Measure of a Life: Memoirs, Insights and Philosophies of LeRoy E. Hoffberger

LeRoy E. Hoffberger’s Measure of a Life pushes the entrepreneurial autobiography to new levels of tedium. Rendered in a plodding, analytical style better suited to the drawing up of financial reports, it offers only fleeting glimpses into the mind of a man whose undeniable intelligence falls squarely outside the arena of literary entertainment. Eighty-three years old at the time of writing, Hoffberger has written something that is, in the least, an exemplary demonstration of long-distance recall.

His memory of details is, for better or for worse, impressive, but his attitude is another question. While admirably modest in spell, and ever ready to confess his human flaws (his account of his depression is both candid and courageous, albeit dry), he rarely misses an opportunity for self-congratulation. Indeed, with such a diverse, and occasionally impressive, career, there is a lot to be proud of here. Yet, far too often, the reader is left feeling that s/he is meant to be dazzled by astonishing revenues and big numbers; the reality is that some of us are looking for a little more.