Organizations Books

Abbot Louf's book is a succinct, clearly written exposition of all major aspects of Cistercian life and spirituality as it presently exists. Lucid and thoughtful, Louf deliberately and in an orderly fashion imparts the 1,000 year old tradition of the order founded by Saint Bernard in the 11th century, without getting bogged down in historical details or side issues. Absolutely authoritative without being at all polemical, richly informative without being colorful or showy, Louf's writing in itself conveys the root of his order's austere and durable charism. It is an essential guide and the best single volume available on its subject. A short but relevant set of photographs gives his teaching a resonant and striking contemporary dimensionality. If one is visiting the Cistercians for the first time or has visited them for decades, your experience will be solidly enriched and reinforced by this book.

Dom Andre Louf, former Abbot of the Cistercian Abbey of Mont-des-Cats on the Franco-Belgian border, is a well-known spiritual writer, and especially within his own religious order.

The Cistercian Way is a seductive book, as indeed all books that talk of vocation to the religious life should be. "I shall seduce his heart and lead him into the desert" we read in the Old Testament. Movingly evoking the specifically Trappist vocation to follow God, Dom Andre redresses the several false notions that persist, even within the Church, about life as a Trappist. He writes with great truth that 'there is no reason why simplicity should mean ugliness...' Both for the man or woman who is considering life as a Cistercian, and for anyone seeking to understand more about Cistercian spirituality and direction, Dom Andre's book is an excellent starting point, and one to which one will always feel drawn to return.

Thomas Merton is the writer who comes automatically to mind when one thinks of the Cistercian Order, and while his books perhaps show greater spiritual depth than Louf's (which is probably an unfair comparison), it must be remembered that Merton is describing Trappist life as it was before and just after Vatican 2, many years ago. Dom Andre Louf's book is a brilliant, compact and beautiful overview of contemporary Cistercian life and will serve as an outstanding introduction to this way of life and devotion to God. Although each Cistercian monastery has its own character and differences, Louf is a very insightful writer and has a gift for describing what is a rather alien way of life to the modern world in simple, beautiful language. I read it in a Trappist monastery, which only made it better. Highly recommended!

Robert Linthicum has a heart for urban ministry and it shines through in each chapter in this book which is organized in three parts. The first part focuses on the city. The second part focuses on the church's role in the city, and the last part focuses on the role of the individual Christian in the city. Linthicum believes that the Bible is an urban book and in many of the chapters the author exposits a particular book of the Bible such as Jeremiah, Jonah, Nehemiah or Ephesians. Linthicum will then explain the urban context of the Scripture finding applications to that culture as well as contemporary culture.

The city of God and the city of Satan are symbolized in the Scriptures as the cities of Jerusalem and the city of Babylon. Jerusalem was supposed to be the city of God, yet due to the disobedience of the people it became the city of Satan at times.

Linthicum advocates a holistic approach to urban ministry. He talks about the systems in the city that become so easily corrupted by the enemy. This creates a systemic evil in a city that needs to be approached spiritually, economically and politically. The author spends considerable time teaching from the Old Testament regarding the responsibility of the people of God in the city. The exiles who were taken into captivity were told by Jeremiah to "seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper (Jeremiah 29:7)." The word "exile" in the original language can also mean "sent." Many involved in urban ministry feel exiled when in reality they have been sent by God to bear his witness in a particular community.

Robert Linthicum challenges the church regarding urban ministry showing the compassion of God for the city and at times showing the inability of the church to deal with urban problems. One of the most powerful image or thoughts in the book comes in the very last paragraph of chapter five. "For our Lord was not crucified in a gothic cathedral on a golden cross placed upon a marble altar between two silver candlesticks. He was crucified on a rugged cross between two thieves, on the city's garbage heap, at the kind of place where cynics talk smut and thieves curse and soldiers gamble. That is where Christ died." The reader is challenged to take Christ to those who need Christ.

"We enter the city equipped with an urban sociology and urban tools for ministry, but we carry with us the baggage of a theology designed in rural Europe." This is a fantastic analysis of urban culture and the theology necessary to adequately meet the spiritual climate of megacities. Many Christian workers come from rural or small town backgrounds, and find themselvers ill-equipped to deal with the cultural differences in the cities.
Not only theory, but also very practical in its approach, this book lays out a strategy for praying through the ways that God is working in a city, and how the follower of Jesus can join in. An example: "Spend time in silence and in an open, prayerful spirit before that map [of your city]. Ask God to reveal to you seven sites in the city that are particularly precious to Him. Wait for God to show you those places. Those seven sites might come in one sitting; it may take several days. But wait on God with openness and receptivity. When the seven places have been given to you, you are ready for the most exciting part of this spiritual exercise. Visit every one of those sites."
And, ""Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper" (Jer. 29:7). The English words "peace," "prosperity," and "prosper" are all translations of the same Hebrew word, shalom. Shalom is a comprehensive word not easily translated into English, because our word peace is inadequate. The idea encompasses the manifold relationships of daily life, symbolizing Israel's ideal quality of life under the Law. Shalom is a state of wholeness and completeness, possessed by a person or a group that includes good health, prosperity, security, justice, and deep spiritual contentment."
This book is highly recommended for followers of Jesus who live in, work in, or have influence in the cities.

This book should be a must read for every person interested in urban ministry. The title of the book comes from the author's premise that every city includes elements of "Babylon"--"a city totally given over to evil and to the Evil One" and "Jerusalem"--"an idealized city...belonging to God,--a city of peace." What impressed me most about the book is that Bob has spent an hour a day for the past 20+ years studying the city in the Bible. Of the 20-25 books I have read on urban ministry, this work is certainly the most thorough. (Imagine the level of the granularity that one would come to after studying the same topic for over 20 years!) It is the dynamic equivilent of Strong's Concordance. In this 300 page work, Robert addresses the role of prayer, presence and proclamation of the church in the city. He also gives visible signposts that the city is being transformed by the church. It is the epic work of urban ministry.

This book uses oral history, company, and union archives to tell a riveting story about an attempt by poor (mostly black) workers to build a union against heavy odds. This book tells us so much about twentieth century American history, and it does it with great skill. All the great themes of labor's downfall are here. The inability to organize the South. The racism and anti-communism of high union officials. The failure of Operation Dixie. The vicious backlash of employers and the Democratic party against the movement for working class power. This book is a great example of micro history used to illuminate important national trends. I cannot recommend a book more highly.

This is a terrific book--an important history that brings together a story of race, labor unions, economic change, politics, and culture, but never loses sight of the actual people involved. Very well written--not dry and academic like some history, but also very rich analytically. Buy it and read it!

In this wonderful book, African American tobacco workers tell their own story of civil rights struggle and union organizing. It is long, but so was the struggle, and I couldn't put it down. Oral interviews give us the black workers' own accounts, sending, for once, the white supremacists to the back of the bus.
Read it. You will find a South you never thought you would find.

I am only one of the lucky students who have not only had the pleasure of reading this book, but I have had Mr. Yanoff as one of my teachers. I really only picked this book up because I enjoyed his teaching so much. As a future teacher I can honestly say that after having Mr. Yanoff as a teacher and after reading this book I think that I am ready to take on the challenges in the classroom. Thank you Mr. Yanoff for you wonderful class and for writing this book so I will never forget what you taught me. :)

I found the book to be a practical guide to all sorts of situations that face teachers. I found it particularly helpful in giving hints for difficult classroom discipline and management situations. I would consider this a perfect gift for any student teachers under my tutelage, as well as new teachers in my school. Our librarian is purchasing several copies for the teacher resource center in our library. I anticipate many teachers will benefit from the practical advice!

As someone who is new to teaching high school English, I was looking for a "good soul" to hang with during that first incredible year in the classroom. There were a few of these folks, but I needed serious help. I found this book, flipped it open to the table of contents, and read it through to the end in a single afternoon. My stress just slithered away! Mr. Yanoff is the "angel on my shoulder" now, and I refer to his wisdom and just plain horse sense everytime I have a problem with a student or a parent, or when my confidence drops. There is no scenario he has not covered in his book. I take this book everywhere I go. Thank you Mr. Yanoff :-)

We've been inundated with information about business and accounting scandals in the past several years with subsequent calls for obeying all laws, and improving business ethics and accountability. Dr. Hook's new book is about a quite similar and definitely important crisis in our churches in America, with the dominant theme being the unfortunate failures of many clerics and their clerical leaders. Although in his Dedication and Acknowledgments, he stresses that there are many excellent ministers that adhere faithfully to their denomination's various canons, creeds, and regulations, he then proceeds to accurately catalog many clerics whose egregious actions have seriously jeopardized their local parishes, or in some cases their regional or national denominations. His book is thus a clear and compelling wake-up call to all Americans who love their churches, and want their churches to continue their important, vital work of winning souls to Jesus Christ. Dr. Hook's book offers many useful recommendations for improvements in this situation. These are directed toward Seminary students, Parish Ministers, those in supervisory positions within the churches, and importantly all lay leaders like myself. I would sincerely hope that this thoughtful book, and the issues it discusses, would be read and seriously debated in all seminaries across America---it deserves to be. It obviously should be of interest to all clerics and their supervisory leaders who are dedicated to improving the status quo, and preventing future problems as described by Dr. Hook in this well-documented book. Finally, all lay leaders who see the problems that Dr. Hook discusses should move quickly and assertively within their denominations to insure that these problems are addressed and corrected. We owe the author a sincere debt of gratitude for his complete, discerning discussion of these critical issues that our beloved churches must recognize and take serious action on at this time.

Dr. Hook has an extraordinary grasp of the world of contemporary religion, complete with all its warts, wusses, and waffling. He advances the notion, quite correctly in my view, that if religion is to be meaningful in one's life, a return must be made to the concept that divine revelation is the instrument whereby God speaks the truth to humankind. Today's religious observance too often has it the other way around---human beings attempting to con God and each with outrageous political correctness.

Since 1991 Dr. Hook, Professor emeritus at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, has written three books addressing problems in American churches. "Clerical Failure" is the third of his thoughtfully written works. The author cites numerous media sources and adds personal experiences to support his position that "Christians must face up to the realization that clergy have largely become like everybody else - a group interested primarily in itself, intent on living well, acquiring power, and demanding all the individual rights it can acquire." (p22) He addresses such topics as divorce, cohabitation, abortion and homosexuality and warns the reader on the danger of ignoring important beliefs, traditions, morality and precepts.
Although the title suggests this book is written for the clergy, Dr. Hook directs its content to lay people. More importantly, he empowers lay people with answers on effecting change. The author reminds his readers that a church cannot exist without the financial support of its parishioners. He states that, "It is hard to withhold contibutions to an institution that one has belonged to for a lifetime..., but it is the only effective way to get the attention of those in charge." (p63)
Because Dr. Hook was an Episcopalian before converting to Roman Catholicism, many of his examples come from both the Episcopal and Roman Catholic church. However, he includes enough material from other Christian religions that the book should appeal to the 48 million disillusioned Protestants and Roman Catholics in the United States.
"Clerical Failure" should be required reading not only for the laity but also for every seminary student, seminary professor, clergyman, bishop, archbishop, cardinal and the Pope. Dr. Hook, thank you for having the faith and courage to examine the erosion of the standards of Christian belief and reminding the reader that, "We are to imitate Christ, not man." (p48)

This book, and a traveling exhibit due at Yale this fall and The Smithsonian in early next year, captures the feelings and human aspect of what happens when a family owned furniture factory is closed due to a hostile takeover. The pictures and accompaning text document from an historical and extremely personal perspective the lives of workers in a small town in North Carolina, dependant on each other and the factory, and the devastation that occurs when big city, outside forces make an impersonal decision regarding people 1000 miles away.

a reasonably balanced view of a factory closing that doesn't make the owner out to be a devil (although some former workers clearly feel that way). Shows the human side of what happens when decisions are made based on the aseptic "bottom line". If anything, the book is not hard enough on the original family, the 1st generation that admirably built the company and the second generation that let it deteriorate (the book details how the 2 family members at the top didn't even talk to one another and used separate entrances to the building! Is it any wonder the financials deteriorated and they had to sell?)

The only thing missing is an interview with the capitalist that closed the plant. If they tried and he refused the book ought to say so, otherwise it seems that at least a few pages could have been devoted to his side of the story.

All in all, though, a great book to read, as a counterbalance for all of us that invest thru our 401Ks and retirement accounts expecting great returns and divorced from how those returns are obtained (and at what cost to some people).

This book does an excellent job of demonstrating the effects of a factory closing in a small southern town. As a former resident of the town (childhood home) and a former worker in the machine room and rubbing room of White's Furniture Factory, I was amazed at the depth of analysis and truthfulness in this book. This book demonstrated how the closing of a factory not only affects the workers, but prior workers, and the entire population of the town. I was surprised to see the pictures that were included that told a story all to themselves. This book is highly recommended for college professors wishing to pursue the effects of a factory closing and other downsizing efforts on a small town's population. A great story line supplemented by outstanding pictures as the authors take the reader through the last years of a 100+ year factory that the entire town centered their lives around. Highly recommended for those interested in the effects of a closing on the local population.

The pursuit of knowledge that gives us an understanding of factors that determine success in the market place has always considered "the firm" as the unit of analysis. This has been the case with microeconomics, game theory, competitive strategy and many such specialized areas of research. Cartels that manipulate supply and prices are perhaps an exception to this rule. If, instead of considering the firm as the unit, we consider a group of firms teaming together to collectively provide value to the customer and succeed as a unique identity as a unit of analysis, the methodology to understand competition would undergo a paradigm shift. This book is precisely about this concept as applicable to the automobile industry.

In the early half of the last century it was possible to go to the countryside for a picnic in a Ford Model T car, disassemble and reassemble it with a simple wrench and drive back home in the evening. Today we need computers to diagnose even a simple problem under the hood of cars tailor made to suit individual needs. Given the increase in complexity, explosion of technology and customer preferences, it is impossible for a single firm to ever think of manufacturing even half the components. (River Rouge will be remembered in history as the most ambitious plan of an automotive giant to make all parts of the automobile - including steel and timber from within the company. At best a fairy tale for kids of the twenty first century!).

This book is the summary of an excellent research study of the automobile industry in the 1990's with focus on Toyota and Chrysler. These companies have significantly different "governance structure" (the proportion of parts made in-house, procured from partner firms, and from arms'-length suppliers) from their competitors- GM and Ford. The firms that have a higher proportion of parts that are bought from partner suppliers have a clear edge over competitors that use arm's-length suppliers for the same parts. Extensive data has been collected, analyzed and tested to substantiate the statements made in the text.

Three characteristics that distinguish between partner suppliers from arm's length suppliers- Dedicated asset investments, Knowledge sharing routines and Inter-firm trust form the virtuous triangle that make these partnerships succeed. The results of such partnerships show clearly in tangible terms - Higher profitability per vehicle, better quality, faster time to market, and more new models for customers; the key parameters that enable Toyota and Chrysler to drive at top speed. "It 's not the big that eat the small but it's the fast that eat the slow".

Taking lessons from Toyota, Chrysler adopts concrete programs to consolidate its suppliers, integrate and partner with them to deliver higher value at lower cost to the customer.

Though this research is restricted to the automobile industry, the fundamental principles of "extended enterprise" can be extended across industries.

Highly recommended for all managers and a must read for those working in procurement processes. Next time your supplier drops in, think of this book and start a new relationship.

Jeffrey Dyer, an accomplished scholar and management teacher, has developed a cogent and sophisticated theory of extended enterprise management based on a wealth of empirical data from the history of Toyota in Japan and from his six-year study of Chrysler Corp. before its merger with Daimler-Benz. Beyond being a detailed and rigorous case study of the automobile manufacturing industry, Dyer's book presents an extremely valuable model for vertical integration. His model can be applied to other complex product industries, though he is honest about the limits of its applicability. This book provides a clear, effective blueprint for achieving value-chain collaboration. We [...] recommend it to consultants, executives in complex product industries and leaders in firms that supply components or materials. If you always suspected you were part of a greater whole, now you can be sure.

Having followed Dyer's other research, I think that this is a theoretically elegant piece of work. He builds further on his pieces in SMJ (with Singh from Wharton) and AMR and illustrates the concepts of relationship-based assets in firm networks. The running exemplar has he uses (Toyota) illustrates his theoretical arguments quite elonquently. The book also highlights the limitations of his concept of collaborative advantage, and his closing chapter illustrates how cultural differences (here with Benz) can keep this strategy from becoming reality. This book is not for folks looking for cut-out recipies. This book is a MUST for researchers and managers who like to think instead of searching for cookbooks! The concluding chapter is a gem because it highlights our gaps in knowledge. This is an excellent book, and having read Dyer's other works, it's high quality comes as very little surprise. Buy, own, read, reread, and profusely highlight your own copy! VERY highly recommended.

There are other books I list below, but as I make my life transition from being a for-profit at any cost to a non-profit that respects "true cost" and the importance of community, I am finding a number of books that can only be called "essential." This is one of them.

Bottom line from the authors: Collaboration builds social capital.

An edited work, it offers us the view of the best of the best, and while the book does not contain a single "sales" element, over-all, and in the concluding appendices, it makes clear that we can learn a great deal by attending the training sessions offered by the Institute for Civic Leadership, and I have made my own mental note: when we have resources, the Earth Intelligence Network needs these folks as advisors and facilitators when we bring together key minds on each of the ten high-level threats to humanity, etcetera.

The box is organized into Meta (importance of collaboration), Macro (principles & frameworks), Micro (practices), and Examples (stories).

This is a totally impressive and educational volume. I end my notes with:

01 Take their courses
02 Retain them as mentors and facilitators
03 Share this book with others.

A few other books that complement this one:
Society's Breakthrough!: Releasing Essential Wisdom and Virtue in All the People
The Tao of Democracy: Using Co-Intelligence to Create a World That Works for All
The World Cafe: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations That Matter
Democracy's Edge: Choosing to Save Our Country by Bringing Democracy to Life
Doing Democracy
All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies, and the Politics of Dignity (BK Currents)
Escaping the Matrix: How We the People can change the world
A Power Governments Cannot Suppress
The Unconquerable World: Power, Nonviolence, and the Will of the People
The new craft of intelligence: Achieving asymmetric advantage in the face of nontraditional threats (Studies in asymmetry)
(This last one is free online, there is also a hardcopy on Amazon)

In 2004 a group of 100+ nonprofit, business, and government entities in Rhode Island began collaborating on one goal: to get thousands of new affordable housing units publicly funded and built. It was a long shot at best. Yet, in 2006, the HousingWorks RI (HWRI) coalition could claim a major victory when voters overwhelmingly approved a $50 million bond for affordable housing. A post-game analysis of the HWRI success story discovered that, by accident or design, the coalition, in building itself, had followed every best practice set out in Mr. Chrislip's practical, balanced, authoritative Fieldbook. If you're attempting to move mountains using a civic coalition, skip the trial-and-error phase and read this book before you start.

This book will be the standard for all other books about collaboration to measure themselves. Mr. Chrislip is among the best facilitators of collaborative processes anywhere. The author is also a skilled teacher and is able to convey both his knowledge and lessons of experience in this book. Clearly written, this book is well balanced between intellectual knowledge and practical experience. A step-by-step pathway is presented as well as specific examples of successful collaborations. Anyone interested or involved in collaboration in the public or private sector will benefit from this book. Facilitators of collaborative efforts will find themselves pulling this book off the shelf often as a useful guide and reference.

During the past ten years,my focus for reading Christian books has been on studying authors who wrote from 50-300 years ago. It seems that turth was not "what was relevant" back then, but for men who were the true spiritual leaders of the day, it was their life source, and came out their intimate passion for Jesus and love for His saints. The most important thing was true salvation, not building big churches, and sanctification, not self-actualization. In this freat masterpiece, Editor John Armstrong has brought home a hard hitting message to the "Laodician Church" of 2001. We are being greatly deceived, by our World around us, and consequently the Church is conforming to the world instead of to the standards of Jesus Christ and our early forefathers. Dr. Armstrong has assembled leading theologins in critcal areas of Christian wisdom, and compiled a book that should be a warning and a lighthouse for the Body of Christ in the years to come. Sadly, outstanding works like this do not achieve their highest cudos until long after their relevance is most needed. Thank you Dr.Amstrong and team for a truely distrubing( in a good way) book.

The evangelical church in America is dying from the same thing that kills its members: obesity, sloth, overindulgence, and ignorance. Church members are fat-headed, too lazy to read and study for themselves, quick to gorge themselves on pop theology, and don't want to hear the truth. Thus, any book that attempts to point out these failings is often read only by those who are already aware of the problem; the messenger isn't killed for bringing bad news, because no one who would find it offensive is listening. Nonetheless, I hope that "The Compromised Church" gets a wide hearing; its message is vital for today. The book is a compilation volume with contributions by some of the brightest evangelical pastors and scholars around: Al Mohler, David Wells, Sinclair Ferguson, Ed Clowney, etc. The topics covered are at the heart of the current crisis in evangelicalism. Just to whet your appetite, I will list a few: the authority of Scripture, the doctrine of the Trinity, "church-o-rama or corporate worship," baptism, church discipline, and preaching. Each subject is given careful, biblical and sociological treatment. A quote from the chapter by Monte Wilson ("Church-O-Rama or Corporate Worship") should give you the overall flavor of the book:

"Evangelical worship is becoming an oxymoron. Our songs are either belted out in the same mindless intensity with which we ............."

Strong stuff. This book addresses the problems of the church in a compassionate but firm manner, and offers viable solutions, but not a quick fix. If you find yourself appalled at the sorry state of American evangelicalism, take heart: there are influential and intelligent pastors and teachers who share your disgust. They have taken the time to analyze the problems, and they have solid, Bible-based answers to help you address them. Read this book. Share it with your pastor, your Sunday school teacher, your Bible study group. Prayer for revival should always be accompanied by careful thought and analysis of the world around us. "The Compromised Church" will promote just that.

If you want to know what it is happening with the evangelical faith in our days, please read this book. Great truths are analyzed carefully through this. The people of God need to stop and to meditate on everything that is examined in this book.Highly recommended.

Although intended as a companion book to Lincoln's Navy: The Ships, Men and Organization, 1861-65 by Donald L. Canney, this book is also very useful in conjunction with A History of the Confederate Navy by Raimondo Luraghi, which is the definitive book on the CS Navy.

The book is organized by topics (such as shipbuilding, types of ships) and presents these topics in more detail that is generally found in Luraghi's book. While I was hoping that it would include a Jane's-like section with drawings or photographs of every ship, this book is well illustrated. (For even more illustrations see The Confederate Navy - A Pictorial History by Philip Van Doren Stern.)

Highly recommended.

Want to know everything and anything of the Confederat navy during the American Civil war?

This book pretty much has it all. Everything about organization, men, ships and equipment and the forces that determined its activities. Well organized and well researched. A must have for anyone interested in the history of the blockade and the civil war.

Dr. Still, the dean of Confederate naval historians, is the proud editor of this tour-de-force overview of the Confederate Navy. His contributors include Bob Holcombe of the Confederate Naval Museum, Dave Sullivan, well-known researcher of the Marine Corps in the Civil War, and virtually every authority on the Confederate Navy and the naval Civil War writing today. Well-coordinated, well-illustrated, well done! Small wonder that it's advanced by the Naval Institute Press, which has a tradition of promoting and publishing fine books.