Question

Topic: Strategy

What Are Your Favorite Books?

Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 3/11/2004 at 1:24 PM ET 1000 Points
What are some, or all of the most inspiring and/or educational books you have read that have resulted in a profound impact on your personal life, philiosophies, and success as a marketer?

Please do not limit the list to marketing specific titles. Feel free to include, novels, biographies, motivational works, spiritual enhancements...ANYTHING you hold dear to your core values.

An explaination as to why and how would be greatly appreciated!

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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Pepper Blue on 3/12/2004 at 12:10 AM Accepted
    The best book I have ever read is called "A Father's Journal - Memories for my child": ISBN 0-87358-712-x

    It is actually a journal, commercially published (not by me) that I have been keeping since my daughter was born.

    I hope it is one of lhe best and most important books she ever has the opportunity to read.

    This is because in today's busy world it is hard for fathers to find time to share their personal histories with their children and even harder for us to know where to begin.

    It is designed to help fathers think of everything they want to remember for their child.

    There is no gift more precious than family and memories and this journal provides me an opportunity to reflect on my experiences that have shaped my life for my daughter to read.

    It is an ongoing project, I will never finish it, but I guess that's the point.

    Pepper Blue

  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 3/12/2004 at 9:28 AM Author
    Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the respones.

    A Few of my Favs:

    Darwin's Black Box- by Michele Behe-- It is a biochemical approach/attack on Darwin's theory of evolution and the origin of species. Beautifully written for the scientist as well as the layman. He uses "irreducable complexity" and Rube Goldberg references to illustrate just how complicated life really is on a cellular level. We all tend to base our judgements on what we can see, but there is whole other universe of things going on microscopically that not only help you understand systems, but can give you some powerful ammo in a debate about intelligent design versus evolution.

    Rich Dad, Poor Dad-by Robert Kiosaki-- Opened my eyes by bringing things that have been right in front of my face my whole life into complete focus. It's really weird how his basic logic makes you realize the true meaning of "you are your own worst enemy".

    Atlas Shrugged-by Ayn Rand-- Awesome! "Man" persuing his goals and dreams at no cost. While not a complete advocate of her philoshopies, they really make you think. "Who is John Gault" and "The Fountain Head" some other good ones.

    Brain Droppings-by George Carlin--The man kind find humor in ANYTHING!!! Brilliant.

    I'll most more later.

    Jim and Val- Don't worry about a list...I'm making one for everybody so no need to add it to your to-do list. I'm on it!

    Lois Why is it you said "It's hard to say what my most "inspiring" or "favorite" books are. " You truly do not have a list of books that stick out in your mind as your favorites? Or are you gaurding because you are a publisher? I don't care if you say you like to read books on torture, I'm just looking for honest responses. So please, don't be shy!

    Also, although 99.99% of you have been completey sincere with your lists, please keep in mind I am not asking for advice or "suggested readings". I want to know what your favorite books are!

    Thanks again everyone! I'll check back for more!
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 3/13/2004 at 9:35 AM Author
    I think I have to agree with many others regarding 'To Kill a Mocking Bird". It is definately a cover-to-cover read.

    Some others: The Catcher in the Rye, For Whom the Bell Tolls, anything by Imannuel Kant, Fyodor Dostoevsky,Albert Einstien, or Bruce Lee.

    I also enjoy reading as many books about Pablo Pcasso I can. He was perhaps one the first masters of modern day "branding".
  • Posted on 3/13/2004 at 1:55 PM Accepted
    Ha, yes, lots of old favourites there, and a few new ones...

    I'd add

    Italo Calvino - If on a winter's night a traveller - conceived to be read in any order!

    Alain Robbe Grillet - everything!

    Alastair Grey - 1982 Janine, and Lanark

    and workwise

    Arie de Geus the living company.
    .. when so many are dead!

    Thomas Gaad 4d Branding - fresh thinking on how to make brands work, that can be applied to a Plc, and yourself

    and James Middleton Writing the New Economy - an invaluable set of 3-4 pages summaries of 50 webby books

    great question

    Will
  • Posted on 3/14/2004 at 8:15 PM Accepted
    Hi, everybody, I probably haven't read as many books as most of you but here in College I have been exposed to many books that I find very interesting.
    I would like to share these one with you:

    Sophie's World--It's a novel but illustrates many theories and provides a wide people with a knowledge from many famous philosophers.

    El Quijote (Spanish Title)-- This one provides us some interesting things that we as marketers could learn such as that Don Quixote was able to sell his idea to Sancho since he really believed in what he did.

    The Bible--Here I have found many things that portray how humans behave.

    The E-Myth-- this one showed me portrays many wrong ideas that many people in the U.S have about starting their own budiness

    "Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind"--it provides pretty good examples and principles that one should know to position a compay, person ort any other institution.

    There are many others I have read but mainly these ones have affected me, in the way I think.

    thanks for asking. It's nice reading other people's favorite books since one can learn from them and see why other people like them
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 3/17/2004 at 1:54 AM Author
    Thanks again! Any more takers?

    --Blaine
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