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Tough Choices (Abridged): A Memoir Audiobook
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(3.04) - 439 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The New York Times bestseller by the most talked about woman in American business. For five and a half years, Carly Fiorina led Hewlett-Packard through major internal changes, the worst technology slump in decades, and the most controversial merger in high-tech history. Yet just as things were about to turn around, she was abruptly fired, making front-page news around the world. Fiorina has been the subject of endless debate and speculation. But she has never spoken publicly about crucial details of her time at HP, about the mysterious circumstances of her firing, or about many other aspects of her landmark career. Until now. In this extraordinarily candid memoir, she reveals the private person behind the public persona. She shares her triumphs and failures, her deepest fears and most painful confrontations. She shows us what it was like to be an ambitious young woman at stodgy old AT&T and then a fast-track executive during the spin-off of Lucent Technologies. Above all, she describes how she drove the transformation of legendary but deeply troubled HP, in the face of fierce opposition. One of Fiorina’s big themes is that in the end business isn’t just about numbers; it’s about people. This book goes beyond the caricature of the powerful woman executive to show who she really is and what the rest of us, male or female, in business or not, can learn from the tough choices she made along the way.
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"This woman is an incredible business woman, this book outlines her life and all her accomplishments and set backs. I learned a lot from reading this book, as a business student and a woman in the field I felt it was a great representation of the business world today. The focus is a lot on being a woman in a man's world and how to step up and not tolerate anything less than what you deserve."
— Calynn (4 out of 5 stars)
Tough Choices Listener Reviews
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" I'm listening to the audiobook and really enjoying it. Based on how she's been presented in the media, I didn't like her but her autobiography changed my mind. I liked hearing her story in her own words and I'm more open-minded now about the kind of business professional that she may be. "
— Lois, 2/20/2014 -
" If you work in high tech, you'll find this an interesting read with industry insights from the inner circles of power. "
— Carolee, 2/3/2014 -
" I think it interesting that I picked up this book before reading Backfire or Perfect Enough, both of which I now plan to read. Her memoir gives us insight into Carly's history, her professional development, and her side of the HP saga. As a woman in business, I found her open and honest approach valuable. If you are not in the tech sector, it may be a bit heavy. "
— Barbara, 1/28/2014 -
" Interesting read as it foretold HP's woe (published in 2006), although most of the book was about AT&T. Liked it as it had a lot of personal stories of a person becoming a CEO. Early version of HP boardroom dysfunction was certainly interesting. Unclear was what made her so special to have become a CEO. "
— David, 1/18/2014 -
" I didn't actually finish this book...got about halfway through it and then couldn't help but pick up some others I'd been dying to read. It's got some good business-y advice in it, but I'm not in dire need of that type of info, so I think I'll pass on the rest. "
— Danica, 1/18/2014 -
" I learned what it's like to be a leader in the business world. I found it interesting that she had to learn so many new things every time she took a new job. "
— Joette, 1/11/2014 -
" Interesting read. A great recommendation for today's woman. Enjoyed it. "
— Adebayo, 1/10/2014 -
" A very good read for women leaders. But last few chapters were too detailed and defensive. Overall a good read. "
— Savi, 12/30/2013 -
" Terrific book for people who want an honest understanding of big business and the top players. "
— Marissa, 12/11/2013 -
" An amazing story of a woman sharking her way up in a man's world. A great read for all females in the business world. "
— Amanda, 4/20/2013 -
" painfully detailed and self-absorbed. I was able to derive some good management/leadership concepts finally after fishing through the long-winded reflections of her life and career. "
— K.D., 6/27/2012 -
" Interesting to hear her point of view on how it went down at HP. Have to take some of her comments with a grain of salt though. "
— Dana, 4/3/2012 -
" Listened to the audio book that was read by the author and really enjoyed it. It was like listening to "lessons learned" from a mentor. "
— Janet, 3/11/2012 -
" Loved it! great to hear about the trailblazers who paved the way for other corporate superstars like Sheryl Sandberg. Honest. Authentic. And she has tremendous character. Kudos! "
— Alicia, 2/11/2012 -
" This was a good book not only giving insight into Carly's life, but as a business manual for management. "
— Lynn, 1/5/2012 -
" No bigger fan of Carly than CARLY "
— Michael, 11/8/2011 -
" This book change my opinion of the former HP CEO a lot. What a problem she had with such a messed up Board of Directors. "
— Joe, 6/22/2011 -
" Book for school...had a few amusing stories of being a woman in the business world. Would I have picked it up if it wasn't a school book...no. "
— Gena, 12/12/2010 -
" This was a good book not only giving insight into Carly's life, but as a business manual for management. "
— Lynn, 12/3/2009 -
" I learned what it's like to be a leader in the business world. I found it interesting that she had to learn so many new things every time she took a new job. "
— Joette, 9/30/2009 -
" Got this book at a christian leadership seminar that she was featured at. Not a lot of christian content which I expected. I was encouraged by her unwavering moral values. "
— Barb, 9/24/2009 -
" Interesting to hear her point of view on how it went down at HP. Have to take some of her comments with a grain of salt though. "
— Dana, 5/7/2009
About Carly Fiorina
Carly Fiorina is the chair of two major charitable organizations, Opportunity International and Good360. She is also the chair of the American Conservative Union Federation and of the Unlocking Potential Project. From 1999 to 2005 she was the chair and CEO of Hewlett-Packard, becoming the first woman CEO of a Fortune 20 company, and before that she spent nearly twenty years as a telecommunications executive. Her memoir Tough Choices was a New York Times bestseller. She and her husband Frank live in Virginia, close to their daughter and granddaughters.