Rich Like Them

September 29, 2008
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.

October 15, 2008
Have you ever passed a neighborhood of palatial homes and wondered who lives inside, what their lives are like, and how they can afford such lavish lifestyles? D'Agostino ("Esquire") has, and here he chronicles his journey into some of America's 100 wealthiest ZIP codes, where he went door to door looking for insight into how the rich become rich. While D'Agostino discovers that "not everyone who makes $1.6 million a year is Lao-tzu," he does manage to gain some insight into the personal traits and principles that have helped some of America's wealthier people achieve their successes. He weaves anecdotes of his visits with the wealthy into chapters on the ability to see what others don't see, make one's own luck, be obsessed with something, understand the nature of risk, and keep a kind of humility even in the midst of success. Most of what he finds isn't revolutionary, but readers will get a certain voyeuristic pleasure in peering into some of America's richest homes, and they may pick up some useful tips for personal financial success. Recommended for public libraries.Elizabeth L. Winter, Georgia Inst. of Technology Lib. & Information Ctr., Atlanta

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2008
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. Whats even more amazing is that 50responded cordially in face-to-face meetings with this Esquire magazine reporter. Armed with demographic information, DAgostino 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 doesnt exist; (3) you need an intensity that will scare people; (4) the myth of riskwhich is a bet youve 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.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)