Book Review: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

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Anyone interested in a fascinating account of the (fictionalized, but real in many ways) lives of entrepreneurs should pick up a copy of the Pulitzer Prize winner, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon.

Set in the 1930's, Kavalier and Clay are two cousins, one with a talent for drawing and one with writing skills, combine their talents to produce superhero comic books. I know, the story line sounds corny, but trust me it is not. The are signed to a "lifetime" contract of servitude by a trashy publisher, who owns all their good ideas for years before they break out of the deal. The trashy publisher makes millions on them, but pays them only thousands, in spite of their many attempts to get out of the deal. Throw in the Jewish diaspora from Europe, crazed Nazi supporters in the US trying to do them in, attempts to rescue family from certain death in Europe, expeditions to Antarctica, sprinkled throughout with the pursuit of magic and you have a fascinating, extremely well written, hard to put down story.

There are numerous lessons for entrepreneurs scattered throughout the book--such as make sure your lawyers read all contracts you sign, the "right" kind of personal sacrifices to make in pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams, how real life can easily get in the way of success, how and why rewards may need to be put off for many years, etc., etc.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay is a highly recommended book for budding entrepreneurs who want a taste of "living the entrepreneurial dream" before actually doing it.