Here is a Book Review, a book that has take away s for every reader.
Book: Irrationally Passionate: My Turnaround from Rebel to Entrepreneur
Author: Jason Kothari
Publisher: Harper Business
Pages: 268 (Hardcover)/ 247 (kindle eBook)
Language: English
Genre: Autobiography
My rating: 4/5
What the Author has to say About the book:
While a college student at Wharton, Jason Kothari scraped together money from family and friends to save his childhood favourite comic book company, Valiant Entertainment, from bankruptcy and bring it back to life. A few years later, he transformed Valiant into the third-largest superhero entertainment company in the world after Marvel and DC Comics and sold it for $100 million.
Jason then became a professional turnaround leader and went on to transform distressed Indian Internet icons Housing.com, FreeCharge and Snapdeal, helping save billions of dollars in value, and advise giants like technology investor Softbank and real estate developer Emaar, who have invested billions of dollars in India. Irrationally Passionate reveals the inside story of how a rebel, train-wreck kid transformed himself into a successful young entrepreneur and business leader who became one of the top ten paid executives in India while only in his 30s.
From getting his first job as an assistant to Jackie Chan in Hong Kong, to learning strategy from champion Muay Thai fighters in Thailand, to tackling huge personal setbacks, to becoming a CEO in 60 seconds, among many other stories – Jason’s inspiring journey across countries, industries and companies has something for everyone, right from students to entrepreneurs to corporate CEOs to even parents of students and entrepreneurs. Irrationally Passionate is a highly personal, authentic, open and complete account of a young entrepreneur’s life.
Brimming with practical advice and philosophical insights, it will force readers to reflect on how they perceive life, work, family and spirituality by giving them a fresh perspective.
About the Author:
Jason Kothari is a passionate entrepreneur and business turnaround leader. While still in college, he acquired the bankrupt US-based Valiant Entertainment and led its transformation as the CEO to the third-largest superhero entertainment company after Marvel and DC and a sale for $100 million, a record industry return.
Lots of turnarounds in corporate world:
Subsequently, Jason was the CEO of Housing.com, where he led the transformation of the distressed company and a merger with News Corp’s PropTiger to create the $350 million industry leader. Following this, he was the Chief Strategy & Investment Officer of Snapdeal, where he played a lead role in transforming the distressed company from a monthly loss of over $20 million to a profit, the first for an Indian e-commerce company. Jason was also the CEO of FreeCharge, where he led the sale of the company to Axis Bank for $60 million.
In addition, he has been a senior advisor to Softbank; Noon.com, a Middle Eastern e-commerce company that has raised $1 billion; and is a Board Director of Emaar India, which has over $2 billion in real estate assets.
He is also an Executive Producer of Bloodshot (Sony Pictures) starring Vin Diesel. Jason holds a B.S. from The Wharton School and lives in Mumbai.
My Review:
This book has been read and reviews by the biggies like Amish Tripathi, Priti Rathi, Suvir Sujan and even Karan Johar.
I generally prefer fiction; self-help books are not my preferred read. But after I saw so many friends recommending this one and hence could not resist.
Right from the book cover you know this book means business and it’s a story of a man. So, it’s an Autobiographical journey. It is not a typical, full of jargons and boring autobiography of some one who has been into corporate and seen success in turning arounds the businesses. This is a Jovial, experience sharing book with lot of personal experiences that make you feel connected.
The opening of the book won my heart with the statement “You’ll never know how fortunate you are to live in India until you’ve been made to live elsewhere”. I love my country with all its shortcomings, no country is perfect. Another amazing piece is how Jason always had a business knack, and he could confidently negotiate a 500Rs. Marble chess board and win it for 30/- only due to his resilience.
Author shares his personal and professional turnarounds, honestly.
The book is divided into eleven chapters where each chapter talks about different stage or age of Jason’s life. Jason doesn’t share only his high’s, win and success but he equally opens up and talks about challenges as a bullied kid, addiction and failures. The book not only shows us how the businesses can be turned around but also how ‘a kid gone out of hand’ can be turned into a ‘successful corporate leader’.
The author’s story takes us across countries, industries and companies. Parents can relate to it as they can keep hope that their kids might turn out as they expect. It has something for everyone right from a student to a CEO.
And surely a lot of learning of entrepreneurs, start-up founders and CEO’s. The book gets heavy in later part, still most of the Gyan comes in only in last two chapters. Jason also shares a blueprint for start-up Founders and even how to optimize entrepreneur mindset.
I liked this book; I am sure every reader can take some take away from this one for sure. It can be beneficial for personal or professional or both walks of life.
This review was done as part of the Blogadda’s Book Review Program.
I think I read about this book earlier also and I was very much inspired just by reading the review. And once again after reading your review, I think it’s the time for me to get a copy. We need such true and inspiring stories. We see these successful people and think how lucky they are but everyone has a story to tell.
I have also read this book and I really was impressed with the honesty with which Jason wrote about his struggles. The book is definitely inspiring and also quite an engaging read.
I had heard about this book a lot and after reading your review learn the more insight about it. Seems like author is so honest and had shared valuable life lessons for all us. Will check out this book for sure. Thanks for sharing your honest review.
I love to read autobiographies but always stayed away with corporate histories. but again your review on it Ujjwal is sufficient to push me to add it on my list.
I did read this book and I agree with your review. It talks about the business acumen that Jason exhibited right from a young age and the way he leveraged it.
I am a sucker of autobiographies and this one has caught my eye a couple of times. I feel after I read you that I can’t afford to miss this.
Few days back I was reading an article about Jason. How he has penned his journey in the book, intrigues me to read it.
I have heard a lot about this book. My husband has read it too. And he related with it well. Surely a good read.
I love to read autobiographies but corporate and business-related reading stuff are not to my cup of tea. But again you reviewed very nicely.
I have been reading some raving reviews about this book. I have added this book in my TBR list and after reading this review, I am intrigued to read it soon.
Jason Kothari has had a rich experiential professional life. One full of successes and failures. I would surely want to pick this book and read about how it looks to be from the view of a serial entrepreneur.
Something which really inspires me a lot is autobiographies and this seems one for sure to read ..Thanks for sharing!!
Heard about this autobiography… now I feel like giving it a read!
There is something just so inspiring about reading autobiographies. This book already sounds so interesting from the synopsis itself, will surely check it out soon
Book review here reminds me that I have read about this book sometime earlier as well it is definitely a must read book and I will pick it up soon your reviews are crips & inviting.