The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

This book covers one of the most important things in life that everyone should do before they die. Change their mindset. We grow up "programmed" to believe that there are a set of rules that we must live by to be happy. Tim does a good job redefining the path to being happy. I have read numerous of other "how to succeed" and business books and can tell you that Tim has done his homework. There is a lot of information in here, so I'd recommend going through the book a couple of times.

I would go so far as to call this book subversive. That's pretty much the best word for it. If, like me, you've grown up being told about the benefits of hard work, 8 till 8 days, 6 days a week, just one holiday a year, and just pay a shedload of taxes like everyone else to support cretins in government, then this book comes as a revelation. For years now I've suspected that this treadmill was a lie (and I'm pretty successful too) generated by adevertisers who want us to consume and governments who want a share of the sweat off our brow, then along comes this young guy and tells it like it really is.

I can see why some people will detest this book, but to appreciate what Ferriss is saying, you really have to think that the western treadmill might oil the wheels of the economy, but all it does to the individual is grinding down the individual with years of crushing effort.

Read this book, and have a life not just a career.

I've read a couple of other books about making money, but they all fell short for me in one way or the other. This book I love! It's has all the information you could want - phone numbers, websites, step by step instructions on getting yourself whittled down to that 4 HOUR WORKWEEK and making some cash in the process- PLUS it's witty and well written. If I could just find my NICHE...!

"The 4-Hour Workweek" offers interesting ideas and new perspectives, however they will not be practical for most readers. The book is worth reading anyway for the thought provoking perspective on your job and lifestyle; and ways you can change them.

Timothy Ferriss urges we abandoned the "deferred-life", 9 to 5 employee lifestyle we now live and join the "New Rich". He defines "New Rich" as those who are free to travel as they please, work from were they want when they want and live a luxury lifestyle.

"The 4-Hour Workweek" has a system called "DEAL" to help us achieve that lifestyle. That is an acronym for Definition, Elimination, Automation and Liberation. These topics go on to form the four main sections of the book.

Ferriss is very enthusiastic about the ideas he presents. However his plan is mostly relevant to aggressive business savvy young singles like him. There are a few mentions of one family, but there was no real information about how to address the challenges that families would face. This gives the books a very self-centered and self-indulgent feel.

Never the less the discussion of the role of work in a persons life is important. Many people work for works sake, without ever considering what they would rather be doing and how to achieve it. He does address many of the fears that would hold you back from making that kind of change.

"The 4-Hour Workweek" includes extensive discussion of starting the kind of business that would be suited to the this "New Rich" lifestyle. This is also limited by a very narrow range. The only kinds of businesses discussed involve web advertising, outsource manufacturing and contract fulfillment. Clearly this can work for many people, but is the really the only way, or is it just the only thing the author has done?

There is a lot to be gained by thinking about the subjects raised in "The 4-Hour Workweek", and the Ferriss's recommendations will be useful to some readers. However the plan is only suitable to a small subset of people. The book is strongly based on the authors experience. It be honorable that he is only recommending things that he has done himself, but it limits the value of the book to people in his demographic. The occasionally preachy tone is a only a mild annoyance.

I started reading this book last October and was inspired by the mini-retirement aspect. Ironically, I was let go from my job during the time I was reading this. I discussed taking a mini retirement with my husband and convinced him we could go away for the summer and he could work while we were on the go.
We actually did it! My husband and I took our three kids (ages 8, 5, and turning one) to France for a month. We stayed in Nice, Normandy, Bordeaux, Orleans, and Paris. My husband was able to continue working, although somewhat reduced hours with Skype and the internet. We met others on our travels doing similar things. Although the euro/$ was 1.65/1 we managed okay.
Next summer we are going to South America, maybe Mexico. We learned from our first trip what works and what does not, especially with the kids.