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Call Me Ted (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.03) - 517 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
"Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise!"
These words of fatherly advice helped shape Ted Turner's remarkable life, but they only begin to explain the colorful, energetic, and unique style that has made Ted into one of the most amazing personalities of our time. Along the way - among his numerous accomplishments - Ted became one of the richest men in the world, the largest land owner in the United States, revolutionized the television business with the creation of TBS and CNN, became a champion sailor and winner of the America's Cup, and took home a World Series championship trophy in 1995 as owner of the Atlanta Braves.
An innovative entrepreneur, outspoken nonconformist, and groundbreaking philanthropist, Ted Turner is truly a living legend, and now, for the first time, he reveals his personal story. From his difficult childhood to the successful launch of his media empire to the catastrophic AOL/Time Warner deal, Turner spares no details or feelings and takes the reader along on a wild and sometimes bumpy ride.
You'll also hear Ted's personal take on how we can save the world...share his experiences in the dugout on the day when he appointed himself as manager of the Atlanta Braves....learn how he almost lost his life in the 1979 Fastnet sailing race (but came out the winner)...and discover surprising details about his dealings with Fidel Castro, Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Bill Gates, Jack Welch, Warren Buffett, and many more of the most influential people of the past half century.
Ted also doesn't shrink from the darker and more intimate details of his life. With his usual frankness, he discusses a childhood of loneliness (he was left at a boarding school by his parents at the tender age of four), and the emotional impact of devastating losses (Ted's beloved sister died at seventeen and his hard-charging father committed suicide when Ted was still in his early twenties). Turner is also forthcoming about his marriages, including the one to Oscar-winning actress, Jane Fonda.
Along the way, Ted's friends, colleagues, and family are equally revealing in their unique "Ted Stories" which are peppered throughout the book. Jane Fonda, especially, provides intriguing insights into Ted's inner drive and character.
In Call Me Ted, you'll hear Ted Turner's distinctive voice on every page. Always forthright, he tells you what makes him tick and what ticks him off, and delivers an honest account of what he's all about. Inspiring and entertaining, Call Me Ted sheds new light on one of the greatest visionaries of our time.
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"As a former resident of Montana, I was never a huge fan of Ted Turner (if you lived there...you would understand). However, I have made it my personal mission to study as many successful people as I can. After reading "Call Me Ted," I can say that I judged Ted too harshly. Like many of us, he had a difficult childhood and it left a very deep mark on him. I respect his tenacity (he grew his late father's business into a media empire), positive attitude and his ability to adapt...there is a lot to admire about Ted - especially his ability to craft business deals. There is also a lot to dislike. For example, while his family is falling apart, he's either working or (more often) sailing. Somehow his kids managed to turn out ok...but Turner will never win a "father of the year" award. This book is full of good lessons for entrepreneurs and even better lessons on how not to be a good father. I'm not sure I like Turner more after reading the book, but I do respect him as a business person."
— Chris (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Turner himself infuses every page of the book…Offer[s] plenty of grist for understanding a man of many accomplishments.”
— USA Today -
“Turner’s straightforward yet surprisingly charming delivery makes this a must-hear…riveting.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred audio review) -
“There’s little to challenge Turner’s provocative reputation, but his reflections reveal the depth of calculation behind his career as a so-called loose cannon.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“It doesn’t matter that Ted Turner is not a professional reader. Yes, he drops the endings on ‘ing’ words and often collapses two-syllable words into one. But he’s a masterful storyteller, and that’s what his memoir is—a series of well-told stories that explore his life…Interspersed with his reading are anecdotes from other people who know, or knew, him. Adding depth and illumination, these are read by four other people and offer a nice change of pace. The book is informative, engaging, and easy to listen to.”
— AudioFile -
“Listeners will find it difficulty to turn away from this force of nature as he barks out his story with a slight southern twang…Highly recommended.”
— Library Journal
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award
Call Me Ted Listener Reviews
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" This is a good book only if you enjoy reading a complete autobiography of a person's life. Some parts I didn't understand because they were about stock exchange, and all these money related things, but his story is very interesting. "
— Annika, 2/14/2014 -
" one of the worst books i have ever read. "
— Paul, 2/2/2014 -
" Ted Turner is one of my favorite businessmen and this books delves into how he did it. A must read for any entrepreneur. "
— Kenneth, 1/30/2014 -
" Founded CNN and married Jane Fonda among others....and at the same time suffered from depression to the point that he kept a loaded gun in his desk. A little self-serving but an interesting character. "
— Michael, 1/22/2014 -
" This was an good read. Ted Turner has led an interesting life, is a successful businessman, and shares it all in this book. Though I did not personally choose this book, when my husband finished it, I decided to give it a go. I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it especially to anyone in business or anyone who considers themselves an entrepreneur. "
— Jane, 1/17/2014 -
" I certainly enjoyed reading the book. The stories of his business life were quite fascinating but I had hoped to learn a little more of his personal and love life... "
— Bin, 12/31/2013 -
" this took 2 days not zero minutes love it love it easy read funny learning process beautiful person so honest brillent funny loving life man. he seems to tell it like it was and very few could have his story. and he is not done "
— kathy, 11/24/2013 -
" It's a fun book to read. "
— Poung, 11/18/2013 -
" Ted Turner, the media giant, was a genius. But did you know just how smart the man really is? "
— Jennifer, 11/13/2013 -
" Wonderful book about the life of Ted Turner. From his childhood; to taking over and growing his Dad's local billboard business into Time Warner; the creation of CNN, Captain Planet, Cartoon Network and Lord of the Rings; to the unfortunate merger with AOL -- it's all here. "
— Miguel, 11/6/2013 -
" Quite an unusual life and character. Wish he had employed a better author. It got better towards the end. "
— Do10271, 5/1/2013 -
" This is a very detailed writing about Ted's life, right from when he was very young. If you're interested in everything that has happened to him and how it has happened, you should read this book. I was really only interested in the starting of CNN so I skimmed through much of the book. "
— Tina, 10/31/2012 -
" I became interested in this book after I saw Ted T. on one of the morning shows when the book was getting ready to be released. I remember him being in the news alot during a certain period of my life and I was curious about the book. I also have not read any biographies and wanted to branch out. "
— Athy, 9/19/2012 -
" I found this book very interesting. He isn't perfect and he lets you know. "
— Tanager, 5/23/2012 -
" great guy "
— Xthun, 4/24/2012 -
" Good book about a real Industrialist "
— Mark, 4/15/2012 -
" Truly a good book. Turner has many friends from Jimmy Carter to Kofi Annan to Castro. The book only gets bogged down in sections that talk to much about business. I recommend it to everyone. IF we had more capitalists like Turner, Gates, Buffett, etc, the country would be in better shape... "
— Lisa, 11/16/2011 -
" I liked it! What an amazing life - and character this guy is. His writing style (or his ghost writer anyway) is blunt and too the point. Also, a great story about the rise of a media empire - and the beginnings of CNN. "
— Noah, 3/17/2011 -
" I didn't know much about Ted Turner, other than he was married to Jane Fonda and started CNN. But he actually has had a very interesting life and I really enjoyed reading about it. I also enjoyed the "Ted stories" from his friends and family. "
— Melissa, 2/3/2011 -
" From environmentalist to network owner to Atlanta Braves owners, Ted Turner has done it all. Handed his father’s billboard company in his early twenties, he’s made quite a run. A good book that combines his business philosophies with his autobiography. "
— Dan, 1/3/2011 -
" one of the worst books i have ever read. "
— Paul, 12/7/2010 -
" Good read. Interesting man and life. "
— Bob, 12/1/2010 -
" Did someone just type this up from his dictation? It sure sounded that way. Still, I learned a lot about Ted, sailing, CNN, Ted, and Ted. "
— Lynne, 10/21/2010 -
" Pretty good autobio about Ted Turner. Learned a lot about his eccentricities and what drove him as an entrepreneur. Reading him was also informative about the early cable and telecom act eras, if you're interested in the media business at all it's a good read. "
— Keith, 5/31/2010 -
" Very interesting book, so much information on the behind-the-scenes in broadcasting as well as big business. "
— Nannie, 3/11/2010 -
" Ted Turner, the media giant, was a genius. But did you know just how smart the man really is? "
— Jennifer, 1/24/2010 -
" If you are fascinated by the lunacy that is Ted Turner, as I am, then you should read this book! "
— Regina, 1/7/2010
About the Authors
Ted Turner is one of America’s most famous and successful businessmen. A media mogul, philanthropist, and author, he is known as the founder of the cable news network CNN, as well as for his billion-dollar donation to support UN causes. He now serves as chairman of the United Nations Foundation board of directors.