Rating: 
Summary: Contradictory....
Review: "Live Rich" was published 2 years after the monumental book "Die Broke" by Steve Pollan and Mark Levine. The latter comprising of the most common-sense, statistically backed-up, and realistic approaches to life, career, and finances for the New Economy. Most people then, and still now, follow an outdated philosophy designed for an economic environment that began the dissolve in the early 1970s. How many MBAs do you know who that have job security today? Which job # are they on? How about those lovely stock options? How many have blown their chance of retiring by their late 30s (unless they switch models soon)? Pollan's model for the new economy: "quit today, pay cash, don't retire, die broke." Mass firings, down-sizing, and layoffs have been rampant in the 1990s when this book was written (1998), and they will continue as companies will have to cut their costs, oft-times quickly, in order to remain competitive and survive today (2003). In "Live Rich," Pollan has 98 short but informationally full chapters ranging on lifestyle, employment, to investing. The first seven are philosophical and the latter ninety-one are "Putting Theory To Practice." Some chapter titles are: insurance, networking, benefits, financial ratios, mentoring, creditor relations, negotiating, receivables, payables, and seed money among many more. The first chapter, is entitled "buying your freedom," and notes that freedom is subjective and means a different thing to different people. For some it's a dream house on the beach, or being able to make a living from sculpting and painting. Perhaps, spending more time with family, traveling the world, or starting one's own business. Freedom involves doing what one wants to be doing. Is being a W-2 worker, paying high amounts of taxes throughout your life, and waiting for the end of it to do what you want, freedom? Some folks can tremendously benefit from reading this latest work if they can change the way they've been conditioned. For those who haven't read Stephen Pollan yet, it's better to read "Die Broke" first.
Rating: 
Summary: Look At Your Perspective On Life
Review: "Live Rich" was published 2 years after the monumental book "Die Broke" by Steve Pollan and Mark Levine. The latter comprising of the most common-sense, statistically backed-up, and realistic approaches to life, career, and finances for the New Economy. Most people then, and still now, follow an outdated philosophy designed for an economic environment that began the dissolve in the early 1970s. How many MBAs do you know who that have job security today? Which job # are they on? How about those lovely stock options? How many have blown their chance of retiring by their late 30s (unless they switch models soon)? Pollan's model for the new economy: "quit today, pay cash, don't retire, die broke." Mass firings, down-sizing, and layoffs have been rampant in the 1990s when this book was written (1998), and they will continue as companies will have to cut their costs, oft-times quickly, in order to remain competitive and survive today (2003). In "Live Rich," Pollan has 98 short but informationally full chapters ranging on lifestyle, employment, to investing. The first seven are philosophical and the latter ninety-one are "Putting Theory To Practice." Some chapter titles are: insurance, networking, benefits, financial ratios, mentoring, creditor relations, negotiating, receivables, payables, and seed money among many more. The first chapter, is entitled "buying your freedom," and notes that freedom is subjective and means a different thing to different people. For some it's a dream house on the beach, or being able to make a living from sculpting and painting. Perhaps, spending more time with family, traveling the world, or starting one's own business. Freedom involves doing what one wants to be doing. Is being a W-2 worker, paying high amounts of taxes throughout your life, and waiting for the end of it to do what you want, freedom? Some folks can tremendously benefit from reading this latest work if they can change the way they've been conditioned. For those who haven't read Stephen Pollan yet, it's better to read "Die Broke" first.
Rating: 
Summary: Rich is more than just money! How about a conscious?
Review: ...Or for those who want to be. We've been following the Die Broke philosophies as have been a lot of our generation and have most of the author's books to refer to frequently. This one was excellent for us since it added important thoughts, pointers and directions for use as we are on the cusp of starting our own business. I must warn, however, don't expect this to be a how-to. You really should have and be following the Die Broke plan already before getting into this. Otherwise, you won't have the detailed guidelines to start from or understand some of what he is discussing. And it isn't a get-rich-quick or live-above-your-means cheaply book like some of our friends thought. I recommend it for people wanting to go out on their own, but not for the average Cubicle Joe.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent compliment to Die Broke for the self-employed
Review: ...Or for those who want to be. We've been following the Die Broke philosophies as have been a lot of our generation and have most of the author's books to refer to frequently. This one was excellent for us since it added important thoughts, pointers and directions for use as we are on the cusp of starting our own business. I must warn, however, don't expect this to be a how-to. You really should have and be following the Die Broke plan already before getting into this. Otherwise, you won't have the detailed guidelines to start from or understand some of what he is discussing. And it isn't a get-rich-quick or live-above-your-means cheaply book like some of our friends thought. I recommend it for people wanting to go out on their own, but not for the average Cubicle Joe.
Rating:
Summary: Money is Good, Ignorance Isn't
Review: A number of negative reviews of this book mention Pollan's affinity for making money. They also point out that he may be heartless, cold-blooded, un-loyal, and uncaring because money drives the theme behind lvining rich. Welcome, finally, to corporate America people. The fact is, as hard as it may be to digest, work IS about money and has been since we stopped bartering centuries ago. Corporations are loyal to employees insofar as they can make money with them (note the recent issues with wholesale offshoring of technology jobs...do you really think other countries do it better than the richest, most educated populace in the world? No, but they CAN do it cheaper). Companies are loyal to their bottom line. They don't cry over laying you off, restructuring your job, right-sizing, or anything else you read about everyday in the business section. I happen to like my job...to Pollan and Levine, I'm one of those people that should consider themselves fortunate because I do gain some emotional satisfaction from the work I do; however, after reading the book and agreeing with the authors that emotional satisfaction can be derived from many, many other things but money is acquired only through work, I completely changed my attitude about my job. No longer do I get upset about inane decisions that are made by management, the nonsensical policies that make up the paradigm of the week, the prepubescent co-workers: I work for money. I enhance my skill-set for money. I look for promotions for money. I don't worship money and never have. Nor do the authors; they draw a clear distinction of why money is valuable and why you should obtain it (legally, of course, though other reviewers may have you think otherwise). I recommend this book to anyone that works in our new (past 12 years?) economy. It's helped me through two reorganizations in my company, and I expect it will continue to help me through the next.
Rating:
Summary: Money is Good, Ignorance Isn't
Review: A number of negative reviews of this book mention Pollan's affinity for making money. They also point out that he may be heartless, cold-blooded, un-loyal, and uncaring because money drives the theme behind lvining rich. Welcome, finally, to corporate America people. The fact is, as hard as it may be to digest, work IS about money and has been since we stopped bartering centuries ago. Corporations are loyal to employees insofar as they can make money with them (note the recent issues with wholesale offshoring of technology jobs...do you really think other countries do it better than the richest, most educated populace in the world? No, but they CAN do it cheaper). Companies are loyal to their bottom line. They don't cry over laying you off, restructuring your job, right-sizing, or anything else you read about everyday in the business section. I happen to like my job...to Pollan and Levine, I'm one of those people that should consider themselves fortunate because I do gain some emotional satisfaction from the work I do; however, after reading the book and agreeing with the authors that emotional satisfaction can be derived from many, many other things but money is acquired only through work, I completely changed my attitude about my job. No longer do I get upset about inane decisions that are made by management, the nonsensical policies that make up the paradigm of the week, the prepubescent co-workers: I work for money. I enhance my skill-set for money. I look for promotions for money. I don't worship money and never have. Nor do the authors; they draw a clear distinction of why money is valuable and why you should obtain it (legally, of course, though other reviewers may have you think otherwise). I recommend this book to anyone that works in our new (past 12 years?) economy. It's helped me through two reorganizations in my company, and I expect it will continue to help me through the next.
Rating:
Summary: pretty heartle$$
Review: Although this book has some good practical points, Pollan oozes arrogance. Arrogance pisses me off. And yes, money's important, but I was turned off by his worship of it above all else. I'll give him something: he made me more aware of my subconscious aversion to making money, to doing better for myself. He's correct on an important point: some practicality in life doesn't hurt. Idealism and a meaningful job are both important, but they should be tempered by some pragmatism; you have to make sure you're flexible and marketable, just in case you lose your job. Pollan, for his part, goes too far in the other direction - cold hard pragmatism and cold hard cash above all else. A little warm blood in his veins wouldn't hurt. But it's not like his values are much different from those of the guys in every old warehouse trying to make money working for FailedStartup.com. How very 2000. (Is that your final answer?) It's pretty clear why he wrote this book - so he could fatten his own wallet. I can't fault him for wanting to make a buck. But he won't be getting a dime from me - I read the book for free in a bookstore.
Rating:
Summary: Mostly prophetic... occasionally archaic
Review: Although this text offers much guidance insofar as adopting certain attitudes that are certainly essential for success in our rapidly changing economic environment I believe it falls somewhat short in offering step by step techniques for areas such as marketing which I believe has the most impact on a persons ablity to live rich. More emphasis should have been placed in the marketing area. That (for me) would have added much more value to the book. The authors positions on the (lack of) use of cell phones and telecommuting in particular seem to embrace an outdated physical proximity limitation that seems to run contrary to the mercenary approach that they claim to espouse. Ironic if you ask me. But I think that it is more a reflection of the ages of the authors who are not as technically compentent as many of the workers in this modern era. For that they can be forgiven. Definitely a book to be read and absorbed but far from the Holy Grail of entrepreneurial guides.
Rating:
Summary: 1st part is great, 2nd part is weak.
Review: Down to earth, real life philosophy. 1st part of the book explains authors' approach. Second part is an array of advice on different subjects ( how to choose CPA, etc. ) listed alphabetically. Second part is too weak and should have been continuation of the 1st part.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiration to take control of your career
Review: Excellent book for entrepreneurs and "mercenaries" looking to focus their work life in order to Live Rich- to work towards having the time or freedom to live your personal vision of a rich life. As the authors say, "working to satisfy your own real needs." The first part defines "The Live Rich Philosophy"- 93 pages on whether you're a "Yourself.com" entrepreneur or a mercenary; leading your own streamlined, tightly run business or a corporate foot soldier working for others and selling your skills. The second part, "Putting Theory into Practice"- 90 chapters in 189 pages- contains specific instructions, topic-by-topic, on how to handle yourself in the business world. From Advertising and Answering Machines to Time Management and Word of Mouth advertising, in each short chapter the authors throw out a wealth of valuable tips. Looking for ideas on how to give your work life a more solid sense of security? Looking for easy-to-read confirmation of your current practices others might think are brash or blunt? Looking for ways to up your business skills a notch? Read it. Would I buy it? I'm a library freak without a lot of book shelf space, so I don't add a book to my collection unless I know I'll be referring to it again. I found a lot of good details in Part I- "The Live Rich Philosophy"- and in chapters like Call Waiting, Employment Contracts, Garb and Hygiene, Memberships, Mentoring, Newsletters, Pricing, Reading, Scripting, Speeches, Stationery, and in the Appendix (additional related resources). I found it easy reading and inspiration for me to make some improvements to my mercenary software developer career. So Yes, it will be added to my book shelves.
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