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by Kitty Martini and Candice Reed
You need to accept this book on two levels: First, it is an entertaining, fun read. Second, it is crammed full of interesting, sometimes unusual, ideas designed to spark your imagination and creativity.
I found the book truly fascinating, engaging, and, yes, entertaining. Remember that Kitty Martini “is a prolific writer, entrepreneur, stand-up comedian, and expert on being fired,” according to the back of the book. How did the book become so entertaining? She’s a comedian!!!!! Candice Reed’s compliment to Kitty reads like this: “Without Kitty and her unique attitude and approach to life this book may never have been born. Her dry wit and crazy stories are greatly appreciated and well suited to a writer such as myself. . .” (p. vi).
I like the layout of this book. There are 15 ten-to-twelve page chapters that all begin with a slightly humorous quotations. The sections within chapters are brief, there are numerous bullet-pointed comments, suggestions, and ideas, additional gray boxes are interspersed throughout chapters that carry “Consider This” ideas (stories, examples, illustrations, research findings, and interesting tidbits), there are a plethora of examples, numerous italicized quotations break up the content, and the additional resources are outstanding. Overall, it reads well.
The reviewers, for the most part, also like the book. For example, Caroline Yarnall, of Eastsound, Washington, writes, “I have recommended this book to many of my friends who are without jobs now. A very inspiring book of great ideas and references for those who want to work and be their own boss, which is not easy right now in our economy. I, too, have read it, and it almost makes me want to start up my own little business at home. Good job! Thanks....”
Joke Queen, from Los Angeles, writes in her Amazon.com review: “I bought Thank You For Firing Me for a friend who recently got downsized--to cheer her up and giver her some hope. I started reading it, and couldn't put it down. The authors thought of every possible type of worker and life situation, not just the usual info. There were ideas for everyone from office workers to welders to artists and stay at home parents. After reading the book, my friend was able to boost her income getting paid by the minute as a customer service rep for a huge company that outsources to people who work from home. That was just one of tons of resources they listed and ways to survive while you're in a career or job transition. Great book!! I also liked that it was entertaining, as well as informative and resourceful.”
This book is available at Amazon.com: Thank you for firing me! How to catch the next wave of success after you lose your job
Book review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
Mandela’s Way: Fifteen lessons on life, love, and courage
By Richard Stengel
Before embarking on this book, know what you’re getting. This is not a biography. As a self-help book, it does not contain earth-shattering, newly discovered, unique ideas that will move you from where you are to where you want to be. Also, it is not an in-depth examination of any aspect of Mandela’s life.
It is, indeed, an easily digestible, comfortable collection of vignettes written by an editor of Time magazine who has “distilled countless hours of intimate conversation [and experiences] with Mandela into fifteen essential life lessons. For nearly three years,” the front flyleaf of the book continues, “Stengel collaborated with Mandela on his autobiography and traveled with him everywhere. Eating with him, watching him campaign, hearing him think out loud, Stengel came to know all the different sides of this complex man and became a cherished friend and colleague.”
The book gives you but a glimpse of the man; however, if that is all you want or care about, you get solid and interesting insights.
There are several things I really enjoyed about this book. First, it offered me more than enough information about Mandela. I really needed to know nothing more!
Second, the personal insights and observations were delightful. I didn’t just enjoy the information Stengel shared with readers, but even more, I enjoyed the manner in which it was shared. Stengel is a good writer, and the material flows effortlessly and comfortably; thus, reading the book is a pleasure.
Third, the stories, anecdotes, experiences, and insights are wonderfully engaging. This is truly an entertaining book.
Fourth, it is a quick read. It is a small book to begin with, and with each line widely separated from the one before and the one after, there are only 25 lines on a page. Also, with only 239 pages of content, it is a very quick read.
Fifth, although the “lessons” are not earth-shattering, as noted above, it is always nice to have some fundamentals reinforced. Lessons include: courage is not the absence of fear, be measured, lead from the front, lead from the back, look the part, have a core principle, see the good in others, now your enemy, keep your rivals close, know when to say no, it’s a long game, love makes the difference, quitting is leading too, it’s always both, and find your own garden.
Jill Guntur of New York ended her review of the book at Amazon.com in this way: “This wonderful book takes you through the life of Nelson Mandela from his childhood, through the freedom fighter days, into prison and the incredible journey of 27 years that could not destroy his soul, and then into his life after and his second marriage. It is an inspiring book and is beautifully written.” I couldn’t agree more.
Get this book at Amazon.com:
Mandela’s Way: Fifteen lessons on life, love, and courage - By Richard Stengel
Book Club... And Then Some!
How Sex Works: Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do
by Sharon Moalem
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
Although the title might suggest otherwise, this is a research book with 28 pages of “Notes,” for a 288-page book.
It is well written, highly informative, and a compelling read.
What I most appreciated were Moalem’s frank and open discussions of everything from contraception and fertility to menopause, homosexuality, and orgasms.
The research and studies Moalem cites are overwhelming, and his explanations and descriptions are easy to comprehend.
One of the reviewers at Amazon.com writes, “I truly enjoyed reading this book. It was nice to be able to pick up a book on the subject of sex and actually learn something new. It made me think of sex in a new perspective. Information was referenced with numerous research studies and examples. I also appreciated the author's writing style, and found the chapter titles brilliant. Very engaging!”
Another reviewer writes, “How Sex Works is an entertaining and amusing comprehensive review of culture, biology, and history and their intricate connection to today's understanding of sexuality. The book examines recent research concepts, debunks old myths, and defies the common boundaries and understanding of sexuality.”
As you’ve gathered from these two reviewers and mine, this is a must-read book for everyone since it introduces new ideas, dispels numerous myths, and because of his synthesis of culture, biology, and history, he takes readers “far beyond our common understanding of sex.”
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This book is available from Amazon.com: How Sex Works: Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do.
