blairecee's review
Had to return it to the library. Basic concept is valuable, but felt very corporate and business driven in a way that was totally unappealing to me, and didn’t really seem geared to provoke or stimulate thought or really and truly help you adopt these principles so much as repeat a bunch of oversimplified advice over and over with a bunch of examples, some drawing in social justice figures in a way that was totally unearned.
hgranger's review
3.0
I enjoyed the message of this book and am already working on implementing essentialism into my life. The anecdotes were good and illustrative, and the author writes well. The book does feel rather repetitively it goes on and the same point is hammered home repeatedly, but other than that it was a decent read with excellent advice.
vinterthunder's review
DNF I scanned through it. Appreciate the graphics and emphasized points in large fonts. This makes it easier to scan and glean main points. I think the points are useful but far too many anecdotes. Most of things are repetitive if you already read books in this topic but the organization of the topics is pretty well-done. It gears toward professional/business lives, I think.
shelasher's review
2.5
2.5-3 stars.
I picked this book up because i heard a YouTuber say it changed her relationship with what she buys and I thought the premise sounded interesting. The book makes some valid points and while I won’t argue most of the insight, i can’t help but feel this is another book by a Silicon Valley bro, with insane privilege, endless resources and a lack of self awareness. It’s easy to be selective about the work you take on when you don’t have the same pressures as the working class. I work corporate and I always wonder about those people who seemingly don’t do anything yet still get to benefit from managements good graces. It’s this guy. This book should be renamed “how to manage up and say no to people” instead. Lots of info about corporate not so much on transferable life essentialist tips.
I picked this book up because i heard a YouTuber say it changed her relationship with what she buys and I thought the premise sounded interesting. The book makes some valid points and while I won’t argue most of the insight, i can’t help but feel this is another book by a Silicon Valley bro, with insane privilege, endless resources and a lack of self awareness. It’s easy to be selective about the work you take on when you don’t have the same pressures as the working class. I work corporate and I always wonder about those people who seemingly don’t do anything yet still get to benefit from managements good graces. It’s this guy. This book should be renamed “how to manage up and say no to people” instead. Lots of info about corporate not so much on transferable life essentialist tips.
shmelomelo's review
1.0
I took McKeowns advice and cut some noise out of my life, namely this book.
It is repetitive in the worst way, at least 120 pages too long and most definitely only aimed at well-off men in higher positions whose only meaning in life is work and who don't have to worry about paying rent. The examples are appaling and speak of the overprivileged life the author has led as well as the consequent lack of awareness of said privilege. Diverse interests and actual inspiration in life are a foreign concept to McKeown who seems about as stimulating and engaging as an empty toilet paper roll. I, for one, am done wasting my time on this piece of garbage.
For anyone who doesn't want to suffer through it all, here the essentials:
- Do less, but better
- If you don't prioritize your life someone else will.
- Take care of yourself; the sleep deprived make bad decisions.
Any summary on YouTube will give you the same, if not more, value as the book.
It is repetitive in the worst way, at least 120 pages too long and most definitely only aimed at well-off men in higher positions whose only meaning in life is work and who don't have to worry about paying rent. The examples are appaling and speak of the overprivileged life the author has led as well as the consequent lack of awareness of said privilege. Diverse interests and actual inspiration in life are a foreign concept to McKeown who seems about as stimulating and engaging as an empty toilet paper roll. I, for one, am done wasting my time on this piece of garbage.
For anyone who doesn't want to suffer through it all, here the essentials:
- Do less, but better
- If you don't prioritize your life someone else will.
- Take care of yourself; the sleep deprived make bad decisions.
Any summary on YouTube will give you the same, if not more, value as the book.