Rating: 
Summary: This book leapt right out of our hands-into the garbage!
Review: The fact that this book was about the 'dot.com' industry, did NOT make it interesting. In fact it read like a book that was really boring...like the way really boring books are. Get the idea? The 'author', realizing his first draft was 30,000 words short, felt the need to double his descriptive sentences by repeating them. EX: "There was something between us that had been torn. It had not been torn before." Or, "...farther than the eye could see. They were beyond eyeshot". Does the author think that unless he is redundant with his descriptions, driving his meaning into the ground, that no one will get it? It was difficult to even enjoy this so-called "wild ride of a story", when one is so distracted by the lame descriptions of being naked. Being caught in the blinding snow. And being naked. This story "races along" like a broken push-mower clogged with wet grass.
Rating: 
Summary: The Leap is the first "perfect" business book for women
Review: The Leap is a book that tells the story of the launch of a business but, the story is told through the lense of the author's relationships. The author's journey is powerful and his experiences are palpable. The writing is vivid and powerful. In addition, Ashbrook truly captures the restlessness and angst of his generation. I could not put it down and I learned a great deal...a most unusual experience and a most extraordinary book.
Rating:
Summary: A very personal and painful read
Review: This book is not for everyone. It touched raw nerves with me because I am living it now. I recently left a secure job to join an internet start up. The confusion, excitement, greed, fear, and hope which peppers every page of this book is very realistically presented. The central theme of this thoughtful book is that the stress of a fast growth company ripples throughout all aspects of one's life. Families are completely engulfed . I just went through the experience of asking my wife to return to work so I could pursue my dream. I thought the author portrayed the grim realities associated with a start up with poignance and good humor. If you are looking for "how to's" or insights for building a successful internent business, this is not the place to look. In fact, if I had criticism to offer it would be that he really skimps on the details of how some key business decisions were made. The emphasis here is on the personal commitments, rewards and risks.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous. A "must" read.
Review: This was a fantastic book. So much honesty, insight and inspiration, all in one amazing story. I've advised entrepreneurs for years, and have never before seen a book that so successfully captured the emotional reality of their experience. Quite a feat. If you have even dreamed of starting your own business - or embarking on any life-changing odyssey - read this book first! A remarkable gift from a hell of a gifted writer. Bravo, Tom Ashbrook!
Rating:
Summary: Required reading for entreprenuers--and their families
Review: Tom Ashbrook has written the book that my partner and I have talked about--a hard look at the reality of living the entreprenuerial dream (or sometimes nightmare). "The Leap" portrays the emotional rollercoaster of a startup, from the exhilarating highs of the early wins to the long dark nights of the soul when there seems to be no way out of the box in which you've put yourself and your family. With his reporter's skills, Ashbrook tells the story with style, insight, and a narrative drive worthy of Raymond Chandler. The cast of characters is familiar to all who have fought these battles, although it appears that Ashbrook and Rouse managed to avoid the "bad guys" and charlatans most of us encounter along the way. Every entreprenuer knows the "wannabes" who jump in early but are unable to stay the course, the selfless contributors who provide critical feedback, contacts, industry knowledge, or just emotional support, and the dedicated employees who catch the dream early and stay committed to pursuing it whatever the cost. Most important, however, the author vividly portrays the burdens placed on friends and family. I came away from this with a much stronger appreciation for, and insight into, the toll that the last seven years have taken on my wife and sons. I look forward to a sequel chronicling this never-ending story. This book should be required reading for anyone considering "the leap", and for their spouse as well.
Rating:
Summary: Required reading for entreprenuers--and their families
Review: Tom Ashbrook has written the book that my partner and I have talked about--a hard look at the reality of living the entreprenuerial dream (or sometimes nightmare). "The Leap" portrays the emotional rollercoaster of a startup, from the exhilarating highs of the early wins to the long dark nights of the soul when there seems to be no way out of the box in which you've put yourself and your family. With his reporter's skills, Ashbrook tells the story with style, insight, and a narrative drive worthy of Raymond Chandler. The cast of characters is familiar to all who have fought these battles, although it appears that Ashbrook and Rouse managed to avoid the "bad guys" and charlatans most of us encounter along the way. Every entreprenuer knows the "wannabes" who jump in early but are unable to stay the course, the selfless contributors who provide critical feedback, contacts, industry knowledge, or just emotional support, and the dedicated employees who catch the dream early and stay committed to pursuing it whatever the cost. Most important, however, the author vividly portrays the burdens placed on friends and family. I came away from this with a much stronger appreciation for, and insight into, the toll that the last seven years have taken on my wife and sons. I look forward to a sequel chronicling this never-ending story. This book should be required reading for anyone considering "the leap", and for their spouse as well.
Rating:
Summary: The Landing
Review: Tom Ashbrook's book is the thinking man's action story, a true story of taking a chance, trading security for freedom, treating the internet economy as the 21st Century Klondike. Its a very personal tale, and obviously a candidate for a movie starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. One gets the feeling that Ashbrook has not only taken the leap, he has landed as well. A good read; a must read from anyone over 18 and under 50 (older folks will also enjoy what could have been ---- perhaps, indeed for some with the freedom to take chances, what still might be!).
Rating:
Summary: From Yuppie to Millionairupy
Review: Tom Ashbrook's song of himself is yet another chapter in his self-centered world, where he goes from being a boring yuppie newspaper editor to a still boring capitalist. He is the embodiment of a special world viewpoint, a man of privledge who nestles deeper into more comfortability. I'm sorry, but I'm not impressed.
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Summary: Hip Mother's Day winner - A dotcom love story
Review: Wow. What a book! What a storyteller! Ellen Goodman says this book delivers the mega-buzz of a double latte, and she is sooooo right. Finally we get an honest to god dotcom love story. Ashbrook delivers the passion worthy of this huge change in the economy and its thousand deep effects on our lives and loves. His wife Danielle is an amazing hero. What should you do when your husband/spouse goes off the deep end with a wild vision? It's all here: romance, terror, and a relationship reborn. Get this book for her, and read it for yourself, big guy. This is a brave, gifted writer who is not afraid to be richly human and real.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely riveting!
Review: `The Leap' is a personal story of the foolishness pursued by unqualified dreamers, and the trials & tribulations they put their families & friends through, prior to getting substantial funding for a startup home design web portal. The purpose of the book seemed to be 1. to apologise to the hard-suffering supporters; and 2. to advertise the company HomePortfolio.com. Previously reviewer's comments about repetitive redundant writing style (surprisingly the author is an award-winning journalist), superficial business-content throughout, and lack of a business-reality ending are worthy. Despite claiming an `adventurous spirit' high ground, Ashbrook seemed to focus much on the personal money aspects- perhaps the true motivation. Considering the described round-the-clock several-man-years effort, I can't help thinking that the 2 founders should have achieved more sooner (or found experts to support) and/or listened more closely to the venture capitalists, to help them work smarter. Whilst undoubtedly a fashionable dot.com personal adventurous tale, this book does not seem to be written with the reader in mind, is too linear & repetitive, and ultimately unsatisfying (to this reviewer). There are other (non-fiction) dot.com books which better cover the extremes of human spirit, determination & passion (e.g. eBoys, Confessions of a Venture Capitalist, Secrets of Software Success etc..)- try these first.
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