Irwin, Tim. Derailed: Five Lessons Learned from Catastrophic Failures of Leadership.

Thomas Nelson, Inc.. 2009. 217p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-5955-5274-7. $24.99.

In this well-written, thoughtfully-conceived, and nicely-illustrated publication, which includes several pertinent chapter heading quotes, diagrams, tables, and cartoons, Irwin (Ph.D, industrial/organizational and clinical psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta; M.A. and B.A., University of Georgia, Athens; licensed psychologist; Adjunct Professor, Psychology, University of Georgia and Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida; Managing Partner, IrwinInc.; http://www.DrTimIrwin.com), author of Run with the Bulls without Getting Trampled, speaker, and authority on leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and executive selection, sets forth his findings and views on executives who “derail” (like trains) in workplaces, a process which may occur suddenly or over time as a consequence of many misguided actions. According to the author, many extremely talented and competent leaders oftentimes fail due to flaws in their characters that indicate their lack of authenticity, self-management, humility, and courage. In fifteen chapters, comprising four major sections, Irwin presents profiles in derailment, describes the process of derailment, and sets forth ways to stay on the rails for the short term and long haul. In the first part, covering the failures of six well-known executives of major corporations in separate chapters that serve as case studies—Robert Nardelli, Carly Fiorina, Durk Jager, Steven Heyer, Frank Raines, and Dick Fuld—the author attempts to humanize the phenomenon and make it universally relevant. In the second section, he describes the five stages of derailment: failure of self/other-awareness, hubris, missed early warning signs, rationalizing, and finally derailment. The third part provides some how-to information for “staying on the rails” by developing your character. The final chapters cover five critical lessons Irwin has learned on the subject and “habits of the heart” that must be cultivated including openness, self/other awareness, listening to early warning signs, accountability, and resiliency. The author has drawn upon his background as a clinical and industrial/organizational psychologist and his twenty years experience as a management consultant in order to produce this authoritative, superior publication. Interspersed with many personal stories and anecdotes, this timely, invaluable, useful handbook is sufficiently compelling and engaging, even though the first part is not investigative journalism and relies on the summation of available public information. (p. xvi) For the most part, Irwin’s presentation of the material is intelligent and well done, although his failure to number sections and chapters may disconcert many readers. Intended for business leaders, this book will interest individuals of all types. Sufficiently well-documented with endnotes, but not a select bibliography, it is highly recommended for many public and some academic and special libraries. As a Nelsonfree product, it is available for free in audio book and ebook format from the publisher’s website once the printed version has been purchased. Additional no cost resources, not limited to a Derailed assessment, newsletter, audio and video downloads, are available on the book’s website, http://www.derailedleader.com . Review copy. Note: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. Availability: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Bookschristian.com,Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Del Russo, Dawn. 101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle: A Cheeky Book with Tidbits of Advice for a Glamorous Lifestyle.

With illustrations by Barbara Ann Scarrillo. BookSurge Publishing. 2009. 110p. illus. ISBN 978-1439256336. $14.99.

In this publication, Del Russo (Fashion Merchandising and Design, Parsons School of Design, 2002; B.S., Business Management, Wagner College, 2001; contributing fashion writer for select online magazines), an up-and-coming fashion stylist and founding owner of a successful, storefront and online, clothing and accessory boutique Bella Dawn, with the assistance of Scarrillo (Fashion Institute of Technology; Owner, Brushstrokes), a graphic designer from New York City with over twenty years experience, provides a pocket-sized, guide book for women, who may be searching for budget friendly glamour and quick, easy ways to go beyond their everyday fashion, beauty, and/or lifestyle routines. By means of 101 tips, each of which is boldly-presented and colorfully-illustrated on a separate page, the author sets forth practical and realistic advice that may have financial consequences. Covering clothing, jewelry, accessories, cosmetics, hair, personal hygiene, self-presentation, health, body, mind, work, home, travel, entertainment, and more, Del Russo focuses on outward and inward aspects of glamour, thereby broadening the scope of the subject and suggesting that there is more to the topic. For the author, glamour is more than skin deep. It goes beyond appearances and constitutes a mindset and way of life. While many of Del Russo’s recommendations may relate partly to socially- and culturally-accepted standards of decorum and fashion—ex. Tip #23 Wear deodorant … (p. 31)—and others are not new but rather longstanding and true—ex. Tip #13 Find a little black, “‘must-have”’ dress …(p. 21)—most if not all her “tidbits” are original, to the extent that they combine fashion, beauty, and/or lifestyle tips into unique statements. For example, on the subject of shoes, in Tip #42, Del Russo proclaims, “Slip into a pair of designer pumps. … Every girl should own at least one pair, right?” Yes, true, probably every “girl” or woman should own a pair of pumps, a well-known, widely-disseminated fashion principle. Del Russo further implies by the wording of Tip #42 that if you can not afford to own more than one pair of pumps, than at least buy a designer brand. The author believes quality matters and it usually is an excellent indicator of beauty and style, although not the only factor. For all women, but particularly for younger, single women, who may be “home alone on a Friday night” and more able to “dress red carpet style” (Tip #69, p.77) without a husband and/or children around, this well-presented, nicely-illustrated, unique, delightful, easy-to-read book serves as a useful, fun, beauty guide. While it is not comprehensive, it may serve as a good, first start for many women, who may need a little fashion, beauty, and/or lifestyle help to move beyond the everyday. A great personal gift, it also belongs in some public libraries as a complimentary, fashion, beauty, and/or lifestyle resource as well as an enjoyable read. Recommended. Review copy. Amazon.com, Bella Dawn.com

Makous, Norman, M.D.. Time to Care: Personal Medicine in the Age of Technology.

With Bruce Makous. TowPath Publications. 2009. 464p. illus. bibliog.. index. ISBN 978-0-9776686-1-8. $14.95.

Due to millions of dollars being spent on unnecessary tests and incorrect treatments, technology- based healthcare in the United States has caused an economic squeeze that already has led to rationing of medical care and services. Here Makous, a noted, now retired, extensively trained and credentialed, primary care cardiologist, who practiced in Philadelphia, PA until 2000 (M.D., University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI, 1947; American Board of Medical Specialties Certification, Internal Medicine, 1957; Subspecialty Certification, Cardiovascular Disease, 1961; faculty of The University of Pennsylvania Medical School, 1959-1995, and Thomas Jefferson Medical University, 1994; formerly, Regional President, American Heart Association; Distinguished Achievement Award, American Heart Association of Pennsylvania; author of "The Road Taken" (2006); http://www.normanmakous.com), with the enthusiastic, thematic and directional support of his son Bruce, a leading healthcare fundraiser and published author (Riding The Brand (2004) and Virtually Dead (2006); http://www.brucemakous.com), proposes that the patient-doctor relationship that was displaced by technology be returned to its central, fundamental position in the delivery of medical care and services in order to humanize treatment, improve the quality of care, reduce unnecessary spending and ineffective practices, increase doctor-patient satisfaction, and result in a happier and healthier society. In six parts, comprised of seventy-one, short, easy-to-read, conversational chapters, Makous discusses his medical education and healthcare services before the technological revolution, dramatic shifts in medicine resulting from technological innovations, the impact of these changes and developments in the field of cardiology, involvement by the government, hospitals, insurers, and others in the delivery of medical care and services, insights into the future of the medical system, and more. By means of his holistic approach to the subject, the author provides a wide ranging overview of the healthcare system as well as many explicit and implicit ideas and suggestions for making it better. Some of the subtopics he covers include, but are not limited to, the fundamental tenets of medical education and practice, the art of diagnosing, the art of educated guessing, shotgun testing, hospital practices, private practices, turnstile practices, medicine as an art and science, taking medical histories and doing medical examinations, patient-doctor communications and relationships, doctor-doctor communications and relationships, choosing a doctor, psychiatric cardiology, the “laying on of the hands,” follow-up visits, house calls, patient worlds, patient views, lifestyles, and expectations, screenings, emergency rooms, treatment standards and guidelines, age bias, end of life issues, advance directives, technology upgrades, new drugs, paradigms of medical science, the medical reimbursement systems, doctors as servants of many masters, referrals, malpractice issues, universal care, and rationing. Filled with dozens of case anecdotes, evidencing the historical and contemporary, crucial role that the doctor-patient relationship has played and serves in the delivery of excellent healthcare in the United States, this sufficiently well-documented—it includes a glossary of medical terms, diagrams, photographs, the author’s curriculum vitae, and a list of additional readings, but lacks footnoting and endnoting of the text-- compelling, fascinating, convincing, noteworthy publication, based on sixty years of medical practice by an expert physician-consultant is a must-read as the nation continues to struggle with healthcare reform. For general and more specialized readerships, it will be of particular interest to patients, aspiring physicians, practicing physicians, healthcare professionals, lawmakers, and others, who have significant, immediate stakes in the nation’s medical system. It should be required reading for all of the abovementioned persons and other individuals, who care about the current and future status and quality of healthcare delivery and services in the United States. Strongly recommended for many public, academic, and special library book collections. Advance Reading Copy. Availability: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and NormanMakous.com

Redman, Peggy. How to Get the Job You Desire.

Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.. 2009. c28p. ISBN 978-0-8059-5637-5. $14.95.

In this extremely brief publication, Redman (Owner of Peggy’s Job Preparatory Services; B.S. degree, Business Management, Concentration in Human Resources, Hampton University, Hampton, VA), a business owner with recruiting and job placement experience at Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp. and other companies, publishes a very concise guide to obtaining the job that you desire. Dividing into her book into seven chapters, the author covers the basic elements of a job search including job applications, cover letters, résumés, references, interviews, and keeping the job once you get it. Subtopics are not limited to follow-up methods, samples, tips, interview questions, proper dress, and more. This publication’s chapters are too short, averaging only three to four pages each. The longest chapter is the one on interviews, which extends over eight pages. Chapters also may consist entirely or predominantly of examples and blank forms. The chapter on references consists entirely of a blank form while the ones on job applications, résumés, interviews, and keeping the job include some additional content besides examples and blank forms. The chapter on interviews contains the most value-added advice and input from the author. The “mini dictionary” comprising the last chapter may be too general for more experienced job seekers to the extent that it defines words and concepts that may be familiar to them. Lacking sufficient advice and input from the author, a bibliography, and an index, this book will be of interest to general readers, who only may want to read a very concise guide or basic outline for conducting a job search. This publication also best suits job seekers, who may not mind paying more than fifty cents per page for a guide which functions more as a workbook than as a reference resource. Mostly due to its briefness, lack of sufficient value-added content, and costly price, this publication is not recommended for most libraries. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. Availability: Amazon.com, Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. Online Bookstore

Jacobs, Lynn F. and Hyman, Jeremy S.. Professors’ Guide to Getting Good Grades in College.

Harper-Collins Publishers. 2006. 352p. index. ISBN 978-0-06-087908-2. $15.95.

Today because more people have college diplomas, obtaining a college diploma is not enough. College students face extremely competitive job markets and graduate school admissions criteria. Excellent college grades matter and are crucial. In this enjoyable, easy-to-read, first book to reveal insider secrets about how college professors grade, Jacobs (PhD, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University; Department Chair and Associate Professor, Art History, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville) and Hyman (Project Manager, Professors’ Guide LLC; www.professorsguide.com), who between them have taught over 10,000 college students at a total of eight universities, offer authoritative, practical tips, techniques, strategies, and methods for succeeding at each of the five grade-bearing moments in a college semester: the start, the class, the exam, the paper, and the last month. In fifteen chapters, organized chronologically according to the major grade-bearing moments of the semester, they discuss every aspect of college grading, not limited to common myths about grades, how professors grade, picking courses, determining an action plan for the first week, taking excellent lecture notes, preparing for, attending, and participating in class, studying for exams, going over exams, writing college papers, visiting the professor, and acing the final. Fast-paced, each chapter, which is started with an concise introduction and ended by a complete review section, is interspersed with value-added sidebars, such as top ten lists, do’s and don’ts tables, instructional boxes, professors’ perspectives, remembrances, opinions, extra pointers, case notes, and more. Serving as a significant how-to guidebook as well as a useful reference resource, this publication may be read from cover-to-cover or consulted by chapter as needed. While it may be most relevant for college students who will be taking a significant number of courses in the humanities and social sciences, this must-read by insider experts should be required reading for those aspiring to attain a college degree or degrees in any major. It also will be of interest to high school students planning to go to college and lifelong learners returning to school. Highly recommended for large, public and undergraduate, academic libraries as well as for school media center collections. Review copy. Availability: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com

Fitzpatrick, Joe (Author) and Potter, Steven (Photographer). Strictly Sundays: Making Every Cook a Hero on Sundays.

Book Publishers Network. 2009. c.152p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-1-935359-19-7. $19.95.

In this generously-illustrated publication (27 color reproductions), Fitzpatrick (www.strictlysundays.com), also known as the “Blue Collar Gourmet,” a real estate agent living in the Puget Sound area of Washington State, who cooks on Sundays for his wife, children, and grandchildren, compiles the recipes that have won him accolades from his family, friends, and coworkers. Dividing his cookbook into six chapters, the author presents recipes for many types of foods with the exception of desserts. He covers appetizers, main dishes, salads, soups, side dishes, and salsas. The chapters featuring main and side dishes are the longest, whereas the ones on salsas and soups are the shortest, with the fewest recipes. Most of the recipes that Fitzpatrick sets forth are comprised of vegetables, meat, seafood, and/or pasta. Covering basic, American, old-fashioned dishes that every amateur chef probably should master as well as more sophisticated, contemporary, innovative creations, the author includes many recipes for comfort food, “real food that fills the belly, satisfies the soul, and wins the day,” (back cover) as well as for gourmet concoctions. Some of the down-home dishes Fitzpatrick showcases include Buffalo wings, beef and pork pot roasts, cabbage rolls, corned beef and cabbage, lasagnas, chicken cacciatore, goulash, fish and chips, Caesar salad, potato salad, clam chowder, chili, scalloped potatoes, macaroni and cheese, garlic bread, baked beans, and more. The author’s gourmet-style fare are not limited to mustard seed pancakes with salmon and caviar, lamb stew, butter poached lobster, and salmon in cranberry Dijon sauce. The author’s creations are accompanied by the recipes for their marinades, sauces, and toppings. While many of Fitzpatrick’s masterpieces include ingredients that are commonly found in most supermarkets, others may have more exotic constituents or are comprised of wine or beer. The author unfortunately does not list possible, alternative substitutions, nor does he set forth the serving sizes for all his recipes. With the exception of the aforementioned exclusions, this book is nicely-illustrated and presented as well as sufficiently-documented. Instructions are complete, concise, and easy-to-follow. This publication will interest beginner and intermediate cooks. Written for men, it makes a great gift for the man, who may want to learn how to cook or who wants to cook for his loved one(s), thereby becoming a “hero on Sundays,” weekends, special occasions, or whenever. Women also will find this cookbook useful and worthwhile, even though many of the recipes may not be suitable for everyday meals. Highly recommended for many public library book collections. Review copy. Availability: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com

Koepsell, David. Who Owns You? The Corporate Gold Rush to Patent Your Genes.

Wiley-Blackwell. 2009. 187p. index. ISBN 9781405187312. $79.95. ISBN 9781405187305. $24.95

“Who owns you?” According to Koepsell (Assistant Professor, Philosophy Section, Faculty of Technology, Policy, and Management, Technology University of Netherlands, Delft; Senior Fellow, 3TU Centre for Ethics and Technology, The Netherlands; Ph.D, Philosophy, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1997; J.D., SUNY at Buffalo School of Law, 1995; B.A, Political Science/English, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1990; author of several books including The Ontology of Cyberspace as well as scholarly articles; www.davidkoepsell.com), an author, attorney, philosopher, and educator, whose research has focused on the nexus of science, technology, ethics, and public policy, you may be surprised and alarmed to learn that biotechnology companies, universities, and other research institutions now own the exclusive rights to many parts of you. As the aforementioned entities rush to patent the human genes comprising the human genome—the genetic code that largely defines the distinct features of humans, of which one-fifth is fully patented-- gene patenting threatens to infringe upon the rights of individuals and hinder scientific and technological progress. It also violates international agreements and is contrary to historical and legal norms. In this noteworthy publication, the author provides the first, nearly comprehensive study of the practices and implications of gene patenting. Koepsell maintains that gene patenting is harmful and needs to be reexamined. Using scientific findings, philosophical conclusions, and ethical determinations based upon his examination of the ontology of genes, the author advocates immediate legal reform. Among other solutions, he argues in favor of partly revoking intellectual property laws in order to establish the naturally-occurring, human genome as a “commons by necessity” that will not be patentable by companies, universities, or other research institutions. Divided into nine chapters, covering the science of genes, their ontology, the legal dimensions of gene ownership, intellectual property laws, pragmatic considerations, and more, this accessible, expertly-argued, insightful, nicely-presented, sufficiently-documented, interdisciplinary study on the practices and implications of gene patenting will interest general readers as well as students, scholars, and professionals. It will serve as a significant resource for further understanding, knowledge, and research. This book belongs in many large, public, academic, and law library book collections. Highly recommended. Review copy. Availability: Amazon, Barnes & Noble.com