Personal MBA Reading Plan: Beginnings

 The Personal MBA

I have been working on my career and focusing on personal development here lately.  I just received a promotion at work and am now in a position of leadership, so I wanted to move past the basic skills that I learned earning my BA.  I stumbled across the Personal MBA (pMBA) blog/reading list put up annually by Josh Kaufman and knew that I had to incorporate the reading program into my personal development. 

I think this is a great resource to anyone looking to improve leadership and career skills.  I love to read and am a lifelong learner.  But the prospects of attending Grad School to work on my MBA is not something that I can see pursuing right now.  The solution is The Personal MBA reading list. 

The first two books I chose to read aren’t actually on this years list, but they have been on my to read list for quite a while.  First up I read

Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi | LibraryThing

This book is a fantastic guide to building relationships and networking (not a dirty word) in life and business.  I had wanted to read this for a while after hearing wonderful things about the book, but I am naturally a wallflower.  I am not one of the power networkers that you picture when you think about books like this.  But that is the key to this book.  Keith Ferrazzi walks you thru how to build meaningful relationships and friendships built around the “What you can do for them” concept instead of a cynical “What can they do for me” outlook.  Mirroring advice by Dale Carnegie, the book puts emphasis on having something to say.  I have to admit that I have been like the students Ferrazzi talks about that walk up after a lecture and say “Wow, that was great,”  and then have nothing to add so I would end up feeling awkward and unsuccessful. 

I highly recommend this book to everyone that needs a little help in building relationships, wether they be for business or otherwise.

Next up on my reading list is The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization by John C. Maxwell | LibraryThing  I’ll put up a quick recap of the book once I am finished.

I will be working thru the actual pMBA list here in the near future.

Reading List for 2009: The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero

 

As you may or may not know, I am a magic enthusiast.  I am a member of SAM (The Society of American Magicians) and have made several pilgrimages to the wonderful Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, along with additional trips to Las Vegas, Nevada to see my idols Penn and Teller and The Amazing Jonathon.  Introduced to magic by my college mentor Dr. Charles McCall, I have tended to shy away from actual performance (I don’t want my clumsy attempts to hurt the art, and unnecessarily expose secrets) but I’m absolutely nuts about the history of this greatest performance art form: conjuring and prestidigitation.  -I love that word… Prestidigitation.  So cool… Anyways:

The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero by William Kalush and Larry Sloman isn’t the first Houdini biography that I’ve read, but it is a very good biography that is quite well written and tells some previously unknown stories about Harry Houdini.  The authors thankfully do away with the myth that Houdini had “mommy issues” as was put forward in another biography of the great magician. 

The biggest shell shocking question that Kalush and Sloman ask is: Was Harry Houdini a spy?  We’ve all heard of his exploits at escaping from handcuffs and straightjackets; heard how the first thing he would do upon arriving in town was challenge the local police chief or sheriff to lock him up in one of their unescapable cells — only to have Houdini escape immediately (in front of a throng of reporters and onlookers helped ensure that his show that evening would include a packed house.)  This and more has given us the mythic image of Houdini that has survived thru the generations.  But, was Houdini working for the US Secret Service (then the only national law enforcement agency and intelligence bureau) as well as for the newly formed MI-5 in England at the beginning of World War I? 

The book also goes into great detail about Houdini’s relationship with the “Spiritualist Movement” that he devoted so much of his life to debunking.  Houdini’s relationship with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is probed as well, giving us a new view of the famous mystery author. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of magic or a student of history.  Very well written and researched, I am sure this will become one of the standard texts on Houdini and of great value to those studying the era.

Also of interest is a book that I have formerly read dealing with magicians and the culture of the US Secret Service.  Glen David Gold’s Carter Beats The Devil is the novelization of the life of magician Charles Carter (Carter The Great) that also delves into the operation of the US Secret Service in the 1920’s.

 

Author William Kalush is the founder of the Conjuring Arts Research Center and publisher of Gibeciere.– (Taken from back flap of book.)

Book Review: Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History

(Picture: SkipSteuart)

Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History by Fawn McKay Brodie is the groundbreaking and (at first at least) controversial biography that laid out the academic case for Sally Hemmings being Thomas Jefferson’s lover/concubine.  The book has gained credibility among scholars since its initial publication.  There still continue to be those who defend Jefferson’s honor (notably direct descendants) but the overall picture of Jefferson is one of a slave owner that never faced his own moral problems with slavery and in fact committed the unforgivable crime (at his own time) of “relations” with a black woman.  History has judged him for his relations with a women he kept enslaved on his plantation. 

Thomas Jefferson is a personal hero of mine.  As a student of Political Science, Jefferson’s writings are almost holy objects to be revered and treasured.  In fact, Amber has promised to take the trip up with me to visit Monticello. 

While I’m speaking of Thomas Jefferson, I must mention Author and Public Radio personality Clay Jenkinson (Becoming Jefferson’s People,) Mr. Jenkinson (pictured lower right), portrays the third President of the United States in his weekly show (available by podcast)  Mr. Jenkinson as Jefferson enlightens the audience to all things Jeffersonian, Revolutionary, the Founding of our nation, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and he even branches out into portraying Theodore Roosevelt and Robert Openheimer.  I have seen Mr. Jenkinson in person at one of his lectures in Bakersfield, CA and even though I am not in the right radio market anymore, I am an avid listener to the Thomas Jefferson Hour podcast.

     

(Pictures: Thomas Jefferson Hour)

Book Review: The Sea Rover’s Practice

 

The Sea Rover’s Practice: Pirate Tactics and Techniques, 1630-1730 by Benerson Little is one of those books that has been on my wish list for a very long time.  As soon as I heard about it, I knew that I just had to buy and read it.  Little, (a former NAVY SEAL) doesn’t disappoint. 

From sailing tactics, cutting out operations, to how small guerilla groups (Bands of Pirates) operate from ship-to-ship, shore-to-ship, and on shore. 

This book immediately became one of my absolute favorites.  It is a practical step by step review of the tactics and techniques that pirates would use to operate against merchant vessels, towns, and even the occasional military vessel.  Reading thru the book is like reading a manual on guerilla warfare in the nautical realm. 

The real benefit of reading the book is having Little’s firsthand experience as an “operator” with knowledge of what actually works and doesn’t work in the field. 

As someone that is interested in both nautical history, and absolutely gonzo for all things pirate, this book is a treasure trove of information.  I highly recommend it to everyone. 

Book Review: Nelson Love & Fame

I just finished the biography Nelson: Love & Fame by Edgar Vincent.  This very good bio follows Nelson from birth and childhood all the way thru his triumph at Trafalgar. 

(Cool Picture: msmail)

The book is very good.  Especially the parts covering Nelson’s early career in the Royal Navy.  These chapters read like something out of CS Forester or Patrick O’Brien with lots of action in very good detail. 

The end of the book follows the convoluted relationships that took over Nelson’s life near the end.  His failed marriage with Lady Nelson, the love affair with Emma Hamilton, and the complicated political relationships with members of the Admiralty. 

Overall the book is a good read, although the focus on Nelson’s emotions tends to be a tad bit over the top.  It is striking to read about how much the great naval hero struggled with what they would have called melancholy in his time.  There are other good books about the history of Trafalgar or Nelson’s career, but this one does a good job at introducing you to the person that was the hero of England.

The BIG READ 2009 Hickory Kickoff

On Saturday January 31st, the Hickory Public Library will be kicking off its annual BIG READ campaign with the 2006 Pulitzer Prize winning March by Geraldine Brooks.  The book “…explores the devastation and moral complexities of the Civil War through Mr March, the absent father from Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. 

Saturday, January 31st @ 2:00 PM.  Festivities get under way with a demonstration and educational program by the 26th Regiment NC Troops Re-activated and 1st North Carolina Artillery.  The events will be located at the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library in Hickory NC.  MAP

Thursday, February 5th @ 5:00 PM.  “Was Lincoln a Tarheel? with Richard Eller & Jerry Goodnight.”  Newton Main Library MAP

Thursday, February 12th @ 7:00 PM. “Lincoln’s Execution with Dr. John Chandler Griffin.”  Newton Main Library MAP

Monday, February 23rd @ 7:00 PM.  “Underground Railroad with Mary Ellen Snodgrass.” Newton Main Library MAP

Tuesday, March 10th @ 7:00 PM.  “On Agate Hill-Barbara Bates Smith performs a one woman play with Jeff Seben’s music, bringing Lee Smith’s Civil War novel to life.”  Arts & Science Center Auditorium MAP

Saturday, April 4th @ 2:00 PM.  “Second South Carolina String Band.”  Arts & Science Center Auditorium MAP

Genealogy Workshops: African-American Family History Including Slave Records.  Hickory Public Library & Catawba County Library dates and professional presenters TBD.

Friday, April 24th @ 7:00 PM.  “Closing Program with Geraldine Brooks.”  (Public talk and reading with Q&A.)  Arts & Science Center Auditorium MAP

Saturday, April 25th from 10:00-11:30 AM.  “Book Sale and Signing with Geraldine Brooks.  Main Library Newton MAP

Come on out and enjoy the events.  I know that I will be checking out the Civil War Re-enactment/Demonstration on the 31st.  If you are in the Hickory area swing by to check it out yourselves.

Reading List for 2009: Gray Raiders of the Sea

So I started out the New Year with a bang, knocking off one of the books that has been on my reading list for a long while now.  Gray Raiders of the Sea by Chester G Hearn is the very well written account of the Confederacy’s Commerce Raiding program during the Civil War.  The book covers everything from the political and diplomatic realities of the time to accounts of the Raiders and Union efforts to seek and destroy the “Pirates.”  I highly recommend this book, and the appendix section offers a very good resource for further reading.

All the talk in the book about the Blockade Runners has caused me to develop an interest in the subject.  More books to add to the reading list.  I suppose I’ll work thru them all eventually.

For hints on some other great reads to get started on, check out this really cool site I found on Twitter: Flashlight Worthy Books

Where their tag line is that they are bringing you: “Flashlight Worthy. Recommending books so good, they’ll keep you up past your bedtime.”

R.I.P. Tony Hillerman

I just want to take a quick minute out to say ahxehee’ (Thank You in Navajo.)  Tony Hillerman is one of my favorite authors and the descriptions he gave us of life on the reservation were amazing.  He will be missed.  My best friends that passed a little while back introduced me to his writing and I always feel happy when reading a Hillerman novel. 

(Picture: nashsnazzy)

Playing around with Bookmooch

I’ve gotten addicted to a book sharing site called Bookmooch that was introduced to me by the fine folks over at Librarything.  Bookmooch is a site where you list books that you’d like to give away.  You then set up a wishlist of books you are looking for and start trading with people around the globe.  I’ve gotten so many good books!  I’ve added over 40 books to my library from Bookmooch now and more are on the way.  I thought I’d share a couple of the best ones here:

I was able to complete my collection of C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower series.  Yay!

NAVIGATION AND NAUTICAL ASTRONOMY Eighth Edition | LibraryThing

VASARI’S LIVES OF THE ARTISTS – BIOGRAPHIES by Betty (Abridged and Edited By) Burroughs | LibraryThing

Houdini: A Pictorial Life by Milbourne Christopher | LibraryThing

How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization by Franklin Foer | LibraryThing

The Rise of the Indian Rope Trick by Peter Lamont | LibraryThing

World Hunger: Twelve Myths by Frances Moore Lappe | LibraryThing

John Paul Jones: A Sailor’s Biography by Samuel Eliot Morison | LibraryThing

Sailor Historian: The Best of Samuel Eliot Morison (American Heritage Library) by Samuel Eliot Morison| LibraryThing

Theodore Rex (Modern Library Paperbacks) by Edmund Morris | LibraryThing

Beer-Can Chicken: And 74 Other Offbeat Recipes for the Grill by Steven Raichlen | LibraryThing

And many, many more.  I am so excited to find this website.  You should check it out!

Spread the Love: LibraryThing Early Reviewers

UPS delivered a book straight from Harper Collins this afternoon.   Since I am part of LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer program, publishers send me FREE books in the mail for me to read/review/keep.  No catch whatsoever!  I know, it sounds too good to be true.  But this is the 3rd book I’ve received as part of the program.  All you have to do is join the site (free) and then sign up to be part of the Early Reviewer’s.  Each month you get a message telling you to check out the list of available books.  Check off the ones you would like to read, and you are entered into a drawing for a limited number of each book.  If selected, the only request is that you post a review of the book (for the publishers to possibly use.)  That’s it.  Too easy, so sign up today!

This month’s book I recieved is titled Double or Nothing by Tom Breitling with Cal Fussman.  It’s the story of two friends that buy the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas, almost lose everything… then turn it around and sell at a profit.

Sounds pretty good, especially for a free book.  I’ll let you know what I think of the book as soon as I finish it.