Losing My Virginity. Richard Branson: The Autography

Richard Branson, £9.99 (US$17.36), Virgin Books No one comes to this book without preconceptions about Richard Branson. Consistently voted most inspirational entrepreneur by the young of Great Britain, yet seemingly equally reviled by a section of the media, many will certainly read this autobiography expecting their opinions to be confirmed. Both camps are unlikely to be disappointed. On the evidence presented here, Branson is a man apart, not least in his refusal to defend himself or settle scores with his many enemies. The story is the well-known roller coaster ride from the early days of the record shops and his huge success with Mike Oldfield’s album Tubular Bells to the formation of Virgin Atlantic and the war with British Airways. It is well told, with a fair amount of humour. Branson is as famous for his dare-devil exploits as his business acumen. I’d always assumed these were fairly inexpensive ways of promoting the Virgin brand in new territories, and though Branson probably wouldn’t deny this motive, I hadn’t realised until reading this book just how dangerous they have been, and just how close he’s been to dying, along with his fellow daredevils. The motivation presumably comes from his very strange childhood, when he was, amongst other things, dropped off by his mother a few miles from their house, aged four, and told to make his way home across the fields. Worse was to come. Aged 12, she thought it was a good idea for him to travel to Bournemouth on is own for “stamina and improving his sense of direction”, while the story of how he learnt to swim is frankly terrifying. What’s even more astonishing is Branson seems to think it was all harmless fun, and has obviously had a good relationship with his parents throughout his life. In fact, the only real source of anger here is the banks who keep refusing to extend him the credit he needs to continue his business. Whether you believe Branson is as whiter than white as portrayed here is another matter. For someone who has been so successful at irritating people, there is the suspicion that some of it must be deliberate. The whole BA dirty tricks saga is described here, and one explanation for it is that Branson had so thoroughly annoyed BA chairman, Lord King that the airline became drawn into a battle they ultimately lost. Branson understands publicity in a way few even now can match. It makes this updated version of the biography a compelling read, and will also add a few pounds to his fortune, since the many Virgin companies also includes Virgin books. Tom Otley