Book Review
“Without Risk There’s No Reward” by Robert Mayer
Legendary Business Tycoon Robert Mayer’s book, “Without Risk There’s No Reward,” is a delightful read–entertaining, educating and inspiring. It also would be a good supplemental text book for university business courses.
In easily understandable language, it flows from the “ground floor” of his life through his trials and tribulations, his loves and his lessons, his grief and his greatness. The fascinating story is chock-full of humor, i.e., “Nobody wants to be around a decomposing corpse, especially in Las Vegas heat and especially when they’re on vacation.”
He candidly describes his frustrations and follies, including a slapstick episode in Las Vegas involving a motel called “Mirage,” his own “Mirage Hotel & Casino” and the proposed “Steve Wynn’s Mirage.” Mayer’s humble rise from a day laborer to one of the nation’s largest developers, includes the inside story of his role in creating Huntington Beach’s beautiful Waterfront Hilton and Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa–both of which have helped make HB a major tourist destination.
He tells about the people crucial to his success, from relatives (who are pictured in a special section) to Steve Bone, an attorney he got to join him in the fun and challenge of creating HB’s best known hotels. (Today, Bone is head of the Huntington Beach Marketing and Visitors Bureau.)
You’ll be surprised by the stories Mayer shares and intrigued by the photos in this roller-coaster ride of a book that’s hard to put down. (Reviewed by Debbie Stock)
