Economics Books

This book is a gem. Not only does it motivate you to market yourself effectively and put yourself "out there", it gives you all the pertinent tools needed to do just that! It has the ability to contextualise the entire job search process, whilst inspiring you to get on with it - assess your abilities, write your resume, write a supremely convincing cover letter, and nail the interview. It is an incredibly easy read that even has the ability to re-energize you when you get the feeling that it's all going nowhere. The advice and answers to tricky questions afforded in this excellent career book are by far the most practical and useful that I have found. Rob Sullivan makes the job search process seem alot less daunting and even fun! There is much to be gained from Getting Your Foot in the Door When You Don't Have a Leg to Stand On.

I was fortunate to have met Rob Sullivan, and in a forty-five minute seminar, he filled me with enough insight to transform my Monster.com resume from generating 1 call in 6 weeks to 5 calls in 4 days! The passion, enthusiasm, and insight I experienced with him personally, fill the pages of his book, which I found to be extremely valuable in my own job search.

Rob's book is interesting, fun, succinct, and filled with wisdom. I found his book much more relevant and useful to me than "What Color is Your Parachute." I highly recommend "Getting Your Foot in the Door" instead.

What I LOVE about this book is that it's like having your best friend give you a big hug and say, "Don't worry. It's going to be alright. Here's what you need to do."

The case studies are great and really make Rob's points come to life. That, by itself, makes this book different because you can see the difference this approach makes. But don't kid yourself. It takes work. It took me a few weeks just to work through the self-assessment.

If you're looking for a quick fix, magic pill, you aren't likely to find it anywhere. You hold the key to your future. It's up to you to uncover the gold in your background. Thanks to Rob, I'm well on my way.

While this book is particularly valuable for career-changers and entry-level job hunters, I'd recommend this book to anyone.

Every time I pick up this book I am mystified as to why it hasn't found a broader audience. Yet, perhaps it's because, as Sullivan says in the intro, "you won't find shortcuts or easy answers". Unlike the narrow, often-unsatisfactory assessments that abound on the web or in career centers (interest inventories, personality typings, etc.), Sullivan's approach requires a greater level of responsibility and engagement on the part of the reader. But those willing to put in the time will find a bonanza of sound guidance to help them identify and credibly market their strengths, and hold onto their saddles while riding the interview circuit.

Solid training in advertising plus real world experience (at ad-world giant, Leo Burnett, and as a VP and Senior consultant for an executive recruiting firm) equip Sullivan with the means to define and craft the job search in marketing terms, as well as plenty of insider knowledge of interviewing techniques. Moreover, these recommendations are market-tested: Sullivan suffered through more than 80 interviews before writing the book and leveraging its methods to attain career success.

Sullivan's comparison of the job hunt to a product launch, with potential employer as consumer, orients the job seeker early on toward a realistic and research-driven self-assessment. Subsequent chapters prod the reader through the process of harvesting and quantifying details and variously combining the elements into persuasive, job-specific resumes and covers.

With well-selected quotes, honest field reports and a long, quirky bibliography, Sullivan reveals his humanity-a creative counterbalance to the book's stolid core. Scattered with gems such as the recommendation to keep a work journal of your ideas and contributions, and advice on how to handle time gaps, lateral moves and backward steps, Getting Your Foot in the Door is well-worth its modest price.

Rob's book is an easy read, and has good insights into how companies approach the recruitment process. It helped me create a very focused resume. I also liked the interview tips. A very concise and useful book.

Finally a book that helps me to understand what a global company is supposed to look like!

As President of the International Division for H20 Plus, Inc., I have had the opportunity to thoroughly read John Caslione's book. I found the book to be extraordinarily practical and easy to read in all respects. It was very informative with useful information, in particular, relating to various sources of information, including websites that can be used as references for particular research. For anyone involved in international business, I highly recommend this book. Since I have read 'Global Manifest Destiny', I have gone back on several occasions to make reference to certain sections in it that are particularly relevant to our international business operations.

Global Manifest Destiny is one of those rare reads. It's practical, logical, and cuts to the heart of any business's concerns about competing in the global marketplace. It offers an almost self-diagnosis for small to medium-sized enterprizes who understand that global economic integration is inevitable - and not just for the big players any more. Each chapter provides expert guidance in developing a checklist of key business functions that must be addressed in order to succeed globally, and the succinct delivery is a pleasure to read. Highly recommended!!

As a follow up to the first volume, Growing Your Business in Emerging Markets, this new book, Global Manifest Destiny, takes the reader to an even deeper understanding of the significance of globality and its inevitability for an healthy business environment.
The large and hands-on experience of the authors comes through every page and it makes for an unusually enjoyable read for its gender as well as a very profitable one.
We wish this book had been available few years ago. It would have helped us to avoid some pitfalls and a number of headaches.
If the world is your business theater, or you would like make it so, this book is for you!

What set this book apart for me was that it is written at a fast pace...quite unlike most business books I read. That means I picked it up one afternoon and read it cover to cover like a gripping novel. Usually, I dip in and out of business books or just read certain chapters. 'Global Manifest Destiny' is full of business-relevant facts, which in part support the main proposition that there is an inevitable coming together of the economies of the world - but which also stand alone as interesting and important statistics.

I have promised myself to re-read this book in one month's time just to make doubly sure I retain the key learning. This is essential in my role for JTI. Mine is a global role for a global player. This book helps.

this book is a must for anyone trying to improve their communication skills in any business. So much is done "in the room" and the fact remains that talent for the job and talent for getting the job are not the same thing. The author tells us things we may not want to believe but are things we are be better for knowing. It's like having ammunition, or a great coach with you when you go in for that interview or pitch meeting. I've already used some of the techniques and benefited greatly. Will most likely read this one a second time when another big meeting comes up.

This book was actually a gift for my husband. I remembered him commenting an article he had read about Stephanie Palmer and she impressed him. My husband is like a sponge. Always reading and trying to soak up knowledge. However, rarely does he comment out loud to me, unless the person or subject matter really zings him.

I also remember him indicating that Stephanie Palmer had a book out.
I decided to find the same book he was talking about, without hinting that I was going to buy it for him.

Well, I found it, he read it, he really liked it and got some excellent information from it. Now I am putting it on my list of the next books that I read.

He recommends this book and says it is helpful whether or not your are in a speaking position on any regular basis, a job you have that you may need to present yourself in front of anyone, or as he did to myself, just a housewife, he said would benefit me.

So, we give it an A+

We all have problems closing the deal. Whether it's pitching a screenplay to Spielberg, ironing out the final sale price with Trump, or negotiating who picks up the kids with the hubby/wifey.

This book provides an entire canon of strategies that can be used by different personality types in different situations. This isn't the stuff they teach you in school, but is precisely the type of knowledge and skills needed to be successful (or at least to avoid picking up the kids).

I can say first hand that the skills in this book helped me discover an unadvertised job in the industry of my dreams only a few weeks ago. Yesterday, I closed the deal and start next week.

I think that's worth doling out for the hardcover, don't you?

A methodical approach to selling your ideas without feeling like a salesperson.
Well worth it.

We don't often see everyone giving a book 5 stars - this one deserves it. The other reviewers have touched on some of the important points in the book, don't assume that you can extrapolate and get all the benefits just by reading the reviews - read, re-read, and study this book!

Although the book is focused on business applications specifically sales and moving up the corporate ladder - its tenants can be applied in most any interactions between people - friends, family, organizations, and of course business.

Palmer does not propose flashy or manipulative techniques; it's down in the trenches building solid and genuine foundations. She advocates thoughtful planning, with allowances for mis-steps along the way (and excellent advice on how to handle them).

A few of the gems that stand out for me relate to interacting with others - could be a boss or a (potential) client - organized a bit differently than in the book:

1. Before the meeting starts - do your homework, be prepared, dress appropriately (could be different that how client dresses), don't sit in the wrong chair.
2. Remind the others why you're there - the appointment could have been set days ago and they forgot.
3. Don't start your pitch too soon, develop rapport.
4. DO NOT try to be the smartest person in the room (even if you are) and do not be the center of attention.
5. When the inevitable interruptions happen - determine if it just a pause or a reason to break off the meeting for now. If getting back into the meeting after an interruption, easy back in with a brief summary of what was covered before the interruption.
6. Have a smooth way of informing the attendees on details that perhaps they should know, but perhaps don't remember (or don't know). "As you probably know, the Brothers Grimm are the nineteenth-century German professors..."

I could go on and on, but you need to read the book anyway. Go for it!

This book was mindblowing to read. The ideas presented in this book feel like logic that should be taught in schools, but sadly its not.

I dare you to read this book and disagree with its philosophy.

First of all, I'll concede that it's tough to find someone who argues better for libertarianism in practical, understandable terms than Mary Ruark. Moreover, her book's a very simple read and paints vivid examples of what a libertarian world *might* look like.

But this brings me to my first minor critique. Ruark provides examples of the way a free nation might run, but she elaborates on them in such detail that one begins to get the impression that she's arguing for the examples themselves. When she discusses a system of free-market private schooling, she describes the schools she envisions in intricate detail, and they don't remotely resemble what I think schooling in a libertarian country would look like. Now - Presuming I weren't a libertarian and even slightly objected to the school system she describes, I might simply reject all her ideas based on my objections to her illustrations of them.

Secondly, I just disagree with Ruark's anarcho-capitalistic version of libertarianism. I really am - as some libertarians would say - myopic enough to believe that we need government to provide public goods (I'm talking about the real ones like defense, police protection, and criminal justice). And call me a statist, but I think we'd have to fund these government activities with taxes. Of some kind. Somehow. Of the unvoluntary sort. With - yes - government force to ensure compliance.

Otherwise, though, this book should make an interesting read for libertarians and non.

I love this book. Really.

Dr. Ruwart's political philosophy's foundation is about non-aggression. This is nothing new in the libertarian creed, and the difference is that instead of concentrating on arguments of property rights, she really drives home with the non-aggression principle. She avers that by using aggression (i.e. force) to solve our problems, we end up only worsening our lives. We create a world of zero-sum games instead of a system that respects individual choices so long as they do not harm our person or property.

What also makes this book a pleasure to read is that it its tone is very friendly and accommodating. Many people (rightly) expect books on political philosophy to be badgering or aggressively written, so I like that Dr. Ruwart ditched the popular approach. Plus, her compassionate way of writing makes it difficult to call her a bloodthirsty free-market fan -- she does care about matters like helping the poor and making healthcare accessible.

Every issue she looks at shows the failures of aggression (i.e. government) to be effective, and conversely non-aggression (i.e. voluntary, private cooperation) has been more successful. Healthcare intervention? It's aggression, and it's bad for our health (and our wallet). The Federal Reserve? Central banking is aggression that monopolizes the money supply and creates the "boom & bust" cycle. The public school system? It might be obvious that the Department of Education doesn't actually educate anyone, but the whole setup is aggressive too, and children suffer because of it.

The principle of non-aggression is also applied to pollution, crime & punishment, the FDA, gun ownership, and -- the one especially important these days -- foreign policy. Non-aggression wins every time, and very few issues go untouched.

A cool touch to Dr. Ruwart's book is that she puts tons of great, great quotes in the margins, which work wonderfully with the topic at hand. One of my favorites comes from the first chapter (about the basis of non-aggression): "...we are living in a sick Society filled with people who would not directly steal from their neighbor but who are willing to demand that the government do it for them," says William L. Comer. That's classic! There's a lot of great ones, many of which I didn't recognize.

Please, read this book. This is a world where governments keep getting bigger, and that will always mean more aggression as the State invades more aspects of our lives. Know what's scary? In Chapter 19, "The Communist Threat Is All In Our Minds", Ruwart shows that the United States has implemented eight of ten policies The Communist Manifesto declared necessary for a transition into socialism. Darn. So, getting the word out on liberty is always a good thing. Please see Scott Ryan's excellent review of this book too.

There are two books I recommend as introductions to libertarian thought. One of them is Murray Rothbard's _For A New Liberty_. This is the other.

Dr. Mary Ruwart's _Healing Our World_ is in some ways a better general introduction suitable for a broader audience, in large measure because it appeals to the better nature of everybody from conservative Christians to hippie mystics: she really _does_ mean, and quite rightly, that libertarian principles are the means for healing our world. Her essential point is that, _whatever_ our goals and beliefs, we can best serve them by honoring our neighbors' choices so long as they aren't threatening our lives or property. For when we do so, everybody wins; my gains aren't your losses, and there really is a common good at which we can both aim.

Moreover, Ruwart carefully and compassionately explains why the libertarian approach is a better way to bring about the (entirely legitimate) goals of the more modern sort of liberal: for example, improving the quality and availability of medical care (including alternative medicines), reducing pollution, saving the environment, and so forth. Readers of, say, the Objectivist/Randian literature might come away with the impression that concern for the well-being of persons other than oneself (let alone the "environment"!) is just incompatible with libertarianism. Ruwart argues that in fact libertarianism offers not only the best way to _promote_ such concern but the only viable way to put it into practice. (On this ground alone, there are probably lots of _libertarians_ who could profit from a close reading of Ruwart's book just to pick up its tone and tenor. Her example of tolerant understanding could lead more "brittle" thinkers to enter empathically into values that haven't exactly been common among libertarians.)

Lurking in the background of Ruwart's exposition is her clear sense of the "market" as simply voluntary human interaction within a framework of obligatory respect for others' well-being. This view should appeal even to readers who don't care for the term "market"; it might, for example, be attractive to various sorts of communitarian and others who worry about the reduction of social life to economic exchange. The essential point is that human society, community, is an organic network of interacting centers of voluntary activity, not a bureaucratic order that imposes mechanical top-down rules via statute or regulatory agency -- and that trying to turn it from the former into the latter is just a fancy way to destroy it.

Ruwart's outlook should delight everybody from Calvinists to Hayekians to Taoists. And there has never been a time at which it's been more important to get the word out on liberty. Get this book at once and pass out copies to your friends; Ruwart's libertarianism has something to say to people of every political and/or religious persuasion or none.

By the way, you can pre-read it online if you know where to look. Amazon doesn't permit URLs in reviews, but write me if you want to know.

Well, maybe just the young idealistic legislators. The career legislators will probably pooh pooh the idea that we might be alright making our own decisions.

I received the book in fine condition in a timely way.
Outstanding!

This book comes recommended by Margaret Wheatley, author of Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World which in turn inspired Robert Buckman, CEO of Buckman Labs, to write Building a Knowledge-Driven Organization. These two books, and two others, Clayton M. Christensen & Michael E. Raynor, The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book that Will Change the Way You Do Business (Collins Business Essentials) and Steve Denning's The Springboard: How Storytelling Ignites Action in Knowledge-Era Organizations (KMCI Press) combine with this one by Don Maruska to offer a perfect small library for any person desiring to advance "collective intelligence" and "smart teams."

Some may consider the book simplistic, but I do not. It has just the right amount of text and white space, and its organization as well as its points are compelling.

When the author itemizing the obstacles to cooperation and information sharing: battling egos, conflicting styles, lack of commitment and follow-though, office politics, knee-jerk actions, seemingly irreconciliable differences, an atmosphere of defeatism (or a culture of unfounded arrogance), and a legacy of distrust, he is talking about the $70 billion a year U.S. Intelligence Community that I am so familiar with, and he is probably also talking about the Department of Homeland Security, every local, state, and national organization associated with the catastrophic failure to cope with Hurricane Katrina, and just about any corporation or other organization out there.

His ten easy steps merit listing here, not to rob the book of its punch, but to emphasize that each chapter on each of these steps is hugely sensible, implementable, and profitable: 1( enlist everyone including secretaries and maintenance folks; 2) discover shared hopes rather than differing problems; 3) uncover the real issues; 4) identify all options (in ignored foreign opinion, the US foregos most really implementable options); 5) gather the right information, and all of it; 6) get everything on the table; 7) write down choices; 8) map the solutions; 9) look ahead; and 10) stay charged up.

These are NOT as simple as they sound, nor are they easily implementable without an understanding of the context and the methods that the author lays out in his coherent, concise, and comprehensible manner.

His emphasis on full information, and exploring all the options ("look at the whole tree, not just the limb you are on" all resonate when one thinks about how badly the US has screwed up the so-called "Global War on Terror." First we cut taxes, gutted the Treasury, installed political cronies in key organizations that in turn drove out all the experts long ready for retirement; then we alienated all our allies, provided special tax deductions on gas guzzlers, and invaded Iraq under false pretenses. Now we are creating more terrorists every day than we are able to kill in a year.

For a specific sense of how pathetic our national-security decision making is, see my review of David J. Rothkopf's Running The World: the Inside Story of the National Security Council and the Architects of American Power In New Orleans we had a mayor that left town ahead of the crowd; a governor in denial; a head of FEMA with no clue; and a President on vacation not to be bothered. Not a single one of these have any idea how to actually do reality-based decision-making, or even how to guide a sound inclusive non-ideological decision dialog (not a debate, which the author stresses over and over will destroy the ability to be open-minded).

America is facing some very serious challenges at all levels, from family, neighborhood, and schoolhouse, to statehouse and White House. This book is much more serious than The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and much more likely--when read with the other books I mention above--to help serious people arrive at serious decisions.

EDIT of 12 Dec 07: See the books below for evidence that neither the Executive nor Congress practice decision-making in the public interest:
Vice: Dick Cheney and the Hijacking of the American Presidency
The One Percent Doctrine: Deep Inside America's Pursuit of Its Enemies Since 9/11
A Pretext for War: 9/11, Iraq, and the Abuse of America's Intelligence Agencies
Weapons of Mass Deception: The Uses of Propaganda in Bush's War on Iraq
The Broken Branch: How Congress Is Failing America and How to Get It Back on Track (Institutions of American Democracy)
Running on Empty: How the Democratic and Republican Parties Are Bankrupting Our Future and What Americans Can Do About It
Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders
Broken Government: How Republican Rule Destroyed the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches

"Don Maruska has provided an excellent blueprint for decision-making success. His book, How Great Decisions Get Made, is an indispensible tool for anyone involved in leadership, in both the public and private sectors. I have had the good fortune to watch Don use these principles firsthand, and I marvel at how he has translated his 10 easy steps into a clear, straightforward guide. This book is one that is destined to be pulled off my shelf for guidance, time and time again." Dr. Steven M. Ladd, Superintendent of Schools.

Don Maruska is a genius. His 10 Steps to reaching agreement are a simple process that any group or organization should use to deal with complex issues. This simple system removes ego from the decision making process and avoids the "me too' speeched that drag out a meeting, polarize the participants and add nothing to resolution of the issues. Don's system enables the group to reach quality agreements quickly and harmoniously.

I think Don's work is one of the most useful "life affirming tools" I have encountered in my 35 year career. It is useful not only in business, but also in family life with spouse and children. I highly recommend his book and methodology to all who want to simplify their life but also be responsible for their actions. I loved it!

Wow, I guess that 3 years after the fact, I really should start preparing for all of the chaos that will come with Y2K. Thank goodness I found this book. I will be sure to put all of these tips to good use. And now, I am crawling into my cave and getting ready. Wake me when it's over.

This book is a helpful source of information for those just starting to prepare for the coming of the new millenium. GOOD LUCK!

The information in this book is very good, but I was disappointed not to find info on certain topics like: RADIO COMMUNICATION ("walkie- talkies" and Short Wave radios); SOLAR PANELS (the kits that are best to power small electronical devices and recharge nickel-cadmium batteries); BASIC FIRST AID; and--I hate to think of it--GUNS.

Luckily, they do have a web site that is supposed to be updated regularly.

I'm really impressed. This book, How To Survive Y2k Chaos In The City, is a gold mine of useful, practical, common-sense information. It provides a sane, rational approach to your emergency preparations. This book has exceeded my expectations. I also applaud the authors because they don't use any of the fear tactics that many do, but instead give some very thought provoking reasons why we should be prudent in our approach to Y2k.

Finally, a book written specifically for those of us who live in the city (that's 70% of us)! We have amassed quite a survival library, but we find the information in this book to be the simplest, most accurate and the most helpful. I took it with me to a preparedness specialty store and even the owner was surprised by how many questions which he couldn't previously answer were dealt with in this book. It will help you become the most prepared in the shortest time possible.

Since my company has an idea program which I believe could be improved, I've read this book. It's short and to the point. It addresses the importance of small ideas for the improvement of the company and the engagement of its employees. It accompanies most of the points with real case stories which make the point even more compelling. Also very important is the chapter related to rewards and the counter-intuitive effects.

Alan G. Robinson and Dean M. Schroeder's IDEAS ARE FREE is for employers who would tap into the riches of employee ideas and insights. Employees are quite opt to recognize both problems and opportunitiestheir managers pass by - but most organizations don't encourage sharing such insights, much less reward them. IDEAS ARE FREE: HOW THE IDEA REVOLUTION IS LIBERATING PEOPLE AND TRANSFORMING ORGANIZATIONS shows how to tap this hidden wealth.

Ideas Are Free: How The Idea Of Revolution Is Liberating People And Transforming Organizations by Alan G. Robinson (Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts) and Dean M. Schroeder (Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Programs in Management at the College of Business Administrations at Valparaiso University) is an innovative guide to saving money, effort, time and also provides an informative introduction to entirely new ways of doing business with front-line employees, making the most out of opportunities and maximizing the benefits of sound, effective management. Robinson and Schroeder aptly examine the intricacies of the business life and include an analysis of a more prosperous, ease-filled advancement for opportunities granted to all, and situational manipulation for a more competently finalized project. Ideas Are Free is very highly recommended reading for all business consultants, corporate executives and departmental managers.

The authors show how important it is to gather ideas and encourage people to think creatively. I wish they would have described more how they could gather these ideas more effectively.

If you are starting a suggestion process or revamping an established one, this is the book to read and apply. Robinson and Schroeder have boiled down a thousand pages of material and years of research on the subject into 218 readable pages.

Unlike many books written for people in the world of business, this book really ties it all together. It not only talks about leadership, core values, and applying them, but also shows us why we don't and most importantly how we can, and why we must.

I recommend this book, as a strong must read for anyone working with or managing people.

With all the corruption being exposed in the business world it is refreshing to read a book that offers solutions that are both practical and easily applied. Every CEO should read this book. It will change your perspective about how we operate both consciously and unconsciously in our work, our world, and how intuition can be our best ally...

This book is a must read for all business people interested in really transforming the soul of the workplace.

As a business consultant, I couldn't agree more with the authors' insights and ideas.

The Inner Edge presents a common sense framework for improved personal and organizational effectiveness. The book is especially relevant in an era of intense scrutiny of corporate behavior and heightened expectations of ethical personal and professional behavior.

The book has an easy to use format with helpful tools such as self assessment exercises, guidelines and charts.

I have been working with individuals and small business for over 30 years in the Financial Services Industry. I have read many books and attended many workshops in an effort to expand my spiritually in both my personal and business life. This book and the concepts and exercises it provides is unquestionably one of the very best I have experienced.
I have ordered the audio CD's to assist me in implementing these concepts in my life. This book and it's concepts will provide wonderful benefits for everyone who puts it to work in their lives.

The title, preface and initial chapters excited me towards this book which i happen to browse in a local book store. I was quite excited and sometimes amazed by the clarity of presentation by the authors in the initial chapters which talks about life and its purpose, understanding and having your own "identity" and also about the side-effects of deep-rooted negative childhood habbits (unfinished business) which some people tend to carry along in their life unknowingly. The techniques to identify your strengths and small steps to be carried out to overcome the negative qualities are somewhat old but polished with new terminologies and jargons.
But I noticed a strange discontinuity in the authors presentation, when they jump into a new concept, so called "Quantum Decision Making (QDM)". The authors does not give good insight into QDM nor establish the relationship between the initial chapters and QDM. Hence overall we are introduced in lots new terms but without clear purpose and reasoning. The case studies of their approach has been clearly separated from the actual text, which was helpful to maintain the continuity in the discussion.
I would been happy or atleast understood the QDM concept better if a limited version of a CD or small visual guide was accompanied with this book. Because of this most of the latter part of the book goes over the head, when the authors talk about "icons", "multicolored 3D visualization" .. etc. Interesting/Useful initial chapters but poor second part.

Thank you for writing the book Investing In The Dream.. My girlfriend insisted I read it and i am glad she did. Although I had some knowledge of investing your book made it so much clearer. I feel better able to prepare myself for retirement. THANK YOU!!!!! Denise M. Bagby

I read your Book and read your columns. The latest column "Financial decisions" featured in The Challenger Newspaper is great. I am a single mother, fulltime employee as well as a parttime college student; I definitely know first hand how expensive it is to raise children. Your book has made the difference.

Wuanda Figueroa

I waited for the book to come out in paper back. That was my first mistake. --what a shame on my part. However, thanks to The Miami Times newspaper where I see your column, I must say that I have been enlightened and inspired by your indispensible information.

Willie F. Ford, Jr.

I purchased your paperback version of the book,Investing in the Dream. This book has answered a prayer for me. I have thought of taking Financial Classes just to learn how to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc...Thank to your wisdom and obedience to God for writing this book you have also answered my prayer. I am an investor but seek to invest more. Again, Thanks.

Debra D. Green

Have you ever been broke, busted and disgusted? Do you live paycheck to paycheck? If you answered yes, then INVESTING IN THE DREAM is the book for you.

Author Jesse B. Brown states, "prosperity has a spiritual basis - it is a divine right." He provides sound rationale as to how we can turn our negative financial situation into a positive one by developing an investment plan and making savvy financial decisions. Even if it is a small amount, the up front sacrifice will ultimately blossom into a financial blessing.

From stocks and bonds to everything in between, Brown not only provides insight into the mysteries of investing, but also reinforces his point by using real world examples. By following five simple steps, we can gain financial freedom according to Brown. These five steps are develop a long-term investment plan; max out tax-deferred retirement plan contributions; review investment goals on a regular basis; follow sound advice and hire a financial advisor to keep you on track.

All in all, INVESTING IN THE DREAM runs the gamut of financial advice. In addition to stocks, bonds and the tax-deferred investment vehicles, Brown also touches on credit card debt, debates about vehicle purchases and provides guidance on home purchases as well. The information in the book is presented simply, and in an easy-to-understand format. At times, Brown seems to be somewhat preachy, but there is no doubt that he knows the investment business. If you are seeking a new financial path, then INVESTING IN THE DREAM may be a book you'd like to consider.

Reviewed by Nedine
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

So many books about business lessons are a struggle to plow through - they tend to be full of statistics and the authors often full of themselves. Michael's book is a quick read with funny, apt anecdotes from his life - like Lesson #10 and the old man with the tea. What a great, simple story from his personal life with a crystal-clear message that we can all use. I was making notes to myself at the end of each chapter about something I could do to grow our business or reputation - or just make my job more enjoyable. It's also a great book for anyone who's been considering quitting their job and starting something on their own -- but needs either encouragement or a push!

As a subscriber to the Blue Penguin Development Newsletter for years, I've long been a fan of Michael Katz's writing. When I got a note from Michael that he had written a book, I ran over to Amazon (well not really, more like walked, actually just clicked a couple of buttons but you get the point)to get my copy.

As a retired professional who started a solo business after retirement and as founder and owner of SocialMaturity I'm always interested in information that will give boomers and beyond insight into starting a business on their own and retirees an easier transition into retirement. Because so many of us start second careers, I found Michael's book to be a "must read."

His engaging wit and his easy writing style made each chapter/"quirky" story a valuable lesson for those of any age who are starting a solo business.

"It Sure Beats Working" is highly recommended for anyone, young or old, who is starting a solo business.

If you haven't eaten all day and have but $12.99 in your name, buy this book and you will never go hungry again.

What, you thought I would suggest buying chopped liver and herring at Zabar's?

Seriously, assuming I can be serious, well, at least relatively serious, buy a bagel, buy this book, and then read it while you have a nosh.

Michael Katz is a pro and this book is a fun, breezy read, and you can't "beat" the title. Some of the stuff seemed familiar from his blog but it has more heft all bound together in a book. He really has thrived as a "first-time, mid-life, solo professional" and gives others hope that they can do so as well. I ordered this book after getting the first three chapters for free via his blog, and then a follow-up email from Michael. He practices what he preaches (give stuff away with a personal touch).

Michael Katz, in his book "It Sure Beats Working: 29 Quirky Stories and Practical Business Lessons for the First-time, Mid-Life, Solo Professional", made me feel as if I was involved in a personal conversation with the author through his journey towards becoming a solo professional. While reading, I laughed and shook my head in affirmation while Katz recounted stories which included starting a business, and the lessons he learned while growing his business. Katz candidly divulges his true feelings and experiences, while letting the reader learn from his trials and successes.

Michael began his adult life as most of us do, graduating collage and working for a large corporation. As many working professionals can relate, he discovered working in a large company was not his true direction in life. If you are stuck in a cubicle hard at work and are trying to avoid the political drama at work, you will share his angst when he speaks of attending unproductive meetings and his yearning to leave a boring job.

Katz attained his goal of leaving his "secure" job with a large company and striking out on his own. If you are thinking of leaving your job, or you have recently joined the ranks of solo professional, this book is a must for you. The greatest benefit to the reader is the authors ability to candidly tell us his experience, and make the reader realize he is not alone in his struggle to make it in the world as a solo professional.

Since I am also a mid-life individual who changed course in his professional life, I felt as if he was speaking directly to me, although I can't relate to his struggle with baldness. My hair is all there, but has turned gray.

The chapter I enjoy most is entitled "Become a Leading Expert in Something". Michael Katz is an expert in development of electronic newsletters, and one day found himself with a client who was a life coach. This life coach had lived the majority of her life with chronic illness, but had not capitalized on her uniqueness in raising a family and building a successful career while battling this illness. Michael while consulting with the life coach on a newsletter was able to refocus her efforts and declare her new expertise. Now the life coach can be defined as an expert in the field of thriving in the workplace while having a chronic illness.

If you are on the fence thinking of starting your own business you will enjoy his "10 Really Good Reasons to Quit Your Job and Start Your Own Business". Some of the top ten reasons I enjoyed include: dancing to your own music, never having to retire, and finding your purpose.

This book is typical Michael Katz, funny, informative, and a great read. Although his book focuses on the solo professional, much of his advice transcends the sol proprietor and is good advice in being successful in both your personal and business life.