17 Comments
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Heather B's avatar

Thanks for the review! I love Trump's *Art of the Deal.*

John Wright's avatar

I haven't read that one. Last I looked it was very high priced.

Heather B's avatar

not in paperback. Used on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/397426685325

John Wright's avatar

I'm a hardcover snob. 😇 Thanks for reminding me. I see it's now half price!

KatWarrior's avatar

A couple of things. I have not read Art of The Deal and many have recommended that I read it. Can you sum up very briefly why I should read it, Heather B?

John, I am an entrepreneur and semi-retired from my main business. Both my husband and I are entrepreneurs and we wouldn’t have survived the corporate world. Why do you think it’s so difficult and wouldn’t do it at (say) age 30? I started my business at age 32.

Just curious

Heather B's avatar

I would say that it's a great business book, my fave one ever but it's not a normal one as it's partly a memoir of his earlier years. It just showcased his human side as opposed to his mogul and political sides. Before I read it I didn't like him at all and afterwards I did. Read it in 2002 or so...

John Wright's avatar

That sounds good. I'll look forward to reading it.

John Wright's avatar

I believe everyone is different. So at 32 that might have been great timing for you, but not for someone else.

My comments are based largely on Robert and Donald insisting that you will fail and be wiped out multiple times (each time learning lessons from the experience).

Having gone through two episodes of "wiped out" myself, I've been enjoying "retiring" to a full time position for the past 13 years. Now as I approach retirement, I'm pondering "what next". I'm fully up for taking "risks" but nothing that would jeopardize being comfortable for the next fifty years.

I never wish to be in a position again of not knowing where I'm going to live or how I will manage to buy food.

Also I think everyone may have a slightly different view of what being an "entrepreneur" is. Robert and Donald make it clear that being self employed (for example a doctor or a plumber) is not the same as building an empire like McDonalds.

Loretta's avatar

I love them all as long as it is paper. Used is my way to go too. (conserve----ative. haha. old school) Paper smells and feels wonderful.

John Wright's avatar

I'm cool with used at long as they are also hard cover. Hard cover seems more "permanent" and serious to me.

Visceral Adventure's avatar

Thanks for sharing this. Something to reflect on.

John Wright's avatar

Thanks! Yes, I think it's worth reflecting on. Our society promotes the idea that it's great to be wealthy, but it's an equally valid choice to prefer a career which provides security and fulfillment. You don't always have to be the "greatest" (something Trump doesn't seem to understand).

Visceral Adventure's avatar

Yes, if you only have leaders and zero followers, we won’t go nowhere!

John Wright's avatar

Now if only more of the leaders were good people and not corrupt jerks!

Visceral Adventure's avatar

Those who make good leaders don’t ever want the job.

John Wright's avatar

That's an excellent rule of thumb.

Lynda Eisenstein's avatar

I didn’t know that he could read, right, or spell anything