The readers' room

Confessions of an Economic Hitman

2008-11-21T13:32:00.000-08:00

John Perkins stayed on the bestsellers list with his book for quite a few weeks with his book 'confessions of an economic hitman'. He even appeared on the conspiracy theory kind of documentary 'zeitgeist - addendum'. The book focuses on the interesting capitalist idea of providing loans to the emerging and third world countries and making them so debt ladden that they keep repaying forever. It is kind of a feudel system however, at a global scale. John Perkins writes it like a thriller however, the writeup at times is less sharp. Though, the message is very clear and seems very real when the present credit crisis is hitting us.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5
Title: Confessions of an Economic Hit Man: The Shocking Story of How America Really Took Over the World
Author: John Perkins
Publisher: Ebury Press
ISBN: 978-0393062366

Image source: http://www.awakentothetruth.com/IMAGES/confessions-of-an-economic-hitman.jpg

P.S.> In almost every book cover of this book, the background image is of India however, there is not even any reference to it in the book.

The Elephant and the Dragon

2008-11-10T10:11:00.000-08:00

If you are into numbers and data, this book will be hard to put aside. Robyn Meredith provides a gritty account of what has happened, what is happening and what might happen with regard to both the elephant (India) and the dragon (China). If you are not already interacting with Indian or Chinese businesses it is not going to be that long and this book will prepare you for some of that impact. The author has used both qualitative anecdotes and quantitative data in an insightful manner which really hooks a reader in. The book succinctly presents the past, present and future problems and opportunities associated with both these economies and makes a reader ready for meaningfully engaging with companies and people from both countries. Fabulous fabulous read.

Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5
Title: The Elephant and the Dragon: The Rise of India and China and What It Means for All of Us
Author: Robyn Meredith
Publisher: W. W. Norton
ISBN: 978-0393062366

Image source: http://www.tantor.com/BookImage/0485_ElephantDragon_D.jpg

A voyage long and strnage: rediscovering the new world

2008-10-13T13:59:00.001-07:00

The title (and I guess the cover page) actually caught my eyes and I must say it was a fun read (though with patches which get you bored). The book is about European contact to the US continent including the Vikings, Spanish, English and various others. It breaks the myth of 'the arrival of pilgrims' and Tony Horwitz writes it like a mystery novel which at times is gripping. The discussion on Spanish conquistadors is mind blowing and it provides such a contrast to today's 'health and safety' minded society. Worth a read if you are interested in American history or history in general and its lessons.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5
Title: A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World
Author: Tony Horwitz
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
ISBN: 978-0805076035

image source: (http://www.syndetics.com/index.aspx?type=xw12&isbn=9781410405586/LC.GIF&client=oriop)

Blink

2008-10-05T03:52:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, a friend of mine who is a professor in one of the Indian Institute of Managements suggested me to read this book titled 'Blink: The Power of thinking without thinking' (abbreviated here as 'Blink'). This is a Malcom Gladwell's 2005 book (perhaps many of the readers of this blog would be aware that Malcom Gladwell is in the list of top-50 thinkers of the world as per the Times).

Interestingly, in the list of top 50 thinkers, Gladwell who is on no. 18, is just below the Editor of the Harvard Business Review Thomas Stewert and 13 positions above Edward De Bono (who is ranked 40th).

While reading this book I found Gladwell as a super story teller and a succinct and argumentative journalist turned management thinker. Blink is definitely a good read book and I would strongly recommend for MBAs and practising managers. In fact, I feel that it would be a good food for brain for any professional and not just managers.

The entire book is full of stories and slices of lives of people who in Gladwells' opinion are 'extraordinary' since they apparently think and do things without thinking. Right from a person who could spot a perfectly carved statue as fake to a psychratist who can predict the longetivity of marriages between couples, professionals who can taste various kind of food items and judge the quality of ingredients and also a policeman who could judge whether the person in front is having a gun or not; all these stories are indeed riveting. Many of these unsung heroes may not be known in popular media but yes their ability to implement certain tasks are worth appreciating.

For those who are fans of Derren Brown would not perhaps enjoy the Blink since Gladwell does not create any magical impact by his personal contribution. Gladwell's own analysis and contribution in 'suggesting' to readers on 'how to think without thinking' does not come out clearly in my view.

I could certainly relate to Gladwell's experiences since I had similar kind of experiences in some situations. Especially, police treating someone differently depenening up0n how you look/dress.

In my view, what is more important is to tame (not 'control) and develop our senses. How we deal with our consciousness, sub-consciousness and unconsciousness is pertinent in order to think and to be able to take decisions. Eventually, 'Knowledge is Consciousness'.

Title: Blink: The Power of thinking without thinking
Author: Malcom Gladwell
Publisher: Back Bay Books
ISBN: 0-316-01066-9

Overall rating: 4 out of 5

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

2008-09-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

If you have planned to read a book next week or next month, make it this one. At times, it makes you feel you are reading a fable but like most fables the message remains profound (if I may say so). The book focuses on six simple principals and discusses each of them at length. The six principals are:
1. Simplicity
2. Unexpectedness
3. Concreteness
4. Credibility
5. Emotions
6. Stories

The idea is well-worth reading and re-reading and re-reading...

Overall rating: 4.75 out of 5

Book info:
Title: Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Author: Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 978-1400064281

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The future of management

2008-09-08T04:31:00.000-07:00

I started reading this book with much higher expectations and I guess that was something which didn't help.

The book focuses on the idea of management innovation and using 3 case studies (Whole foods, Gore, and Google) describes how management practices need changing from the Weberian style to something unknown. The discussion is interesting however, the author (Gary Hamel) seems to go on repeating himself so many times that it becomes cumbersome. Must say that it's something good in a way that the message sticks but still at times I just lost interest in it. If you just read the case studies chapters the gist of the book is known.

Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5

Book info:
Title: The Future of Management
Author: Gary Hamel with Bill Breen
Publisher: Harvard Business School Press
ISBN: 978-1422102503

A Plum in Your Mouth: Why the Way We Talk Speaks Volumes About Us

2008-08-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

Being an Indian living in the UK and especially in the academic I come across students from every part of the the world. The common thread to our discussion remains to be English language however, the way we speak is so vastly different. This is what made me excited about this book and read it.

The book is an interesting journey into the history of English language but at the same time the author focuses on our tendencies to adapt and in turn change the face of the language. He also focuses on why and how do we adapt to accents to enhance our position in the marketplace. It's an interesting book however, gets boring after a while as the author goes onto the repetition mode. Some 50 pages can easily be cut out of it. The conclusion chapter is a nice read also.

Overall rating: 3 out of 5

Book info:
Title: A Plum in Your Mouth: Why the Way We Talk Speaks Volumes About Us
Author: Andrew Taylor
Publisher: HarperCollins Entertainment
ISBN: 978-0007221332

Notes to myself: My struggle to become a person

2008-08-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

A demonstration of a western mind's struggle and its different approach to conceptual philosophy. A book that you can finish reading in a day but can affect you for the rest of your life. The author takes a great deal of effort in analyzing how all of us create our own view of world without any attempt to ever change it.

A relaxing, empowering and challenging read for marketers, investment bankers, philosophers and anthropologists alike.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Book info:
Title: Notes to myself: My struggle to become a person
Author: Hugh Prather
Publisher: Bantam
ISBN: 978-0553273823

Mars and Venus in bedroom

2008-08-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered:

- Why women carry big purses when men carry wallets only?
- Why men like video games and women like romantic dinners?
- Why men think 'love starts with sex' opposite to women 'sex starts with love?'
- Why women have to go to every part of the super market when men die to get out as soon as possible?

It all starts in bedroom. The book is not about any sexual techniques, instead it touches some of the roots in our modern day sexual behavior. It can be a great read for any marketer wishing to segment the market, based on gender behavior differences. It is also an extension of John Gray's series 'Men are from Mars, women are from venus'. A great read...

Overall rating: 4.5 out 5

Book info:
Title: Mars and Venus in bedroom: A guide to lasting romance and passion
Author: John Gray
Publisher: Harper paperbacks
ISBN: 978-0060927936

Our Inner Ape: A Leading Primatologist Explains Why We Are Who We Are

2008-08-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

When I got hold of this book, I thought it was going to be another popular scientific exploration but what a surprise. No doubt, it is written with that idea of popular science, this book is different.

The book focuses on our behavioural tendencies and compares them with two types of apes: Bonobos and Chimps. It goes on to discuss our tendencies on empathizing and sexuality and use of sexuality in quarrels as well as reconciliation. Half way through it makes you feel we are not really that different from these Apes and then takes a perspective which shows how we have got best of both worlds: the sexual orientation from Bonobos and aggressive attitudes from Chimps. It is so cleverly written that it makes you feel this is a novel with short stories woven within rather than a scientific book.

Great read.
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Book info:
Title: Our Inner Ape: A Leading Primatologist Explains Why We Are Who We Are
Author: Frans de Waal
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Riverhead Books; Reprint edition (Aug 2006)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1594481962
ISBN-13: 978-1594481963

The Black Swan

2008-08-19T04:01:00.000-07:00

Have just finished reading 'The Black Swan'. Interesting book however, the author seem to be hell bent over proving bell curve wrong. In doing so, I believe he misses on making a balanced argument on his own 'black swan' concept. The idea of forecasting techniques and forecasters being wrong is agreeable but Dan Gilbert in his book 'Stumbling on Happiness' does a better job of explaining the same. The concept is quite simple. Focus on the large event (highly improbable) which may change your life forever. The author takes examples from Stock Market and surely black swans may happen in such volatile environment however, its difficult to see this happening in a normal person's life. Furthermore, if you wait for black swan to happen I feel it might be too late. The bell curve can't just be put aside is my opinion.

Overall, it's an interesting read. 4 out of 5.

Book info:
The black swan: the impact of the highly improbableBook 2160/Completed: 2/23/2008 Author: Taleb, Nassim. Published: New York : Random House, c2007. Subject covered : Forecasting, Randomness, Uncertainty, Chance.