How to fail at almost everything and still win big Kind of the story of my life

Review by Booklist Review

The creator of the Dilbert comic strip is also the author of several nonfiction books that apply Dilbert's philosophy to the workplace. Here he takes an autobiographical approach, using his own life to illustrate his thesis that failure isn't necessarily a bad thing. Adams' own list of failures is given his spectacular success as a cartoonist surprisingly lengthy: a couple of unsuccessful restaurants as well as computer games, inventions, and online businesses that all tanked. Adams isn't bummed by any of his flops because and this is the key element of his philosophy you learn by trying, not by succeeding. And every failure in life helps point us in the direction of ultimate success. (Adams says he would never have become a cartoonist if it weren't for a combination of personal failures and the successes of some of his friends, who were willing to take personal risks.) Readers familiar with the author's previous nonfiction will note the same easygoing, conversational style here, an approach that works perfectly for blending humor with serious advice.--Pitt, David Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Library Journal Review

Cartoonist Adams of "Dilbert" fame dives into the "guide to success" subgenre of self-help with this book, adding in both humorous and serious autobiographical stories to illustrate some of his guiding principles. Much of the content rehashes commonsense ideas found in similar books, such as eating right for more energy, diversifying your skill set to be more marketable, and learning that some failure is a part of overall success. However, the author also provides a few novel insights concerning focusing on systems to create success instead of on goals or passions. Adams speaks with authority throughout the book, sometimes voicing his personal take on events as fact, though he also addresses the limitations of his own knowledge and experience. Although lacking a great deal of originality, the book's content is concise and well organized. Patrick Lawlor's narration gives the book an upbeat feel that will keep listeners engaged. Verdict Recommended for graduating college students, beginning entrepreneurs, and "Dilbert" fans.-Cliff Landis, Georgia State Univ. Lib., Atlanta (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

Failing and succeeding, the sarcastic comic-stripartist way. Dilbert creator Adams has failed where others have succeeded, and he has a chapter to prove it: a 10-page list of mistakes, misfires and entrepreneurial blunders that humbled him time and again. Not every business venture crashed and burned, of course; the massive success of Dilbert is proof enough of that. As the title of the book suggests, Adams' path to cartooning fame and fortune was uneven, fraught with missteps and largely unrelated to cartooning. Fans of Dilbert will find the author's less-than-orthodox approach to a "win big" guide to be in keeping with the tone of the comic strip. Some of the themes of the book include "goals are for losers," "conquer shyness by being a huge phony (in a good way)," and "simplicity transforms ordinary into amazing." Adams has extensive experience in data-driven office environments, and the long-form writing gives him a chance to examine the many approaches he's tried to making positive changes in his life and career. Many of the themes are common to this type of book--e.g., the importance of a healthy diet and exercise, the benefits of having a "system" to follow over a long period of time instead of passions or goals that leave you feeling empty as soon as you achieve them. Adams has a funny, refreshingly considered set of ideas about how to find success--and what that success will look like when one gets there. While Adams implores readers not to consider this book's suggestions as advice ("It's never a good idea to take advice from cartoonists"), he does turn the many lemons of his work history into something akin to a helpful guide for young adults stumbling through the early career years.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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Excerpt: This is not an advice book. If you're ever taken advice from a cartoonist, there's a good chance it didn't end well. For starters, it's hard to know when a cartoonist is being serious and when he or she is constructing an elaborate practical joke. I've crafted pranks that spanned years, sometimes when no one was in on the joke but me. On top of that, I'm getting paid to write this book, and we all know that money distorts truth like a hippo in a thong. And let's not forget I'm a stranger to most of you. It's never a good idea to trust strangers. I'm also not an expert at anything, including my own job. I draw like an inebriated howler monkey and my writing style falls somewhere between baffling and sophomoric. It's an ongoing mystery to me why I keep getting paid. Most advice-like books take the view that the author is an omnipotent source of knowledge and the reader is an empty vessel of dysfunction. I approach this book with a more realistic humility. For starters, anyone who reads this sort of book is likely to be brighter than the average citizen, and, in far too many cases, brighter than me. Excerpted from How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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