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Let It Go
- My Extraordinary Story - from Refugee to Entrepreneur to Philanthropist
- Narrated by: Rachel Atkins
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
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Let It Go
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Summary
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Let It Go by Dame Stephanie Shirley, read by Rachel Atkins.
A moving memoir from a woman who made a fortune in a man's world and then gave it all away...soon to be turned into a film
In 1962, Stephanie 'Steve' Shirley created a software company when the concept of software barely existed. Freelance Programmers employed women to work on complex projects such as Concorde's black box recorder from the comfort of their own homes.
Shirley empowered a generation of women in technology, giving them unheard of freedom to choose their own hours and manage their own workloads. The business thrived, and Shirley gradually transferred ownership to her staff, creating 70 millionaires in the process.
Let It Go explores Shirley's trailblazing career as an entrepreneur, but it also charts her incredible personal story - her dramatic arrival in England as an unaccompanied Kindertransport refugee during World War Two and the tragic loss of her only child, who suffered severely from autism.
Today, Dame Stephanie Shirley is one of Britain's leading philanthropists, devoting most of her time, energy and wealth to charities that are close to her heart. In Let It Go, Shirley tells her inspirational story and explains why giving her wealth away - letting it go - has brought her infinitely more happiness and fulfilment than acquiring it in the first place.
Critic reviews
"An extraordinary tale of creativity and resilience." (Guardian)
"This engrossing story of an extraordinary life is filled with lessons in what it means to be human." (Financial Times)
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What listeners say about Let It Go
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 24-04-23
A rollercoaster of emotions
I came across this book after listening to a podcast featuring the author. She really hooked me with the overall story of her amazing journey so I bought the book
A truly amazing story, although I did get lost in some of the business details and the finite details of deals.
As many questions raised as were answered but truly an inspiring lady
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tony Jennings
- 16-04-22
Excellent story and beautifully read
I enjoyed listening right through to the end, no part was boring, super life story.
The narrator was excellent, clear, concise and with feeling
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- D J Cooke
- 15-03-23
Authentic and inspirational
It is incredibly to imagine so much squeezed into one lifetime.
Outstanding narration and storytelling.
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- Cathy
- 30-01-22
Some woman for one woman
Incredible story. I hadn’t heard of Stephanie before, I don’t know how I hadn’t. I think her Ted talk was referenced by our ceo and I was intrigued. A real entrepreneur and philanthropist. She has filled her life with positive work and support for others. An inspiration.
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- Anonymous User
- 28-06-23
What a force!
I enjoyed listening to her incredible, and very detailed, story - thank goodness her mother was strong enough to let her go as she has made such a positive difference to so many lives. Her drive and determination- and slightly repetitive writing style - leaves me wondering whether she is also a very high functioning “Asperger “ (a term now not used so much) lady, as so many geniuses have proved to be.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Giuliana Nuzzo
- 26-06-20
An incredible life story from an amazing woman!
This book is an inspiration for all women from all ages, all walks of life and specially for mothers. Thank you!
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- Eliza Kettner
- 02-02-23
What an inspiration!
They just don’t make them like Steve Shirley anymore… A nail-biting odyssey of a Jewish refugee’s transformation into an international IT pioneer. But what got me the most was the deeply moving storyline about her autistic son.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 24-02-23
Didn't want this one to end....
Loved this so much! Such an incredible book from such a wonderful woman. So inspirational.
I had never even heard of Dame Stephanie Shirley two weeks ago but came across her as a guest on a podcast. After listening to the podcast, I suspected I might enjoy her book but I had no idea how much I warm to her and her story. Absolutely amazing. I was sorry to finish the book but will 'Let it go' and carry the inspiration I gained from it into my everyday life, giving what I can when I can.
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- ksims
- 22-06-20
Dame Stephanie Shirley
A truly amazing life story. An inspiration for us all. Very well written and a pleasant voice to listen to. I wished I had the opportunity to have met Dame Shirley who has certainly left a remarkable foot print on this planet, thank you!
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- Louise
- 09-07-22
Everyone should read this book
Inspirational beyond words. What a woman. She tells her astonishing story of loss, achievement, suffering, love, pain - so fluently.
Bravely put by her parents in the late thirties on a Kindertransport train from Austria to UK at the age of 5, she overcame obstacle after obstacle throughout her life, with inspirational courage, turning disappointment, hurt and pain into something to learn from and motivate - ending up as one of the greatest philanthropists of our time. I wish I knew her. A life ethic to emulate
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