Best Books of the Decade: 2000's
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book data
1,863 ratings,
3.75
average rating, 531 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, he m...more
controversial Princeton University guest lecturer, he m...more
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| 100+ Book Challenge: Jim Takchess 2009 100+ list | 32 | 172 | 10 hours, 49 min ago | |
| Achieving the life style | 5 | 56 | 09/04/2008 06:22AM |
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 3,246)
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avg 3.75
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
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....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....more
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Instead of focusing on this book's lame contents (it was really bad) I decided to share my review of how it was otherwise used in the hopes that it might inspire others.
First of all, I found the book's paper a little rough in texture. This precluded it from being used in the outhouse or camping, if you know what I mean. The raspy paper DID, however, have just the right stuff to be 'ripped and rolled' into some really effective starter wicks in the old fireplace. Went up like a cha...more
First of all, I found the book's paper a little rough in texture. This precluded it from being used in the outhouse or camping, if you know what I mean. The raspy paper DID, however, have just the right stuff to be 'ripped and rolled' into some really effective starter wicks in the old fireplace. Went up like a cha...more
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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 y...more
He encourages you to lease expensive cars so you can feel like y...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 ...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 ...more
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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 o...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 o...more
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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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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 May, 2008
Overall, I appreciate the idea he brings up in the fact that people waste their days with nonsense (this may come from the fact that I worked in the government for years). As a computer guy, I also appreciate the fact that many people don't fully harness the power of auto-replies, faqs, macros, scripts, batching, etc. to eliminate a good 80% of their work in an office environment. That being the case, the idea of doing all of this doesn't work everywhere (only certain office/sales jobs I suspe...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 tha...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 tha...more
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2 comments
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 October, 2008
recommends it for:
Scumbags.
Although mr. Ferriss has some good ideas and goals, there is one word that describes why, I am not a fan of this book: Scumbaggery.
While I totally agree with Tim Ferriss, when he says that most meetings are useless and should be avoided, I cannot agree with his recommendation of making up excuses and lies, in order to leave early or not show up. This is just one example of behavior recommended in this book, and it quite frankly disgusts me.
I am all for automating the dull...more
While I totally agree with Tim Ferriss, when he says that most meetings are useless and should be avoided, I cannot agree with his recommendation of making up excuses and lies, in order to leave early or not show up. This is just one example of behavior recommended in this book, and it quite frankly disgusts me.
I am all for automating the dull...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 ...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 ...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 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-...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-...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 t...more
The author makes a big t...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 February, 2008
recommends it for:
the pretentious
So glad I got this book from the library. If I'd purchased the book I would have felt cheated out of money, not just time. Really, this is a book with a great title but it's more a brag book. There was so much talk of self indulgence, living the 'rock star life'. So much talk in fact , it is almost laughable at page 272 he devotes 4 paragraphs to service. Which he defines as "doing something that improves life besides your own." It was a lame afterthought.
In my opinion - us...more
In my opinion - us...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 wit...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 wit...more
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quotes from this book
"By using money as the scapegoat and work as our all-consuming routine, we are able to conveniently disallow ourselves to do otherwise: 'John, I'd love to talk about the gaping void I feel in my life, the hopelessness that hits me like a punch in the eye every time I start my computer in the morning, but I have so much work to do! I've got at least three hours of unimportant email to reply to before calling prospects who said 'no' yesterday. Gotta run!'"
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