The Baron Son: Vade Mecum 7

By Vicky Therese Davis, D. Marques Patton, William R. Patterson, et al.

Book Overview

The Baron Son is an allegorical tale designed as a roadmap to wealth, power, and success. A legend from centuries past, it is the account of a young boy who loses everything, and through struggle,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1595753575
• ISBN13: 9781595753571
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Long & Silverman
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Ambrosia for Thought

Imagine...researching for several years proven methods on how to dramatically enhance your very own life in the pursuit of comfort, happiness, and self-actualization. Human case studies are conducted with compassion. Unbeknown to the subjects, they are carefully monitored on moral character development and financial growth. Mission statements, business plans, charts, stats, the whole 9! Imagine next, packaging the methods and results in a creatively organized and considerate manner for the widest dissemination possible throughout humanity for the next 7 generations, from master to apprentice-father to son! Now imagine pulling this off without sacrificing a lick of integrity while serving in dual roles as the insightful, sage-like spiritual warrior on a self-mastery mission, but intriguingly disguised as the genteel high-powered business executive on the road to amassing great wealth. As living proof, entrepreneurs Davis, Patterson, and Patton have emerged by transforming imagination into reality. It was conceived, foretold, and executed upon in the pursuit of personal achievement and business success. They show us how to uniquely do it for ourselves as well. The authors create a tool of enchantment used to inspire the reader to do the same through the use of story telling techniques employed by avatars of the past. The language translation is written in a style to force the reader to concentrate and absorb the wisdom from every jewel possible without sacrificing the fables natural momentum. The value of this book lies in its leveraging the best part of eminent classics and popular best-sellers to create the premier collage on self-empowerment and ethical leadership. A few sources that immediately come to mind are "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind," "The Art of Wealth," "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," and "The Law of Success." The allegorical setting takes place in the holy desert region of Mh'ki. The oil industry luminary dispels his personal darkness and comes into his own light by following and generously imparting 11 Supreme Principles. The book is written in layers although its initial perusal lends itself to support the obvious. Its format is thoughtfully stratified over many dimensions in order to span a broad and diverse audience. People from various socio-economic, spiritual/religious, cultural, and academic backgrounds will benefit tremendously from the chronicles. Baron, by definition, is "one having great wealth, power, and influence in a specified sphere of activity." The "Sun" is the life giving star at the solar system's center that provides warmth and clarity through its radiant rays of light. The book is ingeniously symbolic beyond a "Reasonable Doubt." Thus, this riveting tale can be classified as either fictional or non-fictional depending on the reader's perception. It is a catalyst for constant self-evaluation-a road map for detecting, planning, and manifesting one's purpose in life.

Revolutionary Ideas to Remake America's Organizations

With corporate and political scandal rampant and executives headed to jail in record numbers, the unbridled pursuit of wealth and power is no longer an option. I had unwisely put off buying this book for some time even after it had been recommended to me by several colleagues and friends. After completing THE BARON SON, I found it to be as promised, a challenging and insightful work with a life-changing power. It is the type of book that reveals a new understanding each time it is opened. THE BARON SON is an instructional tale that reveals the wealth-building secrets of an oil merchant who through a string of successes and failures becomes the richest man the world has ever known. Having started from nothing, this wealthy Baron uses his life as the blueprint for the ethical attainment of riches both in material and non-material form. With many unexpected twists and turns, the story alone makes for a fascinating read, but the valuable leadership, financial and business lessons formed into 11 "Supreme Principles" propel the book into an entirely different realm. Its archaic style is reminiscent of such classic works as the RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON or THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD, however, in my opinion, THE BARON SON's story and depth of content easily surpass both earlier books. The authors do an excellent job of weaving their insights on a number of pertinent and diverse topics into a colorful and inspiring story. There are countless ideas that entrepreneurs will benefit from whether they are starting a new business or growing an existing enterprise. Investors will also notice subtle points that can help them improve their returns and avoid bad investments. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, there is a clear road map for ethical leaders to help them direct their actions with vision, integrity, and passion to create the greatest value for all those they serve. Recent history has proven this to be a lost ideal. As with all things, there will be some people who will not appreciate the book or realize that they are the ones that need it most, but for those with creative vision, there will be no limit to what you take away from its teachings. This book is truly, as the authors would say, one of the "Seedlings of Empires."

A Superb Book with a Timeless Message

With "The Baron Son" I believe we've just been introduced to the next classic that will take the world by storm. I just finished reading it and am going to go right back and re-read it. The authors did a superb job of teaching the lessons of success and prosperity. They accomplished this within the framework of a parable that combined wisdom that one might expect to find while reading such masterpieces as Clasen's "Richest Man in Babylon", Hill's "Think and Grow Rich", Allen's "As A Man Thinketh" and others. Since other reviewers of this book have already set the premise and location of the story, I'll just add my two cents in saying that the principles are immutable, I'm honored to have had the opportunity to read this book and will refer it so often over the next 73 years or so (after all, I'm only 47) :-) that I might become the book's greatest salesman. Oh, yes, I guess Mandino's excellent "Greatest Salesman in The World" would also be thought of along with those by Clasen, Hill, Allen and others as possible inspiration for "The Baron Son." The way the authors told the story was also, I feel, very effective. I felt myself rooting for the characters; disappointed in their setbacks and proud when they succeeded. Really, I can't say enough about this book and the masterful work by the authors. As I say in all my reviews of books where the principles are so outstanding, parents, make sure you're children have the opportunity to read this. If they embrace the message they'll be nine steps ahead of the game in a ten step game. And, when I say game, I don't just mean the game of business (though they will surely be ahead in that area) but the game of life, as well.

Finding the right way

The term 'vade mecum' is translated by the authors as 'a guidebook kept constantly at hand', but in fact from the Latin is translates more directly as 'go with me' or even 'the way with me'. Davis, Patterson and Patton have drawn from wisdom traditions East and West to draw together an interesting and inspiring series of principles by which leaders and followers can guide their actions in ethical and productive ways. I say leaders and followers, for while this book is most likely going to be read by the minority of middle-to-upper-middle management people who want to 'make it big', in fact this has useful wisdom and insight for people across the many segments of our society. As the authors state in their foreword, Americans of every stripe can mention who won the latest Oscar, which celebrities are dating (or breaking up), fashion trends, latest car models, etc. However, few can talk about the underlying principles governing the way we do business (even if they know the mechanics of doing business), and this is a shame, for 'the business of America is business' in many ways, and so much of our future is tied to the economic well-being of our nation and communities. However, this is not a how-to book in the spirit of the 'for Dummies' series, nor is it the usual business manual with bullet points and assignments to do. This is an extended tale done almost as if it were a parable or fable. Is it fiction? Not really. The principles are laid out in the course of the tale, that of three who come for wisdom and learning from the richest man in the world, who is in this story 'The Baron' - not Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, but rather a person of the past or future, someone with a key to success that includes but goes beyond the pages of Money and Fortune magazines. 'The Baron' is in some ways a mythical rags-to-riches tale, but it is one with a moral. How does one become skillful and truly successful in the world? What is true wealth? The answer here does not discount material prosperity, but does give a great caution against the idea of success at any price, for often the cost is too high. Like most of us, the Baron found himself without many resources, but with drive and inspiration. Success is not an overnight thing. 'Often it will take ages, or a series of failures, before a man's reward or penalty is revealed.' The very true idea that success is not automatically successful, nor is failure necessarily something to be avoided, is present here. 'Not to endeavour because of fear is the only true shame.' An interesting text from many standpoints, I hope that those who read this will be enriched and find the tale as interesting as I have. You may try the same exercise that I employed, which is to see how many pieces of the story have antecedents or inspiration from other pieces of literature, but this is only to confirm the value - truth never goes out of fashion, and wisdom is always valuable.

A standout book for creating wealth

I was quite skeptical when I heard people in the office speak of "The Baron Son" as if it were the next "Who Moved My Cheese?" or "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." Yet, one hundred and eight-nine pages later, it has become my choice giveaway to clients. Offering an enlightened path to wealth, the Baron's core values are universal. Among those who have read it, each person seems to take something different away. For me, it was the understanding that "the mind is the tool used to shape the dispositions, circumstances, and fortunes of others. That a man is built up or taken down of his own accord, and hath no one but himself to hold accountable for either outcome." p.186 There is no need to regurgitate a summary, as I'm sure you could find plenty of them elsewhere. However, I will offer a few of my favorite insights from the book: "The Way might be filled with trials, but from each hardship one should emerge strengthened. If one is astute, a valuable lesson will reveal itself from every ordeal. An even deeper appreciation for the gifts bestowed up thee shall be gained from all tribulations." p.28 "Offer the world unreserved value and ye shall not be forsaken, but rather compensated by Fortune in direct proportion." p.57 "The ways of exchange measure men by seven elements: character, vision, competence, will, values, associations, and successes. Unethical men shall not receive gold from me regardless of how they may rank in the other areas. Shortsighted men achieve small victories at best; thus they should occupy lesser posts. Incompetent men should never be hired. If, in due course, one is found, his overseer's prudence should be called into question as well. Men with weak will are unable to persist through difficult times, whilst a man whose values differ from yours will promote discordant causes. If a man possesseth the first five elements, one needeth not be concerned with the last two, they shall find him. They serve to gauge how mature in the ways of trade one is. The more mature, the lower the risk of monetary loss." p.96 "'Tis prudent to surround oneself with talented minds specializing in every field in which one intendeth to operate. More important is to seek ways to empower all men, for if one is honest in his pursuits, he will not need to solicit their aid, they will offer it freely. By seeking to enable others, one will never lack opportunity. He shall be the one they first envision when any prospect should arise." p.144 Ultimately, "The Baron Son" is a fun and inspirational story, that for the open-minded, will change your perspective on money, relationships, an even yourself. It may not be what you expect, but if it were, it probably would not be worth reading.