Eric's Reviews

Rated: 4.75

The One Millions Book Method by Mike Shreeve

Mike Shreeve’s “The One Book Millions Method” outlines a strategy for using a single book to significantly grow a business. The book explains how a well-crafted book can simplify marketing by building trust and authority, and how this method is scalable to attract many new customers predictably. It also details converting readers into premium clients without traditional marketing tactics, shares success stories from notable clients, and provides a step-by-step guide on writing and selling a book at net zero advertising costs.

Rated: 3.9

The Upside of Irrationality by Dan Ariely

Dan Ariely’s “The Upside of Irrationality” examines how our irrational behaviors influence decision-making, often leading to positive outcomes. Using humor and relatable stories, Ariely challenges traditional views on rationality. The book is divided into two parts: the first explores personal irrationalities like the “IKEA effect” and emotional decision-making, while the second looks at irrationality in the workplace and society, discussing topics such as the impact of large bonuses and the role of revenge. Ariely suggests that embracing our irrational side can sometimes result in better decisions and a more fulfilling life.

Rated: 4

Makers by Chris Anderson

In “Makers: The New Industrial Revolution,” Chris Anderson explores how digital manufacturing is transforming entrepreneurship and innovation. The book emphasizes the democratization of production, enabling small-scale inventors and entrepreneurs to compete with large corporations. Anderson provides practical advice for leveraging new tools and technologies to realize creative ideas, highlighting the potential for a more personalized and localized manufacturing approach that could significantly influence the global economy

Rated: 5

Crown Nailed to the Cross by Jose Vasquez

In “Crown Nailed to the Cross,” Jose Vasquez presents a moving tale of a young man without a father, on a quest for love, loyalty, and a sense of family. The story traces his ascent within a nation that vowed to uphold these ideals, only for him to find himself shattered by the very symbol of those promises. This book explores profound themes of identity, belonging, and the stark truths of unfulfilled promises, providing an intimate and emotional reflection on the author’s own experiences.

Rated: 3.5

5 Day Weekend by Nik Halik And Garrett Gunderson

5 Day Weekend by Nik Halik and Garrett Gunderson is a guide to achieving financial independence and personal fulfillment by creating multiple income streams. The authors provide strategies for building passive income through investments, managing finances, and reducing debt. They emphasize the importance of personal freedom, encouraging readers to pursue their passions and live purposefully. The book also highlights the significance of a strong mindset and positive habits, offering tips for mental resilience and productivity. Overall, it presents a holistic approach to living a balanced and meaningful life, aiming to help readers transition from a traditional workweek to enjoying five-day weekends.

Rated: 3

Million Dollar Group Method by Landon Stewart and Chris Stapelton

“Million Dollar Group Method” by Landon Stewart and Chris Stapelton is a practical guide on transforming Facebook groups into effective tools for acquiring high-ticket clients. The authors, co-founders of Clients & Community™, share their proven system that has helped over 2,000 groups generate more than $150 million in revenue. The book covers key strategies such as using paid advertising to grow groups with pre-qualified members, posting strategic content to build trust and authority, and converting new members into high-paying clients within 21 days using the “Undercover Conversion Method.” It emphasizes simplicity and efficiency, requiring only a few hours of work each week to maintain high engagement and client acquisition rates.

Rated: 4.25

Just Keep Buying by Nick Maggiulli

Nick Maggiulli’s “Just Keep Buying” offers practical advice on personal finance and investing, emphasizing the importance of regular and smart investing. Here are the main points:

  1. Regular Investments: Maggiulli suggests consistently investing in index funds to benefit from long-term market growth and compounding.
  2. Smart Saving: Instead of saving excessively, focus on making informed investment decisions with your savings.
  3. Avoid Market Timing: Trying to predict market fluctuations is often ineffective. A steady investment strategy is more reliable.
  4. Diversify Investments: Spread your investments across different asset classes to manage risk.
  5. Adapt Financial Strategies: Adjust your saving and investing approaches as your life circumstances and financial goals change.

Maggiulli’s book aims to demystify personal finance, making it accessible and actionable for everyone through evidence-based strategies.

Rated: 4.5

Turn Negatives into Positives by Niel Shah

“Turn Negatives into Positives” by Niel Shah is a practical guide that leverages Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) to help readers transform their mindset and behaviors. The book outlines 20 simple steps to develop new habits of thought and action, aiming to improve various aspects of life, including:

  • Influencing others and understanding how they influence you.
  • Achieving personal and professional goals.
  • Managing stress effectively.

By focusing on communication—both verbal and non-verbal—Shah provides techniques to remap your path to success and foster a more positive outlook

Rated: 3.5

Start with Why by Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” explores the idea that the most successful leaders and organizations are those that clearly understand and communicate their core purpose – their “why.”

Key Ideas:

  1. The Golden Circle: Sinek introduces the Golden Circle, which consists of three layers: Why, How, and What. While most organizations start with “What” they do and then explain “How” they do it, the most inspiring leaders begin with “Why” – their core belief or purpose – and then move outward.
  2. Illustrative Examples: The book uses examples of influential leaders and companies, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Apple, to show how starting with “Why” can lead to greater innovation and influence.
  3. Inspiring Leadership: Sinek argues that leaders who start with “Why” can inspire others to act, not just because of what they do, but because of the underlying purpose driving their actions. This approach fosters loyalty and motivation among followers.
  4. Finding Your Why: The book also offers advice on how individuals and organizations can identify their own “Why” and use it to guide their actions and decisions.

In essence, “Start With Why” encourages readers to focus on the deeper purpose behind their actions, which can lead to more meaningful and lasting success.

 

Rated: 1.5

The Entrepreneur Equation by Carol Roth

“The Entrepreneur Equation” by Carol Roth is a practical guide for aspiring entrepreneurs to evaluate the realities, risks, and rewards of starting and running a business. Roth emphasizes the importance of understanding what it takes to build a valuable business and how to assess whether entrepreneurship is the right path for you.

Here are some key points from the book:

  1. Self-Assessment: Roth encourages readers to honestly evaluate their skills, motivations, and personal circumstances to determine if they are suited for entrepreneurship.
  2. Risk vs. Reward: The book outlines how to weigh the potential benefits of owning a business against the inherent risks and challenges.
  3. Market Analysis: Understanding the competitive environment and market demand is crucial for success.
  4. Financial Planning: Roth provides insights into financial management, including funding options and cash flow management.
  5. Personalized Exercises: The book includes exercises to help readers create and evaluate their own “Entrepreneur Equation,” tailored to their unique situation12.

Overall, Roth’s approach is candid and practical, aiming to help readers make informed decisions about their entrepreneurial journey.

Rated: 4.75

Savior by Christopher Whitmore

“Savior” by Christopher Whitmore is a post-apocalyptic fantasy adventure that follows the journey of a young blacksmith named Miracle Ashe. In a dystopian, near-future Earth, Miracle faces a grueling test to meet Simon, the ancient man who saved humanity and is known as The Savior. To celebrate his one hundredth birthday, Simon offers to grant any one wish to each citizen who enters his cathedral before sundown.

The story is a thrilling mix of sci-fi and fantasy, featuring a large cast of characters and a kingdom-wide conflict that explores the motivations of both sides.

Rated: 4.8

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

“Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz is a finance book aimed at entrepreneurs, proposing a unique system for managing income and expenses. Here are the key points:

  1. Prioritize Profit: The core idea is to take your profit first, before paying any expenses. This ensures that profit is always a priority and not an afterthought.
  2. Behavioral Approach: Michalowicz criticizes traditional accounting methods as unintuitive and suggests a behavioral approach. By allocating a percentage of income to profit first, businesses are forced to operate within their means.
  3. Four Core Principles:
    • Small Plates: Use multiple bank accounts to allocate funds for different purposes (profit, taxes, operating expenses, etc.).
    • Serve Sequentially: Always transfer a predetermined percentage of income to the profit account first.
    • Remove Temptation: Keep profit and tax accounts out of easy reach to avoid dipping into them.
    • Enforce a Rhythm: Regularly review and adjust allocations to ensure the system is working effectively.
  4. Efficiency and Innovation: By limiting available funds for expenses, businesses are encouraged to find more efficient and innovative ways to operate.
  5. Sustainable Growth: The method helps businesses grow sustainably by focusing on profitability rather than just revenue.

This system aims to transform businesses from cash-eating monsters into money-making machines by ensuring that profit is baked into every transaction and decision.

Rated: 4

Shallow Grave by Gavin Schmitt

“Shallow Grave: The Unsolved Crime That Shook The Midwest” by Gavin Schmitt delves into a gripping true crime story set in the Midwest. The book centers around the 1963 kidnapping and murder of an upright citizen, which uncovers a web of criminal activities and corruption. Key events include the arrest of a police chief’s wife for murder, a mobster being kidnapped and threatened by the FBI, and a wide-ranging corruption probe that implicates everyone from low-level bookies to high-ranking judges and prosecutors.

Schmitt’s meticulous research brings to light the gritty underworld of crime and corruption, painting a vivid picture of the era and the people involved4. The book is a compelling read for anyone interested in true crime and the complexities of criminal justice.

 

Rated: 4.5

Heart Of Iron by Ashley Poston

“Heart of Iron” by Ashley Poston is a thrilling sci-fi adventure with a touch of romance. The story follows Ana, a seventeen-year-old who was found drifting through space as a child with a sentient android named D09. Rescued by a space captain and her crew, Ana grows up as a scoundrel and outlaw.

D09, one of the last remaining illegal androids, starts malfunctioning, and Ana is determined to save him. Her quest leads her to steal coordinates to a lost ship that might hold the answers. However, a spoiled Ironblood boy named Robb beats her to it. When things go awry, Ana and Robb become fugitives, pursued by their entire kingdom.

As they uncover dangerous secrets in a remote part of the universe, Ana faces a tough choice: protect a kingdom that wants her dead or save the android boy she loves.

It’s a fast-paced, intergalactic drama with elements of action, romance, and fantasy. If you enjoy stories with strong characters and high stakes, this one might be for you!

Rated: 4.5

Breath by James Nestor

“Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art” by James Nestor explores the profound impact of breathing on our health and well-being. Nestor delves into both ancient practices and modern scientific studies to uncover how proper breathing techniques can improve various health issues.

Key Points:

  1. Nose Breathing vs. Mouth Breathing: Nestor emphasizes the importance of nose breathing over mouth breathing. Nose breathing filters, humidifies, and regulates the air we take in, while mouth breathing can lead to over-breathing and health problems.
  2. Ancient Techniques: The book highlights ancient breathing practices from different cultures, such as Pranayama from India and the “Jesus Prayer” from Greece, showing their physiological benefits.
  3. Personal Experiments: Nestor conducts personal experiments, including mouth breathing for an extended period, which negatively impacts his health. Conversely, practicing ancient techniques improves his sleep, energy, and athletic performance.
  4. Health Benefits: Effective breathing techniques can combat issues like sleep apnea, anxiety, and even dental problems. By relearning how to breathe properly, we can enhance our physical and mental health.

Nestor’s book is a blend of scientific journalism and self-help, offering practical advice on how to harness the power of proper breathing for a better quality of life.

Rated: 4.75

Leaders Eat Last By Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek’s book, “Leaders Eat Last,” delves into the essence of effective leadership by highlighting the importance of creating a secure and trusting environment for team members. Here are the main ideas:

  1. Creating a Safe Environment: Sinek stresses that leaders should establish a “Circle of Safety” around their team, ensuring that everyone feels protected and valued, which in turn promotes trust and teamwork.
  2. Putting Others First: Drawing inspiration from the Marine Corps’ tradition where leaders eat after their subordinates, Sinek argues that true leaders prioritize their team’s needs above their own, fostering loyalty and dedication.
  3. The Science of Leadership: The book explores the neurochemical basis of leadership, explaining how hormones like oxytocin and cortisol influence our interactions and relationships. Leaders who cultivate positive environments can trigger beneficial neurochemical responses in their teams.
  4. Illustrative Examples: Sinek uses a variety of historical and business case studies to demonstrate how leaders who prioritize their people create more robust and successful organizations.
  5. Addressing Leadership Challenges: The book also tackles common leadership challenges and provides practical advice for building stronger, more cohesive teams.

Overall, “Leaders Eat Last” offers valuable insights into the dynamics of leadership and how to build a culture of trust and cooperation.

Rated: 4.5

Normal Sucks by Jonathan Mooney

“Normal Sucks: How to Live, Learn, and Thrive Outside the Lines” by Jonathan Mooney is a thought-provoking book that challenges the conventional notions of normalcy. Mooney, a neuro-diverse writer and advocate, shares his personal experiences and insights to argue that society’s obsession with being “normal” is limiting and harmful.

The book combines memoir, anecdote, and expertise to present a new way of thinking about how we live and learn. Mooney emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity and individuality, rather than trying to conform to a standard definition of normal. He advocates for empowering people to succeed by recognizing and celebrating their unique strengths and differences.

Mooney’s narrative is both confessional and humorous, making it an engaging read that encourages readers to rethink their perceptions of normalcy and to appreciate the value of diverse ways of being.

Rated: 3.75

Ghost Hunting: How to investigate the paranormal by Loyd Auerbach

Ghost Hunting: How to Investigate the Paranormal by Loyd Auerbach is a practical guide for anyone interested in exploring the supernatural. Auerbach shares his expertise as a seasoned paranormal investigator, offering advice on the tools and techniques necessary for conducting investigations. The book covers everything from the basics of ghost hunting to advanced methods for documenting and analyzing paranormal phenomena. Auerbach also emphasizes the importance of a skeptical and scientific approach, encouraging readers to critically evaluate their findings and consider all possible explanations.

Rated: 4.75

Children of the Savior by Christopher Whitmore

Children of the Savior by Christopher Whitmore is a dystopian fantasy novel filled with action, intrigue, and humor. The story continues from the first book, Saviour, and introduces new characters while bringing back favorites. The plot revolves around a mix of calamities and crises that affect both friends and foes, driving the narrative at a fast pace. The book is known for its relatable, flawed antagonists and a refreshing take on the genre, avoiding typical revenge or domination tropes. Readers will enjoy the blend of action, humor, and the dynamic journey of the characters as they seek equilibrium and restoration.

Rated: 4.75

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a philosophical novel that tells the enchanting story of Santiago, a young Andalusian shepherd on a quest to find a hidden treasure located at the pyramids in Egypt. Guided by recurring dreams and a wise old man, Santiago embarks on an adventurous journey across the desert, encountering a series of enlightening characters and experiences. Throughout his travels, he learns profound lessons about listening to his heart, recognizing omens, and pursuing his “Personal Legend”—his true purpose in life. The novel’s rich blend of mysticism, wisdom, and spiritual insight explores themes of destiny, dreams, and self-discovery, making it an inspiring and transformative read for many.

Rated: 4.25

I Hope I Screw This Up by Kyle Cease

Ghost Hunting: How to Investigate the Paranormal by Loyd Auerbach is a practical guide for anyone interested in exploring the supernatural. Auerbach shares his expertise as a seasoned paranormal investigator, offering advice on the tools and techniques necessary for conducting investigations. The book covers everything from the basics of ghost hunting to advanced methods for documenting and analyzing paranormal phenomena. Auerbach also emphasizes the importance of a skeptical and scientific approach, encouraging readers to critically evaluate their findings and consider all possible explanations.