Thrive (book review)
It’s easy to define this book as a hypocritical work from a multi-millionaire business woman. Having made her own fortune, she now tells the rest of us to work less, give more, and not to worry about money as it doesn’t bring happiness. But no, that’s too easy, let’s give Arianna Huffington the benefit of the doubt on that one.
With that prejudice shaken off, the title still barely holds up. The structure goes something like this:
Here is a problem: [insert problem description]. Or, as [insert famous / wise person] puts it, “[quote from friend / author / philosopher /scientist]”. Guess what? I have experienced exactly that in my own life. [anecdote from Arianna’s life]. The solution? [one of five possible solutions: sleep more / meditate / give / work less / disconnect from technology]. Repeat.
I haven’t kept count, but the book literally repeats this structure at least a hundred times, if not more.
Then there are the quotes.
I’m a big fan of quotes, but the amount of quotes in this title borders on the ridiculous. At least two per page.
Ironically, those very quotes are the only thing that kept me going. Every now and then a gem would show up that made it worth getting through this potpourri of words and ideas.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m fully supportive of the underlying idea that we’re out of touch with our minds, our health, and what makes us human. But this is delivered so poorly and in such an incoherent way that there are much better books out there on all these topics. Unless you’re a fan of quotes or Arianna Huffington, I would leave this one alone.
Thrive - The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder
Rating: 2/5
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