The Sky's the Limit
Lessons in Service, Entrepreneurship, and Achieving the American Dream
1. Auflage April 2025
208 Seiten, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
USA Today Bestseller
Stories and lessons from John P. Calamos Sr., a rags-to-riches self-made American billionaire
Sky's the Limit: Lessons in service, Entrepreneurship and Achieving the American Dream tells the inspirational tale of John P. Calamos Sr., an American trailblazer, self-made success story, and living legend in the world of investing. Each chapter contains stories and business lessons he learned along the way. From a stock boy in his parents' grocery store in Chicago's west side, to 400+ combat missions in Vietnam, to launching his own firm which now has upwards of $35 billion in assets, John's career and the extreme success he's enjoyed through that career have been built on taking risks and being resilient. Some of the events detailed in this book include:
* Teenage John's discovery of stock certificates in his family's basement ignites a passion for investing
* Major Calamos' time in the Air Force, including five years of active duty flying B-52 bombers and twelve years in the Reserves flying A-37 jet fighters
* Pioneering initiatives to launch one of the first convertible funds in 1985 and one of the first liquid alternative funds in 1990
Sky's the Limit: Lessons in Service, Entrepreneurship and Achieving the American Dream earns a well-deserved spot on the bookshelves of all individuals seeking to mirror the success of a man who is a living embodiment of the quintessential rags-to-riches American dream.
1 The American Dream: A Journey Begins 1
2 Stock boy and the Stock Certificates 9
3 Factory Floors to Academic Halls 17
4 Shaping His Vision 23
5 Active Duty 29
6 Red Smoke! 37
7 The Defining Mission 41
8 Back to the States 49
9 Civilian Life Again 53
10 Founding of Calamos Investments 59
11 We Hired PhDs 65
12 A Journey Home 73
13 Strategies for Stability 77
14 A Journey Together 85
15 A Lifelong Passion for Flight 95
16 Calamos Goes Public 103
17 Weathering the Storm 109
18 A New Era Begins 117
19 Reclaiming Control 125
20 From Success to Significance 131
21 Global Influence 139
22 Excellence, Innovation, and Leadership 147
23 Forging a Lasting Legacy 155
From the Desk of John P. Calamos, Sr. 165
Acknowledgments 171
About Joe Garner 173
Index 175
--Michael Milken, Chairman, Milken Institute
"What John Calamos has done for the investment industry has been groundbreaking, but it's his experiences outside the investment world, his passion for philanthropy and relentless pursuit of excellence that will bring the best out of anyone who reads this book."
--John S. Koudounis, President & CEO, Calamos Investments
"John Calamos changed the investment landscape when he started his firm just as the Chicago options and futures markets gained national attention. His focus on risk mitigation through convertible securities taught my television audience -- and me -- the difference between calculated investing and wild speculation. Today he is living proof of the long-term value of his strategies!"
--Terry Savage, Syndicated Financial Columnist and Author of The Savage Truth on Money
"John Calamos embodies the attributes of our proud Hellenic American heritage - humility, courage, family, philanthropy, ambition, and hard work - while always remaining rooted to the values that define the best in us as individuals and humanity. Throughout his life, John has "made his own luck" and his story is a guide for how to accomplish great things by living a purposeful life characterized by service, moderation, and empathy."
--C. Dean Metropoulos, Private Equity Investor and Founder, Metropoulos & Co.
"John's courage and commitment to serving our country are an inspiration. Rarely does a story embody the best of what America stands for, delivered with principles for a life well lived."
--Mark Carlson, Author and Military Historian
JOE GARNER, deemed the "Ken Burns of the written and recorded word" by talk show legend Larry King, is a six-time New York Times bestselling author renowned for his innovative storytelling and multimedia approach. His groundbreaking New York Times bestselling debut, We Interrupt This Broadcast, pairs pivotal historical moments with authentic news broadcasts and features forewords by Walter Cronkite and Brian Williams. Garner has collaborated with celebrated figures across industries, including Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman, sports broadcast icon Bob Costas, comedy greats Carl Reiner and Rob Reiner, and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon. With a unique ability to bring history, culture, and personal legacies to life, Garner remains a leader in the world of nonfiction.
