[{"document_url": "https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/scott-adams/how-to-fail-at-almost-everything-and-still-win-big/print/", "unformatted_src": "https://d3myrwj42s63no.cloudfront.net/180/978/159/184/691/8/9781591846918.jpg", "src": "https://d3myrwj42s63no.cloudfront.net/180/978/159/184/691/8/9781591846918.jpg", "alt_text": "HOW TO FAIL AT ALMOST EVERYTHING AND STILL WIN BIG by Scott Adams", "rendered_width": 180}, null]
Kind of the Story of My Life

by Scott Adams

Pub Date: Oct. 22nd, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-59184-691-8
Publisher: Portfolio

Failing and succeeding, the sarcastic comic-stripâartist way.

DilbertÂ creator Adams has failed where others have succeeded, and he has a chapter to prove it: a 10-page list of mistakes, misfires and entrepreneurial blunders that humbled him time and again. Not every business venture crashed and burned, of course; the massive success of DilbertÂ is proof enough of that. As the title of the book suggests, Adamsâ path to cartooning fame and fortune was uneven, fraught with missteps and largely unrelated to cartooning. Fans ofÂ DilbertÂ will find the authorâs less-than-orthodox approach to a âwin bigâ guide to be in keeping with the tone of the comic strip. Some of the themes of the book include âgoals are for losers,â âconquer shyness by being a huge phony (in a good way),â and âsimplicity transforms ordinary into amazing.â Adams has extensive experience in data-driven office environments, and the long-form writing gives him a chance to examine the many approaches heâs tried to making positive changes in his life and career. Many of the themes are common to this type of bookâe.g., the importance of a healthy diet and exercise, the benefits of having a âsystemâ to follow over a long period of time instead of passions or goals that leave you feeling empty as soon as you achieve them. Adams has a funny, refreshingly considered set of ideas about how to find successâand what that success will look like when one gets there.

While Adams implores readers not to consider this bookâs suggestions as advice (âItâs never a good idea to take advice from cartoonistsâ), he does turn the many lemons of his work history into something akin to a helpful guide for young adults stumbling through the early career years.