Member Reviews
Just finished listening to "Think Remarkable" by Guy Kawasaki and Madisun Nuismer, based on Guy’s Remarkable People podcast, and I’m giving it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. The content? Definitely has its moments. But I enjoyed his "Art of the Start" much better. And the narration? Eh, not so much.
If you’re a fan of the Remarkable People podcast, you’ll recognize the format—highlighting lessons from amazing people in various industries. There are some great takeaways for anyone looking to level up their game, whether in business or life in general. The insights are solid, practical, and often inspiring, especially if you like learning from the stories of others.
But let’s talk about the narration. Unfortunately, it just didn’t do the content justice. Perry Daniels, Guy Kawasaki, and Madisun Nuismer tag-team the narration. It felt a bit flat at times, and I had a hard time staying fully engaged. Perry Daniels’ voice didn’t quite match the vibe of the book either, which was a bit disappointing.
Overall, Think Remarkable still has some valuable lessons to offer, especially if you like Kawasaki’s style. It’s just that the audiobook experience didn’t blow me away like I’d hoped. I’d recommend it more for fans of the podcast or those who prefer reading Kawasaki’s work in print.
Special thanks to RB Media for a copy of the audiobook via the NetGalley app!
Do I feel inspired...kinda. Did I enjoy the audio version of this book...not really. The book itself was great, but sometimes self help books are a snoozefest when it comes to audio versions, I knew that going in. It was hard to get through because of that, but I did get through. I feel like the book was more entertaining b/c of who Guy is, his demeanor and his capability to write just as he speaks is what saved it.
Think Remarkable was an easy and quick read/listen with actionable steps on how to be a remarkable person. I didn’t find the insights and tips in the book new or shocking, but the anecdotes in the book help put some of them in context and I can see how these insights and tips may be helpful to someone who does not regularly read professional development material.
I didn’t have any trouble understanding any of the narrators and I found them all pleasant to listen to.
I liked that each chapter could stand alone so that in the future if I wanted to revisit certain material, I could just listen to that chapter alone without re-listening to the entire book.
Quick and practical, this was a great listen for early morning walks. I would compare this favorably to Hidden Potential by Adam Grant, which I got bored with when I realized how targeted towards the majority it is. I'd rather think remarkable ;)
Some tips that I noted because they resonated with me:
- most of the remarkable people interviewed for this book were grinding away in entry-level roles for years until they hit their stride
- a source of missed opportunities is too much pride (!)
- mentorship opportunities come to those that demonstrate their value to those who they hope to learn from
- building a team requires humility and self-confidence: humility to select colleagues that do things that you can't, and then self-confidence to work with them.
I also appreciated the lists for further reading and anecdotes from Guy Kawasaki's interesting career. I felt like the authors really wanted you to gain something and put in the thought and effort to get you there. A good read.
Think Remarkable is a great intro book into the world of being a better you. It eloquently sums up many elements that are the current topics in self-help/self-improvement books: Embracing curiosity, Thinking differently, Finding your voice, Building a remarkable network, and Giving back. Full of positive and practical ideas and encouragement in creating a meaningful life.
I remember Guy Kawasaki as the expert on the Apple Macintosh computer back in the mid-80s. He wrote a column in MacUser magazine and answered readers’ questions regarding the Macintosh line. In this book, “Think Remarkable…,” he puts the onus on us. Broaden your horizon. Expand your personal experiences. Discover your “ikigai” a Japanese term meaning a reason for being. One section I found interesting was personal. Drawing boundaries. Practice saying no more often. Identify and rank your priorities. Assess your capacity and capability. There aren’t enough hours in a day to do everything on your list. Define your limits and communicate them to others. There’s a section on regrets. Something everyone has. Finally, Guy’s interview with Stacy Abrams pretty much sums up the book. What three things does she focus on as she charges out the door? Her response: Be curious. Solve problems. Do good. Growth, grit, grace. Let’s all work on these.
I am older than the target demographic mentioned at the start of the book, but for someone who struggles with imposter syndrome, this was a worthwhile read/listen. Living a remarkable life doesn't mean having to make a huge, immediate impact. It's the things we do on a daily basis to make the world better for those around us, which eventually makes the world a better place. The book is divided into three parts with summaries along the way to help reinforce the information.
This book would be a great gift for high school or college graduates or someone who is considering a change in their life.
The audio was well done and at a good pace.
Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy of the audiobook from NetGalley (RB Media and Ascent Audio). #ThinkRemarkable #NetGalley
I enjoyed listening to Think Remarkable by Guy Kawasaki. I generally enjoy listening to self help and growth mindset material. I cannot say that Guy's book stood out from the crowd although I did like some of the personal details that helped me to understand him and the life he has experienced. I think I will check out his podcast to see if that format resonates better with me.
Think Remarkable is a fantastic book that contains many useful tips on changing one's mindset. Some of the examples are a bit more radical/left-wing than my own stances, but the gist of the book is applicable to everyone who strives to make a difference in the world around them.
This was a good quick self-help audiobook. I didn't agree with a few things mentioned in the book, but it opened my eyes to a different view which I apprecitated. I like that the book got straight to the point on how to improve your thinking.
Thanks to the author and Netgalley for this ARC
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
Guy Kawasaki is a remarkable person. He has dedicated so much of his life to finding and talking to remarkable people and sharing their stories on his podcast. However, is not a collection of interviews as you might think but instead, Kawasaki has condensed everything he has learnt into this book. It contains not only valuable life lessons but actual steps to implement them as well as why this should be done. Whilst there will certainly be some you already know - if you have lived, this is unavoidable! - there is so much crammed into this book, and it is done in way that is non-judgemental, without trying to get you to subscribe to any kind of beliefs or in any kind of patronising way.
Quick and effective self-help listen.
Guy Kawasaki’s approach to structuring the book was unique because of his position as a popular podcast host. Intermixed with stories about “remarkable” people featured on Guy’s podcast (some I knew, some I didn’t), I felt more invested in Guy’s takeaways on becoming a remarkable person. I also enjoyed the numerous recommendations for other books and online talks with similar self-help themes. I really got a sense of who Guy is and what his values are, many of which we share!
I thought this book had potential at first, but that notion quickly dissolved. I was not expecting to be inundated with propaganda for the Democratic party. I began to tune out after while. The author will alienate people when this is released. This book did not help me to think remarkable, but it did help to discourage me.
#ThinkRemarkable #NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and RB Media, Ascent Audio for the early copy of the audiobook.
It's a bit hard for me to rate a non-fiction book, so I am just rating this in the middle. I loved the concepts here and have learned a thing or two. The specific examples and life stories were awesome to hear, and somehow you will be able to relate too, even if I, as a reader, am just a nobody compared to the people involved.
The one that stood out the most for me is the concept of grit and being able to be vulnerable, and the conclusion that there is no growth in the comfortable. I loved the author's writing and the introductory quote.
This will be something that will stay on my mind for a week or a month. I highly recommend that everyone read or listen to the audiobook.
Audiobook received for free through NetGalley
I absolutely loved this book. Actually 62% of the way through I hopped online and purchased a physical copy. Love how concise it’s written, the subject matter, and how helpful it seems. It’s perfect.
There were some really informative parts of this book.
The structure was clear and the interviews with others and extracts from other texts were interesting. I’ve read a lot of the books which were referenced, so not new information for me, but brought together well and in a relatable way.
The second half of the book was better than the beginning where the author seems to have found their stride and purpose. The ‘grace’ section was especially good.
There are a lot of surfing references and name dropping - including talks about making/losing lots of money. Neither of these things are to my taste but did, mostly, appreciate the points being made.
In terms of narration, Madisun was the star of the show. I would have liked her to have read some of the other chapters. It took me several chapters to realise the initial questions/responses were for the reader/listener in each chapter - think this could be more explicit.
Overall, an average book which is not necessarily new information but is formatted well. Narration also mixed.
Front cover design is striking.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to listen.
I was lucky enough to read Think Remarkable by Guy Kawasaki almost entirely in one go b/c started it while traveling. This allowed me to really dive into the concepts explored.
I loved hearing the short stories about extraordinary people, such as Jane Goodall, Olivia Julianna, Stacey Abrams, Steve Wozniak, Mark Rober, and Bob Cialdini. Authors Guy Kawasaki and Madisun Nuismer do a great job summarizing each of these success stories and pulling together each through a theme that shows us how to live remarkably.
This is the type of book you read again when you need inspiration, and I think it would have been great to talk through with friends/a book club. Great narration.