The Lies of Bestselling Business Books: Success Isn't About Feel-Good Mantras

This article critiques the majority of bestselling business books, arguing that they prioritize emotional appeal over intellectual rigor, turning simplified stories into generic advice and replacing complex market dynamics with motivational slogans. The author uses personal experience and counterexamples (e.g., Airbnb, Stripe, Amazon) to refute common claims found in books by Thiel, Ferriss, and Sinek, demonstrating that true success stems from focusing on reality, adaptable strategies, solid operational knowledge, sustained accumulation, and understanding complex systems, not simple "hacks" or motivational slogans. The author concludes by urging readers to focus on practical application and systemic thinking, rather than relying on the feel-good conclusions of business books.