FAQ ME

So much of this book are things that I wish I learned in college:- Building up the idea muscle.- How to effectively network.- How to take action on your ideas.- How to become a better and more interesting writer.This book should be given as a gift to every unemployed person in America. It's one of Altucher's best books yet (content, book cover, quick read format, humor, randomness, etc). It's also the funniest book he has written.There is some repetition, but that only stresses the importance of certain topics instead of making them dull. To paraphrase Zig Ziglar, repetition is the mother of learning and the father of action. Building the idea muscle is one of most important and frequently covered topics in the book. I know the importance of this from James' blog posts, but the book gives good inspiration to take it seriously and actually do it.Another reason I loved the book is the randomness of it. You really don't know what is going to be covered on the next page. Some pages might cover heavy questions like the meaning of life while others feature subtly brilliant ideas like returning emails from 3 years ago.I'm looking forward to seeing what book James has coming up next.

He is more human than ever in this book as he reaches out to the masses. They ask, reach for guidance, he responds brilliantly. There's a deeper color to this work because James thinks at his best when he's helping others sort out this weird, occasionally disturbing trip called life. I say this all the time and it's true: James Altucher has gone through more trials in 40 years than most twice his age. He's made fortunes and lost them. He's experienced incredible highs and plummeting lows. His life gyrated like the stock of a high-flying tech startup. Along the way through bumpy travels he self analyzed, stood outside himself, danced with his demons, slayed them. They returned. He fought them again. (I believe he's got them secured in a closet, for now anyway). He never lost his empathy. Candidly, it grew stronger, more targeted. The ties to his audience have gained strength.He has a conversational ability to reach out to readers in this book. He opens eyes and minds, he shocks on occasion because the masses have lost hope and occasionally a jump start is required. There's no bulls**t in this volume. Answers in the book are strong and credible. Why? Because he's been through what the readers are going through. He's helping them learn from his own mistakes, his misery, his success. He does what Muses do. Muses experience the pain, learn the lessons, pass on the lessons so others may improve. James is a Master Muse of Life Lessons. He responds about love, college (don't do it), housing (don't buy a house), starting a business, cheating, lying, sex, Batman (He had lots of issues becoming emotionally attached to women).Highlights include: Railing against Corporate America "Your boss usually sucks and some eventually stabs you in the back. It's inevitable." Networking: "Every day reach find one person to reach out to and stay in touch with." Perfectionism: "Perfectionism only leads to eventual shame or regret." The world: Everyone has low points. We live in a falsely perfect world. Everyone has failed, has sacrificed, has cried and has done stupid things. Do be open about yours and people will relate and find it funny. And then love you for giving them permission to do so." Politics: "I will never care about who is President. Not a single politician has ever made me happier or sadder. So I don't care who is elected ever." On retirement: "The simple answer is: never retire. People die within 2 years of retiring on average. So unless you want to die, don't retire. But transformation is another story. After spending 45 years as a janitor at the pencil factory it might be time to try something new." I'm not even tapping the surface here.My fav line of the book? "Greed is good if you are good."James does it again. Enjoy the muse.

As someone who had read "Choose Yourself" first and this "FAQ Me" second, I would recommend "Choose Yourself" if I had to pick between the two. That being said, this book is a good advice book. Some of the material I had already read about in "Choose Yourself," but there was enough new material here to keep me interested.If you like James Altucher, you'll enjoy this book. However, I believe the book "Choose Yourself" is the better one.

In this book you will find answers to questions that range from the ordinary to odd. The questions are from Twitter sessions James Altucher has with his fans. Most of this is common sense. Yet he adds some creative spice to the answers that most will find not only interesting, but useful in their own lives.His somewhat spartan (by the standards of the digital age) way of life is deserves serious consideration.I am a fan of James Altucher (could you tell?) and see him as very creative. His personal philosophy about school, money and life in general is well worth the price of the book.

James' blog is probably one of the best things to happen on the internet. I've been reading it since close to when it's started. Still learning from him, still never bored. The man just gives and gives and gives. His "Ask me anything on Twitter" posts are gold. Love reading each one. Now he's complied the best ones into this book. Even though I've read them on the blog, I'll still get this book - and I know it'll be amazing, because all his other ones have been. And true to form, he's added original material as well as cleaned up stuff.Going to buy this book as soon as soon as the new iPad is released :)EDIT 4/14/12: Bought the new iPad, bought the book. Was reading it last night. Blown away, as always, by the actionable wisdom in this book. He covers so many topics, from investing to marriage, all with sincere honesty and hard-earned experience. Highly recommend.

Find his podcasts and listen to him tell his unvarnished life story. His triumphs and defeats, winning millions and losing them all, married, divorced and now remarried for the long term . . . His practical advice about college (avoid ruinous college debt!!), creating your own brand and finding work that is right for you . . . and so on . . .

Have not finished, but seriously I think James is an insightful person... so read it!

Very challenging to read yet insightfulI would recommend this to anyone who wish you have some disruptive thinking going on in their brain.As a side note:You get it free on his website.