A Curious Discovery: An Entrepreneur's Story

(Hardback)

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A Curious Discovery is one of the most complete and honest accounts of entrepreneurship and the building of a giant corporation ever written. Media visionary John Hendricks takes the reader on his unforgettable journey from founding Discovery Communications over a breakfast table to establishing the organization as the world's largest provider of television content. Hendricks tells this remarkable storyfrom the triumphs to the failureswith unflinching candor. In the process, he shares what he's learned over the past three decades, from the obstacles and successes of the early years to the very real and very different challenges that exist today. The result is not only a powerful autobiography and corporate history, but also a valuable primer for all budding entrepreneurs.

A Curious Discovery goes behind the scenes, telling the fascinating stories of some of the network's most popular shows: Deadliest Catch, Mythbusters, The Crocodile Hunter, Planet Earth, Dirty Jobs, and Trading Spaces. It also draws lessons from the network's setbacks, including the unsuccessful collaboration with the New York Times, and explains the company's high-profile decisions, such as Discovery's partnership with Oprah Winfrey and OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network.

Hendricks reveals that his achievements would not have been possible without one crucial factor that has informed his life since childhood: curiosity. Ever eager to learn, to uncovereven to take enormous riskshis questioning mind has guided his development and success, and continues to shape his outlook today as he works to improve education around the world.

Reviews

"John Hendricks' story is quintessentially American, and yet he ended up bringing to millions the diversity and excitement of the world. In A CURIOUS DISCOVERY he tells a terrific story rooted in the 20th Century but exploding into the 21st." -- Robert Redford "A CURIOUS DISCOVERY is a fascinating look at our ever-evolving media landscape and a practical guide for purpose-driven, made-in-America prosperity." -- Bill Clinton

Author Bio

John S. Hendricks is the founder of Discovery Communications, the world's number one nonfiction media company, and serves as chairman of the Board of Directors. Hendricks has been the driving force behind the company's dramatic growth, including the expansion of Discovery Communications from its core property, Discovery Channel, to current global operations in more than 215 countries with 150 networks, among them TLC, Animal Planet, and Science. He lives in Maryland.