Joseph's bookshelf: all en-US Sun, 23 Jun 2024 13:24:15 -0700 60 Joseph's bookshelf: all 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg <![CDATA[The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3)]]> 6876273 This an alternate cover for 9780385533133

What was lost will be found...

Washington DC: Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned at the last minute to deliver an evening lecture in the Capitol Building. Within moments of his arrival, however, a disturbing object - gruesomely encoded with five symbols - is discovered at the epicentre of the Rotunda. It is, he recognises, an ancient invitation, meant to beckon its recipient towards a long-lost world of hidden esoteric wisdom.

When Langdon's revered mentor, Peter Solomon - philanthropist and prominent mason - is brutally kidnapped, Langdon realizes that his only hope of saving his friend's life is to accept this mysterious summons and follow wherever it leads him.

Langdon finds himself quickly swept behind the facade of America's most historic city into the unseen chambers, temples and tunnels which exist there. All that was familiar is transformed into a shadowy, clandestine world of an artfully concealed past in which Masonic secrets and never-before-seen revelations seem to be leading him to a single impossible and inconceivable truth.

A brilliantly composed tapestry of veiled histories, arcane icons and enigmatic codes, The Lost Symbol is an intelligent, lightning-paced thriller that offers surprises at every turn. For, as Robert Langdon will discover, there is nothing more extraordinary or shocking than the secret which hides in plain sight...]]> 559 Dan Brown Joseph 3 3.35 2009 The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3)
author: Dan Brown
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.35
book published: 2009
rating: 3
read at: 2010/05/08
date added: 2024/06/23
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Disappointed at this repackaged version of the first book (it feels like I have read this book before,) disappointed with the improbable success the bad guys seem to have with planning for random events. The writing is gripping. It would undoubtedly be a great read for someone who is not already familiar with Dan Brown's other books.
]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)]]> 49116
Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts...he's at Hogwarts."

Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.

(front flap)]]> 435 J.K. Rowling Joseph 5 4.57 1999 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.57
book published: 1999
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2020/04/25
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]]> <![CDATA[History of the Conquest of Mexico/History of the Conquest of Peru]]> 149730 1324 William Hickling Prescott 0815410042 Joseph 4 3.96 History of the Conquest of Mexico/History of the Conquest of Peru
author: William Hickling Prescott
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.96
book published:
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2020/02/01
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]]> Crooked House 16315
The Leonides are one big happy family living in a sprawling, ramshackle mansion. That is until the head of the household, Aristide, is murdered with a fatal barbiturate injection.

Suspicion naturally falls on the old man’s young widow, fifty years his junior. But the murderer has reckoned without the tenacity of Charles Hayward, fiancé of the late millionaire’s granddaughter.]]> 276 Agatha Christie 031298166X Joseph 4 4.07 1949 Crooked House
author: Agatha Christie
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.07
book published: 1949
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2018/05/20
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]]> <![CDATA[Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10]]> 711901

This is the story of fire team leader Marcus Luttrell, the sole survivor of Operation Redwing, and the desperate battle in the mountains that led, ultimately, to the largest loss of life in Navy SEAL history. But it is also, more than anything, the story of his teammates, who fought ferociously beside him until he was the last one left-blasted unconscious by a rocket grenade, blown over a cliff, but still armed and still breathing. Over the next four days, badly injured and presumed dead, Luttrell fought off six al Qaeda assassins who were sent to finish him, then crawled for seven miles through the mountains before he was taken in by a Pashtun tribe, who risked everything to protect him from the encircling Taliban killers.


A six-foot-five-inch Texan, Leading Petty Officer Luttrell takes us, blow-by-blow, through the brutal training of America's warrior elite and the relentless rites of passage required by the Navy SEALs. He transports us to a monstrous battle fought in the desolate peaks of Afghanistan, where the beleaguered American team plummeted headlong a thousand feet down a mountain as they fought back through flying shale and rocks. In this rich , moving chronicle of courage, honor, and patriotism, Marcus Luttrell delivers one of the most powerful narratives ever written about modern warfare-and a tribute to his teammates, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.]]> 390 Marcus Luttrell 0316067598 Joseph 5 4.32 2006 Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10
author: Marcus Luttrell
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2009/11/26
date added: 2018/05/13
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Gripping....I read it in a single setting and didn't quit till it was finished at 4:30am. I was initially disappointed in Marcus' extremely critical right-wing derision of "the media"...until I learned the cause of it....then I decided he had earned the right to feel that way and perhaps even to complain about it a bit. What an amazing story and it surely provides a glimpse into some of the real difficulties of Afghanistan and why that country has a habit of repelling "invaders" regardless of military might.
]]> <![CDATA[The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials)]]> 48019 208 Peter F. Drucker 0060833459 Joseph 5 4.07 1966 The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials)
author: Peter F. Drucker
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.07
book published: 1966
rating: 5
read at: 2018/05/01
date added: 2018/05/13
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Great stuff in this book. All the points are pure gold, but I do have to say, wading through it all can be a bit tough...especially for someone who may be looking to learn leadership, but is not currently able to implement the practices day by day as they read systematically through the book.
]]> <![CDATA[Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win]]> 23848190 320 Jocko Willink 1250067057 Joseph 5 I borrowed the book from the library, but bought three copies to give to my employees.]]> 4.23 2015 Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
author: Jocko Willink
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2018/05/01
date added: 2018/05/13
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Prior to reading this book, I pretty much knew most (if not all) of the contents (after listening to 100s of hours of Jocko on his podcast) but I still loved this book. To me, the concepts Jocko describes are the most concise and basic (and most difficult to master) principles of leadership. I loved the three-part style (real life story, leadership concept, business applicability) that breaks the monotony that is sometimes found in other books on leadership.
I borrowed the book from the library, but bought three copies to give to my employees.
]]> The Glass Castle 7445 THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. When sober, Jeannette's brilliant and charismatic father captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and how to embrace life fearlessly. But when he drank, he was dishonest and destructive. Her mother was a free spirit who abhorred the idea of domesticity and didn't want the responsibility of raising a family.

The Walls children learned to take care of themselves. They fed, clothed, and protected one another, and eventually found their way to New York. Their parents followed them, choosing to be homeless even as their children prospered.

The Glass Castle is truly astonishing--a memoir permeated by the intense love of a peculiar but loyal family.]]> 288 Jeannette Walls 074324754X Joseph 5 ]]> 4.32 2005 The Glass Castle
author: Jeannette Walls
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at: 2018/05/11
date added: 2018/05/13
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Like an impending train wreck...you can't look away. You have a feeling it is going to be messy, but hope somehow the wreck can be avoided. Beyond the inexplicable appeal of looking at a horrific crash as you drive past it on the freeway, this story is a testament to the adaptability of humanity - apparently we can make it through just about anything. Kudos to the author for rising above terrible circumstances, and for sharing them. I felt like the writing style allowed me to move beyond simply peering through the window into the author's life. The author's empathy for an incredible string of inexcusable behaviors and deep honesty teaches a PhD course in what it is to live this human life.

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)]]> 49130
And in his case, different can be deadly.
--jacket flap]]> 734 J.K. Rowling Joseph 5 4.57 2000 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.57
book published: 2000
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2016/01/06
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]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6)]]> 1 652 J.K. Rowling Joseph 5 4.57 2005 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.57
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2014/04/28
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]]> <![CDATA[Flyboys: A True Story of Courage]]> 202146 The Conquerors, The classic New York Times bestselling story of heroism and sacrifice by the author of Flags of Our Fathers, The Imperial Cruise and The China Mirage This acclaimed bestseller brilliantly illuminates a hidden piece of World War II history as it tells the harrowing true story of nine American airmen shot down in the Pacific. One of them George H.W. Bush was miraculously rescued. What happened to the other eight remained a secret for almost 60 years. After the war the American and Japanese governments conspired to cover up the shocking truth and not even the families of the airmen were informed of what happened to their sons. Their fate remained a mystery until now. FLYBOYS is a tale of courage and daring of war and death of men and hope It will make you proud and it will break your heart]]> 464 James D. Bradley 0316159433 Joseph 5 If you've never wondered how horrific tragedies are perpetrated on mankind, you are like probably 95% of the rest of the civilized world, and you should probably read this book. This is a bit of history that should never be repeated, and therefore, should certainly be remembered.
The content was gripping and although the writing style (or perhaps the meticulously researched nature of the information?) reminded me of a PBS special, I couldn't set the book down. ]]> 4.18 2003 Flyboys: A True Story of Courage
author: James D. Bradley
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at: 2008/10/25
date added: 2014/01/07
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This book literally changed my view of the world. I was amazed, shocked, disgusted, astounded and inspired. This is one of those books that gives you a different perspective on history than the one you receive in school and it turned my perception of the world on its head (in a good way.)
If you've never wondered how horrific tragedies are perpetrated on mankind, you are like probably 95% of the rest of the civilized world, and you should probably read this book. This is a bit of history that should never be repeated, and therefore, should certainly be remembered.
The content was gripping and although the writing style (or perhaps the meticulously researched nature of the information?) reminded me of a PBS special, I couldn't set the book down.
]]> <![CDATA[The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas]]> 6011665 “Powerful and unsettling. . . . As memorable an introduction to the subject as The Diary of Anne Frank.� —USA Today

Berlin, 1942: When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move to a new house far, far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people in the distance.

But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different from his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences.]]> 226 John Boyne Joseph 3 4.27 2006 The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
author: John Boyne
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 2011/06/10
date added: 2013/07/31
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]]> Evertaster (Evertaster, #1) 13633002

"Wonderfully talented writing; funny." -- Orson Scott Card, NYT Bestselling Author of Ender's Game .

" Sidwell is a talented comedian, and that is certainly reflected in his writing. The characters are quirky and likable." - Deseret News

"One of the most original, well-crafted and imaginative MG stories I've come across in a long time. " - WordSpelunking Book Review

When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother's casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know -- a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.

Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the Guster is an Evertaster -- a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster's heels and the chefs' reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it's too late.]]> 304 Adam Glendon Sidwell 0615654495 Joseph 4 3.96 2012 Evertaster (Evertaster, #1)
author: Adam Glendon Sidwell
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2012/11/10
date added: 2012/11/10
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This is a well-written book with a fun story line. I read the whole book in one sitting.
]]> <![CDATA[The New Cool: A Visionary Teacher, His FIRST Robotics Team, and the Ultimate Battle of Smarts]]> 9581480 Ěý
But for their mentor, Amir Abo-Shaeer, much more hung in the balance.
Ěý
The fact was, Amir had in mind a different vision for education, one based not on rote learning -- on absorbing facts and figures -- but on active creation .Ěý In his mind’s eye, he saw an even more robust academy within Dos Pueblos that would make science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) cool again, and he knew he was poised on the edge of making that dream a reality.Ěý All he needed to get the necessary funding was one flashy win â€� a triumph that would firmly put his Engineering Academy at Dos Pueblos on the map.Ěý He imagined that one day there would be a nation filled with such academies, and a new popular veneration for STEM â€� a “new coolâ€� â€� that would return America to its former innovative glory.
Ěý
It was a dream shared by Dean Kamen, a modern-day inventing wizard â€� often-called “the Edison of his timeâ€� â€� who’d concocted the very same FIRST Robotics Competition that had lured the kids at Dos Pueblos.Ěý Kamen had created FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) nearly twenty years prior.Ěý And now, with a participant alumni base approaching a million strong, he felt that awareness was about to hit critical mass.Ěý
Ěý
But before the Dos Pueblos D’Penguineers could do their part in bringing a new cool to America, they’d have to vanquish an intimidating lineup of “super-teams”â€� high-school technology goliaths that hailed from engineering hot spots such as Silicon Valley, Massachusettsâ€� Route 128 technology corridor, and Michigan’s auto-design belt.Ěý Some of these teams were so good that winning wasn’t just hoped for every year, it was expected.
Ěý
In The New Cool, Neal Bascomb manages to make even those who know little about â€� or are vaguely suspicious of â€� technology care passionately about a team of kids questing after a different kind of glory.Ěý In these kidsâ€� heartaches and headaches â€� and yes, high-five triumphs -- we glimpse the path not just to a new way of educating our youth but of honoring the crucial skills a society needs to prosper.Ěý A new cool.]]> 337 Neal Bascomb 0307588890 Joseph 4 4.01 2010 The New Cool: A Visionary Teacher, His FIRST Robotics Team, and the Ultimate Battle of Smarts
author: Neal Bascomb
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2010
rating: 4
read at: 2012/09/19
date added: 2012/09/19
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Gripping writing and a great story. Inspired me to buy a bunch of DIY robot kits for my kids today. Hurrah for Science, Technology, Engineering and....Math (STEM) in America!
]]> <![CDATA[Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust]]> 408615
Incredibly, Immaculee survived the slaughter. For 91 days, she and seven other women huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor while hundreds of machete-wielding killers hunted for them.Ěý

It was during those endless hours of unspeakable terror that Immaculee discovered the power of prayer, eventually shedding her fear of death and forging a profound and lasting relationship with God. She emerged from her bathroom hideout having discovered the meaning of truly unconditional love—a love so strong she was able seek out and forgive her family’s killers.

The triumphant story of this remarkable young woman’s journey through the darkness of genocide will inspire anyone whose life has been touched by fear, suffering, and loss.]]> 214 Immaculée Ilibagiza 1401908977 Joseph 4 4.42 2006 Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust
author: Immaculée Ilibagiza
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.42
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 2012/09/16
date added: 2012/09/19
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If ever there was a perfect description of why every American should own and know how to operate (at least a couple) guns, this is it.
]]> <![CDATA[The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)]]> 2767052
Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun. . . .

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.]]> 374 Suzanne Collins 0439023483 Joseph 3 4.34 2008 The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)
author: Suzanne Collins
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 2012/08/27
date added: 2012/09/06
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Watched the movie before reading book - big mistake.
]]> <![CDATA[Epic: Stories of Survival from the World's Highest Peaks]]> 860696 320 Clint Willis 1560251549 Joseph 0 to-read 3.71 1997 Epic: Stories of Survival from the World's Highest Peaks
author: Clint Willis
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.71
book published: 1997
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2012/03/19
shelves: to-read
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]]> Treasure Island 295 Treasure Island has never been surpassed. From the moment young Jim Hawkins first encounters the sinister Blind Pew at the Admiral Benbow Inn until the climactic battle for treasure on a tropic isle, the novel creates scenes and characters that have fired the imaginations of generations of readers. Written by a superb prose stylist, a master of both action and atmosphere, the story centers upon the conflict between good and evil - but in this case a particularly engaging form of evil. It is the villainy of that most ambiguous rogue Long John Silver that sets the tempo of this tale of treachery, greed, and daring. Designed to forever kindle a dream of high romance and distant horizons, Treasure Island is, in the words of G. K. Chesterton, 'the realization of an ideal, that which is promised in its provocative and beckoning map; a vision not only of white skeletons but also green palm trees and sapphire seas.' G. S. Fraser terms it 'an utterly original book' and goes on to write: 'There will always be a place for stories like Treasure Island that can keep boys and old men happy.']]> 352 Robert Louis Stevenson 0753453800 Joseph 5 Good times 3.84 1882 Treasure Island
author: Robert Louis Stevenson
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.84
book published: 1882
rating: 5
read at: 2012/01/08
date added: 2012/01/08
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Good times
]]> The Living 213347
Here, too, is the intimate, murderous tale of three men. Clare Fishburn believes that greatness lies in store for him. John Ireland Sharp, an educated orphan, abandons hope when he sees socialists expel the Chinese workers from the region. Beal Obenchain, who lives in a cedar stump, threatens Clare Fishburn's life.

A killer lashes a Chinese worker to a wharf piling at low tide. Settlers pour in to catch the boom the railroads bring. People give birth, drown, burn, inherit rich legacies, and commit expensive larcenies. All this takes place a hundred years ago, when these vital, ruddy men and women were ''the living.'']]> 416 Annie Dillard 006092411X Joseph 3
Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, this novel was a fun trip down memory lane. The author is a master at creating vivid imagery through metaphorical allusion, but the seemingly haphazard drifting between characters was tough for me to love.]]> 3.86 1992 The Living
author: Annie Dillard
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.86
book published: 1992
rating: 3
read at: 2011/12/20
date added: 2011/12/20
shelves:
review:
Meh...

Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, this novel was a fun trip down memory lane. The author is a master at creating vivid imagery through metaphorical allusion, but the seemingly haphazard drifting between characters was tough for me to love.
]]> The Trusted Advisor 873993
In today's fast-paced networked economy, professionals must work harder than ever to maintain and improve their business skills and knowledge. But technical mastery of one's discipline is not enough, assert world-renowned professional advisors David H. Maister, Charles H. Green, and Robert M. Galford. The key to professional success, they argue, is the ability to earn the trust and confidence of clients. To demonstrate the paramount importance of trust, the authors use anecdotes, experiences, and examples -- successes and mistakes, their own and others' -- to great effect. The result is an immensely readable book that will be welcomed by the inexperienced advisor and the most seasoned expert alike.]]> 256 David H. Maister Joseph 5 I really enjoyed the content and appreciated that the author provided all his "lists" of important points as actual lists - saves me the trouble of writing a book review for myself so I can remember what the book was about. I'm looking forward to becoming someone's trusted advisor.]]> 3.77 The Trusted Advisor
author: David H. Maister
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.77
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2011/09/10
date added: 2011/10/07
shelves:
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This book was the "textbook" for my consulting elective class at RSM. The idea is that the best way to interact with someone else who you are trying to help is to utilize the principles in the book. For my part, I'd say the principles in the book can/should be applied to nearly every relationship.
I really enjoyed the content and appreciated that the author provided all his "lists" of important points as actual lists - saves me the trouble of writing a book review for myself so I can remember what the book was about. I'm looking forward to becoming someone's trusted advisor.
]]> The Seeing Stone 1128670 338 Kevin Crossley-Holland 0752844296 Joseph 2 3.67 2000 The Seeing Stone
author: Kevin Crossley-Holland
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2000
rating: 2
read at: 2011/08/08
date added: 2011/08/20
shelves:
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]]> <![CDATA[Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In]]> 313605 200 Roger Fisher 0140157352 Joseph 5 3.95 1981 Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
author: Roger Fisher
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.95
book published: 1981
rating: 5
read at: 2011/08/05
date added: 2011/08/19
shelves:
review:
A great book on negotiation that we all should read. I really liked the way the author expands the field of "negotiation" to include negotiation between husband and wife, Israel and Palestine, etc. Very useful.
]]> <![CDATA[Out of Our Minds: Learning to Be Creative]]> 77503
'If ever there was a time when creativity was necessary for the survival and growth of any organization, it is now. This book, more than any other I know, provides important insights on how leaders can evoke and sustain those creative juices.' WARREN BENNIS]]> 288 Ken Robinson 1841121258 Joseph 1
The true value in the reading was the potential for cross-functional enhancement of my own creativity as I went “behind enemy lines� to see what is going on in the field of creativity. I’ve peaked into the mind of a jealous, brooding, disenfranchised and yet wannabe academic...I didn't like what I saw.
]]> 3.93 2001 Out of Our Minds: Learning to Be Creative
author: Ken Robinson
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2001
rating: 1
read at: 2011/08/19
date added: 2011/08/19
shelves:
review:
The author drowns a poor argument with lengthy proliferation of superficially-related examples. The final payoff of some implementable solutions seems hardly worth the suffering required to get to them.

The true value in the reading was the potential for cross-functional enhancement of my own creativity as I went “behind enemy lines� to see what is going on in the field of creativity. I’ve peaked into the mind of a jealous, brooding, disenfranchised and yet wannabe academic...I didn't like what I saw.

]]> <![CDATA[Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used]]> 685404
For over fifteen years, consultants--both internal and external--have relied on Peter Block's landmark bestseller, Flawless Consulting, to learn how to deal effectively with clients, peers, and others. Using illustrative examples, case studies, and exercises, the author, one of the most important and well known in his field, offers his legendary warmth and insight throughout this much-awaited second edition. Anyone who must communicate in a professional context--and who doesn't?--will use the lessons taught in this book for years to come!

"Who would have thought the 'consultant's bible' could be improved upon? Count on Peter Block--the consulting profession's very own revolutionary--to push us to confront and struggle with the paradoxes inherent in our work."
--Candace Thompson, organization development consultant, First Chicago NBD--A Bank One Company

"Block has distilled years of experience into a wise, down-to-earth, and eminently practical guide to excellence in consulting. If you are new to the practice, Flawless Consulting will chop years off your learning cycle. And even if you're an old pro, Block's insights will elevate you to new levels of effectiveness. Flawless Consulting is not simply about becoming a better consultant; it is about using consulting as a path toward becoming a better person."
--Barry Oshry, president, Power & Systems, Inc.; author of Seeing Systems and Leading Systems]]> 371 Peter Block 0787948039 Joseph 4 3.89 1987 Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used
author: Peter Block
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.89
book published: 1987
rating: 4
read at: 2011/06/24
date added: 2011/06/24
shelves:
review:
I just finished reading the 1982 version and as a non-consultant, I really liked the way this book lays out the logic for approaching just about any situation. The emphasis is on the process for communication and how to use that communication to achieve the results you are looking for. These are skills that serve anyone in just about any situation. I found the concepts practical, engaging and useful.
]]> What Is Marketing? 941868 224 Harvard Business Review 1422104605 Joseph 4 3.30 2006 What Is Marketing?
author: Harvard Business Review
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.30
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 2011/03/01
date added: 2011/06/24
shelves:
review:
Admittedly, this is the first book on marketing I have read in recent memory. However, as a non-marketer, I really appreciated the methodical progression through marketing logic. In fact, I almost view this book as a "how to" book for marketing. A framework based on the chapters in this book is like a blueprint for how to market your....whatever.
]]> The Capture 774338 226 Kathryn Lasky 0545010349 Joseph 2 I thought the book was a bit lame. The subject matter was super juvenile, but the way it was written is not as clear as it should be for a juvenile mind. So many character names, so many new words, so hard to follow what is going on - it just doesn't seem like a kid book even though I can't imagine anyone other than a kid reading it. So where does that leave the book? (Answer: in the 2-star range)]]> 3.76 2003 The Capture
author: Kathryn Lasky
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2003
rating: 2
read at: 2010/10/11
date added: 2010/10/11
shelves:
review:
My son is reading this in preparation for watching the movie so I grabbed it and read it. Before I say anything about the book, I have to add the disclaimer that I am obviously not the target market for this book, so anything I write has to be viewed through that lens.
I thought the book was a bit lame. The subject matter was super juvenile, but the way it was written is not as clear as it should be for a juvenile mind. So many character names, so many new words, so hard to follow what is going on - it just doesn't seem like a kid book even though I can't imagine anyone other than a kid reading it. So where does that leave the book? (Answer: in the 2-star range)
]]> War of the Rats (WWII, #1) 42615
German soldiers call the battle Rattenkrieg, War of the Rats . The combat is horrific, as soldiers die in the smoking cellars and trenches of a ruined city. Through this twisted carnage stalk two men—one Russian, one German—each the top sniper in his respective army. These two marksmen are equally matched in both skill and tenacity. Each man has his own to find his counterpart—and kill him.

But an American woman trapped in Russia complicates this extraordinary duel. Joining the Russian sniper's cadre, she soon becomes one of his most talented assassins—and perhaps his greatest weakness. Based on a true story, this is the harrowing tale of two adversaries enmeshed in their own private war—and whose fortunes will help decide the fate of the world.]]> 470 David L. Robbins 055358135X Joseph 3 4.12 1999 War of the Rats (WWII, #1)
author: David L. Robbins
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.12
book published: 1999
rating: 3
read at: 2010/10/08
date added: 2010/10/11
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An interesting story about an incredibly dark event. This is a fictional novel based on non-fiction events and while I understand Robbins' intentions in adding in the fictional storylines, I can't help but wonder if the book might have been more satisfying without them. The gripping part of the story is the part that actually took place - in contrast, I had to fight back the urge to skipover the "dialogue" and interpersonal relationships that the Robbins invented.
]]> ShĹŤgun (Asian Saga, #1) 402093
Powerful and engrossing, capturing both the rich pageantry and stark realities of life in feudal Japan, ShĹŤgun is a critically acclaimed powerhouse of a book. Heart-stopping, edge-of-your-seat action melds seamlessly with intricate historical detail and raw human emotion. Endlessly compelling, this sweeping saga captivated the world to become not only one of the best-selling novels of all time but also one of the highest-rated television miniseries, as well as inspiring a nationwide surge of interest in the culture of Japan. Shakespearean in both scope and depth, ShĹŤgun is, as the New York Times put it, "...not only something you read--you live it." Provocative, absorbing, and endlessly fascinating, there is only one: ShĹŤgun.]]> 1152 James Clavell Joseph 5 4.38 1975 ShĹŤgun (Asian Saga, #1)
author: James Clavell
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.38
book published: 1975
rating: 5
read at: 2010/10/05
date added: 2010/10/07
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This is the only book I have ever read that I felt like reading again....as soon as I finished the book. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I did enjoy the read though.
]]> The Alchemist 865 197 Paulo Coelho 0061122416 Joseph 3 3.85 1988 The Alchemist
author: Paulo Coelho
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.85
book published: 1988
rating: 3
read at: 2010/09/24
date added: 2010/09/23
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Despite what appears (in summaries of the book) a lackluster storyline, Coehlo's writing style was engaging. I appreciated that the book was not lengthened for the sake of volume and got where it needed to get in a concise manner. The mysticism was a bit much for me but the overall message caused me to look within myself and spend a few moments cherishing some experiences I've been blessed with over the course of my lifetime. For that, I have to thank Mr. Coehlo.
]]> <![CDATA[Texian Iliad: A Military History of the Texas Revolution, 1835-1836 (Texas Classics)]]> 91150 Summerfield G. Roberts Award, Sons of the Republic of Texas
Honorable Mention, Certificate of Commendation, American Association for State and Local History Hardly were the last shots fired at the Alamo before the Texas Revolution entered the realm of myth and controversy. French visitor Frederic Gaillardet called it a "Texian Iliad" in 1839, while American Theodore Sedgwick pronounced the war and its resulting legends "almost burlesque." In this highly readable history, Stephen L. Hardin discovers more than a little truth in both of those views. Drawing on many original Texan and Mexican sources and on-site inspections of almost every battlefield, he offers the first complete military history of the Revolution. From the war's opening in the "Come and Take It" incident at Gonzales to the capture of General Santa Anna at San Jacinto, Hardin clearly describes the strategy and tactics of each side. His research yields new knowledge of the actions of famous Texan and Mexican leaders, as well as fascinating descriptions of battle and camp life from the ordinary soldier's point of view. This award-winning book belongs on the bookshelf of everyone interested in Texas or military history.]]> 344 Stephen L. Hardin 0292731027 Joseph 5 4.21 1994 Texian Iliad: A Military History of the Texas Revolution, 1835-1836 (Texas Classics)
author: Stephen L. Hardin
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.21
book published: 1994
rating: 5
read at: 2010/05/17
date added: 2010/05/18
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This book dashes some "texas/texan" stereotypes to the ground and firmly confirms others. The author did an excellent job of presenting the military history of the events surrounding the Alamo in a highly entertaining, unbiased, and informational manner while adding just enough "color" (from actual accounts of those involved in the incidents) to keep it all rolling.
]]> <![CDATA[The Knack: How Street-Smart Entrepreneurs Learn to Handle Whatever Comes Up]]> 4891811 Two of Inc. magazine's hugely popular columnists show how small-business people can deal with all kinds of tricky situations.

People starting out in business tend to seek step-by-step formulas or specific rules, but in reality there are no magic bullets. Rather, says veteran entrepreneur Norm Brodsky, there's a mentality that helps street-smart people solve problems and pursue opportunities as they arise. He calls it 'the knack,' and it has made all the difference to the eight successful start-ups of his career.

Brodsky explores this mind-set every month in Inc. magazine, in the hugely popular column he co-writes with journalist and author Bo Burlingham (best known for his acclaimed book Small Giants). In both their column and now their book, they tell stories about real companies facing real challenges, and show readers how to apply 'the knack' to their own businesses.

Brodsky and Burlingham offer essential advice such as:

-- Follow the numbers: that's the best way to spot problems before they become life threatening
-- Keep focusing on your real goal--it's amazingly easy to get sidetracked by secondary concerns
-- Don't get so close to the problem that you lose all perspective Brodsky and Burlingham prove that street smarts and business acumen can be within any entrepreneur's reach.]]> 256 Norm Brodsky 1591842212 Joseph 0 to-read 3.87 2008 The Knack: How Street-Smart Entrepreneurs Learn to Handle Whatever Comes Up
author: Norm Brodsky
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2008
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
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]]> <![CDATA[How to Make Millions with Your Ideas: An Entrepreneur's Guide]]> 290803 know could make you rich. Or maybe you currently own a business that pays the bills, and your dream is to become a fabulous millionairre. But how? How to Make Millions with Your Ideas has all the answers.

This book is packed with the true stories and proven advice of ordinary people who began with just an idea, a simple product, or a fledgling business and wound up with millions. It examines the methods and principles of dozens of successful entrepreneurs, including author Dan Kennedy's surefire, easy-to-follow Millionaire Maker Strategies. It helps you determine which of the three paths to success are best for you and guides you step-by-step down that path on your way to fortune. Discover:

The 8 best ways to make a fortune from scratch How to turn a hobby into a million-dollar enterprise How to sell an existing business for millions The power of electronic media to help make you rich The "Million Dollar Rolodex" of contacts and information you can use to get on the road to wealth ]]> 272 Dan S. Kennedy 0452273161 Joseph 0 to-read 3.92 1996 How to Make Millions with Your Ideas: An Entrepreneur's Guide
author: Dan S. Kennedy
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.92
book published: 1996
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
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]]> <![CDATA[Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers into Friends and Friends into Customers (A Gift for Marketers)]]> 685401
Whether it is the TV commercial that breaks into our favorite program, or the telemarketing phone call that disrupts a family dinner, traditional advertising is based on the hope of snatching our attention away from whatever we are doing. Seth Godin calls this Interruption Marketing, and, as companies are discovering, it no longer works.

Instead of annoying potential customers by interrupting their most coveted commodity—time� Permission Marketing offers consumers incentives to accept advertising voluntarily. Now this Internet pioneer introduces a fundamentally different way of thinking about advertising products and services. By reaching out only to those individuals who have signaled an interest in learning more about a product, Permission Marketing enables companies to develop long-term relationships with customers, create trust, build brand awareness -- and greatly improve the chances of making a sale.]]> 256 Seth Godin 0684856360 Joseph 0 to-read 3.92 2014 Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers into Friends and Friends into Customers (A Gift for Marketers)
author: Seth Godin
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2014
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
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]]> <![CDATA[The Ultimate Sales Machine: Turbocharge Your Business with Relentless Focus on 12 Key Strategies]]> 1258489
Too many managers jump at every new trend, but don’t stick with any of them. Instead, says Holmes, focus on twelve critical areas of improvement—one at a time—and practice them over and over with pigheaded discipline.

The Ultimate Sales Machine shows you how to tune up and soup up virtually every part of your business by spending just an hour per week on each impact area you want to improve. Like a tennis player who hits nothing but backhands for a few hours a week to perfect his game, you can systematically improve each key area.

Holmes offers proven strategies for:
� Management: Teach your people how to work smarter, not harder
� Marketing: Get more bang from your Web site, advertising, trade shows, and public relations
� Sales: Perfect every sales interaction by working on sales, not just in sales
The Ultimate Sales Machine will put you and your company on a path to success and help you stay there!]]> 272 Chet Holmes 1591841607 Joseph 0 to-read 3.95 2007 The Ultimate Sales Machine: Turbocharge Your Business with Relentless Focus on 12 Key Strategies
author: Chet Holmes
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2007
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
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]]> <![CDATA[The Unwritten Laws of Business]]> 431625 William Swanson made famous .

Every once in awhile, there is a book with a message so timeless, so universal, that it transcends generations. The Unwritten Laws of Business is such a book. Originally published over 60 years ago as The Unwritten Laws of Engineering , it has sold over 100,000 copies, despite the fact that it has never been available before to general readers. Fully revised for business readers today, here are but a few of the gems you’ll find in this little-known business

If you take care of your present job well, the future will take care of itself.
The individual who says nothing is usually credited with having nothing to say.
Whenever you are performing someone else’s function, you are probably neglecting your own.
Martyrdom only rarely makes heroes, and in the business world, such heroes and martyrs often find themselves unemployed.


Refreshingly free of the latest business fads and jargon, this is a book that is wise and insightful, capturing and distilling the timeless truths and principles that underlie management and business the world over.

The little book with the big history.

In the summer of 2005, Business 2.0 published a cover story on Raytheon CEO William Swanson’s self-published pamphlet, Swanson’s Unwritten Rules of Management . Lauded by such chief executives as Jack Welch and Warren Buffett, the booklet became
a quiet phenomenon.

As it turned out, much of Swanson’s book drew from a classic of business literature that has been in print for more than sixty years. Now, in a new edition revised and updated for business readers today, we are reissuing the 1944 classic that inspired a number of Swanson’s “rules�: The Unwritten Laws of Business. Filled with sage advice and written in a spare, engaging style, The Unwritten Laws of Business offers insights on working with others, reporting to a boss, organizing a project, running a meeting, advancing your career, and more. Here’s just a sprinkling of the old-fashioned, yet surprisingly relevant, wisdom you’ll find in these

If you have no intention of listening to, considering, and perhaps using, someone’s opinion, don’t ask for it.
Count any meeting a failure that does not end up with a definite understanding as to what’s going to be done, who’s going to do it, and when.
The common belief that everyone can do anything if they just try hard enough is a formula for inefficiency at best and for complete failure at worst.
It is natural enough to “look out for Number One first,� but when you do, your associates will be noticeably disinclined to look out for you.

Whether you’re a corporate neophyte or seasoned manager, this charming book reveals everything you need to know about the “unwritten� laws of business.]]> 112 W.J. King 038552126X Joseph 0 to-read 3.99 1944 The Unwritten Laws of Business
author: W.J. King
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.99
book published: 1944
rating: 0
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shelves: to-read
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]]> Lead the Field 825450 It's probably getting better care. Success is not a matter of luck or circumstance. It's not a matter of fate or the breaks you get or who you know.
Success is a matter of sticking to a set of commonsense principles anyone can master. In Lead the Field Earl Nightingale explains these the magic word in life is ATTITUDE. It determines your actions, as well as the actions of others. It tells the world what you expect from it. When you accept responsibility for your attitude, you accept responsibility for your entire life.
Earl Nightingale -- the "Dean of Development" -- offers you a treasure trove of uplifting and insightful information
* The importance of forgiveness
* How "intelligent objectivity" can improve your professional life
* The usefulness of constructive discontent
Now it's your turn to bring positive changes to your own life, changes that will allow you to lead the field yourself!]]> 0 Earl Nightingale 0743520815 Joseph 0 to-read 4.01 1976 Lead the Field
author: Earl Nightingale
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.01
book published: 1976
rating: 0
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shelves: to-read
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]]> <![CDATA[The Simplicity Survival Handbook: 32 Ways To Do Less And Accomplish More]]> 587903 320 William D Jensen 0738209120 Joseph 0 to-read 3.94 2003 The Simplicity Survival Handbook: 32 Ways To Do Less And Accomplish More
author: William D Jensen
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2003
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
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]]> <![CDATA[Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management]]> 2335148
Based on his nine years of experience as a program manager for Internet Explorer, and lead program manager for Windows and MSN, Berkun explains to technical and non-technical readers alike what it takes to get through a large software or web development project. Making Things Happen doesn't cite specific methods, but focuses on philosophy and strategy. Unlike other project management books, Berkun offers personal essays in a comfortable style and easy tone that emulate the relationship of a wise project manager who gives good, entertaining and passionate advice to those who ask.

Topics in this new edition include:


How to make things happen
Making good decisions
Specifications and requirements
Ideas and what to do with them
How not to annoy people
Leadership and trust
The truth about making dates
What to do when things go wrong
Complete with a new forward from the author and a discussion guide for forming reading groups/teams, Making Things Happen offers in-depth exercises to help you apply lessons from the book to your job. It is inspiring, funny, honest, and compelling, and definitely the one book that you and your team need to have within arm's reach throughout the life of your project.

Coming from the rare perspective of someone who fought difficult battles on Microsoft's biggest projects and taught project design and management for MSTE, Microsoft's internal best practices group, this is valuable advice indeed. It will serve you well with your current work, and on future projects to come.]]> 408 Scott Berkun 0596517718 Joseph 0 to-read 3.97 2001 Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management
author: Scott Berkun
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2001
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
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]]> <![CDATA[Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery]]> 1908456 --back cover]]> 229 Garr Reynolds 0321525655 Joseph 0 to-read 4.04 2007 Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery
author: Garr Reynolds
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2007
rating: 0
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]]> <![CDATA[Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity]]> 1633
* Apply the "do it, delegate it, defer it, drop it" rule to get your in-box to empty
* Reassess goals and stay focused in changing situations
* Plan projects as well as get them unstuck
* Overcome feelings of confusion, anxiety, and being overwhelmed
* Feel fine about what you're not doing

From core principles to proven tricks, Getting Things Done can transform the way you work, showing you how to pick up the pace without wearing yourself down.]]> 267 David Allen 0142000280 Joseph 0 to-read 4.00 2001 Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
author: David Allen
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2001
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
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]]> <![CDATA[How to Win Friends & Influence People]]> 4865
Since its release in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold more than 30 million copies. Dale Carnegie's first book is a timeless bestseller, packed with rock-solid advice that has carried thousands of now famous people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives.

As relevant as ever before, Dale Carnegie's principles endure, and will help you achieve your maximum potential in the complex and competitive modern age.

Learn the six ways to make people like you, the twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking, and the nine ways to change people without arousing resentment.]]> 288 Dale Carnegie Joseph 0 to-read 4.22 1936 How to Win Friends & Influence People
author: Dale Carnegie
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.22
book published: 1936
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
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]]> <![CDATA[The Power Of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential]]> 3467088
The Power of Less will show you how



By setting limits for yourself and making the most of the resources you already have, youll finally be able work less, work smarter, and focus on living the life that you deserve.]]> 170 Leo Babauta 1401309704 Joseph 0 to-read 3.72 2008 The Power Of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential
author: Leo Babauta
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2008
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
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]]> Strengths Finder 2.0 56454 Do You Do What You Do Best Every Day?


Chances are, you don't. From the cradle to the cubicle, we devote more time to fixing our shortcomings than to developing our strengths.


To help people uncover their talents, Gallup introduced StrengthsFinder in the 2001 management book Now, Discover Your Strengths. The book ignited a global conversation, while StrengthsFinder helped millions discover their top five talents.


In StrengthsFinder 2.0, Gallup unveils the new and improved version of its popular online assessment. With hundreds of strategies for applying your strengths, StrengthsFinder 2.0 will change the way you look at yourself and the world forever.]]> 174 Tom Rath 159562015X Joseph 0 to-read 3.94 2007 Strengths Finder 2.0
author: Tom Rath
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2007
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
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]]> <![CDATA[Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High]]> 15014
When stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong, you have three choices: Avoid a crucial conversation and suffer the consequences; handle the conversation badly and suffer the consequences; or read Crucial Conversations and discover how to communicate best when it matters most. Crucial Conversations gives you the tools you need to step up to life's most difficult and important conversations, say what's on your mind, and achieve the positive resolutions you want. You'll learn how to:

Prepare for high-impact situations with a six-minute mastery technique
Make it safe to talk about almost anything
Be persuasive, not abrasive
Keep listening when others blow up or clam up
Turn crucial conversations into the action and results you want]]> 240 Kerry Patterson 0071401946 Joseph 0 to-read 4.04 2002 Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High
author: Kerry Patterson
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2002
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
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]]> <![CDATA[Learning from the Future: Competitive Foresight Scenarios]]> 8181851 464 Liam Fahey Joseph 0 to-read 3.83 1997 Learning from the Future: Competitive Foresight Scenarios
author: Liam Fahey
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.83
book published: 1997
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
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]]> <![CDATA[Smart Choices: A Practical Guide to Making Better Decisions]]> 226507 Is it time to switch careers?
What is the best course of action for me?

Decisions shape our experiences, from choosing which job offer to accept, to buying the right car, to selecting a good accountant. How do we know which choice is the smart one? How can we be consistent and confident in our decisions? In this book from the three leading authorities on decision-making, readers learn how to approach all types of decisions with a simple set of skills developed by professors from Harvard, MIT, and the University of Southern California.

Combining solid research with common sense and practical experience, this user-friendly guide shows readers how to assess deep-seated objectives, create a comprehensive set of alternatives, determine likely consequences, make tradeoffs, and grapple with uncertainty. Not only will readers learn how to make decisions, they will learn how to make the smartest decisions. For anyone caught at a confusing crossroad–whether you’re choosing between mutual funds or deciding where to retire–the Smart Choices program will improve your decision-making abilities immediately, and make your life more rewarding and fulfilling.]]> 256 John S. Hammond 0767908864 Joseph 0 to-read 4.02 1998 Smart Choices: A Practical Guide to Making Better Decisions
author: John S. Hammond
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.02
book published: 1998
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
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]]> <![CDATA[The Halo Effect: ... and the Eight Other Business Delusions That Deceive Managers]]> 136181
Drawing on examples from leading companies including Cisco Systems, IBM, Nokia, and ABB, Rosenzweig shows how the Halo Effect is widespread, undermining the usefulness of business bestsellers from "In Search of Excellence" to "Built to Last" and "Good to Great."

Rosenzweig identifies nine popular business delusions. Among them:

"The Delusion of Absolute Performance: " Company performance is relative to competition, not absolute, which is why following a formula can never guarantee results. Success comes from doing things better than rivals, which means that managers have to take risks.

"The Delusion of Rigorous Research: " Many bestselling authors praise themselves for the vast amount of data they have gathered, but forget that if the data aren't valid, it doesn't matter how much was gathered or how sophisticated the research methods appear to be. They trick the reader by substituting sizzle for substance.

"The Delusion of Single Explanations: " Many studies show that a particular factor, such as corporate culture or social responsibility or customer focus, leads to improved performance. But since many of these factors are highly correlated, the effect of each one is usually less than suggested.

In what promises to be a landmark book, "The Halo Effect" replaces mistaken thinking with a sharper understanding of what drives business success and failure. "The Halo Effect" is a guide for the thinking manager, a way to detect errors in business research and to reach a clearer understanding of what drives business success and failure.

Skeptical, brilliant, iconoclastic, and mercifully free of business jargon, Rosenzweig's book is nevertheless dead serious, making his arguments about important issues in an unsparing and direct way that will appeal to a broad business audience. For managers who want to separate fact from fiction in the world of business, "The Halo Effect" is essential reading -- witty, often funny, and sharply argued, it's an antidote to so much of the conventional thinking that clutters business bookshelves.]]> 256 Philip M. Rosenzweig 0743291255 Joseph 0 to-read 3.86 2007 The Halo Effect: ... and the Eight Other Business Delusions That Deceive Managers
author: Philip M. Rosenzweig
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2007
rating: 0
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date added: 2010/05/12
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]]> <![CDATA[The New Leader's 100-Day Action Plan: How to Take Charge, Build Your Team, And Get Immediate Results]]> 108444 240 George B. Bradt 0471789771 Joseph 0 to-read 4.01 2006 The New Leader's 100-Day Action Plan: How to Take Charge, Build Your Team, And Get Immediate Results
author: George B. Bradt
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2006
rating: 0
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]]> <![CDATA[What Got You Here Won't Get You There]]> 84525 America's most sought-after executive coach shows how to climb the last few rungs of the ladder The corporate world is filled with executives, men and women who have worked hard for years to reach the upper levels of management. They're intelligent, skilled, and even charismatic. But only a handful of them will ever reach the pinnacle--and as executive coach Marshall Goldsmith shows in this book, subtle nuances make all the difference. These are small "transactional flaws" performed by one person against another (as simple as not saying thank you enough), which lead to negative perceptions that can hold any executive back. Using Goldsmith's straightforward, jargon-free advice, it's amazingly easy behavior to change. Executives who hire Goldsmith for one-on-one coaching pay $250,000 for the privilege. With this book, his help is available for 1/10,000th of the price.]]> 256 Marshall Goldsmith 1781251568 Joseph 0 to-read 3.94 2006 What Got You Here Won't Get You There
author: Marshall Goldsmith
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2006
rating: 0
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]]> <![CDATA[Total Leadership: Be a Better Leader, Have a Richer Life]]> 3137889
Now more than ever, your success as a leader isn't just about being a great business person. You've got to be a great person, performing well in all domains of your life -- your work, your home, your community, and your private self.

That's a tall order.

The good news is that, contrary to conventional wisdom about "balance," you don't have to assume that these domains compete in a zero-sum game. Total Leadership is a game-changing blueprint for how to perform well as a leader not by trading off one domain for another, but by finding mutual value among all four. Stew Friedman shows you how to achieve these "four-way wins" as a leader who ]]> 272 Stewart D. Friedman 1422103285 Joseph 0 to-read 4.05 2008 Total Leadership: Be a Better Leader, Have a Richer Life
author: Stewart D. Friedman
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2008
rating: 0
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]]> The Essential Drucker 48016
Containing twenty-six selections, The Essential Drucker covers the basic principles and concerns of management and its problems, challenges, and opportunities, giving managers, executives, and professionals the tools to perform the tasks that the economy and society of tomorrow will demand of them.]]> 358 Peter F. Drucker 006093574X Joseph 0 to-read 4.08 2000 The Essential Drucker
author: Peter F. Drucker
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2000
rating: 0
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]]> <![CDATA[45 Effective Ways for Hiring Smart! : How to Predict Winners and Losers in the Incredibly Expensive People-Reading Game]]> 1562226

From the Trade Paperback edition.]]> 226 Pierre Mornell 0898159725 Joseph 0 to-read 3.99 1998 45 Effective Ways for Hiring Smart! : How to Predict Winners and Losers in the Incredibly Expensive People-Reading Game
author: Pierre Mornell
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.99
book published: 1998
rating: 0
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]]> <![CDATA[Growing Great Employees: Turning Ordinary People into Extraordinary Performers]]> 380444 “If life were fair, employees would be perfect. They would do exactly what we asked them to do, exactly when we asked them to do it � except, of course, for the fantastic ideas they would cook up on their own…Back to reality. Your employees are, like you and me, flawed and hopeful human beings whose success is at least partly dependent on your skill as a manager, human beings who will thrive with skillful and consistent attention and wither without it.�

In business today we’re told that management development is a thing of the past. Staying limber, preparing to change hats at a moment’s notice, and keeping your finger on the pulse of the “new� � that’s what we’re told is critical.

At this moment when companies and managers aren’t focusing on the long haul, Erika Andersen says just the opposite. If you want to compete with the market leaders, grow your business, and succeed in your field, you need support: an all-star staff that epitomizes your company’s mission and has the skills to implement it.

How do you achieve this? Grow great employees.

For twenty-five years Erika Andersen has been helping some of the best-managed companies in the world develop their employees. In Growing Great Employees you’ll learn how they stay ahead of the competition by investing in their people. You’ll discover that:
� Listening is your most powerful asset. Use it to motivate and build commitment.
� Everything you know about interviewing is wrong. Find out how to discover what you really need in a potential employee and how to find it.
� Successful companies hire for keeps. Get people feeling like part of the team from day one.
� Great leaders surround themselves with the best. Recognize who has potential and develop them into tomorrow’s leaders.

Whether you’re a manager or a senior executive, Growing Great Employees is your guide to creating a dynamic workplace where the efforts you make with your employees today will blossom into success for years to come.

]]> 288 Erika Andersen 1591841518 Joseph 0 to-read 4.00 2006 Growing Great Employees: Turning Ordinary People into Extraordinary Performers
author: Erika Andersen
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2006
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[12: The Elements of Great Managing]]> 281259 237 Rodd Wagner 159562998X Joseph 0 to-read 3.98 2006 12: The Elements of Great Managing
author: Rodd Wagner
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2006
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently]]> 50937 271 Marcus Buckingham 0684852861 Joseph 0 to-read 3.94 1998 First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
author: Marcus Buckingham
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.94
book published: 1998
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2010/05/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Ivanhoe 6440 Ivanhoe with his concerns about contemporary events.
Scott drew together the apparently opposing themes of historical reality and chivalric romance, social realism and high adventure, past and present.]]> 496 Walter Scott Joseph 5 3.76 1819 Ivanhoe
author: Walter Scott
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.76
book published: 1819
rating: 5
read at: 2009/10/24
date added: 2009/10/24
shelves:
review:
It was much fun to read this great story in the rustic eloquence of Sir Scott's "romantic" sentence structure. I wouldn't change a thing and thoroughly enjoyed the book!
]]> White Fang 6933762 192 Jack London 0804900361 Joseph 4 Classic 4.18 1906 White Fang
author: Jack London
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.18
book published: 1906
rating: 4
read at: 2009/10/17
date added: 2009/10/18
shelves:
review:
Classic
]]> Captains Courageous 3551844 Readers of all ages have delighted in Kipling's engaging maritime yarn since its initial appearance in 1897. The author's only novel to unfold in an American setting, this lively tale resounds with Kipling's customary blend of adventure and humor. This attractive new edition, unabridged and inexpensive, offers an irresistible invitation to a master storyteller's enduring tale of a boy's initiation into adulthood.]]> 160 Rudyard Kipling 0486407861 Joseph 3 3.20 1897 Captains Courageous
author: Rudyard Kipling
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.20
book published: 1897
rating: 3
read at: 2009/10/18
date added: 2009/10/18
shelves:
review:
Fun to read for the balance, but it was a bit preachy at the end when the "moral" of the story was revealed (rather clumsily.)
]]> <![CDATA[A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes, #1)]]> 102868
But it's not long before Sherlock Holmes, with Watson in tow, is working with Scotland Yard investigating the murder of two Americans whose deaths have some mysterious connection to sinister groups gathering power in both Britain and America.

Here's where it all began. 'A Study in Scarlet.' Meet Sherlock Holmes, one of the world's leading consulting detectives - fictional of course!]]> 123 Arthur Conan Doyle 1420925539 Joseph 1
I guess in the 1800s it was OK to paint with a broad brush, but it didn't make for very enjoyable reading.]]> 4.16 1887 A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes, #1)
author: Arthur Conan Doyle
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.16
book published: 1887
rating: 1
read at: 2009/10/17
date added: 2009/10/18
shelves:
review:
The book was fun to read...until about halfway through when the bigotry began. The plot turns to reveal that the murders are a result of Mormon fanaticism and paints a picture of Mormons as either bloodthirsty and wifes-crazed fanatics or cowering sheep under complete control of the uber-evil dictator Brigham Young.

I guess in the 1800s it was OK to paint with a broad brush, but it didn't make for very enjoyable reading.
]]> <![CDATA[History Of The Conquest Of Peru]]> 1813399 340 William Hickling Prescott 1419124145 Joseph 4 In my humble opinion, William H. Prescott has done a fantastic job of not only researching the various sources to recreate a picture of the way things were during the time of the conquest, but also provided just enough background and history on the sources of his information to provide the reader with a very intimate understanding of the weaknesses, mindsets and motivations of the parties involved with the events described.
As a Spanish language speaker, I was particularly pleased to find entire passages quoted in the native tongue in which they were written, including the original grammatical and spelling errors. It is one thing to know that many people of the era were ignorant in the ways of the written word and quite another to witness it first hand and to discover that the "historians" of the time possessed the book knowledge of first year schoolchild.
Aside from the way the book was written, the content itself was fascinating and a veritable treatise on the evils of the lure of lucre and the downfall of the avaricious. The plight of the natives themselves can best be summarized in this quote taken from the pages of the book:
"Wherever the civilized man and the savage have come in contact, in the East of in the West, the story has been too often written in blood."]]> 4.05 1847 History Of The Conquest Of Peru
author: William Hickling Prescott
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.05
book published: 1847
rating: 4
read at: 2009/07/16
date added: 2009/07/15
shelves:
review:
Ignorant as I was of the history of the conquistadors and of Peru itself, reading this book was similar to reading a romantic fiction where treachery, cruelty and downright thievery play alongside the romantic concepts of integrity and loyalty.
In my humble opinion, William H. Prescott has done a fantastic job of not only researching the various sources to recreate a picture of the way things were during the time of the conquest, but also provided just enough background and history on the sources of his information to provide the reader with a very intimate understanding of the weaknesses, mindsets and motivations of the parties involved with the events described.
As a Spanish language speaker, I was particularly pleased to find entire passages quoted in the native tongue in which they were written, including the original grammatical and spelling errors. It is one thing to know that many people of the era were ignorant in the ways of the written word and quite another to witness it first hand and to discover that the "historians" of the time possessed the book knowledge of first year schoolchild.
Aside from the way the book was written, the content itself was fascinating and a veritable treatise on the evils of the lure of lucre and the downfall of the avaricious. The plight of the natives themselves can best be summarized in this quote taken from the pages of the book:
"Wherever the civilized man and the savage have come in contact, in the East of in the West, the story has been too often written in blood."
]]> The laws of success 1839162 219 Sterling W. Sill 0877475563 Joseph 3 4.27 1974 The laws of success
author: Sterling W. Sill
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.27
book published: 1974
rating: 3
read at: 2009/03/04
date added: 2009/03/05
shelves:
review:
This was a very interesting read for me. The book was written in the 60s by a man steeped in the 40s/50s mentality and some of the concepts (the role of women, the importance of one's reputation, etc.) are definitely dated and could be considered offensive to the thinnest skinned politically correct. On the other hand, Mr. Sill lays out a very navigable path to self-improvement and self-motivation. The book is formatted in a manner that is NOT conducive to cover to cover reading and is probably better suited as a "bathroom book." Each chapter is a short and totally independent short sermon on a particular "law" that should be adhered to in the attempt to gain success (professionally, spiritually, emotionally, etc.) I started out reading the book as a novel. That did not work and I was about to abandon the book because it really didn't go anywhere. I changed tactics in about chapter 6 and was soon down to where I was reading a chapter or two a day. That worked out very nicely and gave me a daily boost of character-building advice and knowledge. I believe that Mr. Sill has succeeded in defining the laws that could lead one to a path towards true success. For that, the book gets 5 stars, but for a lack of readability and dated notions, I downgraded it to just three.
]]> <![CDATA[The Killer Angels (The Civil War Trilogy, #2)]]> 682804 The Killer Angels is unique, sweeping, unforgettable—a dramatic re-creation of the battleground for America's destiny.]]> 345 Michael Shaara 0345348109 Joseph 3 4.32 1974 The Killer Angels (The Civil War Trilogy, #2)
author: Michael Shaara
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.32
book published: 1974
rating: 3
read at: 2008/11/14
date added: 2008/11/14
shelves:
review:
I had never read about Gettysburg, so this was an enlightening book and Shaara kept the suspense up to the bitter end (though we all know the result of the battle/war) but I have to say that despite relishing the historical content, I found that I was getting annoyed and even bored with the historically invented prose and supposed trains-of-thought that Shaara was imposing on all the characters. It was great to see his perspective of what Lee, or Longstreet, or Chamberlain may have been thinking, or what lead them to make the decisions they did, but in my personal opinion, there is no way that they all could have been such rambling chowderheads constantly falling back into long drawn-out memories of milk on the table back in Virginia (or whatever.) I enjoyed the book for the historical content and perspective of thought Shaara shared, but I believe he took his writers license too far. By the last quarter of the book, I was fighting to keep myself from skimming over the mindless blather.
]]> <![CDATA[Ghost Soldiers: The Forgotten Epic Story of World War II's Most Dramatic Mission]]> 94800
In Ghost Soldiers Hampton Sides vividly re-creates this daring raid, offering a minute-by-minute narration that unfolds alongside intimate portraits of the prisoners and their lives in the camp. Sides shows how the POWs banded together to survive, defying the Japanese authorities even as they endured starvation, tropical diseases, and torture. Harrowing, poignant, and inspiring, Ghost Soldiers is the mesmerizing story of a remarkable mission. It is also a testament to the human spirit, an account of enormous bravery and self-sacrifice amid the most trying conditions.]]> 342 Hampton Sides 0385495641 Joseph 4 4.22 2001 Ghost Soldiers: The Forgotten Epic Story of World War II's Most Dramatic Mission
author: Hampton Sides
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2001
rating: 4
read at: 2008/11/10
date added: 2008/11/11
shelves:
review:
A very interesting read that was well-researched and well-written. As the book moved into the final chapters, the suspense was as good any non-fiction book, but was even more thrilling due to the fact that the events described actually happened.
]]> All Over But the Shoutin' 470495 329 Rick Bragg 0679774025 Joseph 4 I generally prefer to read a book with the intent to learn something. Books are, for me, something from which to glean knowledge. I'd rather read a history, or a how-to book than a book of poetry.
Rick Bragg is a Pulitzer Prize winner and the way he wrote this book tells me that he likely deserved that prize. I generally could care less about writing style - I see it as a fancy Cadillac where a plainly written Chevrolet sentence will get you where you need to go. But I have to say that aside from the mildly-entertaining historical information it provides (a glimpse into the life of a poor southern family,) the writing style in this book really took the book from a practical lightweight to a really well written masterpiece. Rick Bragg could probably write about bowl of breakfast cereal in a way that captures the imagination and transports you to another place.
Even though this book is a stumbled-upon deviation from my standard read, I have to say it was a thoroughly enjoyable journey.



]]> 4.11 1997 All Over But the Shoutin'
author: Rick Bragg
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.11
book published: 1997
rating: 4
read at: 2008/11/08
date added: 2008/11/08
shelves:
review:
I'm not sure where this book came from. It was laying around somewhere and I just figured I would read it...cause I just plain like to read.
I generally prefer to read a book with the intent to learn something. Books are, for me, something from which to glean knowledge. I'd rather read a history, or a how-to book than a book of poetry.
Rick Bragg is a Pulitzer Prize winner and the way he wrote this book tells me that he likely deserved that prize. I generally could care less about writing style - I see it as a fancy Cadillac where a plainly written Chevrolet sentence will get you where you need to go. But I have to say that aside from the mildly-entertaining historical information it provides (a glimpse into the life of a poor southern family,) the writing style in this book really took the book from a practical lightweight to a really well written masterpiece. Rick Bragg could probably write about bowl of breakfast cereal in a way that captures the imagination and transports you to another place.
Even though this book is a stumbled-upon deviation from my standard read, I have to say it was a thoroughly enjoyable journey.




]]> <![CDATA[Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left from Mussolini to the Politics of Meaning]]> 88634
Liberal Fascism offers a startling new perspective on the theories and practices that define fascist politics. Replacing conveniently manufactured myths with surprising and enlightening research, Jonah Goldberg reminds us that the original fascists were really on the left, and that liberals from Woodrow Wilson to FDR to Hillary Clinton have advocated policies and principles remarkably similar to those of Hitler's National Socialism and Mussolini's Fascism.

Contrary to what most people think, the Nazis were ardent socialists (hence the term “National socialism�). They believed in free health care and guaranteed jobs. They confiscated inherited wealth and spent vast sums on public education. They purged the church from public policy, promoted a new form of pagan spirituality, and inserted the authority of the state into every nook and cranny of daily life. The Nazis declared war on smoking, supported abortion, euthanasia, and gun control. They loathed the free market, provided generous pensions for the elderly, and maintained a strict racial quota system in their universities—where campus speech codes were all the rage. The Nazis led the world in organic farming and alternative medicine. Hitler was a strict vegetarian, and Himmler was an animal rights activist.

Do these striking parallels mean that today’s liberals are genocidal maniacs, intent on conquering the world and imposing a new racial order? Not at all. Yet it is hard to deny that modern progressivism and classical fascism shared the same intellectual roots. We often forget, for example, that Mussolini and Hitler had many admirers in the United States. W.E.B. Du Bois was inspired by Hitler's Germany, and Irving Berlin praised Mussolini in song. Many fascist tenets were espoused by American progressives like John Dewey and Woodrow Wilson, and FDR incorporated fascist policies in the New Deal.

Fascism was an international movement that appeared in different forms in different countries, depending on the vagaries of national culture and temperament. In Germany, fascism appeared as genocidal racist nationalism. In America, it took a “friendlier,� more liberal form. The modern heirs of this “friendly fascist� tradition include the New York Times, the Democratic Party, the Ivy League professoriate, and the liberals of Hollywood. The quintessential Liberal Fascist isn't an SS storm trooper; it is a female grade school teacher with an education degree from Brown or Swarthmore.

These assertions may sound strange to modern ears, but that is because we have forgotten what fascism is. In this angry, funny, smart, contentious book, Jonah Goldberg turns our preconceptions inside out and shows us the true meaning of Liberal Fascism.]]> 405 Jonah Goldberg 0385511841 Joseph 0 to-read 3.94 2007 Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left from Mussolini to the Politics of Meaning
author: Jonah Goldberg
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2007
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2008/10/17
shelves: to-read
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]]> 1776 1067
Based on extensive research in both American and British archives, 1776 is a powerful drama written with extraordinary narrative vitality. It is the story of Americans in the ranks, men of every shape, size, and color, farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. And it is the story of the King's men, the British commander, William Howe, an his highly disciplined redcoats who looked on their rebel foes with contempt and fought with a valor too little known.

At the center of the drama, with Washington, are two young American patriots, who, at first, knew no more of war than what they had read in books - Nathaniel Green, a Quaker who was made a general at thirty-three, and Henry Knox, a twenty-five-year-old bookseller who had the preposterous idea of hauling the guns of Fort Ticonderoga overland to Boston in the dead of Winter.

But it is the American commander-in-chief who stands foremost - Washington, who had never before led an army in battle. Written as a companion work to his celebrated biography of John Adams, David McCullough's 1776 is another landmark in the literature of American history.]]> 386 David McCullough 0743226720 Joseph 5 4.10 2005 1776
author: David McCullough
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at: 2008/09/09
date added: 2008/09/09
shelves:
review:
This book astonished me...literally...I was dumbfounded by how little I learned in gradeschool of the American Revolution. I simply had no idea, and this book, covering only a single year of the war was like a revelation. For me, it was like reading a novel. I literally had no idea what was coming next and the plot is hard to believe (but totally true.) Reading this book made me want to read 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780.....etc. I read this book in 3 days. It is "gripping."
]]> Cold Mountain 10920 Cold Mountain is a novel about a soldier’s perilous journey back to his beloved near the Civil War's end. At once a love story & a harrowing account of one man’s long walk home, Cold Mountain introduces a new talent in American literature.

Based on local history & family stories passed down by Frazier’s great-great-grandfather, Cold Mountain is the tale of a wounded Confederate soldier, Inman, who walks away from the ravages of the war & back home to his prewar sweetheart, Ada. His odyssey thru the devastated landscape of the soon-to-be-defeated South interweaves with Ada’s struggle to revive her father’s farm, with the help of an intrepid young drifter named Ruby. As their long-separated lives begin to converge at the close of the war, Inman & Ada confront the vastly transformed world they’ve been delivered.

Frazier reveals insight into human relations with the land & the dangers of solitude. He also shares with the great 19th century novelists a keen observation of a society undergoing change. Cold Mountain recreates a world gone by that speaks to our time.]]> 449 Charles Frazier 0802142842 Joseph 4 3.89 1997 Cold Mountain
author: Charles Frazier
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.89
book published: 1997
rating: 4
read at: 2008/08/25
date added: 2008/08/28
shelves:
review:
I liked the historical research done on the book that provided a glimpse into the ways people lived "back in the day." It was also a "gripping novel" that was tough to put down. Well-researched and well-written.
]]> Christine 10629
Elle aime les sensations fortes, les virées nocturnes et le rock n'roll des années héroïques. Depuis qu'elle connaît Arnie, elle est amoureuse. Signe particulier : Christine est une Plymouth « Fury », sortie en 1958 des ateliers automobiles de Detroit.

Une seule rivale en travers de sa route : Leigh, la petite amie d'Arnie�
Ce roman légendaire de Stephen King, rythmé par la musique de Chuck Berry et de Janis Joplin, a déjà pris place parmi les classiques de l'épouvante.]]> 411 Stephen King 2253147699 Joseph 0 3.85 1983 Christine
author: Stephen King
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.85
book published: 1983
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
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]]> ’Salem’s Lot 11590 Librarian's Note: Alternate-cover edition for ISBN 0450031063

Thousands of miles away from the small township of 'Salem's Lot, two terrified people, a man and a boy, still share the secrets of those clapboard houses and tree-lined streets. They must return to 'Salem's Lot for a final confrontation with the unspeakable evil that lives on in the town.]]> 483 Stephen King 0450031063 Joseph 0 4.06 1975 ’Salem’s Lot
author: Stephen King
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.06
book published: 1975
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
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]]> The E-myth Revisited 81948 Small business coaching. 269 Michael E. Gerber 0887307280 Joseph 0 4.06 1985 The E-myth Revisited
author: Michael E. Gerber
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.06
book published: 1985
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
review:

]]> Lord of the Flies 7624 182 William Golding 0140283331 Joseph 0 3.70 1954 Lord of the Flies
author: William Golding
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.70
book published: 1954
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
review:

]]> The Great Gatsby 4671 The only edition of the beloved classic that is authorized by Fitzgerald’s family and from his lifelong publisher.

This edition is the enduring original text, updated with the author’s own revisions, a foreword by his granddaughter, and with a new introduction by National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward.

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s third book, stands as the supreme achievement of his career. First published by Scribner in 1925, this quintessential novel of the Jazz Age has been acclaimed by generations of readers. The story of the mysteriously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s.]]> 180 F. Scott Fitzgerald 0743273567 Joseph 0 3.93 1925 The Great Gatsby
author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.93
book published: 1925
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ]]> 323355 From the Introduction:

The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel.

The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. Thsi group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the American Indians.

The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.

After Mormon completed his writings, he delivered the account to his son Moroni, who added a few words of his own and hid up the plates in the hill Cumorah. On September 21, 1823, the same Moroni, the a glorified, resurrected being, appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and instructed him relative to the ancient record and its destined translation into the English language.

In due course the plates were delivered to Joseph Smith, who translated them by the gift and power of God. The record is now published in many languages as a new and additional witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and that all who will come unto him and obey the laws and ordinances of his gospel may be saved.

Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."

In addition to Joseph Smith, the Lord provided for eleven others to see the gold plates for themselves and to be special witnesses of the truth and divinity of the Book of Mormon. Their written testimonies are included herewith as "The Testimony of Three Witnesses" and "The Testimony of Eight Witnesses."

We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course an ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10: 3-5)

Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah.]]> 531 Joseph Smith Jr. 0967686563 Joseph 0 4.22 1830 The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
author: Joseph Smith Jr.
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.22
book published: 1830
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
review:

]]> A Brief History of Time 3869
Told in language we all can understand, A Brief History of Time plunges into the exotic realms of black holes and quarks, of antimatter and “arrows of time,� of the big bang and a bigger God—where the possibilities are wondrous and unexpected. With exciting images and profound imagination, Stephen Hawking brings us closer to the ultimate secrets at the very heart of creation.]]> 226 Stephen Hawking 0553380168 Joseph 3
WARNING - I was reading this on a plane and was accused of major nerdery by my fellow travelers when they saw what I was reading.]]> 4.22 1988 A Brief History of Time
author: Stephen Hawking
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.22
book published: 1988
rating: 3
read at: 2008/02/01
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
review:
Pretty heavy, but it puts everything into perspective and consolidates everything you learned in Physics into a single and reasonably well-explained timeline.

WARNING - I was reading this on a plane and was accused of major nerdery by my fellow travelers when they saw what I was reading.
]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)]]> 15881
And strike it does. For in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor and a spirit who haunts the girls� bathroom. But then the real trouble begins � someone is turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects� Harry Potter himself!]]> 352 J.K. Rowling Joseph 5 4.42 1998 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.42
book published: 1998
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)]]> 2
Harry has had enough. He is beginning to think he must do something, anything, to change his situation, when the summer holidays come to an end in a very dramatic fashion. What Harry is about to discover in his new year at Hogwarts will turn his world upside down...]]> 912 J.K. Rowling Joseph 5 4.50 2003 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)]]> 77523
All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley - a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry’s room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn’t had a birthday party in eleven years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry - and anyone who reads about him - will find unforgettable.

For it’s there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that’s been waiting for him…if Harry can survive the encounter.
(front flap)]]> 309 J.K. Rowling Joseph 5 4.47 1997 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.47
book published: 1997
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)]]> 136251
In this final, seventh installment of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling unveils in spectacular fashion the answers to the many questions that have been so eagerly awaited.]]> 759 J.K. Rowling Joseph 5 Fun 4.61 2007 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.61
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
review:
Fun
]]> <![CDATA[The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life]]> 223556 912 Richard J. Herrnstein 0684824299 Joseph 4 3.62 1994 The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life
author: Richard J. Herrnstein
name: Joseph
average rating: 3.62
book published: 1994
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
review:
This one is a bit tough to wade through at times and is so well researched that it can seem redundant as they compare things from several different angles. If you understand statistics at all, it would certainly help as you read this. It is a though-provoker.
]]> <![CDATA[Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies]]> 1842
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and a national bestseller: the global account of the rise of civilization that is also a stunning refutation of ideas of human development based on race.

In this "artful, informative, and delightful" (William H. McNeill, New York Review of Books) book, Jared Diamond convincingly argues that geographical and environmental factors shaped the modern world. Societies that had a head start in food production advanced beyond the hunter-gatherer stage, and then developed writing, technology, government, and organized religion—as well as nasty germs and potent weapons of war—and adventured on sea and land to conquer and decimate preliterate cultures. A major advance in our understanding of human societies, Guns, Germs, and Steel chronicles the way that the modern world came to be and stunningly dismantles racially based theories of human history.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science, the Rhone-Poulenc Prize, and the Commonwealth Club of California's Gold Medal]]> 498 Jared Diamond 0739467352 Joseph 5 4.04 1997 Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
author: Jared Diamond
name: Joseph
average rating: 4.04
book published: 1997
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2008/06/01
shelves:
review:
Righteous info and theories - thought provoking and well written.
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