Rich Like Them by Ryan D'Agostine

Rich Like Them: My Door-to-Door Search for the Secrets of Wealth in America's Richest Neighborhoods by Ryan D'Agostino

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (January 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316021466
• ASIN: B003GAN4AE

From Publishers Weekly

While academics frequently conduct research to try to unlock the secrets of garnering great wealth, Esquire editor D'Agostino took a more direct—and more entertaining—route: he picked the 20 wealthiest neighborhoods in America and went door to door, garnering interviews with 50 very wealthy, very different individuals—including doctors, art dealers, real estate moguls and one shrimp-peeling–machine manufacturer. Many of the author's subjects confessed that they have been less motivated by a drive for wealth than a desire for a certain lifestyle, an obsession with a certain field and a need for independence, and that focus, passion and street smarts have contributed more to their success than luck or any formal training. Several of his interviewees leveraged their success through reinvestment, often in real estate, raising the question of how well their net worths have survived in the current credit crunch. While D'Agostino freely admits that his sample is far from scientific, weighted heavily to friendly people who happened to be at home when he went calling, his debut is witty and inspiring. (Jan.)
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From Booklist

Think door-to-door journalist who, out of curiosity and a desire to uncover so-called fail-safe secrets, knocks on approximately 200 doors in 20 of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the U.S. What’s even more amazing is that 50 responded cordially in face-to-face meetings with this Esquire magazine reporter. Armed with demographic information, D’Agostino trains, planes, and autos, often in Motel 6 and other inexpensive accommodations, from coast to coast to get the story. He backs up his primary interviews with solid psychological research, such as the study concluding that “persistence in pursuit of knowledge leads to success.” Although no one particularly famous is featured, all conversations help the author formulate five major (and many minor) observations:
(1) to connect the dots that lead to wealth, first you have to see the dots;
(2) luck doesn’t exist;
(3) you need an intensity that will scare people;
(4) the myth of risk—which is a bet you’ve tried to rig; and
(5) never let pride get in the way of profit; humility is the secret ingredient. Dialogue is sharp, bright, and engaging. --Barbara Jacobs

Review

"Rich Like Them not only proves wealth is within the grasp of us all, it also provides a blueprint for how you can make it a reality. It's a fun and potentially profitable read."-Lois P. Frankel, Ph.D., author ofNice Girls Don't Get Rich and Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office

"Pay close enough attention to the wisdom in Ryan D'Agostino's fun, fast-paced book and the door he knocks on next time around may be yours."-Jean Chatzky, Today Show financial editor and author of Make Money, Not Excuses

"First came A Random Walk Down Wall Street, in which an Ivy League economist explained how the stock market works. Then came The Millionaire Next Door, which drew on in-depth research to explain how regular people accumulate wealth. Now comes Rich Like Them, in which Ryan D'Agostino takes a random walk among the millionaires that inhabit America's wealthiest neighborhoods. These ultra-achievers are surprisingly generous with their stories, their advice, and the secrets of their success. A hard book to put down-filled with ideas that you can put to work."--William C. Taylor, founding editor of Fast Company and coauthor of Mavericks at Work

"There are many wonderful and surprising things about Ryan D'Agostino's book. The first is that he didn't get socked in the face for knocking on strangers' doors and asking them about their private finances. The second is just how much wisdom-about both money and life in general-these people gave him. This is an inspiring read."-A. J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically and The Know-It-All

Product Description

Ryan D'Agostino, former senior editor at Money, wanted to know how the wealthiest in America got that way. So he asked. Knocking on 500 doors in some of the most affluent zip codes in America, D'Agostino met with men and women who welcomed him in and shared their most difficult financial decisions, toughest setbacks, greatest strategies, most triumphant moments, and deepest insights. In RICH LIKE THEM, he weaves together what he learned and offers maxims for achieving wealth, such as "Never Let Pride Get in the Way of Profit," and "When you fail miserably, be thankful." Filled with inspiring stories and straight-up advice, RICH LIKE THEMis a lively and practical get-rich guide that any reader can follow.

About the Author

Ryan D'Agostino is Articles Editor at Esquire magazine and former Senior Editor at Money magazine. His writing has also appeared in The New Yorker, New York, the Wall Street Journal, Ski, the New York Times, and Budget Living, among others.

Firnando Chau Review