Economic-Life Books

I think that this book is a definite must read for any minority venturing out into Corporate America. It prepares you for what comes with being non-white in the office and provides several encouraging ways of how you could survive.

I am about three-quarters of the way through it now. I read a few pages everyday on my train ride to work. I feel as though it gives me additional courage, since the author seems to have been through what I am now starting to experience.

It's affordable, it's entertaining and above all...it's real.

Williams sniffs the foul atmosphere of modern business and calls its bluff. Weak, mealy-mouthed people with no honour, compassion, or humanity. How can you spend your working life amongst them and still keep your dignity?

Hadji tells you how he did it--not, maybe, the way you might choose to do it, but undisputably real and true to himself. Lots of crappy self-help books talk about the work-life balance. Williams goes much further; he balances the shallow values of day-to-day work with the deeper values of your soul. You can buy into the Hustle without selling out to it.

I wish I had this book when I was starting out in the ad business. It took me a lot longer to work out how bogus the whole mess was, and how to engage with it in a way that wasn't, in the words of one of Hadji's pals, just death by paper cuts rather than a single, fatal blow.

Buy it. Not just because a smart, earnest man wrote wisdom that's worth paying for. But because he put his money where his mouth is and published this himself. A minimum of hustlers will eat off his back. That's a good thing.

I read this book in a matter of two days because i could not put it down. Hadji has dropped some priceless knowlege for anyone trying to make it through the hustle we call capitalism. I will be buying this book for everyone i know. Not only that Hadji Williams is also a really nice person who responded promptly to a message i sent him and we exchanged some ideas that helped me understand the book a bit more.

If you want to save your soul and survive in the corporate world get this book.

Peace and Much Respect

Micheal
dj unlearn

Now you see it and now you don't. Can you survive in Corporate America and still keep your self-respect? Well according to KNOCK THE HUSTLE by Hadji J.S. Williams, if you know the game you can survive, however, if you're clueless then join the club, you have been played.

Now this is what you call an original analysis of the "American apple pie:" for those of us who want to make it big and become wealthy in a one package deal. Mr. Williams breaks it down very methodically that if you think you have the upper hand on your career and income, you better take the blinders off and blink again. Sassy and straight to the point, make no bones about it his comparisons of jobs, bosses, working 80 hours a week and kissing up to the bosses to get ahead is real and everyone who knows what he's talking about can relate. Don't close the book now, he's just warming up.

I was shaking, nodding my head and actually found myself talking aloud while I was reading this book. It was just plain-down-right-in-your-face-it's-about-time-you-knew- the-truth, in a style written with clarity and intellectual detail. Mr. William's quote "How to Save Your Job and Your Life from Corporate America" sums up the corporate society that many have never entered but have looked from a distance. He definitely did his homework and simply outlined many areas of the America economic society that makes this country outstanding in so many ways. He made no excuses, no justifications, just information to get you on the inside of the game.

It's up to you live or die trying to make it in corporate America, however, if you have the right tools, then you can make it a success story, otherwise, you down for the count. I applaud Mr. Williams on taking a bold step in coming clean with what we should know and shouldn't know. Read it and close the book with one word - Wow.

Reviewed by Kalaani
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Hadji Williams is a 13-year veteran of the advertising and marketing industries, but don't expect your standard business approach with KNOCK THE HUSTLE: HOW TO SAVE YOUR JOB AND YOUR LIFE FROM CORPORATE AMERICA: it parallels his life on Chicago's South side with his straight-laced corporate career at major advertising and marketing forms working on Fortune 500 accounts, and provides a satisfying, diverse mix of cautionary tales, outrageous incidents, case studies, and candid insights on business 'friendships', corporate dress codes, and more. The first-person rappy/chatty tone and realistic assessments should especially appeal to x-generation up-and-coming young business participants who will here find substance and assessments of the pros and cons of the work world and how to survive in it.

Great book, love it. If only our "public servants" would read this book and run our national budget this way! It's a close call who I like better, Stacy or Dave Ramsey.

I recieved an advance copy of this wonderful book from the author. I have to say that reading this book is like having a close friend come over to your house and share the financial facts of your life. Stacy Johnson really knows his stuff. His experience on finances is second to none. This book provides an amazing "Blue Print" on getting your financial house in order.
Freeing yourself from debt is easier than you think after you read this book. As you probably know Stacy is the creator of very successful Money Talks television news series. He has been a Godsend to millions of people who need advice on getting out of debt, achieving financial freedom, and earning handsome profits from smart investment decisions. This book will inspire you take take charge of your Financial life!!!
You must give this book a try. It will be one of the smartest investment decisions you'll ever make.

Stacy Johnson gives us a decent first work in "Life or Debt". I have come across many personal finance books - some bad, some good. This one ranks somewhere squarely in the middle.

To be frank, I was able to conclude within a chapter or so, that the book was written by the proposed author as opposed to a professional writer. The language used throughout the book seemed to be "dumbed down", either intentionally or not (not necessarily a bad thing).

If you've read quite a few books related to personal finance, then you are by now familiar with the basic concepts used to accumulate wealth and beat down debt, ie., save a tenth of every paycheck to invest, pay off the highest interest debt first, consult with professional third parties if needed, etc. A lot of this information by now is getting totally redundant. Only a complete novice will receive insight from these age-old tips.

Now that the critical stuff is out of the way, I will praise this book for the things it does right. The chapter devoted to saving money entitled, "205 Ways to Save" is excellent. The majority of the tips are first rate money savers. Some of the tips may be familiar to seasoned readers and others will seem like common sense, but there are also some genuine money-saving winners among the selections. I feel that if the reader used even a small portion of the tips a substantial savings will be realized, especially if used on a regular basis. The author even offers up an informative chapter on how to deal with the big, bad credit bureaus.

Stacy Johnson gives us a solid, but far from perfect, first effort involving the world of personal finance and all the follies that can go with it. He offers insightful tips and hope to many people who are fighting to better their financial situation. It can only get better from here.

This book is an excellent resource for anyone working on getting their financial life in order. Not only is it informative, but it is entertaining as well. Stacy has a way with his writing that allows you to enjoy while you are learning about finances. Even if you are financially savvy, this book is a great one to have on hand and share with family & friends.

I'm so glad I ran across this book in an airport! By reading this, I realized by trying to keep up with the Joneses, I was placing myself in a serious financial crisis. By using the techniques in the book, I hope to have all my debts paid off in a couple of years.

How refreshing, to find a book that makes connections to both the practical and the management aspects. Well written, concise, to the point, and not full of mumbo-jumbo psycho-babble. Living Well, Working Smart has turned out to be a great tool for my managers and staff, and has proven to be insightful in assessing my own techniques and habits. Not just your usual run-of-the-mill self-help book. Congratulations to the authors, these two really know the real world, which makes the book more relevant and useful.

This book is perfect for those looking for small bites of information to reflect on and apply to work and daily life. Each chapter is is written in easy conversational style in just a few pages and is followed by key mistakes to avoid and steps to implement the strategies in a practical way.
As a trainer, I find great value to this text -- it serves as a nice in-class supplement to any soft skills training session and is a practical resource for employees to reference in the months that follow.

Living Well, Working Smart: Soft Skills for Success is a must read for anyone who wants to grow professionally. Extremely well written, it addresses the soft skills that are so essential for success - in all areas of life. I am recommending Living Well, Working Smart to all my friends and colleagues. Kudos to the authors for such a fantastic book!

Living well, Working Smart is a rare find. Finally, a book that speaks to the vital needs of soft skill development without getting lost in concepts.

I read business books in search of tangible lessons all the time and I seldom find books that I can pass along to my management team. The reasons range from differing levels of intellectual curiosity to a lack of time for extra reading.

In this busy world getting to the point has never been more valuable. For me, this book is a smart and concise reminder of the essential building blocks to Living Well. The forty one soft skills apply to the whole person which makes it all the more effective as a business book. I will be buying a case to share with my team.

Book was clear, concise and easy to read and understand. It covers very basic skills and would be good for any staff but especially employees just entering the work force. It's a good review for everyone else.

Here's a refreshingly uplifting career book that I think people will really enjoy. While most books in this genre are lengthy and somewhat boring to read, Magical Quest is short and interesting without omitting any valuable content.

Like the best-selling "Parachute" book, this one has all the basic steps, various career options, exploratory exercises, resume templates, and ways to evaluate correctly. But Magical Quest is far easier to read, shorter, and more interesting (artistic touches).

This is a book you can skim through and skip from chapter to chapter. The author has a special talent with her freehand mindmapping techniques (you'll have to see it for yourself) that make this career defining book truly unique.

For the person looking for a more personal and enlightened approach to career decision-making, Magical Quest is a gem to be discovered. It's the short-version to choosing a fulfilling career (or personal quest) with all the important content and special artistic effects.

what i like most about "Magical Quest" is the emotional support it provides.

sure, the book is of course chock full of resources, and there are sections devoted to telling you what jobs are out there and the like.

but, in any job equation, there are two variables: YOU, and the job you take (or make). and -- probably owing to her experience in counseling -- tarin's book concentrates on YOU.

the book takes the approach that once you "know thyself" (thank you socrates, shakespeare, et al), you will be in a highly superior position -- a position where you can accurately assess any potential career, job, or manager, as to how well THEY fit YOU.

this is a wise approach. i mean, after all, haven't so many of us wasted time at 1 or more jobs struggling to be something we're not? or worse yet, not even *knowing* what we're good at, or want to do? and where has it gotten us? where we are today, right? :)

i spent a year for instance, in car sales, when i was a young man green behind the ears, trying to become "outgoing" and "extroverted", hoping that by going into a profession needing people with these traits, these qualities would rub off.

well, even though i sold a few cars, and picked up a few social skills (mostly how to be wary of crafty fellow salesmen/women!), i didn't become outgoing and extroverted. i stayed pretty much me. but the whole time i was MISERABLE!!!

while car sales is sort of a more dramatic example, most of us can still relate with jobs we've taken and later asked, "other than putting steak on the table, WHAT IN THE HECK AM I DOING HERE???"

this is where tarin excels. she really makes it not only comfortable, but FUN! to assess your strengths, weaknesses, and JOYS so you can find a job that fits YOU.

interspersed with poetry, quotes and parables, reading through "Magical Quest" is like having the wisest Mom who gently and lovingly tells you the facts of what's out there, but also has TONS of great little fun exercises to help you figure yourself out, (and make you smile and sometimes even laugh in between)..

once you've done that, the future is yours!

thanks, tarin, for a great spirit-guide-in-print, when you're looking for a job!

This is a great book if you're stuck in a rut, or have out of the box thinking. The questions are philosophical not psychological and she offers a holistic view we all forget about. Specifically that we have many parts to our lives, "Physical", "Social" "Emotional", "Intellectual",and "Spiritual", and we are not souly our career, but should strive for balanced lives. This book should be required reading by every college grad, or return to mainstream mom!!!!!

Here's a refreshingly uplifting career book that I think people will really enjoy. While most books in this genre are lengthy and somewhat boring to read, Magical Quest is short and interesting without omitting any valuable content.

Like the best-selling "Parachute" book, this one has all the basic steps, various career options, exploratory exercises, resume templates, and ways to evaluate correctly. But Magical Quest is far easier to read, shorter, and more interesting (artistic touches).

This is a book you can skim through and skip from chapter to chapter. The author has a special talent with her freehand mindmapping techniques (you'll have to see it for yourself) that make this career defining book truly unique.

For the person looking for a more personal and enlightened approach to career decision-making, Magical Quest is a gem to be discovered. It's the short-version to choosing a fulfilling career (or personal quest) with all the important content and special artistic effects.

As opposed to most other materials available today, the author makes a concerted effort to not only acknowledge the spiritual component of the "career finding" process, but to then combine that component with the more concrete aspects of that process. Despite reviewing literally hundreds of books concerning this subject, I have never seen anything quite like the InnerQuest section of the material with it's related type categories. It is quite unique and spoke to me more than just about anything I had previously seen. Most material/services available today which stress the spiritual component of finding your vocation do not seem to be of much help in actually creating a vision of that vocation which can be concretely expressed. Most of the materials/services which stress the concrete aspects of discovering a career do not seem to be of much help in relating those aspects to what your soul/spirit is trying to express. The author was aware of the necessity to combine both components in a comprehensive and effective manner.

Wolf broke the mold when he wrote this well-received book. He lays out the traditional ways individuals think about their issues and challenges, yet he offers optimistic and realistic ways to overcome one's doubts, shortcomings, or anything else that is holding you back at becoming the person you want to be. I purchased this book years ago and I still refer to it for its wisdom, practical advice, and eternal wisdom. Well done Wolf.

Randall Ponder, Author, "Leadership Made Easy"

Dr. Wolf Rinke is skilled in teaching individuals and organizations how to have fun and then watch the work get done! His book is packed with practical instruction and tools to accomplish every daily objective with purpose and passion. Dr. Rinke's principles are applicable in all professions, sports, and activities of daily living. His writing is an art; well researched and inclusive of the input of numerous respected and highly successful people today! This book is truly a daily diary of action for success in every area in ones life.

I purchased "Make it a Winning Life" at Wolf's workshop and began applying his six powerful success strategies and can tell you they really do work! Wolf empowered me to dream big and turn that dream into reality. I left my job of 15 years, began a nutrition consulting business and several years later wrote "Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide", which is now a national best seller. This has resulted in a variety of speaking engagements throughout North America and frequent media interviews including the NBC Today Show. In addition to a very satisfying career, I'm blessed to be able to work from home and be with my family which is number one. I highly recommend Wolf's book and challenge you to make it a winning life!

I purchased WOLF'S book in 1993 and I have read it many times. Being a professional speaker in Canada I have used some of his great material in my motivational seminars. The book is easy to read and I recommend it for any person who wants to grow as an even better person.

Today I ordered another of his books: THE SIX SUCCESS STRATEGIES FOR WINNING AT LIFE, LOVE & BUSINESS.

I have read numerous motivational books, and this one is the best. It keeps the reader involved with exercises and suggestions. It's meaty; no irrelevant fluff. I have read it four times so far.

Julie Morgenstern does a great job of clearly talking about steps to take to be more efficient and effective at work. It is a great resource.

Julie Morgenstrom fills every page with practical tips on how to manage critical aspects of life at work. Since I began using her tips on email management, I am in full control. Definitely worth the investment.

Although the title of this book suggests that the content is purely work related, it is very helpful if you want to learn how to balance your personal and work life. The most helpful part of the book for me was "Control the Nibblers." I was able to recognize my blind spots, then after figuring out my top three time wasters and biggest interruptions, I implemented the author's helpful recommendations. I have also implemented her suggestions about organizing meetings with considerable success. I certainly recommend this book.

Typically, the mentoring process is a two-way dialogue that takes place over lunch, in the gym or on the phone. But author Julie Morgenstern changes the traditional mentoring model. Speaking out from the printed page, she mentors by remote. Morgenstern offers useful career guidance and concise tips, organized as concrete "Grab and Go Strategies." Her colorful examples, logical chapter summaries and chatty case histories make her book outstanding. Occasionally, her advice is repetitive, but overall it's hard to find fault, because she is so clearly smart, thoughtful and on your side. We recommend this mentor's manual to every professional, including the overworked, self-employed and underemployed.

Just what I needed in the nick of time. As with all useful popular psychology books, its efficacy is in the reader making an effort to follow through with a plan, and Morgenstern inspires me to do just that. I especially appreciated her quickstart program. Saving the procrastination-potential reading until I've got a handle on some of my clutter--in both time and space! Speaking of which, being as visual as I am, I especially appreciated her sketch/analogy representing the inside of a (my) closet as it aligns with the inside of a (my) calendar! They look the same. If I can organize my closet in space, I can organize my calendar in time!

I've read Mary Jane's magazines and other books and couldn't wait for this one to come out. When I cracked it open, I was not disappointed. She takes us on a wonderful journey on how to create our own little nest in the wild. Among the many things, you'll learn how to:

* Create your own furnishings from natural findings (saplings and such)
* Search for and use wild greens and eatery
* Make tasty foods for family and children

As always, Mary Jane's books are a feast for the eyes and will leave you longing to create your own wild habitat, be it pseudo tent or shanty.

A must add to your collection!

It was more than I expected. Not only did it have lots of good tips for creating my own outpost, it had great stories about strong women. It's a great coffee table book too. It's tempting to pick up and hard to put down.
The photographs are a bonus.

I am a fan of MaryJane and a Farmgirl. I have all her books and I love them. My problem with this one is the excessive focus on children. If I had wanted a book on activities for children, I would have looked for a book on the subject. There are many things I love but that ruined it for me.

What a wonderful book If you love being outside, this is a must read for you. I love the outdoors, but live in a small city, I will bring the outdoors to my backyard with all the great ideas. It just gives you such a warm cozy feeling reading this book. What to read more!!!

This is a true story. I was in a bookstore looking in the "Antique Price
Guide" section when I came across THIS book! Now whether it was MISHELVED,
MISPLACED or someone had stashed it there.. to come back later and buy..
I WAS SOOO GLAD IT WAS THERE! I spent the next few hours (!!) reading
this one-of-a kind gem! I never met anyone quite like this author. BUT
I sure would like to! She takes you on a journey to another place and time
..and shows you how THEN could be NOW. She entrances with her down home
wisdom and bit's of her life story. I really NEVER felt the time
go by.( Perhaps it was a "out of body" experience? If so I want to go back!!)This book made me enchanted and giddy. It made me yearn to go horseback riding again. In short it made me want to rediscover myself.
Now I would have stayed there longer reading it, but alas they had to close! READ THIS WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL BOOK!

A book on finance is probably not a topic most young people would be eager to spend a lot of time on, so this is a great gift book for teens and kids going to college as it is short and fact-filled. In a small book Ms. Gordon manages to cover all of the basics regarding how to responsibly handle money and avoid financial crises. The page layout is easy to read and clean with short chapters and bold headlines to direct the eye to topics of interest. There is even an index. How to plan a budget, handle credit, what contributes to a good or bad credit score (information even seasoned adults can benefit from), keeping your personal information safe, balancing a checkbook, what you need to get that first job, and more. An amazing variety in one short and affordable book that won't intimidate by its size. This book DOESN'T suck.

Everyone wants money, but few understand what to do with it. "Money Sucks!: Money Strategies for Real Life" offers lessons that few people have ever been taught about the importance of planning with one's money. Aiming to give readers the essentials, and deliberately not a ten pound financial textbook, "Money Sucks!" is an excellent read for anyone just starting out and seeking to plan their money usage to avoid future problems.

Reviewed by Tina Avon for RebeccasReads (6/08)

I always enjoy reading personal finance books - I often wish I had started reading them at a much younger age. Yet, I also remember thinking how dry and boring most of these appeared to be. However, Money Sucks, Money Strategies for Real Life (2nd Edition), written by Miryam Gordon is exactly the type of book I should have been reading. Although it is not a big book (only 74 pages) it does cover most of the important points that any young adult, just starting off in the financial world (and the real world, for that matter) must know.

This book is quite complete and explains crucial topics such as budgets, paying taxes, how to fill out your first tax forms (this is a great addition), banking, credit cards and debt (this is such a scary, yet often underestimated topic, especially for the up-and-coming generations) as well as savings and even understanding your credit score.

Written in a clear, concise and impartial way, this book can be used as a referral manual for any issues that may come up with respect to your financial wellness. One of the most important topics covered (and in my opinion one of the hardest to understand) is the creating and following of the budget. The author gives us detailed and yet simple ways of drawing up and living within a budget and even manages to make it all sound achievable (okay I can't say enjoyable - because, we are, after all talking about a budget here), but her advice will make it easier to live with.

Along with the valued financial information, there are also some interesting side bits. For example, Gordon details for us the history of paying taxes (The Boston Tea Party), the dos and don'ts of bankruptcy and even how credit card companies make money. While I was reading all of this I was thinking, `it seems I should know all of this! Why don't I?' It is my belief that many adults may be in my situation - thinking I have the basics down, but in reality, am in need of a serious refresher course. As with many things, I think I picked up my knowledge here and there and now need to figure out what is fact and what is fiction when it comes to my finances. This book has helped me do this - it has me questioning the habits that I have developed over the years and it has me looking at the validity of these habits.

The little cartoons at the beginning of each chapter are a nice touch and send the message that reading up on this topic does not have to be dry and serious all the time.

Although I probably would not recommend this book for people looking for high finance information (detailed investments or tax breaks), I would absolutely recommend this to any child who is old enough to start earning (and hopefully) saving money and to any adult who wants to go back to the beginning and put their financial building blocks securely (more securely?) in place.

"Money Sucks" is full of straightforward, practical tips for the financially clueless. While many older adults could learn from these financial tips - I didn't know I should be careful about giving my birthdate out to inquiring minds - the book is especially helpful for younger adults. Even 16-year-olds have checking accounts, debit cards, and borrow money from their parents for cars, vacations, and prom dates. Now they can learn why it's smart to balance your checkbook, keep track of receipts and due dates for bills, and to know the perils of runaway credit card use. It helps that the book is written with a splash of humor, some fun drawings, and is easy to read.

Identity theft is a huge problem today, and this book offers advice on how to monitor your credit rating, protect private information from getting into the wrong hands, and resist the lure of no interest/easy payment options for buying high-priced items. And who among us did not have trouble filling out our income tax withholding form at our first job? Even the other employees - and sometimes the managers - didn't know how to advise us on how to fill in the blanks. "Money Sucks" give you a step by step explanation so that you will never again have trouble choosing your options.

It's important to learn all you can before you leave the protection of your parents' home. 50 Ways to Leave Your Mother And I recommend that before you earn your first paycheck you read "Money Sucks" because someday the money you earn - and may lose - will be your own.

As the mother of seven children, I am thankful for this book! It is packed with the wisdom that every parent should instill in their child for life-long success - in a convenient, fun package!

Ms. Gordon's book should be a part of every high school's Economics curriculum and every family's library.

i love this book! what fun to look back. in great shape.

I found the book informative. Nice commentary - wonderful photos. - done with a broad spectrum of readers in mind.

This is a great recollection of the muscle car era with exceptional, detailed photographs. Would look good on any coffee table.

The author really understands the magnetic attraction these cars had for guys growing up during the classic musclecar era. The book is great - it covers all makes fairly and has a wealth of photos and descriptions. But it also gives you a real understanding of why these cars were (and are) so special and why they're still revered today. Buy this book!

This is a great book of muscle cars. With plenty of information and great pictures, any muscle car fan would love this book. Buy this book and find out for yourself how good this book is.

This book is an interesting study of human nature. Showing the best and worst things about our selfs and others we work with.

This easy-flowing, light read is just about the most insightful business book I've read in a while (and I've pretty much read them all!). In the same way that product design people say "products don't get created, they get discovered", Moran's book leaves one fulfilled -- with the sense that one has put words and structure to half-formed insights that were rattling around in one's brain the whole time. What started off as a reading exercise turned into some pretty deep introspection. Best business book I've read since "The Goal" a couple of decades ago!

I found this book to be very entertaining, as well as a good resource for business life. Anyone who has worked in an office environment for any length of time will relate to many of his analogies. Plus, it just plain made me laugh! Those of us who live in cubicles 90% of our day can use a good laugh now and then, don't you agree? I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who works in an office or knows someone who does! It's much more than a good laugh, however. Rich hits the nail on the head with his many great ideas illustrating how to be successful in the professional world.

Rich Moran's book is a "bible" for business professionals. He provides tips and advice based on true-to-life business world experience. I have worked for a large corporation for the past 25 years and I have recently purchased a number of copies of this book to give to the newly hired college graduates who have recently joined our company.

Those who inhabit corner offices would do well to read it and gain insights into the "unwritten rules" that may be getting in the way of their company's progress. We need rules to avoid chaos but occasionally we need to purge the dumb ones. Management and staff could use this book to help open the kind of dialogue that would help everyone realize they are all in the same boat. Once that happens the boat could be streamlined for success by dumping excess rules. Highly recommended by this CEO.