The Underachiever's Manifesto: The Guide to Accomplishing Little and Feeling Great

by Ray Bennett

Book Overview

Lower the bar. Turn it down a notch. Get off the Stairmaster. The Underachiever's Manifesto is the playfully persuasive pocket guide to living life to the least and loving it. With sharp humor and genuine wisdom, this welcome little book extols the fabulous benefits of underachievement in our overextended society. A witty introduction makes the case for the right amount of efforta lot less than we've been led to believe. Ten principles of underachievement...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811853683
• ISBN13: 9780811853682
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (CA)
• Length: 95 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.3" x 6.3"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Underachievers of the world UNITE!

This book keeps me sane. If you're overworked and burned out, you need to read this book. Display it on your workstation or keep it under your notebook during one of those "productive meetings". There's more to life than work. It's that simple!

Wonderfully Entertaining (and surprisingly helpful)!

I am a type 1 personality who is, in many ways, the typical overachiever. This book was given to me as a gift and I almost read it completely in one sitting - it's that good (and short). While much of the book is prone to hyperbole and satire, there is a great message that can be found underneath the well-timed humor: sometimes you just need to relax. The humorous reminder that no one is perfect is refreshing in the face of a busy life with many demands. Anyone who is extraordinarly pressured by work, family and life-in-general, should pick up this little book - or - pass it on to your favorite overachieving friend.

Such an incredible little read!

Wow. What a find this book was for me! Everyone I've lent it to, says they love it. I laughed out loud through much of it. It takes less than an hour or two to read, but really makes you think, without overthinking.

Why Bother with A Snappy Title?

My wife and I picked up "The Underachiever's Manifesto" on a whim and read it together over a glass of wine. We're both a little driven, and we laughed aloud at the book's tongue-in-cheek advice about how to let someone else be excellent for a change. From the "blank pages" at the end to the obligatory top ten list to the quiz to determine your Underachiever's Quotient, the Manifesto is a delight. I'd write a longer review, but . . . just buy it and read it. Is that so hard?

Who Needs Therapy?

Get this book instead and save hundreds of dollars. I read this book in about 20 minutes and it changed my attitude completely. I loved it. It's hilarious. I wanted to buy the book in bulk so I can hand them out to my friends. It's the perfect gift for anyone with a sense of humor.