Change the way you see work

Any additional comments?

Seth Godin brings a new perspective to work, challenging each of us to see ourselves as artists instead of workers. At first, I was skeptical and thought that this may only apply to entrepreneurs and not to those of us who are employed by others, but the book came so highly recommended by several people that I gave it a chance - and I'm very glad I did.

As I finished the book, I immediately changed the way I look on work. When someone criticizes something I've produced, I don't get frustrated. I've given my work as a gift, and if I've given it, then I have no control over what the recipient does with it. Many an artist has been criticized and misunderstood because they are "ahead of their time".

As a worker, criticism reflects on me. As an artist, criticism reflects on the beholder of my work.

Thanks, Seth!

21 people found this helpful

Needed Perspective for the New Connected Economy

What did you love best about The Icarus Deception?

This book slaps you in the face with a new reality. The 9 - 5 job is dead and we are all in a new frontier with the connected economy. We've been brainwashed by corporate America about what success should be and if we follow the rules, we will be adequately rewarded. I tried this for 14 years at my corporate America job and now that I'm embarking on my own and starting my own creative agency. This book has inspired to make more art and focus on relationships that are key to have in the connected economy.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Icarus Deception?

Seth told me I was a fraud and how could I possibly think I would be successful starting my own business. It was precisely how I was feeling starting my own business! It was encouraging to hear that it's normal and it needs to be embraced for you to move forward instead of living in it's shadow.

What about Seth Godin’s performance did you like?

His passion about his message.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was not. This is a book to listen to on the treadmill and then digest what you heard over a couple of days

17 people found this helpful

Listened 3 times.

It's totally unique. A prod to create a ruckus. Not for cynics. Not for optimists. For realists. For leaders. If it resonates, take it, if it doesn't, try something else. There are enough books out there. For me, this is the Bible. For you, it might be something else.

7 people found this helpful

He lost me around Chapter 20

Godin gets off to a great start but his message is too repetitive through the latter two thirds of his book. I love the Icarus metaphor but he fails to convert on his point of finding your personal art because instead of giving advice on the how, he gives anecdote after anecdote of other artists. I wanted to like this book more but lost interest along the way.

5 people found this helpful

Deception is just beneath the surface...

What made the experience of listening to The Icarus Deception the most enjoyable?

The narrator and the link of art/business...

What other book might you compare The Icarus Deception to and why?

Previous works of Goodin-enjoyable and applicable to business.

Have you listened to any of Seth Godin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have been reading other works, not listened to any before. This one was excellent and will lead me to seak out others for my commute.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The tale of Icarus.

Any additional comments?

At times the discussion of art in business does go on a bit long, but it is so worth the listen! The message hit home. Excellent book for anyone wanting to succeed.

5 people found this helpful

Too much pop psychology and belaboured rhetoric!

What would have made The Icarus Deception better?

Could have significantly condensed the key points, and supported it with more empirical and cross-sectional references. Too many self-derived conclusions, and the author was particularly hung up about the term "artiste".

The author's reading came across as 'preachy'; could have used a more enlivened reader.

Has The Icarus Deception turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It had interesting ideas that could be further unpacked in a more objective manner. As it stands, the book became a personal pulpit for the author.

14 people found this helpful

Mentions art a whole lot, gets annoying.

What would have made The Icarus Deception better?

Even though the authors point is good, I feel like it could have been summed up in a much, much shorter book. And I got really tired of hearing him say "art." Anyone got a count on this?

What could Seth Godin have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Be more concise, say "art" less.

7 people found this helpful

A 6-hour sermon to say: "pick yourself"

Seth Godin is an inspirational writer but one of worst narrators I ever listened to. With a professional voice over and 50% shorter content this would be a fascinating audio book, but if you don't mind setting the speed to 1.5, it's still worth it.

6 people found this helpful

This book is the definition of remarkable

I have listened to this audiobook more than a dozen times - and I will probably listen to it a dozen times more. Each time I take a different insight from it. It inspires me, it encourages me to create, to give and to share. And each time I offer the opportunity of someone I know to have the same experience I do. If you are considering a great audiobook, give a couple of hours of your time to listen to this one. It might change your life, as it changed mine. Thank you for reading this review.

2 people found this helpful

a good idea with a lot of bla bla

What would have made The Icarus Deception better?

Have you ever watched a movie when, after 20 minutes or so, you knew it is a waste of time, but you stick with it, just to figure out at the end that it hasnt become better? I had the same sensation with this book.

The main idea is that the "safty zone" of the industrial economy is not in the comfort zone anymore, as making a living is now harder than ever. Because we are living in a "connection economy" it is necessary that we create art, which makes art the new safty zone.

But this idea just makes for a series of maybe 3 blog posts, though this posts would have been worth your attention. The book however is just the main idea surrounded by endles bouts of the same in different words.

What was most disappointing about Seth Godin’s story?

I just had the feeling that Mr. Godin is following the unwritten mantra of da intern guru that you need to get out a new book at least every 18 months or so in order to not fall out of the attention grid. And as a book is supposed to have a certain length, he had to fill it with something.

To be fair, there are a few good points, such as that when making art, do not fear to mess up with "the machine" (the still prevailing industrial economy) and that you should figure out who your audience is and ignore the rest as you cannot please everybody. Or: art is a process, not a goal. the goal isnt winning, it's playing. or: dance with the inner voice of fear.

Yet useful "how to information" is scarce and mostly self-evident and full of sentences like "when your art fails, make better art".

I dont want you to prevent you from reading this book, maybe it's just the right one for you, but in order to get 15 minutes of gems, you have to dig through seven hours of listening.

How could the performance have been better?

the performance is not sooo bad, but i have listened to so many audible books already that i have my preferances.

What character would you cut from The Icarus Deception?

there is no character to be cut out.

Any additional comments?

I wished that in order to write his next book, Mr. Godin would listen to "Mastery" by Robert Greene, which is not a gem, but a crown juwel amongst all the books I have read so far. It goes so much more indepth as the Icarus Deception and is more inspiring more insightful and enchantingly well read.

35 people found this helpful