September 26. 2012 - Ross Perot's autobiography is coming in January, a major publisher announced today.
Simon & Schuster said Ross Perot: My Life will discuss his business career as well as his 1992 and 1996 independent campaigns for the presidency. Perot also plans to discuss his work with the military and education in Texas.
"Few Americans have so indelibly marked so many facets of our recent history as Mr. Perot," said Thomas LeBien, vice president and senior editor at Simon & Schuster.
"He has an inspiring story to share, one that speaks immediately to the challenges America now confronts. His voice must be heard."
Citing Perot's political career, Simon & Schuster said, "Back when the federal government deficit was a mere $4.8 trillion, he challenged the nation's calcified political system to solve the country's debt crises and earned just under 20% of the popular vote in the 1992 presidential campaign."
Perot's forthcoming book is "also a call to Americans to once again draw on the commitment and patriotism that have defined our country's greatest achievements and to rededicate themselves to leaving America stronger for the generations to come," the publisher said.
Simon & Schuster reported:
"Mr. Perot helped launch the nation's high tech industry, twice building multi-billion dollar companies. Focused on the country's fiscal crises, he ran the most successful third party presidential candidacy in modern American history, and thereafter helped launch the Reform Party. The legacy of his lifelong support of education reform and the men and women of the armed forces is profound. ...
"Mr. Perot's life is one of remarkable accomplishment. Launched in 1962 with $1,000, Mr. Perot's first company, Electronic Data Systems, was bought by General Motors for $2.5 billion in 1984. He would repeat that success with Perot Systems.
The work ethic and loyalty that were his hallmarks as a CEO are forever associated with the private rescue he directed to bring home two EDS employees held hostage in Revolutionary Iran. Beginning with American POWs in Southeast Asian, Mr. Perot has dedicated himself to ensuring that armed forces personnel are remembered and honored."
