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lime_lover777's review against another edition
4.0
Writing my first ever review as it only has two ratings and no written reviews!!!
It is no where near as self-helpy as the title suggests. Which is good. I only read it as I was reliably informed of this.
It is a cross cultural history of work, religion, labour, politics and society. It is an easily flowing series of interviews that I finished in two sessions, and only gets self-helpy right at the very end (as is tradition for the genre).
It is no where near as self-helpy as the title suggests. Which is good. I only read it as I was reliably informed of this.
It is a cross cultural history of work, religion, labour, politics and society. It is an easily flowing series of interviews that I finished in two sessions, and only gets self-helpy right at the very end (as is tradition for the genre).
jtk102's review against another edition
4.0
I'm torn on this book. While the interviews and insights into individual lives and struggles with defining work in those lives was excellent, each person felt like an elite- even those that came from very little.
Earning 7 figures, going to Ivy League schools, and working at some of the most well recognized places of employment in each given field (e.g. Google or BackRock) felt alienating. I wanted to know about the struggles a high school teacher faced or a nonprofit executive director, what I would consider "normal people" and their relationship with good enough work. Reducing hours and caring less about status when one has "made it" rings a bit hollow.
The author recognizes this, though not nearly adequately enough throughout. The final chapter, "A World With Less Work" addresses systemic governmental and work culture issues that are impossible to shift individually (Stolzoff's recounting of a Kickstarter unionization effort was excellent). What constitutes a "good enough" job is unique to every individual. That is a driving message regardless of who the author spoke to and gave me much to pause and think about, hence my being torn on the reading experience and overall 'value' of the book.
The author posits questions aimed at distilling what one wants from life while driving home the idea that work is primarily a way to make and sustain a livelihood. Americans in particular have given significant power, value, and time to work to the detriment of social, family, and personal life. Work will fill the voids if we let it and our bosses and places of employment will be all too happy to dictate values for us. It is up to us to choose what our values and goals and "good enough" looks like to ourselves. These I think are universal considerations.
Earning 7 figures, going to Ivy League schools, and working at some of the most well recognized places of employment in each given field (e.g. Google or BackRock) felt alienating. I wanted to know about the struggles a high school teacher faced or a nonprofit executive director, what I would consider "normal people" and their relationship with good enough work. Reducing hours and caring less about status when one has "made it" rings a bit hollow.
The author recognizes this, though not nearly adequately enough throughout. The final chapter, "A World With Less Work" addresses systemic governmental and work culture issues that are impossible to shift individually (Stolzoff's recounting of a Kickstarter unionization effort was excellent). What constitutes a "good enough" job is unique to every individual. That is a driving message regardless of who the author spoke to and gave me much to pause and think about, hence my being torn on the reading experience and overall 'value' of the book.
The author posits questions aimed at distilling what one wants from life while driving home the idea that work is primarily a way to make and sustain a livelihood. Americans in particular have given significant power, value, and time to work to the detriment of social, family, and personal life. Work will fill the voids if we let it and our bosses and places of employment will be all too happy to dictate values for us. It is up to us to choose what our values and goals and "good enough" looks like to ourselves. These I think are universal considerations.
jinglebellyee's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
bakerisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Written in the common style of many non-fiction books these days: tell a story, back it up with facts. I’d recommend this to young people just starting out in the workforce or trying to figure out how they will earn a living. Or those that let work take up too much time and energy in their lives. As the author says in the epilogue, “prioritize life”.
wardlt's review against another edition
5.0
Very engaging and thought provoking. I wish I had read this years ago.