What Should I Do with My Life?

Rating:
Summary: Ugly American does slip through, however...
Review: I did not see Po Bronson on Oprah and didn't read anything from him other than what is written in this book. I did not read in this book that he promised to help change the careers of those who read the stories. He simply asked himself a question and in the midst of trying to answer it, decided that others may have asked themselves the same question and proceeded to find out their answers. That's it. It's a book of stories that you may or may not be inspired by, simply because some of us need advice to be handed to them rather than get inspired reading about someone else's trials and tribulations. I read the first few stories and it got me thinking. That's all it should do.

However, there is an arrogance in the tone of Bronson's writing. Bronson does seem to acquire delusions of grandeur throughout his journey, probably because it seems he has actually helped many of the people he interviewed simply because they needed someone to listen to them. That's how therapists make a living - getting people to talk out loud about their problems ultimately solving those problems themselves. But the ugly American syndrome is rampant in his ramblings, in the way he assumes we all think like him. For example, there's the usual "we're all supposed to hate Fidel Castro" attitude, even though most of us don't really know anything about him for real, other than what our government keeps trying to brainwash us to believe. I say, just tell the story. Don't add your assumptions of what you assume we all believe. If a Cuban immigrant doesn't like Castro, so be it. She lived it; Bronson didn't. This is the kind of thinking that breeds the ugly American - assuming positions on world affairs without ever learning or experiencing these cultures themselves for real.

And yes, the writing is atrocious. It's funny how he mentions his English teachers said he didn't have the skills to write and that he was much better in math. That's true, but he does have a knack for storytelling. He just should have hired a good editor.

So, if you can get beyond the Almighty stance, the ugly Americanisms, the poor writing, and you do not expect to be spoon fed the wisdom you need to find your right livelihood, you'll find this book enjoyable. Otherwise, maybe you can ask Bronson to include you in his follow-up edition.

Rating:
Summary: Waste of Time!
Review: This book was not at all what it seems. The idea sounds great, and the write ups make it sound like Po has put together a masterpiece that should be required reading for someone who is searching for their lot in life. ThIS BOOK IS AS FAR FROM THE MARK AS CAN BE! It is absolutely terrible. How could something that sounds so great be so bad? I thought it was me. So I lent this book to my friend because he was doing some soul searching as well. He also concluded that this book is an aweful read and not what it seems. Save your money...this book is not worth the paper it's printed on!

Rating:
Summary: learn to listen to your inner voice
Review: This book brings to light real life stories of people who had the courage to make themselves happy. Too many people get caught up with material possessions or living someone else's dream that they don't actually live their own life. Listen to your body and do what makes YOU happy, that is what this book is about.

Rating:
Summary: How To Change Gears
Review: I purchased this book because I was intrigued by the title and believe that this is a question many people ask all the time, even if a person is happy with life at a particular moment. I think we all wonder what is out there and we all want this "more." For people who are in a job in which they hate, which may be a great job but it is not the right job, this question is critical. Author Po Bronson faced this same question. He was originally a business person, but inside was a writer yearning to be free. He had to ask himself difficult questions and seek the answers that best suited his life. As he reflected upon the steps he took from becoming a business person to writer, he believed that other people who made changes in their own lives probably asked the same questions. He researched out many people and the results are what this book is all about as it answers the question passed by the author, "What Should I Do With My Life?"

The book's greatest strength is the author. He is a gifted writer and when the reader encounters the many people he interviews, it is more like listening to a person talk than reading a text. He is a person who not only listens, but knows the questions to ask, when to interject, and when to remain quiet. The easy to read chapters flow quite well, and give the reader much to think about afterward. He uses different people who are at different stages in life, and the author seems to respect most of the people he includes. He is hardly sentimental, and this book is not gushy. It is real and for most of the people included, there is still a great deal of unfinished business in their lives.

For me, the book had two weaknesses, but I am willing to bet that for many readers, these would be strengths. First, I believe the book lacked diversity. It seemed as if most of the people interviewed, or at least included in the book were white males with a smattering of white females. Most were in their thirties or early forties, and most seemed to be somewhat privileged, or at least had opportunities open to them. This is not a book to find too many Horatio Alger tales. While many of these people do make radical life changes, they also seem to have a plan they can fall back on, based upon the advantages they have had in life. The author alludes to this very fact at one point in the book, but does not change the focus. Perhaps this is because he knows his focus audience rather well. Another weakness is that the book focuses almost solely on jobs and changing one's job in order to be happy. Very little attention is given to other factors that give life meaning such as family, faith, or enjoyment that enriches life. While the author does not downplay the importance of these things in life, it is clear he wants to show that having a lousy job that has to be endured in order to enjoy other aspects in life is a copout, even though many people remain at jobs they do not care for because other aspects of their lives are in order. Bronson seem to be arguing that since people today often times have the opportunity to take advantage of opportunities previous generations lacked, and that many people today have had extended periods of youth, it is quite possible that people in the future will not be trying to reclaim a lost youth as many did in the generation that preceded the late baby boomers/early generation X. Though I find the lack of diversity and over focus on work as weaknesses, the author presents that material in such a way that in a few years, I may be look at this book differently and see him as prophetic.

People hoping to make changes in their life direction will undoubtedly find this book helpful. Those of us who are satisfied with our jobs will also find this book helpful because it does get a person thinking about what matters most in life, and Bronson encourages people to look within before looking outside of ourselves, always timely advice.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but needs an editor
Review: This book suffers from an interesting conundrum -- the storytelling is great, but the writing is pretty bad. There's a horrific number of facutual, grammatical, and punctuation errors, and don't even ask about the mixed metaphors and senseless analogies. Many of the stories were compelling, but a more cohesive and less self-indulgent style would've made it even more of a page-turner.

The author also seems to suffer from a weird, self-aggrandizing God complex that I found irritating as all hell. All in all, I'd take a strong storyteller over a pretty stylist, but it's annoying that such a highly lauded author isn't capable of both.

Rating:
Summary: Not perfect ... not bad either
Review: This book obviously caught my eye because of the title. Everyone asks themselves this question... no matter where you are in your life's journey, it is a question that arises. Many of the stories were very inspiring, little bits that you remember through the day... some were definitely better than others.

I bought the audiobook format which was perfect for my commute to work. The worst thing about the audiobook? Mr. Bronson tries to imitate his interviewees in the recording, and I found his accents quite annoying... the overall story was very good, but the delivery made me cringe! Sorry Po--stick to the writing, not the recording!

Other than this flaw, I found the book enjoyable and inspiring. It gives you a sense of empowerment and inspiration.

Rating:
Summary: good for students
Review: first of all...this book will not unhide the truth of what you should be doing with your life. just to make sure in case you expected some forumla. The only formula would be : "to follow your heart!". That simple, but meantime that demanding.

Good for students, especially if they have "figured" out their future and how to secure good status in society, how to get a good-paid job, good house, car...as if that would make you happy in long run.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: When I first heard of this book on the Oprah Winfrey show (she devoted an entire show to it) I was excited and thought it would help me make a career choice, as I was unhappy with the education field. I promptly went online and ordered it. Unfortunately, when I started to read it I did not find anything that would help me make a career decision or give me inspiration. The book is filled with stories about individuals who were unhappy with their current careers and make a 360 degree career change. For example, the businessman who became a police officer, the surgeon who became a shoe designer, and the lawyer who became a cake baker. While the stories are interesting I didn't take anything away from the book that would help me in my own search for a fulfilling career.

Rating:
Summary: What a waste of breath!
Review: I think Mr. Bronson must like to hear himself talk. This book is nothing but a rambling succession empty stories. The author offers no real insight, rather he is content listen to himself go on and on and on without making any meaningful contribution to an important subject. If the reader is asking themselves the question posed by this book, they would be better served by reading elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Introspective and philosophical
Review: This book is not a self-help book, as many others have indicated. Do not read this book if you are looking for answers.

This book is autobiographical. It is about a 30-something writer who sets off on an adventure to find others who are stuck in the same place that he is in - wondering what the heck he is supposed to do with his life. He calls upon his audience to join him on this journey. It requires intense introspection and an open mind. If you take the time to really examine what he says, and internalize it, you might find that you have come to a few answers on your own.

The weakness of this book is that his "characters" are all somewhat generic white, upper-class Americans. I can only fault him for that a little, however, because that is who he is, and would naturally be drawn to others like him. Should he release another version, I would like to see people of different races, and socio-economic classes.

I highly recommend this book for those thinkers out there - the people who spend their days examining their thoughts and feelings and are completely comfortable with that level of introspection (you know who you are). I think that if you are not comfortable with that process, it might be hard to identify with the author and his mission. But then, maybe that is just me being over-introspective again...

This is a great book. Read it. Read it again.