Book Reviews (242)

  • Great by Choice

    By: Jim Collins   

    Pages: 304

    Business

    My recommendation: 10 / 10

    Date read: Before 2013

    Brief review: Jim Collins does it again with another masterpiece. A result of extensive research on world’s greatest companies, the book gives an insight on how some companies chose their way to greatness. In one the the chapters, Some of the key findings of the research were (1) Great companies took less risk than the comparison companies and yet produced vastly superior results. (2) Luck is not the reason for success. Comparison companies enjoyed better luck than great companies but they failed because they squandered it. (3) Great companies developed specific and concrete practices which could endure for decades. They changed them by an average of just 15% as compared to 60% by comparison companies. (4) Great companies were not visionary. They were empiricists. To quote one example from the book, Intel succeeded not because of innovation or creativity but discipline. (5) To achieve great results it is not necessary to make fast and radical changes simply because the world is changing fast. This is a must read book. Brilliant examples and to the point. Another great works by Jim Collins are "Good to Great" and "Built to Last" which also I would recommend.

  • How to Win Friends & Influence People

    By: Dale Carnegie   

    Pages: 304

    Self Help

    My recommendation: 10 / 10

    Date read: Before 2013

    Brief review: First published in year 1936, it has sold over 30 million copies. This is one of the best books I have ever read. Through his golden words and tips, Dale Carnegie gives you the recipe of making great friends, become popular among people, increase your income, arouse others interest in you, become a better salesman and making your life happier. Read it today.

  • The Alchemist

    By: Paulo Coelho   

    Pages: 180

    Fiction

    My recommendation: 10 / 10

    Date read: Before 2013

    Brief review: This is without any doubt the best writing of Paulo Coelho. It’s about the journey of a boy in search of a hidden treasure. It gives subtle life lessons too. It will make you believe in the power of dreams and that you should listen to your heart. In the words of author, the secret of life is 'to fall seven times and to get up eight times'. When we overcome our challenges, and we mostly do; we are filled with a greater sense of pride, euphoria and confidence. It's an international bestseller. A gripping story which you will finish in one sitting. One of the best books you could read in the fiction category.

  • First Things First

    By: Stephen Covey   

    Pages: 360

    Self Help

    My recommendation: 8 / 10

    Date read: Before 2013

    Brief review: It's a classic book on time management and more by Stephen Covey. It's the extension of the third habit 'Put first things first' mentioned in his book '7 habits of highly effective people'. The famous 'four quadrants of time management' is explained in much detail. The power of goals and integrity in the moment of choice can bring remarkable difference in life. Three critical message in the book is - 1. The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. 2. Focus on 'important but not urgent works' for dramatic results. 3. Plan weekly, not daily. If you are struggling with managing your time and living a life of passion, this book is for you.

  • Think and Grow Rich

    By: Napoleon Hill   

    Pages: 290

    Business, Self Help

    My recommendation: 10 / 10

    Date read: Before 2013

    Brief review: This book is about 'what you want and how to get it'. It will change the way you think. Napoleon Hill did decades of research and obtained information about hundreds of successful people in a wide array of disciplines, including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, John D Rockefeller and others. This became the source for writing this book. He suggests that 'desire' is the starting point of all achievement. He developed a simple but powerful 13-step formula to achieve success. It has been a best seller for over 80 years now. If you are keen to know the secrets of success in personal and professional life, you must read this book.

  • Illusions

    By: Richard Bach   

    Pages: 144

    Fiction

    My recommendation: 8 / 10

    Date read: Before 2013

    Brief review: It's a novel, written as teacher-student (two pilots flying) discussion, the book will make you think about your objective in life. It proposes that our view of the world is an illusion that we have created for our own entertainment. It encourages to soar above in our lives. A very short book. Richard Bach is an accomplished writer and I would recommend this book for sure.

  • Good to Great

    By: Jim Collins   

    Pages: 300

    Business

    My recommendation: 10 / 10

    Date read: Before 2013

    Brief review: The basic idea behind this book is 'Why some companies make the leap while others don't.' Jim and his team of researchers spent years and countess number of hours to crunch quantitative as well as qualitative data stretching over decades to identify what it takes to achieve enduring success. Some of the companies covered in the analysis were Coca-Cola, Intel, General Electric, and Merck. These were compared with an equally good peer group comparison company which failed the test of endurance over long period. What I liked best about this book is the simplicity in which it explains the findings of years of research. A must read.

  • 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

    By: Stephen R. Covey   

    Pages: 432

    Self Help

    My recommendation: 10 / 10

    Date read: Before 2013

    Brief review: This book is considered to be the blueprint of personal development ever since its publication in 1988. The 7 principles mentioned in the book will not only improve the quality of your personal life but also assist greatly in your workplace, business and leadership. I read this book a decade ago and the learning's still seems fresh. I will highly recommend this book to everyone.

  • The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

    By: Robin Sharma   

    Pages: 198

    Self Help

    My recommendation: 10 / 10

    Date read: Before 2013

    Brief review: This book is about a highly successful but over stressed and an unhappy lawyer who collapsed from heart attack while arguing a case in the court and later pursuing a spiritual journey. The essence of the book is to pursue happiness and self mastery. It is a short book with lucid writing. It is one of the most successful book on self development and living a fulfilling life.

  • Jonathan Livingston Seagull

    By: Richard Bach   

    Pages: 87

    Self Help

    My recommendation: 9 / 10

    Date read: Before 2013

    Brief review: It's an amazing story about Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a seagull. Jonathan is expelled from his flock for not adhering to the norms of the group. His tenacity to learn and focus makes him a high flyer and one in a million bird. He finds great satisfaction in teaching other seagulls to reach their full potential. Once done, he hands over the command to someone else and leaves to find another flock of seagulls and teach them to fly high. The book is highly motivating and one can draw huge inspiration to follow their dreams and make their own rules. I would suggest you to read this book and ask your children to read it too.

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