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Life Is Tremendous
Believing that enthusiasm makes the difference, Charlie shows how anyone can be happy, involved, relevant, and secure in the midst of a high-pressure, commercialized, automated society.
107 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
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1279 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 5, 2022
This is a pocket-sized 100 page book which packs a lot of punch.
There is a lot of helpful information for every person who want to create a good life.
The author does mention a lot about god and religion, however if anyone gets turned off by it, they can just ignore it but do not make the mistake of thinking that this book is useless.
When the author mentions about god what he means is spirituality because religions may change but being spiritual will always bring peace to us.
I highly recommended it.
There is a lot of helpful information for every person who want to create a good life.
The author does mention a lot about god and religion, however if anyone gets turned off by it, they can just ignore it but do not make the mistake of thinking that this book is useless.
When the author mentions about god what he means is spirituality because religions may change but being spiritual will always bring peace to us.
I highly recommended it.
September 19, 2014
“Life is Tremendous” is one of those books that has had a great deal of acclaim - on the cover of my version, from 1968, it says that over 600,000 copies had been sold (and another million people have purchased it since then) - and after having read this book, I don’t consider myself a raving fan. This is not to say that I found nothing of value in the book, it’s just that I wasn’t “wow-ed” by it and it didn’t say anything “tremendous” to me.
On the 107 pages within, the author, Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, uses the majority of pages to outline his “Seven Laws of Leadership”:
1) Get Excited about Your Work
2) Use or Lose
3) Production to Perfection
4) Give to Get
5) Exposure to Experience
6) Flexible Planning
7) Motivated to Motivating
An additional 20 pages are dedicated to the three decisions in life:
1) Whom are you going to live your life with?
2) What are you going to live your life in?
3) What are you going to live your life for?
The final 20 pages are used to discuss how “Leaders Are Readers.”
Sprinkled throughout the discussions are various quotes, personal accounts, and anecdotes - some unique, others just modifications to more familiar stories that have been shared by motivational speakers over the years. The sense of humor that Charlie Jones brings to this book, as well as his enthusiasm, definitely makes for a pleasant read, it’s just that I did not find the information itself to be very ‘impactful.’
If you’re one of those people who enjoys lukewarm milk and who prefers quick, easy to read, motivational books that predominantly discuss everyday wisdom, then indeed this book may be just what you are looking for. On the other hand, if you are looking for something to read that is a little more unique or in-depth, or if you are already familiar with other books in this genre (motivational, personal development, human potential, self-help etc.) then I doubt that you will have a great number of “A-ha” moments when reading “Life is Tremendous.”
On the 107 pages within, the author, Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, uses the majority of pages to outline his “Seven Laws of Leadership”:
1) Get Excited about Your Work
2) Use or Lose
3) Production to Perfection
4) Give to Get
5) Exposure to Experience
6) Flexible Planning
7) Motivated to Motivating
An additional 20 pages are dedicated to the three decisions in life:
1) Whom are you going to live your life with?
2) What are you going to live your life in?
3) What are you going to live your life for?
The final 20 pages are used to discuss how “Leaders Are Readers.”
Sprinkled throughout the discussions are various quotes, personal accounts, and anecdotes - some unique, others just modifications to more familiar stories that have been shared by motivational speakers over the years. The sense of humor that Charlie Jones brings to this book, as well as his enthusiasm, definitely makes for a pleasant read, it’s just that I did not find the information itself to be very ‘impactful.’
If you’re one of those people who enjoys lukewarm milk and who prefers quick, easy to read, motivational books that predominantly discuss everyday wisdom, then indeed this book may be just what you are looking for. On the other hand, if you are looking for something to read that is a little more unique or in-depth, or if you are already familiar with other books in this genre (motivational, personal development, human potential, self-help etc.) then I doubt that you will have a great number of “A-ha” moments when reading “Life is Tremendous.”
November 20, 2009
Since my mom has been diagnosed with cancer, she's been reading for those optimist, meaning-of-life-type books. Since she had this one lying around the house, I decided to give it a try.
First of all, Charles "Tremendous" Jones has the right idea. My favourite chapter is "Leaders are Readers". It talks about how he convinced his own son to read inspirational book for $10 per book, and how it changed both him and Jere (his son). I wish my parents would pay me for reading, I'd be rich! Ahem, back to the chapter. It offers amazing books like "I Dare You", "Your God is Too Small", and "A Woman's World".
This book is pretty old, so try to ignore some of the sexist comments. I just hope people don't misinterpret that you're supposed to just suck it up and pretend that life is "tremendous" when it NEVER is %100, it's a matter of perspective.
First of all, Charles "Tremendous" Jones has the right idea. My favourite chapter is "Leaders are Readers". It talks about how he convinced his own son to read inspirational book for $10 per book, and how it changed both him and Jere (his son). I wish my parents would pay me for reading, I'd be rich! Ahem, back to the chapter. It offers amazing books like "I Dare You", "Your God is Too Small", and "A Woman's World".
This book is pretty old, so try to ignore some of the sexist comments. I just hope people don't misinterpret that you're supposed to just suck it up and pretend that life is "tremendous" when it NEVER is %100, it's a matter of perspective.
February 28, 2017
Found this book in a stack of books that someone gave me. I remembered the author's name from some past conversation & thought I'd give it a look. I quickly read about a third of it sitting in the floor. Finished the next morning in a short period of time.
A positive book but not a tremendous book in my mind. The author is a motivational speaker & the book feels like you are sitting in one of his sessions. It feels dated. The advice, although helpful was... I don't know, stale? The humor was on every page, but also dated. It was more interesting to me as a look back into the '60's business & motivational scene.
The last portion of the book is a chapter called Leaders are Readers. I've always loved that phrase & believe it to be true. That chapter was quite dull though & was not particularly inspiring.
Take an hour & skim read it. It's worth an hour.
A positive book but not a tremendous book in my mind. The author is a motivational speaker & the book feels like you are sitting in one of his sessions. It feels dated. The advice, although helpful was... I don't know, stale? The humor was on every page, but also dated. It was more interesting to me as a look back into the '60's business & motivational scene.
The last portion of the book is a chapter called Leaders are Readers. I've always loved that phrase & believe it to be true. That chapter was quite dull though & was not particularly inspiring.
Take an hour & skim read it. It's worth an hour.
July 19, 2012
Originally jumping into this book with the intent to read in a few hours, I found it taking about 10 hours to read this book of 100 pages. What I discovered is that this is not a book to be read like preparing food in a microwave.
Sure you can read it quick, but the thoughts presented to the reader will hot on the outside and cold in the center. This was a book that needs to be given time for the thoughts to simmer in your soul. So many great quotes and stories were given, such as, how he motivated his son to start being a reader for life.
The best quote was on page 87, first paragraph, "You will be the same in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read."
Sure you can read it quick, but the thoughts presented to the reader will hot on the outside and cold in the center. This was a book that needs to be given time for the thoughts to simmer in your soul. So many great quotes and stories were given, such as, how he motivated his son to start being a reader for life.
The best quote was on page 87, first paragraph, "You will be the same in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read."
April 25, 2013
1. Learning to live: Enjoyed the dry humor:
[Did you hear about the two fellows in jail? Tom said to Joe, "Where are you going?" "To the electic chair," Joe replied. "More power to ya..."]
2. Seven laws of leadership: This is the biggest section of the book, full of practical insights; however, I didn't enjoy reading through this section.
3. Three decisions in life: Enjoyed how much the auther interjected his faith, lacing it into his message.
4. Leaders are readers: Enjoyed. This is the shortest part of the book, but perhaps was the most beneficial to me.
[Did you hear about the two fellows in jail? Tom said to Joe, "Where are you going?" "To the electic chair," Joe replied. "More power to ya..."]
2. Seven laws of leadership: This is the biggest section of the book, full of practical insights; however, I didn't enjoy reading through this section.
3. Three decisions in life: Enjoyed how much the auther interjected his faith, lacing it into his message.
4. Leaders are readers: Enjoyed. This is the shortest part of the book, but perhaps was the most beneficial to me.
May 18, 2014
A terrific "read in one sitting (with a highlighter!)" book -- it took just over 24 hours to read, broken into about 5-6 blocks of time.
Solid 4 stars - there are many quotes in this book that I'd never come across before in over 130 other books - that alone adds the phantom 1/2 star that Goodreads doesn't allow ;-)
Solid 4 stars - there are many quotes in this book that I'd never come across before in over 130 other books - that alone adds the phantom 1/2 star that Goodreads doesn't allow ;-)
April 4, 2009
utterly mediocre. kind of frightening too. the idea is to always be happy and enthusiastic and a go-getter no matter how shitty the work. suck it up and be happy. I'm scared that this will encourage people not to change who they are and their circumstances.
Actually some of the positivity stuff is helpful. It might not be saying always be happy but always be positive. which is a totally different thing.
I revise my opinion. Not that bad. Pretty good.
He's got a little stoicism in him
Quotes:
"First you must be learning to say something positive to everybody all of the time...second, be learning to see something positive in everything that happens."
"While I can't determine in life when I'm going to be kicked, I can determine which way I'm going to go when I get kicked."
"A person can either drive himself or be driven."
"You will be the same in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read."
Actually some of the positivity stuff is helpful. It might not be saying always be happy but always be positive. which is a totally different thing.
I revise my opinion. Not that bad. Pretty good.
He's got a little stoicism in him
Quotes:
"First you must be learning to say something positive to everybody all of the time...second, be learning to see something positive in everything that happens."
"While I can't determine in life when I'm going to be kicked, I can determine which way I'm going to go when I get kicked."
"A person can either drive himself or be driven."
"You will be the same in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2012
I chose this book for the 2012 reading challenge because it was short and it took about an hour of my time. I'm not really into self help books but Charlie 'Tremendous' Jones decided if he was going to help his 14 year old son that he needed to come up with a plan . He told his son he would give him 10 dollars for every book he read with a full report of that book and he'd put the 10 dollars toward the boy's car fund. It turns out the first book he gave to his son was 'How To Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie.
There is a list of book recommendations at the back of the book.
There is a list of book recommendations at the back of the book.
One only reads well when one reads with some quite personal goal in mind . - Paul Valery
September 12, 2017
This is more accurately a 2.5 star. I found nuggets of wisdom throughout, but the tone of the book was really hard to not find annoying. I read this because a dear elderly customer I have at the shop gets discouraged no one reads the books he gives as gifts. I told him I would. I did find a few passages worthy of reading out loud and remembering. It is short enough I'm not upset about reading it. I would pass it on to others with the comment that it is a fast read which saves you from being too bombarded by the tone (wink).
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January 29, 2009This book contains the 7 laws of leadership. The laws apply not only to business but to life. The leadership role is not only at work. Anything we do in life there is always an opportunity to be a leader. The 7 principles of leadership will equip you with the tools you need to be and effecient and effective leader in all aspects of your life. The book is dated so you, especially woman, may have to take some of the language with a grain of salt.
March 31, 2016
I cannot recommend this book highly enough! It is a quick read, but the results can be truly life changing if you allow it! Open up your heart and mind, forget what you think you know, do yourself a favor, give yourself a break, and prepare for the untapped greatness that only you can let flow out of you!
My favorite line in the book is, "What really makes a man is his inner dynamic and the learning of the law of being motivated, not the power of motivating others."
My favorite line in the book is, "What really makes a man is his inner dynamic and the learning of the law of being motivated, not the power of motivating others."
May 12, 2012
Fun and insightful for everyone's purposeful and thus tremendous life that awaits all who choose to focus on what is tremendous about life. It's a quick read and a great place to start a powerful, spiritual life. It includes categorical lists of quality books and an idea of how to get kids to read quality books and reflect on them by paying them as an investment toward their first car.
January 11, 2015
It's a great little book that feeds the brain positive reinforcement, reminders, and new insights. I gave out almost 30 as gifts for Christmas 2014 BEFORE I EVEN READ IT! I've listened to Charlie Jones on CD - funny and a pretty wise man. When I got the books, I sent them out already knowing they were "tremendous."
November 30, 2009
The book I own was published in 1968 by Executive Books. The Library of Congress Catralog Card Number is 68-31704.
The contents of this book expresses the seven laws of leadership, not only in business, but in life.
The contents of this book expresses the seven laws of leadership, not only in business, but in life.
December 26, 2016
A very good book, I had heard about this work while reading several books on success. It is an enjoyable book, I found myself jotting down several memorable passages. I would recommend this work to everyone...
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October 13, 2009:) nice one
July 22, 2010
This short book is overflowing with motivation and zeal for life. It only takes 2 hours to read. You're doing yourself a favor.
May 16, 2011
What a real opener of the mind and heart! This is one I will return to frequently. It deals a lot with job satisfaction, growth, and everything else.
July 9, 2011
Good solid principles in a pretty quick read. Some of his helps are a little out-dated, but a good place to start for personal development.
October 15, 2012
it was an OK book did not really learn anything that I already did not know.
February 15, 2013
One of my favorite books. It is easy to read. One of the biggest influences in how I speak to people in business & personal relationships. Speak so they remember their own thoughts!
February 22, 2013
grear read. hard to put down once you start reading it
April 5, 2013
Easy to read and filled with gems for a positive life
October 1, 2013
Good read
November 4, 2013
A lot of great quick life nuggets in this book
March 9, 2015
A good motivational book about persistence and working towards a great life. Some points were hard to follow but over all it accomplishes it's purpose.
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February 1, 2016Key from this book for me: Work isn't hard, getting excited about your work is hard. If you can do this, everything else is easier
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March 28, 20169th printing. May, 1972. Published by Tyndale House. This edition is not the one pictured.
May 31, 2025
stumbled on this through a recommendation, didn't think I would get into a self help book, but it's short and looked like something i could actually finish. to my pleasant surprise it did contain some unconventional advice in the beginning itself and I liked how some advice is actually quite stern and implores you to take an unshakeable stand that's truly yours. i have recently come to realise how necessary that might be. this was in stark contrast to the kind of advice I am wary of, the kind that's just blind support and moral boosts, not that that's bad but it lacks resonance when it doesn't come with any insight. anyway, like it says on the back, you might finish it in an hour but it'll stay with you. and like it says in the book, it's not the words of this book that willl help you but rather what you think about and reflect on from your own life after reading it that's going to help you.
either way, if you read this while having a deeply personal and important goal in mind, something that brings more good in this world, i pray that you make it.
either way, if you read this while having a deeply personal and important goal in mind, something that brings more good in this world, i pray that you make it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews