Belén's Review

Was happy to hear what really happened in Mr. Selfridge's life in the book which was more detailed, of course than in the PBS Series. Overall it was done very very well. I was pleased that the story was told as honest as possible, and what lead me to that conclusion was when numerous times it was said, "nobody knew what was really going on in his mind". Or something to that effect..Unless somebody was bold enough to keep asking.....nobody really knew. The performance was excellent also.
I will definitely share this book with family and friends. Also thankful that somebody took the time to research the life of this amazing, phenomenal minded man, who's personal problems and addictions are not so very unusual...as other rich and poor normal human beings, we are always searching because of that hole in our hearts...that emptiness that drives us to satisfy that empty feeling, pain, despair, or whatever unsettledness we may feel. My only hope and prayer for Mr.Selfridge is that somebody shared John 3:16 (for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life) to him and at least gave him the opportunity to SIMPLY accept Jesus into his heart as his personal Savior. Romans 10:9,10
Thank you for an excellent overall performance.

8 people found this helpful

modern marketing 101

Where does Mr Selfridge rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Up at the top. It has been a while since I have listened to a book that both entertained and, informed me.

What did you like best about this story?

The book was a journey through turn of the 20th century England and, to an extent Europe and the US. Mr. Selfridge kept me on my toes as he did his staff and, the shoppers of a now forgotten age. Did you know that television was invented and indeed used in the 1930's. In Mr. Selfridtge I saw woman's fashion tuned on its head from a dress that did not dare show an ankle to one that barely covered necessities. Every time we are entertained by newpaper ads filled with the latest gadgets Harry Selfridge lives behind them. We can blame him as well for our forming wants rather than needs. It is also a cautionary tale as he skipped across the wild and extravagent jewel filled hedonistic life of his middle years to end up as an old man whose only riches were his memories. But what memories they were. Mr. Selfridge was a well loved and considerate boss but he never provided his employees with any sort of a retirement plan. He felt that they should each provide their own. He never followed his own advise. Harry Selfridge was in many, many respects not a nice man. He was one of the most complex individuals I have met in books for many a year.He was the little boy who was very, very good or horrid.

Which scene was your favorite?

Too many favorites. The TV show cannot give the full extent of his escapades. I would have loved to have seen his office window which was signed with a diamond tipped pen. Every celebrity who visited his store signed the window. it was distroyed in a bombing in WW2.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, too much. Like eating a rich dessert all at once.

Any additional comments?

If you like history and are fond of rogues this is the book for you. Kudos to suthor Woodhead for her excellent, tntensive research.

3 people found this helpful

Interesting and very well written

The narrator did an excellent job reading this lively, chatty history of the extraordinary Mr. Selfridge.

2 people found this helpful

Wonderfully woven story of the history of Retail magic

Worth even moment to hear the crossing paths of a man born in a rural town of WI with the global elite and the birth of modern day retailing practices.

2 people found this helpful

your everyday siesta

For those of us who long for a creative siesta through history, Mr. Selfridge offers a unique combination of radical emotional intelligence, before-his-time ethical approaches to marketing and management, and an off-the-charts eye for entertainment. He perfected the art of the first mover advantage and this story offers a besutiful perspective on why he did what he did. Every detail is important.

A Boring Recitation of Facts

It's hard to see how the creators of the TV show saw such a great drama in this crushing bore of a biography. Nevertheless, they did. The show may have been fluffed up a bit, but it did a better job of bringing the man to life. If you're really interested in the true story of a retail magnate, this is probably closer to it. If you want to be entertained, watch the show.

Very Good

I am interested in the TV series so this book provided excellent further information. The TV series is very close to the book and the characters as described in this here. It is very well researched and written. The narration is good also.