Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Bantam (1993), Edition: Reissue, 368 pages
Description
Meet a genuine American folk hero cut from the homespun cloth of America's heartland: Sam Walton, who parlayed a single dime store in a hardscrabble cotton town into Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world. The undisputed merchant king of the late twentieth century, Sam never lost the common touch. Here, finally, inimitable words. Genuinely modest, but always sure of his ambitions and achievements. Sam shares his thinking in a candid, straight-from-the-shoulder style. In a story rich with anecdotes and the "rules of the road" of both Main Street and Wall Street, Sam Walton chronicles the inspiration, heart, and optimism that propelled him to lasso the American Dream.
User reviews
LibraryThing member gauravrekhi
It is a good book, but that's what I hate about it. It could have been a great book. It's Wal-Mart! However, I think I have rated it 2.5 stars because I just expected the world out of it. Also, aside from the information you get, I just think it could have been written better. However, hats off to
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the story and the commitment of the man Show Less
LibraryThing member dragonasbreath
I desperately needed to brush my teeth after this sickly sweet read.
I've worked at Wal-mart, and have read the Unauthorized version as well...
The Authorized Biography has an Angel come to Earth to help mankind, with little of a real person viewable in it. It has nothing of the impact of his
This story leaves the impression that every place Walmart has ever come has welcomed the Giant with open arms, leaving a healthier community behind it.
It's almost exclusively the latter years, with little to nothing of the early years, the early struggles, or how his millionaire father-in-law helped the struggling mercantiler get his feet under him.
I prefer my biographies a little rougher, with a more balanced world-view than is apparent in this volume.
I've worked at Wal-mart, and have read the Unauthorized version as well...
The Authorized Biography has an Angel come to Earth to help mankind, with little of a real person viewable in it. It has nothing of the impact of his
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family or times and how they affected his worldview.This story leaves the impression that every place Walmart has ever come has welcomed the Giant with open arms, leaving a healthier community behind it.
It's almost exclusively the latter years, with little to nothing of the early years, the early struggles, or how his millionaire father-in-law helped the struggling mercantiler get his feet under him.
I prefer my biographies a little rougher, with a more balanced world-view than is apparent in this volume.
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LibraryThing member flobmac
not going to be liked by everyone but i liked the way this guy ran and grew his business
LibraryThing member indychaser
This wasn't a book I went out of my way to find and read. It was in piled up in a box with some other books. Pulling them out and going over them I picked it up and placed it my keep pile. I had never heard of Sam Walton expect from my father and in keeping with his humor, I staunchly refused to
I sped through it and kept reading at the supper table. The book is down to earth no high flown words or ideas. It is simply a history of his business and a bit of his life. It was one of the easiest biographies that I have ever read. It isn't too long and the story was a good one. It made me proud of my country and of good old fashioned values. Also, I haven't been ashamed of Wal-Mart since, and tell people off for their criticism.
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believe that such a man existed. But exist he did and looking at this book brought back memories and so I kept it and read it.I sped through it and kept reading at the supper table. The book is down to earth no high flown words or ideas. It is simply a history of his business and a bit of his life. It was one of the easiest biographies that I have ever read. It isn't too long and the story was a good one. It made me proud of my country and of good old fashioned values. Also, I haven't been ashamed of Wal-Mart since, and tell people off for their criticism.
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LibraryThing member RobertBerry
I thought this was an interesting book about Sam Walton's life. I thought the most interesting part of the book was the discussion on how he ran his Ben Franklin store and all the interesting ways he marketed his products. After reading about his different promotional ideas it made you really think
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and wonder if small town businesses could still effectively market and promote themselves as well as he did in their competitive efforts to stay relevant versus Walmart today. Show Less
LibraryThing member DaveHowe
Tai Lopez, a successful entrepreneur who reads a book a day recommended this book. He says everybody reads something like "How to Win Friends & Influence People", a mainstream classic, but who reads a book about a man who built a $100+ billion dollar company? Wouldn't he have more insight into
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entrepreneurship than almost anyone out there? The answer is yes, this book did not disappoint. Sam wrote this book as he neared death and while he mainly tells the Walmart story, insights into his beliefs are sprinkled throughout. Sam's focus on the customer, his views on money and how he treats his "partners" are all very inspiring - must read for all entrepreneurs! Show Less
LibraryThing member danoomistmatiste
A person who evolved this concept that put most mom and pop shops out of business when he went into town is now facing a threat from an unusual quarter, dollar stores.
There are a lot of important facts to be gleaned by reading this book, one which many folks may not be aware of is the profit
There are a lot of important facts to be gleaned by reading this book, one which many folks may not be aware of is the profit
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sharing scheme offered to every associate (walmart hourly wage and permanent staff). One that has grown to several billion dollars. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1992-06
Physical description
368 p.; 4.2 inches
ISBN
0553562835 / 9780553562835