Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

rating: 4 of 5 stars

I came across this book one day while listening to the end of a classroom presentation by one of the high school librarians in our local school district. Apparently this book was on a recommended reading list for our state's high school student. The plot summary sounded interesting so I decided to pick it up and read it.

Let's just say that I was hooked. I do not know that last time that I read a book this fast. I was done in 3 days, and yes I was still doing other things during the day.

It was interesting to read this book designed for adolescents about how life would change if a major event like a meteor hitting the moon changed life as we now know it. I believe that the author did a great job identifying many of the issues the teens and the public would go through if such and event occurred. I would only hope that all young people would be able to step up to the challenges as well as the three young characters in this book. I fear that many of our youth today would not deal as well as Miranda and her brothers.

I am looking forward to reading the follow-up book to this one about a young man in New York City during the same time period.

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Book Review - Creating Magic

You Too Can Create Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney by Lee Cockerell

rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of the best comprehensive business leadership books I have read in the last year. Lee Cockerell shares his experience as a leader at Disney on every topic from hiring, inspiring,training, leading with character and much more.

Most of us have probably visited a Disney resort in the past and remember some sort of magical moment we had on that trip. Now you can make the same type of "Magic" happen for your customers by using some of these tips and concepts shared directly from a true Disney leader.

This is one of those books that if you could truly implement a handful of the suggestions demonstrated here into your workplace you can lead your team to great results. This book is designed for leaders of people not just managers.

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Book Review - The Closing of the American Border

The Closing of the American Border: Terrorism, Immigration, and Security Since 9/11 by Edward Alden

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I thought that this was a really good, solid book. I learned a great deal about American immigration policy, Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security. I think that we have forgotten how much life has changed since 9/11 in America, and that we have not fully realized the effects of those changes in our country today. It can be argued that we are safer as a nation, but what will the unintended consequences of our protection?



This book was well written and was easy to stay interested in. There were a few times where the author made the same points in multiple chapters, but this is a well written account of the policy issues that have been attempted in order to keep America safe after 9/11.


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Book Review - The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family

The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family: A Leadership Fable About Restoring Sanity To The Most Important Organization In Your Life by Patrick Lencioni

rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought that this was an excellent book on how to strengthen your family and business with a similar type approach. As business leaders we need to strengthen our families as well to be able to reach our full potential. This book does a great job of taking a business consulting approach and applying it to ones family.

Most interesting to me from this book is the discussion of core values. I have fallen into the trap of having a long list of "Core Values". I like the way Lencioni describes values into 4 categories of values.

I also like the concept of the Rallying Cry, and can think back to times when I have provided a clear singular goal to a team and that was the focus. Our best results were in times like these. Along with this I appreciate the recognition of Defining Objectives and Standard Objectives under the Rallying Cry.

Great book, I highly recommend it. It is a very quick read.


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