Product Description

Thick Face, Black Heart is a profound distillation of ancient Chinese wisdom and experience filtered through a modern Asian business perspective. Blending stories and principles drawn from Chinese military history and modern entrepreneurship, author Chu shows that success is achievable by anyone who follows the lessons in this invaluable guide and learns how to: develop and employ intuition as a business tool, master defeat, acquire a killer instinct, solve the mystery of money, thrive among the cunning and ruthless, and much more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8935 in Books
• Published on: 1994-10-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Customer Reviews

If you want to learn to be ethically "ruthless" read this book.
If you like your self-help and success books, soft and sappy, then this may not be the book for you.

My first exposure to "Thick Face, Black Heart" was while listening to a Dan Kennedy audio CD. If you are familiar with Dan Kennedy (you can read my reviews of his books) then you know that he does not pull punches, and "Thick Face, Black Heart" is a book he heartily recommends.

The author discusses her perspectives based on her readings of an obscure Chinese way of thinking called "Thick Black Theory".

"Thick Face" is your shield to the world. The face you put forward to the world, solid and enduring, not wavering. This is where you protect yourself from the criticisms and insults of others. Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan are examples she cites.

"Black Heart" is your spear, where you do battle with others. It is focused on your desires and outcomes, while not necessarily ruthless it is not soft nor compassionate, but focused.

My perspective is in a dog eat dog world, Thick-Black allows you to move forward and not get pulled off course from your desired objectives.

Like most tools and philosophies, it is a tool that can be used for both good and/or evil, depending on the inner balance of the person who uses it.

Recommended.

Cheers!

Do You Want More Life?
When I came upon this book I was looking for a book that would guide me to do greater business with Asians in my community.

One of the things that I hadn't liked while attempting to do business with Asians, was not knowing why they often would say something like, "I'm advertising in the Korean papers."

My response had been, "Do you only want the Koreans to know you are here?" And, of course that did not curry favor with my Asian prospects.

"Thick Face, Black Heart," means "carry your shield, and your spear." It's responding to your interlocutor on a level that allows you to get what you want faster, without conflict. And this goes beyond the verbal judo concepts that I've mastered since 1999. (See "Verbal Judo" by George Thompson, Ph.D.)

The most hilarious statement in this book is, when Chin-Ning Chu says that she will guide you to make the choice between when you should turn the other cheek, or slap back twice.

Because of the writing style of this book, I laughed so deeply, and I could envision applying what I must, to get what I want.

Before reading this book, my mindset for the Asians was one of frustration. Now, I have greater understanding and appreciation of each Asian who I meet. And, I'm more open to understanding how they think, as individuals.

There are many examples in this book of social interactions, and choices for the reader to not only relate to, but also practice, that anyone reading this, regardless of who your interlocutor's, or your objectives are, will appreciate this book - tremendously.

Ms. Chu also detailed a sales mistake that she once made and how she would have done differently. I made exactly that same sales mistake, just 3 weeks ago. And, now, I'm armed with a "thick face, black heart," when it comes to that particular scenarior.

I am sure that I will reread this book, as I grow beyond my wildest dreams, and I will be reading all of Ms. Chu's other warrior philosophy books, because reading them enhances my ability to honor my dharma.

People-pleasers beware!
If you are a die-hard people-pleaser, this book could fit in easily with books about learning how to face your fears. The bottom line for me personally was how to not let my concerns about other people's opinions become a road block for getting good, meaningful work accomplished. I did read most of the book, skimmed some parts that tended to be repetitive. All the while I interpreted my own discomfort with Chu's "businessperson as warrior" theme as a reminder of my own tendencies to flee instead of fight in the workplace.

Overall, an interesting way to look at business and at life, but not a life-changing book for me.