Bob Parsons, as the founder of multiple successful companies, including domain-name disruptor GoDaddy, PXG (Parsons eXtreme Golf), a top-of-the-line game-changing golf club company, and Scottsdale National Golf club, a sprawling, gorgeous, amazing golf course with two 18-hole courses, a 9-hole course, $1 million dollar initiation dues and yearly dues of just under six figures... he's got some successes to talk about. And, while the name is catchy - Fire in the Hole - the subtitle, The Untold Story of My Traumatic Life And Explosive Success, gives us a hint that we're not about to read about someone born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but someone who managed to be successful despite adversity. That makes it more likely that the reader can walk away with something useful, other than just a moment's entertainment.
It is, however, worth pointing out that while there are some interesting and entertaining business success stories in the book, it's not just that. It really does start back at Bob Parson's beginning, touching on his less than nurturing upbringing and his experiences in Vietnam as a Marine. You get a glimpse of what forged Bob Parsons into what he became, which (spoiler alert) includes more than a little bit of trauma and resulting PTSD. And you get to ride along in his experiences as he walks through the twists and turns of building a business and approaching things... differently. As he points out, you can't start a new business in an existing market and try to do things the same way everyone else is and hope to succeed, because they're already established and they know how to compete with you. Bob Parsons would, instead, approach things from a creative and entirely different direction... but I'll let you read about the details for yourself.
One topic that Bob Parsons holds dear is the problem of PTSD and how it impacts the lives of those who have experienced trauma - and their loved ones, as well. In one of the later chapters ("What a Long, Strange Trip"), he recounts how he sought out treatment for his PTSD, by undergoing therapy that was facilitated with psychedelics. He experienced a very notable and positive change from his therapy, but is quick to point out that the answer isn't to score some drugs. As he puts it, "The therapy does the healing. The psychedelics make it possible."
And, should you, dear reader, be a United States veteran dealing with PTSD, I will pass along Bob Parsons' recommendation, "To begin your journey to a better life, please call the Semper Fi and America's Fund at 460-725-3680. (Link below.)
I enjoyed reading about Bob Parsons' adventures. I learned things about his companies that gave me a better appreciation for their technical achievements and the changes that they made to their respective markets - including GoDaddy. Fire in the Hole is absolutely not written as a self-help business book; this is the story of Bob Parsons and his ups and downs in a life that could be best described as quite the wild ride. However, there are lots of things to be learned; some are pointed out, while others might be more of a read-between-the-lines sort of thing. I do definitely recommend reading Fire in the Hole... but I recommend reading it a few times, perhaps with some time in between to allow you time to ruminate on it in the back of your mind between readings. And, if you want to jump back in and re-read some part, the chapter names give you a pretty good idea of where those favorite parts might be, while little callouts of important quotes act as guideposts within the chapters. Fire in the Hole was an enjoyable read and one that I will read again. Recommended.
