I was provided with a copy of this book in return for a review. It's not exactly my normal reading matter, and I started it with a slight feeling of cI was provided with a copy of this book in return for a review. It's not exactly my normal reading matter, and I started it with a slight feeling of cynicism. Having studied philosophy, I'm always a little wary when philosophy is used in the self-help/personal development genre of books - as often it is inappropriately quoted. My cynicism was misplaced. (I may be be being unfair in positioning the book in that genre, but I think it is the closest that fits).
The book is well written, not something you can say about that many books that fits within the genre. It covers some moderately complex ideas in a nice, clear and accessible way. It is a very humane book as it shows a pathway to self improvement without any sense of criticising people who have not taken the path. It is realistic and written with a generous spirit. I both enjoyed it and got something from the book. It left me with plenty to think about.
There are a few minor niggles which I'm sure I could discuss with anyone else who read it, but none that really effected my overall appreciation. The only criticism of any weight might be that the book covers so much ground - each of the chapters could probably be a book in its own right - that it is less the answer to designing the mind than a starting point to finding an answer. However, I think the author is well aware of this and makes no claim that this is anything more than that starting place.
Merged review:
I was provided with a copy of this book in return for a review. It's not exactly my normal reading matter, and I started it with a slight feeling of cynicism. Having studied philosophy, I'm always a little wary when philosophy is used in the self-help/personal development genre of books - as often it is inappropriately quoted. My cynicism was misplaced. (I may be be being unfair in positioning the book in that genre, but I think it is the closest that fits).
The book is well written, not something you can say about that many books that fits within the genre. It covers some moderately complex ideas in a nice, clear and accessible way. It is a very humane book as it shows a pathway to self improvement without any sense of criticising people who have not taken the path. It is realistic and written with a generous spirit. I both enjoyed it and got something from the book. It left me with plenty to think about.
There are a few minor niggles which I'm sure I could discuss with anyone else who read it, but none that really effected my overall appreciation. The only criticism of any weight might be that the book covers so much ground - each of the chapters could probably be a book in its own right - that it is less the answer to designing the mind than a starting point to finding an answer. However, I think the author is well aware of this and makes no claim that this is anything more than that starting place....more
I found this to be a helpful guide to trust and trustworthiness, a subject I am interested for both academic and practical reasons. Hawley takes what I found this to be a helpful guide to trust and trustworthiness, a subject I am interested for both academic and practical reasons. Hawley takes what will be for some an unusual stance on trust, but he argues her case with clarity. The book is well written and, for a philosophy book, I think fairly accessible. (Although as always with philosophy some of the bits may seem pedantic to someone not used to analytic philosophy). But although I think this would be primarily categorised as philosophy, I think it is something broader than that and Hawley's analysis of trustworthiness has implications for everyday life. That something I said once more recently about a philosophy book, but I suspect I won't be making a habit of it, as many philosophy books are so far from practical relevance. If you are interested in trust you could do a lot worse than read this.
4.5 stars rounded down to 4 (just to even out on her other book which I have 3.5 and rounded up to 4 - but to be clear, this is by far the better book). ...more
This was a different book from the one I expected from the title, but none the worse for that. I enjoyed this kind piece of easy-to-read writing. The This was a different book from the one I expected from the title, but none the worse for that. I enjoyed this kind piece of easy-to-read writing. The phrase "the ethical sellout" is not, as I expected an exploration of how people sellout their ethics and it is not a criticism of people for doing so. Instead it is an exploration of personal identity, especially diverse identities, associated for example with colour, sexual orientation, gender or religious belief - and how each of us at times in our lives is a sellout to that identity.
What makes this a kind book, is that rather than criticising people for this, the book makes clear that in the modern world this is inevitable, at least at times. Instead of becoming bogged down in self-criticism and feelings of failure when this happens, we should reflect - and instead of trying to avoid selling out, we should try and sellout in an ethical fashion. That is not about making excuses for selling out or trying to cover it up, but about understanding the inevitable compromises we all make, and treating ourselves with honesty and compassion - and seeing the world and our lives with nuance.
The book is full of stories of a diverse range of people and how they have dealt with situations in which they feel they have sold out, and it provides a straightforward framework for thinking about and dealing with those situations. It is clearly and engagingly written.
This book will be helpful to people in at least two situations. Firstly, for individuals who feel their actions and decisions are at odds with their identity and this is causing stress and dissonance. That could be as simple as working in an organisation, which is at odds with ones political views or beliefs. Something which many people experience.
Secondly, it will also help anyone like me, from a rather specific and somewhat narrow background that does not always expose one to the real diversity of the world and who is seeking to gain a greater insight into diversity. That's not why I read the book, but it had that effect. I found, initially, some of the thought processes of people in the book as alien - their life experiences and views being so different from mine. But I found them all helpfully enlightening in a truly positive way.
No major criticisms, but any niggles? Not many. One I will mention is that as an English reader, I occasionally found some of the Americanism a little trying, but this was a very minor thing, and it does not interfere with the reading. Second, the framework for change is rather simple, and I often think the truth in such matters is more complex. But probably if it had been any more complex it would not have been so immediately helpful nor so accessible....more
There is a lot of practical wisdom in this book which describes how we can help each other to think better. It describes a technique which might nowadThere is a lot of practical wisdom in this book which describes how we can help each other to think better. It describes a technique which might nowadays be called a form of coaching. It focuses very much on listening - and what I liked was that we talk a lot about the importance of listening, this book really describes how to do it, and how by doing this we can help each other to identify our limiting assumptions and do release our inhibited thinking.
A few niggles: the author occasionally conflates not thinking with not having the confidence to say what you have thought. There is a little peripheral material in the book which does not add to main approach. Finally, I think this is a really good approach, but I don’t quite see it as the solution to everything which you slightly get the sense the author does.
Nevertheless a really worthy read from a true expert guide written with a lot of love....more
An intelligent and informative guide to the flaws in arguments many people make. Given Whyte is a philosopher I had assumed these would be flaws wouldAn intelligent and informative guide to the flaws in arguments many people make. Given Whyte is a philosopher I had assumed these would be flaws would be all logical, and potentially complex. They are not - they are everyday positions, styles and errors people make in holding the beliefs they do and the arguments they make. Whyte makes what could have been onerously complex into a straightforward and light read, that will make you think again about the sorts of claims you read in newspapers, hear on the news, or your friends and family make. If you want to understand the truth and see when arguments are valid or not this is all important stuff. It may make you clearer in your own thinking too.
One slight irritation is that Whyte occasionally comes across as a bit hectoring, and his humour sometimes veers into feeling as if he is sneering. But these are minor things, and a friend who read this book did not get this same sense. ...more
This book provides advice on communicating persuasively, using advice and models that may well be familiar in industries like advertising but are probThis book provides advice on communicating persuasively, using advice and models that may well be familiar in industries like advertising but are probably not to the rest of us. It is generally well written and full of good practical advise on being persuasive. I learnt some things which I will find useful - or even if they were not completely new to me, were put into a practical model and set of simple tools to apply. But ironically, I had to concentrate hard as the book itself is not that persuasive at an emotional level and certainly did not speak to my "centre brain", (the core idea of the book). I also found it rambled a little at times. Some of the examples were a little off the subject - nice ideas the author could not help putting in, but which were not quite central to the topic of the book. ...more
Oh dear. A clear example of how even the best professional books age badly.
I'm having a flurry of reading professional books right now. I can't read tOh dear. A clear example of how even the best professional books age badly.
I'm having a flurry of reading professional books right now. I can't read them all the time, so I swallow them in batches. And now it is the turn of the Pyramid Principle. For those who don't know The Pyramid Principle is one of the classic books of the consulting industry. I first came across it over 25 years ago when I was working for the consultancy A.T. Kearney. Whilst never exactly a fun read, it then seemed like good advice, well explained.
It is essentially the book that defined the way that many of the strategy firms, like McKinsey, developed presentations and documents. At least they did. They may still do so, but fortunately I don't need to know that sort of thing anymore.
The problem with the book is that reading it in 2018 it reads almost like something from the Victorian era. I exaggerate, but it just feels so old and ponderous. It was obviously written for the era of the typewriter and overhead projector. You can't help thinking Barbara Minto should hire a modern author to give it a zippy overhaul and create a book about a third the length with more punch. Another problem is it is so self certain. It does not explain this as a way to write - but the one and only way to write, which I am little doubtful of.
Reading the references is interesting, as Minto certainly picked some serious influences, including Wittgenstein, Chomsky, Karl Popper and Thomas Kuhn. The influence of Popper is evident. I was less clear about how the others had influenced her book. What is noticeable is there is no reference published after 1972, and many are much older. I know this book was first published in 1978 - but I have just read the "2009 revised edition". The existence of any 21st century revisions is not evident.
The reason I still give it 3 stars rather than less, is below the long winded style and outdated examples, is some seriously good advice about how to structure your thinking and your writing. Good advice, that many modern pithy writers could heed, to make their writing clearer and have more impact. If you have the patience and stamina its worth the effort, but don't expect hours of fun. ...more
A great guide for anyone starting a small business - or running one and not being sure why it isn't going better. There is little truly original here A great guide for anyone starting a small business - or running one and not being sure why it isn't going better. There is little truly original here but it's a good collection of sound advice wrapped up in some lovely writing. It's practicality comes from it really speaking to the reality of the very small startup. The author is also very honest about his own failings and business struggles which makes it appealing and enjoyable read. If you want to be a billionaire, look elsewhere, if you want to run a successful small business you love, this could be perfect....more
Well written and easy to read, with little to disagree with, but nevertheless a book I find difficult to rate at more than 2 stars.
I enjoyed the firstWell written and easy to read, with little to disagree with, but nevertheless a book I find difficult to rate at more than 2 stars.
I enjoyed the first 60 or so pages which introduce Pink's argument that we need to make better use of our right-brain characteristics and move away from our over-reliance on left-brain thinking. Fortunately, Pink has done some research and is not presenting a typical simplistic view of right and left brains. He acknowledges we need to use both, just a bit of re-balancing is needed in the modern world.
My first criticism may be unfair, as this book was written over a decade ago and this idea may have been interesting or novel then. Reading it now seems a bit like a given. For example: business needs to be more creative? Hardly a novel idea.
My second criticism. His first two reasons for our need to do be more right brained, our increasing abundance and levels of automation, make sense. His third, the rise of Asia as an economic power and the West's inability to compete economically in certain industries, is factually correct, but assumes the readers are western and only interested in western economise. It misses the point that the lessons of the book, if true, are equally interesting and applicable to Asia as well. Asia is not just competing in L-Brain industries, it can compete equally well in R-Brain ones. This is an interesting topic, which he ignores. The unspoken implication: analysis and programming jobs for India, creative and design jobs for the West. I'm sure he did not consciously mean this, but it gives one an uncomfortable whiff of racism. Given his examples of and praise for certain Asians, I do not think he intended this - nevertheless it is clumsy.
The majority of the book then describes six right brain characteristics which Pink claims we need to adopt to re-balance towards our right brain's characteristics. These pages are full of good stuff with little to fundamentally disagree with, although the suggestions do often veer into platitudes. What Pink never justifies why its these 6 specific right brain characteristics as opposed to any others. There is no argument, no specific reason - they just appear on page 62. It's a bit too neat.
His solution has some good parts and following this advice will probably benefit you. Whether it will really lead to a whole new mind is highly questionable. Overall a well intentioned book, that's an easy read. Actually, his writing as writing is very good. But I found the content a bit smug, a bit simplistic and a bit irritating. You may well enjoy it far more than I did, as is evident from many other much more positive reviews. But my advice is there are better books on this sort of topic out there....more
Generally a good and accessible read covering a wide range of science related to memory. Good if you like your scientists to quote plenty of research Generally a good and accessible read covering a wide range of science related to memory. Good if you like your scientists to quote plenty of research and remain accessible. Debunks all sorts of myths about memories - including things like repressed memories. The topic is an important one, and one that more of us could do with understanding.
Pleasantly well written, although the best parts are the beginning and the end. I found some of the chapters in the middle a little dull.
The basic message is that your memory is much more fallible than you probably realise. It does leave one feeling quite a lot less confident about what you think you know, but if that's reality its best that we all know it....more
Oh dear. How do I rate this book? A book I both found incredibly infuriating and at times useful and insightful. I read the book after advice from a pOh dear. How do I rate this book? A book I both found incredibly infuriating and at times useful and insightful. I read the book after advice from a publishing agent who I know well that this was a good book to read to learn something from. That's probably true, although I have not quite worked out what yet.
Let's start with the negatives. Firstly, some of the writing is awful, and reminiscent of thoughts as a drunken teenager: "The most dreadful thing in life is not dying. It's being born. Once you are born you are screwed. Now you have to actually survive. You have to grow from someone who craps in their pants ....". Oh dear, oh dear. Secondly, some of the language is sloppy, although this is probably deliberate hyperbole. For example, Altucher talks about how companies and bosses hate you as an employee. No, generally they don't. They may be completely indifferent - but that's not the same as hate. And the difference between indifference and hate is a big one. Finally, Altucher comes across at times as an opinionated arse. Whilst trying to avoid stereotypes, this is at times the sort of American writing Europeans hate. This is the one star aspect of the book.
But, it might be worth pushing on. Ignore the style and specific choice of words if you hate them and listen to what Altucher actually says and his underlying messages. There are some good, important messages, (at least as far as self-help messages are ever good and important). And if you listen, you will find Altucher is actually one of the good guys, just trying to help out. Better still, as he makes clear time and time again he is not that sure about his position and beliefs. He is very open about his own weaknesses and failures, making him a more appealing human being. For me, this only comes out if you bother to read through to the second half of the book. This is the four star aspect of the book.
Make of it what you will. If you want continuously excellent writing then avoid. If you want good personal advice packaged into sometimes annoying writing, then give it a go. It's possible you'll rate it as anything between one star and five....more
This is a book full of well written chapters with interesting insights based on solid research.
It could have been a 5 star book, but struggles for a This is a book full of well written chapters with interesting insights based on solid research.
It could have been a 5 star book, but struggles for a few reasons. Firstly, it wanders around bringing in some topics which seem to have little to do with the topic of originality. The second issue is similar, it can't seem to decide if it wants to be a book about originality in the situation of entrepreneurship and business, or originality in terms of wider creativity and innovation. Thirdly, some of the examples used seem to be of successful businesses, but I struggle to see them as hugely original. Finally, the perennial problem of many business books - its very US centric. Don't get me wrong I've got no problem with the US and many of us can learn a lot from US businesses, but there is a wider world out there with plenty of originals in it!
An easy read, some useful information, but it does not really live up to the original promise. Still, the good bits and quite good, so it manages 3 stars from me. ...more
I really liked this book. I was not convinced I would, but it was recommended by someone whose taste in non-fiction I rate, (a book agent), and I am vI really liked this book. I was not convinced I would, but it was recommended by someone whose taste in non-fiction I rate, (a book agent), and I am very pleased I took the time to read it. I found a degree of confirmation in things I already believed, but fundamentally it opened my eyes to a whole lot of interesting ideas and possibilities. It also increased my levels of self-awareness.
Cain presents a lot of research and ideas in an easy to absorb but compelling style. She never presents the world as black and white, introvert versus extrovert, but as a whole pallet of grey. We are all individuals. Research indicates things to her requiring interpretation. She uses a range of views and research - even presenting conflicting information. The arguments are not presented as simplistic truths. I like this kind of intelligent debate with the reader.
I'm not claiming this is a literary masterpiece, and I have not assessed it on that basis. It is not a fully detailed academic book, but the sort of book that would find itself in the popular-intelligent-thinking sort of category in a bookshop. A few sections, such as the conclusion, are a little cheesy. It is the world seen pretty much only from America, although to be fair there are good sections on the Asian-Americans. Yet even for these minor shortcomings if you want to understand what it means to be, how to cope with, how to socialise with and how to excel whist being an introvert then this book does a very good job.
Read this book if you are an introvert trying to make sense of the world. Read this book if you are an extrovert trying to have productive relationships with introverts. Read this if you are a parent worried about an introverted child. Read this if you are a manager or leader in any organization as something like one third to one half of your people will be introverts, even if they are adept at hiding this. You find insight and plenty of positive advice. ...more
I enjoyed this book tremendously. It is written in a light and often amusing tone that gently introduces much that is profound. I don't think BurkemanI enjoyed this book tremendously. It is written in a light and often amusing tone that gently introduces much that is profound. I don't think Burkeman would claim that the book is full of original ideas or wisdom, but it is an original synthesis of some very good ideas, packaged into a well written whole and with some specific insights.
I doubt everyone will like this as much as I did. Read this if you are suspicious of positive thinking and many other aspects of the over-hyped self-help genre. There really is an alternative, and it really is helpful. ...more
Tracey has written a short, easy to read, practical book essentially about prioritisation. The central messages: do the important things first, only dTracey has written a short, easy to read, practical book essentially about prioritisation. The central messages: do the important things first, only do the important things, thin out all the other stuff you do, is explained in a straightforward way. The best part of the book are chapters 1-8. After that Tracy pads out the book with other well meaning but generic approaches to being productive and happy.
It is a short book. It could do with being even shorter. Additionally, it veers sometimes awkwardly between being about personal self-help and being a business book. The preface is unusually interesting for a book of this type, touching on Tracey's own life story. The positive is that the advice is good and you only need to read 40-50 pages to get the most from this book. Not a bad investment.
With this book I face my old conundrum of how to rate books - on some form of absolute scale or relative to the type of book they are. I have gone with rating this relative to other books of this type. If I tried to rate it relative to a work of literature or philosophy it may not fare well. In that genre which spans business books and self-help it's not a bad book and Tracey writes with appealing confidence about the straightforward, but nevertheless powerful, ideas he portrays. Hence 3 stars....more
I liked this book more than I expected to. That is not exactly saying much, given I thought I would hate it. (For anyone wondering why I would read a I liked this book more than I expected to. That is not exactly saying much, given I thought I would hate it. (For anyone wondering why I would read a book I expected to dislike - partially professional research, partially because I've learnt from being wrong about books before, and partially with the natural jealousy of a much less successful author intrigued by a book that has sold 10 million copies).
This is a well meaning book with one central positive message which I agree with: we all worry too much about the wrong things, and in taking life too seriously we are actually missing out on the seriously good parts of life. It then lays out 100 short pieces of advice on how to stop worrying about the nonsense and be a calmer, happier person. Nice. Sweet. Uplifting. Awesome.
The problems? The message requires the first half dozen or so lessons and then could end. The rest is pretty repetitive. At times it also feels a tiny bit smug.
I wavered between 2 and 3 stars, but decided on 3 on the basis that if Richard Carlson actually practices what he preaches I'm sure he is a truly nice man. Although I may sound a little sarcastic about this book, that's just because I'm English and we can't help it. Honestly, there is some good practical advice in this book.
If you are the sort of person who likes short pieces of well meaning wisdom in easy to swallow mouthfuls you may well enjoy this. If you want deep thinking and brilliant writing, perhaps try elsewhere. ...more
This is a nice and well intentioned book on happiness. If you want a relatively easy read, that will not challenge you much beyond common sense, but wThis is a nice and well intentioned book on happiness. If you want a relatively easy read, that will not challenge you much beyond common sense, but which provides some useful tips then buy it.
The contents are variable in quality - some chapters are deeper than others, some are fluff. For example chapter 7 on lifelong learning seemed to be filler to me, whilst chapter 10 on appreciating life has some interesting contents. The book combines useful tips with banalities.
For me this book is more a compendium of bits and pieces that contribute to making the good life rather than a real structured approach to being happy. At times there are hints that Webb has deeper knowledge and more interesting experiences than this book provides. If you are after that deeper insight, then this book is probably not the one for you, but I suspect Webb could write it if she chose to....more
This is an odd book. Brilliant at times, but probably not what I, or I guess many other readers expected.
Frankl comes across as a highly intelligent,This is an odd book. Brilliant at times, but probably not what I, or I guess many other readers expected.
Frankl comes across as a highly intelligent, humane and insightful man who survived the horrors of the concentration camp - and became a better man for this, developing his branch of psychotherapy called logotherapy.
The first two thirds of the book describe his concentration camp experiences. This is an unusual description - not full of emotion, but explained with the detached eye of the scientists. He describes the mental states those held went through. Nevertheless the horrors of the camps come across, often in tiny details such as the frantic search for something to hold ones shoes together to avoid having to walk and work bare footed.
The remainder if the book introduces logotheraphy - Frankl's philosophy of finding meaning in life, inspired by his time in the concentration camp. Certainly a positive view.
The book is no literary masterpiece, and reads as you might expect from the language of a German speaking scientist. But it has wisdom and fundamentally an optimism about life which many would benefit from....more
This is the sort of book that shows the value of browsing in bookshops. It was not a book I was looking for, but I came across it, was intrigued, bougThis is the sort of book that shows the value of browsing in bookshops. It was not a book I was looking for, but I came across it, was intrigued, bought it and read it. And it was well worth the effort.
Watts was obviously very knowledgeable about a wealth of (Western Analytical) philosophy and religious thinking (many types but particularly Eastern). He deftly merges and plays with concepts from the two, to make a pleasurable, thought provoking read. At times quite profound, but always engaging.
One caveat - if you are really interested in either philosophy, religion or philosophy of religion there are deeper and better reads. But if you are after a book for self reflection and insight, or a starting point to more deep thinking then this may be it. I did not quite buy all of his arguments, but I think he was onto something. My suggestion - give it a go, you may find you are a different person once you have read it....more
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