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My Adventurous Life
by Dick Smith
Published by Allen and Unwin
ISBN 9781760878894
I doubt there's anyone who has not heard of Dick Smith in Australia. We have seen his name in so many places, his electronic stores, jars of jam, Australian Geographic, in the media and so on. I'd never taken much notice of the persona behind the name, other than knowing he is an extraordinary successful businessman.
In his autobiography, Dick Smith shares that he wasn't particularly good at school. For quite a long time, he was near the bottom of the class academically and his parents were concerned with what would happen to him. He wasn't particularly interested in school and much preferred going off on adventures, even as a young boy. I laughed at, the story of the shock when a women drinking tea in her garden suddenly saw this child's head popping up from a storm water drain in her garden.
It wasn't until a girlfriend told him he was smart. From then onwards he studied harder and excelled.
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It is a very easy book to read. At first, I thought it was quite light and wasn't quite sure if it was going to be worthwhile reading. But, as I read further it became apparent there was much more to his life than meets the eye. He grew up in an idyllic, happy family in leafy Roseville on Sydney's north shore in the 1940s and 1950s.
It also shows how experiences learned at such a young age through organisations such as Scouts became so influential throughout his life.
After working for other people and organisations, Dick decided to start his own small business, with good guidance and with small achievable goals in mind. Clearly, a born entrepreneur with a sharp mind for making money, he explains through the series of events, these goals were swiftly overtaken and he created businesses worth multi-millions from just $670.
While Dick Smith tells his life story, he explains making more and more money is not his motivation, he wants to enjoy an adventurous life. He has surrounded himself with some extraordinary people who have made this possible.
Being a serial adventurer, and my goodness, he does do some rather daredevil things that had me holding my breath several times, he explains how he achieves these goals. They include raising money for the many organisations and charities he supports and finding historic aviation wrecks in the Australian outback and deserts. He became the first to fly in helicopters around the world, explore both the North and South Poles in some pretty hair-raising situations, and had fixed wing aircraft pursuits to places most people don't even know exist, let alone dream of visiting. There are maps on the inside covers tracking his many adventures which help when following the routes he's taken. Plus there are numerous photos from his personal collections of the adventures and family.
I find it difficult not to give spoilers in this review, as clearly it is interesting reading and worth any budding entrepreneurs time to read. They may just pick up some good advice! It is quite easy to see that he could have gone on to become a billionaire, but that is not his aim in life.
He also shares that many of the wonderful and exhilarating adventures he has undertaken with his equally adventurous friends, would simply not be allowed in today's over-cautious world. A dedicated family man, Dick and his wife Pip, who has been by his side since she was 19, have had an exciting life and presumably will continue to do so.
This is a thoroughly good read and I've gained enormous respect for this hugely successful, life loving person who makes things happen while treasuring his time with his family.
This is independent review, I am not paid by the publishers, so.If you Liked this review, Buy me a coffee
