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There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift
Featured in Rolling Stone, People Magazine, US Weekly, USA Today, The Financial Times, and more
"Part tell-all book and part how-to guide, The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift offers music fans and Swifties alike a chance to learn from one of the biggest pop stars of all time." — Rolling Stone
Named one of "Thirty books we're excited to read in the first half of 2025" by The Sydney Morning Herald
Named to the Financial Times "What to Read in 2025" list
A smart, page-turning exploration of the business and creative decisions that transformed Taylor Swift into an unprecedented modern cultural phenomenon.
Singer-songwriter. Trailblazer. Mastermind. The Beatles of her generation. From her genre-busting rise in country music as a teenager to the economic juggernaut that is the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift has blazed a path that is uniquely hers.
But how exactly has she managed to scale her success—multiple times—while dominating an industry that cycles through artists and stars like fashion trends? How has she managed to make and remake herself time and again while remaining true to her artistic vision? And how has she managed to master the constant disruption in the music business that has made it so hard for others to adapt and endure?
In There's Nothing Like This, Kevin Evers, a senior editor at Harvard Business Review, answers these questions in riveting detail. With the same thoughtful analysis usually devoted to iconic founders, game-changing innovators, and pioneering brands, Evers chronicles the business and creative decisions that have defined each phase of Swift's career.
Mixing business and art, analysis and narrative, and pulling from research in innovation, creativity, psychology, and strategy, There's Nothing Like This presents Swift as the modern and multidimensional superstar that she is—a songwriting savant and a strategic genius.
Swift's fans will see their icon from a fresh perspective. Others will gain more than a measure of admiration for her ability to stay at the top of her game. And everyone will come away understanding why, even after two decades, Swift keeps winning.
"Part tell-all book and part how-to guide, The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift offers music fans and Swifties alike a chance to learn from one of the biggest pop stars of all time." — Rolling Stone
Named one of "Thirty books we're excited to read in the first half of 2025" by The Sydney Morning Herald
Named to the Financial Times "What to Read in 2025" list
A smart, page-turning exploration of the business and creative decisions that transformed Taylor Swift into an unprecedented modern cultural phenomenon.
Singer-songwriter. Trailblazer. Mastermind. The Beatles of her generation. From her genre-busting rise in country music as a teenager to the economic juggernaut that is the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift has blazed a path that is uniquely hers.
But how exactly has she managed to scale her success—multiple times—while dominating an industry that cycles through artists and stars like fashion trends? How has she managed to make and remake herself time and again while remaining true to her artistic vision? And how has she managed to master the constant disruption in the music business that has made it so hard for others to adapt and endure?
In There's Nothing Like This, Kevin Evers, a senior editor at Harvard Business Review, answers these questions in riveting detail. With the same thoughtful analysis usually devoted to iconic founders, game-changing innovators, and pioneering brands, Evers chronicles the business and creative decisions that have defined each phase of Swift's career.
Mixing business and art, analysis and narrative, and pulling from research in innovation, creativity, psychology, and strategy, There's Nothing Like This presents Swift as the modern and multidimensional superstar that she is—a songwriting savant and a strategic genius.
Swift's fans will see their icon from a fresh perspective. Others will gain more than a measure of admiration for her ability to stay at the top of her game. And everyone will come away understanding why, even after two decades, Swift keeps winning.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2025
270 people are currently reading
4753 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
May 28, 2025
I honestly never thought that I'd be a Taylor Swift fan. My taste in music has always leaned to a more alternative-progressive vibe. I grew up listening to bands like Depeche Mode, the Pixies, KMFDM, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Tori Amos, David Bowie.
Swift, at first, always just struck me as one of those teeny-bopper singers that I detested, like Brittany Spears or the Jonas Brothers. I lumped her in with those "pop" music bands because I, of course, had a more refined musical palate: I wouldn't deign to listen to that plebeian shit.
Of course, as I get older, my tastes in music (as in everything) have changed somewhat. As have my pretentious, snobbish views. I am able to at least recognize, at age 52, that my myopic musical tastes of my twenties were, in fact, "pretentious" and "snobbish".
There is also the fact of my wife and daughter's tastes in music, which have rubbed off on me considerably. My wife has always loved the bouncy and sexy pop tunes of artists like Katy Perry and Justin Timberlake. I had to endure them on car rides, but, after awhile, I found that I kinda liked them. Then, my daughter came along, and we were listening to stuff like Olivia Rodrigo, Harry Styles, Pharrell Williams, and, of course, Taylor Swift. To my surprise, I soon found myself becoming an unabashed Swiftie.
Kevin Evers's book "There's Nothing Like This" is not really a biography of Swift. It is actually a business book, looking at Swift's career from a business perspective, so don't go into it thinking that this is a comprehensive examination of Swift's life thus far. It's not.
It is, however, a fascinating examination of how savvy and intelligent Swift has been in her career, from a 13-year-old girl trying to break into the country music scene to her multi-millionaire status as one of the biggest-selling pop stars of all time who can boast one of the highest-grossing concert tours ever with her 2023-2024 Eras Tour.
I am constantly perturbed at the number of Swift haters out there, too, and my perturbation stems from the fact that most of these people can't articulate a valid reason as to why they hate her. Here's a young woman who is a super-talented singer/songwriter who has constantly outdone herself with each new album, has flung off the negative criticisms and insults with aplomb while actually listening to her fans' constructive criticisms and doing something to change, has successfully adapted to the times and tried new things, has generously given her hard-earned money to charity on a constant basis, has not been involved in ridiculous sex or drug scandals (the stupid Kanye West bullshit notwithstanding), and she keeps writing songs---and good ones, no less. On top of that, she strikes me as being a strong role model for young women just in terms of her "never quit" determination.
But, hey, a wise person once said that the "haters gonna hate, hate, hate" and all you can do is "shake it off". Good advice.
Swift, at first, always just struck me as one of those teeny-bopper singers that I detested, like Brittany Spears or the Jonas Brothers. I lumped her in with those "pop" music bands because I, of course, had a more refined musical palate: I wouldn't deign to listen to that plebeian shit.
Of course, as I get older, my tastes in music (as in everything) have changed somewhat. As have my pretentious, snobbish views. I am able to at least recognize, at age 52, that my myopic musical tastes of my twenties were, in fact, "pretentious" and "snobbish".
There is also the fact of my wife and daughter's tastes in music, which have rubbed off on me considerably. My wife has always loved the bouncy and sexy pop tunes of artists like Katy Perry and Justin Timberlake. I had to endure them on car rides, but, after awhile, I found that I kinda liked them. Then, my daughter came along, and we were listening to stuff like Olivia Rodrigo, Harry Styles, Pharrell Williams, and, of course, Taylor Swift. To my surprise, I soon found myself becoming an unabashed Swiftie.
Kevin Evers's book "There's Nothing Like This" is not really a biography of Swift. It is actually a business book, looking at Swift's career from a business perspective, so don't go into it thinking that this is a comprehensive examination of Swift's life thus far. It's not.
It is, however, a fascinating examination of how savvy and intelligent Swift has been in her career, from a 13-year-old girl trying to break into the country music scene to her multi-millionaire status as one of the biggest-selling pop stars of all time who can boast one of the highest-grossing concert tours ever with her 2023-2024 Eras Tour.
I am constantly perturbed at the number of Swift haters out there, too, and my perturbation stems from the fact that most of these people can't articulate a valid reason as to why they hate her. Here's a young woman who is a super-talented singer/songwriter who has constantly outdone herself with each new album, has flung off the negative criticisms and insults with aplomb while actually listening to her fans' constructive criticisms and doing something to change, has successfully adapted to the times and tried new things, has generously given her hard-earned money to charity on a constant basis, has not been involved in ridiculous sex or drug scandals (the stupid Kanye West bullshit notwithstanding), and she keeps writing songs---and good ones, no less. On top of that, she strikes me as being a strong role model for young women just in terms of her "never quit" determination.
But, hey, a wise person once said that the "haters gonna hate, hate, hate" and all you can do is "shake it off". Good advice.
October 8, 2024
well my photo is the cover of this book so i'm personally biased but i also can't wait to read it!!!!
March 31, 2025
As a fan of Taylor since Fearless (yes, i’m a Swiftie) I’ve come across many books written about Taylor over the years. Most of them are either regurgitating things fans know, boring attempts at explaining “the lore.”
This book took a much different approach: Taylor Swift from a business perspective. It was not biased by or influenced due to the author being a long time fan, but rather drew its strength from identifying business practices employed by Taylor and comparing them to other companies that had done the same. To this end, it was pretty interesting.
That being the case, this book is not really “for the Swifties,” but rather for those interested in how Taylor Swift became the tour de force that she is today in 2025. I could see this being a book used in a college classroom that studies modern brands and unique paths to ubiquitous success.
No one thinks Taylor’s success is by accident and nearly everyone surely acknowledges it is due to hard work. What this book does is don a pair of academic, business lenses and break things down that way. I found it interesting in a sociological, business way. The nerdy side of me enjoyed it. The music listening, Taylor-loving side of me that went to a bunch of Eras shows? She wasn’t the demographic this book was written for.
All in all I recommend this book to those curious about Swift’s rise wherein she, just as much as her music, is a brand that has one of the most loyal customer bases.
Interesting note at the end remarked that Taylor - now that Eras is over - is on the precipice of being a celebrity first and foremost, something she has kept at bay until now, with the focus always previously centering on the songs and the writing. And that her next moves will be formative in which fork in the road she takes. That’s not something I considered previously but is a good point.
All in all this was a unique, very informative read and I give it 4.5/5 stars. Thanks to netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book took a much different approach: Taylor Swift from a business perspective. It was not biased by or influenced due to the author being a long time fan, but rather drew its strength from identifying business practices employed by Taylor and comparing them to other companies that had done the same. To this end, it was pretty interesting.
That being the case, this book is not really “for the Swifties,” but rather for those interested in how Taylor Swift became the tour de force that she is today in 2025. I could see this being a book used in a college classroom that studies modern brands and unique paths to ubiquitous success.
No one thinks Taylor’s success is by accident and nearly everyone surely acknowledges it is due to hard work. What this book does is don a pair of academic, business lenses and break things down that way. I found it interesting in a sociological, business way. The nerdy side of me enjoyed it. The music listening, Taylor-loving side of me that went to a bunch of Eras shows? She wasn’t the demographic this book was written for.
All in all I recommend this book to those curious about Swift’s rise wherein she, just as much as her music, is a brand that has one of the most loyal customer bases.
Interesting note at the end remarked that Taylor - now that Eras is over - is on the precipice of being a celebrity first and foremost, something she has kept at bay until now, with the focus always previously centering on the songs and the writing. And that her next moves will be formative in which fork in the road she takes. That’s not something I considered previously but is a good point.
All in all this was a unique, very informative read and I give it 4.5/5 stars. Thanks to netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2025
I will quite literally take any opportunity to talk about the pure magic and genius that is Taylor Swift, but having an editor of the Harvard Business Review Press deep dive every aspect of her career just shows what a powerhouse she really is. While, yes, she is extraordinarily talented and has a mind for business, the core of her entire career has been her care for and inclusion of the people - her fans. We love her music, we love the experience, but we mostly just love HER. She is so human and likable and authentic that it's hard not to root for her.
Overall, this book is so well written and thought out, and I really enjoyed reading it! I will say that it hurt my soul a little to read about Scott + Scooter, but they are part of the history of Taylor Swift and the inclusion was necessary. As she said herself in Thank You, Aimee, "there wouldn't be this if there hadn't been you"
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance digital copy!
Overall, this book is so well written and thought out, and I really enjoyed reading it! I will say that it hurt my soul a little to read about Scott + Scooter, but they are part of the history of Taylor Swift and the inclusion was necessary. As she said herself in Thank You, Aimee, "there wouldn't be this if there hadn't been you"
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance digital copy!
October 3, 2025
Looking at Taylor Swift’s career through the lens of a business model feels like studying one of the most successful startups of all time. In There’s Nothing Like This, Kevin Evers—obviously an unabashed fan—frames Swift’s trajectory around “her” savvy strategic choices, some traced back as early as age 12. That’s a bit speculative, as someone else in her circle clearly had the sense to identify and dominate a niche: a teenage songwriter whose lyrics spoke directly to other teens. The narrative rightly credits Taylor herself as the driving force, though it downplays the role of her ma & pa, who actually DROVE from Reading, PA to Nashville—a gamble that certainly paid off.
I’m not a Swiftie (I mix up her albums and only know the hits, not the deep cuts), but I do find her career fascinating. The fact that the world stopped yesterday to announce her engagement to Travis tells you all you need to know about her cultural pull. Business and marketing students will probably enjoy this book more than hardcore fans, since much of it translates her career into marketing concepts. Personally, I liked that angle. The prose occasionally reads stiff—AI-assisted, maybe?—but that raises another question: how does TayTay feel about AI? Maybe that’s Evers’s next project. 🤓
I’m not a Swiftie (I mix up her albums and only know the hits, not the deep cuts), but I do find her career fascinating. The fact that the world stopped yesterday to announce her engagement to Travis tells you all you need to know about her cultural pull. Business and marketing students will probably enjoy this book more than hardcore fans, since much of it translates her career into marketing concepts. Personally, I liked that angle. The prose occasionally reads stiff—AI-assisted, maybe?—but that raises another question: how does TayTay feel about AI? Maybe that’s Evers’s next project. 🤓
June 4, 2025
First impressions: this was an enjoyable read! It can be dry in places, but I think the author does a great job explaining business concepts/ philosophy in the context of pop artists. My one complaint is that the structure is great up through 1989 (featuring four chapters for her debut self-titled album and 1989, three chapters for Fearless and Red, and two chapters for Speak Now). Starting with reputation, the structure drops to two chapters each, maybe due to deadlines or publisher pressure to keep the book shorter. I would have liked to see more development in some areas-- for example, Miss Americana is mentioned often but could really use its own chapter, and the different rollout strategies for the re-recordings are worth discussing as chapters before and during the Eras Tour. This is miles better than the previous Taylor Swift book I tried, though, and I'd love to see the "ten years later" cut (this one was finalized right after TTPD came out). It's great to see someone treating Taylor Swift's career as a series of strategic decisions-- victories, fumbles, and all.
Back to sci-fi next, guys, but I needed a break.
Back to sci-fi next, guys, but I needed a break.
May 26, 2025
I had heard a lot of raving reviews on this one and I was skeptical, but this was really well done for a Swift x Business read!
August 13, 2025
A review from someone who is *not* a certified Swiftie.
This book was well-researched and full of information about Taylor Swift's career from start until 2025. It's an excellent read for anyone interested in business strategy but also pop culture. She emerged as a cultural phenomenon in my youth and I've seen her ascend on this journey as someone who liked her Fearless and Speak Now eras, but then got lost as a fan of other music during her Red, 1989 and Reputation eras.
I found it interesting to learn about her business decisions, who she worked with on each album, etc. The book provides in-depth stories and context as to why she has seen this level of success. I do think there were moments where the author could have explained her integrity more (during the Kanye stuff, for example).
Overall, it's a great read for a fan of Taylor who wants to know more about the business of what she does, why she’s so good at it, and how she still manages to make you *feel* like you’re reading a page out of her diary with every song she shares with the world. I think the author of this book summarized her journey very well!
What a timely read as she just announced her next album! 🧡
This book was well-researched and full of information about Taylor Swift's career from start until 2025. It's an excellent read for anyone interested in business strategy but also pop culture. She emerged as a cultural phenomenon in my youth and I've seen her ascend on this journey as someone who liked her Fearless and Speak Now eras, but then got lost as a fan of other music during her Red, 1989 and Reputation eras.
I found it interesting to learn about her business decisions, who she worked with on each album, etc. The book provides in-depth stories and context as to why she has seen this level of success. I do think there were moments where the author could have explained her integrity more (during the Kanye stuff, for example).
Overall, it's a great read for a fan of Taylor who wants to know more about the business of what she does, why she’s so good at it, and how she still manages to make you *feel* like you’re reading a page out of her diary with every song she shares with the world. I think the author of this book summarized her journey very well!
What a timely read as she just announced her next album! 🧡
May 30, 2025
Never in my Wildest Dreams did I think the Taylor Swift that I used to drive around to at 16, screaming the lyrics of Picture to Burn, would be the same Taylor that would become a once in a generation artist. An artist who could write the poetry of heartbreak, coming of age, finding self that wove itself through genre shifts in a State of Grace. This book fascinatingly described how she made her journey to mega stardom seem so Fearless and Ours all the same. Even the times it felt like her career could enter into Exhile, Evers was able to write a page turner about how Taylor persisted and stayed true to her character and creative vision Forever and Always. Even if you aren’t a Swiftie, this book dives deep into the music theory, business successes and strategies that help readers to understand what makes up the phenomena that is Taylor Swift.
May 19, 2025
Best for: Those with a passing interest in Taylor Swift's career without being a "Swiftie".
This book was at its best when it was leaning academic. Using Taylor Swift's career to explain different business concepts was a solid premise, and it was interesting as a series of case studies. I just wish it would have leaned more into this concept instead of being a career retrospective.
As someone who is relatively familiar with Swift's career, I wish it had leaned more into the "strategic" promise it made in its subtitle. Each section focused on a different album, with Folklore and Evermore grouped together, and the Eras Tour at the end, focusing on the trajectory of her career. I liked the aspect of chronology, but I did find the pacing odd. The first third, roughly, was the strongest part of the book, following Swift's rise to fame. Getting to Reputation about two-thirds of the way through the book was an interesting choice, as this is where "strategy" really comes into it, in my opinion. Plenty of people get famous, though admittedly not as big as Swift. What makes her career so interesting to me is how she deals with bouncing back, which is what I was hoping this book would focus on more than it did. Some controversies, like her writing as Nils Sjöberg and the whole Calvin Harris "This is What You Came For" situation, weren't even mentioned. Furthermore, for a business book, I was expecting it to go more beyond the music into Swift's other investments, like her extensive real estate portfolio and philanthropy.
The tone was obviously written from a fan's perspective. That's fine on its own, but it did detract from the analysis at points, such as when the author detailed his daughter's reaction to the Eras Tour and seemingly mocking fans for their adverse reaction to Swift's relationship with Matty Healy after his racist comments.
Overall, I think the best audience for this book is not me. I wouldn't consider myself a "Swiftie," but I clearly knew more about Swift than this book was expecting me to, which did not work in my favour here. However, for those with a curiosity for how Swift became such a large cultural phenomenon from an industry standpoint, I bet this would be a more captivating read.
With thanks and love to RBmedia and Ascent Audio for the ARC of the audiobook for an honest review!
This book was at its best when it was leaning academic. Using Taylor Swift's career to explain different business concepts was a solid premise, and it was interesting as a series of case studies. I just wish it would have leaned more into this concept instead of being a career retrospective.
As someone who is relatively familiar with Swift's career, I wish it had leaned more into the "strategic" promise it made in its subtitle. Each section focused on a different album, with Folklore and Evermore grouped together, and the Eras Tour at the end, focusing on the trajectory of her career. I liked the aspect of chronology, but I did find the pacing odd. The first third, roughly, was the strongest part of the book, following Swift's rise to fame. Getting to Reputation about two-thirds of the way through the book was an interesting choice, as this is where "strategy" really comes into it, in my opinion. Plenty of people get famous, though admittedly not as big as Swift. What makes her career so interesting to me is how she deals with bouncing back, which is what I was hoping this book would focus on more than it did. Some controversies, like her writing as Nils Sjöberg and the whole Calvin Harris "This is What You Came For" situation, weren't even mentioned. Furthermore, for a business book, I was expecting it to go more beyond the music into Swift's other investments, like her extensive real estate portfolio and philanthropy.
The tone was obviously written from a fan's perspective. That's fine on its own, but it did detract from the analysis at points, such as when the author detailed his daughter's reaction to the Eras Tour and seemingly mocking fans for their adverse reaction to Swift's relationship with Matty Healy after his racist comments.
Overall, I think the best audience for this book is not me. I wouldn't consider myself a "Swiftie," but I clearly knew more about Swift than this book was expecting me to, which did not work in my favour here. However, for those with a curiosity for how Swift became such a large cultural phenomenon from an industry standpoint, I bet this would be a more captivating read.
With thanks and love to RBmedia and Ascent Audio for the ARC of the audiobook for an honest review!
June 5, 2025
I've found that reading books about Taylor Swift are great for my brain when I'm in a slump because I'm interested in it, but also know most of it already soooo it feels easy to engage with when other stuff doesn't hold my attention. This one focused on the music business side of her life vs eras/social life. I bet they are sad that this was released before she owned all her Masters!
April 4, 2025
“What if I told you none of it was accidental?”
As a Swiftie, this was a deeply fascinating book to read. Focusing on her business savvy and intuition on how to best connect with her fans, There’s Nothing Like This explores sides of Taylor Swift that often get swept under the rug or plain left out of the conversation surrounding her. All of her big decisions are explored here from the decision to sign with Big Machine Records at the beginning of her career to the Eras Tour and everything in between, triumphs and failures. I was a little worried that the business aspect of this book would be hard for me to understand, but it’s written in such an accessible way and I followed along very easily. I loved how it celebrated her as an innovator, storyteller and strategist while also truthfully exploring the missteps and miscalculations of her career. This is a book any Swiftie should read, but also a book anyone who doesn’t fully understand the marvel that is Taylor Swift and why her listeners keep coming back for more.
Thank you NetGalley and Harvard Business Press for the advanced digital reader’s copy!
As a Swiftie, this was a deeply fascinating book to read. Focusing on her business savvy and intuition on how to best connect with her fans, There’s Nothing Like This explores sides of Taylor Swift that often get swept under the rug or plain left out of the conversation surrounding her. All of her big decisions are explored here from the decision to sign with Big Machine Records at the beginning of her career to the Eras Tour and everything in between, triumphs and failures. I was a little worried that the business aspect of this book would be hard for me to understand, but it’s written in such an accessible way and I followed along very easily. I loved how it celebrated her as an innovator, storyteller and strategist while also truthfully exploring the missteps and miscalculations of her career. This is a book any Swiftie should read, but also a book anyone who doesn’t fully understand the marvel that is Taylor Swift and why her listeners keep coming back for more.
Thank you NetGalley and Harvard Business Press for the advanced digital reader’s copy!
April 30, 2025
This is an interesting and entertaining read about a once in a generation entertainer. I've been a fan since 'Love Story' was released and found this really interesting. The pacing is really great and I learned things about Taylor's career I didn't know before. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Taylor or is interested in the entertainment business. Special Thank You to Kevin Evers, Harvard Business Review Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2025
This was a business lens view of Taylor Swift and I have to say I loved it. Am I a Swifty? No. Do I like Taylor's music? Sometimes. Do I have an immense amount of respect for Taylor? Yes. How could you not? This book lays out Taylor's rise to superstardom in a way that both respects and acknowledges her choices, while staying true to the story and reality of it all.
If you're a Swifty and haven't read the book yet, do it. If you aren't a Swifty and haven't read the book yet, do it.
If you're a Swifty and haven't read the book yet, do it. If you aren't a Swifty and haven't read the book yet, do it.
October 3, 2025
It's nice to read a book about a celebrity which isn't drug laden. I already knew Taylor was a strategic genius and I knew most of the facts in this book but I learned some things about the early days which I appreciated. Really I needed to use an audible credit :)
July 20, 2025
when an editor at the Harvard Business Review writes a book about Taylor Swift, you gotta read it
July 16, 2025
This is not your typical Taylor Swift book. There is no "she dates a lot of guys" and "she loves cats" triviality here. This is a true deep dive into the business and marketing sides of things, and I was totally wonderstruck. This is written by a fancy-pants Harvard person too, so you know it's legit.
January 28, 2025
This book chronicles Taylor Swift's rise to superstardom, highlighting her strategic career moves, innovative fan engagement, and unwavering authenticity. It takes you through her journey, from early performances to the groundbreaking Eras Tour.
What I enjoyed:
⭐ The book draws parallels between Taylor's success and those in other fields, making it an engaging read even for non-music fans.
⭐ The author uses interviews and real-life events to reveal the person behind the music, showcasing how her experiences have shaped her artistry.
⭐ The book seamlessly intertwines Taylor's life story with her music, creating an immersive reading experience.
One minor drawback:
E-book formatting: Reading the e-book on Netgalley was a bit challenging due to formatting issues. I believe the printed version would offer a more enjoyable reading experience.
Who should read it?
Taylor Swift fans: This book offers deeper insights into her career and will undoubtedly enhance your appreciation for her talent and dedication.
Business Enthusiasts: Even if you're not in the music industry, the book provides valuable lessons in business strategy and success.
"There's Nothing Like This" is a captivating exploration of Taylor Swift's career, offering both entertainment and valuable insights for a wide range of readers
What I enjoyed:
⭐ The book draws parallels between Taylor's success and those in other fields, making it an engaging read even for non-music fans.
⭐ The author uses interviews and real-life events to reveal the person behind the music, showcasing how her experiences have shaped her artistry.
⭐ The book seamlessly intertwines Taylor's life story with her music, creating an immersive reading experience.
One minor drawback:
E-book formatting: Reading the e-book on Netgalley was a bit challenging due to formatting issues. I believe the printed version would offer a more enjoyable reading experience.
Who should read it?
Taylor Swift fans: This book offers deeper insights into her career and will undoubtedly enhance your appreciation for her talent and dedication.
Business Enthusiasts: Even if you're not in the music industry, the book provides valuable lessons in business strategy and success.
"There's Nothing Like This" is a captivating exploration of Taylor Swift's career, offering both entertainment and valuable insights for a wide range of readers
June 20, 2025
Richtig gut!
April 4, 2025
This is one of the most entertaining, informative, and well-written non-fiction works I have read.
Evers creatively takes you on a journey through Taylor Swift's career to illustrate the business and marketing strategies applied throughout each Era during downfalls, opportunities, risks, and accomplishments that led to the ultimate success of her music career and billion dollar brand. Taylor Swift is an undeniable force and perfect example of building a successful brand against the odds that also stands the test of time. Even her haters or non-listeners will appreciate her actual genius and learn from her hard work and business savvy after reading.
Expertly, without overdoing it, Evers even incorporates some of Taylor's lyrics into the prose that only Swifties will pick up on. There is a wonderful balance of witty and endearing narration while still being extremely analytical and informative, packed with intricate research references.
Swifties will also really appreciate a parallel in the book to her most recent album, TTPD. Whether intentional or not, there was absolutely no naming of her recent ex and long time boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, throughout the entire book. Though there were small mentions of others where it was imperative to the storytelling: Taylor Lautner, Harry Styles, Tom Hiddleston, and even Travis Kelce. This is similar to how fans theorized that TTPD was going to have a heavy focus on Joe and their break-up, and instead Taylor basically skipped over him and most of the songs ended up being about Matty, herself, the fans, and even Travis. I loved the creativity of this detail being left out of the book to parallel Taylor's own writing and to be different, and less patriarchal, than other writers who focus too much on her love life, and even credit Joe for his influence on her song-writing success. This was so well done.
Thank you to Harvard Business Review for the advanced copy.
Evers creatively takes you on a journey through Taylor Swift's career to illustrate the business and marketing strategies applied throughout each Era during downfalls, opportunities, risks, and accomplishments that led to the ultimate success of her music career and billion dollar brand. Taylor Swift is an undeniable force and perfect example of building a successful brand against the odds that also stands the test of time. Even her haters or non-listeners will appreciate her actual genius and learn from her hard work and business savvy after reading.
Expertly, without overdoing it, Evers even incorporates some of Taylor's lyrics into the prose that only Swifties will pick up on. There is a wonderful balance of witty and endearing narration while still being extremely analytical and informative, packed with intricate research references.
Swifties will also really appreciate a parallel in the book to her most recent album, TTPD. Whether intentional or not, there was absolutely no naming of her recent ex and long time boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, throughout the entire book. Though there were small mentions of others where it was imperative to the storytelling: Taylor Lautner, Harry Styles, Tom Hiddleston, and even Travis Kelce. This is similar to how fans theorized that TTPD was going to have a heavy focus on Joe and their break-up, and instead Taylor basically skipped over him and most of the songs ended up being about Matty, herself, the fans, and even Travis. I loved the creativity of this detail being left out of the book to parallel Taylor's own writing and to be different, and less patriarchal, than other writers who focus too much on her love life, and even credit Joe for his influence on her song-writing success. This was so well done.
Thank you to Harvard Business Review for the advanced copy.
June 23, 2025
I’ve always admired Taylor Swift for the way she has stood up to “big music”, fought for what she believes is right, etc. This book dissects her entire career and, although it’s clearly written from the lens of admiration, it doesn’t hold back on the warts, the missteps, the fumbles, etc. She is absolutely a generational talent with a work ethic we should all emulate, envy and applaud. Success is never guaranteed and she doesn’t take it for granted. She is hard working and strategic, a prolific writer who studies culture. She appreciates her fans and she understands the business she’s in. She isn’t complacent and has pivoted in myriad ways to remain relevant, to continue growing (personally and professionally). She’s taken some big risks and they haven’t always panned out. As a business and strategy book, there are many good take-a-ways here. As a Swiftie, this book will make you want to revisit each album with renewed interest. Here’s hoping we have many more eras to look forward to with Taylor.
November 8, 2025
This was an incredibly interesting read! I'm a huge fan of Taylor Swift, and it was really great to get a deep look into her professional career and see how she's grown over the years- both as an artist and as a woman. I absolutely loved the quotations from her songs and interviews, I think they really brought the book to life. The author's personal anecdote about his daughter was especially memorable and brought a smile to my face as I was reading it.
I would like to add that it would have been nice to include some more details of her songs and lyrics- which I felt was glazed over. I understand that this book wasn't written from a musical point of view and mostly addressed Taylor Swift's success in business terms, but I would have liked a little more in-depth analysis of her storytelling and lyricism.
Overall extremely enjoyable read and would highly recommend to anyone- including those who are not so familiar with Taylor. This would be a great way of learning about her journey and strategic genius that often gets overlooked.
I would like to add that it would have been nice to include some more details of her songs and lyrics- which I felt was glazed over. I understand that this book wasn't written from a musical point of view and mostly addressed Taylor Swift's success in business terms, but I would have liked a little more in-depth analysis of her storytelling and lyricism.
Overall extremely enjoyable read and would highly recommend to anyone- including those who are not so familiar with Taylor. This would be a great way of learning about her journey and strategic genius that often gets overlooked.
April 18, 2025
I picked this up on a whim from Waterstones as A. I love Taylor and am a massive Swiftie (I was lucky enough to attend The Eras Tour, Liverpool N1) and B. a book about Taylor's genius from a business perspective.
SIGN. ME. UP.
This was a fabulous read. There wasn't biographical elements as this is a critical and theoretical essay covering each 'era' of Taylor's life in the music industry, looking at the strategies she has used throughout her 13+ years in the business.
I have always adored Taylor for her musical ability, but in recent years, I have really marvelled at her strategic abilities. It's safe to say this book scratches my interest in how clever Taylor is from a strategic point of view.
You can not deny, no matter what you think of Taylor, she really is a musicial and strategic genius.
SIGN. ME. UP.
This was a fabulous read. There wasn't biographical elements as this is a critical and theoretical essay covering each 'era' of Taylor's life in the music industry, looking at the strategies she has used throughout her 13+ years in the business.
I have always adored Taylor for her musical ability, but in recent years, I have really marvelled at her strategic abilities. It's safe to say this book scratches my interest in how clever Taylor is from a strategic point of view.
You can not deny, no matter what you think of Taylor, she really is a musicial and strategic genius.
May 4, 2025
They told me all of my cages were mental, so I got wasted like all my potential
What this book sells itself as: "an exploration of the business and creative decisions that transformed Taylor Swift from a teen prodigy into an unprecedented modern cultural phenomenon".
What this book is: an overview of Taylor Swift's career, sprinkled with references to her songs, analogies to startup strategies, quotes from business books (e.g. "Antifragile" by N. N. Taleb), and surface-level analysis.
As a Taylor Swift fan, I still enjoyed the book, and it was an easy read. But I'm unsure who I would recommend it to. If you're looking for insight into business and strategy, there are many better books. On the other hand, many truest Swifties will likely learn little new about Swift's story.
What this book sells itself as: "an exploration of the business and creative decisions that transformed Taylor Swift from a teen prodigy into an unprecedented modern cultural phenomenon".
What this book is: an overview of Taylor Swift's career, sprinkled with references to her songs, analogies to startup strategies, quotes from business books (e.g. "Antifragile" by N. N. Taleb), and surface-level analysis.
As a Taylor Swift fan, I still enjoyed the book, and it was an easy read. But I'm unsure who I would recommend it to. If you're looking for insight into business and strategy, there are many better books. On the other hand, many truest Swifties will likely learn little new about Swift's story.
June 12, 2025
I listened to this book, which made it easy to enjoy and held my attention while driving. I was really surprised that it was not read by the author. I didn’t care for the voice that was attached, particularly her sometimes robotic tone.
The content of the book was really outstanding, however. It was refreshing to learn about Taylor Swift’s growth from a business management and marketing perspective. The author did a great job of not getting too distracted by her personal life, or other dramas, that have certainly played part in her story over the last 15+ years.
The most important point of anything related to Taylor Swift is evident in his text: she is where she is thanks to her massive ambition, determination, and drive.
The content of the book was really outstanding, however. It was refreshing to learn about Taylor Swift’s growth from a business management and marketing perspective. The author did a great job of not getting too distracted by her personal life, or other dramas, that have certainly played part in her story over the last 15+ years.
The most important point of anything related to Taylor Swift is evident in his text: she is where she is thanks to her massive ambition, determination, and drive.
January 13, 2025
ARC review -
This is a must-read for any swiftie (especially those who joined us more recently) or anyone who is interested in learning about the origins of Taylor Swift and how she got to be the cultural phenomenon she is today, from a balanced and unbiased point of view.
As a Swiftie, I’ve been asked by many a non-Swiftie over the past 2 years “but why is she so popular, what is it about her?” and this explains it all really well. It also contextualises a lot of things which happened in her career, comparing to other artists/events.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend anyone to read it, even (maybe even especially) if you aren’t a Taylor Swift fan.
This is a must-read for any swiftie (especially those who joined us more recently) or anyone who is interested in learning about the origins of Taylor Swift and how she got to be the cultural phenomenon she is today, from a balanced and unbiased point of view.
As a Swiftie, I’ve been asked by many a non-Swiftie over the past 2 years “but why is she so popular, what is it about her?” and this explains it all really well. It also contextualises a lot of things which happened in her career, comparing to other artists/events.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend anyone to read it, even (maybe even especially) if you aren’t a Taylor Swift fan.
June 6, 2025
As a OG Swiftie since first hearing “Tim McGraw” in 2006, I’ve read countless accounts of Taylor Swift’s journey—but this book stands out.
It goes beyond the usual biography by weaving in insightful references from the music industry, the business world, and even data and statistics to explain how Taylor has sustained her success through both triumphs and setbacks.
I was totally hooked the whole way through and came away with some new perspectives I hadn’t considered before.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious about how Taylor built such a successful career, this is a great read!
It goes beyond the usual biography by weaving in insightful references from the music industry, the business world, and even data and statistics to explain how Taylor has sustained her success through both triumphs and setbacks.
I was totally hooked the whole way through and came away with some new perspectives I hadn’t considered before.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious about how Taylor built such a successful career, this is a great read!
April 11, 2025
As a Swiftie and Marketing person, this book was genuinely made for me. I love her business side as much as I love her music, and this was the best thing J could have asked for! I really appreciate that it went era by era - though I wish there was more about Midnights and The Eras Tour, but it still had a lot of great info and insights. My only complaint is that it’s too short, I needed a textbook size analysis 😂. I recommend this to every Swiftie, Marketing professional, Marketing Swiftie!!!!!
May 5, 2025
By reversing the narrative, Swift discovered she was free to explore her own universe. She could, like Marvel, experiment, shift tones, change aesthetics, and still be Taylor Swift. Before she was making albums. Now she was world-building.
There's Nothing Like This captures not only Swift's deep well of writing genius, but her seemingly limitless understanding of continual reinvention. Swift understands at a cellular level how to pivot and grow while also making gains from seeming missteps. Her career is a fascinating study!
There's Nothing Like This captures not only Swift's deep well of writing genius, but her seemingly limitless understanding of continual reinvention. Swift understands at a cellular level how to pivot and grow while also making gains from seeming missteps. Her career is a fascinating study!
May 11, 2025
I thought this was excellent. I’m by no means a big Swiftie. But if you’re looking for a book that explains the Taylor Swift cultural phenomenon from a branding and marketing perspective, I thought this was excellent.
I wish it could have included a few clips from some of the songs it mentioned (the way Bono’s autobiography did), but this was not something Swift wrote about herself, and I suspect there would have been legal issues or costs to include clips from the real songs.
At any rate, I’ve learned a ton about Taylor’s career and marketing approach.
I wish it could have included a few clips from some of the songs it mentioned (the way Bono’s autobiography did), but this was not something Swift wrote about herself, and I suspect there would have been legal issues or costs to include clips from the real songs.
At any rate, I’ve learned a ton about Taylor’s career and marketing approach.
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