Book summary
by Ted Turner · 3 min read
"Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise!" These words of fatherly advice helped shape Ted Turner's remarkable life, but they only begin to explain the colorful, energetic, and unique style that has made Ted into one of the most amazing personalities of our time. Along the way - among his numerous accomplishments -- Ted became one of the richest men in the world, the largest land owner in the United States, revolutionized the television business with the creation of TBS and CNN, became a champion sailor and winner of the America's Cup, and took home a World Series championship trophy in 1995 as owner of the Atlanta Braves. An innovative entrepreneur, outspoken nonconformist, and groundbreaking philanthropist, Ted Turner is truly a living legend, and now, for the first time, he reveals his personal story. From his difficult childhood to the successful launch of his media empire to the catastrophic AOL/Time Warner deal, Turner spares no details or feelings and takes the reader along on a wild and sometimes bumpy ride. You'll also hear Ted's personal take on how we can save the world...share his experiences in the dugout on the day when he appointed himself as manager of the Atlanta Braves....learn how he almost lost his life in the 1979 Fastnet sailing race (but came out the winner)...and discover surprising details about his dealings with Fidel Castro, Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Bill Gates, Jack Welch, Warren Buffett, and many more of the most influential people of the past half century.Ted also doesn't shrink from the darker and more intimate details of his life. With his usual frankness, he discusses a childhood of loneliness (he was left at a boarding school by his parents at the tender age of four), and the emotional impact of devastating losses (Ted's beloved sister died at seventeen and his hard-charging father committed suicide when Ted was still in his early twenties). Turner is also forthcoming about his marriages, including the one to Oscar-winning actress, Jane Fonda. Along the way, Ted's friends, colleagues, and family are equally revealing in their unique "Ted Stories" which are peppered throughout the book. Jane Fonda, especially, provides intriguing insights into Ted's inner drive and character. In CALL ME TED, you'll hear Ted Turner's distinctive voice on every page. Always forthright, he tells you what makes him tick and what ticks him off, and delivers an honest account of what he's all about. Inspiring and entertaining, CALL ME TED sheds new light on one of the greatest visionaries of our time.
Ted Turner’s wild ride from rebel son to media mogul and iconoclast, told in his own candid voice.
Call Me Ted offers an unfiltered look into the life and mind of Ted Turner, the visionary behind CNN and TBS. Readers will gain insight not just into his business triumphs and failures, but also his personal struggles, values, and the relentless drive that made him a transformative force in media and philanthropy. Ted Turner is the founder of CNN, TBS, and a host of other media ventures, as well as an owner of major sports teams and a leading philanthropist. His firsthand experience as a pioneering entrepreneur and public figure makes his insights both credible and compelling.
Turner’s early life was marked by family tragedy and a complicated relationship with his father, whose suicide left a profound impact. Rather than succumbing to these hardships, Turner channeled his pain into ambition, developing a thick skin and a willingness to take risks. This resilience became the bedrock for his later successes and his ability to weather public failures, showing how personal adversity can fuel extraordinary achievement.
Turner revolutionized the television industry by envisioning and creating the first 24-hour cable news network, CNN, and pioneering the concept of 'superstations' with TBS. His willingness to defy conventional wisdom and invest in untested ideas reshaped how information and entertainment reached audiences, setting the stage for the global, real-time news culture we know today.
Turner’s career is a study in audacity—both its rewards and its risks. His aggressive expansion, high-profile sports team ownership, and massive philanthropic pledges reflect a personality that thrives on big bets. Yet, the disastrous AOL/Time Warner merger also illustrates how boldness, unchecked by caution, can lead to spectacular setbacks. Turner’s story is a nuanced meditation on risk-taking and humility.
A consistent theme in Turner’s life is his refusal to fit the mold, whether in business, media, or personal conduct. His outspoken, sometimes controversial stances—on everything from environmentalism to religion—set him apart and often attracted criticism. Turner’s unapologetic individuality underscores the value of authenticity in leadership and the importance of challenging the status quo.
Turner’s $1 billion pledge to the United Nations epitomizes his belief that those with means have a duty to act on a global scale. His philanthropic philosophy is rooted in the same boldness that defined his business ventures, aiming for impact over incrementalism. The book explores both the motivations and the complexities of giving at such a scale, and how philanthropy can be both a legacy and a responsibility.
Despite his public persona as a brash tycoon, Turner’s memoir reveals vulnerability—his struggles with relationships, regrets, and the search for meaning beyond wealth. This human dimension invites readers to see the costs and contradictions of relentless ambition, and to reflect on what constitutes true fulfillment.
Call Me Ted is more than a business memoir; it’s a candid exploration of what it takes to defy expectations, weather setbacks, and leave a mark on the world. Turner’s story is both a cautionary tale and an inspiration, offering readers a raw, entertaining, and thought-provoking look at the costs and rewards of living boldly.
“Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise!”
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