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The Third Door: The Wild Quest to Uncover How the World's Most Successful People Launched Their Careers
The larger-than-life journey of an 18-year-old college freshman who set out from his dorm room to track down Bill Gates, Lady Gaga, and dozens more of the world's most successful people to uncover how they broke through and launched their careers.
The Third Door takes readers on an unprecedented adventure--from hacking Warren Buffett's shareholders meeting to chasing Larry King through a grocery store to celebrating in a nightclub with Lady Gaga--as Alex Banayan travels from icon to icon, decoding their success. After remarkable one-on-one interviews with Bill Gates, Maya Angelou, Steve Wozniak, Jane Goodall, Larry King, Jessica Alba, Pitbull, Tim Ferriss, Quincy Jones, and many more, Alex discovered the one key they have in common: they all took the Third Door.
Life, business, success... it's just like a nightclub. There are always three ways in. There's the First Door: the main entrance, where ninety-nine percent of people wait in line, hoping to get in. The Second Door: the VIP entrance, where the billionaires and celebrities slip through. But what no one tells you is that there is always, always... the Third Door. It's the entrance where you have to jump out of line, run down the alley, bang on the door a hundred times, climb over the dumpster, crack open the window, sneak through the kitchen--there's always a way in. Whether it's how Bill Gates sold his first piece of software or how Steven Spielberg became the youngest studio director in Hollywood history, they all took the Third Door.
The Third Door takes readers on an unprecedented adventure--from hacking Warren Buffett's shareholders meeting to chasing Larry King through a grocery store to celebrating in a nightclub with Lady Gaga--as Alex Banayan travels from icon to icon, decoding their success. After remarkable one-on-one interviews with Bill Gates, Maya Angelou, Steve Wozniak, Jane Goodall, Larry King, Jessica Alba, Pitbull, Tim Ferriss, Quincy Jones, and many more, Alex discovered the one key they have in common: they all took the Third Door.
Life, business, success... it's just like a nightclub. There are always three ways in. There's the First Door: the main entrance, where ninety-nine percent of people wait in line, hoping to get in. The Second Door: the VIP entrance, where the billionaires and celebrities slip through. But what no one tells you is that there is always, always... the Third Door. It's the entrance where you have to jump out of line, run down the alley, bang on the door a hundred times, climb over the dumpster, crack open the window, sneak through the kitchen--there's always a way in. Whether it's how Bill Gates sold his first piece of software or how Steven Spielberg became the youngest studio director in Hollywood history, they all took the Third Door.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 5, 2018
904 people are currently reading
17.5k people want to read
About the author
Alex Banayan
2 books173 followersALEX BANAYAN is the youngest bestselling business author in American history. The Third Door chronicles Banayan's seven-year quest to uncover the definitive mindset of exponential growth and success. The book is a #1 international bestseller, has been translated into more than a dozen languages, and has been acclaimed by The New York Post as "a joy to read."
Named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 list and Business Insider's "Most Powerful People Under 30," Banayan is his generation's leading expert in high-performance and personal development, having been featured in Fortune, CNBC, Businessweek, The Washington Post, MSNBC, Fox News, and NBC News.
An acclaimed keynote speaker, Banayan has presented the Third Door™ framework to corporate leadership teams around the world, including Apple, Google, Nike, IBM, Snapchat, Salesforce, Delta Airlines, Mastercard, and Disney.
Named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 list and Business Insider's "Most Powerful People Under 30," Banayan is his generation's leading expert in high-performance and personal development, having been featured in Fortune, CNBC, Businessweek, The Washington Post, MSNBC, Fox News, and NBC News.
An acclaimed keynote speaker, Banayan has presented the Third Door™ framework to corporate leadership teams around the world, including Apple, Google, Nike, IBM, Snapchat, Salesforce, Delta Airlines, Mastercard, and Disney.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 857 reviews
December 7, 2018
This is satire, right? Or maybe they asked a bot to put together all the hashtag cliches and the #lifehacks and Tony Robbins/Tim Ferris/Think and Grow Rich memes together to make a book? I read the whole thing because I could not believe this kid kept harrassing these people for interviews. Like what on earth is he thinking? Buffet finally blocks him. It's the height of obnoxious privilege. He uses and abuses his networks of dudebros to get interviews with sucessful dudebros but also a few hot women like Jessica Alba--I mean WTF did she do? Also Maya Angelou sat down with him? These people are way too nice. I'm with this dude's mom and grandma. Go back to school
August 24, 2018
I heard an interview with Alex and was intrigued to learn more of his story but I'm disappointed I wasted my time. The whole book is just anecdotes of how he got to meet all of these people he wants to interview. I didn't find his interviews insightful or interesting at all. I don't think anything the people shared was particularly useful or different than what is out there already. Also, because I don't share Alex's enthusiasm and exuberance for billionaires and business people (especially egotistical narcissists like Elliott Bisnow) his interview subjects just weren't that interesting.
I got the sense that the book was written more as a fulfillment of Alex's ego. Business-wise, I don't understand what anyone would get out of this other than the fact that if you're as shameless, overly persistent, and pushy as Alex, then maybe you can meet some successful business people. His Price Is Right story was a great one and I thoroughly enjoyed that but everything else was a mess of naive worship of narcissism.
I got the sense that the book was written more as a fulfillment of Alex's ego. Business-wise, I don't understand what anyone would get out of this other than the fact that if you're as shameless, overly persistent, and pushy as Alex, then maybe you can meet some successful business people. His Price Is Right story was a great one and I thoroughly enjoyed that but everything else was a mess of naive worship of narcissism.
December 23, 2019
I’ll save you the time, the real lesson from this book is “fake it til you make it.”
The first 2/3 of the book is basically no interviews. Just a story of a self absorbed kid doing his best to annoy executive assistants. Waste of time really. Last 1/3 is decent but unrefined. My best guess is that Alex had to fill pages to have a “book” and did the college essay thing of writing fluff to fill pages.
The core problem here is that this is a coming of age story masquerading as a business book. And it ends up being mediocre at both. I think I reacted so negatively to this book because I really wanted it to be better. I’ve had the same idea, the same hope that someone's advice could give me a clouds-parting, white light, sense of meaning. And bits and pieces of a better book are present, the arc that Alex sucked at interviews until he learned to connect with people better. The interview with Jessica Alba after Alex finds out his dad has cancer is touching, and some of the discussion really gets to the core of what it means to "make an impact" on the world. But the soulfulness of Jessica Alba’s interview rang hollow after 100 pages of Instagram bro hustle BS.
The first 2/3 of the book is basically no interviews. Just a story of a self absorbed kid doing his best to annoy executive assistants. Waste of time really. Last 1/3 is decent but unrefined. My best guess is that Alex had to fill pages to have a “book” and did the college essay thing of writing fluff to fill pages.
The core problem here is that this is a coming of age story masquerading as a business book. And it ends up being mediocre at both. I think I reacted so negatively to this book because I really wanted it to be better. I’ve had the same idea, the same hope that someone's advice could give me a clouds-parting, white light, sense of meaning. And bits and pieces of a better book are present, the arc that Alex sucked at interviews until he learned to connect with people better. The interview with Jessica Alba after Alex finds out his dad has cancer is touching, and some of the discussion really gets to the core of what it means to "make an impact" on the world. But the soulfulness of Jessica Alba’s interview rang hollow after 100 pages of Instagram bro hustle BS.
June 17, 2018
Look, everything said in this book has been said before in other books. At some point you've got to ask yourself, "where did these people learned what they learned from?" That'll lead you to books, peers, and dead people they've learned from. And the deeper you go you too will see too you can find these advices elsewhere.
So if you have a long, long list of books read skip this one, you won't miss out.
For everyone else, yeah, if you have the time and money I'd recommend reading this book—your experience instead will be like the other reviewers.
Scratch that, even if you're well read read this book as a refresher. (Space Repetition Practice)
Or read this book to get another hit of that feel good motivational or inspirational whoo whoo. (Make those feelings of uncertainty temporarily go away)
Or read this book because it can be very validating to read the ideas you concluded to are the same advice being offered.
Personal Tidbits: Never knew of Stefan Weitz, Qi Lu, and Dean Kamen before this book, and others but it's these three I feel indebted for the introduction. Stefan Weitz, Briana, Talia are the best. Cal and Larry know. Bill Gates comes across as someone to get to know in person (without the motives of the author) and not through another person’s experience of him, but that can be said about everyone interviewed in this book. And for some strange reason I want to thank Elliott for always being there for Alex and his dad.
Edit: Also it's weird... all those Harry Potter references and no mention or attempt to interview J.K Rowling. I'm missing something here.
So if you have a long, long list of books read skip this one, you won't miss out.
For everyone else, yeah, if you have the time and money I'd recommend reading this book—your experience instead will be like the other reviewers.
Scratch that, even if you're well read read this book as a refresher. (Space Repetition Practice)
Or read this book to get another hit of that feel good motivational or inspirational whoo whoo. (Make those feelings of uncertainty temporarily go away)
Or read this book because it can be very validating to read the ideas you concluded to are the same advice being offered.
Personal Tidbits: Never knew of Stefan Weitz, Qi Lu, and Dean Kamen before this book, and others but it's these three I feel indebted for the introduction. Stefan Weitz, Briana, Talia are the best. Cal and Larry know. Bill Gates comes across as someone to get to know in person (without the motives of the author) and not through another person’s experience of him, but that can be said about everyone interviewed in this book. And for some strange reason I want to thank Elliott for always being there for Alex and his dad.
Edit: Also it's weird... all those Harry Potter references and no mention or attempt to interview J.K Rowling. I'm missing something here.
March 12, 2019
I met Alex in November of 2018 where he invited me as one of his personal guests over Instagram to his keynote at the World Trade Center. I took a 15-hour bus ride from Toronto to New York to make it happen. It was that well worth it. Alex himself is electrifying. His presence and his energy is one people want to be around and he emits an aura that radiates and affects people.
It feels that way when you’re reading (and listening!) to his book. Effectively enough, it’s like the words are jumping off the page and although considered a business book, it feels like an adventure novel that has me on the edge of my seat. The Third Door was hands down the fastest I had ever read a book. I read it in one sitting. The words were just begging to be read and Alex has a way of drawing you in, making you feel like you are a co-pilot on his journey. The biggest takeaways for me were fully believing that:
- There is always, always a way.
- When you change what you believe is possible, you change what becomes possible.
I gravitate towards Alex’s book because I see myself reflected in it.
It feels fitting that I am writing this book review while I am on the plane to LA. This isn’t just any plane ride for me though. This is a plane ride that is realizing a 5 year dream of mine. This is the type of Plane Ride that has the same tone of when Alex finally meets Bill Gates and he reflects on every moment it took to get there. The red scarf. The endless phone calls. The rejection letters. The crouching in the bathroom, and the interviews. For me, this entire plane ride has been myself reminiscing on everything it took for me to get here, to finally obtain my visa and to finally move to LA. The struggle of the home situation, the conversations with certain people, the realization that nobody was holding me back except for me. All to change a self-limiting belief and to work SO hard to make a dream happen.
I have my utmost and wholehearted support behind this book and Alex Banayan himself. Having read his book, gifted his book to people 10+ times (and had these friends gift the book to others), met him him in person, and listened to him on numerous podcasts and a speech in person by him—I know that he is a wholesome human. They say to be wary of meeting your idols for they may have a different way of behaving that what you’ve perceived. Alex is exactly who he is across all his mediums and smashes that fear-based stereotype. He cares. His message is coming from a place so deep in him that’s unshakeable and resonates hard. This is the book I recommend to everyone first and has maybe, just maybe knocked off Outliers as my favourite book at the moment.
Anyway I’m sitting on my flight from Toronto to LA about to land and my copy of the third door signed by Alex himself is in my bag. There’s something comforting knowing that these people are out there. The ones who are chasing their dreams + creating their lives. And if you have a dream that wants to be realized, highly recommend picking up the Third Door and gifting yourself a solid evening to read it. Having read the book, I am better because of it and the experience of reading it and the knowledge within it are well worth it.
It feels that way when you’re reading (and listening!) to his book. Effectively enough, it’s like the words are jumping off the page and although considered a business book, it feels like an adventure novel that has me on the edge of my seat. The Third Door was hands down the fastest I had ever read a book. I read it in one sitting. The words were just begging to be read and Alex has a way of drawing you in, making you feel like you are a co-pilot on his journey. The biggest takeaways for me were fully believing that:
- There is always, always a way.
- When you change what you believe is possible, you change what becomes possible.
I gravitate towards Alex’s book because I see myself reflected in it.
It feels fitting that I am writing this book review while I am on the plane to LA. This isn’t just any plane ride for me though. This is a plane ride that is realizing a 5 year dream of mine. This is the type of Plane Ride that has the same tone of when Alex finally meets Bill Gates and he reflects on every moment it took to get there. The red scarf. The endless phone calls. The rejection letters. The crouching in the bathroom, and the interviews. For me, this entire plane ride has been myself reminiscing on everything it took for me to get here, to finally obtain my visa and to finally move to LA. The struggle of the home situation, the conversations with certain people, the realization that nobody was holding me back except for me. All to change a self-limiting belief and to work SO hard to make a dream happen.
I have my utmost and wholehearted support behind this book and Alex Banayan himself. Having read his book, gifted his book to people 10+ times (and had these friends gift the book to others), met him him in person, and listened to him on numerous podcasts and a speech in person by him—I know that he is a wholesome human. They say to be wary of meeting your idols for they may have a different way of behaving that what you’ve perceived. Alex is exactly who he is across all his mediums and smashes that fear-based stereotype. He cares. His message is coming from a place so deep in him that’s unshakeable and resonates hard. This is the book I recommend to everyone first and has maybe, just maybe knocked off Outliers as my favourite book at the moment.
Anyway I’m sitting on my flight from Toronto to LA about to land and my copy of the third door signed by Alex himself is in my bag. There’s something comforting knowing that these people are out there. The ones who are chasing their dreams + creating their lives. And if you have a dream that wants to be realized, highly recommend picking up the Third Door and gifting yourself a solid evening to read it. Having read the book, I am better because of it and the experience of reading it and the knowledge within it are well worth it.
June 5, 2018
“The Third Door” by Alex Banayan is the key to an empowering point of view and life strategy that will open countless doors for people who read the book and embrace its way of thinking. As he says in the opener, “Life, business, success… it’s just like a nightclub. There are always three ways in. There’s the First Door: the main entrance, where the line curves around the block; where 99 percent of people wait around, hoping to get in. There’s the Second Door: the VIP entrance, where the billionaires, celebrities, and people born into it slip through. But what no one tells you is that there is always, always… the Third Door. It’s the entrance where you have to jump out of line, run down the alley, bang on the door a hundred times, crack open the window, sneak through the kitchen—there’s always a way.”
It’s this very mentality of thinking out of the box and pure and utter chutzpah that has led to the success of the countless huge names Banayan interviewed during the writing of this book: Gates, Gaga, Buffet, Leonard, King—the list goes on and on.
I read the book in one day, a Saturday, from cover to cover. Once you start it, you can’t put it down! The whole time I was thinking back to when I was in college with Alex, and he went on the Price is Right the night before our final exam instead of studying like everyone else. The rest was history. We went shopping for the notebook he bought to take notes for all of his interviews in the school bookstore one day after lunch! To see this all come together some eight years later is proof that if you have the motivation, the dream, the passion, and a hint of chutzpah to turn your dream into a reality, you can. But you can’t do it by doing things the way you think everyone else expects you to do them! You have to constantly keep an eye out for that Third Door. With this book, I’ve come to embrace that empowering philosophy, and think that it will be priceless for me in the future. I bought a few extra copies to give to my friends and family too! Definitely pick up a copy of the book today, and also do yourself a favor and google Alex’s speeches. Watch how great of a speaker he is and hear his message straight from his mouth in addition to reading his book. It will change your life!
Great book, great summer read. Highly recommend it to everyone.
It’s this very mentality of thinking out of the box and pure and utter chutzpah that has led to the success of the countless huge names Banayan interviewed during the writing of this book: Gates, Gaga, Buffet, Leonard, King—the list goes on and on.
I read the book in one day, a Saturday, from cover to cover. Once you start it, you can’t put it down! The whole time I was thinking back to when I was in college with Alex, and he went on the Price is Right the night before our final exam instead of studying like everyone else. The rest was history. We went shopping for the notebook he bought to take notes for all of his interviews in the school bookstore one day after lunch! To see this all come together some eight years later is proof that if you have the motivation, the dream, the passion, and a hint of chutzpah to turn your dream into a reality, you can. But you can’t do it by doing things the way you think everyone else expects you to do them! You have to constantly keep an eye out for that Third Door. With this book, I’ve come to embrace that empowering philosophy, and think that it will be priceless for me in the future. I bought a few extra copies to give to my friends and family too! Definitely pick up a copy of the book today, and also do yourself a favor and google Alex’s speeches. Watch how great of a speaker he is and hear his message straight from his mouth in addition to reading his book. It will change your life!
Great book, great summer read. Highly recommend it to everyone.
January 20, 2019
I tried to hate this book and the author for being self-aggrandizing and name dropping constantly in what seemed like a long love letter to Elliott. Even though it took me months to get through this short and easy to read book full of compelling stories, I am glad I did. The lessons in this book are actually invaluable. We have the power to make the most of ourselves and our one shot on this dust mote. And some of these lessons, both from the author and from those he interviewed, will help steer me on my path through life!
February 4, 2022
This book doesn’t deliver on its “wild quest” to uncover secrets of the highly successful. It hits on the fact that there’s no real tipping point and that some successful people just picked up the phone and made things happen. It mainly reads like the author’s diary entries recapping his numerous failed attempts at landing interviews or, when he does get an interview, not making the most of his time by asking less than thought-provoking questions. The reader is reminded throughout the book of the cool, dudebro pipeline the author has made and how those connections lead to interactions with famous people. If anything, this book seeks to reinforce the old adage, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” if you want to enter through that Third Door. That’s such a tired motto that no one should aspire to live by if considering how one might successfully contribute to challenges in this world.
February 18, 2020
It was mostly just him sending emails mixed with some corny motivational quotes..
December 24, 2018
I heard this author interviewed on the radio and thought he was dynamic. The book, however, is not. It's the story of a crazy college drop-out who thinks bugging famous people enough times will get him an interview with them for a few minutes. He claims to be trying to make a point but instead he comes across as inept and pushy. If it weren't for his handsome looks I doubt he would have made the couple of key contacts that he needed to meet the people he wanted.
Instead of his silly "third door" theory about using the back door to a nightclub that you can't get in, the real lesson here is that it's all about who you know. Big deal--plenty of books do a better job explaining networking. This is so impractical that anyone who tries to copy it will end up discouraged and broke. It's not inspiring at all--it just makes a normal person wonder what's wrong with Alec Banayan. He wasted a lot of time and energy that could have been better spent learning much more important lessons about life. He's a somewhat typical Millennial who mooches off others, goes to a game show to make money instead of earning it through hard work, and would rather travel on adventures instead of using that same energy to stay in school. There are a few stories here that you can learn from but mostly the book teaches you what not to do. Instead stay in school, do the hard work, listen to others, and constantly network.
Instead of his silly "third door" theory about using the back door to a nightclub that you can't get in, the real lesson here is that it's all about who you know. Big deal--plenty of books do a better job explaining networking. This is so impractical that anyone who tries to copy it will end up discouraged and broke. It's not inspiring at all--it just makes a normal person wonder what's wrong with Alec Banayan. He wasted a lot of time and energy that could have been better spent learning much more important lessons about life. He's a somewhat typical Millennial who mooches off others, goes to a game show to make money instead of earning it through hard work, and would rather travel on adventures instead of using that same energy to stay in school. There are a few stories here that you can learn from but mostly the book teaches you what not to do. Instead stay in school, do the hard work, listen to others, and constantly network.
April 12, 2020
این بار کتاب رو بیشتر با آرامش خوندم و متنش اصلاح شده بود که خیلی خوندن کتاب رو لذتبخشتر کرد اما چون این بار از غافلگیریهای داستان خبر داشتم و تاثیرشون روم کم شده بود، به این نتیجه رسیدم که یک ستاره ازش بگیرم. کتاب حرفهای جالبی میزنه و تجربههایی خاص رو به اشتراک میذاره اما بهنظرم اونطور که باید و شاید علمی و منسجم نیست و بیشتر به احساس تکیه میکنه و حتی گاهی به کلیشه و شعار آلوده میشه.ـ
راستی نگفتم نویسندهی کتاب اصالتاً ایرانیه، نه؟ :)ـ
راستی نگفتم نویسندهی کتاب اصالتاً ایرانیه، نه؟ :)ـ
March 22, 2020
Extraordinary book bringing you both laughter and tears, walking through inspiring and uplifting stories, and conveying the feeling that you are actually living the author's life. Great read! I would always recommend it!
December 22, 2018
Impossible to categorize. A must-read book of the year
I was introduced to Alex in a YouTube video and immediately knew I had to download his story. If the book was half as good as his passionate story I had to read it. I was totally blown away! It’s impossible to label this story. It’s so much more than what it promises to be. I would say it’s a coming-of-age autobiography as much as it is a journey to discover how each wildly successful person achieved his or her turning point towards success in life.
I was introduced to Alex in a YouTube video and immediately knew I had to download his story. If the book was half as good as his passionate story I had to read it. I was totally blown away! It’s impossible to label this story. It’s so much more than what it promises to be. I would say it’s a coming-of-age autobiography as much as it is a journey to discover how each wildly successful person achieved his or her turning point towards success in life.
April 30, 2021
God dang.
I unwittingly earmarked this book as another cliche preaching on “hustle”. But I’m glad I picked it up again. The book is so much more, and the journey is personal and emotional. Alex’s story is one I’ll be digesting for some time to come.
I unwittingly earmarked this book as another cliche preaching on “hustle”. But I’m glad I picked it up again. The book is so much more, and the journey is personal and emotional. Alex’s story is one I’ll be digesting for some time to come.
February 16, 2019
Well, there were times when I was not sure, if Alex is just annoying or naive.
"The Third Door" is a book, written by a young man trying to find his calling. I am from an older generation, and have to say that we all had times, when we questions society and the path we were supposed to go. And this is good.
I like how he described his thoughts, motivation and the determination to succeed, even though he had quite a few moments, when he was close to giving up.
Having said all that, there was nothing new in this book. It encourages you to look at your options from all angles, being open for opportunities and brave enough to take them on, and work hard to achieve your dreams. We have heard that a thousands times.
I liked the snippets of interviews and some interesting facts about the people he interviewed.
I did not like how unstructured the book was. Sometimes, I felt it was a bit all over the place.
It is entertaining to read, but nothing groundbreaking.
"The Third Door" is a book, written by a young man trying to find his calling. I am from an older generation, and have to say that we all had times, when we questions society and the path we were supposed to go. And this is good.
I like how he described his thoughts, motivation and the determination to succeed, even though he had quite a few moments, when he was close to giving up.
Having said all that, there was nothing new in this book. It encourages you to look at your options from all angles, being open for opportunities and brave enough to take them on, and work hard to achieve your dreams. We have heard that a thousands times.
I liked the snippets of interviews and some interesting facts about the people he interviewed.
I did not like how unstructured the book was. Sometimes, I felt it was a bit all over the place.
It is entertaining to read, but nothing groundbreaking.
February 22, 2019
Очарователна книга.
Алекс Банаян разказва с онази лекота и чистосърдечност, на каквато са способни само американците.
Това не е книга за успеха. Не е една от хилядите глупави how to books, пълни с клишета и празни фрази за "позитивно мислене", "зона на комфорт" и всякакви подобни тъпотии.
Това е историята на един млад човек, устремен към мечтата си.
История, разказана с толкова страст, чувство за самоирония и искреност, колкото рядко сте срещали на едно място.
Алекс Банаян разказва с онази лекота и чистосърдечност, на каквато са способни само американците.
Това не е книга за успеха. Не е една от хилядите глупави how to books, пълни с клишета и празни фрази за "позитивно мислене", "зона на комфорт" и всякакви подобни тъпотии.
Това е историята на един млад човек, устремен към мечтата си.
История, разказана с толкова страст, чувство за самоирония и искреност, колкото рядко сте срещали на едно място.
October 11, 2018
I really enjoyed this. It was not so much a collection of interviews revealing clear steps to success (there are none!) as it was a roller coaster story about Alex Banyan's quest to interview these people. I just liked him and his honest, introspective style. Many of his ideas and bits of wisdom really resonated with me where I am at right now. Thumbs up.
February 8, 2021
I genuinely had to triple-check this book was not fiction. What an absolutely unbelievably inspirational guy Alex is. And he definitely made up for the sleepless nights I spent thinking of how to change my life by reposting me on Instagram (!!!!!!). Also, never writing 'Thanks in advance' on emails again. I used to do that 95% of the time.
August 11, 2021
A truly astonishing tale of persistence, tenacity and absolute hustle. A book that does not focus on attaining a successful outcome but rather, the amazing journey of getting there.
September 18, 2022
I was avoiding anything and everything for a long time now. This book came at just the right time. My sister recommended me and after dismissing it for awhile I finally decided to read it. I didn’t know how much I needed this book. I’m a hopeless 18 year old, tired of life even when it didn’t start anything yet. It kept bugging me what I was supposed to do with myself. I have everything figured out, my goals, my to-do list, what I imagine my life to be. One thing I didn’t know was how to achieve it. And this book made me realize there’s no way to success, you can’t follow 101 ways to be successful and be successful. There’s always one way, and that is your own. Many things will work for others and might as well work for you, but that thing gotta make you Y-O-U!
AND OH MY GOD I FELL IN LOVE WITH ELLIOTT BISNOW!!! He was the only person, I felt like I could relate to. I can’t with his generosity, his craziness, his pranks. After so long I have realized I need to find people like myself, and him being one of them, to keep myself motivated.
“Adventure only happen to adventurous”
Elliott and Alex’a bromance was everything for me. It made me so sad that even when Alex refused his offer, he was willing to be friends (not that it was extraordinary) and he said he love him 😭
Which also represent another thing that your dream might not be a big deal for anyone else but it is for yourself, you can never dream for someone else but yourself. Therefore, when you achieve something, it’s for your happiness, and yours only.
I was so done with listening to motivational speeches and everyone around me telling me all the business strategies, I might be a little different from my circle therefore, my next mission would be to get to know people who I can relate with.
AND OH MY GOD I FELL IN LOVE WITH ELLIOTT BISNOW!!! He was the only person, I felt like I could relate to. I can’t with his generosity, his craziness, his pranks. After so long I have realized I need to find people like myself, and him being one of them, to keep myself motivated.
“Adventure only happen to adventurous”
Elliott and Alex’a bromance was everything for me. It made me so sad that even when Alex refused his offer, he was willing to be friends (not that it was extraordinary) and he said he love him 😭
Which also represent another thing that your dream might not be a big deal for anyone else but it is for yourself, you can never dream for someone else but yourself. Therefore, when you achieve something, it’s for your happiness, and yours only.
I was so done with listening to motivational speeches and everyone around me telling me all the business strategies, I might be a little different from my circle therefore, my next mission would be to get to know people who I can relate with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2025
bu nasıl bi' kitap! bu kitabı ağlayarak bitirebileceğimi hiç tahmin etmezdim. düşüncelerimin yeni bir yöne doğru çekildiğini hissediyorum.
şimdiye kadar bana cevap vermeyen bir tavana sahiptim. beynim arka planda kendine sürekli şu soruyu soruyor “hayatımla ne yapmak istiyorum?” (hala sormaya devam ediyor) the flinch'imi (utanma-çekinme-ürkme duygusuna verdiği isim) onunla birlikte hissettim. ve 62 yaşına kadar bir masanın arkasında oturmak istemediğim için bu kitabı aldığıma emin oldum. anneme beni anlamadığı için sitem ettim; fakat unuttum ki annem benim için, hiç sahip olmadığımız bir hayat istedi.
reddedilmekten korktum. hata yapmaktan utanç duydum. güneş doğmadan önce her sabah kalkıp sadece reddedildim, sanki bir yolun ortasında yatıyormuşum da bir kamyonun üzerimden geçip geri dönüp tekrar üzerimden geçmesi gibi hissettim. çok fazla düşündüm. neyi neden yaptığımı kendime sormak için zaman ayırdım.
başarı ve başarısızlığın çok ayrı dünyalar olmadığını, onların denemenin farklı sonuçları olduğunu gördüm. artık onlara bağlanmayacağım. denemeye ve büyümeye devam! hatalarımdan öğrrenmeyi öğrendim. ne yolculuktu ama! şimdi düşündüğüm şey şu: şimdi ne olacak? daha öğrenmem gereken çok şey var. ve şunu da kesinlikle söylemeliyim ki “hayalinin peşinden nasıl koştuğunu okumak, benim hayalimin de mümkün olduğunu” hissettirdi alex banayan!
bu kitap ve üçüncü kapı'nın zihniyeti gerçekten de olasılıklarla ilgili. seçimleri yapmak mümkün. seçimlerimiz.. gerçekten kim olduğumuzu gösteren.... yeteneklerimizden çok daha fazlası... mümkünlük zihniyeti. mümkün olduğunu düşündüğümüzü değiştirdiğimizde, mümkün olanı da değiştirmiş oluyoruz. cevaplanması gereken son soruyla baş başa kalıyorum: ''where do we go from here?'' (buradan nereye gidiyoruz?)
şimdiye kadar bana cevap vermeyen bir tavana sahiptim. beynim arka planda kendine sürekli şu soruyu soruyor “hayatımla ne yapmak istiyorum?” (hala sormaya devam ediyor) the flinch'imi (utanma-çekinme-ürkme duygusuna verdiği isim) onunla birlikte hissettim. ve 62 yaşına kadar bir masanın arkasında oturmak istemediğim için bu kitabı aldığıma emin oldum. anneme beni anlamadığı için sitem ettim; fakat unuttum ki annem benim için, hiç sahip olmadığımız bir hayat istedi.
reddedilmekten korktum. hata yapmaktan utanç duydum. güneş doğmadan önce her sabah kalkıp sadece reddedildim, sanki bir yolun ortasında yatıyormuşum da bir kamyonun üzerimden geçip geri dönüp tekrar üzerimden geçmesi gibi hissettim. çok fazla düşündüm. neyi neden yaptığımı kendime sormak için zaman ayırdım.
başarı ve başarısızlığın çok ayrı dünyalar olmadığını, onların denemenin farklı sonuçları olduğunu gördüm. artık onlara bağlanmayacağım. denemeye ve büyümeye devam! hatalarımdan öğrrenmeyi öğrendim. ne yolculuktu ama! şimdi düşündüğüm şey şu: şimdi ne olacak? daha öğrenmem gereken çok şey var. ve şunu da kesinlikle söylemeliyim ki “hayalinin peşinden nasıl koştuğunu okumak, benim hayalimin de mümkün olduğunu” hissettirdi alex banayan!
bu kitap ve üçüncü kapı'nın zihniyeti gerçekten de olasılıklarla ilgili. seçimleri yapmak mümkün. seçimlerimiz.. gerçekten kim olduğumuzu gösteren.... yeteneklerimizden çok daha fazlası... mümkünlük zihniyeti. mümkün olduğunu düşündüğümüzü değiştirdiğimizde, mümkün olanı da değiştirmiş oluyoruz. cevaplanması gereken son soruyla baş başa kalıyorum: ''where do we go from here?'' (buradan nereye gidiyoruz?)
August 15, 2018
Although there seems to be a lack of subject and being a half done mission(as called in the book), It takes you through the adventures of a teenager finding the way to success and happiness. It's really inspiring and for me it was hard to put the book down. the book gave me a new point of view and changed my thinking about the way to get into business world.
November 22, 2022
Nice several events that may look interesting but simultaneously can be a big dilemma, Alex has tried to be steady and keep his constant characteristic during the hard moments.
The book looks interesting somehow but as a ideal book I can only dedicate 3 stars to Alex
The book looks interesting somehow but as a ideal book I can only dedicate 3 stars to Alex
August 14, 2018
Cool concept, great story. Personally I wanted more of the lessons of the amazing people interviewed though and less of the constant rejection stories.
November 28, 2024
why are people so harsh on this book? i don’t get it. it’s definitely not the best book in the world, but it’s very real and necessary for those who don’t understand that success rarely comes without pushing boundaries.
as i teach more, i’ve realised how much my students need stories like these. this has made me try to increase the number of stories and storytellers i bring to them. reading a detailed case like this, showing that success isn’t as clean or simple as it’s often presented, is really valuable. though i guess even this story isn’t entirely true :)
it’s not easy to get anywhere without pushing limits. i think the third door framework is very useful. actually, even the people standing at the “first door” have to behave like they’re using the third door on a micro level. even if you’re going to university and planning to get a corporate job, you need your “inside man,” and you’ll have to knock on a lot of doors to get into good places.
this book didn’t really inspire me about this topic, but i admired how much passion someone can have. i’ve never been one of those people. it’s hard for me to imagine being so passionate about a goal. honestly, witnessing someone’s passion this closely felt a bit strange.
i can recommend this book and the framework to my students. because, as i said, even people at the “first door” need to work hard, find new paths, and knock on doors. it’s important to see that even someone like bill gates was accessible through this kind of effort.
also, i really liked the part about the “gray” of stories. for example, “bill gates dropped out of college”—no, actually, he was in his last year and had a one year off. we’ll never fully know these stories. even though this one was told in detail, it’s still incomplete, exaggerated, or downplayed in some way.
by the way, i was expecting something different a lot. i thought the interviews would be grouped together at the end and the goal would feel fully achieved. but in my opinion, we didn’t actually reach the goal in this book :)
as i teach more, i’ve realised how much my students need stories like these. this has made me try to increase the number of stories and storytellers i bring to them. reading a detailed case like this, showing that success isn’t as clean or simple as it’s often presented, is really valuable. though i guess even this story isn’t entirely true :)
it’s not easy to get anywhere without pushing limits. i think the third door framework is very useful. actually, even the people standing at the “first door” have to behave like they’re using the third door on a micro level. even if you’re going to university and planning to get a corporate job, you need your “inside man,” and you’ll have to knock on a lot of doors to get into good places.
this book didn’t really inspire me about this topic, but i admired how much passion someone can have. i’ve never been one of those people. it’s hard for me to imagine being so passionate about a goal. honestly, witnessing someone’s passion this closely felt a bit strange.
i can recommend this book and the framework to my students. because, as i said, even people at the “first door” need to work hard, find new paths, and knock on doors. it’s important to see that even someone like bill gates was accessible through this kind of effort.
also, i really liked the part about the “gray” of stories. for example, “bill gates dropped out of college”—no, actually, he was in his last year and had a one year off. we’ll never fully know these stories. even though this one was told in detail, it’s still incomplete, exaggerated, or downplayed in some way.
by the way, i was expecting something different a lot. i thought the interviews would be grouped together at the end and the goal would feel fully achieved. but in my opinion, we didn’t actually reach the goal in this book :)
November 26, 2018
Un libro distinto pero que puede ser interesante para todos aquellos emprendendores que no sepan por dónde empezar.
Me ha faltado más de lo que prometía ya que según la portada y la sinopsis habla de las claves del exito de personas muy conocidas pero gran parte del libro es la propia historia del autor y como ha llegado dónde está. Personalmente me hubiera gustado que se enfocara más en contar con detalle la historia de los otros y cómo lo hicieron y no sólo de forma superficial.
Así que le doy 3 estrellas porque siento que podría haber sido mejor pero no ha llegado a gustarme tanto como pensaba que lo haría cuando lo descubrí.
Me ha faltado más de lo que prometía ya que según la portada y la sinopsis habla de las claves del exito de personas muy conocidas pero gran parte del libro es la propia historia del autor y como ha llegado dónde está. Personalmente me hubiera gustado que se enfocara más en contar con detalle la historia de los otros y cómo lo hicieron y no sólo de forma superficial.
Así que le doy 3 estrellas porque siento que podría haber sido mejor pero no ha llegado a gustarme tanto como pensaba que lo haría cuando lo descubrí.
October 29, 2022
A thrilling story of the author's journey. This is not what I expected where mentioned people were interviewed but the actual story of the book itself. That way the stories won't be just talks but the author's experience of The Third Door. The writing is fluid and that's the best part of the book not the stories. On occasions the book seemed fictional.
August 29, 2024
too corny for my liking
February 3, 2022
The authors story is super captivating. I unwittingly put so many sticky-notes in this book haha!!
January 17, 2025
Great, easy writing. Engaging storytelling. Gladwell-esque. Good lessons for young people. Hustle, persistence - these things are talked about ad nauseum in the context of success but never have i seen these ideas demonstrated so perfectly in the backdrop of starting one’s career. Sometimes i felt that the insights turned into cliches, but overall i came away with heightened sense of what it takes to get your face in front of decision-makers and get ahead in the world. At times i felt that the author’s mission to decipher how people became successful was really just a facade to explain why he was seeking out celebrities and writing about his interactions with them (like when he decided to interview Pitbull).
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