Book Reviews: Great Reads

The Art of Learning

Josh Waitzkin

Right from the start I'd have to say this is one of my favourite books that I've read in the last year. Based on the real life story of a former world chess turned world martial arts champion, this a very honest account of a champion's journey in different fields of endeavour that covers off persistence, creativity and courage. Catapulted into a media whirlwind as a child, and the subject of the book that became a movie, 'Searching for Bobby Fischer', Josh has mastered both the rigorous mental game of chess, winning his first USA national championship at the age of 9; and the strenuous physical challenge of martial arts, becoming a master of tai chi and earning a world title in his later years. His success is due to the learning techniques he developed to bring both his mind and body to peak performance. Its an interesting read with lots of great nuggets in it. Trust me you don't need to be into chess or martial arts to enjoy this. His achievement alone are worth the read.

A Magnificent Mind at Any Age

Daniel G Amen

I've said it time and time again, everything that happens to you and around you starts with your thinking. In this very interesting book, Daniel Amen agrees and states that it all starts with your brain. How you think, how you feel, how you interact with others and how well you succeed in realising your goals and dreams. When your brain works right, so do you. When it's out of balance, you feel frustrated - or worse. 

Based on the most up to date research as well as Dr Daniel Amen's 20 plus years of treating patients at his clinic, he puts together a great book that shows you how to optimise your brain function. If you have a desire to understand how the brain works and how you as an individual can help your own brain work better, then definitely grab a copy of this book. I really liked it and took a lot from it.

Why We Want You to be Rich

Donald Trump & Robert Kiyosaki

You either like these two guys or you hate them. I for one tend to lean towards the like side. If you're concerned about your future wealth and/or career, then pick up this book and have a read. Don't be put off by the large picture of the Don and his notorious hairline, this guy does have great philosophies and truly has been there and done that. Having read a lot of Robert Kiyosaki's books before, I found his part of the book quite repetitive. However, having said that, if you're new to his message (he wrote Rich Dad Poor Dad), then buy this book. A great book for anybody who is into money, wealth, growing a business, expanding a corporation or just being truly well off. In this modern era where money is getting tighter and expenses are going up, this book definitely should be on your reading list.

Heart Soul Fire

Paul Briggs

There are few sportsmen with the magnetic focus, strength, determination and charisma of Paul Briggs. He is one of those people you just can't resist. Although being a champion kick boxer and boxer, he speaks in an articulate manner and is somebody you gravitate towards.

After being a champion kick boxer, his life went terribly off the rails. This book is pretty hard core but it is an incredibly true and honest account of Paul's transformation from small minded thug, to mindful inspiring warrior, in one of the most breathtaking, moving autobiographies you'll ever read. This is a really honest, no holes barred story about how this guy dragged himself literally from the gutter to now becoming one of the top WBC light weight, heavy weight boxing champions in the world. It's a great book which I could not put down, although be warned, it is hard core, brutally frank, and something you need to accept before you pick it up.

The Ten Rules of Sam Walton

Michael Bergdahl

The Ten Rules of Sam Walton shows you how a simple farmer created probably the biggest and best retail organisation in the world. In this book, former Walmart employee, Michael Bergdahl, reveals the secrets behind the incredible character of Sam Walton. Straightforward and to the point, this book offers valuable lessons that Walton himself followed and taught throughout his lifetime. It gives you a rare insight into the real Sam Walton and shows you what he did and how he did it. It also really gives you an idea of the true personality, beliefs and disciplines that drove Sam Walton to not want to be the biggest in the world, but rather - be the best. This is great reading for anybody in business or a leadership role, but also anyone who loves a good autobiograhpy/biography.

Rework - Change The Way You Work Forever

Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

I was doing a job with a very in-touch group of young online content managers when one of the young team members suggested I might enjoy a book entitled Rework - Change The Way You Work Forever by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, so I bought it the next time I was at the airport. This is a great read. The book was written by two guys who started out in 1999 as a three person web design consulting firm who did a great deal of their work together by e-mail. Many years later, they now have over half a million people signed up for their software backpack and people have sent more than 100 million messages using their software campfire . Yet with all this going on they have 16 staff with only 8 in their head office the rest spread throughout the world in 8 cities on 2 continents, all communicating online. In essence these guys take all the corporate bunk and debunk it. Their principles like fire the workaholics, emulate drug dealers, fight bloat, planning is guessing and out teach your competition is gold. The Espresso rates this book highly and should be a must read for anyone running their own business and a definite read for someone working amongst the corporate jungle.

Icon

Steve Jobs

Icon takes a look at the most astounding figure in the business era known for its mavericks, odd-balls and iconoclasts. Drawing on a wide range of sources in Silicone Valley and Hollywood, this book provides a new angle on the legendary creation of Apple, and details Jobs' meteoric rise as the pro-typical digital wonder kid.

Although not yet authorised, this is a pretty interesting book to give you an inside look into one of today's modern icons. Most people would know Jobs for his enormous success with the iPod, but his success started way before the iPod and has extended from not only computers, but into the world of animation where he has restructured the business in Hollywood. This is an excellent read.

Ranulph Fiennes - Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know

Ranulph Fiennes

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is described as the world's greatest living explorer by the Guinness Book of World Records and his life story is just incredible. I had the privilege of working at a conference with Ran in October last year and was the speaker on stage prior to him. At the conclusion of the event he kindly gave me an autographed copy of his book. It is one of the most riveting reads you'll find if you're in to adventure, exploration, the arctic and antarctic poles, mountain climbing or just an incredible story of one man's push and determination to explore not only the world's most remote points but also the depth of the human heart.

From his early military career and his time in the special forces, to his many expeditions and his life of amazing achievement, this book will highlight the courage, determination and desire he possessed, against all odds. He is an incredible character and has travelled to the most dangerous and inaccessible places on earth, almost died many times and lost nearly all his fingers to frost bite. At the same time he has raised millions of pounds for charity, and been awarded a Polar Medial and an OBE.  This really is a fantastic story of an elite soldier, an athlete, a mountaineer, an explorer, a best selling author and a guy who's nearly replaced Sean Connery as a true to life James Bond. This would be a wonderful present for anybody and also a great read. 

Playing with Fire

Gordon Ramsay

Unashamedly I am a Ramsay fan, having eaten in several of his restaurants, enjoying his television shows and reading his books. I must say when I first bought this book I thought it would be more of the same, but after only a number of chapters I was pleasantly surprised. If you are a person who is into food, restaurants, business, marketing, communication or setting high standards, you'll enjoy this book. It's a book that tells you how he's gone about setting up the Gordon Ramsay brand and empire. From how he runs his kitchens, chooses his chefs, the standards he sets at the front of house, his presentation of food and insights into his own life, family, successes and disasters, this is a very engaging read. It would make a great present for anybody as it hits so many different points with its content.

It talks of his rubbish decisions in opening restaurants that failed through to being a 3 star Michelin Chef and having restaurants, television programs and books to match. Its honest, its up front and in some places quite confronting, but it takes you from the very beginning of Ramsay through to his success this year. It doesn't labour like most books on his childhood, but more-so picks up from when he started in restaurants, at his first gig at Aubergine in London through to where he is today. He gives you great insight but also will have you understanding and fully appreciating what its like to run the best restaurants in the world. As a diner it will give you a new appreciation of what its like to be in a really first rate restaurant, and what's happening out back in the kitchen. It's a story of the lessons learned by one of the great restaurant brands in the world.

Making a Good Brain Great

Dr Daniel Amen

You may have seen Dr Daniel Amen on the Discovery Channel recently in their series to do with the brain. This is an excellent read that talks about the health of your brain. We read a lot about health and fitness for our bodies but rarely do we find a book that outlines specifically what can be done in order to create a healthy brain. As Dr Amen says, when your brain works right, you work right. Not only does he tell you what needs to be done, he tells you how to do it. The brain can be made healthy at any age. Although he's a doctor, this book is very accessible for any reader. Backed up by his own research of looking at over 3000 brains, he creates a great story. I would encourage you to read it. 

The Running Man

Gilbert Tuhabonye

Many of you would not have heard of this book, but let me tell you it's a cracker. The Running Man is the story of a man who survived genocide and went on to realise his Olympic dream. This is more than just a book about a distance runner, it's a book about life and overcoming severe setbacks. Gilbert Tuhabonye is a survivor. As a high school student in the African nation of Burundi, he dreamed of becoming an Olympic athlete. These dreams were cruelly interrupted when the century's old battle between the tribes in his district found it's way to his school. You won't believe what this guy has been through, survived and conquered. It is a truly remarkable story that brings home not only the horror of the events that took place in Africa, the trauma that surrounds it, but also what it takes to build forgiveness and move on with your life. Highly recommended.