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  • Love, Pain and Money

  • The Making of a Billionaire
  • By: John Caudwell
  • Narrated by: Mike Rogers
  • Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (53 ratings)

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Love, Pain and Money

By: John Caudwell
Narrated by: Mike Rogers
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Summary

John Caudwell is one of Britain's wealthiest, most successful–and most colourful–businessmen.

John was just six years old when he made a promise to himself that he would make enough money to give huge sums of it away to help his family and others who were struggling with poverty.

Born in a terraced house in Stoke-on-Trent, Caudwell went from bullied child to insecure trainee engineer at a local Michelin plant to self-made billionaire, befriending Sir Elton John, Eva Longoria, Hugh Grant and Robbie Williams, who have all taken part in his charity balls to raise money for Caudwell Children.

It was at a car auction in 1987, the height of Mrs Thatcher's booming Britain, that he spotted the future. A mobile phone that came in an unwieldy suitcase. Within two decades Caudwell sold his Phones 4u business for 1.46 billion.

Love, Pain & Money: The Making of a Billionaire retraces the inspirational journey, from the very shaky beginnings of his phone empire to owning yachts, private planes, a fleet of top flight cars, a Jacobean mansion in the Midlands and London's most expensive home (featured in a Channel 4 documentary). It's a fascinating insight into the drive, ambition, focus and vision required to become a billionaire.

It is also a very British story. Caudwell is a man who–despite his vast wealth–still knows the price of a pint of milk, buys his clothes from Marks & Spencer and despite having swapped the Michelin plant for Michelin-starred restaurants and hotels, can often be found in a roadside B&B, eating home-made sandwiches after one of his many cycling expeditions.

And it is more than merely a rags to riches story. It is a tale of battling endless career misfortunes and overcoming a series of personal tragedies to rise to the top. Failure, disaster and horrendous private heartbreaks are all part of this tale of a troubled child who never won the approval of his father who died when John was a teenager.

Love, Pain & Money–The Making of a Billionaire is a tale of our times, full of humour, grit, lessons in business and an understanding of what it takes to succeed against all odds.

©2022 John Caudwell (P)2022 W. F. Howes Ltd
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What listeners say about Love, Pain and Money

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A story worth telling

There are so many business autobiography’s written by people who have achieved far less than John Caudwell. In an age where people share their successes on social media, retail listings, fundraising etc it’s nice to read that even the most successful companies and entrepreneurs have had to be resilient and get through many challenges along the way and I think this book gives an honest and balanced account of the journey to building a great business.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great memoir

Really enjoyed getting to know the John Cauldwell beyond the newspaper articles. This guy has created good, forward thinking businesses amazing charity using his expert organisational and leadership knowledge that he has developed through his life. He is an absolute machine with the resilience and grit he has. Lessons to be learned for all in this book, particularly around the power of determination.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great life!!

Loved this book, a down to earth bloke despite his. Billions! Plenty of stories too tell, and an inspirational to all for his charity work. Can’t recommend highly enough.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Too much on the early years and a heck of an ego

I managed to see the book through to the end but I did fast forward a few chapters as the early years dragged on a bit.
Despite praising himself throughout the book he came across as quite selfish with a big ego. I suppose it comes with the territory of being a billionaire. He kept singing the praises of Margaret Thatcher and name dropping which all became a bit tedious. Overall 3 stars.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

John's personal and professional life.

Interesting life story. I enjoyed listening and it was quite well written and read.

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Brilliant

A brilliant book, so honest about his failures and successes in both business and private, always taking responsibility, never blaming others absolute inspiration!

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Great book, narration poor

Really enjoyed John Caudwell’s story but complete lack of research for the narration - majority of Staffordshire place names pronounced incorrectly and all read in a Yorkshire accent for some reason

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It’s an autobiography not just a business book

To be honest I bought it for the business stories and lessons. These are there, and there are a few that are highly motivational about his need and drive to sell and beat others. His ruthless competitive nature and the fact that others were too. But there is a LOT of family stories in there too. So you have to decide if you can bring yourself to Wade through that. It’s a tad sanctimonious and the love in for thatcher made me gag - but I saw it through to the end so it can’t be that bad.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Just a great journey to listen to

Enjoyed this loads it's a must to listen to I hope John does more books as this one was simply brilliant

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Great story, great life

Really good book telling the life of a man who came from nothing and now has everything, tells the business decisions and speaks about family and friends. Fair play for all the charity work!!

Good read

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