Very quick read. Very enjoyable, too. Pure escape. This is cloak and dagger stuff before all the fancy gizmos and none of the gratuitous sex and viole...moreVery quick read. Very enjoyable, too. Pure escape. This is cloak and dagger stuff before all the fancy gizmos and none of the gratuitous sex and violence. It kind of like Miss Marple joins the CIA.(less)
This is really an excellent book on the power and efficacy of making small and consistent steps toward improvement. In fact, the steps one takes can b...moreThis is really an excellent book on the power and efficacy of making small and consistent steps toward improvement. In fact, the steps one takes can be so small as to seem trivial and mundane. Yet, through consistent implementation these small kaizen steps lead to lasting and important change.
The kaizen can be applied to a myriad of issues and challenges.
The book is well written, easy to read and has plenty of interesting anecdotes and research to back up the claims of the author.
I, for one, like the idea of small steps to effect change. Too often, I find myself impatient or overwhelmed by the "take massive action" crowd.
Long story short, it's a good book, easy to read and well worth the time to read it.(less)
Overall it was a quick and easy read with some interesting perspective.
The book is a compilation of articles from many years ago but they still pack...moreOverall it was a quick and easy read with some interesting perspective.
The book is a compilation of articles from many years ago but they still pack a punch written in the breezy and conversational style of Dan and Chip Heath. You would think, from their writing style, that it's all backed up by reputable studies and serious research.
This was actually a free Kindle eBook so I couldn't resist. Even free, though, it doesn't skimp on the quality of the work and the writing. (less)
It's a relatively short book, short chapters, lots of quotes and a fairly simple message: money is created through service...moreOverall, I'm not impressed.
It's a relatively short book, short chapters, lots of quotes and a fairly simple message: money is created through service and relationships combined with action, action and more action.
This author, like so many people who write self help, get rich books has a back story of struggle and adversity. In Steve Chandlers case, dysfunctional parents led to a life of alcoholism and general lethargy. He calls it lacking the "work ethic gene".
There is damn little humility in this book even though he credits his recovery to AA. Instead, he insists that being bold and audacious is one of the techniques one must learn if you are to get as rich as you want. Do not be afraid of stating your fee no matter how it might relate to your level of expertise or competence.
Steve Chandler is "world famous" according to the notes at the end of the book but, truth be told, I've never heard of him before this book was recommended as part of the 12 Books online book club.
I will concede there are some chapters that address some of the concerns I've had about other personal development books - motivation, finding your purpose and following your bliss. He pooh poohs the school of thought that we are born with a purpose or that we must have a calling of one kind or another. Rather, according to Steve Chandler, we can choose our path or purpose or bliss and grow into the liking of it. Others might call this "fake it until you make it" but I do like his spin on it.
Ditto with motivation. His claim is that once you begin a project the motivation to continue with it and complete it will follow behind.
Maybe. Maybe not.
Quite frankly, I was in a hurry to finish the book and since I was reading it on a Kindle I couldn't tell how I was progressing. The last 10% of the book (Kindle tracks the book by what percentage your are into the book) is all about his coaching programs, audio programs and a few teaser chapters from another of his books.
OMG! If this book doesn't scare you into eating right, there's no hope.
Wait. There probably isn't hope anyway.
This well researched and heavily docume...moreOMG! If this book doesn't scare you into eating right, there's no hope.
Wait. There probably isn't hope anyway.
This well researched and heavily documented book details the lengths that the huge food conglomerates - think General Foods, Nestle, Kraft, and more - go to keep us addicted to high calorie, high fat, high sugar and high salt convenience/processed food. In fact, it is the convenience that enables these companies to continue to churn out these foods that barely supply the nutrients you need to live. Instead, we are marketed to with laser-like precision so that we fill our grocery carts with the junk that encourages obesity, diabetes, hypertension and more.
It's really a scary book. In fact, about half way through it, I was overcome with a feeling of helplessness and powerlessness in the face of these humongous, multi-national food producers. They literally have billions and billions of dollars with which to formulate food or, more accurately, pseudo-foods that set up a craving for more, more, more. More salt. More sugar. More fat.
The book itself is extremely well researched and documented with well over 200 notes in the back citing the authors sources. It's a relatively easy read although it does get a little deep in the weeds from time to time.
Still, the book is worth the time and effort it takes to read it. You will never look at food the same way, again, either in the grocery store or your local restaurant or sub shop.(less)
The title to this book promises a lot - after all, how can best get better - and it delivers.
It starts off with a prologue that portrays the author's...moreThe title to this book promises a lot - after all, how can best get better - and it delivers.
It starts off with a prologue that portrays the author's life as an idyllic wonderland of affluence, abundant physical health and a close and intimate relationship with his wife along with work that is both spiritually and intellectually fulfilling. What's not to like? Too good to be true?
It turns out that this prologue is just an example of what Jason Womack is trying to teach in this book that is a cross between personal development and good business/work practice. It is an ideal day that he has written out for himself with the suggestion that we write out our ideal day, as well.
The book goes on, chapter by chapter, to make recommendations on how to truly "worker smarter, think bigger, make more". In fact, it's possible to bounce around in the book and read a chapter that might hold more interest or relevance for where you are right now.
It is that "start where you are and work with what you have" approach to business and personal development that attracts me most to this book and Jason Womack. It's not the "take massive action" that Tony Robbins likes to preach. Jason Womack's approach is to begin with small and consistent changes that you can work into your daily and weekly routines. It is by building these good personal and business habits, incrementally, that you will eventually see your life improve in so many ways.
I really liked the gentle approach that Jsaon Womack takes. Gone is the dogmatic, doctrinaire style of many personal development gurus. Gone also is the ethereal "your thoughts will create your reality" admonitions of old school personal development teachers. It's not that the author discounts the value of visualization and affirmations, goal setting and the like. He simply takes a slightly different approach that provides a gentler and more practical path.
Some may say this will allow too many a way out of doing the things that need to be done to improve. Maybe so. For me, it works well.
The flow of the writing and the conversational style is also a big plus. The book is understandable with plenty of anecdotes to illustrate a point. Bottom line: it's easy to read, easy to understand and, if you're so inclined, easy to follow the steps the author suggests in the book.
After reading this book, I also got hooked on the podcast Jason does every week based on this book. They're clear, concise, motivating and short (under 10 minutes).
If you're interested in personal and business development this is the book for you.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The review is honest. I was not paid or "encouraged" to be overly positive.(less)
I've never read any of Daniel Pink's other works so I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this book so much. It is not t...moreThis won't be a long review.
I've never read any of Daniel Pink's other works so I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this book so much. It is not the typical "how-to-be-a-great-salesman" book. It really encourages one to take a look at sales from a completely different perspective.
Gone are the admonitions to learn scripts to overcome objections or to try and outsmart your customer though winner-take-all negotiation tactics. The "new salesperson", if I can be so bold, sincerely tries to help solve problems and challenges through empathizing with the client/customer and seeking to serve the greater good.
Yes, there are some good ideas on how to pitch ideas and how to position yourself to best effect in the face of competition. Overall, though, it is a book that promotes a world that is less dog-eat-dog and more a collaboration on how to best achieve common objectives.
I'll admit I didn't finish this book and the only reason it's on my list at all is because it was chosen as part of The Guy's Book Club. We're a group...moreI'll admit I didn't finish this book and the only reason it's on my list at all is because it was chosen as part of The Guy's Book Club. We're a group of about 5 guys who take turns choosing the book for the month (or 6 weeks or longer). The mix is pretty eclectic.
The author does a great job with the material he's chosen. I'm just not that into caving and the whole caving sub-culture. It sounded exciting, at first, and James Tabor does his best to provide a "you are there" atmosphere.
It's just that after awhile, I was bored with the whole adventure. I guess I'm not the real outdoorsy type.
Read it is you like caving or outdoor adventure with lots of danger and a goodly amount on intrigue and soap opera like shenanigans. Maybe I would have liked it better if I had the stamina to make it to the half of the book about the Russian who was "racing" to reach the deepest part of the earth. I understand he had a different personality from the American adventurer.
(note: I was sent a copy of this book, signed by the author - thanks, Jonathan! - in exchange for an honest review. It was also the January selection...more(note: I was sent a copy of this book, signed by the author - thanks, Jonathan! - in exchange for an honest review. It was also the January selection for 12 Books - a reading group here on Goodreads)
I first ran across Jonathan Fields on his blog and was impressed by his giving heart and generous spirit. So I was interested to read his take on overcoming the fear we all have when beginning something new.
To his credit, the book is not just a collection of blog posts cobbled together to make a few bucks. Yet, after the Introduction and first few chapters my mind began to wander.
It seems Fields is writing to an audience that wouldn't normally pick up a personal development/self-help type book. The title itself is a bit hyperbolic. Surely, most people would be happy with outcomes less than "brilliant". This continues into the body of the book where he writes about "creators" and their "creations" in the same way most people might think of producers and products. After all, since marketability is a goal isn't most of what we "create" really a product. Surely, even a product of our imagination doesn't have to be couched in such lofty terms.
Jonathan is a good writer but the language makes the book a little inaccessible, at least to me.
His case studies also seemed a little inaccessible. Most of them are what some people refer to as Renaissance Men (or Women). It's not enough that they are clearly successful in one field, they also seem to excel in several others and, of course, they all have the epiphany that there must be something more. They feel unchallenged, unfulfilled. So they go out and start (create) something new. It helps that the success they've enjoyed before starting over has probable given them plenty of money to take chances without worrying too much about paying the bills.
Finally, some of the advice in this book is eons old wrapped in the language of the Web 2.0 twenty or 30 something trying to find themselves. Routine and ritual become certainty anchors, surrounding yourself with positive, like minded people becomes finding mentors, heroes and champions. Even Jonathan's interesting visions of co-creation through feedback loops or co-working environments might be considered as developing a mastermind group. Oh, and focus? You get that through Attention Training (AT) aka meditation.
As I progressed through the book, I began to like it more and more. It does have some interesting ideas and the author has obviously done his research. So if you'd like a book that provides a path on your journey to bringing your creation to market, this is a good place to start.(less)
Not one of my favorite Marcia Talley books and not one of my favorite "cozy" mysteries.
The title refers to a child's bedtime prayer and has implicatio...moreNot one of my favorite Marcia Talley books and not one of my favorite "cozy" mysteries.
The title refers to a child's bedtime prayer and has implications for the heinous crime that the book uses as it's premise - a child abduction.
Unfortunately, a lot of the book is taken up with the minutiae people go through once a child has been taken. While it may be interesting and it may even help those who face these types of horrific circumstances themselves, it does nothing to move the story along. In fact, it slows it down.
Eventually, the book meanders into the siting of the child and "the chase" to finally retrieve the baby and reunite it with it's mother who also happens to be the daughter of Hannah Ives, the main protagonist in the Marcia Talley mysteries.
There are also a couple of subplots involving Internet safety for children and pedophilia, in general, as well as spiritual crisis with a local minister/friend.
Maybe it's my distaste for the subject matter but I really felt that Marcia Talley was trying to weave too many topics together and then be able to tie it up in a nice little bow at the end.
Tie it up, she did. The last 50 pages were almost an afterthought: "Oh, I better put together a happy ending in a hurry!" Unbelievable coincidences. Bizarre back stories of characters.
It was a quick and easy read if somewhat unsettling. It was OK. If you like mysteries with a lot of family angst and loosely developed subplot, this book is for you.(less)
This was chosen by a guy in my Guy's Book Club. He readily admits to reading "chick lit" like this book and the 50 Shades...books. Go figure.
First, it...moreThis was chosen by a guy in my Guy's Book Club. He readily admits to reading "chick lit" like this book and the 50 Shades...books. Go figure.
First, it was an easy read. Nothing too deep. Big print, lots of white space. Photos inserted here and there and a few sidebars.
Second, it was clearly written for women and Tina Fey admits as much.
Third, it is part of her grabbing the gold ring during her 15 minutes of fame. She readily admits this in the last chapter. TV, movies, books. Anything that can capitalize on her celebrity and talent while she can get it. At least she's honest about it.
Fourth, the book is laugh out loud funny in parts and kinda not so much in others. It's like she tries out jokes or funny stories based on a real life experience but it just doesn't quite make it. This brings me to the part about it being a kinda, sorta faux memoir. It's more like someone telling you things about their life and then embellishing upon them and throwing in the humor or funny faces or comedic inflections to the point you're chuckling or laughing about an episode that may have been painful when it happened.
All in all, it's a decent book. Entertaining and, in some parts, poignant. However, Tina Few is anything but subtle about her ambitions and how she sees her role in the wider world despite the feigned humility.
If you're a woman, you'll love it. If you're a guy, it has some hilarious sections but it may not be the first thing I recommend.(less)
When I read Randy Cohen's first book, I didn't even realize there was such as thing as an Ethicist column in the New York Times. I found the book refr...moreWhen I read Randy Cohen's first book, I didn't even realize there was such as thing as an Ethicist column in the New York Times. I found the book refreshing, interesting and entertaining.
However, I found this book, while interesting and, at times, entertaining, to be less than refreshing. In fact, many of the letters and answers are from his old columns back in the early part of the century. I don't know if I would be so harsh as to call it a "rehash" of old writing but it certainly wasn't new or fresh.
What may have been new and fresh are the essays that begin each chapter. Yet, even here, some of the references lack a certain modernity or contemporary feel.
Randy Cohen seems accomplished enough not to need to push out another book just to make a few bucks but I can't help but think that is exactly the motivation when I read books like this.
It's a good book and wll written which is why I gave it four stars. It is not a great book with tons of original or even contemporary insight which is why I left the fifth star off.
I heard Marcia Talley give a talk to my Rotary Club and decided to pick up two of her books after the meeting.
Marcia Talley is a local woman (local me...moreI heard Marcia Talley give a talk to my Rotary Club and decided to pick up two of her books after the meeting.
Marcia Talley is a local woman (local meaning the Annapolis, MD area) and she liberally sprinkles local references throughout her books. I'm a local guy so I recognize a lot of the references which makes the books fun to read.
This is a "cozy" in the sense that there is not a lot of blood and gore or gratuitous sex and the protagonist is not strictly "law enforcement". Rather, it's in the Miss Marple vein if Miss Marple was an American living in 21st Century Annapolis.
The book is about a revenge murder and there are enough twists and turns to keep you interested. It's also one of the author's early novels and I suspect the plotting becomes a little more engaging in later books. Still, this is worth the read if you come across it.
Quirky characters, great locale, dogs and drunks. What more can you ask for?(less)
Confession time: I didn't really complete the book. I read a lot of it but I found the character of Captain Queeg to be so despicable that I couldn't...more Confession time: I didn't really complete the book. I read a lot of it but I found the character of Captain Queeg to be so despicable that I couldn't get past his neurosis and into the story. I know. It's mostly likely one in the same.
I admit that the writing is well done with great flow and nice pacing. Some of the characters are interesting and I think if I had managed to stay with the book they might have been more interesting.(less)
For some reason, I've been reading a lot of memoir type books that are not about great people's live but, rather, about parts of normal people's lives...moreFor some reason, I've been reading a lot of memoir type books that are not about great people's live but, rather, about parts of normal people's lives.
This book is about the part of the author's life from about his undergraduate career in college to about his post doctoral career as a college professor in Minnesota. Most of the action takes place in Salt Lake City in the Sugarhouse district (thus, the title) where he and his wife (a woman he meets, dates and then marries in rapid succession)proceed to buy a decrepit house and fix it up.
Interspersed with the humorous telling of the whole "I have no clue what I'm doing but I'm doing it pretty well." are chapters about his relationship with his family. Not much is said for his wife's side of the family, if there is one.
The writing style is breezy and the book is a quick and easy read. I found myself wondering how such a dunderhead could make it through life waiting on tables, completing a graduate degree, be married and work on a house that was clearly in serious disrepair.
I guess nothing is impossible. Perhaps, this is more of a self help book in disguise. "See, if I can do this, anyone can! Dream the dream and follow it."
The book is pure entertainment. If it weren't about real people and real events, it would make a good novel of the beach reading variety.(less)
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