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Who Is Richard Branson?

Part of Who Was?

Illustrated by Ted Hammond
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Paperback
$6.99 US
5.31"W x 7.63"H x 0.25"D   | 4 oz | 72 per carton
On sale Aug 11, 2015 | 112 Pages | 978-0-448-48315-3
Age 8-12 years | Grades 3-7
Reading Level: Lexile 840L | Fountas & Pinnell W
What would you do with a billion dollars? This question gets a definitive answer from billionaire Richard Branson: do everything! Born into a wealthy family in London, Branson suffered from dyslexia and was a poor student. Still, his knack for business started early with a successful parakeet-breeding enterprise at age 11.The charismatic entrepreneur launched his first major business, Virgin Records, at age 22 and spent the next few decades building the Virgin group that now includes more than 400 companies. Known for his eccentric lifestyle and trillion-watt smile, Branson’s hot air balloon flights, innovative leadership, and world record attempts have made him an instantly-recognizable global icon.
© Michael Burgan
Michael Burgan is a historian specializing in writing biographies and current events for younger audiences. His published works include Who Was Henry Ford?, Who Was Theodore Roosevelt?, Breaker Boys: How a Photograph Helped End Child Labor, and The Creation of the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, Burgan is also a playwright and studied at the University of Connecticut. View titles by Michael Burgan
Who HQ is your headquarters for history. The Who HQ team is always working to provide simple and clear answers to some of our biggest questions. From Who Was George Washington? to Who Is Michelle Obama?, and What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? to Where Is the Great Barrier Reef?, we strive to give you all the facts. Visit us at WhoHQ.com View titles by Who HQ

Who Is Richard Branson?

During the 1950s, the Branson family took a vacation to the beach in Devon, England. On the trip, five-year-old Ricky’s aunt Joyce made a bet with him. She would pay him if he could learn to swim before the end of their vacation.

About

What would you do with a billion dollars? This question gets a definitive answer from billionaire Richard Branson: do everything! Born into a wealthy family in London, Branson suffered from dyslexia and was a poor student. Still, his knack for business started early with a successful parakeet-breeding enterprise at age 11.The charismatic entrepreneur launched his first major business, Virgin Records, at age 22 and spent the next few decades building the Virgin group that now includes more than 400 companies. Known for his eccentric lifestyle and trillion-watt smile, Branson’s hot air balloon flights, innovative leadership, and world record attempts have made him an instantly-recognizable global icon.

Author

© Michael Burgan
Michael Burgan is a historian specializing in writing biographies and current events for younger audiences. His published works include Who Was Henry Ford?, Who Was Theodore Roosevelt?, Breaker Boys: How a Photograph Helped End Child Labor, and The Creation of the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, Burgan is also a playwright and studied at the University of Connecticut. View titles by Michael Burgan
Who HQ is your headquarters for history. The Who HQ team is always working to provide simple and clear answers to some of our biggest questions. From Who Was George Washington? to Who Is Michelle Obama?, and What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? to Where Is the Great Barrier Reef?, we strive to give you all the facts. Visit us at WhoHQ.com View titles by Who HQ

Excerpt

Who Is Richard Branson?

During the 1950s, the Branson family took a vacation to the beach in Devon, England. On the trip, five-year-old Ricky’s aunt Joyce made a bet with him. She would pay him if he could learn to swim before the end of their vacation.