Industrial Books

Def. a thinking mans book, while the topic is EQ, this book requires a fair amount of IQ to grasp the concepts as he give the reason behind the theories. Everything he says is backed by a LOT of supporting evidence, but most of it feals right like you knew that all along.

one thing I found is my constructive thinking is actually rather good, which I now point to the reason why I maintain low levels of stress. (I also realized how screwed up my now ex girlfriend is and why she is such a stress head...)

I learned WAY more about how people think than I did in my psychology class. I now pay attention to my internal dialog and think of how constructing my thinking is and if it is not, how and what I should be thinking. for the most part my blunders are mostly calling myself a dumb*** after I do something stupid and fear of aproaching women and such, but i highly value this book and would recomend it to anyone who wants to learn how the thought process REALLY works.

One bad thing is the title of the book, people would ask me what I'm reading and after showing them they woudn't know what to think and I'd have to give a little discription. Its probably one of the main reasons this book passed over by most people...

In a world filled with folks who want to "clutter" up the concept or goal of human thinking, it is so refreshing to find a book that reaches back to the essence of what makes us...well, such cool and complicated creatures--the melding of our emotional and rational minds operating in a purposeful way. One can find many a book on the bestsellers list these days whose authors actually complicate the wolrld of human perception for their own profit. Gardner's books on varying IQ and Goleman's on emotional intelligence offer (or at least imply) the reader what I consider hurtful advice: that you are limited as a human being based on biological forces and that you should accept what you're "good at," doing the best you can with what you've been given. Thankfully, Prof. Epstein puts personal desire and motivation back into the mix; showing the reader that one can achieve, in most cases, what one wants in life if one properly aligns his or her experiential and rational minds to reflect his or her desires and does the work to constructively create the thinking necessary to reach his or her goal. This is a book that should be referenced often by those who seriously believe that, with a bit of guidence from Epstein, they can reorganize their thinking processes; thus freeing themselves from the bounds of thier emotional and irrational prisons.

I have dozens of books of this genre and Epstein steals the show. Incredibly well written, Constructive Thinking is extremely well researched and very balanced in its approach. His 'two mind' theory is profound and (as another reviewer mentioned) just makes sense. His theory powerfully advances the premise the we alone are responsible for our emotional reactions to things and people...and are not simply automatic. Thus, we control our destiny far more than others would have us believe. This is an inspiring message, as it suggests we that we can create new experiences and unlearn that which had previouly held us back. This is a 'two highlighter' book which you'll be referring to over and over. Every chapter in my book is marked with not only interesting but truly important insights. I thought so much of Epstein's work that I dedicated a chapter in my upcoming book The Big AHA: Breakthroughs in Resolving and Preventing Workplace Conflict. If you want to put emotional intelligence in proper context, you must read this book.

In 1998, when Epstein wanted to update his book "You're Smarter Than You Think: How to Develop Your Practical Intelligence for Successful Living" (1993), he decided to add 2 rather academic chapters discussing Goleman's and others' views on Emotional Intelligence. Epstein's view is that emotions (as opposed to "moods") always occur after thinking, even if the thinking may be "unconcious" at most occasions. This view is the opposite from what others, such as Goleman write: they argue thinking come after emotions. Of course, both parties have "evidence" to back up their claims. My sugestion: the two views are useful!

The previous paragraph indicates that Epstein's book ONLY covers the "constructive thinking" part of developing emotional intelligence, and if you want a book for that, I must say that he did a great job, building on the work of rational-emotive theraphy and cognitive psychology. He includes a very interesting questionnaire which helps you to figure out how constructive your current thinking is and gives you tools to avoid boby traps of automatic thinking and to recognize typical patterns of destructive thoughts. Unfortunately, this book is too limited to be "the" book to increase your EQ in all its aspects.

This is one authentic book which shows practical ways to enhance emotional intelligence. The art of controlling emotions so that maximum benefit is derieved in daily happenings is well explained in the book. The book right through stresses the need for implementing the 'understanding' and the strategies explained are practical and implementable. The author has given a questionnaire to test the level of one's constructive thinking called Consructive Thinking Inventory.

I am drawn to the book because of its 'application-value'and to the chapter (VIII) dealing with achieving success in the workplace through constructive thinking - which is the need of the hour for all the executives and workers alike. The book also explains how constructive thinking can reduce stress and increase interpersonal adjustment, thus increasing one's emotional intelligence and control. The book has a wealth of conceptual wisdom on thinking and its effect on emotional well-being of people. One of the very well researched books to go through.

Prof.Dr.B.Janakiram, Mgmt.Dept. MSRIT.Bangalore.India

I worked closely with the author for over a decade and know first-hand that what he's saying here is both valid and smart. But what really knocks me out is something even bigger.

Henry is a thinker, dreamer, inveterate tinkerer and creative type. In another life, he could have been Michaelangelo. What he ISN'T, however, is an author. Until now. And that's my point.

What Henry 's done here is what he's urging you to do. To step forward, get out of your comfort zone and do something new, different and challenging. To rekindle your inherent spirit to create. These are the threads that we, as Americans, have been pulling forward since our nation was born. But as Henry points out, they've become frazzled
in recent years and good ol' Yankee ingenuity isn't what is used to be.

I was in the meeting when a client asked us to take a "Safe risk". I'm a writer and simply walked away shaking my head over its inherent lunacy. I never thought about writing a book. Henry, an art director, used it as the thesis for his book.

I told you he was smart.

Caroselli bangs the drum for more creative input and control within the corporate structure.

What happens when bean counters are given carte blanche to reorganize an activity that is essentially a product of creative thought?

The short term answer is obviously greater profits but at what cost? Every member of a board of directors should read this book. It explores the real cost of sacrificing everything to the great profit Moloch.

Perhaps long term corporate prosperity is better served by open communication within the company and this would perforce include those pesky creative types and their expensive ideas.

Clearly Disney was a uncompromising mavarick genius who risked everything to acheive an ideal. Shouldn't we be looking for the same attributes in our corporate leaders?

Well written and interesting.

This highly readable and anecdotal observation by a talented and seasoned business professional defines the type of leadership that is critically needed in business today.

The business of America is business. And American business must continue to be innovative and idea-driven business. Idea generation involves seeking excellence through open-mindedness, vision, and tenacity. As the author explores the courage and cost of being an true innovator, he concludes that anyone can engage in a more free associative approach in the search for innovation and become an innovator himself.

Caroselli encourages readers to initiate lasting and real results by sticking to the essence of their vision while searching for innovative approaches to problem solving and effective execution.

Caroselli is accurate in observing that business managers often toss aside good ideas in favor of the easy sell. It will always be tempting to pay "lip service" to innovation and just "manage the work" rather than "make something happen."

It is significant that Caroselli recognizes that the Chinese and Euro markets are growing too quickly to be ignored. To maintain out standard of living as North Americans, we will be compelled to revisit the kind of Yankee ingenuity and idea generation that made this nation whatit is and to assure that our prosperity can continue.

A highly recommended read for any business person- management, creative or, optimally, a person who is both.

Caroselli accurately describes the shortsightedness of corporate America today. While I'm sure there are exceptions, I could relate what was written to my 25, and still counting, years in corporate America. I've seen the shift toward short term results at the expense of the long term for many years. When the "long term" comes, corporations end up in fire-fight mode for survival which drives even shorter term decisions and the expense of true R&D and new "idea generation". The book enlists many excellent real world examples to deliver the message.
The book is written in a very entertaining and casual way to make the points feel close to home. Bravo Mr. Caroselli!!

Other customers reviewing Cult of the Mouse here have written that it's excellent and wise; a fresh, important inside look at the ossification of an iconic American corporation -- Disney -- due to its managerial snuffing of the very innovation and creativity that made it great. I agree and recommend the book to you without reservation.

What I need to comment on is Publisher's Weekly hatchet job "review," which fails to disclose a key fact necessary for any reader to judge that review's credibility: The publisher of Publisher's Weekly, Reed Business Information, is also the publisher of several entertainment industry trade publications such as Variety, Daily Variety, Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News, etc. etc. As any subscriber to these publications can see on a daily basis (and I am such a subscriber), Disney is one of Reed Business Information's larger advertisers and customers. Shouldn't a credible journalist or reviewer reveal such an important business relationship to the reader? Shouldn't the reader who comes to Amazon for information about a book be informed that the "Editorial Review" is not written, as most customers would assume, by an impartial reviewer, but by a reviewer in business with the company that is the highly displeased subject of the book? Isn't that usually the way journalists and reviewers behave -- disclose their conflicts of interest, rather than hide them?

Caroselli describes artfully within Disney the "don't tell the truth, just tell the toppers what they want to hear" type of communication that is so antithetical to the innovation and creativity that was once Disney's hallmark. Is Publishers Weekly and its parent, Reed Business, guilty of the same in its "review?" Hard to say for sure. But it's easy to say that ANY reviewer worthy of that name should disclose its conflicts. The failure to do so here illustrates just how important Caroselli's message is for corporate America.

So let me make my own disclosure: I met the author once, at a conference I organized about the harmful effects media consolidation and concentration have on creative artists. He asked me to read his manuscript and I was so impressed that I was honored when he asked me to write a jacket blurb. Now, that disclosure wasn't so painful or difficult, was it, Publishers Weekly?

Read the book. Decide for yourself. You won't regret it.

I've rarely seen a more logical approach to selling. It leaves nothing to imagination, making every step in the process clear and explicit. It even expands on Rackham's SPIN sequence. If you're tired of guessing, this book's for you.

TThis book is terrific...It answered many questions I had about sales approach to b2b selling. If you are selling b2b or your product/service has a high value, you will love the tools this book will give you to succeed! It has great examples, and useful exercises to make the material 'stick'. Rob breaks everything down to minute detail, so everything is duplicatable and understandable. I hope to see an audio version sometime in the future. I love the questioning sequences detailed by Rob and his honest and ethical approach to every step in the sales cycle.

This book also teaches you how to use the selling principles in everything else in life from managing employees to bringing up children. I am already beginning to be more pursuasive with my fiance and my boss. I am loving it!!!

Robert Jolles teaches you very SOUND techniques and not hype like Tom Hopkins, Zig Ziglar or Joe Girard. I love the fact that he was a senior sales training consultant at Xerox, which is world-known for its investment in sales research and its training methodologies.

I have been teaching Rob's methods for close to 2 years at the Univ. of Houston. Rob is a genuine person and his methods work...period. Yet, you cannot just read this book and expect it all to sync the first day. You need to practice this....daily to have the impact required.

Clearly defines the steps to making a sale along with the understanding of how and when a customer makes a buying decision. People don't make a large purchase decision until they have a "problem". So if you are selling large ticket items and or programs, then you better understand how to move the decision maker into the "problem" stage. I thought that the author's examples and situations outlined in the book were excellent and really drove home the points he was making. It is an easy read and thoroughly enjoyable!

I am pretty new to the world of sales - a reluctant salesman who has realised that selling is central to success in any relationship based endeavour. What I have been searching for is a sales 'system' - a repeatable process that allows you to 'advise' the client for mutual benefit, rather than simply sell him. And Robert Jolles almost hits the mark. He gives you a sales strategy - a strategy with 8 steps in the selling process, that with a bit of practice will make the sales call more of a consultation.

But, for me, the book contradicted its title somewhat. This is particularly evident where Jolles uses the boxing metaphor for selling (he compares selling to you and your client stepping into the ring for a few rounds) and 'bleeding' your client. Now maybe I'm naive, but I think this is what is totally wrong with the sales profession - I don't think you're ever fighting your client, or should be trying to 'bleed' him or her, or make him hurt.

Now perhaps Jolles was simply trying to make the point that the client needs to be fully aware of the implications of his/her problem etc, but it was the way he says it that shows he doesn't have the customers true interests at heart. And to me,its the philosophy of the sales professional combined with sales effectiveness that is critical to building long-term, mutually benefical client relationships.

I would recommend this book to you - it teaches a sound sales process that is repeatable. But for me it missed that extra something.

This is a must have for Disney fans. Everything from ABC's LOST to the Alice Comedies and from Steamboat Willy to Meet the Robinsons is covered here. Some articles are more detailed than others but everything is covered. Makes an interesting read just on its own. Film historians and students will find a wealth of connective material here to jump start them on research and fill in the dots on hard to find questions. A beautiful display of pictures is included with this volume. If you can't actually visit the archives (and I certainly would like to) then this is the next best thing.

"Disney A to Z" is an awesome book that a true Disney fan cannot live without. It is a great book that will help you find out about old Disney movies, that you might have not seen. "Disney A to Z" encyclopedia is also an essential source for those that love to play the "Disney Seen it" board game. It gives a short description of ALL Disney movies including the short ones that came out after the World War II. I LOVE IT!!!

This is a great gift for any Disney fan. Many listing bring back great memories and coll trivia.

Great source for references to Disney films, characters and much more.

This book is a great resource for all Disney fans. All the characters, all the movies (unfortunately, the Mephisto movie made in collaboration with Salvador Dali is not in the book) and all the attractions, parks, properties and influentials employees are mentioned. Maybe just not as exhaustive as I would like it; it is, however, a great resource.

In engineering, what in truth wins out and why?

-Nonverbal thoughts or unambiguous verbal desciptions?
-Art or science?

The answers to such questions can be found within the pages of this book. Nonverbal thoughts are a kind of art. And both of them will, based on history, win out.

Actually, seeing a vision that involves a win-win between art and science is the correct approach. To account for many current engineering fiascoes, Ferguson often sites late 1950's changes in curriculum at top universities as they chased after "science-orientated" federal funding.

Post world-war II misconceptions between what is science and what is in fact technology (art) have resulted in problematic media reports and poor federal policy. From MIT to NASA, our top technology institutes torture themselves in the name of "science." For instance: from the lunar landar to the space-shuttle, space-craft are almost pure technology (art). Naturally, current technologists need to be able to check themselves with fundamental science principles and that is a purpose of ABET B.S.-type engineering degrees.

A strange, new badge of intelligence seems to be the ability to see through all this.

This gave me a better understanding of the history of the my profession than any other book I have. It also pointed out gaps in my education which I hadn't even realized I had. All engineers should read this.

This book should be required reading for all engineers. It reviews how the art, practical and design type courses were taken out of the engineering schools in the 1950's and how those schools are now correcting the situation.

The author reviews the importance of practical experience and the ability to sketch... particularly for chief engineers.

Most impressive and perhaps most important was the panoramic history of engineering, design and creativity. The book has beautiful pictures and an extensive bibliography.

I found interesting that Leonardo's notebooks were only part of the many notebooks prepared during the Renaissance. And, that many of them copied drawings of earlier works. Lots of pictures of these notebooks are included, along with pictures of the extensive use of models (mostly fortifications) used at this time... and all the way up to WWII.

The author discusses how CAD systems really help on the productivity but include so many limiting asssumptions that they may stifle creativity. Particularly bad from the author's point of view is the over reliance on math. He points out that most engineering problems are messy, and not amenable to a clean mathematical solution. And, that we have all these younger engineers looking only for clean problems so they can put their math training to work. Unfortunately, nature is not so co-operative.

His solution: more drawing and more practical experience. For example, budding engineers should get out into the field and go see the problem, or visit other plants. They should build prototypes and learn how to operate a lathe. In this regard he likes Dutch and German engineering schools best.

This is a great book that any engineer should add to his permanent collection.

John Dunbar
Sugar Land, TX

...is more important than knowledge." This fine book examines the deep roots of this simple and wise truth. The author takes us on a journey of discovery within our [engineering] profession and shows us where we originated from, and [unfortunately] where we are headed. The author has the courage to come out and say what many, if not most, in the field of engineering would like to say, but for one reason or another have not: Academia is producing more and more clinical analysts, and less and less true engineers. He examines and clarifies the difference between the two and goes on to explain how we have arrived at this strange place so far away from the road that we should be on. He further offers some of, but certainly not all, the solutions for getting ourselves back on track as a profession.

I found this book to be wonderfully entertaining and incredibly insightful about the field(s) of engineering and how we think, communicate, advance in our profession(s). Being a graduating senior in a dying breed of EEETs at Montana State University, I have generally found the author profoundly on the mark, and recommend this book for everyone even associated with the field of engineering and most especially, the educators!

A short, nicely written book. A must read for those with an interest in history of technology, engineering or education. Time well spent for almost any intellegent reader. A lot of "bang for your buck" with this one!

If your company hasn't already tapped you to be involved in its environmental management effort, your reaction to the mention of ISO 14001 may range from dismissal (What's it got to do with me?) to dispassionate interest (I guess it's a good idea, but my plate's already full.). Gabriele Crognale explains in simple terms why many companies have embraced the concept of environmental management -- and why today's managers need to be aware of what's happening in this field. The book identifies opportunities, management practices, methodologies, and innovative strategies that organizations can implement to improve their environmental management performance. The logic is that if organizations display a strong commitment to sound environmental practices, they can defuse the traditional "command and control" enforcement applied by regulatory agencies. In a total quality organization, sound environmental practices are a shared commitment that makes good business sense. This book explains the issues and provides solid, hands-on guidance for helping your organization as it takes the next step in improving environmental quality.

Many environmental management books in print today, and even some books on the new wave of sustainability, lack the depth and detail that the author provides in his book. His choices of co-authors are a good blend to the mix and depict practical insight into their operations and how they address environmental management and sustainability issues. Practical insight can be gleaned from such diverse companies and industries as HP, Gilette, IBM, ST Microelectronics, Chevron and Texaco, and how each of them addresses environmental management issues as well as how they applied their lessons learned to improve.

Of note, one local university uses excerpts of the book in one of its environmental maangement classes, and was impressed with how specific chapters lend themsleves well to these classes, here in 2007.

Very interesting! A must-read for an environmentalist

This book offers a unique look into the issues and responsibilities that environmental professionals in companies face on a daily basis. The Editor used finesse in weaving the case studies of other environmental professionals into a smooth flowing book where each new chapter complements the previous chapter. So what you get is good reading instead of dry, dull technical reading. The Editor also includes extensive additional material in the endnotes, references, etc., brings rich value to this book as a suitable reference source for all readers, whether students like me, or professionals in the workplace. It's VERY conservatively priced for what you get, and is easy to read. I enjoyed the book for what it offers, and I recommend it to you.

Environmental Management Strategies, The 21st Century Perspective, Volume 5 is an asset to any environmental managers' bookshelf. It is very readable while being stuffed with applicable information pertaining to environmental management. It offers a good picture of recent business trends that incorporate environmental practices that often go beyond straightforward compliance. The book also illustrates the possible benefits of companies applying forward thinking regarding environmental management using case studies of successful companies. In addition practical information pertaining to OSHA, EH&S, and EPA requirements are included.

THIS BOOK HAS TO BE A CLASSIC AS FAR AS FIREFIGHTING IS CONCERNED. IF YOU ARE A FIREFIGHTER, THIS BOOK SHOULD BE IN YOUR LIBRARY. YOUR LIFE MAY DEPEND UPON IT.

It is widely discussed in fire service circles that this text is an amalgom of FDNY tactical bulletins and other internal documents, such as Ladders 3 and Ladders 4. If so, it offers useful information for fire problems most of us routinely encounter. The 3rd edition has hideously tiny print and is over run by wordiness, but does have additional chapters on WMD issues as well as townhouse/garden apartment fires. There is new text intersprised all through out the book. Norman is a tough read - passive voice, run on sentences and double negatives - but the material is still worth digging through. And hey, the bulding classification codes from the 1st and 2nd editions got corrected.
A must for any working firefighter.

I found this book to be very informative. It helps answer the "what if this happens" questions that every firefighter ponders when they have time to reflect. I definitely recommend picking up this book whether you are an actual officer or firefighter.

I bought this as a text for a class but I'm finding it very thorough and easy to follow with tons of good info.

This book is full of valuable information, and has helped to fill in some gaps in my understanding of certain firefighting tactics that I simply have not learned in my five years in the fire service. This book simply has more valuable, pertinent information than any other fire/rescue text I have ever read. Incredible!

The books only flaw is the photos are of very poor quality.

It is full of a great wealth of knowledge and insight. Awesome text, very easy, interesting read.

I highly recommend this book.

I like how this book shows how Gehry's architecture progressed from his Senior Thesis Project to his recent works. It's interesting how simple his architecture once was, to how much more complex it is now. Buy this book, you will always enjoy it.

i did not have a good impression of gehry until i got this book. i got it because i had to know what this guy is thinking when he comes up with what i thought was "ugly" stuff (i now feel ashamed to admit that). now i see the beauty of his work.
my eyes have been opened. i now have a greater respect for what he is doing.
the photography is amazing...the book provides sketches and insight into what gehry is trying to do.
must have for architectural students/interns

This book represents all what Frank Gehry is. With beautiful photos and good texts, you can know all work of this that's one of the best architets of actuality. Frank Gehry's Complete Works must be bought and read, it's like a bible of desconstrutivism architetury. The price is wonderfull and the quality too. I love it.

This is a book to people who have a bad idea of gehry work, like i had, because is amazing how the author made an retrospective of gehry work with so much quality and quantity work. And remember, this book is really "cheap" because is very good. IN MY OPINION, JUST BUY IT!

Architecture is my first love although I am a Art History Major. So without any dobt I knew this publication would be right up my ally. To say the least I was not dissappointed. A brief, illustrated synopsis was given on all projects right up to the current "Music Experience" extravaganza. One point I found of particular interest was that in most of the Bios it gave the Budget that Gehry had to work in. It is a massive book and printed on top quality stock. One that will last a lifetime in my Library. It is a book worthy of any one interested in cutting edge design. Although alot of the projects are in Europe as they seem to be more accepting of his progressive designs the commissioned works in America are just as fine. I can only anticipate the "New Guggenheim"in New York.

Overall this is a really great book with lots of examples and good problems, however my complaint is that some of the problems haven't been covered in the examples and so they are too difficult to solve. For instance, in the chapter on node voltages, none of the examples covers floating voltage sources that have other components like resistors in series with them, yet a number of the problems involve such floating voltage sources. I had to refer to the Schaum's Outline of Basic Circuit Analysis (another very good book, btw) to find an example problem for that.
If you're looking for books on electric circuits, however, I would definitely recommend this one along with the Schaum's Outline book I mentioned above.

This is a decent start for novice engineers. Unlike other texts on the same subject it has very effective methodology of teaching the very basic concepts of electric circuits. A bulk of solved examples is there to help you understand techniques of circuit analysis. It really soothed me when I was suffering from "circuit phobia". This text is highly recommended by me for beginners.

I am very satisfied with Alexander's book. Compared with any other book in this field, the others actually don't really stand a chance. Why? Because you can actually teach from this book EFFECTIVELY. The pedagogy works here, whereas many other authors have unfortunately failed. The communication works; and the chemistry works too. I think we engineers really need to realize this important issue. And always try to improve.

This one book ist the best Engineer book for me since my undergraduate years. The great difference between this one and others are the very illustrativ problems. Charles Alexander is somewhat well known as an engineering educator - I could very feel this from the book's layout.

This is probably the most useful engineering textbook I have on my shelf. Not only is it very easy to understand, but as a reference, I like it even better! The math is lucid, yet never overwhelming, and in addition, the problems are quite interesting. I highly recommend this book, rather than Nilsson's. (I think one of the Authors of this book has written/edited an EE handbook as well, which I am less familiar with. Maybe I'd check that one out too)

The Gold Mine: A Novel of Lean Turnaround

It's not a typical thing to find a fairly complex subject presented in an enjoyable read. While not likely to reach the top 10 best sellers list because of plot or style points, the practical teaching of Lean Manufacturing through the eyes of characters in a story is a much welcomed approach to discussing technical subjects. There were times I forgot I was learning something useful and really was interested in the story. If you are interested in getting a fairly complete overview of the concepts and benefits of Lean Manufacturing, I recommend The Gold Mine.

It is a Good book !
I saw it get my plant started on the journey. The lean mentality and the resultant manifold, multilevel gains are continuing to spread.

An increasing number of people learn about Lean tools, ideas and even the overall phylosophy behind. We all see Toyota's success and believe, that's mainly due to TPS and the Lean mindset.

We all agree, that Lean is simple, easy to understand and the right thing to do. However, only very few companies get past the obstacles to initiate, implement and maintain Lean thinking. Why?

This book illustrates in a very realistic way the challenge of a Lean change management. It describes the common obstacles, fears, misunderstandings and political games and how difficult it is to overcome them. Thanks to the story-telling style, You can really feel the heavy load resting on the shoulders of change agents.

Besides, the book also describes the Lean concepts, but the book's main purpose is Lean change management, not Lean tools.

If You plan to make any organization Lean, this book prepares You for the coming challenges.

I read "The Gold Mine" when it came out, and immediately had it added to our company Lean Library, and my own "read again" list.

It is definitely a must read for those that want to get into the depths of Lean, not just the tools. To get beyond and behind the mechanics of the tools, I group this book along with the outstanding Harvard Business Review articles: "The DNA of the Toyota Production System" by Spear & Bowen, and "Learning to Lead at Toyota" by Spear.

Understanding the mechanics of the Lean tools is necessary but not sufficient. Understanding the power behind the tools and the real challenge implementing them is critical. Tool books and true-life but superficial turnaround stories are helpful, but cannot reach the levels that a fictional story like this can (especially when told by authors who clearly "get it").

Here are specific thoughts on the book itself:

On the positives:
1) the descriptions of the dad character's interations with his sensei's were so realistic, I could picture myself with my own sensei's years ago (Hiyashi-san and Oba-san from Toyota and Matsubara-san from Tokai Rika). I found myself learning as much from remembering and rethinking what they said as I did from the book itself.
2) I was thoroughly impressed with the depth of understanding of Lean conveyed by the Balle's. The dad character hits on some real subtleties of Lean that it took me years of doing to even appreciate the power. I encourage readers to go over the 5S, 5 Why and TPM sections several times - the sections are brief, but there is some hard won wisdom in those passages.
3) the description of 5S on pages 120-126 is about the best I've seen anywhere (especially the often misunderstood 3rd and the rarely comprehended 4th and 5th).
4) The real dangers of a Lean transition are talked about in human terms with "real" people - the Materials Manager that couldn't make it, the production manager that did, the business partner that was focused on his relationship with the technical manager not the operation, and the change agent that gets burned out and recruited away. You just don't get that in the standard literature - the fictional story is much more effective.

On the wish list:
1) I wish the authors had set the story in a place without a "crisis". Getting across the "need to change" is somewhat easier (admittedly still difficult) when everyone knows there is an imminent crisis. It is harder to get a company with 20% margins to realize they could improve to 40% or to capture a larger market. I believe the Balle's have the capability to write the harder story of a business that just wants to move to a higher level without a crisis.
2) "The Gold Mine" shows the "Lean Way" to change an operation, and takes a few well aimed shots at regular consultants. I wish they had taken a few more at the mythical search for "the" bottleneck espoused by another famous fictional turnaround story (see pages 46-47). The Balle's insight and storytelling ability might have been able to give us Lean disciples some more help in the Lean vs TOC debates. As it is, they left it hanging.
3) I wish more of the story took place at the plant (in Gemba). The point still gets made in the book, but changes happen in Gemba, not on the consultant's boat. I understand the character's frustrations, but was somewhat dissapointed and saddened by the lack of passion for manufacturing and the desire to "get in there".
4) I wish there was more dialogue with and from the actual operators. The characters talk about them, but the only real interactions with them take place at the stamping presses late in the book.

On the nitpicky side:
1) some typos got through editing that should have been caught - in a couple of places they were confusing, in others, just annoying.
2) I could have done without the son's personal life issues. I don't think they added much to the story and I found myself wanting to skip ahead, but afraid I'd miss something...

A good combination of lean implementation details and an interesting story line. This book in similar in concept to 'The Goal', in that it interweaves the personal story of an owner's desperate need to turn his mfg company around with the blocking and tackling requirements to get it done. It spends a good deal of time talking about how people handle these changes and reminds you never to lose that focus during the sometimes daunting process changes encountered during lean implementation.