By Geoff Tibballs
Book review by Richard L. Weaver II
One thing I don’t do is purchase joke books to memorize jokes and share them with others. Sometimes, I buy them to find jokes to use in my speeches, essays, and other writing that I do — such as in the writing of my college textbooks (but I have found very few that I could use in this manner).
Tibballs had compiled jokes under close to 80 categories. In 597 pages there are thousands, and many of them are from contemporary comedians and a number of them, too, deal with contemporary politicians such as Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, the Clintons, and George W. Bush.
There are six jokes in the Sarah Palin category. Wyatt Cenac, an American stand-up comedian, writes, “The governor of Alaska is so dumb she thinks the capital of China is Chinatown and that soy milk is Spanish for “I am milk’” (p. 418). Jokes by Jay Leno and Conan O’Brian are mentioned here as well.
There are seven jokes listed for Barack Obama. My favorite is, “A lot of voters mistrust Barack Obama because they say he’s not a real American. You can see what they mean—after all, he’s slim” (p. 409).
Nine jokes appear under the category “The Clintons.” In my view, the best one (all are pretty bad!) Is: “Hillary went to a fortune teller who revealed: ‘I have some bad news. Bill is going to die a horrible death.’
Hillary said: ‘Just tell me one thing. Will I be acquitted?’” (p. 130)
There are more than 14 jokes in the category, “College and University.” I found this one to be the most relevant and incisive: “When a university student returned home for Christmas his mother asked: ‘How’s your history paper coming along?’
‘Well, my history professor suggested I use the Internet for research, and it’s been really helpful.’
‘Oh, that’s good.’
‘Yes. So far I’ve noticed fourteen people who sell them’” (p. 133).
Of the 8 jokes in the category “Donald Trump,” all but one discuss his hair—which I find a bit disappointing. That is, it’s such an easy target and requires no imagination whatsoever.
Under the subject, “Vacation and Leisure,” there are nearly 25 jokes. There was one Steven Wright joke I hadn’t heard: “I want to hang a map of the world in my house. Then I’m going to put pins into all the locations that I’ve traveled to. But first I’m going to have to travel to the top two corners of the map so that it won’t fall off the wall” (p. 551).
Needless to say, I loved this book, not because of all the jokes by Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Homer Simpson, Jerry Seingeld, Sarah Silverman, Amy Poehler, Margaret Cho and many others—including a number of English comedians I’ve never heard of (I guess I didn’t realize the English even had a sense of humor much less comedians who might display it! —Kidding, of course.), but because of the wide variety and range of jokes offered. There will be at least one to satisfy every reader!
What led me to this book in the first place had to do with my interest in jokes. Good thing, huh? I had compiled more than 2,000 which I intended to include a book to be titled, “Laugh Like There’s No Tomorrow!” (a quote from Mark Twain that reflected the 365 days that contained an average of 4 jokes each day). Tibballs’ book convinced me that such a book as mine would not sell. That is, why would anyone buy a book with four or five jokes for each of 365 days when they could buy this one with well over 3,000 jokes arranged by categories? I have even compiled enough jokes for a second and a third edition. These books of mine did not go out of print, they never saw print. The jokes, however, appear on Fridays on my blog.
One note of warning about Tibballs’ book. He is British, and the English spelling of words, use of English references (such as their money), and the use of English comedian’s jokes occur throughout the book. This really isn’t a handicap; however, it limits the effectiveness of some of the material here.
The Mammoth Book of Best New Jokes can be purchased from Amazon.com
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
WRONG: Why experts keep failing us—and how to know when not to trust them
By David H. Freedman
Book review by Richard L. Weaver II
The author is :a science and business journalist.” Outside of appendices, notes, and index, the text is 230 pages long, and there are 11 pages of notes.
There are a number of reasons I liked this book. First, it is very well-written. Second, it covers areas (finance, doctors, relationship gurus, celebrity CEOs, consultants, health, and more) with which I have some interest (although no expertise).
The third reason I liked this book is that it offers great evidence, interesting facts, and fascinating statistics and insights I would probably never gather elsewhere. The fourth reason is that it produces skeptics. Whether you accept Freedman’s ideas or not, he certainly opens your eyes and makes you question — something we all should be doing all of the time. (If nothing else, it is what colleges and universities should be good at promoting.)
I enjoyed Freedman’s examination of the various safeguards that we have to try to root out and address fraud. As I was preparing this review of his book (on January 6, 2011), the British Medical Journal (BMJ) just pronounced a Lancet study by lead scientist Andrew Wakefield, M.D., that connected the Mumps, Measles, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism as an “elaborate fraud.” An ironic juxtaposition, to say the least.
On page 120 Freedman writes, “Thank goodness for peer review, the 350-year-old research-journal tradition of sending candidate articles out to knowledgeable researchers for vetting and comments.” — even though he admits that peer review provides only a minimal assurance of quality, and that “lousy research can slip past peer review into journals” (p. 121). Having been part of a number of peer-review teams during my tenure as a university professor, I have to agree with Freedman; however, I also agree that there is really little other way to prevent lousy research from getting published. The Internet makes “publication” an easy process.
What Freedman does is open the whole area of fraud and “the fraudulent police” to further discussion. His chapter conclusions (see page 124) are right on target about scientists.
Freedman’s comment about determining whether or not Internet information is accurate was well taken: “ . . . we’re back to that problem of whether most people in the public are equipped to track down high-quality information on the Internet, as opposed to ending up with advice that may look convincing but is in fact junk” (p. 201). Of course, with respect to students (and the public, too), this isn’t a new concern, it is simply a much bigger concern with the glut of information at our fingertips.
Every student should be required to read Chapter 9, “Eleven Simple Never-Fail Rules for Not Being Misled by Experts” (pp. 203-230). Even though the rules are generic, they are important and well explained here. His “Typical Characteristics of Less Trustworthy Expert Advice,” “Characteristics of Expert Advice We Should Ignore,” and “Some Characteristics of More Trustworthy Expert Advice” is priceless, essential, practical, and incredibly relevant in today’s information-saturated world.
WRONG: Why experts keep failing us—and how to know when not to trust them can be purchased at Amazon.com
Book review by Richard L. Weaver II
The author is :a science and business journalist.” Outside of appendices, notes, and index, the text is 230 pages long, and there are 11 pages of notes.
There are a number of reasons I liked this book. First, it is very well-written. Second, it covers areas (finance, doctors, relationship gurus, celebrity CEOs, consultants, health, and more) with which I have some interest (although no expertise).
The third reason I liked this book is that it offers great evidence, interesting facts, and fascinating statistics and insights I would probably never gather elsewhere. The fourth reason is that it produces skeptics. Whether you accept Freedman’s ideas or not, he certainly opens your eyes and makes you question — something we all should be doing all of the time. (If nothing else, it is what colleges and universities should be good at promoting.)
I enjoyed Freedman’s examination of the various safeguards that we have to try to root out and address fraud. As I was preparing this review of his book (on January 6, 2011), the British Medical Journal (BMJ) just pronounced a Lancet study by lead scientist Andrew Wakefield, M.D., that connected the Mumps, Measles, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism as an “elaborate fraud.” An ironic juxtaposition, to say the least.
On page 120 Freedman writes, “Thank goodness for peer review, the 350-year-old research-journal tradition of sending candidate articles out to knowledgeable researchers for vetting and comments.” — even though he admits that peer review provides only a minimal assurance of quality, and that “lousy research can slip past peer review into journals” (p. 121). Having been part of a number of peer-review teams during my tenure as a university professor, I have to agree with Freedman; however, I also agree that there is really little other way to prevent lousy research from getting published. The Internet makes “publication” an easy process.
What Freedman does is open the whole area of fraud and “the fraudulent police” to further discussion. His chapter conclusions (see page 124) are right on target about scientists.
Freedman’s comment about determining whether or not Internet information is accurate was well taken: “ . . . we’re back to that problem of whether most people in the public are equipped to track down high-quality information on the Internet, as opposed to ending up with advice that may look convincing but is in fact junk” (p. 201). Of course, with respect to students (and the public, too), this isn’t a new concern, it is simply a much bigger concern with the glut of information at our fingertips.
Every student should be required to read Chapter 9, “Eleven Simple Never-Fail Rules for Not Being Misled by Experts” (pp. 203-230). Even though the rules are generic, they are important and well explained here. His “Typical Characteristics of Less Trustworthy Expert Advice,” “Characteristics of Expert Advice We Should Ignore,” and “Some Characteristics of More Trustworthy Expert Advice” is priceless, essential, practical, and incredibly relevant in today’s information-saturated world.
WRONG: Why experts keep failing us—and how to know when not to trust them can be purchased at Amazon.com
Monday, January 16, 2012
Power: Why some people have it — and others don’t
By Jeffrey Pfeffer
Book review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
I found this book incredibly interesting. The book is well-written, extremely well organized, and well-supported (16 pages of notes) in addition to hundreds of relevant, important, and pungent examples. I found the information to be honest, forthright, and right on target.
I tended to agree with Pfeffer’s negative evaluations of other books on leadership (even though it may be a bit self-serving), but after reading Pfeffer’s various suggestions for gaining power, you realize that so many other author’s books lack the force, bite, sharpness, and honesty that Pfeffer delivers.
One thing I felt as I was reading was that I pictured myself in a college classroom listening to a well-informed, interesting lecturer. There are great examples, and the book is pretty easy to read. It should be clear that you don’t have to be a college student or an academic to appreciate Pfeffer’s information and insights.
Another thing I discovered from reading this book is something I learned rather early when I was teaching speech-communication classes — especially those sections dealing with persuasion. At one point I was asked by one of my students (and it occurred several times throughout my career), “Couldn’t someone take the ideas and principles you are teaching and become another Hitler?” The answer is clearly yes.
The best way (perhaps the only way) I found to counter or address these concerns is to talk extensively about ethics — how to properly and ethically use the information and ideas they were learning. Also, a unit or section on ethics exists in every textbook on public speaking or persuasion. There is no way to guarantee that such messages get through to students; however, class discussions, coverage on examinations, in addition to such units or sections in textbooks, is the way we approach the ethics issue. There is no discussion of ethics in this book; perhaps, there should be.
Pfeffer’s suggestions for gaining power far exceed any of the persuasive strategies I taught in college, and someone bent on using his ideas in a negative fashion could certainly wreak more havoc in a shorter amount of time than they could with persuasion alone. If anyone, after reading this book, thinks this is all common sense or skills that any opportunist might use, then I beg to differ. They are not reading Pfeffer closely or they are not understanding his suggestions. (—or, they are already wreaking havoc!)
I found this to be an interesting statement: “Many studies of the predictors of career success, focusing on both the general population and specific subpopulations such as business school graduates, have found that mental aptitude correlates somewhat with grades in school but has virtually no ability to explain who rises to the top” (p. 55).
I absolutely loved his use of current examples such as Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Willie Brown, Ishan Gupta, Caroline Kennedy, Frank Stanton, Oliver North, Barack Obama, and many others.
His Chapter 7, “Acting and Speaking with Power (pp. 125-146), caught my attention because of my background in speech communication. This is, indeed, the chapter that traces Lt. Colonel Oliver North’s return to power after being indicted on 16 felony counts, “including accepting illegal gratuities, aiding and abetting the obstruction of a congressional inquiry, and destroying documents and evidence” (p. 125). Also, in this chapter, the comparison between North and Donald Kennedy (former president of Stanford University) and the manner in which they testified before a congressional investigating committee is offered. I found it eye-opening, and Pfeffer’s comment about it is rich in meaning: “We choose how we will act and talk, and those decisions are consequential for acquiring and holding on to power” (p. 128).
Did you know this? “Although the research literature shows the interview is not a reliable or valid selection mechanism, it is almost universally used . . . To come across effectively, we need to master how to convey power. We need to act, and speak, with power” (p. 129).
Using examples of Peter Ueberroth, Andy Grove, Gary Loverman, and Rahm Emanuel (among others), Pfeffer clearly demonstrates how to act and speak with power using interruption, contesting the premises of the discussion, using persuasive language (and Max Atkinson’s linguistic techniques).
Although Pfeffer advocates using “humor to the extent possible and appropriate” and even cites novelist Salman Rushie saying, “If you make people laugh, you can tell them anything” (p. 145), there isn’t a great deal of humor in this 273-page book. It could use some; however, it is direct, strong, straightforward, and powerful. I recommend it.
The book, Power: Why some people have it — and others don’t can be purchased at Amazon.com
Book review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
I found this book incredibly interesting. The book is well-written, extremely well organized, and well-supported (16 pages of notes) in addition to hundreds of relevant, important, and pungent examples. I found the information to be honest, forthright, and right on target.
I tended to agree with Pfeffer’s negative evaluations of other books on leadership (even though it may be a bit self-serving), but after reading Pfeffer’s various suggestions for gaining power, you realize that so many other author’s books lack the force, bite, sharpness, and honesty that Pfeffer delivers.
One thing I felt as I was reading was that I pictured myself in a college classroom listening to a well-informed, interesting lecturer. There are great examples, and the book is pretty easy to read. It should be clear that you don’t have to be a college student or an academic to appreciate Pfeffer’s information and insights.
Another thing I discovered from reading this book is something I learned rather early when I was teaching speech-communication classes — especially those sections dealing with persuasion. At one point I was asked by one of my students (and it occurred several times throughout my career), “Couldn’t someone take the ideas and principles you are teaching and become another Hitler?” The answer is clearly yes.
The best way (perhaps the only way) I found to counter or address these concerns is to talk extensively about ethics — how to properly and ethically use the information and ideas they were learning. Also, a unit or section on ethics exists in every textbook on public speaking or persuasion. There is no way to guarantee that such messages get through to students; however, class discussions, coverage on examinations, in addition to such units or sections in textbooks, is the way we approach the ethics issue. There is no discussion of ethics in this book; perhaps, there should be.
Pfeffer’s suggestions for gaining power far exceed any of the persuasive strategies I taught in college, and someone bent on using his ideas in a negative fashion could certainly wreak more havoc in a shorter amount of time than they could with persuasion alone. If anyone, after reading this book, thinks this is all common sense or skills that any opportunist might use, then I beg to differ. They are not reading Pfeffer closely or they are not understanding his suggestions. (—or, they are already wreaking havoc!)
I found this to be an interesting statement: “Many studies of the predictors of career success, focusing on both the general population and specific subpopulations such as business school graduates, have found that mental aptitude correlates somewhat with grades in school but has virtually no ability to explain who rises to the top” (p. 55).
I absolutely loved his use of current examples such as Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Willie Brown, Ishan Gupta, Caroline Kennedy, Frank Stanton, Oliver North, Barack Obama, and many others.
His Chapter 7, “Acting and Speaking with Power (pp. 125-146), caught my attention because of my background in speech communication. This is, indeed, the chapter that traces Lt. Colonel Oliver North’s return to power after being indicted on 16 felony counts, “including accepting illegal gratuities, aiding and abetting the obstruction of a congressional inquiry, and destroying documents and evidence” (p. 125). Also, in this chapter, the comparison between North and Donald Kennedy (former president of Stanford University) and the manner in which they testified before a congressional investigating committee is offered. I found it eye-opening, and Pfeffer’s comment about it is rich in meaning: “We choose how we will act and talk, and those decisions are consequential for acquiring and holding on to power” (p. 128).
Did you know this? “Although the research literature shows the interview is not a reliable or valid selection mechanism, it is almost universally used . . . To come across effectively, we need to master how to convey power. We need to act, and speak, with power” (p. 129).
Using examples of Peter Ueberroth, Andy Grove, Gary Loverman, and Rahm Emanuel (among others), Pfeffer clearly demonstrates how to act and speak with power using interruption, contesting the premises of the discussion, using persuasive language (and Max Atkinson’s linguistic techniques).
Although Pfeffer advocates using “humor to the extent possible and appropriate” and even cites novelist Salman Rushie saying, “If you make people laugh, you can tell them anything” (p. 145), there isn’t a great deal of humor in this 273-page book. It could use some; however, it is direct, strong, straightforward, and powerful. I recommend it.
The book, Power: Why some people have it — and others don’t can be purchased at Amazon.com
Monday, January 9, 2012
How music works: The science and psychology of beautiful sounds, from Beethoven to the Beatles and Beyonce
By John Powell
Book review by Richard L. Weaver II
The idea that someone would have a background (Ph.D. no less!) in physics and, in addition, a master’s degree in music composition sounds like an educational oxymoron. Then to bring these two areas of expertise together in a book that explains “how music works” is both unique and incredibly interesting. (And I thought my upbringing in science (an undergraduate minor) combined with a B.A. in speech communication was unusual!) Not only that, but Powell has taught both physics and musical acoustics. I mention this simply because these three areas (physics, music, and teaching) are beautifully juxtaposed in this excellent book.
Powell packs so much into this well-written, well-illustrated, well-explained, informative, and entertaining book that it is hard to know where to begin in reviewing it. Actually, if you have ever dabbled in music, if you play or have played an instrument, if you are a professional disc-jockey (as my older son is), or if you are simply a leisurely, laid-back listener of music, buy this book. I guarantee: 1) you will enjoy it, and 2) you will learn a great deal from it. You can then just skip my review of it because all I do is support these two justifications for purchasing it.
There is a question I have often answered for students at the university that becomes relevant once again with this book: “Doesn’t having an education make you more critical of things?” Actually, the answer is, “No.” Having an education increases your appreciation of things. It brings a deeper understanding, more background knowledge, a greater history, and, thus, a better grasp of everything in the world. It offers a context and frame of reference so that not only can you ask intelligent questions but you can give more informed, thorough, and substantiated answers as well. I have learned that the more education you have, the more you want to learn: It instills the teacher in you!
Powell was concerned about this as well when he says, “Some people worry that understanding more about music will reduce the pleasure they get from it, but the reverse is true. Learning how a complicated dish is prepared makes you appreciate it even more, and doesn’t change how good it tastes” (p. 4).
This response provides insight into one of Powell’s teaching abilities: throughout the book, he creates realistic, practical, hands-on analogies with which readers can closely relate, to make his points.
How pedestrian do his analogies get? After quoting Professor Frederick Corder, who wrote the book The Orchestra, and How to Write for It (1894), and Corder’s disdain for the trumpet, the guitar, viola, and oboe, Powell writes, “ . . . I dread to think what he would have said about the drinking straw oboe. All you need in order to own one of these magnificent instruments is a drinking straw and a pair of scissors. The illustration below shows you what to do” (p. 73). Powell adds to his delightful explanation of how to use it, “You can even cut little finger holes and play dreadful out-of-tune melodies. The long winter evenings will just fly by” (p. 73). (I love Powell’s sarcasm.)
Among many other things, Powell explains what perfect pitch is, the difference between notes and noise, how loud is loud, the difference between harmony and cacophony, as well as how long it takes to become an expert, how musicians learn long and complicated pieces, how to select an instrument if you want to learn to play one, and the various elements involved in listening to music. There is just so much in this 265-page book. No, you don’t have to read all the detailed sections; choose just those that have interest (knowing, however, that when you do, you will be missing out on some of the author’s humorous asides, comments, and commentary).
This book is priceless — a treasure. Thank you John Powell for this wonderful experience. As just a casual, laid back, appreciater of all kinds of music — I do not play an instrument nor do I write music (although I have offspring who do) — I have learned so much, and this book has contributed greatly to the musical portion of my education.
How music works: The science and psychology of beautiful sounds, from Beethoven to the Beatles and Beyonce can be found at Amazon.com
Book review by Richard L. Weaver II
The idea that someone would have a background (Ph.D. no less!) in physics and, in addition, a master’s degree in music composition sounds like an educational oxymoron. Then to bring these two areas of expertise together in a book that explains “how music works” is both unique and incredibly interesting. (And I thought my upbringing in science (an undergraduate minor) combined with a B.A. in speech communication was unusual!) Not only that, but Powell has taught both physics and musical acoustics. I mention this simply because these three areas (physics, music, and teaching) are beautifully juxtaposed in this excellent book.
Powell packs so much into this well-written, well-illustrated, well-explained, informative, and entertaining book that it is hard to know where to begin in reviewing it. Actually, if you have ever dabbled in music, if you play or have played an instrument, if you are a professional disc-jockey (as my older son is), or if you are simply a leisurely, laid-back listener of music, buy this book. I guarantee: 1) you will enjoy it, and 2) you will learn a great deal from it. You can then just skip my review of it because all I do is support these two justifications for purchasing it.
There is a question I have often answered for students at the university that becomes relevant once again with this book: “Doesn’t having an education make you more critical of things?” Actually, the answer is, “No.” Having an education increases your appreciation of things. It brings a deeper understanding, more background knowledge, a greater history, and, thus, a better grasp of everything in the world. It offers a context and frame of reference so that not only can you ask intelligent questions but you can give more informed, thorough, and substantiated answers as well. I have learned that the more education you have, the more you want to learn: It instills the teacher in you!
Powell was concerned about this as well when he says, “Some people worry that understanding more about music will reduce the pleasure they get from it, but the reverse is true. Learning how a complicated dish is prepared makes you appreciate it even more, and doesn’t change how good it tastes” (p. 4).
This response provides insight into one of Powell’s teaching abilities: throughout the book, he creates realistic, practical, hands-on analogies with which readers can closely relate, to make his points.
How pedestrian do his analogies get? After quoting Professor Frederick Corder, who wrote the book The Orchestra, and How to Write for It (1894), and Corder’s disdain for the trumpet, the guitar, viola, and oboe, Powell writes, “ . . . I dread to think what he would have said about the drinking straw oboe. All you need in order to own one of these magnificent instruments is a drinking straw and a pair of scissors. The illustration below shows you what to do” (p. 73). Powell adds to his delightful explanation of how to use it, “You can even cut little finger holes and play dreadful out-of-tune melodies. The long winter evenings will just fly by” (p. 73). (I love Powell’s sarcasm.)
Among many other things, Powell explains what perfect pitch is, the difference between notes and noise, how loud is loud, the difference between harmony and cacophony, as well as how long it takes to become an expert, how musicians learn long and complicated pieces, how to select an instrument if you want to learn to play one, and the various elements involved in listening to music. There is just so much in this 265-page book. No, you don’t have to read all the detailed sections; choose just those that have interest (knowing, however, that when you do, you will be missing out on some of the author’s humorous asides, comments, and commentary).
This book is priceless — a treasure. Thank you John Powell for this wonderful experience. As just a casual, laid back, appreciater of all kinds of music — I do not play an instrument nor do I write music (although I have offspring who do) — I have learned so much, and this book has contributed greatly to the musical portion of my education.
How music works: The science and psychology of beautiful sounds, from Beethoven to the Beatles and Beyonce can be found at Amazon.com
Monday, January 2, 2012
Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and the Business of Life and the Power of Amall Why Little Things Make all the Difference
Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and the Business of Life
by David Allen
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
I did not read David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done (2001), and there are some people (who reviewed the book) who said it was the better book and even to save your time by not reading this one and reading his former one. I cannot personally support or deny this observation (or judgment). The Sacramento Book Review said this: “This book is actually harder to read, and is less clear than /Getting Things Done/. Promoted as a expansion that will help you focus on the higher level of organizing your life and goals, it really just serves as a rehashing. For those needing encouragement to continue using GTD techniques, maybe it'll work for them. But, for those looking for more, it fails, and those looking at trying the GTD techniques for the first time would be better served using the original book.” Victoria Bean included information in her review that compares the two books: “The book [Making It All Work] illuminates what Allen calls the basics of self-management: namely how to get and how to develop both control and perspective on your daily commitments in order to master them.
While much of the content is included in his previous book [Getting Things Done], there are some new tools that show you how to achieve alignment and balance by changing your perspective on your own commitments and mastering the art of motivating yourself. These tools include:
* How to get immediate control of "current reality"
* How to keep track of the total inventory of your commitments
* What decisions are critical to make, about what, and when
* Why most "personal management systems" don't work
* Why organizational issues are often personal process issues
* How to use procrastination to your advantage
* How to continually self-consult to get back "on your game"
* How to install simple tricks that create profound results ”
This is a well-written, even inspiring book that will help (offers specific suggestions) for maintaining control and perspective. In this book, Allen suggests flexibility and custom-tailoring to make his GTD system operative. I didn’t read his former book, but I found this book extremely interesting and educational. Perhaps it would be a better read if you read his earlier book first; however, this one is well done, to say the least, and because he (obviously) repeats information from the earlier book, it is not a prerequisite that one be read before the other.
The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference
by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
Whether you have many examples from your own life of this title being true, whether you have read it in other books, or whether you think it is a small, commonsensical point that needs no further elucidation, this is a delightful book. The authors write in an engaging style; there are so many wonderful examples used to support their points; and I firmly believe, too, that their point needs to be reinforced and encouraged. I wrote one positive letter about a bank employee, and she was one of ten commended across the nation, won the competition, and will receive a plaque on her office wall marking her success. One letter! I wrote a letter to the Red Cross that changed their procedures to include hand sanitizer at the table where refreshments are served after donations. One letter! That is precisely what this book is all about.
Because of my personal interest in speech communication, I especially liked their discussion in Chapter 3, “Make Small Talk,” which begins with the wonderful quotation from Mark Twain, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” The authors make the point that, “We are losing the human texture in even our simplest conversations. We are becoming more and more cut off from human interaction, from the chance encounters and casual acquaintances that have, until recently, made up a part of our lives and at times changed their course” (p. 27j). Their suggestions for increasing the importance and impact of small talk are excellent and should be adopted by everyone (pp. 34-30).
The book is not only full of examples, but the authors offer regular and consistent encouragement to readers to make small changes like saying “please” and “thank you,” to take advantage of the smallest opportunities (to take advantage of “and then some” situations!), and to become more alert to other people and to their surroundings as well.
Sure, you can write this book off as just a piece of fluff, but do you know what? If everyone in our society made the small changes these authors recommend and practiced them everyday, there would be so much less conflict, irritation, and anger— so much less displeasure, annoyance, and ill-temper. As small a point(s) as the authors make, this book makes a valuable and useful addition to our lives.
These books are available at Amazon.com: (Click the link below)
Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and the Business of Life
The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference
by David Allen
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
I did not read David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done (2001), and there are some people (who reviewed the book) who said it was the better book and even to save your time by not reading this one and reading his former one. I cannot personally support or deny this observation (or judgment). The Sacramento Book Review said this: “This book is actually harder to read, and is less clear than /Getting Things Done/. Promoted as a expansion that will help you focus on the higher level of organizing your life and goals, it really just serves as a rehashing. For those needing encouragement to continue using GTD techniques, maybe it'll work for them. But, for those looking for more, it fails, and those looking at trying the GTD techniques for the first time would be better served using the original book.” Victoria Bean included information in her review that compares the two books: “The book [Making It All Work] illuminates what Allen calls the basics of self-management: namely how to get and how to develop both control and perspective on your daily commitments in order to master them.
While much of the content is included in his previous book [Getting Things Done], there are some new tools that show you how to achieve alignment and balance by changing your perspective on your own commitments and mastering the art of motivating yourself. These tools include:
* How to get immediate control of "current reality"
* How to keep track of the total inventory of your commitments
* What decisions are critical to make, about what, and when
* Why most "personal management systems" don't work
* Why organizational issues are often personal process issues
* How to use procrastination to your advantage
* How to continually self-consult to get back "on your game"
* How to install simple tricks that create profound results ”
This is a well-written, even inspiring book that will help (offers specific suggestions) for maintaining control and perspective. In this book, Allen suggests flexibility and custom-tailoring to make his GTD system operative. I didn’t read his former book, but I found this book extremely interesting and educational. Perhaps it would be a better read if you read his earlier book first; however, this one is well done, to say the least, and because he (obviously) repeats information from the earlier book, it is not a prerequisite that one be read before the other.
The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference
by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
Whether you have many examples from your own life of this title being true, whether you have read it in other books, or whether you think it is a small, commonsensical point that needs no further elucidation, this is a delightful book. The authors write in an engaging style; there are so many wonderful examples used to support their points; and I firmly believe, too, that their point needs to be reinforced and encouraged. I wrote one positive letter about a bank employee, and she was one of ten commended across the nation, won the competition, and will receive a plaque on her office wall marking her success. One letter! I wrote a letter to the Red Cross that changed their procedures to include hand sanitizer at the table where refreshments are served after donations. One letter! That is precisely what this book is all about.
Because of my personal interest in speech communication, I especially liked their discussion in Chapter 3, “Make Small Talk,” which begins with the wonderful quotation from Mark Twain, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” The authors make the point that, “We are losing the human texture in even our simplest conversations. We are becoming more and more cut off from human interaction, from the chance encounters and casual acquaintances that have, until recently, made up a part of our lives and at times changed their course” (p. 27j). Their suggestions for increasing the importance and impact of small talk are excellent and should be adopted by everyone (pp. 34-30).
The book is not only full of examples, but the authors offer regular and consistent encouragement to readers to make small changes like saying “please” and “thank you,” to take advantage of the smallest opportunities (to take advantage of “and then some” situations!), and to become more alert to other people and to their surroundings as well.
Sure, you can write this book off as just a piece of fluff, but do you know what? If everyone in our society made the small changes these authors recommend and practiced them everyday, there would be so much less conflict, irritation, and anger— so much less displeasure, annoyance, and ill-temper. As small a point(s) as the authors make, this book makes a valuable and useful addition to our lives.
These books are available at Amazon.com: (Click the link below)
Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and the Business of Life
The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference
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