The Excel Phenomenon : The Astonishing Success Story of the Fastest-Growing Communications Company-And What It Means to You by James W. Robinson, Kenny A. Troutt (Introduction)

This is a book that every Excel independent representative should own, or that at least is what the author wants you to believe.

The Excel Phenomenon was written in the heyday of Excel's success, and the book is now badly outdated. It seems to mainly be written for Excel reps themselves, rather than for the general public. I'm guessing that the author wrote the book with the intent that reps would run out in droves to their local bookstore and buy multiple copies. For the most part, the plan succeeded.

James Robinson has also penned similar books based on other MLMs. Among them are the Prepaid Legal Story and Empire of Freedom: The Amway Story and What it Means to You. Like the Excel Phenomenon, these books were largely aimed at MLM reps themselves, rather than for the general public.

Unless you are an Excel rep, there is little redeeming value to buying or reading this book. It reads more like a piece of recruitment material than journalism. In fact, the author's roots are not in reporting, but in writing spin material for politicians. Not exactly the type of background you would expect for objective journalism.

There is really no objectivity to be found in this book. It is completely one-sided, and preaches strictly to the converted. Absolutely no balance is provided between the numerous "success stories" listed, and the story of the average Excel rep. Of course, the average Excel rep loses money, but you will find no mention of that fact here. All is sunshine and roses in Mr. Robinson's neighborhood. Unfortunately, that neighborhood is not one that exists in our plane of reality.

Save yourself some money and just go to an Excel recruitment seminar, instead of buying this book. It won't be any less objective, and you will probably save yourself a few bucks. If you do "buy" the book, I'm sure that you will want to sign-up for Prepaid Legal and Amway as well, as his other books suggest. - William Van Hefner

Amazon: $13.26
Barnes & Noble: $18.95
Powell's: $18.95