The Real Bling

"The Real Bling" is inspirational and motivational. Brian McClellan does a great job of relating the Hip Hop culture to Corporate America. His analogies and metaphors really grab the reader's attention and draw you right in. "The Real Bling" is valuable because there are so many people out there who are not getting what they want, and mainly because they are not doing what they want to be doing. The author does a great job of bringing out the reasons why we might not be doing what we want to be doing. He then provides strategies to help us move in the right direction. These are practical, real life strategies that work! This is an extremely effective and empowering book, and I recommend it to anyone that wants to take their success to the next level! written by Christine Belknap [...]

"The Real Bling - How to Get The Only Thing You Need" by Brian McClellan covers the basic facts of life. This book uses statements of various rap and R & B artists and leaders of the black community and reiterates the statements into standard English language where it is understandable to the human race. He makes some very good points throughout the book, e.g. "no excuses, choose to win, floss wisely, never lose passion, and know the game, etc. Overall, the book explains the survival of the fittest among humans today and the society in which we live. I rate this book 4 stars, but everyone will have different opinions based upon their view of life. I would recommend this book to anyone who can read and understand strong views of life. Reviewed by: Tekisha

Reviewed by Thomas Gabrielli for Reader Views (3/07) With proficient use of Hip-Hop, Brian McClellan motivates the reader into securing Freedom: Freedom from our restricting jobs, phony friends, false sense of values, and misguided goals. Excellent motivational read. With a rudimentary knowledge of Hip Hop and its language, when first presented with this book, this reviewer thought this would be a tough read. Maybe even an incomprehensible one at that. How wrong my first impression was! This turned out to be an outstanding read. The author Brian McClellan, a former rap singer and current career counselor, puts together a treatise on how to gain Freedom - or "The Real Bling" -- in many aspects of one's life, particularly in one's professional endeavor. Systematically, he explains in easy-to-follow and logical steps how to make progress in achieving these goals. He first defines what he calls the "Institutional Man," the person who slowly and almost imperceptibly becomes lost in the Company's policies, no matter how skewered they may be. In short, the "yes" man; one who becomes part of the corporate flowchart of nonentities. He shows that the way to real Freedom is to break away from this environment to go it on your own. He then delves into detail just how to accomplish this. His system includes surrounding yourself with the right supportive team of coworkers, training your mind to focus on your goals and to be passionate about them, eliminating people around you who prove false and detrimental to your agenda, and a concept he calls "reciprocity," acknowledging the good people around you and rewarding them accordingly. Throughout, McClellan uses strong metaphors to illustrate his ideas. Although I may not understand fully all of the quotes he borrows from the rap and hip hop genres, enough sunk in for me to be impressed. Ultimately, McClellan proves he is a terrific motivational speaker. His teachings jump through the printed page. I can't help wonder if he's this good in his writings, how great he must be live in an auditorium. I highly recommend "The Real Bling" to anyone who has every experienced the feeling of "stuck."

The Real Bling by Brian McClellan is a new twist to an old message. Mr. McClellan reinforces to the reader the need for self-determination. The word freedom flows through the pages of this book like water. Freedom to be all you should, through your own work is the general theme. The Real Bling is a well-written and easy to read self-help guide that does not become preachy, but sends the clear message, we are all responsible for our own success. This non-fiction guide is as entertaining as many fiction titles. What makes The Real Bling stand apart is the hip-hop influenced tone of the book. Chapters begin with catchy phrases such as, `Know the Game' and 'Floss Wisely.' The chapter titles are followed by verses from well-known hip-hop artists. Tupac Shakur, Lauryn Hill and other famous artists' verses are interjected throughout the book. The verses and titles are then expounded upon, filling out the chapters with words of self-empowerment. The Real Bling is recommended for anyone looking for the message of self-actualization, told to a hip-hop beat. Angelia Menchan APOOO BookClub