Customer Reviews

What Makes Great Great

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I have read everyone N. Hill, A.Robbins, B.Tracy, W.Clemente Stone, D.Waitley, J.Rohn and some other motivational writers but Dennis Kimbro uses a pen as an artist with paper as his canvas. I must say his information is the same as all these great men I have mentioned, but what sets Dennis Kimbro apart is how he presents this book. Once you pick it up you can't put it down until your done. Kimbro is defintely an accomplished author. I feel this book is in step with Think and Grow Rich (the timeless classic). A MUST without question for everyone to read about how people turn poverty into fortune with hard work. This book offers no get rich quick scheme or live off the work of others, its a roll up your sleeves type of blue collar book, full of inspiration and heart. Thank You Dennis and all who helped Mr. Kimbro in this masterpiece.

"What Makes the Great Great" is a mentor for building interpersonal characteristics for extraordinary achievement. "What Makes the Great Great" is a superb book and the best book I have ever read. I found the book to be very captivating, in that whenever I discuss it with someone they become very interested. Two colleagues have actually purchased their own copies. It is a tremendous book to read in regards to building up your character, personality, and state of mind to achieve success. Dennis Kimbro speaks of many, many African Americans who have strived to achieve their goals and dreams. He has done an enormous amount research to provide situations in which individuals were challenged, but most importantly uses them to illustrate key points. A fantastic context that gives fine points about preparing and maintaining one's self for extraordinary achievement. Dr. Kimbro discusses nine strategies for extraordinary achievement, fear, pray, learning from failure, choosing the correct vocation, and many other key factors. A reader will find interesting data about African Americans, which they will not resist giving second thoughts or sharing with a friend or relative. "What Makes the Great Great" will help and inspirer one to leave the shore so that they can see new waters. I have read other interesting and informative books about great African American achievers to find out how they became great and another motivational book, but Dr. Kimbros' book really explains the various aspects to becoming great and successful. It has been an influence to me pursing a M.B.A. and applying many of the details he mentions.

I picked up this book thinking that it would perhaps be a series of small bios of famous persons who had succeeded. To my delight, this book is so much more. I am not black, I am not even American, but I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking to come to terms with their purpose and place in this world. Dr. Kimbro is a wonderful writer and has a way of helping you to look at your life that I have not come across before (and I have read Covey etc). Like other reviewers, I wish this book was on CD so I could listen to his words time and again and really integrate them into my life. As it is, my copy of his book is now covered in stickies, comments, and various scraps of paper with my own notes on. I can give no higher praise than to say this book has led me to my own life's true purpose and I am now actively on the path to a happy and energetic life. Thanks Dr. Kimbro!

I love books like this! This book is not only inspiring, but it gives the reader clear examples and instructions on how to achieve your own greatness.

When I first picked this up, I wasn't sure how this book would stand out among all the others I've read that are along the same lines as this. I've read numerous books by Napoleon Hill, Og Mandino, Dale Carnegie, Neville, etc. So, I was wondering if this was just another off-shoot of those, and I was wondering if my time might be better spent re-reading the classics that I mentioned above. I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading and discovered that not only is this book a reinforcement of the above mentioned favorites of mine, but the style is highly appealing to me. This is not just another 'change your thoughts, change your life' type book. This is not a book of quotes, but there are a plethora of really good statements/examples of acheivement and quotes throughout, that I believe can be extrememly beneficial. I love quotes that inspire, motivate and resonate with me. There are many, many really good things to write down and review often from this book.

I was impressed when I read the part about the author meeting with Clement Stone personally and how Mr. Kimbro accepted the project challenge even though Mr. stone decided against offering any financial inducement. -Because Mr. Stone felt it was important for Dennis to experience the very thing he was trying to convey to the audience. That made me realize that this man can truly write about this stuff. He didn't just get a bunch of books/materials together and come up with his own translation -he experienced the journey himself.

"Success in any area of life isn't something you do; rather it's something to see. Success is an understanding, not an activity." -from the book.

Great book. I hope you will read it, love it, and use it in your own life!

Dr. Kimbro relates stories of Black Americans for this book, but the message holds true for everyone! Just look past color and recognize that the messages here will work for all. Dr. Kimbro uses stories to support his concepts and he does a nice job of it. I got it from the library, but enjoyed it so much and wanted to reference it that I bought it! Good writing, well layed out, good message. To simplify so that you can get the main points you might want to summarize and condense the "meat". The stories are great, but the main points can really help anyone be successful if they chose. Read it!

Dennis Kimbro provides a fine book on achievement complete with an overview of all the fundamental principles of success. Kimbro is an expert at using examples to explain his points and he provides an abundance of high achievers in history as case studies.

The essence of Kimbro's philosophy can be found in the following quotes from the book:

"No life ever grows great until it is dedicated, disciplined, and focused."

"Success is achieved and maintained by those who try - and keep trying. There's no future in saying it can't be done. Real success - doing your best - is not in the stars or the luck of the draw. It lies within persistent, daily effort."

"To a world that requires service, measures discipline and patience, demands a fair day's wages for an honest day's effort, and values the time and commitment that excellence demands, the road to greatness is spit-polished with sweat. Work is the shortest path to success."

"Too many of us waste our years waiting for better times in the future or reflecting on better times in the past, instead of working for better times in the present."

Kimbro is a major proponent of proper attitude and hard diligent work. His views on value, imagination, ideas, and motivation supplement his core message resulting in a practical and informative book. Those seeking success in any endeavor will find value in Kimbro's work.

My college professor loaned this book to me during the Spring 08 semester. It is such an excellent read that I held on to it for nearly 5 weeks. I eventually returned it, but not before I purchased a used copy from Amazon.com. Admittedly, I never heard of the author, Dennis Kimbro before reading this book, but the content and his prose inspired me to find out more about him. His writing style taken in this narrative held my interest and challenged the way I processed what I read.

Many motivational books are written with a certain mysticism about accomplishment and success. Kimbro gives several transparent examples of ordinary people who achieved greatness in various walks of life. He slaps you in the face with the realization that the only thing separating you from your greatness is your fear and lack of faith in yourself. As I read the stories and interviews I could see myself and the need in me to "turn it up" and take more "courageous steps".

The chapters of this book are laid out in such a way that you are not restricted in your reading. If your like me and you fast forward through a book. You'll appreciate the fact that each chapter is self-contained. They each start with relevant quotes and a simple outline that precedes an in depth examination of the various ingredients required for attaining greatness. This book is a must read, check it out.

As a student of Dr. Kimbro's who received this book as an award for an outstanding paper that I wrote, I have learned first hand the motivations that come from Dr. Kimbro. He is an ever-humble professor at Clark Atlanta University who is a favorite amongst the majority of the School of Business as well as other majors on campus who seek him out. Sitting in his classroom from the first day to the last keeps you glued to your seat, waiting in anticipation for him to utter his next words. He will always keep you on your toes and will never cease to amaze you or inspire you. As a man, he was sent directly from God to be put into our lives and his purpose is clear. I have never meant a man who knew of his divine purpose on earth. And as an author, I recommend his novels to any and everyone who needs a little motivation.

I agree with all of Dr. Kimbro's chapters about the greatest things. He starts off with life, who can question that it is the greatest gift. We don't exactly, really, know from whom, but there it is. From the moment we realize we can think, and that would be at an early age, usually, we begin making plans. Some don't work out, some look hopeful, and we follow a path where we see glimmering ingots of possibilities. These paths are really paths in our minds and the possibilities make us think. There is no greater pleasure than being right, and that's the true ownership of understanding. No path can be trodden without work, for work is defined as such: distance you move from a point to another. We seem to forget the nuggets we've collected along the way. But we must not forget, and that is how we'll know we're already rich. It's true, never mind all the jealousies, when there is genuine success with something someone has tried to achieve honestly and through hard work, regardless of who they are or where they come from, we all rejoice--and we are the human beings. The complexities and the chaos of nature we live in can be daunting, and after we have done all we can to achieve that success we plan for, prayer helps in boundless ways. Pray to a rock if you like, or a turtle, doesn't matter as long as there's some believing--the magic is in the act of praying. And finally, get a Facebook account and leave a legacy of pictures and thoughts. Writing an Amazon review doesn't hurt either :)

"You learn how to be successful by watching other successful people. This books does a wonderful job of tracking these successful people. Dr. Kimbro shares his experiences with success. It is a great resource!"