Review of The Harder I Fall, The Higher I Bounce

[Sydney Nyamasoka]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Harder I Fall, The Higher I Bounce" by Max James.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? If this is the question on your mind, it might serve you well to read Max James' business autobiography, The Harder I Fall, The Higher I Bounce.

Max James was the son of a sharecropper, but farming was not one of his talents. His dad encouraged him to find his way and sacrificed to afford him a different life. Max joined the Airforce Academy and became a rescue helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. His lessons in the Airforce served him well after he left the Airforce to pursue a business career.

As the book title suggests, Max shares the lows and highs of his entrepreneurial journey and his business career as an employee. At his lowest, he considered filing for bankruptcy; at his highest, he has been the CEO and chairman of a multi-billion-dollar company with other branches outside the USA. In addition, falls and bounces were also a part of his personal life, and Max shares these too. There are humorous yet valuable lessons that he draws from his parental struggles and personal interactions with friends.

I enjoyed reading this book because of the great storytelling. I could imagine the author as a grandfather by the fireside narrating his life story to his grandchildren. His storytelling technique made the book much easier to read. However, the stories were not always given in an orderly manner, resulting in some confusion; for example, he mentions a divorce and then writes about his wife in the next chapter—leaving me wondering whether he was reverting to a time before the divorce or remarriage. Also, there were a few grammar and typing errors; I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

This book is ideal for those who are starting their entrepreneurial journey or have started but found themselves in a hard fall. It is educational, motivational and eye-opening. The author shares some religious beliefs that may not be agreeable to an audience with a different belief system. That said, the book is suitable for young adults and older.

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The Harder I Fall, The Higher I Bounce
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