We like to watch people do things we don’t want to do. I first figured this out years ago with the Food Channel and DIY shows. People don’t want to create a croquembouche or retile a bathroom but they do want to know how it’s done and there’s something soothing about watching people do work.

Into this dynamic strides Rich Benoit of the popular YouTube channel Rich Rebuilds. Rich’s claim to fame was trying to fix Teslas and wrestling with trying to get parts but his personality and unique subject matter struck a chord with viewers and now he exists in that rarefied realm of ultra-popular YouTubers.

YouTube as a career is something that, at first blush, sounds easy. But Benoit’s shoots and builds cost both time and money. Where once his audience might have been satisfied with a quick how-to, he now finds himself doing elaborate things like turning a Tesla into a gas-powered vehicle. Being a YouTube creator eventually, when done well, becomes like being a star, producer, grip, writer, and director of your own series. It’s a lot of work.

What I was hoping for with this book was a little more on the right-to-repair movement. But even though it wasn’t that, this was still an enjoyable read. Benoit is likable and authentic and willing to admit his mistakes. He also isn’t just relying on YouTube, he turned his interest into multiple garages catering to electric vehicles. He’s also a real estate investor. But mostly, he’s a person who saw an opportunity and turned his interests into a career and that’s pretty great.

I found this piece to be exceptionally well-crafted, and I'm eagerly anticipating the opportunity to delve into more works by this author. Given its potential popularity among our library patrons, we're certainly looking forward to adding it to our collection