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Recent and Current Books:
- 1984 by George Orwell (ISBN: 0451524934). Fiction, classic. I thought the first third was slow, then is sped up in part II. I finished in one day.
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (ISBN: 1400032717) - Fiction. Very engaging. I couldn't put it down.
- Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner - let's just say, intriguing, though provoking, different. Recommended to those who believe Economics is a social science.
- The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell (ISBN: 0316346624) - This was, like Blink, an enlightening book, and a pleasure to read. However, compared to Blink, The Tipping Point provides the reader with an more concise toolbox that can be used to create epidemics. What is perhaps most interesting is how this book takes the seemingly counterintuitive and makes sense of it in a way that readers can understand. My personal take is that this is a marketing book, but not simply marketing in the traditional sense. Marketing is part of our everyday lives, from the images we see to how we sell our ideas, politics and persuasion included. I recommend this book to those who are interested in taking an intellectually stimulating alternative view of reality.
- Open Source for the Enterprise by Dan Woods and Gautam Guliani (ISBN: 0596101198) - This book takes a surprisingly pragmatic view of open source in enterprises. (In the interest of full disclosure, I am a proponent of open source.) However, this is not a book about open source. Rather, this is a solid guide for those who want to implement open source solutions in their business. The book explores the open source landscape and its benefits, presents a detailed methodology for evaluating both open source software solutions as well as the developer teams attempting to do the implementation. Perhaps the most valuable part of the book is the very large appendix which details and suggests major open source solutions for different categories of business needs. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to implement open source in a disciplined manner.
- Human Resource Champions: The Next Agenda for Adding Value and Delivering Results by David Ulrich (ISBN:
0875847196) - a current read
- Rich Dad Poor Dad:
What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money—That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki with Sharon L. Lechter (ISBN: 0446677450) - I resisted this book, but read it because it was on the BusinessWeek recommended list. This book is motivating and inspiring, however, I have a few reservations. While it doesn't have the same level of "selling" feel that Start Late, Finish Rich has, I still felt a bit played to. Sometimes it just didn't feel right. A search on the web about the book will quickly provide interested parties in some intriguing criticism. Its not a bad read since its short, provided you read it as if it were fiction, which it very well may be. For real financial advice, try Suzy Orman.
- Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell (ISBN:
0316172324) - This book is certainly thought-provoking. The premise is that human beings are capable of sub-conscious decision making that the conscious is unaware of. Gladwell explores these judgments, and then contrasts them with ways of developing conscious rapid decision making skills that are often tempered by experience. Blink is full of interesting trivia and analysis weaved together to create a quick and enjoyable voyage into the human mind.
- The Heart of Change: Real-Life Stories of How People Change Their Organizations by John P. Kotter and Dan S. Cohen (ISBN: 1578512549) - This book illustrates the "See > Feel > Act" approach to instigating organizational change using a number or real-life short stories to illustrate how leaders used this approach to make change happen. I found this book to be interesting, and it certainly makes a case for approaching change visually and emotionally as opposed to the traditional logical and cognitive approach. The book also outlines an 8-step process for managing organizational change.
- Winning by Jack Welch and Suzy Welch (ISBN: 0060753943) - Jack Welch utilizes his years of experience and success at GE to present the reader with a direct, organized, holistic and effective approach to the business world. This book was an extremely fast and intriguing read that I would highly recommend to anyone who operates in the business world. This book is a very worthwhile investment that I will keep on my bookshelf to use as a "reference" book.
- The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by the Dalai Lama, Howard C. Cutler (ISBN:1573221112) -
a current read... its taking awhile
- The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke by Suze Orman (ISBN:1573222976) - Every twentysomething should read this book cover to cover, and the sooner the better. My only complaint is that the writing is a bit juvenile at times, which is probably good considering the target audience; but make no doubt, the points are simple and clear. If young adults take what Suzy has to say to heart with a sense of discipline, they will be in a much better position than their peers. I am currently looking for my next Suzy Orman book to read.
- The Road to CEO: The World's Leading Executive Recruiters Identify the Traits You Need to Make It to the Top
by Sharon Voros (ISBN: 1580627099) - This book definitely has an
intended audience; if you are not a fast-tracker with eyes for the top, this book would be a waste of effort. In
essence, the book is a compilation of interviews of executive headhunters who reveal the traits one needs to make it
to the top. Judging by the book, the recruiting process can be shallow at times (such as multiple references to
"airplane pilot looks"). The book does give some very good insights to those who are willing to take an
honest and critical look at themselves and they way they communicate with others. I would recommend it to
fast-trackers with some reservation - its rather long winded.
- Managing Projects Large and Small: The Fundamental Skills to Deliver on Cost and on Time
by Richard Luecke, Harvard Business Review (Editor) (ISBN:
1591393213) - This is an excellent, pointed book that discusses the key success factors in each phase of project management. A quick read. I will be investing in other books in the Harvard Business Essentials series. Highly recommended.
- Your Credit Score: How to Fix, Improve, and Protect the 3-Digit Number that Shapes Your Financial Future by Liz Pulliam Weston (ISBN:
0131486039) - This was a good book. Its a quick and easy read that reveals some possibly surprising details on how your credit score is formulated and used. Considering the impact that your FICO score has on your life, its worth knowing how its calculated. Recommended.
- Start Late, Finish Rich by David Bach (ISBN:
0767919467) - I was disappointed in this book. It contains a handful of concepts for those who don't know much about personal finance, but its choppy, simplistic, and could have conveyed the same information in about 40% of the pages. I will find something better. I got the feeling that I was being marketed to. How many unique books does David Bach have on the best seller list? I would guess they are all probably the same.
- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey (ISBN:
0671708635
) - This is a fantastic book which outlines steps for personal development and success in career and life. Everyone can benefit from reading and periodically reviewing this book. Highly Recommended!
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