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How to Get Rich by Felix Dennis

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I bought this book by mere chance while in London last Christmas. I had finished the book I had brought with me for the trip and while cruising a bookstore looking for something to read this title caught my eye. I almost didn't buy it due to the title, thta seemed like typical bs to me but the cover with some odd looking guy (that I latter found to be the author) and the reviews on the backcover got me curious.

In a couple of days I had read it and when I finished the last page I just sat there amazed. The only other "get rich" books I had read where from the Rich Dad series and even though the book had looked somewhat similar at first glance RK and Felix Dennis are almost complete opposites in a lot of points.

Reading some of success stories posted here made me remember the book and led me to write this review. Starting from nothing, gigantic difficulties and getting to the fast lane it's all there in the book. I think you guys should love it.

The author started his career penniless as an editor for Oz Magazine, that led to him being prosecuted for obscenity and sent to jail. He was only given a shorter sentence than his partner because the judge, considered Dennis "very much less intelligent" — and therefore less responsible — than his co-accused.

After that he had some success publishing and selling a biography of Bruce Lee just as interested in martial arts and the orient was exploding in the western world and he was also among the first to publish computer magazines. Now days is the owner magazines of some of the largest magazines in the UK such as Maxim and The Week.

And he really did it, Sunday Times Rich List 2004 ranked him at 65th with a fortune estimated at £585 million (a bit over $1 billion :fastlane:, you'll have to get a new tag if he decides to join the forum). To me this just sets him apart from all the self help gurus that made any money they have selling books and seminars that are supposed to teach you how to make it.

The book is also part memoirs with a lot of personal information on the authour, and gives you a glimpse at a darker side of his life, he recounts is drug abuse that almost killed him and the fantastic amounts he at one point was spending on prostitutes. Now days is vices seem to be good wine, fast cars and poetry.

Here's an extract of the book published in their website:

Chapter 1

Pole Positions

No task is a long one but the task on which
one dare not start. It becomes a nightmare.

CHARLES BAUDELAIRE, MY HEART LAID BARE​

LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, START YOUR ENGINES...

For a great many people, getting started on the road to wealth is the most difficult part. Or so they believe. The nuances of each individual case need not concern us, but the difficulties, as stated by virtually every wannabe I ever listened to on the subject, usually fall into one of three broad categories - often age related.

If young and relatively penniless, many will argue their lack of experience and capital (especially capital!) dooms them to decades of wage slavery.

If slightly better off and on the way up with a halfway decent job and perhaps the probability of further advancement, the problem is often considered to be the loss of what they have already achieved. Plus the lack of capital.

By the time one is a senior manager or professional, probably with a decent house, a mortgage and children, it is the risk to the security and happiness of the latter (and maybe to a spouse), plus the usual lack of capital, which are most often cited as insuperable difficulties to taking the plunge.

All such objections to becoming rich are spurious, no matter how sincerely held. But before dealing with each in turn, let me digress for a moment regarding upbringing, race, colour, educational qualifications and gender.

I am doing so here because I do not wish to waste anybody's time. We will be touching on some of the circumstances described above shortly, but, in a nutshell, my experience has been that money is colour-blind, race-blind, sex-blind, degree-blind and couldn't care less who brought you up or in what circumstances.
Money is one of the most neutral substances on earth. Others may conspire against you obtaining it through bigotry or prejudice. But they can only succeed if you permit them to.

The object of your goal, in and of itself, is non-sentient. If you truly believe that your race, sex or upbringing can keep you from becoming rich, then you had best give up here. Either return this book to the shelf or, if you have already bought it, return it to the bookstore for a refund or give it to a friend. You may obtain the refund or please your friend.

But you will never get rich.


YOUNG, PENNILESS AND INEXPERIENCED?

It's the same the whole world over,
It's the poor wot gets the blame,
It's the rich wot gets the pleasure,
Ain't it all a bleeding shame?
VARIETY HALL SONG (C.1915)​


Excellent. You stand by far the best chance of becoming as rich as you please. You have an advantage that neither education nor upbringing, nor even money, can buy. You have almost nothing. And therefore you have almost nothing to lose.

Yes, yes, I know you've heard all that before. But consider for a moment. Nearly all the great fortunes acquired by entrepreneurs arose because they had nothing to lose. Nobody had bothered to tell them that such and such a thing could not be done or would be likely to fail. Or if they had been told, then they weren't listening. They were too busy proving those around them wrong - without even meaning to.

Not knowing that something cannot be done, you are likely to waltz into uncharted minefields where angels before you have feared to dance. Astonishingly, you may be fortunate enough to succeed, to some degree or another. Conventional wisdom will then be revised by those around you and the next generation will be taught that what you did can always or often be done - only to discover, when they attempt it themselves, that in reality you missed every landmine by pure, dumb luck.

Never trust the vast mountain of conventional wisdom. It contains great nuggets of wisdom, it is true. But they lie alongside rivers of fool's gold. Conventional wisdom daunts initiative and offers far too many convenient reasons for inaction, especially for those with a great deal to lose. Fortunately for you, you do not have anything to lose and can afford to ignore the 'jobsworths' and Jeremiahs who have lived upon the mountain for so long that they have come to worship it.

Nor is a propensity for risk-taking your only advantage. You have stamina far, far beyond those who are twenty or thirty years older. The stamina necessary for long, grinding hours of labour in the cause of getting rich. Stamina enough to party all night and go straight back to work for a twelveor sixteen-hour day. I remember such stamina fondly.

You have no idea how much the stamina of the young is envied by the rest of us. Along with a degree of callousness and enviable powers of speedy recuperation from reverses, stamina is your secret weapon. Its attributes will see you through a raft of catastrophes that would virtually annihilate older men and women.

In addition, your instinctive knowledge of modern technology gives you another edge. (All those hours spent playing computer or video games might not have been such a waste after all.) At least you know the difference between an iPod and a JPEG. And knowledge is power, at whatever age, whether earned by blood and tears or imbibed at a mother's breast.

Treasure that instinctive knowledge. I still own half of the personal computing magazines in Britain - PC Pro, Computer Shopper, Computer Buyer, MacUser, Custom PC - in part because of an early addiction to pinball and electronic arcade games. While I knew nothing of computing (and still do not), the instincts honed by countless hours of shoving money into slots forewarned me of their potential. The first few million pounds I ever trousered were a direct result of trusting instincts entirely at odds with conventional wisdom of any sort.

And a promotion video with the author

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnRykA_npG0"]YouTube - How to Get Rich[/ame]
 
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MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
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Nice write up ... Speed+++
 

yveskleinsky

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Quality post! ...That guy is right on about how it is actually easier to get ahead when you have nothing to lose and no capitol v. having everything to lose and money to move forward. If I had known everything I know now I wouldn't have done my first deal at the age of 20...so MANY good things happened as a result of my sheer determination at making that deal work...and you know what- I enjoyed almost every second of it. If I had the same deal today I would probably, actually I know I would be, more stressed about the little things, and it would keep me awake at night. ...There is such a balance in real estate/ business with no too much (or even just knowing enough) and not knowing enough. The former often leads to inaction, and the latter often leads to a high-flying crash and burn! ...Finding the balance is like that scene from Indiana Jones III where Indy has to walk across that invisible bridge to get to the cup of Christ (and save his dad). He knows based on his research that it is there, but his faith has to propel him to take the first step.
++rep.
 

zack

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Yeah thanks for the reminder - I've been meaning to pick up this book for a while - just ordered it on amazon.co.uk for £3.99!
 
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rico

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Big fan of this book. Quite like the way he's very frank about business, isn't scared of telling the stories where he failed etc etc. It's just a very honest account.

Best bit is how he states that he made his money in other businesses, and thus isn't bothered about trying to sell other books, cds, tapes, conferences, seminars etc. He just sums up his whole business ideas in one book.

I personally prefer these authors (the self made guys who tell their story) over the guys who are professional authors and self-help guys who make their millions by selling lots of books.

Well worth a buy!
 

Lucky37

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Thanks alot for this post!!! It showed me that my age and money should not stop me from trying to achieve my goals and i will take this into account. Maybe soon i will try to make a big deal rather than starting small.
 

bigmako

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I recently picked up a this book entitled,

"REALLIONAIRE" - Nine Steps to Becoming Rich from the Inside Out

The Essential Lessons that Took Me From Public Assistance to a Millionaire by the Age of 14

Written by: Farrah Gray with Fran Harris

Inside the front cover has the true definition of what a "REALLIONAIRE" IS:

"Someone who has discovered that there is more to money than having money. A person who understands that success is not just about being rich in your pocket; you have to be rich on the inside, too."

Love this book!:eusa_clap:

Everyone should get a copy.:thumbsup:
 

littlekingaz

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I will definitely look into it. Can books actually help though? Sometimes they aren't targeted to your niche.

anyways, SPEED+
 
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Icy

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I will definitely look into it. Can books actually help though? Sometimes they aren't targeted to your niche.

anyways, SPEED+

It all depends on the book as to whether it'd help. This is definitely a book that isn't dependent on a niche. He talks about his (magazines) but he also talks about business in general. It's truly a good buy.
 

365

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I agree, its an awesome book. He has a very straightforward attitude and talks no BS.

I also enjoyed his writing on if its worth going down the road to riches at all. I think he really has a point when he says you should have a business that you enjoy and 'get rich with a twinkle in your eyes'.

Would recommend it to anyone who got hooked on the idea to get rich.
 
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czach41

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I just ordered this book after reading everybody's rave reviews.I'm Looking forward to gaining some wisdom from this very successful man.
 

xcalvinx07

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My god I LOVE this guy. He can not explain it any better on "how to get rich". He gives you step by step advice on what to look out for and motivational tips to get you going. I was reading a magazine and was just flipping from the pages when the " How to get rich " title popped out in the bottom of the page. After reading a preview summary of his book and about him self I decided to purchase it through amazon and loved it ever since. I loved it so much I wrote a letter to him at his headquarters in NYC to see if he can sign it. To my surprise he did and this is what he said in a few words that changed my life, " Go for it (my name)!" - Felix Dennis. Since than I just love learning more and more on how to become a successful / better entrepreneur at the age of 21. Pick up this book! it is a must read! Also on amazon look for "Toilet paper entrepreneur" it is good as well. Best of luck to all you entrepreneurs. My advise is to seriously work hard and never never ever give up on your dream. If you truly believe in yourself there is no limit to what you can accomplish.
 

EastWind

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Nice writeup, I may have to get myself a copy.
 

djs13

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I just got this book and read the first chapter. What an awesome entrepreneur. I wish I got this book years ago!
 

jazzfreak11

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Would you guys mind outlining some of the differences between this book and RK's stuff? And which do you prefer? Why?

Just trying to get some information...
 
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EastWind

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I prefer this. I read RK's book perhaps 6yrs ago. It took like a week to get through, it was all about real estate. how to get rich, doesn't talk about any kind of business, it doesn't talk about save your money, invest and slowly get rich, it tells you to go do it, whatever it may be, be hungry, be ruthless, keep as much ownership. etc.

RK's book is if you want to buy houses, slowly build "passive income". dennis's book is if you dare dream big, if you believe you deserve ten's and hundreds of millions.
 

Rasmus

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Thank you for this review!

I have been looking for books like this and will probably get this from amazon as soon as possible!
 
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Warchild

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I have read hundreds of business books and the is the only one that i havent got bored with after the first few pages. There is no mumbo jumbo positive thinking rubbish, its straight down the line facts.

I cant rate this book highly enough and after reading it with Felix's honesty he has become my top business hero.

I keep a copy of this book with me all the time for inspiration.
 

jonckhje

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Thanks for the review, can't wait to have it delivered and get started. Just posted the order.
 

Darkside

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Thanks for the review, can't wait to have it delivered and get started. Just posted the order.


You're about to receive it and I just got done with it today. Wow! Great book and one which I will read again in the future to refresh the lessons that I learned from it. This is the only business book that I've ever read which kept me engaged the whole time without my bullshit meter going off; he knows what he's talking about and he's giving honest advice; no bullshitting.
 
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jonckhje

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You're about to receive it and I just got done with it today. Wow! Great book and one which I will read again in the future to refresh the lessons that I learned from it. This is the only business book that I've ever read which kept me engaged the whole time without my bullshit meter going off; he knows what he's talking about and he's giving honest advice; no bullshitting.

That makes me even more anxious to get it started...
 

jonckhje

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He's released another business book. I haven't read it yet but heard it's good

Whahaha.. not all reviews are positive (second link, first revies)... I better go and see what the first one does in the first place
 
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A

Anon3587x

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I read the book in 2 days, it was a great read.

Basically, you need to just go for it!
 

exon

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This book is just a tool -- work book for How To Get Rich. Strongly recommend reading How To Get Rich first.
How To Get Rich is much better as a book and 88 is much better as a tool, after reading HTGR.
 

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