Six Lessons for Six Sons: An Extraordinary Father, a Simple Formula for Success

by Joe Massengale, David Clow

Joe Massengale grew up a poor African American boy in Depression-era Texas, never imagining that he would one day be a successful businessman, racehorse owner, and father. In this book, Massengale distills his success into six learned principles: confidence, fortitude, pride, persistence, fearlessness, and focus. Each chapter elucidates one of these principles through tales from his own experience, reflections from prominent persons, and perspectives from his sons on the ways these values have shaped them. Part inspiring memoir, part practical motivation for building strong families and careers, Six Lessons for Six Sons is the rags-to-riches story of an exceptional father and the principles that helped him raise himself and his family from poverty in post-slavery America a century ago to thriving careers all over the United States today.

MP3 CD

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Lgordo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for this kind of book, I thought, but I found it unreadable. I'm not against the bootstraps narrative or anything. I just found the writing itself to be dull and confusing. I actually didn't get much further than the hot-headed grandfather (great grandfather?) who behaved much differently in the "show" parts vs the "tell" parts of the chapter. That disconnect really threw me the loop. Did not finish.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!!! I would highly recommend this book to anyone. This non-fiction details the life of Joe Massengale, an African American who grew up in Marshall, Texas in the old overly racist south. (Marshall, Texas is where the university in the movie the Great Debaters is located.) The story is told from the perspective Joe and his six sons. Each son, who has been successful despite obstacles and challenges in their own right, tell the lesson they learned from their Father and from watching how their father lived his life. This is truly and American Dream story because not only did Joe come from nothing to becoming wealthy, but then at the age of 60 lost it all and started over to regain it again. Although I stumbled across this book it is definitely one I think more people should know about and read.

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book should be titled, "How to succeed in business, not marriage". This was quite interesting and gave me a lot of information on ways to teach my sons to never quit, but this man didn't have such a great record in his marriages, which is sad. Maybe he should have worked less and paid more attention to his wife! BUT, overall it had a great message.

[Estefania Millán · Rating 3 out of 5]

The incredible story of how a man was able to push through obstacles to get himself and his sons out of poverty. It's always nice to read about success stories.

This one in particular was written through interviewing the father (Joe) and his six sons.

[Marcus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some interesting historical references, but generally awful. Avoid.