book data
1216 ratings, 3.78 average rating, 363 reviews
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published
April 24th 2007
by Crown
binding
Hardcover, 208 pages
isbn
0307353133
(isbn13: 9780307353139)
description
What do you do? Tim Ferriss has trouble answering the question. Depending on when you ask this
controversial Princeton University guest lecturer,...more
controversial Princeton University guest lecturer,...more
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| Achieving the life style | 5 | 26 | 09/04/2008 06:22AM |
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avg 3.78
Read in January, 2008
Timothy Ferriss spoke at a management meeting last week where I work. A few of the managers came back pretty impressed, so I cadged a copy off of a manager and skimmed/read it one sitting Friday night.
The effect of this book is like being trapped in a room with a manic-depressive during the manic part of his cycle. Imagine a cross between Brad Pitt in 12 Monkeys and a late-night infomercial. Then add a dash of narcissistic personality disorder to get an idea of the tone of this book.
This...more
The effect of this book is like being trapped in a room with a manic-depressive during the manic part of his cycle. Imagine a cross between Brad Pitt in 12 Monkeys and a late-night infomercial. Then add a dash of narcissistic personality disorder to get an idea of the tone of this book.
This...more
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Read in January, 2008
A few weeks ago in NYC, I sat with two of the smartest people I know at a cool brunch.
"But explain it to me," I said. "Just what is it about the 4-Hour Work Week that we haven't already seen?" Having a background in a "work-smarter-not-harder" industry (the coaching industry), what I'd heard about 4HWW had not impressed me as anything particularly fresh and new.
"Well," said one friend, "It's just never all been put in a book like this before...more
"But explain it to me," I said. "Just what is it about the 4-Hour Work Week that we haven't already seen?" Having a background in a "work-smarter-not-harder" industry (the coaching industry), what I'd heard about 4HWW had not impressed me as anything particularly fresh and new.
"Well," said one friend, "It's just never all been put in a book like this before...more
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4 comments
Read in January, 2008
recommended to Otis by:
kareemrecommends it for: free thinkers, entrepreneurs, graham myhre
I found this book on a recommendation from a good friend, and if it wasn't for that I might have put it down right away, because the tone is very markety, and the author makes a lot of big claims with little substance.
That being said, the author must be a smart guy because there is a lot of good stuff in this book.
Big Takeaways
1. Most of us have the idea that we are supposed to work until we are 60, then retire and live the good life. Tim does a great job pointing out how backwards tha...more
That being said, the author must be a smart guy because there is a lot of good stuff in this book.
Big Takeaways
1. Most of us have the idea that we are supposed to work until we are 60, then retire and live the good life. Tim does a great job pointing out how backwards tha...more
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Reading the first third of this book was one of the most self-indulgent activities I’ve ever done. (And yes, I read fiction.) It was so nice to hear that someone else in the world doesn't understand why we spend so much time on meaningless meetings and other time-fillers when there are so many meaningful things we long to do.
This book is worth reading though there are a few things you'll have to endure to finish it:
-potty-mouth words
-author-coined terms and antonyms that include the wo...more
This book is worth reading though there are a few things you'll have to endure to finish it:
-potty-mouth words
-author-coined terms and antonyms that include the wo...more
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2 comments
One of the best books out there for breaking you out of the routine way of THINKING about your job, even if some of the model suggestions are a bit preposterous for a non-entrepreneur. Very inspiring!
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
a desperate wage slave who has no picture of how things could be different for them
At first I thought this was the bee's knees, toes, and ankles. But as I read further I began to realize that this guy "wins" by cheating, "delegates" by leaving everything in the hands of his $5/hour personal assistant in India, and sells books by promising to tell you how to get rich, and delivers a book on how to get everyone around you to be really annoyed with you for shirking any responsibility.
He encourages you to lease expensive cars so you can feel like you are l...more
He encourages you to lease expensive cars so you can feel like you are l...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to John by:
Ryan Clauson
Ryan Clauson, a Northeastern student and friend who I informally mentor and advise, gave me a copy of this book. The book is about how you can arrange your life so that you only need to spend 4 hours per week to attain the income that you need. Then with all the time that you freed up, you should do the things you love. The overall premise is less applicable to people who already love what they do for a living (like me and many of you on my list). However, there are definitely nuggest of useful ...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommended to Joy by:
Roee
I received Timothy Ferriss’ hot, new bestseller “The 4-Hour Workweek” for Christmas and, cautiously optimistic, proceeded to read what I hoped would not be yet another rendition of a worthless get rich quick scheme. While at times a bit pompous for my taste, I found the author succeeded to deliver readers a realistic, executable plan that, with the right amount of effort, could actually work. Unlike many others who have taken their stab at the genre, Ferriss does not package a timeless, ...more
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
People who hate their lives
I just started this book, and I can't even finish it. Aside from the author grating on my last nerve with each page turn, I find his outlook on life to be overly fantastical. This book appeals to people who are working in dead end jobs that are hellish to say the least, and offers a way out to people who have lost hope. But I'll tell you something. If making a ton of money, working a 4-hour work week, and living like a millionaire were easy, everyone would do it. The fact that he's one of FEW th...more
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
Working Stiffs
It is nice to know that somebody is out there attempting to shed some light on the American rat-race lifestyle...
Although this book has its obvious flaws, namely:
1. Author is an ivy league entrepreneur (of course he's not worried about money).
2. Many of his "time-saving" work tips have no relevance in many fields of work. In fact, I cant really see how they would work unless you already have some independence in your job.
3. The Get-Rich-Quick internet start-up company ...more
Although this book has its obvious flaws, namely:
1. Author is an ivy league entrepreneur (of course he's not worried about money).
2. Many of his "time-saving" work tips have no relevance in many fields of work. In fact, I cant really see how they would work unless you already have some independence in your job.
3. The Get-Rich-Quick internet start-up company ...more
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
to anyone who wants to "live" now not later.
It was interesting to read about the author's journey to his current lifestyle. It was even more interesting to read about his ideas for redesigning your lifestyle from the soul crushing 40 hr. week 30 year cycle of work, to one that does not defer your "retirement". Some of his ideas are not for everyone and he does not say it is all or nothing. Take what you want and leave the rest. I read this book in a day and have gone back to it and I bought two copies of this book and gave one a...more
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Just finishing up this book and although it isn't a complete waste of time it is SOOOO friggin annoying that 1 star remains generous. The first 1/4 of the book is filler...plenty of little tidbits and setting the stage with the author going on and on [and ON AND ON AND ON:] about his tango dancing or trip here or eating there...like anyone cares! Do yourself a favor and skip 80% of the book while looking for the 20% that has anything whatsoever of value to add.
The author makes a big to-do ab...more
The author makes a big to-do ab...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
Everybody
Many of my friends have read this book and my friend Alex kept talking it up, so I picked it up.
Very few books have really changed the way I envision how I am going to live my life. So far, I have only two: Rich Dad Poor Dad and this one. Though Rich Dad introduced me to the concept of owning assets that pay you to free your time, 4-hour workweek dispels a lot of myths about the need to make millions to live the life that we all dream about. In actuality, its a lot closer than we all real...more
Very few books have really changed the way I envision how I am going to live my life. So far, I have only two: Rich Dad Poor Dad and this one. Though Rich Dad introduced me to the concept of owning assets that pay you to free your time, 4-hour workweek dispels a lot of myths about the need to make millions to live the life that we all dream about. In actuality, its a lot closer than we all real...more
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Read in December, 2007
recommended to Emily by:
Ryan Fisherrecommends it for: kevin smith
I have mixed feelings about this book. The author is someone you don't like from the beginning, and so it is hard to want to be like him. Thankfully, he offers some interesting tips for time management and challenges your work paradigm...maybe even life paradigm. I do look at my definition of productivity differently, and have challenged my idea that if I'm not busy doing something work-related for 8 hours a day that I am a sloth. There are other things of value in this life that we will reg...more
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Read in September, 2007
The other reviews of this book are pretty spot on. I did want to say that I found the idea of mini-retirements interesting. Why should we wait until we are old to enjoy what life has to offer?
I like the idea of taking a month or two off and exploring something new, interesting and educational. This can be done individually and as a family.
I also thought Ferriss' time saving tips can be applied not only to a work, but even to running a household. I didn't really agree with his values and...more
I like the idea of taking a month or two off and exploring something new, interesting and educational. This can be done individually and as a family.
I also thought Ferriss' time saving tips can be applied not only to a work, but even to running a household. I didn't really agree with his values and...more
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Read in May, 2008
Overall Tim provides a good perspective on how to put your life on auto-pilot, if you are running your own business or are in a career where the physical presence is not 100% necessary. Some of Tim's ideas can be applied in an everyday manner, such as identifying a few key items that need to be completed for the day and dedicate time, early in the day to completing these activities without interruption. Another key point is: Do not be consumed by e-mail and frequently check it. Otherwise you ...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
People who like to dream
Apparently the price of virtual assistants has gone up since the book was written, even in India...
This book is great to get your mind working in a non-traditional direction to allow you to expand your idea of what "lifestyle" is. Those brought up in middle working class America that have never lived somewhere else in order to view/experience another perspective will greatly benefit from it....as long as they read it with an open mind.
This book is great to get your mind working in a non-traditional direction to allow you to expand your idea of what "lifestyle" is. Those brought up in middle working class America that have never lived somewhere else in order to view/experience another perspective will greatly benefit from it....as long as they read it with an open mind.
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Read in August, 2007
You have to take this book with a grain of salt. You aren't really going to reduce to four hours of work a week, but the book is valuable for rethinking how you spend your time and for advocating that we don't all wait until we're 65 to start living. After reading this I realized I was still in the habit of just filling time at my desk, when I no longer need to be doing that.
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Read in January, 2008
recommended to Aaron by:
Wendy
One of the few books I have read more than once. Timothy Feriss does an excellent job of explaining the lifestyle and methods of the new rich. Not only that, but he provides web addresses, phone numbers, and more for manufacturers, drop shippers, and mentors. This is a life changing book for any person involved or interested in business.
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Read in May, 2008
This book helps you to simplify your life and get it organized. It also help you to set realistic goals and breaks it down on how you can accomplish your goal at a set time limit. But then it goes into business advice and stuff that I didn't really care much about since I'm not working.
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