Don't agree with some of the advice here, especially in recognition of the big changes in the business world since 2014, but it is good to challenge my ideas of success. It is obvious that he is driven because of growing up in extreme poverty. He is of the school of live your business 24/7 and that isn't healthy for most people, although he has made it work for him. Having said that, it is valuable to think about priorities Most of the principles themselves are quite sound. ( )

Good stuff, but suffers from lack of order. ( )

√ Better it's MY MONEY than anyone else's."

ME, INC. is a well-written, hard-hitting discussion on how to make lots of BIG MONEY. Gene has the answer, and it's very clear: Focus 100% on ME. Not your wife, not your children, not your friends. Just ME.

The first part of ME, INC is a biography of Simmons, and what he did to achieve world fame in heavy metal rock. This was interesting, and illustrates the author's point about the opportunities to achieve great success in America. Simmons (not his given name, of course) came to the U.S. not even knowing English. He worked hard, saved his money, got an education, and figured out how to create a BRAND.

Part two contains Simmons' recipes for success. He calls these 13 tips the "Art of More." These principles are pretty good ideas. For example, #16, "Find Partners who Complement you," #3, "Learn from the Masters," etc. The tips are okay, and many of them are different aspects of the American work ethic. Work diligently, stop looking for excuses, don't give up, save money, watch your spending, educate yourself, etc. He admits that you might have some unusual obstacles to overcome, but so what--life isn't fair. Get over it and stop whining.

As reasonable (and practical) as many of these ideas are, however, Simmons' business tips are not the central theme of this book, nor are they much different than what is found in many success books. Old fashioned hard work and self-reliance is a common theme in many business books.

Gene hammers home repeatedly the central theme: Pursue your dream with absolute ruthless passion. Build your brand, and do whatever it takes. However hard you have to work, whatever you have to sacrifice. Don't take vacations, work all night if necessary, don't get married, don't have too many children--ANYTHING it takes. "Wait until you build your fortune, so you can afford to get married or divorced." If you take vacations and holidays, "that spells 'loser.'"

Gene uses Steve Jobs as another creative genius who was on a ruthless mission. Jobs was not an electronics genius, but he pursued hiis dream with a vengeance. He didn't let anything get in his way of his dream product and company.

Although the author uses Jobs as an example of what to do--ignore friends and family, pursue your dream with 100% pure dediction, Gene nonetheless hopes the reader will be more kindly-hearted than the callous Jobs. It seems to me that the author trips himself up here. Jobs was more consistent in the self-centered, ruthless approach to business than Simmons is. Why should anyone be more kind? That doesn't follow if you are consistent with the 100% ME philosophy.

The author suggests the Ashton Kutcher movie, JOBS, but the movie pales in comparison with the outstanding book by Walter Isaacson.


√ The message of ME, INC., is extremely clear: Ruthlessly pursue Big Money; make it the absolutely #1 goal of your life. Do not compromise. Do whatever it takes. Don't let anyone get in your way. If your dream is in fact the rainbow of Big Money, then ME, INC. is the right book for you.

♫ A Review by Chris Lawson

Review copy courtesy of Edelweiss Distributors. Note: I do not know the author of this book, and no one requested I write this review. Gene was too cheap to even give me any free KISS tickets.
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