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Nailing It: How History's Awesome Twentysomethings Got It Together
This inspiring and encouraging book from respected consultant Robert L. Dilenschneider provides 25 fascinating and diverse profiles of iconic men and women that show where they were at or near age 25—and how they built their legacies across a range of careers, including the arts, business, science, and government.
With a foreword from U.S. Ambassador Donald Blinken.
Do you think Albert Einstein had his act together by his mid-20s? Think again. Would you assume style icon and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn’s life was always as beautiful as she was? Far from it. At the other end of the spectrum is the revolutionary Steve Jobs, who was at the top of his game by age 25. But Jobs’s beginnings were marked by his adoption, displacement, bullying, and then a rocky personal life. This absorbing book examines the trajectories of 25 iconic figures—from Toni Morrison to Albert Einstein and Golda Meir to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—to reveal where they were in their lives in their mid-twenties and the choices that enabled them to make their historic marks. For those who are coming of age now, and for those who care about them and their futures, these captivating profiles provide inspiration, instruction, and encouragement. The profiles in Path to Greatness will be real-life examples of the fact that the turning points that lead to success and happiness come at different times and as a result of different conditions. Some people create their own turning points, other people build on what happens to them.
Many people who seemed to "have their act together" at age 25, had already weathered difficult beginnings to their lives; their turning points came early. And other people who didn't even have an act at age 25, went on to make profound contributions to the world; their turning points came with maturity.
This book will remind readers that it is never too late to make an impact.
With a foreword from U.S. Ambassador Donald Blinken.
Do you think Albert Einstein had his act together by his mid-20s? Think again. Would you assume style icon and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn’s life was always as beautiful as she was? Far from it. At the other end of the spectrum is the revolutionary Steve Jobs, who was at the top of his game by age 25. But Jobs’s beginnings were marked by his adoption, displacement, bullying, and then a rocky personal life. This absorbing book examines the trajectories of 25 iconic figures—from Toni Morrison to Albert Einstein and Golda Meir to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—to reveal where they were in their lives in their mid-twenties and the choices that enabled them to make their historic marks. For those who are coming of age now, and for those who care about them and their futures, these captivating profiles provide inspiration, instruction, and encouragement. The profiles in Path to Greatness will be real-life examples of the fact that the turning points that lead to success and happiness come at different times and as a result of different conditions. Some people create their own turning points, other people build on what happens to them.
Many people who seemed to "have their act together" at age 25, had already weathered difficult beginnings to their lives; their turning points came early. And other people who didn't even have an act at age 25, went on to make profound contributions to the world; their turning points came with maturity.
This book will remind readers that it is never too late to make an impact.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2021
4 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Robert L. Dilenschneider
28 books8 followersRobert L. Dilenschneider, founder and CEO of The Dilenschneider Group, is one of the world's foremost communication gurus and leadership coaches. Dilenschneider started in public relations in 1967 in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 14, 2021
Selecting individuals from all walks of life and several areas of expertise, such as Mary Shelley, Einstein, Coco Chanel, Maya Angelou, and Sally Ride, Dilenschider looks at -
1). Where were they around the age of 25
2). What did they do to get them in the history books
3). How did they accomplish it - including adversities, strengths, turning points, etc.
Besides writing a brief profile on each person, Dilenschneider throws in some interesting, fun facts.
The people in this book intrigued me, but I was drawn to this book for another reason. In the forward by U.S. Ambassador Donald Blinken, he states that Robert Dilenschneider wrote this book because he saw how many young people feared their future. I see that in my own twenty-something-year-old kids as they face their futures with uncertainty.
This is an inspirational and encouraging read; chase those dreams, and don’t let challenges and failures dissuade you.
Thank you to @fsbassociates for this gifted copy.
1). Where were they around the age of 25
2). What did they do to get them in the history books
3). How did they accomplish it - including adversities, strengths, turning points, etc.
Besides writing a brief profile on each person, Dilenschneider throws in some interesting, fun facts.
The people in this book intrigued me, but I was drawn to this book for another reason. In the forward by U.S. Ambassador Donald Blinken, he states that Robert Dilenschneider wrote this book because he saw how many young people feared their future. I see that in my own twenty-something-year-old kids as they face their futures with uncertainty.
This is an inspirational and encouraging read; chase those dreams, and don’t let challenges and failures dissuade you.
Thank you to @fsbassociates for this gifted copy.
March 18, 2022
If you were to ask me, "What drew you to this book?" I would say, "The composition."
I often think when it comes to the term success we need to consider our sense of wonder, of self-discovery, a recognition of the gifts or opportunities we each have and can share with others.
This is not a book where you read a few paragraphs and then your eyes glaze over. This well-detailed book is centered around human relationships and shows we are more than a title.
The profiles depict times of hardship, challenges to overcome, adjustment, depth of courage, and inspiration to move beyond current circumstances - making one aware that help received from others, encouragement, and determination are crucial elements in life.
I often think when it comes to the term success we need to consider our sense of wonder, of self-discovery, a recognition of the gifts or opportunities we each have and can share with others.
This is not a book where you read a few paragraphs and then your eyes glaze over. This well-detailed book is centered around human relationships and shows we are more than a title.
The profiles depict times of hardship, challenges to overcome, adjustment, depth of courage, and inspiration to move beyond current circumstances - making one aware that help received from others, encouragement, and determination are crucial elements in life.
January 8, 2022
Early adulthood – life after schooling ended – is often portrayed as somewhat meaningless. In this book, Dilenschneider says that not only is that impression wrong but that the twenties define many people’s lives. He offers this book as a sort-of devotional book of success stories based on individual talents. Twenty-three chapters about twenty-five people provide biographical vignettes about people who were disproportionately influential. He offers these to provide hope for those who might despair in their youth that they will never have wider impact.
Many programs – especially educational programs – make success seem like it’s easy and that everyone is doing it. Unfortunately, adult life is difficult, and success is only fleeting. Unlike academic courses, truly linear career progression is rare if not impossible. In these short biographies, combining innate passions with determination seems to count as much as formal education.
These stories are about 10 pages a piece. Instead of focusing on the final success, they focus on what the individuals were doing in their twenties that eventually led them to final success. In a distinctly American manner, they describe how individual personality and unique decision-making led ultimately to the big time. For instance, there’s the classic story of Albert Einstein working at a patent office while writing papers in his annus mirabilis. Or Steve Jobs founding Apple in his parents’ garage. Or Mary Shelley overcoming loss after loss to write history’s best piece of science fiction – Frankenstein.
Dilenshneider clearly tries to provide inspiration and hope to those who despair that the end-goal might never arrive. Sometimes, he addresses the reader directly in a self-help manner. This book reminds me of daily religious devotional readings that I read as a youth, only focused on marketplace success instead of personal integrity. In that sense, like the religious readings, these writings can be hokey at times. The underlying message is persevere with your passions because they will eventually bear fruit. I would have liked to have read more about examples of exactly how to decide on which activities are central and defining.
This book obviously targets ambitious twenty-somethings who are trying to find their place in life. By relating to other figures in history, this book’s readers can identify character traits that they can internalize to make a part of themselves. Further, this book can provide launching pads for further discovery in full-length biographies of individuals with strong rapport with a given reader. Ten pages for each story does not provide much room for analysis, but it can provide a start for a detailed review.
Many programs – especially educational programs – make success seem like it’s easy and that everyone is doing it. Unfortunately, adult life is difficult, and success is only fleeting. Unlike academic courses, truly linear career progression is rare if not impossible. In these short biographies, combining innate passions with determination seems to count as much as formal education.
These stories are about 10 pages a piece. Instead of focusing on the final success, they focus on what the individuals were doing in their twenties that eventually led them to final success. In a distinctly American manner, they describe how individual personality and unique decision-making led ultimately to the big time. For instance, there’s the classic story of Albert Einstein working at a patent office while writing papers in his annus mirabilis. Or Steve Jobs founding Apple in his parents’ garage. Or Mary Shelley overcoming loss after loss to write history’s best piece of science fiction – Frankenstein.
Dilenshneider clearly tries to provide inspiration and hope to those who despair that the end-goal might never arrive. Sometimes, he addresses the reader directly in a self-help manner. This book reminds me of daily religious devotional readings that I read as a youth, only focused on marketplace success instead of personal integrity. In that sense, like the religious readings, these writings can be hokey at times. The underlying message is persevere with your passions because they will eventually bear fruit. I would have liked to have read more about examples of exactly how to decide on which activities are central and defining.
This book obviously targets ambitious twenty-somethings who are trying to find their place in life. By relating to other figures in history, this book’s readers can identify character traits that they can internalize to make a part of themselves. Further, this book can provide launching pads for further discovery in full-length biographies of individuals with strong rapport with a given reader. Ten pages for each story does not provide much room for analysis, but it can provide a start for a detailed review.
October 6, 2021
Thank you for NetGalley and Citadel Press for sharing an ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.
I first want to say, this is not my typical read. This is not the kind of book I would just pick up, but being 25 I felt compelled to read this for inspiration.
The books perfectly captures how I, personally, view the thought of my future—daunting. I think pointing this out and realizing it is an issue frames the book and the look at the lives of known accomplished peoples.
I did not enjoy the introduction, which read like an essay introduction. It covered, in brevity, what the chapters would go on to cover. It just seemed useless and childish. As for the chapters, they gave good knowledge, paired with insight into applicability. Some of them I enjoyed more than others, but overall, they were interesting.
While I would not say this book is a must-read, I would recommend this to twentysomethings feeling lost or stuck. A solid 3.5 star book.
I first want to say, this is not my typical read. This is not the kind of book I would just pick up, but being 25 I felt compelled to read this for inspiration.
The books perfectly captures how I, personally, view the thought of my future—daunting. I think pointing this out and realizing it is an issue frames the book and the look at the lives of known accomplished peoples.
I did not enjoy the introduction, which read like an essay introduction. It covered, in brevity, what the chapters would go on to cover. It just seemed useless and childish. As for the chapters, they gave good knowledge, paired with insight into applicability. Some of them I enjoyed more than others, but overall, they were interesting.
While I would not say this book is a must-read, I would recommend this to twentysomethings feeling lost or stuck. A solid 3.5 star book.
October 9, 2021
This book is a set of 25 stories about 25 men and women who have mailed their skills by the age of 25. This book is interesting by telling about their lives, achievements, success and failures, as well as their aspirations. Many of the stories I have found inspiring and seductive that regardless your background and starting point in life, your growth mindset is what counts.
June 11, 2022
Excellent collection of biographies.
My Review
My Review
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews