The Bill Cook Story

by Hammel, Bob

• ISBN13: 9780253352545
• ISBN10: 0253352541
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-10-01
• Publisher: Indiana Univ Pr

Summary

Bill Cook epitomizes the American success story. His business ventures in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, genetics, real estate, retail management, and travel services have made him a billionaire. Yet, Cook continues to lead a modest life, involving himself in a variety of philanthropic activities that have included historic preservation and even a marching band. This riveting story is the first-ever biography of the entrepreneur who, working from the spare bedroom of his Bloomington, Indiana, apartment in 1963 with a $1,500 investment, began to construct the wire guides, needles, and catheters that would become the foundation of the global multi-billion-dollar Cook Group. Biographer Bob Hammel, with extraordinary access to Cook, his files, and his associates, has created a vivid portrait of this modern, multidimensional Horatio Alger - quirky humour, widely varied interests, and all. Informative and inspiring, this book celebrates an exceptional self-made individual.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
A Day in a Life	p. 1
Kidnapping	p. 2
The Life	p. 23
Playing in Peoria	p. 27
The Canton High Years	p. 41
A Wide Gold Band	p. 51
Road to Bloomington	p. 68
Bedroom Beginning	p. 79
Ain't but One Bill Cook	p. 91
Moving Up	p. 97
An Ow, a Bow-Wow, a Hoosegow	p. 107
Team Taking Shape	p. 112
Taking Flight	p. 127
Foothold in Europe	p. 135
Doctors	p. 147
Stents and Suits	p. 163
Health	p. 173
The Guidant Fiasco	p. 186
The Band Director	p. 195
Philosophy	p. 202
Religion	p. 214
Politics	p. 221
Cook Clinic	p. 239
The Bill Cook Plan for America	p. 248
The Day Revisited	p. 255
Kidnapping Redux	p. 256
The Future	p. 277
Wealth	p. 313
Power and Opportunity	p. 315
Rising Stars	p. 326
Restorations	p. 362
A Good Time in Our Lives	p. 389
Acknowledgments	p. 395
Sources and Notes	p. 399
Index	p. 403
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.