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Show HN: Achieve Greatness with the Power of Obsession - INDOCTRINATOR (leanpub.com)
14 points by contextual on Nov 7, 2013 | hide | past | favorite | 16 comments



Ok, so I just bought and finished reading this book... in 20 minutes. Yes it's that short. The whole thing is only about 20 pages.

Some honest opinions about the book:

- This isn't a book. It's a long blog post. The 20 pages didn't add any insight whatsoever. Instead, it has 5 chapters each filled with a generic advice, followed by some random example of it being applied.

- There doesn't seem to be a coherent "flow" at all. Each chapter seems isolated from the rest. None of them feels relevant to the "INDOCTRINATOR" philosophy you marketed.

- After reading, I don't feel motivated to do anything. The book didn't "drive" me; it didn't create any obsession. The tone of the book is more "here are some advice" rather than "do this and this to achieve your goal" as advertised.

Overall I feel betrayed. I won't request a refund, because you probably worked hard on this and it's only a few bucks. But I really do feel like I got scammed. Hopefully you can improve with the suggestions.


Thanks for your comments and I'm sorry you feel that way. It’s important to keep in mind this book is published on Leanpub.com, a platform where authors publish unfinished books to get early feedback from readers. This book (like you'd expect of all Leanpub books), isn't finished yet.

I should also add this was tested as a free email program before it was published as an e-book, and subscribers complimented me on its revelations. But all feedback is good, and more improvements are on the way. Purchasers will receive any and all updates, and at no extra cost.


Free sample is not really a sample at all. It's just a hook, an introduction. I would be willing to buy this if there was a real sample, even one page.


My motto for writing is: words count, not word counts. What I mean by that is my books are informationally dense. Giving away a chapter is giving away a lot of information.

I priced the book so it would be affordable to everyone, and you're also covered with a 45 day money back guarantee. If you're not 100% satisfied with the results, get an instant refund and keep the book. I only want happy customers.


While one chapter might be too much to give away, the original poster had a point that one or two pages would be the least one should expect from a free sample download.

Just providing a download of the cover and dedication page is worse than not having a 'sample' link at all, because anyone who clicks it thinks they're going to get to read a page or two, and will be disappointed when they can't.

There's a reason he's got the top comment now - several people clicked the link and then felt the same way.


Thanks for your comment. A new sample has been generated.


Can you provide a bit more detail? I'm curious, but the page doesn't really give much more than the title & TBC.

Btw, I really like the payment structure. Lower minimum with a suggested price, and easy refund processing.


INDOCTRINATOR shows you how to become obsessed over practically anything, in order to gain mastery at a particular skill faster and get more done.

Think of it as switches in the mind you can flip on. These "switches" were discovered with my own obsessive behaviours and from extensive hypnosis training.

I should probably beef up the page to give more info - thanks for the input.


Hmm ... interesting. Speaking from personal experience I'm trying to find ways to take a break from my obsessions, let alone reading a book that teaches me how to become obsessed...


Right. This isn't for everyone. I've battled to escape obsessions too, and it's not fun.

I should also add that some people unconsciously already know these hidden 'switches'. For example, they gaze into WarCraft, swoon, and realise they need to stay away. This book helps people foster healthy obsessions that give them an advantage and make their lives better.


Yes, please do beef up the page a little. I am fine paying that with refund and all, but it would be nice to get a idea on how serious this is.


What questions or concerns do you have? Maybe I can address them specifically on the landing page. I'm sure you're not alone.


Does this book say anything new?

Is this book well-written? What is the writing style?

In general, what's going to be covered in the book?

Do the methods in the book actually work for real people?

What are the qualifications of the author to write the book?


wow. a sales page with zero consumable content making it to the front page. this isn't what I come to HN for.


I wouldn't say that. There's a free chapter you can download and read.


UPDATE: My initial price may have been a problem, so I lowered the price of the book. It can now be purchased at a minimum price of only 99 cents.

Thanks again to everyone who commented and supported my work.




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