Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers by Alexander Osterwalder
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pros:
1. The book explains the Business Model Canvas (template) in detail, so one could fill it in step by step.
2. The canvas can be used for project initiation / management, charities, non-profit sector, etc - not only for businesses.
3. Though the book focuses mostly on the Business Model Canvas, it does include chapters about basic idea-generation, story-telling, visual thinking, planning, working with a team, prototyping, etc.
4. The book is a part of a larger platform - www.strategyzer.com, so I would recommend to check the website before buying the book.

Cons:
1. Case studies are based on corporate businesses and lack a perspective from someone who is starting their first business - a freelancer working from home without a team, an artist, a small business owner, etc. Though the logic behind the canvas probably covers a project or business of any scale, case studies were yet hard to analyse and relate too, as they focused mostly on global scale, mass produced products, technological innovation, and things like that.
2. Authors really like mentioning the value of the colorful Post-it notes. I think in some parts they mistook bright colors for creativity.
3. Though the book aims to encourage one to go out of the box, to be creative in their business model, I couldn't shake the feeling that the logic of it all never left the office-shaped box in the first place. There are no ground-breaking concepts here if you are looking for any.

Conclusion: It is a starting point for someone trying to put their ideas in order. The template is great as a reality-check, it is very clear and straight-forward tool to start / re-evaluate your business or project idea.

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