This is more so about Jerry's own life/that time period and I disagree about the "Useful" part in the title. I think the last paragraph of the book gives decent advice but overall unlike Goggins or Banyan, there's no great challenge that he faced and overcame due to his ability or some certain action. Weintraub admits it himself, he got his start due to his luck with mentors picking him (a big one his wife) and the mentor's bringing him up despite him lacking ability. Overall the main message I took away is to fail better.