Make Money Internet Biz

I gave Don’t sweat the small stuff 5 stars but this book seemed forced. Like the author was trying to meet a deadline and hence filled a book with junk. I could have written this, damn, why didn’t I? I am sorry I spent any money on it.
Rating: 1 / 5

I have to admit it. This is all my fault. (Although it wouldn’t be so bad if I learned the “Magic of Nonattachment” – chapter 3). I bit on “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,” the “USA Today of self-help tomes.” Perfect bathroom reader. Each chapter, an intestinally pleasing page or two.

In retrospect, Carlson’s last offering might now best be compared to those vapid diet rice cakes. Yes, they are good for you in a non-anything kind of way. And if you do stumble across a good morsel or two, you’ve so lowered your expectations that you find yourself actually recommending the read, like a brand of said cakes cause they actually don’t taste like styrofoam. With his latest effort, Carlson shows us it’s time to put his one-trick pony out to pasture.

The problems with “Don’t Worry?”

Here’s one.

White space.
Lots of white space. Empty pages.

This 220 page book contains, conservatively, 50 pages of blank space.

And remember, this is a small format book. But hell, it worked for “Dick and Jane” so why not a New Age reader for grown-ups?
Here’s a suggestion? How bout rebating 20% of the outrageous $15.95 cover price to those who feel we didn’t get our money’s worth? Just “Paying Myself First” – Chapter 6.

Another problem?

Well, write whatever comes to mind. Tell people to trust themselves. After all we don’t want to “Give Away Our Power” – Chapter 62. Unless, of course,we need to trust others and “Be willing to take advice” – Chapter 70. Contradictions abound. So what? Don’t worry about it? “Hey, I’m not. I’m still making money writing this book.”

One more thing, this review format doesn’t allow font changes. Too bad. Cause this review needs lots and lots of italicized wording. It’s almost as if Carlson’s talking just to (italicized) you. (Here’s where you’d insert one of a dozen or so empty pages still numbered as a real life page. Must be the literary equivalent of a missing person. The thought’s not confirmed dead so we can still count it. It’s just “missing.”)

Carlson’s a Jack of All Trades; mortgage counselor, financial planner, insurance agent, coach, mentor. All around great guy. “Think About Purple Snowflakes.” – Chapter 75. “Sell the Sizzle, Not the Steak.” – Chapter 68. “Start a Car Pool.” – Chapter 93. “Don’t Play with That, You’ll Poke Someone’s Eye Out” and “Wear Clean Underwear in Case You’re Killed in an Auto Accident.” Oops, they’re in the NEXT book. Well, you get the idea.

I’m reminded of the observation, if you’re motivated enough to want to buy a motivation book, you don’t need one. You’re already motivated. It’s a terrible sign of these times that we are so without focus, so desperately searching for a guru that we’ll turn to a guy who rips off Bobby McFerrin for phiolosophy and Rod Mckuen for writing style. Ths is the “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” for our self-indulgent, “It’s all about MY fears,” 90’s.

This book should have been titled

“Don’t Worry

(You Don’t Need to Work That Hard to Write a Book and Still),

Make Money.”
………… cha-ching.
Rating: 1 / 5