Willing Slaves

A book written from a slightly feminist perspective (but none the worse for that) looking at how the culture of working excessive hours is damaging our society.
It then shifts to looking at how some companies manage their staff, why this might be causing the recruitment and retention problems and how some other companies are overcoming this.
The book ends (p293) though on a real ray of hope that if those at the top of organisations want to change the culture then they can make a massive difference and they can break the cycle of excessive hours and no life!

Ryanair

A book that reveals why I wouldn't want to work for Ryanair but nonetheless you have to have admiration for those that do.

The wisdom of crowds

A detailed study on why, when and how, groups make better decisions than even teh best individuals.
The secret is to have a heterogenous mix in your group.

Shroom - A cultural history of the Magic Mushroom

Andy Letcher clearly loves his subject and gives an insightful study right up to the present day from both a factual and cultural perspective.

A must-read book for lovers of Psilocybe semilanceata, despite the governments best efforts to dissuade us otherwise.

Now, discover your strengths & Strengths Finder 2.0

A brilliant approach to staff development that focuses on teh things you are good at and making them better - rather than trying to bang your head against a wall and improve your 'failings'



Earlier version of thebook I first came across

I am a Strange Loop

Douglas Hofstader explores further the concept of self-recursive systems and how can we each sense that we exist as an 'I' inside our heads, and that this existence seems to be the most 'real' thing there is.

How can this 'I' arise from just a collection of particles, collected into neurons, containing symbols in a vast processing machine of our brain?

As ever, his books are very readable and not overly technical and thoroughly enjoyable

The hamster revolution (reclaim your life from email)

I picked this book up because the title caught my eye.
I can't say I have adopted all teh tips and tools in teh book but I have used enough of them to manage down the daily torrent of emails I receive to a manageable level. It also has a suggestion for a structured approach to filing emails and all your electronic work.
The overall message is that we get the emails we deserve!

The Mind Gym

A book packed with useful ideas on how to win back more time from some of the more common situations that steal it away from you.

A self scored questionnaire to help you focus on the most important chapters for you.

Seeing Red

A delightful little book at 134 pages, it appears to be going to be an easy read though in fact although it is more work than you expect, your efforts will be rewarded.

An in-depth explanation of what is going on in your brain and mind when you see red (my italics).

The book comes from a series of lectures that Nicholas Humphrey gave at Harvard in 2004 when he projected a red screen on the wall and then promised to explain in the next 3 hours what students were actually experiencing.

Darwin's Dangerous Idea

Daniel Dennett, explores how Darwinian evolutionary theory can be successfully applied to many fields beyond biology.

He looks at the evolution of language, culture, ethics and the origins of life itself.

As ever his books are very well written and a delight to read.

Mind the Gap

I heard Graeme Codrington speak at an MD2MD session and obtained a copy of his book that expanded on his ideas.
A really useful guide for any manager over 40 who want to understand why their younger recruits (and their children) sometime seem to be from a different planet!
Then the book packs loads of tips on how to get the various generations to interact more constructively.
I have implemented some of the ideas in this book and they really work and have improved our staff retention and morale.
Great quotes "we have many friends in life but only one set of parents, they are special - lets keep them that way" and "Half of all the people who have ever turned eighty are alive today"

The God Delusion

Well this is one of those books that tends to polarise its audience into love it or hate it (probably depending on your personal position in the arguments)
I unashamedly admit I come out firmly on Richard Dawkins' side and this is a great book for pulling out bits of argument to support your point. ON the other hand this is one of his more extreeme works and some have described it a s a bit of a rant.