An Enterprising Life

Rating:
Summary: Needed more Vitamin D
Review: As a distributor, I was grateful to obtain such a vast insight into the mind of one of the most wise and ethical men of this century. Mr. VanAndel should be looked to as a role model in life as well as business, even by folks who do not wholly believe in the Amway concept. The life principles described in this book will benefit any person who has the fortitude to apply them.

Rating:
Summary: Leaves you wanting more - a lot more
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: This is a GREAT read!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: An Enterprising Life
Review: It reminds me of dreams and encouraged me to do something for that

Rating:
Summary: Great insight into the success of the Amway Corporation
Review: Read this book for an isider's look at Free Enterprise and the American Dream come true!

His story is inspriring and encourages others to pursue their dreams with the same passion.....and compassion!

Rating:
Summary: Needed more Vitamin D
Review: 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.