What the Dog Saw

You know - I'm not sure what the deal is with Gladwell. Yes, he's a good writer, but nothing he does is original thinking - it's all about what others have done and he compiles it. This particular book seems to me as a requirement fulfilment for a deal; like, you have a certain number of books to write and this is one. It's a compilation of articles that he wrote for the New Yorker.

O.K., it's interesting and readable, but if you don't read it read this; pages 368 & 369:

"The broader failing of McKinsey and its acolytes at Enron is their assumption that an orgaization's intelligence is simply a function of the intelligence of its employees. They believe in stars, because they don't believe in systems. In a way that's understandable, because our lives are so obviously enriched by individual brilliance. Groups don't write great novels, and a committee didn't come up with the theory of relativity. But companies work by different rules. They don't just create; they execute and compete and coordinate the efforts of many different people, and the organizations that are most successful at that task are the ones where the system is the star."

But, you already know that.

Predictably Irrational

Well written book with interesting facts about how we are irrational. Actually, there's a lot to be taken from this book. I've already quoted several research examples in conversations pertaining to work - oh, no actually it was about Tiger Woods and the predicament men of power get into - yes, there is a section on this.

OPEN

Wow, what a whiny baby Agassi is. I nearly put the book down within the first three pages because of his whining about how tough it is. Well, it never stopped, but some parts about his playing were interesting enough to continue through the book.

He wrote it himself and it shows.

The good news - it was a fast read.

The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money

Well, we know where today's policy came from. Keynes is certainly a confident fellow. Key to his theory; however, is the psychological factor of the small investor. That would be one facet that's hard to calibrate.

Bible

At about ten pages a week it's gonna take me a while, so I felt it best to remove it from the next book list. I'll wade through it, but there are other books that need to be read first.

Stoner

Very interesting book with exceptional writing - the writing had to be great because the plot was about as bland as could be.

I found that the book not only kept my attention, but moved me to look forward to reading it. And, it was just not exciting.

I've got to think about this some more - as to why this book was a reader versus a speed reader.

Blink

Interesting read on the nature of immediate thought.