Consider a book-Books worth reading

This is a re-read for me, but I got much out of it this time than the last. I picked it up because I wanted a fresh look at the human side of the French Revolution in light of the political unrest  (protests, riots, murders, etc.) that have marked the 2nd half of 2020 in the USA. In some ways, it's relieving to see the differences between pre-revolution France and USA 2020. The differences between rich and poor are nowhere near as pronounced and social mobility is much, much higher. On a more doer note, the similarities are disturbing. Most disturbing of all is the similarities between the french revolution leaders and the leading voices of the would-be 1519 revolutions in 2020. Specifically, the need for equity over equality, vengeance over reconciliation, and the identification of problems over the proposition of solutions. This ideology is what lead to the reign of terror.  With that preface, I can't recommend this book enough right now as a cautionary tale. It's ever mo

Engagement magic is straightforward and applicable. Maylett lays out what he views as the five keys for engaging "people, leaders, and organizations." The breadth of potential audience circumscribed by that description is perhaps the book's greatest weakness and it’s unique value add. It is as if the book can't decide if it wants to be a book about building a career for individuals or about building an engaged company for managers. At the same time, it’s a book about the relationship between employees and their company, so perhaps that division is justified if distracting at times. The argument rests on two pillars: first, engaged employees are simultaneously more satisfied (generally happy), and more productive; second, the responsibility for engagement is a "50/50 proposition between managers and employees". MAGIC is an acronym that describes the five necessary elements for engagement. Meaning. Autonomy. Growth. Impact. Connection. If an employee feels

Kaplan's thesis is  “Europe defined the 20th century; the Indian Ocean will define the 21st.” He makes an interesting and largely compelling argument.  My first note is that Kaplan is not an armchair journalist who lives in a library. He draws from personal experience traveling through the countries in the greater Indian ocean he outlines. His experiences range from sitting down with radical political leaders in countries of the middle east or crossing the disputed borderlands between Thailand and Burma (Myanmar) on a rainy jungle night. Second, Kaplan brings an even-handed approach to the discussion. I didn't detect the kind of overt political tones that emerge from the pages of the New York times or the Wallstreet journal's editorial section. Kaplan seems to have his own ideas and defends them eloquently. Except for an odd preference for Obama era foreign policy, his political allegiances don't overly taint the narrative. The crux of the argument is Ch