Book Review: Stay Hungry Stay Foolish
August 15, 2010
Title: Stay Hungry Stay Foolish
Author: Rashmi Bansal
Publisher: IIM, Ahmedabad
Price: Rs.125.00
Rating: 3/5
Ever wondered what’s the success story of naukri.com or for that matter Sintex? How does an entrepreneur manage to make his dream everything in his life and how he can walk that extra mile to make his dreams a reality? If you have wondered about these and many other similar questions then “Stay Hungry Stay Foolish” by Rashmi Bansal is the book for you. The book, whose title is borrowed from the words of one of the world’s leading entrepreneurs Steve Jobs, is about the inspiring stories of 25 IIM graduates who choose to travel a path carved by them rather than following the road usually taken by many such young men. Published by the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE)of IIM, Ahmedabad this book aims at fostering innovation driven entrepreneurship through the stories presented therein.
The people profiled in this book are diverse in age, in outlook and the industries they made a mark in. But they all have one thing in common- they all believed in the power of their dreams. The book seeks to inspire young graduates to think beyond placements and salaries and to believe in their dreams. It is not the stereotype self help book that are dime a dozen. This book is a trendsetter, it is not only a meaningful exposition but at the same time a profile of some of the most outstanding businessmen of India.
The author Rashmi Bansal, herself an IIM alumnus deserves all the kudos and plaudits she has been receiving so far. She has done a magnificent job and has very easily managed to put up all the essential points that are an inspiration to today’s youths in every one of her book profile. Her choice of entrepreneurs is excellent. In this book you will find someone who is the CEO of an online company or someone who is the Chairman of a pharmaceutical company. You may even find a person who has opened up his own clinical research institute. The diversity offered in this book is its forte.
However much as the old adage goes, every rose has its thorns. This book too is not free from faults. Sometimes the writing style which is a conversationistic approach seems very casual and abrupt. Sometimes it seems that the writer wanted to say something but ended up saying another. Very often it would seem that the book would have been better off with lesser profiles but more extensive ones. But barring these few things the book is an absolute delight to read.
All in all a must read book for all the people desirous to follow their entrepreneurial dreams but who are afraid to take up the challenge head-on. Freshly passed candidates would find this book an ideal choice. However anyone willing to take in some inspiration from known success stories can give this book a try.
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Must be an enjoyable read Stay Hungry Stay Foolish by Rashmi Bansal. loved the way you wrote it. I find your review very genuine and orignal, this book is going in by “to read” list.