My Lists

The Island at the Center of the World

Shedding light on a hole in history

Growing up in New York I always wondered why the origin of New York history was so superficial. This book finally reveals the story of the incredible contributions of the Dutch to the foundations of our country and culture. In fact Gehring's research is providing the Dutch with important historical material.

The book is engaging, entertaining and fascinating yet highly educational. A typical American view of history relates that the English defeated the Spanish Armada and then the English ruled the world. But here we get the supremacy of the Dutch, the Peace of Westphalia, Dutch entry into the slave trade, bitter emnity between the English and Dutch, Grotius and 'natural law'. We also get the sounds and sights of early settlers and the rich relationship with the various native tribes.

On a recent trip to Manhattan, as a result of reading this book, I was able to notice the New Amsterdam of the mid 1600's seeping through the cracks of the modern Gotham City.

The high levels of tolerance and diversity that came with the Dutch colony (largely due to a lack of government) are investigated and how this caused the area to flourish as the key port of the New World and ultimately lending its values to the new nation. The English to their credit knew enough not to tamper with a society and system that was flourishing. Culturally we also received 'cole slaw', 'cookies' and Santa Claus from the Dutch traditions.

Read this marvelous piece of history to add depth to your understanding of our early history adding depth to the pilgrim and Puritans. Notice the key importance of the Dutch 'Burghers' role which gave each resident a minority stakeholder position in the town unlike the typical 'citizen' role which rarely extended to 20% of the residents of other areas.

The Wisdom of Crowds

A brilliant work that deserves thought January 2005

The book is about the ability and strength of 'democratizing solutions', in many ways a positive evolutionary step in capitalism. In a free world you are missing precious opportunity by not valuing diverse perspectives when it comes to decision making. Surowiecki shows how we can benefit from the lack of shared information and opposing views to get better quality solutions. He also points out the danger in consensus and compromise when confronted with certain problems. It is a shame that various leaders haven't embraced this thinking - the results would be impressive.

This book brings the research into a readable and enjoyable form. We get both the concepts and real world examples to understand the principles.

Pentagon's New Map

A hope to solve the rifts around us, January 2, 2005

This book offers hope, a hope to solve the rift within our nation, the rift between us and the other civilized nations of the world and the rift between civilized nations and the rest of the world. Read other PNM reviews on Amazon - quite a few liberals and conservatives seem to agree with Barnett which is quite a feat and offers important common ground in all of the three arenas mentioned above.

My first praise for the book is that it defies the partisanship that most of us have grown weary of - we want a solution that addresses the real problems and works and not one that gives our 'side' a 'point'. He is unafraid to praise and criticize the administration and its critics as his analysis sees fit. People are now aware of the dangers in this world and want results regardless of who provides them because the stakes are so high.

Along similar lines, Barnett's book is well reasoned and clear but not a dry academic work. He takes us through the background and history we need to put the situation in context. As others on Amazon have stated, through his force of reasoning you end up reevaluating some of your positions that you may have held dear, such as immigration policy, foreign policy, military policy, and outsourcing.

Another area of high praise I have is in his richly human presentation throughout the book. His perspective is not from some detached analyst in an 'ivory tower' but from a person with real feelings and experiences who isn't afraid to share them with you. He offers a profound interconnection between his personal life and his work that reveals the depth of his thinking, for example he shares his experience with battling his young daughter's cancer and how it taught him to never give up the battle for a positive outcome. How often do you read a book about globalization that is inspiring at this level?

I also relished the moments when he waxes philosophical as he reveals the differences between horizontal and vertical thinking. He uses this in describing his own experiences growing up, how his son is learning this and how nations often behave this way. There is a place and role for each of us no matter how we think the trick is to apply the appropriate type of thinking to the roles we choose. (You want a physician who knows his subject deeply but an architect should know his broadly.) As a horizontal thinker he qualifies as a Renaissance Man.

After reading The Lexus and the Olive Tree by Thomas Friedman, I was inspired to believe that globalization was a positive trend, however globalization seemed like little more than noise (such as Seattle anti-WTO & the waves of outsourcing pain) in the events unfolding around us. Now in perspective, globalization takes center stage in all of our lives. Thomas Friedman is about a general concept of globalization whereas Barnett describes the historical context, the practical impact and the hope it offers all.

After seeing Barnett on C-SPAN and reading his blogs I thought his book would simply offer greater insight into his thinking on globalization, however it has become much more than that it has become a textbook that I have filled with notes and questions. His book also offers a glimpse into the future synergy between written copy and online technology. On his website he offers the 'extended DVD' version of his book. You get the 'deleted scenes', the slides, updates and so much more.

Some critics view his work as overly optimistic, and it is typical to hear criticisms without positive solutions but he offers a solution that gives the world hope. Do you prefer to sit paralyzed with fear or move forward with the best answer you have?

I know the book is a success when I find myself continually asking, "What do we need to do to now?" or "How do I apply this in my life?", and then attempt to put issues into the context of the maps Tom has provided.

And my criticisms? They pale in comparison - buy the book and prepare for a complete education.

Grant and Twain

After catching the author's review on Book TV I was intrigued by this work and have since found the results rewarding! At first glance the intersection of Twain and Grant seems odd and coincidental. However Perry offers that these two figures have given us arguably some of the greatest American literary works, Grant in his 'Memoirs' one of the greatest pieces of American non-fiction; and Twain in 'Huck Finn' one of the greatest pieces of American fiction.

After reading this book I am compelled to read Grant's Memoirs now having an appreciation of a great American hero who was both noble and humble. In fact as I finished this book it struck me how similar Ronald Reagan was to Ulysses S. Grant, from their humble upbringing to their popularity, battles with disease and finally their national funerals.

While Twain doesn't inspire as Grant, the book yields depth to Twain and for me personally greater insight and depth into America's struggle with black racism.

Overall I enjoyed the content and style and come out of it with a better appreciation for a time in American history which I had overlooked.

Silence Among the Weapons

This wonderful novel goes by the title "Silence Among the Weapons" when published in Britain. The title "Vox Pop: Last Days of the Romain Republic" was used for U.S. publication. I picked this novel up while on a kibbutz in Israel, and thoroughly enjoyed it for its combination of history, setting in theater, and splendid dialogue and wit. Though entertaining, this work also touches the spirit, mixing mirth with desolation and the sense of hollowness that only war can impress upon you.
The book flap calls the novel 'picaresque' which I learnt means that there is a bit of lewd behaviour, but by today's standard is barely adult.
John Arden was known as a playwright and this book comes across as a four act play.
The first book introduces you to the character Ivory who is an actor turned theater agent who finds himself embroiled in some nasty politics between two rival Roman parties whilst in Ephesus around 90 BC. (I visited Ephesus in 1996 - a wonderful archeological and tourist site.)
The second book takes you into southern Italy as Ivory tries to navigate the unrest rising throughout the countryside with his acting troupe. His companions are disbursed as chaos fills the land and concludes this book. (I also spent some time in the 'boot' of Itay - Arden aptly paints mayhem in this idyllic land).
Book three almost feels like a return to 'Moby Dick' as Ivory boards a crude little pirate ship of ancient Jews - his old life is gone and almost forsaken.
Finally the fourth book brings Ivory to the outskirts of Rome and perilously close to the Roman generals fighting the quasi civil war. The story ends up being tragi-comic, as despite the success of our hero, so much pain has been endured that you can't quite feel like anyone has triumphed.

The New Thought Police

Tammy does a great job exposing the hypocrisy of NOW, NAACP and the Rainbow Coalition. During the Afghanistan and Iraq offensives, before I could only wonder why these groups were opposed to actions which only would benefit women and children, the cry of the 'impending deaths of innocent women and children' due to these campaigns rang hollow. The support of groups like NOW for MTV (and its degradation of girls) and opposition to people like Dr. Laura Schlessinger (educated women with strong opinions) bely their true agenda. Her revelations about Betty Friedan and Rosa Parks diminish their accomplishments and call into question the credibility of the groups that hail them, Tammy warns of the dangers of deceit to further ones goals. She also offers insight into the O.J. Simpson debacle, how NOW ditched the domestic violence issues for its political bond with the NAACP.
The ADL, GLAAD, FAIR, and ACLU incriminate themselves by their actions and inactions. She also helps repair damage of those who had been demonized by the self righteous Left, without losing the principles of the Left. In a time where rhetoric is so impassioned, she offers reason and command respect.
This book gives us great warning about the danger of political correctness, where diversity means agreeing with one opinion.
She also offers compelling consideration of the 'hate crimes' laws enacted.
As terrific companion reads, I suggest 'The Invisible Heart' (the path of socialism) and 'Lost in the Cosmos' (the pifalls of group thinking).

Plan of Attack

What a great follow up to Woodward's "Bush at War".
Woodward continues to be effective at keeping his bias in check. He presents the information in a responsible manner, showing great intellectual honesty. Don't expect this book to parrot the typical partisan perspectives - what you will experience is the current administration and world leaders as humans with their convictions and failings.
I knew I wanted to read this book after reading the last Woodward book, but when I saw Woodward being interviewed about "Plan of Attack" by Larry King - and watched him prevent various callers from twisting his words to suit their political purposes, I knew that I had to read this book immediately!
The book held quite a few surprises, getting some intimate revelations from the likes of Ellie Wiesel and Saudi Prince Bandar and others of world reknown. The mechanics of going to war were also unexpected, much of it revolving around General Tommy Franks and his dealings with the Pentagon and the combat institutions.

If you enjoyed "Bush at War", then this book is required reading!

Good Business

The premise of the book is that our jobs are a primary component in our life and that when we are happy in our work we are the most productive and of the most value to our business.
Mihaly reviews the concept of "flow" from his earlier studies which is a state where we fully utilize our skills and capabilities and how we are able to reach that state and what inhibits us from reaching it. We also learn about our own development stages and how we improve through the combination of realizing our uniqueness and by valuing human relationships.

This book teaches us about good leadership qualities and how we (being led) can find satisfaction in our work.
Organizational leaders must clarify the goals of a business and ensure it is well communicated.
Three levers are available to managers to enable flow and create a great organization: make the environment attractive and comfortable; imbuing jobs with meaning and value; and by rewarding individuals who find satisfaction in their work.
Flow presents opportunity (such as finding more satisfaction) and challenge (as in the case of changing a job that sucks the life out of people).

Innovation is seen as repeatable through flow - but certain practices must be met such as: stay away from micro managing people; let people know the problems that need to be solved; and how to set and achieve performance goals (prioritizing tasks throughout a company has the effect of ensuring a company
won't meet its goals).

An outline of the conditions for flow:
1) Clear goals - you know your tasks and have the appropriate skill
2) Immediate feedback - you understand the effect of your efforts
3) Balance opportunity with capacity - you always learn to seek opportunity
4) Concentration - don't over think (remember the old 'Inner Tennis' books?)
5) The present is what matters - you exist in the 'now'
6) Control is no problem - you become immersed in the work
7) Time is altered - you 'slip through the cracks in time'
8) Loss of ego - you focus on giving not taking or defending

This book is a quick first read and will inspire thought, take the opportunity to read it.
It is more than a great business book - it is also a book about life.