Customer Reviews

Something for Nothing: The All-Consuming Desire that Turns the American Dream into a Social Nightmare

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have been a modest reader of Brian's work for a while and a friend gave me this book and said that it was a must read - he was so excited! Once i picked it up, I understood, as I was unable to put it down and powered through it during the weekend. This is a bit different from much of Brian's other material, but it is quite remarkable and i hope he does more of this kind of stuff.

Essentially he gets into the core of human nature and helps bring it to life. He then extrapolates on these premises and helps us understand where much of the bad and good come from in this world and what types of things, we as U.S. citizens, can do to help make this a better place to live. I wish that they made this book a mandatory reading in all high schools- would sure help us all out!!! Enjoy!

I have been a reader, listener and fan of Brian Tracy since a friend gave me a copy of Maxiumum Acheivement years ago (Which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND. It is 10 Stars and changed my life).

Something for Nothing is an incredible, dynamic, insightful and educational read. I am a slow reader, have had it for a week and I will finish the last 10 pages tonight. I found myself nodding my head while I was reading this book. If ONLY our governing bodies would read this, America would still have hope to continue to be the future's leading nation. I agree 100% with Brian's assessment and I am no push-over.

Through his books and CD's I have come learn that Brian Tracy is a genuine, confident, warm, intelligent and driven man that has a true talent for guiding people toward excellence. Too bad his presidential run did not work out (yet) as I feel that a country under the leadership of a man like Brian would be an even better place to live that we already have.

I only know Brian through his work but I will meet him one day as it is one of my goals. I look forward to it every time I read his books or listen to his CD's (get the Science of Self Confidence)

I am writing this review because this book pissed me off; in a good way.

I was expecting a business-centric read, however, it is more about human nature. He spends almost the first 100 pages describing how humans are inherently lazy, greedy, selfish, ambitious, vain, ignorant, impatient, and constantly striving to fulfill their needs for safety, security, comfort, leisure, love, respect, and fulfillment by acquiring money and power. These human characteristics and needs are constants. Our environment is the variable in this equation and that is what this book is really about.

Tracy discusses the environmental systems, such as law, free markets, entrepreneurship, and the idea of freedom, that guide us to be peaceful beings on this Earth. Then Tracy takes us to the dark side. This is where his rants begin and the book gets controversial. Tracy analyzes numerous situations throughout history where people, politicians, businesses, and countries act expediently and feel they deserve entitlements without earning them. This is also the point where I got pissed off because he is right on so many arguments. His research and views have helped me strengthen my own beliefs and realize just how inefficient, corrupt, and fragile our World really is.

Anyone who reads this book will find themselves agreeing and disagreeing with the author and that's what makes this a provocative read. Tracy is very raw and to-the-point. This is really a social study dating back to the Revolutionary War on through the current Iraq War.

I recommended this book to the President--not because he himself lacks character, but to remind us all that WE lack character, and large numbers of us keep expecting it to show up in the mailbox every month. How DARE we allow the government to set such minimum mediocre standards for us to achieve and be happy with! How dare we settle for such mediocrity in our lives, and then scream for more "something for nothing" in the form of handouts.

This book is full of lessons about the elements of character, how to put it all together, and finally, what to do with it. We as a nation need to turn in our rested laurels for a pair of bootstraps, and PRONTO!

If you are already in possession of a pair of bootstraps, you'll find this an inspirational read. If not, then you will find it a disgusting finger-pointing accusation of what you AREN'T doing to help this nation thrive--and you SHOULD be disgusted with what you AREN'T doing!

It was cold the day I received the small manila package in the mail. It was dated Dec 3, 2005, hand signed by the author and shipped by Brian Tracy himself. Another book and the title "SOMETHING for NOTHING" couldn't have been more coincidental sense I didn't pay a dime for it. I'm wondering was Brian trying to tell me something.

Quickly a girl I'm mentoring took the book playing games and told me "sorry Brian sent the book for me". but as I begin to read the book it said it all. I was so moved by the first chapter "Why we do the things we do" I read it out loud the next day during a presentation I did at school. Over 50 elementary students were impressed by the concepts written in this book.

Brian has out done himself by laying down the ground rules for what motivates us individually. Helping us all to understand quite clearly what are the seven fundamental qualities that drive human nature and how these qualities are neutral possessing a bright side/dark side, a good versus a bad or a positive side of the nature versus the negative side of the nature.

Brian exposes these qualities in illustrations that begin to reveal how a culture like America has gotten side track. How we have become engrossed in obtaining a get more for pay less mentality which eventually leads to humans in selfish search of somethig for nothing. Those in hot pursuit of the American Dream from politicians all the way down the chain from the Rich to the dirt poor have grasped on to a negative "Give Me" more for less approach.

But Brian doesn't leave us fully exposed, with our nakedness to the world without showing us how to cloth ourselves again in humility, dignity and honor. This is a great book which I am making required reading by girls & boys I'm mentoring as well as students, parents, family and friends. It's a book that needs to be read by everyone in America.

In this book are solutions to problems that have been tripping both you and me up for a life time. Things that have some how been over shadowed by our desires to be driven with an interest in pleasing ourselves only without thinking of others. And now for one minute this book pulls the covers off of everything and allows us to get down to the nitty gritty.

What is really at the heart of all the law suits in America that prevent people from taking responsibility? What is at the core of this "I blame you society", "didn't you know I was a victim mentality"? Yes Brian Tracy digs deeper than a bulldozer showing you the inside of yourself so that you can understand how to confront it and overcome these entrenched habits that create failure. What is at the heart of the family breakdown and corruption with in our legal system and more importantly what you and I can do to make America the best country in the world to live in for our children's children.

I got "SOMETHING FOR NOTHING" and I hope you get it too. Because this review barely covers what I've gained in head knowledge as a result of reading it. To my Godfather Brian Tracy...may you live long and prosper...you're amazing and you've done it again.

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE

I placed my order. They emailed when it would come. It arrived a couple of days before the estimated date. What more could you ask for?

This book, (or highly interesting CD) should be required reading in ALL high schools and universities across the nation. ALL senators and those entrusted with spending U.S. taxes should read it before they take office. And, especially, the current President of the United States should read and re-read it at least every six months...and then have the courage to do the right thing.

I heard Brian being interviewed by Robert Ringer and when I heard that Brian wrote a book esposing his philosophy along political lines I decided to take a chance since I had gotten a couple of Amazon Gift Certificates, so what the hell?

I loved this book.

It blew me away!

I had only been familiar with Brian Tracy the sales trainer and speaker but had now idea the depth of his thinking and how it applied to this aspect of self-reliance and governance.

His explanations go deep and wide when explaining his views on the duality of man's inner motivation and stressing the fundamentals of character such as the ability to delay short-term instant gratification for long-term benefit which ultimately lead to a successful life. They are lessons I strive to pass on to my children as I watch them grow.

He crosses over from the sovereign individual to the foundation for the U.S. as well as proper governance which includes checks and balances to check the abuses from politicians all to interested in expediency and incapable of proper leadership. Real leaders in politics have resolved themselves to strengthening the very foundations of American society which has made America the dominant force in the world in every aspect imaginable.

He argues, successfully, that too many Americans have looked to get someting for nothing in many respects in present day life. This, he goes on to write, is the darkest day for a man or woman when they first begin to think about how to get something for nothing instead of creating value in the marketplace.

Its a deep book which completely caught me by surprise and while I have always been impressed by Brian Tracy's work I have to confess that my impression of him as a deep thinker has soared.

Buy it, enjoy it, and put it's lessons to work in your life and you'll have good things happen to you!

Want control of your life? Then get this book. I cite this book in Outstanding You because it talks about personal responsibility, something many people ignore when trying to get fit. This book changed my perspective on so many things and I think it do the same for you. It's not a difficult read and is well planned and presented. The ideas are presented thoughtfully, building on one another and reinforcing the idea that we are all responsible for our own situations and lives.Outstanding You: Discover, Design and Achieve Ultimate Fitness

This is a bit of a different book than Brian Tracy's usual but I found it great! Brian has researched into how many people in society are not taking responsibility and what we can do about it. Too bad Brian isn't running for the US Presidency, he'd be great in the White House