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.

2 comments about Second Fatherland: The Life & Fortunes of a German Immigrant.

1. This book was o.k., but certainly did not live up to the review I read. It is not one I would personally recommend to others. I gave it a 2 Star rating out of a possible 5 Stars.



2. This book is considered by historians to be one of the most important books ever published in America but more importantly it is a great read. Not dry historical facts, it is a fascinating memoir of the struggles of German immigrant Max Krueger in Texas during the 19th century. Not only were his adventures truly amazing but his personality and spirit are a interesting look at what motivated one of the most successful immigrants to early Texas. He worked as a cowboy, postmaster, photographer, miller, dam builder, buffalo hunter, rancher and later industrialist. Published by the Krueger family posthumously as 'Pioneer Life In Texas' the original is extremely hard to find but this reprint does it justice. Mr. Krueger wrote his memoirs in German with the intent that they be published in Germany to inform possible immigrants about Texas. He included what are some of the most extensive and interesting descriptions of how Texas looked during the 19th century. I have read many books on Texas in the 1800's and find this one to be the best by far. He was amazing man who lived during a dangerous and wild period of early Texas.

5 comments about Snapshots from Hell: The Making of an MBA.

1. I read this book before b-school (mild interest), tried to read it during b-school (too busy), and then read it after b-school (ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT).
   
   The experience, no matter what year it occurred, is timeless. And Robinson captures the turmoil. Prepare yourself: know basic finance and statistics and business before going to b-school. As the author illustrates, b-school is much tougher if you're a "poet."
   
   Also recommend: Ahead of the Curve, and The Blushing MBA



2. If you are considering an MBA, read this to know what to expect. If you have an MBA, read this for nostalgia and laughs.



3. This book was great. With the exception of having prior business experience, Snapshots was 99% accurate to what my MBA experience has been like. I'm finishing up my first year at Top-20 B-School on the East Coast and Snapshots was like a play-by-play of what I've been through. I've read some of the other reviews trashing the book (the Med School guy for instance) and I think they're taking it a little too seriously. The author uses "poets" so he doesn't have to keep repeating "those of us without prior business experience". And in real life, you do notice differences between those who HAD prior business experience and those who didn't. I didn't pick up any strong political overtones in the book so again, the Med School guy needs to relax. I also didn't think Snapshots was written to be overly dramatic and engage the Med and Law school types in a pissing contest over whos gradschool program is the toughest. This book gives an honest account for what your first-year of business school will be like and I've recommended it to all my friends considering that path.



4. I couldn't finish this book. There were several issues that led me to toss it by the middle of the book:
   
   1) The author must use the word "Poet" at least three or four time PER PAGE. Ok. We get it. You were considered a Poet. Get over it. Stop using that as an excuse as to why you didn't seem to understand one lousy math concept.
   
   2) The book is highly over-dramatized. Either this guy has the IQ of a Rhesus monkey, or he tried to make it sound a lot harder than it was. I'm a physician - and I'm pretty sure that medical school is harder than business school - and I didn't have near the "harrowing experience" this guy did.
   
   3) I was looking for a book about what an MBA program is like - not a thinly disguised political ad. Being that this guy was a speech writer for Reagan and Bush #1, I should have known to expect some conservative drivel. What I didn't expect was several passages referring to "leftists", "liberals", "hippies", and the like. The passages are spread out throughout the book (as much as I read of it), but there is NO POINT to them. They add absolutely nothing to the story, and appear to be thrown in there just to make sure that we know the author disapproves of non-conservatives.
   
   In the end, it was the political bias that drove me to stop reading. The book was mediocre, at best, to begin with, and the neo-conservative ravings put the nail in the coffin.
   
   If you are a proud Republican, you may find this book to be alright. If you are an independent or Democrat, though, I would recommend you skip this one unless you enjoy being insulted.



5. The book is nice in that it provides a nice alternative view to the MBA experience. The names and experiences in this book have been changed (to protect the guilty?) and it seems to lose something in the translation however.
   
   I would recommend this book to people who are still on the fence about an MBA or are soon to begin an MBA program. It provides a nice breakdown of the characters, personalities and egos you are likely to encounter at a top MBA program.

5 comments about Bad Boy Ballmer: The Man Who Rules Microsoft.

1. When I read about the author's problems with his Steve Jobs biography, I picked up a copy of this to see if he was legit. He is. I read the book straight through, and think I got a wide picture of both Microsoft and Steve Ballmer. I find that I like Ballmer, even after reading about all his miscues. I'm giving this to a few tech friends as office gifts.



2. This book is a complete disappointment. The author has an interesting subject but provides little authentic insight on Steve Ballmer and instead fills the pages with irrelevant material and personal observations. As an example, in one chapter he lists the voting statistics for the 2000 presidential election, spends 4 pages describing a conference that he attended (that had nothing to do with Microsoft) and reports on an interview with the manager of the Seattle Sunglass Hut. He also makes a number of obvious mistakes, for example he describes Microsoft's Internet Explorer as a "search engine", so it is hard to trust the facts that he does present. The author's style is easy and engaging, and at first glance the book looks interesting, but unfortunately under that veneer there is little of real substance.



3. "Ballmer is vast. Ballmer contains multitudes." This observation in the introduction to Bad Boy Ballmer leads respected investigative journalist Fredric Alan Maxwell to conclude his unauthorized biography/expose of Microsoft head honcho Steven Anthony Ballmer, and truth be told, Microsoft itself, with "Steve Ballmer can remind you of many people." This seems to be his prevailing message along with "Microsoft is bad!"
   
   Granted, Microsoft's misdeeds have been made public and their ruthless corporate strategies painstakingly if not gleefully reported by the media. A lot like Martha. But few companies have created such wealth or had more lasting influence on our lives, and thus Ballmer, who is Microsoft, deserves attention.
   
   While "Monkey Boy" Ballmer, as portrayed by Maxwell, is passionless (he's committed to cancer research and was devastated over the deaths of his beloved parents, Fred and Bea), he self-contradicts, like Walt Whitman, and is a chameleon. Perhaps this is why Maxwell concludes by saying, anticlimactically, "Steve Ballmer can remind you of many people."
   
   In this intricate as the integrated circuit biography, there are nuggets of gold underneath, such as the ironic twist that Fred Ballmer helped prosecute the Nuremburg trials under Microsoft antitrust case judge Thomas Penfield Jackson. Michigan and Seattle history, as well as Jewish identity (Ballmer is Jewish) and its contribution to Ballmer's psychology give the book that touch of individuality that a portrait of one of the highest-paid American employees, and one of its most controversial companies, deserves.



4. Very poorly written, frequently goes off on irrelevant tangents, clearly biased against Ballmer, MS and Bill Gates, and full of factual errors. His attempts to describe technology are laughable.



5. Fredric Alan Maxwell is loud and proud. I would have discarded the book early in the reading, if it had not been for exuberate descriptions and storys of Steve Ballmer. Maxwell seems to hate capitalism. I'm a strong believer in capitalism, so his scarcastic remarks really annoyed me. Rather than letting the reader analyze the facts about Microsoft, he interjected stupid idols, such as, calling Microsoft the "beast". Its like he wants the reader to believe, Microsoft is the gangster who rapes, pillages, and destroys the community. Maxwell does not seem to be high tech expert, he can barely talk intelligently about subjects like Java, dot.net, and Server technology.
   Think about it, Microsoft has made Corporate America richer because of its products. Microsoft wealth is simply a product of supply and demand. Customer continue to demand their products. Most of the VB and MFC programmers I know have migrated to developing in C# , ASP.net, and VB.Net. Dot.net was a great strategic move by MS. Win 95 was a hugh success and pattern to follow for emerging hardware introductions. Win 95 made the leap from 16 bit apps to 32 bit apps. The 32 bit apps were cool, so I dished out the money and receive value for several years using win 95. I've never regretted my investment in MS products.

   Maxwell wants badly to denounce Microsoft incredible wealth machinery by claiming MS pulled a fast one. Maxwell points out the battle turned from the Justice Department to the political election. MS would reverse political democratic tradition by supporting Republican George Bush Junior and hope his administration would not agressively pursue the anti-trust charges. $2 million in soft money to the Republican party. Ballmer would yell "Who op!" three times seeing a possible escape from Judge Jackson. Bush would reveal, he was on the side of big business, just what Microsoft wanted to hear.

   At the turn of the century, 2000, Ballmer became the MS CEO, fourth richest man in the world, and characterized himself by screaming "I love this company!". I found Ballmers biography from childhood to adult: interesting, geekish, exhuberate, and brilliant. Ballmer would meet Gates at the Currier house. Gates would leave Harvard claiming they had nothing more to teach him. Gates and Paul Allen purchased existing code for 75k and created Basic. Ballmer graduates Harvard and goes to work for P&G. Later, Ballmer's excellence in math and ambition would take him to Stanford. In the meantime, Gates would be under pressure to build an OS compatible for the IBM PC Junior. Prior to graduation Ballmer would leave Stanford and help Microsoft manage the amazing feat.

   Ballmer is a interesting person to follow. I found his story inspiring.

2 comments about Henry E. Huntington and the Creation of Southern California (Historical Perspectives on Business Enterprise Series).

1. This is an outstanding book. It is superbly written and thoroughly researched. If your interested in the Pacific Electric or Southern Pacific, this book is a valuable addition to your bookshelf.



2. Huntington is a household name for anyone in Southern California. The name is everywhere in Los Angeles due to the tremendous influence this metropolitan entrepreneur had on the development of one of America's largest cities.

   His start in big business was with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, where his uncle served as the company's president. He showed tremendous skill and quickly ascended in the business world to become one of the most powerful businessmen in the United States.

   Although he only had a high school education, Henry Huntington possessed incredible business savvy. He succeeded in almost everything he attempted, but his work in Southern California was the crown jewel.

   Friedricks points out each of the major events in Henry Huntington's life, both at the personal and professional level. He discusses both Huntington's amazing contributions to Southern California and his scandalous personal life.

   The book is balanced. It keeps the reader interested. It is a definite "must read" for anyone interested in the history of Southern California or the story of a major leader in the business world during the era of American industrialization.

5 comments about Cheaper by the Dozen.

1. It is very, very rare to come across a book that is purely and simply fun to read. The reason that this book is a classic is that it has managed to be just this. This is the story of Frank Gilbreth, his wife, and their twelve children around the turn of the 20th century. If you imagine that a family of fourteen would provide many, many occasions for humor, you would be very correct. This book is an account, written by two of those twelve children, of the many interesting and humerous events which befell them growing up in such a large family. The family is made even more enjoyable and strange by the extremely unique father who was a pioneer of motion-study, and who did such things as covering the walls of their home with lessons about astronomy, morse-code, etc. It is very interesting to read, but, most of all, it is very, very fun.
   
   My only complaint is about the absolutely horrible cover on the new version. Why on earth would you use the cover from the Steve Martin movie with the same title as the cover for this book, which bears NO connection to the book except that it is about a large family? It is an incredibly tastless and transparent attempt to cash in on Martin's popularity.
   
   Overall grade: A+



2. "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.



3. 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.



4. 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.



5. 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.

1 comments about Cabela's: World's Foremost Outfitter: A History.

1. I was looking forward to reading this book since I am a loyal customer of Cabela's. While David Cabela had the best of intentions in documenting the rise of his parents' company, he should have left the writing to the experts. That is not to say this book does not have some useful and interesting content. However, I believe the book could have been cut by 2/3 easily and been more interesting and effective.

No comments about Piero Sraffa: His Life, Thought and Cultural Heritage (Routledge Studies in the History Ofeconomics).

5 comments about King of Clubs: Grow Rich in More Than Money.

1. Reading this captivating book was a pleasure!!!!! I feel as though I personally know this wonderful man now. SUCH AN AUTHOR to capture him!!!!!



2. The book was bought for my son-in-law, but I couldn't resist reading it first. I am truly glad that I did as it is sure to improve my skills with dealing with people as it will yours when you read it!



3. Miss DeLoach truly got into the head of a truly remarkable man! The book has everything, facts, figures, sad and happy times - all laced with humor. Couldn't put it down!



4. This book is a wildly self-indulgent extension of every cliche in other people's books. It's truly banal. I agree, however, with the reviewer who said it could be worthwhile "for those who do not read a lot."



5. The lives of every person who reads this book will be enriched regardless of their age!!!!! The book is informative, interesting and entertaining! Great gift for anyone in your life! If flows as you read it and you won't want to put it down! Treat yourself to a wonderful experience!!!!!

5 comments about Carl Crow, a Tough Old China Hand: The Life, Times, and Adventures of an American in Shanghai.

1. Carl Crow was an American journalist, then later, adman in Shanghai. His engagement with China started almost accidentally, but over time, like many westerners who have spent time in China, he came to identify with the country, and especially with average Chinese citizens, who suffered much through the civil wars, then Japanese invasion. To quote Crow himself (through French's book)"No one can live in intimate contact with the Chinese without coming to act and think like them, to take on a likeness which is more than superficial. Even the British and American missionaries have not been able to escape this. There is a great deal of the Chinese in every one of them who has lived long in this country."
   
   Paul French has done an excellent job of capturing the mood of the country and people during a chaotic time in its long history. For those who are interested in getting a deeper understanding of contemporary China and what drives the Chinese today, they would do well to treat this book as a introduction to where China and the Chinese are today, and where it is likely to go in the future.



2. A book on the varied career of an American businessman/author in China during the first half of the last century. Carl Crow is still worth reading about today both as an early example of Western commercial influence and involvement in the Middle Kingdom and because of his observations on the scrambled internal politics that ultimately led to war with Japan and later the Communist takeover. (Anyone who knew Chaig Kai-Shek, Zhou En-lai, the Soong sisters, and Owen Latttimore is worth some time.)
   
   I think the author (and/or his editor) might have spent more time polishing this text's prose to remove some small but noticeable style errors. At the same time, I think Mr. French exhibits in his book a very keen understanding of the complex politics that confronted China between the two world wars. He does not lapse into giving us just the story of Mr. Crow. This is really a social and political history of a great city and nation during turbulent times.



3. I enjoyed the book because Carl Crow did live an interesting life (journalism, marketing and hobnobbing with China's elite), in an interesting place (Shanghai) at an interesting time (pre World War 2).
   
   That said, I have a few complaints. It is obvious that the author was working with very incomplete archival material, as the book has a "distance" from the subject that if he had talked to many people who had known Carl Crow should not be present. I felt like I was reading a summary of other reports, rather than a book that made Carl Crow really come alive. It is unfortunate that no one wrote a good biography before he died or shortly thereafter.
   
   Secondly, I think the editing was terrible. Numerous times throughout the book, I read something and I said "Didn't I just read that?", and there it was - a similiar fact or statement in the paragraph above. No excuse for that kind of thing...
   
   By far the best part of the book for me was when Japan invaded and the recently evacuated Carl Crow decided to go back to China, via the Burma Road, to report on the resistance and drum up support for China in America. This had the makings of engrossing book right there but unfortunately it was only one chapter of this effort.



4. There are many books on the market about Shanghai. However, Mr. French's book is your best choice for seeing how Shanghai's past is prelude to the present. Carl Crow lived during an era when Shanghai embraced a cosmpolitan culture that is strongly reminiscent of the city today. His writings about life and business custom made him the Shanghai counterpart of Peking's compelling and gifted foreign-born writers, like George Kates and John Blofeld. We owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. French for rescuing Carl Crow from obscurity and bringing him back to the attention of those of us whose lives and work take us to this great city by the sea. Highly recommended.



5. Carl Crow was a unique individual in a unique time and place -- early 20th century Shanghai. His best-selling book, 400 Million Customers, published more that 70 years ago, is remarkable in part for great writing, but more importantly for insights into business in China, insights that still resonate in 2007, and likely will for decades to come, for these insights are not about transient political or economic trends, but about the Chinese as they truly are.
   
   With his biography of Crow, Paul French (author, director of one of China's most respected research houses, Access Asia, and a tough old China hand himself), gives us a great look at his fellow author's life and times, but also at Crow's Shanghai. French spent years researching in Shanghai (his own residence), other parts of Asia and the USA to bring us this insightful work.
   
   With China in such obvious ascent, we of the West owe ourselves and the coming generations a better understanding of the country and its history. Reading Crow's own book, and French's biography of him, is a great step toward such understanding. I strongly recommend both.