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yaelwrites's review
5.0
This is a really important book!
If you've ever wanted to get from point A to point B quickly, but worried that doing so would mean giving up your integrity--or not having the requisite skills you'll need at your end point--then this book is for you.
Shane Snow's colorful narrative and compelling analysis demonstrates, point by point, how to bypass unnecessary steps in getting to your goals, and even how pattern recognition can sometimes eliminate years of paying your dues. His wide-ranging examples from classic literature/mythology, popular culture, art, comedy, science, business, medicine, technology, politics, education, and even activities such as surfing and car racing help drive the main idea home--that there are ways to bypass busywork, as long as you are smart about it.
What I like most about Smartcuts is that it isn't gimicky. Time and time again, Snow regularly highlights the differences between when smartcuts worked and when they didn't. True to character, he addresses ways to stay in balance and act with integrity while also working smarter. And the end goal isn't just about saving time or getting rich and famous--the stories told often include world-changing elements.
Overall, the book was brilliantly written and very well-researched, and gave me a lot of great food for thought.
If you've ever wanted to get from point A to point B quickly, but worried that doing so would mean giving up your integrity--or not having the requisite skills you'll need at your end point--then this book is for you.
Shane Snow's colorful narrative and compelling analysis demonstrates, point by point, how to bypass unnecessary steps in getting to your goals, and even how pattern recognition can sometimes eliminate years of paying your dues. His wide-ranging examples from classic literature/mythology, popular culture, art, comedy, science, business, medicine, technology, politics, education, and even activities such as surfing and car racing help drive the main idea home--that there are ways to bypass busywork, as long as you are smart about it.
What I like most about Smartcuts is that it isn't gimicky. Time and time again, Snow regularly highlights the differences between when smartcuts worked and when they didn't. True to character, he addresses ways to stay in balance and act with integrity while also working smarter. And the end goal isn't just about saving time or getting rich and famous--the stories told often include world-changing elements.
Overall, the book was brilliantly written and very well-researched, and gave me a lot of great food for thought.
mandler_'s review
2.0
Almost all of this book is anecdotal, which is totally fine. It's not my style and I found I had a hard time fully understanding the actionable items hinted at in the text.
I did enjoy some of the points, especially rapid feedback. I think feedback is incredibly important and too often we are afraid of being hurt to ask for it.
Not a great book for me.
I did enjoy some of the points, especially rapid feedback. I think feedback is incredibly important and too often we are afraid of being hurt to ask for it.
Not a great book for me.
rick2's review
2.0
Not very good
There isn’t much depth to the ideas or any sort of actionable advice beyond the usual generic nonsense. Put yourself at the intersection of things that are going to be big. Thanks. Guess I’ll transfer out of the hand spinning wool industry and move away from my monastery in the Himalayas. I mean seriously is anybody impacted by the advice to “get a mentor (but not like a bad mentor, a good mentor)?” This book, like some sort of Malcolm Gladwell copycat, is a regurgitated series of mediocre and questionable studies and anecdotes heavily impacted by survivorship bias.
There isn’t much depth to the ideas or any sort of actionable advice beyond the usual generic nonsense. Put yourself at the intersection of things that are going to be big. Thanks. Guess I’ll transfer out of the hand spinning wool industry and move away from my monastery in the Himalayas. I mean seriously is anybody impacted by the advice to “get a mentor (but not like a bad mentor, a good mentor)?” This book, like some sort of Malcolm Gladwell copycat, is a regurgitated series of mediocre and questionable studies and anecdotes heavily impacted by survivorship bias.
mdross1's review
1.0
Second chapter: get a mentor. Or don’t.
Third chapter: people who are good at things do well. Don’t be someone who’s bad at things, or you’ll do badly.
The book continues like this, with the occasional interesting anecdote. Each chapter seems written after having forgotten the previous chapters. Just not a great book.
Third chapter: people who are good at things do well. Don’t be someone who’s bad at things, or you’ll do badly.
The book continues like this, with the occasional interesting anecdote. Each chapter seems written after having forgotten the previous chapters. Just not a great book.
reasie's review
4.0
It's your typical self-help book in some ways, just giving five simple pieces of advice, but it has these case stories and draws in examples that are fun to read, mostly, though often they feel too simple if you already know the stuff.... eh, I enjoyed it.
gmeluski's review
3.0
Snow weaves some interesting anecdotes and raises interesting points. The concept of 'smartcuts' is far from rock solid, oftentimes Snow will make a point about something and (to his credit) back it down a touch.
I liked it, certainly not mind blowing and suffers from a lack of true, repeatable evidence. A fun ride through possibilities, if you have the time.
I liked it, certainly not mind blowing and suffers from a lack of true, repeatable evidence. A fun ride through possibilities, if you have the time.
ddxv's review
4.0
Really enjoyed reading a book about hacks/shortcuts that wasn't overly tech focused. The main ideas of this book were well articulated by the people and companies profiled by Snow. Snow's links back to his own website were kinda awkward as they're not actually links but text on a page (or in my case, audio), but only happened a few times.
When it ended I was hoping for more.
When it ended I was hoping for more.
jakeyjake's review
4.0
Detailed thoughts to come, but this book was ok. Very Malcom Gladwellian in his storytelling, which made it fun. The whole premise of using lateral 'smartcuts' to get to places you want to go is interesting, but not entirely actionable. Felt like a lot of the stories were still just that perfect combo of luck and hard work.
He'd probably argue that you make your own luck though.
He'd probably argue that you make your own luck though.
laurab2125's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book -- a quick, easy, engaging read. The author uses interesting stories and personal accounts to buttress his "smartcut" tenets. Even though this wasn't necessarily relevant to my situation, I still am glad that I read it.