The Undercover Edge: Find Your Hidden Strengths, Learn to Adapt, and Build the Confidence to Win Life's Game

by Derrick Levasseur

In a televised social experiment before millions of viewers, police sergeant Derrick Levasseur demonstrated that techniques used by undercover detectives could help people achieve their goals in everyday social situations. The result: he walked away with more than half a million dollars.

In The Undercover Edge, Derrick shares his personal mind-set surrounding human behavior and motivation. Even more than that, he provides easy yet groundbreaking tools acquired while overcoming personal adversity and working more than a decade in law enforcement, showing readers:


The power of observation and creating a profile
The effect of using silence to extract and evaluate information
The benefits of interpreting body language and developing your sixth sense
The importance of self-awareness and adapting to your environment
The value of developing a personal ops plan with a defined mission
Derrick's approach allows readers to create a solid foundation in their lives, build confidence personally and professionally, and push themselves to become stronger, more capable leaders.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Business

304 pages, Paperback

Published October 2, 2018

Reviews

[Cyndie Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unlike some books within the genre of advice from specialists (I'm think especially of Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It), this book provided self-help advice that is commonly encountered in other books in the genre. That being said, I could see it appealing to some readers who aren't usually attracted to self-help books. I can see this book being more attractive reading to a conservative white dude who is willing to take self-improvement advice from a successful cop when they might not be open to hearing from other people out there right now. That being said, it didn't really appeal to me and as a bibliophile I didn't take much out of it that I hadn't read somewhere else before.

[Amber R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spend time taking notes and really getting into this book, I love Derrick and this book so much!

[Alicia]

Alright, I’m going to do something I don’t typically do.

I dnf this book. But wait!!!
Hear me out.

I found this at crimecon and thought, man I’ve never read a book about what it’s like to be an undercover cop. Sadly, I still haven’t.

This is more of a psychology/self help book based on what skills he developed as an undercover agent.

As a psychology major, I already know all of what I had read by the time I decided to put it down and was getting bored.

However, just because this book wasn’t for me does not mean someone would not love it and learn a lot.

I’ve never had so much good to say ab a dnf, which is why I decided to still highlight it.

The one thing I did not like was his overuse of his experience on the show big brother. So if you don’t like reality tv this isn’t for you because he mentions it a good bit.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Undercover Edge" is an advice book about how to succeed in life using techniques the author learned as a police officer and through adversity in his life. It's written in an encouraging, easy-to-read and -understand way. Basically, he teaches good communication, leadership skills, how to spot what motivates the people around you, and how to use that knowledge to everyone's advantage. He used examples from his life and fictional business-world scenarios to illustrate his points. Overall, I'd recommend this book to people who want to be more proactive in achieving their goals.

He started by encouraging the reader to analyze your own strengths and weaknesses and to set goals and achieve them through smaller steps. He explained the advantages of "profiling" the people around you. He gave general advice about staying healthy, creating financial stability, and developing relationships. He talked about how to effectively listen to others and to watch their body language. He gave leadership and management advice and talked about visualization techniques, growing through adversity, and the importance of having good mentors/roll models.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Annette]

This book is written like Derrick is a friend it just flows. He teaches good communication, leadership skills, how to spot what motivates the people around you, and how to use that knowledge to everyone's advantage using stories from his life. He encourages the reader to keep your life in line, meaning stay fit, manage your financial future, analyze your strengths improve on them and listen to your inner voice. I think I have a good read on people but learned so much more from Derrick. I really enjoyed this book it reads quickly and is well written. My kids (32 & 30) are now reading it and I've had a few calls from them talking about things they hadn't thought of before. This really is full of information you can use in everyday life. So I give it 5+ stars. Great job Derrick
I was given an ARC by Netgalley for an honest review

[Nick Delivuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and invigorating read. I learned about Derrick Levasseur through watching his masterful gameplay on the reality TV show Big Brother which led him to winning his season. With precision and direct language, Levassuer takes the reader through his trials and tribulations from his rookie cop days all the way to his undercover detective work. He demonstrates how he utilized the communicative and psychological skills acquired from his law enforcement career and adapted those skills to every day life. From Business relationships, entrepreneurship, and his strategy to win Big Brother Levassuer delivers a compact clear cut approach to how one can adopt similar skills in order to achieve success and fulfillment in life.

[Blake Randleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! One of the best that I've ever read. This book is perfect for those looking for inspiration. I can tell you personally I have been going through some rough times and this book lifted me up. I knew that when I closed that book I would feel better about myself and my life....and I did and still do! Even if you don't know Derrick and haven't followed him, you will still get to know him through this book. He has a beautiful character and its shows well throughout the book! I highly, highly recommend this book!!!!!

[Zee Monodee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book if you know nothing about the world of undercover work and the like. But sadly, I was disappointed that it contained mainly generalizations of information you could pick up by watching TV shows like The Mentalist, Lie to Me, or even White Collar. I was hoping this would be going in deep and giving us actual deets of how to 'be' undercover (I was reading this book mainly because I write espionage thrillers), but it was a condense of info you can find if you do some hours of research in this topic, nothing new or spectacular.

[Nicolette · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was beyond disappointing. It contained no new information and offered gems such as "people who read are better conversationalists" and "Pavlov once did an experiment with dogs..." As a BB fan, I was hoping for some specific antidotes, but there were nothing more than some vague generalizations.

[Jennifer Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I work in sales so I'm always looking for new techniques to make me more effective. I've read a lot of books and this one is VERY different from anything I've ever read. It really did feel like a conversation between me and the author and by the end of the book, I had a whole different perspective on the people around me and how I should deal with them! Awesome book and I hope he writes another!

[Dallas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read of a book with its prime focus on the author's unique perspective on how he approaches setting up and accomplishing his goals in life. I had picked up the copy of this book because of my familiarity with the author's success on television. I was not sure what to expect when I sat down to read what he had to say.

[Gabrielle Navas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Derrick is my favorite Big Brother HG. This book is awesome. He tells a lot about techniques he used on the show, that he used in his previous job as well. Great read. My only complaint about this audio book is that it's not voiced by Derrick himself, and that it could be longer!

[Laura Metz · Rating 5 out of 5]

From one of the greatest analytic minds of today Derrick inspires us all with his guidance and self help from his past experiences. I've been the biggest fan of his since BB16. He is such an incredible person and a great author. I really hope he decides to write more books.

[Alysa Caiazzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so so good! I would read this again and again. I highly recommend it. I love Derrick in general but even more after reading this book. I wish he would write more books. Inspiring, motivating and helpful. Full of strength and so much heart. Truly a great book.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very approachable book to read. It feels like Derrick is having a conversation with you. Interesting to learn snippets of his life story and lessons that he's picked up through them

[Jessica Voit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible read! Really enlightening and different from other communication books I have read. Money well spent!

[Cassie Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Love Derrick on 'Breaking Homicide' and wanted to learn more about him. I didn't realize that I would end up learning more about myself! Great job!

[C.S. Areson · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting

[Rebecca Smiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information on how to read people in any situation and how to understand people on a different level than how you normally would. Loved how open and honest he is when writing!

[Vinicius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with lots of insights and different perspectives that helps a lot in self-improvement. Great language and a must-read, despite a not so famous book, a hide, and an amazing gem.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Derrick has a way of explaining things in a very real way. Sharing his experience in law enforcement definitely helped drive home his points. Great guy with lots of great information.

[Elizabeth Swindell · Rating 1 out of 5]

2/10: honestly a struggle to get through; was hoping for way more big brother and way less detective stuff

[Wirt Salthouse · Rating 1 out of 5]

Vacuous bullshit.

I don’t know what I expected from a reality TV star, so it’s on me for getting sold on a bill of goods.

[Jay Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really my type of book but I love Derrick and if you're looking for a self improvement book this one isn't phony

[Nicole Spirito · Rating 3 out of 5]

took me a bit bc i was reading this on and off but not too bad!! i can definitely win big brother after reading this

[Theresa Oostmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good!! I would have loved to hear Derrick narrate this but the narrator was wonderful

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly platitudes written before in countless other books. I guess it could be useful if you've never read a self-help book before.

[Cheryl Kretz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a relevant book that can challenge people in any walk of life to reach their full potential. As a mental health counselor, I know first hand how having a focused and finely tuned mindset is essential! This book motivated me and i highly recommended it.

[Sharon]

I had to stop reading because it kept putting me to sleep. Sadly I had such high hopes for this book.

[Charmaine]

Define yourself

When you realise the severity of your responsibilities, it forces you to look in the mirror and ask yourself, “can I really do this ?”