// Book comparison
Confessions of an Advertising Man vs Think Again
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy and Think Again by Adam Grant.
Confessions of an Advertising Man
by David Ogilvy
★ 4.9/5
Think Again
by Adam Grant
★ 4.9/5
At a glance
| Confessions of an Advertising Man | Think Again | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9/5 | ★ 4.9/5 |
| Pages | 192 | 320 |
| Reading time | ~4.8 h | ~8.0 h |
| Published | 1963 | 2021 |
| Author | David Ogilvy | Adam Grant |
| Category | Marketing & Sales | Leadership |
| Publisher | Southbank Publishing | Viking |
Choose Confessions of an Advertising Man if…
- → You're interested in marketing & sales.
- → You want the higher-rated book (4.9/5).
- → You prefer a shorter read (~4.8 hours).
Choose Think Again if…
- → You're interested in leadership.
- → You want the more recent perspective (2021).
Key takeaways — Confessions of an Advertising Man
- ✓ Build Long-Term Brand Image by ensuring that every piece of marketing communication contributes to a consistent and high-quality organizational personality.
- ✓ Prioritize Research and Data over creative intuition, recognizing that the most persuasive strategic arguments are those grounded in a deep understanding of customer behavior.
- ✓ Cultivate an Elite Talent Culture by hiring people who are smarter than you, fostering an environment where ambition and rigorous standards are the primary drivers of success.
Key takeaways — Think Again
- ✓ Adopt a Scientist Mindset by treating your business strategies as hypotheses that require constant testing and validation against new market data and feedback.
- ✓ Cultivate Confident Humility, acknowledging the limits of your knowledge to remain open to better ideas and more accurate strategic insights from your workforce.
- ✓ Foster a Rethinking Culture within your team by rewarding the 'courage to be wrong' and encouraging the regular questioning of established organizational best practices.
The verdict
If you want the higher-rated, shorter read, start with Confessions of an Advertising Man. If you specifically need leadership, Think Again is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is Confessions of an Advertising Man or Think Again better? +
Confessions of an Advertising Man has the higher reader rating (4.9/5 vs 4.9/5), but "better" depends on your goal. Confessions of an Advertising Man focuses on marketing & sales, while Think Again focuses on leadership. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, Confessions of an Advertising Man or Think Again? +
Confessions of an Advertising Man is shorter (192 pages, ~4.8 hours) compared to Think Again (320 pages, ~8.0 hours).
Should I read Confessions of an Advertising Man or Think Again first? +
If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with Confessions of an Advertising Man. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookHubs.