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33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene

Ben — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:13:01 +0000

I’m beginning to learn that any book by Robert Greene is a treat. The theme seems to be as follows: lots of attention-worthy historical references, crystal clear deductions from analysis, cross examination of derived points and something to take away. All wrapped up in a bow with no fluff, zero me-me-me and enough solid information to keep you thinking for at least the year after you read the book.

The topic for this Robert Greene outing: strategy. The last of his works I read were on seduction, power (definitely his defining work) and the 50 cent collaboration 50th Law.

When first pulling together the mobile strategy for the company I’m with, it never crossed my mind to research military strategy. After reading 33 Strategies of War, I am kicking myself that I didn’t. Though, this book is a one-stop compendium on the topic. It’s unlikely you’re going to find such a collection anywhere else.

The book is thought-provoking and challenging and the topics/laws have applicability in modern life as much as ancient wars. The historian slants do not bore but make for fascinating context and paint visuals for remembering. To some though, it may come across as somewhat dark and sinister in places… but sadly that is more of a reflection on past and present actions of a messed up human race than specific to the narrative tone of the book.

Is this as punchy as 48 Laws of Power? Actually yes, though each book handles a different theme in their respectively appropriate ways.

If strategy (true grand strategy, not US business next quarter’s keep shareholders happy “strategy”) is something you need to be doing in your day job, devour this book for both the background and ignition for your own strategic planning. In this line of non-fiction, it is a read well worthy of your attention and interest.

Taking People With You by David Novak

Ben — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:03:35 +0000

It’s rare to be given insight into the mind of a business leader (or just any leader, for that matter) who has “been there, done that” and ended up with plenty of champagne moments. Goodness knows there’s plenty of people we all point to who haven’t done things quite so well.
Before reading this, I didn’t know much about David Novak. After reading this book I probably still don’t, but that’s clearly not what he set out to achieve with this book (this is a surprising thing for these types of books – typically there’s at least 25% of me-me-me included).
There’s a pocket full of punch in Taking People With You. Some things you probably already knew, a lot of things that you likely didn’t.
For me, the fascinating extra component was all the things I was convinced would never work if I were in David’s shoes that he’s gone and done anyway. Most of those fall into heavily “rah rah”/cheerleader stuff that bring out the pessimist in most of us (especially the British in me).
He’s transformed a company that employs over a million people in a way that would check many of Jim Collin’s Good to Great boxes. The book tells you a lot of how he did this.
Read it, absorb and adapt it for your circumstances. It’s a ver useful piece of work and, while it probably won’t make it on to my personal top ten, Talking People With You will undoubtedly cause you to stop, think and change.

Inside Apple by Adam Lashinsky

Ben — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:02:10 +0000

Perhaps the most in-depth look at how the mystery inside Apple does what it does. Lots of people have read this, lots of reviews have been written. Probably very few people will do anything with the information.
For me, the most important takeaway from this book was the discernment of leadership versus democracy. While not explicitly called out, it’s definitely an undertone throughout the book. In fact, it’s the antithesis of the book I read right before this – Taking People With You by David Novak.
There are way too many books written about Apple these days and we don’t need any more of the superficial observations, but it definitely feels like another book is needed that analyzes Inside Apple to derive an operating model that people in business can more easily relate to without the emotive sway of the Apple badge on the cover.

Mastering Mobile Web Apps with jQuery Mobile by Matt Doyle

Ben — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:00:32 +0000

This is the book you must read on mobile development. There is no other jQuery mobile book. Ignore those other ones. Read this one.
Aside from the technical nature of the content, this is a well written, well paced walkthrough of a topic/framework that could so easily be more complex if it weren’t for the author’s great ability to break down topics and tasks into understandable chunks.
This book works so well because of the little victories it gives you along the learning path.

Buy this book at http://store.elated.com/.

Board Room Babies by Stanley Bing

Ben — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:57:05 +0000

A single, really funny comedy premise stretched far beyond its limits to unsuccessfully generate laughs.

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.