Economic-Life Books

John Fuhrman - Author of this book and "The Credit Diet" will be doing live seminars across the country. Here are some dates.
April 17th, 2004 St. George Utah
May 22nd, 2004 Salt Lake City Utah
June 12th & 26th, 2004 Des Moines IA
July 17th & 31st, 2004 St. Louis, MO
Sept. 11th & 25th, 2004 Tulsa, OK
Oct. 9th & 23rd, 2004 Austin, TX
For further info email info@creditdiet.com

If you haven't thought of how your financial picture looks or don't seem to be able to find the time to enjoy your family, then this book is a must to stimulate your thinking. Easy to read and written in layman's terminology, "Are You Living Your Dream" asks you the tough questions of where are you now and where you want to be in the next 2-5 years. John Fuhrman wrote a true winner here for anyone whether a professional or a blue collar worker as long as you have a dream and a vision of what you want out of life. He lays out a process of how to evaluate the advantages of a networking business and having control of your destiny and not rely on a boss or a company. Just remember "If the Dream is Big Enough, the Facts don't count" and keep going!

This book should be on the essential reading list for any junior officer in the armed services of the United States. It provides significant information on the history of the profession and outlook of each of the services.

It develops the though process of what being an officer means as a profession including the duties and responsibilities to society and your Soldiers/Sailors/Airman/Marines.

I can not recommend it in high enough terms.

This 2007 edition of a classic adds to a series of books of the same title, written by a journalist and historian who wrote the first book at the behest of Gen. George C. Marshall, who believed all officers needed to base professional commitments on a common moral-ethical foundation, presented here. Any military or public library strong in officer inspiration needs THE ARMED FORCES OFFICER: it updates scenarios to modern times, covers everything from accountability issues to honor, respect and duty concerns, and it surveys training routines and strategies across the board. An invaluable, meaningful reference.

Avery Johnson was just another guy who got overlooked in life. He had determination and discipline to keep moving forward when things didn't always go his way. He bounced around from team to team, but he never gave up in God and in himself to succeed at a high level. It teaches us all that we are capable of great things as long as we stay focused, persevere and always look to God in all that we do.

I recommend this book to everyone from a teenager on, even to retirement age. It gives food for thought, gets you back on the road of your goals in life, and makes you realize you can accomplish anything your want, if the real desire is there.
I am not a sport fan, but Avery Johnson is a person that has a voice that makes you listen to what he has to say. When the sports comes on and I hear his voice, I stop and listen. I am so glad that he is using his life in a positive way, and when I heard that he had a book out, I had to buy it. Not only was I not disappointed, I want everyone in my family to read it. My Grand Children, as they are starting their lives in the world will benefit, if they will only listen to what he has to say and the other members of my family, it will give them a boast to keep on the right track and have patience!
A must read book for everyone!

In these fast paced times of our lives having a full, balanced and happy life is high on our wish list but we, or should I say, "I", didn't make that happen.Then I read The Balanced Life Experience and Richard Geno told me how I could have more happinness, take more time for fun and still be successful.

It really is the "roadmap" I needed..the guide that made me realize what I was missing by being a "workaholic" and how I could love my work and do it well and have a great, full life all at the same time.

So many authors and speakers make promises on how they can show you how to have it all or how to be successful, but Richard E. Geno really delivers on his promise. This wonderful, life-changing book, The Balanced Life Experience: A Roadmap for Having It All, shows you how to change your negative outlook to a positive one which will enable you to reach the goals you set for yourself. You will learn how to change I can't to I can, I won't to I will, and I'm afraid to I'm sure!!

Geno's step by step, chapter by chapter approach really gives you the in-depth details you need to change your attitude and your will power. This is a empowering book is for anyone who needs a little boost or a complete overhaul.

What's in the book? "Your Success" Topics include: Basic Rules, The Seven - By - Seven Strategy, Good Self-Esteem, Positive Mental Attitude, Honesty and Integrity, Goals, Habits and Self-Discipline, Responsibility and Being Proactive, Time Management, Health, Career, Finances, Relationships, Pleasures, Self-Improvement, and Wisdom.

While reading the book, I found that I have many roadblocks that I am now aware and I have begun building my new roadmap for success. After reading just the first chapter you will already feel better about your outlook and you know that success is inevitable.

Don't sit around waiting anymore, this book will change your life!

Barbara Glanz is balanced. Well, no she's not either. Barbara Glanz is multi-focused, coming from her heart (the soft stuff) as well as from her head (loads of information and advice). Result: she produced a heart-felt tool to enrich your life.

The title is deceiving, but is clarified in the subtitle. Balancing Acts. Hey, we're all trying to be better balanced in today's rush-rush life where work, family, personal, spiritual, and community aspects compete for our time, attention, and devotion. Glanz's advice? Give it up. That elusive "balance" won't happen. Instead, blend your work and non-work lives so the ever-changing combination works for you. The formula will be different for each of us, and many of us need some good ideas about how to design our own personal mix. As the subtitle tells us, this easy-to-use volume delivers more than 250 blending ideas for your consideration.

The chapters are well-organized, following an introduction that nicely sets the stage for why this issue is so important-for people like you and me and for employers. Following a foundation chapter and a section on understanding the various facets of our lives, the text is organized into chapters exploring ideas to blend work with family, friends, health, spirit, and service. A summary chapter pulls it all together.

The writing is conversational in tone; this is a very comfortable book to read. Call-outs and cartoons enhance the ease and fun of the experience. Supplementing the chapters are an appendix of questions that will prompt productive discussions with family (and yourself). You'll also find pages of resources, including notes and a bibliography that will empower you to continue growing even beyond where this book will take you.

Expect to mark up the pages, turn down the corners, and keep this book around for a while. This attachment means you'll probably purchase additional copies for your friends, relatives, and co-workers. Be sure to inscribe the copy you give to your boss!

Barbara Glanz is a tried and true author who speaks to your heart as well as to your head - and she has done it again! "Balancing Acts" is a practical how-to book that offers specific, proven techniques for dealing with the guilt associated with trying to do everything you feel responsible for in your life.

Glanz looks realistically at the typical situations most of us have to cope with at different points in our lives. She provides creative, proven solutions for blending work and life along with the guilt-busters that will allow you to apply these ideas guiltfree and change the way you live, and enjoy, your life.

This is not your basic read. As usual, Barbara has based this, her sixth, book on deep research, which is impeccable, as well as her own personal experiences. You will find this book entertaining as well as enlightening. Includes helpful exercises and lists great additional resources.

Authentic and immediately usable. Highly recommended.

BE A SHORTCUT: The Secret Fast Track to Business Success

A Book Review by M. Joyce McMenamin
of a new book by Scott G. Halford

I'm going to say precisely what I want to about this book by borrowing a line from the Turner Classic Movie Channel where they run a short with a voice-over that goes: "Damn good actress!"

So I'll say it: "This is a damn good book!"

PC?
Nope.

True?
You bet-cha.

I can say these things because I know my mother will not be reading this review online. She never goes 'there' and at age 80 still demands that I give up all forms of slang, jargon and anything attributed to not stemming from 'proper Modern English'.

So what does my mother, my passing neglect for proper English and my penchant for really good books have to do with BE A SHORTCUT? Each of these elements in my Life has a common thread that equates to: I am lucky.

Lucky to have a mother who cared enough about me to make sure that I could actually speak and write proper English by choice. Lucky to have had access to as many books I could ever wish to read throughout my entire Life. Lucky to have the best books fall in to my lap - out of the sky - precisely when I need a good read and in this case - precisely when I was looking for something beyond bland.

I have dozens of books I could have reviewed. I have turned down reviewing books written by former NYTimes Best Selling authors, celebrities and corporate longhorns. Why? Because in order for me to review a book, at an ethical level, it must really touch a strong chord with me - at some level of my being.

BE A SHORTCUT isn't one book. It could easily have been six or seven books.

Yet, in just about 222 reading pages, one will find an intelligent and conversational approach to a myriad of questions and concerns that I hear many managers and would be leaders asking today.

As I read through it, there wasn't one chapter, one quote, nor one idea that I didn't agree with whole-heartedly, from the perspective of someone who has lived a corporate life, been a risk-taker and learned the short-cuts.

Scott G. Halford obviously learned the short-cuts as well. Mr. Halford gets an A+ in writing an excellent book that I will recommend often and I'll give myself a C- for proper English in this review and an A+ for complete honesty.

This book has my full endorsement.

Why? Because it really is a damn good book.

I hope that everyone who has, or is searching for the 'leadership' title, reads it immediately.

Buy BE A SHORTCUT - at Amazon.com. This book is set for release this month - December 2008.

Editor's note: This book has earned our Official Seal & Endorsement as a Best New Book.

Online Media, Maven, M. Joyce McMenamin is President/CEO of Tribeca Nine, Inc, which founded Network Abundance Publications, the original NoNiche magazine. Her production & consulting division, Sensitive Pie Productions, manages the creative for Idea Masters. Joyce has been reviewing best-selling books, as well as new authors since 2007. Author of The Integrity Channel, she consults with established clients.

This review originally posted at IDEA MASTERS Online Real-Time Magazine on December 7, 2008 by Network Abundance Publications.

Scott Halford has hit a homerun with this book! Be A Shortcut is to the point with great ideas and a common sense approach on how to live life and be a success in business. I hope everyone I know reads this book and becomes "A shortcut". Christmas shopping just became easy ....all my friends and colleagues will be getting this book from me this year.

Molly McNichols, Asheville, NC

A high quality book for paleo-hobbyists. Large number of quality illustrations and a lot of general information.

This is it, the only book you need on the evolution of mammals during the early Cenozoic, and their amazing diversification after the extinction of the dinosaurs. The down side of this book is that it does not continue into the later part of the Cenozoic, but sticks to Dr. Rose's expertise of Paleocene and Eocene mammals. The photographs and illustrations are from various scientific articles and publications, but are nicely brought together, including a number of colored photographs and reconstructions in the center of the book. The biggest drawback, is the high price of the book. Dinosaur books are priced a lot less, and I don't understand why publishers don't do likewise with books about fossil mammals. Hopefully, a cheaper soft cover will become available or you can try and get your local library to purchase the book for you. I would not spend the $120, if I was not really into fossils.

This book, Being Consumed, deserves to be a must-read for all members of the Christian Community. Additionally, it is also a helpful adjunct to the systems theory that is being used so widely by many mainline denominations as they seek to renew their communities of faith. We are all interconnected, what affects one affects all. This appeal, found so present in the work of Hans urs Von Balthasar with the cosmic and local Christ, makes this author's message a timely one.

Why so important? To put it simply, the essence is found in the Latin title of my review, Libido Dominandi. Translated roughly, it means power over life. The author makes an entirely plausable argument for a reality of market-driven non-freedom in the economic world, a world inhabited by Christian and non-Christian alike.

His means of modifying this lack of freedom would seem rather controverisal in the mundane world, where everything occurs on time and by habit, hence the appeal to the systems approach to ministry. However, if your interests lie in the area of seeing the root causes of poverty in even the United States, this book will appeal to you.

If you are at all concerned about the economy or questions of how consumption relates to happiness, or how Christians should think about economic issues, this is the book for you. In four clearly-written, profoundly insightful chapters William Cavanaugh analyzes some of the most important issues facing economic thinkers today, including free markets, consumerism, pluralism and scarce resources, from a deeply faithful Christian perspective (although the author is Catholic and draws mainly on Catholic thinkers, his theology is strongly ecumenical) and provides sound, practical advice for how Christians can live in a world of scarce resources, rampant consumerism and meaningless relativism.

Modern economics is based on the assumption that human wants are infinite whereas resources to satisfy them are limited. The scarcity of resources creates an over-riding imperative to use resources efficiently (including human beings) and leads to conflict, whether military or monetary, over the rights to those resources. But Cavanaugh wants to tell a different story about consumption, one in which human desires can be directed towards a common end, the vision of God in community with other human beings and the natural world. Instead of people being impelled to constantly consume more and more things (where satisfaction is derived more from the pursuit of material goods than in their acquisition), they can attain a way of life in which desires are rightly ordered and where true happiness can be had in service to others in the body of Christ. The story of Christian economics is a story of abundance, because Christians become transformed to view service to others as their primary obligation, and not simply a 'charity' done during one's free time.

Cavanaugh reveals some truly disturbing facts about supply chains ranging from food to clothes and other consumer goods. We rarely question where the items on supermarket shelves come from. In fact, clothes for designer labels are often manufactured by workers earning 30 cents an hour in dismal conditions and the majority of mass-produced beef comes from calves which are artificially and horrendously fattened to reach 'maturity' in much less time than is natural, wallowing in their own feces and barely able to stand upright because of their weight. If that doesn't disturb you, it should. One way to make economics more human is to increase transparency about our supply chains and insist only on buying products made in accordance with good environmental and health standards, for both human workers and animals.

This book is simply packed with disturbing, challenging insights as well as suggestions for how we can create spaces in which human beings can flourish in their work and consumption. Though it is aimed primarily at Christians, anyone who is dissatisfied with current practices of consumption or economic justice will profit from reading it. It will also resonate with environmentalists (another book I recommend from a more secular perspective is Bill McKibben's Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future) and anyone else looking for alternative ways of living that emphasize human well-being rather than mindless consumption. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Benedict developed his methods of leading during the time Rome was falling apart around 450 A.D.

His approach reflects a structured system of what worked within a community/business. It is a simple, honest, easy to understand method for leading an organization. It is also an easy read.

It is thought that over 40,000 organizations have used this approach over the last 1500 years. It has passed the test of time.

Don't mistake this for a religious book. The monks were more independent entrepreneurial businessmen than elements of the church. It is clearly a book about leadership that provides the essense of what it takes to be successful.

The method can be used as a model and is as applicable today as it was 1500 years ago.

Fantastic little book on Leadership. Examines the world's oldest management system, and why it has been so successful. Great applications to the modern corporation. Perfect book for those tired of military analogies for business, or "tough-guy" leadership. Neat ideas on corporate rituals, ethical foundations, employee formation, and how to build a cohesive work group. If more modern corporations followed these "rules", we would have fewer scandals and higher profits. An easy read.

Author Richard A. Moran, Ph.D.,is the National Director of Organization Change for Price Waterhouse. His biography in this book says "He has worked in all types of organizations worldwide, from Apple Computer to Zurich Insurance. Moran helps organizations implement their strategies by keeping management focused and by getting lots of help from employees. He is the author of NEVER CONFUSE A MEMO WITH REALITY. In addition he is co-author of the 1993 landmark studey, POSTCARDS FROM EMPLOYEES, which captured the perceptions of over 50,000 employees regarding their organizations and management as well as customer service and other work-related areas."

The author says his "continuing source of material are those thousands of employees, at all levels of all organizations, who tell me the truth and make me aware of what a struggle it can be to thrive in today's complex organizations."

The author describes this second collection of business related aphorisms as "a book of business bread and butter." He says he has continued his attempt, begun in his first book NEVER CONFUSE A MEMO WITH REALITY "to capture the conventional wisdom that people in business should know--but either ignore or never learned in the first place." He sees several advantage to his writing style:

"First, it represents what many people know is the truth about life in today's organizations. Second, it is accessible: It features no complex models or theories that make anyone feel guilty or inadequate for not understanding. Third the lessons from the book apply. No matter what their level, industry, or position, people understand. Fourth, there is humor in the book that makes people chuckle about their own situations. And, lastly, the price is right."

As in his first book, the advice offered is simply expressed and sometimes overgeneralized. But inevitably, what is familiar for one person will be a new insight for another. Once again, the author presents a checklist. A reader may wish to reject any individual item on it as in appropriate for his or her particular situation, but it is a valuable guide to both self-appraisal and organizational appraisal.

There are 371 aphorisms or collections of aphorisms in this book. From my experience of more than 40 years in the workforce, the 40 most valueable are as follows:

#1. Always tell the truth to employees and your boss. It's easier to remember what you said.

#3. "Just because you're a supervisor doesn't mean you have a license to be a jerk."

#7. "Beware those who ask for feedback. They are really asking for validation.

#20. "Be more results-driven than methodology driven."

#23. "Trust your instincts. There is a reason why people value your experience. You should as well."

#29. "In your written work, say something meaningful in the first sentence."

#31. "Too much resistance to a new system or change probably means there's something wrong with it. Employees will usually act in the organization's best interest. Listen to them."

#43. "Doing a great job often means you'll get more work. Understand this and use it to your advantage."

#57. "Work gravitates to the most competent."

#71. "Never confuse making people happy with what needs to be done."

#86. "Hope is a required ingredient for success."

#95. "Progress is made when the choices that are presented are limited and clearly defined...."

#120. "When the outcome of a meeting is to have another meeting, it has been a lousy meeting."

#124. "Start with a rough draft as soon as possible and fill in the details as you go. You'll find the end product will be similar to the original intention."

#125. "To what end? is always a good question to asky at the beginning of a big project."

#130. "Never give up on projects until they are implemented."

#140. "The goal is not to be busy. The goal is to contribute something of worth that will make you glow."

#154. "Worry about the big things, and the little things will fall into place."

#181. "There are no such things as communicationns, turnover, or morale problems. They are symptoms of other problems--usually autocratic managemetn. Don't try to fix the symptoms. Fix the problems."

#183. "Never be embarrassed about where you grew up, where you went to school, how you look, your name, or anything else that it's too late to fix. Be proud of who you are."

#192. "Next steps from meetings must always be clear."

#201. "Casey Stengel said some people make things happen, some people watch things happen, and some people say what happened. Be in the first category."

#213. "Learn what the labor movement is all about, how it's changing, and what it means to your industry. Be unbiased as you learn."

#214. "Spend time understanding what "real work" is. like working on an assembly line or driving trucks. It will ground you in reality."

#233. The most effective suggestion system is the one where the CEO puts a sign over his or her door that says "Suggestion Box."

#243. "Organization change will not occur unless employees believe it is in their best interest."

#250. "When giving a talk, think of what people will remember. And that's only one or two things."

#261. "Pessimistic futurists are to be ignored."

#277. "Understand the concept before spending lots of time on the mechanics and the details."

#281. An abundance of worker's compensation issues either means people are getting hurt or people don';t want to go back--or both.

#283. "'Career path' implies a well-worn route. The truth is that you make your own way running around the organizational bushes and brambles."

#296. "Listen to field people."

#297. "Technology eventually evens out. Compete on service and talented people."

#318. "'Find a passion and follow it' is all the career advice you'll ever need."

#322. "Ask yourself, 'What can I be an expert in?' and become one."

#327. "Bite off more than you can chew and chew it well."

#331. "Facilitate or lead meetings with a point of veiw about what needs to be done and how we get there. Be open to changing your mind."

#367. "Convert training into experience as soon as possible."

This is an excellent book for someone new to working in or with a business organization of any size. It is also an excellent book for mid-career people looking for a checklist on how they are doing, and a general guide both to doing things better and doing better things. Finally, it is an excellent books for those suffering from burnout, lack of focus, or overwork.

The common-sense advice in this Life's-Little-Instruction-Book spinoff is useful; it doesn't hurt to keep a copy at your office and thumb through it for a few seconds every morning, just to help you focus. The showcase saying, "Beware those who ask for feedback. They are really asking for validation." is eminently correct. You NEVER tell a corporate boss the truth, if the truth reflects poorly upon that boss. To do so is to paint a bull's eye on your forehead, and ensure you will be targeted with some unpleasant consequence in the future. This is the voice of experience. I am now a sycophantic fawning toady lickspittle apple-polishing lapdog yes-man at the office, and I have not gotten into trouble for several years. Being wary of those who ask for feedback has served me well indeed.