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Rules to Rule by The Gold Standard
Ari Gold is known for his ruthless approach to deal-making and client relationships that made him one of, if not the, most powerful and sought-after agents in Hollywood until he retired in 2011.
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First published May 12, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 27, 2015
Hilarious, vintage Ari Gold. The audio version is better than the book since it's actually Jeremy Piven reading. It's like watching a reel of outtakes/deleted scenes.
May 17, 2015
Ari Gold. Ron Swanson. Johnny Drama. Ideal male archetypes for the 21st century. This book had me laughing out loud at quotes like "Batman does damage. If you drop me down a well, I won’t waste energy crying “Why?” like Nancy Kerrigan after taking a nightstick to the knee" and "Couldn’t help picturing what an Uma- on- Uma- on- Uma threeway would look like and how much I might be able to sell tickets for". Great advice for men although stated in an over the top fashion. Don't be unfuckable, dress yourself well, and give great gifts that people will talk about for ages. Work on your LEGEND. Take things personally, but pretend that you don't. And seriously, aside from the fake self-aggrandizement, there are some serious nuggets of wisdom like "Loving your work doesn’t mean finding a job you can tolerate for eight hours a day, but rather a job that gets you flying out of bed in the morning like a Jack Russell who just had a firecracker stuffed up his ass". One thing I always liked about Ari's character was his work ethic, doing everything better and bigger than the competition. If you don't have enemies you're doing something wrong, but remember to use them for inspiration to bring out the best qualities in you, and even get them on your side. Laugh at the funny parts, take the serious parts with a grain of salt, and remember, none of us will never be the greatness that is Ari Gold. Let's hug it out bitch.
September 2, 2018
This was super weird , yet super fun, unless you are a fan of the series it's a really fun listen , also within all the parody there is also a grain of good advice
February 25, 2017
Hilarious. Audio version is narrated by Jeremy Piven and is best listened to at 2X speed to perfectly capture Gold's fast talking character.
June 7, 2018
Bloody good book! Inspirational, insightful and damn funny.
He’s not Ari Bronze or Silver he’s Gold!
He’s not Ari Bronze or Silver he’s Gold!
June 6, 2024
Holy sh*t how is this book the best, most motivating nonfic I’ve ever read when it’s “written” by a fictional character based on a real guy? Hysterically funny and full of good advice to win. Recommend the audiobook
April 22, 2020
A wicked satire about one of my favorite TV characters ever.
April 28, 2025
Time being the most valuable asset is the biggest takeaway. And the ability of money to buy/save time.
September 19, 2015
I'm not going to lie. I did not realize that Ari Gold was a fictional character in the Entourage show. I only learned about it when I did some research on Ari Gold. It was marketed on the basis that he's an actual author, and I completely bought it haha.
That being said, the book is hilarious. It honestly requires you to have a sense of humor to get it. The book outright explains that its a satire on most of the Hollywood archetypes, and gives you 18 rules on how to live big, both in life and business.
Surprisingly, the rules are actually really good advice. Even though it was meant to make fun of the gurus, you could learn a thing or two from Ari Gold about how to survive in the business world. So not only is it funny, it's also educational. And that's a really good combination to have in a book!
The ending is quite literally mindblowing. When he emphasizes on how "You will never be me!" he actually means it for a reason. Because the character is fictional, there's no way you could hypothetically be in the same position as a fictional character in the story, with such dominating qualities and near-absolute control over his life.
The only problem with this is that outside of the connection with Entourage, you could interpret this to be another business self-help book. You might also think that Ari Gold is someone with a cocky personality, and it would not be hard to argue against that. That would be up to you to judge whether having an arrogant personality is an absolute necessity for success. Though it does add to the comedy in the book itself, which I found enjoyable and entertaining.
If you have no idea that Ari Gold is in Entourage, the book helps give you tips on how to live. They're very sound, barring the attitude issues and extremely funny flashbacks Ari gives to support his rules. I'm not sure if these moments play out like this in the real world (could be completely exaggerated), but they serve as a good example for any reader to go off of.
That being said, the book is hilarious. It honestly requires you to have a sense of humor to get it. The book outright explains that its a satire on most of the Hollywood archetypes, and gives you 18 rules on how to live big, both in life and business.
Surprisingly, the rules are actually really good advice. Even though it was meant to make fun of the gurus, you could learn a thing or two from Ari Gold about how to survive in the business world. So not only is it funny, it's also educational. And that's a really good combination to have in a book!
The ending is quite literally mindblowing. When he emphasizes on how "You will never be me!" he actually means it for a reason. Because the character is fictional, there's no way you could hypothetically be in the same position as a fictional character in the story, with such dominating qualities and near-absolute control over his life.
The only problem with this is that outside of the connection with Entourage, you could interpret this to be another business self-help book. You might also think that Ari Gold is someone with a cocky personality, and it would not be hard to argue against that. That would be up to you to judge whether having an arrogant personality is an absolute necessity for success. Though it does add to the comedy in the book itself, which I found enjoyable and entertaining.
If you have no idea that Ari Gold is in Entourage, the book helps give you tips on how to live. They're very sound, barring the attitude issues and extremely funny flashbacks Ari gives to support his rules. I'm not sure if these moments play out like this in the real world (could be completely exaggerated), but they serve as a good example for any reader to go off of.
September 1, 2015
Like many of the reviews specify here, read this book with a pinch of salt and quite a thick skin! In many respects, looking at the actual 'business' advice given, the book offers nothing that new - although anyone who works in the media may be struck by some of the ideas (be everywhere, always be someone who is owed, not owes, keep fit etc.) - but the book sets itself apart from other business tomes purely for its style and tone.
As Josh mentions in his review, Piven's actual reading of the audio book would probably add to the enjoyment of the title, but as a quick read (194 Kindle pages), I'd recommend it. I bought it as a bit of fun as I did (guiltily) enjoy Entourage, and had just finished the box set.
One of those books that you feel rather 'bad ass' reading, but struggle to remember a few months afterwards.
As Josh mentions in his review, Piven's actual reading of the audio book would probably add to the enjoyment of the title, but as a quick read (194 Kindle pages), I'd recommend it. I bought it as a bit of fun as I did (guiltily) enjoy Entourage, and had just finished the box set.
One of those books that you feel rather 'bad ass' reading, but struggle to remember a few months afterwards.
April 1, 2019
A man's man Ari gold a true Maverick a put together confident baller.
My ear picked up on:
To be successful you need friends
To be very successful you need enemies
The truth is that life is a raging sea of dicks with only so many vaginas those who don't make it into the silky pink life raft fast enough have to jerk themselves off
The ripple turned into a wave
I feel your gooey brutality
Tell the important part of the truth
Don't get stuck playing bass in someone else's band. The bassist almost never gets to go solo
Detroit is filled with dreamers schemers and in betweeners
If you don't have enemies get them
A job is something you do a business is something you grow
If you aren't a playmate of the year offering to jerk me off under the table at the hotel bel air using those little slabs of butter then I probably won't be carving up the midpoint of my day to do lunch
E.T. didn't phone home to chit chat he phoned home to say pick me the fuck up!
You can't arrive if your not on the plane
The best time to sell tickets to a volcano is before it erupts
I need to sell you why the pudding in my poop is sweeter then the next guys
Retirement isn't a goal it's a sentence
Hippieness can't buy money
I hope you last six months then head back to whatever shithole your from with nothing but a herpes sore to remind you of what a miserable fucking place this is when you fail
Build an empire protect your crown
Take rejection with the same class you accept approval
Some of your hunches turn out to be stinkers
I spent too much time on some flights while letting some planes crash into the ocean
Avoid wrestling with a pig, you'll get covered in mud and the pig will end up enjoying it
Working with employee's reduces the power distance
I have a scheduled conflict
My ear picked up on:
To be successful you need friends
To be very successful you need enemies
The truth is that life is a raging sea of dicks with only so many vaginas those who don't make it into the silky pink life raft fast enough have to jerk themselves off
The ripple turned into a wave
I feel your gooey brutality
Tell the important part of the truth
Don't get stuck playing bass in someone else's band. The bassist almost never gets to go solo
Detroit is filled with dreamers schemers and in betweeners
If you don't have enemies get them
A job is something you do a business is something you grow
If you aren't a playmate of the year offering to jerk me off under the table at the hotel bel air using those little slabs of butter then I probably won't be carving up the midpoint of my day to do lunch
E.T. didn't phone home to chit chat he phoned home to say pick me the fuck up!
You can't arrive if your not on the plane
The best time to sell tickets to a volcano is before it erupts
I need to sell you why the pudding in my poop is sweeter then the next guys
Retirement isn't a goal it's a sentence
Hippieness can't buy money
I hope you last six months then head back to whatever shithole your from with nothing but a herpes sore to remind you of what a miserable fucking place this is when you fail
Build an empire protect your crown
Take rejection with the same class you accept approval
Some of your hunches turn out to be stinkers
I spent too much time on some flights while letting some planes crash into the ocean
Avoid wrestling with a pig, you'll get covered in mud and the pig will end up enjoying it
Working with employee's reduces the power distance
I have a scheduled conflict
November 24, 2016
Perhaps I didn't like this book because I didn't watch Entourage. Someone recommended this book to me, I can't remember who (sorry). I was hoping for an entertaining abrasive fictional take on "How to Win Friends and Influence People."
Obviously this isn't a serious book so I wasn't expecting any real nuggets.
I wasn't even entertained by the stories he tells because they are all made up.
It's one of the strangest books I ever read... A fictional agent telling his story using real celebrities, giving offensive and ridiculous advice for how to live your life...sounds like something I would love.
But I didn't. I struggled to get through the last half...not recommended. The character doesn't translate from the screen to book format very well.
Skip this, listen to a podcast or watch netflix instead.
Obviously this isn't a serious book so I wasn't expecting any real nuggets.
I wasn't even entertained by the stories he tells because they are all made up.
It's one of the strangest books I ever read... A fictional agent telling his story using real celebrities, giving offensive and ridiculous advice for how to live your life...sounds like something I would love.
But I didn't. I struggled to get through the last half...not recommended. The character doesn't translate from the screen to book format very well.
Skip this, listen to a podcast or watch netflix instead.
April 20, 2021
Bought this book for $3 at Barnes & Noble and what an awesome $3 it was. The book is hysterical and although it's a work of fiction, there are still some pretty good tips for living. It's literally a book written in the character of Ari Gold from Entourage. I was a huge fan of the show so naturally I was going to like the book. On the Entourage timeline, the book seems to take place in the months immediately following the last episode of the TV show and before the lack luster movie they ended up making.
For fans, this book is 10 times better than the movie was. Definitely recommended.
For fans, this book is 10 times better than the movie was. Definitely recommended.
March 19, 2023
Wildly entertaining and super fun. Self help from a mythical man, that actually checks out. If you haven’t watched entourage, don’t pick this up, because the humor will most likely fall flat or worse, however, for fans of the show/movie, this book is so much fun. An easy read, with solid message. I read the book but would love to listen to the audio book with Piven as the narrator. Highly recommend!
July 13, 2024
As a massive fan of Entourage, this was a must-read when I stumbled on it and after finishing it, I admit, they struck Gold... I'll see myself out...
The book is exactly what you'd expect from the character of Ari Gold and the little nods to the show are a nice touch. Surprisingly, there are more than a few good lessons to take from the book and a lot more in the way of entertainment.
If you're a fan of Entourage or simply want a good bit of satire to read that has a bit more to it, this is worth a look... Don't spend too much time indulging though, after all:
“If you were to gather all the minutes wasted on insignificant, immaterial yik yak spent throughout the day and add them up, how much misspent time do you think you'd have? One hour? Two hours? Consider the sunk cost on that. It's unacceptable. One minute wasted is one minute too much.” - Ari Gold
The book is exactly what you'd expect from the character of Ari Gold and the little nods to the show are a nice touch. Surprisingly, there are more than a few good lessons to take from the book and a lot more in the way of entertainment.
If you're a fan of Entourage or simply want a good bit of satire to read that has a bit more to it, this is worth a look... Don't spend too much time indulging though, after all:
“If you were to gather all the minutes wasted on insignificant, immaterial yik yak spent throughout the day and add them up, how much misspent time do you think you'd have? One hour? Two hours? Consider the sunk cost on that. It's unacceptable. One minute wasted is one minute too much.” - Ari Gold
August 30, 2017
Ari Gold is king. No pulling punches! Great read!
Top takeaways:
Diagnosed with ADD and decided to call it ADA (attention deficit advantage).
Chose to view it as an accelerant to excel.
ADD is for suckers, develop ADA and take your reward.
Learn to capitalize on SCARCITY and URGENCY!
Don't shy away from conflict!
Top takeaways:
Diagnosed with ADD and decided to call it ADA (attention deficit advantage).
Chose to view it as an accelerant to excel.
ADD is for suckers, develop ADA and take your reward.
Learn to capitalize on SCARCITY and URGENCY!
Don't shy away from conflict!
July 4, 2018
Would have rated this higher, but Jeremy Piven revealed himself to be like Ari Gold in real life (i.e. #metoo), so some stuff here feels really on the nose. There are nuggets of wisdom in between mindlessness that pretty much only those who watched the TV show Entourage will understand.
November 27, 2018
If you’re a fan of Entourage then you know what Ari Gold is all about. This book is like being on set with him and listening to his conversations behind the scenes. It’s a laugh out loud book that can’t be taken to seriously....though some life pointers do make you think a little bit about them.
May 30, 2020
If you found Ari hilarious in the show, you’ll feel the same about the book
This book is exactly what you think (and hope) it is – Ari Gold being himself from cover to cover. Part way through, I realized I was reading it as if I was Jeremy Piven, with the same tone and rhythm.
This book is exactly what you think (and hope) it is – Ari Gold being himself from cover to cover. Part way through, I realized I was reading it as if I was Jeremy Piven, with the same tone and rhythm.
June 10, 2022
As always Ari Gold was extremely funny and had good lessons to teach. He is also inspirational as well as motivational in his tone and the way he expressed himself to push you to take action. Definitely listen to the audiobook!
November 17, 2017
Its great fun and highly motivating.
February 12, 2018
This had a few moments of absolute roll on the floor laughing brilliance but the rest was kinda just there. Overall, a big disappointment which is sad since I love the show.
February 21, 2018
funny and a motivational book, can be used as the script for a movie about Ari Gold. pulse has a lot of business advice.
May 20, 2018
Meh...entertaining but def nothing special. Kind of expected I guess.
August 23, 2018
I loved everything about this book. (And, no. Mr. Ari didn't make me say that! ;))
December 5, 2018
Skip it if you weren't a fan of Entourage. If you were, sit back and get ready for some laughs.
January 8, 2019
Solid gold. Will read more than once.
January 15, 2020
If you liked the show Entourage, you will be entertained by this book. Ari is at his finest.
March 19, 2020
A fun read.
Watch Entourage to get full experience. I prefer the Blueray DVD set. Not for kids, though most teen's can learn about Hollywood from the series.
Watch Entourage to get full experience. I prefer the Blueray DVD set. Not for kids, though most teen's can learn about Hollywood from the series.
October 14, 2020
Awesome.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews