The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom

Nov. 18, 2010 - A really interesting book by UVa professor Jonathan Haidt. His analogy of the elephant and rider is used throughout Chip & Dan Heath’s new book Switch. This book is also part of the culture and training used by Tony Hsieh at Zappos and referenced in his book Delivering Happiness. Not bad for…

Predictably Irrational – Dan Ariely

Nov. 6, 2010 - Subtitled: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. Great book on behavioral economics! I’ve heard about it for years and it’s every bit as good as the reviews indicate. Dan Ariely’s research is really interesting and very illuminating in uncovering those “hidden forces” that shape our decision-making. It’s quite surprising. But armed with…

Open Leadership – Charlene Li

Oct. 7, 2010 – Subtitled: How Social Technology Can Transform the Way You Lead. It took me longer than usual to get through this book. It is dense with information – all of it excellent. Real world case studies that delve into companies like Cisco, Ford, Dell, Best Buy, Marriott and the US State Dept. Developing a…

Speaking for Myself – Cherie Blair

Aug. 28, 2010 - Terrific book! Cherie Blair has a very engaging style and it’s a fascinating journey from her working class neighborhood in Liverpool to number 10 Downing Street as wife of Prime Minister Tony Blair. She’s candid in relating her story as a child, student, Barrister, candidate’s wife, mother of 4 and first lady…

The Things They Carried – Tim O’Brien

Aug. 26, 2010 - This is my first Tim O’Brien book. It’s unique in it’s structure: part memoir, part novel and sort of a collection of short stories about O’Brien’s experience in Vietnam. It is profoundly moving. It’s also a beautifully written work – what I think of as a very literary style of story telling….

The Great Reset – Richard Florida

Aug. 20, 2010 – Subtitled: How New Ways of Living and Working Drive Post-Crash Prosperity. A very timely book! Author Richard Florida does an outstanding job of giving historical context to the resets that occurred after the economic crises of 1873 & 1929. We are in another period of tectonic change as we shift our focus to…

Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose

Aug. 9 , 2010 - Great book – I recommend the audio version which is read by author Tony Hsieh himself and various of the employees who contributed to the book. This is right in line with Rework and Linchpins. It is a harbinger of a new way to do business that is not only more exciting,…

Stones into Schools – Greg Mortenson

Aug. 8, 2010 - Subtitled: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is a wonderful book! A great follow-up to Three Cups of Tea and helped by the first person telling of the stories. Greg Mortenson’s “Dirty Dozen” embodies for me the entire concept of Seth Godin’s “Linchpins.” The work they are doing is…

Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? – Seth Godin

Aug. 3, 2010 - My newest favorite book of all time! Seth Godin cleared away my self doubts about the choices I’ve made in my life and my career. I was early to “step up” and rejected “fitting in.” His discourse on art, gifts, generosity, love and relationships all make perfect sense to me. My quest…

Rework – Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson

July 29, 2010 - My favorite business book of 2010 – so far! I saw that Seth Godin had highly recommended this book, as did Ladies Who Launch in their daily email. It’s outstanding! Plain spoken and the plain truth. It’s a short quick read that doesn’t waste a single word. It’s the sort of book…