A Passion to Win
By Sumner Redstone
$26
ISBN 0684862247

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Sumner Redstone's Passion to Win

In his new book, A Passion to Win, Viacom CEO Sumner Redstone describes the determined climb that took him to the top of the business world and earned him a reputation as one of its toughest dealmakers. From a small movie theater business, Redstone built a media empire that now owns CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and Simon & Schuster, which is publishing this new autobiography. In the exchange below, Redstone answers a few questions about the book and his no-holds-barred management style.

In the book's prologue you describe the 1979 fire at Boston's Copley Plaza Hotel that almost cost you your life. A lot of people seem to think that near-death experience somehow transformed you and made your subsequent success possible. What's your reaction when you hear that?

Actually, I only think about the fire when someone asks me about it. The theory about the fire's transformative effect on my life is too convenient. The fire did not transform my character or my personality. Those traits existed before the fire and they exist today. While it is true that some of the most exciting things that have happened to me in my professional life occurred after the fire, they did not occur because of the fire.

You say you love Viacom's successes and are stung by its failures. What do you consider the company's greatest success and greatest failure?

The greatest success, by far, was the 1987 takeover of Viacom. It was the foundation for everything that has happened since -- all of our remarkable growth. Blockbuster's trouble several years ago was a big disappointment, certainly, but that setback provided us with an opportunity to turn the company around and now it is doing better than ever.

At an age when most businessmen have retired you're still going strong. Your acquisition of CBS has made Viacom the second largest media conglomerate. What keeps you going? Do you ever plan to retire?

My passion for Viacom keeps me going. I see no reason to retire. I'm having too good a time.

What's your biggest goal yet to be accomplished?

Well, you mentioned that we are the second largest media company. I have always liked the number one.

One of your greatest achievements has been in building Viacom's management team. What do you look for in an executive?

I look for great character, loyalty, trust and, of course, competence, in an executive. Our team's success comes from the fact that we all really like and respect each other. We are extremely collaborative. We all feel that Viacom is a unique place to work.

What do you want readers to get out of this book?

The desire to tap into their own passion for life and a sense of where this passion could lead them.

A Passion to Win is available in hardcover ($26, ISBN 0684862247), audio cassette ($18, ISBN 0743518217) and CD ($24, ISBN 0742508599).