Book Description
You have more information at hand about your business environment than ever before. But are you using it to “out-think” your rivals? If not, you may be missing out on a potent competitive tool.
In Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning , Thomas H. Davenport and Jeanne G. Harris argue that the frontier for using data to make decisions has shifted dramatically. Certain high-performing enterprises are now building their competitive strategies around data-driven insights that in turn generate impressive business results. Their secret weapon? Analytics: sophisticated quantitative and statistical analysis and predictive modeling.
Exemplars of analytics are using new tools to identify their most profitable customers and offer them the right price, to accelerate product innovation, to optimize supply chains, and to identify the true drivers of financial performance. A wealth of examples—from organizations as diverse as Amazon, Barclay’s, Capital One, Harrah’s, Procter & Gamble, Wachovia, and the Boston Red Sox—illuminate how to leverage the power of analytics.
Customer Reviews:
Covers the basics of both the what-is and the how-to of fact-based decision making.......2007-10-04
Mark Twain once said something to the effect that it isn't what you don't know that gets you into trouble, it's what you know for certain that isn't so that will get you. Too many businesses are run on assumptions, guesses, and inertia. What we are doing now worked in the past so lets keep doing it. Shareholders lose a lot of money when their businesses are run with that kind of thinking.
This book is about fact-based decision making. It is really more of an introduction to the subject than a detailed text, but it is still quite useful for those wanting to learn the basics of the subject. The first five chapters discuss what analytics are, how you compete using them, and the growth path from wondering what an analytic competitor is through the fives steps to becoming one. They also discuss what it means when using internal data that you completely control, and what it means when you do it using data you control and supplier or customer data that you do not control.
The last four chapters take on the practical side of implementing a road map to becoming an analytic competitor. I particularly enjoyed the chapter emphasizing that all your plans will fail if you don't have the right people. Systems alone won't do it. The next chapter discusses the kinds of systems you need. The last chapter discusses the future of analytics.
For the right audience, this is a fascinating book. The stories about businesses succeeding by using analytics or getting themselves into serious trouble by ignoring them are all good and entertaining. Be careful, though. Some of the stories talk about instances (such as the Red Sox losing the World Series by letting the pitcher go beyond his statistical maximum pitching range) rather than trends and large numbers of events. Statistics don't work on instances. That is, at any given moment a coin might come up heads or tails. Just because there have been ten heads flips in a row does not mean you should take less than 50-50 odds on the next flip. It is still 50-50. That pitcher might have won, might have lost that game and it would have become part of the statistical information. However, for the stats to become powerful, you would have to be able to make a strong prediction over a series of games that he pitched. That is, if he goes beyond X pitches in 10 games he will lose about 8 of them. That means he still wins two (or one or three) and you don't know when in the series the wins will come.
The idea that very small observations can be exploited for big advantage is very important in today's ever more competitive business climate. For example Harrah's learned that moving the odds on slot machines one-tenth of one percent in their favor did not affect customer play at all, but netted them at extra $80 million (company wide). Marriott's hotel management system improves hotel performance by a couple percent. Remember that these improvements incur little cost, so most of the improvement flows quickly to the bottom line.
I thought that might get your attention. Read it so you can learn and profit from it.
Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI
A limited introduction to business analytics.......2007-09-21
MY RATING SYSTEM:
* - if you have to chose between torture and reading this book, then you might want to consider reading the book - although it depends on just how severe the torture would be.
** - if you've lost your job and have quite a bit of free time on your hands, and don't have anything else better to do, then you might want to consider reading this book; don't expect to learn much or really be entertained. It will however, help you pass the time until your death.
*** - meh...I'm indifferent. Reading this book will not alter your life in any significant way, yet it is not so horrendously dreadful that your taking the time to read it will be a complete waste of time.
**** - Good book to great book zone here. You should probably read this book if you have some spare time. This book could be interesting, entertaining, or informative.
***** - Outstanding book! Make time to read this book - you'll learn or be entertained or intrigued. The book might even be good enough to provide original or helpful insights into the world that we live in.
REVIEW:
Competing on Analytics serves as an interesting, albeit limited, introduction to the concept of using complex data collection, management, and analysis techniques to gain a competitive edge in business.
For me, the book served as a useful introduction, but fell far short of satisfying the objectives I had in mind when I first came across it. What I was expecting was a book that provide a detailed guide to developing and implementing an analytical approach to business decision making. While early on the authors acknowledge the limitations of the book, I found what followed to be less than satisfying.
The book contained a variety of examples of companies that were using analytical techniques to improve the quality of business decision making, and discussed a variety of business areas in which companies might want to adopt such analytical techniques but failed to present comprehensive case studies that would provide real guidance to readers. I would have liked to have been led through a few cases, from a diverse set of industries, where the authors describe what information was collected and why, how the information was manipulated, analyzed and presented, and how the entire analytics process was influenced by and/or influenced the company's strategy and performance. Instead, the book left me with the impression that I need to go out an hire a consulting firm to lead me through the development of an analytics program.
One of the most ironic components of the book was that while it touted the use of analytical techniques and objective analysis to motivate business decision making, it's argument was largely based on anecdotal evidence of a handful of companies that have adopted analytical approaches.
Good Overview of Business Analytics.......2007-09-20
Technology & the easy with which information spreads has rendered many products and services easily replicable. Companies need to compete on the basis of something their competitors can't recreate. What companies don't have ready access to is each other's data, i.e., on customers, suppliers, & processes. What companies do with this data is what can set them apart from competitors.
Davenport & Harris describe how data is transformed into competitive advantage by discussing the types of information used in analytics, the stages of becoming a more analytic corporation, and many examples of companies who have applied analytics to successful operations. Problems encountered down the road to becoming more analytical were similar to those described in another recent book on the criticality of enterprise data, Information Revolution by Davis, Miller, & Russell.
This book contains no numeric formulas or specific procedures for using analytics, but it is an excellent as an overall survey of business analytics as used today.
Who Is The Audience.......2007-08-30
This book is meant for those who make things happen and need to gain a fresh perspective. It is not meant for those who know a lot but can't make things happen yet keep looking for more information, while criticizing a good effort, which without doubt could have been better.
Great Subject/Weak Effort.......2007-08-26
Not a lot of meat to this topic other than the obvious. Not very exciting stuff.
Book Description
This is an advanced guide to running political campaigns. It provides invaluable, practical advice from the leading pros in the industry.
Customer Reviews:
Winning Elections.......2007-08-12
This is a great primer for getting into the political landscape as a politician or a consultant for politicians.
Long on common sense short on theory.......2006-11-02
First off, I have to say this is probably a must read for any first time candidate or anyone looking to get into the campaigning end of politics. The book offers common sense advice for almost any issue or scenario you might come up against while campaigning. It also offers sound advice about planning and strategy (mainly- plan and have a strategy!)
I used this text in an undergraduate course on elections, and while it was fun and interesting for students to read, it offer little analysis or theory. It does not spend much time asking why things work or how, just that they do. I suspected that this book would not be all that useful in the classroom and was right, but I am sure it has a place on the campaign trail.
Pretty Good.......2006-06-22
Winning Elections is a compilation of articles that have been assembled by Editor, Ronald Faucheux. As a newcomer to politics I found this book to be especially informative. It is about processes and strategies that campaigns employ. This book, however, is not a beginner's book. It is not about building a campaign, or learning the nuts and bolts of campaigns. It is much more than that. This book is meant to build upon existing skills that successful managers and consultants are doing. In reality, there are not set right or
wrong ways to do anything, but this book serves as a platform for idea sharing.
A Superb Compilation of Articles from C&E Magazine.......2006-05-21
This book is a compilation of practical political advice, originally published as articles in the excellent Campaigns and Elections Magazine, published by the author.
The chapters/articles are organized in a very sensible format, highly accessible, and well labeled for easy reference. It is a work that will be of great practical value to campaign managers and consultants of both major parties as well as third parties. It covers the basics, of course, but also discusses more sophisticated aspects of topics like fundraising, precinct targeting, media strategy, polling, and the like.
Every person serious about political work, especially professionals, should have this book for ready reference for themselves or those they work with. Even though campaign professionals know this subject matter by heart, not all they work with do, especially candidates. I would recommend having it on hand for candidate school, orientation, or simple explanation of what the consultant is trying to convey in advising a candidate or manager.
Excellent Resource for any campaign!.......2005-10-26
This book is an excellent resource for anyone involved in electoral campaigns. I will never regret my purchase. A must read for political activists!
This book is a compilation of years of columns that appear in Campaigns & Elections Magazine. Not quite your "A Guide to Campaigns", but still is full of useful information for any political campaign.
Book Description
New York’s popular senior senator, who won reelection by the largest margin in the state’s history, offers a bold plan for change in the Democratic party
As the results of the last presidential election played out, it became clear that while Democrats call themselves the party of the middle, the middle class does not consider the Democrats their party. Now, Chuck Schumer, who has gained national prominence as the head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and as a member of the Finance Committee, offers his plan for capturing the middle-class vote and moving his party back into the majority. Democrats can accomplish this, the senator explains, without abandoning their traditional principles.
Schumer envisions a hypothetical, average middle-class American family—he thinks of them as "The Baileys"—who spend "as much time talking about the cost of cornflakes as the cost of the national debt." He then details specific proposals he believes would keep America safe, secure, and on top; and support the aspirations of a prosperous and growing middle class while speaking to anxieties created in a world changed by technology and globalization. For example, he proposes to:
• increase the number of college graduates by 50%
• reduce property taxes by 50%
Customer Reviews:
The reviewer in the..........2007-04-23
NY Times Sunday Book Review section, who said he's a proud Liberal, called this a "bad book." What more needs to be said.
More than a sound bite.......2007-04-08
Most of the time, all we get are 30-second soundbites and talking points from our elected officials, either on the news or on the radio and television talk-show circuit. It seems to be about "moving the agenda" forward, or promoting the politician, or both. This makes it harder and harder for us, as citizens, to nail down politicians on their core positions. That's what makes books like this worthy, regardless of one's politics. If you're as liberal as Sen. Schumer, it moves your beliefs forward. If you disagree, it provides you with a clear view of your opponent's view, a requirement in any intelligent debate.
I wasn't particularly interested in Sen. Schumer's bio, but it does help to understand the origins of his views, and so it is a necessary part of the book. His multi-point plan for winning back the middle class has some good ideas, and there are some ideas with real holes in them. But what you get here is a clear definition of those ideas, and so, maybe, a better understanding of Sen. Schumer and, by proxy, his party.
I found the book interesting as a starting point, and weel worth reading, even though I didn't agree with the entire "50% plan". At least Se. Schumer had the guts to put his ideas in writing for all to see. By the way, I found Donald Trump's book - The America We Deserve - to be an excellent companion to the Schumer book. It's interesting to see the differences between the career politician and the mogul on the same issues.
The best!!!!.......2007-04-02
The book came to me in excellent shape thanks to the way you packed it for shipping...I appreciate the stellar condition the book arrived as it was a gift to a special friend.
The subtext is the real story.......2007-04-02
The first half of the book is disappointing if you are looking for policy discussion. It's a well written narrative about Schumer's political career. Not from New York, I knew little about him until reading this book. Schumer seems much more thoughtful and intelligent than most of the politicians I've encountered.
It was an eye opener by a master politician, showing just how much of campaigning is just raising money. In reading, you see that the ability to raise money is the glass ceiling to political power in the U.S. If you can't raise money, and lots of it, you don't get in the club. Forget any other qualifications that might get us good people to represent us. If you can't raise money - it's over. Sadly, I'm sure this is enough to select out many good people, and select in many less desirable ones.
The second half of the book is a list of initiatives that Schumer outlines. In other reviews he is chided for not doing these during the last 10 years, but realistically his party was not in power then, and it's obvious from the book that politics are for parties not for the people. The books second lesson is that the way the political system works is that there are two teams and he is a democrat. His goal is to get and keep his team in power. You stay in power by giving people happy. Some times I though his tone was condescending to the average "Joe Bailey", his mythical constituent that he "listened to" (polled). I think this is typical. Politicians seem a lot like stock brokers - they claim them work for you, but the reality is they use our wealth to their own ends. They just try to keep us happy enough not to fire them. By the time we do, typically half our wealth is gone.
His policy baloons were interesting, mostly good ideas, but largely too little to overcome the deep dudu that I think the country is headed for. He is Pollyannaish in his optimism - but once in a while you see his views slip though. I was glad to see him state that the mono-national immigration policy is dangerous - having nearly all immigrants coming from Mexico is not a good policy, and I give him credit for realizing it. He comes close to saying that mono-importaion (exporation of wealth) to China is just as dangerous. However, from reading, I don't expect him to do anything about if except drops some hints as he did in the book. About once a chapter he slips in reality, but mostly he shows great hope.
The book was worth reading. Here is one of the better politicians, one who seems to really care about America, and having government that makes it stronger. But it shows me we can't rely on the political system to fix what's wrong in America.
Poorly Thought Out; Uninspiring.......2007-03-30
Senator Schumer's intent is to provide a Democrat replacement for Rep. Gingrich's "Contract With America." Unfortunately the 11 actions he proposes offer little other than substantial government expenditure increases. Examples:
Increase Reading and Math Scores by 50%, largely through tripling federal education spending and reducing education funding through property taxes by raising income taxes on the rich. Reality: Inflation-adjusted per-pupil expenditures have tripled in the last three decades with little/no improvement in high-school graduate achievement scores or graduation rates; in addition, most private schools cost far less than public schools.
Increase the Number of College Graduates by 50%. Reality: Outsourcing American jobs has resulted in college graduation no longer being a silver bullet to achieving the good life. (Schumer's book relates the story of a recently laid-off/outsourced computer programmer, but fails to realize how this example negates his proposed solution. We need to revisit tariffs and other import barriers.)
Reduce Illegal Migration by at Least 50%, and Increase Legal Immigration up to 50%. Reality: Meaningless because easily accomplished by legalizing what is now illegal; also fails to address the need to raise the competency levels of American immigrants - fewer uneducated likely to become welfare beneficiaries.
Increase Our Ability to Fight Terrorism 50%. Reality: Better yet would be a program to reduce terrorists by 50% - eg. take a much more even hand in Palestine-Israel negotiations, and get out of Iraq.
On the other hand, Schumer's goal of reducing dependence on foreign oil by 50% is very sensible, led by doubling CAFE standards and ultimately shifting to renewable energy sources.
Another section of "Positively American" was interesting - where Schumer related that Democrats win the middle-class ($30,000-$75,000) vote ONLY because they have an extraordinary lock on African-American votes. Looking at the white middle-class only shows that Democrats lost by 6 points in the last election!
I read "Positively American" in hopes of finding support for major initiatives in universal healthcare, stopping the flood of illiterate immigrants from Mexico (eg. stop flooding their country with subsidized U.S. agricultural products, making their farmers unable to earn a living), reducing oil use (improves environment, reduces trade deficit and terrorist funding), reducing the enormous amounts of money wasted in healthcare (administrative overhead, medical mistakes) and education, and addressing our outsourcing problems (reduces incomes and the ability to fund healthcare, government, and retirement). We can do better than one out of six.
Amazon.com
According to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, America currently faces five threats that could undermine, if not eliminate, the United States if immediate steps are not taken to correct them. The threats as he sees them are Islamic terrorists and rogue dictatorships armed with nuclear or biological weapons; the removal of God from American public life; a loss of patriotism and sense of America's history; a decline in economic supremacy because of poor science and math education; and the increasing budgetary burden of Social Security and Medicare. To tackle these problems, Gingrich offers his "21st Century Contract with America," which he outlines in great detail in this bold and thought-provoking book. His updated contract, which comes a decade after the original Republican Contract with America that marked the high point of Gingrich's national power, calls for a dramatically simplified tax code that favors savings and investment; government investment in science and technology, particularly regarding space, energy, and the environment; transforming Social Security into personal savings accounts; overhauling the civil justice system to reduce the burden of lawsuits; and updating the federal government, including the privatization of some functions, so that it moves at the speed and effectiveness of the information age. And that's just the beginning. He also calls for tripling the size of America's intelligence community, reforming its election system, developing a more intelligent health care system that creates jobs and increases quality of life, and balancing the federal budget.
Gingrich believes that this ambitious agenda can be accomplished, but only if it receives grassroots support. The entrenched political system, with its lobbyists, bloated bureaucracies, and the complicity of the media, is too self-serving to fix itself, he stresses. Concise and clearly presented, Winning the Future is long on specifics and short on rhetoric, and it succeeds as a springboard for political discourse. Gingrich's aim is clearly to inspire citizens to take responsibility for the county's direction by demanding more of their government and their leaders. --Shawn Carkonen
Book Description
America's future in the twenty-first century, argues Newt Gingrich, will be determined by the decisions we make now. His book is a grass roots call to action--and will set the debate for the new administration and Congress.
Customer Reviews:
Newt Does it Again- Good Book- America= The Greatest Land on Earth.......2007-09-26
This book like other titles from this author, along with Bill O'Reilly, Bill Benet, Lou Dobbs, and Bernard Goldberg (and many others) are among some of the best written modern political volumes touching to the heart and soul of the greatest land on the face of the Earth.
Newt's ideas on numerous modern issues facing American society are positive ones I hope our population, and leaders will consider.
Newt, like myself, endorses a strong military to defend this country from Al-Qaeda and other thugs, a vibrant economy which employs people and sees businesses grow, low taxation, smaller government, tough stances against violent and corporate crime, and promotion of moral Christian traditional values in our culture.
This land is what ever we the people make it, and in my opinion this is indeed the greatest nation ever conceived by man.
Good book, worth your time and money.
Fantastic!.......2007-08-09
Newt tells it like it is and how it neds to be fixed. The followers of a desert nomad who claimed to be a prophet have resumed their seventh century jihad for world domination and need to be stopped. Terrorists are in the US here and now. Our borders are a sieve. Congress is non functional, only concerned with staying in power and enriching themselves. Social Security is badly broken and get worse with multitudes of Illegal Aliens flooding in. The judicial branch of government which is supposed to be equal to the other two branches continues to usurp the authority of the President and Congress. Newt has the answers we need!
Required reading.......2007-08-08
This book should be required reading for every high school senior and every college junior in the nation whether they agree with the author or not the seed needs to be planted. Most of his ideas will not be implemented in the next 8 year cycle but maybe the younger generation will take up the torch in 2016. If they don't this great nation will become just another third world socialist paradise that mother Russia never quite achieved.
Just another crook!.......2007-08-02
All of these creeps lie and BS so much they'd probably have a seizure if they told the truth!!!!!!!!! WAKE UP AMERICANS!!!!!!!!
What future.....maybe a new future.......2007-07-26
Millionaire in 365 Days: The Daily Plan to Get There
Ok Newt had a great deal in 1994....now he has a revised plan...it is good read...it has so many great plans...but the question is, who will carry this ot...nice plans newt...but who is listening now.....?
Customer Reviews:
I approve!.......2007-08-31
I checked out a lot of reviews of other books before I bought this one, and I'm not disappointed. What's particularly great is that it really zeroes in on the local election with very specific ideas and tasks.
As I've worked on local elections for others, I can say that Thomas clearly knows what he's talking about, and he's taught me many things I didn't know. When it comes time to throw my hat in the ring myself, this book will be my bible.
Helpful Primer for First Time Candidates.......2007-07-19
This is probably the best $15 or so that you will spend on your campaign. There is lots of valuable advice which will come in handy as you embark on your first run for office. I ran for school board in my town and beat a 9-year incumbent with almost 60% of the vote. You could have heard a pin drop in the room when they announced the result. It was quite an upset. The book is a short read which you can rip through in a couple of days. A lot of the tactics I used in my campaign came straight from the book, especially targeting "good" voters when you have a limited budget.
Anyone running for local office for the first time would be wise to read through the book.
The best how-to-run-for-office book I've ever read.......2007-05-21
Robert J. Thomas is not a great writer in the conventional sense, but perhaps miraculously, this humble and unassuming 128 page mini-tome is the best book on running for office that I've ever read. Mr. Thomas gives you the information that you need to know without a lot of filler, and he gears the book to the most likely potential readership - the first-time campaigner without a lot of money, connections, or experience. No fluff, no filler, no frills. When I ran for office in 2004, I purchased five how-to-run-a-campaign books (see my other reviews), and this was the best of the bunch. Thank you, Robert J. Thomas! I only got 1.33% of the vote (Green Party candidate in five-way race), but the tips and techniques offered herein probably saved me from an even more humiliating defeat.
How To Run.......2006-11-10
How To Run would most likely help an aspiring politician and I may yet reference it for a friend's campaign however, the format makes it very difficult to read and the layout is confusing. The author also repeats himself quite a bit. The book is not very interesting nor is it easy to read but, if you want a book the you can reference occasionally this will suit you just fine.
Best book for local elections.......2006-08-24
I've read quite a few books on running for office and this is the best one I've seen for running for local elections. If you are running in a County, City, Township or Village race, this book has a wealth of real, usable information. The book is easy to read, has real-life examples that you can understand and is the best book I've seen for people running in smaller, local races. I personally have given it to candidates and recommend it to all candidates. Great, useful book!
Book Description
Written for the funeral service industry by a funeral service professional, this unique book teaches effective methods of interacting with people.
Book Description
The Campaign Manager is a clear and concise, must-have handbook that is based on the author's three terms as mayor of Ashland, Oregon, and her numerous successes in managing campaigns. Supportive of both candidates and issues, this handbook gives political novices and veterans alike a comprehensive and detailed plan for organizing, funding, and publicizing local political campaigns. Finding the right message and targeting the right voters with it are clearly explained by means of specific examples, anecdotes, and illustrations. Included is in-depth information on assembling campaign teams, precinct analysis, canvassing, and dealing with the media. The Campaign Manager is an encouraging, lucid presentation of how to win elections at the local level.
Thoroughly revised and updated, this new edition now covers campaign technology methods in every chapter, and includes expanded material on direct mail, effective yet inexpensive television spots, and how to get the most reach for your campaign dollar. Also included are updates on working vote-by-mail elections for better results, organizing your database for campaign workers and donors, and fighting negative campaigns.
Customer Reviews:
Very good book for campaigns in the US.......2007-06-02
Must of us have no clue at all what it means and what is involved in the organization of a political campaign. This book is a bible to run a campaign or to be a manager for one. It goes from the initial thinking that needs to be done before a candidate even considers running to what are the final steps when the campaign is through. Every step of the process is covered. It is really an amazing book. The only caveat that I would point out it is its strong focus on US campaigns, thus if you are not American and are thinking about campaigns outside the US this book will not cover foreign issues and also it may bias you. I.E. In other countries politicians do not raise funds in events where people go to hear them, on the contrary, many politicians especially in Latina America try to provide incentives for people to go to their speeches (of course this is controversial) and the book for example goes into this kinds of fundraising, that do not happen outside the US. In general however, it provides an excellent framework for a very organized and focused campaign.
Good but a little dated - hope the 3rd edition is better.......2007-05-27
Catherine M. Shaw provides a plethora of information on running a campaign for local office. I have read four or five books on the subject, and this one is probably the best - certainly the most thorough! There are two flaws, however: 1) Ms. Shaw's recommendations are very low-tech. She advises you to set up various notecard systems, etc., that could be much more easily handled with computer software. Using the web, blogs, etc. isn't really mentioned at all. 2) From my experience, Ms. Shaw's expectations for masses of volunteers is a little (LOT!) more than the average candidate can really hope for. Maybe if you live in a politially astute area of the country like Portland, but for us folks in the mid-west, getting even two or three volunteers for a state house campaign (of an incumbent!) is quite an accomplishment. Her recommendations assume you'll have an unpaid staff of 10, 20 or more. Still, even with these flaws in mind, this is a pretty good guide. I recommend it.
Excellent Resource.......2007-05-23
I work in Professional Politics, and I absolutely love this book! It gives you a vast amount practical advice about running a political campaign. I describe it in my listmania list as "Pure Gold." Goes over everything you need to know about a local election. Even good a primer when working on a federal level race.
Awesome Book.......2006-08-25
As a rookie campaign manager for a tax levy that was already defeated once, I needed to learn and learn fast. That's what this book helped me do. I've practically worn out some sections refering back to them time and time again. We are just entering the actual campaign, but I feel very confident with my campaign plan, and I am ready.
I highly recomend this book to any rookies out there!
GET This Book.......2006-07-17
This book is absolutely fabulous. If you are even thinking about running for office (at any level) or working on an issue-based like a school bond, GET this book. It's written in clear language for those of us who are not political nerds. It also has tons of good examples.
Book Description
For thousands of years, the inner teachings of all great religions have expressed the idea that human beings -- each of us - create our own reality. That is, that the life we experience is a function of our own belief system and mental processes. "As ye believe, so shall it be." They have also taught that the life we experience is like a dream, insubstantial.
Now, leading edge science (quantum physics) is proposing the very same notions: that our physical reality is more like "information" - similar to a thought -- than like anything else. And that physical reality consists mostly of empty space. Furthermore, mind-body scientists (neurophysiologists) are learning more about the profound and pervasive affects that our minds have on our physical bodies.
In What the Bleep Do We Know?!, 14 top scientists, theologians and mystics explain "how this all works," as we follow Amanda, an anxious, depressed professional photographer played by Academy Award-winner Marlee Matlin, through her awakening and transformation. The Little Book of BLEEPS captures many of the most enlightening sayings and impacting graphics from the film.
Customer Reviews:
Quantum Junk.......2006-09-09
Very poor attempt by new-agers to link goofy and unprovable [and in most cases unobservable] assertions to Quantum Theory.
Some of the movie commentators and hence contributors to this "book", are way out of their league [and I suspect in a couple of cases their minds as well].
I suggest that they leave pseudo-science to the magicians and illusionists. They know what they are up to at least.
In the final analysis it matters little what one believes, it is what is demonstrable that matters. What is demonstrated/explained by this material? ....Anything you want!
My adventure into the realm of Spirituality.......2005-09-16
The Little Book of Bleeps: Excerpts from the Award-Winning Movie What the (#$%&) Bleep Do We Know (Purchased on 08/12/2005)
I heard about the low budget movie "What the Bleep Do We Know?" and went to see it in down town Sacramento movie hall. I enjoyed it so much I purchased the film. I tried to talk to my friends about it. I even bought two more films to pass out to my friends. My "flatland" skeptic friends could not believe that I would even want to see such a film. They found everything wrong with it. I felt like Galileo or Copernicus trying to let them know that the sun does not revolve around the earth. I looked at my film at least ten times trying to write down all the words of wisdom emanating from the great thinkers who were scientist and other academics in the film.
Then I found the book "The Little Book of Bleeps" that had all the words I wanted to ponder that were in the film. As I e-mailed more friends about my excitement knowing that "we create our own reality," most of my friends again put the book down by explaining the fallacies of all the great thinkers who were scientist and other academics in the film---But, what do my friends know?
Then I found "Beyond the Bleep" that goes into detail about all the ideas and the thinkers who came up with these ideas. This film "WTBDWK" is about quantum physics, spirituality---and the meaning of life. This ambitious film attempts to answer existential questions such as: What is God? What are emotions? What is the soul? And what we all want to know why are we here?
I was so caught up with quantum physics; I ordered some lectures about quantum physics for the non-scientist from the Teaching Company. That gave me the vocabulary to understand "WTBDWK."
That wasn't enough for me. Amazon.com was advertising the book "The Spiritual Universe, How Quantum Physics Proves The Existence of the Soul." by Fred Alan Wolf, PH.D. one of the scientist in the film. It took me a month to finish the book and now I'm going to read it again. Quantum Physics is mind boggling, but I think it will change the whole direction of science and bring Science into the realm of Spirituality, bring the objective into the subjective. I feel blest that I am moving up the spiritual path intended by the creator. It also proves to me that there is an "Intelligent design."
what the bleep do we know for dummies.......2005-08-12
some of the better quotes that are helpful and too many movie images that don't enlighten. Seems more like a teaser for the movie.
Time to Become "Wise". Please don't copy my review .......2005-05-17
The Review is for the movie version. However please note also, someone named "Fluffy Sausage" copied my review. Anyway a friend recommended the film to me and I found it to be fascinating, thought provoking and enjoyable . I come form an academic science background and so I naturally have to analysis things through critical/analytical eyes. A lot of the suggestions presented in this movie are on the edge of science and therefore are educated ideas/throughts. The idea of consciousness having a link with quantum physics theories would make "pure" academics eyes roll. Putting this aside it is a movie that should be seen by anyone interested in the mind and philosophies of life.
Resources for Christians.......2005-05-06
Every once in a while a book or movie or cultural event occurs that causes the collective culture to consider (or re-consider) life as they know it. After 9/11 churches were overflowing as Americans looked for hope and security in Something bigger than themselves. Over time, Americans regained their self-confidence assumptions and life went on. Sometimes an event or a discovery alters our basic perceptions: the earth is round, not flat; the earth rotates around the sun, not vice versa. Scientic discoveries are important because they shape our understanding of the divine. When a discovery counters what we have been led to believe, we are forced to assess how to align two truths.
Blogger This Guy Falls Down (http://marklee.typepad.com/this_guy_falls_down/2005/05/why_the_bleep_s.html) challenges Christians to watch the movie "What the Bleep Do We Know" and be current on books like "The Little Book of Bleeps." He writes, "Because of its popularity, and because of the issues it addresses, this film will shape many people's outlook on science and religion. And that is why it's on my radar. Not unlike The Da Vinci Code, the thoughts put forward here, right or wrong, have the potential of becoming ingrained into the collective conscience."
For Christians looking for resources to reconcile their scientic and spiritual beliefs, check out:
* The Case for A Creator by Lee Strobel
* Rebuilding the Matrix by Denis Alexander
* Chemistry of the Blood by M.R. DeHaan
* Do Science and the Bible Conflict? Tough Questions, Revised by Judson Poling
* The Science of God: An Introduction to Scientific Theology
by Alister E. McGrath
* Coming to Peace with Science: Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology by Darrel R. Falk
* Science and Christianity: Four Views by Richard Carlson
Book Description
Involved for over thirty years in the politics of Iraq, Ali A. Allawi was a long-time opposition leader against the Baathist regime. In the post-Saddam years he has held important government positions and participated in crucial national decisions and events. In this book, the former Minister of Defense and Finance draws on his unique personal experience, extensive relationships with members of the main political groups and parties in Iraq, and deep understanding of the history and society of his country to answer the baffling questions that persist about its current crises. What really led the United States to invade Iraq, and why have events failed to unfold as planned?
The Occupation of Iraq examines what the United States did and didn’t know at the time of the invasion, the reasons for the confused and contradictory policies that were enacted, and the emergence of the Iraqi political class during the difficult transition process. The book tracks the growth of the insurgency and illuminates the complex relationships among Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds. Bringing the discussion forward to the reconfiguration of political forces in 2006, Allawi provides in these pages the clearest view to date of the modern history of Iraq and the invasion that changed its course in unpredicted ways.
Customer Reviews:
Certainly not as billed...or titled..........2007-08-13
After reading the reviews of several other readers, I think somehow I read a different book than they did. Things that were readily apparent to me didn't seem to catch the eye of some of the other readers. First, this book was authored by a gentleman whose knowledge of Iraq is second hand. He left the country prior to puberty and didn't return for fifty years. The guy to give you some inside scoop, huh? How a couple of the reviewers could characterize Mr. Allawi as an "insider" beats the heck out of me. If this exile is an "insider", what would it take to be an "outsider"? And still he was able to find a way to fit 200 pages of content into 460 pages. Must be a lot of drivel in there? Yep. Having read Allawi's book I now know that Baghdad's main book market is on Mutannabi Street. Now I'll know right where to go! Did you know that there are three types of chains used for self-flagellation in Iraq? (Doggone. Now you won't have to read the book to learn these salient points.) And I thought I was buying a book on Post 9/11 Irag. And the editor's review--shocker!--bore that out. Gotta watch those titles! Nope. This book is nothing more than the personal opinions of a camp following charlatan who chose his moment to leave exile in order to slop at the trough with so many other Iraqi exiles. It is written subjectively to a fault. It leaves far too many personal opinions undocumented in any way. The writer's style is boring and his annoying dalliances with irrelevant minutiae don't help his cause. This fellow does have a future though. His ability to spend an inordinate amount of time getting nothing productive accomplished makes him ideally suited for a post at the U.N. And you can betcha he's already back in the 'hood. This guy likes living in "The Superpower" (and London) although--sniff, sniff--he makes it clear that folks in the States are neo-conservative religious fanatics. Yikes! And he's spent a couple of years in Iraq amidst the slaughter? This book is going to the used book store today. It is not a scholarly work so I would never have any reason to reference it. One person's opinion...just like Mr. Allawi's.
Great book a touch too long.......2007-07-29
I really loved reading this book. It gave a seemingly unbiased perspective of the war especially from an Iraqi's perspective which is very rare. It provided a very detailed account of the Iraq situation, before, during and after the war, relating issues to their historical origins and helping you understand why people who had lived side-by side for centuries suddenly decide to kill each other. I also found the writing flawless and the author a good storyteller. Towards the end of the book however, it got just a touch tedious as I felt the author had by then told me everthing I needed to know about the situation.
Highly recommended!
Blood and Treasure.......2007-07-15
This week in Iraq: U.S. troops kill 6 Iraqi policemen while General Pace complains that fewer battle-ready Iraqi battalions provide security; U.S. forces try to uproot Shiite militias and Sunni insurgents while Bush and pundits loyal to him still say the enemy is al-Qaeda, which rises again in Pakistan; the most important benchmarks have been neglected while the least important have moved little, but State Department spokesmen tout the slight improvement in electricity, water treatment, and sanitation even though those life-quality indicators remain well below pre-war levels; government auditors slowly investigate private contractors' excesses; the Iraqi parliament intends to take an August vacation but Bush spokesman Tony Snow implies there might be more "progress" without them; Khalid Hassan, a reporter & interpreter for the NY Times, was shot to death, adding to the scores of journalists who've perished in this war; former Times writer Chris Hedges and others report more U.S. soldiers are talking about the routine harassing and too prevalent killing of Iraqi civilians; Bush asks for patience until General Petraeus gives his September report, which may ask for another decade of patience; about 70% of Americans now oppose the war but the rest back Bush, even lusting for blood to be spilled in Syria and Iran.
Can most Americans find Iraq on a map? How many know the difference between Sunni and Shia? A growing number don't read anything of substance, but if they read Ali Allawi's book they'd have an understanding of the country where thousands of our soldiers have been killed and many billions of our tax dollars spent.
Caveat: if you want slick, brisk writing, read Woodward, Tom Ricks, or another journalist. Ali Allawi earned degrees in business at Harvard and engineering at MIT, where redundancy is a virtue.
The title of his meticulously detailed book shows his distaste for the notion that we are liberators. With their talk of reshaping the Middle East and foisting democracy at the point of a gun, U.S. policy makers sent our military to occupy Iraq. Allawi's introductory chapters briefly explain Iraqi history, noting the long tradition of resisting foreign intruders, Saddam Hussein's rise and consolidation of power, and Iraq's intricate relations with neighboring countries. The central focus of the book involves the dashed hopes of the returning exile community, of which Allawi was a part, to modernize and democratize the country. Abysmally ignorant of Iraqi culture and insulated in the Green Zone, the Coalition Provisional Authority committed blunder upon blunder. De-Baathification led to a chaotic absence of administrative stability, soaring unemployment, and the reviving of long suppressed sectarian rivalries. Even though the CPA wouldn't admit it, an insurgency developed and, with few Arabic speakers in the U.S. intelligence community, there was no chance to thwart it except through the use of brute force, which generated antagonism instead of good will among Iraqis. Allawi says the CPA had "a `we know best' attitude, with a profoundly anti-democratic ethos." American bureaucrats were clueless as to how to stem attacks on the Iraqi infrastructure and ensure security, but through skillful media manipulation we were assured that the situation was gradually improving. As power shifted from the CPA to the interim Iraqi government, there was no improvement. "Neither the ministers nor the bureaucracies over which they presided," Allawi maintains, "could deliver a fraction of what they had promised." Corruption flourished, particularly in the electricity and oil sectors, but also in the Ministry of Defense, right under the nose of General Petraeus, who crowed that "training is on track...infrastructure is being repaired...institutions are being re-established." As bankers and other businessmen were kidnapped, and academics and doctors were killed, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis fled the country. Allawi acknowledges that the situation was not entirely bleak: entrepreneurship rose, some universities stayed open, and there was enthusiasm in 2005 for elections and the writing of a constitution.
Yet he can't end on an optimistic note. Saddam has been "replaced by the corroded, inefficient, incompetent and corrupt state of the new order." He believes America's stated motives after no WMD were found - removing the tyrant, building democracy, introducing civil rights and a constitution - ring hollow and give rise to cynicism about the "real" motives: seizing oil, subverting Iran, protecting Israel. Allawi has no confidence in the notion of a unified Iraq; the only suggestion he makes for a way out of the current mess is in the creation of three separate administrative districts.
But who's reading or listening to Allawi? Our politicians are waiting to hear from General Petraeus.
Superb, authoritative account of how the war was won and the occupation was lost.......2007-07-02
Though the subject is a sad one, this book is a delight: a thorough analysis of went right and wrong with Iraq written by someone who doesn't suffer from Bush Derangement Syndrome.
Ali A. Allawi has axes of his own to grind. He is an Iraqi expatriate who returned to help build his native land. But he apaprently is not blinded by his biases. He served as a minister in the Iraqi government and apparenttly still advises.
There are many people, myself included, who see the invasion of Iraq as the right thing to do and, in fact, regret that Syria and Iran were not targeted as well. Removal of all three of those governments followed by the institution of viable democracies would have been a great thing for the world. We will, in fact, pay a huge price in the future for not doing so.
Allawi explains in riveting detail how the U.S. was led to believe invasion was the right thing to do and how after a brilliant military campaign, the occupation and promise were lost through total incompetence. The latter is a sad, sad tale.
From the initial appointment of Jay Garner, the route was straight downhill. Lack of comprehension on the part of officials, bureaucratic infighting, corruption, incompetence and ignorance brushed good intention to the side.
This is both an insider's account and a history. The politics of Ayatollah Sistani, the confused state of the first battle for Fallujah, the incredible incompetence and corruption of the reconstruction effort, the bumbling of the Bremer, the feuds among the Iraqis are all recounted in detail. It is a sad, terrible telling.
Indeed, there were and are brave Iraqis and Americans who tried to build a new and free Iraq. But frankly it seems they are outnumbered by the corrupt, the mendacious and the incompetent.
This is a depressing read, but a necessary one for anyone seeking the truth about the tragedy of Iraq.
Jerry
At last, somethin intelligent about the Iraq War.......2007-06-26
This is the most intelligent book about Iraq, and the Iraq war, that I have read. It's history, not political screed. Even so, it doesn't paint a very pretty picture of our presence there, or our prospects.
Book Description
"The book makes a convincing case that battlefield techniques really do work in the business world."--Fortune
"A colorful, entertaining, and highly effective way of conveying some powerful lessons along with lots of very interesting military history." --Miami Herald
Customer Reviews:
business .......2007-07-11
This is one of the best 'military & business" books to come out in years.
In a highly readable yet intelligent writing style, the authors explain how preparation, planning, execution AND a lack of ego all combine to build an organization as small as a rifle team to a billion-dollar multinational.
With examples taken from both the military and business worlds, this book gives everyone from newbie managers to punk MBA types a clue how to succeed in the real world. Highly reccommended !
A Winning Strategy For Business.......2006-05-11
This book is an interesting and well written analysis of how to apply maneuver warfare to a commercial business. The authors prove their analysis by illustrating the similarities between military and competitive business environments.
First, this book is an easy read. It is approximately 181 pages long and broken into easily digested parts. Seven of the thirteen chapters focus exclusively on each of the principles of maneuver warfare. Generally speaking, all the chapters follow a similar format. The authors will make a point and follow it up with an example from military history. They then provide an example from the commercial world. Each of these examples is followed by a brief analysis of the principle in discussion. The reader is then given a general analysis that cuts across both the military and business examples. Finally, each chapter ends with a discussion of how the Marine Corps applies and/or views this principle. The advantage of this format is that the reader knows what to expect. The book finishes with a discussion on leadership, the glue that holds the maneuver warfare principles together.
There is nothing new in this book. All of these principles can be found in other management and leadership teaching aids. This book's true value is the clear, concise, and easy format in which it is written. The true standard for good writing is the ability to clearly convey a point to the reader. This book meets that standard. It has valuable lessons for managers in all organizations, be they military, civilian-government, commercial, or non-profit. Anyone in a leadership position would find their time well spent in reading this book.
Excellent practical concepts for any organisation.......2006-01-28
I had reservations about this book before reading it because I happen to agree with those who say that business and war are two very different things.
However, the author makes it clear at the start of this book that he knows business and war are different phenomena, but the principles he outlines are applicable to both arenas.
I believe he is absolutely correct and to be clear what is discussed in this book is exactly that, a set of principles or qualities that are sure to be an effective boost to anyone working in any number of competitive arenas.
I think Warfighting by the USMC is an excellent work - from where these principles are largely derived - and this book builds on those and essentially outlines how they can be transferred into civilian organisational life and business - even a very small business.
These principles are completely practically-based on real world experience - tried and tested more so than many theoretical systems that no-one has ever tried.
Well the USMC is nothing if not an effective organisation based not only on what works, but what brings about outstanding breakthrough results.
I also regard the principles outlined as being useful in other areas of life and very easy to carry in mind.
I also really enjoyed reading this book, the military and business examples used are inspirational.
My personal favourite is the story of a USMC Captain fighting against enemy forces in Vietnam using ingenuity and the principle of decentralised decision making to thwart an attack by 30,000 enemy and 200 tanks.
Don't you wish your staff could make an equivalent achievement in your business?
To my mind, this book is worth much more than many business books on the market.
It is not some macho testosterone-soaked work, it is not all about how great the USMC is, it is about what works.
Yes, business is not war, but the skills of resource management and competition do share strategic, operational and tactical similarities.
Well worth reading and applying to work.
Curious but Not Effective.......2005-12-02
Read this book and listened to a discussion from one of the authors. Most of the material is extremely offensive to any educated person. While the correlation between success and military campaigns is curious reading for military buffs - this material is largely non-applicable for a real business.
Excellent.......2005-06-18
A great introduction to the strategy tenets of the USMC. The authors do a splendid job of combining theory with practical examples. I especially liked their integration of tactics and execution.
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Strategy & Competition
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Five Minds for the Future
Risk Intelligence: Learning to Manage What We Don't Know
Know-How: The 8 Skills That Separate People Who Perform from Those Who Don't
Payback: Reaping the Rewards of Innovation
The Strategy Paradox: Why committing to success leads to failure (and what to do about it)
