221 of 237 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Beware of the Professional F/T Reviewers, August 14, 2007
There are people who market their consulting services by writing glowing 5 star reviews of *every* new book that appears on Amazon. Ignore these people.
Here's an honest review.
This book is basically the business version of "Chick Lit". The author's real passion is for recounting her affairs with various billionaires. First, there's Bill Gates with whom she had a one stand. Frankly, I thought Bill was too much of nerd to do this sort of thing. Then there's another short-lived relationship with Oracle's Larry Ellison who, according to her, has "buns of steel." Talk about TMI! Finally, there's a third mystery billionaire who is never identified.
Then there is the tiresomely long section on her problems with her New Age guru. He turned out to be a con man just like most western religious leaders. Apparently she couldn't see this coming.
The remainder of the book consists of high school level "wisdom" on how to succeed in life. For example, you need to master GSD (Getting Stuff Done). What a great insight!
To pad RfR out to book length she throws in a completely out-of-place chapter (CEO as Cash Extraction Officer) near the end on business funding sources which feels like a quickie Google "cut n paste" job.
The book's greatest strengths are the catchy chapter titles. Just scan them and you will absorb the book's total value in seconds.
Before the dotcoms exploded the author claimed to be a venture capitalist. All I know of her exploits as a VC is that she appeared in a business magazine sitting in a bubble bath wearing nothing but a cowboy hat and holding a cigar. That picture sums up the author nicely: a self-promoter and lime-light seeker with little of substance to offer the reader.
I was really hoping to like this book since there's so little writing from female entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, it's just disappointing fluff.
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32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hoped for alot, got lost in the sexual relations, December 28, 2007
Ok, found this book in Business Week. A HUGE ad. Should have listened to my intuition. Great book for breaking old thoughts, getting out there and doing it! Yeah! But... Then the numerous parts on her 'relations' with 'various billionaires'. Yes, she outright brags! It's ridiculous and ruined her credibility for me. I did get something from the book, but without the kissing scenes. I reaffirmed my empowered feelings etc... but not much else. I did join her website: she sends you 'SPAM' about her teleconferences (the 1st wasn't too bad). Then builds you up for the Finale: the $200 conference she's holding. You had me at 'Unsubscribe'. Don't really recommend this one, but would highly recommend: The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz (Wow, REALLY gets you going) or 4 Hour work week (bit analytical but good inspiration and NOT just for those who want to quit their job). Hope that helps. Smile everyone, Have a great day!
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not sure any renegades follow these rules., March 3, 2008
I was really disappointed in this book. Do renegades even abide by rules? The book is a hollow collection of platitudes backed up by stories of dubious escapades. Not so much a book about business as a memoir book masquerading as a business book.
It is a fairly breezy read, however that's the problem. It breezes over many details, lacks depth, and throws in points that should be explained and are not. The author also contradicts herself in a damning manner.
First she admits to not having researched a business idea before going into it head first. She goes into training as a Geisha (no really, she does) and only after meeting someone who would become her benefactor does it dawn on her that being a Geisha means she would become a kept women. Seems to me that this is something that you should know going in, before you decide to set up a Geisha House in the US; and especially before you start training as a Geisha.
The second and most damning admission is that of her business partner. He is none other than a notorious cult leader to whom she gives half of her earnings. He is not mentioned until approximately half way into the book. Then only as an after thought does she slip in the "donations" she makes. She is forced to make these admissions because it leads into why she had to start over after this ultra-succesful business failure. She had "given" him half of the business, he wanted more.
After that chapter it was difficult to read on. How do listen to someone who sides with a cult leader, and says he is her "spiritual guide", and defends him; while admitting he is out for her money? She glosses over her involvement with this "guru", which makes it much harder to believe anything she says.
The author is typical of the Tech Elite, they will follow the hokiest of organizations, Gurus, Religions, Collectives looking for "meaning", which they never find. The failure of each new "fad", mostly New Age fads leads to them flailing desperately for some way to justify their existence. In this book, I recognize many of my former co-workers (Tech Elite). The author's failure to address this, is a major shortcoming of the book.
The author hits on all the requirements of being an "expert". Write book, check; create catch phrases, check; "buzz" words they have made up, check; offer free gift of little to no value, check; mention website several times, check. Her favorite phrases are "rock your career" followed by "rock failure" which she uses more as a mantra, than an emphasis on a point.
I don't mind people marketing their services or wares; however it annoys me when a book purports to be one thing and turns out to be nothing but a pre-sales piece. Can you learn something from this book? Yes, I think you can, however it's not rules, and it's not about being a renegade.
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