Publisher Description
“Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise!”
These words of fatherly advice helped shape Ted Turner’s remarkable life, but they only begin to explain the colorful, energetic, and unique style that has made Ted into one of the most amazing personalities of our time. Along the way – among his numerous accomplishments – Ted became one of the richest men in the world, the largest land owner in the United States, revolutionized the television business with the creation of TBS and CNN, became a champion sailor and winner of the America’s Cup, and took home a World Series championship trophy in 1995 as owner of the Atlanta Braves.
An innovative entrepreneur, outspoken nonconformist, and groundbreaking philanthropist, Ted Turner is truly a living legend, and now, for the first time, he reveals his personal story. From his difficult childhood to the successful launch of his media empire to the catastrophic AOL/Time Warner deal, Turner spares no details or feelings and takes the reader along on a wild and sometimes bumpy ride.
You’ll also hear Ted’s personal take on how we can save the world…share his experiences in the dugout on the day when he appointed himself as manager of the Atlanta Braves….learn how he almost lost his life in the 1979 Fastnet sailing race (but came out the winner)…and discover surprising details about his dealings with Fidel Castro, Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Bill Gates, Jack Welch, Warren Buffett, and many more of the most influential people of the past half century.
Ted also doesn’t shrink from the darker and more intimate details of his life. With his usual frankness, he discusses a childhood of loneliness (he was left at a boarding school by his parents at the tender age of four), and the emotional impact of devastating losses (Ted’s beloved sister died at seventeen and his hard-charging father committed suicide when Ted was still in his early twenties). Turner is also forthcoming about his marriages, including the one to Oscar-winning actress, Jane Fonda.
Along the way, Ted’s friends, colleagues, and family are equally revealing in their unique “Ted Stories” which are peppered throughout the book. Jane Fonda, especially, provides intriguing insights into Ted’s inner drive and character.
In Call Me Ted, you’ll hear Ted Turner’s distinctive voice on every page. Always forthright, he tells you what makes him tick and what ticks him off, and delivers an honest account of what he’s all about. Inspiring and entertaining, Call Me Ted sheds new light on one of the greatest visionaries of our time.
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“As a former resident of Montana, I was never a huge fan of Ted Turner (if you lived there…you would understand). However, I have made it my personal mission to study as many successful people as I can. After reading “Call Me Ted,” I can say that I judged Ted too harshly. Like many of us, he had a difficult childhood and it left a very deep mark on him. I respect his tenacity (he grew his late father’s business into a media empire), positive attitude and his ability to adapt…there is a lot to admire about Ted – especially his ability to craft business deals. There is also a lot to dislike. For example, while his family is falling apart, he’s either working or (more often) sailing. Somehow his kids managed to turn out ok…but Turner will never win a “father of the year” award. This book is full of good lessons for entrepreneurs and even better lessons on how not to be a good father. I’m not sure I like Turner more after reading the book, but I do respect him as a business person.”
—
Chris (4 out of 5 stars)
