Were others reviewing the Amway business, Van Andel, or the book? I see that a few were of the book, and this is too.

I loved the first part where he talked about their other businesses and travels through S. America. Great detail and I could really feel the joys and pangs of their challenges. It was fun. I wish that the rest of the book had been this way.

What made Amway? What made MLM? What changed the course of business history in the US and possibly the world? The battle with the FTC! Amway winning this case alone has created thousands of millionaires in the US and possibly the world and has allowed for hundreds of other legitimate MLM firms to become successful. But this part of the book WAS ONLY ABOUT 12 PAGES!

Deciding to keep the book short to get more readers was the wrong way to go with this story. Like it or not, Amway changed business history. The story needed more detail and feeling for how they changed history.

The story further deteriorates as the writer chose to use the book as a soapbox (esp. towards the end). This took away from the suspense and flow. I expected an autobiography, not a pontification.

2 1/2 stars. Good book for those interested in business from a purist point of view. Van Andel was a good example of tenacity and no-quit in action.

How did Jay Van Andel keep his autobiography to just 226 pages? Each of chapters 2 through 9, which detail the Van Andel/Rich DeVos partnership and rise of Amway Corporation, left me wanting a heck of a lot more. Van Andel and DeVos are the only two qualified to tell the Amway story; I hope DeVos is working on his own book.

In spite of the obviously biased review wirtten by an unnamed reviewer in the Kirkus Reviews, I maintain that this is an entertaining and enlightening story aboout the author's life. This is precisely the type of biographical sketch that Jay Van Andel set out to write, and he succeeded admirably. Along the way he sets the record straight about a number of misconceptions about the Amway business. Anyone who reads this book with an open mind will enjoy a great story and receive an education in the process.

More mindless dribble from a writer whom Amway helped make thousands of dollars by writing a book that is required reading for all new distributors. To give you a hint, Amway is now on the web under the name of to hide who they are; a website where you can purchase toilet paper . Nowhere does the writer talk about the hundreds of lawsuits that have been filed against Amway, that most of the money in Amway is through the sale of books and tapes created by organizations independent of Amway, or the thousands of people deceived every year. Don't waste your money on this book: instead read False Profits by Fitzpatrick.

I really never liked Amway. Of course, I never really knew anything specific about Amway or the founders of that organization...until I started reading about them in business journals and the Dunn and Bradstreet report of stability. The business community greatly respects the founders of Amway. They give away millions every year to charities. They help their community and society in general. The best thing is, this book is designed to show you what they did to get to where they are.

This title presents an overview of the philosophy of the founders of one of the largest privately owned companies in the US and the world. They are successful people who explain how one might be a success as well.

I've also noticed that most of the negative reviews for this title do not address the content of this title. Whereas, those who enjoyed it comment on the content. Interesting, wouldn't you say?

The book is written clearly while maintaining the focus on encouragement and reaching one's goals.

Good read even if you aren't saving money with Amway. They have a sister company called Quixtar. Very similar philosophy and quality products. Quixtar was founded in 1999 and is also privately owned. This philosophy works!

Well another great book by Paul Conn. People think sometimes Mr.Conn is a distributor but he is not and never has been one! He is though a great Dean of student's at Liberty University. For those who think there is no MONEY in the business has never experienced what I have. Im also an Independent Business Owner and if I wasn't making good profit like some people say! I would have QUIT long ago!!!!!!!