Peterman Rides Again: Adventures Continue With The Real 'J. Peterman' Through Life & The Catalog Business

The Story

Now the real John Peterman steps from behind his persona in a candid memoir that interweaves the rise and fall of the J. Peterman Company with a recounting of the unusual life experiences that shaped the man himself.Starting with a $500 investment and one product -- an ankle-length, cowboy-style duster coat bought on impulse in Jackson Hole, Wyoming -- Peterman built a $75 million company. His unconventional 'Owner's Manual' catalog used long, literate copy and artful watercolors instead of photos to surround his wares -- whether a Navy watch cap or a deck bench from the Titanic -- with an aura of adventure and romance. Then came a cash-flow crisis, Chapter 11 . . . and a harrowing personal and professional reassessment.Through autobiographical anecdotes (including his early years with the Pittsburgh Pirates), Peterman explains how to turn dreams into action, find courage to go beyond the conventional, and be part of a team without sacrificing individuality. He shows how true passion anddrive are not defeated by failure, but used as a stepping stone to the next venture.For anyone starting, growing, or running a business, Pete