge, he spent hours upon hours in the sea. Unfortunately, by the time the final day arrived, he still couldn’t manage to keep on top of the waves.

    But, to him, this was far from the end of the matter. When he spotted a river during the twelve-hour car journey home, he seized the opportunity and asked his father to stop the car.

    Springing from the car, he tore his clothes off, raced toward the riverbank and, as soon as he reached the water’s edge, jumped in.

    He immediately began to sink.

    Gradually, however, by kicking slowly and regularly, he managed to push himself to the surface. As he made his way to the middle of the current, he saw that his family was clapping and cheering, and that his aunt was waving a ten shilling note.

    When Branson emerged from the water, his father gave him a big hug, himself dripping wet. Seeing his son dive headfirst in the stream had greatly unnerved him, so much so that he had jumped in after him.

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    What is Losing My Virginity about?

    Losing My Virginity is the internationally best-selling autobiography of self-made businessman Richard Branson. He details his lucrative adventures, beginning with dropping out of school, founding a record label and crossing the Atlantic ocean on a speedboat. In essence, the book is about how cleverness, determination and an adventurous mindset played a role in the making of one of the richest men on earth.

    Best quote from Losing My Virginity

    My headmasters parting words to me were: Congratulations, Branson. I predict that you will either go to prison or become a millionaire.

    —Richard Branson
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    Who should read Losing My Virginity?

    • Anyone interested in the life of Richard Branson
    • Anyone interested in how Branson founded one of the most influential music labels, a transatlantic airline, and set several world records for ballooning and boating across oceans
    • Anyone who wants to read an entertaining tale of how one man broke the rules of business but excelled at it nevertheless

    About the Author

    Richard Branson is a self-made billionaire and the founder and CEO of the Virgin Group, one of the most successful business groups of the twentieth century.

    On the path of his massive success, Branson founded and edited a magazine, created a record store chain, record label, and recording studio, founded an airline and even wrote a book.

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