Books › How I raised myself from failure to success in selling
How I raised myself from failure to success in selling
First published 1949 · 276 pages
A shot of pure, mid-century motivational adrenaline that champions enthusiasm as the ultimate key to human connection.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sitting down for a cup of coffee with a seasoned, endlessly encouraging mentor from a bygone era. The narrative moves at a brisk, engaging clip, propelled by folksy anecdotes drawn from the author's days in professional baseball and the trenches of insurance sales. There is a deeply earnest, optimistic mood that permeates every chapter, wrapping the reader in a sense of boundless possibility. The prose is straightforward and punchy, stripped of modern jargon and relying instead on the timeless psychology of human connection. It will delight ambitious professionals, salespeople, and anyone who appreciates the vintage charm and pragmatic wisdom of classic mid-century self-improvement, offering a timeless reminder of the sheer power of enthusiasm.
- Mood
- optimistic
- energetic
- determined
- uplifting
- Tone
- earnest
- enthusiastic
- conversational
- pragmatic
- encouraging
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- power of enthusiasm · overcoming self-doubt · psychology of persuasion · resilience · personal transformation
- The writing
- Direct, anecdotal, and punchy, reading much like a spirited mid-century motivational speech delivered by a trusted mentor.
- The arc
- Moves from the crushing weight of professional failure to an empowering, energetic realization of personal agency and success.
- Who it's for
- Ambitious professionals and self-improvers who appreciate classic, folksy wisdom and actionable advice on human psychology.
Content notes
- outdated gender norms
- mid-century business attitudes
About the book
Shortly after I started out as a professional baseball player, I got one of the biggest shocks of my life.
Description from Open Library.
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