4 out of 4 stars
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How to be Successful by M. Curtis McCoy is a nonfiction book that relates the author’s journey from being diagnosed with brain cancer and losing everything to being the owner of twenty-seven companies. The author disputes the assertion that success came easily to him because he drove an expensive car. He described the many failures and struggles he faced and overcame. McCoy interviewed seven people who, like him, reached the pinnacle of success through many trials. He wanted to demonstrate that his success wasn’t a fluke. His research shared the habits, methods, and attitudes that helped them to reach their goals. He confronts readers with the question: “What’s your excuse?”
I enjoyed the book’s format of interspersing the interviews with chapters espousing the habits of successful people. McCoy interviewed successful people by asking them the same questions that he answered at the beginning of the book. Readers can reflect on the answers given from each successful person’s perspective regarding their health, spiritual, emotional, and reading habits. It was interesting to notice the similarities and disparities in the responses given to the same question.
The book carries an optimistic and motivational tone. Having overcome health and financial struggles, the author accepts no excuses. His interviews featured other people who had worked hard to reach success in their field. Readers can compare the author’s answers with the seven people he interviewed for this book. One noticeable quality is the humility expressed in each interview. The majority of the people interviewed spoke about their faith and reliance on prayer. Success did not make these leaders fearful of pointing to their faith and the Scriptures as a source of strength and guidance. Readers will find frequent biblical references that inspired the author and those he interviewed.
It would have been helpful if the author has included a chart of the eight interviews. This would have provided a helpful visual for readers to assimilate the noticeable similarities and differences in the answers given. The book has been exceptionally edited and does not contain any profanity.
I rate this book four out of four stars. The straightforward language and the few errors I noticed made this an easy and enjoyable read. The author has gathered numerous opinions from several successful people revealing their backgrounds and unique roads to success that will motivate readers to reach their dreams. The stories assure readers that success is available to everyone regardless of any health, financial, judicial, emotional, or intellectual drawbacks one may perceive they have in life. I recommend this book to all readers who are discouraged and feel success is beyond their reach. Young readers and those beginning a business would be motivated to overcome any obstacles in their path. McCoy reminds readers: “The cards you’re dealt in life don’t determine whether you’ll win the game or not” (p 12.)
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How To Be Successful
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Thank you very much for this insightful review!
