Book Review

Book Review: “A Colossal Failure of Common Sense”, Lawrence G. McDonald

More than an insider’s account of events that led to the collapse of Lehman Brothers, it’s also a truly amazing story of a young man’s ”by hook or by crook” determination to break into the ultra-exclusive club that is Wall Street. Although the story could have been told in fewer pages, it’s chock-full of tales of hustle, determination, greed, ego, intelligence, big bets and the chase for big bonuses. It also reveals the complexity of the world’s economic system and financial markets; how relationships and power struggles at this level can swing billions, if not trillions; and how even the smartest people can, and often do, get it wrong.

Book Review: “The Sociopath Next Door”, Martha Stout

Life is a struggle. Why so much violence? Hurt? Poverty? Deception? Greed? Delusion?

What is it, you say? Why focus on the negative when there’s so much good all around?

True, our world is also filled with love, health, hope, care, generosity, sanity. All of these rest — at least in part — on our ability to hold tight to the “good” that is and is possible. But is there also value in acknowledging the “bad?” Is there value in, at least on occasion, viewing the underbelly and pondering why it exists in such abundance?

Book Review: “Re-imagine!”, Tom Peters

I first read Re-imagine! in 2007 just after it was published. I picked it up again the other day. I did so because Re-imagine! is about "Business Excellence in a Disruptive Age" and the world economy has - I think it is fair to say - crumbled. There's chaos everywhere. The ultimate catalyst that caused me to pick up the book again was a call from an old friend of mine. She said, "Perk, ah, you're not going to like this, but I think I'm in big trouble here." She was talking about her business of 60 employees. She doesn't think she can make it anymore, facing possible bankruptcy and personal financial ruin because she personally guarantees the debt.

Book Review: “Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior”, Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman

Ever said to yourself, "Why in the world did I do that?" Of course you have. After all, as Roman Catholic Cardinal Melchior De Polignac declared, "Errare humanum est (to err is human)."

But why do we behave in ways contrary to our own self-interest? Why, when we place so much pride in our ability to be rational and prudent, do we at times behave with such irrationality?

Why does a billionaire oil executive and commodities trader double down on trading losses again and again until all is lost? Why do NASA scientists ignore data that clearly show O-rings fail?

Book Review: “The Future of Management”, Gary Hamel

Everyone's looking to make a buck. Yes, money may not make you happy, but it sure greases the skids.

In the Future of Management, Gary Hamel argues that your greatest hope for growing your organization and leading it to breakthrough success (and making a LOT of money) is to get out of the way. You're not going to lead your company to greatness. At least not enduringly. Your personal wisdom and creativity are just no match for the collective wisdom and creativity of a team of people charged with figuring out how to make your organization adapt, grow and succeed.

Book Review: “The Age of Turbulence”, Alan Greenspan

It has been said that knowledge is power. If so, it would seem Alan Greenspan would convincingly prove the theory. Pure, untethered and incorruptible knowledge, and the ability to reason, begat great power and influence in the life of Alan Greenspan.

Book Review: “Concise Overview of Business Valuation”, David L. Perkins, Jr.

Book Review: Concise Overview of Business Valuation. Certain concepts are really hard for me to grasp. Infinity. Light. The space-time continuum. Retirement. Business valuation.

Book Review: “The Smartest Guys in the Room”, Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind

The Smartest Guys in the Room: book Review. Want to read an incredible story? Pick up a copy of this book. It's the darnedest story you may ever read.

Book Review: “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”, Robert T. Kiyosaki

Personal-wealth books are a dime a dozen. Why would I want to read another? A friend gave me a copy of Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I held little hope that it would say anything eye-opening or original. But it was a gift; I appreciated the thoughtfulness and felt obliged to take a look and demonstrate that I did so. And you know - Mike Youngworth is a sharp man. He wouldn't give it to me if it did not offer something of value.

Book Review: “The One Thing You Need to Know”, Marcus Buckingham

I have issues with this book. First, are we really expected to take management advice from someone who looks like a shoo-in for the next James Bond? Second, the title reads as if it were generated by a computer that analyzed data to come up with a hot-selling title - content obviously secondary.