Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I haven't handed out five stars in a long time. So how did this book get all five? Well, part of it might be that I haven't broken out of the Fantasy genre in a while, given my goal of getting through the Wheel of Time. Or maybe this is just a fantastic study on what makes companies great. Really great.



So the pros: This is a study put together with an approach that can only be called scientific for a topic that is so difficult to analyze quantitatively. That sounds pretty dry, I know. Yet it was very consumable. I had no trouble keeping my interest, and about 2/3 of the way through the book, when my attention started to wander, it ended right on time. The last third of the book held appendices a very helpful index, and basically a variety of a la carte data that backed up the main message of the book. It was very well put together.



The cons: I only have one con, and it is pretty weak. I look at the principles and think that there is room for a lot of personal application. I admit it doesn't fit in with the objective of the study, and any conclusions would be highly suspect, but I was left wanting. So it is my only con.



I recommend this to anyone who owns a business, works in a business, or is just plain interested in becoming not just good, but great at something. So that is just about everybody.

Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


So after two months and about 30,000 airline miles I finally finished this one. It was a sheer act of will. The good news is that the delay was more due to my workload, the holidays, and my overall lack of time, not the book. Finally this series is picking up again! And some of my less-favorite plot lines are getting resolved! Hallelujah! I gave this a celebratory 4 stars for those two reasons alone.

Things I want to know at this point:
1. What is with all of the darkfriends everywhere? They need to start uniting so we can beat them up in the end.

2. Why can't Rand be straight with people? Yes, I know the abuse he has taken, the stress he is under, blah blah blah, but come on. This is a character who needs some serious counseling. He drives me nuts ( and I used to be a big fan.) I hope he snaps out of it and starts being more "normal" about his problems.

3. Remember when Egwene was being raised to Accepted and she had the vision where Rand is being held in the White Tower? Is that going to happen or not? If so, they should get on with it so we can move on toward more important matters. That has been hanging out in the back of my mind for like 8000 pages or so. A small, stupid thing, I know, but I thought I would complain about it.

Anyway, just some random thoughts. Book 12 is on my shelf at home, but I am tired of carrying a 3 pound hardcover around when I travel, so I am going to take a break for a bit (unless I can find a digital copy.) Not too long though. I'm already forgetting stuff, so I have to keep it moving. I am already wondering if I have to start with book 1 all over again when the last book comes out....


Re-read in 2016.

2010 Book List

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Here is a list of the books I read in 2010. It was a busy year, and overall the books were bigger, so the number read was lower this year. The joy I got from my favorite past-time was not.

#	Book	Author	Date Completed
26	Crossroads of Twilight	Robert Jordan	November 2
26	The Ruins of Gorlan	John Flanagan	October 31
25	The Violet Keystone	Garth Nix	September 15
24	Into Battle	Garth Nix	September 6
23	Above the Veil	Garth Nix	August 29
22	Aenir	Garth Nix	August 25
21	Castle	Garth Nix	August 19
20	The Fall	Garth Nix	August 15
19	Winter's Heart	Robert Jordan	August 10
18	The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan For Financial Fitness	Dave Ramsey	July 20
17	The Path of Daggers	Robert Jordan	June 21
16	Lord Sunday	Garth Nix	May 28
15	Superior Saturday	Garth Nix	May 23
14	Lady Friday	Garth Nix	May 15
13	Sir Thursday	Garth Nix	April 25
12	Do What You Are	Paul D. Tieger	April 20
11	Drowned Wednesday	Garth Nix	April 15
10	Grim Tuesday	Garth Nix	April 10
9	Mister Monday	Garth Nix	April 5
8	The Last Olympian	Rick Rioridan	March 20
7	The Battle of the Labyrinth	Rick Rioridan	March 15
6	The Titan's Curse	Rick Rioridan	March 10
5	A Crown of Swords	Robert Jordan	February 24
4	The Sea of Monsters	Rick Rioridan	February 11
3	The Lightning Thief	Rick Rioridan	February 5
2	Lord of Chaos	Robert Jordan	January 20
1	The Fires of Heaven	Robert Jordan	January 17