Family Reins - by Billy Busch (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The story of the iconic Anheuser-Busch dynasty, written--for the first time--by a Busch heir.

As an heir to the Anheuser-Busch company and fortune, Billy Busch was raised on the real stories of how his family built one of America's oldest and most iconic brands. Since the company was formed almost 150 years ago, the Busch family, their beer, the famous Clydesdales in their advertising, and even their style of business have become a symbol of the American dream--that not-so-outdated belief that hard work, grit, and a positive can-do attitude make anything possible.

Growing up on the family's ancestral estate as a prince to the King of Beers, Billy lived a life only kids could dream up--living in an amusement park, traveling by private rail car and yacht, and playing with his pet elephant, Tessie. But as he grew up, he realized that the Busch family legacy was not just wealth and privilege. With no separation between family and business, Billy's father--more boss than dad--continued the tradition of preparing the next generation for corporate leadership, with high and exacting standards for his children. For Billy, all of this, combined with a dysfunctional family environment, was all too normal.

Family Reins tells the story of a legendary American family, their rise to power, and their fall from grace through poisonous infighting, succession struggles, and a seemingly endless string of tragedies, scandals, and loss.

Review Quotes

"Critics can recite the stories."

-- "New York Times"

"For generations, the Busches of St. Louis were the first family of American beer-making, the city's most devoted boosters, and bearers of the most famous name in town. But they have also been touched by scandal, tragedy and allegations of reckless behavior."

-- "NBC News"

"The Busch family is known for its beer brewing legacy, and Billy and Christi Busch have no plans on letting that tradition die."

-- "FOX News"

"An heir to the Anheuser-Busch brewing fortune, Billy Busch is remarkably candid about both his life and the family succession issues that ultimately led to the purchase of the well-known corporation by InBev, a Belgian conglomerate...The brief history, especially Anheuser-Busch's adaptations during two world wars and Prohibition, evokes significant interest."

-- "AudioFile"

"Busch chronicles the ups and downs of his life as an heir of the Anheuser-Busch brewing company, and the circumstances that eventually led his family to lose control of the business, in this juicy debut memoir...As a bittersweet examination of an American business empire in decline, this succeeds."

-- "Publishers Weekly"

"Busch draws on his twenty-twenty hindsight, working to avoid the pitfalls of the past in both business and home life, focusing on the sphere he can control. Launching his own brewery to honor the original family brewers, Billy engages readers with the effort put toward shaping his children's understanding of family obligation and nurturing those relationships. This absorbing book is a good fit for public library collections."

-- "Booklist"

"Family lore and legends, as experienced and perceived by Busch, are interwoven throughout these pages. Readers learn not only of the tremendous personal efforts required to build this business empire, but also of their cost in terms of family relationships and home life...Recommended for readers interested in the personal side of business history."

-- "Historical Novels Review"

"In Family Reins, Billy Busch, the founder of Busch Family Brewing & Distilling Company and heir to the multibillion-dollar Anheuser-Busch fortune, goes well beyond the Busch Family Brewed reality show to share over a hundred and fifty years of family and business drama. Through wars, political upheaval, social unrest, and scores of family dramas, the Busch dynasty has remained an icon of not just American business, but American culture. Here, Billy Busch gives us unfettered access behind the curtain where we see the intimate details of a family dynasty--the good, the bad, and the ugly--and learn more than we could imagine about the incredible rise, and untimely fall, of an American Icon. Well written, well-paced, and deeply personal, this book reads like a bestselling novel, but all the more compelling because it is true. Not to be missed!"

-- "Andrews & Wilson, international bestselling authors of Dempsey and The Sandbox"

"In a new book, Family Reins, Billy Busch, one of the Anheuser-Busch heirs, gives his perspective on how the famous local family built its beer dynasty, survived Prohibition, amassed its fortune--and then sold the brewing business...It's sort of remarkable how closely [Billy's] family history mirrors the HBO show Succession."

-- "St. Louis magazine"

"Much of life in 'the Big House' at Grant's Farm was a created spectacle for guests. While nannies and staff took care of Billy and his siblings, their parents entertained people such as John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, and Lyndon B. Johnson. 'Making friends is our business' was the family and company motto, Busch writes...TV's Succession doesn't hold a candle to the Busch family's 150 years."

-- "St. Louis Post-Dispatch"

"You are about to enjoy a fascinating, deeply personal, and revealing recounting of the family and the brand we all thought we knew. It's not just behind the scenes and tell-all, but a journal."

-- "Dale Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Weapons of Opportunity"

"In Family Reins, Billy Busch peels back the glitz and glamour of the Anheuser-Busch dynasty and gives readers an unflinching look into the soul of the American dream. From the breathtaking highs to the soul-crushing lows, Busch shatters our preconceived notions of wealth and privilege while drilling deep into the true meaning of family."

-- "Joshua Hood, USA Today bestselling author of Robert Ludlum's Treadstone series and The Guardian"

"While raised in glamorous surrounds, Busch always felt that his father was really his boss, prepping him for a corporate leadership role to come. Here he tells a story of family, destructive infighting, and making his own life."

-- "Library Journal"