So many great books, so little time! I read a number of blogs to gain information like most of us, but there is no substitute yet for enjoying a hard-cover book. Every once in a while I post a list of books I have been reading. They all have reviews at Amazon that are much better than I could write so my comments about the books are brief. Following is a list from my database of some of the books I have read. I plan to keep the database up to date moving forward. I did not enjoy all of the books I have read and so I add a rating which is simply my overall feeling about each book. A "3" is good, "4" is excellent, and "5" is outstanding.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Rating: 5. It was his way of leaving a legacy for his young children so they would know who their father was and what he was about. The lessons of the book hold a lot of value for all of us. I highly recommend this touching book. July 27, 2008
The Last Patriot by Brad Thor
Rating: 5. If you like terrorist plots linked with history -- Thomas Jefferson and Islam in this case -- you will love this one. It is hardly a light book. In fact the gripping intrigue won't let you put it down until you finish it. July 27, 2008
Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations by Clay Shirky
Rating: 5. Gives many insights about social networking. I had heard Clay speak at Supernova. We have been kindred spirits over the past fifteen years. July 27, 2008
Man of the People: The Life of John McCain by Paul Alexander
Rating: 5. Not one of the book McCain wrote but rather a biography by Paul Alexander written four years before the current campaign got underway. I found it fascinating. Whatever you may think of his political views, he is quite an extraordinary human being. July 27, 2008
A Prisoner of Birth by Jefferey Archer
Rating: 5. The imaginative is classic Archer. I have enjoyed all of his books and found this probably the best ever. A young man at a bar with his girlfriend and her brother is framed for murdering the brother and goes to prison. The life he lives there and the people he becomes close to is a great story itself but nothing compared to what happens when he escapes in an identity swap. The new life he then lives focuses on revenge at a very creative level. Great book. July 27, 2008
Odd Hours by Dean Koontz
Rating: 5. I don't know how he does it. This is one of Koontz's best ever. I have liked all his books but this one is great. The intrigue and the personalities are hard to imagine. The Psychic Odd gets in the middle of a plot to plant four nuclear bombs in American cities and takes on the solution single handedly with a bit of help from Frank Sinatra's ghost. You gotta read this one. June 22, 2008
The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century by Steve Coll
Rating: 5. This is a really great book. Steve Coll digs back to the beginnings of the Bin Laden family and describes their history in great detail. From private aviation hobbies to all sorts of extravagant spending. Osam Bin Laden is one of 54 children of Mohammed Bin Laden. The history reveals his motivations and how he got to be the way he is. June 18, 2008
Worlds at War: The 2,500-Year Struggle Between East and West by Anthony Pagden
Rating: 5. Amazing story of how the east and west have been fighting for thousands of years. After reading this book everything you read in the press rings a tone from history. A long difficult read but wothwhile. June 15, 2008
World Without End by Ken Follett
Rating: 5. Sequel to The Pillars of the Earth. Fanstastic book but a lot to read June 01, 2008
Escape from Saddam: The Incredible True Story of One Man's Journey to Freedom by Lewis Alsamari
Rating: 4. Very interesting account of an Iraqi who escaped from the country. The author became an actor and was a star in Fight 93. Hard to believe a government can be as bas as he described. March 30, 2008
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Rating: 5. 1,000 pages of very interesting reading. The story has multiple plots and centers on life in England in the 12th century. March 21, 2008
Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick
Rating: 5. This book opened my eyes to many things I was not aware of. Of all the wars over the decades the Indian wars killed a higher percentage of the population. The book also debunks the popular perspective about Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims. Worthwhile read. February 03, 2008
Surrender Is Not an Option: Defending America at the United Nations by John Bolton
Rating: 2. Ambassador Bolton was incredibly candid. The world's bureaucrats should not be proud of what goes on behind the scenes of foreign and defense policies. The book was tedious and is somewhat vane about the day to day and minute by minute happenings from his diary of recent years. Not an easy read. January 10, 2008
The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz
Rating: 5. Dean Koontz never ceases to amaze me. If you like dogs you will really appreciate this new novel. January 04, 2008
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Rating: 4. Prepare yourself for 944 pages. I learned many things I did not know about the civil war and about Abraham Lincoln. He was quite the political strategist and a superb manager. A very long read but worth it. December 20, 2007
The Iranian Time Bomb by Michael a. Ledeen
Rating: 5. A wake up call to what has been going on for thirty years. Good investigative reporting went into this. November 13, 2007
Indian Summer by Alex von Tunzelmann
Rating: 3. Excellent history of India, Pakistan, Kashmir, and Bagladesh November 04, 2007
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Rating: 5. A story about working life in the circus during the depression. Something for everyone. October 13, 2007
Memory by Stephen King
Rating: 4. This is an add-on to Blaze. A very creative and touching story of a wealthy executive who is in a horrible accident and how he deals with it. September 10, 2007
The Good Guy by Dean Koontz
Rating: 5. He keeps cranking out great novels. This one is a chiller and keeps you on the edge of your chair. It is classic Koontz. September 10, 2007
Spook Country by William Gibson
Rating: 3. I got this new book because I had read Neuromancer some years ago. Spook Country is quite different but equally challenging to imagine. It is about some mysterious shadowy intelligence veterans who take on a small crime family. The details are intricate and you are kept in suspense until the near the end to figure out what the actual crime was. September 10, 2007
Blaze by Richard Bachman (Author), Stephen King (foreward)
Rating: 5. The story is about a life of crime and murder. Hard to imagine that there are people that are treated so badly in their childhood and grow up with no values. Turns out Clayton Blaisdell has develops a soft spot near the end. September 10, 2007
Killing Che by Chuck Pfarrer
Rating: 5. Certainly a controversial figure. This is a novel but likely close to the real story. Pfarrer has an amazing command of the landscape and the life of the people. He portrays a lifelong struggle that does not turn out well for the star of the book. September 10, 2007
Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell
Rating: 5. This is a true story by an American heroe. It is one of the best books I have ever read. Luttrell offers a lot of insight into what is going on in Afghanistan and is not bashful about his opinion of the impact that politicians and the media are having on the troops. September 10, 2007
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Rating: 5. This one was every bit as good as his first book, The Kite Runner. Like his first book, it is based on life in Afghanistan. Life for many women in this country is incredibly difficult and keeps you on edge reading about it. The author grew up in Kabul. His writing style is different and a great pleasure to read. July 01, 2007
The Atomic Bazaar: The Rise of the Nuclear Poor by William Langewiesche
Rating: 4. This one could keep one awake at night. It describes what is required to build an atom bomb and where it can be found. July 01, 2007
The End of Oil: On the Edge of a Perilous New World by Paul Roberts
Rating: 4. This interesting book contains a history of how America has interacted with oil producing countries over the years and what the various motivations have been. It also makes surprising forecasts about the supply of oil and of the alternatives. It is not a novel to put it mildly -- maybe more like a text book but very informative. Glad I read it. July 01, 2007
The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief by Francis S. Collins
Rating: 5. This is a really good book. Collins is a pioneering medical geneticist who once headed the Human Genome Project. Whether you are a believer, an agnostic, or an atheist, there is something in this book for everyone. July 01, 2007
Rediscovering God in America: Reflections on the Role of Faith in Our Nation's History and Future by Newt Gingrich
Rating: 4. You either like Newt or you don't. This book is not deep but presents an interesting view of last two hundred years and raises important questions about the years ahead. November 25, 2006
Play Piano in a Flash! Play Your Favorite Songs Like a Pro--Whether You've Had Lessons or Not! by Scott Houston
Rating: 2. A friend gave this to me. Interesting approach to the piano. One of these days when I grow up and find the time I am going to learn how to play. November 25, 2006
Understanding Careers: The Metaphors of Working Lives by Kerr Inkson
Rating: 3. Professor Inkson interviewed me for this book and included some things about my career at IBM November 25, 2006
Benjamin Franklin - An American Life by Walter Isaacson
Rating: 3. This one is a hard read. Interesting but tedious. I still haven't finished it. November 25, 2006
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
Rating: 5. I have read all his books and I liked this one the best. November 25, 2006
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Rating: 5. If you have a curious mind you will love this book. November 25, 2006
The Husband by Dean Koontz
Rating: 5. Classic Koontz November 25, 2006
The Only King Who Died On The Battlefield: An Historical Novel Based on Truth by Mohammed Faisal Iftikhar
Rating: 2. I met the author one day in a taxi in Danbury, Connecticut. He was the driver, a student at a local college, and as it turns out a young author. Difficult to read. November 25, 2006
Forever Odd by Dean Koontz
Rating: 5. Koontz has an incredible imagination. I have enjoyed many of his books. This one doesn't dissappoint. November 25, 2006
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Rating: 5. Awesome book about life in Afghanistran. Adds tremendous perspective on what things are like in that part of the world. November 25, 2006
Genome by Matt Ridley
Rating: 5. Genome is organized into twenty-two chapters as a convenient way to tell the incredible unfolding story of what we are all about. Each chapter is like a story unto itself describing the characteristics of some of the more important genes that are part of that chromosome. The twenty-third chromosome pair is what we learned in high school -- two large X chromosomes in women and , one X and one small Y in men. June 09, 2006
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
Rating: 5. To call it a techno-o call it a techno-thriller is an understatement. It is riveting and chilling from the first page to the last. I could not put it down. Like The Da Vince Code, you will question how plausible some of the happenings are and you may question the validity of the details of the inner workings of the NSA. The core theme of the book has to do with one of my favorite topics, cryptography. After designing a computer that could break any encryption, the NSA found itself hostage to the technology. Highly recommended read. June 09, 2006
Naked Conversations: How Blogs are Changing the Way Businesses Talk with Customers by Robert Scoble and Shel Israel
Rating: 3. Very timely with all that is going on in the world of blogging. I know Robert from Microsoft. He has been active in evangelizing the potential of blogging and very much practices what he preaches, even when his postings may at times not be consistent with company practices. The book explores how blogging has changed the rules of communication and competition and gives business owners the tools to launch an effective blogging strategy. Robert and Shel interviewed many business leaders including Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks, Bob Lutz from General Motors and Johanthan Schwartz of Sun Microsystems. January 15, 2006
Let Go to Grow: Escaping the Commodity Trap by Linda Sanford with Dave Taylor
Rating: 3. About strategy and management practices. Normally pretty boring stuff, but Linda and Dave have organized the book in a way that makes it flow very nicely. It is all about driving innovation and gaining productivity -- both urgent topics for anyone in a leadership position today. The book explains the concepts of componentization, outsourcing, and off-shoring in a clear but strategic way and then lays out an approach for leveraging the concepts across an enterprise. Practical case studies about Dell, eBay, GE, Procter & Gamble, and Toyota bring it all home. I have known Linda for quite a few years. She has had a number of top-level executive positions in systems, storage, and global sales and is now Senior Vice President of IBM's internal On Demand Transformation and Information Technology initiatives. In addition to being one of IBM's highest-ranking women, she also serves as a member of the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame and the National Association of Engineers. She was named one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Business by Fortune magazine, one of the Top Ten Innovators in the Technology Industry by Information Week, and one of the Ten Most Influential Women in Technology by Working Woman. She is also a nice lady! January 15, 2006
Wordcraft: The Art of Turning Little Words into Big Business by Alex Frankel
Rating: 4. The subject of the book is
aming"", topic I have always been interested in. Frankel did a good job of getting behind the scenes at some of the top consulting companies that focus exclusively on coining brand names. A winning name often makes the difference between success or failure of a product. Frankel says it is not unheard of for large companies to spend as much as half a million dollars to come up with the perfect name. Wordcraft describes the entire process including marketing campaigns and public relations activities that surround a product name. Some of the examples he discusses include FedEx, BlackBerry, Accenture, Viagra, and IBM's e-business. The book is a quick and interesting read." January 19, 2005
The Holy Ranger by Lore and ancestry of Harley-Davidson motorcycles
Rating: 3. February 15, 2004
Dreamweaver MX: PHP Web Development by Gareth Downes-Powell, Tim Green, Bruno Mairlot
Rating: 3. It can never be simple enough but this book does a great job of explaining what MX, PHP, and MySQL are and how they work together. A comprehensive example makes it all real. February 15, 2004
At Work At Home by Neal Zimmerman
Rating: 5. This is a really excellent piece of work. Design Ideas for Your Home Workplace. It covers Shared and Niche Spaces, Storage Solutions, Dedicated Workplaces, and A Place of Your Own. Loaded with great color pictures. I highly recommend this book for anyone thinking about building or remodeling a home office. February 15, 2004
Book of Ki: Co-ordinating Mind and Body in Daily Life by Koichi Tohei
Rating: 4. Excellent insight about Eastern medicine and philosophy. Adds practical reasons for importance. February 15, 2004
When Things Start to Think by Neil Gershenfeld
Rating: 4. Mostly about things but also about MIT Media Lab and how it operates plus views on Research in general. Very interesting. February 15, 2004
VOTE.com by Dick Morris
Rating: 3. Excellent discussion about how the Internet is changing politics and the political process. February 15, 2004
The Healing Promise of Qi - Creating Extraordinary Wellness Through Qigong and Tai Chi by Roger Jahnke, O.M.D.
Rating: 3. A very tedious reading (303 pages). Comprehensive but highly repetitive. Like reading an encylopedia but good way to gain total perspective on the subject. February 15, 2004
Harley-Davidson Rolling Sculpture - A Pictorial Celebration Of The First 95 Years by Doug Mitchel
Rating: 3. Nobody but a Harley rider would be interested in this book. It is a very nice chronology showing how the bikes have evolved. February 15, 2004
Life's Little Instruction Book by
Rating: 3. February 15, 2004
Red Rabbit by Tom Clancy
Rating: 4. Classic Clancy. 618 pages but it goes fast. Hard to put down. February 15, 2004
Smart Mobs by Howard Rheingold
Rating: 3. A really clear view of the possibilities resulting from WiFi and other disruptive technologies. February 15, 2004
Step by Step Tai Chi by Master Lam Kam Chuen
Rating: 3. I am getting convinced that tai chi and chi kuong are the natual way to strength and health February 15, 2004
The Armchair Conductor by Dan Carlinksy and Ed Goodgold
Rating: 3. How to Lead a Symphony Orchestra in the Privacy of Your Own Home. Foreward by Victor Borge. February 15, 2004
The Biker Code - Wisdom For The Ride by Stuart Miller and Geoggrey Moss
Rating: 3. A ten minute read with pictures and quotes from motorcycle riders. A lot of interesting perspective -- from the heart and from the road. February 15, 2004
Business, The Universe & Everything: Conversations with the World's Greatest Management Thinkers by Stuart Crainer & Des Dearlove
Rating: 3. Stuart Crainer interviewed me for this. My chapter is called John Patrick: The Attitude Thing"""
6;"Book January 01, 2004
The Face by Dean Koontz
Rating: 5. Dean Koontz has written more than forty novels and many have been #1 bestsellers. In addition to being prolific, he is incredibly creative and imaginative. HIs most recent novel, The Face, is incredibly imaginative, exciting, and at times gripping. It is about a deranged professor who is seeking anarchy. Part of his plan is to kidnap and torture the son of a famous movie star. The intricacies of the plot would be hard to imagine, but not for Dean Koontz. One of the characters in the story gets killed but then disappears from the morgue and reappears in various scenarios. October 18, 2003
Path Of The Assassin by Brad Thor
Rating: 3. Thrilling at times but not quite the depth of Tom Clancy or Dean Koontz. The interesting part was that much of the book sounded similar to what we read in the news about various parts of the Middle East, terrorist plots, etc. September 01, 2003
The Maverick and His Machine: Thomas Watson, Sr. and the Making of IBM by Kevin Maney
Rating: 5. The book is a biography of Thomas Watson, Sr. and explores what was behind the making of IBM. It is being promoted as a way to discover the visionary behind Big Blue"". Knowing Kevin, and what an excellent writer he is, I suspect this is going to be a really good book" March 25, 2003
Net Attitude by John R Patrick
Rating: 5. See http://patrickweb.com/ November 30, 2001
