Wednesday, July 22

Snapshots from hell! - Book review {actually my view}

Just completed the book called "Snapshots from Hell". Its a nicely written book and gives a very good insight into the life of MBA students {esp students from non quant background} at Stanford.
The author of the book {Peter Robinson} was working at White House as a speech writer for mr. reagan {yes you read it right}. Then he tells the readers that he became interested in business {his version of why MBA?} and applied to Stanford. But even before his journey begins he is crippled by various negative thoughts. He adresses himself and other people from non quant backgrounds as "Poets". Now as per the book, poets are admitted to b-schools for the sake of diversity and poets are unable to cope up with the strenous life at the b-school {thats why the name "Snapshots from Hell"}.
The book takes reader through pre term boot camp, where author has humorously highlighted his incompetence in quant related topics. Then he goes on to further share his thoughts about other subjects and professors. I found that the author was unable to cope up with the rigor of b-school life and one could infer that the author is trying to criticize the b-school experience. This could be due to misfit {thats why finding the right school for pursuing the MBA is utmost important else one is forced to go through hell}.
As per the author, poets found the curriculum too difficult and had little time for networking and other jollies of life {a luxury which was enjoyed fully by consultants, i bankers and people from quant background}. As the story progresses one finds that author fares miserably in his first term but then slowly learns how to dodge the exams {passing the exams becomes his motive, god knows what happens to learning }.
The best part is where author reveals the value of aan MBA degree from a college like Stanford. He quotes his professor who says that even if students at Stanford and other top b-schools are not grounded hard and simply asked to play golf and enjoy life for 2 years, even then companies would recruit them in abundance and at a premium price. {brand does matter, Gucci, Versace.. vs non branded clothes}
Towards the end author loses his grip over the story but nevertheless Snapshots from Hell is a good read for any MBA applicant. Its reasonably priced and well written {no doubt that peter wrote speeches for Reagan}

3 comments:

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