You know when you've read a really good book: If asked about specific challenges, you not only recommend the book, but specific chapters within it. That's precisely what I did after reading Scott Stratton's UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging, not only once but several times.
The book is an interesting mash up between a handbook introducing some marketing principles in simple and practical terms and social media tools and etiquettes and a book that changes one's perception of reality. Many books shy away from this impurity and of the few that don't, the majority don't manage this balance well, but it works with this book.
Right at the beginning he explains that… Read more
The book starts with lots of pace and lots of depth, like a real page turner. The story reminded me of "Escape from New York". The characters are well defined, the description of New York very atmospheric. Unfortunately after around 1/3 of the book, the pace drops, the descriptions are repetitive. The finale is disappointing and short. It might work as a movie, but as a book it lacks depth and energy.
After all the hype in the media, I expected a well written, well constructed novel, however, it is the opposite. The story never gets going, the ending is very tedious, the characters are flat and the writing is boring. Robert Harris has written lots of very good books, this one, however, is an utter disappointment.
