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  • Tom Hartley

  • The Dealmaker
  • By: Tom Hartley
  • Narrated by: Paul Wilson
  • Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (43 ratings)
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Tom Hartley cover art

Tom Hartley

By: Tom Hartley
Narrated by: Paul Wilson
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Summary

The car world is full of fascinating characters, but few have a story to tell quite as remarkable and inspirational as Tom Hartley.

Walking out of school at the age of 11, unable to read or write, Hartley set up his own business buying and selling cars. From that moment on, he defied logic and ripped up the rule book on his way to the top. Today, he runs one of the most successful independent, family-run luxury, performance, and classic car businesses in the world, and has built up an unrivalled reputation as "The Dealmaker". 

Tom has been at the top for over 40 years, survived and thrived through four recessions, and overcome three life-threatening illnesses. In his own brutally honest words, Hartley tells his gripping story of a boy from a traditional Romany family who swapped the classroom for the cutthroat world of Glasgow's car auctions, buying and selling his first car at the age of 12. Having decided to drive himself around illegally, he was only 15 when he had his first car crash, and they don’t come more spectacular than writing off a Ferrari Dino - nothing has ever been normal in the world of Tom Hartley! 

Hartley had made his first million by the age of 17, but soon suffered major setbacks as his business went bust, and he found himself at risk of losing his sight without major surgery. Hartley started all over again, living in a mobile home with his wife and working from the back of a car. He had gone from hero to zero, but his burning desire to be the best saw him climb his way back to the top. His ability to clinch deals in some of the most bizarre places has become legendary, like buying a car in a sauna while stuck in a traffic jam on a motorway and even in a swimming pool!

This is not just a book for car enthusiasts, but for anyone who has dared to dream. It’s a story that will inspire and motivate and proves you can make the wildest dream come true if you want it badly enough.

©2020 Veloce Publishing Ltd. (P)2020 Veloce Publishing Ltd.

What listeners say about Tom Hartley

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing story, motivated me to want more and work harder

Working in the motor trade myself it was completely resonated with me the buzz and how much this could be me in the future. From a young age seeing how Tom overcome so much to have what he has today. Motivated me and added a goal of buying a car from him or Carl from the showroom. The real deal maker has an amazing story and I loved every moment of listening to the book. Currently listening to it again because was so much to take away from it.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Avoid

Wish I read the reviews before buying, this dull, self-indulgent book. How many times can you shoehorn in - I made a million before 17! I think this book was a pure money making exercise.

“I don’t borrow money to fund my business” in the next breath he is paying family members loans back!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
  • mr
  • 30-04-23

Save your money!

Self deprecation, errrrrr, No!! This book is, well, I’d say best described as very Janet & John!!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

'my life in a book' great... but who are you

A vaguely interesting listen on a long car journey... about a guy that crashed cars, sold cars, and was apparently 'famous'... although I suspect largely in his own mind... very little of interest to take away from this book TBH, not terrible but had I had something better to do than dodge cats-eyes I would have done that rather than finish this one... yawn.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

My dream is to one day buy from Tom Hartley cars.
With this comes 2 dreams, because to get to that point, I will know that I ticked off the first dream, ‘i am successful’

Thank you for this book Tom.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Legendary and Inspirational Tom Hartley

In my lifetime I’ve been fortunate to meet a number of automotive greats including Jim Moran, H Wayne Huizenga, John Staluppi and many others. As founder and CEO of Billionaire Magazine I’m fortunate to be able to meet such icons from many different industries. Tom Hartley will always stand out heads and shoulders above them all. For Tom is a living legend who epitomises the word inspiration and the story of triumph over adversity. I have never seen a work ethic like his. He is simply incredible and I’m honoured to know him.

Lawrence Colbert, CEO
Billionaire Magazine

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

The worst autobiography ever?

I don’t know where to start except advising you not to bother with this one. The narration is enough to send anyone to sleep, flat monotone and completely uninspiring.

The story is completely lacking in any detail of merit. I met x and he was nice, I met y and he knows lots about cars, I met z and he’s very successful. Not story, no depth no personality.

A particular favourite line is that and I quote “she was one of only a few UK business women that I respect”… Yet during his dull fest of a tale he has more than enough respect for 100s of men… misogyny and outdatedness at its finest.

The annoying part is that I’ve had friends who have bought and sold cars with Tom and he’s a perfectly likeable guy, it’s just this story doesn’t deliver.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

INSPIRING ..!!

Great listen. Didn't want it to end. Another book please TH? Really inspiring book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book

Great Book, Highly Recommend this not just to anyone who likes cars or supercars. Just shows you never give up.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good Listen

Tom Hartley has a very interesting story. I usually listen to business/marketing/leadership books so gave this a go for a bit of easy listening. The first half is great as Tom gives a really interesting account of his early years and the ups and downs of building a business. For me it loses its way a bit in the middle as he talks about people he has met and has family members giving their perspectives on him as a person however then returns to some good insights on building a business. It’s almost like this has been written by him as a legacy for future generations of his family, which is totally fine, and probably worth a listen to outsiders for the first half alone.

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