The reviewer found the book's content simplistic and overlong, with ideas that could be found in any self-help book. They were also disappointed by the heavy reliance on biblical references, which they found unexpected and obnoxious. The reviewer felt that the author's need for religion to be true was evident in his choices of stories and interpretations.
The reviewer gave this book one star, taking a contrarian position to the many five-star reviews. They felt that the content did not justify the length of the book, with ideas that were rather simple and could be found in any self-help book or discovered on one's own. For example, Rule #1 was seen as stating the obvious about confidence and success. The reviewer was also disappointed by the heavy reliance on biblical references, which they found unexpected and obnoxious. They felt that the author presented himself as an objective investigator of the truth but then proceeded to quote from the Bible incessantly. The reviewer felt that the author's need for religion to be true was evident in his choices of stories and interpretations, and that this was foisted on the readers. They also felt that the author's selection of stories and interpretations said more about his psychology than anything else. The reviewer would have preferred insights into morality and human nature from ancient sources like Plato and Aristotle rather than the Bible.
Quick quotes
The content does not justify the length of the book.
When you strip away the pseudo-profundity and verbosity, you’re left with rather simple ideas you could find in any self-help book or discover on your own.
The introduction of the book presents the author as an objective investigator of the truth, disillusioned by dogmatic ideology and prepared to demonstrate its dangers. He then proceeds to incessantly quote from the bible, perhaps the most dogmatic text ever written.