I'm off my book diet and finally reading Platform - By Michael Hyatt and I just wanted to share a great quote I picked up from the book (that several people have been encouraging me to read) :
"Don't listen to that mocking little voice that tells you to be more realistic.
Ignore it.
You can either accept reality as it is or create it as you wish it to be.
This is the essence of dreaming - and thinking big."
-Michael Hyatt.
The encouragement to read this book turns out to be well grounded.
Showing posts with label Book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book review. Show all posts
Friday, August 16, 2013
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Books I've read in January 2012
You Inc - By Harry Beckwith & Christine Clifford Beckwith
Summary: This book is about both finding the right position and/or vocation for you while at the same time talks about how to market - yourself, your business and/or brand ...well.
My Opinion: I really liked this book, the authors talk quite a bit about their experiences within the Marketing world while at the same time they talk about how you can market yourself to become the best candidate whether your being interviewed by a potential employer or potential clients.
Key Point: "TIME - some people give and others take. Assess that immediately. Give your time lavishly to people who give, and avoid those who take." ...nuff said
On Writing - By Stephen King
Summary: Stephen King, the undisputed master of the horror genre of books for the past 30+ years pulls back the curtain and talks a little bit about his craft. He talks about how both his life - from the moment he knew he didn't have to be a teacher anymore, to the moment he was a few hours away from a premature visit with the Grim Reaper - while at the same time gives all types of golden nuggets on how a mediocre writer can become a good writer.
My Opinion: An excellent read. Mr. King tells it like it is and pulls no punches in describing what makes a good writer to a God-awful one. He shares his hatred for adverbs. He talks about how he got the idea for some of his most famous books - for example Christine was triggered by the thought of a high school outcast he once knew - and most importantly he talks about the 'work'. The 'work' being sitting down, and writing ...everyday.
Key Point: Honestly, if one of the best-selling writers in the past 30 years tells you the best way to write a book...wouldn't you listen?
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Books I've read in September
The Sales Advantage - By J. Oliver Crom & Michael Crom
Summary - This is a book for people interested in learning how to sale or at least learning how to improve the sales process.It goes from the pre-approach and initial contact to the close and follow-up process. In addition the book gives tips on how to improve sales compared to average sales tactics.
My opinion - I believe this book gives up a lot of unique techniques & strategies that can help the average salesperson become an extraordinary sales superstar. Ultimately it comes down to caring more about the potential & current customers than you do about the sale.
Key Point - Show the client that you share more for their bottom line than you do for your own.
Summary - This is a book for people interested in learning how to sale or at least learning how to improve the sales process.It goes from the pre-approach and initial contact to the close and follow-up process. In addition the book gives tips on how to improve sales compared to average sales tactics.
My opinion - I believe this book gives up a lot of unique techniques & strategies that can help the average salesperson become an extraordinary sales superstar. Ultimately it comes down to caring more about the potential & current customers than you do about the sale.
Key Point - Show the client that you share more for their bottom line than you do for your own.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Books I've read in July
1) How to Work a Room - By Susan RoAne
This is a book about overcoming shyness to help promote you business or professional pursuits. Ms. RoAne teaches the proper way to hand out business cards, how to overcome the fear of rejection and a few words or Yiddish as she goes through.
My opinion - I think I learned a lot from this book and immediately began adopting some of the techniques Ms. RoAne teaches in this book. I also realized that I had been approaching networking groups with the entirely wrong attitude.
Key Point - You never know who knows who. Approach everyone with sincere interest and try and learn more about them & their business before talking about yourself and your business.
2) Bootstrapping Your Business - By Greg Gianforte w/ Marcus Gibson
This is a book for bootstrappers - those unique entrepreneurs who DON'T go courting for venture capital firms to give them money in exchange for controlling interest in their idea. For those who want to start a business where both bosses and board members are absent this book may be for you.
My opinion - I really enjoyed this book. It was full of a combination of advice and real-life case-studies on how entrepreneurs overcame obstacles to make millions based mainly on their own investment.
Key Point - before you spend all your money on an untested idea - see if people will buy the product or service in advance.
This is a book about overcoming shyness to help promote you business or professional pursuits. Ms. RoAne teaches the proper way to hand out business cards, how to overcome the fear of rejection and a few words or Yiddish as she goes through.
My opinion - I think I learned a lot from this book and immediately began adopting some of the techniques Ms. RoAne teaches in this book. I also realized that I had been approaching networking groups with the entirely wrong attitude.
Key Point - You never know who knows who. Approach everyone with sincere interest and try and learn more about them & their business before talking about yourself and your business.
2) Bootstrapping Your Business - By Greg Gianforte w/ Marcus Gibson
This is a book for bootstrappers - those unique entrepreneurs who DON'T go courting for venture capital firms to give them money in exchange for controlling interest in their idea. For those who want to start a business where both bosses and board members are absent this book may be for you.
My opinion - I really enjoyed this book. It was full of a combination of advice and real-life case-studies on how entrepreneurs overcame obstacles to make millions based mainly on their own investment.
Key Point - before you spend all your money on an untested idea - see if people will buy the product or service in advance.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Books I've Read in June (2011)
Les Brown - Live Your Dreams
First, I must say I'm a little bit biased since Les Brown is by far my favorite motivational speaker. In Live Your Dreams Mr. Brown talks about the challenges he faced - especially as a child and adolescent - and how he conquered those challenges and became the great public speaker he is today.
My Opinion:
I absolutely love the book. Mr. Brown tells his personal story and while relating his own tale of personal triumph he teaches us how to take on the challenge that is life as well. The only minor criticism I have is that he takes a small dig at his own twin brother toward the end while trying to make a comparison. He could have easily found another example or left the comparison out altogether.
Key Point:
The key point of this book, in my opinion, is that in order to be successful in whatever it is you want to accomplish in this world "You have to be Hungry!" as Mr. Brown likes to say.
A Return to Love - By Marianne Williamson
The world seems to be a dichotomy of fear and love. If you turn on any TV today it seems that fear is currently winning the war. Ms. Williamson's goal seems to be to turn the tables on fear, in favor of love. In this book the author mainly talks about her experiences with a book/self-study course called A Course In Miracles which apparently talks in a very different way about both Christ and the ego.
My opinion:
If you've listened to any of my podcasts you will have likely noticed that I close each podcast with a quote from Marianne Williamson. The quote I close with is in this book (pg 190-191 of the paperback) so you can guess where my opinion lies. I learned a lot about Williamson's (and the course's) opinion of what the purpose of the ego is. This book is very spiritual but, towards the end becomes a little too focused on the metaphysical.
Key Point:
The ego is an illusion and ultimately the only true enemy.
First, I must say I'm a little bit biased since Les Brown is by far my favorite motivational speaker. In Live Your Dreams Mr. Brown talks about the challenges he faced - especially as a child and adolescent - and how he conquered those challenges and became the great public speaker he is today.
My Opinion:
I absolutely love the book. Mr. Brown tells his personal story and while relating his own tale of personal triumph he teaches us how to take on the challenge that is life as well. The only minor criticism I have is that he takes a small dig at his own twin brother toward the end while trying to make a comparison. He could have easily found another example or left the comparison out altogether.
Key Point:
The key point of this book, in my opinion, is that in order to be successful in whatever it is you want to accomplish in this world "You have to be Hungry!" as Mr. Brown likes to say.
A Return to Love - By Marianne Williamson
The world seems to be a dichotomy of fear and love. If you turn on any TV today it seems that fear is currently winning the war. Ms. Williamson's goal seems to be to turn the tables on fear, in favor of love. In this book the author mainly talks about her experiences with a book/self-study course called A Course In Miracles which apparently talks in a very different way about both Christ and the ego.
My opinion:
If you've listened to any of my podcasts you will have likely noticed that I close each podcast with a quote from Marianne Williamson. The quote I close with is in this book (pg 190-191 of the paperback) so you can guess where my opinion lies. I learned a lot about Williamson's (and the course's) opinion of what the purpose of the ego is. This book is very spiritual but, towards the end becomes a little too focused on the metaphysical.
Key Point:
The ego is an illusion and ultimately the only true enemy.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Books I've read in April (2011)
Ulysses by James Joyce
This is apparently one of the first and one of the best in the 'stream of consciousness' genre of novels.
My Opinion:
I couldn't finish it. To be quite honest, I couldn't even make it to the 100th page. The book was somewhat confusing to me due to the fact that the majority of the story is dialogue but there are no quotation marks anywhere (at least in the version I was reading) within the text. This was my second time trying. I'll plan to wait until I have ample free time (say a month) before I try a third time.
The Tipping Point - By Malcolm Gladwell
In The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell's first book, he talks about how certain things - diseases, poverty, crime, fads-of-fashion & even the American Revolution in a sense - can spread dramatically through the nurturing or neglect of three types of people. The book also goes in depth looking at what can be done to help spread these things and what can be done to prevent their spread as well.
My opinion:
I've read three out of his four books thus far and I would have to say this one and his more recent book Outliers are a toss-up when it comes to which is more entertaining and informative. I haven't yet read What the Dog Saw. Mr. Gladwell has a way of crafting what would normally seem to be boring and dry statistical & historical analysis - into colorful and informative stories that keep the reader engaged and entertained.One of the most interesting concepts I picked up while reading the book was the "broken window rule"; the idea that if people don't care to repair broken windows in a neighborhood, people likely don't care about more nefarious aspects of the neighborhood as well such as violence, drugs, grafitti...etc.
Personal Development for Smart People - By Steve Pavlina
In this book, internet personal development star Steve Pavlina explains his seven principles of personal development then goes on to give examples on how his principles can be applied in everyday life. Specifically, he talks about mastering the concepts of Truth, Love & Power in his own life and how others can apply these same principles.
My opinion:
This book is good yet different. Pavlina talks about many different things in this book including how he got into video-game programming, how he met and learned from his wife and why he switched from video-game programming to the personal development/self-help arena. A lot of his advice is helpful but, it definitely has a new age 'bend' to it so if you find yourself a more conservative reader beware.
This is apparently one of the first and one of the best in the 'stream of consciousness' genre of novels.
My Opinion:
I couldn't finish it. To be quite honest, I couldn't even make it to the 100th page. The book was somewhat confusing to me due to the fact that the majority of the story is dialogue but there are no quotation marks anywhere (at least in the version I was reading) within the text. This was my second time trying. I'll plan to wait until I have ample free time (say a month) before I try a third time.
The Tipping Point - By Malcolm Gladwell
In The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell's first book, he talks about how certain things - diseases, poverty, crime, fads-of-fashion & even the American Revolution in a sense - can spread dramatically through the nurturing or neglect of three types of people. The book also goes in depth looking at what can be done to help spread these things and what can be done to prevent their spread as well.
My opinion:
I've read three out of his four books thus far and I would have to say this one and his more recent book Outliers are a toss-up when it comes to which is more entertaining and informative. I haven't yet read What the Dog Saw. Mr. Gladwell has a way of crafting what would normally seem to be boring and dry statistical & historical analysis - into colorful and informative stories that keep the reader engaged and entertained.One of the most interesting concepts I picked up while reading the book was the "broken window rule"; the idea that if people don't care to repair broken windows in a neighborhood, people likely don't care about more nefarious aspects of the neighborhood as well such as violence, drugs, grafitti...etc.
Personal Development for Smart People - By Steve Pavlina
In this book, internet personal development star Steve Pavlina explains his seven principles of personal development then goes on to give examples on how his principles can be applied in everyday life. Specifically, he talks about mastering the concepts of Truth, Love & Power in his own life and how others can apply these same principles.
My opinion:
This book is good yet different. Pavlina talks about many different things in this book including how he got into video-game programming, how he met and learned from his wife and why he switched from video-game programming to the personal development/self-help arena. A lot of his advice is helpful but, it definitely has a new age 'bend' to it so if you find yourself a more conservative reader beware.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Books I've read in March (2011)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
- By Stieg Larsson
In the conclusion of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo / Millennium trilogy- Lisbeth Salander is literally in the fight for her life after being mortally wounded with an assailants' bullet in her skull. When she awakes in the hospital she soon realizes her would be assailant, a family member, is in the same hospital only a few doors down. As she plots for a way to escape from the hospital and the authorities, a super secret section of the Sapo (Sweden's equivalent of FBI/CIA) is plotting as well...only they have a plot to put Salander's story to an end for good.
My opinion:
A great rebound and improvement from the 2nd book in the series. I'll be honest, at first it was a struggle to read this book. The first 100 pages seemed to me predictable and formulaic and I basically thought I could predict the remaining outcome of the book. HOWEVER around page 110 - 120 Mr. Larsson throws a curve-ball into the plot that peaks your interest and holds it until the books' conclusion. Mikael Blomkvist comes to the rescue as Mr. Larsson explores a corrupt government agency in their attempt to suppress a decades-old crime.
On a side note, I finally decided to read a little bit more about the author. I was surprised that he basically lived the role of Mikael Blomkvist in real life. He helped found a magazine called Expo in Sweden very similar to Blomkvist's Millennium - which is focused on exposing crimes of racists, fascists and the far-right. He passed away on November 9, 2004. Herr Larsson you will be missed.
SuperRich - By Russell Simmons
Don't let the title fool you. SuperRich is not a 5-step guide to becoming "rich" in the material sense. It's much more an effort by Russell to expose those who might be grasping for material wealth an unexpected guide to spiritual wealth. Mr. Simmons talks a little bit about helping start Def Jam records and also doing a lot of the heavy-lifting in making a once extremely niche music genre "rap" - aka - "hip hop"...popular to the mainstream. But the vast majority of the book talks about yoga, meditation and one of India's holiest books the Bhagavad Gita.
My opinion:
I liked the book overall. However, it would have been nice if Mr. Russell gave a little more insight to his business success since that is likely what lured many to purchase the book. That being said, as someone who meditates daily myself, I found the book helpful in instruction on how to improve the quality of a mediation practice. The biggest takeaway I got was focus on the journey not the destination. His own personal 'translation' of parts of the Bhagavad Gita helped me understand that book a little bit better as I've read the book before but have been confused by some parts.
Escape from Cubicle Nation - By Pamela Slim
In this book, Ms. Slim a professional coach - goes over step-by-step on the instructions as to how to achieve freedom from the shackles of the corporate world and navigate through the exciting and sometimes scary, world of entrepreneurship. She explains how she started her blog of the same name after being asked by several corporate employees "how did you do it" when they saw she was running her coaching business by herself. She also explains how to find opportunities, how to plan out your business and also how to convince friends and family that you aren't just blowing all your savings on an expensive hobby.
My opinion:
By far the best book I've read so far this month for an entrepreneur. In the contention for best book so far this year but, that will be decided come December. Ms. Slim covers every aspect of moving from a stable 9-5 job to a unstable yet exciting job where you make your own hours and are your own boss. The book is chock-full of examples from fellow entrepreneurs and bloggers who also made the jump and had good and sometimes bad experiences doing so. If you are really serious about quitting the corporate world, buy this book.
Blink - By Malcolm Gladwell
Mr. Gladwell explores in detail the nuances of first impressions and the split-second decisions we make based on those first impressions. This his second book which was followed by Outliers - which focused on how those we consider excellent become excellent - this book focuses on how snap judgments can oftentimes be absolutely correct judgments. It also delves into how sometimes snap judgments can be horribly wrong and even at times deadly.
My opinion:
After reading Mr. Gladwell's third book Outliers and being extremely impressed, Blink only goes on to solidify Mr. Gladwell's reputation for excellent research woven into intriguing storytelling. If you ever wondered if your "hunch" about someone was right...Gladwell shows proof that often times it is in fact correct. I enjoyed this book for the most part but at times the truth that Gladwell exposes raises concern; especially to someone whom, like Gladwell, shares ancestors from the African continent and thus is exposed to many snap judgments that are not helpful to the one being judged simply because of the color of one's skin. That being said, the book gives the reader many reasons to "trust their gut" while also giving situations when it might be a better idea to second-guess said "gut".
- By Stieg LarssonIn the conclusion of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo / Millennium trilogy- Lisbeth Salander is literally in the fight for her life after being mortally wounded with an assailants' bullet in her skull. When she awakes in the hospital she soon realizes her would be assailant, a family member, is in the same hospital only a few doors down. As she plots for a way to escape from the hospital and the authorities, a super secret section of the Sapo (Sweden's equivalent of FBI/CIA) is plotting as well...only they have a plot to put Salander's story to an end for good.
My opinion:
A great rebound and improvement from the 2nd book in the series. I'll be honest, at first it was a struggle to read this book. The first 100 pages seemed to me predictable and formulaic and I basically thought I could predict the remaining outcome of the book. HOWEVER around page 110 - 120 Mr. Larsson throws a curve-ball into the plot that peaks your interest and holds it until the books' conclusion. Mikael Blomkvist comes to the rescue as Mr. Larsson explores a corrupt government agency in their attempt to suppress a decades-old crime.
On a side note, I finally decided to read a little bit more about the author. I was surprised that he basically lived the role of Mikael Blomkvist in real life. He helped found a magazine called Expo in Sweden very similar to Blomkvist's Millennium - which is focused on exposing crimes of racists, fascists and the far-right. He passed away on November 9, 2004. Herr Larsson you will be missed.
SuperRich - By Russell Simmons
Don't let the title fool you. SuperRich is not a 5-step guide to becoming "rich" in the material sense. It's much more an effort by Russell to expose those who might be grasping for material wealth an unexpected guide to spiritual wealth. Mr. Simmons talks a little bit about helping start Def Jam records and also doing a lot of the heavy-lifting in making a once extremely niche music genre "rap" - aka - "hip hop"...popular to the mainstream. But the vast majority of the book talks about yoga, meditation and one of India's holiest books the Bhagavad Gita.
My opinion:
I liked the book overall. However, it would have been nice if Mr. Russell gave a little more insight to his business success since that is likely what lured many to purchase the book. That being said, as someone who meditates daily myself, I found the book helpful in instruction on how to improve the quality of a mediation practice. The biggest takeaway I got was focus on the journey not the destination. His own personal 'translation' of parts of the Bhagavad Gita helped me understand that book a little bit better as I've read the book before but have been confused by some parts.
Escape from Cubicle Nation - By Pamela Slim
In this book, Ms. Slim a professional coach - goes over step-by-step on the instructions as to how to achieve freedom from the shackles of the corporate world and navigate through the exciting and sometimes scary, world of entrepreneurship. She explains how she started her blog of the same name after being asked by several corporate employees "how did you do it" when they saw she was running her coaching business by herself. She also explains how to find opportunities, how to plan out your business and also how to convince friends and family that you aren't just blowing all your savings on an expensive hobby.
My opinion:
By far the best book I've read so far this month for an entrepreneur. In the contention for best book so far this year but, that will be decided come December. Ms. Slim covers every aspect of moving from a stable 9-5 job to a unstable yet exciting job where you make your own hours and are your own boss. The book is chock-full of examples from fellow entrepreneurs and bloggers who also made the jump and had good and sometimes bad experiences doing so. If you are really serious about quitting the corporate world, buy this book.
Blink - By Malcolm Gladwell
Mr. Gladwell explores in detail the nuances of first impressions and the split-second decisions we make based on those first impressions. This his second book which was followed by Outliers - which focused on how those we consider excellent become excellent - this book focuses on how snap judgments can oftentimes be absolutely correct judgments. It also delves into how sometimes snap judgments can be horribly wrong and even at times deadly.
My opinion:
After reading Mr. Gladwell's third book Outliers and being extremely impressed, Blink only goes on to solidify Mr. Gladwell's reputation for excellent research woven into intriguing storytelling. If you ever wondered if your "hunch" about someone was right...Gladwell shows proof that often times it is in fact correct. I enjoyed this book for the most part but at times the truth that Gladwell exposes raises concern; especially to someone whom, like Gladwell, shares ancestors from the African continent and thus is exposed to many snap judgments that are not helpful to the one being judged simply because of the color of one's skin. That being said, the book gives the reader many reasons to "trust their gut" while also giving situations when it might be a better idea to second-guess said "gut".
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