Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
275th out of 345 books
—
275 voters
The Good Among the Great: 19 Traits of the Most Admirable, Creative, and Joyous People
by
Donald Van de Mark (Goodreads Author)
Donald Van de Mark spent more than 25 years interviewing prominent people for CNN and CNBC. He discovered that some people are not just successful, they're extraordinary. And more, these people share many of the same traits.
Confirming the theories of psychologist Abraham Maslow, Van de Mark brings to life 19 specific personality traits that you can develop within yourself
...morePaperback, 268 pages
Published
April 1st 2011
by Columbia Island Press
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
898)
Having decided to break out of a rut, I chose to read something in a genre I rarely sample. Donald Van de Mark’s The Good Among the Great could perhaps be conveniently shelved in the “self-help” section of the library, but to dismiss it as typical of that genre would be a mistake. What makes it different is the fact that the author draws from all walks of life (childhood friends, celebrities, professionals and renowned businessmen) and uses them to illustrate the specific traits he believes cont...more
I have purchased 5 copies of this book for my next staff book reading, taking a little detour from our usual customer service oriented books. I am just getting started on a little pre-reading before I introduce it to my staff!
Update: I finished the book (finally)and even if it took me awhile to get through it (due to a job change and other life fun) it was a good book and an inspiring read. I stand by one of my updates that I would love to see a "Page-a-day" calendar of wisdom from this book to...more
Update: I finished the book (finally)and even if it took me awhile to get through it (due to a job change and other life fun) it was a good book and an inspiring read. I stand by one of my updates that I would love to see a "Page-a-day" calendar of wisdom from this book to...more
I am not quite sure how I feel about the woman who was brutally raped and then served her family dinner. I don't know what's harder: pretending that something did not happen or not grieving in some sort of way. I think to acknowledge it in some sort of way and move forward makes the situation and person more healthy than to not do anything.
Overall, a good book that can help people develop good character.
Overall, a good book that can help people develop good character.
1 like · like · see review
What a fantastic book. I couldn't put it down and finished it in 2 days. Donald Van de Mark has been interviewing people over 20 years and his collection of the traits that make people great and successful was so interesting to read. It makes sense when I read how each trait is broken down and the common traits among the people that are truly happy, content and living their life to the fullest.
I'm inspired and have gone back to the chapters of traits and reread pieces. Truly an inspirational boo...more
I'm inspired and have gone back to the chapters of traits and reread pieces. Truly an inspirational boo...more
This book is about traits of the 1% of so called "great" people that we can't help but look up to, based on the 19 traits outlined by the psychologist Abraham Maslow.
To be honest, I skimmed this book because I found it repetitive and lacking in detached analysis. It's more of an opinion piece of the author on how he thinks these people he brings up are admirable. I think the approach of the book of presenting people he knows and believe to be admirable did not work well as it clouded the book t...more
To be honest, I skimmed this book because I found it repetitive and lacking in detached analysis. It's more of an opinion piece of the author on how he thinks these people he brings up are admirable. I think the approach of the book of presenting people he knows and believe to be admirable did not work well as it clouded the book t...more
Amazing book! Highly recommended... it's well written with plenty of examples from well known business leaders like Jack Welch.
It's definitely different from your average self-help book because it's not New Age-y but is written with an informative/factual/journalistic and example-filled style. Since there are so many real world examples that are pretty detailed, the book comes across as much more legitimate and powerful than a New Age type of inspirational book might.
It's definitely different from your average self-help book because it's not New Age-y but is written with an informative/factual/journalistic and example-filled style. Since there are so many real world examples that are pretty detailed, the book comes across as much more legitimate and powerful than a New Age type of inspirational book might.
The author uses Maslow's hierarchy as a template for 19 characteristics that people have or can develop to be happier, more successful, etc. At the end he uses Meryl Streep as an example of someone who encompasses all of these characteristics. The book started out fine but then just seemed to drag on.......had trouble finishing it because of that.
I was attracted to this book when I flipped through it at the library, but once I started reading it in earnest, I decided that I did not like it. I tried. Ultimately, I felt that his tone was holier-than-thou. The descriptions of admirable characteristics somehow made me feel defeated rather than inspired. Perhaps that says more about my state of mind than the book but I could not finish it.
Interesting 3.5 book about the traits that make people (in this author's opinion) both great - and good. I loved how he wrote about the traits of real people - some of whom I truly admire, like Abraham Lincoln and Meryl Streep, and others I'd love to know, like Andrew Ferguson, a teacher, and a lovely pediatric hospice nurse.
Really enjoyed most of this book. I liked the references to real people, although I don't agree that being raped and then being able to serve your family dinner that evening is a healthy response to such a horrific experience.
I liked the layout with Maslow's take and having the Takeaways for reference at the end of each chapter. I would definitely suggest this book to anyone who is interested in learning more on self actualization.
I liked the layout with Maslow's take and having the Takeaways for reference at the end of each chapter. I would definitely suggest this book to anyone who is interested in learning more on self actualization.
OMG, I finally finished this book! It's not that it wasn't good. But it was a bit dry, and maybe I just wasn't in the mood. And so much of what the writer had to say seemed very obvious to me. I may not ALWAYS live as a "good" person should, but I do generally know how living good looks and feels. And I was actually more interested in the ordinary people the author profiled rather than people like Jack Welch of GE. But the guy spent years interviewing these "great" people, so it makes sense that...more
I love the Van de Mark focuses on traits that truly make someone successful. It isn't about making the most money or having the most prestige. Love the book!
* Won through good reads giveaways
* Won through good reads giveaways
I got this signed copy through the Goodreads Giveaways, and I'm so glad I did! This is a very approachable, easy to absorb report on the traits you can build to not only succeed in business without losing your soul, but to actually make positive change in the world. Even if you come from a not so perfect family, the skills and traits Van de Mark outlines in some of the most successful, well-known and admired people can be learned and passed on to future generations. A real primer for anyone who...more
I enjoyed the stories and I would have given the book four stars - but then I read the story of the woman who was brutally raped in her home by an intruder, and then, that very evening, prepared and served a wonderful dinner for her large family. The author (if I hadn't known his gender, this certainly revealed it) actually PRAISED her for... for what? Her unique ability to pretend that she hadn't been affected by the traumatic, horrific assault? That's not, in my opinion, a trait I wish to emul...more
Interesting take, good variety of subjects. Could've done with out the ode to Meryl Streep at the end. Odd finish to an otherwise good book.
May 09, 2011
Becky
marked it as to-read
Intrigued. I opened it up and there was a bit about the Michelle and Barack Obama and their "no new friends" policy.
I liked this book because the topics that make up each chapter were quite relevant to me. They were based on Maslow's list, but not the hierarchy any psychology student could provide in detail about our basic human needs. Maslow made a list of characteristics that we should develop to develop the best version of ourselves. I had never heard of it before, but it was an insightful list of characteristcs. Van de Mark included examples of the characteristics from celebrities and others that was also...more
Interesting ideas...some I agree with wholeheartedly, others not so much. A lot of good traits to consider developing though.
Mildly interesting with some useful information. A few good anecdotes. Covey's 7 Habits is the book you want to read.
I really enjoyed this book for reflection and improvement purposes. Want to give it 5 stars, but grew annoyed with the constant "As Maslow noted/states/shows/explains, etc." as these references seemed to make up a third of the book. (Great for non-psychology folks, but as a psych minor in college, I'm well aware of Maslow's ideas). For anyone looking to do some self-reflection time, wanting to find ways of improving your overall being, looking to become happier/calmer/joyous/pleasant/successful,...more
Check out my comment in Spanish about this book: http://lunairereadings.blogspot.com/2...
I was expecting to see the life stories of several successful people; but instead of that; this author presents a list of qualities that he believes any successful person must possess. The list transforms this book in a very cute self-help volume; topped with an allegory to Meryl Streep; a person that according to the author; is the compound of all the 19 qualities.
I was expecting to see the life stories of several successful people; but instead of that; this author presents a list of qualities that he believes any successful person must possess. The list transforms this book in a very cute self-help volume; topped with an allegory to Meryl Streep; a person that according to the author; is the compound of all the 19 qualities.
Everyone should read this. I loved it.
The lives of people presented in this book just did not pull me in. The writer did not delve deep enough and I couldn't keep interest up though I like the idea of learning about these people.
This has good pointers to help anyone make improvements to his/her life and outlook on life....
May 20, 2013
Maggie
marked it as to-read
May 15, 2013
Hazel Lobo
is currently reading it
May 13, 2013
Josette
is currently reading it
May 11, 2013
misskittyinNYC
marked it as to-read
May 05, 2013
Leonardo
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Donald Van de Mark is the author of The Good Among the Great: 19 Traits of the Most Admirable, Creative and Joyous People (Columbia Island Press, April 2011).
He has been a television reporter and anchorman, Internet entrepreneur and public speaker. Among his television credits, Van de Mark was Executive Producer, Editor and host of two public broadcasting TV series, "Great Entrepreneurs" and "Grea...more
More about Donald Van de Mark...
He has been a television reporter and anchorman, Internet entrepreneur and public speaker. Among his television credits, Van de Mark was Executive Producer, Editor and host of two public broadcasting TV series, "Great Entrepreneurs" and "Grea...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Not only is there often a right and wrong, but what goes around does come around, Karma exists, chickens do come home to roost, and as my mother, Phyllis, liked to say, “There is always a day of reckoning.” The good among the great understand that every choice we make adds to the strength or weakness of our spirits—ourselves, or to use an old fashioned word for the same idea, our souls. That is every human’s life work: to construct an identity bit by bit, to walk a path step by step, to live a life that is worthy of something higher, lighter, more fulfilling, and maybe even everlasting.”
—
56 people liked it
More quotes…
May 02, 2011 11:10am