Home
→
Books
→
A Passion to Win
A Passion to Win

2001

Autobiography

by

Sumner Redstone and Peter Knobler

A candid autobiography detailing how Sumner Redstone built a media empire through acquisitions. He describes his thinking during his biggest deals, his epic battles, and the challenges he endured over several decades to own BET, Paramount Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Blockbuster, Simon & Schuster, and CBS.

Buy a Copy
Jermaine's Notes
Read

June 2024

Specifics on big deals. Another perspective on Wayne Huizenga and Blockbuster Video deal. Read 2001 hardcover.

Connected Posts
Sumner Redstone Part 1: Driven and Intense from Childhood
How Sumner Redstone's early years shaped his intensity and drive to win.
Sumner Redstone Part 2: Changing the Movie Theatre Industry
The intensity and drive that Sumner Redstone developed in his early life served him well when he transitioned from practicing law to being an entrepreneur.
Sumner Redstone Part 3: Acquiring His Way to the Top
How Sumner Redstone turned a family-owned drive-in theatre business into a media empire through strategic acquisitions and fierce battles, transforming the media landscape with iconic assets like MTV and CBS.
Wayne Huizenga Part 4: The Deal of Wayne’s Life
How Wayne Huizenga sold Blockbuster to Viacom for $8.4 billion using intricate financial maneuvers.
How BET's Bob Johnson Leveraged One Strength to Overcome Major Weaknesses
Bob Johnson's strategy to overcome his major weaknesses while building BET.
Connected Entrepreneurs
No items found.
Connected Books
The Making of a Blockbuster
Read

June 2024

The story of a serial dealmaker and entrepreneur who built fortunes in trash, videotape rentals, professional sports teams and more. This book details Wayne Huizenga's journey and offers insights into his business strategies, leadership style, and deal-making prowess.
Growth through acquisition. Specifics on deal mechanics. Epic battle with Sumner Redstone. Deal with Richard Branson to open Virgin Music stores in U.S. Read 1995 hardcover.
Info →Buy →
The Billion Dollar BET
Read

May 2024

The story of how Black Entertainment Television (BET) went from an idea to being sold for $2.3 billion. This book describes how Robert "Bob" Johnson founded, built, and sold the company. The book describes internal struggles and Johnson’s personal missteps, while detailing the impact of the channel on the Black community.
BET mentioned in Cable Cowboy(John Malone). Leveraged cable/satellites to serve black niche. Read 2004 hardcover.
Info →Buy →
Walk Through Fire
Read

May 2024

Details how billionaire Sheila Johnson navigated personal and professional challenges to co-found BET, build Salamander Hotels & Resorts, and own professional sports teams. A blueprint for extraordinary resilience and entrepreneurial triumph.
Story of struggling while achieving outsized success. Investment from John Malone. Read 2023 hardcover.
Info →Buy →
The Gambler
Read

June 2024

Recounts how a penniless Armenian immigrant became a billionaire dealmaker. This book recounts Kirk Kerkorian's extraordinary life and how he transformed Las Vegas into a global entertainment mecca. It details his shrewd investments and deals across industries, from aviation and movie studios to luxury hotels and casinos.
Amazing story. Kirk succeeded in aviation, real estate, casino, and stock market investing. Kirk created the vision for Las Vegas. Read paperback 2018.
Info →Buy →