Rework

Jason Fried

Book Reviews

Andrew Wilkinson: "One of my most recommended business books"

Seth Godin: "This book will make you uncomfortable. Depending on what you do all day, it might make you extremely uncomfortable. That's a very good thing, because you deserve it. We all do.

Jason and David have broken all the rules and won. Again and again they've demonstrated that the regular way isn't necessarily the right way. They just don't say it, they do it. And they do it better than just about anyone has any right to expect.

This book is short, fast, sharp and ready to make a difference. It takes no prisoners, spares no quarter, and gives you no place to hide, all at the same time.

There, my review is almost as long as the first chapter of the book. I can't imagine what possible excuse you can dream up for not buying this book for every single person you work with, right now."

Mark Cuban: “If given a choice between investing in someone who has read REWORK or has an MBA, I’m investing in REWORK every time.

A must read for every entrepreneur.”

Shane Parrish: "This book showed me that I wasn’t alone or crazy. Other people think about the workplace like I do too."

Tony Hsieh: “The wisdom in these pages is edgy yet simple, straightforward, and proven. Read this book multiple times to help give you the courage you need to get out there and make something great.”

Jeff Bezos: “Unperturbed by conventional wisdom, Jason and David start fresh and rewrite the rules of business. Their approach turns out to be as successful as it is counter-intuitive.”

Tim Ferriss: "I encourage people to think of [Rework] as an Elements of Style for building profitable businesses in a web-savvy world.

Each chapter is 2-5 pages long and delivers their tactics and principles fat-free, without fluff. Just like their business models."

Book Synopsis

"Rework" by Jason Fried is a refreshingly unconventional business book that challenges the traditional notions of work, productivity, and success. Packed with insightful advice and practical tips, it provides a guide to help entrepreneurs and professionals rethink their approach to work and achieve more with less.

Fried and his co-author David Heinemeier Hansson, the founders of tech company Basecamp, present a collection of short, punchy chapters that dissect common business myths and offer alternative strategies for achieving success. They encourage readers to question established norms, think critically, and embrace simplicity.

The book emphasizes the importance of focusing on what truly matters and avoiding unnecessary complexity. It advocates for quick decision-making, highlighting the benefits of taking action instead of getting stuck in endless planning. Fried and Hansson argue that speed and efficiency are key to staying ahead in the fast-paced business world.

They challenge the notion of "workaholism" and advocate for a healthy work-life balance. They argue that productivity is not measured by the number of hours worked but by the quality of output. They propose ways to manage interruptions effectively, eliminate distractions, and create a work environment that promotes productivity.

"Rework" also encourages the idea of saying "no" to unnecessary commitments and projects. It encourages readers to focus on their core strengths and interests, and to avoid spreading themselves too thin. The authors stress the importance of embracing constraints and making the most out of limited resources.

Throughout the book, Fried and Hansson emphasize the value of simplicity, directness, and authenticity in business communication. They provide tips on effective writing, meeting management, and teamwork. They challenge the notion of consensus-driven decision-making and instead advocate for a more decentralized and autonomous approach.

"Rework" is a thought-provoking and practical guide that challenges established norms and provides actionable advice for success in the business world. It encourages readers to rethink their approach to work, embrace simplicity, and focus on what truly matters.

Explore More Books

See All
McMafia
Mindfulness in Plain English
Dare To Fly
When Genius Failed
Wild Swans
Flying Start
The Fortunes of Africa
Demons
Dapper Dan
Meditations
Nothing To Lose
Letters from a Stoic
Jack
Viral Loop
The Long Tail
Work Rules!
Hit Men
Why Globalization Works
In The Plex
The Works
Clearing The Air
Americana
Midnight In Chernobyl
Ringworld
The Culture Code
Scaling People
Silently Seduced
History Has Begun
One Summer
The Cost Disease
Conscious Business
Oh, The Place You’ll Go
The Discovery of France
War Nerd
Opportunity Knocks
Think Like a Monk
Adaptive Markets
Adapt
Me Talk Pretty One Day
The Activist's Media Handbook
Turn the Ship Around!
The Precariat
Matthew Barney & Elizabeth Peyton
How The Internet Happened
The Origin of Species
American Kingpin
Relentless
Creativity, Inc.
Illusions
The Painted Bird
The Obstacle Is the Way
The Formula
Cultural Strategy
When Reason Goes on Holiday
Sun Rises in the Evening
Economics in One Lesson
I Heard God Laughing
Moby Dick
Maestro
The Weather Makers
Natural
The One Sentence Persuasion Course
Visual Explanations
Lucky Me
The Course of Love
Distress
Free Women, Free Men
Gödel, Escher, Bach
A Year with Rumi
The Woman I Wanted to Be
Elvis Cole Series
Empire of the Summer Moon
Feeding the Dragon
The Blind Watchmaker
The Making of a Manager
Being Wrong
Bel Canto
Three Scientists and Their Gods
Men, Machines, and Modern Times
The Individualists
The Robber Barons
Generations
Lost Ocean
Heretics of Dune
24/6
How Will You Measure Your Life?
Swimming Across
Chasing the Light
Conspiracy
Free The Animal
The Inner Studio
How Nature Works
Sell with a Story
The Fourth Revolution
Creation
Treasure Island
Merchants of Truth
Energy And Civilization
Unravelling the Double Helix
Reinventing American Health Care