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Sam Walton: Made In America

sam walton john huey

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As Sam Walton himself said, this is "...a story about entrepreneurship, and risk, and hard work, and knowing where you want to go and being willing to do what it takes to get there. And it's a story about believing in your idea even when maybe some other folks don't, and about sticking to your guns." It's the story of how Walton parlayed a single dime store in a hardscrabble cotton town into Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world. The undisputed merchant king of the late twentieth century, he never lost the common touch. Here Walton tells his extraordinary story in his own inimitable words. Genuinely modest, but always sure of his ambitions and achievements, Walton shares his thinking in a candid, straight-from-the-shoulder style.
"Here is an extraordinary success story about a man whose empire was built not with smoke and mirrors, but with good old-fashioned elbow grease."

346 pages, Paperback

First published June 1,1993

This edition

Format
346 pages, Paperback
Published
June 1, 1993 by BANTAM BOOKS
ISBN
9780553562835
ASIN
B006U1T9JQ
Language
English

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About the author

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sam walton

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Samuel Moore Walton was an American business magnate best known for founding the retailers Walmart and Sam's Club, which he started in Rogers, Arkansas and Midwest City, Oklahoma in 1962 and 1983 respectively. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. grew to be the world's largest corporation by revenue as well as the biggest private employer in the world. For a period of time, Walton was the richest person in the United States. His family has remained the richest family in the U.S. for several consecutive years, with a net worth of around US$240.6 billion as of January 2022. In 1992 at the age of 74, Walton died of blood cancer and was laid to rest at the Bentonville Cemetery in his longtime home of Bentonville, Arkansas.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
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100 reviews All reviews
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LanieStyle
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Like the autobiographies of other successful Americans, it is not easy to directly relate to the specific events that have been narrated. However, the essence within makes a great deal of sense.

The "Walmart" man, Sam Walton, also focuses on being passionate to the extent of bordering on obsessive. This unwavering passion is what drives him and his company forward. He strongly emphasizes the crucial need to communicate effectively with the team and the partners. This principle holds true in any situation, whether it's in the business world or in our daily lives.

Everyone yearns for appreciation and recognition for their good work. This is something that not only businesses but also the bureaucracy should practice. When people feel valued and recognized, it can have a significant impact and can even be a game-changer.

All in all, Sam Walton's autobiography is a highly readable book that is filled with numerous valuable messages from a true practitioner. It offers insights and lessons that can be applied by anyone looking to achieve success in their own endeavors.
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louino0w0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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WalMart is an extremely interesting book that details how WalMart grew into one of the largest supermarket chains in the United States.

It's quite fascinating to read that some of the things we also apply probably have their origin in WalMart. For example, in one store, they had a lot of trouble with theft. Instead of posting a security guard at the door, they chose to greet every customer. As a result, the customer feels noticed and also knows that they are being watched.

Furthermore, the 10 rules for WalMart's success are a great summary.

1. Be loyal to the company.

2. Share your profits (not applicable for me).

3. Motivate, as money and ownership alone are not enough.

4. Communicate as much as possible.

5. Appreciate everything that colleagues do for you.

6. Share and celebrate successes.

7. Listen to everyone.

8. Exceed the expectations of your customers.

9. Keep your expenses under control.

10. Swim upstream (don't choose the usual path).

These rules offer valuable insights into the strategies and principles that have contributed to WalMart's remarkable success.

By following these guidelines, businesses can potentially enhance their own performance and achieve greater heights in the competitive marketplace.

Overall, this book provides a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for anyone interested in the world of business and retail.
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neeJay
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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This is the remarkable journey of Wal-Mart's evolution, starting from its humble inception and gradually transforming into the colossal behemoth that it is today. The author has vividly detailed how he made the crucial choices that laid the foundation for Wal-Mart's success and how, with the invaluable assistance of his partners - the store associates, he managed to nurture and grow the company.

There are numerous management lessons that can be gleaned from this book. It serves as an excellent read for any business student eager to soak up knowledge, for the aspiring entrepreneur looking for inspiration and practical guidance, and for anyone who dreams of getting ahead in life through sheer hard work - and it takes a great deal of it!

The story of Wal-Mart's growth is not only about business acumen and strategic decisions but also about the power of teamwork and the importance of treating every individual in the organization with respect and appreciation.

It offers valuable insights into how to build a successful business from the ground up, how to adapt to changing market conditions, and how to maintain a customer-centric approach in all aspects of the operation.

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the secrets behind the success of one of the world's largest and most influential companies.
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yuurei_tokyo
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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This book offers a super easy read that is filled with numerous interesting anecdotes and valuable lessons related to business and achieving success in general.

It is quite surprisingly candid in certain aspects, which makes it all the more engaging. However, one must definitely take some of the things mentioned with a grain of salt.

If you are working in the retail industry or have a desire to start your own company, this book is truly worthwhile. It provides insights and perspectives that can prove to be extremely beneficial in your professional journey.

The author's ability to share real-life stories and draw meaningful lessons from them makes this book a great resource for anyone looking to enhance their business acumen and achieve success.

Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, there is something in this book for everyone. So, if you are looking for an easy-to-read yet informative book on business and success, this one is definitely worth checking out.
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fragariamemories
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I decided to read this book with a specific intention in mind. I was eager to gain in-depth knowledge about the world of business, particularly when it comes to opening retail stores. I had heard about the renowned entrepreneur, Sam Walton, quite some time ago. He was once the richest man in the world, which piqued my curiosity even further.


The book offers a captivating account of his business journey, filled with exciting and hitherto untold stories. It delves into his arduous struggles in the business realm, as well as his relationships with various aspects of his life. We get a glimpse into his family life, his partnerships, his associations with employees, and his interactions with competitors.


One of the most interesting aspects of the book is the revelation of the 10 rules that Sam Walton attributed to his business success. These rules provide valuable insights and serve as a guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. Additionally, he elaborated on numerous creative and novel ideas that he implemented to grow his business. Instead of relying on old traditional ways, he was constantly innovating and thinking outside the box.

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Blackwolff
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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**Title: The Inspiring Story of Sam Walton and Walmart**

In 2013 (updated several times since), it's important to note that the enormous Walmart corporation was founded and grew to great heights by one remarkable individual, Sam Walton. This book is his personal and business account, and I highly recommend it!

My 14-year-old son and I listened to the audio version, and it was truly amazing. There were very few instances where Walton deviated from libertarian principles, as far as I could tell. His detailed explanations of how to motivate people and help them thrive in the constantly changing marketplace were outstanding.

Of course, he provides a charming and folksy description of the history of Walmart, which was built with the help of countless associates. The story is filled with interesting comments from his family, top Walmart employees, and others. The book is never dull and seems very fair. He admits to making many mistakes, which is refreshing to see. He doesn't come across as arrogant at all, but rather as a strong-willed person with almost limitless energy and focus on the business.

The various tactics he used to motivate Walmart team members and attract customers with good value were a joy to hear. My son also seemed to appreciate them. In fact, he looked forward to listening to more of the book during our daily drives to and from school for several weeks. The positive, can-do attitude that shines through the book is something that more people could benefit from, including myself. I often recommend this book. The only thing I regret is that it took me about 15-18 years from when my wife first recommended it to me until I finally got the audio version and listened to it.

In 2020-09-29, while cleaning out my office, I found my notes from when I was listening to the CDs. Here are some parts that I thought were cool or at least valuable: His motto for his early stores was "Buy it low. Stack it high. Sell it cheap!" He had the "personality of a promoter (ala PT Barnum) but the soul of an organizer/back office mgr." He was "In for the long haul" NOT for the short term. His emphasis on the presence of change in the world, throughout the book, and that it was essential, positive, and difficult, combined with the rest of the book's background and insights, make me believe that this book is far superior to the simpler but perhaps more famous "Who Moved My Cheese" book.
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reenfp
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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The book of Sam Walton, the founder of Wall-Mart, is a classic biography of a highly successful businessman.

This book, along with the one written by Howard Schultz from Starbucks, is regarded as a MUST READ for all retailers. It helps one understand what success truly means and how much it typically costs.

I would highly recommend this book to all business founders and owners. Here are the ideas that I really liked in the book:

1. A hands-on approach to his business, reaching down to each store and business unit, even if you are the top manager.

2. Sam's attitude towards his subordinates and the corporate culture of support in the company. For example, if he discovered that a manager in the company was not communicative with his team, that person would be dismissed shortly.

3. Sam's confidence in his success from his childhood. As he said, he couldn't even think about failure.

4. The culture of Wall-Mart that assumes constant change and development. \"...We are always ready to give away all achievements and start from scratch...\"

5. Wall is quoting Rockefeller - Any right is responsibility, any opportunity is liability, and any ownership is debt. By this, he emphasized the importance of debt financing in building equity.

Overall, this book provides valuable insights into the mind and strategies of a highly successful entrepreneur.
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SuRgEoN0fDeAtH
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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2 out of 5 - it was okay-ish.


While reading this book, I did jot down a few notes of some interesting quotes. However, aside from that, it's just another ordinary "business book". Sam Walton indeed built a discount empire, which is a fact. But unfortunately, this book fails to convey anything that can be directly applied in real life.


Sure, one could attempt to connect the dots and try to derive some general truths from it. But the thing is, this could be done with any book, not just business-related ones. In essence, this is simply a story about Walmart and nothing more. It lacks the depth and practicality that one would expect from a truly great business book.


Maybe for those who are extremely interested in the history of Walmart, this book might hold some value. But for the average reader looking for useful business insights and strategies, it falls short.

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