Economic-Life Books

There are very few books on career management, and I think this is the top of the bunch. The author Dr. Gene Bedell has created another great book, this time attacking the serious issue of career management in order to achieve outstanding success. During my Ph.D studies in business I had to evaluate many books, and I think this book has three main qualities which make it special: 1) it is easy to follow and understand, 2) it provides a logical approach to achieving outstanding career success, and 3) it will give one the self-confidence and understanding needed to achieve one's career goals. Let me talk about the first point.

Gene made this book with the reader in mind. The book uses many simple metaphors to explain complexes topic eloquently. This book also provides memorable stories which make his lessons so much more impactful. Finally, the book is written in common English not the language of MBAs or Lawyers.

Secondly, the book provides a logical approach to career management. Gene setup the chapters logically, and presents his career strategies simply. He uses categories and self-assessments in a step-wise process to help readers understand how to achieve their goals. Finally, much of the content is novel advice which is put so simply it is outright powerful.

Lastly, this book will provide the readers with a great self-confident in developing their own career. The stories, lessons, and advices help the readers develop a confidence and an understanding of careers management that even the best career coach would admire.

In all, this book and the concepts in it also apply perfectly to doctor (Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, and so on) seeking to be the best in their profession. Hence, if you have any ambitions in your career path, you stand to benefit from reading this book. I might be slightly bias because I am goal oriented and I love seeing people succeed, but I think making the time to read this book will be an investment which pays off for the rest of your working career. That is not a bad deal for a $20 investment.
Thanks
Brian Glassman

For anyone who feels they are in mid career like myself, and beginning to drift, this is the book for you.The Millionaire in the Mirror: How to Find Your Passion and Make a Fortune Doing It--Without Quitting Your Day Job I am a life and business coach sceptic, and know several who cant run their own lives or business, but as I read the book it felt like it was written for me alone. Clearly the author is on top of his subject and has walked the walk himself. I could see my managers described exactly as the author outlines the pattern that leads to career drift.

I now know that I am one of the 'forlorn' whose carreer needs a shot in the arm to avoid a working life of aimless indifference, dreading the alarm each morning. It has given me the direction to place myself first and ensure I get the carreer success I desire. This book is BS free, no circles to fill in, no role playing, just accurate and insightful advice. It is also balanced advice, cautioning of the perils of entrepreneurial ventures, as weighed against the safer corporate life.

If your not fully satisfied with your carreer you need to buy this book, and it will give you the AHA moment you need.

Mr. Bedell has written a terrifically valuable and entertaining book for everyone who wants to move their career forward, regardless of it's
current state. Bedell's advice is both actionable and inspiring and goes well beyond the "visualize and you can achieve it" mantra preached by other pop-career guides. It is similar in this regard to Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People and will retain its relevancy for ears to come.

I read the books two weeks ago, and when I was halfway through, I decided to try out some of the techniques described for a few days. Last week when I was having a drink with some co-workers a Senior VP of my company whom I had never met approached me and told me that he had been hearing a lot about me from my managers as a result of the work I had done in the previous week. True story.

After the above experience I can't help but wholeheartedly recommend the book. Even more valuable, perhaps, than the specific career management advice is the framework Bedell lays out for thinking about and making important career decisions. If you absorb the advice of the book, many seemingly difficult career choices will seem painfully obvious and that alone makes this worth a read.

This book is fantastic. I recently graduated from college and reading Dr. Bedell's book has changed my perspective on what originally seemed like a good, competitive and prestigious consulting job. It is now clear to me that this position is an almost limbo like holding pattern where I personally will never be able to stand out. I think it is this complete change of perspective that makes Millionaire in the Mirror surpass other career management books. Gene doesn't waste time on concepts that a thousand books drone on about (pleasing your boss, salary negotiation, networking) he dives straight into a new philosophy for your life, and specifically your career.
I could continue to gush on about this book but I think my endorsement comes from the fact that I recently announced to my superiors that I will be leaving my position in a few months. I'm not doing this out of fear but out of the realization that I have a significantly better chance of maximizing my potential with a career that I love, where I am able to deliver exceptional results and can also lead to future opportunities to advance. It's easy to write bullet points like this, but after reading Millionaire in the Mirror, I am confident that I actually know how to do it.

There are very few books on career management, and I think this is the top of the bunch. The author Dr. Gene Bedell has created another great book, this time attacking the serious issue of career management in order to achieve outstanding success. During my Ph.D studies in business I had to evaluate many books, and I think this book has three main qualities which make it special: 1) it is easy to follow and understand, 2) it provides a logical approach to achieving outstanding career success, and 3) it will give one the self-confidence and understanding needed to achieve one's career goals. Let me talk about the first point.

Gene made this book with the reader in mind. The book uses many simple metaphors to explain complexes topic eloquently. This book also provides memorable stories which make his lessons so much more impactful. Finally, the book is written in common English not the language of MBAs or Lawyers.

Secondly, the book provides a logical approach to career management. Gene setup the chapters logically, and presents his career strategies simply. He uses categories and self-assessments in a step-wise process to help readers understand how to achieve their goals. Finally, much of the content is novel advice which is put so simply it is outright powerful.

Lastly, this book will provide the readers with a great self-confident in developing their own career. The stories, lessons, and advices help the readers develop a confidence and an understanding of careers management that even the best career coach would admire.
In all, this book and the concepts in it also apply perfectly to doctor (Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, and so on) seeking to be the best in their profession. Hence, if you have any ambitions in your career path, you stand to benefit from reading this book. I might be slightly bias because I am goal oriented and I love seeing people succeed, but I think making the time to read this book will be an investment which pays off for the rest of your working career. That is not a bad deal for a $20 investment.

Thanks
Brian Glassman

Overall this is an outstanding book. Very easy to read with great personal stories and practical financial insight. There are guides to tracking spending, living on a budget, and doing it all with long-term life goals as the ultimate target. Really makes the reader stop and consider what life is all about and then plan financial issues around life. I am often turned off by the reference of companies, websites, and such. But many of the recommendations in this book are so practical that I don't think I would remove any. So very nice use. Also, quotations from various people, books, and movies are right on target for driving home points in a very relevant way. This keeps the reader engaged. I'm recommending this book to everyone.

As somebody who teaches financial planning workshops on a regular basis, I really appreciated how instead of simply mentioning tips for budgeting, getting out of debt, investing, etc., Matt Bell really sought to seek out the root cause and issues underlying our decisions or financial issues. It was really refereshing and encouraging to read. Even after reading many financial planning books, it was exciting to pick it up and read it during my daily. I hope people read this book and realize that keeping up with the Joneses isn't all it's cracked up to be. It's ok to live counterculturally, especially when the result is a life of more meaning and joy.

Matt Bell's book, "Money, Purpose, Joy" is one of those rare books on stewardship that should be read by those that are struggling, those that are succeeding and those that are stuck somewhere in between. The book covers both the Biblical basis of understanding personal financial integrity and also launches into proven financial disciplines that will work.

Matt introduces some new terminology that is extremely helpful in providing examples and contrasts of personality types and attitudes towards spending, saving and building. His own testimony as a "Prodigal Son" is inspiring and is a great reminder that we can embrace a new vision to use money in ways that bring freedom and joy.

As a Pastor that enjoys teaching stewardship, I have a new favorite book.

This is a great book to help those of us who see money as an important, but just one, aspect of a full and meaningful life. Most financial advice boks seem to be based on the premise that we all want go be gazillionaires and will do anything to get there. Matt Bell's book shows a more holistic and human way of looking at our money in the context of ones values and big-picture goals. It is also full of practical advice that gives one a place to start. A great read.

I'd recommend this book to almost anyone...those who are new to managing finances and want to get off to a good start and those of us who just need a reminder of what good money management looks like and why it's important. Matt Bell has presented sound financial concepts in a bold, new yet understandable way. In an environment where each day brings more financial bad news and uncertainty is certain, this book can offer hope. It's not a 'too good to be true quick fix' but if you're ready to take a thoughtful, disciplined approach to money management and reduce or possibly even eliminate financial related stress, then this book is a must read. And if your really serious about making changes, I'd highly recommend reading this book with a friend.

In this book Dave really drives it home - it's all about values, integrity, honesty and money is just an indicator of those. It taught me a lot on how it really works and it does, you can have more than enough! Go get it!

This book should help just about everybody. Dave's open and honest text helps the reader look deep inside himself to look not only for finanial peace but peace in knowing that the reader can sleep at night with all the other parts of his life no matter who he or she is or how finacially secure he or she might beRamsey has worked hard at his own success and makes no bones about sharing a life that is more about integrity and doing the right thing than the typical finacial strategy books on the market.His tips are solid as a rock and should not be ignored. Especially in todays enviroment where words like integrity, honesty and courage seem to be set aside for excuses and lies. The book takes Dave's first book and drives home the behavioral changes that need to take place to be successful in all aspects of life. Great Job Dave and thank you.

I submitted a review of this book last week. I loved the book. I would gladly write an additional review. I wholely believe in Dave's Methods and have shared them with many friends and family. They will change your live.

Dave's teaching is practical and common sense. If you follow his plan you will have peace and prosparity. His simple teaching may be scoffed at because it seems common sense, however most people don't follow this and they suffer. I hope you'll read it for your benefit. If you want to have more than enough in your financies and in your life, then read this book.

Dave is preaching some good lessons about life in this book. Values, vision, intensity, patience, wisdomonics (his word).... but the key to me is contentment. Learn to be happy that you are loved by God, and stop looking at spending money on stuff to make you happy. See yourself as a participant in God's world doing His will, and stop focusing on yourself. I know this is easier said than done, and especially if you have a family to support (you always want to give them the best stuff). This isn't your typical financial planning book, or even your typical how to get out of debt book, but it is filled with good thoughts about life in general, and if you live them, Dave promises other problems (e.g., money) will fade away, or at least get under control. I give this a big thumbs up.

Life is not something that is meant to take with stone cold seriousness. "Naked Idealism: Expose Your Authentic Side and Create a Sustainable Life and World" is a thoroughly 'user friendly' guide to being oneself and taking life how it should be taken - with a grain of salt and a dash of humor. Getting in touch with oneself is clearly the key to being content with one's existence. With a fresh touch of humor in his lectures, Dave Wheitner's "Naked Idealism" is a highly recommended addition to community library Self-Help reference collections, and a 'must read' for anyone seeking to improve their emotional well-being and enjoyment of life.

This book makes so much sense! The author brings you back to basics and what really matters by explaining very complex ideas in a simple, interesting and fun manner. "Naked Idealism" helped me put my life and goals in perspective. Mr. Wheitner's personal examples made it so easy to relate and make connections. I "saw" things more clearly while reading this book. I will likely read it once a year. It was a nice retreat for my thoughts! It is chock full of great resources as well.

Whether you are looking to switch careers (or jump-start your current one), inspire healthy change in the world, or freshen up your relationships with family and friends, this is a book you should check out. It provides easy-to-follow processes that can be applied to many situations and is jam-packed with activities that are not only effective, but dare I say fun. Dave Wheitner shows us that although change can be scary - it doesn't have to be - and this book shows you how to begin taking steps toward a more fulfilling life.

Here Dave Wheitner has created a rather offbeat combination of a fairly typical self-help manual with a much stronger treatment of what it takes to be a truly committed sustainability activist. And that's "sustainability" at both the personal and community levels. One of the strengths of the book is that Wheitner certainly practices what he preaches, with plenty of experience to offer thanks to his accomplished counseling career and his own sustainable lifestyle. He's got exceptional advice on improving one's own self-image and inner sincerity in order to become a successful activist, and how an activist can overcome occupational hazards like compassion fatigue, self-righteousness, and unyielding political correctness. Wheitner also has some unique and insightful things to say about escaping the power of money and high-consumption lifestyles.

The only real problem with this book is that much of the text in its middle sections is based on very typical self-help trends and buzzwords, which mostly operate as predictable filler here and which could be applied to any old undeveloped personal philosophy. Wheitner's writing style also relies too much on sentimentality and awkward humor, and watch out for the overused exclamation points. The beginning and concluding portions of the book are much stronger, because this is where Wheitner focuses on the fundamental goal of his philosophy - sustainable lifestyles that will help one's community and the planet while also providing personal fulfillment for the unselfconscious and focused activist. And most importantly, Wheitner provides a useful new conception of idealism, an oft-misunderstood line of thought that can be made more powerful when activists most effectively internalize and externalize their personal ideals. [~doomsdayer520~]

Do you want to live a better life? Do you want to make the world a better place? Are you a frustrated activist? Do you ever feel conflict between what you want to do and what you feel you should do? If any of these apply to you, this book is for you.

Naked Idealism is an excellent book for fledgling or struggling idealists. Dave Wheitner helps you figure out how to balance your external goals with your internal desires, and how to take your wishful thinking and bring it out into the world. His material is drawn from many useful and informative sources, and he provides a bibliography so the interested reader can find more.

As I read Naked Idealism, I marked up the margins on the parts I found particularly good. I ended up with 124 "Cool!" marks, 61 "WOW!" marks, and 6 new books on my to-read list.

I thought this book was great and loaned it to a few friends who have also like it. The most important message in the book for many people will be the fact that "it isn't just you." One friend commented that she felt the entire book was telling her story, helping her understand that what had been happening to her in the workplace was not about her as an individual but reflected a culture that was steeped in old biases.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in how many women are perceived and treated in the workplace.

Margaret doesn't sugarcoat the realities of being an executive female. But she's not on a rant, either, and provides plenty of upside and solid strategies. The Naked Truth is recommended reading for women on every rung on the ladder.

Author and executive Margaret Heffernan fearlessly declares that decades of advice telling business women to act like men, follow traditional rules and cleave to heartless stereotypes are wrong. Breathe a sigh of relief. It's not you; "It's the system, stupid!" In her eyes, the business world inherently does not welcome, respect or value women. Refreshingly, instead of blaming women, the author conveys the advice of hundreds of female survey respondents who say men hold the aces in the business world and don't want to share. Honest, funny and sometimes disconcerting, she offers advice, inspiring examples and helpful stories. She explains how to find or create a humane, cooperative, supportive workplace that fits your principles - and how to make a realistic appraisal if you are at the change-it-or-quit stage. The one shortcoming is the author's absolute unstated assumption that women are innately, inevitably more cooperative, honest and caring than men. This stereotype is a two-edged sword, wounding those men who do have sound values, and reinforcing the typecasting that women ought to be sweet and nurturing because it's in their genes. That aside, we recommend Heffernan's clear view of the hurdles that block a woman's path to business success and work-life balance. She confronts painful realities and adapts them, or adapts to them, even if in nontraditional ways. If you have to be one person at work and someone different at home, her dynamic vision can help you pull it all together.

5 stars for certain and a must read for business women. My hat is off to margaret who speaks directly to issues and DOESN'T ask women to be more like men. She presents many different ideas - some her own and some presented by other women. Its wonderful to read a book that speaks to you and you feel involved in. Well done indeed.

Margaret Heffernan has never been afraid to talk about the ugliness that can happen for women in Corporate America. Her new book is no different. It brings up almost every important issue for women trying to climb the traditional corporate ladder. In some cases she offers solutions, either from her own experience and research, or through the shared stories of women she interviewed for the book.

Two things in particular in the book stuck with me. In one section she discusses women and their "relationship" with work. I really liked the use of that word, "relationship." Because I do have a relationship with my work, just like I have a relationship with the people in my life or with money. (I had never really thought about it in that way before.) The second item that struck me was after I read one woman's description of something very sexist that happened in the workplace, I expected the next line to say, "that was ten years ago." Instead, the line was "that was in 2004." I think we need reminding that not everything has changed, and in fact, anything going on now is even worse than ten years ago, because it's 2005, and we all (including the boys) know better.

If you work in a larger company, waste no time in getting a copy of this book! I put this work right up there with the output from Robert J. Ringer.

If you are reading this review because you found work from me (Tcat Houser or Gudrun Funk), yes I am suggesting you get this work as a companion read to our books.

This great read has in depth examples of what is important to the different personality styles. Wonderful how-to suggestions for making it in a larger company.

For those who think this work has little value because it is almost 20 years old... well, people are not silicon computers.. They don't change as quickly in behavior as our digital tools do.

Well, so everyone thinks. I unearthed this book from my shelves - a rare one I'd had for years but not read -- one Saturday when looking for an excuse to sit in a hammock for a few hours. "Neanderthals at Work" - written in 1992. It turns out it has some great insights for anyone living the corporate grind. The basic premise is that there are three types of people in an office environment and the sooner you both figure this out and adjust your behavior to better get ahead, the better off you will be. Written by Albert Bernstein and Sydney Craft Rozen, Steven Covey gives it a two thumbs up. Every office has a mix of three types of people. Only one of them is really positioned to move up in the world but all of them are equally important to the ongoing health of an organization. Written for those who may be feeling frustrated by the "system" it allows you to self-diagnose your style and then gives some sound advise on how to adjust your behavior to better get what you want. The three types of people and their antics are as follows:

Competitors - the warriors of the office, to them business is a game. They battle to get noticed, accumulate power and move up the food chain. They excel at politics and are typically the ones running the show or poised to do so. They understand the rules of the game and know how to take advantage of office politics to get what they want. If you aren't a competitor, you may be completely blind to the fact that this sort of environment exists until now.

Believers - yes I'm sorry to say these hard-working saps never get ahead but work hard because they believe in the cause and think naively that their efforts will magically lead to their inevitable promotion. Sorry believers! The competitors need you to stay just where you are so they can continue to get the lion's share of the glory and keep you burning the midnight oil. If you suffer from burnout and can't figure out why you never get any respect... watch out, you could just be a believer!

Rebels - these mavericks hate "the system" and consider themselves above politicing and people problems. They hide their insecurities with bravado and disdain but what is it really buying them? Sure they are often the most creative of the bunch and when they have passion behind their purpose they will excel beyond belief.

A quick read, you'll come away with a greater understanding of the office politics, yourself and those around you. Beyond that, you'll gain some key clues on how to make the most of your strengths and how to better compete in any environment. Understanding the Competitors' "Ten Commandments Plus One" will allow you to let go of the need for praise from supervisors, learn to live by your own decisions and how to read the writing "not on the wall."

I'm a Believer (with a good helping of Rebel). This book is amazing and enlightening. I've recommended it to several people already (even though I just finished reading it today). I'm about to buy several copies and give them to others I know who could benefit from this knowledge. Absolutely recommended for anyone who can't figure out why the other people in their office "just don't get it."

I work with neanderthals and find this book so enlightening that I share with the neanderthals I work with! Now, I know what behavior to expect from my colleagues and stay 2 steps ahead and "think out of the box" when dealing with certain situations. In fact, it helped me manage tension and my own stress so that I can leave work with work and enjoy my down time more. Quci reading, easy to follow. The summaries are the best part and you don't need to read the whole book to get the whole story.

I read this book a few years ago, and I guess I owe the author a positive review, because it opened my eyes to the source of my own frustrations at work. Like many pop management/psychology books, NaW divides people into three categories: Believers, Rebels, and Competitors. Each has different attitudes toward The Rules, both Written and Unwritten. The first two groups have approaches that are...maladaptive, and I was rather shocked to recognize myself as being squarely in one of them. If the model fits your situation, you will find the book extremely useful. If it does not, you may at least find it interesting.

This fantastic workbook is a labor of love and full of great solutions to complex business problems using the arts to facilitate collaboration at work. I bought this book to learn how to begin to facilitate corporate workshops using the arts for The Bite-Size Arts Ensemble, an organization I have created devoted to entrepreneurial growth for artists. Not only will it provide a platform to build on, but it will serve as the model for using arts based learning as a change agent in organizational development. Don't let the price of this book stop you! Buy it.

This is a great resource. It's a great collection of exercises that draw upon a wide variety of arts modalities. Each exercise is described in enough detail to be able to easily implement them.

This book was one of the first and best to explore using arts-based techniques and processes to address organizational issues. The introduction is a superb distillation of some of the reasons why the arts work in the business context and the exercises themselves are generally well thought-out and easy to use - they should be, as they come from some of the leading practitioners in this ever-growing field. The book may be expensive, but it is worth every cent for any trainer or facilitator who wants to take a more creative approach to their work.

I have discovered the power and the simplicity in finding/applying a wide variety of experiencial excercises that spark creativity and imagination in groups. The beauty of this valuable workbook is that it unleashes our hidden potentialities. I have successfully used these activities in private business and in non profit organizations and in every ocassion the results have been the creation of high energy and relevant discoveries among participants.
Thank you Arthur and Linda for your valuable contribution.

Arthur VanGundy has already given us just about every conceivable aid to creative work--from "Brain Boosters" to "101 Games" and "101 Activities." Now with Linda Naiman he delivers the most comprehensive and accessible creativity and innovation resource for groups I've ever seen.

And it's about time someone got business people to start thinking like artists. Anyone in business creativity, ideation, and new-product development will find the VanGundy-Naiman approach not only inspiring and fun but incredibly effective.

This binderful of brilliance would be a bargain at $900.

We may all be obsessed with our own financial issues in the current downturn but it is likely to make Warren Buffett even richer in the long term so don't let anyone tell you that philanthrocapitalism dies with the credit crunch.
Bishop and Green make this argument powerfully in this impressive dissection of the origins, motivations and likely direction of corporate philanthropy. There are some great stories about the rich and famous - I particularly liked the expletive-ridden exchange between P Diddy and Bill Gates - but this is not an exercise in philanthro-puffery. The authors accept that the chief motivation of many such givers is a lower tax bill. This is a highly-readable, well-crafted exposition of why that shouldn't make a jot of difference.

I'm generally disappointed by business, and for that matter non-fiction books. It's rare to get a fresh idea, let alone one that is argued well. I've followed Mathew Bishop's work over the years was was excited to learn he had a new book. But I confess to some skepticism when I saw he had co-authored a book with a subtitle "How the Rich Can Save the World." When I look at the problems facing the world it seems to me that the rich, more than any other group have messed it up. And what a mess we have.

However, Philanthrocapitalism is a great book, and I can't think of any category of educated person who should not read it. For starters there is a lot of mud on the windshield when it comes to social investing, venture philanthrophy, philanthropreneurship, social innovation, social entrepreneurship and the like. The book provides a vivid and reach exposure to how wealth is increasingly being applied to improve the state of the world. I learned about the ecosystems of social investing, and was stunned to learn what's actually happening in this area.

For some time there has been the expression among the Corporate Social Responsibility community "You do well by doing good." I don't think this has been true. Many companies have done well by being awful - by having terrible labor practices, bad products bolstered by good advertising, externalizing costs (such as industrial emissions) on society and the like. However increasingly in the age of transparency everyone is being held to higher standards. And a new generation of people with wealth are beginning to understand that you can't succeed in a world that is failing.
And what a great read. Every single chapter was packed with interesting stories about the players who are making this happen.

I expect the book will be widely read, and so it should. But my greatest hope is that people with wealth will read it and follow the lead of their most progressive peers. How ironic, should the rich actually end up being key to making this smaller world our children inherit a better and more sustainable one?

Don Tapscott, author Grown Up Digital, Wikinomics, The Naked Corporation and other books.

In this time of recession and government spending cuts, charitable organizations and medical, scientific and social research are under severe pressure to curtail their efforts. But thanks to the return-oriented support of the ultrawealthy, these programs can in many cases continue their critical work. Bishop and Green trace the history of philanthrocapitalism and focus on its implications for modern society. With their emphasis on key players like the Rockefeller Foundation, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates ("Billanthropy"), Bishop and Green provide a clear perspective on how the ultrarich are playing an increasingly important role in making investments--rather than just donations--to solve problems that will transform the lives of humankind. This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the future of philanthropy.

This excellent book is the first in-depth account of the new generation of philanthropists who will write the next few chapters of philanthropy. Most of the major new players that are currently coming on stage are covered, with a journalistic ethic of balancing the boosters' claims with the points of the critics. But, the book *is* discussing the voluntary parting of cash from billionaires, so it might be understandable that much of the material is somewhat sympathetic. Enough of the history of philanthropy is woven in to provide the background of past "philanthrocapitalists" like Carnegie and Rockefeller, and demonstrate that financial booms often are followed by a blossoming of giving. Of course, the method of social entrepreneurship is prominently featured.

The book concludes with a tongue-in-cheek imagining of a gathering of the senior philanthrocapitalists in 2025 on Richard Branson's mansion in space: the Gates, Jeff Skoll, Oprah Winfrey, Mo Ibrahim, Angelina Jolie and the new U.S. president, Larry Page.

Throughout most of human history the rich have used their money to make more money and, quite frankly, they have often done so at the expense of those without much. This has always been considered the way things are: the rich get richer and the poor get...well, you supply your own line. However in this, the age of the super rich, things are changing; and in this engagingly written book, Matthew Bishop, the New York bureau chief of the Economist, and Michael Green an economist on leave from the UK's Department for International Development, chronicle this change, and give us a look at what we can expect in the future.

The authors begin with a little history of philanthropy as they focus on some of the giants of contemporary philanthropy, most notably Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. These are men who have acquired such a staggering amount of money that it would be irresponsible to leave it all to their relatives or friends. The understanding is that when you have as much money as these guys have--literally billions of dollars--you have an obligation to use that money and the power derived from it for the betterment of humanity. Or at least that is the new way of thinking as this book clearly shows. Even corporate giants like the much criticized Wal-Mart have gotten into what the authors call "The Spirit of Philanthrocapitalism." Consider these words from Lee Scott, Wal-Mart's chief executive:

"What would it take for Wal-Mart to be...at our best all the time? What if we used our size and our resources to make this country and this earth an even better place for all of us: our customers, associates, our children, and generations unborn?...Is this consistent with our business model?" (p. 187)

Considering that corporations in this age of globalization are thought by some to be very much the problem and not the solution to humankind's challenges--see, for example, The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power (2004) by Joel Bakan--this is a refreshing point of view. And it makes sense when you think about it. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet now spend most of their time redistributing their wealth. Such work is more than a full time job; it's a new career. What if the heads of corporations realized the social and moral responsibility they have incurred by their very success, not through the persons of their retired executives, but through their present day business models?

Bishop and Green devote a chapter to the ideal of "The Good Company." It's obvious that they would like to see corporations do more, especially considering the great challenges that we currently face in terms of pollution, water depletion, global warming, food shortages, corrupt governments, etc. Google comes in for a bit of critical scrutiny from Bishop and Green who believe that the giant multinationals should go beyond the façade of good public relations to the wisdom of enlightened self-interest. They quote Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, as saying, "global corporate citizenship can be considered a long-term investment. Since companies depend on global development, which in turn relies on stability and increased prosperity, it is in their direct interest to help improve the state of the world." Unfortunately, Schwab further notes that "the pursuit of short-term profits at the expense of the long-term best interests of the firm may lead to 'corporate attention disorder,' whereby companies lose focus on the big picture." (p. 181)

The big picture of course is sustainability of your advantageous position in the world economy. I see on television night after night examples of how some companies think they can manage that with slick advertizing. Oil companies present commercials in which they urge people to use less energy. You might ask why they do that until you realize that the commercials have nothing to do with cutting energy use, but everything to do with promoting a positive public image for their company. This is NOT the way to assume social and moral responsibility, especially by companies that are not paying the full environmental costs of doing business while they garner record company profits.

I think in essence this is what this book is about on the deepest level: an attempt to demonstrate through the example of philanthrocapitalism a way for the corporation of the future to become a trusted and valuable member of the world society irrespective of whatever product or service they produce or perform. A corporation should be something more that an amoral entity blind to everything but its bottom line. What profits do the leaders of these giants have when they realize, soon or late, that they will leave this world, as everyone else does, the same way they came in?

Citing examples set by the Gates Foundation, George Soros's Open Society Institute, the Carnegie Corporation and others, the authors are plainly urging those with the wherewithal to take a leadership role in shaping society by funding not just established charities but through the founding and funding other worthwhile projects including those dedicated to educational reforms, disease eradication, and scientific research. They also want the philanthropists of today to influence others not involved in charity to work for the common good. They quote Bill Gates as saying insightfully, "Go get 0.1 percent of the scientists working on erectile dysfunction to come and work on malaria and you will be making a huge contribution." (p. 51)

So, perhaps more than anything, the authors are showing how today's great philanthropists are using their celebrity and their prestige as well as their cash to help make this a better world. Let's hope more of them get involved.

This book is amazing and is presented in a simple concept. Gary's story about his son coupled with the "Ring in the Rubble" concept is a blueprint for change for your life. Minister W W Cooper Jr Bowie MD

I was privileged to hear Dr. Bradt speak at an investment conference. The presentation was powerful, and when I later read the book, I could tell that the important insights came not just from academic observation but from convictions gained through personal experience. Rubble happens to all of us, and when it does, Dr. Bradt provides some approaches to use it as a pathway to something better. It sort of reminds me of the biblical phrase, "What was intended for evil, God intended for good." I highly recommend this enjoyable, insightful and very readable book.

What I liked best about this book were the specific actions that it said to take at the end of each chapter. They got me to dig a little deeper in some area. Many of the topics weren't new or radical but I actually like that they made sense and made me think a little deeper about what I had experienced and worked through on my own.
I had actually worked through some of these stages already by chance, help of friends or multiple books. But this pulled it all together. It would be good for someone just hitting a major challenge.

We've all heard the cliche, "It's not what happens to you. It is how you respond to it." That sounds easy until you are the one having to deal with it. Then the platitudes sound hollow unless of course you have read Gary Bradt's excellent book.

I liked this book A LOT because Bradt offers practical advice that works if you are going through change or leading others through it. The premise is deceptively simple - when things around you feel as if they have collapsed into a pile of rubble, there is a positive outcome if you will simply start digging.

I found the metaphor of "digging through change" struck a chord of realism, and the fact that this is an expert who has lived the lessons he teaches is a real plus. Your ability to embrace change on a personal level and lead others to do so on an organizational level determines, in many cases, the results you achieve. If you want to win you have to keep digging, and this book shows you how.

Randy Pennington, author
Results Rule!: Build a Culture That Blows the Competition Away

Gary Bradt, a first-time author, does an amazing job explaining how it is possible to create a positive experience out of a stressful, negative one. The story of his son's dramatic recovery from a tragic illness is inspirational and emotional. Bradt explains how even this awful experience became a positive one in his life. There was much to learn from reading the individual stories he relates."Ring in the Rubble" is both educational as well as exciting to read.

Charles Hayes has set the example for all of us to become self-educated. He is an inspiration to continue in our lifelong learning process. The way he writes of his own experiences, what he has learned from them and his willingness to share his knowledge and experience is awesome. A "thinking" man, you are inspired after conversing with him or reading his books. They are one in the same--you are motivated to learn more and share more. This is indeed a valuable reading experience for anyone and especially if you are in the academic world!

I initially read this book from the local library and after I read the book, I immediately purchased the book soon after. This book is a must have for anyone interested in furthering their life long right to self education. Charles D. Hayes makes you think about your rights to empower your mind. This book offers a variety of necessary topics that should be discussed and studied more.

After reading this book, I became more enlightened and aware that education is, indeed, readily available to anyone who wants it bad enough and that it's not some rare commodity that can only be obtained through a traditional institution or entity. The idea that a lack of financial resources or interest to attend a university doesn't preclude one from becoming educated through independent scholarship is very illuminating. And is an idea to be championed.

In the realm of many books covering self-directed learning, I would like to single out two books which I have read on this subject.

They are:

- Self University: The Price of Tuition is the Desire to Learn, by Charles Hayes;
- Proving You're Qualified: Strategies for Competent People without College Degrees, by Charles Hayles;

After having spent twenty-four years in the corporate world, I really consider them to be the wisest & most useful books I have ever read on the subject of self-directed learning.

'Self-University' is a heart-warming book. It encourages all of us to think of education as a life-long, self-initiated venture instead of a lifeless, institutionalized affair.

Let me recap the author's catchy metaphor from this book: "The caterpillar is condemned to crawl, but the butterfly has the potential to soar above with an all-inclusive view of the world. As humans we complete our caterpillar stage when we reach mature physical growth. If we are to soar like the butterflies, we must do so through the development of our minds."

'Proving You're Qualified' is a career book for competent people who have learned their jobs, on the job...& yet they are often passed over for promotion for lack of a degree, which has nothing, whatsoever, to do with their performance. This book offers readers a frank discussion of educational merit and actual performance in a workplace caught in the grip of frightening change. It can help you to better understand the nature of power in hierarchies, to gain insight into methods for fighting credentialism, and to save time and money by utilizing alternate methods of adult continuing education.

My favourite chapters from 'Proving You're Qualified' are:

- Chapter 6: Leverage, Options & Choices;
- Chapter 7: Learning to Live with Change;
- Chapter 8: Me, Inc.;

These three chapters alone are worth the price of the entire book!

The above two books are very thought-provoking. Each chapter of the two books are so compelling that you may feel forced to write comments in the margins of the pages as you go along.

To sum up my review, these two wonderful books offer an excellent approach to ensuring your career security in the 21st century.

Read this slowly ...

If you have consideration for yourself read this book.

If you have a great friend, buy him a copy.

If you care very much about people, buy a copy for your public librairy.