My love affair with Seth Godin continued this week as I tore into The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly?
. I’ve been busy penning When the Phoenix Dances, my own latest book and as I came to edit the central chapter found myself stuck on the title I’d given it: The Icarus Factor.
It sounded familiar.
Naturally concerned about copyright, plagiarism etc. I checked my shelves to ensure I hadn’t accidentally stolen the title and, furthermore, the contents of the chapter, from someone else. If found nothing, so took to Google, unable to shake that nagging feeling that the title was familiar. A few clicks and I had my answer: Seth Godin’s The Icarus Deception, which I immediately recognised on sight thanks to the luminous green and yellow cover.
The book had been languishing in my Amazon basket for some time, added because I love Seth Godin, but not quite bought yet because…well I read a lot of books and want even more. If I bought everything I fancied reading I wouldn’t have a house. Or clothes. Or food.
Basically I’d be a naked hobo living in a castle constructed entirely of books, malnourished in body but gloriously fat with knowledge.
The coincidence in our choice of titles gave me the excuse to buy the book immediately and I’m so glad I did.
The Art Of The Journey
This is an excellent book for writers, creative types, young adults struggling to get started in the modern workplace, anyone who feels stilted in their current workplace and – perhaps surprisingly – parents. Why parents? As Godin points out, the world has changed. It is continuing to change. We may be struggling to find our passions and live fulfilling lives, our children will be struggling to get jobs. Creative entrepreneurs, who are generally the exception rather than the rule, may well be the way of the future. Our society appears to be increasingly dependent upon people picking themselves up by their proverbial bootstraps. About learning to forge own paths with the creative gifts they possess.
If this is the world our children are growing into, we need to understand it. We need to prepare them for working in this manner and at this level. And we need to put ourselves out there in such a way that our creative genius thrives.
But The Icarus Deception is far more than an observation on work, creativity, and society. It’s a call to arms, a fascinating and compelling read, and essentially Godin’s manifesto on the transformations society needs. More, it’s a rallying cry assuring us that we can successfully do it, and now is the time. This is a wonderful book, packed with Godin’s unique style, flair, and wisdom. If you’ve read his other books, there are certain elements you may find repetitive. The repetition is justified, however, in order to fully illustrate his points, and carry the thread of his argument.
Overall a wonderfully inspiring and energising read, highly recommended!
