Landrum has figured out 8 key behavioral traits critical to success that the truly great possess -- and says they can be learned. His descriptions of great people according to these traits, such as charisma, self-confidence, drive and intuition are fascinating and illuminating. He doesn't hold back on what the downside of some of these traits are, and some of those descriptions were sobering. A taxonomy of "greatness," it's a wonderful read. It's worth reading just to know that when he considered starting Disneyland, Disney had to go against the recommendations of his Board of Directors and experts such as the Stanford Research Institute. All the reasons they gave why the park would fail, turned out to be the reasons why it succeeded. Uh oh!

This is an exta ordinary book, which opened my eyes. It taught me that greatness is learned not inherited. Also it tells you the eight keys that can make one great. This book is inspirational and most importantly it teaches everyone who is ready to listen, how to become great..Invesment well worth..

This is definetly one of the best books that i've read so far. It has made me see things about myself in a different light. Truly amazing. I recommend it to everyone out there.

This is a good overview of how and why people create. Lots of good and varied case studies.

Landrum has selected and then examined "thirteen creative men who have changed the world." You may disagree with some of the selections and with portions of Landrum's discussion of each selection but there should be no disagreement with the value of this book as an analysis of creative genius at work in a wide range of global organizations. The first five chapters examine:

Creative Genius -- What Makes the Difference?

Innovation, Change, and the Creative Personality Ten Reasons Why Traditional Management Types Are Inept at Innovation

The Paradox of Innovation

The Inno-visionary Personality

Inno-visionary and Creative Behavior

These five chapters and the final chapter alone are well worth the price of the book. Landrum devotes a separate chapter to each of 13 men, beginning with Steven Jobs (Apple) and concluding with Ted Turner (CNN). To each he assigns a dominant characteristic. For example, for Jobs "autocratic" and for Turner "risk-taking." According to which criteria did Landrum make his selections? He explains in his Preface: Father of the Industry, Five-Year Market Dominance, Technology or Market Created by the Entrepreneur, Mass-Market Appeal, and Contemporary Development (ie since 1950). I rate this book as highly as I do for three reasons. First, Landrum defines his standards of measurement with meticulous care. Second, he resists the obvious temptation to manipulate his subjects to achieve a snug fit with those standards of measurement. Finally, he provides a wealth of information about each of the 13 which reveals their personal qualities as well as their extraordinary achievements.

In the final chapter, Landrum suggests that "The inno-visionary personality is necessary for the making of the consummate entrepreneur and change master. This personal style is available to anyone inclined to pursue it. These visionary leaders had it, which gave them an ability to focus on goals and dreams, a macro vision to see their dreams through to fruition, and the passionate energy to persevere when all seemed lost." These are indeed men with exceptional vision and courage, determination and self-assurance, charisma and intuition, passion and persuasiveness. How easy it is to list such descriptives. How difficult it is to be worthy of them. As Landrum makes abundantly clear, the 13 "creative men" are certainly worthy. Buy the book, read the first five chapters with an open-mind, and then join the company of those who have helped to create a world we are only now beginning to understand.

If you admire this book as much as I do, you are encouraged to read another of Landrum's books, Profiles of Female Genius. These 13 "creative women" can not only hold their own with Steve Jobs, Fred Smith, Tom Monaghan, Nolan Bushnell, Bill Gates, Marcel Bich, Solomon Price, Howard Head, William Lear, Soichiro Honda, Akio Morita, Arthur Jones, and Ted Turner....they can hold their own with anyone.

The book is in a word, fantastic! In crisp detail it tells the reader exactly how the creative genius thinks, acts and what specific character traits enabled him to reach the pinnacle in the area he decided to conquer. It is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. However it's not for the faint of heart. It is in no way a pop psychology feel good "you can do it" type of book. Out of the hundreds of psychology, business and self improvment books I've read this is at the top. Bravo Gene Landrum!

Who are they? Lillian Vernon, Oprah Winfrey, Golda Meir, Jane Fonda, Estee Lauder, Madonna, Ayn Rand, Gloria Steinem, Margaret Thatcher, Mary Kay Ash, Liz Claiborne, Maria Callas, and Linda Wachner. Landrum devotes a separate chapter to each but first, in Chapters 1-7, he discusses the following:

Self-Esteem, Self-Image, and Self-Confidence

Birth Order, Childhood Transience, Role Models, and Mentors

Education, Intelligence, and Knowledge

Creative Renegades Go Where Others Fear to Tread!

Professional versus Personal Dichotomy

Crisis, Mania, and Creativity

Personality Traits and Temperament

As he did in another book (Profiles of Genius), Landrum's strategy is to create a cohesive and comprehensive frame-of-reference within which to discuss his selections. (These first seven chapters, all by themselves, are well worth the cost of the book.) He assigns to each a dominant characteristic. For example, Mary Kay Ash is "A Confident Charismatic"), Madonna is "Psychosexually Driven", and Linda Wachner is a "Type A Workaholic." All 13 are peak performers within their respective careers. All have exceptional intelligence, talent, energy, determination, and (perhaps most important of all) clearly defined goals and objectives. All had to overcome all manner of obstacles, many of them gender-specific. Also, as Landrum explains very well, each has a unique, indeed compelling personality. As each overcomes obstacles, her unique personality is most evident.

Some readers may disagree with the selections and/or with Landrum's definition of "genius" as applied to each of his selections. I rate this book so highly because it is well written, because it provides so much information of which I was not previously aware, and because (with great skill) Landrum allows each of these remarkable women to reveal herself through what she has said and done. After you read the 13 "profiles", I suggest that you re-read Chapters 1-7 to gain even more value from what those introductory chapters offer.

I thought the book was very intriguing in the way it portrayed these women as visionaries and fearless. When I read the book I was very fascinated by each of the women's background and how they started from nothing to going all the way to the top. I have recommended the book to many of my friends that carry the same spririt as these women in the book. I was impressed with the author's presentation of their background which made me respect these women more for doing what is usually not encouraged among women.

Good read but not necessarily accurate. Nikola Tesla was ripped off by Edison after Tesla created the AC system of power distribution. This contradicts the title and purpose of the book. Better titled "Profiles of Brilliance". Overall though a facinating book with insight into some very smart people.

Are there differences in achievement when it comes to race? This is the predominant question which the author attempts to answer through his study of thirteen African-American super achievers. From the start of his work the author makes very clear that greatness is greatness and is not predetermined by genetic influences and the inane concept of race.

I found this book to be very inspiring in pointing out the various personality traits that enables one to become successful. The author's use of various personality type theories (Myers-Briggs, Farley's Personality Types,etc) to explain what makes these individuals "tick" was very helpful. His survey of each individuals' imprint for success and summary for them gives an excellent snap shot on what success entailed for these individuals.

Although the work is intriguing many questions abound. For example of the thirteen profiled (Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Berry Gordy, etc.) the vast majority are in the field of entertainment/sports.Why? Is it because the society only opened opportunities for Blacks in those areas? His dominant traits for these subjects success are not anything new. Many other Blacks have possessed them but never made it to "the top". Why? Our author fails to point out what is it in Black culture that nurtured these people to success inspite of the obstacles.

Profiles of Black Success is a good starting point in studying how African Americans survive against the odds. I would hope that other African-American writers specialized in behavior theory could present us with a more incompassing and complete work on how Black culture plays its part in success. Until then this book will do.

Despite a few errors on the personalities( e.g. Michael Jordan did not play for the NCSU Wolfpack), the book provides a somewhat interesting analysis into the traits and experiences which made the following subjects achievers in their own right. Even though the author is prone to bouts of exaggeration in describing the qualities which made these people successful in their fields, I would still recommend the book to youngsters, who in this day and age, need to understand what are the foundations for attaining whatever they wish to achieve.