Category: 3. SHELF it

3. SHELF it · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Entrepreneurship

BR 61: The 4 hour work-week by Tim Ferris

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Category: 3 – SHELF it (All Categories are 1 – Read ASAP!, 2 – BUY it!, 3 – SHELF it, 4 – SOMEDAY it)

Comments: This is about Tim Ferriss’ formula for an ideal life. Quit your job/do as much as possible away from home, travel to places that are kind on your wallet, live the ‘ideal life’ and outsource most parts e.g.: saying sorry to your wife, to an Indian virtual assistant.

This book has many many fans who will not agree with this rating. I know of somebody who is, in a way, living this book as well! He loves it THAT much!

Make no mistake, this book is fantastic if you are entrepreneur. It has some great tips like thinking about outsourcing certain parts of your life that take up lots of energy.

The issue I had with the book is that I just didn’t connect with Tim Ferriss’ value system. Ferriss proudly talks about winning the world kickboxing championship by exploiting a rule that is frowned upon for instance. It just didn’t work for me.

Additionally, the primary premise the book is based on an assumption that a wanderer’s life is an ideal goal because it is ‘perceived’ to be so. I didn’t agree with that either. Neither did I agree with his whole premise that work is just means to an end – the end being sunbathing on the beach. I actually love the concept of a work as a way to make a difference in the world and connect with people.

All in all, I didn’t enjoy the book. I still read it all the way through despite many urges to put it down to fully understand Ferriss (as much as I could gather from the book atleast) and try and see where he’s coming from. It just didn’t work for me.

3. SHELF it · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Philosophy

BR 60: The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho

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Comments: A very interesting book. If you have an interest in the mystical, this is definitely a good book. This the real life story of Paulo Coelho going on a pilgrimage (on the Camino trail) along with a ‘guide’. Along the way, Coelho faces many a test, fights many a force and learns lessons for life. It was a tad too mystical for my taste but it had some good learnings. But, I had a few very interesting learnings from it –
1. A quote that said something to the nature – ‘Why do we try to convince people – do we do it because we feel convincing more will make it true?’
2. And a lovely line about the importance of dreaming – “We must never stop dreaming. Dreams provide nourishment for the soul, just as a meal does for the body.”
3. The idea of “fighting the good fight” that has stuck with me.

3. SHELF it · Bio/Autobiographies · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Business · Leadership

BR 59: Made in America by Sam Walton

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Comments: This book was a fun read from start to finish. Sam Walton is insightful, humorous and entertaining all at once. He takes us through the entire Wal-Mart story with great pride and passion. I could almost feel him talking me through the story despite the fact that I read the book.

3. SHELF it · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Business · Entrepreneurship

BR 57: The Knack by Norm Brodsky

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Comments: Norm Brodsky shares some very profound insights of his thinking as a serial entrepreneur that (in my opinion) is a realistic approach to looking at things. This isn’t one for tech entrepreneurs who want to change the world – more for someone who wants to start a small business. Norm has a few simple ideas – go for a business idea that’s atleast a 100 years old. Don’t bother trying to create anything novel as it’ll cost too much to educate the market. Essentially, go into a business with tons of competitors who have lost the connection with the market in one way or the other, ensure high profit margins and go for success.

It’s not necessarily the ‘right’ way as there is no real ‘right’ way.. it’s honest, straightforward and from my limited experience, he’s definitely got a point.

3. SHELF it · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Leadership

BR 56: 360 Degree Leader by John C Maxwell

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Category: 3 – SHELF it (All Categories are 1 – Read ASAP!, 2 – BUY it!, 3 – SHELF it, 4 – SOMEDAY it)

Comments: Good, without being great. John Maxwell communicates simple concepts through good stories and makes his point. John Maxwell shares his philosophy on why leadership is necessary at every level, and how you can ensure you are being a leader, whether or not you possess a title. He articulates this with several examples and stories. Another one of those management books would be the simplest way to describe ‘what to expect’.

3. SHELF it · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Psychology · Self Improvement

BR 54: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

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Comments: I’m not sure if I missed something here but I didn’t find this all time classic all that impressive. I wonder if one of the reasons it was ground breaking was because it was ahead of it’s time but most of the concepts didn’t seem new. The only novel idea I remember at the moment is Hill’s emphasis on control in personal (i.e. love and sex) spheres of life and how it can often make the difference between success and failure.

The book had a lot of stories about the richest men in US at the time told by a very patriotic American. Lots of simple ideas and concepts made it easy to get through.

This is an all time classic. So, I’m sure you will not regret buying it and reading it. I just didn’t find it as fabulous as I thought it would be.

3. SHELF it · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Leadership · Self Improvement

BR 53: The 8th Habit by Stephen Covey

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Comments: An okay book. I don’t think you’ll miss much if you didn’t read it. At the same time, that’s not to say it doesn’t have solid concepts. While this book is a continuation of the 7 Habits, it is less effective (in my opinion) and it felt like the start of a sequel series that wasn’t going to live up to the original (The 7 Habits…)

The 8th habit is about using your leadership to inspire others. A collection of many implementable ideas, stories and anecdotes make it a pleasant read.

3. SHELF it · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Sales

BR 48: The Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer

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Comments: Good book. Lots of little principles that concern selling and being effective in general. Gitomer has got a very ‘put yourself out there’ style that can tend to be strong, pushy and aggressive but it does make sure the book is an entertaining read.

 

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BR 44: Thomas Alva Edison – The Scientists and Inventors series by David Allen

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Comments: A story of arguably one of the greatest inventors that ever existed. What made this man formidable was his appetite for the extraordinary combined with canny business sense. A decent book – just not one I’d be in a hurry to read.