Rating: 
Summary: A non-fiction book that is accurate and entertaining!!!
Review: After having spent 15 years as a lonely African-American in corporate America, reading non-fiction books about boring business moguls who I couldn't identify with, searching hopelessly for a book which would inspire, inform, and engage me, along came the Billion Dollar BET - at last!!! Brett Pulley does an excellent job of taking a potentially boring, dry subject matter, adds his special author's flair, and creates an entertaining, informative business biography! This human touch invites the reader to not just understand the chronology of Robert Johnson's path to his billions but to also embrace the backstories of the life choices of Bob Johnson. A MUST READ!!
Rating: 
Summary: Finally, The Veil Is Parted
Review: At last we find out what makes billionaire enigma Bob Johnson tick! (Basically the same thing that motivates most other business heavyweights. Mad Bling!) Mr. Pulley's book finally reveals how Mr. Johnson copes with the cacophony of disapproving black sentiment that seems to have swirled around BET since it burst onto the scene. He simply checks his bank statement. Billion Dollar BET is a fast-paced, didactic read, digressing only when necessary in order to embellish key players or pivotal situations in the Johnson saga. Mr. Pulley--through Bob Johnson's daring progression from dirt dauber to NBA owner--gives us an education in high-stakes business and negotiations. He even makes mega-million dollar stock wrangling and financial jargon understandable to the lay reader. The best parts, of course, are the juicy personal dramas--infidelity, jealousy, betrayal, the works--that unfold off the set and within the Johnson family clan. This book crosses so many lines and will appeal to disciples of many different literature genres.
Rating:
Summary: Making It Happen
Review: Brett Pulley pulls together one of the most in depths pieces ever
written on a black businessman, not just any black businessman, but the man behind BET. Brett pulls all stops on getting the nitty gritty on BET from the first scandal to Bob Johnson's billion dollar deal with Viacom. Pulley reaches into the black community, along with the media world and close personal friends of Johnson to get the story of a lifetime.
This book fits any American who understands what its like to have a dream and sit down and make the plans to achieve this dream to its fullest. The book itself allowed me to look at someone else go through the trial and tribulations of building an idea into a multibillion dollar situation it allows anyone with dreams to see hope.
Rating:
Summary: Needed Inspiration
Review: I am CEO of what I hope to someday be a fortune 500 company. Its very hard to find mentors or people who can identify with the struggles of being a young entrepreneur. This book served as a form of inspiration at a time when it was truly needed. Its hard being a pioneer in an industry predominated by established Giants. Everybody has a opinion of you and you are constantly being scrutinized and held to different standards than your counterparts. Thank You Mr. Pulley for writing this book. It was informative and will help me to keep my eyes on the prize despite adversity. H. Terrell CEO Common Ground USA www.jimmiehatz.com
Rating:
Summary: Blue Print for Success
Review: I found The Billion Dollar BET to be both fascinating and intriguing. It was especially riveting when Brett Pulley took the readers into the boardrooms and behind the scenes where many of the private deals were being made. This book took me back to the Barbarians at the Gate where the players involved were very descriptive and the rapidily changing deals were exciting. I thought the story of Robert Johnson was a very necessary story that had to be told. The process in which Robert Johnson built his fortune was based on a very simple business premise; keep revenues up and cut costs. His sense of business savvy as well as his excellent market-timing were some of the fundemental reasons for his success. This book should be read by anyone interested in being successful in their careers and follow Robert Johnsons "Blue Print for Success".
Rating:
Summary: Blue Print for Success
Review: I found The Billion Dollar BET to be both fascinating and intriguing. It was especially riveting when Brett Pulley took the readers into the boardrooms and behind the scenes where many of the private deals were being made. This book took me back to the Barbarians at the Gate where the players involved were very descriptive and the rapidily changing deals were exciting. I thought the story of Robert Johnson was a very necessary story that had to be told. The process in which Robert Johnson built his fortune was based on a very simple business premise; keep revenues up and cut costs. His sense of business savvy as well as his excellent market-timing were some of the fundemental reasons for his success. This book should be read by anyone interested in being successful in their careers and follow Robert Johnsons "Blue Print for Success".
Rating: 
Summary: Well researched book but average writing
Review: I pre-ordered this book after reading a reference in Fortune magazine. I guess I had high expectation from the start. It is rare to have an insight into the life of a preeminent African American businessman. At this time, they don't come any bigger than Bob Johnson. After all he is a billionaire. The truth being that they are very few African American that have reached the pinnacle of capitalism. However, the benchmark for this types of biography remains "Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?" the life of Reginald F. Lewis, the first African American to own a billion dollar corporation. The Lewis bio is far superior to "The billion dollar bet".
The good: To its credit, Bob Johnson bio is well researched. They are details about the IPO then LBO of the company. You learn about the players in the firm and the business relationships of Johnson and his associates. Johnson often appears as a cold hearted media mogul. He leads a tight ship and is focus on the bottom line: Profits, Profits and Profits. Call it shareholder value. There is also a lot of controversy about BET low quality shows as opposed to the expectations of the African American community. The bad: Bob Johnson refused to cooperate for this book, and there are holes. There are some elements of vagueness, rumors and insinuations (When did the alleged affair with Debra Lee started?). You either get your facts straight or do some further research. Sex sells and the author want you to believe that Johnson is a consummate womanizer. The writing is average. The author is a writer but this book reads like a newspaper oversized article. The style is only fair. The part about Bob Johnson great grand parents is totally unnecessary and meaningless. Constant references to Bob Johnson standing up to White America without complex, beautiful well dress Black men sailing through the Mediterranean sea, or beautiful well dress Black men able to rent out a posh Washington restaurant seems to come from another age. Black middle class is growing; nobody needs to be reminded over and over again that African Americans are getting there. Old stereotypes need not be awaken over and over again. Business books have evolved. I just finished reading "American Sucker" by another professional writer: David Denby. The book is excellent, out of 2 lousy years of trading losses in the stock market, David Denby wrote a gem. How come out of 20+ years of BET - the ultimate American dream from rags to riches- Brett Pulley failed to write a book more compelling? Where is the passion? The material is out there, this book could have been so much better. I recommend the book for its raw content, assuming that you can overlook the average writing style.
Rating:
Summary: Short, Quick and Entertaining
Review: The Billion Dollar BET is a biography that will surely have you reading until the very last page. The author provides a very clear picture of the man Robert Johnson. From the details of his humble beginnings to his educational background and finally into the business world, Brett Pulley provides the recipe of success that led Mr. Johnson to his ultimate goal of being media titan. This book is a must read for all young entrepenuers as it provides several key lessons that must be mastered if one is to dedicate themselves to an emerging business. Finally the book is done is with great respect for Robert Johnson as the author dives into all topics, he choses to note how the personal challenges affected his business performance and business relationships. I am certainly looking forward to Mr. Pulley's next book.
Rating:
Summary: The Billion Dollar BET : Robert Johnson and the Inside Story
Review: The Billion Dollar BET is a biography that will surely have you reading until the very last page. The author provides a very clear picture of the man Robert Johnson. From the details of his humble beginnings to his educational background and finally into the business world, Brett Pulley provides the recipe of success that led Mr. Johnson to his ultimate goal of being media titan. This book is a must read for all young entrepenuers as it provides several key lessons that must be mastered if one is to dedicate themselves to an emerging business. Finally the book is done is with great respect for Robert Johnson as the author dives into all topics, he choses to note how the personal challenges affected his business performance and business relationships. I am certainly looking forward to Mr. Pulley's next book.
Rating:
Summary: Short, Quick and Entertaining
Review: The book reads very easily and was just the right length. I even read it at work (don't tell). You have to admire the man, but at the same time feel sorry for him. He needs some love. Buy the book. Hey, is he looking for a wife ?
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