Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

The Lion Beneath the Fade by Sebastian Bastian is a non-fiction business guide tracing the career of the author, a Bahamian entrepreneur, in which he documents his transition from founding small businesses in The Bahamas to managing large-scale companies in sectors such as gaming, real estate, and technology. It is a practical guide built on his professional experiences, outlining methods for recognizing viable opportunities, making informed decisions, and maintaining consistent progress. Avoiding abstract motivation, the book focuses on concrete strategies for aligning career paths with personal objectives. Through examples drawn from his own ventures, Bastian presents a model for long-term development based on planning, execution, and adaptability. Each section leans into structured thinking, goal setting, and disciplined action, providing readers with tools to work through business challenges and create success regardless of industry.

The Lion Beneath the Fade by Sebastian Bastian is a sharp, articulate guide that cuts through the noise of outdated business advice and avoids inspirational fluff, with its direct, structured approach to evaluating opportunities—a welcome relief for those new to entrepreneurship. The writing is precise and grounded, presenting things like a four-point framework that feels actionable rather than theoretical. The area that stood out most to me, especially in the current climate, is Bastian's bold call for political awareness as a business skill. By leveraging politics beyond what is just regulatory, he reframes how readers might think about their external, political environment, in a mindset shift to active, strategic engagement rather than reactive behavior. Finally, Bastian’s call to reorient success around legacy instead of mere achievement is unique, offering great ideas for business owners feeling burnt out by endless hustle. Very highly recommended.