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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Liked the premise, but didn't need hundreds of pages of anecdotes.
informative
medium-paced
Takes a while to get to the final point, Harford doesn't fully flesh it out until the last chapter. The build up itself though, is stimulating and worth the read, even without the final point. Thoroughly enjoyed the many stories and incites Harford brings to his topic. There's a lot to learn here folks, and I for one, find his views on failure, adaptation and achievement heartening. Failure is a step in the road, not the final note.
Nicely flowing book that explains why failure is needed to improve in almost any context, and how various disciplines from oil rigs to broadway shows can apply three core concepts to learn from their mistakes.
Tim Harford is a gift to the realm of non-fiction writing, and I fell in love with his work after reading his most recent book, The Data Detective. So many of us are averse to failure, but it’s one of the most important things we can experience. I’m a former drug addict who managed to make just about every mistake you can imagine by my 20s, but my life changed when I learned to adapt and learn from them. Today, not only do I fail, but I embrace failure, and my life has never been better. In this book, Harford explains why failure is so beneficial, and he combines both scientific research as well as a wide range of stories. By the time you finish this book, you’ll learn the benefits of experimenting, curiosity, self-compassion, and failure. This was a fantastic read, and I look forward to reading my next book from Tim Harford.
This book works better as a essay than an actual book. It’s very repetitive, I lost interest with the book half way through but it’s has some interesting ideas within the book.
If you like fact-filled anecdotes you've never encountered, you'll enjoy this book. Because I was expecting more practical application, I was a bit disappointed and almost gave the book three stars. But then I realized that some of the stories had actually helped me figure out one of my hurdles for next year. And the main message of experimentation being crucial really hit home, and I want to apply it to everything!
For anyone running a business, or managing a business, this is a must read. Powerful lessons here worth revisiting on a regular basis.