The Bill Cook Story: Ready, Fire, Aim!

Bill Cook epitomizes the American success story. His business ventures in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, genetics, real estate, retail management, and travel services have made him a billionaire. Yet, Cook continues to lead a modest life, involving himself in a variety of philanthropic activities that have included historic preservation and even a marching band. This riveting story is the first-ever biography of the entrepreneur who, working from the spare bedroom of his Bloomington, Indiana, apartment in 1963 with a $1,500 investment, began to construct the wire guides, needles, and catheters that would become the foundation of the global multi-billion-dollar Cook Group. Biographer Bob Hammel, with extraordinary access to Cook, his files, and his associates, has created a vivid portrait of this modern, multidimensional Horatio Alger--quirky humor, widely varied interests, and all. Informative and inspiring, this book celebrates an exceptional self-made individual.

The subject of this biography, Bill Cook, is said to 'epitomize the American success story'. From the early days of conducting business from the spare bedroom in his apartment, Cook built up a global multi-billion dollar business. So far, so American Pie. But the twist in the tale is that Cook continued to live a modest life and spends his money on a wide array of philanthropic causes, from historic preservation to marching bands. Whilst it seems a bit of an exaggeration to suggest this is typical (most super-wealthy givers seem comfortable being simultaneously conspicuous consumers and philanthropic), it is always fascinating to gain insights into the life and thoughts of notable donors. Given unlimited access to the subject and his wife, the author is able to paint a particularly intimate portrait, albeit one that is written in a style that never lets the reader forget his day job as a sports journalist. Readers will either like or loathe Hammel's writing style - breathlessly short sections, bullet-pointed paragraphs and a plot-driven account full of narrative tricks - but those who stick with the text will emerge with many insights into the mind of a generous, though probably atypical, American businessman.Beth Breeze, Publications Editor, Philanthropy UK Newsletter, September 2008, Issue 34

"Bill Cook is a great American success story.... Not only is Cook's journey from garage tinkerer to extraordinary wealth a great yarn, it reveals interesting lessons in how success is achieved and how it is defined.... I learned a lot from him." --Angelo Pizzo, writer and producer, Hoosiers Indiana University Press Indiana University Press

"Bill Cook's amazing life and career become both fascinating and inspirational in the hands of Bob Hammel. A must-read biography." --Michael Koryta, novelist

"Thanks to Hammel, Cook as inventor, entrepreneur, preservationist, and philanthropist truly comes to life--and readers come to know a fascinating Hoosier and American." --Robert Schmuhl, author of In So Many Words

"The Bill Cook Story is as exciting as any championship series. Told by a master storyteller, the narrative sweeps the reader through the personal and private lives of Bill and Gayle Cook." --Indiana Magazine of History, Vol. 106, no. 4, December 2010

"Hammel's engaging book is a tribute to a remarkable man." --Bloomington Herald Times Indiana University Press

"... Given unlimited access to the subject and his wife, the author is able to paint a particularly intimate portrait... [Readers] will emerge with many insights into the mind of a generous, though probably atypical, American businessman." --Beth Breeze, Publications Editor, Philanthropy UK Newsletter, September 2008

Biography of a visionary Indiana billionaire who is saving lives and landmarks

This is the riveting story and first-ever biography of entrepreneur Bill Cook of the global multibillion-dollar Cook Group. A vivid portrait of a modern, multidimensional Horatio Alger, this informative and inspiring book celebrates an exceptional self-made individual.

Bob Hammel served as a sports editor and columnist on Indiana newspapers for 50 years. For 30 of those years he was sports editor and columnist for the Bloomington Herald-Times. The recipient of many honors and awards for sports writing, he is the author of eight books, including Beyond the Brink with Indiana (IUP, 1987) and A Banner Year (IUP, 1993). With Bob Knight, he co-authored Knight: My Story. Hammel lives in Bloomington, Indiana.

Contents

Preface

A Day in a Life

Kidnapping

The Life

1. Playing in Peoria

2. The Canton High Years

3. A Wide Gold Band

4. Road to Bloomington

5. Bedroom Beginning

Ain't but One Bill Cook

6. Moving Up

An Ow, a Bow-Wow, a Hoosegow

7. Team Taking Shape

Taking Flight

8. Foothold in Europe

9. Doctors

10. Stents and Suits

11. Health

12. The Guidant Fiasco

The Band Director

13. Philosophy

14. Religion

15. Politics

16. Cook Clinic

The Bill Cook Plan for America

The Day Revisited

Kidnapping Redux

17. The Future

Wealth

18. Power and Opportunity

19. Restorations

20. A Good Time in Our Lives

Acknowledgments

Sources and Notes

Index