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rachelmay1988's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a must-read, especially if you work in a creative field. It's an easy read with practical advice and inspiring insights. It's also a reminder that, to really grow and succeed, you must take risks and be ok with failure.
wunder's review against another edition
4.0
Good information, though the writing didn't really captivate me. It does make me want to read more about Pixar and HP. The Frank Gehry section really could have used some photos.
Feel free to skip stuff, for example, I already knew the growth mindset work from Prof. Carol Dweck. And I didn't find the fMRI studies of music improvisation very convincing.
Read it for the "big bet" failures at HP and how they learned from that, plus the Pixar stuff, "We never finish a film, we just release it." This all fits into my understanding of product releases as conversations with the customer. With every release, from alpha to version 13, you need to know what question you are asking and what you want to learn.
Feel free to skip stuff, for example, I already knew the growth mindset work from Prof. Carol Dweck. And I didn't find the fMRI studies of music improvisation very convincing.
Read it for the "big bet" failures at HP and how they learned from that, plus the Pixar stuff, "We never finish a film, we just release it." This all fits into my understanding of product releases as conversations with the customer. With every release, from alpha to version 13, you need to know what question you are asking and what you want to learn.
marisbest2's review against another edition
4.0
It’s fun to see how business books like this have just gotten engrained into the startup culture. Nothing new here now but probably was at the time. Still good writing and storytelling and decent examples.
giftsintogold's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. With lots of good examples of people making little bets towards success: comedian Chris Rock, architect Frank Gehry, Pixar, etc. I can't do justice in a quick sentence to the book, but it really supports the ideas of the growth mindset, and continuous learning.
dmallon's review against another edition
2.0
Boils down to one idea: 'prototyping is good'. Doesn't really go any further. Dirivative, broad discussion lacking any practical advice.
The best bit is the 'further reading' that lists the books you should be trying instead.
The best bit is the 'further reading' that lists the books you should be trying instead.
bernieanderson's review against another edition
3.0
I give this book 3 stars because I don’t go any lower than this in my Goodreads reviews, unless the material is actually harmful.
If stories are windows to shed light on the truth, this book is a glass house. This should have been an HBR article and no more. Lots of tedious corporate storytelling. Most of which has been told and other places. I recommend reading the last chapter. If you do that you’ve got this book. I listen to the last half on double speed.
If stories are windows to shed light on the truth, this book is a glass house. This should have been an HBR article and no more. Lots of tedious corporate storytelling. Most of which has been told and other places. I recommend reading the last chapter. If you do that you’ve got this book. I listen to the last half on double speed.
sibear's review against another edition
3.0
It's a good book making some good points. I'm just a tad bit sick of books on innovation talking about Steve Jobs, Amazon, Pixar, HP, Silicon Valley - only the usual suspects.
bisthesu's review against another edition
3.0
A lot I'd already heard. Went into more detail than necessary with certain stories, it seemed more like an article on Pixar than a book on little bets.