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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
slow-paced
This book contained an interesting autobiography of Dalio at the beginning, followed by hundreds of pieces of bullet-pointed advice ("principles") each followed by a paragraph-long explanatory blurb. The advice was semi-useful, but as Dalio himself says, reading about something can't make up for experience. I don't think I got anything too groundbreaking from the book, though I think that may be because I already use many problem solving and communication techniques which are quite similar to Dalio's suggestions. The most useful parts for me were the parts about team management, since that's the area where I have the least expertise. Overall though, it's definitely very interesting to see how another person approaches things, both to take advice and to compare notes.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This is a long and dense book split into thirds - autobiography, life principles, and work principles. I read it as a book but would highly recommend skimming and skipping to points that interest you. I do think he has some great principles on transparency, learning from failures, hiring and professional growth though some of his views are too cold or focused on the idea of pulling oneself up by the bootstraps/tough love.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Overall, this book was interesting to learn about a successful founders' perspectives and mistakes he made along the way. I didn't know much about Bridgewater Capital but I found his ambition to start a company from market data and calculations fascinating; others may find the historical background of how he founded his company less exciting. This book is worth exploring once I'm in a managerial role for nuggets of wisdom, but likely will not read cover to cover again.
I agree with most of the other reviews, both good and bad!
Yes, the author seems like an eccentric billionaire who is painting the picture in a biased way AND yes, the concept of crystalizing, recording, and applying principles is a great idea. Yes, it's heavy on concept and light on application AND yes, some of his tools are brilliant. Yes, many of the principles are obvious or idealistic or potentially much more alienating than he suggests AND yes, some of them have already been useful to me.
Yes, it has many flaws AND yes, I now want to get a hard copy to dog-ear and mark up.
Yes, the author seems like an eccentric billionaire who is painting the picture in a biased way AND yes, the concept of crystalizing, recording, and applying principles is a great idea. Yes, it's heavy on concept and light on application AND yes, some of his tools are brilliant. Yes, many of the principles are obvious or idealistic or potentially much more alienating than he suggests AND yes, some of them have already been useful to me.
Yes, it has many flaws AND yes, I now want to get a hard copy to dog-ear and mark up.
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
7/10
Some good insight but a rather redundant read. Also this book took me forever because I kept getting bored. A long and treacherous read, with occasionally agreeable insight.
Some good insight but a rather redundant read. Also this book took me forever because I kept getting bored. A long and treacherous read, with occasionally agreeable insight.
This book is a mammoth of a read and at times can be tedious and long winded. However it's worth remembering that this is just as much a business biography as it's is a business development book. It's also a combination of two books: life and work principles into one.
Does have some very handy cheat sheets for the topics / lessons.
Does have some very handy cheat sheets for the topics / lessons.