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  • Published: 4 April 2019
  • ISBN: 9780241395493
  • Imprint: Penguin General UK
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $28.00

Let It Go

My Extraordinary Story - From Refugee to Entrepreneur to Philanthropist




Let it Go is an inspirational memoir from a woman who made a fortune in a man's world and then gave it all away

In 1962, Stephanie "Steve" Shirley founded an IT software company when the concept of software barely existed. The company created huge opportunities for women in tech, allowing them to work on projects like the programming of the black box flight recorder from the comfort of their own home. The business thrived and Shirley gradually transferred ownership of the company to those who worked for it, creating 70 millionaires in the process.

Let it Go explores Shirley's trail blazing career as an entrepreneur but it also charts her incredible personal story - her dramatic arrival in England as an unaccompanied Kindertransport refugee from Germany and the tragic death of her son, Giles, who suffered severely from Autism. Today, Dame Stephanie Shirley is one of Britain's leading philanthropists, devoting most of her time, energy and money to supporting and creating charities in the areas of Autism and STEM. This is an engrossing story of an extraordinary life, filled with lessons in what it means to be human.

  • Published: 4 April 2019
  • ISBN: 9780241395493
  • Imprint: Penguin General UK
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $28.00

Praise for Let It Go

The word 'inspiring' is greatly overused, but Stephanie Shirley's story is one of those rare cases in which it truly applies. This book is an extraordinary tale of creativity and resilience, and of the power of well-targeted philanthropy to transform the world

Oliver Burkeman, Guardian

There is an entire business course in this book: about the dangers of profitless growth, the difficulties of succession planning, and the problems of managing clever people. But more important, this engrossing story of an extraordinary life is filled with lessons in what it means to be human

Michael Skapinker, Financial Times

An inspiring memoir by a great entrepreneur who charted her life to do well while doing good

Ronald Cohen, Chair of the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment

Steve Shirley's autobiography is nothing short of inspiring. She is a role model for young women worldwide in her spirit, determinism, humour, and generosity

Simon Baron-Cohen, Professor at Cambridge University