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- Title: Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald’s
- Author: Ray Kroc
- Narrator: Stephen Bel Davies
- Length: 06:59:15
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 19/09/2018
- Publisher: Tantor Media
- Genre: Business & Economics, History, Biography & Memoir, Business, World, Business Development
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
The first time I heard Stephen Bel Davies’ steady baritone bring Ray Kroc’s words to life, I was driving through the Arizona desert at sunset – the same kind of vast, open landscape where Kroc first envisioned McDonald’s golden arches dotting America’s highways. There’s something poetic about listening to this origin story of fast food empire while watching the blurred yellow lines of Route 66 stretch endlessly ahead. Much like those highway journeys, ‘Grinding It Out’ takes you on an unexpected adventure where perseverance meets opportunity at every exit ramp.
Kroc’s narrative voice – expertly channeled by Davies – carries the rough texture of a man who’s worked every position in his own restaurants. You can practically smell the fryer grease and hear the milkshake machines in his descriptions of perfecting the McDonald’s system. The narration captures Kroc’s unique blend of salesman’s charm and drill sergeant discipline – particularly in passages about his famous obsession with cleanliness (‘If you’ve got time to lean, you’ve got time to clean’). Davies’ performance shines brightest during Kroc’s accounts of early struggles, giving weight to lines like ‘I was an overnight success all right, but 30 years is a long, long night.’
What makes this business memoir exceptional is how Kroc’s story mirrors the American immigrant experience my abuelo often described – just swap the steamship for a milkshake mixer. The audiobook’s middle chapters detailing Kroc’s battles with the original McDonald brothers play like a telenovela of capitalism, complete with betrayals, handshake deals gone wrong, and ultimate triumph. Davies handles these emotional swings masterfully, letting Kroc’s frustration and determination resonate without melodrama.
The production quality stands out for its crisp clarity – crucial for a book filled with operational details about real estate contracts and franchise agreements. While listening, I found myself pulling over to jot down Kroc’s business philosophies that transcend the fast food industry: his ‘quality, service, cleanliness’ mantra could guide any startup. The audio format particularly enhances Kroc’s folksy wisdom, making his advice about persistence (‘Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence’) feel like a pep talk from a favorite uncle.
Some listeners might crave more critical examination of McDonald’s societal impact – this is unabashedly Kroc’s version of events. But as someone who’s broken bread with everyone from Tokyo sushi masters to Oaxacan grandmothers, I appreciate how the audiobook captures the cultural alchemy that turned burgers into global currency. When Davies reads Kroc’s account of opening his first international location in Canada, you hear the wonder of a man who never dreamed his drive-in would become a universal language.
Compared to other business memoirs like Shoe Dog or Pour Your Heart Into It, Kroc’s story stands apart for its late-bloomer inspiration. At 52, most people are eyeing retirement – Kroc was just getting started. This audiobook makes an ideal companion for road trips, gym sessions, or any time you need reminding that extraordinary success often comes from ordinary people willing to grind it out, one perfectly flipped burger at a time.
With a side of inspiration,
Marcus Rivera
