The Formula

The Universal Laws of Success

By: Albert-László Barabási

Narrated by: Ryan Vincent Anderson

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the best-selling tradition of Malcom Gladwell, James Gleick, and Nate Silver, prominent professor László Barabási gives us a trail-blazing book that promises to transform the very foundations of how our success-obsessed society approaches their professional careers, life pursuits, and long-term goals.

Too often, accomplishment does not equal success. We did the work but didn't get the promotion; we played hard but weren't recognized; we had the idea but didn't get the credit. We convince ourselves that talent combined with a strong work ethic is the key to getting ahead, but also realize that combination often fails to yield results, without any deeper understanding as to why.

Recognizing this striking disconnect, the author, along with a team of renowned researchers and some of the most advanced data-crunching systems on the planet, dedicated themselves to one goal: Uncovering that ever-elusive link between performance and success.

Now, based on years of academic research, The Formula finally unveils the ground-breaking discoveries of their pioneering study, not only highlighting the scientific and mathematic principles that underpin success, but also revolutionizing our understanding of:

• Why performance is necessary but not adequate
• Why "experts" are often wrong How to assemble a creative team primed for success
• How to most effectively engage our networks

"This is not just an important but an imperative project: To approach the problem of randomness and success using the state of the art scientific arsenal we have. Barabasi is the person." (Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of the New York Times best-selling The Black Swan and Distinguished Professor of Risk Engineering at NYU)

©2018 Albert-László Barabási (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"This is not just an important but an imperative project: to approach the problem of randomness and success using the state of the art scientific arsenal we have. Barabasi is the person." (Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of the New York Times best-selling The Black Swan and distinguished professor of risk engineering at NYU)

"Laszlo Barabasi is an extraordinary scientist who has enjoyed great success. He brings to bear all of his capacity as the former to understand the latter - to our great benefit. Writing in a lively fashion, he illuminates broad principles that explain how people in all fields - from entrepreneurs to scientists to athletes to artists - achieve success. The insights are novel and useful, and backed not just by vivid stories, but also by the sorts of detailed and inventive scientific analyses, plainly explained, for which Barabasi is rightly famous." (Nicholas Christakis, coauthor of Connected and the Sol Goldman Family professor of social and natural science at Yale University)

"Barabasi will indelibly transform the way we all think about success." (Alex Pentland, author of Social Physics and Toshiba professor at MIT)

Summed up in the first few chapters

Success is achieved through personal achievements, ambition, value to your network and personal marketing/brand. Also staying relevant. I just saved you 7hrs.

Great read, but Siri reads as well as the Audible

Intriguing book with many revelations which are very unexpected. Really helps frame thoughts and strategy regarding how to be successful.
I was very disappointed in the audible reader though, and compared it to just letting Siri read the book, and found it to be almost the same, with Siri possibly better. The audible version has no discernable inflexion or sense that he understands the words he’s reading, which deprives the words of texture and comprehension.

Research from someone that sucks at research.

The author cites the repeatedly debunked statistic that women's salaries are 70% of a man's salary. This metric is a global average that does not control for men and women having different jobs on average.
Depending on the controls you use the true difference can vary, but is always less than 10%. That does not mean it's not an issue, but it does mean the author is either sloppy, or dishonest. Given the entire book is based on the author's ability to understand and accurately interpret data, this book and anything by this author is suspect.

Great book!

Very good book. Interesting perspectives....definitely makes you think. Keep an open mind and enjoy. I did.

Absolutely Fascinating

I will definitely listen to this audio book a second time. Very interesting research and conclusions.

At 49, I have the insight needed for my carrer

I already realized that the ups and downs of the 1st half of my career have created my current reality. This book is not a BS self-help effort filled with plattitudes and shallow optimism. Instead it does the real work of giving the tools and examples to judge today's reality against a roadmap for what can be next, regardless of where you are starting. I am brimming with ideas for "what to do on Monday morning" now.

The only criticism is that his impressive research isn't available for a more personal analysis--its left me engaged with more of a thought experiment. Nothing to put into a spreadsheet or some other meaningful exercise.

great story--annoying use of inclusive language

Instead of just using "he" or plural "they," the author switches between different conventions--extremely annoying!

In the name of preferential attachment...

Great listen that elicited multiple "stay in your car listening until this section is over" moments. Some of the case studies cited were compelling enough for my future reference that I picked up a physical copy of the book as well.

A must read

An exciting and insightful book, taking success apart with some findings that well worth the listening time.

An Absolute Must!

This is a dynamic listen. Performance, Networking, Team Work, Creativity and Consistency are explained scientifically. I will listen to this audio book at least once per quarter. This book is a gem.