Call Me Ted

Call Me Ted

 by Ted Turner
(based on 27 customer reviews)

Call Me Ted (Hardcover)
Author: Ted Turner
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing


List Price: $30.00
Amazon's Price: $19.80
You save: $10.20 (34%)

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Most useful review as voted by customers:
21 out of 26 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 11/10/08


Incredible Biography on an Incredible Person!

Ted Turner is an amazing man who seems to "hold no bars" when it comes to doing things. With "Ted" being all over the map in various endeavors (literally and figuratively), I was very curious to hear his story of his accomplishments and failures, and not some reporter's version. I was not disappointed to read his story. It is amazing and extremely well written. I was also intrigued by the various stories of other people close to Ted, who contributed short stories at the beginning of the chapters. All in all, this is an incredible biography, of an incredible-complex man, who is well known for being both blunt and truthful. This book reflects both qualities, and then some!

19 out of 25 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 11/16/08


A real look at Ted Turner (the good and the bad)

I love biographies, especially good ones that tell the truth about a person that you would never know otherwise (as opposed to their own shiny account of who they are). Call Me Ted does not disappoint.

First of all, a book about a guy who is hugely successful and admits "I don't spend a lot of time dwelling on the past or thinking about myself," is bound to be interesting so long as it is honest. And it is. You get a detailed look at Ted's life, including insight from competitors, his ex-wife Jane Fonda, etc. You get the whole story. His life wasn't easy: from the death of his sister to his father committing suicide, he had to battle for his wealth in the early days. He dropped out of college and worked at the bottom of his dad's billboard company before he committed suicide. From there he takes you through every step of making the billboard company into a media empire. Including his own challenges with winning, intimacy in relationships, and the challenges we all end up facing in life.

I did a lot of reading this week and have another book I have to recommend. It's called The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book and it's a fascinating exploration of the other kind of intelligence we all possess but few put to use.

6 out of 7 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 11/25/08


Call me Ted, unabridged CD

I was looking forward to reading CALL ME TED, but being busy and multitasking, I decided to by the CD version.

I listen and re-listen to Ted's story. What amazed me most about this package was that Ted recorded every page of his 500 page book while recovering in the hospital - it took him 40 to 45 hours to record.

This in itself is a world breaking record to begin with. Does he understand what being tired means? I don't think so... you can hear his voice weakening in some moments, but that was the best part of why I find it inspirational.

They keep saying that his life was difficult, or his childhood was a complex one. At that time not many kids had the brightest of childhoods, but none of them were like Ted. He was about what you want for tomorrow in your life, and how you want the day after tomorrow to unfold. That is Ted Turner to me as his reader (or in this case, listener). He is a hard working, very intelligent and creative, long vision and determined, most honest, loving, caring, and a patriot to the core. What is most important, Ted Turner, achieved all of this alone, he created ideas all alone, he managed to make it happen all alone, and he stands all alone. I read almost every biography of successful people and by far this one tops them all. I am very thankful to be able to read someone's life as great as his in a most straight to the point and yet inspiring way. Whatever happens behind closed doors in his real life, this is what we need to see and read, to feel inspired, and this book did it for me. Thank you.

5 out of 7 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 11/25/08


Ted Turner is an amazing man!

If I could give this audio cd/book 10 stars I would. An inspiration on so many different levels, Ted tells his story like only he can.


4 out of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 11/24/08


Well Done

Very well written, and an easy (fast) read. I found myself reading late into the night. Fascinating depiction of the full character of Ted Turner - what drives him, what upsets him, what pleases him.

The "Ted Stories" (little insets) written by others are great, no holds-barred they simply tell what others (in their own words) had come across in their experience.

Ted does a great job of presenting a well rounded picture of his life, work, leisure, family, competition...all the things that have come to develop his character. I came away with a greater respect for his complexity. The fundamental integrity of a person's handshake an essential aspect of this foundation.

Definitely worth reading. A little of the business numbers stuff slowed me down, but it wasn't a lot to deal with. Well written, clear, plain language, just like the man himself.

4 out of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 11/12/08


great american story

Very truthful story. Written from the heart. Basically a story written by a man's man. Tends to be a bit glossy in some sections. I had hoped he would spend more time on his business challenges, but overall a very good read. I hope he writes a story regarding his fights to make CNN the organization it is today.

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