Looking Out for Number One

Robert Ringer is a writer who has studied Ayn Rand and Objectivism and has always put great stock in both. He is a libertarian and a free thinker. He believes in individualism. When I first read this book some three decades ago I didn't know about Rand or Objectivism or really much about libertarians, with the capital L or without. So re-reading it and now knowing about all of the above I enjoyed it even more than the first time and I believe strongly in everything he wrote. I read a reviewer who said that it is not relevant today as we work in teams. We don't all work in teams. Most of us do not. And even if we do it has nothing at all to do with the fact we must look out for ourselves first. This is a great book for anyone. It is as good today as it was thirty years ago.

Among all the self help books that I have read, this is on the short list of classics. What makes this book unique is that it focuses on the two things that can really help you; truth and reason. Ringer applies these to people, the world and everyday life. This is one of the few books that I've read that is refreshingly honest. The author pulls no punches and tells things the way they are. The book may be intimidating to some people because it is the raw truth and this can be frightening. It is best to face the truth because only in truth does one find power. Ringer begins by showing how perspective orients us to the world, and how people have differing perspectives. He shows why it is important to base your actions on truth and reason and why a failure to do so can lead to disaster. Some people may find truth unpleasent, but this really is a problem of perspective. What appears terrible may really be a blessing in disguise. One should not focus exclusivley on the negative but look at the positive side too. Bad experiences for instance can toughen you up, make you stronger and more self reliant. In one chapter on finance, Ringer gives his experiences about being left destitute, but he looked on the positive side-theres always a positive side, if you look hard enough- and used it to his advantage. If one wants to survive and do well in this world, he must arm himself with truth. This book does a splendid job in showing that.

Robert Ringer is a masterful student of human nature. Most people who criticize this book have never taken the time to read it. You may not agree with the author's view on various subject matters but it's hard to ignore his theories which happen to prove themselves over and over again. In my opinion, Mr Ringer is a negative thinker but is not a pessimist. If you surround yourself with nothing but positive thinkers, you are setting yourself up for subtle long term failure.

If you want to know what really motivates people to do the things that they do, read this book.