Title: Careers for Introverts & Other Solitary Types
Author: Blythe Camenson
Publisher: Mc Graw Hill
Summary:
Office politics, the grapevines, bootlickers, small talks, managing relationships. For those who shudder at the thought of such activities that take place in every day life in the office, you might want to consider a career change! Careers for Introverts & Other Solitary Types provides you with all the information that you would need to start a career as a 1) Researchers, 2) Forest Ranger, 3) Archivist, 4) Graphic Artist, 5) Mail Carrier, 6) Computer Professional, 7) Illustrator, 8) Security Guard, 9) Freelance Writer.
In this book you will find practical advice on deciding which of the career is for you, especially for the introverts or those who prefer to work alone. Also, firsthand accounts from people who have been through the switch, on the everyday routines of your desired job, information on working conditions, estimated salary range, and a list of resources that you would need to help you get the right foot in the door.
Comments:
A read for those who are seriously considering a career switch into any one of the fields as mentioned above. I was thinking, it will be faster if I did a search through the internet on the related topics. But well, it's a good place to get started if you are running out of options.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
The Rules of Networking
Title of Book: The Rules of Networking
Author: Rob Yeung
Published by: Marshall Cavendish Business, 2006.
Sypnosis:
Networking, one of the most essential skills that is most highly sought after by all professionals hoping to progress in their chosen career path, or as stepping stones to land themselves in a new career. Hence, this book can be seen as a solution and answers to all the questions that you have on effective networking.
Unlike traditional, long-winded management tomes, this book is a short, step-by-step alternative which is designed to steer you safely through the unprdictable battlefield of modern working life, and more importantly to help you to attain what you want!
In this book, management guru, Dr Rob Yeung, expertly explains exactly how to network your way to the top. This easy-to-follow guide is packed not only with hints and tips, as well as advice on how to hecome the center of attention, how to ensure your fellow networkers pocket, rather than bin your business card, and how to build relationships in which people will be falling over themselves to help you achieve your goals. Rob Yeung will show you the methods on how to be a step closer to your dream goals.
Review:
Like what the sypnosis has described, the information is cut into bite size and hence, instead of being overwhelmed by the flood of information in those chunky manuals, readers will find this book easy to digest and the techniques simple to apply.
Knowing how to networking effeciently is a very crucial way to be ahead of others in today's society, which is awashed with information and knowledge. If you are unable to stand out among your peers, and make lasting impressions on others, you will find that very soon, in time to come, you will just be part of the backdrop of the society, unnoticable.
So go on, read the book!
Author: Rob Yeung
Published by: Marshall Cavendish Business, 2006.
Sypnosis:
Networking, one of the most essential skills that is most highly sought after by all professionals hoping to progress in their chosen career path, or as stepping stones to land themselves in a new career. Hence, this book can be seen as a solution and answers to all the questions that you have on effective networking.
Unlike traditional, long-winded management tomes, this book is a short, step-by-step alternative which is designed to steer you safely through the unprdictable battlefield of modern working life, and more importantly to help you to attain what you want!
In this book, management guru, Dr Rob Yeung, expertly explains exactly how to network your way to the top. This easy-to-follow guide is packed not only with hints and tips, as well as advice on how to hecome the center of attention, how to ensure your fellow networkers pocket, rather than bin your business card, and how to build relationships in which people will be falling over themselves to help you achieve your goals. Rob Yeung will show you the methods on how to be a step closer to your dream goals.
Review:
Like what the sypnosis has described, the information is cut into bite size and hence, instead of being overwhelmed by the flood of information in those chunky manuals, readers will find this book easy to digest and the techniques simple to apply.
Knowing how to networking effeciently is a very crucial way to be ahead of others in today's society, which is awashed with information and knowledge. If you are unable to stand out among your peers, and make lasting impressions on others, you will find that very soon, in time to come, you will just be part of the backdrop of the society, unnoticable.
So go on, read the book!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Saving Fish From Drowning
Title of Book: Saving Fish From Drowning
Author: Amy Tan
Published by: Harper Perennial, 2006.
Sypnosis:
Bibi Chen, a businesswoman, lover of the arts, and socialite, has been found dead in her shop, in San Francisco, and she was killed in mysterious circumstances.
Unfortunately, Bibi was also the organizer of the exotic expedition, "Following the Buddha's Footsteps", which was slated to take place along the Burma irregardless of her death just days before the departure date, the eleven tourists decide to proceed on the expedition, without her of course. Robbed of their knowledgeable guide and friend, it wasn't long before the travellers stumble into difficulty with the locals, tribes, and military. Despite this, and ignorant of the cautionary cries from the watchful presence of Bibi, they continued on their ill-fated journey, and finally on to their disappearance in the jungle of Burma.
Review:
For those who have read Amy Tan's previous works, her poignant and yet humourous style of narration in this book will not be unfamiliar to you. Rest assured that once you have picked up the book, you will be entertained from the first page to the last, for it is funny, witty and exciting, intertwined with some facts and culture - all the ingredients for a successful work of fiction.
A worthwhile read for those who have time to spare, for the book is 472 pages thick.
Author: Amy Tan
Published by: Harper Perennial, 2006.
Sypnosis:
Bibi Chen, a businesswoman, lover of the arts, and socialite, has been found dead in her shop, in San Francisco, and she was killed in mysterious circumstances.
Unfortunately, Bibi was also the organizer of the exotic expedition, "Following the Buddha's Footsteps", which was slated to take place along the Burma irregardless of her death just days before the departure date, the eleven tourists decide to proceed on the expedition, without her of course. Robbed of their knowledgeable guide and friend, it wasn't long before the travellers stumble into difficulty with the locals, tribes, and military. Despite this, and ignorant of the cautionary cries from the watchful presence of Bibi, they continued on their ill-fated journey, and finally on to their disappearance in the jungle of Burma.
Review:
For those who have read Amy Tan's previous works, her poignant and yet humourous style of narration in this book will not be unfamiliar to you. Rest assured that once you have picked up the book, you will be entertained from the first page to the last, for it is funny, witty and exciting, intertwined with some facts and culture - all the ingredients for a successful work of fiction.
A worthwhile read for those who have time to spare, for the book is 472 pages thick.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
Title of Book: Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
Author: John Perkins
Published by Berret-Koehler Publishers Inc, 2004
Review:
Economic hit men, as defined by John Perkins, are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. Their tools include fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs, extortion, sex and murder (assassinations).
John Perkins knew as he used to be an economic hit man or EHM for short. As an EHM, his job was to convince countries that are strategically important to the United States – from Indonesia to Panama – to accept enormous loans for infrastructure development, and to make sure that the lucrative projects were contracted to U.S. corporations. Saddled with huge debts, these countries came under the control of the United States government, World Bank, and other US-dominated aid agencies that acted like loan sharks – dictating repayment terms and bullying foreign governments into submission and more importantly, into its bidding.
This extraordinary real-life tale exposes international intrigue, corruption, and little-known government and corporate activities that have dire consequences for Amercian democracy and the world.
Comment:
Worth a read if you care about our world, for John Perkins is one. Through this book, one gains insight on what has been going on behind the scene for some of the world events since the 60s. Rather disturbing also, if all of what the writer has exposed are true, which is quite possible as he was part of the team who had carried out the mission of destruction.
But are we able to do anything about it? To stop the ongoing and impending destruction?
Irregardless, it is indeed an interesting read for the intellectual. It's also a book for those who believe in conspiracy theory.
A
Author: John Perkins
Published by Berret-Koehler Publishers Inc, 2004
Review:
Economic hit men, as defined by John Perkins, are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. Their tools include fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs, extortion, sex and murder (assassinations).
John Perkins knew as he used to be an economic hit man or EHM for short. As an EHM, his job was to convince countries that are strategically important to the United States – from Indonesia to Panama – to accept enormous loans for infrastructure development, and to make sure that the lucrative projects were contracted to U.S. corporations. Saddled with huge debts, these countries came under the control of the United States government, World Bank, and other US-dominated aid agencies that acted like loan sharks – dictating repayment terms and bullying foreign governments into submission and more importantly, into its bidding.
This extraordinary real-life tale exposes international intrigue, corruption, and little-known government and corporate activities that have dire consequences for Amercian democracy and the world.
Comment:
Worth a read if you care about our world, for John Perkins is one. Through this book, one gains insight on what has been going on behind the scene for some of the world events since the 60s. Rather disturbing also, if all of what the writer has exposed are true, which is quite possible as he was part of the team who had carried out the mission of destruction.
But are we able to do anything about it? To stop the ongoing and impending destruction?
Irregardless, it is indeed an interesting read for the intellectual. It's also a book for those who believe in conspiracy theory.
A
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Montessori From The Start
Title of Book: Montessori From The Start
Author: Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen
Published by: Schocken Books, 2003
Review:
Most of us, especially parents, have heard of Dr. Maria Montessori and her unique and amazing education method in educating young kids. But what if you want the benefits of Dr. Montessori's insights to benefit your child since birth? Are there any way where parents can apply the Montessori's method during their child's early childhood years to prepare them for a better start in life? Recognizing the need, the founders of the Forest Bluff School in Lake Bluff Illinois, Paula Polk Lillard and her daughter, Lynn Lillard Jessen, both highly experienced educators, consolidated and condensed their years of experience in their teaching of the Montessori method into this book, entitled "Montessori From The Start".
This book, written based on the authors' insights and experience with working with young minds, provides practical and useful advice on how to use Montessori's theories to create a set of comprehensive approaches to raising infants. In addition, the authors have also provided valuable guidance for the creation of a beautiful and serviceable learning environment that will aid in the development of the infant's focus and concentration. Considering the kid's "sensitive periods", the authors have also introduced concepts and related activities for the development of such skills, such as dressing, food preparation and toilet training.
Infants, at the moment when they enter into this world, are already little sponges that are capable of soaking up information. How they are handled since birth has already an impact on how they will turn out in the future.
For example, drawing from one of the areas mentioned in the book, language development is essential as it wll influence the infant's understanding of what is happening around him and his ability to convey to others of his needs. Thus, the quality of the language to which the infant is exposed to permantly alters both his brain structure and its function. It is then essential, that the infant be given specific linguistic aid from birth, some of which includes good grammar, quantity of vocabulary and clear pronunciation by the care giver.
As the infant can only make sense of language when he relates directly with people, thus, one has to interact with the infant as one is speaking and face-to-face interaction is preferred (TV and VCDs are found to be less useful as they seem). Speech should be made simple and clear though and repetitions are required for reinforcement. Naming game is a good activity that parents can have with their infant.
This book is definitely a must read for parents who want to raise calm, capable and confident children.
Author: Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen
Published by: Schocken Books, 2003
Review:
Most of us, especially parents, have heard of Dr. Maria Montessori and her unique and amazing education method in educating young kids. But what if you want the benefits of Dr. Montessori's insights to benefit your child since birth? Are there any way where parents can apply the Montessori's method during their child's early childhood years to prepare them for a better start in life? Recognizing the need, the founders of the Forest Bluff School in Lake Bluff Illinois, Paula Polk Lillard and her daughter, Lynn Lillard Jessen, both highly experienced educators, consolidated and condensed their years of experience in their teaching of the Montessori method into this book, entitled "Montessori From The Start".
This book, written based on the authors' insights and experience with working with young minds, provides practical and useful advice on how to use Montessori's theories to create a set of comprehensive approaches to raising infants. In addition, the authors have also provided valuable guidance for the creation of a beautiful and serviceable learning environment that will aid in the development of the infant's focus and concentration. Considering the kid's "sensitive periods", the authors have also introduced concepts and related activities for the development of such skills, such as dressing, food preparation and toilet training.
Infants, at the moment when they enter into this world, are already little sponges that are capable of soaking up information. How they are handled since birth has already an impact on how they will turn out in the future.
For example, drawing from one of the areas mentioned in the book, language development is essential as it wll influence the infant's understanding of what is happening around him and his ability to convey to others of his needs. Thus, the quality of the language to which the infant is exposed to permantly alters both his brain structure and its function. It is then essential, that the infant be given specific linguistic aid from birth, some of which includes good grammar, quantity of vocabulary and clear pronunciation by the care giver.
As the infant can only make sense of language when he relates directly with people, thus, one has to interact with the infant as one is speaking and face-to-face interaction is preferred (TV and VCDs are found to be less useful as they seem). Speech should be made simple and clear though and repetitions are required for reinforcement. Naming game is a good activity that parents can have with their infant.
This book is definitely a must read for parents who want to raise calm, capable and confident children.
The Rules of EQ
Title of Book: The Rules of EQ
Author: Rob Yeung
Published by: Marshall Cavendish Business, 2006
Review:
The rules of work have changed. These days, it is no longer the most intelligent people, nor the most hardworking people, nor the most experienced people that get promoted fast. The latest keyword to succeeding in the world today is EQ. The people who succeed are often good at motivating themselves and influencing others. They understand their own emotions and are able to get themselves going even if they are feeling otherwise. They are able to influence not only themselves, but also others, motivating and persuading people, to help them out, or in the more extreme case, to their own benefit.
Dr. Rob Yeung, an expertise where this area is concerned, shares his knowledge and experience on what is Emotional Quotient, and how can one apply it to the workplace. The book is structured in such a way whereby it centres around the three domains of EQ, namely self-awareness, self-direction and interpersonal savvy, and as well as their application as organizational savvy. In the four parts, Dr. Yeung explains the underlying ideologies and highlights what are some ways towards their attainment and discusses how can they be applied in the workplace.
For example, under the dimension Self-direction, one of the ways mentioned in the book is called "Visualize Success". Visualization is a useful tool as it can foster a virtuous circle in the brain-body-behavior link. This means that if you imagine yourself succeeding, then your brain sends nerve impulses to release chemicals that promote positive emotions, and then you will actually end up with a higher chance of succeeding! If you take the time and make the effort to imagine a scenario (ie. presentation) in greater clarity, the results of the visualization can be surprising.
On a personal note, this book can be an interesting read, as it will lead you on the road to self-discovery, and enable you to be more aware of your emotions, how to control them and at the same time, be more aware of others' actions and behaviors. The techniques mentioned in the book are rather useful, and if one is a hardworking student, these techniques will be excellent tools for the reader to find the path towards greater achievements in the workplace, and eventually, success!
Author: Rob Yeung
Published by: Marshall Cavendish Business, 2006
Review:
The rules of work have changed. These days, it is no longer the most intelligent people, nor the most hardworking people, nor the most experienced people that get promoted fast. The latest keyword to succeeding in the world today is EQ. The people who succeed are often good at motivating themselves and influencing others. They understand their own emotions and are able to get themselves going even if they are feeling otherwise. They are able to influence not only themselves, but also others, motivating and persuading people, to help them out, or in the more extreme case, to their own benefit.
Dr. Rob Yeung, an expertise where this area is concerned, shares his knowledge and experience on what is Emotional Quotient, and how can one apply it to the workplace. The book is structured in such a way whereby it centres around the three domains of EQ, namely self-awareness, self-direction and interpersonal savvy, and as well as their application as organizational savvy. In the four parts, Dr. Yeung explains the underlying ideologies and highlights what are some ways towards their attainment and discusses how can they be applied in the workplace.
For example, under the dimension Self-direction, one of the ways mentioned in the book is called "Visualize Success". Visualization is a useful tool as it can foster a virtuous circle in the brain-body-behavior link. This means that if you imagine yourself succeeding, then your brain sends nerve impulses to release chemicals that promote positive emotions, and then you will actually end up with a higher chance of succeeding! If you take the time and make the effort to imagine a scenario (ie. presentation) in greater clarity, the results of the visualization can be surprising.
On a personal note, this book can be an interesting read, as it will lead you on the road to self-discovery, and enable you to be more aware of your emotions, how to control them and at the same time, be more aware of others' actions and behaviors. The techniques mentioned in the book are rather useful, and if one is a hardworking student, these techniques will be excellent tools for the reader to find the path towards greater achievements in the workplace, and eventually, success!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander
Title of Book: The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander: from preschool to high school -
how parents and teachers can help break the cycle of violence
Author: Barbara Coloroso
Published by: Piccadilly Press, London, 2003
Review:
how parents and teachers can help break the cycle of violence
Author: Barbara Coloroso
Published by: Piccadilly Press, London, 2003
Review:
If you are not aware, thousands of children go to school each day filled with fear; sometimes they dread school to such an extent that they feign illness in order to avoid going to school. All these are results of the common occurance of bullying in schools. Bullying in schools has become so commonplace nowadays and is not restricted to a particular location or country - it occurs in US, UK, New Zealand, and even in the Asian countries, like Singapore!
As such, given the magnitude of the problem, author and educator Barbara Coloroso addressed the issue in this book.
The book is divided into two parts - Part One is dedicated to the discussion on the three main characters in the case of bullying. Part Two is an exploration on how the home, school and community have played a part in setting the stage for bullying to take place, and as such, how the three can come together to break the cycle and foster a safer and hamonious learning environment for all children to study in.
Be warned beforehand that one can be prepared to be chilled by the horrendous accounts of some of the cases of bullying narrated in the book. It is rather difficult to imagine that a child is capable of such acts of menace at such a young age to another person. What could have caused it to happen?After reading the book, I find that it is indeed a grime situation that we are facing, and thus, to ensure that the children of today have a safer environment to grow up and study in, it is imperative for adults, especially those with the authority and responsibility, such as parents and teachers, to identify potential cases and solve them before they aggravate and avanlanche into problems with dire consequences which we would rather that they were stopped in the first place.
It is quite a good and informative (quite a number of statistics, tips and case studies are available) book for those who are interested in the topic, teachers in schools, and as well as those who have kids in school. You might not be aware that your kid has already become a victim of bullying, for most of the victims choose to remain silent about it. However, there are techniques in the book to help you to identify and solutions offered to rescue your child out of the situation before it is too late to do so.
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