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Rating: 
Summary: A good story, but you never get close enough to McCaw
Review: As Corr tells it, McCaw has always operated by a unique, hands off managerial style, often absent from key negotiations and busy flying his plane and paddling his kayak through British Columbia. For an author of a business biography, such a subject presents a real problem, because it makes it virtually impossible to paint a nuanced, subtle, in depth profile of the subject, and Corr's book suffers from this flaw. Michael Lewis had the same problem with Jim Clark in "The New New Thing," and I think there are few biographers of sufficient skill to really help us understand a mercurial figure like McCaw.That said, the book is still worthwhile, especially for the excellent early history of the cable and cellular phone industries. The explosive growth, relentless deal making, constant capital shortages, and sudden, inexplicable abandonment by the financial community might ring a chord with anyone who has lived through the last five years. Revolutions in the communications business seem to follow such a hype-hysteria-despair-rebuild path, and today's investors and entrepreneurs can learn a lot by studying the early history of these industries. For this purpose, Corr's book is a worthy addition to a business person's library.
Rating: 
Summary: Action packed
Review: Casey Corr is at his best in describing the man and his dreams- Craig McCaw and the world of cellular communications. Starting from a nearly bankrupt inheritance and the problems of his father's business Craig McCaw is superb in strategizing and execution. He quickly consolidates his business in the cable TV segment before venturing into mobile communications. He shows remarkable courage in predicting the growth pattern in each business segment he operates and takes big risks to pump in money to achieve leadership in his area of operation. Reading this book reminds me the story of Jim Clark ("The New New Thing " - by Michael Lewis ) who also follows a similar pattern in his mega plans, moving from one success to another. It would have been better had the author explained a little more about the concepts of technology in each business outlined, so that it would be easy for a reader without exposure in these areas to understand the real picture and the theme of this book. If you own a cell phone please read this book. If you don't own one, then this book will ensure that you buy one.May be a few years from now you may get a call from another planet - made possible by McCaw's network !.
Rating:
Summary: Action packed
Review: Casey Corr is at his best in describing the man and his dreams- Craig McCaw and the world of cellular communications. Starting from a nearly bankrupt inheritance and the problems of his father's business Craig McCaw is superb in strategizing and execution. He quickly consolidates his business in the cable TV segment before venturing into mobile communications. He shows remarkable courage in predicting the growth pattern in each business segment he operates and takes big risks to pump in money to achieve leadership in his area of operation. Reading this book reminds me the story of Jim Clark ("The New New Thing " - by Michael Lewis ) who also follows a similar pattern in his mega plans, moving from one success to another. It would have been better had the author explained a little more about the concepts of technology in each business outlined, so that it would be easy for a reader without exposure in these areas to understand the real picture and the theme of this book. If you own a cell phone please read this book. If you don't own one, then this book will ensure that you buy one.May be a few years from now you may get a call from another planet - made possible by McCaw's network !.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific book; Insightful and fun
Review: I loved the book. O. Casey Corr puts a fast paced, complicated life of Craig McCaw into a simple fun readiing, makes you excited, book. It is amazing what one man can accomplish. I recommend this to any one with great dreams in business. I learned more in this book then a semester in college when it comes to real life business tactics.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring...
Review: The long title first struck me very impressively. However, as I went on reading the book, I find it frustrating and uninteresting. It's hard to write a book with a boring life (no offense, Mr. McCaws). But rather than diving into how the McCaws from not a nerd, a technologist, or futurist becomes successful, the author tries really hard (but unsuccessful) to make McCaws as a great visionary. If you look at the reference section in the book, you will see that most materials for this book came from newspaper. The author has to admit in his book that McCaws didn't spend much time to be interviewed either. Besides, some readers might find the book funny and silly in a technical point of view. Well, I have a feeling that the author doesn't have much insights on the wireless industry. I just read "AOL.COM" before reading this book. And in comparision, this book is really a frustration even though I really want to know more about McCaws, a local well-known family.
Rating: 
Summary: The Boring Billionaire
Review: This book is obviously the story of Craig McCaw and how he made his fortune in the cellular phone market. The book does a good job of summarizing Craig's life from a family tragedy that shaped his business life, to his strong belief in cellular communication and how that made him a millionaire. The good news/bad news is that he eschews the fame and glory of a typical egomaniac like Donald Trump. It's great from a role model standpoint but since McCaw is so protective of his privacy and is around so few people, it was difficult to write a glamorous tale of an unglamorous life. Particularly since there is no mention of McCaw ever being interviewed by the author. Therefore, you are left with the history of cellular phone development in America coupled with mention of McCaw's unique management style. That was enough for me as I had no knowledge of the business and it was interesting to see how a conservative man leveraged himself to great wealth. But don't buy this book if you want stories of drugs, models or other scandals. This story is nothing more than a successful business tale and that is enough.
Rating:
Summary: The Boring Billionaire
Review: This book is obviously the story of Craig McCaw and how he made his fortune in the cellular phone market. The book does a good job of summarizing Craig's life from a family tragedy that shaped his business life, to his strong belief in cellular communication and how that made him a millionaire. The good news/bad news is that he eschews the fame and glory of a typical egomaniac like Donald Trump. It's great from a role model standpoint but since McCaw is so protective of his privacy and is around so few people, it was difficult to write a glamorous tale of an unglamorous life. Particularly since there is no mention of McCaw ever being interviewed by the author. Therefore, you are left with the history of cellular phone development in America coupled with mention of McCaw's unique management style. That was enough for me as I had no knowledge of the business and it was interesting to see how a conservative man leveraged himself to great wealth. But don't buy this book if you want stories of drugs, models or other scandals. This story is nothing more than a successful business tale and that is enough.
Rating: 
Summary: Sleeper in Seattle
Review: This book provides limited facts that are not already available in the newspaper. The writing style is monotone and does not compel the reader - definitely not something that will keep me up at night reading.
Rating:
Summary: Sleeper in Seattle
Review: This book provides limited facts that are not already available in the newspaper. The writing style is monotone and does not compel the reader - definitely not something that will keep me up at night reading.
Rating:
Summary: Reads fast
Review: Very insightful, quick reading book about one of the nation's most unique business leaders, a real character. There should be a sequel about McCaw handling the big shakeout in telecom and about his pet project, saving Keiko the whale. I hope Corr does another book.
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