The Carpenter
by Jon Gordon
Another Gordon fable: a struggling entrepreneur meets a carpenter who teaches love, serve and care as the foundations of success. The story is slight, the message is wholesome, and the book takes about an hour. It is more about character than tactics and is best read as a reminder than as instruction.
Read it if…
you want a short, gentle book about doing business the decent way.
Skip it if…
you need substance; there is barely enough here to fill the afternoon.
Three things you will actually use
- Build with care; shortcuts show up later.
- Serve first; the return is slow but real.
- Lead your home before you lead your work.
Do this first
Pick one client or colleague and do one thing for them this week that benefits you nothing.
Our verdict
Pleasant, brief and forgettable in the details; the spirit sticks.
Compare with other Character books
The Go-Getter
Peter B. Kyne · Character
A brisk classic about getting it done; short enough to read on a lunch break.
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The Second Mountain
David Brooks · Character
A reflective book about the life after ambition; richer than most in the genre.
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The Road to Character
David Brooks · Character
Elegant and a bit wistful; a worthwhile pause from the self-improvement treadmill.
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