Books are expensive, not just in terms of money, but also in the time it takes to read them. I try to find out as much as I can about a book before spending money buying it and time reading it. Amazon.com is my preferred online source for books for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is their used book option. It's a heck of a lot cheaper than buying new, even with the additional cost of shipping.
Here are a few books I recommend to people who have a natural curiosity about the world, especially as it applies to jobs, work, life and happiness. I'll add more titles from time to time, and I'd welcome your thoughts, suggestions and contributions.
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Why Men Earn More Warren Farrell, PhD Ferrell does a wonderful job explaining why some jobs pay more than others do and how people of both genders sabotage their potential with illogical thinking. The book is full of examples of where the good jobs are and how to find them. Ferrell has a PhD and backs up everything he says with references to science and statistics, yet he writes in an engaging and easy style. In spite of the title this is a book for everyone. Farrell, W. (2005). Why men earn more: The startling truth behind the pay gap--and what women can do about it. New York: AMACOM.
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The Luck Factor Richard Wiseman, PhD If you have ever wondered why some people seem to waltz effortlessly through life riding a continuous series of lucky breaks this book explains the process. Wiseman is an English psychologist who wondered why some people are lucky and others are not. In this book he explains his studies of people who brought luck into their lives and those who chased it away. This is real science, not New Age nonsense, and the results will surprise you – and prepare you to bring success into your life. Wiseman, R. (2003). The luck factor: Changing your luck, changing your life, the four essential principles. New York: Miramax/Hyperion. |
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The Way We'll Be John Zogby In this book Zogby summarizes the results of his recent surveys and builds a portrait of the society that we are and soon will be. He identifies a number of trends that are just emerging – more emphasis on personal satisfaction and less on material wealth, an increased interest in life balance and less dedication to corporate success, and an dedication to lifelong learning – but not necessarily in a classroom. If you are wondering how new generations are going to shape the post recession economy read this book. Zogby, J. (2008). The way we'll be: The Zogby report on the transformation of the American dream (1st ed.). New York: Random House. |
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A Users Guide to the Brain John Ratey, PhD Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how and why they think the way they do. Easy to read if you can get past the names of all the brain parts. The schematics in Mapping the Mind were a godsend. Be sure to check out Shadow Syndromes by the same author.
Ratey, J. J., & Galaburda, A. M. (2002). A user's guide to the brain : Perception, attention, and the four theaters of the brain (1st Vintage Books ed.). New York: Vintage Books. |
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America: What Went Wrong? Donald Barlett Anybody who lived through the national economic restructuring of the 1980's needs to read this book. It describes the human cost of the transition from a manufacturing economy to a service economy. If you want to know where we are it's a good idea to find out how we got here. The decline of the US standard of living starts here.
Bartlett, D., & Steele, J. (1992). America: What went wrong? Kansas City, MO: Andrews and McNeel. |
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Shifting in Higher Gear Tom Siciliano and Jeff Caliguire Siciliano and Caliguire have done a great job of writing a book that contains the tools people need to find their way to a career they will love. This is not the “do what you love the money will follow” pap, but real techniques for finding the job that propels you along a career path. The book is organized like a workbook or manual, reflecting the goal of the authors to offer readers a useful and pragmatic tool. Siciliano, T., & Caliguire, J. (2005). Shifting into higher gear: An owner's manual for uniting your calling and career (1st ed.). San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass.
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Boys Adrift Leonard Sax, MD, PhD There is a huge number of young men who cannot seem to find a way into the labor force. The reasons are unclear, but it is becoming obvious that the phenomenon exists. We all seem to know young men without direction, a decent job or the ambition to change their situation. This book is a must read if such a young man touches your life. Sax, L. (2007). Boys adrift : the five factors driving the growing epidemic of unmotivated boys and underachieving young men. New York: Basic Books.
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