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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Wise Guy summary
Guy Kawasaki
Lessons from a Life
24 mins
Brief summary
Wise Guy by Guy Kawasaki is a memoir that details the author's journey from a mediocre student to a successful entrepreneur. He shares his experiences, both good and bad, and offers advice on how to succeed in the business world.
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Wise Guy
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Key idea 1 of 8
Guy Kawasaki’s family left Japan for America in search of a better future.
Guy Kawasaki comes from a long line of dreamers – go-getters who moved halfway across the world in search of a better life for themselves and their children. Take his father’s side of the family. His great grandparents emigrated to Hawaii from Hiroshima, Japan, between 1890 and 1900.
This was a good time to get out of their native country. The Meiji period – an age of rapid industrialization and empire-building – was drawing to a close, and Japan was embroiled in wars with China and Russia. Since all men were expected to serve in the army, the chances of being sent to the front were high. Harvesting sugar for $1 a day for the Hakalau Plantation Company in Hawaii wasn’t exactly a dream job, but it sure beat military service!
Guy’s great-grandparents eventually settled in Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii recently annexed to the United States. They had three children – the first generation of American Kawasakis. When Guy’s grandmother Alma died during childbirth, his great aunt Katherine took over maternal duties. Katherine was a deeply moral woman who taught Guy to cherish and respect all life. To this day, Guy remembers his shame when she discovered that he’d killed a rare mejiro bird with a BB gun. Like the Kawasakis, the birds had come to Hawaii from Japan!
After Alma’s death, Guy’s father Duke became the family’s breadwinner at just 14. Duke’s education was brief, but it included a stint at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he learned to play the saxophone, piano, flute and clarinet. He led a band called Duke Kawa’s and struck up a friendship with the famous Canadian bandleader Guy Lombardo – the man after whom the author was named.
Guy’s grandparents on his mother’s side also came to Hawaii from Japan. One of their children was Lucy, Guy’s mom. This side of the family was wealthier, and Lucy was sent to Yokohama, Japan, for schooling in 1939. Almost three years later, she returned to Hawaii. Luckily enough, she was on one of the last ships to leave the country before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Lucy and Duke raised Guy and his sister Jean in their house in the Kalihi Valley, a multicultural working-class neighborhood in Honolulu. His early years were happy. His parents worked hard and invested in their kids’ futures. Most importantly, they taught him that anything was possible if he made the most of the opportunities he was given. As we’ll see in the following blinks, that’s a lesson he’s taken to heart.
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What is Wise Guy about?
Wise Guy (2019) tells the story of entrepreneur and best-selling author Guy Kawasaki’s life. Born into an ambitious Japanese family living in Hawaii, he went on to shine as one of Apple’s leading lights after dropping out of law school. Kawasaki has seen it all. In these blinks, he guides readers through his ups and downs and the lessons he’s picked up along the way as a student, tech guru, parent and sixty-something surfer.
Wise Guy Review
Wise Guy (2019) by Guy Kawasaki is a captivating exploration of his fascinating career in Silicon Valley and the lessons he's learned along the way. Here's why this book is a worthwhile read:
- Packed with practical wisdom and valuable insights, it offers readers a unique perspective on entrepreneurship and business success.
- Through engaging stories and personal anecdotes, Kawasaki provides a behind-the-scenes look into the tech industry, making the book both informative and entertaining.
- With its down-to-earth tone and relatable experiences, this book is far from boring, offering an enjoyable and relatable reading experience.
Best quote from Wise Guy
Were it not for the opportunities, education and upward mobility that America afforded, the life of every subsequent generation of my family might have been different.
—Guy Kawasaki
Who should read Wise Guy?
- Self-starters and the entrepreneurially minded
- Digital pioneers
- Anyone who loves inspiring true stories
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Wise Guy FAQs
What is the main message of Wise Guy?
The main message of Wise Guy is the power of being genuine and building meaningful relationships.
How long does it take to read Wise Guy?
The reading time for Wise Guy varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in under 15 minutes.
Is Wise Guy a good book? Is it worth reading?
Wise Guy is worth reading for its fresh perspective and actionable insights on entrepreneurship.
Who is the author of Wise Guy?
Guy Kawasaki is the author of Wise Guy.
What to read after Wise Guy?
If you're wondering what to read next after Wise Guy, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki
- The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
- The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) by Philippa Perry
- Building a Non-Anxious Life by John Delony
- The No Asshole Rule by Robert I. Sutton
- The Goodwill Jar by Nick O. Rowe
- Alexander the Great by Philip Freeman
- Be Water, My Friend by Shannon Lee
- Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
- On the Move by Oliver Sacks