Looking Out for #1: How to Get from Where You Are Now to Where You Want to Be in Life (Unabridged‪)‬

I read Looking Out for Number One in its first printing in the 1970’s as a kid. I did not have good parenting to teach me material like this. It’s a book that embarrassed and shocked a lot of shallow people who liked to hide behind the thin veneer of supposed selflessness. My best summary is that the idea is to get all the truths about human nature out of the way whether ugly or not, so a person can work from that position, forward to become a happy person. It uses a lot of business wisdom to that regard.
I’ve always liked Ringer’s books and this is my favorite. I’ve used the principles in this book my whole life and it turned out to be the most influential book I ever read. It recently occurred to me to buy it and read it again on audio for nostalgia, review it, and decide over almost 50 years passing if what I learned and practiced in it did me good. The answer is a resounding “Yes”, and I should also mention that no, it didn’t turn me into a selfish or arrogant person at all—in fact usually those traits wound up belonging to its critics: the haters of individualism, capitalism, and symbiosis. I’m so glad I was encouraged to take control of my own life and follow good principles because that led to a very happy life.

This was a waste of money. Even though there are some interesting ideas, I just couldn't stomach the narrator 's choice of tone while reading the book. Really too bad. Pompous, condescending (or sounds like someone trying to be). Seems so unnecessary, really confused be choice of narrator, probably just my on prejudices but too many other good books with same msg to waste time on this.

Curiosity lead me to this terrifying text. A devotee of Ayn Rand and her laughable philosophy “Objectivism” (PS. y’all know that Ms. Rand lived off government handouts during her final years, right? Herself becoming a “moocher”). This book is poison. It’s irresponsible and contradictory - the author borrows from Buddhist philosophy to support his libertarian diatribe! It is however absolutely fascinating for all reasons mentioned above. If you’re like me, and you find it beneficial to understand the other (putting it nicely) perspective - then by all means read this. Just be sure you’re prepared to read deeply. And often.