SAILING THE SEVEN SEAS.....

It would be hard to complain about not getting your money's worth from James Bach's latest book, "Secrets of a Buccaneer-Scholar", since he's offered it as a free download.

I've read it, front-to-back, and I have to tell those that haven't read it - it's worth your time. It took me about two hours; you'll find it accessible and written as though he were speaking to you personally over a cup of coffee.

Don't expect it to be a book about testing. It's not about testing. It's about thinking. In particular, it's a book about one single man thinks, with some suggestions as to how you too can liberate yourself and become your own person.

The book is a very personal reflection of the struggles, hardships, and ultimate triumphs of someone who never fit in to what was the 'accepted' way of doing things. It's the story of a rebel. To be honest, it's the story of a genius. You need to read it; there are very few books available out there that give that kind of glimpse into the way such a mind works. And this particular mind works in our field. Some of the ideas were profound. Some were not. And I laughed out loud at his description of pirates as BBQ chefs. I felt a little bit awed at times and a little bit impatient at others. But it did what all really good books do - I was thinking about it far after I read it; strongly identifying with parts of it and with strong negative reactions to other parts of it. Good writing never leaves you unmoved.

I'm going to tell you the truth, which means the truth as I see it, and this is not meant to be offensive, although I'm sure it will sound that way. James Bach is surrounded by sycophants that tell him exactly what they believe he wants to hear. They do not employ a single one of the tenets he discusses in his book and frankly, I have never understood how he could stand it. He has a few blogs listed on his site that support people I consider deliberately, determinedly ignorant. They are, however, slavishly devoted to him. And by that, I mean they do not have thoughts of their own. His good opinion is so important and he has personally assisted with or supported the careers of so many, that most people I know in this field are afraid to disagree with anything he has to say. That's the wrong kind of power.

But it appears from reading this book that it is not what he, personally, believes in. I don't know. Although I've met him personally 3 or 4 times (I doubt he even remembers it), and I'd say his ego is pretty healthy, I do not "know" him and have no idea as to whether this is just a side-effect of being a Big Name, or something that comforts him and feeds his sense of self-worth. I've met both types of people; I'm sure you have as well.

So read the book and make up your own minds; I'm going to buy it and go over it again more slowly. I do want to say that offering the download for free is possibly the most generous act I've ever seen from an author; after all, Mr. Bach makes his living through consulting.

I'm not ranking this one on the Wilkinson List of Goodness, since it's like ranking someone's life (which should always be a "5", since it's theirs alone). And after reading the book, I've decided to make some life changes and stop beating myself up and feeling guilty when I want to chuck what I'm going and go take a walk or play with the dog. I'll consider a learning experience....

It's worth $20 for that alone.