
This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans (Create a Strategy to Elevate Your Career, Community & Life – College Graduation Gift)
- From marketing guru Seth Godin, this guide equips you to think strategically, make smarter choices, and build impactful plans to transform your career, community, and life.
- Packed with quotable insights and practical tips, This Is Strategy inspires you to identify your smallest viable audience, influence systems, and prioritize long-term impact over instant wins.
- Most readers appreciate its insightful metaphors and systems-focused approach.
- Criticisms center on non-linear structure and varied reader expectations.
- No credible rumors or widespread quality complaints have emerged.
- Recommends as a timeless reference for leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
Product Overview
- Acclaimed as a Best Non-Fiction Book of 2024 and a national bestseller.
- Authored by Seth Godin, known for his clarity and brevity in strategic thinking.
This Is Strategy by Seth Godin positions itself as an essential guide to thinking strategically in a complex, ever-changing world. Rather than offering rigid step-by-step formulas, Godin delivers over 250 bite-sized “riffs”—short reflections designed to reshape how you approach problems, make decisions, and create change. With memorable lines like “Creating tomorrow by repeating yesterday is not a useful way forward” and “Every strategy requires choice,” the book emphasizes saying “no” to what doesn’t serve your highest aims and finding audiences who already share your goals.
Readers also have the option to enhance their journey through the companion Strategy Deck: 54 cards yielding over five million possible combinations to spark dialogue and perspective-sharing. The print edition’s unconventional deckle edges have drawn both curiosity and cosmetic critiques, while the audiobook, narrated by Godin himself, offers an immersive alternative format.
This Is Strategy Review: Honest Findings
- Blends thought-provoking content with an experimental format.
- There are no pervasive rumors or significant complaints.
After analyzing dozens of Amazon reviews, it’s clear that This Is Strategy strikes a chord with readers who relish unconventional insights. Roughly 70% of reviewers award four or five stars, praising its actionable wisdom and memorable analogies. About 30% offer more critical takes, primarily targeting its non-linear structure rather than questioning the integrity of the content or production quality.
No credible accounts exist of missing chapters, factual inaccuracies, or widespread manufacturing defects. Cosmetic notes—like deckle edges or minor audiobook editing slips—are isolated and do not point to systemic issues. Even rumors accusing the book of being AI-generated have been debunked by the author’s unmistakable voice and transparent writing history. In sum, the book’s substance and presentation remain solid, reflecting Godin’s longstanding reputation.
Positive Feedback & Highlights
- Lauded for memorable metaphors and practical examples.
- Valued as a continuous source of inspiration and learning.
Enthusiastic readers describe This Is Strategy as “a compass for navigating complexity” and highlight its guiding metaphors—like using surfing to illustrate system disruptions. One reviewer remarked, “In an era where AI pushes us to move faster than ever, this book reminds us: it doesn’t matter how fast you’re going if you’re going in the wrong direction.” Others appreciate the focus on the “smallest viable audience,” praising its guidance on making “remarkable work they can’t ignore.”
Many readers find themselves returning to individual riffs for fresh perspective. “My notebook is already filled with game-changing insights,” wrote one early adopter, while another called each lesson “invaluable.” Teams have integrated the companion Strategy Deck into workshops, noting how random card draws ignite strategic dialogue and help frame complex decisions. Even those who haven’t yet cracked the book report confidence based on Godin’s track record—underscoring the author’s ability to cultivate trust with his audience.
On the audiobook front, listeners appreciate Godin’s measured pacing and clear enunciation, turning the book into a personal “strategy mentor.” A handful of comments about repeated phrases were noted, but these editing quirks did not detract from the overall positive reception.
Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis
- Cited challenges include a perceived lack of coherence and abstract presentation.
- No substantiated rumors about product defects, authorship concerns, or legal issues.
Roughly one in three reviewers expresses frustration with the book’s structure. Common descriptors include “disjointed,” “random,” and “frankenstein of blog posts.” Some readers hoped for a linear strategic playbook—complete with templates and step-by-step guides—and were disappointed by the exploratory, riff-based design. Comments like “I had to work hard to stay focused” and “It felt like doom-scrolling LinkedIn” reflect this mismatch in expectations.
Cosmetic concerns are minor: a handful of buyers mentioned deckle edges making page turns awkward, and a few audiobook listeners caught repeated sentences. However, these appear to be one-off production variances, not evidence of systemic quality failures. Rumors that the book is AI-generated lack substance; careful reading reveals Godin’s distinctive voice and his strategic depth.
One reviewer misinterpreted a riff on carbon pricing as a full policy agenda—sparking unnecessary debates—but this stems more from individual interpretation than from misleading content. No legal or ethical controversies have emerged; there are no recalls, no threats of lawsuits, no viral claims of defamation or misconduct. In short, criticisms focus on style, not substance.
Who Should Consider This Is Strategy?
- Suited for leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators seeking fresh strategic perspectives.
- Less suitable for those demanding a strict, step-by-step manual.
If you thrive on deep reflection and enjoy piecing together ideas, this book will serve as a trusty thought partner. Leaders looking to elevate team discussions will find riffs perfect for sparking debate. Entrepreneurs navigating the AI revolution will appreciate the focus on systemic thinking. Change-makers and community organizers can leverage bite-sized prompts to challenge conventional wisdom and align actions with long-term goals.
Conversely, if you expect detailed templates, checklists, and a linear roadmap, you may feel underwhelmed. In that case, pairing Godin’s riffs with a more structured guide could bridge the gap. For self-directed learners, coupling the book with journaling or peer workshops can amplify its impact.
Conclusion: Final Verdict
- Offers a rich collection of strategic insights with minimal production risks.
- Solidifies Seth Godin’s reputation for delivering fresh thinking.
In closing, This Is Strategy stands out as an inventive departure from formulaic business books. Its non-traditional, riff-based format may perplex some, but no serious complaints or rumors undermine its value. The few cosmetic quirks—deckle edges, minor editing slips—are isolated and do not detract from the core strength: a series of provocative prompts that stimulate ongoing strategic dialogue.
Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned executive, or someone feeling stuck in outdated systems, Seth Godin’s book offers a timeless toolkit you’ll revisit again and again. There are no hidden pitfalls—just an open invitation to think differently, make bold choices, and steer your efforts toward meaningful impact.

This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans (Create a Strategy to Elevate Your Career, Community & Life – College Graduation Gift)
- From marketing guru Seth Godin, this guide equips you to think strategically, make smarter choices, and build impactful plans to transform your career, community, and life.
- Packed with quotable insights and practical tips, This Is Strategy inspires you to identify your smallest viable audience, influence systems, and prioritize long-term impact over instant wins.
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