Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know by Meg Meeker

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know by Meg Meeker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

On some levels this book was disturbing, not because the content was incorrect, but because the facts presented are themselves disturbing. In one section it gives a sample dialogue of what a teenage girl might be thinking as she becomes a victim of anorexia. In another she talks about the statistics and consequences of teenage sexual activity, focusing on STDs for a large part of it. It seems that each new chapter presents another disturbing issue that I don't really want to deal with, yet is a real issue. It was a hard read.

In another sense, I feel that this is the first true self-help book I have ever read. I love self-help books in general, but they are more about empowering yourself to make changes that you want to make to lead you to a happier, more successful life. This is different. This was more a book to inform you about a bunch of problems you may or may not be aware of/ready for, and to tell you what you need to do, and who you need to be if you don't want to screw up your daughter (or your sons, in my humble opinion.). Heavy. I'll need to read a bunch of normal self help books just to make sure I apply all of the instructions in this one...

Finally, while this review may seem to be a jumbled mess, I have to say that I agree with Meeker's viewpoints and moral stance in general. Many problems would be avoided if fathers would teach abstinence, humility, confidence, and faith, and avoid divorce, engage fully at home, shun pornography, and look towards God. The serious issues that are brought about this book are largely the result of negative behaviors by fathers, and if men would stop the excuses, society as a whole would improve.

The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss

The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So before I start talking about what I liked and didn't like in this book, let's deal with the proverbial elephant in the room. Tim Ferriss is crazy. His views on life do not provide a strategy for successful family relationships, which I feel are the basis for long-term happiness. Life is not about finding ways to eat, drink and be merry, selecting new hobbies to fill your time, even if you do learn something. Life has inherent challenges, and necessary skills. There is something to be said for learning how to positively show up for work and give 40-50 hours week. Likewise, it is good to set down some roots and develop long-term relationships at some point. Throwing out society's lessons learned from the last few hundred years does not seem wise. And to be fair, Mr. Ferriss is still young. Perhaps as he gets older family opportunities may begin to pass him by as he searches for adventure. I'm interested to see if his tune changes somewhat down the road.

Having said all of that, I do agree with many of his observations, and appreciate the information he provides. In fact the business I'm currently engaged in sells VA services, and I've seen outsourcing provide some of the opportunities he mentions. I plan to review and implement a number of his ideas, and to spend time on his blog. I have dreams I want to fulfill, even if they don't involve salsa dancing, and this book is a great catalyst for getting someone like me moving.

EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches by Dave Ramsey

EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches by Dave Ramsey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book, largely because I like Dave Ramsey's no-nonsense view on business. He's a straight talker, and whether or not he is 100% correct he obviously believes what he teaches is 100% correct.  His ideas feel authentic, in that he has practiced them and has achieved some level of success with them.

If I had any criticism of this book, it would be that it presents a single  view on people management, and to me it is somewhat incomplete.  Scaling his model would be tough. Also, sometimes Dave's financial advice is colored by his success. Some organic growth would take so long that it wouldn't even be worth it to be in that business, but could be achieved with some strategic, albeit conservative, debt.

I would recommend this to anyone who has, or wants to have, a successful small business. To me it is the best complete handbook on business basics.