“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 world—overcoming 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 Garveyhas 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 don’t come along very often. I was honored to play a small part in his life.”

—Bob 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 McEnaney’s book Willard Garvey: An Epic Life to be a fascinating and well-rounded account of this remarkable man’s 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 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 enterprise—in 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 convictions—a trait our country so desperately needs at the present hour.”

—Charles G. Koch, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Koch Industries, Inc.