Pete Williams

Great read if interested in the economics of fame'

Revisado: 11-25-12

How I Heard About The Book...

This book had been sitting in my Audible wish list for a while before I downloaded it, so I can't recall the exact referal... but I think it might have been mentioned in a Dan Kennedy newsletter a few months back.


The Lesson/Argument in Three Sentences...

There is no real applicable lesson in here, as the book is basically a documentary in print detailing how the quote unquote, famous, actually make their money and play the fame-game. It also talks/reveals a lot about the mechanics of the entertainment business; covering things like how to "buy an Oscar win" . I guess if you are trying to be the next Paris Hilton it may help you forecast/project/plan out your income streams, but it's more of a education on 'how the game is played' than a playbook.


Why Read/Listened To It ...

Maybe you're not obsessed with celebrity like Fleur (my wife) is, but if you are at all interested in learning the economics of fame' this is well worth a read.
And if you're not overtly interested in discovering how celebrities earn their income', you should! 'Celebrity' is one of the largest, hottest and most in-demand industries' ... and as savvy entrepreneurs we should continue to stay abreast of other industries and how they work ... especially if we want to partner with a celebrity on an endorsement deal (and there a are only a few better ways to get attention in this day and age than with a celebrity spokesperson)


Other Similar Books Worth Checking Out ...

Celebrity Leverage: Insider Secrets to Getting Celebrity Endorsements, Instant Credibility and Star-Powered Publicity, or How to Make Your Business - Plus Yourself - Rich and Famous - Jordan McAuley [If you want to go down the path of using a celebrity to promote your business, project or charity; Jordan's book covers the 'how-to', that 'Celebrity Inc' left out.]

Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator - Ryan Holiday [Ryan pulls back the curtains on the media and blogosphere in a similar way; but Ryan mixes his own experiences in with the investigator/reporter angle.]


What Was Missing ...

The celebrity industry is so large that this book could become a series, exposing every trick under the sun celebrities use to cash-in on their fame. There isn't one specific 'monetisation' strategy I was left wanting to know more about .. but a sports version of this book is something I would really enjoy.

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Inspiration + Education = Finding Ultra.

Revisado: 07-14-12

In the format of inspiration memoir, (but there’s also quite a bit of how to that’s both woven into the narrative of the book and with about 55 pages of appendices on nutrition and training) is an amazing inspirational book for most readers.

Telling the story of how an ex-college swimmer, goes from an over-weight un-fit 40 year old to one of the 25 fittest people on the planet in under 3 years, all on a plant based whole-food diet, got me back on the training bandwagon.

Having completed marathons and ironman distance triathlons myself, I'm sure it didn't have the same type of impact on me as it has for older (fatter) readers, but the story of Rich's journey and his experience with a vegan style diet is what really grabbed me.

I actually listened to this audiobook twice as I started to hit the pavement again for my next ironman, and also purchased the eBook version so I could begin to incorporate more raw into my diet.

If you've seen the documentaries 'Food Inc' or 'Engine 3 Diet' this would will complement that education, with a great narrative of application and achievement.

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A Fantastic Book on Running... and life!

Revisado: 07-14-12

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional"

This quote was my biggest take-away from Murakami's great book; and well worth price of admission alone... and is so applicable to everything in life from running, to writing, to health, and to just 'getting things done'

“The most important thing we learn at school is the fact that the most important things can't be learned at school.”

This book is full of amazing take-aways, and this quote is another one of those.

Being a son of a teacher, the one thing my mother taught me during my schools years, was that school is about teaching us HOW to learn (not about what you are learning) and I think this quote accompanies those parental lessons perfectly.

If you are a runner, athlete or motivated couch potato I can't recommend this book highly enough, and along with 'Born To Run' and 'Finding Ultra', are my 'must read books for runners'

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A Great AudioBook To Run Too.

Revisado: 07-13-12

The story of 3 men, from 3 countries all striving for athletic perfection is a fascinating tale endurance, commitment, belief and inevitably achievement.

The story of Roger Bannister is etched in time, and being a Geelong/Melbourne Australia boy John Landy's achievements are just sowed into our running culture... yet I was completely unaware of Wes Santee before listening/reading this book.

I well written documentation of the journey towards a 4 minute mile, which was truly inspiring as I devoured this book on my iPod whilst out training for a marathon.

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A Deep Look Behind The Curtain...

Revisado: 07-13-12

Isaacson does a great job peeling back the curtain on the life of one the most influential characters of our time.

If you are "in" the tech world, a lot of character flaws and tales highlighted by the author may not be new, but if you are a just user of Jobs' products it's a very eye opening account.

There is no doubt this is one of the most in-depth and complete biographies on Steve Jobs, but I don't believe their was anything new (of great value) shared in the book.

Wether you knew the life and trials of Jobs, or not, this is a fantastic look at the ups, downs and ups of a very influential character.

I also suggest you read 'Icon' as a further look into the 'darker' side of Steve Jobs.

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Very applicable book...

Revisado: 07-13-12

In this book Chapman, discusses what he has found to be 'The 5 Love Languages' (oddly enough) which are the 5 ways different people feel and need to be loved.

Although on the surface, we all know that our partners are most likely different to us in the way "they want to be loved", we often don't have the skills, awareness or desire to "meet them on their terms"

This book painted a very clear picture on not only the types of love languages, but why it's important, what the different love languages look like and how to make it happen through case studies.

I listened/red this book a few months before getting married and highly recommend it to everyone in or seeking a relationship.

{There are also some good marketing lessons in this book if you are open to seeing them - every client or prospect is different, so make sure you communicate to them on THEIR language)

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A melodic journey through the learning experience.

Revisado: 07-13-12

In a similar fashion to, Joshua Foer's Moonwalking With Einstein, I enjoyed the personal narrative this book goes through as the author discovers 'how to' learn to play the guitar.

Not being a muscian, I found it harder to relate to the thread of the book at some points, then my guitar playing friends who also enjoyed (and related) to the book.

I found this book more about the "journey of learning", with very little practical and transferable "how to learn" lessons.

Enjoyable non-the-less

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A book for comedy writers, not marketers.

Revisado: 07-13-12

I began listening to this book thinking it was about how to write "selling humor" in the context of "sales copy with humour injected"... I was wrong - It's very much a book aimed at comedians or comedy writers who want to sell their comedy writing.

If you are in that field, then this audio does provide some good advice, and includes an engaging (but not overly educational) except from a live presentation from a Seinfield writer, which I enjoyed.

If you are wanting to learn how to write sales copy which includes humour, this is NOT that book.

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