This book delivers exactly what it promises: career advice presented in a very unique and compelling way.

"Bunko" has been carefully reviewed here at Career Control Center. In addition to being used in our research with Clients (plus an extensive Evaluation Questionnaire). To date, most responses have been very positive. We are currently analyzing this data further and plan to utilize "Bunko" extensively with sub 25 year old Clients and in our research and promotion activities. This may well part of the answer..

This book is something that your graduating senior will actually read! This book has great advice for--really--a newly changing world. Old advice on career planning doesn't cut it anymore. It is much better to use a compass, than a map when thinking about the future

Do your loved one a favor and buy a career guide, with great advice--that he/she will actually read! Buy this book!

Subtitled "The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need," this intriguing little book is written in manga (Japanese word for comics, read all over Japan on a variety of topics). Clearly written to connect the newer workforce (the style is illustrated comic book panels with the narrative in bubbles, etc.), it is nonetheless quite insightful, humorous and extremely practical in its focus.

The protagonist, Johnny Bunko (his adventures continue at [...]) is in a deadend job as a "bean counter" for a large corporation called Boggs, Inc. He inadvertently meets up with a "genie" with an attitude called Diana who appears when he breaks apart some chopsticks from his takeout order. Over the course of the story, Diana proceeds to give Johnny and some of his coworkers the six "lessons of a successful, satisfying career" (to quote Diana). Each lesson is delivered by Diana when Johnny reaches a critical point in his work, summoning her once more by breaking apart another set of chopsticks.

The six lessons are:
1) There is no plan. No career can be mapped out in its entirety from start to finish, don't even try. Do things for fundamental reasons, not instrumental ones.
2) Think strengths, not weaknesses (Diana references Martin Seligman of "Authentic Happiness" and Marcus Buckingham of "Go, Put Your Strengths to Work" by showing them to Johnny as bobbleheads. She even introduces Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's "Flow" research to the befuddled employee).
3) It's not about you. It's about the customer, the client, making your boss look good while using your strengths.
4) Persistence trumps talent. Dogged determination is the key to success, and is much more easily maintained when you are doing things that feed your passion.
5) Make excellent mistakes. If you are constantly concerned about doing things wrong, you will miss out on extraordinary solutions. To quote Diana, "the most successful people make spectacular mistakes - huge, honking screwups! ...each time they make a mistake, they get a little better and move a little closer to excellence."
6) Leave an imprint. Do something that enables you to look back on your career and know that you made a difference, that your being here mattered.

An extraordinary book, packed with solid advice in a format that can be read easily in under an hour.

I'll keep my review short, since this is a short book. I was scared that I was not getting value for my money but boy was I wrong. The books is comprised of six career principles and some other pearls of wisdom but the use of anime, allows the examples to be so clear and concise that it is not necessary to include anymore details and so at the end, I did not feel cheated. The book is really designed like a manga. It is good that the writer didn't keep the dialogue childish and the artist was able to convey a wide range of emotions. The story is a universal one in that, anyone can relate. It deals with destiny, failure, selflessness, perseverance and leaving a legacy. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Looking for a book to give your child who is about to graduate college and enter the workforce? Look no further. Johnny Bunko, written in the manga style of Japanese comics, is the answer. Author Dan (A Whole New Mind) Pink provides six life lessons, packaged in a humorous and readable comic strip book, perfectly executed for the Gen Y reader.

I like Johnny Bunko's message. The advice is solid.
The format is not. There actually isn't much content to this to merit the length... not that it was long, but most of it was filler.
I have no problems with manga in general, but the style really wasn't very suiting for this. I'm not sure who this book is really marketed to. If you've read a lot of manga you're likely to find the format comfortable but the story lackluster compared to anything else in the genre. If you haven't, I guess you could see JB as novel and cute, but I'd be surprised if you rated this as perfect because the content really could have been posted on a general career advice web page, the length of which would not exceed two pages in a Word document.

I haven't purchased anything else written by Daniel Pink, but I highly suggest his book A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future over this, as I find it difficult to believe that anyone could arbitrarily expand the amount of content in Johnny Bunko to the size of a novel... so you're bound to get more for your money with that than this.

Suffice it to say that this probably isn't "the last career guide you'll need"- it's more like an introduction.

Gave this to our 18-year old nephew on Saturday at his graduation party, and he started reading while his guests were still at the buffet! When I spoke with him today, he gave the book high marks and sounded geniunely impressed and excited about the information he had gained from such a quick read. If you're trying to help a young person find direction at graduation time, I think this little gem would make a great gift.

I was rather surprised by this one when it came from the pen of Dan Pink, whose profound A Whole New Mind was paradigm rattling. I suppose for the intended audience this has its place, but it reminded me of the formula of The One Minute Manager with the simple rules that come from the heroine superstar in the save the day ideology of Spiderman. However, we do know that formula works and has been replicated to fill a bookshelf by Ken Blanchard, and comic books will always sell. Perhaps that's what manga is intended to do. This was my first exposure to it so I have no point of comparison. I was underwhelmed, but then, I've been in the business world for 25 years. Maybe someone just entering it would have some ah-ha's here in the ideas.

I think there is some novelty in the concept of portraying the ideas of business in this model and we must give Dan kudos for that. I waved it around at training association meetings as something we may need to pay attention to to grip the attention of the 20-somethings in our training materials and forwarded the e-mail about it on to several folks who were amused by the novelty. That's where it ended.

Perhaps the best use for me will be using it with the literacy students I teach. We are always looking for adult context in simple text. This fits that well and would provide the sense of accomplishment in a contemporary framework. Beyond that, I will be surprised if this one hangs around.

Sorry Dan.

I thought Johnny Bunko was fantastic, it was a very relevant kind of motivation for young adults today. The art style and the characters are a terrific way to get a message across that kids normally wouldn't even be receptive to. It almost works as kind of a gateway to this kind of thinking, and makes me want to read more of these kinds of books. I wish I had something like this before I started college to put me in the right mindset for the real world. I'm keeping this book and these lessons on hand for a long time as a reminder of what I really want to get out of life.

In A Whole New Mind, Dan Pink describes the power of integrative thinking (including the previously undervalued by society "right brain thinking"). In The Adventures of Johnny Bunko, he practices what he preaches.

In essence this book contains 6 basic left-brain-influenced principles. They are clearly spelled out and supported by extensive research. He could have written an article with these principles, but it wouldn't have helped us to actually change our thinking and take action in the way this book does.

Why?

Because the message wouldn't have been received or remembered as clearly. It would not have engaged the right-brain.

The cartoon format engages the right brain and creates a meaningful and memorable message. The next time I'm faced with a career decision, I'm sure to picture a furious, brow-furrowed cartoon character screaming, "It's not about you!!" and change my course of action.

Integrative thinking entails looking at the process as well as the content. This book, therefore, has double the learning potential (both process and content).

Be inspired by the creativity of the process that Dan Pink uses, and think of how to present your own message in the most powerful right-brain way to get optimal support and exert positive influence.

And, of course, use the content to enhance your career because it is succinct and excellent.

Dan Pink's "A Whole New Mind" has remained one of my favorite books to recommend for those who wonder what job skills will prove most valuable in the years to come. So it's no surprise that "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko" compresses Pink's best thoughts into a quick but powerful story that many -- from young adults to seasoned pros -- will find inspirational and possibly even life-changing.

No matter how well-intentioned, good advice can sound obvious, trite, patronizing, or all of the above. Using manga to tell the story, and making the tone hip and sardonic should make it palatable for a much wider audience -- the type who would never read a book of prose called "How to Have a Career and Still Be Happy."

I loved every minute of Bunko's adventures. It was spooky, but I could relate to most scenarios in the book. I have read a few "self-help-career/how to succeed" books, but nothing quite like this. It is amazing. A must read for everyone...

I've read Dan Pink's previous books, Free Agent Nation and A Whole New Mind and enjoyed them thoroughly. This book contains several important career lessons that it helps to be reminded of periodically. I liked its creative approach of using Japanese Manga comic style for a business book. It makes the lessons much more memorable and fun to read. The book has 6 lessons, namely:

1. Your plans and jobs will change, so don't try to plan out your entire career in advance. Each position will help you learn what you're good at which can help to direct your career. Positions will sometimes change or move away, so you shouldn't get too attached to a pre-conceived notion of what your long term career plan must look like to be successful. Despite what your parents may have told you, there are no safe fallback jobs anymore. Also, if a job is safe but you can't stand it, then it is no way to spend your career.

2. Find positions that focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses. If you work in an area that requires you to do things that don't resonate with your strengths, it will be nearly impossible to be successful. There are some good resources recommended about finding ones strengths, such as the Marcus Buckingham series. Knowing your strengths will allow you to better choose positions where you spend more of your time doing things that you do well and enjoy.

3. Your career is not about you, but rather about what you do to help customers, clients, and co-workers to be successful. Using your strengths and enjoying your job is important, but they must be applied to helping others, not just yourself.

4. Persistence is more valuable than raw talent. Your career isn't a sprint, but more like a marathon. You need to continue to show up, practice, and never give up.

5. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. The only people who don't make mistakes are those who never try anything. When you do make mistakes, learn from them. If you make a really big mistake, you'll know because it may be named after you (This has something to do with the choice of the main character's name).

6. Leave an imprint. When you look back at your career, you'll want to be able to know that you made a difference that mattered.

There are a lot of business/career books out there that have useful information, but you'd be hard pressed to find one that has as much great advice concentrated in as few words as this book. I was able to read the entire book during a lunch break. One of the common objections I hear from my colleagues who tell me that they don't read business books is that they don't have the time, but that excuse won't work for this one.

This may be the "last career guide that I'll ever need," but I'll certainly look forward to any future writing Dan Pink does on the subject.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3OZ8QJOMVKGYF What a refreshing read. The graphic format and storyline are hysterical, and it really shows, point by point, how we can apply our true creativity and talents to our careers, even in large corporations.

I began reading the book with my two college kids in mind. After a short while, however, it became a source of reflection and self-scrutiny regarding my own career path, where I've been and where I still need to go. Succinct and entertaining, Johnny Bunko delivers critically important messages wherever you find yourself on the career path.

Johnny Bunko is a fantastic idea! It is a great read. I sailed through it.

This graphic novel is a great source of information on how the job market is using their employees, and how to think in a different way to achieve career success. I think the most important part of the piece describes how there really isn't a set pathway to success, and listening to the advice of people who think there is a set path is one way to hit a glass ceiling during a career.

The graphic novel is very post-modern, and it pokes fun at everything from previous self help books to NBC's 'Heroes.' It was a fast read because of the Manga format, and it hits you with information in an informative and entertaining way. I would recommend this book for college students and people who are stuck in a rut at their job looking for a way out.

The one thing this book does not do (which is also found on its own web site) is specifically state ways in which to achieve career success and fulfillment. If you are a person that needs specific instructions on how to do anything, do not purchase this book; borrow it from someone else. It does, however, present an overview of working within your talents, networking with others to balance your weaknesses, and other useful business practices some people have difficult times doing. Time management is touched upon, as well as handling bosses and other peers who are too overbearing.

Daniel Pink has created a new way to view success books. I highly recommend this one - it balances out the other 'Type A' materials available.

What a treasure! Johnny Bunko is a book that I will recommend, along with A Whole New Mind, to anyone I know. Dan Pink has a knack for putting his visionary ideas in to words that everyone knows and expressing his ideas in a way that everyone can understand. He goes one step further and tells you how you can implement positive change. The impressive artwork and fun story in Johnny Bunko make it an experience more than a book.

Whether you want to learn, grow, or just have fun; Dan's books are easy to pick up, hard to put down, and exactly what everyone should have the opportunity hear.

I loved this book! I was so impressed with the content and layout that I purchased several more as gifts for recent grads. The information to be learned reads very naturally in the manga form (especially for high school and college grads who may need a guide for their jobs but don't want a long drawn out tome that reads like homework.

The Manga treatment of such a critical subject only serves to enhance the clarity and impact of the message.

Although presenting this book in the style of cartoons and comics popular with many of the generation about to make this enormous, monumental life decision is a clever marketing move, I don't think the book has enough substance (usable, valuable information on how to make this crucial decision) to make it "The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need".

Simple, important message presented innovatively as manga comic. One copy for my son, and one for myself. Thanks Daniel.

Johnny Bunko is a great book that concentrates on transformational principles for living an extraordinary life that have already been discussed in previous reviews. His book, A Whole New Mind is a favorite of mine. The manga style of Johnny Bunko will appeal to high school and college age readers. But the title is just bullfeathers, meant to suck the reader in to buying the book. It is a "life lessons" book. IT IS NOT A CAREER GUIDE AT ALL, much less the last one you will need.

Most young people come out of college with no real certainty about their life direction. They expect it will all somehow work out. But it often doesn't. Most will wind up in careers they wish they did not have to go to each day. The tragedy of this is that it is completely unnecessary. But choosing a great career takes a lot more than a few truths, no matter how appealing.

A while back I was in the midst of a mid-life career change. I bought all the recommended career books. Only one of them really stood out as extraordinary, "The Pathfinder" by Lore. I used it to successfully make a major change to a career that gives me a great deal of pleasure as well as more than twice the income I was making before, even though I already had a PhD.

I have just bought and read the newly published second book by Nicholas Lore, entitled Now What?: The Young Person's Guide to Choosing the Perfect Career. This one is for my 19 and 22 year olds. This is the real "only career guide you will ever need." Written by the presidentially commended (by Bill Clinton) founder of "career coaching" and Rockport Institute, it completely and skillfully guides the reader through designing a career that will fit their talents and personality perfectly doing work you love. It is humorous, powerful and direct. It pulls no punches, making it clear that it you have to make designing the perfect career a major project if you do not want to wind up like most of your friends will, successful and unsatisfied, with the symbols of success but not much more. Buy Johnny Bunko for a fun, quick and profound read, and buy NOW WHAT for yourself and your future. It is the one you will turn to year after year, the guidebook to a fully lived life. Another great career book is "Do What You Are" by Tieger.

Dan Pink took his own advice from A Whole New Mind and created a career guide that is spot on for a generation that makes its own rules. (Rule #1, always know where your phone is and answer every call or text or Tweet.) Even if you don't "get it", give a copy to every graduating senior you know. They will!

An excellent and easy-to-read book about general career advice. This book is geared more towards how to succeed in non-technical professions. Really, this is a must-read for the innovative concept and the general advice that's given. This type of book is best for new grads and college students alike, as it tells of how to succeed in the seemingly confusing world of business.

I have been reading alot of career books lately, and I dont think this will be the last one you will ever need. But its a good book but the comic thing through me a little. I liked Mr Instability because it was hilarious and had great stories about careers. But overall glad I bought it.

It's short and to the point and displays everything in a cool way.

Great book/manga.

Dan Pink has not bunko'd his introduction of Manga to our culture. The format is simple, entertaining and delivers the message in a very powerful format. If you are reading this, you obviously like to read. There are probably millions in our country that aren't like you and me. The Manga format bridges conventional teaching books and opens up knowledge to those in our society that are less inclined to read. It would be irresponsible for us not to support, promote and spread the word of Manga deep into our culture. If you haven't read this wonderful, educational and enteraining little story, you will not be disappointed. I'm in my mid-forties and it was refreshing and inspiring. Don't wait, order it now. Any response from other readers would be welcome.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RPJCJSW9OI5LB Daniel Pink's new book is simply awesome.

I have read Dan's "A Whole New Mind" and this one is another great one!
It affirms many lessons learned.....later in life......for me.
It is a must read to re-allign yourself with is the MOST important lessons learned......and to be followed for complete FLOW in your life! It is done in such a playful and ingenious way.....I LOVE IT!
GREAT JOB DAN!

I wish I had understood a little bit of this book's message in high school - I enjoy my career now, but I sure could have used this in my early 20s and fresh out of college.

6 Career Lessons sneak into your head via an entertaining story; great for adults, too, who may be wondering how they can make a change in their career.

Now, you're not going to find detailed, life-changing instructions in this little book, but if you sit down and think about the real message of the book, you'll understand that the 6 Lessons are just nudges in the right direction.

This book will be a regular gift to those high school seniors I know.

I've been a career counselor for over 25 years, and I've used many career books. Pink's "Bunko" is a brilliant idea--manga to reach the younger generation. As far as I can tell, this is the first manga career guide in America, aimed at Americans. This is Pink using his "Whole Mind"!

Having said that,I take issue with the first Lesson--"there is no plan." Many careers, esp. those that are licensed, certified, etc., require a great deal of planning. These include health careers, law, and education. Along the way, there may be a great deal of "luck" factor (Luck=where opportunity and preparation intersect) or happenstance, but planning is necessary. Other careers develop more haphazardly and cannot be planned as easily. Still, professional careers require goal setting, which is part of the planning process. While a college major often has little to do with your eventual career choice, a college degree is still becoming what the high school diploma used to be. And, going to and getting through college with decent grades also takes planning.

I might rename this Lesson: "Rethink How You Choose a Career" Not as provocative, but certainly more accurate.

A better read about the luck factor, or "there is no plan" aspect of career choice, John Krumboltz's, "Luck Is No Accident: Making the Most of Happenstance in Your Life and Career." If you are still in college, check out your campus career planning office. They vary greatly in helpfulness, but had Johnny learned more about his strengths earlier through this process (part of planning your future), he might have realized that his approach to choosing a career was off track.

Also, this is definitely NOT "the last career guide you'll ever need." I don't know if Pink created this subtitle, or if his publisher did. This hyperbole can also be seen in "A Whole New Mind," where the tagline is "Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future." "Rule the Future"? Please!

Otherwise, I think there is good merit to the other lessons. Yes, this only skims the surface of career guidance, but it makes these lessons accessible in today's "sound byte" generation. I am in the process of "field testing" this book with youth from 14-30. The 14 year old loved it; my 21 year old son said at first glance that it looked "hokey." But I think he'll read it and get something positive from it.

Once I've gotten more feedback from younger folks, I'll be back to report on it!

This book is absolutely great! What makes this great is that it exists at the intersection of Business Book and Entertainment (through Manga). The message is made simple and memorable because of the delivery method. The six lessons in this book are great advice for everyone but the real lesson is not written in the book. It is the book!

The story in this book is clear easy to remember and one which will appeal to a wide audience of Manga lovers as well as the typical business book buyer. My thirteen year old son wants to read the book and that is the real lesson by using a creative communication vehicle Daniel Pink is reaching an audience that ne normally would not reach and yet is not offending his traditional audience.

Great book! A must experience book (note I said experience because the book goes beyond just a simple read and creates an experience).

Marshall McLuhan would be smiling down on Daniel Pink for appreciating that "the medium IS the message." Johnny Bunku is a perfect book for the ADD challenged mind to pique its interest and want to find out more. This book is the antidote for people who buy books to help them and then never finish them. You and the people you care about will read and finish this book and also it will also stir conversations about the simple yet profound messages in it. It is a rare treat to find visionary writers like Dan Pink who are able to keep their eye on the horizon and who can pull us along with them.

Mark Goulston,
-The Leading Edge, Fast Company
-blogger, Harvard Business online
-author, [ASIN:0399532854 Get Out of Your Own Way at Work...And Help Others Do the Same: Conquer Self-Defeating Behavior on the Job]]

I have read dozens of career books, articles,and professional publications and The adventures of Johnny Bunko is by far the most original. Dan Pink's use of the story-telling Japanese Manga genre is powerful and provides real world content in a manner that is easy to digest.

As a Career Formation expert I suggest reading the book and buying a copy for family, friends, students, and instructors from the classroom to the board room.

The Adventures of Johnny Bunko packs a whallop ! WELL DONE.

Dan Pink is one of the most original writers on contemporary business and employment/career trends around. He writes with clarity and conciseness. His books provide a context for interpreting the daily news, as shown by A Whole New Mind, his previous book.

When Dan does something, it's usually worth noting, because he's usually ahead of the rest of us.

So, it's pretty noteworthy when he decided to use the Magna, or "picture story," format for his career guide, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko. Today, increasing numbers of people have neither the budget, inclination, or time, for reading long books. Any format that lowers the barrier to reading is to be applauded; the Manga format is perfect for recent graduates looking for inspiring and specific career advice in an accessible, visual, non-condescending format.

Johnny Bunko, published by a Penguin imprint, may be the first Manga business book, but it's certainly not going to be the last. Anyone interested in providing "non-preachy" career advice to recent graduates, or those prematurely downsized, can't go wrong with either Dan's 6-step advice not the format he uses to deliver it. (Nor, indeed, the price.)

This is one career guide you can be sure the recipient will read!

Although Johnny Bunko's six lessons are learned in a cubicle environment, it doesn't take "a whole new mind" to see how they adapt to situations in everyday life in the real world. This was my first exposure to the visual manga format which I find makes the information far easier to recall and retain. Leave it to Mr Pink to practice what he's been preaching and put out a book in this new (to American readers) format.

[...]

I completely agree with the other readers. This book is amazingly good. Short, funny and straight to the point.

One of the best parts of this book is that the lessons you learn from it apply not only career but also to everyday life. The manga style also makes the book easy and fun to read. it feels more like you're watching a great movie, which makes it easy to follow and connect with.

it's revolutionary in the way it used the manga style applied to career advice. two completely different worlds collide to make a one spectacular book.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Daniel Pink has done it again, but in an ingeniously innovative way through manga graphics. Both my teen-aged daughter, who is exploring her passions and strengths in a school course entitled "Career Explorations", and I, exploring the next phase of my life during a mid-life opportunity, found this little tome full of wisdom, fun, and uncommon sense in charting the journey of our life's work and our work life. Sometimes a compass if far more useful than a map, and Johnny Bunko points true North.

What a ride! This story had me laughing out loud, nodding my head, and cheering all at the same time. It delivers a message I wish I had heard years ago when trying to figure out my "career". The surprising thing, is that the six essential lessons experienced in Johnny Bunko are still very powerful and very relevant to me-even after almost 20 years in the workforce. You can't help, after putting down the book, re-examining your life choices regardless of your age or life stage.

How many stories can intertwine Deepak Chopra, Salvador Dali, Alegbra, the Haitian guy on Heros, Einstein, youtube, and chopsticks while delivering messages that are so easily digestible? Sorry about the food reference, but after this book you crave Chinese food.

I read it in one sitting. But, like any good movie or favorite sitcom, you don't want it to end. Between the words and the manga you are carried effortlessly through the story--kudos to the symphony created by Dan Pink's ideas and Rob Ten Pas' artistry.

At the end, you'll want a pair of those "chopsticks" for yourself.

My suggestion: You can't go wrong with this book. It is a must for anyone trying to figure out what they want to do-so it is perfect for the high school student, the college student, parents of these kids, as well as anyone struggling with life's decisions.

As the mother of four daughters in college and author of a forthcoming book on creative ways to get a global education (The World Is Your Campus, to be published by Random House in 2009), I have to say that this is the VERY BEST career guide available.

It's fast-paced, entertaining, and extremely relevant. In fact, it might be the ONLY career advice book students will actually read, enjoy and recommend to others! Dan Pink has a gift for delivering key points clearly and he does so here in an unforgettable format. You'll never split a pair of chopsticks again without thinking of this story and the great illustrations by Rob Ten Pas.

This book is sure to be passed from student to student and from cubicle dweller to cubicle dweller. It offers exactly the kind of advice you wish someone would have shared with you when you were 18. Or 24. Or 35.

Go now and buy this book for every not-so-inspired student or employee you know. But don't forget to read it yourself first! There are some great tips--and needed reminders--here. Dan Pink gets it right.

I'm in the field of Enterprise Training and Development. I saw Daniel Pink speak about this project at the Learning 2007 conference last fall. I pre-ordered and the book came in the mail just this morning. In between my regular work tasks, I finished the book by early afternoon for a total reading time of less than an hour (closer to a half-hour).

It encapsulates just about everything I took out of books by Covey, Blanchard and Buckingham. The six lessons the sprite Diana shares are basically truisms that stem from plenty of sources.

The advice the book gives is excellent, but it's in HOW it delivers its message that the brilliance lies. Daniel Pink is the author of "A Whole New Mind," of which I'm a fan. It's a shining beacon that illuminates the value of visual design and narrative. It's not necessarily better content than your "Habits" -- it's a better book because you can walk away with the same mental state without spending hours and hours pouring over it.

I just loaned it to a younger co-worker. I'm recommending it for everyone in my learning organization, and I am definitely recommending it for my peers and friends who are entertaining job and career shifts.

Young people mostly get their career advice from friends (who usually don't have any more experience or knowledge than they do) and family (who base their ideas on what worked three decades ago). Either way, you get off track pretty easily.

There's plenty of good career advice in books and articles, but most young people wouldn't sit still long enough to read those sources. A Whole New Mind author, Dan Pink, comes up with a great solution: Create a career advice book in the form of manga.

Most career writers when they want to simplify a message use a fable, with a few illustrations that show the key perspectives. The fable is clearly secondary to the details.

In The Adventures of Johnny Bunko, the story is more interesting than the advice. Having read a lot of Mr. Pink's writing, I thought I knew what he would probably advise. But I didn't realize that he would make the story so interesting, and that the manga format would add so much power to the story telling. Nice work!

What's the advice? Let me rephrase to make it clearer to you:

1. Don't be rigid about planning out each step well in advance . . . it's not possible to do.

2. Build on what you're good at (Peter Drucker originated that one) and avoid relying on what you aren't good at.

3. Focus on what you can do for others (start with the boss) rather than what's in it for you (you can read more about this in How to Be a Star at Work).

4. Keep at it. Practice makes perfect.

5. Take on big challenges and learn from them.

6. Make a difference.

I like this advice. I hope my youngsters will read this book and apply it. I know they probably wouldn't if it came from dear old Dad.

If I could add one piece of advice, it would be to:

Set some written goals about how you want to spend your life. Those goals will help you keep focused.

Well done, Dan Pink and Rob Ten Pas!

Please stop looking for the magic secret to the career mystery. Inside this unique and refreshing story are answers that, if truly acted on (and not just given head nods) can take you through the most demanding times of your working life. And if you look hard enough, you'll find some common threads that tie our work to our life. All of that wrapped up in a comic book! How cool is that?

Let me begin my review with an urgent appeal: Whoever stole (or borrowed) my copy of Johnny Bunko, please return it. It has special sentimental appeal for me. I will order a replacement copy for you.

I have been around long enough that people expect me to be at the giving end of career advice. But I am happy to be at the receiving end. I only wish I had this book when I started on my career. But the six pieces of advice are still valuable. Whether you are 18 or 80, the advice about leaving an impact makes a lot of sense.

This book should be required reading for anyone between the ages of 17 to 25. Don't tell them it is a career counseling book. Just tell them it is a manga.

The content is great and the format is inspired. Since I work with 30 somethings who have the mental age of 20 somethings, I know that the attraction of graphic novels is second only to massively multiplayer online games. Like Pink's Brave New Mind, the advice is for people today.

I was fortunate enough to get a smuggled prepublication copy. I had a group of new grads circulate it among themselves and it is apparent that one of them has bonded with it.

So I am ordering two new copies.