Rating: 
Summary: A little disappointing
Review: A name dropper extrodinaire, this book basically returns the "back scratch"of those who helped him to the top. While I am engaged by his story, and admire the accomplishments, this book is a biography not a teaching tool. The one thing that everyone will come away with is the importance of "politicing" in American business. Read it for the story but not for the substance.
Rating:
Summary: No epiphanies here
Review: Obviously ghost-written, this book is only of interest to those with minimal business experience. It's purpose is to make you think that Jack Welch never made a mistake. So all you GE stockholders, listen up! To those who DO have business experience, you already know that there are loads of errors, infighting and intrigue in a company the size of GE. If you expect to read about them here, you won't. If you're looking for new business concpets, try a Guy Kawasaki book. If you want to read about business strategy, read Kenichi Ohmae. If you're at Business 101 level and can tell when you're reading ad copy, try this book.
Rating: 
Summary: The American Dream
Review: This is the biography of a man who went further than any other man alive in realizing the American Dream. You can read this and learn, not so much how he did it, but more like how it happened to him. I would urge you to not engage in pipe dreams, however, by imagining this book can help make what happened to Mr. Welch, happen to you. Your chances are worse than the lottery. For managers, there are useful pieces of anecdotal information on all aspects of running a business efficiently. There is a lot you can take away from this book. In my opinion, Jack Welch is an imminently better role model for kids and adults to hero-worship than all the rock stars and athletes put together. He did an incredible job with his life. All in all, this is an engagingly written book which will repeatedly "wow" you. The most important lesson Mr. Welch wanted the reader to come away with is the importance of integrity, character, and leadership. I liked that. It was, properly, not within the scope of his book to get into explaining the philosophy behind why those things are important. That's why you should follow-up by reading "West Point" by Norman Thomas Remick, a book that in simple language will make you understand and appreciate what Jack Welch is saying about integrity, character, and leadership, and understand why he has managed to always remain humble, even in having achieved "The American Dream".
Rating:
Summary: Everybody thinks they're a CEO....
Review: Most of the people who write reviews for this book, even all the way up to 4 stars, seem to have some sort of problem with the man NOT the book. Also, everyone dismisses Welch's talent as a CEO because most people think they could do better or on par, in my opinion at least. Jack reminds me a lot of my father (a successful businessman even today) so I get his attitude and mindset. I also understand how he was a success in business with his managerial style. If you don't "get" his style or what he's trying to tell you in this book, then don't try to emulate him or you will go nowhere. Use a style that better suits you, as there are many ways to run a company.
Rating:
Summary: Makes me want to work at GE!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this book - from Jack's stories, his philosophies of management and how he chose his successor. It would be a great book for a young college graduate entering the business world since they would get an understanding of what management finds important - being comfortable in your skin, sharing information, helping other divisions, constantly innovating, etc. I especially liked Jack's approach to ranking employees in categories and giving the Class As significantly higher raises. If every company did this, maybe there would not be as many slackers.
Rating: 
Summary: All about Jack
Review: A teacher Jack is not. This book is full of stories about how he handles himself and how succesful he is. Jack goes on and on about how good he is at his job. But this book, which is supposed to be an attempt to help other business people become better business people, lacks any sort of educating factors. It's basically Jack telling you how much he loves himself.
Rating: 
Summary: Jack I thought you would write it
Review: well written but the question that runsd in my head is who wrote it the initial few chapters on his parents etc is very very absorbing rest it reads like a ghost written book the issue being that it has all the relevant infoermation of wht happened but the personal touch is more than missing .....any way if you are fascinated by the man and the company he managed a brilliant pick ...atleast with the man's blessing himself .. though i still wonder who wrote it...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent.
Review: Too many of the reviews here focussed on Jack himself and not the book nor his accomplishments. The book gives some excellent insight on how a meritocracy (where people who perform above and beyond are rewarded for it) should and can work. It shows how a company can actually be interested in its A-player staff and how the company can actually take actions and make plans to enhance an individuals career and skills, rather than keeping them down so they can get a leg up themselves. I was flabbergasted when I read that Jack and his immediate team took responsibility for the career planning of the top 750 managers at GE -- out to six years in some places. This book left me wanting to run out and apply for a job at GE. If you've reached a stage in your career where you feel like your no longer 'learning' from those around or above you, you'll understand what I mean after reading this book. The only negative part for me personally was where Jack obviously added content that would interest someone who wanted to see quantifiable information related to what he did during their mergers & acquisitions ramp-up. A good portion of a few chapters focussed entirely on: researching target, pricing, and closing the deal.
Rating:
Summary: Definite must read for any manager
Review: This book gives insight into the brain of Jack Welch, one of the most admired business leaders of our time. I'd say it's a must-read for anyone that fancies themself a leader, anyone who thinks they know a thing or two about business strategy or really just anyone that pounds sand 40 hours a week and wonders what good they contribute to the corporate whole. The whole book is written in a folksy/conversational tone that makes it easily understood. Really, it's as if Jack himself is sitting down with you over dinner and telling you how he got where he did and what he had to give up along the way to get there. Certainly his road was unconventional and obviously filled with sacrifice; but read between the lines and you'll find a new appreciation for the limitations on relationships and any sort of a personal life that someone of such stature makes. Like Warren Buffet, Jack Welch proves that once again, things don't necessarily have to be complicated to work. Set a strategy that makes sense and follow that strategy and you will succeed. Easily said and not easily done...and all from a man that did them.
Rating:
Summary: No nonsense advice, but at times self-serving
Review: Overall, I loved this book. Without a doubt, Jack Welch has been one of best -- if not THE best -- business leaders of all time. Many of his anecdotes and bits of wisdom can be used by others in business to bolster their success, as well. My only hang-up is that Jack's self confidence goes a little too far at times. He takes credit for virtually all of GE's success during his tenure, and even when he is praising another manager's successes he takes credit for making them what they are. All-in-all, a must read for anyone in, or thinking about, business.
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