5 comments about Little Black Book of Connections: 6.5 Assets for Networking Your Way to Rich Relationships.

1. As I was reading this book, i kept waiting to get some real value out of it. It just seemed to go on and on with no real direction or purpose. Ironic, since Gitomer says you need to offer value to others in order to connect. The repetition and lack of focus lead you to wonder if you actually learned anything at all after reading it. Actually, I was thinking that as I was reading it. Anyway, the book just keeps repeating itself and doesn't seem to go anywhere. Just read pages 25-31, the "Rules of Connecting", and you're finished. Nice packaging though...



2. This is more like a refresher course on things you already know but in a comical sort of way, think about this, at the very beginning of the book the author says "Personally, I can remember numbers from 40 years ago, but I can't remember numbers from yesterday", I immediately knew this thing was going to be of no value what so ever considering the nifty title he gave it. I personally did not find any new useful information here regarding how to connect/network with potential clients and certainly nothing I haven't tried already that came naturally or by applying common sense.
   
   Giving the book the benefit of the doubt, decided to read the entire thing and found mostly, strategically place "Git-Bits" keywords throughout the book constantly leading you to Mr. Gitomer's website for additional info related to that keyword and of course.....you guess it, making you register so you can be pitched more of his questionable products through email newsletters, while also receiving actual pictures of him and his friends like they are family to you personally. They're connecting alright, It's a complete joke....lol. Keep in mind that during the entire time, you still looking to learn something about "connecting". I wouldn't be surprise to learn that these positive reviews are all coming from friends and family to help out, you'll feel very suspicious after reading this book.
   
   As to the topic at hand, the book is actually filled with his personal experiences for the most part, felt like he was regurgitating other notable authors in the process like Dale Cargenie comes to mind, but in reality, nothing here you haven't heard before, the goal here is to make you feel like it's all a sudden revelation, but in a gimmicky kind of way, not to mention the book looks and reads like a comic book, Also notice that people reading these bad reviews don't seem to find it useful, as you can tell, but beware, that may be a smokescreen to hide the fact that the book it's really awful.
   
   Conclusion: Save your money and try previewing it in your local library, not worth adding to your networking/sales resource library. Good Luck.



3. This book is a polarizing little volume. Note that the people who review this book who like it generally put one or more exclamation points in their review titles.
   
   This thin little tome is basically a rehash of the concepts first espoused by Norman Vincent Peale's "How to Win Friends..." many years ago, jazzed up for the new millenium.
   
   Like others have mentioned, there is a bit of upsell pointing people to Gitomer's website, in many respects, it's a glossy infomercial.
   
   Nonetheless, chances are you'll see someone in a suit on an airplane eagerly devouring this book. Think of this little black book as basic networking self-help for the aspiring sales professional.



4. This is an awesome book for those who are in sales, or even just want a better way to connect to people. It has an honest approach to networking and how to get to yes! Great Book!



5. "Little Black Book of Connections" by Jeffrey Gitomer focuses on principles and strategies for networking your way toward personal and professional success.
   
   Among the points covered include:
   
   1. Giving value to others is a sure way to make great connections (think of others first).
   2. 17 strategies and guidelines for making connections.
   3. Tips on building relationships.
   4. How to win prospects and contacts at networking events.
   5. How to connect at various events.
   6. How to be known by others.
   7. Treat others with respect and dignity - even those who cannot benefit you.
   8. Secrets to making connections.
   9. When connecting with others, keep in mind that they have passions - figure out how to connect with them through their passions.
   10. How to maintain meaningful long-term connections.
   
   In addition, throughout the book there are several examples of "GitBits" in which the reader goes to Gitomer's web site and enters a code to receive free information on various topics.
   
   The only really complaint I have is that Gitomer on several occasions uses four letter words to make a point. In my humble opinion, doing so is unnecessary - just state your point and let that stand on itself. There's no need to use saucy language to try to reinforce your point.
   
   Complaint aside, a good reference full of strategies for getting connected to others on your way to personal and professional success.
   
   Recommended.

5 comments about The 29% Solution: 52 Weekly Networking Success Strategies.

1. The authors start out with the premise that although networking is proven to be valuable in business, it is still rarely taught in business schools.
   
   The book begins with a self-analysis test to help determine one's networking skills. Topics and assignments are broken down into 52 weeks, with spaces in some of the chapters for you to write in the book as you do that week's assignment. (Not every week has a writing area, so you may want to keep a separate notebook or keep notes and action steps on a Blackberry/PDA.)
   
   It could almost be called Networking for Dummies or for Introverts or even for Clueless. I say that because the book addresses so many topics that brought some former co-workers and bosses to mind. MANY people who are in business at various levels could be helped by networking, but are not born schmoozers or networkers, and don't know where to begin.
   
   This book charts out one of the simplest game plans for success that I've seen in quite awhile. It is not all new knowledge, but it is all in one place, so you can check off your progress and see what the next step is for growing your skills and your business. The plan is simple, but not always easy. As the authors say, it's netWORKing, not netEATing or netSITTing.
   
   Topics included may require major changes or just minor tweaks to a person's life. Examples are: being accountable to a group, writing thank you notes, being engaging, writing a press release, getting and giving referrals, following up, being a change agent, becoming an expert, and more.
   
   Recommended for complete wallflowers and introverts who may even know but don't ever DO. It's also good for extroverts and "self-made" individuals who think they are the best networkers in the world but who need refinement and more focus on others than just their own abilities and personality.
   
   Terrific reference book to use and refer back to again and again.



2. The week by week strategies with easy to follow actionable items helps to make you a more effective networker. Well done.



3. Six degrees of separation: You've probably heard of that concept . . . that you can connect with anyone else through six contacts. The authors deconstruct that observation to point out that fewer than half the people (somewhere around 29 percent) can do that well, hence the title.
   
   But do you really care if it takes three contacts or thirteen . . . as long as your message gets through? Probably not.
   
   More important than getting through to others through mutual contacts is the ability to get help when you need it: That's the real value of being well networked.
   
   So you can skip over the premise discussion. It just seems like a gimmick to help attract attention to the book.
   
   Start with page 7 and the diagnostic questions to test how well you perform in creating, building, and sustaining a network. From there, perform one of the 52 assignments per week for a year. If you keep up on the prior lessons, you should become much better connected after a year.
   
   This book is primarily designed for those who aren't very good at networking and haven't been introduced to the basics. So if you are new to the idea of getting acquainted with more people, this book is a good choice.
   
   But if you have read at least two reasonably good networking books, you probably won't add that much value here . . . unless you find that a weekly lesson helps you maintain the discipline.
   
   If you ignore the sketchy premise, this is a five-star book.
   
   How many new connections did you make today that you will keep alive in ten years?



4. I have long been a believer of the power of effective networking. And, in the tough times we are encountering as a nation, I believe that effective networking will be even more important.
   
   Ivan Miser, one of the county's leading authorities on networking, has collaborated with Michelle Donovan to write what I believe to be one of the best books in networking that has ever been written.(My other favorite is "Click" by George Fraser.)
   
   I liked everything about the book...a lot...except for the title which is a case of copyrighting seemingly gone amuck. And to think that the subtitle doesn't even explain the mystery of the title. YUK!
   
   But, get past the title and get on with the substance of the book and this book is an absolute gem. Jam packed with solid information, wonderful tips, and even helpful exercises.
   
   Like some of the best things in life, there is no magic pill to effective networking. This point is reinforced by the central organization of the book into a year-long program to build networking effectiveness.
   
   In turbulent times, being a silo, or a lone wolf, just is not going to cut it. I highly recommend that all professionals buy this book, follow the program and become one of the 29% who are separated from the rest of the world by just six degrees. (Ah yes, there is at least some rationale to the title.) Even more importantly than being part of that dubious group, by following this program you will increase the likelihood that you will have the relationships to help you prosper in tough times.



5. Horrible! Horrible! Horrible! Look, I am a very small business owner trying to build a better business and gain clients. I've read so many business books. Common sense will tell you that you need to take time to network regularly for your business. I thought this book might be different. It is not. There are not any new ideas, just old ones broken into 52 weeks. Honestly you'd be better off buying Guerrilla Marketing for Free or Guerilla Marketing Weapons. If you must read this book, check it out from the library. Please don't waste your money. I took mine back to the store.

5 comments about The Logic of Life: The Rational Economics of an Irrational World.

1. I liked Tim Hartford's earlier work - The Undercover Economist very much. I have taken a few graduate courses in Economics and loved the way the book refreshed and even gave new concepts to me. Thus, I picked up The Logic of Life with a lot of expectations. These expectations were badly dashed.
   
   My big problem with this book is that Hartford lacks rigor. In a popular book I wouldn't expect the rigor of an academic article, but when an author draws conclusions that are wider ranging than warranted or if the author factually incorrect then I do have a problem. There are at least a couple of instances when Hartford does that. For me it taints the whole book - making me ask questions such as what if Hartford is factually incorrect in other places that I don't know about.
   
   Hartford relies a lot on the experiments of John List to set up his premise - People are more rational in their day to day life than psychologists give them credit for. One set of List's experiments demonstrated that experienced pin and baseball card collectors are able to make rational decisions in situations where rookies often make irrational ones. Hartford then extends this logic to claim that as people are experienced in their day to day life - in activities such as work and shopping - they are unlikely to make the rookie irrational mistakes. To me this is a big stretch. I don't know anyone who thinks a day-to-day shopping decision through as much as an experienced collector would. A little effort from the author here in establishing his premise would have been really well served.
   
   Hartford really lets go of rigor when criticizing the work of Jeffery Sachs. Coincidentally, I was reading "The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time" by Jeffery Sachs at the same time I was reading Logic of Life and I was shocked by Hartford's presentation of Sachs' theories and also his refutations. For example, Hartford says that malaria is unlikely to be a cause of under-development as it kills only young children and not adults. Sachs has argued in reasonable detail how malaria can cause poverty (absenteeism, delay of investment projects, undereducated children and parents making decisions of having more children). I for one cannot understand how one line stating malaria kills children and hence does not effect economy from Hartford is anything but a lazy piece of writing. Hartford' writing on the topic gets almost bizarre when he then states "In any case, these diseases can be fought by countries with the resources to do so." As this statement is apparently to refute the logic of Sachs, it is mind boggling as Sachs to my mind is also saying the same thing. The disease can be fought - however, the really poor countries do not have the resources to do so. At best statements like these are very poor editing of the book. The point here is not if Sachs is correct or not. The point is that if you are refuting the theory of a person, the least you should be doing is to state it correctly and in full.
   
   For me, if I start doubting one part of the book I start thinking - this author is not very incorrect about a part I know about, so can I trust him on other parts where I don't know too much? This does sharply reduce the enjoyment of what is a very readable book.



2. Tim Harford's "Logic Of Life" has only one point to make, that is, every decision one makes in everyday life is an economically rational one, whether one knows it or not. Imagine the subconscious mind working overtime making those minute calculations without the conscious mind knowing about it.
   
   To illustrate the point, Harford opens with a titillating expose on the rising incidence of teenage oral sex in modern life before expanding his scope to include gambling, racism, crime, corporate remuneration, etc etc. Though moderately interesting in parts, I had a hard time finishing the book as the chapters got more and more mundane and further and further away from the point he was making. By the time I reached the three quarter mark, I was ready to give up.
   
   I haven't read Harford's bestselling "The Undercover Economist" so I can't judge but "Logic Of Life" seems like pretty thin gruel. After a chuckle inducing opening, the book starts to read like a one trick pony. Disappointing.



3. The principle of the book is not very alien that human have logical and irrational qualities but the to use economics principle to explain many social phenomena is indeed intriguing



4. Offers a slightly different perspective for understanding human behavior. I vastly prefer Harford's writing style to others in the genre. I don't care so much if we are labeled as rational or irrational, it seems to be a less relevant point to me. In fact, I would argue that the rational results he claims are inductive, not deductive, so they do not correspond with the logical thinking process that tends to accompany deductive reasoning. He doesn't claim that they do, it's just that there seems to be a silly argument out there about whether we are rational or not. I don't think it matters, as the means by which we come to a decision are varied.



5. The book is interesting and worthwhile to read, because it reveals studies and statistics (mostly by others) that illuminate why individuals and why society behave like they do. For example, it was surprising to learn how conclusive are the data supporting the idea that criminals actually are deterred by the severity of punishments specified by law. So we learn that criminals are more rational than many expert criminologists who argue for shorter jail sentences and condemn the irrationality of the death penalty.
   
   The book does not prove that people are mostly rational or that people are not mostly rational, but simply that if one is clever or lucky about finding data, one can pinpoint a reason behind any observed behavior. For example, the evidence is convincing that black people in the USA have a disadvantage getting jobs measured against whites of similar qualifications. The author concludes it is rational for blacks to give up on education or, at least, devalue it and to adopt the social norm that getting an education is "acting white".
   
   I disagree with how the author's uses the words, rational and logic. Just because there is a reason for a behavior does not mean the behavior is rational or logical. To take another example, short men and ugly men statistically have a great disadvantage gaining financial success. Men who are short or ugly men thus have a reason to abandon their personal efforts to compete with other mean, but it would not be rational or logical to do so.
   
   That people have reasons for what they do is no great insight, so the author overreached when he selected the title of the book. But it was still interesting to read of some totally unexpected reasons the world is like it is.

5 comments about LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING FOR THE FIGHT: A FEW THOUGHTS ON LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING FROM A FORMER SPECIAL OPERATIONS SOLDIER.

1. This is the best book on military leadership and training I have ever read and I have read a few on this subject. All of my team leaders are reading it now after hearing nothing but great reviews from myself. I think all NCO's in the Army, reguardless of MOS, should read this book.



2. Very good book, well structured, pleasant to read. The examples are clear, and the theories easy to apply, even if you aren't L.E. or military.



3. Outstanding book by a true professional. MSG Howe is the real deal and an outstanding authority in his field. Would recommend this for any law enforcement or military professional.



4. There seems to be no shortage of leadership books available to our self-help addicted society. How many people do you know who brag about having read "The Art of War"? This is not one of these types of books. I mention "The Art of War" because I find it helpful to draw parallels between life and battle. I find that if I approach my life's commitments and challenges like all-out warfare, I tend to get after it with aggression and a hunger for success.
   If you feel the same, this book might be for you. In truth, this book is geared mostly for soldiers and police specifically combatants of the special ops variety and swat officers. In short it is by and for modern Spartan warriors.
   You will have to work to draw your own connections between how you run your organization, business, or life, but if you are not inspired by some of the greatest men to walk among us, you are dead inside.
   If you are in charge of or lead anything and you are interested in developing your leadership skills, you will find it here. If you think that leadership in the world's harshest conditions when the bullets are flying and men are dying doesn't apply to how you run your small business, ask yourself this, "Is there a difference between kinds of leadership, or is good leadership in concept more or less the same everywhere?" The only real difference is that if you are a shooter, your failures in leadership can cost lives, in business it is only money.
   If you are considering this book, take the journey and trust the author to share his ideals and wisdom with you.
   This book feels aggressive and extreme in it's intent to convey to the reader not just leadership skills, but in philosophy towards life.
   We all want to be like the guy in the movies who remains calm and wins in the chaos of extreme conditions, this book shows you how. If you could do this imagine how you could attack your own life.



5. This is one of the best books I have ever read on leadership. The author outlines a realistic approach with proven techniques. I've grown tired of all the silly communication methods and manipulations, found in the flood of many books on the market, on how to motivate those under your supervision. Paul Howe knows how to lead. If you are truly interested in leadership, this book is highly recommended. On the other hand, if you are looking for quick fixes and feel good techniques, you should move on to a management in corporate America style book. There are many to choose from.

5 comments about The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Unabridged Audio Program).

1. Covey's 7 excellent habits is given an accessible treatment in this comprehensive CD package - ideal for those who have less time to read and appreciate the spoken word.



2. For anyone who is into the pursuit of personal development, then this will be right up your alley. The only words of warning that come with it are ; "do not come looking here for a quick fix or a bandaid solution". Mr Covey speaks of concentrated effort based on important priciples which are covered in the audio and are by no means something for an overnight solution.
   If you have ever wanted to hear a lesson then there is gold in them there cd's



3. Good product, new as advertised,13 discs,and program is well organized and easy to listen to.



4. Never received the book on tape, sent questions to the seller twice. no feed back...with most items now you can at least track if they have been delivered, even without a return receipt. ALL I received after the second emial to sender was a form letter (AMAZON?) saying basically tough luck.... Not a happy buyer out $30+ bucks...



5. Many think this is a book for managers and the businessman. Wrong!
   
   If you truly want to spend the rest of your life as a happy, fulfilled person, buy this book. You know you are giving it its dues when you revisit the sections on the first three habits time and time again.
   
   As a forty plus something yearold, the first set of habits took me several months to digest.
   
   Covey is the finest philosopher of our time, and this is truly a tour de force.
   
   
   Dave

5 comments about How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything...in Business (and in Life).

1. Seidman's book is essential reading for business or professional leaders who want to align their business or services with that of their customers. The business model for the 21st century is one that forms open, transparent alliances between business entities - ones where each person or entity becomes a partner with the other. On both a personal and a professional level, it is also a fundamentally liberating act, because each participant does not waste time trying to figure out how to obtain an advantage over the other one. Instead, each partner focuses on making "the deal" - or rather "the long term relationship" - succeed for the other.
   
   In this cyber-age where an enormous amount of information is available on the internet for all to see, transparency has to be the name of the game. Your business partners - actual or potential - have the ability to find out what you are doing, and how you are doing it, with the touch of a few keywords and clicks on the screen. You might as well do both you and your partners the favor of being honest and open in how the relationship is going to work, and how it continues to work after it is formed. If you don't they will soon find out and the relationship will be impaired if not come to an end.
   
   It is axiomatic that the easiest customers to keep are satisfied ones. And the easiest relationships to build and grow are ones where you already know and trust each other. And the easiest new customers are ones who have heard about how you do business and can verify that with your existing customers. Seidman explains how this works, both in theory and in actual practice, in lucid, clear terms. It could almost be viewed as a Buddhist manifesto for doing business: a businessperson achieves the highest level of success by being open and transparent with his or her business colleagues and customers, as well as him- or herself; and anything less denies the fundamental existence of all of the participants in the equation.



2. Even if you have a "meaningless" job, the ideas in this book will help you make it a meaningful one. Also highly recommended for employees in highly commoditized industries.



3. This book would have much more impact if it was distilled down from 300 to 100 pages. An important message is buried by painfully verbose writing.
   
   The book is about ethics and reputation, value-based cultures vs. rule-based cultures, and as the author likes to say, "getting your hows right." There are some valuable messages in the book.
   
   For example, the University of Michigan Hospital and Health System experienced a 50% reduction in malpractice lawsuits after encouraging doctors to apologize to patients and admit when mistakes are made.
   
   The author also cites an academic study which found "the least trusted buyer incurred procurement costs six times higher than the most trusted."
   
   These examples are powerful evidence that behaving responsibly is good for the bottom line.



4. Dov Seidman's book "How" is right on the money. Everyone of us has been challenged finding exceptional customer service in a retail store, on-line - just about anywhere. Isn't it refreshing when someone will take the time to "connect" with you and listen to your request, offer suggestions, and point you in the right direction? Our character and reputation matters and when we go the extra mile and connect with our clients, we can reap tremendous rewards - both personally and professionally. This book makes a powerful statement. It's a wise organization that will take heed to Seidman's message. Great business reference and a "must read" for customer service professionals.



5. Dov Seidman respects your intelligence. Instead of "10 tips for ethical behavior," he provides a powerful new lens for seeing and assessing contemporary business ethics. Seidman, an erudite intellectual and practical philosopher, shows that in today's transparent commercial environment, operating openly and morally is both honorable and economically necessary. Corporate achievement now depends far more on how you act than on what you do. With the proliferation of media outlets, the Internet, notably YouTube, and cable channels, everyone is watching. Seidman uses fascinating anecdotes, case studies and scientific research to prove that goal-driven companies must focus on openness, integrity, values and ethics. Do things right, you win; do them wrong, you lose and end up exposed on the Web. Now that businesses live under the microscope, "on glass...slides, flat as flat can be," your company will be exposed if it cuts ethical corners. Seidman's well-annotated book is peppered with learned references to brilliant thinkers from Aristotle to Kierkegaard. He deftly moves from sophisticated topics, such as brain functioning, neuroeconomics and language theory, to stories about pop diva Janet Jackson, Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower and Krazy George Henderson, madcap inventor of "the wave." This makes the book a pure delight to read. getAbstract openly enjoyed this insightful, idealistic and practical argument for corporate transparency, collaboration, good conduct and altruism.

5 comments about Rich Dad's Real Estate Advantages: Tax and Legal Secrets of Successful Real Estate Investors.

1. Very informative. This book is full of great strategies of how to maximize your return and how to protect your real estate investments and retire comfortably. You will learn how to choose the right asset protection for your investments, how to maximize your real estate investments to your retirement advantage, the use of 1031 exchange to pass on assets to your kids without paying capital gain tax, how to mix and match business entities if you have multiple RE investments in different states, learn the advantages and disadvantages of a Nevada, Wyoming, California, Texas corporation or LLC. After reading this book, I attended a seminar with the co-author lawyer, Garrett Sutton, at a National Real Estate Investment Club Expo in L.A Convention Center. We had a Q&A after his presentation. This guy really knows his stuff. He seems to be a nice and humble person. If you are a RE investor or thinking of becoming one, I highly recommend this book. I also recommend that you consult with his office for asset protection. He does business over the phone for all states. You can also get lots of tips and info in Garrett Sutton's websites.



2. This book does for real estate investing what Pimsleur does for language learning: it teaches you to speak the real estate language, to ask knowledgeable questions, and to make informed decisions.
   
   I have been through dozens of books, tapes, and CD programs on investing in real estate. Some are strictly motivational with little useful information. Others are like reference works and cannot be read from beginning to end. Still others hope to be meaningful forever and so dare not give you anything too current, or disputable and likely to change. Lechter and Sutton, however, wrote a book to turn a dreamer into a real estate investor. If that's what you still want at the end - but you have all the info to make the decision. Other reviewers might say that there are no "secrets" in this book - true, I suppose - but if YOU don't have a tutor for the subject, then for YOU common knowledge is a secret!
   
   The authors give separate advice for dealing with primary residence and for investment properties. Most other books blur these separate cases. Special cases where individual state law might differ from the general situations are pointed out. Case studies and repetition are used throughout - much like Pimsleur uses conversation in each language lesson. The reader brings everything learned earlier to each case, but is stretched just a bit to see why each case is unique. Each chapter builds on prior chapters. Included is the required amount of math, but this is clearly not a math book. On the contrary, it is an enjoyable read cover-to-cover. Some of the material is current as of 2006 and this is clearly noted. I hope this book gets updated every few years.
   
   While technically part of the Rich Dad series, the book stands on its own. The reader is fully aware of the few tacked-on references to the Rich Dad philosophy.
   
   This book is a must-read for anyone thinking about a career in real estate investing in all its forms. Consider it the second book you read - after something like "Home Buying for Dummies."



3. It certainly should be in your library. You're sure to find at least one or two nuggets that will more than pay for the book.
   
   Perhaps you'd like to look into this one too:
   
   The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses: The Foolproof Roadmap to Real Estate Riches Without the Risks and Hassles of Landlording.



4. What can you say? It's another rich dad book. Very informative and written primarily by professionals with an in-depth view. The book is a good read for anyone. It gave me a lot to think about and some things to discuss with my team. No dull spots in this book. Read it cover to cover in a few days. Worth reading twice.



5. I bought my first property just before I purchased this book. I received it just before an international business trip, and didn't get any sleep on the flight because I was pouring over the basic concepts and ideas that fill this wonderful book.
   
   If you are already in real estate and know the basics, you may not need this book. If you already have your team of advisors and know who to go for when you have questions, you may not need this book. If you understand the differences between LLCs and LP and why one is better in California than in Nevada, you may not need this book.
   
   For most beginning real estate investors, this book is just the right amount and just the right speed to get started. Garrett and Sharon don't look at the buy-and-flip models, but rather at the advantages of staying in real estate, building a portfolio, and intelligently upgrading your properties (1031 Exchanges). They also go over the long-term planning aspects of inheritance and how to move your properties to family members with minimal taxes. They don't profess a silver bullet, but rather a rational plan to financial success through real estate.
   
   Verdict: Highly recommended.

5 comments about Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (and Stick You with the Bill).

1. A very informative and straight-ahead book revealing, anecdote by real-life anecdote, how, during the Bush/Clinton/Bush administrations, our public commons -- in other words, our tax dollars -- increasingly have been routinely commandeered by a tiny and superrich elite for their own exhorbitant profit. In the form of public subsidies for private developers and retailers, such as Cabelas and Wal-Mart, and through privatization of our utility companies starting with Enron's massive rip-off of our public commons, Johnston shows how the wolves (greedy privateers) have not only gained entrance into the henhouse of our national treasury but, through intensive lobbying efforts, are exercising too much control over our elected officials today, basically funding the rewriting of our national laws to ensure their own dominant position and ongoing aggregation of riches.
   
   The book makes sense of a lot of things that were not adding up to me when looking around our current landscape -- like why my electric bill has skyrocketed in the last couple of years (thank you, Kenny Lay), or what kind of business "sense" was behind that monstrous box store of Cabelas on Rte. 78 in Hamburg, PA. Or even why oil and gas prices are going through the roof right now. It's not supply and demand at all, it's sleight of hand and basic greed and power-grabbing. Johnston shows how the scales of supply and demand no longer balance the markets, as the PR mavens would like us to believe. When private companies are subsidized with public funds, Adam Smith-type free market competition proves but a chimera, a smokescreen behind which privateers hide, avidly sucking our economy dry and bankrupting our society. Read the book.



2. An excellent, well-documented and readable investigation and analysis of how the whole system of American government, at Federal, State and Local levels, has been used for the past 30 years or so to tax the poor and the middle class in order to enrich the already wealthy. If you think this sounds like the system in France in 1788, you are absolutely right. If you are not angry already, you need to read this book. If you are angry already, you still need to read this book in order to confirm all your worst suspicions. There is something rotten in the States of America, and if the infection of our body politic is not dealt with soon, it will turn to gangrene and kill democracy completely.



3. This book is probably best read in small portions, as the average person will become incensed at the greed that takes from the less and gives to the more. Fortunately, each chapter covers a specific rip off of the taxpayer, and is not too long. It might raise the blood pressure of the average person to read too many chapters at one time.
   
   Yes, the wealthy and connected have rigged the system to flow the riches to themselves.
   
   If there is one theme to the book, it is the Adam Smith's advice that government should not favor one endeavor over another is deaf to the people that continually use Adam Smith as the reason for government getting out of the way. It is not free enterprise when government takes one side, which is what the wealthy and well connected have the government do.
   
   A good companion is Hostile Takeover by David Sirota (available on Amazon Kindle).Hostile Takeover: How Big Money and Corruption Conquered Our Government--And How We Take It Back
   
   His prior book, Perfectly Legal, is a good primer, although a bit dated as to how the wealthy avoid taxes. In Free Lunch, it is how the wealthy get subsidies. Perfectly Legal: The Covert Campaign to Rig Our Tax System to Benefit the Super Rich--and Cheat Everybody Else



4. Everyone should read this book.Find who is getting a free lunch and most are only getting table scraps!



5. If you want to understand what led to the financial catastrophe we are now experiencing there is no better place to start then David Cay Johnston's book, Free Lunch. Amazingly, it was written last year. A first class job of research by a former NY Times reporter who has a gift of narrative along with the facts to back it up. It is the perfect book to give to those good people we all know who doubt that the system is really corrupt.

5 comments about Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases.

1. My purchase arrived very quickly, and was indicated to be a "Used" textbook, yet it appeared as "Brand New". I will definitely continue to purchase future textbooks through Amazon. I saved a lot more money this way than buying books from my college.



2. examples in book often have little to do with the subject matter; book couldn't be more boring if it tried.



3. This item was received in the exact condition advertised. The total shipping time took longer than expected, but is not the seller's fault as it was sent out the day after purchase. Overall, it turned out to be fine.



4. I needed a book before the next class and the bookstore was completely out. Someone suggested that I try Amazon.com and I received the book in a couple of days in new condition and at way below half the cost that I would have paid.



5. Text book was as described. I received it on time for the class. It worked very well for me.

5 comments about Creating a Lean Culture: Tools to Sustain Lean Conversions.

1. This book fills an essential gap between Liker's Toyota Way and the many books on Lean Tools.
   
   We intentionally didn't begin our lean transformation in our large service orgnization until we had this book because we saw the folly in trying to implement a bunch of lean tools without the necessary management system.
   
   We have visited some Tier 1 Toyota suppliers and Kaizen really means continuous improvement not a succession of week-long projects that many big-time consultants and organizations focus on.
   
   This book is our defacto lean transformation handbook and I am glad to see that it has become a standard reference for at least two MBA programs in the area.



2. If a manufacturing company is looking to create a lean environment, this is a great book to start out with. This covers the main essentials of lean, visual factory, standard work...simple yet powerful. We have seen great improvments in team work & productivity in our product lines. Be patient because changes don't happen overnight.



3. This book is an excellent start to navigating a lean culture change. David Mann challenges you to change your "management system" in order to change your culture. Once focus is put on the "management system" you can observe, and measure impact which will then translate into cultural shifts. The book is well written and full of concrete examples of actual implementations as well as roadblocks.



4. I searched high and low for a book on Lean manufacturing to better understand its application and function. To many authors go into theory and academic explanations or dialogs of Japanese words. This was what I was looking for! I found this book so valuable that I made it required reading for my entire staff.
   
   We have now started on the lean journey.



5. Just one heck of a resource. The only thing that keeps me from kicking myself for not buying it 10 years ago is that it has only been in print for three years. HIGHLY recommended to those who are responsible for leading an organization through a lean transformation.