While the financial advice in this little book is simple, it's engagingly presented & makes an excellent introduction to a prudent financial life for beginners. The bonus book, a lecture, is quite dull.

"Truth is always simple." This line from the book pretty much sums it all up!

I've been blessed in having my own personal financial advisor growing up (my dad), so frankly felt like a lot of the read was redundant. But, I did appreciate the fable/parable-style telling; that has its own value in presenting the same material in a different fashion. And as much as I love my dad :D, there's also something to be said for objective third parties presenting material--being slightly removed and not having the same degree of familiarity, filial love/respect, and desire to do something purely out of respect for X Person. This provides the "why I should do something" in fictional form, which I think many readers could gain from. I'd recommend pairing it with Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover Journal: A Guide for Financial Fitness (for overall money-management concepts, as well as for those struggling with debt; I also really appreciate his approach to and inclusion of charitable giving, something I wish this read had included).

Perhaps my favorite line from the book: "Confuse not the necessary expenses with thy desires" (eARC loc 435). There was some really good material following this line that, even years into being the main breadwinner in my household, I could still stand to be reminded of! There's always something new and shiny to be distracted by.

I think my biggest dissatisfaction with the read was just how focused it was on building wealth for *oneself* (and that really surprised me, being the longtime conservative that I am, haha). It felt primarily self-focused (which is generally fine), but didn't explore--as much as I wished it might--how sharing one's earnings can be a reward in itself--minimal consideration of our fellow man/neighbor. Could certainly be another chapter there, easily. The stories are also, of course, set in Babylon (and include references to Babylonian religion). I'd be curious to get the author's take on the "end goal," or "end game," as it were, of pursuing wealth. When someone dies ... what's all going to happen to it?

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.