Friday, July 1, 2016

June Book Reviews

Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times by Donald T. Phillips

I have probably read 10 books on leadership and management, and the lessons in this book may be the most memorable out of all the books.  One quality that makes the lessons in this book easy to understand and easy to remember is that they are connected to a person and events that we have all learned about. Lincoln's honesty, his willingness to listen to people that didn't agree with him, and his commitment to always "do the right thing" are lessons for all of us.  Great book if you want to be reminded about what it means to be a leader.  Grade: B+

Darknet by Matthew Mather
My second book by Matthew Mather in the last month, and this is the one of the two that I would recommend.  The story is extremely timely and raises relevant concerns about technology in the world of finance.  I really enjoyed this book.  Grade: A-

Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary Roach
I'm pretty sure I've read every book Mary Roach has ever written.  They have all been interesting, quirky, and unlike anything else out there.  This book was no exception.  The chapters on the military battle against pathogens was excellent, and I will forever be thankful for a relatively clean home.  The chapter on clothing was probably the weakest, and, of course, there is a chapter on penis reconstruction. Overall, the book is definitely worth reading.  Grade: B+

This is Your Brain on Parasites: How Tiny Creatures Manipulate Our Behavior and Shape Society by Kathleen McAuliffe
Fantastically interesting, extremely scary!  How did I know so little about the impact of parasites on living things, including humans.  I would call this a must read if you are a living thing.  Grade: A