Rating: 
Summary: Memoirs of an evil genius
Review: If one is asked to describe a blueprint for genocide, Hitler's "Mein Kampf" invariably comes to mind. Thus ever should Sumner Redstone's "A Passion to Win" be linked with the equally heinous crime of cultural genocide.In this book, Mr. Redstone recalls the long road that led him from drive-in theater projectionist to media mogul. At every twist and turn, Mr. Redstone defeats "incomprehensible" odds to claw his way to the top of his "entertainment" empire. The capstone of this empire was his acquistion of Viacom, and with it, MTV. Redstone describes with almost messianic fervor how he ignored advice to sell off the fledgling music channel. "I believed that MTV could be a cultural force in America" (page 116). "Young people 12 to 20 were going to become adults of 30 to 40...", "If we attracted them early, we could keep them forever." (page 117). Well, attract them he did, and anyone who can sit through ten minutes of MTV "programming" can readily appreciate Mr. Redstone's "cultural messages". (Try searching "Shower Rangers" on you favorite browser some time. Thanks, Sumner!). Even more sinister is the calculating way in which he targets the youngest viewers for his oily propaganda. "I felt much the same way about Nickelodeon and the possibilities in creating a children's brand." (page 117). From cradle to grave, Uncle Sumner had a direct conduit to America's, and then the world's, most impressionable viewers. But Mr. Redstone does not live in a vacuum. He has children and grandchildren of his own. They grew up with the MTV generation too (Can't you just see Grampa Sumner settling down with the grandbabies to watch some quality rap videos?). Mr. Redstone, however, believes that while "multiculturalism" and "diversity" are just the ticket for the gentiles, his family would attend private schools in Israel. Towards the closing pages of this book, Mr. Redstone also mentions his wife of 50+ years, as he is in the process of divorcing her. "I took measures to see that she would have no control in the company". Heart warming, ain't it? I highly recommend this book. As the old proverb goes, "Know thy enemy."
Rating:
Summary: This is an extraordinary man.
Review: Of all the business books I've read, this is perhaps the best. It is refreshingly well written, and unlike most that have pretty well given everything they've got by the end of the third chapter, this book continues to teach throughout. Sumner Redstone's personal, academic and business history contains enough superlative accomplishments to convince even the most critical of readers that this guy is for real.
Rating:
Summary: Passion--that all books need
Review: One has to agree with the Editor Review that this is a rather self-serving account, yet it offers readers much more than it was given credits for. It went into details of many tough deals Redstone has participated in, which are important cases studies for all business executives, particularly those in entertaiment industry. It also demonstrated how a kid could grow up from an average beginning to become a top player in the world--a true demonstration of the Amercian dream. The writting is simple--that is what we need. Who cares about Queen's English with many adjetives and adverbs! Throughout the book, the author was constantly standing right in front of you talking and arguing--so lively and entertaining! You have to admire Redtsone's determination, energy, passion and drive. One may argue that he is too willing to sue, while history has shown that he was more right than not in suing his adversaires. This is an excellent book for all business school students and aspiring executives.
Rating: 
Summary: I hope that he doesn't sue for only 2 stars...
Review: Redstone is clearly a tenacious presence in the entertainment business and has built an incredible empire. This man took no shortcuts getting to the top of the mountain. There are some great lessons in this book. However, I was incredibly put off by his litigious nature. Redstone has filed numerous lawsuits during his professional career, and has threatened many more. Frankly, I got tired of reading about all of the "wrongs" that kept cropping up in his business and personal life. It seems that he is somewhat unfulfilled if he doesn't have a lawsuit against somebody going on. He claims that he only sues as a last resort. Please. As many as he has done it is clearly a tool of primary choice. One must presume Redstone never wronged anyone else. His enormous ego is also on prominent display in the book. You would expect that someone in his position would have a healthy dose and Redstone does not disappoint. Another point of contention is his constant harping of his character and credibility. He claims that they are the bedrock of his existence. OK, what was he doing in Europe photographed with a young woman-although he claims innocence his wife left him after 52 years of marriage. He may have been innocent but his wife had apparently seen enough. Is this character and credibility? His reliance on his credibility is highly selective-Beavis and Butthead are the epitome of character and credibilty? Also, after he purchased CBS his top 2 lieutinants were being squeezed out of positions. These gentleman were significant players in his building of Viacom and he played dumb in claiming he didn't know they would lose their place after acquiring CBS(they brought it to his attention). Redstone stated that he would call off the deal if they wanted him to do it. PLEASE. We learn plenty about Redstone in the book to realize that nothing stops him from getting what HE wants. After the acquisition, they were gone and he made a great point of saying how rich he had made them. If you are looking for an objective view of Redstone and his dealings, this is not it. If you are interested in getting in on the inside of some big deals, you may enjoy it. Just bring your weedwacker to cut through Redstone's self serving BS.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but Pompous
Review: Seemed interesting at the beginning, but after four chapters, I couldn't take the constant boasting anymore, and never finished it. I just got done reading Conrad Hilton's 'Be My Guest', and that book was riveting without all the bragging. I've always admired Sumner Redstone from afar until I started to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: From His Perspective
Review: Several other reviewers seem to have attached little (if any) importance to the fact that the information Redstone provides (especially the opinions) are from his perspective. They challenge the accuracy of his comments about various negotiations, lawsuits, personnel decisions, etc. No doubt he employs selective memory. No doubt he frequently bends the truth to suit what are often his self-serving purposes. No doubt in several instances he is flat-out wrong. So what? I rate this book so highly because it provides access to Redstone which would otherwise be denied, at least to me. No one can question the nature and extent of his achievements in business. No one can deny that he is among the most controversial of media empire CEOs. The person he himself describes is not someone I would wish to be closely associated with. I do not plan to invite him over for Sunday dinner (although he may well be delightful company in that situation) and I have not included him on my holiday greeting card mailing list. Again, so what? In his own words, he shares with me and other readers his "take" on his life and career thus far. We have his version of volatile relationships with others such as Barry Diller who also bears little resemblance to Mr. Rogers. Thank you, Mr. Redstone, for explaining why you think you have a passion to win; also, what you think the impact of that passion has had in your life.
Rating: 
Summary: amazing look at the big media business
Review: sumner redstone in his book not only inspires you with his story but also at the same time gives you a peek into the wheelings and dealings that go on in the media business.. makes u feel part of the game for a while and inspires you to achieve something of your own.. along the way he provides advice on the nuances of striking deals, a skill he obviously he is a master of..
the only thing that really put me off was his constant justification of the many lawsuits that he has filed.. mind you, it not the lawsuits per se which seemed negative.. but his constant need to justify each occassion where he sued someone..
otherwise, a great read.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting Read, Good Lessons
Review: Sure there's some bragging here, but you'd be bragging too if you had built the kind of company this guy built. His stories make for an awesome read for anyone starting a company or managing one. His takeaways on negotiating are great lessons that even the most experienced negotiators won't mind hearing again especially from Redstone's been there and WON perspective!
Rating:
Summary: Why Retire When You are Having Fun
Review: The story that is being told is five stars, but perhaps the written book as a piece of literature is four stars. In any case it is a very interesting read. There is an expression that goes to the effect as follows: if you brag but if you can do it you are not boasting. That pretty well sums up this book. Here is a guy that came from a competitive neighborhood in Boston. Went to Boston Latin and excelled, then went to Harvard and excelled. It is an upward success story. After the war and his law degree he joins his father and never looks back. Step by step they expanded and expanded from humble movie drive in theatres to chairman of Viacom. He has a sense for business, how to negotiate, who to trust, when to cut, when to litigate, and when to take a chance. Like him or not one must admire what his tenacity and his business smarts have accomplished. Some people will be critical, but does it matter? He did what he wanted to do and he is a media giant and he accomplished his goals. One cannot deny that fact. It all makes for a fascinating and inspirational story. Good read Four stars. Jack in Toronto
Rating:
Summary: Readable with insights into the entertainment biz
Review: This book was well written with easily "digestable" chapters. It offers interesting insights into the entertainment and movie industries, as well as the discipline, tough negotiating, litaigation tactics, and optimism that SR needed to build Viacom. As for the man himself, I came away admiring SR's intelligence, discipline, determination, and vision, but he clearly rationalizes his actions in an attempt to justify them. For example, as a campaign advisor to Muskie, he notes that politicians don't care about opinions, they want donations, and later proudly talks about his policy conversations with the Clintons. He critisizes Biondi's soft negotiating style, and then later critisizes TCI's hardball tactics. Being divorced himself and noting he had no time for friends at school, he had not qualms in quoting the wife of a former blockbuster CEO to the effect that she was suprised her husband had friends in a gratuitous personal attack on Fields. When he goes against a friend, he notes it's buiness, nothing personal, but is upset with Diller for bidding against him for Paramount. He oscilates between the virtues of shareholder accountability, and fairness to bidding companies, as it suits him. In sum, I recommend the book, admire SR for his accomplishments, but wouldn't want my children to grow up to be like him.
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