Clear. Actionable. Personal.
354600
This is the rare writing book that gives actionable advice on both writing and publishing. The sections on funnels, CTAs, and mailing lists give self-published authors a great place to start in building their brands.

This is a long book, but it isn't dry. The authors' personalities shine through, and the book feels like advice from a smart friend. Highly recommended for all writers considering self publication.
1230121
Excellent read for several reasons.
1) Straightforward and clearly spelled out actions
2) Quick read because it cuts to the chase
3) Manageable actions - the steps can be handled by an individual or a small team. Use what you have.
4) Message aligns with what you already know to be true.
5) No need to spend a lot of money to put the concepts into practice.
1179758
Lots of actionable advice and easy to read. Would have given it 5 starts if the author wouldn't plug his own company so much throughout the book!
2980908
George Colombo's third book hits paydirt.  His ideas are tested and true.  His presentation is clear, direct, concise, easily importable, and stems from the the street smarts of this apostle of common sense.  The lay-out and design are clear and attractive.  The sidebar material teases out the most relevant material for busy managers and jumps off the pages as a tutorial for busy people.  I'm already looking forward to George's fourth offering.  Try it... it works!
2643050
Kevin Kruse is obviously superhuman. This is abundantly clear with the continuing /multiple successes he's had in business and boks. This latest perfectly encapsulates one of the many reasons for that success. Direct personal contact. Or to use Mr; Kruse's  creative phrase - "intimate attention."

in our digital age of "what have you done for me lately" - the Author returns to the source of all success: Giving Value. Without the expectation of return.

Anyone who wants to truly "succeed" in business/life needs not only to inhale this book - but live it.
853147
Practical, up to date, actionable. Actually the greatest book on bouilding a company so far.
3829437
This is a solid book! It's tightly packed with very actionable ideas about pitfalls to avoid in your thinking as you run your startup, business, and in some cases, even your life. I read it on a recent flight and finished the whole book in about 2 hours, nodding throughout as I recognized mistakes I've made and recalling situations that my friends are currently in. The writing is very clear, devoid of fluff or filler, and not at all pretentious. It does tend to skew autobiographical, but the author merely uses his own experiences to highlight the points and lessons he's trying to convey, so don't worry if you're not into "biography."
I've recommended this book to several people already and will definitely keep doing so. The content should age well since all of these critical thinking issues are very general across industries and geographies, so as long as we keep inventing new technologies and sell them through startup companies, this book will remain relevant.
2800759
The writing is clear and approachable. The exercises refined my focus for topic, voice and positioning. This book offers insights not just advice. The exercises are laid out in a coherent manner that enabled me to begin writing my book.  I started from a place of knowing I should write a book for business exposure to writing over 10,000 words using a concise outline. My outline includes distinct intentions for my readers to experience.
456551
Candidly, I have only scanned a few chapters, but despite my having seen hundreds of business books and grown cynical about them as a category, I am impressed with this one:

1. Plenty of non-obvious, actionable content.  For example, if provides specific examples of how one can be assertive without being unnecessarily controversial.
2. Enough examples to keep the text from being too dense.
3. Crystalline writing.
4. The ideal structure: 10 points, one per chapter.
5. The exemplars' first AND last names are listed, which suggests that they are real people, not "composite" anecdotes.
6. And my personal peccadillo: men are not disproportionately portrayed as the bad guy. In most books these days, most of the people shown doing good things are women.

I'd call this book a veritable career bible except for two things: it's shorter and it's easier to read.
4910885
Can Art Of The Start 2.0 really create careers, build new brands, transform lives? Heck, thats its sole purpose. Not only can it help budding businesses and initiatives, it does more: it blasts away dilemmas, cushy alibis and convenient excuses. Its an all-encompassing action plan - for action-oriented readers. (Spoiler alert: the other kind of reader will be, well, disillusioned.)

As a long-time fan of Guy Kawasaki, familiar with his ideas and works, Im glad to say that this book is nevertheless unexpectedly good. His whole trail-blazing career and his vantage point inform it and after all, he is in a league of his own. Yet Guy solves the fundamental problem of experienced people (that he too knows too much) by applying his unique gift of keeping it simple.

For me, the book also carries a bonus - its like an unwritten writing course. The text is brilliantly efficient, which is impressive, as some of the ideas have previously been set to different formats - presentation slides, FAQs, interviews, webinars, etc. It is so smooth and fluid, so totally succinct, that the only place The Art of the Start 2.0 could go next (2.5?) is to become an app for portable devices.

The text is also refreshingly candid. Guy repeatedly calls it what it is (vs. the artifice of PR, PC and widespread phoniness). Take for example a question about the hiring process: Should we be honest about our startups weaknesses as well as strengths?. Guy answers it like this: Let me get this straight: you're wondering whether you should lie to candidates, knowing that if they take the job, theyll eventually discover that you startup sucks?. No patience for pretense here, just the disarming truth - being no good to begin with, trying to hide it AND pretending its all somehow acceptable - is not acceptable. Virtually every page in the book is such a reminder to always be genuine. Much more than the title promises, thats in fact sound life management.

The text is quite funny on every page - just Guy being his usual amusing self. Still, he has done some heavy homework, while we all try to casually copy it from him. So whoever is serious about the success of his or her project in this life, will snap out of any daydreaming, grab a pencil and make notes about their own enterprise - after every paragraph. The text of the book may flow effortlessly, but the subject matter is anything but - and the author is the dead-serious, no-nonsense, been-there-done-that voice of reason, which none of us can afford to ignore.

AOTS2.0 has convinced me that success is a ruthless numbers game, and that we stand only one chance in it - to play selflessly, conscientiously and passionately. It also lays out exactly how to do it. If you are willing to start something truly worthwhile, read it and re-read it; and youll never be naive again.

Guy Kawasaki has excelled as a marketer, entrepreneur, manager, consultant, investor, blogger, writer, speaker, publisher and evangelist of several great brands. But more than anything - and this book seals it - he is an enthusiastic enabler, a kind catalyst and a steel safety net for anyone starting - or already doing - anything earnest anywhere.
682396
Full of actionable and useful advice and techniques. Provides thorough context, but also has TL;DR versions that get right to the point. Great book.
2606478
Fantastic book.  I finished it over a weekend. Enjoyed it so much i purchased 33 copies to give out to clients, prospects and friends! An invaluable read  for me in my practice and for any business owner, entrepreneur, investment/insurance advisor or affluent Canadian. Touches on all aspects of planning in a clear, concise way while taking you through the cycle of  life.  A must read. Highly recommend.
1446712
A no-nonsense, straight-forward presentation of the 7 core decisions that any human can apply situation by situation, day by day to achieve or accomplish any personal goal that they really, truly wish to accomplish.

I read the entire book on a flight last week and was blown away by its profound simplicity.
3590531
This book, like everything I've read from Farnoosh, is full of advice based on experience that I find practical and easy to put into action. She has a way of relating that inspires and motivates towards real, do-able action.
So, I offer the ultimate feedback on Ms. Brock's efforts to motivate: I read, reviewed and put her advice into action, all within about 2.5 hours!
The most rewarding thing about her writing is that I always feel as though she is really invested personally in the advice & experience she offers for our consideration . . . and a quick trip to the Prolific Living website will show you that, indeed, she is invested. In deed.
Thanks, Farnoosh! Keep it coming!
4135531
Excellent work on communications and engagement from a very credible source. Clear, concise, riveting and most importantly PRACTICAL. I highly recommend this book and will be sending copies to my closest clients. Read it, live it, share it.
1574683
Funny, intuitive, thoughtful, insightful, "user friendly." Brilliant.
1622893
BRAVO! Page after page of actionable strategies that work in the CURRENT marketplace. Made me finally feel much more in control of growing my customer base, by understanding how to drill down to exactly the person I am courting and how to make her a "Superfan". I don't need to do it "all". Finally. Great guidance on what works and why. Love the "ask a favor" strategy, because I have SEEN this in play in my own business, serendipitously. This little book is highly readable, well organized, goes both very wide AND very deep, while not being overwhelming. Maps out so many great directions on so many platforms, there is something here for every thought leader, no matter your niche. Great examples from branding experts you know and follow, with a wink wink behind-the-curtain guide to the plays they use that matter. Thrilled to be an early reader... I'll be ahead of the pack. ;)