Felix Dennis is unique in that he does not necessarily fit the any stereotypical mold for a borderline billionaire. He is obviously a great writer in addition to owning a grip of publications. I enjoyed how he related his desires to sing as a musician when he was younger(his story about John Lennon telling him he had no original voice)... etc.

He makes an effort to show an objective unbiased picture of what it takes to get rich, why to get rich, and his own character.

If I had one entrepreneurial/motivational/informative book to read it would probably be this one. It is the first book of its kind to really keep me interested in the material. He almost reminds me of a rich Hunter S. Thompson- who was a rare enough individual in his own right.

There are no 12 step programs or sure-fire systems to guide you here. This is a pure and simple stream of consciousness and recollections from a great Entrepreneur in the business world. If you dislike business books or other great "Get Rich Now" books then this should be the book to read. It presents the simple facts and the difficulties involved in launching any enterprise and even a few tidbits on the legal structures involved. A great read for the week.

I have just finished a very interesting book by Felix Dennis, called "How to get rich". He calls it, and I agree with him, an anti-self help book. It's a book about what its really like to get rich and how to do it.

I don't agree with everything Felix says, especially in my field of work in IT, about how to grow and build a business to make real wealth - mainly the part where he insists you own 100% of your business. In my case this is a practical impossibility unless you are very rich to start out, as you need large amounts of money to build a world class IT business. In order to raise money you usually need to trade equity for capital.

However, in most of the rest of his assertions which are pretty focused on his area of expertise in publishing and mail order I would agree with him.

The core things I learned from this (or he reminded me what I already knew) where that to succeed in any endeavour to an extreme (i.e. to get really rich) you need to be an extremist. You need an internal drive that will never be diminished. Desire is not an option.

In order to actually make it past the point of good or great, to insanely successful you must have the patience and perseverance well beyond a normal person. In being extraordinary you need to insulate yourself from negative people that will try and slow you down. Remember - who you spend time with is who you become!

Great ideas are `ten a penny' - In order to make any money of an idea you need world class execution from a team of talented and focused people.

Keep bringing yourself back to your core goals (yes write them down and visualise them) and remember why you do what you do. If that's making money then kill the dead projects, invest in those that are likely to win big.

Get the best team, motivate them and fire them with your passion then give them the power. When they succeed reward them very well indeed from the profits.

Own as much of the equity, preferably all of it, that you can of your business. I agree to a degree with this if you can build a massive business without giving away equity. If you can't I believe you should use equity and not debt to build your business in the early stages.

Maximise the value of your company by selling near the top, but leaving room for the new owner to grow and build the business further.

Remember we are all `people' in the end, no-one is better than you and nor are you better than anyone else. In the end we are all souls that will die and we cant take any of the wealth or power with us, so fear no one and get rich!

When you are rich, spread it around as you see fit and try not to spend the rest of your life in fear you will lose it.

In summary his 8 secrets are:

*Analyse your need. Desire is insufficient. Compulsion is mandatory.
*Cut loose from negative influences. Never give in. Stay the course.
*Ignore `great ideas'. Concentrate on great execution.
*Focus. Keep your eye on the ball marked `the money is here'
*Hire talent smarter than you. Delegate. Share the annual pie.
*Ownership is the real secret. Hold on to every % point you can.
*Sell before you need too, or when bored. Empty your mind when negotiating.
*Fear nothing and no-one. Get rich. Remember to give it all away.

Go buy and read his book it's a fun and interesting read not just about his ideas but his life too.

Really enjoyed this book from start to finish! You get the real deal from Felix, good and bad, about the pursuit of wealth. He really makes you think about what you want, and what you're willing to sacrifice to get it. Not a rah-rah self-help book, or a get rich quick book; rather a series of fireside chats from a wise uncle. I really, REALLY wish I had read this book 20 years ago! But it's not too late for any of us! Buy it! You won't be disappointed.

Two thumbs up!

I just finished reading this. I haven't worked for a boss for the past 10 years (I own a company) - and Felix is "right on the money" - excuse the pun. Not that he needs my accolades. I find that many people are clueless when it comes to how money works, or how the economy works, as well as risk-averse. Most don't want to be confused by facts and they can't reallly wrap their mind around ideas that are new to them...it takes too much effort away from comfy routines & roles.

By the way...I subscribed to "The Week" (Felix Dennis, Chairman) several years ago, when it was still on cheap newsprint....and I haven't stopped reading it since. It's a hoot! I look forward to it. I always head first for the Editorial, then the "Best Of" page, homes for sale then the book reviews, in that order. Then the rest of it.

Felix, keep on truckin'!

Wow. Dennis certainly spells out the cost of getting rich: you need persistence, tunnel-vision and relentless drive, you must sacrifice ALL leisure time, relationships and security.

I watched a friend go from negative equity to her first £million (in today's money about five million US dollars) in less than three years. Apparently something I said inspired her (huh?). She must easily be worth over 15 million US dollars now.

Until this book I've always wondered why SHE made it, not me. She doesn't even have a basic college degree, is dyslexic, and was a housewife until life forced her to start earning a living in her thirties whereas I am a hard-working professional. Yes, I'm comfortable but definitely not wealthy.

I had confused cause and effect. The obsessiveness doesn't happen along later, it is a prerequisite. My friend let nothing get in the way of building her businesses (not even her health), in the course of which she developed a business brain the equal of Jimmy Goldsmith. All the other get-rich books I've read, mostly providing fluff that make it seem much easier than it really is, glossed over the vital information Dennis provides.

Dennis is so much more truthful than the likes of Kiyosaki, Trump and Robbins. I am now, at last, prepared to settle for comfortable because - like the silent majority - I never want to become obsessed, to have my life taken over. But, if someone is already an addictive personality, why not choose getting rich instead of whatever substance or process they're currently abusing?

Wow. Dennis tells it like it really is, warts and all. He went from poverty to $400 million (and maybe double that) and seems to have enjoyed most of the journey. He spells out the price: you need persistence, tunnel-vision and relentless drive, you must sacrifice ALL leisure time, relationships and security.

I watched a friend go from negative equity to her first £million (in today's money about five million US dollars) in less than three years. Apparently something I said inspired her (huh?). She must easily be worth over 15 million US dollars now.

Until this book I've always wondered why SHE made it, not me. She doesn't even have a basic college degree, is dyslexic, and was a housewife until life forced her to start earning a living in her thirties whereas I am a hard-working professional. Yes, I'm comfortable but definitely not wealthy.

I had confused cause and effect. The obsessiveness doesn't happen along later, it is a prerequisite. My friend let nothing get in the way of building her businesses (not even her health), in the course of which she developed a business brain the equal of Jimmy Goldsmith. All the other get-rich books I've read, mostly providing fluff that make it seem much easier than it really is, glossed over the vital information Dennis provides.

I am now, at last, prepared to settle for comfortable because - like the silent majority - I never want to become obsessed, to have my life taken over, by anything (except learning, which I am almost, but not quite, addicted to). But, if someone is already an addictive personality, why not choose getting rich instead of whatever substance or process they're currently abusing?

Wow. Dennis tells it like it really is, warts and all. He went from poverty to $400 million (and maybe double that) and seems to have enjoyed most of the journey. He spells out the price: you need persistence, tunnel-vision and relentless drive, you must sacrifice ALL leisure time, relationships and security.

I watched a friend go from negative equity to her first £million (in today's money about five million US dollars) in less than three years. Apparently something I said inspired her (huh?). She must easily be worth over 15 million US dollars now.

Until this book I've always wondered why SHE made it, not me. She doesn't even have a basic college degree, is dyslexic, and was a housewife until life forced her to start earning a living in her thirties whereas I am a hard-working, high-flying professional with learning as both my top strength and highest value. Yes, I'm comfortable but definitely not wealthy.

Now I get it: like Dennis, she was obsessed with building her businesses and let nothing get in her way, in the course of which she developed a business brain the equal of Jimmy Goldsmith. All the other get-rich books I've read, mostly providing fluff that make it seem much easier than it really is, glossed over the vital information Dennis provides.

I am now, at last, prepared to settle for comfortable because - like the silent majority - I never want to become obsessed, to have my life taken over, by anything (except learning, which I am almost, but not quite, addicted to). But, if YOU are an addictive personality, why not choose getting rich instead of the substance or process you're currently abusing?

I opened this one with skepticism (It was a gift). I was so pleasantly surprised by its conversational tone and great humor. I am not sure that the author is all he claims to be as a businessman but he is also unapologetic, self-deprecating and funny. He inspired me down a path of enterpreneurship in a way nobody has. The book has many practical pieces of advice but the one I will remeber the most: 'Ownership is everything!'. Amen!!

I don't typically read books of this ilk, but my attention was called to this one by a seemingly out-of-place review in Forbes of all places. Typically, Forbes is the type to call bull-you-know-what on the business book genre, especially when they veer into the self-help arena. But Forbes reviewer Susan Adams (see June 16, 2008 edition) bravely admits that "The immense garbage heap that constitutes the business book genre yields up, every now and then, an unexpected gem. Such a book is...How to Get Rich by British magazine publisher Felix Dennis." Adams succinctly and accurately calls it "smart, concise and entertaining." She makes mention also to Dennis' special perspective on the subject ("He reminds readers that getting rich won't necessarily make them happy.")

It's a fascinating, actionable read penned by a complex, one-of-a-kind character.

Whether or not you think you have the makings of someone who could be rich, this book as an excellent read. I started reading the first chapter to the wife when it arrived, and couldn't put it down from then.
A cross between an Autobiography, a Life Manual (although no advice about life is given, only about getting rich) and a Reference Book.
Absorbing, exciting, funny, witty, and from what i can make out.. truthful.
I highly recommend this book. Now I'll be looking out for Mr Dennis' poetry.. more dosh for his coffers.. not that he'll notice of course.
May your Preparation always be in place when Opportunity presents itself Felix! (For the benefit of those who haven't read it yet it means.. Good Luck!)
10/10

I have read probably about 20 or so books along these "getting rich" lines and I have to say that this is either my #1 or #2 favorite. (The other one that would vie for the top spot is How to be a Billioniare: Proven Strategies from the Titans of Wealth). Mr. Dennis's book is entertaining, inspiring, and chalk-full of high-yield advice and pearls of wisdom that any aspiring mogul should know. I read it on my BlackBerry and highlighted a lot and I plan to regularly go back and review this material as I believe it will truly benefit me on my quest for wealth.

To be objective I do disagree with Mr. Dennis on a few minor points:
- I do think it is possible to attain great wealth without completely sacrificing your life, youth, and relationships
- I have a lower threshold to relinquish equity in exchange for capital and management expertise (e.g. VC capital injection) -- after all, what good is 100% equity in a small company? I'd rather have 10% in a behemoth. (BG only has about 10% in MSFT).

The # of points I agree with Mr. Dennis on are innumerable.

Don't think. Read this book! Bravo Mr. Dennis!

Please, do not buy this book. It is poorly written, with almost no practical advice.

"How to Get Rich" is Mr. Dennis' flawed attempt to write what he calls the "Anti-self help book". In wanting to prove that he could write a successful "Anti-self help book", It really feels like his ego got in the way of producing a well written book with sound advice about acquiring wealth.

Mr. Dennis admits that it took him 8 weeks to complete the book. It is so poorly written that I am honestly surprised that it took that long. His "advice" is pure fluff (i.e. when you have a publicly held company, don't participate in insider trading - really???)

The one sound piece of advice that he does give is that there are huge sacrifices to make on one's way to acquiring great wealth. However, he endlessly repeats this which works to distract the reader, muddles his train of thought, and simply makes the book much longer than it needs to be.

I truly wish that I could get back the time wasted on this book. After the first few chapters I realized that this was simply fluff and was so incensed that I was determined to complete it so that I could post an honest review.

Again, please do not buy this book - it is a real waste of time.

I WANT MY MONEY BACK and MY TIME TOO which I wasted trying to find some advice from this so called rich guy.

Series of Contradictions !

1. First you say, Take Risk
Second you say Don't. For capital, don't go to a banker they are sharks, Don't go to Finanacers they are bad, try to get money and work done the poor way struggling around with your friends. WHERE IS THE RISK ?

2. You says Hire smart people, nurture smart people, respect them and then fire them when required. WHAT's LEFT ? Whats the difference, Whats new ? WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY ?

3. Another advice You can get rich by Luck. I think thats what happened with this guy


I have read 5 chapters and yet to get a real ADVICE, which I can use.

And on top of that VAGUE poems which means nothing but add ambiguity to the topic in hand.

All big words and no substance. I really wonder if this guy is rich or just trying to become rich by SELLING THIS book. Next time I would rather see the bank account of the guy.

I was fool enough to buy the guy's Poem book also.

Felix Dennis started his book with some negative comments about writers of "how to get rich books" who made their fortune by selling those books. Although Dennis did not name Robert Kiyosaki of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" fame, he was the one first to come to mind. Dennis certainly writes better than Kiyosaki (not a great accomplishment), and his advice is coming from more experience. Yet, in terms of getting rich, his advice is not going much farther than Kiyosaki's.

What I liked the most was the warning Dennis gave: What comes with the turf of becoming rich. That part is very heartfelt and insightful, although I have no first hand experience to know whether it is accurate. Dennis certainly does a great job to dissuade most people chasing the dream of being rich.

Near the beginning of the book, Dennis shows two tables: One is based on cash and cash-like (liquid) assets, the other is based on total assets (net worth). In his assessment, you need to have at least $100,000 in liquid assets and at least $2,000,000 to be among "the comfortable poor". I guess, below this level, one is among "the uncomfortable poor". The "comfortably wealthy" sport at least $1 million in cash/liquid assets, and at least $10 million in net worth. The table is realistic. Those below the comfortable poor designation will certainly struggle in the USA. Even those among the comfortably poor may find themselves struggling if they need to pay the college tuition for several kids.

The book contains lots of personal accounts, and gives insight how the rich think about employees, business decisions, family, etc. Dennis sees well that it is morally bankrupt, and to his credit, he is not a hypocrite.

If you expect to get a road map to riches, you will be disappointed. The book contains pearls that are useful, but most of the pearls are not original or novel.

Now, as far the writing is concerned, Felix Dennis is VERBOSE. There is just as much rambling in it as in Kiyosaki's bestseller. In addition, there are expressions, sentences that I expected to see from a poor writer, and not from a poet. For example, Page 125: ".. or you will be stranded, like the last dinosaur, by the last warm lake, on the last continent the ice age has yet to reach." Well, there was no ice age as such associated with the disappearance of the dinosaurs, although a brief climate change may have occurred. Another example (Page 215) is a subtitle: "Focus on keeping your eye on the ball." Actually, keeping your eye on the ball means being focused. I think that Dennis chose the right path in his life: he is probably better in becoming rich than he is in writing books.

As far as I am concerned, this book was mostly a waste of time. If you really want to read it, borrow it from a library or from a friend. Don't waste your money on it.

YES if:
1) If you just want to earn money even at the cost of affecting your relationships ( are you really that bad )
2) If at the end all you care is only $$$$

NOT if:
1) you are in US as it is mostly UK based
2) you dont like questions and poetry.
Just another of his ways of getting a little richer, he just cant resist the temptation of earning a couple of million more

Generally I don't read "get rich quick" books. They're all basically designed to make the author rich by selling lots of books, or they're a form of literary self-gratification on the part of authors who have millions in the bank. This one is different, and I knew it as soon as I saw it on the shelf.

Felix is the real deal. He's a guy who started with nothing, and by diligent effort managed to make himself very, very wealthy. He doesn't offer feel-good "you can do it!" advice, or say that you can become filthy rich by reading his book. In fact, he basically says you're unlikely to get rich unless you're willing to work like mad while largely sacrificing your social life for extended periods of time.

He also notes, correctly, that many successful people screw up by giving in and buying loads of junk they don't need. They get sloppy, they lose focus, and end up in a huge mess because they tried to show off by buying useless properties or trinkets. He knows. He almost did it himself.

The older and more superficially comfortable you are, the less likely you are to be successful because you simply won't have the energy or the nerve to go take a risk. Most people are happier (in a broad sense) with a steady paycheck and the "security" it brings...but, as Felix says, that steady check is guaranteed to keep you from becoming rich. Why? Read the book.

Aside from giving good advice, this is also a cracking good read and shows people can still write books without resorting to ghostwriters. If nothing else, pick up a copy and read it for inspiration. You might not become filthy rich, but you might be encouraged to take a few more chances. If you're happy with a safe, marginally comfortable existence and are scared to death of taking a risk, don't bother.

Excellent, entertaining, stimulating and intelligent book. You may not get rich, but definitely will get richer reading it.

Excellent, entertaining, stimulating and intelligent book. You may not get rich, but definitely will get richer.

I found out about this book while reading Forbes magazine and there was a little article in the back that was talking about Felix Dennis and how he became UK richest man. After reading the article I decided to purchase this book and loved every single minute of it. It gives you motivation and hope that you can succeed to matter what situation your in as long as you have the desire and willingness to get RICH! and succeed. Two of my favorite quotes in his book is,

"Quitting is not dishonorable. Quitting when you believe you can still succeed is. You must keep the faith. Belief in yourself and faith in your project can move mountains. But not if you insist on trying to scale the mountain by an impossible route which has already failed. "

"You should remember you are unique. Any scientist will tell you so. No other human was ever born, or will ever be born with the same combination of upbringing, flaws and qualities that you possess. Why should you not believe in yourself?
Even the fact of your existence, that you were created by the swiftest sperm of the millions let loose upon the luckiest of eggs that day, is a miracle. What were the odds that you who would result? Yes, you, sitting in your chair reading these words right now. How then, could you not believe in yourself? Nature did. Destiny did. Or, if you wish, your God did.

If you want to be rich you must work for it. But you must believe in it, too. You must believe in yourself, if only to armor yourself against the laughter of the gods in your quest. Your mad quest to be rich."

Purchase this book today you will LOVE IT as much as I have!!!

It's worth the time and money. This book is talking about "super rich" rich. Although I am never going to be that rich, it does teach me a couple valuable lessons. And the author is a really interesting guy.

There are a lot of great ideas for business development in the book. It is not as much a how to book, as a here is the way it is book. The author is frank and honest in his approach to business. He does not blow a lot of sunshine up your backside. No get rich buying real estate, or positive thinking "Secret" type tripe. He is rich from business, not the business of telling others how to get rich. There are no pitches for seminars, or free reports, just solid advice.

I enjoyed the use of poetry and quotes in each chapter, the one take away is "Many paths can lead to riches, Few in sunlight, most in ditches".

Well worth the time to read if you enjoy business books.

I read it twice, highlighted, and underlined key paragraphs and sentences. Enough said. Go RUN & get it!

Enjoyed the book immensely especially the personal stories. The advice is right on if hard to hear. Look forward to a detailed biography (or autobio) of how this ex-hippie who spent time in jail became one of UK's richest men but please no blind items - name names! How did Bruce Lee really die? (No time to locate second hand copy of out of print book, just say it)! Otherwise, Great stuff highly recommended.

Toward the end of this entertaining book Mr. Dennis says that being rich will not make you happy. On the next page he asks readers to think of him as a rich poet "sitting in one of the most beautiful houses on earth, staring at a turquoise sea, sipping a glass of ...Chateau d'Yquem..."
You've found paradise Mr. Dennis and it's all thanks to your accumulation of a ton of $$$$. The rest of us are promised paradise in the afterlife if we are humble enough but the very rich can get it now.

Felix Dennis has written the wisest, most entertaining book on business success I've ever read. It is the antithesis of a Tom Peters seminar or a Tony Robbins video (although I have never seen the latter, only his infomercials) and reflects with astonishing accuracy the path to success that most entrepreneurs must take. It's not about becoming a great manager, and it isn't about ginning up your motivation every day. You're either driven to get rich or you're not. And if it isn't a compulsion (Chapter 8: The Five Most Common Start-Up Errors; The First Error: Mistaking Desire for Compulsion), not only are you not likely to succeed; you probably shouldn't even try. Reading the book was an immense pleasure, as I found in it so many shared mistakes and insights. Getting rich is, after all, less about managing and more about controlling your fears, hiring smart people, watching the cash and pouncing on opportunity, among many other things Mr. Dennis defines and describes. Paying large bonuses but not sharing ownership flies in the face of the current experts, but actually works very well. Ownership is for the guy who gambles it all and has to fight the nightly demons of prospective failure. Had I been able to read this book in the first few years of building my own business, I'm sure my accomplishments would have tripled. I will enthusiastically send a copy of How To Get Rich to anyone I meet who thinks great personal wealth is his or her destiny.

Unlike traditional business books, Dennis takes you on an entertaining journey through his beliefs on what it takes to become wealthy. The book mainly focuses on personal traits as well as relationships with others. There are several important business pointers as well, such as never to relinquish share-ownership of your business for any reason. The title is somewaht foolish, as Dennis points out he doesn't expect everyone reading this book to succeed. Dennis is extremely blunt and at times vulgar. There are numerous examples he points to through his previous experiences developing a publishing conglomerate. At times he exhausts these past episodes to length. Dennis has also published several poetry works and includes several pieces in this book. I have found this book refreshing,entertaining, and a quick read. Don't expect any 10-step programs or any get-rich-quick ideas from this book though.

This book is different from all the other get rich books that I have read because it is written by an author who is truly rich (he's one of the richest men in Britain).

Felix Dennis is very honest about what he thinks are absolutely required to become rich, and it's not a walk in the park. It is HARD work. There ARE sacrifices to be made. Desire alone is not enough, you need COMPULSION if you want to become truly rich.

That, and other things that he shares in this book are truly a lot more valuable because they are his personal accounts about his journey from rags to riches, written by the man himself. He really sat down and wrote this book.

It's not one of those Donald Trump books that were authored by some unknown guy who is not rich himself. (Come on, between doing The Apprentice, dating Knauss, dealing with his business, you think The Donald would actually sit down and write a book like this? Get real. It's most probably a ghost writer who chats with him a few times and make it into a book.)

It's not a book written by some guy who made a few millions doing Velcro business and started dreaming up a rich dad and some silly board game that was so bad I stopped playing after 10 minutes.

It's not a book written by some guy who sold his business for a few million then started doing seminars about fixing your mindset to become rich.

Felix Dennis doesn't need your money unlike countless other (in his words) get rich authors--and that is why this book is so honest, and in the long run, useful. Because unlike those countless get rich books, this book doesn't sell an easy dream. It doesn't give you the illusion that if only you do these simple 7 or 14 steps or install this mindset or watch your cash flow or whatever, then you'll become rich.

No.

Instead, it's the opposite--it forces you to really think and look into the deepest of your self: do you really want to be rich? Because if you really, really want to, THESE are the things that you HAVE to go through. THESE are the sacrifices that you may need to make. And THIS is what it's really like when you have more than half a billion dollars, and how it's not all what you think it is going to be.

I may not ever get as rich as Felix Dennis. But I'm glad and thankful to him for writing this kind of book because it gives me a true, honest peek into the world of the rich--including the darker and uglier side of it.