Book Description
A Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A compelling look inside the mind and powerful leadership methods of America’s coaching legend, John Wooden
"Team spirit, loyalty, enthusiasm, determination. . . . Acquire and keep these traits and success should follow."
--Coach John Wooden
John Wooden’s goal in 41 years of coaching never changed; namely, to get maximum effort and peak performance from each of his players in the manner that best served the team. Wooden on Leadership explains step-by-step how he pursued and accomplished this goal. Focusing on Wooden’s 12 Lessons in Leadership and his acclaimed Pyramid of Success, it outlines the mental, emotional, and physical qualities essential to building a winning organization, and shows you how to develop the skill, confidence, and competitive fire to “be at your best when your best is needed”--and teach your organization to do the same.
Praise for Wooden on Leadership:
“What an all-encompassing Pyramid of Success for leadership! Coach Wooden’s moral authority and brilliant definition of success encompass all of life. How I admire his life’s work and concept of what it really means to win!”
--Stephen R. Covey, author, The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People and The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness
“Wooden On Leadership offers valuable lessons no matter what your endeavor. 'Competitive Greatness' is our goal and that of any successful organization. Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success is where it all starts.”
--Jim Sinegal, president & CEO, Costco
Download Description
"Team spirit, loyalty, enthusiasm, determination. . . . Acquire and keep these traits and success should follow."
--Coach John Wooden
John Wooden is without question one of the most respected and honored sports coaches in our nations history. But it wasn't winning games that drove him; it was ensuring that, regardless of the final score, his players always put forth their utmost effort and performed to the best of their abilities.
One of the lesser-known aspects of Wooden is the notebooks in which, beginning in 1948, he regularly recorded his thoughts, inspirations, and life lessons. In Wooden on Leadership, the legendary coach and his longtime collaborator Steve Jamison combine the best of those notebooks with Wooden's far-more-celebrated Pyramid of Success to create a leadership skills guide designed to help anyone develop character, conviction, and remarkable achievement.
Whether discussing teamwork ("It takes 10 hands to score a...'
Customer Reviews:
Executive Director.......2007-09-10
John Wooden is a qualified success and his book demonstrates how others can be successful. Wonderfully written and well documented with examples of Wooden's method and how to apply the pyramid of success. If you want a map for success, this is the book to read.
A bunch of one liners........2007-08-01
The book has some good ideas, but it is full of one liners. It gets boring at times.
On the good side - you have a lot of one liners to say and put on posters.
"Leadership! We don't need no stinking LEADERSHIP".......2007-07-19
Wooden was never my type of role model to emulate, then I saw an HBO documentary and my curiosity was tweaked.
Coming of age in the fifties and sixties when whenever I heard the word "leadership" I would immediately turn off.
Leadership was the antithesis of the flower child age almost but not quite to a fault.Going through the seventies, eighties and to the present day a sea change has occurred among athelets, coaches, fans and franchises
to the point where one as jaded as myself will simply in regards to sports clamor-"WHATEVER DUDE."
The magic seems to have disappeared with the overexposure of the Knights, Bonds, Cubans and Boros (my home Spurs gladly are the exception)to the point of boredom when one thinks sports.
_Wooden_ reminded me of what I chose to ignored: there are those who are worthy of the title Leader,however rare.
Reading the work I was simply nonplused thinking can this be taught? Sadly the answer was no it can not. The question after this was is it worth pursuing; and the answer was beyond a doubt a big affirmative.
Above all Mr. Wooden is a gentleman, a very wise and worthy gentleman who can not be diminished by anyone. My generation seems to have forgotten this, myself included, and this book reminds me of the way it could be.
If you are looking for a rah-rah self-improvment book forget about _Wooden_, if, however your looking for something with nuances that force you to relate to your behavior and how you can make a difference in whatever you do then grab it, open, devour it and keep it nearby in case you ever forget what it is to be a gentleman.
Valued Centered Leadership.......2007-06-16
An amazingly simple step-by-step book that produces results. John Wooden is the epitome of a man who lives by his values. In this book, he shares these core values and combines them with key management tactics to produce a blueprint for success as a leader. He has a knack for taking a concept and breaking it down to its most simple format so that others can understand how to move forward step-by-step. He is visionary, yet operational and this book gives the basics of both worlds.
Using his Pyramid for Success as the foundation, Wooden, tells the "secrets" of being a good leader. Call yourself a teacher, It takes 10 hands to make a basket, little things make big things happen, make greatness attainable by all, seek significant change and see adversity as your asset were the chapters that I enjoyed the most. His colorful storytelling style brought the management concepts to life with vivid examples through his legendary basketball years at UCLA. A must read for the avid sports enthusiast!
I had the privilege of attending UCLA and could see the influence of Coach Wooden's tactics play out in all the sports teams....self control, hard work, control your response to adversity and make it work for you.....he was truly a man that "walked his talk" and lead by example. My daughter actually met the famous Coach while she was a freshman in high school when he came to talk with her soccer team and she still talks about that experience today as one of her greatest life experiences......they won the CIF championship that year.
I found his ideas regarding teamwork, success, and continuous improvement through lifelong learning to be the cornerstones of his philosophy of leadership and management. His commitment to striving for continuous excellence through simple day-to-day tactics makes management look easy. He has a deep understanding of how to utilize the concept of teamwork to incorporate everyone and propel them forward toward a common goal....and in the process making each individual the best that he can be. This is a must lead for leaders and managers in any setting.
C Deckers RN, MSN
Pepperdine University
Education Technology Doctoral Student
12 lessons on leadership from an extraordinary leader.......2007-05-30
Coach Wooden's book practically drips with leadership maxims. I believe that Mr. Wooden would definitively be a "Level 5" leader, to use Jim Collins description of the best leaders. His chapter on using values to attract good people is great. I was particularly impressed by his dogged determination to use the basics to get the best out of his players. His lack of emphasis on winning was also inspiring. He wanted his players to do their best and was not at all interested in the scoreboard at the end of the game. With the concern placed in making the players and the team the best they could be, winning became a natural consequence of that. "Make each day your masterpiece" was another great chapter. John Wooden was unwavering about not wasting time; his fastidious interest in keeping track of every minute helped the day become a masterpiece for his players. Finally, the Pyramid of success is worth the price of the book alone. This book is important for anyone who has an interest in leadership, which, in my opinion, should be everyone. I highly recommend it.
Amazon.com
Coach Wooden's remarkable 10 national basketball championships in 12 years at UCLA speak for themselves. In Wooden, the coach--quiet, thoughtful, and introspective throughout his distinguished career--finally speaks forhimself, and he's well worth hearing. Wooden is a modern chapbook of inspiration and good sense that reveals the hard-court philosopher behind it as a man of character, conviction, decency, and straightforwardness. There are no complex ideas, just little beams of light filtered through anecdotes that project the kinds of simple, immutable truths that in the end touch nothing but net.
Book Description
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
"I am just a common man who is true to his beliefs."--John Wooden
Evoking days gone by when coaches were respected as much for their off-court performances as for their success on the court, Wooden presents the timeless wisdom of legendary basketball coach John Wooden.
In honest and telling passages about virtually every aspect of life, Coach shares his personal philosophy on family, achievement, success, and excellence. Raised on a small farm in south-central Indiana, he offers lessons and wisdom learned throughout his career at UCLA, and life as a dedicated husband, father, and teacher.
These lessons, along with personal letters from Bill Walton, Denny Crum, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bob Costas, among others, have made Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and off the Court an inspirational classic.
Customer Reviews:
3 Pointer!.......2007-10-05
This book of reflections and advice by John Wooden is a favorite of my husband's, mine and our teen aged son. We purchased several copies to give as gifts to coaches in our soccer league. The principles in this book can be applied to ALL areas of life. The Leadership Pyramid is a very powerful tool.
A book about basketball & life.......2007-08-31
John Wooden shares his thoughts about not only basketball but about life and how his seemingly "simple" views and beliefs shaped his success. He is a inspiration to us all and his values are much needed in today's world where we have seen scandals in almost every sport. I believe this book can be enjoyed by people who are old enough to have witnessed him coach as well as the youth who have only heard about Mr. Wooden.
Life begins at 50?.......2007-07-02
A rival coach, one who had won championships,
described him as a very good coach,
a bit set in his ways, probably a better
offensive than defensive strategist. "John
was a heckuva offensive player in his day,
which may be why he runs an exciting offense
but a predictable defense."
John, the basketball coach being described above
by his peer, had at that time been a high school
and college basketball coach for 25 years,
the last 12 years at the same college.
He was 50 years old, and while he had never had
a losing season as a coach, he had also never
won a state or NCAA championship. Could
anyone have imagined at that point that John,
whose last name is Wooden, would over the next
15 years become the greatest college basketball
coach of all time, winning 10 NCAA titles?
Advice on Life.......2007-04-10
Feel inspired and find the strength to keep going in whatever you pursue. Wooden is not just an expert on basketball, but on life as well.
Wooden.......2007-01-15
This book is a great book that everyone should read. My husband purchased it for us and after reading it we purchased six copies and gave one to each of our grown children. In addition I purchased a copy for my brother. It offers a lot of straight forward advise on life. An excellent and easy to read book!
Book Description
The Essential Wooden--more leadership lessons from the Wooden playbook
The Essential Wooden is the ultimate collection of Wooden’s opinions and observations on achieving exceptional leadership in any organization, with 200 invaluable lessons for inspiring championship performance.
Coach Wooden offers his hard-won wisdom on building an organization that performs at its full potential under pressure, from preparing and training the team to instilling personal drive and dedication. He takes his famous Pyramid of Success to the next level, filling the entire book with his straight-shooting personality and keen insight on human nature.
Wooden shares rarely seen preseason letters to his players, revealing how he instilled productive attitudes and winning ways. He also includes previously unpublished analyses from former players and managers, including Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
From Wooden’s earliest days as a leader through his legendary UCLA dynasty, The Essential Wooden distills a lifetime of learning into the leadership playbook for the twenty-first century.
Customer Reviews:
An American Icon.......2007-09-12
A book to familiarize yourself with Wooden's Pyramid of Success. The down to Earth view of what it takes to be successful in anything you engage in is laid out in this book. Coach Wooden used the ideas here to mold his basketball teams but the underlying ideas can be applied to anything in life and allow you to be successful and fullfilled. Following the ideas he presents will make you a good person and who could ask for more then that.
Quick read, gread value.......2007-07-16
Here is a book that is sure to inspire you. From the first pages it grips you, then keeps your attention until the very end. Wooden's philosophy emphasizes that sucess is not measured in "bottom-line" results -- such as games won, sales figures, or other analogous metrics -- but rather on reaching the maximum potential one can achieve -- either individually or as a team. The measure of this becomes self-evident through honest preparation, intensity of practice, selflessness, and so-on. End results, then, are simply byproducts of hard work that was paid up front. Other discussions center around concepts of teamwork, and how to handle people. These have value for everyone, not just leaders and players.
The book is an easy read, and very well written. You won't be disappointed with this one.
Words of wisdom from a master.......2007-07-06
Each page in this terrific book offers nuggets of wisdom from one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time. John Wooden's UCLA teams won 10 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships in 12 years, including 88 consecutive winning games, setting legendary and enduring records. But the way Wooden's players behaved was even more impressive than the number of games they won. Never arrogant, the Bruins epitomized self-control and teamwork - unselfish, disciplined and intense. An outstanding tactician, Wooden recruited superbly talented athletes. However, he always believed that basketball was merely a vehicle for teaching his players about life and what really matters, hence this book of maxims and advice. Coach Wooden's principles about leadership and individual potential extend far beyond the basketball court. He does not define success just as victory, but as a full, complete team effort. We recommend this book to everyone, no matter what game you play or lead.
The John Wooden method of success........2007-02-02
When it comes to leadership and team building, few professions compare with the ranks of organized sports coaches. From the ranks of coaching we have been given a vastness of leadership training with which to shape and improve our lives. Every venue of athletics has made its' coaching contributions. From football, we have the hard nosed precision of Vince Lombardi and the stoic presence of Bear Bryant. Baseball has given us the lighthearted leadership of Casey Stengal and the chess game cunning of Jim Leyland. Boxing has produced such brilliant motivators as Lou Duva and the no-nonsense yet compassionate Eddie Futch. And basketball has been no exception from the explosive emotionalism of Bobby Knight to the intensity of Pat Summitt. But even among such greats as these, when it comes down to success, few can even be mentioned with the name of John Wooden.
His leadership and team building philosophy differs from many, lacking the emotionalism and intensity of what coaches typically display, and I wont go so far as to say Wooden's methods are better, but they certainly proved to be a championship building formula for him. In fact, Wooden even guarded against allowing emotions to reign supreme in his players.
The book focuses primarily on Wooden's 15 component Pyramid of Success. Wooden explains why each component is a part of the pyramid and why it is located where it is within the pyramid. There are also bits and pieces of letters to his teams as well as brief comments from his former players throughout the book.
I don't believe this is the best book with Wooden's name on it, but it is certainly, as expected, filled with sage advice ranging from simple profound statements to more complex principles of leadership, team building and ultimately, success. If you appreciate, as I do, that the coaching profession has produced some of the greatest leaders of the last century and you want insight from one of the best of the best, you'll appreciate this book.
Book Description
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
For John Wooden's millions of fans--a heartfelt and revealing self-portrait about the people and events that shaped his life
Sports Illustrated declared: "There has never been a finer coach in American sports than John Wooden. Nor a finer man." ESPN selected him as the "Greatest Coach of the 20
th Century." From his birth on an Indiana tenant farm, to All-American honors at Purdue, to his historic record-setting UCLA dynasty, John Wooden is a towering figure in 20
th-century sports, and his experience and wisdom an American treasure. In My Personal Best, Coach Wooden tells how he did it and the lessons he learned on his remarkable journey.
Pairing never-before-seen photos from Coach Wooden's private collection with his personal stories and affirmations, this book encompasses the dramatic arc of Wooden's larger-than-life achievements and experiences. As he did in his perpetual bestseller Wooden, Coach offers a wealth of biographical details, personal reflections, and a lifetime of lessons. His millions of fans will cherish this definitive pictorial history of a living sports legend.
"John Wooden is a living legend because he practiced what he preached--the code of ethics which created America's strength."
--Phil Jackson, head coach, Los Angeles Lakers
"Most of what I know, what's made me a smart man, has come from John Wooden."
--Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer
"A man of John Wooden's accomplishments and integrity would stand out in any era, but now, almost three decades after he coached his last game, he is in some ways an even more striking figure."
--Bob Costas
Customer Reviews:
Secrets of Life.......2007-06-09
John Wooden has figured out some of the secrets of life. And he passes them on directly, in a way that can be transformational for a reader.
John Wooden is a hero of mine. His own heroes include Abraham Lincoln and Mother Theresa. Like them, he is a treasure for all of us because his life and lessons demonstrate what it means to live to "our personal best" in a way that is simple, profound and so clear.
This book should be required reading in "Human Being 101".
Wooden's Personal Best.......2007-03-22
We grow up hearing about the importance of developing " good character", not always knowing what it is, or just how to obtain it. All of Wooden's books give his personal guidelines for developing character and living a decent life, whether we are athletes, musicians, teachers, or anything else.
Wooden's teachings have stood the test of time. His life and those he has influenced are proof of that.
I use his wisdom for myself, and I pass it on to all my students. They all know who John Wooden is. His life blesses us all.
revealing, pleasant read.......2007-01-05
John Wooden is one of my heroes. When I was growing up, his teams were dominant, but more importantly, they made the game beautiful to watch. After he retired at the peak of his game, he quietly stepped off the stage. With the rush of books on leadership in the 1990's through the present, it was inevitable, and overdue, that folks take time to examine Coach Wooden's approach to leadership. This has led to a cottage industry in Wooden books.
This book is short, personal and focuses on life lessons learned from the narrative of Coach's life. It doesn't attempt to be weighty, just a good read, that imparts wisdom without hitting you over the head with it. It touches on each chapter of Coach Wooden's life, and particularly shows the infuence of his father, his high school and college coaches and his growth thru experience
This is a fun, easy read that leaves the reader wiser. Highly recommend
Good for coaches.......2007-01-04
This is a great book to help any coach of any sport get a good feel for the right way to coach young players. Teach them good life lessons and skills. It gives an insight into a great coach and even greater man.
Short, but Very Good.......2006-05-10
I loved the book, but I would have liked for it to be longer. It is a very quick read but is full of wisdom from one of the best coaches of all time.
Book Description
The legendary coach talks about his life, his players, and his winning philosophies in this bestselling autobiography
John Wooden's dedication and inspiration made him America's "winningest" coach. His beliefs in hard work and preparedness brought the UCLA Bruins an unparalleled 10 NCAA basketball championships. Now in this bestselling autobiography--with a Foreword by Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton--the college basketball legend reflects on his record-breaking career, his life behind the scenes, and how his top players went on to shape and change the NBA.
From the everyday basics to important life lessons ("It's not how tall you are, but how tall you play"), Wooden shares his worldly wisdom on and off the court to offer a personal history of an unforgettable time in college basketball, answering the most-asked questions about his life, his career, and the players who made his teams unbeatable.
"They Call Me Coach is grass-roots Americana, a story bigger than basketball. One of those rare sports books that is must reading for everyone."
--Chicago Tribune
"What Knute Rockne was to football, Connie Mack to baseball, and Wilbur and Orville Wright to flying, John Wooden is to basketball. This book captures the full flavor of the man, the philosophies that work in life, and the philosophies that work on the court. I commend it to people who want to succeed at either--or both."
--Los Angeles Times
Customer Reviews:
They call me coach.......2007-01-28
Coach Wooden is the Monet of coaching. His philosophy and work ethic, both as a player and a coach, are unparalled. This book will instruct anyone on how to deal with adversity both on the court and in the game of life.
Excellent insight.......2007-01-15
Excellent book examining the life , philosophy and thoughts behind a great coach. Not just about basketball but good for anyone coaching any sport or anyone wanting insight to a great life.
Inspiring glimpse into a master coach's life.......2007-01-13
John Wooden is perhaps America's greatest coach. His UCLA basketball team won ten national championships, including seven in a row. Concomitant with winning was his insistence on character and virtue rather than getting caught up with results.
This autobiography is a fascinating glimpse into Wooden's extraordinary life. It chronicles his life as a player (many forget that Wooden was elected to the basketball hall-of-fame as a player and coach), his coaching days (mostly at UCLA), and a little bit about his activities after his retirement. Interspersed in all of this are Wooden's coaching philosophy, pictures, box scores of the national championship games, and Wooden's opinion on how to improve the quality of NCAA basketball.
They Call Me Coach is tremendous for any sports fan, especially basketball. It can also be enjoyed by those who enjoy reading about what it takes to achieve success. Wooden was not a dictator, but imparted his insistence on doing one's best to his players with meticulous detail.
TCMC is not a complete autobiography, and it omits many aspects of Wooden's life. It is certainly not a "tell-all" account, nor is it perhaps the best book on articulating Wooden's coaching philosophy. For that I would recommend another of Wooden's books, appropriately titled Wooden. There are also others out there.
They Call Me Coach is a wonderful account of a man who as achieved true life success, and you will enjoy this read regardless of your previous knowledge on Wooden or college basketball.
Great advice from a Greater man.......2006-03-20
You can't miss with Wooden's thoughts, words and advice. If you're coaching yong people, he hits home lessons that every player and coach should know and understand. Even if you're just a parent or someone's business supervisor, read this book to learn how to better deal with and motivate those who rely on you for leadership. Don't let the coach down and pass these wonerful skills on to the next generation. Wooden's vision will live long past his coaching days. Find out all about it right here.
A good text for leadership.......2006-03-09
I purchased this book as part of a Ph.D. level class as a lesson in leadership. Coach Wooden shows his ability to lead and educate through his expertise in the fundamentals and the basics. He demonstrates his ability to change tactics and styles with different individuals, which is essential in good,effective leaders. I would recommend this book on several levels. At face value, it is an exceptional story about an exceptional coach and man. At a deeper level, I think it portrays a good example of how to lead and and how to set an example for those you are trying to lead.
Book Description
A melt–in–your–mouth chocolate cake is the perfect metaphor for where we can land if we introduce the correct ingredients into our lives. When the ingredients merge and melt together, we become spiritual warriors able to take the slings and arrows of our lives in stride with grace and a grin. The ingredients? Living life as an adventurer, being a true friend, genuine generosity, extreme tolerance, energetic effort, clear headedness, opening our arms to crazy wisdom, ethical conduct with a strong subset of whistle blowing as an art form, and bringing so much wisdom to our own tables that we might as well change our middle names to Yoda.
The Chocolate Cake Sutra is about how everyone and everything is precious. Lots of traditions say everyone and everything is holy.....maybe we all say that. But, this book holds that particular behaviors can actually lead to, or feed, this experience. Chocked full of moving and enlightening stories, everywhere from the life of the Buddha to living in innercity Detroit, this book will charm and inspire––comfort food for the soul. "Is everyone and everything holy?" If our answer is anything but, "of course," there is work to be done, and The Chocolate Cake Sutra will help sustain you along the way.
Customer Reviews:
This book has started me on a new path.......2007-03-12
First off I do not as a rule write many review. But, this book and ALL of her books deserve high praise and have really spoken to me on many levels. I fell into this book by reading a review from my latest Body and Soul Magazine. And , I couldn't be happier that I decided to take their advice and purchase it. I read this book in 2 days...could not put it down. It spoke to me on SO many levels! Geri writes as tho she is your best friend sharing her journey with you and I could relate to SO many of her examples. I had purchase other books on Buddhism but struggled to understand them many times...I have a VERY busy schedule ( which after reading this I realize I MUST slow down) But, the other books left me a bit frustrated and frankly wanting to just fall asleep. This book was uplifting and down to earth. No pretense here...Just one person who is on a path of enlightenment expaining to another the ups and downs to acheiving it and what the path entails. I felt as I was reading that we were almost sitting together over a cup of tea or coffee and I just listening to her. I felt very comforted and also found myself laughing out loud many times at her own trials and tribulations that I could really relate to. I was very disappointed to learn that she had moved to Seattle however. I live only 2 hours from Detroit and Ann Arbor and felt saddened to learn that she was so close to me and I might have made a journey to the Temple to meet her had I discovered her earlier...and now she is thousands of miles away. But, there is a reason for everything and so instead I promptly ordered every other book she has written and finished one of them already. These are books though that, even if they are an easy and fast read, have a lot of "meat" in them and I will be referring to them again and again...re-reading each one until the pages are sure to be worn. Thank you Geri Larkin for being you and for writing these amazing books! I am so happy to have "stumbled" upon you on my path toward enlightenment!
If Emily Dickenson..........2007-02-28
If Emily Dickenson had been a big time business consultant before coming to poetry, she would have written books of humane and human wisdom as Geri Larkin does after having become a Zen priest herself. Geri puts down raw experience that one recognizes as one's own , and tempers it with insights that makes one feel proud for having shared and come through such experiences.
Let Them Eat Cake!.......2007-01-28
If you've read anything else by Larkin, you know. She's witty, wise, and worldly. As the cover may give away, this isn't some preachy, "thou shalt" and "thou shalt not" book of Buddhist directives. Larkin speaks in the voice of one who has been there. Practically everywhere. Her words hit home and her teachings are nestled in the familiar. Loaded with personal stories to illustrate time-tested points, The Chocolate Cake Sutra provides the perfect soul food. Pun unapologetically intended.
A Delicious Treat from One of the Best Buddhist Bakers!.......2007-01-22
Geri Larkin is so many things; a Zen Buddhist; a former female executive; the founder of a Detroit-based retreat center; a talented and accomplished writer. What she ISN'T is a disconnected guru with an out-of-touch perspective on modern life.
No, she's one of the few contemporary Buddhist writers who remains fully engaged and committed to our modern world and its frenzied pace. What sets her apart from the masses is her ability to eloquently, and sometimes even humorously, pair Buddhist teachings with commonplace scenarios to which everyone can relate. More than that, she speaks to her audience from a grounded location & never seems the least bit self-righteous or haughty. In fact, she embodies the spirit of humility to which most Buddhists strive.
In this latest installment, Larkin uses the image of a delectable pastry to illustrate the the steps one must follow in order to attain a more peaceful, calm, and compassionate lifestyle & outlook. Each chapter introduces a spiritual ingredient which must be added to the mix in order for the results to be optimal. As Larkin explains, one can opt to only include those components which are straightforward and generally effortless to summon however, in doing so, one must accept that his or her daily dessert will suffer as a result. The richest and most rewarding life is one in which all ingredients are included and Larkin's recipe followed to a T.
Per her usual, Larkin's writing style is witty, whimsical, and wise. Her message is coherent and the execution concise. She writes in a way so that her message is incredibly accessible to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. The only criticism I can possibly offer is that the work is just a tad too short. After finishing the last page, I was left craving more. Then again, such is inexorably the case after one devours a treat as delightful as this!
An enlightening read... .......2007-01-14
The author takes often complex issues and presents them in a way that makes it easy for readers to relate them to their individual lives. Using chocolate cake as a metaphor is an interesting approach, and it works very well.
Anyone who has read Ms. Larkin's previous books knows her easy-to-read style and will find even more insights in this book.
Customer Reviews:
www.valderbeebeshow.com.......2006-03-05
marriage and motherhood before risking all of her earthly and emotional possessions as she answered a calling in her heart that continued to say, "There is more for you in life." Creating a legacy for her family, she brought her great-grandmother's (a slave) syrup recipe to life as Michele Foods. The syrup became a metaphor for the birth of the person Michelle became on her journey of building a business with few resources and little knowledge of the product or the food industry.
I just finished reading the book.......2006-01-29
I recommend this book to individuals thinking about starting a business or undertaking some other life-changing event. Ms. Hoskins learned and shared a lot of important lessons about business and human motivation.
An Epiphany Moment.......2006-01-13
This book is an excellent example of the trials and tribulations of a woman that is committed to success.Through Michele's setbacks she never gave up and as a result has become one of the most successful black women in America. She has inspired me to pursue my dreams of entrepreneurship and in the process, given me an "how to" manual to get started. Business plan, business plan, business plan! The read was slow, yet exciting because I held an interest in the next step. Only criticism that I have with the book was the ending. I really expected it to end with more of a bang! However, I do recommend it for reading for anyone that wants to learn how to start a business from scratch.
Sweet Knowledge!.......2005-04-16
I just finished reading Michele Hoskins' book and I absolutely LOVED IT. It was informative, empowering, and spiritually uplifting. I feel it's a must-read for all women. I hated getting to the end of the book. This book is dripping with needed wisdom. Get it for your personal library...Thank you Michele Hoskins for proving that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough.
The truth about starting from scratch.......2005-04-13
This book is the most inspirational book that I have read so far. She is brutally honest and gave invaluable information. She shares her trail and error endeavers. She talks about her mistakes candidly, and without reservation. There are no punches pulled in this book. There are many things that you are unaware of that Michele makes it clear that you need to know.
Michele has really paid her dues. From start to finish she lets you know what she had to do to make it work. She shows that if you don't give up, and are willing to do what it takes to make your dreams come true, you can make it. Many people don't want to do things the hard way, but Michele shows you what can happen when you roll up your sleeves and keep working until you see it through.
This is not a business guide, this is a book about how Michele made her dream a reality with enough common sense advice, and tips to see you through. She was just smart enough to share how she did it so that others want have such a hard road to go.
I recommend this book to anyone really wants to know what it's like to start from "scratch".
Average customer rating:
- Like the Title, A Sweet Success!
- Sweet romantic comedy
- A pleasure to read
- A satisfying treat
- 5 Stars is not enough!!!
|
Sweet Success
Susan Mallery
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
 General | Romance | Subjects | Books
Mallery, Susan | ( M ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
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The Seductive One (Marcelli Sisters of Pleasure Road)
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Delicious (The Buchanans, Book 1)
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The Marcelli Bride
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The Sassy One (Marcelli Sisters of Pleasure Road)
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ASIN: 0743405951
Release Date: 2001-05-01 |
Book Description
Bestselling author Susan Mallery awakens the senses -- and fills the heart with warmth and laughter -- in this tantalizing novel of love's richest rewards.
The free-spirited owner of a booming chocolate emporium in Santa Magdelana, California, Allison Thomas is out to save the world -- one truffle at a time. Everyone adores Ali -- who wouldn't love a lady who sneaks midnight chocolate deliveries to the local health spa? And even if a string of crumbled relationships have put romance on hold, Ali's perfectly content with her life and her high-flying career. That is, until the mysterious Matt Baker stirs up her world....New to town, Matt quickly gets under her skin and leads her into temptation. But neither love nor chocolate seems to melt Matt's icy heart. Now, in a unique setting where luscious desserts, sweet wine, and fresh ocean breezes intoxicate the soul, it may prove impossible for either of them to resist this seductive recipe for a wondrously indulgent passion!
Customer Reviews:
Like the Title, A Sweet Success!.......2007-10-08
I started reading Susan Mallery with the Marcelli family series and loved each book so of course, I had to get more of her books. Sweet Success was just as good.
It's the story of Ali, who owns her own chocolate shop and Matt, a loner with a past. The story of Ali and Matt moves at a nice pace. Ali's mother, Charlotte Elizabeth, a former movie star, adds humor with her pet pig, Miss Sylvie. I enjoyed the way the characters were all introduced and the way they interacted with each other. For me, it was one of those books that I hated to see end.
I am now going to start reading her series of Irresistible, Delicious, etc. and I'm sure they'll be just as good as her others. I hope she keeps writing these wonderful stories! It's a joy to find a new author to read that writes such wonderful books!
Sweet romantic comedy.......2006-12-01
Chocolatier Ali is known for her confections and her open heart. She tends to take in strays - both the two legged and four legged variety, and makes secret truffle runs to the local health spa under the cover of night. With an abysmal love life and an aging diva for a mother whose soul purpose in life is to become a grandmother, Ali has her hands full.
When she hires a handyman to build new shelves in her stockroom, in walks Matt Baker, who appears to be a hollow shell of a man, haunted by a past he's trying to run away from. Matt figures her for a meddler; Ali figures Matt for person in need of not just her chocolate. The more they are around each other, the more Matt likes the eccentric Ali and her merry band of friends and family, and the more he opens up to her about his tainted past.
Mallery has penned a pretty formulaic and predictable romance, but the engaging couple and quirky secondary characters - particular mom and her pot-bellied pig Miss Sylvie keep the reader's interest. I have yet to read a Mallery-penned novel that I hate.
A pleasure to read.......2006-11-07
Ever since reading the Marcelli Family series (The Sassy One, The Marcelli Bride, etc...) I have become a huge Susan Mallery fan. I've gone back and started reading some of Susan's other work and when I came across 'Sweet Success', I didn't think it sounded like an especially good book. Was I wrong! I found this book very funny, the characters were colorful and likeable. The scenes where the characters become intimate were extremely well written and highly sensual. I don't want to give too much away because the plot isn't particularly deep or complex, however I strongly recommend this book. It was a pleasure to read!
A satisfying treat.......2005-08-31
With her firm belief that the world looks better after a hazelnut truffle (and she'll even do secret midnight chocolate runs to Santa Magdelana's health spas!), Allison Thomas is enjoying the sweet smell of success with her gourmet chocolate shop. Life is almost perfect except for her former movie-star mother's obsession with her lack of grandchildren, the lack of men in her daughter's life and the health of her pet albino pig, Miss Sylvie -- and not necessarily in that order. Another problem is the lack of organization in her storeroom, so when the local contractor sends over his new hired hand, Ali is hopeful that one of her troubles is over. What she gets is a gorgeous, slightly too thin handyman with empty, haunted eyes.
For the past year Matt Baker has been on the run. Moving from one small town to another and doing hard manual labor, all the while hoping to forget what he's left behind, Matt is a man with secrets. Big ones.
Trying desperately to stay emotionally numb, Matt rebuffs Ali's attempts to befriend him. Soon, however, the magical combination of Saint Maggie's relaxed atmosphere and whimsical residents -- especially a certain chocolate maker -- begins to slowly bring Matt back to life. An attraction develops between them and one night blazes out of control. But can their relationship survive when Matt's past catches up with him?
In her first mainstream romance, Susan Mallery provides readers with an enchanting feast for the senses. SWEET SUCCESS is a heartwarming tale of second chances and forgiveness with characters and a setting as rich and evocative as the finest box of chocolates. This book is one satisfying treat!
TheSchemer
5 Stars is not enough!!!.......2003-08-02
I loved the heroine in this sweet romance novel. She was sweet but not sugary sweet. She wasn't real sure of what she wanted in life and she had messed up in the past at finding a great guy. I loved how she wouldn't let the hero come in and run her life for her even though he tried to several times. It was a great romance!
Book Description
Arthur is a chauffeur who is intellectually gifted. Jonathan is no less bright than Arthur, equally hard-working, and a billionaire. So why is Jonathan in the back seat of the limousine and Arthur in the front? What explains the difference between success and failure? And what does it mean to you and your children?
Joachim de Posada, a world-renowned motivational speaker, found the answer in a landmark Stanford University study of children who were able to delay gratification-in the form of a marshmallow they'd been given to eat-with the promise that they'd be rewarded with an additional marshmallow if they resisted eating the first for fifteen minutes. Ten years later, the children who held out had grown up to be significantly more successful than those who had eaten their marshmallow immediately.
Posada saw that the key difference between success and failure is not merely hard work or superior intelligence, but the ability to delay gratification. "Marshmallow resisters" achieve high levels of success while others eat all their marshmallows at once, so to speak-accumulating debt and dissatisfaction despite their occupations or incomes. But it doesn't have to be that way. Using a simple parable and real-life examples (including basketball great Larry Bird and major league baseball catcher Jorge Posada, Joachim's cousin), this life-changing book shows readers how the moves made today can pay off big tomorrow-if they just don't eat the marshmallow...yet!
Customer Reviews:
A must read for business and personal improvement.......2007-01-15
The title of this book caught my attention while browsing at an airport book store on a recent trip. When I found out it was written based on an enlightening study conducted years ago, I decided to purchase it. After reading it, I liked it so much I bought several copies and gave them as Xmas gifts to colleagues and friends. The book is simple, but yet has profound message that can help people in all facets improve the quality of their life. I have a 1 year old son and I can't wait to start educating him on the principles of the Marshmallow. As a Sales Professional, I can see how applying the Marshmallow principles can help obtain better business deals. The quality of your decisions will improve if these principles are applied.
good read for kids and adults alike.......2007-01-06
I am not going to say that this book will change your life as an adult, but it'll remind you of a important principles. It, however, may be much more impactful for tweens and teens ... it'll make them question their decisions. I am not one for not eating the marshmellows, at all ... this book will remind us all that at least we at least that there's a decision to be made.
Awesome !.......2006-09-11
I accidentally picked up this book in the bookstore, and started to read some, as the title is quite interesting.
However, I ended up finding a place to sit on the floor, and started to read it from the beginning to the end.
This book is not very complicated, wordy or any of those things that scholars will put.
It's a book that is filled with conversation and it's so true to every human being.
There are so many books like this out there, but you can't miss this one!
Great book!.......2006-08-12
It made me re-think about my life and correted me of what I was doing wrong in my life. I will definitely recommand to every one!
I'll never look at a marshmallow the same way again!.......2006-06-12
Short, sweet book that gave me goosebumps reading it. It is greatly entertaining but the the words touch your emotions in a way that you'll remember the story.
I finished it in less than an hour but I think that it has already changed me. Very Inspiring! Highly Recommended!
Book Description
What if your business could make growth and innovation look easy? What if you could beat the competition day in and day out? You can. Sweet Spot shows you how to align all the vital parts of your business to create a competitive advantage and long-lasting success. You’ll learn how to bring smart marketing together with good leadership to find your business’s sweet spot.
Customer Reviews:
Thin treatment of a great subject.......2007-01-16
This book fails on many levels. What is the thesis? Is it about business growth? You will find precious little here. Is it to describe great marketing companies and how they got there? You'll have to look really hard to find much of value. Is it about new ways of doing marketing? Maybe I've been in marketing too long, but this book provided no contribution. "Move the market," "outdate to innovate," "create a boffo buzz," "get inside the consumer's mind," "segment your market," "communicate consistently." These topics have all been covered elsewhere, and with a lot more skill and depth. The reader would be better off re-reading classic "old" marketing material like Kotler. Where you will get depth is the author's descriptions of the various high level marketing positions he has held, and a list of reasons why he believes his company, Pitney Bowes, belongs in the big leagues of great marketing companies like Apple, Google, FedEx, and Starbucks. Sorry, I don't buy it. A little more humility towards the subject would have been appreciated. The art (or science, depending on your point of view) of marketing is a rich field that is loved by many, and not completely mastered in a lifetime by anyone. It deserves much more than this book offers.
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