The narrow road A brief guide to the getting of money

Felix Dennis, 1947-

Book - 2010

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Subjects
Published
New York : Portfolio Penguin c2010.
Language
English
Main Author
Felix Dennis, 1947- (-)
Physical Description
xv, 217 p. ; 19 cm
Bibliography
Includes index.
ISBN
9781591843733
  • Author's Note
  • 1. On Motive
  • 2. On Excuses
  • 3. On Who Is Likely to Succeed
  • 4. On the Statistical Odds
  • 5. On the Real Odds
  • 6. On Getting Started
  • 7. On Choosing the Right Mountain
  • 8. On Cutting Loose
  • 9. On Pole Positions
  • 10. On Humiliation
  • 11. On Common Impediments
  • 12. On the Tiger Chained to Your Ankle
  • 13. On Frugality
  • 14. On Common Start-up Errors: I. Mistaking Desire for Compulsion
  • 15. On Common Start-up Errors: II. Failure to Monitor Cash Flow
  • 16. On Common Start-up Errors: III. Excessive Overhead
  • 17. On Common Start-up Errors: IV. Reinforcing Failure
  • 18. On Common Start-up Errors: V. Skimping on Talent
  • 19. On Boldness
  • 20. On Being in the Right Place at the Right Time
  • 21. On Riches and Happiness
  • 22. On Working for Others
  • 23. On Raising Capital: I. Sources of Capital
  • 24. On Raising Capital: II. Earning It
  • 25. On Raising Capital: III. Avoidance of Faustian Pacts
  • 26. On Raising Capital: IV. Sharks
  • 27. On Raising Capital: V. The Nature of Dolphins
  • 28. On Raising Capital: VI. Playing with Dolphins
  • 29. On Raising Capital: VII. Banks
  • 30. On Raising Capital: VIII. Swimming with the Fishes
  • 31. On Raising Capital: IX. Fifty-one Percent Investors
  • 32. On Creating the Right Environment
  • 33. On Start-up Hires
  • 34. On Hiring Generally
  • 35. On Management
  • 36. On Eternal Lieutenants
  • 37. On the Start-up and the Long Wobble
  • 38. On the Settle-down and Continuous Revolution
  • 39. On Team Spirit
  • 40. On Glory Hounds and Toads
  • 41. On Decision by Consensus
  • 42. On Partnerships and Minority Investors
  • 43. On the Mexican Standoff
  • 44. On Harnessing the Fear of Failure
  • 45. On the Fallacy of the Great Idea
  • 46. On Dress Codes
  • 47. On Promoting from Within
  • 48. On the Paradox of Ownership
  • 49. On Ownership
  • 50. On Customers
  • 51. On Suppliers
  • 52. On Negotiating
  • 53. On Prioritizing
  • 54. On Luck
  • 55. On Shortcuts
  • 56. On Courtesy
  • 57. On Debt
  • 58. On Intellectual Property
  • 59. On Emulating
  • 60. On Delegating
  • 61. On Trusting Your Instincts
  • 62. On Persistence
  • 63. On Tenacity
  • 64. On Self-Belief
  • 65. On Leading
  • 66. On Protecting Your Piece of the Pie
  • 67. On Going Public
  • 68. On the Trojan Trap
  • 69. On Sacred Cows
  • 70. On the Need to Diversify
  • 71. On Excellence
  • 72. On Bonus Arrangements
  • 73. On Rivals
  • 74. On Misfortune
  • 75. On Taking Stock
  • 76. On Must-Do Deals
  • 77. On the Right Time to Sell a Business
  • 78. On Consequences
  • 79. On Status
  • 80. On Qualified Accountants
  • 81. On Milking the Cow
  • 82. On Dragon Cages
  • 83. On Buying Private Yachts, Airplanes, etc.
  • 84. On Cheating the Tax Man
  • 85. On Being Right ... Or Wrong
  • 86. On the Unfairness of It All
  • 87. On Failure
  • 88. On Success
  • Appendix 1. Wealth Calculated by Cash in Hand or Quickly Realizable, Assets
  • Appendix 2. Wealth Calculated by Total Assets (True Net Worth)
  • Index
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Dennis, founder of Maxim magazine, is one misunderstood mogul. He intended his previous book, How to Get Rich, to be ironic. Readers found it "inspirational," and he's back in the ring to make his point. Like the first book, this is another tongue-in-cheek "anti-self help manual, written to dissuade the majority of readers from making the attempt to acquire real wealth." He presents short meditations on motivation, rules of management, and conquering mental impediments. His wit is dry, and his advice ranges from thought provoking ("If you cannot treat your quest to get rich as a game-a silly game with serious rules-you will never be rich") to, more frequently, exceedingly silly ("You are a wild pig rooting for truffles. You are a weasel about to rip the throat out of a rabbit. You are an entrepreneur.")-but the crabby tone becomes grating. And since some of the content was repurposed from the original book, this collection, for all its entertainment value, ends up feeling slim and unfulfilling. Maybe the third time really will be the charm. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review

Maxim founder and self-made millionaire Dennis takes readers down the narrow road to riches. Only a few will get there.It is refreshing to read a "get rich" book that doesn't promise pots of gold while working from home in a bathrobe. The author begins by lamenting that too many readers thought his previous book, the satiricHow To GetRich,was an inspirational work. This lead to a repurposing of the material, which, Dennis writes, intends to tell the fierce truths and consequences involved with the acquisition of riches. In that sense, it delivers as a wake-up call for daydreamers and an honest perspective for real entrepreneurs.The book is broken into 88 short chapters, which glance at a variety of subjects, such as "motive"and "status."Some readers, however, will not enjoy the author's tongue-in-cheek style, and the tone can often feel condescending.Dennis offers plenty of sound advice, but much of it is obvious, such as his suggestion that "wealth cannot confer happiness." More specific examples from the author's remarkable life would have made those truths powerful for readers. Dennis is at his best when equipping readers with practical business tips, such as common startup errors and his emphasis on frugality.For readers who are looking for "success" in terms of vast amounts of money.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.