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  • My Best Mistake

  • Epic Fails and Silver Linings
  • Written by: Terry O'Reilly
  • Narrated by: Terry O'Reilly
  • Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (110 ratings)

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My Best Mistake

Written by: Terry O'Reilly
Narrated by: Terry O'Reilly
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Publisher's Summary

The host of CBC Radio’s Under the Influence, Terry O’Reilly, uncovers the surprising power of screwing up.

The Incredible Hulk was originally supposed to be grey, but a printing glitch led to the superhero’s iconic green color. NHL hall-of-famer Serge Savard’s hockey career nearly ended prematurely, not because of an injury, but because of an oversight. And the invention of a beloved treat, the Popsicle, began with a simple mistake. 

In his fascinating and meticulously researched new book, Terry O’Reilly recounts how some of the biggest breakthroughs and best-loved products originated with a mistake. Some people’s “mistakes” led to dramatic life changes - losing their jobs, their companies, and often their credibility - only for them to discover new opportunities on the other shore. Other people’s mistakes seemed minor, almost insignificant - until they led to a famous brand, a legendary band, or a groundbreaking work of art. And in a few instances, a mistake actually saved lives. 

The fear of failing often holds us back. My Best Mistake will change how you think about screwing up and will encourage you to accept mistakes and embrace the obstacles that may arise from these errors, leading you to unexpected breakthroughs and silver linings of your own.

©2021 Terry O'Reilly (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

What listeners say about My Best Mistake

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loved it

funny, informative and uplifting. think you screwed up, these people did it way worse and bounced back.

1 person found this helpful

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Perfect mistakes

A great collection of significant mistakes and the major successes they led to. Some surprising yet delightful tales. Highly recommended for all humans.

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Fantastic, very entertaining, very relevant for our times

This is a terrific audiobook read by the book author. If you like O’Reilly’s podcasts and radio shows, then you will love this.

1 person found this helpful

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Ummm kind of flat

So I love listening to Terry, think I’ve listened to all his podcasts. The stories were ok… but the level of detail and depth was lacking on some stories. It felt like I was reading a Facebook post on failures turned into greatness. Maybe I’m spoiled and have heard most of these stories briefly on the podcast… but I just wasn’t awed by anything new.

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So interesting. Could stop listening

Terry O’Reilly is an amazing story teller both on paper and as a narrator. Every story has a great lesson.

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Not really mistake

The author calls then mistakes.. I just call them life events... Then he finds a justification for why that was a good thing instead of a bad one... So no mistakes there... Just an events...

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  • PCR
  • 2023-01-31

Interesting stories

I hate to say this, but I dislike the narrator's voice. Otherwise, kudos for the research!

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More, please!

This was just like listening to an extended CBC episode. O'Reilly never fails to entertain with interesting knowledge. More books, please!

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Amazing Book

I totally loved this book. Made me feel even a mistake can turn into something great. It is all in your attitude and way of looking at things.

Well done Terry.

Leslie

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Entertaining

Not really mistakes, but that was used as a hook for some entertaining stories of successes.

The first story was the best, about the shark in Jaws, and the one that could be seen as a mistake leading to success.

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  • W. D. Lurie
  • 2023-01-25

Amazing stories of famous people and events

Could not stop listening. Terry’s narration is always a pleasure to listen to. And each story was jam packed with so many interesting facts and information I had never heard of before. I am a raving fan.