Rating: 
Summary: Sam "Extraordinary" Walton
Review: "Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."It's lucid and every chapter I read, I felt like reading a fable, all throughout. It makes me realize how these people like Sam, coming from a decent background rule their field of business, only by being so determined to achieve. Sam is quite an unusual person. I have read about so many businessmen and I must say one thing is common about them is that everyone has their own way of doing business. While reading autobiographies/biographies you get to explore a lot of personal information apart from the usual business stuff, which fascinates me a lot. I mean I feel curious to know how that person was in his childhood and what has driven them, their inspirations, energy, passion, obsession, zeal etc. The best part about Sam was how well he managed the resources, money, his "associates", and managers. Though there were some/many adversities he faced, he stood resolute against them, it made him stronger and failure motivated him to do well the next time. He borrowed every great idea, made it the seep into Walmart culture. He was one hell of motivator and critique.
Rating: 
Summary: A truly insightful story!
Review: "Made in America" by Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart, chronicled his journey from his humble beginning in rural Arkansas to creating the first Wal-Mart and subsequently a successful empire. Sam wrote about working for JC Penney and that was how he knew he wanted to be in retailing. He also wrote about the challenges and competition that he faced and how he overcame those to create such successful stores nationwide. Throughout his book, Sam talked about his working philosophy such as using associates as partners, treating the customers right, encouraging creative ideas and also thinking ahead.
I truly enjoy this book as I have always been fascinated with Wal-Mart. Even though I thought that I know a lot about Wal-Mart but this book reveals to me there are tons of things I am not aware of. Sam touched on things such as how the name "Wal-Mart" came about, how they started having people greeters at the entrances of every stores, how he dealt with competition from Kmart, and others which I feel are quite insightful. Sam also showed true entrepreneur spirit by his willingness to take risks, having a great vision, thinking ahead, tons and tons of hard work and not afraid of failings. Even if you are not interested in Wal-Mart or retailing in general, I still think this is a great book to read as there are definitely tons of valuable learnings. Detroit Free Press, I thought summarizes this book really well by saying that, "Here is an extraordinary success story about a man whose empire was built not with smoke and mirrors, but with good old-fashioned elbow grease."
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Dreamers
Review: Sam not only makes you dream big but inspires you to follow your dreams.
For someone not having 'lived' the 60s and 70s in small town America, it was an insight into the All American values of old.
My business and personal links with Wal-Mart testify to how Sam's basic values are still a driving force at Wal-Mart
It is a book that makes you dream and gives you 10 rules to achieve your dream.
I read only one - it was all I needed.
The rule was 'Swim Upstream - Break all the Rules'. - Murtuza Vasowalla
Rating:
Summary: Sam Walton's Wal-Mart Story
Review: Absolutly a wonderful story! Hard to believe something that started over fifty years ago as a dime store in small town Arkansas has become the world's largest company today. Mr. Walton's down to earth approach in telling his story makes it an easy read. From his humble beginnings in rural Arkansas, Sam was a go "getter" from early childhood.
The sucess of Wal-Mart is actually based a few simple principles. Offering value to the customers, shareholders and associates and managing the business in a common sense way. Are you an entreperneur or want to be one? Invest in this book today! Not only will you gain valuable insight, but Mr. Walton is open about the hardships and obsticles he faced, especially in the early days. After reading this, I don't feel alone in my challenges as a small business man.
Rating:
Summary: Must-read book for entrepreneurs
Review: After working for Wal-Mart stores, I have seen first-hand the greatness of this man and his business. This book teaches one to follow his/her dreams, because you can reach your goals.......Sam was proof.
Rating: 
Summary: Wal-Mart Making the World Better
Review: All the things we love about Wal_Mart/SAMS - the beaming elderly people who stand by the shopping carts and "welcome" you, the ubiquitous blue vests that adorn the multitudes of happy employees, the inspiring and cutting edge blue/red color scheme, the groundbreaking RFID initiative which will enable them to sell us plastic flora and Great Value hot links even cheaper, the $5 flannel shirts made in Chile, the $29 DVD player made by those energetic little toddlers in the sweatshops of China, the 25 gallon can of fruit cocktail, the humongous parking lot, and generally the company's magical ability to completely strip your town of everything that once made it special, and of course, the fact that the founder always drove a pick-up truck (that one always brings a tear to my eye) - will soon be available to everyone in the universe. I look forward to the day when we are all wearing that glorious blue vest and congregating at the McDonald's or Auntie Mae's up front during our 2 minute break periods. From the desperate illegal workers who are forced to work long hours and not allowed to leave, to the beautiful little children of South America and Asia who toil to provide Americans with their $1 photo frames and $5 musical keyboards, to the customers who walk the aisles waiting for their $19.99 oil change to be finished, Wal Mart is bringing the world closer together.
Rating:
Summary: Great Retail Formula!
Review: An interest in how discount shops work triggered my reading of the book. Sam Walton, a prominent figure in the field, with his phenomenon success in Wal-Mart, had openly revealed his secrets and strategies in his empire building. Being well-organised, this book takes one step-by-step through the whole process of the business setup, enlightening with reasons behind each move he'd made, e.g. taking the company to public. Hence, if you wanna be or are presently a retailer, you probably wouldn't want to miss this great book. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Half of the story, told well
Review: As books by business leaders go, this one is unusually candid and entertaining. But you don't become a billionaire by being introspective, I guess, so don't expect any insight into what made the author so relentlessly driven. And certainly don't expect a thoughtful response to the criticisms of the company for its crushing of local businesses and anti-union machinations. Sam says that people are free to shop wherever they want and that Wal-Mart doesn't "need" unions and that's that.
Rating:
Summary: No wonder he can be one of most successful...
Review: By reading this book, i know that in this world there is no such thing as lucky. Mr.Sam walton can be one of the most successful business person is largely due to the way he act, the way he think (mind-set), the way he communicate...etc, if one can learn that, i am sure one can achieve something...even though it might not as great as Wal-mart, but i know it can make something different....
Rating:
Summary: You feel as if Grandpa was talking to you.
Review: Despite my hesitation at picking up an autobiography, I must say Made in America turned out to be quite a pleasant surprise. In it, Sam intersperses story telling with quotes from his colleagues, family and the media. After reading the story, you get a very clear picture of Sam's humble beginnings as a local boy who delivered papers, a boyscout who saved a person's life, a variety store franchise owner who was driven out of town because his lease expired and he didn't know that it was part of the contract he signed. In it you also learn what the Walmart Way was about. It's about hard work, passion for the job and thoughtful spending. He completed it just before he died of cancer. And a good thing he did because nobody can tell the story better than the person who's lived it.
| 
