Call Me Ted

I had forgotten about what an amazing life Ted Turner has had, from winning the America's Cup (as the skipper) to winning the World Series (as an owner) and building the cable industry. His is an inspiring story and the personal side is interetsing as well. I have read many of the big business biographies, and some are more substantive and rewarding than others. This one is worth reading. If you are interested in the history of the media business from the 1960's on, particularly in the creation of cable, you will be interested. If you are interested in entrepreneurial stories in general, I think this will be rewarding. And I think along the way you will get interested in Turner as a person as well. I zipped through it in two nights (not because it was short but because I was interested). If I could change the book at all I might have had him pause more and explain at greater length some of his transitions from conservative to liberal and from Christian to agnostic. That would have been interesting but I think he wanted to focus on the business stuff, which I suppose is smart.

Didn't think I would like this..but it's really interesting..good read

The book reads quite well, and could be an inspiration for a balanced teen as well as a confidence builder for those older who are about to leap into business. Ted took risks, and the many references to him getting on his knees to get a deal done. He was not worried about what other people think when it mattered. There are so many things we do not do because they are unconventional, ted threw that playbook away. As we go through this economic downturn, we have may people who are still spending money on things that make them look good, instead of making drastic adjustments, painful adjusrments. Ted partied a lot, but he made sure his kids knew what hard work was, after they proved their worth he rewarded them very well. I love the book, and could be a good companion for anyone on a transatlantic flight for instance. It will have you laughing here and there as well. I have also read Sir Ricard Branson's screw it lets do it. Now I wish I had one by Steve Forssett. The three of them are cut from the same cloth. They work hard, have fun and have been successful. I also credit their wives who seem to have stayed out of the picture and let these gusy flourish.

Probably like a lot of others, I don’t know what to make of Ted Turner. But, having read about him and his accomplishments, all I can say is I really like him.

I read this when it was first published years ago and just re-read it in this year of 2023 and all I can say is: *everybody* should read this book, foremost, because it gives you as honest of a glimpse into a man you're likely never to meet but will absolutely feel as if you have by book's end. I've been an unabashed, decades-long Turner watcher ever since I read his first "Playboy" interview in 1978 and have always been intrigued by his uniquely Ted Turner mix of brilliant analytical thinking coupled with knockdown, knee-slappin' outrageous humor but it's also obvious that this is clearly a very, *nice* man. Sure, he "cheated" on all of his wives but not because they failed him in any way but likely because as my own late, inveterate womanizer father once told me: "I have but one life to live and there's just so many other beautiful women out there besides your mother." These things are personal, however, and in no way reflect upon a man's genuine character---as long as he's honest about it all. Reading Ted Turner's words and his thoughts is, as ever, *empowering* to either sex: you don't have to be a "man's man" or a "ladies' man" or straight or gay or in-between to appreciate what's written therein; you just have to have a child's open heart and be receptive to the overwhelming positivity and optimism that runs throughout. It'll stick with you, make you feel good about life, in general, long after you've finished the last page. More so than The Bible ever will. In fact, I'd venture to say that God, Jesus AND Allah would all prefer reading CALL ME TED than their own boring extrapolations on Epistemology and Theology.

I'd been aware of Ted Turner for decades, but the book reminded me of his amazing accomplishments: Virtually inventing basic cable, owning the Braves, winning the America's Cup, donating $1 billion to the UN, building his fortune to $10 billion and losing 80% of it in about two years...It's always interesting, giving you insight into the man and to the changes in American business in the second half of the 20th century. To his credit, Turner lets other people weigh in on his narrative. Most of the anecdotes are positive, but every once in awhile someone will say "Ted's recollections of this incident are very different from mine," or ex-wife Jane Fonda saying that he was very needy and refused too much self-analysis... you gotta like him for allowing these things in his book. I read it over a weekend and it was really one of those couldn't-put-it-down experiences. Highly recommended.

Call me Ted is basically appears to me more or less as the biography of Ted Turner and not so much a book about business. It chronicles everything that happened to Ted in his lifetime up to very irrelevant family things. However, the book is an interesting read, the flow and simplicity of the writing is quite commendable, easy to understand and the story is quite fascinating you would not want to drop it if you're the type that loves stories. Very few business ideas can be gleaned from it anyway....

Got about 1/2 way through.. this book did not grab me.

I loved this book. What a fascinating life! I've read it twice already.

Great book about a great men and he did it very well as everything in his life. Highly recommend it!

Loved this book, even though it's very big. I would recommend

A great life journey, a great guide for a great life journey! Ted You are Great! A great life's example to all humans alive!

So far I read half of this book and it is entertaining and interesting for anyone who likes TV, business or competition.