Rating: 
Summary: The Life Coach Speaketh -- And I Listeneth!
Review: I've been a huge fan of Stephen Pollan's books, especially 'Live Rich' and 'Die Broke'. In 'Second Acts,' Mr. Pollan provides a framework to identify and pursue your 'next act.' And since life (at least my life) is about an evolution of next acts, I highly recommend this book! Mr. Pollan coalesces his core thinking into two very useful parts. First, he provides practical exercises and guidance to defining and refining your second act. And second, he gives you the tools to fight the battle to change your life -- a large part of which, as Mr. Pollan points out, rests between your ears! Stephen's advice is not some useless feel-good psychobabble ' his is straightforward and imminently applicable. And it's laced throughout with the humanity, humor, wisdom and grace that defines all of Mr. Pollan's writings.
Rating: 
Summary: Well worth your time
Review: I've read probably dozens of "reinvent your life" and/or "find the perfect career" books in the past few years, and this book is definitely in my top 10. If you take the time to complete the exercises, you'll learn a lot about yourself and what you want out of life, and that alone is worth the price of the book. While Pollan's method for identifying what you want isn't unique to him, he gives it some interesting twists, such as asking not only "What do I want?" but "How will I know when I have it?", which forces you to be very specific! His chapters on "opening closed doors" were, I felt, very uneven: some were genuinely helpful (the money chapter), while others (such as the "education and training" chapter) seemed glib and superficial. I was favorably impressed that he didn't focus solely on career changes: one of his examples is a woman who loves her career but misses having a family, so the solution is not for her to change careers but to adopt a child. I like his attitude: he focuses on the present and the future, on what you can do NOW to achieve what you want; this is a real upper for those of us who tend to get bogged down in "I've wasted my life" and "It's too late to change"! He also points out that much of one's work experience -- learning how to negotiate, get along with people, or manage a project -- is transferable to another field, so changing careers doesn't mean starting completely from scratch. On the other hand, as other readers have pointed out, he recounts far too many examples of people who were successful in one career before changing to another. Many people DON'T succeed because they're in the wrong job; but, once they find a career that better suits their interests, abilities, and values, they prosper. It happened to me, and I know I'm not unique, so I think the book would have been more convincing if it included more examples of this type.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth your time
Review: I've read probably dozens of "reinvent your life" and/or "find the perfect career" books in the past few years, and this book is definitely in my top 10. If you take the time to complete the exercises, you'll learn a lot about yourself and what you want out of life, and that alone is worth the price of the book. While Pollan's method for identifying what you want isn't unique to him, he gives it some interesting twists, such as asking not only "What do I want?" but "How will I know when I have it?", which forces you to be very specific! His chapters on "opening closed doors" were, I felt, very uneven: some were genuinely helpful (the money chapter), while others (such as the "education and training" chapter) seemed glib and superficial. I was favorably impressed that he didn't focus solely on career changes: one of his examples is a woman who loves her career but misses having a family, so the solution is not for her to change careers but to adopt a child. I like his attitude: he focuses on the present and the future, on what you can do NOW to achieve what you want; this is a real upper for those of us who tend to get bogged down in "I've wasted my life" and "It's too late to change"! He also points out that much of one's work experience -- learning how to negotiate, get along with people, or manage a project -- is transferable to another field, so changing careers doesn't mean starting completely from scratch. On the other hand, as other readers have pointed out, he recounts far too many examples of people who were successful in one career before changing to another. Many people DON'T succeed because they're in the wrong job; but, once they find a career that better suits their interests, abilities, and values, they prosper. It happened to me, and I know I'm not unique, so I think the book would have been more convincing if it included more examples of this type.
Rating:
Summary: A good place to start....
Review: If you feel like you've squandered your time, or wonder where you're heading and how you can get more from life this books is a good place to start. I found it it filled with helpful advice on how to get grounded, figure out what really matters, and develop a plan for realizing some long neglected goals. It's clearly written with helpful exercises and plenty of words and examples of inspiration. An easy read, with ideas you can easily adapt to your life and plans.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: In a sea of thousands of self-help books this is one that really stands out. Without reverting to psycho-babble or self importance, best selling author Stephen Pollan gives practical, inspirational and user friendly advice and motivation that breaks down the walls of self doubt. A book you will want to read and keep around for advice and guidance as you pursue a more rewarding existance.
Rating:
Summary: IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO GET THIS BOOK
Review: It's never too late for second chances at fixing your mucked up life. Or, if it's a pretty good one, there is always room for making it better. Your not too old, your not too dumb, you can do anything you put your mind to in this world. This book reminds me of my favorite motivational book, The Little Guide To Happiness. It teaches us that we create our own worlds by how we choose to interpret and make them. Our perception put into action can truly change existence for the better. I recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Sloppy and full of typos
Review: Love the concept because I am definitely in the "Second Acts" demographic. However, it is very discouraging to find so many typos in a published book. Especially a book that is meant to inspire and build confidence. If it's executed sloppily, why should I believe the content is any better? I am returning my copy for a refund.
Rating:
Summary: This book could change your life
Review: Pollan and Levine have done it again: a bracing, upbeat and utterly contrarian book that opens new doors. Pollan is an evangelist of the possible, and in his latest, he shows you, step by practical step, how to turn dreams into realities-- whether it's a new career, having a baby, taking up a new form of self-expression. Second Act faces up to the usual obstacles --are you too old? unprepared? too broke?-- and then shows you how to surmount them. This is a how-to book in the great American tradition of self-re-invention.
Rating:
Summary: Go Ahead, You Can Do It!
Review: Pollan taps into an almost universal wish -- to be doing something else for a living. His strength here, as in his previous books, is to be a cheerleader. Everyone wants to be told, "go ahead, you can do it," and Pollan tells us just that. Since he defines Second Acts so broadly (a couple who decide to buy a second home in the country, for instance), nearly everyone can be considered a candidate for a Second Act. He outlines the steps you should take before taking the leap. Decide just what it is you want and don't want, determine what financial and family support you will need, etc. By making an orderly exercise out of it, it seems more attainable. Pollan is good at organizing us and putting a positive spin on doing something that is risky and frightening for most of us. I have to disagree with him on one point, and that is asking family members for money. He says that your family wants you to be happy, and if they were planning on leaving you money in their will, for instance, you should tell them you need it now. Or, if you don't have willing and wealthy grandparents, ask siblings or parents for a loan. This sounds like a mistake to me, but maybe Pollan knows better. It would also be nice to have a summary of the steps at the end of the book. If you are thinking of a Second Act (and who isn't), you could probably figure out Pollan's steps on your own, but it's nice to have them organized for you with a friendly mentor cheering you on.
Rating:
Summary: Go Ahead, You Can Do It!
Review: Pollan taps into an almost universal wish -- to be doing something else for a living. His strength here, as in his previous books, is to be a cheerleader. Everyone wants to be told, "go ahead, you can do it," and Pollan tells us just that. Since he defines Second Acts so broadly (a couple who decide to buy a second home in the country, for instance), nearly everyone can be considered a candidate for a Second Act. He outlines the steps you should take before taking the leap. Decide just what it is you want and don't want, determine what financial and family support you will need, etc. By making an orderly exercise out of it, it seems more attainable. Pollan is good at organizing us and putting a positive spin on doing something that is risky and frightening for most of us. I have to disagree with him on one point, and that is asking family members for money. He says that your family wants you to be happy, and if they were planning on leaving you money in their will, for instance, you should tell them you need it now. Or, if you don't have willing and wealthy grandparents, ask siblings or parents for a loan. This sounds like a mistake to me, but maybe Pollan knows better. It would also be nice to have a summary of the steps at the end of the book. If you are thinking of a Second Act (and who isn't), you could probably figure out Pollan's steps on your own, but it's nice to have them organized for you with a friendly mentor cheering you on.
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