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A Snooze-Fest: Why This Book Fell Flat for Me
AlexMorrow2
Books•2 weeks ago
2
photo_library14
visibility6
Clear Communication: How to Get Your Point Across
Ürünstar 2.0

Clear Communication: How to Get Your Point Across

Want to make your voice heard? This book is your ticket to clear thinking and effective communication. Maxim Illyahov shares his expertise on public speaking and persuasion, helping you convey your ideas with confidence and conviction. With his guidance, you'll learn how to articulate your thoughts, build strong relationships, and achieve your goals - whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out.
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A Snooze-Fest: Why This Book Fell Flat for Me

summarizeEditor's Summary

I bought this book hoping to improve my writing skills as a banker, but it turned out to be a total letdown. The author's main rules for writing are to cut out unnecessary words, but he goes on to include so many examples that you could cut out half of them and the message wouldn't change. The author tries to be funny, but it's just not working for me. The book feels like a slog to get through, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a solid writing guide. I was expecting a clear and concise guide, but what I got was a bunch of unnecessary examples and a writing style that's more like a sales pitch than a genuine attempt to help.

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settingsSpecifications

KararKötü
Komiklik2/10
Başlıklar2/10
KitapKalitesi2/10
Güncellemeler3/10
KitapTasarımı6/10
YazımKuralları4/10
İllüstrasyonlar1/10
A Snooze-Fest: Why This Book Fell Flat for Me
I'll be honest, I bought this book hoping to improve my writing skills as a banker. Writing reviews for products, services, books, and more is a big part of my job, but I'm not sure why I needed this book unless it's for self-improvement or as a sleep aid...
xa0
But even in my review, there's less substance than in the entire book by Ilyaev. The author's main rules for writing are to cut out unnecessary words, but he goes on to include so many examples that you could cut out half of them and the message wouldn't change. Of course, Maxim explains that it's because he's providing many examples, and there are a lot of them, but half of them are completely confusing and even worse than what he's trying to correct.
xa0
The author tries to be funny, but I just don't get it. I think humor's supposed to make the text more enjoyable to read, but it's not working for me. The impression I get from this book is that we're talking down to readers like they're kids, not adults.
xa0
But if you're writing for experts, that's a different story...
xa0
I'm really annoyed by the headings in this book. You know, I used to be a blogger on Yandex, where they'd ban your entire article if your headings were clickbait. They call it "желтые заголовки" or "кликбейт". Well, most of Maxim's headings wouldn't pass moderation. But that's just a side note.
xa0
One thing I do agree with is the importance of creating a mental image for the reader and using action verbs. It helps convey information better in writing and even in speaking. In fact, speaking in bullet points is always a good idea. I've tried it, and it works.
For me, though, this book was a total snooze-fest. Every time I picked it up, I started yawning. Fighting sleep became a losing battle. In short, I always lost this battle...
xa0
The weird illustrations with red-orange coloring just confuse me. I don't get what the author's trying to achieve with them. Half of the illustrations are completely incomprehensible. If the comics in "Пиши, сокращай!" had some sense to them, these ones don't.
xa0
And if the content itself is debatable and can spark endless discussions about its usefulness, the physical book itself is a letdown. It's heavy. Not just heavy, but HEAVY. You can hold it in one hand, but it's not comfortable. My injured left wrist starts aching just thinking about it. Holding it with two hands isn't much better. You can't even open it wide without worrying the pages will fall out. The book isn't even properly bound. Just glued blocks of pages together. And those blocks are held by a huge, noticeable layer of glue.
xa0
For me, that's a huge minus.
The book's design is actually quite visually appealing. The bright orange color isn't too overwhelming, and the white pages are dense and pleasant to touch. The author does a great job of highlighting important points with gray pages or orange frames.
xa0
Maybe someone out there will find this book super useful, like beginner editors or copywriters, but for experts, it's a waste of time, and for everyone else, it's a total waste of money.
xa0
I'd recommend looking into other resources that can provide more comprehensive guidance on writing. There are plenty of online courses, blogs, and books that can offer more valuable insights and practical tips.
xa0
Overall, I'm disappointed with this book, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking to improve their writing skills.
xa0
Rating: 2/5 stars
xa0
Pros: None
xa0
Cons: Lack of substance, confusing illustrations, poor physical book quality, talking down to readers, and a waste of time and money.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is this book a good resource for improving my writing skills?

Unfortunately, no. While the book does cover some basic writing principles, it's not presented in a way that's easy to follow, and there's a lot of fluff that doesn't add much value.

What's the book's main focus?

The book focuses on providing examples of how to write well, but it ends up feeling like a slog to get through.

Is the book modern and relevant?

Yes, the book tries to be modern and relevant to contemporary writing styles, but it's not always successful.

Is the book easy to read?

No, the book is a total snooze-fest, making it hard to stay engaged.

Is the book worth the time and effort it takes to get through it?

No, it's not worth the time and effort it takes to get through it.

What are the book's main strengths and weaknesses?

The book's main strengths are its modern approach and the fact that it covers some basic writing principles. Its main weaknesses are its lack of clarity, its focus on fluff, and its failure to engage the reader.

Is the book a good resource for beginners?

No, the book is not a good resource for beginners. It's too dense and assumes a level of knowledge that most beginners won't have.

Can I return the book if I'm not satisfied?

Yes, you can return the book if you're not satisfied. However, be aware that the return policy may vary depending on the retailer.

What's the author's writing style like?

The author tries to be funny, but it's just not working for me. The writing style is clunky and hard to follow.

check_circlePros

  • •The book does have some useful ideas about writing, but they're not presented in a way that's easy to follow.
  • •The author does try to be funny, so if you're into that sort of thing, you might enjoy it.
  • •The book is modern and tries to be relevant to contemporary writing styles.
  • •The author does provide a lot of examples, which might be helpful for some people.
  • •The book does cover some basic writing principles, even if they're not presented well.
  • •The author does try to engage the reader with humor and anecdotes.
  • •It's a decent effort, but it falls short in terms of execution.
  • •The book does touch on some good points, but they're not fully developed.

cancelCons

  • •The book is way too heavy, making it a pain to carry around.
  • •There's a lot of fluff in the book that doesn't add much value.
  • •It feels like the author is just trying to sell me something instead of providing real value.
  • •The book is a total snooze-fest, making it hard to stay engaged.
  • •The author's attempts at humor fall flat, making the book feel like a chore to read.
  • •The book is just not worth the time and effort it takes to get through it.
  • •The writing style is clunky and hard to follow.
  • •The book assumes a level of knowledge that most readers won't have.

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Clear Communication: How to Get Your Point Across

Clear Communication: How to Get Your Point Across

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