viljusen's review against another edition
5.0
I felt called to review it when I saw other ratings here... To be fair this is more like an introductory essay than a full scale coverage of the content. At that it's still brilliant. They can confidently draw some conclusions after all that research, and I love how accessible they've made it. Anecdotes make it all that more easy to understand for anyone picking up the book. And since it is obviously made to be such a book, a thought rouser, more than anything very impractically heavy... I'll go ahead and rate it on fair premises.
It does itself honour by the language used and the spread of questions and answers. It knows and fits its intended audience: two stars
It answers its' questions, the conclusion is not weak: one more star
There is a little bit of everything, contrasts and nuances: a star
Finally, I'm personally glad I read it. Not just because it entertained me, but because it offered so many insights. Which by my account makes it deserve the ful pot of stars.
I recommend it, and recommend taking notes on things to further investigate while at it. This book is one of those who leave you with a whole bunch more to read, if you like to.
It does itself honour by the language used and the spread of questions and answers. It knows and fits its intended audience: two stars
It answers its' questions, the conclusion is not weak: one more star
There is a little bit of everything, contrasts and nuances: a star
Finally, I'm personally glad I read it. Not just because it entertained me, but because it offered so many insights. Which by my account makes it deserve the ful pot of stars.
I recommend it, and recommend taking notes on things to further investigate while at it. This book is one of those who leave you with a whole bunch more to read, if you like to.
anetq's review against another edition
3.0
The premise of this book is interesting: Taking a good look at the entreprenant spirits found in unusual settings, but succeeding in changing the world, or at least making a living against the odds: Somali Pirates, hackers, latin gangsters, ex-con streetdealers gone legit (business skills are business skills, whatever business you're in!) - and that is quite interesting and realistically described; criminals are not glorified and their failures not glossed over.
However in trying to summarize those skills and turn it into something useful for others to follow, it does tend to condense into the usual silicon valley startup-speak: Hustle, copy, hack, provoke, pivot. And a caveat about not putting yourself through it unless you really really believe in your project.
But if you're looking for inspiration about breaking the mold and going your own way, from some unusual sources, look no further!
However in trying to summarize those skills and turn it into something useful for others to follow, it does tend to condense into the usual silicon valley startup-speak: Hustle, copy, hack, provoke, pivot. And a caveat about not putting yourself through it unless you really really believe in your project.
But if you're looking for inspiration about breaking the mold and going your own way, from some unusual sources, look no further!
piabo's review
4.0
Entrepreneurship means to make your hands dirty - I knew that before, but I didn't know so many other details about it.
This book illustrates the hustle of mostly unknown or unpopular entrepreneurs and how their ideas and actions let them to succeed (or not).
It gives an interesting perspective on the informal sector and how nonconformity is often the engine for innovation.
Definitely an inspiration to start taking every opportunity in life and stand for your dreams rather than waiting for the perfect moment. In order to achieve your (entrepreneurial) dreams, you have to work hard. And it will pay off if you just stick to it and see it as the potential for growth.
The five principles for unleashing your inner misfit (Hustle, Copy, Hack, Provoke, and Pivot) are drivers of innovation and should not only be regarded as bad.
I recommend this book to everyone who thinks about being an entrepreneur and looks for success stories outside of the mainstream as well as inspiration for creating something bigger than themselves.
This book illustrates the hustle of mostly unknown or unpopular entrepreneurs and how their ideas and actions let them to succeed (or not).
It gives an interesting perspective on the informal sector and how nonconformity is often the engine for innovation.
Definitely an inspiration to start taking every opportunity in life and stand for your dreams rather than waiting for the perfect moment. In order to achieve your (entrepreneurial) dreams, you have to work hard. And it will pay off if you just stick to it and see it as the potential for growth.
The five principles for unleashing your inner misfit (Hustle, Copy, Hack, Provoke, and Pivot) are drivers of innovation and should not only be regarded as bad.
I recommend this book to everyone who thinks about being an entrepreneur and looks for success stories outside of the mainstream as well as inspiration for creating something bigger than themselves.
lcelvenes's review against another edition
4.0
⅘ stars: The Misfit Economy: Lessons in creativity from pirates, hackers, gangsters, and other informal entrepreneurs - by Alexa Clay & Kyra Maya Phillips
This is a fairly quick read of some 200+ pages that looks at the informal entrepreneurs in the shape of computer hackers, somali pirates, criminals, and the “out-of-place-individuals” that find themselves in corporate settings, and want to create changes.
The book is based around several case studies, from entrepreneurship for people with a criminal past, unschooling, to the intrapreneurs that need to rally their peers, bosses and challenge company culture to create change.
Misfits are described through 1) Hustle - the will to work hard, regardless of the odds. Never give up, stay resilient, and face challenges and difficulty head on, 2) Copy - Use what is already out there. Copy what works, 3) Hack - Find new, unconventional and previously unthought of ways to solve problems to create progress, 4) Provoke - Dare go in the face of the established and and accepted (taken for granted) ways to do something, and 5) Pivot - Make the personal pivot’s you need in order to find your spot when you don’t fit it. Be ready to make the (often tough and difficult) changes you need to make in order to make it work for YOU!
It’s a good book, though I would have liked it more (up to 5 stars) if it didn’t rely so much on case studies. I would have liked to hear from the direct experiences from the authors as well, as they have their own initiatives as well (League of Intrapreneurs and career as an innovation strategist).
That said, you should be able to find a few things here to ponder. I’m left with several things to research after reading The Misfit Economy.
Worth a read.
This is a fairly quick read of some 200+ pages that looks at the informal entrepreneurs in the shape of computer hackers, somali pirates, criminals, and the “out-of-place-individuals” that find themselves in corporate settings, and want to create changes.
The book is based around several case studies, from entrepreneurship for people with a criminal past, unschooling, to the intrapreneurs that need to rally their peers, bosses and challenge company culture to create change.
Misfits are described through 1) Hustle - the will to work hard, regardless of the odds. Never give up, stay resilient, and face challenges and difficulty head on, 2) Copy - Use what is already out there. Copy what works, 3) Hack - Find new, unconventional and previously unthought of ways to solve problems to create progress, 4) Provoke - Dare go in the face of the established and and accepted (taken for granted) ways to do something, and 5) Pivot - Make the personal pivot’s you need in order to find your spot when you don’t fit it. Be ready to make the (often tough and difficult) changes you need to make in order to make it work for YOU!
It’s a good book, though I would have liked it more (up to 5 stars) if it didn’t rely so much on case studies. I would have liked to hear from the direct experiences from the authors as well, as they have their own initiatives as well (League of Intrapreneurs and career as an innovation strategist).
That said, you should be able to find a few things here to ponder. I’m left with several things to research after reading The Misfit Economy.
Worth a read.
sipho_md's review against another edition
5.0
Through well-written and engaging stories, this book draws out lessons from non-conventional entrepreneurs and leaders in the informal market, gangs and the non-profit sector. The authors highlight hustle, copying, hacking, provoking and pivoting as quintissential take-aways from the lives of the cited individuals.
There are important lessons to be applied individually and organisationally from this work; many of which are thought-provoking but intuitive. An absolute must-read!
There are important lessons to be applied individually and organisationally from this work; many of which are thought-provoking but intuitive. An absolute must-read!
stella_nutella's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
It covered some interesting ideas, but nothing groundbreaking. I found the style to be quite repetitive. There's not much depth to this book but a nice read if you need some motivation to do things differently than the norm.
mynameiskate's review against another edition
3.0
This was OK. A few good examples of "misfits" .. but I didn't feel there were any big "A HA" moments in the book.
If you're interested in the topic, it is well written. Check out from the library.
If you're interested in the topic, it is well written. Check out from the library.
litwtchreads's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely interesting, wish it went a little more in depth in some places, but overall very good.