Nearly Perfect: An American Success Story
Farmer & Betty Meadows, as told to Cindy Day
Review by Alyce Wilson
Nearly Perfect is the biographical story of Bill "Farmer" and Betty Meadows and how they rose up from the coal mining towns of West Virginia to run a successful multi-million dollar landscaping and produce company in Virginia.
The story sounds ripe for the telling: rags to riches stories always fascinate us, especially since we like to read about people who rise up from seemingly impossible circumstances.
But despite the poverty of their childhoods and even a number of problems they faced over the years, the Meadows' unfailing optimism makes a successful outcome seem certain. The challenges end up seeming smaller than they are, and their life seems truly blessed. Nearly perfect, as the title would claim.
The book is told in the words of Farmer and Betty Meadows, as told to Cindy Day, who probably deferred to their own ideas of what was important.
As I was reading this book, I began to wonder who the intended audience might be. The Farmer and Betty Meadows come across as likable and warm. And yet, I thought, where is the excitement? What would interest a reader?
Finally, as I read the last chapter, where Farmer lays out his tips for successful business, I realized who would most benefit from this book. That would be fledgling entrepreneurs. While the every day reader might find the lack of drama problematic, a business person would likely be fascinated by this tale, because step by step, as they grew and expanded their business, Farmer talks about what led them to make those changes and what work was involved.
In essence, Nearly Perfect is a primer for the successful business
owner, teaching business concepts and illustrating them through real life
situations and very likable protagonists. As such, this book would be
perfect for a college level business or management course.
TurnKey Press; ISBN: 0974185841