Ben Love is here...

Sencha Touch Cookbook by Ajit Kumar

Ben — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:56:38 +0000

The challenge with these new HTML5 + CSS3 + Javascript mobile “platforms” is that they move at the speed of light. There’s a “chicken and egg” problem for every one of these frameworks. They need great books to help the majority of folk who approach these for the first time. Conversely, to keep at pace with mobile technology, authors have to fight the dissonance between fast change and slow publishing platforms.

This is one of the better books for mobile script-based development, trumped only by the fantastic Master Mobile Web Apps with jQuery Mobile by Matt Doyle.

Sencha Touch is a bitch to work with, it really is. Powerful and pretty but far from obvious to work with. This cookbook approach is great for experimenters knocking together “apps” and the content is relevant to the current and recent versions of the Sencha Touch framework.

With some dedicated time and attention to this book, chances are you’ll be making apps with Sencha Touch. I did and ended up being pretty pleased about it.

Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy

Ben — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:31:13 +0000

Um. Oh dear. I need to write something about this? Go do the things you don’t want to do. Don’t hang around. Suck it up snowflake and do them right now.
There. Job done. Saved you having to read this.

The Mystery Method by Mystery

Ben — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:25:33 +0000

A couple of things collided to make me want to read this…

Over the past winter I watched a movie called Crazy, Stupid Love. In the movie, Ryan Gosling’s character sweet talks the ladies with very little effort and great success. Yeh yeh I know – it’s a movie. One of the many reviews on this (actually pretty good) movie mentioned the Mystery Method for pick up artists.

My “pick up chicks” days are far, far behind me. If, indeed, they ever happened – girls don’t have keyboards attached or disk drives. In my quest to understand the intricacies of how selling works, I saw “pick up” and thought “how to engage and sell”.

This is, without doubt, the best book on selling I have ever read. It explores the nuances of human nature, narrows in on common misconceptions about dealing with people for the first time and presents solid method and process to engage, maintain attention and turn interest into buying. Well, the “buying” is something different in the book – but I know what they mean.

Another thing that stuck with me: we’re only alive for around 28,000 days. Made me want to get up and do something worthwhile.

A fascinating read and worth your attention if, for whatever reason, you struggle to communicate in social situations.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Dummies by Rob Willson

Ben — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:38:43 +0000

A choice in part inspired by Jon Ronson’s Psychopath Test (reviewed here), I picked this book up because I had no clue what CBT is beyond guessing from the words that make up the phrase.

To go down a side path: “for dummies” books intrigue me. There is zero consistency in their quality from title to title. For example, there is the powerful “Selling for Dummies” book that I refer back to even a decade on from when I first read it. Then there are many others that confuse and feel more like an assembly of bits of information rather than a coherent guide. CBT for Dummies is a mix of the two. In part pieces of information, but threaded together in a sensible, gradually predictable and well paced manner.

Going from zero knowledge on the topic to both having an admiration for what it is and being able to hold a reasonably sensible conversation with people in the industry is indicative of the value of this particular “for dummies” book. It was also a relief to hear that CBT is being used more frequently instead of medicine to cure psychological issues.

With both a UK and US hat on, it appears that the UK is covertly embracing positive psychology through CBT in a way that feels more like a part of everyday life for Americans.

An intelligent book on a complex topic. If psychology topics interest you and you don’t know much about CBT, this book is worth a look.

The Complete Negotiator by Gerard Nierenberg

Ben — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:40:24 +0000

Good points condescendingly presented. I listened to this on audiobook and struggled to get past the exceptionally cheesy presentation of the material. It reminded me of those awful annual web training courses that big companies make you take… lowest common denominator “education”.

I’m sure Gerard knows his stuff (his advertising arrogantly claims he’s the father of the topic!), but this is not a great format or portrayal to take it all seriously.

The Flinch by Julien Smith

Ben — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:34:48 +0000

Another (perhaps the final?) book published by The Domino Project (books for the attentively poor). Short, heavy duty and actually a good level above some of the business “ra-ra” drivel and mini versions of classics that have come out of the project.

Two things struck me about The Flinch:
1. The language used is direct and engaging; a great match for the subject matter. It can be read and understood with intent. Something will happen when you read it.
2. The book/long essay is exactly the right length. Any longer and it would feel padded (looking at you, “Read This Before Our Next Meeting”), any shorter and it would have felt incomplete.

There is free irony to be had in thinking that The Domino Project, a publishing initiative that never flinched, finally got it right on their last ever book.

The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry by Jon Ronson

Ben — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:33:31 +0000

I found this book on Audible and bought it purely based on the reviews (which I really don’t do often). The author/narrator’s voice takes a little getting used to. It’s not a natural voice for audiobooks, but it didn’t take too long to figure out all of his accent and language nuances.
The book itself is addictive. The way Jon Ronson builds up the visual in each chapter is the work of an artist. It’s difficult to not be drawn into the story, which is all the more remarkable because it’s a true (and rather bizarre) set of stories.
The “punchline”, the actual psychopath test, is a little flat – but against the backdrop of an engaging story it makes sense. It’s not all about mad people, psychos and crazy folk – the most interesting piece for me was Jon casting the characteristics of psychopaths into the corporate world to answer whether or not some company leaders are psychopaths.
Well written, captivating and worth your attention. Only half way through did I realize it was the same author as “Men Who Stare At Goats”.

Art of Seduction by Robert Greene

Ben — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:32:06 +0000

Every year I reread Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power. It’s a definitive, sensible and valuable reference. My thoughts on that drew me to this book as well as a recent unhealthy personal interest in topics of psychology.
This is not a book for light reading. It’s heavy duty and requires all of your attention.
Robert gives his often dark analysis of seduction in a logical, sensible order that overlays on itself to build up to a massive compendium on the topic. It is dark, deceptive, anti-social and goes against most people’s views on what the morally right thing to do is, very much like 48 Laws, but I doubt there’s a better reference on the behaviors and psychology behind seduction.
If you haven’t read 48 Laws of Power, start with that instead. For younger folks, the equally strong 50th Law with 50 Cent is a great read too. This book could be considered an addendum to the other two, but equally valuable.

The Hypnotic Salesman by Adam Eason

Ben — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:30:55 +0000

You have to listen to this audiobook for no other reason than the quality of the narration. The best I’ve heard by far. Craig Beck makes full use of his own hypnotic sales skills to convince you of his thesis.
The audiobook is short and poorly edited, but there is a small handful of useful information to be gained out of this. However, probably nothing you didn’t already know if you’ve read any of the mainstream “how to sell” references.
It’s great for a quick refresher, but there’s better material out there.

Blah Blah Blah by Dan Roam

Ben — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:29:36 +0000

It was 2007 in a conference room in Paris when one of the great product minds in payment, Stephane Jacquis, uttered “blah blah blah” in reference to some fluffy, irrelevant details being talked about. I loved the expression, the sheer audacity and “cut to the chase” of it, and I’ve used the phrase ever since.
Then the absolute best author in visual communication releases his new job entitled “Blah Blah Blah”. His “Back of the Napkin” completely and positively changed how I communicate – I had very high expectations for this book.
It delivered, complete with too many ‘aha’ moments and insights that will stick in all my written interactions from here on. It’s a grand book and a complete work on its own, not an augmentation of “Back of the Napkin”. It weaves grammar and drawing, simplicity and impact. This is a tremendous book and, if you ever have to convey ideas and concepts to others, you should read it.