1. ISBN13: 9780061583254
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Editorial Review :

Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. "The days are long, but the years are short," she realized. "Time is passing, and I'm not focusing enough on the things that really matter." In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.

In this lively and compelling account of that year, Rubin carves out her place alongside the authors of bestselling memoirs such as Julie and Julia, The Year of Living Biblically, and Eat, Pray, Love. With humor and insight, she chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier.

Rubin didn't have the option to uproot herself, nor did she really want to; instead she focused on improving her life as it was. Each month she tackled a new set of resolutions: give proofs of love, ask for help, find more fun, keep a gratitude notebook, forget about results. She immersed herself in principles set forth by all manner of experts, from Epicurus to Thoreau to Oprah to Martin Seligman to the Dalai Lama to see what worked for her—and what didn't.

Her conclusions are sometimes surprising—she finds that money can buy happiness, when spent wisely; that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that "treating" yourself can make you feel worse; that venting bad feelings doesn't relieve them; that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference—and they range from the practical to the profound.

Written with charm and wit, The Happiness Project is illuminating yet entertaining, thought-provoking yet compulsively readable. Gretchen Rubin's passion for her subject jumps off the page, and reading just a few chapters of this book will inspire you to start your own happiness project.

Customer Review :

Life changing to say the least!

Great book, I couldn't put it down! Gretchen Rubin does and excellent job of combining wit, philosophy and advice with her own personal journey on her "Happiness Project." It'll encourage you to improve your own life and even after a few chapters I could feel a difference.

Rating :

Happiness is doing and a little bit being

The author's first commandment is "Be Gretchan". That is what we get in this book. I laughed out loud at her sincere attempts to be nicer to her husband even though he didn't seem to notice when she did an "Extreme Nice" week towards him. Her honesty about needing and wanting a gold star for all of the things she feels she needs to do to be a good wife, a good daughter, and a good daughter-in-law yields a lot of good suggestions. It's just that she can't seem to let go of her strong need for approval and a pat on the back. Her husband's "please don't make me" plea not to be coerced into stuffing and sealing Valentine photo card envelopes which is solely her idea was a tender observation of her self-described personality traits (anger, self-righteousness and prickly critical reactions.) I thought the weakest part of her sojourn was spirituality and mindfulness. Especially her quick resistance ("Be Gretchan") to exploring or even reading about Buddhism and mindfulness: no desire to do extensive research here. Her ignorance and subsequent arrogance shows up when she comes up with her own "koans" as though she already has an understanding of what Zen Koans and Buddhism are about. Cleaning out one's closets does make one feel better. There ARE a lot of helpful suggestions. In the end, Gretchan has written a book about DOING THINGS that will make one happier: the ultimate Western World approach to completing goals in life. What she is less willing to explore by "being Gretchan" is Eastern, which teaches BEING in the world. There, the striving quiets down and the self is able to reflect its true nature. Without even trying.

Rating :

Very Practical View of Happiness

I loved this book and could not put it down. It offered a lot of insight about the author's personality, struggles and resolve. I share the same personality traits with her, so I can relate to many things she was struggling with. Her insights are also very action oriented, and I was able to take some small steps immediately. I am tracking my happiness activities on my chart and found it to be very helpful.

Rating :

good, but not great

I have mixed feelings about this book. Some of it was really good and resonated with me (including the included comments from her blog), some I thought was plain stupid. I also thought a lot of it was written in a very egocentric tone and somewhat lengthy - I had to skip over some pages to keep going. But then again, Rubin makes quite clear that this book is about her project, so why shouldn't she speak about herself?
Overall, I liked it and it got me thinking, but it is not a literary masterpiece - like most blogs turned books.

Rating :

Good idea, but...

I was looking forward to reading this book since I found the idea of it intriguing. As I was reading, I realized that something was bothering me, but initially I couldn't figure out what it was. Finally, about half way through, it hit me: the author seems to be boasting. She goes on and on about how great her life is by letting the reader know that she has a soul mate husband, wonderful kids, a great education, her dream job, perfect relationships with in-laws and parents, tons of friends and acquaintances, etc. It had me wondering why she even embarked on this project other than the obvious: money. If she's not as happy as she could be with all of these advantages, then I am not interested in her journey, anyway. If you're looking for something insightful, I would not recommend this book.

Rating :

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1. ISBN13: 9780761148579
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Customer Review :

Full Disclosure would be nice

It didn't say that there was writing on the inside cover of the book - otherwise it was fine

Rating :

Good reference.

This is a good reference for when situations arise. Read it in about two hours.

Rating :

What to expect? Horrible things!

As a birth doula, I understand that the very best way to approach your pregnancy and birth is with a calm attitude. Even if a problem arises or you choose a medical intervention, remaining calm and collected is key to enjoying pregnancy and childbirth, also to remain in control of the experience. Unfortunately, What to Expect does the opposite. It makes women and their partners literally freak out about every little inconsistency with "textbook" information. According to this book, what you should expect are TERRIBLE THINGS. Which is the absolute WORST way to view your body as it goes through the wonderful changes during pregnancy and childbirth. As alternatives, I would suggest "Pregnancy Childbirth and the Newborn" by Penny Simkin, the "Our Bodies Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth," or "The Pregnancy Book" by Dr. Sears. Same information in these books, but a far more positive outlook on your birth!

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide (medically updated)
Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth
The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month, Everything You Need to Know From America's Baby Experts

Rating :

A very complete and reassuring book

I usually do not write reviews but I felt I had to do it for this book : when I read the bad reviews about it, I wonder if we really had the same book in hand ? For me it was a mine of information and above all, a mine of reassuring tips and advices. I'm the type of person who worries about all and everything. I got this book for my first pregnancy and it helped me getting started and understanding the pregnancy step by step.

It is much less a catalog of awful things than other books such as "your pregnancy week by week", for instance - that, in a funny way, readers that actually disliked "what to expect" preferred. In a funny way, because for each week, you have about three pages about you and the baby, and the rest for what can go wrong, full chart of what substances will do to your baby, money concerns, it even talks about tuberculosis !! Personnally, I realy disliked "week by week" as, after every chapter, I felt I had read more about problems than about the pregnancy. I did not have this impression with "what to expect".

I got very worried at the beginning of my pregnancy because I'm older (37) and was experiencing cramping and no morning sickness. In at least 4 places in "what to expect" they explain this is perfectly OK and normal and that this is not necessairly bad unless associated with other symptoms.
I also had a miscarriage - and the book helped me cope with it in a wonderful way. It told me more than my own doctor... I actually found that it is written in a way that leaves room for everyone, every taste, every reaction, without judging nor condescending as others have said.

Honestly I have few usage of a book that would NOT tell me the truth abouth what to expect : the various pregnancy symptoms, the procedures, what can go wrong. In other books I got they do not talk about "normal cramping" - and I would have begun to worry about not reading about it. This is the exact reason WHY I got this book - so that I can find most of the answers that I'm looking for. And if there is something to be looked at in more detail, there is always your practitioner, and the internet. And let's face it : pregnancy is not a piece of cake. I do not need a book enhancing how wonderful time it is... I need a book that is practical and matter-of-factly.

Actually I found strange all the reviews of hate - as if the readers had developped a personal relationship with the book itself. After reading the book, I find most of the reviews exagerated - this is of course my own take at it ;). I guess people find in there what they want to find... maybe the style in which it is written is not the cup of tea of everybody. Personnally it did not prevent me from getting the information that I was looking for without getting emotional over it.

A few excerpts of the book that answer some concerns of other reviewers :

Reader : "it was so discouraging to be reading the guilt-inducing message that I might be denying my baby something because I was gagging on my spinach". Extracts :
- page 89 : "there is a very important point to keep in mind as you embark on making a diet change for the better :what's presented in this chapter is the ideal, the best possible plan for eating when you're expecting. Something you should strive for, certainly, but nothing you should stress over (especially early in pregnancy) [...] "
- page 92 : a full "No more guilt" section...

Reader : "You know what it says in the index? "Mood swings: see depression."
This is absolutely not true. Tere are two pages on mood swings, one on panick attacks, and it explains why and how to cope with it and how your husband can cope with yours... the index actually says : mood swings : 162-164 ; and DHA/Omega 3 ; and thyroid condition; father's ; spouse coping with your ; see also : baby blues, depression, emotions

Reader : "This book is full of information unfortunately, it is all the scary information."
Well, I think the contrary. The scary information is actually regrouped at the end of the book, in a chapter called "managing a complicated pregnancy". The introduction to the chapter reads : "If you've had a problem-free pregnancy so far, though, this need-to-know chapter is not for you (you don't need to know any of it). Most women sail through pregnancy and childbirth without any complications. While information is definitey empowering when you need it, reading about all the things that could go wrong when they're not going wrong is only going to stress you out - and for no good reason. Skip it, and save yourself some unneeded worry."
By the way, this is the same disclaimer this reader is talking about here :
Reader : "I also hated that the miscarriage section had a big disclaimer warning pregnant women not to read it unless they actually had had a miscarriage, because the knowledge alone that miscarriage could happen would be so emotionally devastating to her that she couldn't handle it."
I call this an far-fetched interpretation of what is actually written.

Reader : "...was advised to have an amniocentesis. The language in "What to Expect" emphasizes: 1. The large size of the needle, 2. The risks of the procedure, and 3. Pain"
I think you read what you want to read. These facts were not "emphasized" but merely described. And these ARE the facts. Would you prefer a book stating that the needle is nothing to notice, that the procedure has no risks and there is no pain ? You would call that book a liar...

"Although it explains procedures, it does not emphasize a pregnant woman's rights to refuse those procedures if she chooses, and take ownership of her medical care during this crucial time."
Again I do not think this is true. Of course if you jump directly to the paragraph talking about amniocentesis, there is nothing there. But there are some caveats in a lot of other places, particularly in the few pages preceding the description of the invasive procedures. For instance :
- page 59 : "for those whose concerns represent more than normal expectant-parent jitters, the benefits of prenatal diagnosis can far outweigh the risks."
- page 63 : (talking about screening which is a blood test) : " once you have that information, you can decide, together with your practitioner, whether you want to undergo diagnostic testing". page 64 (same) : "the major risk of the test is that a positive result may lead to follow-up procedures that present greater risks. Before you consider taking any action on the basis of prenatal screening, be sre an experienced physician or genetic counselor has evaluated the results." (follow the descriptions of various procedures including amniocentesis)

Anyway, I will just stop here, it was just an illustration of what people disliked vs what was really written. Try to borrow the book or have a peak inside here or at a library to get an idea of whether it's right or wrong for you. It was definitely right for me. Every pregnancy is different... everybody is different.


Rating :

The cute-ification of the writing upstages the value of the book

Pregnancy is an exciting time and it's good to have fun with it, but the 4th edition takes the most simple descriptions and turns them into terms 15 year olds use. Sperm is routinely referred to as "the guys", and the following is taken from page 8, "Knowing when the Big O (ovulation) occurs is key when doing the Baby Dance (aka trying to conceive). Here are a few ways to help you pin down the big day--and pin each other down for baby-making activities."
I will only use this until my new pregnancy book arrives at which point this is going to a book drive.

Rating :

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1. ISBN13: 9781932100662
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Editorial Review :

Customer Review :

Excellent Book!

This is an eye-opening book!! One that everyone should read in order to understand how to improve their health. Just a few changes in one's lifestyle can add years to your life plus quality to your years.

Rating :

One of the most valuable books any American could read

The China Study was the largest, most comprehensive human nutrition study in history. The China Study was the culmination of a 20 year partnership between Cornell University, Oxford University and the Chinese Academy Of Preventative Medicine. It is the legacy of Dr. T. Colin Campbell.

Dr. T Colin Campbell ( 1934 - ) grew up on a dairy farm in Northern Virginia. For about 50 years Dr. Campbell has been at the forefront of nutrition research. Dr. Campbell is a Jacob Gould Schurman Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University. Dr. Campbell has received more than 70 grant years of peer reviewed research funding. He has authored more than 300 research papers and received the Research Achievement Award in 1998 from the American Institute of Cancer Research.

Dr. Campbell opens, his book, "The China Study" by telling us that the top killers of Americans are ( in descending order, page 16 ):


1. Cardiovascular disease
2. Cancer
3. Medical Care
4. Cerebrovascular Diseases (strokes)
5. Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases
6. Accidents
7. Diabetes Mellitus
8. Influenza and Pneumonia
9. Alzheimer's Disease


The population of the United States is about 300 million people. Out of those 300 million Americans 82% have at least 1 risk factor for heart disease. Over 280,000 Americans died from strokes, diabetes or Altzeimer's Disease in the year 2000. During any given week 50% - 80% of Americans take at least one medication or one prescription drug. 65% of Americans are overweight and 31% of Americans are obese ( page 346 ).

People can't be kept in a cages, so nutrition studies on human beings are both rare and valuable. They are incredibly valuable because animals are not people. What works/doesn't work for common lab animals ( rats, rabbits, mice, etc..) often doesn't/does work for human beings.

The China Study had the huge advantage of being done in China, where for the most part, even in the present day, people don't move around much. They will live in the same area and eat the same diet for most of their lives. Composed of distinct cultures with different economic advantages, regional diets in China will vary greatly.

Dr. Campbell found that Chinese people who live in regions that eat diets similar to Americans die in much the same ways and numbers that Americans do.

Dr. Campbell also found that Chinese people who lived in regions where animal products are scarce ( i.e. 4 ounces of meat a day, 3 - 4 thin slices of cold cuts ) did not experience the terminal diseases that Americans do in anywhere near the same numbers. Even when attempting to adjust for physical activity.

The message of Dr. Campbell's book, "The China Study", is that if you want to avoid dying and more importantly suffering from, the list of diseases above eat a plant based diet of whole plant foods.

I like to read about nutrition, so the nuts and bolts of the book that other people might find interesting I did not and vice-versa.

The first thing I found interesting in this book, is the list of the top killers of Americans. I have seen that list many times over many years. Never with item number 3 on it. According to Dr. Campbell physician error, medication error, hospital borne infections and adverse events from drugs or surgery kill 225,400 Americans a year( page 15 ). Reads like a good argument for getting serious about preventative self health care doesn't it? Exactly Dr. Campbell's point

The other points I found interesting were in regards low carbohydrate diets. Many of the proponents of low carbohydrate diets have the near-conspiracy theory idea that low fat diets recommended by the scientific establishment only served to make American's fatter. In Dr. Campbell's own words ( page 95 ):

========================
"One of the fundamental arguments at the beginning of most low carbohydrate, high-protein diet books is that America has been wallowing in low-fat mania at the advice of experts for the past twenty years, but there is one inconvenient fact that is consistently ignored: according to a report summarizing government food statistics, "Americans consumed thirteen pounds more fats and oils per person in 1997 than in 1970, up from 52.6 to 65.6 pounds." It is true that we have had a trend toward consuming fewer of our total calories as fat, when considered as a percentage, but that's only because we have outpaced our gorging on fat by gorging on sugary junk food. Simply by looking at the numbers, anybody can see that America has not adopted the "low-fat" experiment-- not by an stretch of the imagination.
"
=========================


In other words, Americans as a whole, were never on a low fat diet. Americans are fatter now because Americans have been eating more calories overall. Again, nothing new. You can read the same information in more detail in the August 2004 edition of The National Geographic (pages 46 - 61), "Why are Americans so fat" by Cathy Newman ( not quoted in this book ).

My primary complaint with this book is the title. A more accurate title would have been "What I have learned during my 50 year career of nutrition research". The actual "China Study" takes up a chunk of the book, but only a chunk.

I would have enjoyed reading more about the actual "China Study".

The bulk of the book is taken up by Dr. Campbell trying to demonstrate that the idea that animal products bring disease and that whole food plant based diets bring health is not a new scientific discovery. In fact, he claims it goes back at least 30 - 40 years.

Why haven't you heard of this before? Well, that is the title of Part IV of his book, the last 92 pages or so.

Do not expect a typical hippie health food conspiracy theory rant about payoffs and evil plots. Dr. Campbell has been one of the top researchers in the U.S. for about half a century. Many of the scientists and officials he has criticism for he knows on a first name basis. Dr. Campbell gives the reader, instead, a very sophisticated account of how health information does not make it out to the average person and more importantly, how seemingly conflicting medical information ends up in the popular media. Reading this section of the book will give you a valuable perspective on how to view reports on any given study you might find in the news.

Since I waited so long to read this book, I have read many popular criticisms of it.

As a popular reader, I haven't come across any critics with Dr. Campbell's credentials, who have addressed a fraction of the over 730 references of this book, who have read all of his research or who are involved in the same research as he was. I'm not saying that such scholarly papers aren't there, but that is not where I have seen the bulk of criticism coming from.

Some of the popular criticisms of this book are flat out ridiculous. For example, that Dr. Campbell wrote this book because he is a vegetarian and in league with animal rights activists. These "critics" have never read this book or they would have seen this quote (page 107 )


=====================
"The results of this study, in addition to a mountain of supporting research, some of it my own and some of it from other scientists, convinced me to turn my dietary lifestyle around.

I stopped eating meat fifteen years ago, and I stopped eating almost all animal-based foods, including dairy, within the past six to eight years, except on very rare occasions. My cholesterol has dropped, even as I've aged; I am more physically fit now than when I was twenty-five; and I am forty-five pounds lighter now than I was when I was thirty years old. I am now at a ideal weight for my height."
=============================


Furthermore, Dr. Campbell describes animal experiments he conducted and defends those experiments. That is something of an anathema to almost every kind of animal rights ideology.

None of what Dr. Campbell has to say is all that new. A number of well credentialed experts over the years have been saying pretty much similar things. The entire book could be successfully condemned by the critics ( far from happening ) but the main message would still stand.

Eating a plant based diet of whole plant foods promotes health, eating a diet high in animal products brings disease.

I do think the book takes on too much and doesn't walk the reader through enough tight conclusions. I think some parts of it could have been shorter without losing any information. I also think some parts were much too dense.

I do think from the perspective of the full content of this book, that this book is one of the most valuable books any American can read.

Putting the message into practice in your life can save your life and make you a happier person while you are living it.

This book is old enough to be in many library systems, as well as used book venues. The only thing to lose, besides early diminishing health, is a few afternoons of your time to read this book.

It is worth it.



Rating :

A Must Read If You Want to Live Longer

This very comprehensive study is an eye-opener for those who wish to live a longer, healthier life. Once you discover the correct way to nourish your body, live longer and healthier lives, you will wonder why this information is not more widely taught and embrased as the real diet we should be following. It is an outrage that Americans have been taught and encouraged to follow a diet that leads to early death and poor health. I am now following this diet and cannot tell you how much better I feel, how much better my body functions and how all of my unhealthy cravings have vanished. I commend anyone brave enough to read and follow the advice in this book - you will discover a much better, healthier future.

Rating :

A Must Read for those who Need Clarity

This book was everything I was hoping it would be; very thorough, educational, comprehensive, and credible information. It is a true eye-opener for those of us who are still thinking that the FDA and such organizations are really looking out for our best interest. If you seek ultimate health for you and your family, this book needs to be on your shelf. If you have health challenges that you wonder why you can't find the source of, read this book. It is very well written, no scientific mumbo-jumbo. Tons of information that everyone who eats in America needs to know.

Rating :

Best Book on Human Health Ever Written

The cover of the book says it all. I have been practicing, reading, and experimenting with various diets and supplements for the past 30 years. I have been a long time member of Life Extension International and have read all of Roger Mason's books. Simply put: This is the "Best Evidence" to date on how we should eat for better health. I also appreciated the insider expose' on the Corporate influence on our health and the propaganda that follows. READ THIS BOOK.

Rating :

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1. ISBN13: 9780786868728
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Editorial Review :

"Clear some space on your bookshelf for Mitch Albom's, Have a Little Faith, the story of a faith journey that could become a classic. Those who were born into faith, have lost faith, or are still searching will all be engaged and challenged by this powerful story of "finding faith" in relationships with others and with something greater than ourselves. Never satisfied with easy answers or soft platitudes, Mitch explores some of life's greatest mysteries and unanswered questions with great honesty, depth and self reflection. "
--Jim Wallis, CEO and Founder of Sojourners and author of The Great Awakening

What if our beliefs were not what divided us, but what pulled us together?

In Have a Little Faith, Mitch Albom offers a beautifully written story of a remarkable eight-year journey between two worlds--two men, two faiths, two communities--that will inspire readers everywhere.

Albom's first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have a Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an eighty-two-year-old rabbi from Albom's old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.

Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he'd left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor--a reformed drug dealer and convict--who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof.

Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Albom observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat.

As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Albom and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers, and histories are different, Albom begins to recognize a striking unity between the two worlds--and indeed, between beliefs everywhere.

In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor's wobbly church, Albom sadly fulfills the rabbi's last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.

Have a Little Faith is a book about a life's purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man's journey, but it is everyone's story.

Ten percent of the profits from this book will go to charity, including The Hole In The Roof Foundation, which helps refurbish places of worship that aid the homeless.

Customer Review :

Insightful and warm story! Loved it!

I thought this was such a well written and original story. It's a story of loving compassion and acceptance across the boundaries of religion. Great read!

Rating :

everyone should read this

This book was Mitch Alboms best. It taught me more about life and the way it should be lived. I would compare this book to Og Mandino but this was real life. I will heartily recommend this to every one I know and will be given as a gift to all my loved ones. When a book changes your life and makes you rethink how you will spend the rest of your time here this is pretty profound. This book was truly a gift and gets me excited for tomorrow. Amazing thought provoking book.

















Rating :

A great experience...

This book offers something for everyone. Read it slowly, stop, and think about it. Just fabulous. The delivery was just as fabulous and the book surprised me by how quickly it arrived. This was a great experience....

Rating :

Life Changing

This book changed my life, gave me a positive attitude and a whole new look on life. Its a new favorite!!

Rating :

Have A Good Read

HAVE A LITTLE FAITH is an excellent, excellent book. Easy to read; profound in content. It's a little like gold mining - just keeping mining and you will turn up surprising gold nuggets of wisdom, compassion and redemption. The fact that is a true story makes it even more compelling and inspiritational. A great book to share with friends and discuss the "nuggets" you each found.

Rating :

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Editorial Review :

More than 100 pages of new, cutting-edge content.

Forget the old concept of retirement and the rest of the deferred-life plan–there is no need to wait and every reason not to, especially in unpredictable economic times. Whether your dream is escaping the rat race, experiencing high-end world travel, earning a monthly five-figure income with zero management, or just living more and working less, The 4-Hour Workweek is the blueprint.

This step-by-step guide to luxury lifestyle design teaches:
•How Tim went from $40,000 per year and 80 hours per week to $40,000 per month and 4 hours per week
•How to outsource your life to overseas virtual assistants for $5 per hour and do whatever you want
•How blue-chip escape artists travel the world without quitting their jobs
•How to eliminate 50% of your work in 48 hours using the principles of a forgotten Italian economist
•How to trade a long-haul career for short work bursts and frequent “mini-retirements”

The new expanded edition of Tim Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Workweek includes:
•More than 50 practical tips and case studies from readers (including families) who have doubled income, overcome common sticking points, and reinvented themselves using the original book as a starting point
•Real-world templates you can copy for eliminating e-mail, negotiating with bosses and clients, or getting a private chef for less than $8 a meal
•How Lifestyle Design principles can be suited to unpredictable economic times
•The latest tools and tricks, as well as high-tech shortcuts, for living like a diplomat or millionaire without being either

Customer Review :

A good gimmick

If nobody noticed while reading this book, the guy started his dot-com business in the dot-com era. Fortunate for him, unfortunate for the rest of you. It's still possible to be a successful entrepreneur, but the advice given here is really motivational, nothing else. The first half of the book is full of stories of his successful life style, which has nothing at all to do with entrepreneurship. The advice he states about applying his Pareto methods to customers is worthless, really. He states that 95% of his revenue came from 5 people, and he simply ignored the rest of his customers. All of a sudden he states his income doubles, which are from new customers. Did this advice work? Of course not. These methods have absolutely no way of affecting new customers. We are also led to believe that these same '5' people are 'still' the biggest customers and that they didn't 'leave'. There are so many unanswered questions to this business, it's just pathetic to witness people believing it's as easy as the author makes it out to be. After you've given up your job and are waiting for your first few successful sales, you might want to have your children live with a relative who can feed and cloth them till it happens while your on your 4 hour work week. Oh, that's right, you'll really be working a full week like everyone else, including the author.

Also I don't know if anyone else noticed but the guy works more than 4 hours a week, and you can find traces of this throughout the book. Let's ignore this fact and just say if everyone were to take his approach and work 4 hours a week, all the major economies in the world would collapse. Give this book to any developer or administrator even, and you'll be sure to get a laugh. Without the people working their asses off to create and maintain these services we use, this guy would be cleaning floors with a tooth brush.

So for anyone interested in this book, just realize the title is misleading. The author is inexperienced with start ups, as striking it lucky young and early. If he were to have more experience under his belt with several successful start-ups, you would have a very different book (with a title that wasn't misleading hopefully). Go to your local bookstore and check it out first. It isn't a big book and you can easily skip the first half of the book because it's filler. I'm sure the majority of reviewers who rated this book so high are just living it up with their 4-hour work weeks.

Rating :

Utterly changed my view and life

Never has a book affected me quite as much as this one ... well ... actually ... it's predecessor.

I saw the new version on the shelf at B&N and thought "oh my, has Tim succumbed to the eternal minor refresh and re-sell plague that so many authors appear to contract?"

I needn't have worried. This new edition is significantly updated and includes many more actual case studies and examples of those who took the plunge and started living their lives differently - it was an instant purchase (sorry Amazon ;)) and is currently being devoured whilst I execute my exit from my current job and begin my new life :)

Rating :

For all of the haters out there

For starters I only rated this book with 1 star so that the chance it would be read would be greatly increased. My real rating is 5 stars. Nearly every negative review has failed to realize that starting a business that runs itself it merely the vehicle to be successful but not the point of the book. It is a complete re-organization of your life, learning to take a more critical view on what you have been taught life has to be like. It is true that not everybody can do this, good, less competition for me, It is key that you follow the excercises laying the foundation that is necessary for your business model to work. That foundation is getting over your fears, being persistent and truly believing that no task is impossible. For all my morals this morals that people, just as spies have to do bad things to make good things happen you can do great things for this world if you have time and money to make it happen. As many have said before me you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. For those of you who still want to give it a try a good start is reading all of the negative reviews. This is a great source of information from all of the losers who this will not work for and teaches you what not to be. I'm not rich, but I no longer slave away and have equaled my previous income. I do agree that this is not for the weak.

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Inspiring!

This book is amazing! It has changed my life. My wife and I always knew we wanted more time and freedom than we used to and this book opened our eyes to the possibilities. We aren't all the way there yet, but we are on our way. Thanks Tim!

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Handbook to entrepreneurship

The book does read like a mishmash of Tim's addiction to travelling, his frustration with success and money early on and him stumbling upon a successful nutrition company. However this book also sounds like a real unedited account of his life which is why I like this book. This is not too planned to be a certain type of book to appeal to certain type of audience. It turn by turn account of his adventurous life. It is also fair criticism that all Tim did was to establish only one company and he might have gotten lucky. But it is also true that he sold himself as a expert on nutritions and appeared on many TV shows and create d aTim Ferriss brand. And all the other tid-bids if information are priceless...right from outsoucring companies info, internet pay-per-click ad campaign etc. I have listened to his many videos on youtube and on his personal blog and his most recent talk at the TED, and this man is really brilliant and this book just gives a glimpse of his mind.

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