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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
2.5 stars rounded down. Jocko and Leif are impressive individuals for sure, and the leadership principles they lay out in this book are sound. However, objectively I just didn't find this to be that great of a book. I often have a tough time getting through books with formulaic chapters, which is certainly the case here. 1. Present war story 2. Break down leadership principles from story 3. Tie it to business 4. "Now get out there and kick ass" type closing. 5. Repeat.
I also didn't like how Jocko and Leif preface the book by saying...
... and from there go on to fill twelve chapters with battle scene descriptions just like that. By no means do I feel they are embellishing their war experiences in Iraq (I imagine it's close to impossible to speak in hyperbole when describing the intense times have been through) it just felt a bit like the pot calling the kettle black.
I also didn't like how Jocko and Leif preface the book by saying...
“So, there I was.…”
Plenty of glorified war stories start like that. In the SEAL Teams, we make fun of those who tell embellished tales about themselves. A typical war story told in jest about something a SEAL did usually begins like this: “So, no shit, there I was, knee-deep in grenade pins.…” This book isn’t meant to be an individual’s glorified war story.
... and from there go on to fill twelve chapters with battle scene descriptions just like that. By no means do I feel they are embellishing their war experiences in Iraq (I imagine it's close to impossible to speak in hyperbole when describing the intense times have been through) it just felt a bit like the pot calling the kettle black.
read this for the Veterans BRG book club at work—has some crazy anecdotes from the frontlines—but it’s almost too easy of a read
So many valuable lessons and I was reminded of a lot of things that I used to be more disciplined about doing and got lazy with keeping up with.
99.9% of all your problems are your own fault.
99.9% of all your problems are your own fault.
The military is a prime example of an organization that should be studied and analyzed. This book is simple and easy to follow. The battle stories are a bit too long and over emphasized.
Genuinely one of the stupidest books I’ve ever read. 280 pages of self-aggrandising US imperialist business coach porn with a side of islamophobia. Every single chapter is just stupid war stories followed by the exact same principle, “take ownership”. Complete waste of time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Had to return to the library. Might finish this someday.
This isn’t a book I would ordinarily pick, but I’m glad I did! While the life lessons/self help from each chapter are okay (a bit obvious at times and nothing particularly revolutionary), it is the stories from their time in war that captivated me. Definitely makes me want to venture into more stories about the trials and realities of war versus the life lessons gleaned from it!
Very macho very cool but sometimes repetitive or forced lessons