The Idiot Factor: The 10 Ways We Sabotage Our Life, Money, and Business Paperback – December 29, 2009

Larry is bald and brash, wears loud cowboy shirts, smokes cigars, drinks scotch, rants, and surely you feel strongly about him one way or another. (Or, both.) But that's not a basis for a positive OR a negative review. That's his genuineness and is the way he singles himself out. That's the way he gets people to listen to him THE FIRST TIME. Like Scotch in a pretty bottle, if the contents turn out to be rotgut, the bottle will be ignored real quick next time you're looking for a quaff. If Larry doesn't come through with quality from behind the sunglasses, nobody will be listening. So if you judge a book by the cover (either literally or figuratively) or can't hear the message because you react to the messenger about irrelevancies, your review is worthless to an intelligent reader. This is the Marketplace of Ideas, not Tea Time at the Little Church in the Valley.Let me suggest a three step process for reviews, and then apply it to People are Idiots.Step One: What is the quality of the writing? Is it grammatical? Consistent? Does it maintain ones' interest?Step Two: What is the quality of the information (if non-fiction) or story (if fiction)? [NOT "Do I like it?" That's next.] Is it researched and footnoted if appropriate? If it is free-form, it is logical? Does the author use appropriate examples? Does s/he understand logic?Step Three: How do I personally react to the book as a whole? Do I agree with it? Even if I don't agree with it, does it make a significant contribution to the public discourse? (Note: I've positively reviewed books I don't agree with for precisely that last reason.)In a 5-star system like Amazon uses, I'm thinking that we put step one and step two together and account for at least 4 of the stars. (I say all 5 stars, and step three gives the review character and meaning, but others will differ.)OK, People Are Idiots:Writing: As advertised. Larry is brash and obnoxious, harranging and ranting. You want mealy-mouthed, look elsewhere. His writes more like he speaks than most "motivational gurus," which makes the content readable. To me, it's fun and I throw in a lot of "Right on's" (Wait a minute, that's Step Three. Sorry.)Information: There's not a whole lot of research, but that doesn't bother me. It may bother others. He is drawing conclusions from impressions of American society which, if we are honest with ourselves, will match our own observations. As to the information, one review is right, Larry doesn't put much about the grey areas of life in People Are Idiots. Shame, shame, Larry. Wait a minute - He also doesn't mention French cooking, menopause or romance, either. Why the hell not, Larry? Well, only Larry can answer for sure, but I'm guessing that the shades of grey aren't there because they aren't what the book is about. This book doesn't teach subtlety, stealth or feeling good through meditation. That's because most of us (me included) still haven't learned the basics adequately. We are dreadfully in debt. That's not grey, it's black & white. Most of us are overweight, obese or really fat. That's not grey. At least part of the time, just about all of us whine and duck responsibility. Nope, no grey there. I don't know about you, but I don't have the basic lessons down by a damn sight. Learning is good. Repetition is good. New approaches are good. New motivation is good. Before you hang the wallpaper in a house, a carpenter has to build the house level, plumb and square. If s/he doesn't, you have pretty wallpaper on a flimsy house.And Step Three, People Are Idiots did speak to me. Larry speaks to me. This time, he put out a quality product. Whether you agree with all or most of what he says, it causes thought. For that matter, if you agree with ALL of what he says, you may be one of the idiots. We are supposed to exercise independent judgment. It's America, remember?As for me, I'll keep walking with Larry, learning from him, and taking heart.Pippa passes.R

I would definitely say that you're NOT an idiot by buying this book. Rather, very smart. You are about to be entertained, maybe even get a little frustrated, and ultimately learn to think differently in some key topics and areas of life.You want to make some changes in your life? Mr. Winget delivers no fluff, puppies, or rainbows. That's for sure. This book is straight up, in your face, right on target, and effective for making some 180 degree changes in some areas of your life, or even just making some adjustments and corrections to help you get you to where you want to go. It's almost like a handful of 'duh' thumps of reality and insight right right on your forehead as you read it, even though you already know half of the stuff, but it's all put in a cool way that hits home and is easy to understand, internalize, and grow from it.The reading experience of this book alone was one of the best out of so many books that I've read in the past few years. Excellent book.

I admit it. I have always had an interest in self-help type books. I have read some of Larry Winget's other books and like his writing style. Unlike some readers of this book (People are Idiots and I can prove it), I love the title. In fact, I have often thought of writing a book with a similar title (Why are People stupid and irrational?) because of my life and job experiences.First off, there is nothing really new about succeeding in life in this book; however, Larry presents the material in a unique and hard-hitting interesting way. There is so much information in this book that it may take more than one reading to grasp every principle. Actually this is more of a workbook because it wants you to participate in evaluating the reasons why you fail and how to succeed in the future. This book is organized into three sections. Section explains what the idiot factor is and proceeds to prove it. This section also includes the ten ways people sabotage their success and how to stop being an idiot. This section alone is worth the price of the book. The second section explains how to take action for success and action lists of success. The final section covers how easy it is to keep being an idiot and how to avoid being an idiot.In conclusion, this is a book for anyone who is willing to face their stupidity head-on and change their lives for the better.Rating: 4 stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Season of the Warrior: A poetic tribute to warriors)

Basically a book you don't need to buy, you know all these things. Larry gives you a good kick in the but and sets you to work. If you really want, you got to take effort. I use it as a reset button, work with it to reorganize my thinking and day to day living style. This book is very motivational, big five star...

I wish I had some of these lessons growing up; I would be better set presently, and for the future. It's never too late to learn and try something new!Larry Winget says it like no other...and yet with humour (Canadian spelling-no I'm not an 'idiot' 😉). Once you get over the initial shock of his bluntness, you come to appreciate his teaching...if you remain open-minded and embrace critical thinking.Yes! I got 'my one thing' from this book and I'll be back for more. (You'll have to read the whole book for that to make sense...but it will). Good reading and best of luck in your journey too!

A quick look at all the stupid stuff we do on a regular basis to mess up not only our own lives but the lives of others as well!

This book is all about straight talking and directly confronting the reasons why people and specifically you individually don't achieve what you want in life. It is done in an honest and pragmatic way, which I would image could work very well for people who haven't really been interested in facing their weaknesses or self help previously.Personally I found it a little uninspiring, although not condesending, and even though I completed the recommended lists and plans the author 'encourages' you to I found that once I'd put it down I had no great desire to pick it up again.

Great Read, I love Larry's approach.