• The Icarus Deception

  • How High Will You Fly?
  • By: Seth Godin
  • Narrated by: Seth Godin
  • Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,686 ratings)

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The Icarus Deception  By  cover art

The Icarus Deception

By: Seth Godin
Narrated by: Seth Godin
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Publisher's summary

What are you afraid of?

The old rules: Play it safe. Stay in your comfort zone. Find an institution, a job, a set of rules to stick to. Keep your head down. Don't fly too close to the sun.

The new truth: It's better to be sorry than safe. You need to fly higher than ever.

In his bravest and most challenging book yet, Seth Godin shows how we can thrive in an economy that rewards art, not compliance. He explains why true innovators focus on trust, remarkability, leadership, and stories that spread. And he makes a passionate argument for why you should be treating your work as art.

Art is not a gene or a specific talent. It's an attitude, available to anyone who has a vision that others don't, and the guts to do something about it. Steve Jobs was an artist. So were Henry Ford and Martin Luther King, Jr. To work like an artist means investing in the things that scale: creativity, emotional labor, and grit. The path of the artist isn't for the faint of heart - but Godin shows why it's your only chance to stand up, stand out, and make a difference.

The time to seize new ground and work without a map is now. So what are you going to do?

©2012 Seth Godin (P)2012 Random House Audio

What listeners say about The Icarus Deception

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amazing

It gave me a fresh and new perspective on achieving goals and living a full life

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READ THE ICARUS DECEPTION

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I have recommended it already to several people. This book is the line in the sand between the you that has doubts and the you that is a powerful artist. The Icarus Deception has changed my perspective on the work force and has inspired me to take part in the communications revolution doing what I truly love. This book is almost like a self help book because of all the powerful esteem boosting tips: such as: "abandon your world view", "you are not your art", and "learning allows you to become a participant instead of a spectator". It helped me answer a lot of questions for myself such as: WHY IS MY ART NOT WORKING? HOW DO I GET TO WHERE I WANT TO GO? HOW CAN I TAKE MY ART FURTHER? TID super pumped me up and has given me light on my projects and goals.

What does Seth Godin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Seth Godin demonstrates conviction with every word he says. You can hear his passion in his voice. I truly believe him and his words are backed by real life examples. He expresses his vulnerabilities and is someone to be inspired by.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did have an extreme reaction. I definitely laughed but more often I had stunned WOW moments. Gaps in my knowledge were filled. The book took me longer to listen then normal because I had to stop and take notes at every chapter :)

Any additional comments?

Read this. Enough said.

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A simple answer is hard to disregard.

I was heaved into a world 34 yrs ago that made little sense to me. Not perplexing every answer was given. None ever satisfied. Preventing destructive governance by destroying satisfied me enough. It fit well with my own self destructive outlook. I found a new world hidden 4yrs past. Fascination flooded over me. I found my inner artist. I have used painting (canvas, clothing indoors and out) landscaping, home repair/ remodeling... In different ways of expressing my new passionate world. All are great connectors. This perception pushed me to renewed zeal and excitement. To have someone describe why this world is in its current state and what is being offered to us. Creation is a act of love and the micro image of god. I accept the views challenge and passion placed forward by such a wonderful heart and mind as I perceive. I will enjoy this book narration and lecture many more times. Thank you Sire! Mr. Godin I see the god in you! Thank you for your connections.

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Outstanding!

This is a must read for educators, business folks, and human beings in general. The material can be very far reaching if spread to the right places! As a newly retired educator, I can affirm that this is not the direction that our educational system is headed, but the leadership needs to have this material in hand... and as quickly as possible for the sake of the students! (Quite frankly, it will be very welcome to the teaching artists in the classroom!)
Seth Godin is a genius! Now that I am working in my own business, I hear him quoted everywhere I go. This book is one of the many reasons why.

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Very thought provoking!

I loved this book! Very thought provoking and in a way motivating. Very well read.

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Like an Opera

interesting ideas. probably not the style of writing I prefer but then that's the whole point of the book... shaking up our programming and preferences, and routines that make us comfortable and give us the framework for our thinking. like an Opera, the art of it always bored me... I wish they'd just get to the point!

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New favorite!

I am almost speechless. This book is amazing! Great read! I highly recommend it. Priceless new insights from a fresh perspective.

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Good food for thought

Many useful points helped me see things differently. Seth Godin has a way of digging deep into thoughts in the back of our minds but don't always take time to explore.

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Paradigm shift tool!

Seth Godin has a way of making an artist in every one of us. By his eloquent narration one is able to discover that the solution to every problem lies within oneself.

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Understand your life, talent, work, ideas as art

What did you love best about The Icarus Deception?

Seth Godin helped me to understand that art isn't limited to people who paint, sculpt, etc. He made me discover art in everything that I do.

What did you like best about this story?

Seth is not reading his story. He's speaking to me about how I can change how I look at everything that I do.

What does Seth Godin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Seth's passion comes through in his voice. His beliefs ring-out clearly to anyone willing to listen. You won't get that off the page of a book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Seth told me (paraphrasing): Don't wait for your CEO to pick you. Don't wait for your boss to pick you. YOU need to pick YOU. I'll never wait to be "ordained" by any human being again!

Any additional comments?

I began to understand Seth's power when I read "Purple Cow Marketing." He shows a dimension in the book that goes way beyond business. This is a very intelligent, insightful gentlemen that we all need to listen to.

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