Tom MacWright

2025@macwright.com

I read Useful Not True by Derek Sivers on

Review

This is a very short book with single-page anecdotes and pieces of advice. The advice is mostly about reframing. There's a lot about looking at things from other people's perspectives, about reconsidering which rules to take seriously in life, figuring out what to focus on and what to let go of.

It's broadly of the same genre as Principles, but it's a lot better. I found most of the advice to be pretty good and sometimes helpful.

It's similar to my experience reading Zen parables: I'll probably return to this book for some guidance in the future, but it's kind of odd to sit down and spend dedicated time reading through it. It's more useful in small quantities over time. It didn't blow my mind, but it did give me some useful reminders.

Details

  • Useful Not True by
  • ISBN13: 978-0-47-345303-9
  • Published:
  • Publisher: Hit Media