And Change the World (Perigee Book.) - Live the Life You Want

It was refreshing to know that there are other people out there with the same way of thinking as me. Growing up in a military household and currently being in the military you tend to be surrounded by people who all think the same way and very few speak up to express what they really feel. This book made it simple in reminding me do what makes me happy and those that I love happy.

I enjoyed learning about how to live a non-conforming life full of zeal and endless possibilities! It was indeed a worthwhile investment and would recommend this book to many people willing to reach for the sky and go beyond. I'm glad we got to read this book as part of my ethics class... Well done Chris!!!

This was an amazing book that coincided with my vision to live a life on my own terms! I've already recommended it to a friend of mine and I will definitely be rereading it. If anyone shares my vision, feel free to check out my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/LexiDarcel where my content focuses on life after college.

I absolutely loved the book. The recession has really caused me take a step back and figure out what I want in life. I'm tired of possessions owning me. I'm tire of my job owning me. I want a different life than what I've had. I want a 'quality' life that brings me happiness. This book totally motivated me to go get that life. His blog is great as well. I bought ten copies of this book and gave them to my friends.

I enjoyed this book immensely, It has been on my "to read" list for sometime and after reading it, I'm sorry I waited so long. Chris is energetic, passionate, innovative and insightful. I highly recommend this book to anyone who questions the status quo or feels they are capable of more. . Excellent!

Chris shows some excellent ideas and examples on this book(some of them totally new and inspirational for me), I loved it. If you, like me, is kind of tired about the way your life is taking and are looking for a way to change it for living a more passionate and awesome life probably this book will be a good reading for you(and Chris's blog too). On my case I love my actual work but its not exactly what I want for the future, I want to travel the world and create things, relevant and helpful things, and I hate my engineering college. This book it's the kind of support I was looking for: it made me believe a little more that its possible and that I should try, if something goes wrong I can just come back and try a new thing again. Definitely I recommend the reading.

I first checked out this book from the library, but after getting about half way through it, I realized that I wanted it for my own library. Yes, there are a million and one, "Make your life what you want of it" books, but I think this one does a nice job challenging what society might have you think you want and what you really want and need to establish what you yourself determine success is. Plus, the "Change The World" part isn't something you often see in other books - nice to see a book that realizes that part of our happiness lies in helping others.

Just as Chris has done with his previous ventures, this book really resonates on a visceral level. There is no easy way to describe what topic best characterizes this book. It's a business book and a self-help book and a philosophy book and a guide to life book. Chris truly believes that there is enough out there for everyone and relishes in helping people find their way to true happiness.

His examples and stories are incredibly relate-able. So much so that I called my 7 year old son in to sit with me and read some of the parts on fear and pushing through the walls that hold us back from experiencing life. Those lessons made sense to my son and I know that this book will make sense to anyone that gives it a chance.

The Art of Non-Conformity is destined to be a book that people will credit as causing turning points in their life. I know it will for me.

Chris basically organizes the ideas of non-conformity in a hodge-podge way. His attitude is very clear and it seems that he was one of the fortunate people on the planet to be in the right place at the right time, which he does not mention at all as actually being a factor in the ability to accomplish their dreams and really live a life that does not conform to the status-quo. This was surprising to me, since in a universe and a world that is constantly moving and changing being at the right place at the right time is everything. So yes, get this book if you don't know how to make yourself happy and are just another person oblivious to how exciting life can really be, but how would you even acquire or know this book exists if you were such a person. Since you found this book on the store and are reading this review, trust me, skip this one and look for something better. You will agree with most of his ideas since you know them in your mind already. By being interested in non-conformity itself you already are a non-conformist. This book helps you a little bit to hone your non-conformity skills, but doesn't really give you anything rock solid since Chris' life doesn't really seem that much better than your own. If this was written by someone with similar dreams as me I would enjoy it more. He seems to live a life that really doesn't have any other purpose than not having an boss and/or any real job skills other than how to write a book and a blog and travel which anyone can do. He writes about living your dream life but it doesn't seem like what Chris is actually doing was a dream of his, he kind of just made big changes in his life without really having it planned out as his life goal. His book deal and blog kind of fell into his lap, and then goes on to tell you about how to structure life goals and be very specific about your dreams and goals... kind of contradicting the way he went about getting to where he is in life. He seems to be more of an anarchist than a non-conformist at times.

Amazing. This book touched and inspired me in so many ways. I felt like the author was speaking directly to me.

I recommend this to anyone who is a nomad at heart. This is your holy grail.
Meghan Lay

If you like security, a steady paycheck, predictability, and the status quo... then please, pass on this book. For the rest of you not happy "working for the man" and who long for adventure, independence, and an extraordinary life... buy this book immediately!

Great read, very inspiring, it has made me realise I was heading down exactly that road of an unremarkable life and the only reason was because I just didn't think there was a way out. Now I'll do everything in my power to stop this happening by using your advice.

I've shared this book with countless people in my travels, especially those in High School and College. I wish someone had shared it with me when I was younger.

Our whole lives we grow up thinking, because we're inherently taught to go to HS, then college, then get a job, then come marriage and kids - where was the "enjoy life" part? Do what you want to do not what just presents itself in front of you. Yes, kids and marriage are great and my statement was not meant to mean don't do that but we're hard wired to think we have to do them in a certain order by a certain time frame or else something is wrong with us! A very easy and quick read with life long transformation possibilities.

This book certainly reads as a pocket manifesto and it certainly inspires in the same way also. Those who are curious about this book should make the purchase. It's the perfect book to read at the beginning and end of each day. Inspiring stuff.

I have always had unconventional ideas and felt like a circle in a square hole, never quite fitting in. Now I feel like I finally have permission (not that I ever needed it) to be myself! Thank you Chris!

This book can be life changing. I realize that whatever situation we are in it's probably of our own doing AND we can change it. That is if we're not too scared. This young mans approach to life is inspiring and I felt it's impact before I was halfway through the book. Thank you Chris and my son Devin who put me on to it.

Galway Kinnell writes in the poem St. Francis and the Sow, "...everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing; / though sometimes it is necessary / to reteach a thing its loveliness". Returning to that innate blossoming of self-blessing takes most of us most of our lives--if ever at all. Chris Guillebeau has a gift for reteaching loveliness -- through his words as well as his example.

Guillebeau is one of the most coherent people I have ever experienced. His integration of who he is, what he does, and what he offers to his "small army of remarkable people" has created a momentum of leadership and authority that is inspiring, informative and, simply, remarkable. He invites people to do as he does: set your own rules, live the life you want, and change the world. In this way, Guillebeau is reteaching each of us the loveliness that was our birthright: that we are a whole person capable of unfolding to our greatest potential.

If you want to call your soul back -- or line up even one little, jilted feather that is limiting your flight, I'd recommend reading The Art of Non-Conformity. Guillebeau will invite you back into the truth that your life can be remarkable. He will help you align with what you have always known, but may have forgotten: that it is your birthright to do meaningful work that nourishes you and the community you serve.(He will also explain exactly how to go about this, and help you see how possible it is to actually do so.) Most importantly, Guillebeau will get you so excited about living an authentic life that you may find yourself effortlessly taking a step forward into your own, greatest desires -- then another. And another.

You may be familiar with the Marianne Williamson quote that begins, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?"By presenting a thoroughly exhilarating alternative to this life-shackling fear, Guillebeau's The Art of Non-Conformity invites the reader to welcome all that we are--then use the force of our alignment to move where we were always meant to go.

According to my the store account, I purchased this book back in December 2010. Life was pretty chaotic back then and even though I really wanted to read it, I just got around to reading it this week. I wish I would have read it sooner! It's probably the best book I've ever read about entrepreneurship and living the life of fulfillment that you desire. I've always known I wanted to be self-employed, why I wanted to do it, and have had marginal successes (so far). I just never knew how to put into words why I had that desire. This describes me nearly perfectly.

If you're "stuck" in a career path that isn't fulfilling or already an entrepreneur that could use some inspiration and guidance, you HAVE to read this book! If you're willing to let it, it could change your life!

I found this book highly inspirational and full of good ideas and view points. I had some trouble relating to the authors extraordinary career path, but I realize that is just my own doubts raising its head. Will keep recommending this book!

After concluding a 25 year military career, I felt stagnant, resting on my laurels. I did not want to live the second half of my life looking back at the "Best Years of my life". This book and $100 Start-Up serve to be a kick in the pants as I look to define v2.0 of my Life.

I was excited about this book and felt optimistic after reading through the reviews, however, a disappointment was soon to follow. There is a substantial mount of filler and very little actual content involved here. In addition to a mildly condescending tone in which it was written, the pages there in will only serve as a reminder in common sense. If you have ever thought about living an unconventional life than most of what you will read has already been on your radar or occurred to you at some point. Flip through this one in the book store if you must, and you will find that that is enough.

Chris writes a wonderful book. No reason to post a long review here, BUY the book right now. There is literally no reason not to.

The Art of Nonconformity is thought-provoking, fun, and it grips you like a fiction book. I just couldn't put it down.

Loved it, and I expect you will too.