James's bookshelf: all en-US Thu, 07 Mar 2024 09:43:16 -0800 60 James's bookshelf: all 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg <![CDATA[The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War]]> 5738277 221 Stephen Crane 0140390219 James 5 3.51 1895 The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War
author: Stephen Crane
name: James
average rating: 3.51
book published: 1895
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/03/07
shelves:
review:

]]> Integrity Selling 480085

From the Trade Paperback edition.]]> 176 Ron Willingham 0385239092 James 4 3.67 1987 Integrity Selling
author: Ron Willingham
name: James
average rating: 3.67
book published: 1987
rating: 4
read at: 2002/02/01
date added: 2023/07/24
shelves:
review:
I attended a week long seminar with the author and subsequently read the book. This is an excellent resource for anyone who needs to sell an idea, concept, product, whatever.
]]> <![CDATA[Leadership and the New Science]]> 2497736 Leadership and the New Science was initially published in 1992, it outlined an unquestionably unique but extremely challenging view of change, leadership, and the structure of groups. Many readers immediately embraced its cutting-edge perspective, but others just could not understand how the complicated scientific tenets it described could be used to reshape institutions. Now Wheatley, an organizational specialist who has since coauthored A Simpler Way, updates the original by including additional material (such as an epilogue addressing her personal experiences during the past decade) and reconstructing some of her more challenging concepts. The result is a much clearer work that first explores the implications of quantum physics on organizational practice, then investigates ways that biology and chemistry affect living systems, and finally focuses on chaos theory, the creation of a new order, and the manner that scientific principles affect leadership. "Our old ways of relating to each other don't support us any longer," she writes. "It is up to us to journey forth in search of new practices and new ideas that will enable us to create lives and organizations worthy of human habitation." --Howard Rothman]]> 0 Margaret J. Wheatley 8176494771 James 3 3.97 1992 Leadership and the New Science
author: Margaret J. Wheatley
name: James
average rating: 3.97
book published: 1992
rating: 3
read at: 2003/06/06
date added: 2022/07/09
shelves:
review:
I read this book after meeting the Author, a thought leader in the field of leadership science. I had a difficult time getting through this but she does have some excellent ideas to offer.
]]> <![CDATA[Dream Makers: Putting Vision and Values to Work]]> 2428228 224 Michele Hunt 0891061088 James 1 1.67 1998 Dream Makers: Putting Vision and Values to Work
author: Michele Hunt
name: James
average rating: 1.67
book published: 1998
rating: 1
read at: 2001/06/15
date added: 2021/09/13
shelves:
review:
I met the author and listened to her make a presentaiton regarding the subject matter. This was a difficult read and you have to be dedicated to get through it.
]]> The House of Kennedy 51285366
To this day, the Kennedys occupy a unique, contradictory place in the world's imagination: at once familiar and unknowable; charmed and cursed. The Kennedy Curse is a revealing, fascinating account of America’s most famous family, as told by the world's most trusted storyteller.]]> 432 James Patterson 0316454486 James 0 currently-reading 3.87 2020 The House of Kennedy
author: James Patterson
name: James
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/06/11
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Overworked and Overwhelmed: The Mindfulness Alternative]]> 22147260 Leverage mindful awareness and intention to achieve better outcomes Overworked and Overwhelmed: The Mindfulness Alternative offers practical insights for the executive, manager or professional who feels like their RPM is maxed out in the red zone. By making the concepts and practices of mindfulness simple, practical and applicable, this book offers actionable hope for today's overworked and overwhelmed professional.

New research shows that the smartphone equipped professional is connected to work 72 hours a week. Forty eight percent of Americans report that their stress level is up and that the number one source of stress is the job pressure of a 24/7 world.

What's the alternative? Top leadership coach and educator Scott Eblin offers one in Overworked and Overwhelmed: The Mindfulness Alternative. While mindfulness is one of the Top Ten Trends for 2014 and Beyond, many professionals think it's just too hard to give it a try. In this book, Eblin shows that mindfulness that makes a difference doesn't require meditating like a Buddhist monk.

Overworked and Overwhelmed is a handbook for more mindful work and living that offers:

Must know mindfulness basics that today's professional needs to thrive in a 24/7 world. Inspiring examples of mindfulness in action from dozens of leaders ranging from a U.S. Coast Guard Commandant to the CEO of Hilton Worldwide. A self assessment for readers to understand how they perform at their best. Simple routines to reduce stress and sustain peak performance. A personal planning framework for creating the outcomes that matter most at home, at work and in the community. Even small increases in mindfulness can lead to big changes in productivity and quality of life for the overworked and overwhelmed professional. Overworked and Overwhelmed: The Mindfulness Alternative is a guide for doing just that.]]> 262 Scott Eblin 1118910664 James 2 3.67 Overworked and Overwhelmed: The Mindfulness Alternative
author: Scott Eblin
name: James
average rating: 3.67
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2020/05/23
date added: 2020/05/23
shelves:
review:
Sadly I got nothing from this book and finally had to put it down for good. Maybe it was me being overworked and overwhelmed but that being the case I will leave this book for others.
]]> <![CDATA[Who Owns the Ice House? Eight Life Lessons From an Unlikely Entrepreneur]]> 11450024
While iconic entrepreneurs like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk often steal the spotlight, this book sheds light on the invaluable wisdom and insights hidden within the stories of everyday "unlikely" entrepreneurs; those who start with little or nothing yet manage to triumph against the odds. In a world that favors top performers, we rarely stop to ask How do underdogs win?

In this transformative book, Pulitzer nominee Clifton Taulbert teams up with entrepreneurial thought leader Gary Schoeniger to deliver a powerful and compelling story that captures the essence of an entrepreneurial mindset as a framework for thinking that can empower ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

Inspired by Taulbert’s remarkable life story, Who Owns The Ice House? chronicles his journey from the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta to become an internationally recognized author and entrepreneur. While Taulbert describes how the influence of an unlikely entrepreneur altered the course of his life, Schoeniger distills the universal principles derived from countless everyday entrepreneurs. What emerges is a radical rethinking of entrepreneurship as a mindset that can empower anyone to succeed.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or you’re ready to chart a new course in life, this book will show you how

� Uncover hidden opportunities within your everyday life
� Start where you are and use what you have to get where you want to go
� Overcome self-limiting beliefs that hinder your ability to prosper and thrive
� Tap into the wisdom of experienced entrepreneurs
� Create the life you envision instead of accepting the status quo
� And so much more

By combining Taulbert’s story with universal life lessons gleaned from everyday entrepreneurs, Who Owns the Ice House? shows how an entrepreneurial mindset can change the course of your life.]]> 178 Gary G. Schoeniger 0971305935 James 2 3.88 2010 Who Owns the Ice House? Eight Life Lessons From an Unlikely Entrepreneur
author: Gary G. Schoeniger
name: James
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2010
rating: 2
read at: 2014/07/14
date added: 2020/04/11
shelves:
review:
I have mixed emotions about this book. Perhaps conflicted is a better term. I met the author years ago and indeed, I talked with him when I picked up this book and he autographed it for me. I was determined to read it and I began it immediately when I received it. Since then it has been fits and starts all of the way. I could never read more than a few pages at a sitting and perhaps that was his intention. Clifton's life story is indeed impressive and he is an excellent speaker and yet this book was a difficult read. I may not be the best audience for this in that I don't think of myself as an entrepreneur and I don't see myself in that role at any point of my life. It is way too far outside of my comfort zone so there you are. I finished reading it on vacation this year and I am glad that I did but I can't give this book a hearty recommendation unless you are in the entrepreneur mind set. In that case read on because the lessons from Clifton's Uncle will inspire you.
]]> <![CDATA[Don't Bite the Hook: Finding Freedom from Anger, Resentment, and Other Destructive Emotions]]> 136978
ĚýĚýĚý•Ěýstay centered in the midst of difficulty
ĚýĚýĚý•Ěýimprove stressful relationships
ĚýĚýĚý•Ěýstep out of the downward spiral of self-hatred
Ěý Ěý•Ěýawaken compassion for ourselves and others

3 CDs, 3 hours]]> 3 Pema Chödrön 1590304349 James 4 4.33 2007 Don't Bite the Hook: Finding Freedom from Anger, Resentment, and Other Destructive Emotions
author: Pema Chödrön
name: James
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 2014/05/15
date added: 2019/09/25
shelves:
review:
This was my intoduction to Buddhist thought and theory. I found it quite interesting and relevant to my current life. As the extended title suggests the entire book is a lecture on acceptance presented by the author in a very interesting and matter of fact way. This may not be the book to finding relief from anger but is certainly is a useful stepping stone. It made me want to further explore the Buddhist realm and see if there more in it for me. After all, what do I have lose?
]]> Carolyn 101 8561942 The Apprentice; she was Donald Trump's "right-hand woman." Trump picked her for the show because he considers her a "killer" businesswoman and role model for women, as well as one of his most trusted advisers. In Carolyn 101, she proves her credentials with fireproof advice on topics such as how to succeed in business and how to survive an impossible boss.]]> 240 Carolyn Kepcher 0641683383 James 5 3.44 2004 Carolyn 101
author: Carolyn Kepcher
name: James
average rating: 3.44
book published: 2004
rating: 5
read at: 2014/10/27
date added: 2019/04/11
shelves:
review:
I enjoyed this book. Carolyn seems to be an accidental celebrity and a well prepared and planned business woman. I liked how she used her experiences to teach the business principles that have governed her career. I can recommend this to anyone in the business world. It's not just for women, this is solid business training at its best.
]]> <![CDATA[Tons of Stone above my Head: Coal Mining Stories with Leadership Lessons]]> 12081059 232 R. Glenn Ray 097856913X James 4 4.50 2010 Tons of Stone above my Head: Coal Mining Stories with Leadership Lessons
author: R. Glenn Ray
name: James
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2010
rating: 4
read at: 2010/02/18
date added: 2019/03/05
shelves:
review:
I had the pleasure of working with the Author on several training projects and in the course of our work together, I read his book. He uses the setting of the coal mining industry to illustrate leadership principles and lessons. It is an interesting approach to leadership and one that I enjoyed. He sort of take the Ken Blanchard methodology and uses it to train leadership in a new and unique way.
]]> <![CDATA[How to Measure Training Results : A Practical Guide to Tracking the Six Key Indicators]]> 799398 "How to Measure Training Results" presents practical tools for collecting and measuring six types of data critical to an overall evaluatin of training. This timely resource: Includes dozens of reproducible tools and processes for training evaluationShows how to measure both financial and intangible/non-financial results

]]> 300 Jack J. Phillips 0071387927 James 5 3.73 2001 How to Measure Training Results : A Practical Guide to Tracking the Six Key Indicators
author: Jack J. Phillips
name: James
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2001
rating: 5
read at: 2003/08/20
date added: 2019/03/05
shelves:
review:
I had the pleasure of meeting both of the authors and to take the certification course from Jack Phillips.This book is a must read for all of us in the training and development industry. It does not matter that some trainers lean more towards the Kirkpatrick evaluation model, this book is still essential in developing a grounded training evaluation methodology.
]]> <![CDATA[How to Win Friends & Influence People]]> 4865
Since its release in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold more than 30 million copies. Dale Carnegie's first book is a timeless bestseller, packed with rock-solid advice that has carried thousands of now famous people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives.

As relevant as ever before, Dale Carnegie's principles endure, and will help you achieve your maximum potential in the complex and competitive modern age.

Learn the six ways to make people like you, the twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking, and the nine ways to change people without arousing resentment.]]> 288 Dale Carnegie James 5 4.22 1936 How to Win Friends & Influence People
author: Dale Carnegie
name: James
average rating: 4.22
book published: 1936
rating: 5
read at: 1988/10/15
date added: 2019/03/05
shelves:
review:
This is a life changing read. It is one of the collection of books that I read when I completed my first Masters Degree in 1986. That is when I began to read for pleasure and it was a pleasure indeed to read this book. It was life-changing and trans formative. Do not worry that it was written years ago. The same principles apply throughout time.
]]> <![CDATA[The Project 50 (Reinventing Work): Fifty Ways to Transform Every "Task" into a Project That Matters!]]> 318805 A seminar participant said: "Reward excellent failures. Punish mediocre successes." So, how many of you are at work -- right now -- on "mediocre successes"? At work on projects that won't be recalled, let alone recalled with fondness and glee, a year from now?

We don't study professional service firms. (Mistake.) And we don't study WOW Projects. (Worse mistake.) There is, of course, a project management literature. But it's awful. Or, at least, misleading. It focuses almost exclusively on the details of planning and tracking progress and totally ignores the important stuff like: Is it cool? Is it beautiful? Will it make a difference? My No.1 epithet: "On time . . . on budget . . . who cares?" I.e., does it matter? Will you be bragging about it two--or ten--years from now? Is it a WOW project?

So, then: Step #1 . . .the organization . . .the professional service firm/PSF 1.0. Step 2 . . .the individual . . .the pursuit of distinction/Brand You. And: Step #3 . . . the work itself . . . the memorable project/WOW Projects.

The Project50 is a simple and handy guide that provides 50 easy steps to help the modern businessperson choose the right project, find the right team, develop strategies for success, and ultimately know when it's time to move on.

See also the other 50List titles in the Reinventing Work series by Tom Peters -- The Brand You50 and The Professional Service Firm50 -- for additional information on how to make an impact in the professional world. ]]> 224 Tom Peters 0375407731 James 5 4.06 1999 The Project 50 (Reinventing Work): Fifty Ways to Transform Every "Task" into a Project That Matters!
author: Tom Peters
name: James
average rating: 4.06
book published: 1999
rating: 5
read at: 2007/03/29
date added: 2019/03/05
shelves:
review:
One of the Tom Peters essential books that every manager should read. Tom advances us into the world of work as no one else can do.
]]> <![CDATA[The ASTD Training and Development Handbook: A Guide to Human Resource Development]]> 1312590 1088 Robert L. Craig 007013359X James 5 3.74 1976 The ASTD Training and Development Handbook: A Guide to Human Resource Development
author: Robert L. Craig
name: James
average rating: 3.74
book published: 1976
rating: 5
read at: 1997/04/12
date added: 2019/02/28
shelves:
review:
This book was part of my research and background reading when I was working on my PhD from North Carolina State University. It served me exceedingly well through the following years in my assignments in learning development positions. I can highly recommend it to all training professionals.
]]> <![CDATA[Customer Service: Extraordinary Results at Southwest Airlines, Charles Schwab, Lands' End, American Express, Staples, and USAA]]> 2085534 256 Fred Wiersema 0887307728 James 3 2.50 1998 Customer Service: Extraordinary Results at Southwest Airlines, Charles Schwab, Lands' End, American Express, Staples, and USAA
author: Fred Wiersema
name: James
average rating: 2.50
book published: 1998
rating: 3
read at: 2004/03/16
date added: 2019/02/28
shelves:
review:
I read this a few years ago during a period when part of my job was to manage the customer service training both inside and outside of the organization.
]]> <![CDATA[Reinventing Leadership: Strategies to Empower the Organization (Collins Business Essentials)]]> 2170752
The demands of today's workplace call for stronger and more inspiring leadership in order to motivate employees and to achieve the quality results for which successful organizations constantly strive.

In Reinventing Leadership, Warren G. Bennis and Robert Townsend show leaders how to empower their organizations and bring the best out of each employee.

Inside you will find useful leadership strategies that include:


Moving away from conventional standards of business practice Building trust How to find a mentor Rewarding accomplishment
These strategies will help transform leadership visions into reality and lead organizations into a future that includes increased employee satisfaction and continued economic growth.]]> 208 Warren Bennis 0060820527 James 2 3.56 1995 Reinventing Leadership: Strategies to Empower the Organization (Collins Business Essentials)
author: Warren Bennis
name: James
average rating: 3.56
book published: 1995
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 2019/02/28
shelves:
review:
I read this a few years ago. At the time is was relevant to my job and I was able to apply what I read to my position at that time.
]]> <![CDATA[The Operator: Firing the Shots that Killed Osama bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior]]> 34127824 The Operator ranges across SEAL Team Operator Robert O’Neill’s awe-inspiring four-hundred-mission career that included his involvement in attempts to rescue “Lone Survivor� Marcus Luttrell and abducted-by-Somali-pirates Captain Richard Phillips and culminated in those famous three shots that dispatched the world’s most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden.

In these pages, O’Neill describes his idyllic childhood in Butte, Montana; his impulsive decision to join the SEALs; the arduous evaluation and training process; and the even tougher gauntlet he had to run to join the SEALs� most elite unit. After officially becoming a SEAL, O’Neill would spend more than a decade in the most intense counterterror effort in US history. For extended periods, not a night passed without him and his small team recording multiple enemy kills—and though he was lucky enough to survive, several of the SEALs he’d trained with and fought beside never made it home.

The Operator describes the nonstop action of O’Neill’s deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, evokes the black humor of years-long combat, brings to vivid life the lethal efficiency of the military’s Tier One units, and reveals firsthand details of the most celebrated terrorist takedown in history.]]> 320 Robert O'Neill 1501145037 James 5 4.38 2017 The Operator: Firing the Shots that Killed Osama bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior
author: Robert O'Neill
name: James
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2017/10/12
date added: 2017/10/12
shelves:
review:
This book is one wild ride from start to finish. The author recounts his life in highlighted vignettes and takes the reader through his entire career in the US Navy. The action is fast paced and exciting and makes the book difficult if not impossible to put down. The author is continually put is difficult situations and forced to fight and to think his way out to survive. He also clearly conveys the angst of having a wife and children and the pain of constantly leaving them behind as he performs his duty for his country. Then he provides the reader with a step by step scenario leading to the elimination of the most wanted terrorist in the world and the aftermath of that action. I can highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action adventure and high stakes gambles with the national interest at steak.
]]> <![CDATA[Steal the Show: From Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches, How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life]]> 23214164
Every day there are moments when you must persuade, inform, and motivate others effectively. Each of those moments requires you, in some way, to play a role, to heighten the impact of your words, and to manage your emotions and nerves. Every interaction is a performance, whether you’re speaking up in a meeting, pitching a client, or walking into a job interview.ĚýĚýĚýInĚý Steal the Show, New York Times best-selling author Michael Port draws on his experience as an actor and as a highly successful corporate speaker and trainer to teach readers how to make the most of every presentation and interaction. He demonstrates how the methods of successful actors can help you connect with, inspire, and persuade any audience. His key strategies for commanding an audience’s attention include developing a clear focus for every performance, making sure you engage with your listeners, and finding the best role for yourself in order to convey your message with maximum impact.ĚýĚýMichael Port is one of the most in-demand corporate speakers working today. His presentations are always powerful, engaging, and inspirational. And yes, audiences always give him a standing ovation.ĚýĚý]]> 272 Michael Port 054455518X James 5 3.63 2015 Steal the Show: From Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches, How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life
author: Michael Port
name: James
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2017/10/04
date added: 2017/10/04
shelves:
review:
This is certainly one of the most complete how-to books on public speaking that I have ever encountered. I have been in the training industry for many years and attended many classes on public speaking. This book has it all and then some. It is appropriate for anyone who presents in front of people for any reason. Everyone from the youngest novice to the most seasoned professional will benefit for this book and I can highly recommend to everyone.
]]> <![CDATA[Eats, Shoots and Leaves: 2007 Calendar]]> 19434017 320 0789314150 James 5 3.92 Eats, Shoots and Leaves: 2007 Calendar
author: Universe Publishing; Editor-Lynne Truss
name: James
average rating: 3.92
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2002/05/07
date added: 2017/09/21
shelves:
review:
I read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved it so much I bought copies for everyone in my family. Then I insisted that all of my coworkers read it.What a fun read it was and I can highly recommend it to anyone.
]]> <![CDATA[Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance]]> 27213329
Why do some people succeed and others fail? Sharing new insights from her landmark research on grit, Angela Duckworth explains why talent is hardly a guarantor of success. Rather, other factors can be even more crucial such as identifying our passions and following through on our commitments.

Drawing on her own powerful story as the daughter of a scientist who frequently bemoaned her lack of smarts, Duckworth describes her winding path through teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience, which led to the hypothesis that what really drives success is not genius, but a special blend of passion and long-term perseverance. As a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Duckworth created her own character lab and set out to test her theory.

Here, she takes readers into the field to visit teachers working in some of the toughest schools, cadets struggling through their first days at West Point, and young finalists in the National Spelling Bee. She also mines fascinating insights from history and shows what can be gleaned from modern experiments in peak performance. Finally, she shares what she's learned from interviewing dozens of high achievers; from JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to the cartoon editor of The New Yorker to Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll.

Winningly personal, insightful, and even life-changing, Grit is a book about what goes through your head when you fall down, and how that not talent or luck makes all the difference.]]> 277 Angela Duckworth 1443442313 James 5 4.07 2016 Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
author: Angela Duckworth
name: James
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2017/08/25
date added: 2017/08/25
shelves:
review:
This is an interesting read that fully and completely delves into the subject of grit. This work is thought provoking and really explains what it is to have or to not have grit. It helped me to see where I have succeeded and where I have gone wrong in my life and I was amazed at the predictability of my actions since they mirror the actions of everyone else. I can highly recommend this book to anyone who wants understand how the subject of grit plays a part in their life.
]]> Everybody's Got Something 18296165
So begins beloved Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts's new memoir in which she recounts the incredible journey that's been her life so far, and the lessons she's learned along the way. With grace, heart, and humor, she writes about overcoming breast cancer only to learn five years later that she will need a bone marrow transplant to combat a rare blood disorder, the grief and heartbreak she suffered when her mother passed away, her triumphant return to GMA after her medical leave, and the tremendous support and love of her family and friends that saw her through her difficult times.

Following her mother's advice to "make your mess your message," Robin taught a nation of viewers that while it is true that we've all got something -- a medical crisis to face, aging parents to care for, heartbreak in all its many forms --- we've also all got something to hope, encouragement, a life-saving transplant or a spirit-saving embrace. As Robin has learned, and what readers of her remarkable story will come to believe as well, it's all about faith, family and friends. And finding out that you are stronger, much stronger, than you think.]]> 272 Robin Roberts 1455578452 James 5 4.00 2014 Everybody's Got Something
author: Robin Roberts
name: James
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2017/07/22
date added: 2017/07/22
shelves:
review:
This was an emotional book to say the least. Robin takes the reader through the most intimate details of her life focusing on her bouts with deadly diseases and the death of her mother. This is a roller coaster of emotions and well worth the reader's time. For a devoted fan of her TV program this book hits the spot in forming a more complete picture of the face on the TV.
]]> <![CDATA[Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality]]> 437261 292 Henry Cloud 0060849681 James 2 4.21 2006 Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality
author: Henry Cloud
name: James
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 2017/07/19
date added: 2017/07/19
shelves:
review:
This was a difficult book for me to read in that it did not seize and hold my interest. Who knows, perhaps it is a lack of integrity on my part? At any rate, I did not finish reading this and I must admit defeat and move on to my next book.
]]> <![CDATA[Lighten Up: Love What You Have, Have What You Need, Be Happier with Less]]> 7775707 304 Peter Walsh 1439155143 James 5 3.37 2010 Lighten Up: Love What You Have, Have What You Need, Be Happier with Less
author: Peter Walsh
name: James
average rating: 3.37
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2017/06/22
date added: 2017/06/22
shelves:
review:
This is my book that takes a serious look at clutter of which I have my fair share. The book certainly sets a standard that I will not ever be able to follow. On the other hand there are lots of great ideas for me to start working on immediately. Already, I am viewing my precious piles of junk in an entirely new light. The author certainly knows how to motivate and get one on the move to lightening up one's load of personal clutter. I like the constant theme of taking baby steps or eating the elephant one bite at a time. I can see how chunking my clutter issue into manageable pieces will clear a pathway to this otherwise impossible task. The funny thing is, I see everyone I know in much the same situation and no one is immune from the problem. With the aid of this book, I can get a start on things and slowly work my way out of this mess.
]]> <![CDATA[Take Command: 10 Leadership Principles I Learned in the Military and Put to Work for Donald Trump]]> 650682 211 Kelly Perdew 1596980001 James 4 3.34 2005 Take Command: 10 Leadership Principles I Learned in the Military and Put to Work for Donald Trump
author: Kelly Perdew
name: James
average rating: 3.34
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/03
date added: 2017/06/06
shelves:
review:
This is a fairly good read using the military as the backdrop. The author pulls heavily from his Army background and this is the draw for me that made the book appealing. As for his success on The Apprentice, I was unaware of that connection since I don't watch the show. After this book, I will try to find his episodes on Netflix or Amazon and watch a couple of them. From the author's description of his life to date (as of the publication of the book) he appears poised for great success regardless of his endeavors but he has certainly succeeded in his chosen career fields. One aspect of the book is the author's recounting of his failures of which there are few but they have a telling affect on his actions and his successes. It certainly helps me relate to him on a more human level when he talks about his missteps and how they become stepping stones on his career path and not absolute obstacles. The book is a bit dated in its popular references since his mentor is now the President of the United States with an entirely new array of issues and concerns as opposed to a controversial businessman. On the other hand, perhaps there is a lesson to be learned for the author's next book. This book is still a good read and I would encourage anyone who is a leader or who wants to be a leader to read or listen to it. There are some useful principles in this book and if an aspiring leader were to follow them, they would enjoy an entirely successful career. Indeed, I could see where in some cases I had ignored the principles and suffered the career consequences.
]]> <![CDATA[The ASTD Management Development Handbook: Innovation for Today's Manager]]> 14433326 560 Lisa Haneberg 1562868241 James 0 to-read 4.00 2012 The ASTD Management Development Handbook: Innovation for Today's Manager
author: Lisa Haneberg
name: James
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2012
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Leaders Made Here: Building a Leadership Culture (The High Performance Series)]]> 30724478 Bestselling author and Chick-fil-A executive Mark Miller describes how any organization can create a culture in which leaders are routinely and systematically developed, resulting in a surplus of leaders. Miller details how to nurture leaders throughout the organization, from the front lines to the executive ranks. He provides a game plan for organizations to create a deep and effective leadership bench.
To bring his ideas to life, Miller uses the story of Blake, a new CEO, and Charles, and old friend and colleague, as they search for best practices from around the world to ensure a continuous supply of their most precious asset leaders. Blake and his team then translate their findings into a practical plan that any organization can use to create a leadership culture that will ensure a sustainable competitive advantage and long-term success.
"]]> 144 Mark Miller 1626569819 James 0 to-read 4.00 Leaders Made Here: Building a Leadership Culture (The High Performance Series)
author: Mark Miller
name: James
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[HBR Guide to Negotiating (HBR Guide Series)]]> 25159546 208 Jeff Weiss 1633690768 James 0 to-read 3.66 2016 HBR Guide to Negotiating (HBR Guide Series)
author: Jeff Weiss
name: James
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Time Bandit Solution: Structured Time & Workflow]]> 21442387
°ŐłółÜ˛ő,ĚýThe Time Bandit SolutionĚýis a step-by-step lesson on how to recover stolen time you never knew you had. ĚýIt is designed to teach you the arts and skills for graciously negotiating with the Time Bandits to prevent interruptions from sapping your productivity and satisfaction. The Time Bandit Solution also explains how the damage they cause lingers well beyond the interruption itself, how the stress of interruptions subtracts joy from your most important endeavors, and how to redeploy the time you recover.

Do you often think or say, 'I have too much to do, and not enough time to do it'? If so, this book is for you.Ěý If you find yourself frustrated by too many interruptions and feel powerless to prevent them, you want to read this book.

°Âľ±łŮłóĚýThe Time Bandit Solution, you will free yourself from the distress of unwanted, unnecessary and unproductive interruptions, and recapture the time to do what you must and what you dream of doing.

]]> 249 Edward G. Brown 0989915115 James 0 to-read 3.35 2014 The Time Bandit Solution: Structured Time & Workflow
author: Edward G. Brown
name: James
average rating: 3.35
book published: 2014
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy]]> 81107 The Energy Bus, an international best seller by Jon Gordon, takes readers on an enlightening and inspiring ride that reveals 10 secrets for approaching life and work with the kind of positive, forward thinking that leads to true accomplishment - at work and at home. Jon infuses this engaging story with keen insights as he provides a powerful roadmap to overcome adversity and bring out the best in yourself and your team. When you get on The Energy Bus you'll enjoy the ride of your life!]]> 192 Jon Gordon 0470100281 James 0 to-read 3.81 2007 The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy
author: Jon Gordon
name: James
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2007
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> One Minute Mentoring 28925248 The bestselling co-author of the legendary The One Minute Manager® and a former Twitter executive join forces to create the ultimate guide to creating powerful mentoring relationships

While most people agree that having a mentor is a good thing, they don’t know how to find one or use one. And despite widespread approval for the idea of being a mentor, most people don’t think they have the time or skills to do so.

Positive mentoring relationships can change the way we lead and help us succeed. In One Minute Mentoring, legendary management guru Ken Blanchard and Claire Diaz-Ortiz, a former Twitter executive and early employee, combine their knowledge to provide a systematic approach to intergenerational mentoring, giving readers great insight into the power and influence of mentoring and encouraging them to pursue their own mentoring relationships.

Using his classic parable format, Blanchard explains why developing effective communication and relationships across generations can be a tremendous opportunity for companies and individuals alike.ĚýOne Minute MentoringĚýis the go-to source for learning why mentoring is the secret ingredient to professional and personal success.]]> 160 Kenneth H. Blanchard 0062429302 James 0 to-read 3.74 2016 One Minute Mentoring
author: Kenneth H. Blanchard
name: James
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Social Leader: Redefining Leadership for the Complex Social Age]]> 20702670 224 Frank Guglielmo 1629560154 James 0 to-read 3.20 2014 Social Leader: Redefining Leadership for the Complex Social Age
author: Frank Guglielmo
name: James
average rating: 3.20
book published: 2014
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> SharePoint for Nonprofits 13631051 358 John Stover 0557851408 James 0 to-read 0.0 2011 SharePoint for Nonprofits
author: John Stover
name: James
average rating: 0.0
book published: 2011
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[How to Speak So People Really Listen: The Straight-Talking Guide to Communicating with Influence and Impact]]> 32867024 Learn how to inspire your audience with best-selling author Paul McGee!13 things you'll discover when reading this book...

1. The big lesson Steve Jobs learnt when an advertising exec threw something at him... and how it will help how you communicate.

2. Seven ways to manage your nerves (surprisingly, you don’t want to eliminate them).

3. Why our obsession with body language is totally wrong, and what to focus on instead.

4. Why you must think about a beachball before you next speak. Believe me, it’s essential.

5. A question your audience is always thinking, and how to ensure you provide the answer.

6. The most common mistake experienced presenters make that nervous ones never do.

7. Why so many presentations cure insomnia, and how to make sure you’re serving an extra strong double espresso instead.

8. The number one thing most presenters forget to bring when they’re speaking to others.

9. Discover the most underprepared part of your presentation, and how to avoid making the same mistake.

10. What women’s magazines and TV soap operas have to teach us about audience engagement.

11. What I learnt from a guy with one of the most powerful memories on the planet, and how it can transform your communication.

12. Discover Tony Blair’s biggest fear when Prime Minister, and how you can tackle the same issue with confidence.

13. Why you don’t have to be funny to use humour in your presentation, and three easy ways to do it.ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý]]> 207 Paul McGee James 0 to-read 3.79 2016 How to Speak So People Really Listen: The Straight-Talking Guide to Communicating with Influence and Impact
author: Paul McGee
name: James
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Influence Redefined: Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Monday to Monday]]> 31193383
Your team is only as strong as your influence, and many leaders today are mistaken about what it means to be influential. An outdated influence paradigm, along with technological devices and distractions, is making it increasingly challenging for leaders to reach those they need to influence in order to be successful. In fact, many leaders are unwillingly and unknowingly sabotaging themselves and their influence.

In her thought-provoking Influence Redefined , Stacey Hanke introduces her powerful Influence Model, a step-by-step method for improving communication and producing the ideal type of influence—one that moves people to action long after an interaction is over. She dispels the most common influence myths and instructs leaders on how to stop sabotaging themselves in order to leave a positive, lasting impression.

Using a results-based definition of influence for individuals and organizations, Hanke successfully shows leaders how they can develop influence as a skill through self-awareness, consistency, a positive reputation, adaptability, and impact. With insights from dozens of executives and business leaders, as well as practical how-tos and action steps, Influence Redefined will help leaders multiply and expand their influence every day, Monday to Monday®.

Through Stacey Hanke, Inc., the author has provided keynotes, mentoring and training on communicating with influence to thousands of leaders across industries. She is the author of Yes You Can! and has appeared in the New York Times and SmartMoney . Hanke was recognized as one of the National Speakers Association's ''Top 6 Under 40.'']]> 248 Stacey Hanke 1626343578 James 0 to-read 3.65 Influence Redefined: Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Monday to Monday
author: Stacey Hanke
name: James
average rating: 3.65
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Crucial Accountability: Tools for Resolving Violated Expectations, Broken Commitments, and Bad Behavior, Second Edition ( Paperback)]]> 17118702
PRAISE FOR "CRUCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY"

""Revolutionary ideas ... opportunities for breakthrough ..."" -- Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

""Unleash the true potential of a relationship or organization and move it to the next level."" -- Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager

""The most recommended and most effective resource in my library."" -- Stacey Allerton Firth, Vice President, Human Resources, Ford of Canada

""Brilliant strategies for those difficult discussions at home and in the workplace."" -- Soledad O'Brien, CNN news anchor and producer

""This book is the real deal.... Read it, underline it, learn from it. It's a gem."" -- Mike Murray, VP Human Resources and Administration (retired), Microsoft]]> 304 Patterson 0071829318 James 0 to-read 4.04 2004 Crucial Accountability: Tools for Resolving Violated Expectations, Broken Commitments, and Bad Behavior, Second Edition ( Paperback)
author: Patterson
name: James
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2004
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High]]> 15014
When stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong, you have three choices: Avoid a crucial conversation and suffer the consequences; handle the conversation badly and suffer the consequences; or read Crucial Conversations and discover how to communicate best when it matters most. Crucial Conversations gives you the tools you need to step up to life's most difficult and important conversations, say what's on your mind, and achieve the positive resolutions you want. You'll learn how to:

Prepare for high-impact situations with a six-minute mastery technique
Make it safe to talk about almost anything
Be persuasive, not abrasive
Keep listening when others blow up or clam up
Turn crucial conversations into the action and results you want]]> 240 Kerry Patterson 0071401946 James 0 to-read 4.04 2002 Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High
author: Kerry Patterson
name: James
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2002
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Outward Mindset: Seeing Beyond Ourselves]]> 27982992
One's mindset governs how one views the world, what one does, and how one does it. One's mindset can be self-focused, which Arbinger calls an inward mindset, or it can be inclusive of others, which Arbinger calls an outward mindset. It turns out that our own actions, and others responses to those actions, end up being dramatically different depending on which mindset we are operating from.

The Outward Mindset teaches readers how to shift more fully to an outward mindset and how to help others, even whole organizations, to make that shift a shift that sparks innovation, increases accountability, and transforms collaboration, engagement, and fulfillment."]]> 192 The Arbinger Institute 1626567158 James 0 to-read 4.00 2016 The Outward Mindset: Seeing Beyond Ourselves
author: The Arbinger Institute
name: James
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box]]> 180463 192 The Arbinger Institute 1576751740 James 0 to-read 4.09 2000 Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box
author: The Arbinger Institute
name: James
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2000
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants]]> 15751404 The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell has explored the ways we understand and change our world. Now he looks at the complex and surprising ways the weak can defeat the strong, the small can match up against the giant, and how our goals (often culturally determined) can make a huge difference in our ultimate sense of success. Drawing upon examples from the world of business, sports, culture, cutting-edge psychology, and an array of unforgettable characters around the world, David and Goliath is in many ways the most practical and provocative book Malcolm Gladwell has ever written.]]> 305 Malcolm Gladwell 0316204366 James 5 3.97 2013 David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
author: Malcolm Gladwell
name: James
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2017/05/30
date added: 2017/05/31
shelves:
review:
Another superior book by Mr. Gladwell. I am a long-time fan of his work and he once again delivers a stunning work on the deep inside story. This one is about how to battle giants and seemingly insurmountable odds. When we ask ourselves how the little guy could possibly win in these confrontations, the author supplies a well researched and reasoned approach that answers the question. Why indeed does the underdog triumph and how exactly does that happen? The examples that Mr. Gladwell used from David and Goliath to the American Civil Rights movement illuminate the background or the "rest of the story," as Paul Harvey used to do on his radio program. I can never get enough of his treatments and I am anxiously awaiting his next book. I can highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to get to the heart of the story.
]]> <![CDATA[A Higher Standard: Leadership Strategies from America's First Female Four-Star General]]> 22715993
What was the driving force behind Dunwoody's success? While her talent as a logistician and her empathy in dealing with fellow soldiers helped her rise through the ranks, Dunwoody also realized that true leaders never stop learning, refining, growing, and adapting. In A Higher Standard , Dunwoody details her evolution as a soldier and reveals the core leadership principles that helped her achieve her historic appointment. Dunwoody's strategies are applicable to any leader, no matter the size or scope of the organization. They include lessons such as "Never Walk by a Mistake," a mandate to recognize when something is wrong, big or small, and to hold people accountable. Not only can this save billions for industry, it can
sometimes save the lives of soldiers and citizens. She also advises that "Leaders Aren't Invincible-Don't Try to Be": to be our best, we have to acknowledge our worst. And she encourages readers to "Leverage the Power of Diversity" by creating teams of people from different backgrounds to provide a broad range of ideas and devise the best-informed decisions.

With these and other guiding principles, A Higher Standard offers practical, tactical advice that everyone can use to lead and achieve with maximum success.]]> 288 Ann Dunwoody 0738217794 James 5 3.89 2015 A Higher Standard: Leadership Strategies from America's First Female Four-Star General
author: Ann Dunwoody
name: James
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2017/05/16
date added: 2017/05/16
shelves:
review:
This was a terrific book. It may be because the General and I were assigned to the same places on some occasions and we shared some similar experiences but I really enjoyed this book. Looking back over her military career, she provides many useful insights and observations into the US Army and into the politics that goes into that career field. If I were to embark on a military career now, I would devour this book and keep it as a ready reference. I have seen too many young officers run afoul of the "system" and this book might just help them to navigate their way through it. There were a few factual errors in the book but they were not serious enough to change the tone or content in any way. Its just a problem with the publisher's fact checker who was not performing their job as well as the General was performing hers. Don't be deterred by a couple of miniscule mistakes, read this book and enjoy the message it imports.
]]> <![CDATA[Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service]]> 25967971 0 Disney Institute 1494562332 James 3 3.78 2015 Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service
author: Disney Institute
name: James
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2017/04/25
date added: 2017/04/25
shelves:
review:
This was an interesting book that dives into the Disney mystique of customer service. It may hardly be argued that Disney is the leader in customer service and that is why this company is so successful. This book is full of instructions, recommendations, and practical ideas for improving customer service regardless of the business one pursues. If you have customers either internal or external, you might want to work your way through this book. It is not easy to get through but well worth the time and effort.
]]> <![CDATA[Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World]]> 25614523 Originals the author addresses the challenge of improving the world from the perspective of becoming original: choosing to champion novel ideas and values that go against the grain, battle conformity, and buck outdated traditions. How can we originate new ideas, policies, and practices without risking it all?
Ěý
Using surprising studies and stories spanning business, politics, sports, and entertainment, Grant explores how to recognize a good idea, speak up without getting silenced, build a coalition of allies, choose the right time to act, and manage fear and doubt; how parents and teachers can nurture originality in children; and how leaders can build cultures that welcome dissent. Learn from an entrepreneur who pitches his start-ups by highlighting the reasons not to invest, a woman at Apple who challenged Steve Jobs from three levels below, an analyst who overturned the rule of secrecy at the CIA, a billionaire financial wizard who fires employees for failing to criticize him, and a TV executive who didn’t even work in comedy but saved Seinfeld from the cutting-room floor. The payoff is a set of groundbreaking insights about rejecting conformity and improving the status quo.
]]> 326 Adam M. Grant 0525429565 James 3 3.93 2016 Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World
author: Adam M. Grant
name: James
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2017/04/13
date added: 2017/04/17
shelves:
review:
Original thought is sometimes difficult to achieve. I enjoyed this book because it explored a number of original thinkers who asked the right questions and made something entirely new. I found my mind wondering in parts when the background materials or supporting details were vague or lacking. The author did touch upon topics that were familiar to me and shined a new light on those topics. If you are in the doldrums at work or home or in any society, this might be the exact springboard to get you moving again.
]]> <![CDATA[Anatomy of Greed: The Unshredded Truth from an Enron Insider]]> 701002 366 Brian Cruver 0786710934 James 5 3.77 2002 Anatomy of Greed: The Unshredded Truth from an Enron Insider
author: Brian Cruver
name: James
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2002
rating: 5
read at: 2017/03/24
date added: 2017/03/27
shelves:
review:
This was a terrific book about the final days of Enron. I followed the news when the company went under and enjoyed the legal troubles of the principles but this book by an insider put a lot of the story into perspective. Understanding that this occurred in 2001, it is a timeless story of greed and corruption. Essentially, it is "how long can I get away with this without getting caught." In this book, we see the brighter felons who got out while the getting was good and we see those crooks who hung on the greedy end. I wonder what I would do on that situation; sell out when I could or stay greedy until the bitter end? At any rate, this is a good read and I can recommend it to anyone, particularly those in a power position to defraud thousands of people. It is nice to have millions in the bank but you can only spend so much in the prison commissary.
]]> <![CDATA[11th Hour - Free Preview (Women's Murder Club)]]> 16041118
Lindsay Boxer is pregnant at last! But her work doesn't slow for a second. When millionaire Chaz Smith is mercilessly gunned down, she discovers that the murder weapon is linked to the deaths of four of San Francisco's most untouchable criminals. And it was taken from her own department's evidence locker. Anyone could be the killer--even her closest friends.

Or a vicious killer?

Lindsay is called next to the most bizarre crime scene she's ever seen: two bodiless heads elaborately displayed in the garden of a world-famous actor. Another head is unearthed in the garden, and Lindsay realizes that the ground could hide hundreds of victims.

You won't know until the 11th hour

A reporter launches a series of vicious articles about the cases and Lindsay's personal life is laid bare. But this time she has no one to turn to--especially not Joe. 11TH HOUR is the most shocking, most emotional, and most thrilling Women's Murder Club novel ever.]]> 70 James Patterson 0316221775 James 5 4.12 11th Hour - Free Preview (Women's Murder Club)
author: James Patterson
name: James
average rating: 4.12
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2017/03/12
date added: 2017/03/15
shelves:
review:
Another quality read from James Patterson. This was my introduction to the Women's Murder Club and it was an excellent book. It is wonderful light reading and fun to immerse oneself in the book. I believe that I will find more of these books to read and get some more background on the series. On the other hand, the writing is such that a person can pick up a book anywhere in the seris and get fully caught up in no time.
]]> Mavericks at Work 141061
In the last decade the business world has been dogged by bad leadership, CEO greed and the excesses of the dotcom craze. Now, as the authors of this lively new book suggest, companies and corporations are moving away from traditional methods of how to lead, manage and compete, towards a more 'maverick' management style that has proved highly successful. Mavericks at Work is the first book to document this change - and to give readers a glimpse into the ideas and techniques behind fast-growing but unconventional companies such as Google, HBO, Lendlease and Southwest Airlines. It profiles some of the most exciting - and often eccentric - CEOs in the US, and details their strategies for success. With its accessible tone, Mavericks at Work is both serious and fun; business 'edutainment' for a smart, ambitious readership.]]> 336 William C. Taylor 0060779616 James 4 3.79 2006 Mavericks at Work
author: William C. Taylor
name: James
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 2017/02/28
date added: 2017/02/28
shelves:
review:
This book provides a unique perspective on approaching a job or a career for that matter. It talks about the outliers who bring something new and fresh to the workplace. It is a bit dated but the examples cited are dealing with timeless issues of business development and business processes. This book would benefit anyone who wants to change the way they work and change their surroundings.
]]> <![CDATA[Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones for Success]]> 628070 209 John C. Maxwell 0785274308 James 5 4.16 1982 Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones for Success
author: John C. Maxwell
name: James
average rating: 4.16
book published: 1982
rating: 5
read at: 2017/02/15
date added: 2017/02/15
shelves:
review:
This was a heartening book that deals with a very common human characteristic and that is failing. We all fail and it is a natural part of our existence but sometimes, we let the failure stop us in our tracks. This book can be a great help in accepting that failure and allowing us to move on. When we think about it, nobody willingly talks about their failures unless they are in a 12-step program so this book is an excellent aid to process through failure and get past it. I can highly recommend it to anyone.
]]> <![CDATA[Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You're Told to Do Is Wrong]]> 25502354
The inspiration for the book, and its title, came from a concept used in guide dog training. Guide dogs must be able to recognize a command that would put their human and themselves at risk, effectively resist the command, and identify safer options for achieving the goal. This is precisely what Chaleff shows humans how to do.

He delves into the psychological dynamics of obedience, drawing in particular on what Stanley Milgram’s seminal Yale experiments—in which volunteers were induced to administer shocks to innocent people—teach us about how to reduce compliance with harmful orders. Using dozens of vivid examples of historical events and everyday situations, Chaleff offers advice on judging whether intelligent disobedience is called for, how to effectively express opposition, and how to create a culture where, rather than “just following orders,� citizens are educated and encouraged to think about whether those orders make sense.]]> 224 Ira Chaleff 1626564272 James 4 3.98 2015 Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You're Told to Do Is Wrong
author: Ira Chaleff
name: James
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2017/02/09
date added: 2017/02/09
shelves:
review:
This was an enjoyable and interesting book. I have faced many situations where intelligent disobedience would have clearly saved me some pain and anguish. I was taught to obey those in authoritative positions and the cost of my blind obedience was far worse in the long run. As a soldier I was forced on many occasions to disobey and some of those situation meant life or death. With the information supplied in this book, I am confident that I can have this discussion with my grandchildren and I will be able to assist them in making the right choices as they progress along in life. I recommend this book to everyone. At least it will start you thinking in this direction.
]]> <![CDATA[Abraham's Diner: Simple wisdom for more control, focus, and inspiration]]> 28264801 Follow Patrick as he gains better clarity in his life by applying simple ideas like learning how to control his email in-box (instead of the other way around), separating what he merely wants from what he desires, and creating a vision that he can make come true. Cooking, surfing, and talking with Abraham and other mentors gives Patrick wisdom that leads him to better control, focus, and inspiration.

]]> 88 Danny Bader James 0 to-read 4.18 Abraham's Diner: Simple wisdom for more control, focus, and inspiration
author: Danny Bader
name: James
average rating: 4.18
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/01/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Winning The Game Of Life 32569708 146 Chantell M. Cooley James 0 to-read 4.43 Winning The Game Of Life
author: Chantell M. Cooley
name: James
average rating: 4.43
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/01/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Inefficiency Assassin: Time Management Tactics for Working Smarter, Not Longer]]> 25986795 Ěý
The Inefficiency Assassinâ„� presents a revolution in time management books - a way to improve productivityĚýand Kick Chaos to the Curbâ„� once and for all!
You will learnĚýhow
This book is exactly what professionals-on-the-go and entrepreneurs need!This time management book addresses and solves every known productivity road block known to man...and woman. Readers who implement the strategies and tactics in this guide will never have an issue with time management again.Period.
Ever.
The end.]]> 312 Helene Segura 1608684008 James 0 to-read 3.71 2016 The Inefficiency Assassin: Time Management Tactics for Working Smarter, Not Longer
author: Helene Segura
name: James
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/01/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Start Right Where You Are: How Little Changes Can Make a Big Difference for Overwhelmed Procrastinators, Frustrated Overachievers, and Recovering Perfectionists]]> 28957224
An overwhelmed procrastinator, frustrated overachiever, and recovering perfectionist herself, Sam Bennett knows all the ways we avoid pursuing our dreams and reaching our goals. She also knows how to “get it done.� Start Right Where You Are is an easy-to-read, easy-to-do guidebook for anyone who wants to change their life but doesn’t know where or how to begin. Of course, the process of getting out of your own way, raising your self-esteem, improving your relationships, and making better choices can be a bumpy road. But Bennett’s fun, original voice lets you know that you’ve got a friend along the way, a friend who offers a comforting cup of tea � or a bracing shot of whiskey, depending. Her gentle-kiss-on-the-cheek and loving-thwack-upside-the-head attitude gives us what we all inspiration, shortcuts, and breathing room.]]> 256 Sam Bennett 1608684431 James 0 to-read 3.64 2016 Start Right Where You Are: How Little Changes Can Make a Big Difference for Overwhelmed Procrastinators, Frustrated Overachievers, and Recovering Perfectionists
author: Sam Bennett
name: James
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/01/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Coaching Up! Inspiring Peak Performance When It Matters Most]]> 28605458 208 Jordan Fliegel 1119231116 James 0 to-read 3.77 Coaching Up! Inspiring Peak Performance When It Matters Most
author: Jordan Fliegel
name: James
average rating: 3.77
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/01/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Counterstrike: The Untold Story of America's Secret Campaign Against Al Qaeda]]> 13124311 Eric Schmitt James 4 3.75 2011 Counterstrike: The Untold Story of America's Secret Campaign Against Al Qaeda
author: Eric Schmitt
name: James
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/04
date added: 2016/12/12
shelves:
review:
This is an interesting read that details the fight with Al Qaeda. It deals with the personalities and the enormity of the battle that is raging against terrorism. The political ins and outs are fascinating and the people who are waging war against terrorism are a select breed of warriors. Although the information is a bit dated in the rapidly changing war, this is valuable and critical background for those of us who are outside the circle of direct participants. This is a must read for anyone who is seeking a background on the war on terrorism and who enjoys the ins and outs of politics.
]]> American Soldier 732124 590 Tommy Franks 0060731583 James 5 3.82 2004 American Soldier
author: Tommy Franks
name: James
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2004
rating: 5
read at: 2016/11/18
date added: 2016/11/21
shelves:
review:
This book is excellent pure and simple. I was amazed at all of the similarities between us and I immediately formed a bond with the author. It appears that in our youth, we booth took similar paths to the Army and of course he succeeded enormously while I turned a patriotic but more mediocre performance. That notwithstanding, I highly enjoyed the story of his life and how he went about orchestrating the overthrow of Sadam Hussein. This story include some wonderful insights into General Franks personal life and clarifies some points about his public life. I can highly recommend this book to anyone.
]]> 1776 1067 386 David McCullough 0743226720 James 5 4.10 2005 1776
author: David McCullough
name: James
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at: 2016/11/08
date added: 2016/11/08
shelves:
review:
This is an exceptional book and a must read for anyone who is interested in history. Obviously the winner of the Nobel Prize and well deserved at that. The author takes us through one tumultuous and adventurous year of the American Revolution. He delves into the very personal correspondence of the soldiers who fought the war and brings out a startling awareness of the hardships involved in the process of securing freedom. By contrast, the 2oth century was seem tame by comparison. He include those fortunate vagaries of war that favor one side or another and decide the outcome of battles and history. Having been a soldier myself, this look into the lives of revolutionary war solders makes me cringe and the suffering they endured is nowhere near my experiences. I have a renewed appreciation of the sacrifices made by our forefathers and I hope everyone takes the time for this book.
]]> The Good Soldiers 6633912
Fifteen months later, the soldiers returned home forever changed. Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter David Finkel was with them in Bagdad, and almost every grueling step of the way.

What was the true story of the surge? And was it really a success?ĚýThose are the questions he grapples with in his remarkable report from the front lines. Combining the action of Mark Bowden’s Black Hawk Down with the literary brio of Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, The Good Soldiers is an unforgettable work of reportage. And in telling the story of these good soldiers, the heroes and the ruined, David Finkel has also produced an eternal tale—not just of the Iraq War, but of all wars, for all time.]]> 287 David Finkel 0374165734 James 5 4.21 2009 The Good Soldiers
author: David Finkel
name: James
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2009
rating: 5
read at: 2016/10/28
date added: 2016/10/31
shelves:
review:
This book delivers exactly what it promises; a story of soldiers. The author embedded in an Infantry Battalion during the surge in Iraq and he tells it like it is. There is no finger pointing or recrimination, just the story of men who happen to be soldiers. He simply and honestly talks about the soldiers and their families and the hardships they endure. The pride and the loss of soldiering are all included. As a former soldier and one who served in combat, I felt a very special connection to each of the young men in this book. It was difficult at times to hear the story of their life and death struggle, the near misses, the loneliness and the frustration. All of the qualities of war that one never sees in movies. I can highly recommend this book to anyone and especially those who have served in the Armed Forces. Be cautious though, this will reach down into your very soul.
]]> <![CDATA[The Fighting 69th: One Remarkable National Guard Unit's Journey from Ground Zero to Baghdad]]> 1331417 320 Sean Michael Flynn 0670018430 James 5 3.94 2007 The Fighting 69th: One Remarkable National Guard Unit's Journey from Ground Zero to Baghdad
author: Sean Michael Flynn
name: James
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 2016/10/20
date added: 2016/10/21
shelves:
review:
This book was sensational. I flew trough the history of the 69th and picked its deployment starting with 9/11 and taking it through the deployment to Iraq. The story was fast paced and to the point. It kept me spellbound through its entirety and I enjoyed it immensely. I had trained soldiers from the 69th in the 1980s when I was on active duty in the US Army. I remember deploying to their armory and working with the Intelligence staff to train them on fighting a war in Europe. If we had only know what was to happen in the Middle East. Yet, I don't suppose too many of the soldiers that I training were still there when 9/11 occurred, but that does not stop me from thinking about our soldierly kinship. Needless to say, I can highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a good read. Old soldiers will especially enjoy this book and even if they never had dealings with the National Guard, because this book speaks to all of us old soldiers.
]]> <![CDATA[Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival]]> 4338 From one of America's leading reporters comes a deeply personal, extraordinarily powerful look at the most volatile crises he has witnessed around the world, from New Orleans to Baghdad and beyond.

Dispatches from the Edge of the World is a book that gives us a rare up-close glimpse of what happens when the normal order of things is suddenly turned upside down, whether it's a natural disaster, a civil war, or a heated political battle. Over the last year, few people have witnessed more scenes of chaos and conflict than Anderson Cooper, whose groundbreaking coverage on CNN has become the touchstone of twenty-first century journalism. This book explores in a very personal way the most important - and most dangerous - crises of our time, and the surprising impact they have had on his life.

From the devastating tsunami in South Asia to the suffering Niger, and ultimately Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Cooper shares his own experiences of traversing the globe, covering the world's most astonishing stories. As a television journalist, he has the gift of speaking with an emotional directness that cuts through the barriers of the medium. In his first book, that passion communicates itself through a rich fabric of memoir and reportage, reflection and first-person narrative. Unflinching and utterly engrossing, this is the story of an extraordinary year in a reporter's life.]]> 212 Anderson Cooper 0061132381 James 5 3.97 2006 Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival
author: Anderson Cooper
name: James
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2016/10/06
date added: 2016/10/08
shelves:
review:
This was a surprisingly interesting book. I don't suppose that I was much of a fan before this book, but I am now. Cooper tells a great personal story overlaid with his experiences as a journalist around the globe. My heart goes out to him for the loss of his brother and how that loss inserts itself into everything he does now. This book is highly accessible and relevant to all of us who have sustained the loss of a loved one. I can highly recommend it to any reader.
]]> <![CDATA[Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race]]> 8163722
Where do we come from? Who created us? Why are we here? These questions have puzzled us since the dawn of time, but when it became apparent to Jon Stewart and the writers of The Daily Show that the world was about to end, they embarked on a massive mission to write a book that summed up the human race: What we looked like; what we accomplished; our achievements in society, government, religion, science and culture -- all in a tome of approximately 256 pages with lots of color photos, graphs and charts.

After two weeks of hard work, they had their book. Earth (The Book) is the definitive guide to our species. With their trademark wit, irreverence, and intelligence, Stewart and his team will posthumously answer all of life's most hard-hitting questions, completely unburdened by objectivity, journalistic integrity, or even accuracy.]]> 246 Jon Stewart 044657922X James 5 3.91 2010 Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race
author: Jon Stewart
name: James
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2016/09/22
date added: 2016/09/22
shelves:
review:
This is a funny book in the Jon Stewart style. I do enjoy his sense of humor that pokes fun of everything including our closest held beliefs. This is a short and pleasurable read that I can highly recommend. It is a few years old now but the premise holds up and it delivers some quick laughs.
]]> <![CDATA[Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance]]> 213233 Salon). Gawande's investigation into medical professionals and how they progress from merely good to great provides rare insight into the elements of success, illuminating every area of human endeavor.]]> 288 Atul Gawande 0805082115 James 5 4.24 2007 Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance
author: Atul Gawande
name: James
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 2016/09/13
date added: 2016/09/14
shelves:
review:
This was a terrific book and very surprising for me in that it was not what I expected. The author delves into the world of medicine to explain and clearly illustrate what he calls the drive to do better. His explorations of such topics as Indian medical practice and Muscular Dystrophy made me compare the drive to do better and in some cases just to do at all in my job and my existence. I can away from this book with a sense that I am capable of doing more and better regardless of the situation or the challenges placed before me. I found his chapters on hand washing to be particularly interesting especially after accompanying my daughter and my wife on several hospital stays. All I can say to the good doctor is to continue to strive to push out the word on hand washing. I believe that anyone in any profession would find this an interesting read and could apply it to their lives.
]]> The Retirement Boom 27237005


The coauthors of this practical guide are four Boomer professionals who have walked the walk and transformed themselves from corporate executives, CEOs, consultants, and national security policy experts into a range of new careers that more closely hew to their passions. They interviewed more than 300 people and 30 organizations in the writing of this book.



The Retirement Boom includes tips, tricks, and techniques to help



Understand what’s changing in the workplace and the workforce today.

Make your money last.

Renegotiate life at home.

Improve and keep your health.

Build and leave a legacy.

Simplify your life.

And much, much more.]]> 257 Catherine Allen James 0 to-read 3.75 The Retirement Boom
author: Catherine Allen
name: James
average rating: 3.75
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2016/08/15
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win]]> 23848190 320 Jocko Willink 1250067057 James 5 4.23 2015 Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
author: Jocko Willink
name: James
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2016/08/15
date added: 2016/08/15
shelves:
review:
What an exceptional book with a mix of sound leadership advice and stories from the battlefield. As a former soldier, all of this book resonated with me with every war story the authors related. The information on leadership is immediately accessible and can be put to use in every endeavor of one's life. I don't read many books twice but this one is an excellent candidate. The authors begin the book with a warning and an explanation of war stories that each of us combat veterans can easily relate to. Then they launch into a series of war stories that are all tied to leadership concepts. They weave common sense leadership into both the military and the corporate world. I can highly recommend this book to anyone.
]]> Think Like a Freak 17331349
Now, with Think Like a Freak, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner have written their most revolutionary book yet. With their trademark blend of captivating storytelling and unconventional analysis, they take us inside their thought process and teach us all to think a bit more productively, more creatively, more rationally—to think, that is, like a Freak.

Levitt and Dubner offer a blueprint for an entirely new way to solve problems, whether your interest lies in minor lifehacks or major global reforms. As always, no topic is off-limits. They range from business to philanthropy to sports to politics, all with the goal of retraining your brain. Along the way, you’ll learn the secrets of a Japanese hot-dog-eating champion, the reason an Australian doctor swallowed a batch of dangerous bacteria, and why Nigerian e-mail scammers make a point of saying they’re from Nigeria.

Some of the steps toward thinking like a

First, put away your moral compass—because it’s hard to see a problem clearly if you’ve already decided what to do about it. Learn to say “I don’t know”—for until you can admit what you don’t yet know, it’s virtually impossible to learn what you need to. Think like a child—because you’ll come up with better ideas and ask better questions. Take a master class in incentives—because for better or worse, incentives rule our world. Learn to persuade people who don’t want to be persuaded—because being right is rarely enough to carry the day. Learn to appreciate the upside of quitting—because you can’t solve tomorrow’s problem if you aren’t willing to abandon today’s dud.Levitt and Dubner plainly see the world like no one else. Now you can too. Never before have such iconoclastic thinkers been so revealing—and so much fun to read.]]> 0 Steven D. Levitt 0062218360 James 5 3.83 2014 Think Like a Freak
author: Steven D. Levitt
name: James
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2016/07/29
date added: 2016/07/30
shelves:
review:
I do enjoy this series of books and this one was fun and eye opening as I expected it would be. The authors continue to offer new insights on everyday things and to expand the way we look at things. The part about ulcer cures was particularly inter3esting to me as I have suffer from gastroenterological issues in the past. I amazes me just how much we can learn if we ask the right questions or reframe the issue so that the problems present themselves in an entirely new dimension. I encourage anyone who wants to expand their thinking to read or listed to this book.
]]> You Are Not So Smart 11709037 An entertaining illumination of the stupid beliefs that make us feel wise.

Whether you’re deciding which smart phone to purchase or which politician to believe, you think you are a rational being whose every decision is based on cool, detached logic, but here’s the truth: You are not so smart. You’re just as deluded as the rest of us--but that’s okay, because being deluded is part of being human.

Growing out of David McRaney’s popular blog, You Are Not So Smart reveals that every decision we make, every thought we contemplate, and every emotion we feel comes with a story we tell ourselves to explain them, but often these stories aren’t true. Each short chapter--covering topics such as Learned Helplessness, Selling Out, and the Illusion of Transparency--is like a psychology course with all the boring parts taken out.

Bringing together popular science and psychology with humor and wit, You Are Not So Smart is a celebration of our irrational, thoroughly human behavior.]]> 302 David McRaney 1592406599 James 0 to-read 3.84 2011 You Are Not So Smart
author: David McRaney
name: James
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2011
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2016/07/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything]]> 1202
These may not sound like typical questions for an economist to ask. But Steven D. Levitt is not a typical economist. He is a much heralded scholar who studies the stuff and riddles of everyday life -- from cheating and crime to sports and child rearing -- and whose conclusions regularly turn the conventional wisdom on its head. He usually begins with a mountain of data and a simple, unasked question. Some of these questions concern life-and-death issues; others have an admittedly freakish quality. Thus the new field of study contained in this book: freakonomics.

Through forceful storytelling and wry insight, Levitt and co-author Stephen J. Dubner show that economics is, at root, the study of incentives -- how people get what they want, or need, especially when other people want or need the same thing. In Freakonomics, they set out to explore the hidden side of ... well, everything. The inner workings of a crack gang. The truth about real-estate agents. The myths of campaign finance. The telltale marks of a cheating schoolteacher. The secrets of the Ku Klux Klan.

What unites all these stories is a belief that the modern world, despite a surfeit of obfuscation, complication, and downright deceit, is not impenetrable, is not unknowable, and -- if the right questions are asked -- is even more intriguing than we think. All it takes is a new way of looking. Steven Levitt, through devilishly clever and clear-eyed thinking, shows how to see through all the clutter.

Freakonomics establishes this unconventional premise: If morality represents how we would like the world to work, then economics represents how it actually does work. It is true that readers of this book will be armed with enough riddles and stories to last a thousand cocktail parties. But Freakonomics can provide more than that. It will literally redefine the way we view the modern world.
(front flap)]]> 268 Steven D. Levitt 0061234001 James 5 4.01 2005 Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
author: Steven D. Levitt
name: James
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2016/07/23
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It]]> 10865206 The first book to explain the new science of self-control and how it can be harnessed to improve our health, happiness, and productivity.

After years of watching her students struggling with their choices, health psychologist Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., realized that much of what people believe about willpower is actually sabotaging their success. Committed to sharing what the scientific community already knew about self-control, McGonigal created a course called "The Science of Willpower" for Stanford University's Continuing Studies Program. The course was an instant hit and spawned the hugely successful Psychology Today blog with the same name.

Informed by the latest research and combining cutting-edge insights from psychology, economics, neuroscience, and medicine, McGonigal's book explains exactly what willpower is, how it works, and why it matters. Readers will learn:

Willpower is a mind-body response, not a virtue. It is a biological function that can be improved through mindfulness, exercise, nutrition, and sleep. People who have better control of their attention, emotions, and actions are healthier, happier, have more satisfying relationships, and make more money. Willpower is not an unlimited resource. Too much self-control can actually be bad for your health. Temptation and stress hijack the brain's systems of self-control, and that the brain can be trained for greater willpower.

In the groundbreaking tradition of Getting Things Done, The Willpower Instinct combines life-changing prescriptive advice and complementary exercises to help readers with goals ranging from a healthier life to more patient parenting, from greater productivity at work to finally finishing the basement.]]> 275 Kelly McGonigal 1583334386 James 4 4.11 2011 The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It
author: Kelly McGonigal
name: James
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2016/07/19
date added: 2016/07/19
shelves:
review:
This was an interesting book on habits and willpower. The author dives into the subject with authority and plenty of examples. He lays out how to change, redirect, or eliminate habits with scientific background and with practical exercises. Many times through this book I smiled and laughed as I recognized some of my behaviors and some of the excuses that I have used to cope with my less desirable habits and actions. I would say to any person who would like to change the way they do things, take this book and go through it carefully and thoughtfully. It will greatly assist you on your journey and smooth your pathway to a new desired behavior.
]]> <![CDATA[The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure]]> 10339170 Achieve "Massive Action" results and accomplish your business dreams! While most people operate with only three degrees of action-no action, retreat, or normal action-if you're after big goals, you don't want to settle for the ordinary. To reach the next level, you must understand the coveted 4th degree of action. This 4th degree, also known as the 10 X Rule, is that level of action that guarantees companies and individuals realize their goals and dreams.

The 10 X Rule unveils the principle of "Massive Action," allowing you to blast through business clichZs and risk-aversion while taking concrete steps to reach your dreams. It also demonstrates why people get stuck in the first three actions and how to move into making the 10X Rule a discipline. Find out exactly where to start, what to do, and how to follow up each action you take with more action to achieve Massive Action results.

Learn the "Estimation of Effort" calculation to ensure you exceed your targets Make the Fourth Degree a way of life and defy mediocrity Discover the time management myth Get the exact reasons why people fail and others succeed Know the exact formula to solve problems Extreme success is by definition outside the realm of normal action. Instead of behaving like everybody else and settling for average results, take Massive Action with The 10 X Rule, remove luck and chance from your business equation, and lock in massive success.]]> 240 Grant Cardone 0470627603 James 4 3.91 2011 The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure
author: Grant Cardone
name: James
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2016/06/16
date added: 2016/06/18
shelves:
review:
This is an energetic a lively discussion of salesmanship at its most frenetic and best. The author, Grant Cardone presents his slant on how to approach selling with a level of vigor that exceeds anything I have seen - ever. Indeed there is plenty to take away to apply to other areas of one's life. I can highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking a change and is wiling to put their entire energy into the process of change.
]]> <![CDATA[Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives]]> 22889767 New York Times Bestseller
Washington Post Bestseller
Ěý
The author of the blockbusterĚýNew York TimesĚýbestsellers,ĚýThe Happiness ProjectĚýandĚýHappier at Home,Ěýtackles the critical question:ĚýHow do we change?Ěý
Ěý
Gretchen Rubin's answer: through habits. Habits are the invisible architecture of everyday life.ĚýIt takes work to make a habit, but once that habit is set, we can harness the energy of habits to build happier, stronger, more productive lives.
Ěý
So if habits are a key to change, then what we really need to know is: How do we change our habits?
Ěý
Better than Before answers that question. It presents a practical, concrete framework to allow readers to understand their habits—and to change them for good. Infused with Rubin’s compelling voice, rigorous research, and easy humor, and packed with vivid stories of lives transformed, Better than Before explains the (sometimes counter-intuitive) core principles of habit formation.
Ěý
Along the way, Rubin uses herself as guinea pig, tests her theories on family and friends, and answers readersâ€� most pressing questions—oddly, questions that other writers and researchers tend to ignore:Ěý

•ĚýWhy do I find it tough to create a habit for something IĚýloveĚýto do?
•ĚýSometimes I can change a habit overnight, and sometimes I can’t change a habit, no matter how hard I try. Why?
•ĚýHow quickly can I change a habit?
•ĚýWhat can I do to make sure I stick to a new habit?
•ĚýHow can I help someone else change a habit?
•ĚýWhy can I keep habits that benefit others, but can’t make habits that are just for me?

Whether readers want to get more sleep, stop checking their devices, maintain a healthy weight, or finish an important project, habits makeĚýchange possible. Reading just a few chapters of Better Than Before will make readers eager to start work on their own habits—even before they’ve finished the book.]]> 298 Gretchen Rubin 0385348614 James 4 3.81 2015 Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives
author: Gretchen Rubin
name: James
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/31
date added: 2016/06/01
shelves:
review:
This is a highly useful book for anyone who is seeking to change a habit or two. Anyone with a desire to change something about their lives. The author provides new insights into how people think and react with respect to their habits and rituals in life. How people cling to actions that may or may nor be helpful in everything they do or attempt to do. She provides a generous amount of personal examples from her own life in explaining her concepts and actions. Additionally, the author inserts quizzes and though provoking items at the end of each chapter to reinforce her ideas. At the conclusion of the book, she offers social media resources for those who want to continue in their efforts to bring about change in their lives. Perhaps each and every person on the planet has a desire to change something about themselves and perform at a higher or slightly higher level. It does not matter is they need to make quantum changes in their lives or something miniscule, this is the book that will get them started.
]]> <![CDATA[The Two-Second Advantage: How We Succeed by Anticipating the Future Just Enough]]> 13341572
In a powerful narrative that takes us from the research in the labs to the implementation of predictive technology inside companies, Vivek Ranadivé and Kevin Maney reveal how our understanding of human mastery is being applied to the way computers "think." In the near future, the authors argue, the most advanced computer systems and the most successful businesses will anticipate the future much like Wayne Gretzky's brain does. As a result, companies will be able to use a new generation of technology to anticipate customer needs before customers even know what they want, and see production snafus before they occur, traffic jams before they materialize, and operational problems before they arise. Forward-thinking companies will be able to predict the future just a fraction ahead of everyone else with a little bit of the right information at the right time—what the authors call the two-second advantage—and it will transform the way businesses are run and offer companies an enormous competitive edge in the marketplace.

In the bestselling tradition of Blink, Sway, and How We Decide, The Two-Second Advantage will change our understanding of what makes a company successful.
]]> 0 Vivek Ranadive 1452655065 James 1 3.00 2011 The Two-Second Advantage: How We Succeed by Anticipating the Future Just Enough
author: Vivek Ranadive
name: James
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2011
rating: 1
read at: 2014/09/24
date added: 2016/05/23
shelves:
review:
This was a tough read and it took considerable effort to get through it. I don’t think the book lived up to its potential and it did not have what I would consider a satisfactory conclusion. There were interesting parts to the book that supported the main theme but overall, it fell short of delivering what I imagined was its promise. In the end, I did not take away anything of great use from this read and I cannot say with any conviction that I would recommend it.
]]> <![CDATA[Who Built That: Awe-Inspiring Stories of American Tinkerpreneurs]]> 23522316
In July 2012, President Obama infamously “If you’ve got a business—you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.�

Malkin wholeheartedly disagrees. Who Built That is a rousing tribute to the hidden American capitalists who pioneered everyday inventions. They’re the little big things we take for bottle caps and glassware, tissue paper, flashlights, railroad signals, bridge cables, revolutionary plastics, and more.

Malkin takes readers on an eclectic journey of American capitalism, from the colonial period to the Industrial Age to the present, spotlighting awe-inspiring and little-known “tinkerpreneurs� who achieved their dreams of doing well by doing good. You’ll learn how famous patent holders Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain championed the nation’s unique system of intellectual property rights; how glass manufacturing mavericks Edward Libbey and Mike Owens defied naysayers to revolutionize food, beverage, and pharmaceutical packaging; how penniless Croatian immigrant Anthony Maglica started his $400 million Maglite flashlight business in a rented garage; and many more riveting stories that explain our country’s fertile climate for scientific advancement and entrepreneurship.

To understand who we are as people, we need to first understand what motivates America’s ordinary and extraordinary makers and risk-takers. Driven by her own experience as a second-generation beneficiary of the American Dream, Malkin skillfully and passionately rebuts collectivist orthodoxy to celebrate the engineers, mechanics, designers, artisans, and relentless tinkerers of all backgrounds who embody our nation’s spirit of self-made entrepreneurialism.]]> 336 Michelle Malkin 1476784949 James 5 3.73 2015 Who Built That: Awe-Inspiring Stories of American Tinkerpreneurs
author: Michelle Malkin
name: James
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2016/04/12
date added: 2016/04/14
shelves:
review:
The historical rendering was pretty good. Perhaps a bit slow at times but altogether very enjoyable. All of the examples were highly enlightening and I liked getting the background on the inventions in American that has shaped and changed not only our society but that of the entire world. Too often we are taught the sanitized versions of history and the exceeding interesting and eye opening details are left out. This book goes into some depth on the lives of the inventors and the process of bringing new inventions to the market. The author also vents a considerable amount of political editorializing which may lead some to discount the history of the book. In the end, I really enjoyed this book and I can high recommend it to anyone who likes history.
]]> <![CDATA[Take a Load Off Your Heart: 109 Things You Can Actually Do to Prevent, Halt and Reverse Heart Disease]]> 942610 448 Joseph C. Piscatella 0761126767 James 5 3.96 2003 Take a Load Off Your Heart: 109 Things You Can Actually Do to Prevent, Halt and Reverse Heart Disease
author: Joseph C. Piscatella
name: James
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at: 2005/01/14
date added: 2016/04/06
shelves:
review:
Here is another health book that I enjoyed. I met the author an discussed the books objectives. Worth your time and effort if you are middle-aged.
]]> One Summer: America, 1927 17262366 One Summer Bill Bryson, one of our greatest and most beloved nonfiction writers, transports readers on a journey back to one amazing season in American life.

The summer of 1927 began with one of the signature events of the twentieth century: on May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh became the first man to cross the Atlantic by plane nonstop, and when he landed in Le Bourget airfield near Paris, he ignited an explosion of worldwide rapture and instantly became the most famous person on the planet. Meanwhile, the titanically talented Babe Ruth was beginning his assault on the home run record, which would culminate on September 30 with his sixtieth blast, one of the most resonant and durable records in sports history. In between those dates a Queens housewife named Ruth Snyder and her corset-salesman lover garroted her husband, leading to a murder trial that became a huge tabloid sensation. Alvin “Shipwreck� Kelly sat atop a flagpole in Newark, New Jersey, for twelve days—a new record. The American South was clobbered by unprecedented rain and by flooding of the Mississippi basin, a great human disaster, the relief efforts for which were guided by the uncannily able and insufferably pompous Herbert Hoover. Calvin Coolidge interrupted an already leisurely presidency for an even more relaxing three-month vacation in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The gangster Al Capone tightened his grip on the illegal booze business through a gaudy and murderous reign of terror and municipal corruption. The first true “talking picture,� Al Jolson’s The Jazz Singer, was filmed and forever changed the motion picture industry. The four most powerful central bankers on earth met in secret session on a Long Island estate and made a fateful decision that virtually guaranteed a future crash and depression.
ĚýĚýĚýĚý All this and much, much more transpired in that epochal summer of 1927, and Bill Bryson captures its outsized personalities, exciting events, and occasional just plain weirdness with his trademark vividness, eye for telling detail, and delicious humor. In that year America stepped out onto the world stage as the main event, and One Summer transforms it all into narrative nonfiction of the highest order.]]> 456 Bill Bryson 0767919408 James 5 4.08 2013 One Summer: America, 1927
author: Bill Bryson
name: James
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2016/03/23
date added: 2016/03/24
shelves:
review:
What a terrific book. It really opened my eyes to this one summer in 1927. I never realized how many sweeping changes occurred in that one time period. I suppose that the same could be said for almost any time but this was especially poignant. The author's style was riveting and the story kept me wanting more and more as the book progressed. I can highly recommend this book to anyone and especially to someone who likes history.
]]> <![CDATA[Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me]]> 9902804
"My tendency to make up stories and lie compulsively for the sake of my own amusement takes up a good portion of my day and provides me with a peace of mind not easily attainable in this economic climate." -- Chelsea Handler, from Chapter 10 of Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

It's no Chelsea Handler loves to smoke out "dumbassness," the condition people suffer from that allows them to fall prey to her brand of complete and utter nonsense. Friends, family, co-workers--they've all been tricked by Chelsea into believing stories of total foolishness and into behaving like total fools. Luckily, they've lived to tell the tales and, for the very first time, write about them.]]> 8 Chelsea Handler 1609411153 James 5 3.76 2011 Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me
author: Chelsea Handler
name: James
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2016/02/04
date added: 2016/02/16
shelves:
review:
This is a funny book that uses all of her coworkers and family and dog to relate funny stories about Chelsea. I was not aware of her prior to this book but I certainly am now. She is a dedicated practical joker and I think it would be a bunch of fun to hang out with her. I recommend this book to anyone who needs a good laugh or some great ideas for jokes.
]]> <![CDATA[If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't)]]> 9972053
Drawing from a lifetime of lessons learned, seven-time Emmy winner Betty White's wit and wisdom take center stage as she tackles topics like friendship, romantic love, aging, television, fans, love for animals, and the brave new world of celebrity. If You Ask Me mixes her thoughtful observations with humorous stories from a seven- decade career in Hollywood. Longtime fans and new fans alike will relish Betty's candid take on everything from her rumored crush on Robert Redford (true) to her beauty regimen ("I have no idea what color my hair is and I never intend to find out") to the Facebook campaign that helped persuade her to host Saturday Night Live despite her having declined the hosting job three times already.

Featuring all-new material, with a focus on the past fifteen years of her life, If You Ask Me is funny, sweet, and to the point-just like Betty White.]]> 258 Betty White 0399157530 James 5 3.76 2011 If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't)
author: Betty White
name: James
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2016/02/12
date added: 2016/02/12
shelves:
review:
What a terrific little read. I have always enjoyed Betty White's appearances on TV and movies but this behind the scenes glimpse of her life is excellent. She relates details of her life in such a conversational and friendly manner that it drew me in and I felt that I was a close friend. This is a thoroughly enjoyable little book and I can highly recommend it to anyone with a heart.
]]> <![CDATA[Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else]]> 4485966 Fortune articles in many years was a cover story called: "What It Takes to Be Great." Geoff Colvin offered new evidence that top performers in any field are not determined by their inborn talents. Greatness doesn't come from DNA but from practice and perseverance honed over decades. The key is how you practice, how you analyze the results of your progress and learn from your mistakes, that enables you to achieve greatness.

Colvin shows that the skills of business: negotiating deals, evaluating financial statements obey the principles that lead to greatness, so that anyone can get better at them with the right kind of effort. Even the hardest decisions and interactions can be systematically improved.

This new mind-set, combined with Colvin's practical advice, will change the way you think about your job and career, and will inspire you to achieve more in all you do.]]> 240 Geoff Colvin 1591842247 James 5 3.92 2008 Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else
author: Geoff Colvin
name: James
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 2016/01/28
date added: 2016/01/29
shelves:
review:
A refreshing look at the general nature of accomplishment. We have always been taught that talent is a huge part of success. But what if it isn't? What is the key to success in any endeavor is the hard work that goes into the endeavor? This book puts a whole new spin on how we look at success and who we perceive our journey in life. What if our lack of success can not be simply blamed on a lack of talent but more on a lack of hard work? The book clearly highlights that talent is a factor but the overriding concern here may be the hard work that brings forth that talent. I can highly recommend this book to anyone who is trying to succeed.
]]> <![CDATA[The Power of Positive Thinking]]> 1134122 "This book is written with the sole objective of helping the reader achieve a happy, satisfying, and worthwhile life."

-- Norman Vincent Peale

The precursor to The Secret, The Power of Positive Thinking has helped millions of men and women to achieve fulfillment in their lives. In this phenomenal bestseller, Dr. Peale demonstrates the power of faith in action. With the practical techniques outlined in this book, you can energize your life -- and give yourself the initiative needed to carry out your ambitions and hopes. You'll learn how to:

Expect the best and get it

Believe in yourself and in everything you do

Develop the power to reach your goals

Break the worry habit and achieve a relaxed life

Improve your personal and professional relationships

Assume control over your circumstances

Be kind to yourself

]]> 128 Norman Vincent Peale 1416560610 James 5 4.13 1952 The Power of Positive Thinking
author: Norman Vincent Peale
name: James
average rating: 4.13
book published: 1952
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2016/01/15
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Watership Down (Watership Down, #1)]]> 76620 Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ISBN13 9780380395866 here.

Set in England's Downs, a once idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival follows a band of very special creatures on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stouthearted pair of friends, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, to a mysterious promised land and a more perfect society.]]> 478 Richard Adams 038039586X James 5 4.08 1972 Watership Down (Watership Down, #1)
author: Richard Adams
name: James
average rating: 4.08
book published: 1972
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2016/01/15
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Shaping the Game: The New Leader's Guide to Effective Negotiating]]> 265980 208 Michael D. Watkins 1422102521 James 2 3.22 2006 Shaping the Game: The New Leader's Guide to Effective Negotiating
author: Michael D. Watkins
name: James
average rating: 3.22
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 2016/01/02
date added: 2016/01/15
shelves:
review:
This is certainly an interesting read and very comprehensive. It is a technical work that requires the utmost concentration to get anything out of it.
]]> <![CDATA[Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life: How to Unlock Your Full Potential for Success and Achievement]]> 115629 CHANGE YOUR THINKING CHANGE YOUR LIFE "Every line in this book is bursting with truth, wisdom, and power. Brian Tracy is the preeminent authority on showing you how to dramatically improve your life. Let him be your guide. I've learned so much from Brian myself that I can't thank him enough!"
--Robert G. Allen, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"This book gives you a step-by-step system to transform your thinking about yourself and your potential, enabling you to achieve greater success in every area of your life."
--Lee Iacocca, Chairman, Lee Iacocca & Associates

"Once again, Brian Tracy has written an incredible book which shows individuals how to delve into their inner resources so that they can not only identify realistic goals but develop a plan on how to achieve these goals. This book promises to be a bestseller and to influence the lives of so many. It is must reading."
--Sally Pipes, President, Pacific Research Institute

"Outstanding! Brian Tracy's Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life is a must-read. Use the powerful 'mental software' program in this book to tap your vast inner resources and bring the life you've been dreaming about into reality."
--Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager and Full Steam Ahead!

"As usual, Brian Tracy has hit another home run with Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life . It's a must-read!"
--Mac Anderson, founder, Successories, Inc.

"Brian's new book, Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life , will show you how to attract the people and resources you need to achieve any goal you set for yourself."
--Tony Jeary, Mr. Presentation, author of Life Is a Series of Presentations

"This is a masterful book laden with wisdom and knowledge. It'll catapult you from intention to implementation. It arms you with the information and insights you need to achieve success and significance in your life."
--Nido R. Qubein, founder, National Speakers Association Foundation Chairman, Great Harvest Bread Company]]> 288 Brian Tracy 0471735388 James 3 4.22 2003 Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life: How to Unlock Your Full Potential for Success and Achievement
author: Brian Tracy
name: James
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at: 2015/12/03
date added: 2015/12/07
shelves:
review:
A pretty good book and consistent with Brian Tracy's genre. Always uplifting and full of good advice. He causes me to reflect on my life and my current situations. That is why I enjoy his books.
]]> <![CDATA[On the Edge: The Art of High-Impact Leadership]]> 17899687 242 Alison Levine 1455544876 James 5 4.11 2014 On the Edge: The Art of High-Impact Leadership
author: Alison Levine
name: James
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2015/10/28
date added: 2015/11/02
shelves:
review:
This was an interesting book that ties leadership into the author's adventurous life style. Having never climbed a mountain, I was somewhat skeptical at the beginning, thinking how this would relate to me. The story really grabbed me and I was enthralled with the author's adventures. The links to leadership are all valid and makes one think of how leadership impacts a persons everyday activities. These are leadership aspects that I have known all of my adult life but this book provides a fresh perspective for me. I very much liked her descriptions of the hardships of climbing mountains and skiing to the poles and I am certain that I will never ever be in that position. On the other hand, the leadership challenges are very familiar to me and I can directly relate to them. I can highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good adventure tale or anyone who wants a fresh perspective on leadership.
]]> <![CDATA[25 Things to Say to the Interviewer, to Get the Job You Want: Being Qualified Isn't Enough]]> 2829749
“And if you want to make your dreams come true, read it over and over again.

“It takes a lifetime to learn these life lessons. But you don’t have that kind of time.

“And no one is going to teach them to you. There just aren’t that many good bosses around. Most of them are selfish, busy, or under the gun.

“Here’s a one-of-a-kind book that’ll teach you how to get past interviewers.

“But, that’s the half of it. It’ll also teach you the life lessons you need to succeed in business, in your career, in your life.

“When you finish reading this book, you’ll know what it takes most successful people, at least, half a lifetime to learn. Lucky you found it.”—from the book]]> 0 Dexter Hawk 0786173300 James 3 2.42 2005 25 Things to Say to the Interviewer, to Get the Job You Want: Being Qualified Isn't Enough
author: Dexter Hawk
name: James
average rating: 2.42
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at: 2015/10/06
date added: 2015/10/06
shelves:
review:
This is a pretty good little read. It is quick and concise and lists most of the things that a person should know when they are either applying for a job or new to a job. More precisely, new to the job market. It is straightforward and practical and I can recommend it to anyone who is new to employment or new to a job. If one cannot figure out why they are not succeeding in a given profession, this may offer some clues.
]]> <![CDATA[Brokenomics: 50 Ways to Live the Dream on a Dime]]> 25184161 Brokenomics, author Dina Gachman shares the lessons she’s learned about how to live large in the cheap seats. Through stories both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny that anyone can relate to, Dina reveals all the tricks you need to live the good life without spending a ton of money.

Brokenomics covers the place where economics and everyday life collide. It includes:

Rules for changing your mindset (“There Will Always Be Someone Richer, Taller, Smarter, and Better Looking Than You�)


Wise words about making big decisions, like raising children—or not (“Why Have a Baby When You Can Just Get a Nice Potted Plant?�)


Clear-eyed relationship advice (“Do Not Date Anyone Who Loves Their Bong More Than They Love You�)


Solid guidance for renters (“The Freeloader's Guide to Housesitting�)


And strategies for talking to your honey about money. . . without breaking up

This helpful and hilarious handbook has the answers for crafting your own version of the glamorous life without breaking the bank. Dina shares advice on every page while keeping things fresh, light, and fun. Written with the wisdom afforded by hindsight, Brokenomics will appeal to recent college grads, newly committed couples, and those facing career crises alike.
]]> 266 Dina Gachman James 5 2.86 2015 Brokenomics: 50 Ways to Live the Dream on a Dime
author: Dina Gachman
name: James
average rating: 2.86
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2015/10/01
date added: 2015/10/02
shelves:
review:
This was a funny little book. It is intended for younger people, probably twenties or even late teens. She delivers sound advice on just about every topic while liberally interspersing her personal stories in the book. She is a very funny author and has a way of relaying her life's experiences that made me laugh out loud. Although I am well past the age where any of the advice might be useful, I was able to reflect back on my own life journey and summon some bittersweet memories of some good and bad decisions. I can highly recommend this book to anyone who is young and in need of practical financial advice. I can also recommend it to us more mature individuals who have learned from our mistakes and would like a good chuckle at the author's expense.
]]> <![CDATA[Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution � and How It Can Renew America]]> 2358737
Friedman explains how global warming, rapidly growing populations, and the expansion of the world’s middle class through globalization have produced a dangerously unstable planet--one that is "hot, flat, and crowded."Ěý In this Release 2.0 edition, he also shows how the very habits that led us to ravage the natural world led to the meltdown of the financial markets and the Great Recession.Ěý The challenge of a sustainable way of life presents the United States with an opportunity not only to rebuild its economy, but to lead the world in radically innovating toward cleaner energy.Ěý And it could inspire Americans to something we haven't seen in a long time--nation-building in America--by summoning the intelligence, creativity, and concern for the common good that are our greatest national resources.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded is classic Thomas L. Friedman: fearless, incisive, forward-looking, and rich in surprising common sense about the challenge--and the promise--of the future.]]> 438 Thomas L. Friedman 0374166854 James 4 3.70 2008 Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution – and How It Can Renew America
author: Thomas L. Friedman
name: James
average rating: 3.70
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 2015/09/11
date added: 2015/09/15
shelves:
review:
This was a difficult book. It was packed with information and dire predictions. This is no good news story. It is a call to arms for everyone on the planet to sit up and pay attention to the environment. Although a bit dated, the information still has some currency for the twenty teens. It has opened my eyes even wider to the problems that we face with our environment and to the fact that we need to make some changes in the way we do business.
]]> <![CDATA[Antigone (The Theban Plays, #3)]]> 7728
Antigone raises issues of law and morality that are just as relevant today as they were more than two thousand years ago. Whether this is your first reading or your twentieth, Antigone will move you as few pieces of literature can.

To make this quintessential Greek drama more accessible to the modern reader, this Prestwick House Literary Touchstone Edition includes a glossary of difficult terms, a list of vocabulary words, and convenient sidebar notes. By providing these, it is our intention that readers will more fully enjoy the beauty, wisdom, and intent of the play.]]> 80 Sophocles 1580493882 James 5 3.69 -441 Antigone (The Theban Plays, #3)
author: Sophocles
name: James
average rating: 3.69
book published: -441
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2015/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Pathfinder (The Leatherstocking Tales, #3)]]> 347245 528 James Fenimore Cooper 0451530195 James 5 3.90 1840 The Pathfinder (The Leatherstocking Tales, #3)
author: James Fenimore Cooper
name: James
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1840
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2015/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream]]> 7745 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is the best chronicle of drug-soaked, addle-brained, rollicking good times ever committed to the printed page. It is also the tale of a long weekend road trip that has gone down in the annals of American pop culture as one of the strangest journeys ever undertaken.]]> 204 Hunter S. Thompson 0679785892 James 2 4.08 1971 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream
author: Hunter S. Thompson
name: James
average rating: 4.08
book published: 1971
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 2015/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> Romeo and Juliet 18135 Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare creates a violent world, in which two young people fall in love. It is not simply that their families disapprove; the Montagues and the Capulets are engaged in a blood feud.

In this death-filled setting, the movement from love at first sight to the lovers� final union in death seems almost inevitable. And yet, this play set in an extraordinary world has become the quintessential story of young love. In part because of its exquisite language, it is easy to respond as if it were about all young lovers.]]> 281 William Shakespeare 0743477111 James 3 3.74 1597 Romeo and Juliet
author: William Shakespeare
name: James
average rating: 3.74
book published: 1597
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2015/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Heart of Darkness and Selected Short Fiction]]> 989313 Heart of Darkness and Selected Short Fiction, by Joseph Conrad, is part of the Barnes & Noble Classics series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of Barnes & Noble Classics:

* New introductions commissioned from today's top writers and scholars
* Biographies of the authors
* Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events
* Footnotes and endnotes
* Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work
* Comments by other famous authors
* Study questions to challenge the reader's viewpoints and expectations
* Bibliographies for further reading
* Indices & Glossaries, when appropriate

All editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. Barnes & Noble Classics pulls together a constellation of influences—biographical, historical, and literary—to enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works.

One of the most haunting stories ever written, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness follows Marlow, a riverboat captain, on a voyage into the African Congo at the height of European colonialism. Astounded by the brutal depravity he witnesses, Marlow becomes obsessed with meeting Kurtz, a famously idealistic and able man stationed farther along the river. What he finally discovers, however, is a horror beyond imagining. Heart of Darkness is widely regarded as a masterpiece for its vivid study of human nature and the greed and ruthlessness of imperialism.

This collection also includes three of Conrad’s finest short stories: “Youth,� the author’s largely autobiographical tale of a young man’s ill-fated sea voyage, in which Marlow makes his first appearance, “The Secret Sharer,� and “Amy Forster.�

Features a map of the Congo Free State.

A. Michael Matin is a professor in the English Department of Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina. He has published articles on various twentieth-century British and postcolonial writers.]]> 261 Joseph Conrad 1593080212 James 5 3.79 1899 Heart of Darkness and Selected Short Fiction
author: Joseph Conrad
name: James
average rating: 3.79
book published: 1899
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2015/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> The Firm 5358 Adaptation for younger readers.

Mitch McDeere is a young, intelligent and ambitious lawyer. When he gets a job with a top tax law firm in Memphis, he is delighted. But he quickly becomes suspicious after mysterious deaths, obsessive office security, and the Chicago mob figure into its operations. The situation only escalates when Mitch discovers that the firm is listening in on his phone calls and that the FBI want to speak to him. Money and power has a price � and it could be Mitch's life.

Adaptation Notes
This adaptation is a simplified text designed in association with world famous educational publishers, to provide a step-by-step approach to the joys of reading for pleasure. The series include original stories, contemporary titles based on today's best-selling media hits, and easily accessible versions of the literary classics from around the world. Each book has an introduction and extensive activity material. They are published at different levels for readers of all skill levels.

Series Editors: Andy Hopkins and Jocelyn Potter

Book Details:
- Difficulty: Level 5 - Upper Intermediate (2300 words)
- Category: Contemporary
- Dialect: British English]]> 76 Robin Waterfield 0582418275 James 5 4.06 1991 The Firm
author: Robin Waterfield
name: James
average rating: 4.06
book published: 1991
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2015/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> The Art of War 10534 170 Sun Tzu James 5 3.98 -400 The Art of War
author: Sun Tzu
name: James
average rating: 3.98
book published: -400
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2015/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Winnie-the-Pooh (Winnie-the-Pooh, #1)]]> 99107 161 A.A. Milne 0525467564 James 5 4.37 1926 Winnie-the-Pooh (Winnie-the-Pooh, #1)
author: A.A. Milne
name: James
average rating: 4.37
book published: 1926
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2015/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> Animal Farm 7613
The book tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can be equal, free, and happy. Ultimately, however, the rebellion is betrayed, and the farm ends up in a state as bad as it was before, under the dictatorship of a pig named Napoleon.

One night, all the animals at Mr. Jones' Manor Farm assemble in a barn to hear old Major, a pig, describe a dream he had about a world where all animals live free from the tyranny of their human masters. Old Major dies soon after the meeting, but the animals � inspired by his philosophy of Animalism � plot a rebellion against Jones.

Two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, prove themselves important figures and planners of this dangerous enterprise. When Jones forgets to feed the animals, the revolution occurs, and Jones and his men are chased off the farm. Manor Farm is renamed Animal Farm, and the Seven Commandments of Animalism are painted on the barn wall...]]> 129 George Orwell James 4 3.90 1945 Animal Farm
author: George Orwell
name: James
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1945
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2015/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> The Old Man and the Sea 2165 Librarian's note: An alternate cover edition can be found here

This short novel, already a modern classic, is the superbly told, tragic story of a Cuban fisherman in the Gulf Stream and the giant Marlin he kills and loses—specifically referred to in the citation accompanying the author's Nobel Prize for literature in 1954.]]> 96 Ernest Hemingway 0684830493 James 5 3.81 1952 The Old Man and the Sea
author: Ernest Hemingway
name: James
average rating: 3.81
book published: 1952
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2015/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Hobbit, or There and Back Again]]> 5907 Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published in 1937. Now recognized as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent. The text in this 372-page paperback edition is based on that first published in Great Britain by Collins Modern Classics (1998), and includes a note on the text by Douglas A. Anderson (2001).]]> 366 J.R.R. Tolkien James 5 4.29 1937 The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
author: J.R.R. Tolkien
name: James
average rating: 4.29
book published: 1937
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2015/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Silos, Politics and Turf Wars: A Leadership Fable About Destroying the Barriers That Turn Colleagues Into Competitors]]> 19129 224 Patrick Lencioni 0787976385 James 5 4.04 2006 Silos, Politics and Turf Wars: A Leadership Fable About Destroying the Barriers That Turn Colleagues Into Competitors
author: Patrick Lencioni
name: James
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2015/08/19
date added: 2015/08/19
shelves:
review:
A very engaging tale written as a fable and told with some very human elements to make the story and the teaching points more real and accessible. I do like his writing style. In order to fully grasp the concepts of this book,. I could see a two hour PowerPoint presentation but that would nearly kill someone. This book presents the concepts in an enjoyable format and I was immediately taken in my the main character. Naturally, I knew he would triumph in the end but I liked following along with him as he pursued his dream and lived his everyday life. The eradication of silos is also a lofty goal of many organizations and this little book may just have a solution that is workable. Turf Wars will continue as long as two or more people occupy contiguous spaces but perhaps there is a way to work around that issue and succeed in one's given occupation at the same time. I can highly recommend this to anyone in any type of organization who is seeking a way out of the political quagmire.
]]> 10% Happier 18505796
Eventually Harris stumbled upon an effective way to rein in that voice, something he always assumed to be either impossible or useless: meditation, a tool that research suggests can do everything from lower your blood pressure to essentially rewire your brain. "10% Happier" takes readers on a ride from the outer reaches of neuroscience to the inner sanctum of network news to the bizarre fringes of America's spiritual scene, and leaves them with a takeaway that could actually change their lives.]]> 256 Dan Harris 0062265423 James 5 3.87 2014 10% Happier
author: Dan Harris
name: James
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2015/07/31
date added: 2015/08/03
shelves:
review:
Dan has crafted a terrific book here. I picked it up thinking it was some sort of self help text but it is not that at and it is so much more. It is part autobiography, part career advice, part life advice, and a general all-around great read. I won't spoil the concept of the title but that is one of the terrific stories he relates in this book; about how he settled on the name. I had never thought too much about the author even though I listen to him every day on ABC News but now he is a hero to me and I make an effort to tune him in on the news. After reading this book, he seems like someone that I would like to hand out with and just have some general BS sessions. This book is totally engaging and I suggest everyone give it a try, you will not be disappointed.
]]> <![CDATA[DreamMakers, Putting Vision & Values To Work]]> 21296338 258 Michele Hunt James 4 4.00 1998 DreamMakers, Putting Vision & Values To Work
author: Michele Hunt
name: James
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1998
rating: 4
read at: 2001/06/12
date added: 2015/07/22
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Moral Manager (The Business Strategist Series)]]> 1430497 Book by Walton, Clarence C. 278 Clarence C. Walton 0887304478 James 4 4.00 1988 The Moral Manager (The Business Strategist Series)
author: Clarence C. Walton
name: James
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1988
rating: 4
read at: 2001/05/01
date added: 2015/07/22
shelves:
review:
This was an easy read and I enjoyed it very much. In business, being moral is a constant challenge for some and this was a good primer. This is a topic that requires constant vigilance and review.
]]> <![CDATA[Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation (Learning in Doing: Social, Cognitive and Computational Perspectives)]]> 655464 138 Jean Lave 0521423740 James 4 4.12 1991 Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation (Learning in Doing: Social, Cognitive and Computational Perspectives)
author: Jean Lave
name: James
average rating: 4.12
book published: 1991
rating: 4
read at: 2001/04/01
date added: 2015/07/22
shelves:
review:
I read this a few years ago and I don’t remember too much about it. I do know that I used it in my job then as an education service representative for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
]]> <![CDATA[Enlightened Leadership: Getting to the Heart of Change]]> 1908679 The key lies in showing those who would be change agents how to capitalize on their organization's greatest the under-utilized talent, expertise, and energy of its existing staff. The authors' program is based on maximizing the contributions of all employees -- by sharing information, decision-making, and planning with them -- creating a shared culture of organizational goals, strategies, and methods.
Managers and leaders at all levels -- from small business owners to corporate strategists -- can use Oakley and Krug's proven techniques, including planning, communication, and motivational tools, to support their employees in effecting the positive changes that will make the difference in achieving their organizations' bottom-line goals.]]> 272 Ed Oakley 0671866753 James 2 3.56 1993 Enlightened Leadership: Getting to the Heart of Change
author: Ed Oakley
name: James
average rating: 3.56
book published: 1993
rating: 2
read at: 2000/08/01
date added: 2015/07/22
shelves:
review:
Although I read this book twelve years ago, I still remember it as a tough read. I did meet the authors and had a brief discussion about the book before I read it.
]]>