When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead by Jerry Weintraub Summary
Overview of When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead
From Elvis to Sinatra, Jerry Weintraub's memoir reveals how a street-smart kid became entertainment's ultimate dealmaker. With 4.13/5 stars on Goodreads, this persuasive storyteller's guide to persistence has Ryan Holiday asking: what could you achieve if you simply refused to quit?
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Key takeaways
A Bronx Kid Who Sold Dreams
A worthless sapphire became the most talked-about gem in America. How? Jerry Weintraub's father, Samuel, a jewelry salesman from the Bronx, gave it an exotic name-"The Star of Ardaban"-displayed it behind armed guards, generated press coverage, and eventually donated it to the Smithsonian. The publicity helped him sell his entire jewelry collection to merchants nationwide. Young Jerry watched this masterclass in creating value from nothing, learning that perception shapes reality and that every product needs a story. This wasn't deception-it was showmanship. When his father refused to buy him a coveted red James Dean jacket, insisting he earn it himself, fourteen-year-old Jerry launched a delivery business, managing a team handling everything from dry cleaning to groceries. Later, stationed in Alaska during his Air Force service, he recognized opportunity in the isolation of soldiers near the Soviet border. Working at Sachs Men's Shop, he created a beach-themed window display selling vacation packages to cold, lonely servicemen-plane tickets, hotels, beach gear, "everything but the girl." This ability to sell dreams, not just products, would define his entire career.
The Revolutionary Who Transformed Concert Touring
Building an Empire on Handshake Deals
Creating John Denver from Scratch
From Music Mogul to Hollywood Producer
The Wisdom of a Life Fully Lived
When the Curtain Falls
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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