Book 16 - The Accidental Zillionaire - Demistifying Paul Allen

Laura Rich really did a good job of this book. It was extremely well researched and very factual, albeit a little bland (given all of the detail included about Paul Allen's business dealings through the middle part of the book).

Paul Allen was actually the co-founder of Microsoft - yep, with Bill Gates. I have never heard of him, and I certainly didn't know Bill had a business partner in the early days. Paul was actually the 'geek' of the operation, from all reports, and he was into the technical side of the business. Bill was the business man, and drove the business forward.

Microsoft started in the mid 1970s, and eight years later, after a cancer scare, Paul decided to finish up with Microsoft. He had, though, prior to that, obtained a 35% share of the business. Now, there is no need to explain to you how much money that would equate to. Paul Allen is one of the richest people in the world, and he has just been living off the profits of a company he started, and then left, over 25 years ago. No wonder they call him an accidental zillionaire.

He seems to be the real nerd, still. He dresses poorly, and apparently has no social skills. Maybe he doesn't need them, with all that moolah. And, he spends like crazy - millions here, billions there, all on business ventures, most of which have not been successful, apparently. But, in saying that, he could make several hundred million on an investment, and that is not successful (at least compared to Microsoft). There you go.

Other key points from the book: 

• Him and his people would not support the book
• He is still followed around for investing advice, even though he is not considered a successful investor
• He has invested in everything from movies to cable companies
• His vision is a cable world (I think we might be moving past that now - wonder if he has)

Look, again, I am not qualified to write a blog about one of the richest men in the world, but it is only a book critique, after all.

One thing he seems to do well, is to create loyal employees. He has had the same people rotate through his businesses for many years, apparently. He likes mixing in influential circles, as you would, and he is a fan of Jimi Hendrix - loves his music, apparently.

Anyway, it would be good to have just 1% of his money - you would never have to work again. Good on him. Kudos to Paul Allen, I reckon - go son!!

Overall, not a great book, but interesting. 3.5 out of 5.