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One Red Paperclip: Or How an Ordinary Man Achieved his Dream With the Help of a Simple Office Supply
Kyle MacDonald had a paperclip. One red paperclip, a dream, and a r?sum? to write. And bills to pay. Oh, and a very patient girlfriend who was paying the rent while he was once again “between jobs.” Kyle wanted to be able to provide for himself and his girlfriend, Dominique. He wanted to own his own home. He wanted something bigger than a paperclip. So he put an ad on Crai...more
Kindle Edition
Published
(first published January 1st 2007)
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What a sweet little book! The writing style is a bit clumsy (which at first I attributed to that I started reading it from page 130, finished it and then started again at the beginning, but it's actually just awkward writing) but when I read it as a long, chatty email, I didn't really care. My tiny mind is warmed by how excited people get about each other doing cool things. I'm not going to say the story is "inspiring," but it's very affirming, and reminds you that people actually do like (and W...more
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Kyle MacDonald is an unemployed slacker. He realizes he is sponging off his girlfriend and decides to trade a red paper clip eventually for a house. The idea is to trade bigger and better. His first trade is a paper clip for a fish pen; his last a movie role for a house.
The writing in this book is atrocious with many repetitive sentences seemingly to fill up space. Also Kyle writes what he considers hilarious events which for this reader fell dead. Although the trades were interesting there was...more
The writing in this book is atrocious with many repetitive sentences seemingly to fill up space. Also Kyle writes what he considers hilarious events which for this reader fell dead. Although the trades were interesting there was...more
I read this book about a year ago. It's about a young guy from Canada who started with a red paperclip and traded his way up to a house. Kyle MacDonald was mostly unemployed and living with his girlfriend. He felt guilty about having his girlfriend pay most of the bills, but wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life. He hatched the idea of trying to play the game "Bigger or Better," where you keep trading items with people, to get a house. He started a website on this topic. Using Craigslis...more
I looked at the cover of this book, and it had me immediately intrigued.
At first, it looked like the story of the creation of another trade website, but this story had a delightful twist.
Kyle Macdonald, a Vancouverite came up with the idea of starting of with a particular item, in this case a Red Paperclip,and trading it up for something 'bigger and better'.
With the help of his very understanding girlfriend Dominique, a native of French speaking Montreal, they with Kyle's father go on a road...more
At first, it looked like the story of the creation of another trade website, but this story had a delightful twist.
Kyle Macdonald, a Vancouverite came up with the idea of starting of with a particular item, in this case a Red Paperclip,and trading it up for something 'bigger and better'.
With the help of his very understanding girlfriend Dominique, a native of French speaking Montreal, they with Kyle's father go on a road...more
Aug 05, 2012
Justin
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
dull readers
Kyle Macdonald's concept of trading one red paperclip to eventually gain a house is an interesting topic per se yet the presentation was poor. Kyle's odd sense of humor is confusing at times (maybe because he's Canadian and I am American) and takes up unnecessary pages. Keeping up with who's who in Kyle's world is difficult and frustrating considering he does not introduce most of them as anything other than his friend. The motivational advice at the end of every chapter was also a confusing tim...more
A bit of fun. One of those internet things that take on a life of their own, fed by obsessive folk, not least the author, who discovered another use for one red paperclip right at the end of the book.
Some philosophical observations at the end of each chapter, most of which I skipt, but overall, it's pretty much a textbook on how to become an internet sensation. Nowadays, he'd use Twitter and Facebook and Youtube and the process would probably take a month instead of a year.
The book was enjoyable...more
Some philosophical observations at the end of each chapter, most of which I skipt, but overall, it's pretty much a textbook on how to become an internet sensation. Nowadays, he'd use Twitter and Facebook and Youtube and the process would probably take a month instead of a year.
The book was enjoyable...more
What a great book! A funny, fast read just perfect for a long flight. There are plenty of lessons to learn, too. After all, it's all about the journey. Next time you're faced with a big decision, ask yourself: What would you do if you weren't afraid?
I'm afraid I may have to read this book again!
I'm afraid I may have to read this book again!
This fun read follows the true story of how Kyle MacDonald, a young Canadian man, managed to use the system of barter, along with some luck, to turn a red paperclip into a house. Kyle has a lot of support from his family, and takes advantage of what circumstances bring to him in order to not only do well for himself, but have a lot of fun along the way. His attitude is optimistic and open and he has a good sense of humour, going with the flow even when he is not sure where it will take him.
This...more
This...more
The official version of the story goes like this: Inspired by memories of playing "Bigger and Better" as a kid, and by urban legends of other kids trading up to such prizes as cars, Kyle MacDonald embarked on an adventure. Beginning with an ordinary red paperclip which happened to be lying on his desk, Kyle began trading with person after person, slowly acquiring larger and more valuable items until, finally, he reached his end goal: A house.
A moment, and we'll get to the fuller story.
One Red Pa...more
A moment, and we'll get to the fuller story.
One Red Pa...more
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That guy who traded up from a red paperclip to a house in Saskatchewan tells his story. Unfortunately, he doesn't tell it particularly well. It's a great story, don't get me wrong, but MacDonald's style...I don't want to call it too "bloggy," as there are a lot of well-written blogs out there. But I could understand someone leveling that criticism, because MacDonald's writing, whether the product of blogging or not, is unfocused, not terribly descriptive—none of the places he visits ever came al...more
Oh, how I thought I'd love this book. Twenty-something embarks upon a quest to trade for a house. A house! Starting with a paper clip. A paper clip! And the story is very interesting. But oh, the writing! Glib, ironic, oh-so-clever and witty! Way over the top. A lot like this paragraph. I seriously considered throwing in the towel about 1/3 of the way in.
Luckily, as the story improves with each bigger & better trade, so does the writing. To be fair, our author Kyle was, at the time, a mid-tw...more
Luckily, as the story improves with each bigger & better trade, so does the writing. To be fair, our author Kyle was, at the time, a mid-tw...more
Apr 09, 2012
Lisa
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
autobiographiesandmemoirs,
nonfiction
Not thrilled about the writing. I suspect Kyle Macdonald is a much cooler guy than he is a writer; the book made me think of a number of friends I love whose emails/blogs/status updates make me cringe. I skimmed a lot of the book (including most of the blog comments and all of the end-of-chapter notes), reading just for the story. But it's a fabulous story about connections between people, the value of things, and leaps of faith. By the end I found myself grinning and just feeling great.
It takes a special kind of person to look at a red paperclip and think “house.” And Kyle is definitely that kind of person. His book chatters to the reader at full speed, screeches to sudden stops (sometimes in the middle of a thought), and spins off in new directions seemingly at random. Just imagine a grade schooler hyped up on sugar and you’ll get the idea. It’s a friendly, quick and somewhat schizophrenic read that, if you don’t let it get too distracted, is most enjoyable.
The concept was interesting at the start, but the book dragged somewhat from the middle on. The author garnered so much media attention that trades became less believable and people seemed to want to trade with him, not because it was a realistic trade, but because they were hooked on being part of the story. From my perspective, the story transitioned from one of tracing up to one of creating internet and media buzz. Perhaps there is something to be learned from that!
Book #1 for week "one", this is the story of a guy who made 14 trades in a year to get from a paperclip to a house. The writing was well done and the story is quite interesting and often funny. At the end of every chapter (trade) are a couple of "motivational quotes" which are silly, but short, and therefore survivable.
I would never have read this book if it weren't for my silly idea to read books with numbers in the title, but I'm glad that I did.
I would never have read this book if it weren't for my silly idea to read books with numbers in the title, but I'm glad that I did.
Obviously the work of a first-timer, so don't expect emotion and the like. Though it starts off slowly, MacDonald narrates with what seems like honesty and the pace picks up as the trades are wonderful in themselves. Surprisingly addictive, and done in one day! The photos are very helpful in setting the scene. A very sweet story and a sweet ending. 2 stars for a writer, but 3 for MacDonald for the effort in transporting what really happened with little romanticism.
Enjoyed it but I could have found out the story from a long article. Very padded out. Very repetitive. He tells you something at least three times in three different ways just to make sure you've got it and that is in the same paragraph. The tips at he nd of the chapters don't mean anything and I didn't even bother reading them after the first couple. I'm sure that if I met Kyle Macdonald he would definitely say 'Dude' !
I love books like this. Kyle found a way to live unconventionally--no 9 to 5 job, no trying to make his resume fit into someone's idea of the perfect employee. He had a crazy idea and he made it work, and along the way had some excellent adventures.
Kyle has heart and passion and a belief in the goodness of people. Now I just have to think of my own red paperclip idea...
Kyle has heart and passion and a belief in the goodness of people. Now I just have to think of my own red paperclip idea...
I was really looking forward to reading this book; it seemed like it would be a great read - a guy who trades from a paperclip to a house should have the makings of a great book. Unfortunately, although MacDonald has a brilliant story to tell, he just doesn't tell it well. I only kept reading because I was intrigued to know what he traded in between the paperclip and the house, and how ultimately he got the house. His writing style was irritating and I almost gave up at times. Nevertheless it's...more
Jun 12, 2010
Cathy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
summer-reading,
memoir
This is a lazy Sunday afternoon read that will teach you that an item is only worth whatever somebody is willing to give you for it, but if you don't get in there and trade away your "one red paperclip," then nothing is going to happen except that you still have "one red paperclip."
I am willing to trade this book for. . .?
I am willing to trade this book for. . .?
I love the book, I love the cover, I love the message.
This is an entertaining one day read that I absolutely could not put down. The author's sense of humor is spot on and his novelty is refreshing, as he trades one red paperclip for something a little bit better, then that for something a little bit better...
This is an entertaining one day read that I absolutely could not put down. The author's sense of humor is spot on and his novelty is refreshing, as he trades one red paperclip for something a little bit better, then that for something a little bit better...
A cool book, with a cool story, and a good point. You either 'get it' or you don't...
It is definitely written in a colloquial tone, very much as if the author was relating the tale in person, and could somehow manage to keep from being interrupted all through dinner.
Glad I read it, have recommended it for others to enjoy... Hope you 'get it' too.
It is definitely written in a colloquial tone, very much as if the author was relating the tale in person, and could somehow manage to keep from being interrupted all through dinner.
Glad I read it, have recommended it for others to enjoy... Hope you 'get it' too.
Tausche rote Büroklammer gegen ein Haus. Bigger-or-Better-Spiele nennen sich die Tauschgeschäfte, in denen man versucht immer eine Stufe höher oder größer zu tauschen. Kyle erzählt wie er von einer Büroklammer zu einem Haus kommt. Die Idee an sich ist witzig, wird aber etwas langatmig erzählt.
Yes this is the book behind the story of the man who traded a red paperclip until he ended up with a house. It is an uplifting book about how person’s dreams can come true if they follow their principles and dare to believe. Easy to read and interesting characters he meets along the way.
Geweldig leuk boek over een jongen uit Montreal die net zo lang spullen ruilt totdat hij van een paperclip een huis heeft gemaakt. Niet erg goed geschreven, maar ik vond het wel zo boeiend dat ik het binnen twee dagen uit had. (Er is trouwens ook een Nederlandse versie van.)
This was a good, light, quick read and a lesson on how resourcefulness can merge with motivation (or procrastination, depending on how you look at it). I felt more like I was reading emails from a funny twenty-or-thirty-something friend than a book. I think it will appeal most to those who either know what Craigslist is, have ever had to live on the cheap, or have ever wanted to skip out on their job to do something more interesting that they don't otherwise have time to do. The author gives you...more
This is a book about a great idea - trading up from a red paperclip to eventually trading in a house. The book is really all about the idea and his real life journey, than any kind of writing.
It's a quick read, and at times quite heart-warming.
It's a quick read, and at times quite heart-warming.
We can live passionately.What we need is the courage to dream, determination to stay positive and people who will encourage us along the way. We just need to remember how Kyle have done it. Kyle writing style is funny and funtastic
I really loved this book.
It was exactly what I needed at the moment a light novel with some humor that was easy to read.
I read it in no time and would recommend it highly as a light book as it is very interesting.
It was exactly what I needed at the moment a light novel with some humor that was easy to read.
I read it in no time and would recommend it highly as a light book as it is very interesting.
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