Taken like that, it's not an attack, just some gentle ribbing. And it's not even directed at Tim per really -- it's the rest of us who eagerly buy into such over the top nonsense that's really being made fun of.

(I haven't read the book or know from Tim. But I'm very familiar with this style of writing. In my 20s I bought all sorts of these books and tapes, so this style has been around for a long time)

"To be honest lady, Tim Ferriss is the ONLY REASON I FOUND YOU."

Posted by Sasha on June 3, 2010 at 3:17 pm | permalink"

pretty much sums it up.

4HB I can say that I don't feel like I've gotten anything of value from it. I felt really disappointed and let down by it. I also felt like some of the advice in there was so wrong it bordered on being dangerous.

Tim Ferris is highly controversial on HN. He's got a lot of supporters and a lot of detractors on here. I've been both.

As for the 4-Hour dentist, I think that it was really funny. Actually laughed.

Note: the above would have to be done without breaking a smile.

Actually, I guess it depends what you mean by self-help: I enjoyed "Getting Things Done" and "Crush It!"...do those count?

I do wonder why HN readers seem to dislike Tim's books so much.

HOWEVER, he has data to back up a lot of his claims and a lot of the tips he gives are great. So if it takes some of these techniques to sell, maybe it's worth it. His books are a lot more substantial than other self-help books.

Salesman first, maker second. That's backwards in these here parts.

It actually shows something about the HN crowd. We're actually susceptible to marketing; the stuff we value is stuff that doesn't look like 4 hour workweek, even if it might work better.

EDIT: It's actually Robert Kiyosaki, how embarassing.

Roert Kiyosaki wrote Rich Dad, Poor Dad : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kiyosaki

Robert Kiyosaki is the hack who wrote Rich Dad, Poor Dad, a book that advocates highly risky real estate maneuvers and multi-level marketing. His books are endorsed by the newest incarnation of Amway.

"A number of people asked me about Robert T. Kiyosaki and his book Rich Dad, Poor Dad. When I said I didn’t think he was a real-estate guru, they insisted he was. Several told me I would like him, that he preaches a message like mine. Eager to find such a guru, I bought his book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, in a bookstore.

Summary Rich Dad, Poor Dad is one of the dumbest financial advice books I have ever read. It contains many factual errors and numerous extremely unlikely accounts of events that supposedly occurred.

Kiyosaki is a salesman and a motivational speaker. He has no financial expertise and won’t disclose his supposed real estate or other investment success.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad contains much wrong advice, much bad advice, some dangerous advice, and virtually no good advice."

You have to admit the description of assets and liabilities (85% of the book) is spot on and excellent advice for many people. Look at any Indian immigrant with taxi medallions or franchises.

Four Hour Work Week (despite not having THAT much actionable information for me) was the book that inspired me to stay in business for myself when times got tough.

Maybe Four Hour Body will be the book that inspires me to not be fat, who knows.

I was just in a miserable mood and relief came in an unexpected place. Cheers!

(sorry this is off topic to the rest)