From Publishers Weekly
The creator of reality TV, Burnett reveals the secrets to success he developed over his checkered career as a soldier, nanny/errand boy, professional adventure-tour operator and now producer of the now oft-imitated Survivor, an enormous financial triumph. His simple principles are familiar self-help truisms "only results count," "have the courage to fail," "be right or be wrong, but make a decision." He catalogues his professional ups and downs, including having to master mountain climbing when his partner/ guide left him, and mishandling his team for a major eco-challenge competition, and he undertakes a brief self-examination for each experience. For example, he concludes that the disappointing eco-challenge "was a blessing in disguise.... Through the devastating act of quitting I gained an incentive to persevere, if only so I would never know that awful sensation.... Babe Ruth failed 70% of the time when he stepped to the plate. That never stopped him from swinging for fences." After several such platitudes and unoriginal insights delivered in a cocksure manner, readers may have had enough. On the other hand, his unflagging, unabashed insistence on banal principles and his resulting physical and material successes may keep readers soldiering on in spite of themselves, not unlike his TV audience. (Sept. 12)Forecast: This unremarkable addition to motivational literature may garner an early sales spike due to Burnett's visibility and the fall debut of Survivor III.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Audio Cassette
edition.
Product Description
The man who has lived a classic rags-to-riches life story turns his passion for daring and challenge into life lessons on personal and professional achievement. The genius behind the wildly popular Survivor series, Mark Burnett is now the hottest producer in television. What most people dont know, however, is that Burnett has his own survival story to tell, and its every bit as riveting as the show. A decade ago, he was selling t-shirts on the beach in Southern California. But through a combination of inspiration, determination, and sheer nerve, he transformed his life, went on to produce an Emmy-winning extreme sports program, and, of course, created the most popular series on the air today. A former paratrooper and an open-water certified SCUBA diver, Mark Burnett has used his life of daring experiences as a jumping-off point, and now shows readers how to chase their dreams, ignore their fears, and follow the road less traveled to personal and business success. His book unfolds like a real-life adventure story, offering valuable lessons, inspirational vignettes, and hard-hitting advice. Burnetts recipe for success encourages people to bend the rules, embrace risk, lead with compassion, learn through failure, revel in pain, and focus like a laser on their goals. By following this blend of heart and chutzpah, youll not only survive, but go on to succeed beyond your wildest dreams.
by Mark Burnett
by Richard J. Gerrig PhD
by Michael Essany
by Jonathan Koch
