Business Book Video Summaries
Sometimes I read books because I want to. Being in school, I usually read books because I have to. In either case, it is nice to have someone else summarize the book for you, like this video summary of “The Long Tail”:
http://www.readitfor.me/2009/05/book-summary-10-the-long-tail-by-chris-anderson/
Reasons why I like this:
- It is entertaining
- It can provide a good mental “glue” as I dive into the detail in the pages
- I think you can get 50% of the value of a book in these summaries. What is important is the main thesis. Much of the rest is context and filler. Often times you can support the thesis with your own experience.
- Professors often ask for summary analysis. Shortcut? Sure. I call it efficiency.
Disclaimer in case my professor is reading this: I am reading the book in its entirety. 
Saturday 11 Jul 2009 | btomasini | School, Books
Ben - thanks for the kind words about the summaries. You are right, you can probably get about 50% of the value of the book out of a summary. You can certainly get the main theory of the book and generate some ideas around it. But the other 50%? That’s where the magic is. Would love to hear what you think about the rest of the book.
Cheers,
Steve
Steve - good point. “Filler” is not the right word. The other 50% of an “idea” book like this contains the story of its development. Chris Anderson does a wonderful job of recounting how he arrived at this conclusion. It is interesting to read how he developed his thesis through analysis of privileged data and interactions with those who pioneered the model.
Leaning how others arrive at a discovery can be more valuable as the discovery itself.
Thanks again.