How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying

A first glance at the cheerful dust jacket filled with more celebrity blurbs than most authors could dream of having makes it pretty clear that How to Succeed in Business without Really Crying has something a little bit different to offer. Indeed, Carol Leifer has created a book that defies normal categories: it’s mostly memoir and a behind-the-scenes look at her life in comedy, but it’s also every bit as much a practical guide to developing a successful career—no matter what business you may be in.

From getting that first job, to building a career, to finally enjoying some measure of success, Carol has experiences and anecdotes to show the way (or sometimes the way not to go). There’s some seriously good advice in here, tempered with wit, and sometimes just some good stories to remind you to enjoy the ride—because good or bad, it’s all your life. I was not familiar with Carol Leifer before reading this book (though as I read, I discovered I actually was well acquainted with much of her work). My favorite part was reading about the people she met along the way—an excellent example of networking as real life.