The Art of Non-Conformity

September 20, 2010
The underlying message of Guillebeau's book, based on his popular blog, is that "You don't have to live your life the way other people expect you to." Those who are open-minded, ready to challenge the status-quo, hard-working, and personally responsible can lead lives of rare authenticity through radical goal-setting, the author counsels, rewriting motivational standards in edgier prose: "The pathway to world domination, or whatever it is you want to do, begins with clearly understanding what you want to get out of life." Although directed at readers of all ages, his message is likely to appeal most to those without dependents. Although he believes that "competence is your security," many readers may feel a need for more of a safety net than that, such as a retirement plan. The ideas presented here are interesting, the advice grounded in logic and common sense, and, ironically, the outlook based in the same outside-the-box thinking that corporations are coming to adopt. The author challenges the status quo on college degrees, spending and saving, employment, collecting, and other issues, and coaches for success with a likeable, energetic voice. Peppered throughout with stories from his own life, Guillebeau's intriguing guide will motivate readers to listen to their impulses and realize their goals.

September 15, 2010

We are living in austere times, but this inspiring book suggests how to survive and even thrive in this environment. Guillebeau, creator of the online manifesto A Brief Guide to World Domination, embraces challenging the status quo and valuing personal freedom and service to others above all. From the perspective of his extensive international experiences, unconventional higher education, and reliance on self-employment, he describes ways to escape the constraints of a typical life and construct a more remarkable one based on one's passions and focus on a worthwhile legacy. Like a modern-day hippie, he espouses countercultural values concerning money, possessions, and formal higher education, though hard work and determination are also emphasized. Trained in sociology, Guillebeau maintains his own website and is a regular contributor to news outlets such as CNN and BusinessWeek. In addition to his personal story, the book contains further sources of information on innovative travel and frugal living. Though his book is thought-provoking and well crafted, the ambitiously simple lifestyle he advocates may not be practical for many. VERDICT A spirited self-help guide to reclaiming work and reinventing life in the 21st century. Recommended for free-thinking readers.--Antoinette M. Brinkman, MLS, Evansville, IN

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