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Book Club... And Then Some!
When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present
by Gail Collins
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
In this 481-page book, there are 30 pages of notes and an 11-page bibliography. This gives you an idea of the thoroughness of the book.
Gail Collins was the editorial page editor for the New York Times from 2001 to 2007, the first woman to have held that position, and she currently writes a column for the Times’ op-ed page. It goes without saying that she is an excellent writer, and every page of her book reflects her skills and easy-to-read style.
This book is a wonderful and important chronology as well as a terrific reference work that is full of insights, stories, historical facts, important information, and inspiration. Her stories of real women (including Hilary Clinton, Sarah Palin, and Michelle Obama—and others we don’t know) make the book even more interesting. Of the personal interviews, one reviewer writes, “[they] portray the details of the daily lives of American women of the era. This is not library research. It is woman to woman sharing of memories, frustrations and small victories that took place as ‘everything changed’”
Whether you lived through it, read about it in other books, or are new to the area of feminism and women’s rights, there is something in this book for you.
Carol M. Frohlinger, in her amazon.com review, writes, “From June Cleaver to Hillary Clinton, Gail Collins` new book, When Everything Changed, reminds us of both how much everything has changed for American women in the last 50 years and just how little. Collins writes skillfully about the ‘olden’ days when a glamour career for a woman was to be a stewardess and when the reason most women went to college to get a ‘Mrs..’”
Frohlinger continues her review saying, “What Collins does particularly well though is to highlight that there still isn't gender parity in America's workplaces or homes. She ends on a note that celebrates how far we've come with a reality check - the gender pay gap still exists, too few women serve as CEOs or sit on corporate boards and the work-life balance conundrum has yet to be resolved.”
This is the kind of book that should be required reading for everyone—not just women. It is intellectually stimulating, completely enjoyable, and a reminder of what women have yet to accomplish.
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This book is available from Amazon.com: When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present.
Book Club... And Then Some!
Outstanding! 47 Ways to Make Your Organization Exceptional
by John G. Miller
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
There are a number of reasons why this book merits the word: “outstanding.” First, it is well written. Second, it is full of engaging examples. Third, the chapters are short, easy to read, and full of information. Fourth, the information—although much of it is common sense—is worth the read, whether it is a review, a reminder, or just new motivation to change and grow. Finally, fifth, Miller uses large doses of humor throughout the book that keeps the information entertaining and enjoyable.
Terry Schuman, a training manager from Denver, Colorado, writes this about the book: “John has a way of writing that encourages people who typically aren't too fond of business-type books to find the time to read his books. He's an expert at using real life experiences and stories to illustrate his various points and topics.”
Schuman continues his review at Amazon.com: “Outstanding!, just like his other books, is an easy read but is filled with excellent educational material that benefits all levels of management- from executives to front-line supervisors. It has 47 short chapters that quickly get to the point and make you think. I found myself saying throughout the book, ‘I've had to deal with that’ or, ‘I can relate to this,' or, 'I wish I would have done that!’”
The reason I have quoted other reviewers is simple. I am not in business, and I am not a trainer; thus, I don’t have the experience nor the perspective to judge this book. But, I think it has wide application outside of business as well. These are precisely the principles one should use in conducting his or her life.
Schuman continues his review: “John's also not afraid to tell it like it really is. How many other business books have you read with a chapter titled, ‘Fire Customers (If Necessary)!.’ Any of your associates who've ever had to deal with the ‘customer from hell’ will appreciate it. But it makes sense. As John writes, "...standing up for your people in the face of mistreatment by customers makes our staff feel truly valued.’”
Matthew Morine, from Castle Rock, Colorado, writes, “John Miller is an accomplished author and consultant in the business world. His previous book "QBQ" was an exceptional work on identifying empowerment thinking. He continues the linage of thought provoking and insightful works in this text. The book identifies the 47 ways to make an organization better. This book is packed with helpful information. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on the ever increasing literature in the business culture, one can buy this book for the best of the latest ideas. The book also highlights some of the latest and trendy "foolish" ideas that would never work. The author shows these ideas to be lacking. Instead of having to read all of the material out there searching for the best practices, the author has done this for you. This book will provide a framework for any church, club, or business. There is not a single wasted page. For a journey in the best ideas for an organization, pick up this title.”
Again, not having read any other books by John G. Miller, I leave it to Matthew Morine to provide that additional perspective.
This is an excellent book that has garnered exceptional reviews and, thus, is outstanding!!!!
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This book is available from Amazon.com: Outstanding! 47 Ways to Make Your Organization Exceptional.
Book Club... And Then Some!
The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience
by Carmine Gallo
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
This Just as television stations admit their affiliation prior to any review or evaluation they make of a show or product that is produced by their parent company, I have to confess that I am a McGraw-Hill author, and this is a McGraw-Hill product; however, I did not know that until I opened the book to its title page. (I confess, tongue-securely-placed-in-cheek, that it will be impossible for me to give this book a fair, impartial, and totally honest review!) Am I biased by my 24-year history of working with McGraw-Hill? Yes. Am I biased by my excellent relationships established with the editors who have worked with me throughout this period of time? Yes. ----but, I am going to continue none-the-less.
Anyone who knows my background knows that I have written more than a half-dozen different college textbooks on the subject of public communication, and my most recent textbook, Communicating Effectively (McGraw-Hill, 2009) (with Saundra Hybels) is currently going into its tenth edition. Half this textbook is devoted to public speaking; it is the section I always wrote even when Hybels was alive (she died in 1999). My small (Elements of Style-like) book, Public Speaking Rules: All you need for a GREAT speech! (And Then Some Publishing, 2008), available from Amazon.com , covers all the essential information speakers need. All this to say, is it any wonder I would be interested in this book by Carmine Gallo?
If you are an experienced speaker or you have read a great deal about public speaking, you are unlikely to find anything new in this book; however, if you want to remind yourself about what it takes to be a great speaker or you just want to polish and hone your skills, then this is just the book. It is informative, specific, comprehensive, well-written, and complete with wonderful, engaging examples.
Gallo has structured her book much like one of Steve Jobs’ presentations. That is, she has kept her chapters brief (“Obey the Ten-Minute Rule”—Intermission 1), includes brief summaries at the end of every chapter (“Director’s Notes”), offers short segments within chapters, provides tables, bullet-pointed lists, includes numbers of additional examples (“Share the Stage”—Act II, Scene 11), injects pictures of Jobs at work, begins every chapter with a summary quotation, and furnishes additional quotations, explanations, and stories set aside by brackets (much as my “Consider This” sections in Communicating Effectively). There are a sufficient number of things going on that Gallo effectively grabs a reader’s attention, and rivets it to the printed page.
Gallo writes about the passion that drove her to write this book: “The purpose of this book is to help you capture that passion [the passion that drives us] and turn it into a story so mesmerizing that people will want to help you achieve your vision” (p. xvii). She added, “Do not let your ideas die because you failed to present them in a way that sparked the imagination of your listeners. Use Jobs’s techniques to reach the hearts and minds of everyone you hope to influence” (p. xvii).
If you want a great book on presentational skills, you can’t do better than this one!
This book is both available from Amazon.com: The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience
Book Club... And Then Some!
The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything
by Ken Robinson with Lou Aronica
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
This book is truly motivating, and it is because of a combination of reasons. It is like “the perfect storm” of stimulus packages. First, the writers offer an engaging, friendly, compelling writing style that makes reading easy and comfortable. Second, their choices for examples are wonderful. Whether you know the people or not—and you will know most of them—they describe each experience so well that you quickly identify with them.
The third reason in this motivational “perfect storm” is their selection of “elements” to discuss. For example, they discuss “thinking differently,” “creativity,” being “in the zone,” “connecting with people who share your passion and desire, and “developing the proper attitude,” among the elements offered. And they discus the challenges, too, such as those that come from within, from a lack of confidence, or from fear of failure.
There is no step-by-step procedure or “formula for success,” but serious readers do not need these pop psyche crutches or aids. (Of course, some do!)
What you get from Robinson and Aronica are a wide and broad variety of examples, and their examples offer the same wide and broad level of application or experience. You read, identify, absorb, and learn—then you apply the ideas creatively and independently on your own in the contexts with which you are most familiar. This is both the beauty and the force of this book. It’s the power of example and then, “we need to aim high and be determined to succeed” (p. 21).
Who Killed Change? Solving the Mystery of Leading People Through Change
by Ken Blanchard, John Britt, Judd Hoekstra, and Pat Zigarmi
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
This is another book in the long line of fables used to identify and solve important and complex real-world business problems. It is, like Blanchard’s many other books, well-written, brief, and easy-to-read (like a children’s story).
From the many positive reviews of the book, it is clear that it accurately and precisely, as one reviewer put it, “focuses on the key information that one needs to consider when planning or salvaging a change initiative.”
It seems to prove—once again—that the quick, practical, personal, and memorable read is likely the most important way to focus on major business issues. More than just getting readers to think about managing change, there are many ideas here, too, that thrust effective managing to the fore in readers’ minds.
The book is about a murder mystery with thirteen suspects, and the authors lead readers through an interview with each of the suspects. Why each of them is a culprit is carefully explained. How companies can attack the various issues is well presented, too. If you’re interested in how to change organizational environments—and you are looking for a very simplified explanation—this is a good place to start. There is no doubt it!
These books are both available from Amazon.com: The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything and Who Killed Change? Solving the Mystery of Leading People Through Change.
