Rhinoceros Success: the Secret to Charging Full Speed Toward Every Opportunity By: Scott Alexander - January, 2003

by Scott Alexander

Genres: Self Help, Business, Nonfiction

Hardcover

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Alex Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book feels like a children’s story about success, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s a lighthearted take on how to achieve success, and I do enjoy a good metaphor now and then. However, the metaphor is essentially all this book offers. It’s as though Alexander decided, “You need to be a rhinoceros to be successful,” and then repeated that idea in different ways for 100 pages. On top of that, it carries a strong “red pill” energy, with its emphasis on relentless hustle and almost one-dimensional ideas about success, which can feel a bit off-putting. Although it’s written in a positive tone and is a quick read, which I can appreciate, it ultimately doesn’t feel very impactful or insightful.

[Kaleigh · Rating 1 out of 5]

A few pages in, I anticipated my review to simply say, “This was awful”. Then about 35 pages in, it changed to, “This is horrific”. The constant demeaning of anyone who does not “choose to live as a rhino” being a “fat, lazy, decaying cow that loves to eat tacos and cake while surfing the internet” (those are the more mild descriptors) was infuriating.

Here’s the deal, are you an alphamale? Do you consider Joe Rogan to be one of the most influential humans on planet earth? Are you male and an Enneagram 3 or 8? You may LOVE this book, anyone else, don’t waste your dollars or your time.

[Zach Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was more of a book of motivation than anything else. I felt as though I have discussed, read, or listened to about everything spoken about in the book already. It’s a short easy read. Definitely motivating to the right person. I do feel as though it could upset some people, but if that’s the case, this book is not for you.

[Christina_lambert · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst business books I’ve ever read.
I am a “rhinoceros,” and a business executive.
This book contains:
- fat shaming
- Christian religious quotes (to the exclusion of other beliefs), in fact it repeatedly encourages you to read the Bible
- no mention of a need to collaborate with others, just repeated advice to “charge” at people and problems, which is terrible advice
- the following hateful quote “Thank heaven for inflation! …while all the cows are complaining about how much everything costs, you are out raking in the dough! Sure, you have to pay a little more for gas to put in your Rolls Royce, but driving it is much more enjoyable now. The price of gas is keeping all the cows off the road”

I usually donate books, but this one is going into the recycling bin. I don’t want anyone else to suffer its utter nonsense.

[Dawn Kravagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming book. Easy to read in a day. Straight forward motivational book to encourage you to take charge of your life, instead of wandering in the pasture like a cow, chewing on your cud and letting life wander by. Fun pen and ink drawings complement the tongue-in-check nature of the book. I’m going to reread it several times to cement its simple truths into my mind.

Highly recommended for indecisive or discouraged people. Makes a nice gift book for your friends or family members who need a self-esteem boost.

[Jessica Carroll · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing groundbreaking and frankly a little offensive and contradictory, unless it's okay to call the DMV workers cows and then claim to be a Christian man. Reads as if the author took bits and pieces from other professional development books and put a ridiculous , oversimplified, rhino spin on it. I feel like I just bought and read a pile of rhino poo 🤣

[Patti Shaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a quick and easy read and a cute way of detailing how to be successful in business. However, I firmly believe that God created us all different because the world needs all kinds. And to demean those that aren’t salespeople is a little eh.

[Leighton Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! All around, so good. It is so easy to read (I read it in a day), and it hits all the major points of becoming successful. It broadened my perspective on a lot of things, and I am excited to implement the motivation this book has given me!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being somewhat of a Rhino myself, I loved this book! It's a good pep talk to keep charging toward your goals and not settling for the mediocre.

[Aga · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so ridiculous I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry.

[Kacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silly, but motivating.

[Keegan Schueler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read that demonstrates the importance of pursuing success in life and doing things.

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars it was a funny easy read

[Kyndra Lemke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out funny… then progressively got more annoying.

[Niki Trips]

was a gift from my manager, but i fear i hate the rhino metaphor💀💀

[ciera · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cheesy book with standard advice for improving your life. I’d imagine it’d be effective in certain communities. I liked that it incorporated religious beliefs.

[Austin Brock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick read on mindset and CHARGING through life like a Rhino. Should be a weekend read, but I took longer.

[Joshua Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars-a witty short read to be a person of action

[Tara Kloska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick fast read!!! Loved it:)

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, motivating read.

[Rhianna ♪♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catch me charging at life

[V Back · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth a reread!

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly repetitive but short enough to be an enjoyable read

[Amelia Wullenschneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortitude and perseverence!

[Darlene Deffes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally ridiculous, totally right up my alley. I like the silly descriptions and it really gets me hyped up in an unconventional way. I will be reading it again. It sounds better to me when it's sped up a bit, but I prefer most audio books sped up a bit or double the speed.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theme Song: Play HArd (feat. Ne-Yo & Akon) by David Guetta

[Anamika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book holds a special place in my heart because it was a gift from my manager, Kerri, during my recent visit to New York. There's so much to say about how she constantly encourages my growth, but that's a story for another time. This book is a part of that as it explores various aspects of success, offering practical advice and insights for achieving goals. Loved the author’s engaging and witty style which made it such an enjoyable read, especially since self-help books aren’t usually my go-to.

After all, as Jim Rohn said, “Don’t let your learning lead to knowledge. Let your learning lead to action.”