Economic-Life Books

This book was by far the best book I've read in the past ten years. I read a lot of books and some make a difference in my life and some don't. No other book has had as much impact on my life as WINNING HABITS. It reminded me to get back to some very basic principles I thought I had outgrown, and taught me a few new secrets as well.
In WINNING HABITS Dick Lyles reminds us that there are certain behaviors we should never outgrow and that by making them a permanent part of who we are, we can virtually guarantee success even in the most trying of times. I highly recommend this book to anyone of any age, but I especially recommend it as a graduation gift. It may prove to have more compounded value over the years than any other gift you can give. You'll be giving the gift of timeless wisdom.

Although this book is categorized in the business sections of bookstores, I found it extremely valuable as a junior high school teacher. Teachers must interact with all kinds of people. As I continue to deveop relationships with parents, faculty and students, I will now be able to use this worthwhile advice and continue to develop winning habits! This book was fun, easy to read and easy to understand! Now, after identifying with Albert and Jennifer, I can apply their lessons to my own life!

Winning Habits wraps the 4 habits it talks about in a parable. The good news is the parable is easy to follow and helps to gets the habits across. Better yet the author provides suggestions in the parable for introducing these habits into you daily routie so they stick and take root.

Here are the 4 winning habits. They seem to be very common sense, but in reality how many really do these things on a regular basis with discipline?

1. Be first on, last off and add extra value

2. Never trade results for excuses

3. Solve problems in advance (good problem solving approach in this section)

4. Always make those around you look good.

There are some really good templates that are highly leveragible from this book. In fact the templates are really the value of the book, since they are tools to allow you use the template to reach life change. The problem solving template in the Solve problems in advance section is excellent and the format for recording what was done well and what could be improved makes a lot of sense.

It never ceases to amaze me how the best teachers and philosophers can take a tremendous amount of wisdom and distill it into a compact sentence or two so it is easily remembered. In "Winning Habits" author Dick Lyles has done an excellent job of doing exactly that. A whole philosophy of life is distilled down into just four sentences which, when they become habits, will propel you forward in life no matter what your goals.

The book doesn't read like a typical self-help book but like a fictional work. The reader sees life through the eyes of Albert and Jennifer as she gets regular promotions at work and he is left wondering why he does not. Albert works hard and does his job well but he keeps getting passed over for promotions. His emotional despair over the situation leads him on a search for answers. The end result is a journey into discovering how to be a success at anything you want in life. Through the storyline Mr. Lyles clearly shows the reader not only the secrets to success but also exactly how to use them to change your life. No complex philosophy or convoluted ideas here, just plain simple truths of life. "Winning Habits: 4 Secrets that Will Change the Rest of Your Life" is a highly recommended read.

This amazing self help book seems to answer Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth H. Blanchard being Dr. Covey of Seven Habits fame. Dick Lyles uses fictional characters to bring across his messages that will remind readers of a cross between the two books above. The characters Albert and Jennifer make it much simpler for readers to follow, apply and adhere to Mr. Lyles four not so secret guidelines through their trials and tribulations that will enable the user to improve his or her group dynamics. The secret foursome is obvious yet often ignored whether it is on the job, with family, or with a social religious group. Mr. Lyles suggests the "winning habits" that successful people foster are

- "Be first on, last off, and add extra value" - If you fail to add worth why does the group need you. My spouse always talks about negative man-hours and vampire employees sucking the energy and time of teammates. Don't be one.
- "Never trade results for excuses" - Don't rationalize failure, go out and get the job done.
- "Solve problems in advance" - Be active not reactive.
- "Always make those around you look good" - People will want you on their team if you help make the group look good and not just hog the glory.

WINNING HABITS: 4 SECRETS THAT WILL CHANGE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE is fun to read due to the parable writings that are easy to use in business, in the community and at home. Now if I can find myself a team, I can double my review production.

Harriet Klausner

There are not enough words to describe how useful and educational I think this book is. After having been backstabbed on my last project I have recognized how damaging it is to not want to or be able to succeed in the craft of office politics. I have read and absorbed every page twice on my first read which will not be my last. I was deeply impressed and inspired by the information and samples presented on every single page. My goal is not to become a selfish office politician but to be able to further my career (not only) by fending off my adversaries with ethical politics and defense mechanisms. "Winning Office Politics" is the right tool for that task.

The most important thing to know about this book is that it is REALLY COMPREHENSIVE. Not only does it cover everything you hope it does, but it also covers it from BOTH the perspectives of lower-level employees, and higher-up employees.

I bought this book after finding out that working hard, and STAYING OUT of office politics was getting me NOWHERE, AND HURTING MY CAREER. Especially since I work in an organization where it seems that office politics is all that many employees are thinking about! The book discusses the ineveitability of office politics, and gives you an extensive test to find out how "political" you are yourself. The results surprised me in that I was not quite the "dolt" I had previously presumed myself to be!

Once you have examined your own potential at office politics, the book tells you every possible strategy to get on your boss's good side, and every possible strategy to gain the support of lower-ranking people, as well. One example they gave that I would NEVER have thought of is to pay careful attention to whether your boss prefers written, or oral, communication. I never paid attention to that before-I was giving my boss written memos, because written information is more comfortable for ME, when he prefers to hear things ORALLY.

The book then goes on to describe techniques to grab power in an organization, how to use political information, devious political tactics, political blunders, outwitting difficult people, bouncing back from career adversity, surviving a corporate takeover, and defending yourself against unfair politics. It discusses ALL of these topics from the perspectives of lower-level,mid-level, and upper-level positions. So no matter if you work in the mail room, in the executive suite, or anywhere in between, this book is for YOU. One of the best, most comprehensive books I've recently read.

Simply put, this was a very well-organized, comprehensive, straightforward though plainly-written book about corporate politics. If you want to avoid political blunders, outwit opponents, and survive career setbacks, then there are chapters for you here. If you're ambitious, there are chapters on grabbing power and influence, as well as chapters about devious techniques that may be used against you and how to defend against them. Yes, corporate politics can seem petty at times, but unfortunately it's a reality. And given increasingly competitive work environments, this book should have something for everyone, from powerless office minions to the most Machiavellian managers.

On the plus side, the book is comprehensive, well structured, and makes a good reference. There are many sub-sections and very descriptive section headings, so you can easily find a section that applies to you. Also, you can absorb most of the main points by just by looking at the section headings. The supporting text is clearly written, and contains mostly examples.

On the downside, the text itself isn't particularly lively - the prose is plain, factual, and straightforward, so while it's not difficult to read, it's slightly dry. Next, given the very strong outline and descriptive headings, you could skip the text & just read the headings and get just as much out of the book. So in retrospect, reading the entire book seems redundant. Also, if you've worked in corporate America a while, many of the suggestions aimed at novices will seem blindingly obvious (i.e. don't yell at your boss). Also, a few of the supporting examples seem ludicrous -- for example, on p. 103, he recommends that if you want to impress coworkers at the office picnic, you should bring an extremely attractive person as a companion, "even if you have to rent one." This hired help then is supposed to flirt with your coworkers and flaunt their looks. Suggestions in this ilk are in the minority, though.

If you're still not sold on this book, then here's some of the tips Dubrin goes delves into that may interest you:
First, one should size up your boss, understand his/her objectives, get him/her on your side, be loyal & help him/her succeed. To grab power, he recommends that one should look powerful, network and form alliances & coalitions with powerful people, target getting key jobs and roles that control important corporate projects. To impress superiors, one should shine at meetings, be cool under pressure, be polite and loyal, and flatter your superiors without being too obsequious.

DuBrin also outlines how to avoid basic blunders such as bypassing your boss or yelling at him/her, being disloyal, complaining about an ex-boss or old employer, deviating too far from custom or organizational beliefs, dumping well-connected people and burning your bridges. Instead, one should be a consistent performer, in control of ones emotions, appear committed to the job & your organization, be visible to upper management. One should also find a mentor, toot your own horn softly, take sensible career risks, work for a strong boss and help him/her succeed, and avoid weaker managers. Additionally, speak directly & honestly, stop malicious gossip and rumors, resolve conflicts early, and share credit, information, favors, gossip, and recognition. During career setbacks, one shouldn't panic, but should get support from others, sell yourself to people who can help you, and take action to plan your comeback.

For the Machiavellians out there, there are chapters that outline devious tricks, such as backstabbing, double-crossing, discrediting your rival, stealing credit, exclude rivals from meetings or abolish their jobs or transferring them to "corporate Siberia," giving negative references, and giving self-serving advice. Dealing with difficult people also poses a challenge, and DuBrin's strategy is to leverage their weaknesses, taking over part of their jobs, and to give them negative but honest feedback either individually or with a group. To defend against retaliation, he recommends exposing dirty tricks and confronting critics who bad-mouth you.

Overall, I think this book would make a good reference for anyone working in an office. I think it can provide lots of tips for novices, and valuable reminders for corporate old-hands. It's well-organized, comprehensive, and straightforward, despite a few negative points. Recommended.

Working hard, keeping your nose clean and the promotions will come and you will be successful. NOT. The book is filled with REAL LIFE EXAMPLES of why working hard doesn't always work. This is the best book on the market today if you want to protect what you have and earn what you deserve. The book will also help those who want to move ahead and steer clear of the traps and potholes. Very easy to read and apply.

This book is one of two key resources I recommend to my clients, in my capacity as a professional motivational speaker. The other is:

The Secret Handshake: Mastering the Politics of the Business Inner Circle
by Kathleen Kelly Phd Reardon

As a set these two books cover the fundamentals of mastering corporate and office politics, With Dr Reardon's Book covering the Big Picture and Dr DuBrin's covering the details.

As a set these two books, will put you securely on the road to Political Mastery.

In Everything Truth, Faith and Love
Destin

The future of work for many of us will be in our home--and we need to prepare for it. This book is the Bible for what it will be like, what we need to think about, and how work at home may be a part of our future.

It's not easy trying to stay focused and motivated while working at home. Sandy Anderson's book provides the necessary tools to not only stay focused and motivated, but to maintain your sanity too.

This book should be the foundation of everyone's work-at-home resource library. My wife bought it for me so that I could understand the true "ins and outs" of what's involved in working from home with kids under foot. (My wife has been telecommuting from home on a part-time basis for about two years, and I must admit, I've been less than supportive.) Recently, I decided to make the plunge to start a home business and take on a good portion of the child care responsibilities. We searched high and low for resources that could help. "The Work at Home Balancing Act" was the *only* book we found that addresses ALL the issues and challenges of working at home from both a MALE and FEMALE perspective. It's been our lifesaver because we can both relate to it, and it teaches us how to communicate about complicated issues that arise when you work from home. It's written in a reader-friendly style with great quotes and stories from men and women--very realistic and motivational. Lots of nuts and bolts strategies--everything you need to know to set up and run a successful home business or telecommuting arrangement, and then some!

Dr. Anderson's extensive research interviewing work-at-home parents is a must for anyone with children and the desire to work from home. You get tried and true, both common sense and creative, ideas from the many parents who have "been there, done that" and know what works for dealing with children of all ages. It also has an excellent chapter on issues for couples. You will find yourself among kindred spirits. Easy to read, encouraging and engaging, this book is excellent! Barrie Jaeger, Ph.D.

Sandy Anderson addresses the key issues facing people who want to work at home or are currently engaged in enterprise at home. For those looking for a home career, Anderson's chapter on choosing the right business is very informative and guides people through the most difficult part of starting a business-"choosing the right one for yourself." Plus, her insights on managing a household along with a home business are worth re-reading several times. Finally, Anderson's interviews with many different types of homeworkers gives the reader a great insight into the TRUE benefits and challenges of working at home. Tina Egge Family@Work Editor, Work@Home Magazine

This book was the foundation upon which I was able to change my life from that of an frustrated CEO to an independent business woman, wife, mother and friend. Nancy's process uncovered so many "ahh hahhhhh" moments that the dots connected themselves. I found myself breathing deeper, living lighter and seeing a brighter future. All of my relationships have improved -- including the one with myself! It has been three years since I started the my "Work With Passion" journey and my life is amazingly fulfilled. I thank Nancy and her guidance for showing me the way. I now recommend this book to all of my friends. An easy way to find a better life path.

This book isn't for everyone. I came across it in college when like most others I had no idea what to do with my life. It struck a chord with me right away, but it took me a few more years to muster up the courage to actually follow through with the book's suggestions. Change, as Nancy honestly proclaims, is hard. But once you feel ready, this is the best, and possibly the only book out there that offers practical and real help for people who believe they have something special to offer the world and believe they should expect great things in return.

The idea behind the book simple (but then so are all brilliant ideas): closely examine your life for clues that are dying to tell you what you have been born to do. There is a great deal of positive psychology involved here. Mainly that the difficulties of childhood create passion, and that in an effort to give yourself the things you didn't get as a child, you can build a meaningful career that not only heals you but helps others. I don't know about everyone else, but that's certainly the news I was waiting to hear all my life.

While most "career" books out there have us complete questionnaires and take tests to find a place to fit us into, Nancy Anderson encourages us to carve out our own unique path. If you are a young person, never quiet satisfied with what the world has to offer you and convinced that you want more, this book can actually change your life. So run to the store, or click right here, and buy it now, but only if you are ready to put in the hard work.

"Do not let mediocre people discourage you," writes Nancy Anderson as she encourages her readers to discover the passion within and apply it to their lives. Such passion will attract other people to you. She notes, "People cooperate with people for mutual gain in a trade-off situation."

On the examined life, she includes an exercise whereby you can write the epitaph for your life. In essence, mine was to live passionately as a steward to Jesus Christ, maximizing the resouces He provided for me to serve as steward over.

She has some insightful things to say about how our work defines us, telling us, "It is through the dignity of the work we do that we achieve self-esteem in life." Anderson is a big advocate of enjoying life's journey, reminding readers that life can be adventurous and provide satisfaction.

Nancy Anderson's unique book, Work with Passion, is unlike anything I've ever read. It's a one-of-a-kind, hands-on, practical approach to getting paid to do what comes naturally to you. This is not a job hunt book. It's about the process that takes you to knowing your life's work, what's enjoyable for you, the job or business that uses all of your talents and skills. Doing this work gives you deep personal satisfaction, and all the money you need.

Work with Passion is different from other career books because it connects the emotional and psychological intricacies of early family life to the subconscious blocks that inhibit personal and financial success. I discovered this connection six years ago after I worked through the exercises in the book. I am still amazed by the transformation and changes that have occurred and are still occurring in my life since then. The process was slow and often painful, but it led me to freedom from the past. I've learned that the journey should be enjoyed because that's how you come to know yourself and what you love. The hardest part was letting go of what's familiar and trusting in the unknown. It's been a struggle to dissolve the myth that work should be drudgery, but three years ago I moved to Madrid, Spain and created my own business doing what I love most, language and communication coaching. The journey and process are still unfolding, but thanks to the work Nancy's book encouraged me to do, I'm at a place in my life that I had only dreamt of when I was younger.

Nancy Anderson doesn't just show you how to find a career you're passionate about she shows you how to find a life you're passionate about!

As I worked my way through my autobiography, and the other enlightening excercises in the book, I watched the hardened exterior of my old life crack and fall away, exposing the shine of a new life as bright as freshly polished silver.

I recommend this book to anyone who is tired of being and working the way others think they "should" and to those who are tired of making excuses for not doing the work they love and living the life they deserve.

Life is precious, live it now. This book will show you how.

Ric is a very concise, articulate, and wise man. I've read hundreds of books on personal growth, business success, and spirituality, and I will most certainly continue to do so for the rest of my life. If you're not growing, you're dieing.

In my humble opinion, this is the best, most complete book on how to live a balanced life I've ever read. Ric has done a remarkable job. This is one of those rare gems that you want to read over and over again to extract all it has to offer. Thank you for your gift to those who seek wisdom and act upon it when they see it.

What an amazing book! Easy to read, and keeps your attention. Filled with many thought provoking experiences and ideas. An ideal tool for use, not only in the work world, but your personal life as well. Truely, a life changing experience! Ric is a master teacher who makes understanding complete. Highly recommended for everyone!!

Your Authentic Self: Be Yourself At Work is reviewed here for its special applications to the workplace. The author says we can be authentic at work - and tells how creativity, innovation, and intuition can all be applied to the work environment for better job performance. Individual chapters aptly present techniques and exercises specifically designed to foster this personal and spiritual quest in the workplace.

This book really caused me to look at the work place in a much different light with regard to the benefits of bringing spirituality into the work equation. I appreciated Ric's personal stories and the thought provoking insights in each chapter. I keep the book handy and from time to time reread certain chapters at the begining of the week or prior to a trip as a way of continuing to improve how I interact with people and react to both personal and business situations.

About a month ago, I was given Your Authentic Self as a gift. It has proven to be the most valuable gift I've ever received! Having just completed it, I plan to pick it right back up and start over again. I can't even begin to express how much this book is helping to transform my life. On November 22nd, 2002, I was laid off from my job as a Corporate Trainer at The Principal Financial Group. At first, I thought this was the end of the world and my initial reaction was one of self-pity and depression. But a few days later, a very enlightened friend of mine gave me your book at just the right moment. I was hesitant at first to think that a book would do little more than give me a "temporary lift" or a pep talk. But Your Authentic Self has done so much more. It has helped me reconnect with parts of myself that I had long neglected. It has also helped me focus and articulate what it is I want/need out of my next job. I have not felt this centered and "authentic" in a very long time. I hadn't realized how much I was living in the outer self, and now that I'm aware of it, I never want to go back to being that person again. Life is VERY short, and very precious - with no dress rehearsal - so it's imperative that we make the most of our time, including our time at work. Your book is my roadmap to doing just that. I've already started applying the Law of Mind Action, mapped my future, and begun managing monkey mind. Now, what I HAD seen as a worst-case scenario (getting laid off) has actually become a blessing. I thank God - and the angels - for giving me this chance to spend some time getting to know myself better, reconnect with The Universe, and focus on what it is I REALLY want to do. I feel unburdened and unleashed!!! Thank you, Mr. Giardina, for this gift. I have recommended your book to everyone!!!

5 Steps to Expert is just what the doctor ordered. Dr. Paul Schempp has produced a "manual" for anyone to follow from novice to expert. This book is well written, easy to read and free of the usual "business babble" readers typically have to plow through to gain an understanding of the author's message. Further Dr. Scempp's methods are based on his many years of research coaching sports figures.

After reading 5 Steps to Expert, you'll come away with an understandable and doable step-by-step plan to achieve success and become the expert others will envy.

Diane Bogino
Author Finding Your Bootstraps: 11 Steps to Overcoming Thinking & There's Something Funny About Humor in Presentations

Wonderful product that will aid anyone interested in improving their business. Has helped trememdously in improving my business and personal acumen

Once again, Paul Schempp has provided evidence as to why is he considered one of the leading scholars on expertise in the world. His practical, but research based book is of great value to anyone interested in learning about how expertise evolves and the indices of expertise. Schempp lays the content out in a well written, logical way - one that should help people in a variety of professions as well as in one's personal life. This is a great addition to the literature.

In my view, being perceived as a "jack of all trades" or a generalist is poor personal branding, but being perceived as an expert in an area is smart positioning. Paul Schempp has written a powerful and clear-cut book on how you can bootstrap yourself into being an expert in your field. Whether you are an executive in a corporation, a professional or an entrepreneur, this book will show you how to go from beginner to elite performer.

What separates Schempp's book from most books in this genre is that his is not based on his opinion. Schempp offers a framework for anyone desiring to get better based on empirical findings presented in an encouraging yet realistic manner. His writing style has a deferential tone rather than the overly patronizing style that many researchers use. He does an exceptional job of translating research findings for those who have neither the time to rifle through nor the access to scientific literature. In other words, Paul Schempp is a scholar of the first-rate. He is, better yet, the everyman's scholar and a model for all academics to follow.

There are a number of books on the market on reinventing yourself or finding a second career. This one was easy to read and offered a number of practical steps to take as you move forward. I liked that he inserted real-life stories to illustrate each of his points. Definitely worth purchasing if you're thinking about another career or concerned that your existing one may disappear!

Mr. Dilenschneider has written a fine book based on his own experiences and those of his friends and network that is mostly as applicable to 30 year olds as to 50+ year olds.

He's at his best when he's describing his own successful experiences in the public relations field. The sections on how to leave your current job, get a new job, how to become a consultant, how to get clients and how to handle public relations are spot on. They are worth the price of the book. However, if you are not interested in those sections, you will probably be disappointed in this book.

I particularly recommend chapter 9 "Bridging the Generation Gap" for its fine material on how to stay up-to-date with and relevant to younger people, regardless of what your relationship is with them (whether boss, subordinate or child).

Some of the book didn't quite work for me, such as the "dress for success" advice from two of Mr. Dilenschneider's haberdashers. As a result, I almost stopped reading the book before I got to chapter 5, when the helpful advice began to kick in.

If you want to understand the heart of the 50+ perspective in the book, you really only need to read chapter 9. If you think you are going to have age-related job issues, then other chapters come into play. As a result, I suggest that you check this out at the library before purchasing it.

After you finish, think about how your life can be filled with expanding choices and potential . . . while you feel excited and rewarded by how you spend your time. Then, spend some time exchanging ideas with others who are younger and older than you to see what their perspectives are.

"50 Plus, Critical Career Decisions for the Rest of Your Life," while written for those in their fifth decade, presents sound practical advice for persons of any age. Particularly helpful are the chapters devoted to how to move up in your profession, how to do your own public relations, and how to determine when it is time to change your job. In this, the author's third book offering advice to persons in specific age groups (the first was the well received "The Critical 14 years of Your Professional Life"), he devotes more time to the tactics, strategies, rewards, and pitfalls of striking out on your own than he did in his previous volumes. Throughout this latest work Dilenscneider not only tells the reader "how to do it," but his consistently upbeat approach also leaves one with the feeling that "it can be done."

50 Plus! is a relevant to-the -point, no nonsense guide that applies to all those in the work force who want that extra "edge" to achieve their goals. Every page offers something of value to the reader. It covers the "in's and out's" of business from the hiring interview, to how to leave a job and all the stops in between..resumes, creating an image, business relationships,even how to conceptualize and start your own business. Although this book is titled 50 Plus!,and indeed provides 8 rules for "getting back in the game",it offers practical information that can be used at any age.
This is a well written "must read" for everyone and a great book to keep as a reference.

This book should be #1 for anyone in the market for a job, not just those looking for a career change. After 6 months of trying, I nailed a job on my first interview after reading this book. The advice is totally relevant to this economy's job market, and I especially appreciated the tips on getting and maintaining positive control of interviews and meetings. I can't imagine there's a better book out there.

Finally, a self-help leadership-oriented book that doesn't talk down, that isn't written at the 5th grade level, that isn't a study of what others do, and actually offers more than one point of view. This book is configured the right way, with one central question driving a well-thought out and obviously thoroughly researched debate. You'll need to take your time with Absolute Impact, because the territory is deep and personal. The messages are universal and timely.The tools in the back are terrific, and worthy of a year's study.

Most books that talk about leadership are either practical (about practices) or philosophical (about principles). The author quickly makes the point that focusing on the techniques of others won't work, because every person is unique. In other words, simply doing Arnold Schwarzenegger's workout routine won't lead you to becoming Mr. Olympia, because genetic programming enters the equation. Having said that, the author has bridged the gap by offering self-directed strategies. May is definitely a modern day business philosopher, but has obviously worked with enough individuals that he is able to drill down into the real world methods. Read closely, and you'll see that every concept has an application offered. This is especially noticeable in the final chapter, on ambition, where each character states a future vision that uniquely draws on their talents and intents which is then translated into meta goals, then big projects, and finally ground level strategies. What is fascinating is that although all four aspirations are different, I found myself compelled by parts of each. They are beautifully written, and anyone considering themselves a leader could go to school here on how to paint a vivid picture of the future that is truly inspiring.

If you're a student of philosophy, science, sociology and psychology, you'll see that what he's done brilliantly is to take a basically Platonic/Socratic platform, updated it with modern science (ala Pinker and Calvin et al) and blended it with classical and modern socio-psychological studies (from Tocqueville to Spranger to Seligman). The breadth is actually pretty astounding; he covers issues that could easily consume three books.

To say the least, this is a primarily intellectual treatment of the deepest questions we all face at one time or another.

I liked this book because it made me think about my work and my life. Several times I had to stop, rest the book on my lap, reread a passage, and reflect on the messages and how they applied to me. There is a central question which drives the discussion, and it's a very deep and personal one, one that has everything to do with making a difference in the world. I like the dialogue format, and the book reads almost like a screenplay. The exercises in the back of the book are helpful in getting your arms around the concepts and actually putting them into play in your life. Above all, the book is inspiring!

My faith in the business writing profession is momentarily restored! I was getting pretty sick of the hundred page superficial big type fables getting churned out by the Blanchards and Johnsons of the world. Absolute Impact is a fable, but it has as much depth as anything I've picked up in the serious literature, history, or biography sections. I found myself agreeing with some of the characters, disagreeing with others. In other words, the book will engage you; it might make you think, or make you mad, but it will wake you up. So if you're an airplane reader, don't buy the book. If you need a one word review, try "inspiring." This book will get criticized for being too hard to read, but in all honesty, it's not. To be fair, May probably goes a little overboard on the vocabulary, but he offers a "strange words" section to help those who may not have done so well on their SAT verbal. In addition, all of the major points are called out in the margins. This is a beautifully laid out book, designed to be referred to again and again. My only real criticism is that I wish it was a hard cover.

This book is not for everyone. If you like short reads and silver bullets that don't work, spend your money elsewhere. But if you're looking for an intellectually rich blend of philosophy, self discovery, and application in the context of personal leadership and written as a robust debate, look no further. May's well-written fable starts with a simple enough premise that personal leadership is about being able to say you've made the most of your life, your time, your talents. Through the voices of a dying Prince and his three Courtiers, he progresses to offer three simple (but not simplistic) self-directed challenges that when pursued together provide a powerful pathway to achieving positive impact and achievement. From there, he dives ever deeper in pursuit of the "how," which is perhaps the best part of the book. Most books offer recipes, plenty of whats and whys, but fall short on the how. As you read further, the material gets tougher. But when all is said and done, this book belongs next to Plato's Republic and Machiavelli's Prince. Required reading for the leadership set!

Not much to say really--a great book about a very great man. For those who think the struggle for racial equality began in 1954 this book will widden their historical hisorical horizons. But what it shows to me above all are the heroic possibilities of ordinary people in the US "Nate Shaw" or others like Hosea Hudson and later Fannie Lou Hamer--I wish somehow people in other parts of the world could read this book because they would realize there is a hidden America, an America not represented by our dreary and belicose politicians or our narcotic talking heads or worse our "official" historians" I can think of very few other books about American history that EVERONE MUST READ.

Nate Shaw was the father of my Uncle Oscar Turner's best friend. His real name was Nate Cobb and the family of the son, Lorraine, is prominent in the Middletown, Ohio ghetto.

The author has done a masterful job of illustrating how greatness was thrust upon him. Nate never set out to become a hero, only to protect his own dignity and provide for his children.

I do not believe that there is a better book for teaching about the lies of 20th century sharecroppers. Theirs is an overlooked legacy.

I am hoping that by entering a review here, I can see other reviews that I can use to write a book review on this title. Its due tomorrow! Yikes!

This is a timeless classic, and not just among memoirs, because the subject was a great American---a man who "had no get-back in him." Nate Shaw (real name Ned Cobb) had an amazing memory, and also an acute understanding of the post-Civil War rural South. The rhythm of the seasons, work routines, knowledge of livestock, nature and people too, combine for a profound view of a vanished America. (If you want to really know about mules, Ned's the man.) But Ned didn't just observe, he worked with the Alabama Sharecroppers' Union and defended powerless friends, serving 12 years in prison for his pains. This activism sets him apart from Kas Maine, a South African sharecropper to whom he's been compared in recent years. The earthy dialect wears out some readers, but otherwise "All God's Dangers" is compelling from start to end. Writers from Wendell Berry to Pete Daniel praise both man and book, while John Beecher's "In Egypt Land" is a moving poetic rendition of Ned's story. R. Kelley, "Hammer & Hoe" vividly recreates 1930s Alabama; on Kas Maine, see C. Van Onselen, "The Seed Is Mine." But Ned tells about his world far better than the others. In living, then narrating, a life of great struggle lived with great dignity, Ned Cobb performed a signal service---for all of us. We are in your debt!

In the middle of Rosengarten's book, truly a masterpiece of oral history memoir making, Nate Shaw says "all God's dangers ain't a white man." This would seem truly a remarkable thing for a black man who spent over a decade in an Alabama prison to say, but as a farmer growing cotton in Alabama during the first half of the twentieth century it quickly makes sense once he explains it. Shaw's story of his chaffing under his good for nothing father's roof; his growing prosperity as share cropper and than as a yeoman farmer; his hucksterism when dealing with violent and hostile whites attempting to cheat him; the defense of fellow small farmers that got him thrown in jail during the Great Depression; and his takes on the science of farming, race relations, the American class system and his own life experiences show Shaw to be a master story teller and Rosengarten and master interviewer. The combination of these two was absolute dynamite.

This is a great reference book on both early origins on distilling in America and the Beam family - who comprise a large branch of the founding families of Bourbon distilling and still have many members working at various distilleries throughout Kentucky. A entertaining read and great reference for anyone who is interested in bourbon.

What a great book! I loved it and couldn't put it down. I feel like I was right there with Pacult as he traveled around with Booker Noe. I am not a bourbon drinker, but this book made me wish I had a little bit to sip as I was reading it. Alas I finished reading the book before I could purchase some bourbon.

This book captures a truly unique American product, and a family that was integral to the creation of the industry. As I write this review, Booker Noe's death was just recently announced. The personalities of the larger than life characters like Booker are wonderfully captured within the narrative. Even if you're not a fan of bourbon (philistine!), you'll come away with a great appreciation for the definitive American spirit (both the drink and the people).

I read American Still Life this Summer. It reads like a Michener novel. I prefer reading non-fiction but most non-fiction is boring and tedious. So I was pleased when I had a chance to read this book. It's a strong testament to our American founders and to the Beams, American icons, who 'took the pain' out of the daily struggles. Great Read!

This book kept me enthralled for an entire weekend. A great look at a family that created an entire industry with a distinctly American product, Bourbon.

As the story of a facinating family, the author gently takes you through the many generations of the Beams without getting you lost in a morass of detail. You remain excited waiting for the next turn in their fortunes, and you get a wonderful look at the many personalities involved in building the Bourbon industry over time in the process.

When I think about the book from a business standpoint, Paul Pacult succeeded in conveying the patience and the passion these people have for their product, and how they manage to maintain that passion, literally over generations. In a world of managing quarter to quarter, the Beams are a refreshing change.

A very-well written, facinating look at a piece of Americana. I heartily recommend it.