Pulling Weeds to Picking Stocks
by The Beatty Boys
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Book Reviews of Pulling Weeds to Picking Stocks
Book Review: Mediocre Capitalist Porn for Kids
Summary: 2 Stars
Unlike most of the reviewers here, I've actually read this book. I'm not making assumptions about that either; almost all of the reviews say something like "I think this is just great! I can't wait to read it!" Obviously you're not going to get much other than vacuous assertions from this audience anyway. Plenty of people will buy this book because it reassures their fantasies about the Capitalist gang-bang, but I doubt many will read it.
I read the book in about an hour. I was hoping the book would not be 100% predictable, but unfortunately it was. I certainly applaud the boys for writing a book about something that interests them at such a young age. Any young person writing a book with competency on any subject would deserve a few stars simply for that. Bravo.
However, it is one of the worst books I've ever read. The writing is awful. I wouldn't normally fault a group of kids too much for poor writing, but the subject matter is even worse. It is the unremarkable story of 3 white, middle class boys, with apparently no noteworthy obstacles or challenges, setting out to make a bunch of money and...making a bunch of money. I don't recall any point in the book in which the authors put value on anything other than money, which I find particularly horrifying behavior especially for children of this age. Nowhere in the book do we read about how such wanton accumulation of personal wealth benefits the community or even the individual in any real way, other than the repeated, empty catch phrase of "investing in yourself." This is basically the core of the book.
One thing that bothers me about all of the "buzz" surrounding the book is that many people are suggesting that the boys are selfless in some way. For instance, one review here says:
"I kept thinking about my nephew, whom only thinks about himself and his personal entertainment."
I don't understand how the activities outlined in this book are anything but selfish. Picking stocks may be a more constructive form of selfishness than playing video games, but it is selfish and self centered none the less. The boys themselves say on their blog "We are kids, and we want things." I see nothing selfless, heroic, or even remarkable about that. I also see nothing desirable about the possibility of our children, at younger and younger ages, becoming capitalist prostitutes that value nothing but money. I applaud the boys for donating the profits from this book to families that were affected by senseless war, but even that effort comes off as an advertising gimmick more than anything.
And to all of the reviewers throwing "God Bless" around...remember that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Book Review: Can't wait for my sons to read this!
Summary: 4 Stars
Rush was very gracious to these young men when he gave them some free air time and advice. I love how the book shot to #5 the next day. I bought it on the strength of the character that I perceived in the boy who spoke to Rush. My oldest son (10) loves to write and is very interested in how businesses work and make profit. I bought the book for him and his brother (8), but I wanted to read it first.
Well, I read it today and it is an excellent book! It uses wit and humor to get across a very mature understanding of morality, selflessness, good stewardship and good old fashion capitalism. As a parent, I got as much out of reading about the clever and engaging way that the boys' parents have of teaching them life lessons as I did reading the boys' insights. I may try some of these ideas myself!
I love the chapter on "Pulling Weeds" where the boys describe some of the jobs (or a better word, "activities") that they have done to raise money. They really put their hearts into everything they do. When they spoke about their "garage grocery store" I had one of those, "Now why didn't I think of that?" moments.
The chapter on "Tithing" was eye-opening as well. These boys believe in giving of their time, as well as money, and they describe ways that they have gone out into their community to do small good deeds for complete strangers.
Overall, I would recomend this book highly. I just wish it could have been longer; it was a pleasure to read.
Book Review: A book with good intentions but crashed on the runway.
Summary: 1 Stars
I thought it was a millionaire success story but found out it is another challenge that the kids took on to play the stocks first with monopoly money. Most people who learn the stock market play a computerized version with fake money before they learn how. There are programs you can buy people if you are interested. I'm not sure where they get the idea that they are teaching something new but they are happy with the book and so I will pass mine along to someone else.
It will get lost on your bookshelf because of it's dwarf size. It's not for kids and adults have outgrown it. The rest of the books tells all the different things they did to try to make money. Otherwise, I have no idea what the book is for. Everything spiritual in it is taught in Sunday School. The cost of binding and print should not have cost $2.00. You'll help them out buy making a purchase. But if you don't need it then don't buy it. Get online and download the real program to learn to play the stocks.
Book Review: Kudos to the Beatty Boys!
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this little 5x7 104 page book. Even though I was aware of most of these principals of how to succeed in life just by being on earth so long, immediately after reading it I decided to start making my own bread, keep a written account of where every penny goes and have advertised on Craigs list about a small start up business I've been thinking about - just for starters. These boys got me up off my 70 year old, newly-retired-tiny-income backside to make a better life for myself. Thank you Beatty Boys. And.... when you go on the television shows to tell the nation about your book, please bring along your parents. They are extraordinary parents!!! I said 'EXTRAORDINARY'! What fabulous hands on help and direction they have given you. I would love to meet them. The best to all of you and I will be looking to hear wonderful things about you.Book Review: Primitive Offerring!
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought the book to help a cause but it is not top shelf reading. It is not a horrible attempt for a group of youngsters. Kind of like selling Mom's lemonade when you were 11 years old. I have mixed opinion right now about sharing it with some of the youngsters I know. It might be adequate and inspiring reading for them. If you want to help a cause, buy the book, if you want to give a youngster a book that will motivate them, put the cost toward buying "Winners Never Cheat".