The Brand Gap is an excellent book to read when just starting to formulate (or re-position) a brand as it prompts you with some very good questions anThe Brand Gap is an excellent book to read when just starting to formulate (or re-position) a brand as it prompts you with some very good questions and offers a great toolkit of heuristics. I blew through it in a couple of hours (reading and re-reading a lot, taking notes, etc.), so it's one of those books you know you should read *and* actually get around to finishing, which is brilliant. I would recommend it to anyone- regardless of their involvement with brand management. Sometime's it's just cool to have a better idea of why some brands are doing well while others fail to catch on!...more
Most books provide an escape from daily life or offer information about a specific subject. Jeremy Rifkin's Empathic Civilization does both, and also Most books provide an escape from daily life or offer information about a specific subject. Jeremy Rifkin's Empathic Civilization does both, and also has the power to fundamentally change one's entire worldview.
As for escape- The Empathic Civilization removes readers from the specific minutiae of everyday life, encouraging them instead to focus on big, broad issues and consider themselves as part of a larger, extremely powerful whole. As for information- the book introduces readers to a litany of fascinating insights related to such diverse fields as economics, psychology, history, politics, science, theology, and philosophy.
Rifkin takes The Empathic Civilization a step above and beyond with his overall thesis: that the world is indeed in dire straights, and that we can only solve these pressing problems through empathy.
Overall, The Empathic Civilization has changed the way I regard thought, civilization, family, friends, and the meaning of life. This is a book that must be read, from cover to cover, with full attention. Rarely does a book offer so much in one volume, so do not consider its heft to represent an all-you-can-eat literary hot dog eating contest, but rather a gourmet all-you-can eat buffet of some of the most fascinating concepts you'll have encountered in years. Bon appetit! ...more
This was interesting, though I would rather have approached this as a reference book rather than something to tuck into on the elliptical. It's great This was interesting, though I would rather have approached this as a reference book rather than something to tuck into on the elliptical. It's great fun to contemplate culinary feats in the days of yore though!...more
An interesting read about an interesting perceptive shift. After having read the book, I most want to know what Daniel Pink would change were he writinAn interesting read about an interesting perceptive shift. After having read the book, I most want to know what Daniel Pink would change were he writing his book within the context of our current economic environment. Yes, right brain thinking is important, but in times like these, right-brain positions such as "in-house poets," special designers, and creative thinkers are often the first to go. Pink seemed to give the impression that graduates with a Masters in Fine Arts would be in much higher demand than one with a Masters in Business Administration, but as companies are trying to be more "practical" and austere, will this still be the case? ...more
What a fantastic book! This completely changed my conception of feminism. Definitely a must-read for anyone even slightly involved with or interested What a fantastic book! This completely changed my conception of feminism. Definitely a must-read for anyone even slightly involved with or interested in the feminist movement- or any sort of social movement for that matter. Perhaps indirectly, this book details the difference between powerful idealists in social movements and those who actually make change happen. ...more
Though I find the perfume interesting to be fascinating, this book was really hard for me to get through- it took me months to complete, and I really Though I find the perfume interesting to be fascinating, this book was really hard for me to get through- it took me months to complete, and I really had to push myself to finish it. Why it was such a slog, I am not sure. I just hate that I found a book on such a fascinating subject to be so dull!...more
Wow! Did you know the Amazons got their name from the Greek words "a" (without) + "mazo" (breast) due to the supposed practice of removing (either thrWow! Did you know the Amazons got their name from the Greek words "a" (without) + "mazo" (breast) due to the supposed practice of removing (either through binding at a young age or mutilation) the right breast to make drawing a bow easier??? This book is just full of fun little insights.
This was an enjoyable read- great for little reading breaks. I liked reading about the various icons of style that Kazanjian chose to discuss- the littThis was an enjoyable read- great for little reading breaks. I liked reading about the various icons of style that Kazanjian chose to discuss- the little black dress, pearls, boots, etc... and thought each essay had a nice balance of personal opinion and didactic explanation. The book itself is definitely '90s, but that also has an interesting impact on the essays, which is interesting to consider... after all, Kazanjian is writing about fairly timeless elements, but in the context of a specific period, so you can see how these elements will be altered depending on the current social climate. Nifty!...more
I strongly recommend this book to anyone and everyone- it provides a fascinating presentation of Western culture through the practice of cleaning (or I strongly recommend this book to anyone and everyone- it provides a fascinating presentation of Western culture through the practice of cleaning (or NOT cleaning). Oh, the things I've learned from this! I now see history through an entirely new set of eyes....more
OK, so I only read the chapters on accents and regional dialects, but I'd love to read the whole thing someday. It's well written and very interestingOK, so I only read the chapters on accents and regional dialects, but I'd love to read the whole thing someday. It's well written and very interesting!...more
Nice! This was a quick, interesting read. After getting over the different language style in the beginning, I was really able to sink into it, and MorNice! This was a quick, interesting read. After getting over the different language style in the beginning, I was really able to sink into it, and More's ideas are interesting. I can see how people got really excited about it back in the day! I can also see why More eventually ended up on the chopping block... ^_^'' Overall, I'm cool with More's vision... except for the male-female inequality issue. Jeez....more
This book was marvelously eye-opening. I kept wanting to take notes! I love it when people take a subject such as "beauty" or "happiness" and really lThis book was marvelously eye-opening. I kept wanting to take notes! I love it when people take a subject such as "beauty" or "happiness" and really look at the science behind it. It's riveting. ...more
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