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Jump In!: Even If You Don't Know How to Swim
Executive producer Mark Burnett has revolutionized television. Phrases from his smash-hit reality shows–“The tribe has spoken” and “You’re fired”–have become part of our cultural lexicon. So how did a British immigrant with very little cash and absolutely no connections become his own entertainment empire? The answers can be found in Jump In! , Burnett’s astounding personal saga. Burnett knows better than anyone that jumping into life with both feet first isn’t always easy–in his pursuit of success, he has taken countless chances and flirted with outrageous failure dozens of times. But in the long run, he notes, the rewards are so much greater for the risk.
In his time as a British Army paratrooper, and then behind the scenes of his blockbuster shows, Burnett has learned that delay and fear are the biggest enemies of achievement. In this fascinating book, he uses his television adventures as a springboard to impart invaluable lessons that apply to the business world as well as to everyday life. What qualities do the winners of Survivor and The Apprentice have in common? Where did the losers go wrong? Burnett tells all.
Here, too, are incredible stories about the shows and their contestants that have never before been revealed to the public. From the Malaysian pirates who almost invaded the island of Pulau Tiga during the filming of the first Survivor to the gun battle with Somali partisans during the filming of Africa , Burnett’s larger-than-life experiences will amaze and enthrall.
After years of facing remarkable challenges–both professional and personal–Mark Burnett knows it’s best to trust your gut instincts, recognize what you want, and go for it full-throttle. Jump In! is a must read for those who want to seize the moment, take risks, think big, and achieve their goals.
In his time as a British Army paratrooper, and then behind the scenes of his blockbuster shows, Burnett has learned that delay and fear are the biggest enemies of achievement. In this fascinating book, he uses his television adventures as a springboard to impart invaluable lessons that apply to the business world as well as to everyday life. What qualities do the winners of Survivor and The Apprentice have in common? Where did the losers go wrong? Burnett tells all.
Here, too, are incredible stories about the shows and their contestants that have never before been revealed to the public. From the Malaysian pirates who almost invaded the island of Pulau Tiga during the filming of the first Survivor to the gun battle with Somali partisans during the filming of Africa , Burnett’s larger-than-life experiences will amaze and enthrall.
After years of facing remarkable challenges–both professional and personal–Mark Burnett knows it’s best to trust your gut instincts, recognize what you want, and go for it full-throttle. Jump In! is a must read for those who want to seize the moment, take risks, think big, and achieve their goals.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published February 22, 2005
7 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 18, 2013
The best compliment I can give to Jump In, reality TV producer Mark Burnett’s hotch-potch of autobiography and self-help nonsense, is that I read it in its entirety. Burnett (or his ghostwriter?) is a good writer and he manages to keep the pages turning, even as it becomes clear that this isn’t a book with much substance.
I read Jump In to get more of an idea of what goes on behind-the-scenes of reality TV. There’s a little of that (mostly regarding Burnett’s biggest hit – and his biggest logistic nightmare – Survivor), but it’s drowned out by the sheer amount of self-aggrandisement and business aphorisms.
In all, Jump In works better as a business self-help guide. Most of Burnett’s business advice seems Really Fucking Obvious to me (and at least some of it seems conducive to a heart attack), but there’s no denying that Burnett’s story is an inspirational one: son of an English factory worker turned Hollywood millionaire.
(I, personally, would argue that Burnett’s success is mainly down to personality type: he’s a charming chancer with nerves of steel – oh and he’s a white man with an accent Americans find appealing, which can’t have hurt him. I’m not sure his success is something you can teach or replicate easily. And I suspect there are more charming chancers who are bankrupt and penniless than there are Hollywood millionaires.)
Jump In is a pleasant enough way to while away a few hours if the subject matter grabs you. I might even have given it three stars, if not for the unfortunate fact that Burnett spends a lot of the book bigging up one of his projects that failed miserably (The Contender). Uh, oops?
I read Jump In to get more of an idea of what goes on behind-the-scenes of reality TV. There’s a little of that (mostly regarding Burnett’s biggest hit – and his biggest logistic nightmare – Survivor), but it’s drowned out by the sheer amount of self-aggrandisement and business aphorisms.
In all, Jump In works better as a business self-help guide. Most of Burnett’s business advice seems Really Fucking Obvious to me (and at least some of it seems conducive to a heart attack), but there’s no denying that Burnett’s story is an inspirational one: son of an English factory worker turned Hollywood millionaire.
(I, personally, would argue that Burnett’s success is mainly down to personality type: he’s a charming chancer with nerves of steel – oh and he’s a white man with an accent Americans find appealing, which can’t have hurt him. I’m not sure his success is something you can teach or replicate easily. And I suspect there are more charming chancers who are bankrupt and penniless than there are Hollywood millionaires.)
Jump In is a pleasant enough way to while away a few hours if the subject matter grabs you. I might even have given it three stars, if not for the unfortunate fact that Burnett spends a lot of the book bigging up one of his projects that failed miserably (The Contender). Uh, oops?
February 24, 2009
I am a huge Survivor Fan and I loved this book. Yes, at it's heart it is a business book and it details how Mark Burnett rose to the top of his game from very humble beginnings. It has great business advice, much of which translates over into great advice for living your life. Setting aside being a fan of his, the book is valuable on many levels.
Now about the Survivor stuff. It has tons of behind the scenes info on how the show got made and some of the headaches associated...including the almost made season that was supposed to be "Survivor Arabia." The book is filled with tidbits that Survivor fans will eat up.
I through enjoyed this book and have a great amount of respect for Mark Burnett.
Now about the Survivor stuff. It has tons of behind the scenes info on how the show got made and some of the headaches associated...including the almost made season that was supposed to be "Survivor Arabia." The book is filled with tidbits that Survivor fans will eat up.
I through enjoyed this book and have a great amount of respect for Mark Burnett.
January 6, 2013
So, I love the show Survivor. It's interesting to see how Mark Burnett's creative ideas and ambition have come to fruition. Entertaining read.
May 16, 2017
This book is a combination biography and motivational guide for a person who is in the business world or just trying to move forward in their life. As an added bonus there is information about the genesis and running of the Eco-challenge and Survivor television shows. It is an easy book to read and gives fun facts about popular television shows. I hope that Burnett decides to take Eco-challenge off hiatus soon or at least sell the rights to someone who will start holding it again, it was fantastic TV.
September 18, 2020
Some good advice, interesting behind the scenes stories. A little bloated in writing. Decent overall.
March 12, 2024
Thought there would be more about shows truly. I hate business books with captioned phrases. He is still a cool dude
April 28, 2025
The book isn't that good but the behind-the-scenes Survivor info makes it worth reading for a fan
December 27, 2013
P25
Different personalities respond to different sales techniques and I broke then onto four groups:
amalytical
Engineers doctors sell on facts not hyperbole provide rational research laden practical reasons, delivery no nonsense devoid of emotion to the point
emotional
Facts bore them make them feel emotions textures colours paint a picture
passive
Likes to be dominated, want to be taken by the hand and told what they like and dislike. Don't like to be bullied bec that preys on the side of their personality which imagines victim hood
If you pressure or are over aggressive they rebel against you. Passive customers need to be dealt with sensitively
motivated/ aggressive
Are leaders they want sales people to be passive , let them treat you like a servant . They love to prove they are smart or getting a deal and are especially easy when to sell to in front of a group
Different personalities respond to different sales techniques and I broke then onto four groups:
amalytical
Engineers doctors sell on facts not hyperbole provide rational research laden practical reasons, delivery no nonsense devoid of emotion to the point
emotional
Facts bore them make them feel emotions textures colours paint a picture
passive
Likes to be dominated, want to be taken by the hand and told what they like and dislike. Don't like to be bullied bec that preys on the side of their personality which imagines victim hood
If you pressure or are over aggressive they rebel against you. Passive customers need to be dealt with sensitively
motivated/ aggressive
Are leaders they want sales people to be passive , let them treat you like a servant . They love to prove they are smart or getting a deal and are especially easy when to sell to in front of a group
January 24, 2014
I read a few reviews that said this book was a bit shit. But I was quite interested in Mark Burnett so i ignored them and read it anyway. And i'm so glad i did. I absolutely loved this book. It's quite easy to read, kicks along nicely and has some great lessons in there. It's a fantastic 'rags to riches' story of a guy who put it all on the line and came out on top. I have absolutely no idea how accurate it is, and, i suppose, it glosses over quite a lot of the details. But the stuff in there is great fun, some great behind the scenes info about what went into making some of his shows, how close to failure he came so many times... my only real complaint is that the book is a few years old now and so didn't cover anything from the last ten years which i would be just as curious to know about.
October 5, 2011
Having met both Mark Burnett and Donald Trump on my pursuit to being The Apprentice I read this book to find out more about who Mark Burnett was.
In the book Mr. Burnett goes into very great detail for what it took to go from selling T-shirts on the beach to creating a number of the most popular reality shows on television. If anybody thinks that it's easy to make it into Hollywood then this book will show the exact opposite to be true.
The work ethic and the dream and vision to create something from nothing required to do what Mr. Burnett has done is exceptional. The great part about this gook is that he gives clues tips and tricks as to how to overcome so many no's. This is one of the greatest books I've ever read and inspiring for everyone.
In the book Mr. Burnett goes into very great detail for what it took to go from selling T-shirts on the beach to creating a number of the most popular reality shows on television. If anybody thinks that it's easy to make it into Hollywood then this book will show the exact opposite to be true.
The work ethic and the dream and vision to create something from nothing required to do what Mr. Burnett has done is exceptional. The great part about this gook is that he gives clues tips and tricks as to how to overcome so many no's. This is one of the greatest books I've ever read and inspiring for everyone.
May 21, 2012
This is a book by Mark Burnett, who is the creator of Survivor and The Apprentice tv shows. I enjoy these tv shows and to see the contestants struggle each week to better their competition. I was interested to read a book about the creation of these shows. Mark came from England to the USA 20+ years ago and had nothing. His philosophy is to "jump in" and make whatever it is you want to do happen. I think this is good advice, but I'm not sure I have the stomac for it. I did find the book inspirational and I learned much of the behind the scenes issues of the tv show Survivor. It was a fun, quick read I would recommend to Survor fans and non-fans alike.
February 2, 2013
Written from the founder of the show Survivor and other reality shows such as Shark Tank.
The lessons that you will find in this book is "Take Risks" which Mark Burnett coins, "Jumping In!". The other lesson that I received is that if you apply diligence to your endeavors, you will ultimately succeed.
Mark Burnett writes about his adventures in creating Survivor and other shows such as the Apprentice featuring Donald Trump.
The lessons that you will find in this book is "Take Risks" which Mark Burnett coins, "Jumping In!". The other lesson that I received is that if you apply diligence to your endeavors, you will ultimately succeed.
Mark Burnett writes about his adventures in creating Survivor and other shows such as the Apprentice featuring Donald Trump.
January 27, 2009
well, if you're a fan of survior and some of burnett's other reality shows, this will give you a few little inside tidbits. but the writing isn't great and it reads a little more like a brag book than it does an "inspiration story of rags to riches". i felt like in an attempt to make the book appeal to business people, he left out a lot of the personal stories that make life pop off a page.
November 22, 2017
Mark Burnett examines how he has "jumped in" and participated fully in life. Sometimes you may not have a fully-formed plan, or you may have to overcome your fears. By jumping into life you can live a life of fulfillment.
November 19, 2008
Mark gives a step-by-step review of how he became a success in the beginning of his book. I particularly enjoyed his courage to jump in and take risks.
Want to read
June 22, 20101st edition, signed by author on bookplate
July 14, 2012
Fun book, interesting to read about Mark Burnett's history.
August 24, 2013
since I don't watch reality tv, I skimmed most of his tv stories. I read this for the business inspiration. enjoyed the practical as well as risk taking slogans and stories.
April 14, 2015
A fairly easy read. I enjoyed the stories since I've seen many of his shows, but his temperament is totally different than mine so his business advise is of limited help. Still, I'm glad I read it.
January 19, 2016
This book was slow in parts and a page turner in other parts. Learned some things about him that I did not know. Not one I would read again.
June 4, 2016
This book gives some behind the scenes stories from the Survivor and Apprentice Series. Mark Burnett has done a lot of things in his career
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews