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Stays with you, Jui 15 2003
Par Un client
I loved this clear, accessible memoir about a boy (and later young man) who grows up in Hungary during the WWII and Revolution years, escapes to the West and comes to the United States to start a new life. I'm biased because my father is from Hungary and is of the exact same generation; he even had experiences similar to Mr. Grove's, going to preparatory high school, university, getting caught up in the Hungarian Revolution and escaping in the middle of the night to Austria. How wonderful to have some of the history and experiences of the times described in such an accessible way. The story is clear and straightforward and yet extremely moving, almost haunting. I loved how the title becomes clear when you read the book (an allusion to swimming across the lake of life and how not everyone makes it to the other side). How glad I am that Mr. Grove made it (across the Atlantic, at any rate) and wrote such a lovely book. It means a lot to at least one daughter of a Hungarian immigrant.
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A STORY OF LIFE ADJUSTMENT PAR EXCELLANCE, Fév 5 2003
The majority of Andrew Grove's story takes place in Hungary as a young boy, but eventually graduates to a young adult and then as an immigrant to the U.S.A. You learn of the big difference of the society in Hungary vs America; it is great. Andy Grove achieved great success, but you must read this book to discover why and how he did it. It was all due to personal determination and you learn of the setbacks encountered during his journey to adulthood. A fine read of inspiration.
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An inspiring tale and lesson, Déc 24 2002
The Book is easy to read and understand and gives you the sense that, today, you learned a fine lesson in growing up in self fullfillment and what it takes. The book is a story of success against a turmoil filled landscape. It is clearly a reaching out story, to young and old, in history, self-achievement, and good people. We are a much too distracted people today to follow through as this author had. Alot to learn, should you be able to apply oneself to the lesson. Bravo to this hungarian man and writer. I have always searched for this book, being Hungarian and appreciative of excellent historical and biographical stories.
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The Antidote for CEO Excess, Nov. 27 2002
Consider this book your antidote for all the recent tales of CEO excess and duplicity. Andy Grove's story of his first 20 years in Hungary and New York City tells us how the events of World War II and the Hungarian Revolution shaped the integrity and inner drive of one man.The story is compelling in its own right. But to read the story of Andras Grof and realize that this boy and his distant childhood turned into Andrew S. Grove...well, it's a journey of unfathomable proportions. To his credit, Grove never oversells the story. He is quite forthright about his role in the Revolution - he was simply a bystander. Fellow Hungarians have read his story and lauded him for his accuracy and honesty. Grove's writing style is sparse and direct. He recalls events with clarity and without extensive interpretation. He gives credit to a couple of editors who helped shape the story, most notably Norman Pearlstine of Time. But this is no ghost-written CEO treatise. These are obviously his words. Some will read "Swimming Across" and conclude that it is a statement about the triumph of the American system. Grove notes near the end of the book "I've continued to be amazed by the fact that as I progressed through school and my career, no one has ever resented my success on account of my being an immigrant." While there's an element of that, I think you'll see it more as a simple but brilliant testament to the Power of One Man. Long live Andy Grove.
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Life under communism as preparation for corporate success, Nov. 6 2002
Andrew Grove was a founder of Intel Corporation and is the company's CEO today. His memoir tells the story of his childhood and early college years in Hungary. Grove survived World War II and emigrated to the United States following the Revolution.
Andrew's parents seem remarkably strong. His family enjoyed a comfortable life as owners of a dairy business. His father survived, improbably, a stint in a prison camp during World War II and later saw the business dissolve into state ownership. His mother's spirit kept him alive during the War. Both parents worked hard but gave Andrew what we would call "quality time." Even when money was tight, he had English and music lessons. After reading so many stories of growing-up-in-wartime-Europe, I was surprised to find myself drawn into the story. I wanted to keep reading and actually wish the book had continued into Andrew's early years. What works is Grove's straightforward, matter-of-fact style. He conveys a sense of, "I did what had to be done," with no time wasted on emotional fallout. As a result, his story can seem cold. For instance, when escaping from the Austrian countryside to Vienna, Grove and his boyhood friend decide to leave early to avoid "procedures" of the local gendarmes. They do not awaken the two girls who traveled with them from Hungary, and these girls are never mentioned again. Indeed, the only women Grove mentions are his mother, his occasional dates and -- in two sentences -- his wife and daughters. Apart from the compelling narrative, Grove's book shows how qualities of a future CEO emerge in childhood. Grove continually sought to learn and grow. At one point he even signed up for singing lessons. He had a clear sense of what he wanted and seemed to take for granted his success in school, particularly his talent for chemistry. Ironically, surviving in a Communist society turned out to be excellent preparation for capitalist corporate life. Both, for example, punish those who speak too freely. Grove's teachers predicted his success. The book's title comes from a teacher's prediction that Grove would "swim across" the river out of Hungary to success. Grove did swim across, and eventually he was able to fly.
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Swimming Across, Sep 5 2002
Par Un client
SWIMMING ACROSS is a personal & cultural memoir tracing Andrew Grove's most formative years. Beginning on the eve of Nazi Germany's invasion of his native Hungary & ending with his flight from communism to America 16 years later, it combines a child's sense of wonder with an engineer's passion for order & detail. Grove's uplifting autobiography depicts his family's struggle to survive in the face of a host of staggering obstacles. Nearly killed by scarlet fever at the age of four, forced into hiding by the Nazis in 1944, & dogged by anti-semitism, Andrew Grove's survival was nothing short of miraculous. These & other incredible trials combine to give a stirring picture of a childhood that would lead to a lifetime of unsurpassed achievement. In SWIMMING ACROSS, a true American hero reveals his origins & what it takes to survive...and to triumph.
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a book for generations to come, Mars 3 2002
It is rare that many young people ever get the chance to hear about the early life of some of the most successful business people. SWIMMING ACROSS is one the most educational and enlightening accounts of Andy Grove's life. It is a story that I intend to pass down to my future generations. Too many accounts of the lives of business people focus on the profits and losses they made or mergers and acquisitions. Andy Grove shares his early life experiences that shaped his destiny. The challenge to start from below ground level and rise to the very top proves that anyone who does not have the resources to succeed can learn to leverage themselves to achieve goals that benefit everyone. This book is should be brought into classrooms and boardrooms. Terrific READ. Too bad Amazon's maximum star limit is 5. :-) Read, learn and enjoy.
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Excellent, Fév 18 2002
The text in the book is simple and lucid. I could not help completing the book in one sitting. It is an inspiring story of a boy's triumph over hardships and personal handicap to make a good life for himself and his family. The book chronicles the period from Andy Grove's birth to his initial years in the United States.
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A bittersweet memoir, Janv. 5 2002
My sons gave me this book for Christmas, thinking that it would interest me. It certainly did - and hit me in the heart.Andy Grove opens up the secret chambers of his heart, which he has long ago sealed up. As a Hungarian-American, to me his story rings true, even down to some of the same details of his escape and journey to America (his first encounter with bananas, the troop carrier ship across the Atlantic, the Hungarian National Anthem played like a military march by the Navy band... These were my personal experiences, also.) He is also brutally honest about his personal memories. In a rare glimpse of a boy "playing with himself" or peeing down the stairwell, he shows his vulnerable side, without overplaying it. Any one of us, who grew up in Budapest can immediatley identify with him as he discovers the wonders of old fashioned apartment buildings, the Danube promenade, the City Park. He loved that city and loved the people in it. They were a comfortable nest for him. Soon, however, that nest was turned upside down, and the brutality of the extreme Arrow Cross party henchmen, and Eichman's Gestapo turning the place into living hell. His mother and he are hidden by relatives and strangers, and survive. Most of his father's family is killed in Aushwitz. After the "liberation" by Russian soldiers - with not so velied reference to the sexual abuse of his mother - the Grof family rebuilds its existence, only to be knocked down repeatedly by the Communists. During the Revolution of 1956 Andy Grove does nothing heroic - and admits honestly - and ends up escaping to the West. What is very sad for me in this account is his turning his back completely on his homeland. I understand the conflict in him, I understand the desire to banish the memories. But Andy's story, the Hungarian portion at least, is not unique. Thousands of others with identical stories maintained their contacts, kept their roots and today's Hungary is the better for it. Perhaps eventually Andy can resolve his hidden barriers and break through this final wall. He'd be most welcome by all who are inspired by his story.... and he'd feel relieved.
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Kudos From a Fellow Memoirist, Déc 23 2001
Intel was a fierce competitor throughout my career in Silicon Valley. Although I didn't respect many of Andy Grove's business practices during his tenure as Intel's leader, I take my hat off to him for writing a superb memoir."Swimming Across" is presented in a refreshing and honest manner. The scenes are vivid and all the characters come to life. Throughout the story, young Andy openly shares his fears, passions, curiosity and humility. The oppression the author endured as a child in Hungary provides a glimpse into not only the development of his work ethic but perhaps his "take no prisoners" approach in business. Andy's ability to assess people and situations were obviously developed early in his life as skills in order to survive. Andy's coming of age story is highly recommended for all readers. I didn't want to enjoy it, but "Swimming Across" won me over.
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Ce produit
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D'occasion et Neuf à partir de : CDN$ 3.01
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Accueil Amazon
