Principles

Ray Dalio's firm Bridgewater manages more than $160 billion of assets. In his book, Principles: Life and Work, he offers some suggestions to the reader who seeks to improve his lot in life.

The first part of the book reads like a self-help book. With lots of repetition, Dalio delves into the major principles that he thinks individuals need to adopt in order to improve at what they do. I think these principles are useful, but because I already agree with them, I feel like I gained little.

The second and third parts read like an employee handbook for Bridgewater. They are specific recommendations that Bridgewater employees must follow at the risk of getting canned. At this point, it was hard for me to do much more than skim the book.

If you're looking for advice on growing your abilities and making yourself a better person, the first part of this book is for you. If you're a Bridgewater employee, the rest of the book is for you. If you're in neither category, then maybe pass on this one.