Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

There is "some" good information in this book (assuming you can wade through all the page-filler and hype. However, there are also a lot of bad things about it. I will turn the normal review syntax around, and start with the cons, then list the pros. Before I begin, please note that I've been reading Tony Robbins stuff since he first began with NLP, have attended his trainings and even completed one of his fire walks. So, I do know what I'm talking about. I say this because some of his cult-like followers, who act like everything he says is the last word on any subject, who worship him like a guru (or more!) and think that he is practically in heaven already.....will no doubt take issue with my less than positive comments. But I'm going to call it the way I see it....no, better yet....I'm going to say what I know is true. Cons: 1. It is VERY offensive that Tony Robbins is attempting to obtain reader's cell phone numbers in order to download his financial planning software for your mobile device. You must furnish your cell phone number so he can "text" you the link to download. This is a violation of our personal digital security, intrusive and manipulative. (Oh, so you don't know Tony is manipulative? Get real!). This obviously being done so he can build a database of cell phone numbers to market his wares to. Frankly, I find it DISGUSTING that he has done this. I hope everyone who wants the application does what I did....input a bunch of fake numbers just to jam up his database! I believe that collecting of cell phone numbers should be illegal and a federal crime. I'm willing to debate Mr. Robbins publicly, here on this site, or wherever he chooses on this subject. In fact, I'm happy to give him my real name (personally of course to protect my privacy). Yes, Mr. Robbins, thanks a lot for giving up your integrity in a cheesy attempt to invade my and others personal privacy! He also of course makes a grab for your email address if you want to access his web site content...which by the way is very weak and not at all the resource he falsely claims. 2. Tony is a master manipulator. He has always used big name dropping as a technique to gain credibility, and now he did this throughout this new book. Every rich, successful person is described by Tony as "his friend". All of the big name investors profiled in the book are also referred to as his "friends" and their success story used to validate Tony's writing about finance. 3. The book is way too long, and lots of wordy page filler. Seriously, the book is more than 600 pages. Who is going to be able to digest this huge tome, while leading a busy life? More importantly, who has time to separate the important information from the (mostly) page filler? Maybe a retired person, or someone who does not have a full-time job or run a business. 4. The book encourages readers to use certain product vendors, and when you click on the web links, there is Tony Robbins grinning face staring at you from the web page! Oh, how great. Is this guy trying to brand himself all over like Donald Trump? I found it unseemly, and made me nauseated. No thanks, Mr. Robbins. 5. Finally, the constant very overly exuberant tone, like Tony is shouting and all excited about every word....is a tiresome and overused literary device that actually detracts from the book. Tony's life coach work helps him be in tune somewhat to personal finance....but it doesn't necessarily make him an expert. He uses the shouting tone, along with linking himself to all his wealthy "friends" (as he claims they are anyway)....to cover up the fact this is really just a survey of others knowledge. Pros: 1. The book proceeds are claimed to be 100% donated to Mr. Robbins charity of feeding the poor. If so, this is good. After all, with Tony's wealth he can afford it, so why not? Good for him. 2. Tony claims that he is receiving no proceeds from the financial vendors he provides links too. Here, I do not believe him at all. What I think he is doing is using the referrals to upsell to expensive financial planning and seminars. No way he's doing all this for free. How the heck do you think he is worth the $500 million dollars he claims to be? Not by doing it all for free of course. But we will see if he is willing to come clean. 3. The financial advice provided is helpful, and some of it can actually be used. Even though some suggestions such as no-load index funds can be found in many other places....it doesn't hurt that he reminds us of how investment product fees are such a rip-off to consumers. 4. The book sets forth a course of action that provides a framework to plan for retirement, financial freedom or whatever you wish to call it. That is the most important benefit of this book. Let's face it....most of us don't do nearly enough, and make more excuses than we do investments. I bet Tony is for real here....and was putting money aside early on, and that is one of the reasons he is so wealthy! And, the book is motivational as it makes you want to do something to become more financially secure. Summary- I took off 2 stars for the attempt to grab people's cell phone numbers, then added a star back for the depth of the information and the content. This could have been a 4 star book, but it isn't even close. If the book proceeds go to charity, then nothing wrong with buying it if you think it is worth your while. Or wait until the price drops or borrow it at the library. Make your own informed opinion. Oh....and don't forget to get lots of other books by real investment experts so you can fact check what Tony has put forth here. Update 01-24-2015: Just what I expected....now I'm getting a bunch of spam from Robbins trying to get me to go to real estate investment seminars, change my broker, etc. SCAM! Just like I thought. :-) Update 03-24-2015: Incredible! I just got yet another spam mail from this Robbins ah hole and his so-called Business Mastery team. Don't give this spammer your e-mail or cell phone number unless you want to hear him pitch you spam mail nearly every day! I say ban him from Amazon! Update 11-04-2015 Found this book again buried in some clutter on the floor of my office, and tossed it in the recycle bin! Now it can join other recycled garbage into being put to a better use. Bottom Line: Don't waste your money on this garbage.