Maura McEnaney - Willard Garvey: An Epic Life

In Praise of Willard Garvey: An Epic Life

Willard Garvey is, yes, great fun to read! What a saga; Garvey defines the term larger than life. It is a wonderful story of a tireless pioneer and entrepreneur who carried the torch for free markets and freedom to innovate all around the worldovercoming obstacles which would have made any reasonable person turn tail and run like hell. In these confusing times, it is a tale that will both entertain and, better yet, inspire. Willard Garvey has renewed my spirits.

Tom Peters, bestselling author of Thriving on Chaos, Liberation Management, In Search of Excellence (with Robert Waterman, Jr.), The Circle of Innovation and other books

Willard Garvey was a long-time friend and supporter. As the wonderful book Willard Garvey shows, he was a man of action who could never sit still very long because he had so many projects that required his attention. As his friends and family will attest, men like Willard dont come along very often. I was honored to play a small part in his life.

Robert J. Dole, former Majority Leader, United States Senate

Willard Garvey liked to say that life is a project. His own life, however, was not simply a project, but an amazing series of diverse projects, each the realization of his penchant for viewing every problem, whether private or public, as a beckoning opportunity. Living his long life at a breakneck pace till almost the very end, he left a visible legacy that included changing the skyline of his beloved Wichita, building improved housing for people in slum-ridden cities around the world, and hugely expanding the business empire he inherited from his pioneering father. For Willard, government was an intrusive problem and private enterprise a reliable solution, and his initiative never slackened as he advanced an endless stream of ideas and devoted his wealth and energies to the realization of his dreams for improving human welfare. Readers will find Maura McEnaneys book Willard Garvey: An Epic Life to be a fascinating and well-rounded account of this remarkable mans life and accomplishments.

Robert Higgs, Senior Fellow in Political Economy, The Independent Institute; Founding Editor and Editor at Large, The Independent Review; author, Crisis and Leviathan, Competition and Coercion, Delusions of Power, and other books

Willard Garvey is an engaging and motivating story about a leader who made a real difference!

Steven S. Reinemund, Dean, Wake Forest University School of Business; Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo, Inc.

Willard Garvey is a business biography of the first order. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Maura McEnaney crafts an impeccably researched but fast-moving story driven by the dynamic life of a visionary entrepreneur. Quintessentially American, Willard Garvey was one of the truly great advocates of free enterprisein the USA and abroad.

Jonathan J. Bean, Professor of History, Southern Illinois University

Willard and Jean Garvey were a joy to be around, lots of laughs during the many Chief Executives Organization trips my wife Stevie and I traveled with them. As so well discussed in the fabulous book Willard Garvey, Willard was a clever, astute businessman who enjoyed the interaction with the various businesses and entities in which he was involved. His work ethic and integrity earned him a well-deserved reputation for fairness. He was a generous and caring man, and we were proud to be counted among his friends. Spending time with the Garveys was something we looked forward to at every opportunity. I feel especially complimented to have known them and I strongly encourage others to read this inspiring book.

Karl Eller, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Eller Companies; former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Circle K Corporation

As superbly presented in the book Willard Garvey, Willard was an innovator and a risk-taker, unafraid of failure or the lessons it could teach. As this compelling biography demonstrates, he was a man with the courage of his convictionsa trait our country so desperately needs at the present hour.

Charles G. Koch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Koch Industries

Author Maura McEnaneys fascinating biography Willard Garvey illustrates how a larger-than-life American original manifested one of his favorite aphorisms, patriotism and government are two unrelated subjects. Born a veritable dust-devil from Kansas soil Garvey whirled through life with passion and purpose leaving a trail of high accomplishments and perplexed bureaucrats.

John W. Sommer, Knight Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Univ. of North Carolina, Charlotte; former Dean, School of Social Sciences, Univ. of Texas, Dallas

Willard Garvey is an inspiring biography of an iconic figure. Reading this wonderfully educational and insightful volume I recalled how Willard was a lot like Margaret Thatcher; neither one was for a moment idle, always hustling and bustling, and never stopping in their probing questions which challenged your every position. As with Margaret one always prepared hard for meetings with Willard and you knew instinctively where they stood. And just like Margaret he did not care at all what people, especially the media, thought about him as long as he knew in his heart (and mind) that what he was doing was right. Totally right. I just wonder what would have happened had Major Garvey met Oxford undergraduate Margaret Roberts (later Thatcher) when they were close neighbors in WWII. Oh, dear me, what a thought!

John Blundell, former Director General, Institute of Economic Affairs, London, England; author of Margaret Thatcher: A Portrait of the Iron Lady and Remembering Margaret Thatcher

Until my reading the fascinating book Willard Garvey and even with my having known Willard for some 60 years, I was not aware of the full range of the numerous areas in which he was involved. He truly lived An Epic Life but in addition, he was great company and fun to be with.

Nation Meyer, former Senior Chairman of the Board, First National Bank of Hutchinson

Until the book Willard Garvey, I did not know of Willards fabulous successes in real estate, related businesses and foreign investments. I only knew him as a friend and politically in which he was very formidable. He had influence with the administrations of Presidents Nixon and Ford, more than I had, and he used his influence effectively and quite frequently. I knew him as a man who got things done when I was not able to do so. Obviously I knew him very personally and pleasantly, and I recommend the book enthusiastically.

Howard H. Callaway, former U.S. Congressman; former President, Callaway Gardens Resort, Inc.

My friend Willard Garvey was a major unsung hero of the cause of liberty, the conservative movement and limited government. As accurately revealed in the fabulous book Willard Garvey, Willard was a leader who mostly operated under the publics radar quietly helping to change American public policy and laying the foundation for todays conservative movement and Tea Parties. All who love liberty and freedom under Gods laws are deeply in his debt.

Richard A. Viguerie, Chairman, ConservativeHQ.com; Chairman, American Target Advertising, Inc.; Founder and Publisher, Conservative Digest

Willard Garvey is an incredibly insightful biography of a true visionary and champion of private enterprise who not only talked the talk but walked the walk.

Harold Dick, President, Summit Group; long-time Director, Garvey Industries and Petroleum Inc.

Reading Willard Garvey: An Epic Lifeis spiritually rewarding. This biography of Willard Garvey captures the determination, joys, drama and even contradictions in the life of a great entrepreneur. The Kansas state motto