Book Reviews
Below are reviews for a subset of books in the Be Good Ventures
archives. The books have been read and reviewed by members of the Be
Good staff. They cover a variety of topics in the Self-help and leadership
areas and are conveniently rated with a star scheme – 5 stars being the
best. All are worth a look.
Of course if you were to read only one book, we’d be crazy not to
recommend, Lead Well and Prosper – a must read! However, there is
always more to learn. Certain books resonate differently with people. Our
advice is to implement at least one suggestion from each book you read.
If you do, you will benefit considerably. Sounds simple enough, right?
Additional entries will be added on an ongoing basis. If you have any
special requests, jot us a note and we will make an effort to
accommodate.
If you find something to your liking don’t forget to take advantage of your
local library. Should you decide to purchase the book, most have links to
Amazon dot com.
___________________________________________________________________
Rating Key
** Average. Some value.
*** Good. A welcome addition to your library
**** Very good. Much to learn.
***** The cream of the crop.
___________________________________________________________________
Title: 10 Ways to Make it Great
Author: Phil Gerbyshak
Stars: ***
Title: The Aladdin Factor
Author: Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
Stars: ***
Title: Animals Inc.
Author: Kenneth A. Tucker and Vandana Allman
Stars: **
Title: Ballsy: 99 Ways to Grow a Bigger Pair and Score Extreme
Business Success
Author: Karen Salmansohn
Stars: ***
Title: Beyond Basketball: Coach K’s Keywords for Success
Author: Mike Krzyzewski with Jamie K. Spatola
Stars: ****
Title: Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space
and Make Competition Irrelevant
Author: W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne
Stars: ****
Title: The Carrot Principle: How the Best Managers Use Recognition to
Engage Their People, Retain Talent, and Accelerate Performance
Author: Adrian Gostick, Chester Elton
Stars: ***
Title: Crucial Confrontations: Tools for Resolving Broken Promises,
Violated Expectations, and Bad Behavior
Author: Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
Stars: ****
Title: Dear Boss: What Every Manager Needs to Hear and Every
Employee Wants to Say
Author: Dr. William B. Werther, Jr
Stars: *****
Title: Developing the Leader Within You
Author: John Maxwell
Stars: ****
Title: The Dumbest Moments in Business History: Useless Products,
Ruinous Deals, Clueless Bosses, and Other Signs of Unintelligent Life
in the Workplace
Author: Adam Horowitz and the Editors of Business 2.0
Stars: **
Title: The Effective Executive
Author: Peter F. Drucker
Stars: ****
Title: The E-Myth Manager
Author: Michael E. Gerber
Stars: ****
Title: The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness
Author: Stephen R. Covey
Stars: ***
Title: Engagement is Not Enough: You Need Passionate Employees to
Achieve Your Dreams
Author: Keith E. Ayers
Stars: ****
Title: Enough. True Measures of Money, Business, and Life
Author: John C. Bogle
Stars: *****
Title: Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done
Author: Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan
Stars: ***
Title: Five Future Strategies You Need Right Now
Author: George Stalk
Stars: ***
Title: Fish!: A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results
Author: Stephen C. Lundin, Ph.D., Harry Paul, and John Christensen
Stars: ***
Title: Get Rid of the Performance Review! How Companies Can Stop
Intimidating, Start Managing--and focus on What Really Matters
Author: Samuel A. Culbert with Lawrence Rout
Stars: ***
Title: Getting Things Done: The Act of Stress Free Productivity
Author: David Allen
Stars: ***
Title: The Great Connection: A Story that Reveals Life’s Most Vital
Lesson: How to Connect with Others – Especially Yourself
Author: Arnie Warren
Stars: ****
Title: Gung Ho!: Turn On the People in Any Organization
Author: Ken Blanchard, Sheldon Bowles
Stars: ***
Title: The Halo Effect… and the Eight Other Business Delusions that
Deceive Managers
Author: Phil Rosenzweig
Stars: ****
Title: Hit the Ground Running: A Manual for New Leaders
Author: Jason Jennings
Stars: ***
Title: How to Become a Great Boss: The Rules for Getting and Keeping
the Best Employees
Author: Jeffrey J. Fox
Stars: ****
Title: How to Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds – or Less
Author: Milo O. Frank
Stars: ***





V E N T U R E S , L L C
by Nick McCormick
15 Successful Strategies
for Becoming a Good
Manager