Mr Internet TV: The Ego and the Id by John Bentley follows his life after his father's passing, working in London and then Australia, before returning home via an adventurous route and using inheritance money to kickstart his real life. Bentley increases his wealth through acquiring and managing companies, eventually founding Barclay Securities. He expands into film production by taking over British Lion Films, dipping his toes into box offices, government, union, and financial matters. Later, he launches Intervision and many other ventures. His personal life is as robust as his businesses: a string of relationships, marriages, and divorces, extensive travel, and some serious high-society circles. Bentley gets into the tech bug and boom, and does some busting, ultimately settling down with wife Janet and writing about historical mysteries, all at his leisure.

John Bentley’s Mr Internet TV: The Ego and the Id reads less like a conventional memoir and more like an expansive portrait of a life shaped by ambition, adventure, and social curiosity. Bentley moves comfortably between the Scottish Highlands and the Côte d’Azur, from business boardrooms to yacht decks in the Caribbean. I had the most fun reading about his frequent elbow rubs with public figures, entrepreneurs, and socialites, and he does so with a keen observational eye. The business ventures are vast, with pop-culture icons like Blockbuster. I say that with half a chuckle, but the fact is that Bentley has done so darn much that some of this reads like a script. There's even a 12-hour wife named Kitty! The writing is straightforward, and the memoir will appeal to readers who enjoy seeing the rhythms of a distinctive career, the ups and downs of fortune, and the ways ambition, opportunity, and circumstance come together over decades. Very highly recommended.

Mr Internet TV: The Ego and the Id by John Bentley is the story of a life that crosses continents, industries, and social worlds. Bentley worked in London finance and Australia’s investment field before building a business empire. He bought major companies in advertising, media, and film, including Shepperton Studios and British Lion Films, and also created inventions from pre-mixed baby bottles to home movie machines and early Internet TV, experiencing both business successes and failures. Along with his work, he has had an exciting social life, has traveled widely, and suffered through knotty family relationships, love, marriage, and sex. “Business and its opportunity for renewal and invention was as exciting for me as, presumably, must be the creation of a new album by a pop star...”

John Bentley’s Mr Internet TV is a gem of mixed experiences founded on Bentley's family history. Scientific genetics is all the rage right now, but Bentley's is cemented in stories stretching back centuries. Among them are George Brydges’ marriage in 1652 and Thomas Le Savage’s role in the Norman conquest of England in 1066, connecting his family origins to the same social and political changes he fueled in his lifetime. Stories of meeting notable personalities like Ronald Reagan and Hollywood stars show his social reach and the culture of the times. Bentley's voice is clear, and the writing style is conversational, even friendly. It's not all rainbows and unicorns, though. A home movie project that lost money shows how plans can fail, how effort may not match expectations, and how decisions play out in real life. Overall, this memoir is a time capsule of Bentley's big footprint in the world we inhabit today.

When talking about the early days of pay TV, few remember John Bentley. Even fewer realize that this modest man was the driving force behind Viewcall, a pioneer in the Internet TV industry. Among those familiar with this critical piece of history, not everyone knows that Viewcall wasn't Bentley's first venture into the competitive world of international business. In his unique memoir, Bentley details how humble beginnings and early setbacks shaped his character and motivated him to succeed, as he faced vindictive politicians and vengeful family members along the way. He reveals everything and more in Mr. Internet TV: The Ego and the ID.

John Bentley recounts his early years with a mix of bluntness and cheerful optimism, mainly when reflecting on his complicated relationship with his father. He discusses the treatment he received after his father's death with a similarly stoic outlook, sprinkled with a touch of mischief. Bentley sets the scene by sharing a vivid adventure in Asia and the Middle East, highlighting moments that shaped his life experiences, such as the inappropriate communist comments made by his colleague about the Shah of Iran. His detailed account of business dealings reveals the fragile balance between business and politics, a challenge many face today. Bentley's reflections also highlight missed opportunities, such as the lucrative Ritz deal, along with his unique perspective on handling the disappointment that follows. He deserves credit for giving equal attention to his successes and failures in both business and family life. Mr. Internet TV: The Ego and the ID offers valuable insights for those looking to navigate the entrepreneurial world.

“There are those who are deadly serious about the importance of money and style, but I was not. I liked having both and what it bought, and I enjoyed it as a game.” Perhaps, but as illustrated in Mr Internet TV: The Ego And The Id, a memoir by John Bentley, having an abundance of cash makes a huge difference in life. Beginning with his early years during World War II, John recounts his experiences growing up with a wealthy father and a much younger mother as he navigates the ups and downs of early adulthood. His journey includes traveling to Australia as a teenager and a return trip to England via Asia. Gradually, John evolves into a man eager for success and fortune. When an opportunity presents itself in the form of a small inheritance, John seizes it without hesitation and enters the world of finance. Equipped with innovative ideas that challenge outdated traditions, he soon finds himself mingling with the rich and famous while shaping enduring paradigms that persist to this day.

Mr. Internet TV: The Ego and The Id by John Bentley is an entertaining and adventurous read that goes beyond a typical memoir, telling a captivating story. The book offers a fascinating perspective on one man's life journey, providing glimpses of both recent history and the past. It emphasizes that thinking outside the box can yield excellent results if applied at the right moment. The people mentioned are celebrities and prominent figures, and it’s a treat to see them through the eyes of someone who experienced it all firsthand. Particularly commendable is the brisk pace of this relatively long book, alongside Bentley's slightly quirky yet down-to-earth writing style, which made it enjoyable for me, even though this is not my typical choice of book. Overall, Mr. Internet TV is sure to fascinate many readers and serves as a reminder that the recipe for success includes intelligence, opportunity, and timing.