Friday, September 30, 2016

Review of Instaread Infographic of "Invisible Influence" by Jonah Berger



Review of
Instaread Infographic of Invisible Influence by Jonah Berger

Two out of five stars

 The points made in this infographic are simplistic and so don’t have the depth of detail that does justice to the book. I have read and reviewed the Instaread summary of the book so I have some background regarding the content of the book.
 For example, the text of the first slide is:
“Individual decisions are often influenced by a variety of subtle factors.”
This is hardly something that will grab and hold your attention, for it is obvious.
 There is nothing in the sixteen slides of this infographic that will strongly influence the reader to buy the book. It is a collection of subtle factors that do not sum to much. 

This book was made available for free for review purposes. 

Review of Instaread Summary of "Strengths Based Leadership Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow" by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie



Review of

Instaread Summary of Strengths Based Leadership Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie 

Five out of five stars
 As someone that has worked part-time for years in the area of databases and data analysis, my interest was grabbed by the first sentence of this summary.
“’Strengths Based Leadership’ by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie introduces readers to the Gallup-designed survey that identifies a person’s unique leadership strengths.”
In my reviewing of business books I occasionally encounter arguments based on surveys that are clearly not the subject of rigorous development (Self-generated and self-fulfilling). Given that the survey that this book is based on is one designed by Gallup, the credibility of the data is immediately established. This also means that this is a self-help book that will have some longevity, for it has the almost unique feature among self-help books that it is based on scientifically generated data.
 The remainder of the summary is a summary of the conclusions of the survey, which is very interesting reading. Core characteristics of quality leadership are identified, yet the essential point that all circumstances are different is repeated several times. Effective leadership is a human trait and so is difficult to quantify. While the book being summarized does not necessarily do that, it does contribute solidly to the effort, a point made clear from this summary. 

This book was made available for free for review purposes. 

Review of Instaread Summary of "Why Nations Fail The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty" by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson



Review of

Instaread Summary of Why Nations Fail The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson 

Five out of five stars
From this summary, it is clear that the authors of the book make some significant points, but that those points suffer from some unconsidered limits. This is clear from the first of the key takeaways:
“Differences in development are not explained by geography or culture.”
This would have been far more accurate had the word “only” been inserted after “explained.” The authors argue that it is the lack of more egalitarian social and political institutions that keep nations from developing. Yet, it is clear through history that the presence of local resources is a significant contributor to economic success. Being conquered by a superior power also should be included.
 Their point is further driven home in key takeaway two:
“Differences in development are the result of differences in political institutions. Pluralist institutions encourage development.”
Once again, the point would be better stated if an additional word appeared in the sentence. In this case, it would be inserting “Many” at the start. The inarguable example of the differences between North and South Korea is used, but that does not change the fact that the development of nations is far more complex than the arguments put forward by Acemoglu and Robinson.
 A very disingenuous point is made in the explanation of key takeaway seven. The main point is:
“Growth under authoritarian regimes, such as China’s, cannot be successful over the long term.”
The following appears in the explanation:
“As of 2016, China’s economic growth did, in fact, appear to be weakening. The growth rate in 2015 was 6.9 percent, the lowest in China in 25 years.”
What is disingenuous about this sentence is that this level of growth dwarfs that of nearly all other countries. It was recently announced that the growth rate in the United States for 2016 is running at roughly 1.4%. The rate in the E. U. is roughly equal at 1.8%. These other countries would be ecstatic for a growth rate even half that of China’s.
From this summary, it is clear that Acemoglu and Robinson make valid, but biased and incomplete points regarding the reasons for the wide differences in the development of nations. Reading the summary generates a desire in the reader interested in the topic to read the book, if for no other reason to better critique their omissions. 

This book was made available for free for review purposes.