No comments about Betting It All: The Technology Entrepreneurs.

No comments about The Power of Ideas: Five People Who Changed the Urban Landscape.

2 comments about The Helmsleys: The Rise and Fall of Harry and Leona Helmsley.

1. If you enjoy the accounts of business tycoons, particularly in the real estate industry, you should anticipate a very enjoyable read from The Helmsleys. From beginning to end, this book, comprised of both Harry's rise to billionaire status and Leona's near equally compelling climb to success, creates an extraordinarily interesting narrative. While I would hesitate to put this book in the 5 star category, that would only be a result of it not likely garnering the same level of interest for those whose interests lie outside of the commercial real estate realm. Otherwise, this is a terrific book that I definitively advocate.



2. The book brings you through his start as a rent collector in the Hells Kitchen section of Manhattan through his phenomenal growth as a deal making legend.
   
   Read this book for inspiration, insight, information, intrigue and of course entertainment!
   
   In, "The Helmsleys; The Rise and Fall of Harry & Leona" by Richard Hammer a great section is when they talk about putting together the purchase of the Empire State Building in 1961. Using their tried and true formula of the syndicate with 3,300 investors buying share for $10,000 each with a 9% return, they raised $33 million towards the purchase. Helmsley did not put up a penny, and him and Martin Wein split half the profit after paying the investors their 9%.
   
   By Kevin Kingston author of, "A 20,000% Gain in Real Estate"
   
   http://www.bloglines.com/blog/KevinKingston

No comments about Sugar Shack.

5 comments about The Fed: The Inside Story of How the World's Most Powerful Financial Institution Drives the Markets.

1. just kidding, I bought this book after having a short stint in the finance industry and was regretful that I had not found it any sooner. For those accustomed to the financialeze speak its an enjoyable and informative read. Of particular note is the discussion on commercial paper and consumer credit as it affects the federal reserves control over the money supply (control that the author suggests the fed lost control of). Further discussion about the 87 crash and a final chapter on recomendations about how financial institutions might reappraise their balance sheets.
   
   
   anyone with an interest in economics or institutional sociology would do well to give this book a read. Candor is a rare commodity in matters of financial gravity and Mr Mayer provides refreshing redirect in a very shrouded and secretive world.



2. I'm not sure that the book lives up to its claim of providing the inside story on the Fed. The writing style is not user friendly and the author uses concepts or lingo that he doesn't bother to explain. More interesting and informative books on the Fed can be found elsewhere. This is a good one to skip.



3. Reading this book felt a bit like listening to the pompous diatribes of an elitist that is so self absorbed about his own knowledge that he does not care to take the time to explain anything. I'm sure there is lots of good information to be had if I had a solid understanding of how the fed worked already, but then that would have defeated the purpose for which I bought the book!



4. If you are starting out in finance and want to know how the Fed works, this is the best book for you. It's not the easiest or the smallest, but it is the most illuminating. This book was very helpful to me when I started on Wall Street. It's a bit long (to be fair I'm still about 100 pages away from finish) but will make you understand why, as of April 23, 2007 "The 13 1/4 percent bond due in 2014 that the government sold on May 15, 1984, returned an annualized 24 percent. The S&500 returned 13 percent, including dividends, during the same period. Bonds gained more than shares of Motorola Inc., DuPont Co. and Duke Energy Corp." - this is from today's Bloomberg.
   This and reading Pimco's McCulley/Gross monthly pieces is a must if you want to understand what's driving world capital markets.



5. Martin Mayer has been writing about banking for decades. He has held positions in government, and testified as an expert in various governmental committees. He has known personally many of the people about whom he is writing in this book.
   
   His writing style is dense. He often assumes the reader is familiar with banking terms or processes (or can go look them up). If you can get through this, the information he provides is priceless. I came away from reading this book with a variety of insights into banking and the federal reserve that will continue to inform me for years to come. I have read a number of books on the fed, and this is certainly one of the best (along with Greiders).

5 comments about 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park.

1. This book accurately captures the experience of the working expat in Japan - coping with culture clashes in the office as well as adjustment pains in a foreign land. Larry and Lorna Collins tell the story of their trip to build Universal Studios Japan - the preparation, the work, the life in Japan and then the return.
   
   As a reader with similar experiences, there were many, "The same thing happened to me" moments as they peeled the onion of Japanese culture, encountering and then digging through stereotypes. The book also provided quite a few "I wish I knew that back then" lessons. The old Japanese hand will also note the odd ironic event here and there, for example, being complimented on using chopsticks is a universal experience.
   
   The mix of good nature and naive wonder experienced by Larry and Lorna come through strong. Perhaps the sincerity is why they made so many connections. Of course the cultural cynic won't be able to finish the book.
   
   Worth the read, and makes me want to return to Japan.



2. Genre: Travel
   
   Title: 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park
   
   Author: Larry K. and Lorna Collins
   
   How do you prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in Japan? Every step is a challenge, from procuring the turkey to making the pumpkin pie. But Larry and Lorna Collins of California thrive on such adventures, and they've written an enthralling account of the joys and frustrations of their "31 Months in Japan."
   
   Larry worked as an engineer on a major theme park project in Osaka. He writes about topics such as unexpected engineering challenges involving dinosaurs and sharks, field-testing the park's rides (and restaurants!), surfing Japanese-style, and the bureaucratic hassles of buying a car. Meanwhile Lorna delighted in the people they met, and she writes with warmth and enthusiasm of cross-cultural experiences shared with new friends. She also devotes a chapter to typhoons and another, perhaps even scarier, to driving in Japan.
   
   This is a super book that radiates joie de vivre. You'll be inspired as you read of life-enriching episodes, and a little overwhelmed as you learn about the many small misunderstandings and irritations of expatriate living. At times humorous, surprising, and moving, "31 Months in Japan" is a must-read for all travelers, armchair and otherwise.
   
   
   Highly Recommended by Reviewer: Julie Falkner, Allbooks Reviews.



3. I was utterly charmed by the experiences related from the viewpoint of the author husband and author wife. Not only were the glimpses of the Japanese culture intriguting and fascinating, but I was also awed by the descriptions of the different places visited by the authors. The insights into the actual building of a theme park in a foreign land kept me turning pages.
   
   Having had the opportunity to see the authors at the recent Epicon made it even more interesting as I could imagine them as I read their words.
   
   This is definitely a book for anyone who likes to read about new places and learn more about a different culture from first hand sources.
   
   Thank you for many pleasant reading hours.
   
   Marilyn Meredith, author of Wingbeat, latest in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series.



4. From the very first chapter, "31 Months in Japan : The Building of a Theme Park" by Larry K. and Lorna Collins, immerses the reader in a fascinating discovery of Japanese culture and the ingenious secrets that make the magic of a theme park real. This detailed and personal account of the trials and surprises involved in creating Universal Studios Japan is told in a warm familiar voice that many times had me musing that I would have reacted the same way as the narrators.
   
   The Collins embark on their adventure with enthusiasm and open hearts, and this attitude enables them to make meaningful contact with their Japanese hosts, not just in the workplace where they face the challenges of turning dreams of an exciting theme park into smoothly-functioning reality, but also on the busy and often confusing streets of Osaka. If you wish to experience a view of another culture that goes beyond rapid tourist impressions or the surface veneer of international negotiations, this book is for you.
   
   Another wonderful layer of the book is the intriguing behind-the-scenes perspective of the complicated mechanics that make all the parts of a major theme park mesh together to form a magical world of imagination come to life. I was spellbound by the innovative solutions that the team of engineers used to solve the complex problems involved in making giant mechanical dinosaurs and sharks interact with an artificial landscape and waterscape to produce a living theater capable of thrilling visitors again and again.
   
   By the time you finish "31 Months in Japan" you will know the Collins well, and will appreciate having joined them on their rich journey to Japan and back. The theme park they helped create is a testament to how drawing on the strength and vision of many individuals and even different cultures can take a project to admirable and unexpected heights. I strongly recommend this outstanding book.



5. Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (3/06)
   
   Co-author Larry K. Collins was a project engineer assigned to the construction of the amusement park Universal Studios Japan, and Lorna, his wife was in Document Control. For 31 months, Larry and Lorna lived in Japan during the building of Universal Studios Japan, moving to Osaka in August 1998 from their permanent home in Dana Point, California until the park opened on March 31, 2001. "31 Months in Japan" is the story of the culture shocks the Collins encountered, the wonderful friends they made, and the sharing of their many interesting challenges and adventures, beginning with the first obstacle in May 1998 when they learned their building site was contaminated and the subsequent 18 month clean-up.
   
   "31 Months in Japan" will entice those curious about traveling to or possibly living in Japan. The behind the scenes work that goes on during the construction of a theme park is also covered, so if you are enthralled with all the plans that go into building a theme park from the obtaining of the land until the gates are opened to the public, you will be entertained.
   
   The book is written like a journal, Larry writing about his encounters as a project engineer, working on the Jurassic Park and JAWS water rides, along with the Water World show, then Lorna sharing her experiences with obtaining housing, cooking and working in Japan. They cover the gamut in telling us about Japanese fashions, home furnishings, festivals, holidays, weather, roadways, maps, parking, waste removal system, communal bathing, golf, rituals, work ethic, appropriate social behavior, and obtaining and preparing familiar food.
   
   At the beginning of each chapter, a new Japanese word is introduced with its pronunciation and meaning, and we are then told a story of how that Japanese word relates to an encounter shared by the Collins. By the end of the book, we should have a few Japanese words in our memory.
   
   The differences between America and Japan were eye opening. Larry experienced driving with only ½" between his left front tire and a three foot ditch running along the side of the road. When passing another vehicle, Larry relates there would be only a scant 1/4" space between the two vehicles door-to-door. Also, before purchasing a car in Japan, the Collins learned one must first have an assigned place to park it. A final random thought I found interesting was that American pizza in Japan has corn atop, is drizzled with mayonnaise, and has toppings of seafood and seaweed.
   
   The Collins eagerly and enthusiastically share with us their experiences of Japan. They tell us about Jurassic Mark, Raouf Iskander, the Nihon Cowboy, their Japanese "daughter" Yasuko and Jurassic Jack. The Collins came back changed individuals but only for the better. It is obvious of the great love they felt for the many special friendships solidified by their times in Japan. The Collin's book is a tribute to the great number of colorful personalities that came together to make the building of Universal Studios Japan a success!

5 comments about Confessions of a Corporate Centurion : Tales of International Adventures.

1. "Confessions of a Corporate Centurion" is great fun and a delight to read. The author tells of his unusual and fascinating exploits and escapades in an interesting and fast-moving style. Each chapter is a separate tale of amusing and interesting experiences in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
   In addition to being very enjoyable reading, it is possible to learn a great deal about the customs, cultures, and business practices in many foreign lands. I highly recommend this book.



2. School is about preparing for the professional life. Case studies are suposed to put us in situations we will experience later at work. Sometimes, when playing out in the world field, we notice that the actual succes factors are not only those we learned at school. Gordon's extensive experience abroad proves that a successful carreer requires more than academic knowledge. And I am sure that many times we don't need to go outside the US to experience those stories. I am waiting for further books from Gordon, he surely has many real-world stories to tell us, and much more lessons to teach us. This book is entertaining, hopefully the next one will be a little more analytical.



3. A delightful book written with wit, wisdom and genuine warmth. Mr. Reiss's book is unusual in its combination of humor and sensitivity. It reminded me of Durrell's Esprit de Corps. I am looking forward to his next book!



4. An hilarious romp through the maze of overseas hard-charging entrepreneurs. Gordon Riess, one of the most fascinating, vital, worthwhile and genuinely funny executives you would love to know, writes with hilariously intensity about his long and varied experience as a high level corporate chief. Riess reveals his keen understanding of human nature, his intensely competitive approach to business, and his fascinating ability to laugh at himself and the corporate world. This is a must read for those who enjoy humor found through the back-door of business negotiations and politics.



5. Having lived in Europe and traveled the world as a member of the International divisions of several major US companies, I truly appreciate the down-to-earth, straight forward, and interesting approach that Mr. Riess has utilized in writing this fascinating book.

   His experiences are real world, and in fact the real life that all of us involved in International operations have experienced during our travels around the world.

   He has a great ability to make the reader feel that he/she is on the actual site and totally involved in the situation at hand. I highly recommend reading "Confession of a Corporate Centurion" to those of us who have been there, but even more so to those who have not.

   It will give all who read it a true appreciation of the "challenges" involved in doing business overseas, and better yet, an understanding of the different cultures and values that exist around our world, and the need to adapt to them in order to get the job done, or even make your vacation trip more enjoyable.

   Again, an excellent book that is difficult to put down!

5 comments about Donald Trump: Master Apprentice.

1. Master Apprentice provides an eye opening view for Trump first timers in to the life "The Donald". Trump appears more a master "salesman" than "apprentice" in his legendary efforts for power, prestige and notoriety in Manhattan real estate. A good read.
   
   Jeremy Hill
   JB Capital Management



2. I enjoyed her book on the Trump family history especially about the grandfather. This book however disappointed me. I found it to be a knockoff of the original trilogy with very little new material. Just being honest. I'm a true Trump devotee so I read everything out there on him, whether written by him or someone else.



3. Becoming a successful real estate developer in New York, one of America's most difficult cities, requires laser focus and ruthless tactics. So that's what Donald Trump and, to a lesser degree his father, Fred, brought to the job as they rose to power and fame. Journalist Gwenda Blair does a masterful, thoroughly reported job of describing the various forces, conflicts of interest, power plays, politics, personalities and near-criminal behavior that resulted in three FBI investigations (but no indictments) of Trump's various real estate deals. Blair provides insights about the family relationships and friendships that shaped Trump's personality and business deals. This is a careful study of the underside of the real estate development business and what it really takes to get big projects done in complex political and financial environments. Would most corporate managers find this book useful? Certainly. We think it provides fuel for thought and a new perspective on being relentless and persistent, as well as being pretty clear about the downside of lying and of having what Donald Trump calls a "killer instinct."



4. Probably one of the better books out there on him. But, as the title sez "Master Apprentice"... How fitting a name.
   
   I would imagine his kids are going to have a tough time living in the shadows of this guy when he's dead. They'd be wise to start their own company and do it from scratch.



5. Everybody and his brother wants to ride along on Donald Trump's current wave of popularity. During the past year, we've seen books appear by Apprentice-candidate Amy Henry, first Apprentice winner Bill Rancic, board-room colleagues Carolyn Kepcher and George Ross, and naturally, several business / autobios by Trump himself. Now in early 2005, we have two new Trump biographies: this title, and "No Such Thing as Over-Exposure," by Robert Slater. But this one isn't entirely new. It's based on a longer book that Gwenda Blair released in 2000.
   
   "The Trumps: Three Generations that Built an Empire" was a much thicker volume, divided into three equal sections: the first for grandpa Friedrich Trump's immigrant story, the second for father Fred Trump's rise in New York real estate, and the last for son Donald's takeover. Several glossy pages of photos were included so that we could see the family grow and change along the way. In "Master Apprentice," Blair used her previous work as a foundation. She stripped the Friedrich and Fred sections away, condensing more than 200 pages into an interwoven 6-page introductory backstory. She eliminated the photos. She kept the same chapter titles and structures for Donald's section and added a final 16-page chapter that covers the last five years, chronicling the Atlantic City bankruptcy and the tremendous fame surrounding "The Apprentice" TV show. The last four pages turn the reader's attention to Don Jr. and predict his own beginning success. While much of the original text remains the same, Blair should be given credit for retooling and refining some of the initial writing and adding new details where they are pertinent. The final outcome doesn't look or read like a slapdash piece, and it's not a carbon copy of "The Trumps."
   
   Blair's work stands apart from the other books mentioned because of the substantive detail she's gleaned about every Trump deal ever made. (It's appropriate that many negotiations hinge on the Atlantic City properties, because the facts read like a never-ending Monopoly game gone tremendously awry.) Her research is exhaustive and her bibliography, extensive. She spoke to hundreds of individuals, though seemingly, not to Donald Trump himself. The result isn't a glowing account of its main subject but is about as neutral as it can be. The reader is left to decide whether Donald will ultimately ride off into the sunset with a white hat or a black one covering that signature coiffure. Given his drive to be the best and to have only the best, we know at least that the horse would be the fastest, the Stetson would be the largest, and they would both cost more than the average American's annual salary.
   
   Read this book (or its predecessor) first. It will provide perspective for the rest of the titles in the Trump / Apprentice canon.

2 comments about I, Willie Sutton.

1. Willie Sutton is probably the best known bank robber in America (he was once even profiled on "60 Minutes"). Although his chosen occupation is pretty dubious, he was very good at it, and this biography is a truly gripping read. I can't give examples without spoiling the story, but it's one of the best true crime books I've read and would recommend it to anyone. Note that there's this book and "Where the Money Was" - both are very similar, so choose one or the other. Utterly engrossing.



2. I heard of Willie Sutton. The name was mentioned here and there as I grew up, but only spoken in hushed, almost reverent tones. Upon reaching adulthood I found out why. Willie Sutton was a bank robber, like my father. It is alleged he taught my father everything he knew about how to rob a bank. Of course, in adulthood my interest was piqued, so I got the book, more because of research than anything else. Well, I didn't find out anything about my father but ended up finding an extremely interesting, easy-to-read book about a very intelligent man who used his talents in the wrong way. Unfortunately for him, his life didn't amount to much; however you have to admire the fact that in the end he finally came to that realization and wrote the book to try to sway the next generation of potential hoodlums in the way of the straight and narrow. A smart man.. who finally put his intellect to good use. I would definitely put this book on my "things to read" list.

2 comments about Copywriter: A Life of Making Ads and Other Mistakes.

1. I was there too. Bit player at another agency, but saw, heard, smelled (OK, tasted too -- I had a Saab with a Scotch compartment) the same wonderful ambiance that was advertising in the Renaissance '80s. Ray has it down. He records a time loved -- and lost -- to mega business. Oh, well.



2. For close to 20 years, ending in the late 1980s, Ray Welch dominated New England advertising awards. He was the Woody Allen of the industry, writing self-deprecating (but hilarious and strategically spot-on) ads, and later becoming one of the area's most effective voice-over announcers. He was also one of the most well-liked personalities in the community -- I should know, I was there -- and a great story-teller.

   These are his stories. They're all funny. Many of them also reveal truths of ad agency life, the kinds of people attracted to that business, and the thinking that goes into a great campaign.

   Welch had art-director friends each design a separate chapter, and told them to go wild. The designs are readable -- these are top-level art directors we're talking about -- and range from whimsical to surprising. Not a bad thing in a book of stories.

   The book reads the way I remember that era. Except Welch obviously had a lot more fun.