Posts from June, 2008

Getting To Yes

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher, Bruce M. Patton, and William L. Ury

A smart, succinct, and empowering book covering various common-sense negotiation tactics. Full of practical and realistic case studies, and no-nonsense advice. A quick read; I read it in three easy evenings. Three thumbs up!
06/25/2008
Posted in Reads.
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Wyeth at Kuerners

Wyeth at Kuerners by Andrew Wyeth

I remember sitting on a foot stool in the isle of the Columbus College of Art and Design library, perusing this book. I was in tears. The work moved me in a way that only Andrew Wyeth can, and this–his raw, unfinished studies and works–is some of his most visceral. Only the Helga Pictures come close to the level of impact he was able to achieve, but did so in a totally different way. These are Wyeth in his element, and one of my most well-thumbed books. Cliché as it may sound, for me it’s equal parts solace and inspiration.
06/21/2008
Posted in Reads.
Tough Choices

Tough Choices: A Memoir by Carly Fiorina

I remember seeing Carly speak in one of her annual big-screen global conference meetings when I interned at HP in Houston. I was impressed with her. When the HP scandals erupted that resulted in her ousting, I was both disappointed and very curious about the circumstances of the firing. This book recalls her climb to fame and fortune as the “world’s most powerful woman,” and while self-glorifying in a somewhat overt way, it’s also candid and honest. It is an excellent–and likely accurate–representation of the upper-eschelons of the business world, and I highly recommend it. She is sharp, witty, and interesting, if a bit self-absorbed. I learned a lot about real leadership from this book.
06/21/2008
Posted in Reads.
Leadership On The Line

Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Leading by Martin Linsky and Ronald A. Heifet

My wife took a class at Harvard with one of the authors of this book, and subsequently had me read it. It’s full of wisdom for leaders and would-be leaders. It gets a bit frilly toward the end, but a useful read none-the-less.
06/21/2008
Posted in Reads.
The Evolution of Useful Things

The Evolution of Useful Things: How Everyday Artifacts-From Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers-Came to be as They are; by Henry Petroski

A very fun collection of historical novelties. A fast read, with lots of interesting tid-bits. What it lacks in depth it makes up for in the sheer number of “aha!” factoids. I don’t get the impression that it’s very well researched, but worth a quick read.
06/21/2008
Posted in Reads.

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Posts from June, 2008

Getting To Yes

Wyeth at Kuerners

Tough Choices

Leadership On The Line

The Evolution of Useful Things