Category: Books

Lake GenevaIn the spring of 1137 the Cistercian monk St Bernard of Clairvaux travelled all the way around without noticing it was even there. Likewise, after four years in his monastery, St Bernard could not report whether the dining area had a vaulted ceiling (it does) or how many windows there were in the sanctuary … Continue reading The Architecture of Happiness

From the New York Times Magazine:"This month, as in the past five Decembers, the magazine looks back on the passing year from a distinctive vantage point: that of ideas. Our editors and writers have located the peaks and valleys of ingenuity — the human cognitive faculty deployed with intentions good and bad, purposes serious and … Continue reading A year of ideas

   I now have a library card. I have not had one in 15 years at least. I have no room to store additional books at home so until I redesign the house, add bookcases and the like I will be mooching off the library. I already have an overdue book! I can’t believe how … Continue reading Books Books Books

Re-reading Aristotle on Poetics: […] to be learning something is the greatest of pleasures not only to the philosopher but also to the rest of mankind… Continue reading Reading

Jeffrey Gittomer’s Little Red Book of Selling demystifyies buying principles for salespeople. His book is perfect for bathroom reading. No really! Gitomer is crazy about sales; he sounds quite cookie but who would argue with some of his 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness. 12.5! I mean really! Seriously though: keep this book in your bathroom. … Continue reading Little Red Book of Selling

I am waiting for Chris Anderson’s Long Tail to hit my mailbox in the meantime Guy Kawazaki recommends the book because: First, it provides a fresh perspective that will help you understand success stories like Amazon, Google, Lego, RealNetworks, Netflix, and iTunes. Second, it provides a framework that will help you more fully grasp the … Continue reading The Long Tail

If a pistol appears in a story, eventually it’s got to be fired. Anton Chekhov. Kafka On The Shore follows the solitary, self-disciplined schoolboy Kafka Tamura as he hops a bus from Tokyo to the randomly chosen town of Takamatsu, reminding himself at each step that he has to be “the world’s toughest fifteen-year-old.” He … Continue reading If a pistol appears in a story

      I absolutely love Safe – Design Takes on Risk which was given to me as a present. It is a brilliant design book and quite up my alley. I am fascinated by safety and protection gear for humans and animals. There is something amazingly protective and soothing about a piece of safety … Continue reading Grace under Pressure

Sometimes I forget how much I love Alfred Jarry. Ubu Roi is still one my favourite reads. It is magical! "Ventrebleu, de par ma chandelle verte, j’aime mieux être gueux comme un maigre et brave rat que riche comme un méchant et gras chat." Continue reading Pataphysique or Ubu Roi

I am still a FastCompany reader and once in a while you stumble onto a great little article. The 10 Faces of Innovation is one of the little gems. I have always found it surprising that innovation books talk about innovation like if it “just happens” without ties to the actual innovation drivers: people.In The … Continue reading Devil’s advocate for a minute. . .