5 comments about The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (A Little) Craziness and (A Lot of) Success in America.

1. Stepping Off the Edge: Learning & Living Spiritual Practice
   The content of this book was no surprise to me. A first generation immigrant, my father was the founder and CEO of what became the tenth largest residential construction company in the USA. He could have jumped directly from Gartner's book. So could all his business buddies. Being born and raised in what became Silicon Valley, what Gartner says is somewhat old hat to me. It's true! Not only that, I've heard a number of psychiatrists say they known it for ages. So, what should we hope for? A good dose of hypomania? The ability to look through society and see it's pathology? The realization that being crazy (a little crazy) can be a good thing? Yes. All of the above. When I was getting my MA in counseling, my profs pointed out that business leaders can be highly intuitive, just as mystics can. Interesting. I actually was rather annoyed with Gartner for bringing out his book. My new novel, coming out in early spring, 2008, hinges on Gartner's thesis. He beat my time. But there's room in this conversation for more than one.



2. This book discovers the link between many creative and successful people who have lived with bi polar conditions in the past with notable success.



3. A warning about this book first; when I got it in the mail I had other work planned that evening but once I started reading I couldn't stop until the end. It's well written and entertaining but most importantly thought provoking. Rigorous science it is not and I can't comment on the historical biographies as my field is medicine, not history.
   
   John Gartner makes a compelling case for immigrant populations being enriched in people who have bipolar traits. Given a sufficient number of them in the population, and you get places like America, Australia and Canada whose populations are almost entirely made up of immigrants. America seems to have a critical mass of bipolars which makes it even more attractive to other bipolars and, in John Gartner's view, one ends up with the positive feedback loops of energetic people making things happen at a far greater rate than anywhere else in the world. This also explains many of the down sides to America as bipolarity also has a depressive side and bipolars can be very impulsive.
   
   Obviously this book only looks at one aspect of what makes America unique but I've found it very thought provoking. Many of John Gartner's assertions are important scientific questions that need to be answered through proper controlled studies. I had been toying with some of the same ideas over the years, but John Gartner put them all together in this book.



4. This is one of the only books that is devoted to this fuzzy area of psychiatry, discussing a diagnosis that is often misdiagnosed. Unfortunately it has been so by a recent reviewer who gave it one star...You've been "clinically diagnosed" wrong if you were diagnosed with hypomania - as a hypomanic I can say that your description of what you've done to yourself in your life would not be a result of hypomania. Find a new psychiatrist who will treat you properly. Best of luck.



5. I'm noticing in the "Self-Help" or "Motivational" genre of books, a lot of them basically describe various types of personalities through rose-colored glasses. Readers then love these books, because they see themselves described in these books in a sympathetic, ego-boosting light. For instance, a lot of unorganized people who fancy themselves to be misunderstood or misguided geniuses or entrepenuers will read this book and say "Oh, this is me -- I'm destined for greatness, just like these people. I'm the one-in-a-million." The books essentially succeed through flattery, but have unfortunate negative consequence of perpetuating people's self-delusion. In reality, 9 out of 10 successful people have aquired some sort of marketable skill, be it nursing or hair-cutting or accounting or masonry or whatever, and then live their lives in a disciplined, planned-out manner. This isn't to say that these authors intentionally flatter readers to sell books -- it's just that books that do somehow flatter readers naturally become popular. So ask yourself -- are you drawn to this book because it reinforces your own self-delusion?

5 comments about The Last Tycoons: The Secret History of Lazard Frères & Co..

1. If you've ever wondered what goes behind closed doors in boardrooms and corner offices when CEOs want to build their companies into empires, The Last Tycoons is a good book to consult. Cohan puts readers inside the confidential meetings that helped re-shape corporate America and gave birth to the modern conglomerate. However, the books size and sheer amount of detail can seem a little overwhelming at times.
   
   There are pages upon pages of testimony transcribed when it comes to the ITT-Hartford deal that plays a major part in the book and incredibly nuanced blow by blow, minute by minute descriptions of how Lazard's partners became partners, what they did, who they talked to, what they said and what letters they wrote to whom. While Cohan's research and knowledge of the subject is certainly highly impressive and obvious within the first 100 of the 668 pages of banking and M&A history, the minutia and seemingly endless reproduction of memos and letters written as far back as the 19th century, give the book a rather gossipy undertone. If you're a new employee of Lazard or thinking of joining the company, this is the kind of history you might find incredibly advantageous to come in and hit the ground running in your first few months on the job. For the rest of us, non-bankers, this is information we wouldn't be upset to find briefly summarized.
   
   Ultimately, The Last Tycoons accomplishes what it sets out to do. It provides an excellent history of Lazard Freres from its founding as a store in New Orleans to its public listing and captures and describes the larger than life people at the top and how they changed the company over its long history. If Mr. Cohan were to briefly summarize the 200+ pages of ubiquitous reproductions of memos, letters, testimonies and highly detailed minutia, the book would be even more enjoyable.



2. A very thorough, though at times sensationalist and gossipy, tale of Wall Street's most intriguing investment house. However, I was sad to see the early history of the firm get short shrift in favor of an intricate string of anecdotes about the personal lives of various senior bankers. In that respect, historians will be largely disappointed but those who enjoy war stories of the rough and tumble 80's and 90's M&A banking environment ala "Barbarians" should enjoy it. Still, it appears that at times that Cohan is almost too eager to dramatize people and events to weave together a compelling story, and in doing so he migrates to a brand of yellow journalism that can be off-putting at times. Nevertheless, the book is generally well-written and captures both the glory and folly of powerful men in a unique and conspicuous way. To call it a comprehensive history, though, would be misleading as it really weights heavy toward the firm of 20 years ago and appears greatly colored by his own personal experience, for better or worse.



3. Cohan has done an extraodinary amount of research, and this enables him to paint a vivid picture of the leading personalities at Lazard as well as to capture the firm's quirky culture. But, with the exception of its blistering account of the current Lazard leader, Wasserstein, the reader doesn't get a good sense of exactly what these investment bankers do during their day jobs. What is the nature of their advice, do they earn their keep, and with the benefit of history do they give the right advice? Other than Wasserstein, whom Cohan criticizes as dead wrong and completely mercenary throughout his career, we don't get a good sense of how these bankers do their work.
   
   Absent that insight, and this may be difficult insight to deliver given the nature of the advice and surrounding circumstances, the book tends to degenerate into gossip. Anyone who has worked in a professional firm can, of course, relate to Lazard's dysfunctional culture and can appreciate the value of rainmaking over hard work. So this is quite interesting and perhaps useful gossip. But the real question presented by Lazard is just what do these bankers do and are they errant fiduciaries who take advantage of their influence over a deal to drive it at all costs so as to ensure ridiculously high fees?
   
   With respect to Wasserstein, Cohan's contempt shines through. He does seem to represent everything that is wrong with Wall Street, though in fairness to him, his IPO of Lazard has worked out far better than I would have thought.
   
   The author seems more favorably disposed to Rohatyn, Ratner, and Meyer, though there is not enough data about the specific deals they worked on to draw a conclusion.
   
   This is an interesting book that is very well written and that gives some real insight into the workings of a famous Wall Street firm. But it ultimately does not grapple with the larger issues presented by the business or offer any suggestions for change.



4. Should be required reading for anybody looking to get into M&A, anybody who follows M&A, or anybody who wonders how investment banks actually make their money. A long read, but well worth it in every way. The first book I read on my Kindle, I could not put it down. Highly recommended.



5. Well written history of the investment bank, focusing, not surprisingly given Lazard's reputation, on a "great man" analysis of the historical leaders of the firm (e.g., Michael David-Weill, Felix Rohatyn). Safe to say, though, that I think the reaction of most readers ultimately would be "why would I ever want to work there?" after concluding the book. This tale of byzantine intrigue, turf wars, and the juvenile treatment of women ultimately reminded me more of an all-boys grammar school playground than a source of brilliant financial advice (which Lazard has always been known for).

5 comments about The Education of an Accidental CEO: Lessons Learned from the Trailer Park to the Corner Office.

1. I went through only the first audio CD of six, and though it did tell about the author, the author was unable to describe the "business" techniques that are teachable to others. It was his set of particular skills or virtues (you know these already) that enabled him to accomplish such and such. Waste of time. If you're looking for a good CD on management or CEO behaviour, "Doing What Matters" is vastly superior. It teaches specific business techniques. I would give it a 1 star, except, I didn't go through the remaining five CDs, and have no easy way of previewing these.



2. Nothing new here. Probably of some use as a first exposure to anecdotes of private sector motivational techniques for Gen Y MBAs, but in my opinion of little value for those whose comprehension of the theories and practice of leadership is beyond the elementary level. I thought Novak's observations were pretty anodyne, and in places there's a barely-concealed undertone of "Ain't I wonderful?" which I found off-putting. Not actively bad, but far from good -- save a few bucks and buy the paperback version.



3. I hadn't known too much about David Novak, chairman and CEO
   of Yum! Brands, the home to KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long
   John Silver's, and A& W All American Food . . . that's no longer
   the case, though, since I've devoured THE EDUCATION OF AN
   ACCIDENTAL CEO, the inspirational
   book he wrote with John Boswell.
   
   Almost every page had an idea that could be implemented not just
   in the food industry, but in my teaching and/or in just about any
   other walk of life . . . as Novak notes:
   
   * When I read business books or motivational books I find that if there
   is one thing I can take away with me, and more important, if it is
   something that stays with me, then it is well worth the price of
   admission. Obviously, that "one thing" differs from person to person,
   but if there is anything I have said within these pages that helps you
   define your dreams and then go after them, then it is well worth the
   effort it has taken to write this book and see it through publication.
   Whatever field you have chosen, whatever your aspirations may be,
   and however you choose to make them come true, I hope one day
   you achieve more than you can even imagine.
   
   My problem, and it's a nice one to have I must admit, is that I took
   away many ideas . . . I regret that I can't share them all with you,
   but to cite just two:
   
   * I fancied myself a writer, but under Tom I would rewrite test-market
   analyses six or seven times until I learned how to put forth a
   recommendation, explain the rationale for that recommendation,
   and summarize it all in a single page. I try to force myself to use
   this same discipline today. Limiting myself to a single page not only
   helps concentrate my mind, it almost guarantees clarity.
   
   * The second thing I learned is that all the answers are in the building.
   Every company is filled with experts. If you want to learn the company's
   history, have a meeting with a twenty-five-year veteran. If you want to know
   what customers are thinking, talk to the people who answer the 800-number
   calls. If you want to know why the trucks aren't getting out on time, a route
   salesman who's trucks who's been at the job for a while is likely to know the
   answer.
   
   THE EDUCATION OF AN ACCIDENTAL CEO had me laughing at
   spots, too . . . for example, when Novak showed how a floppy rubber
   chicken often had more value than a gold watch . . . it might not
   sound possible, but if you read this book, you'll see that it
   well could be the case where you work too.



4. I found this book to be inspirational as well as educational. It was also entertaining enough that it was a very fast read. David Novak's live has touched products and advertising I have been familiar with my whole life so it was easy to go along for the ride. Some stories were a little tangential but I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone in corporate America looking to excel in their career.



5. David is donating the proceeds of this book to fight world hunger. We approve. But the book itself while interesting, does not have enough nitty gritty how to's to satisfy. Nice guy, interesting book, good cause but nothing special or great here.

5 comments about Jack Welch & The G.E. Way: Management Insights and Leadership Secrets of the Legendary CEO.

1. I bought this book before reading Jack's "Straight from the Gut". When I read this book I thought it was 5 stars and I re-read this book at least once looking for clues to help my own business. Then I read Jack's book and realized his was better. In any case this covers all the basic aspects of Jack's methods including the educational meetings at the GE "university", cleaning house, picking winning companies, eliminating small market share companies, and promoting top performers and eliminating underperformers. It shows how he is hands on.
   
   Good if you want to read two books on Jack Welch.



2. When I read a book I expect to learn something I don't already know or at least revisit something I already know from a new perspective or explain it in a uniquely articulate way. This book fails on all three measures. Walsh shares no secret insights -- he only discusses his introduction of a number of standard business practices to GE. This include 6-Sigma, downsizing, A-B-C rating of managers, etc. -- The usual mix of management science, art and business fad typical in pop management books. And even the discussions of how these management tools were implemented at GE is filled with extrainious details about the meetings at which these policies were introduced and other non-value added story telling. This only leads me to believe that it was added as filler to get the page count up to the size required for a book.
   
   For all of Jack Welsh's insistence that his business units be 1st or 2nd in a market it is pure hypocrisy for him to be publishing this book. Your time and money is better spent reading Peter Drucker.



3. Good overview of the Jack Welch way, including a variety of innovative business ideas that brought GE forward.

   However, as a book goes, it would appear the author was paid by the word. Each of the "secrets" is presented, reviewed, repeated, and presented again in a 300+ page book that would better be summarized in about 20. I kept reading after the first two chapters thinking I would learn somthing new, but honestly, save your money, read chapter one at the library, and go home with just as much insight.

   To the publisher, I'd recommed an "executive summary" version for the next edition.




4. Applying some of the concepts of Mr. Welch's philosophy helped to facilitate operational improvement in my team that earned a distinguished company award. I was so enthralled that I purchased a GE fridge, and convinced my in-laws to do the same even though another brand of fridge lasted tham almost 30 years. Less than 5 years and thousands of dollars later, neither GE fridge is operational. The GE Way -- admire the brilliance, but stay away from the products.



5. This book is a very entertaining and useful one to be read. Jack Welch' stories are very useful for the business man/woman. However I think Jack exaggerate in justifying himself in firing people and repeats a lot in this topic. I have a translated version here in my country and it is very faithful to the original. The only thing all managers must remember: all this stuff worked well at GE, but always remember what happened with Ford and its former President Jacques Nasser...Not everything can be applied to all companies.

5 comments about Cheaper by the Dozen.

1. "Cheaper by the Dozen" is a wonderful, entertaining portrayal of life in the early part of the last century, combined with universal themes about family life that today's readers can very much relate to. As a member of a family of 10 children from New Jersey growing up in the middle of the twentieth century, this book about a large family from New Jersey in the early twentieth century particularly resonated with me. It was and still is one of my favorites. Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, were pioneers in scientific management and engineering, and this book portrays their entertaining adventures in applying these techniques to the raising of their 12 children. After not having read "Cheaper by the Dozen" in over twenty years, I recently read it again with my teenage son, and thoroughly enjoyed it - even more so than I had as a child, with the added perspective of parenthood. It is highly entertaining, and I literally had tears in my eyes I laughed so hard in certain sections.
   
   The book is written by two of the Gilbreth "dozen". Its anecdotal style is mostly light and entertaining, and a certain amount of poetic license was taken in writing about actual events. It should not be viewed as a completely accurate historical biography of the Gilbreth's, nor was that the intent. (If you are looking for that I would recommend "Time Out for Happiness", by Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Jr., and "Making Time" by Jane Lancaster, both of which are generally available. Internet searches will also lead you to lots of additional information, pictures and even some film footage of the Gilbreths.)
   
   Although sometimes portrayed as a book appropriate for children, I would not recommend this book for pre-teens for a number of reasons. First off, some of the language (although relatively mild by today's standards) as well as issues discussed (such as those hinted at and referenced in stories about the older daughters dating) are really not appropriate for pre-teens. Secondly, and my only real criticism of the book, is that there a few portions and references which were acceptable by the standards of 1948 when this book was published, but would now be considered less appropriate and insensitive: a small section containing a stereo-typical portrayal of a Chinese cook, a brief mention of the parents putting on a minstrel show to entertain the children (which went over my head as a teenage reader), and the referral by Mrs. Gilbreth to off-color language as "Eskimo". These are reflective of the time period, but a bit of guidance for younger readers on these issues might be useful (for my son, I used these as "teachable moments" regarding how standards have changed). I still highly recommend the book as an entertaining, fun read both for teenagers and adults.



2. Everyone who has a funnybone needs to listen to this story. I read it as a child and it was hysterical to me then, and now as I sit and listen to it read, with some feeling...it is only funnier. And yet it is filled with the warmth of a family that loves and tries to know and understand one another--with all its warts and foibles. It's very real. Real; funny. Do yourself, or someone who needs a good laugh, a very real favor...get hold of this original audio story of "Cheaper By the Dozen." And ENJOY.



3. We are a family that loves to be together. In the car sometimes we run out of things to talk about and the radio is not always the best for our 6 and 8 year old. So at the library we saw this and gave it a try. The kids books on tape make my husband and I fall asleep. So we went for this knowing nothing about it. Not big TV watching family. We loved it.We could not listen if not all four of us were not in the van or someone would get up set. It was nice. We still talk about this book on cd about the Dad and the family we have fell in love with. We got Marly and Me and that was nice but this was GREAT.



4. While some might consider "Cheaper by the Dozen" to be a children's book, I found it funny and interesting as well. As an only child, it was bewildering to even consider the idea of such a large family! In addition, I loved the father's motion study antics. Recommended for anyone seeking a lighthearted but worthwhile read.



5. When Frank and Lillian Gilbreth married, he said he wanted to have an even dozen children and Lillian was happy to oblige, having six boys and six girls. Frank and Lillian worked as efficiency experts and Frank employed efficiency techniques at home including figuring out how to shave in the quickest amount of time; how to dress as quickly as possible; having everyone in the family get their tonsils removed at the same time; and holding an Assembly Call in which he whistled and timed how long it took the family to gather together. Frank was the disciplinarian while Lillian was willing to look the other way when the children acted up. Together they had all kinds of adventures, some on land, some at sea, many of them hilarious.
   
   Written by Frank Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey about their childhood, "Cheaper by the Dozen" is a very funny, old-fashioned read. The father stands out among all the characters, with his strict ideas about discipline and efficiency, yet having a nice sense of humor. Some of his ideas were a bit much, like having his children skip grades to get through school faster. While Frank is larger than life (literally), his wife Lillian is a more quiet character, seemingly in the background until you realize how much control she has over her husband. With twelve children, it's hard to keep them all straight, but a few of them stand out. Bill stands out most notably, with his penchant for playing practical jokes. He has some of the funniest moments in the book - like when he turns the table on his father who liked to scare them with his car horn; almost knocking the cook in the oven; or terrorizing his Aunt Anne. The other children who stand out are oldest daughters Anne and Ernestine who have the unenviable task of dealing with their father as they start to date. The book is more stream of consciousness than chronological and it can be hard to keep track of how old the children are. The book is full of humorous events including family trips in the car which always caused people to stare; family council meetings; a visit from a woman representing birth control who had no idea how large the family was; boat trips; and a visit from a psychologist. The book also has brief biographical sketches of both Frank and Lillian, although Frank's service during World War One is barely touched on. Although the book is humorous, it still touches on the difficulties of raising a large family, notably when Lillian had to travel by train from Boston to California with seven children who were sick for much of the trip. Some parts of the book made me cringe, especially when Martha had her tonsils removed after eating a heavy meal and when Lillian, tired of waiting at the hospital for her baby to be born, walked home while in labor. Still, most of the book was very funny.
   
   "Cheaper by the Dozen" is a nice, humorous read.

5 comments about The Secret History of the American Empire: Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and the Truth about Global Corruption.

1. John Perkins, a former "economic hit man", revealed his emotional turmoil in Confessions of an Economic Hitman. He illustrated from an insider's perspective the evils of the modern-day empire building of corporations or "corporatocracy" in action. He lifted the veil on the military-industrial complex, which partners with Government in bewitching consumers with guile, corruption and big marketing budgets, whilst carrying out gross environmental and human rights abuses.
   
   In this sequel, Perkins has a more mature view of the world. Gone is the continuous guilt and egotistical self-reflection, and in its place, is more depth, plenty of anecdotes, solutions for a better world, and many exciting world travels thrown in. Not only does it read like a spy novel at times, but also a travel book. Perkins is no journalist, and there is an opportunity here for a follow-up research piece on his vignettes. There are also times when unsubstantiated conspiracy theories run a bit far. His sources are not always vetted for quality. However, I believe Perkins' heart is in the right place and he should be forgiven for less than perfect journalism.
   
   One major faux pas is in his discussion on the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war. He mentions that Israel launched an attack on Beirut, as if they were making afternoon tea, and faced international criticism. Perkins conceals the major facts of this war - that Hizbollah instigated it by kidnapping an Israeli soldier from sovereign Israel, and launched a missile attack on Haifa. This error of omission calls to question many of his other theories. I wonder what the book could have been if he had employed a fact-checker.
   
   There is no doubt that corporate hegemony is casting a chilling shadow on our world, and the more aware people become, the more we can do. Whilst this is by no means, a 5-star book, it is redeemed by the solutions provided, and Perkins' open-minded approach. Everyone with an interest in why the world is in the situation it's in, why we're so dependent on oil, politics, economics, and the environment, will find this book worthwhile. I would recommend it to everyone interested in the future of humanity and the world we inhabit. This is a must-read for anyone wondering why so much of Asia, Africa and the Middle East hate America.



2. The Secret History of the American Empire by John Perkins author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man.
   P. 283; "The world is not in danger. We are. If we don't change our ways, Mother Nature will shake us off like so many fleas."
   This fast moving book is packed with historical revelations and profound thoughts.
   Read it!



3. Perkins once again tells it like it is. We are part of the problem. Our addiction to cheap clothing and exercise equipment (put together in tropical sweatshops by people living only marginally better than inmates of Nazi prison camps) fuels the system. We have to change, to live sustainable lifestyles. Read the book. Once you understand the problem, you will want to be part of the solution.



4. Wow, I can't believe the reviews have been so favorable for this writers books. It's as though people just stop thinking for themselves. Let me save you 15 bucks. Down w/ capitilism, people who make money are bad. No mention that, perphaps, it's government interference and manipulation of fiscal programs around the world that cause corperations to act as they do.



5. I just finished reading this book. I've been researching this subject for a few years, but more importantly, have been experiencing the effects in my life of the systems he describes. The changin times are barrelling upon us. As a former world traveller, I can attest to everything he says.
   
   This is a concise wrap up of his experience produced in a highly readable format, and I believe is indicative of a broader picture. I like that at the end of the book he gives some suggestions for solutions and ways to work together to transform the world.
   
   Read this book!

5 comments about Eichler Homes: Design for Living.

1. I have been looking for as much information as I can on Eichler houses and this was a real find. It not only provided me the fundamental information I had been searching for but surprised me with wonderful photos, including the very house that I want to build. The only problem I have now is trying to find contractor willing to provide a contemporary interpretation.



2. This is the first book on Eichler, and it does an admirable job of getting the topic out there. The good part is that there are plenty of color photos and the book is very well desgined. The not-so-good part is that many of the homes pictured are remodeled and don't truly represent the original designs. The text is by 4 different authors and doesn't hold together well as a complete narrative. Still, if you are relatively new to Eichler this is a nice browsing book that will give you plenty of visual stimulation. For the definitive historical tome on the Eichler story, get "Eichler: Modernism Rebuilds the American Dream" by Adamson which is more complete and scholarly but not as visual and colorful. The two books actually make a good set and give you both sides of the story. In all, this is a very good book about beautiful and innovative homes by an important midcentury homebuilder and businessman.



3. As a fan of Mid-century modern and Eichler homes,I loved the many photographs in this book.I believe this book would be a good reference for anyone who owns an Eichler home or someone who wants to achieve a modern look in or outside their home.



4. Being a real fan of the "Eichler Home" architectural style, I was excited to recive this book. After a quick read, I felt that it was a waste of time and money.
   
   First, the narrator (who is Mr. Eichler's son) skims over the architectural concepts that embody the Eichler Home concept. And this from an architect! The design elements of the home are covered so quickly, with practically no details, that this book will be useless to anybody wanting to use this as a teaching aid, reference text, or just to get a better appreciation of how these homes were designed.
   
   The author also spends an inordinate and oddly placed amount of time to describe how magnimonius Mr. Eichler was to sell homes to African Americans, unlike the trend at the time. Unfortunately the author's claims are not borne out by my personal experience in looking through the housing covenants of an Eichler Home in Mountain View that date to the early 60's, which specifically stated that the home would not be sold to people of colour. Nice retrospective attempt at social equality, but the treatement of that sad portion of America's history is treated in a white-washed derisitory fashion by the author.
   
   And the book ends with a weird comparison of Mr. Eichler to other property development tycoons, including Donald Trump, with the conclusion that the brave Mr. Eichler rose above the greed and vanity of the rest.
   
   This is a simplistic, self-serving, useless book. Look elsewhere.
   
   The photography and interior shots are good.



5. I agree with the other reviewers' comments about the excellence of the Eichler homes and this book. I have many design books, but I keep coming back to this one and never tire of the clean, modern--but not cold--design. I wish Ditto, et al. would produce a video on the subject.

4 comments about As I See It: The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty.

1. I bought this book (for full price, should have saved $7 ordering through Amazon) at the Malibu Getty museum, initially to read after tiring before my wife of art-admiring. I read it the following week, and here are my impressions.
   
   The book is very readable, Getty is to-the-point and clear, he wanders a bit, no surprise for an 83-yr-old writer, but maintaining a good train of thought and addresses the topics one would want to hear. The pictures bring some personalities to life, and the large print helps the pages speed by.
   
   Some sections are fascinating, for example, the ways he dedicated himself to business at the cost of his five marriages, his hi-jinks as a youth, conversations with top leaders, Hollywood people and pesky hangers-on as the richest man in the world.
   
   Other sections can be tedious. He often argues that he is not a hermit, not miserly, and had great relations with his parents. Much of this comes across as protesting too much, in fact, I tried to find an unauthorized biography to contrast with his official version, as I suspect some facts don't align with his narrative, but have not yet succeeded. He also assumes a superior vision across the realm of art and humanity, which I do not value as highly as his views on business.
   
   My top gripe is the apocalyptic view of the world falling apart, mainly because there are fewer capitalistic businessman and more leftists than were dominant during his youth. The topic only comes up sporatically, although I thought of tossing the book midstream when his peculiar point of view went astray to the point of assaulting the concept of welfare and advocating capital punishment. He went so far as to claim (p. 172) that the US might well, probably before now, have to flush the unemployed out of the inner cities onto plots of countryside land to fend for themselves.
   
   Overall, however, the book was worth reading, both as an historical document and as an engaging personal history that took a very strong and astute personality to write.



2. I felt kind of lame after reading this book, Getty really lived a full life. Reading the book, you feel like you're having a conversation with him about his life and what's on his mind. He seems very down to earth.
   
   This isn't necessarily a quick read business how-to book though you learn a lot by reading it. You get his life story that includes details on his family, friends, business associates, charity work and art. You also get interesting stories about the famous people he knew, eg his friend the Duke of Windsor that met with Hitler trying to avert WWII. Also there are chapters lovingly discussing his parents, children, and even his 5 ex-wives. He also defends his reputation for being cheap, eg payphone in his mansion. You really get inside his head by reading this book. My favorite chapter is his random thoughts chapter he wrote on Thanksgiving day, less than a year before he died 1976.



3. This is Getty's autobiography, written in the 1970's not long before he died. One of the founders of Apple Computer advised me to read this book years ago, and so I did. I've studied many books on finance and business, but this was the first time I had read an account of a billionaire's life (and as I would later discover, the world's richest man).
   
   Getty wrote this book to give the public a glimpse into his very private life; seemingly knowing he was about to die, that he did not desire to die such a secretive/reclussive man. Inside this book, you'll read about how he developed a strong work ethic at a young age -- working hard-labor in the oil fields that he would later own; sneaking out his parents car in the middle of the night to take girls out on dates (hah!); accumulating wealth and looking out for employees; laying everything on the line for great opportunities; the tragedy of his grandson's kidnapping; and a very nice retort for all those people who called him a stingy old man -- that all of his wealth/money was invested in his business.
   
   Oh yeah, and you read about how he hung out with Hugh Heffner back in the day. His original books were published by Playboy Press, including my copy of his autobiography (an original 70's hardcopy). :-) Yeah, Getty lived the life I would like to be living now -- 'cept for all the divorces; poor guy just couldn't keep a lady around and it's depressing to read sometimes. And in a way, reading this book gives me inspiration for staying on track, aiming your sights on what's important in life and not letting go. Getty had a fun life and he was handsomely rewarded for it. Since reading Getty, I've seen the same drive in all the other Billionaires whose autobiographies I've read -- Branson, Dell, Schultz. And also Ray Kroc (although technically I don't think his stock was yet worth $1B when he died).
   
   You will love reading this account of Getty's life if your aim is to: have fun in life, be wealthy, learn from others, have a personal mentor from the grave, accomplish great things, and read autobiographies.
   
   Getty, thanks for sharing =)



4. Good book out of print Amazon copy received was in near mint condition. 351 pages,30 pages of photographs. Not as mean as he was portrayed yet it is evident the author was a bit vain. he is obviously an interesting read. You learn "what makes him tick". If you are looking for a guide to riches this is not for you but if you are interested in learning about the richest man of his time then read this.

   RANKING OVERALL 7/10 BIO INFO 8/10 USEFUL INFO 5/10

5 comments about Spinning Disney's World: Memories of a Magic Kingdom Press Agent.

1. This informative book is a true treasure. Thank you Mr. Ridgway (although they misspelled your name as a Legend inductee) for sharing your take on history with those of us in the field of public relations who are inspired by your trailblazing.



2. As always we read just about anything from anyone who ever worked at Disney, in an effort to further our ongoing education about the theme park design process. Even a janitor might provide insight as to the almost mystical inner workings of the Disney corporation. However, Mr. Ridgway never really grabbed us. His writing style is pleasantly folksy, like hearing a story from a good neighbor... but he really never reveals anything of consequence that you cannot find out in any of the multitude of other books on The Disney Brothers, or their company. We suspect that if he really wanted too, he could reveal much more than he is willing to tell. Understandable, as he paints himself as a devoted employee. Personally I would like to spend a day with Mr. Ridgway, just picking his brain... but his book isn't really going to "let you in on anything". We hope he has some success because he is a likable fellow, but if you're really after information that you cannot get from other Disney "Tell all" books... you will not discover much in Mr. Ridgway's book. The title attracted us with promises, which never seemed to materialize.



3. The book is a must for Disney fans. The item was shipped in such a short time and was in my hands earlier than I expected.
   
   Overall I enjoyed the book and the service was excellent.



4. Has there ever been an organization that had as many books written about it as Disney? From its movies, television and Broadway shows to its fabulous theme parks, even on to its corporate strategies; there are enough books to garner its own section of most bookstores. But still, most fans will scour the pages of any new tome in hopes of uncovering a small gem or two of knowledge. When a new book comes along that is penned by a true Disney legend, it is sure to be a treat.
   
   Charlie Ridgeway began his Disney career as a press agent in 1955. He has attended openings of all the theme parks from the original Disneyland to the most recent park in Hong Kong. His fifty year association with Disney has resulted in a vast offering of experiences, and each one evolves into a story or two. So, it's easy to pick up Charlie's new book "Spinning Disney's World", and find yourself taken in.
   
   Charlie devotes his time to stories focused on situations and stories directly related to his duties as press agent; whether it be guiding ducks down Main Street USA or posing Walt behind the wheel of a fire truck. So many of Charlie's "Adventures" are as globe-trotting as a James Bond novel but he remains as humble and accessible as possible. The book is a must for anyone interested in a career in public relations, especially when penned by the man who pretty much created Disney public relations from scratch. But more than likely, it is going to be read be fans (and detractors) of Disney.
   
   At its heart, the book is a reminiscent journey through fifty years of a man s career - a career that he loved. At times, his memory hops around a bit, so the book can meander. But if you're willing to go along with Charlie, you're sure to have a good time.



5. Charles Ridgway was Disney's public face to the world for almost forty years. In an easy style, he takes us through some of the behind the scenes stories and anecdotes that are of interest to Disney students.
   Ridgway is a Disney fan which results in the book lacking any real meat. Gentle memoirs written in a gentle style do not make compulsive reading. The book is imbued with the Disney spirit where everyone loves everyone else and everyone lives happily ever after. Ridgway seems to have only met wonderful people who create wonderful experiences in his lifetime. Thus the book lacks OOMPH and bit.
   The author though does have a nice pleasant writing style who takes us through many enjoyable anecdotes and adventures as to how he helped create noise and media excitement around a wonderful brand.

5 comments about The Education of a Speculator.

1. What a disappointment. The book barely qualifies as a book on speculation. Instead, it is a long winded, rambling account of the author's (non-investing) life; after page upon page devoted to a topic other than speculating/investing (e.g. sports) he attempts to draw some parallel between the subject in question (e.g. sports) and speculating/investing. All too often, the analogies/parallels are weak to non-existent. For a book supposedly dedicated to speculating, remarkably little of it actually deals with this topic. There can be no doubt the author has tremendous knowledge; he simply choses not to share it with his readers in this offering. Don't waste your money.



2. Meandering nonsense that tells the reader nothing about how to speculate in anything. The author claims it is in there but between the lines as he cannot give away his secrets. Well, he does not. A waste of money for someone wanting to learn how to trade.



3. I've worked in physics and am heading for a career in finance. In these fields you occasionally run into that guy. The guy who is either so smart nobody can understand him, or he's a manic-depressive frothing in a mania stage. Either way, "that guy's" nervous system is obviously wired to a higher pitch than mine ever will be; at least without chemical additives or surgury. Reading the book is like talking to that scary smart manic guy. It's always humbling running into "that guy." Niederhoffer is that guy. He ranges wildly from stories of his colorful youth in a working class neighborhood in NYC (which actually did remind me of Feynman's stories) to horse racing, to squash, to trading FOREX. He goes so fast, you can barely keep up with him, even in a leisurely read. Why is he talking about handball? I thought he was just talking about liquidity? Checkers? And how does Jesse Livermore fit in? Read it and see.
   
   Niederhoffer is the type of man I admire the most; he has physical courage, he's brilliant, he loves his family and friends, he beats the system with wit and street smarts and he comes from humble means. He managed to get a system for gaming the GPA named after him. He was a world champion at Squash. He was an early pioneer of direct marketing private equity funds. He was an early skeptic of the efficient market hypothesis (what would traders get paid for if the markets were efficient?). He was a professor at U.C. Berkeley. He built (and lost, in a story I hope the next edition of his book documents, and, stunningly, built again) a great fortune. His story is completely mind boggling; the world is a better place for his having lived his story in it, and you'll be a better person for absorbing his insights about the world.
   
   Beyond my gushing over his yarn spinning, if you're a careful reader, and you know something about markets, you can pick up some pretty serious insight from his descriptions of his day to day work. The only other book I got a feel for the markets like this was Larry Harris' book on Trading and Exchanges, and that was nowhere near as much fun to read.



4. As many already know, Niederhoffer has had quite a volatile, and highly publicized career as a speculator. But it is pure naivety and ignorance for people to brush his work off merely because of the two blow ups he had in his fund. In fact, if anything, these two events have, in my opinion, made Niederhoffer's perspective exponentially more valuable than most modern financial literature on the subject.
   
   With that said, I must disagree with his view on statistical inference and its role in market speculation. Although statistical inference is valid as a data point, when one uses it as their primary and sole validation of any trade premise, the risk they expose themselves to is far too high. The foundation of his theories are based on using prior statistical probabilities to validate a trade. In other words, if the odds of a trade blowing up in your face are 1 in 1000, then it's a good trade. But if you don't consider what is going on in the macro environment, the overall sentiment of market participants, and other "subjective" data sets, then you risk exposing yourself to a situation where you make a massive long bet on the S&P futures at a time when the market is in a freefall because of some geo-political and/or financial event such as a Russian debt default, or Asian financial meltdown. This is the scenario that blew Niederhoffer up, but the interesting thing to note is that the "trade" itself had already caused significant loss in a prior event. So what does that tell you about statistical inference?
   
   The value in this book is what you gain from his anectdotes and insights. Although he has a tendancy to go off on a tangent and lose you, if you can keep your focus, this book will provide you with invaluable insight into the mind of one of this generations most experienced market operators.
   
   And his comparison of a classical symphony with the Japanese Yen is priceless, and can be worth the price of this book in itself.
   
   I have personally read this book over 5 times by now, and I'm sure I'll read it again.



5. There are some weak chapters (checkers and music for me) but overall Niederhoffer gives an honest voice to what being a "trader" is really like, and especially from the buy-side perspective. The most refreshing aspect is that he disabuses folks of how glamorous the life is. I resisted reading this book for years, and now regret it. While wordy and at times brutally personal, it is quite real in a way that no other book on hedge fund and trading life has ever really captured. Strongly reccomended.