Jack

It's difficult to imagine that the former CEO of GE would let anyone else read this, although he does for the unabridged Recorded Books version. From his poor but loving upbringing in Salem, Massachusetts, to the massive corporate restructuring of GE in the '80s and '90s, Welch has been in the driver's seat all the way. The force of his personality, cloaked in a heavy Boston accent, comes straight at you as you hear of his early days as a chemical engineer, his fight to succeed outgoing CEO Reg Jones, and his Darwinian approach to management which earned him the nickname "Neutron Jack." Though not every word is perfectly articulated, nowhere is there evidence of the stammer that plagued him throughout his youth. His personal life gets short shrift, at least in abridged form, but his love for and effect on the company that touches us all is plain to hear. J.B.G. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

November 5, 2001
It doesn't matter whether you love or hate Jack Welch. Who can resist hearing the man tell his story? This abridged version of his recently published autobiography, featuring Welch himself, is quite entertaining. With his slightly raspy Boston accent, Welch discusses his childhood and his career. When he proclaims something, he gives examples to illustrate his point. For instance, he says his mother was the strongest influence on his life. He then recalls the time he threw a hockey stick across the ice in disgust after losing a game, and his mother stormed into the locker room—as some teammates were changing—to exclaim loudly, "If you don't know how to lose, you'll never know how to win." When discussing his long career at GE, Welch is equally detailed. While some listeners unfamiliar with the corporation may find some of the discussions tedious, most will be captivated by what appears to be Welch's brutal honesty. He talks about having to lobby for promotions because he didn't "fit the GE mold," and he's open about making some poor business decisions. He's not as forthright as it appears, though. He talks about his beloved wife, Carolyn, who provided a stable home while Welch was rising in GE's ranks, but barely mentions their divorce. Still, this audiobook will be interesting listening for anyone who has followed Neutron Jack's career. Simultaneous release with Warner Books hardcover.

The sound quality is superb, and columnist Mike Barnicle's accent gives the ring of Boston to the life story of just- retired GE chief Jack Welch. Both are shrewd men, and both effect the street-smart simplicity of an Irish-Catholic childhood. If you hope to transform yourself into a millionaire--Welch collected $125 million for his last year on the job--you'll be disappointed. Few secrets are revealed, unless hard work is a secret and rewarding excellence a new idea. "Don't let them pull the plug!" Welch told his wife the night before his heart surgery. If you think the world was hanging by a thread when Jack was on the table, this book will confirm you in that opinion. I have my doubts. B.H.C. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine