Much more than just a memoir, this is Richard Branson's own take on his extraordinary life so far - and a definitive business guide that reveals his unique philosophy on commerce, success and life.

Richard looks back on how Virgin grew from a mail-order music business into the global brand it is today, and how, rather like his balloon flights, the years have been as much about endurance and survival as they have been about runaway success. He shares the inside story of his latest projects in the areas of health, the environment and the media, as well as his reflections on his own intrepid adventures and family life.

From the $25 million Virgin Earth initiative to the launch of Virgin Galactic, this is a powerful and unique look into the life of an iconic global entrepreneur.

Prologue

'Screw it. Let's do it.'

1 'A family that would have killed for each

other.'

1950-1963

2 'You will either go to prison or become a

millionaire.'

1963-1967

3 Virgins at business

1967-1970

4 'I am prepared to try anything once.'

1970-1971

5 Learning a lesson

1971

6 'Simon made Virgin the hippest place to be.'

1971-1972

7 'It's called Tubular Bells. I've never heard

anything like it.'

1972-1973

8 'To be second choice means nothing.'

1974-1976

9 Never mind the bollocks

1976-1977

10 '"I thought I'd move in," Joan said.'

1976-1978

11 Living on the edge

1978-1980

12 'Success can take off without warning.'

1980-1982

13 'You go ahead with this over my dead

body.'

1983-1984

14 Laker's children

1984

15 'It was like being strapped to the blade

of a vast pneumatic drill.'

1984-1986

16 The world's biggest balloon

1986-1987

17 'I was almost certainly going to die.'

1987-1988

18 'Everything was up for sale.'

1988-1989

19 Preparing to jump

1989-1990

20 'Who the hell does Richard Branson think

he is?'

August-October 1990

21 'We would have about two seconds to say

our last prayers.'

November 1990-January 1991

22 Flying into turbulence

January-February .1991

23 Dirty tricks

February-April 1991

24 The kick boxer in the first room

April-July 1991

25 'Sue the bastards.'

September-October 1991

26 Barbarians at the departure gate

October-November 1991

27 'They're calling me a liar.'

November 1991-March 1992

28 Victory

March 1992-January 1993

29 Virgin territory

1993-1998

30 Diversity and adversity

1998-2005

31 Changes

2006

32 Flying High

2007

Picture credits

Index