I decided to read this book after hearing Pieter on Lex’s podcast. I had always found Pieter a bit arrogant and had even muted him from my feed, mainly due to his critical views on certain countries he visits. It’s easy to criticize a place when you don’t live there and lack full context. However, the podcast made me curious enough to pick up his book and try to understand his perspective, especially since he’s a successful guy with an impressive track record for a one-man show. His solopreneur and underdog approach, which challenges the traditional VC-backed startup model, is quite remarkable. Clearly, he must be doing something right, given his huge business success.
The book is interesting, though not amazing. It offers insight into Pieter’s approach, revealing that he’s actually a more interesting and approachable person than he initially seems, with core values that might be in the right place. It serves as a good summary of his thinking—emphasizing the importance of being passionate yet pragmatic and practical when building a business, particularly in the digital space. The book also offers some very interesting, pragmatic tips without any bullshit. While not groundbreaking, it’s worth a read for those looking to glean practical wisdom from a unique and effective entrepreneurial path.