Rating: 
Summary: Insightful stories helped me
Review: A friend sent me this book, knowing that I, like many of the people Po interviewed, am asking that "What should I do with my life?" question. Some of the people, he talked to, admittedly, were kind of whiny, like the woman who dropped out of medical school because she discovered she would have to--gasp!--work with sick people. On the other hand, I found many of the stories inspiring and helpful, and they guided me back toward two of the career goals I had wanted to pursue in the first place--writing and the ministry. Now I'm taking more decisive steps in both those directions. Po worries in his book that he might be interfering in some of his interviewees' lives, but isn't that the whole point of the book? This isn't objective journalism, and he shouldn't try to make it such. I think he did a fine job, and he certainly helped me. Thanks, Po.
Rating: 
Summary: What Should I Do With My Life? Choose another book!
Review: This book should have been called "What Should I Do With My Parent's Money?" Nearly all of the 50+ people who's stories made the cut (supposedly over 900 were interviewed) are greed-driven, over-educated, whiny Gen X-ers and former dot-commers who are coasting on their trust funds while trying to "figure it out" (very few have actually found their calling). If these people are truly representative of my generation I want a new birth date.Don't make a mistake and pick up this book expecting it to even try to answer the question it asks in the title. This is a blatant ego-trip and all about how smart Po Bronson is, how empathetic he is, and by coining terms like "Boom Wrangler" & "Phi Beta Slacker", how desperate he is to be the voice of his generation. I heard Mr. Bronson on NPR and thought this book might be perfect for one of my employees who's looking for answers, but after reading it I think I'll save her the disappointment (I mean, if these multiple-MBAs can't get it together, the rest of us don't have a chance). I'm giving it 2 stars because a handful of the stories are truly inspirational and worthwhile. A helpful tip might be to pass over any book in which a way-too-hip photo of the author takes up half of the back cover.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm not buying this!
Review: what a load of CLAPTRAP, January 9, 2003
Reviewer: A reader from East Coast I laughed my guts out over this review! Thanks - I won't waste my money.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Reading
Review: I just finished reading this book and it is worth reading. This book falls somewhere between the extreme negative and positive reviews. The book reassures that there are others pondering what they should be doing with their lives, that it is not unusual to ask the question and there are numerous paths to finding an answer. The book has been criticized for featuring "over-educated" and "multi-degreed" people. I do agree, yet these are the very people who not only ask the question, but also try to actively find the answer. Also, there is criticism for the author inserting his own story within the book. I personally didn't think it took away from the book and it gave some insight on why he chose to write this particular book. I would have liked to have seen a more diverse collection of people. For example, I am African-American and I am definitely pondering the question of what to do with my life. Given Mr. Bronson's background and his method of collecting the stories for the book, it is natural that the responses would come from those that travel in similar circles. However, to make the book more complete, Mr. Bronson should have made an attempt to find other ethnicities and those in lower economic classes that are not just asking the question, but trying to answer it. To get the most out of the book, don't expect for it to give you the answer, just to encourage you to keep searching. Also, don't get wrapped up in who is profiled, but really look at the stories to find common issues and how people dealt with them.
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing
Review: To put it mildly this book awakened me in a way that has been dogmatic for over a decade. This book is not only the best inspirational guide out there, but it rivals being one of the best books I've read. A complementary book to this is Dreams gateway to the self by Ryan Belcher. It supports the view that all humans can achieve their lifes' goals by conscious acknowledgement of their inner selves. In so doing, they become the person they've always wanted to be
Rating:
Summary: Riveting
Review: Inspring in a way that on Bronson can do. There are few who have the capability that this author has. This book offers much more than just pick me up, like the fact that it gives you a renewal of self love. This keeps you in the moment and brings new energy to the surface. Another recommendation is Dreams gateway to the true self.
Rating:
Summary: Po Bronson is JUST SO PLEASED to be Po Bronson.
Review: Many of the stories (by no means all of the stories, but many) are engaging. The writing is good, no argument there. So why is this book so unbearable? Two words: Po Bronson. Or, more correctly, Po Bronson on Po Bronson. This book is a nauseauting ego-fest. Po gently sets captains of industry on the righteous path! Po weeps tenderly with his subjects, all of whom appear to have scored free therapy! Po nobly reveals his pain over having cheated on his "West Coast feminist" wife! Po's penetrating insight warns, cheers, and smiles wistfully to itself over the folly of mankind!
Man, if I met this guy I can't imagine wanting to do anything but slap him. This book is a celebration of the author. On the way, it celebrates a lot of other nauseatingly overprivileged white people. This book reinforces the (untrue) notion that self-discovery is a luxury of the rich and whiny. He does no one any service, not his readers, not his subjects -- and certainly not the main subject of his book, the ever-fascinating PO BRONSON.
Rating:
Summary: My review of What Should I Do With My Life
Review: What Should I Do With my Life is an interesting book about the various paths people have taken with their lives. I was impressed by the courage and accomplishments of almost every person in this book. I loved the story of Leela DeSouza who had a passion for ballet dancing. She also worked as a top runway model in her spare time. However, she was not content until she went to college. She attended the University of Chicago and Stanford business school. This led her to a White House fellowship and her current job at a high tech public relations firm. It was very interesting to read how people in one profession switched to another one entirely different. I enjoyed the story of Kurt Slauson who studied to be an English professor until his older brother committed suicide. He rediscovered a passion for cooking and went to culinary school to become a chef. I loved the determination of the British chemistry professor who became a lawyer at the age of 70. He was turned down for employment because of his age, but he remained undaunted to achieve his dream. I enjoyed the story of the Harvard Business graduate. This young man turned his back on the family business and had the courage to change his career path and his lifestyle. He eventually became a police officer in the rough section of El Monte California. I loved the story of Janelle London who who switched from being a lawyer to an organ donation activist after her kidney transplant failed. What Should I Do With My Life is a very entertaining and insightful book.
Rating:
Summary: The TV Show Was Better Than The Book
Review: I ran right out and purchased this book after hearing
about it on Book TV. That will teach me NEVER to buy
a book without checking Amazon.com reviews. I find these
are very much to the point. I agree with the reviewer
who found most of the individuals profiled annoying
at best, disgusting at worst, totally self absorbed
and that must be the common thread that inspired the
author to interview these particular people. He also
drifted often into his own story and I was not looking
for nor interested in a biography. Watch for repeats on
Book TV. That's all you'll need to experience about this
book
Rating:
Summary: Good book to find some direction
Review: Bronson brings up many issues which provoke introspection and enable us to find our way. Bronson, however uses the old model of positive thinking which has many flaws. Why waste time using positive thinking to seek good and great results, when you can use Optimal Thinking to achieve the best results. If you are interested in OPTIMIZING your success, you have to read "Optimal Thinking-How to be your best self" by Rosalene Glickman, Ph.D. She takes you past wishful thinking and shows you how to be your best self in every situation and how to think in harmony with your best interests. Optimal Thinking is simple and you can put it into practice IMMEDIATELY to optimize your success. Glickman teaches you how to ask the best questions of yourself and others to obtain the best answers. I recommend a both of these books and you'll have everything you need.
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