Sunday, September 22, 2024

Audible Boook Reviews: Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life by Arnold Schwarzenegger & The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell

 


I grabbed a copy of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life when I upgraded my Audible membership. This is one of the last books from that free book group that I read, mostly because I added this one toward the end to check it out and see if I would continue. 

Schwarzenegger is a well-known actor, businessman, and former bodybuilder and politician. He opted to read the book himself. It was a good choice. He opens with a conversational introduction telling the reader he is recording Be Useful in his home studio, so if you hear noises from any of his animals in the background, please understand. It was a great way to make the reader feel like he is just one of the regular people living his life instead of a celebrity. 

Be Useful is what his father once told him to make sure he would be in life. From that piece of advice, Schwarzenegger crafted a life that started by having a clear vision of what he wanted. He dreamed big, he worked hard, and he convinced others to join him as he shifted into the world of politics and became a public servant. He shifted gears when he needed to, opened his mind, and became more focused on helping others. 

Yes, Be Useful is a lot of talk about Schwarzenegger's life, but he uses his experiences to empower others to use the same tools in their lives. Is there anything profound or vastly new within the book's virtual pages? Not really. But the importance of hearing a message over and over to keep you focused can't be stressed enough. And, you get to hear Schwarzenegger read the book to you. That's a win. I really enjoyed this book, but could have done without all the swearing. 

Listening Length6 hours and 19 minutes
AuthorArnold Schwarzenegger
NarratorArnold Schwarzenegger
Whispersync for VoiceReady
Audible.com Release DateOctober 10, 2023
PublisherPenguin Audio
Program TypeAudiobook
VersionUnabridged
LanguageEnglish
ASINB0C1HR5D9S
Best Sellers Rank#615 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#40 in Success Self-Help
#54 in Personal Success
#55 in Biographies & Memoirs (Audible Books & Originals)


The 25th Anniversary Edition of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell was published in 2022. Adding new insights into these laws that have helped shape leaders for decades, the reader will find updated stories and special audiobook only content as they develop their leadership skills. 

I've always found Maxwell's words inspiring, and this book is no different. His value-based leadership style resonates with me. Though I find it hard to appreciate a book like this fully when listening to it instead of having a paperback copy to earmark, Maxwell clearly outlines each law and explains it in depth. 

This is not the first revision of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, but based on Maxwell's engaging introduction, he learns new things in the years that pass between editions, and he enjoys refining the laws despite how timeless they truly are.  

If you are a leader or aiming to be a leader, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership is a must read. The discussion questions will get you thinking, and learning more about these laws will empower your leadership journey. 

Listening Length9 hours and 32 minutes
AuthorJohn C. Maxwell
NarratorJohn C. MaxwellHenry O. Arnold
Audible.com Release DateMay 31, 2022
PublisherHarperCollins Leadership
Program TypeAudiobook
VersionUnabridged
LanguageEnglish
ASINB09MGFPBM1
Best Sellers Rank#560 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1 in Christian Church & Church Leadership
#1 in Christian Church Leadership (Books)
#14 in Leadership (Audible Books & Originals)
These reviews contain my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

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