An Encyclopedia of Leadership

John C. Maxwell has put together what I call and "encyclopedia of leadership" in his culmination of the 101 series -- Complete 101 Collection:  What Every Leader Needs to Know.  If you are looking for an in-depth authoritative source, then this is not your book.  If, however, you are seeking something that offers solid information on many topics, then this is your book. Maxwell admits that in his opening section, so he does not mislead you in any way.

The book itself is 612 pages of text, so it is a rather large book.  The topics considered are as follows:  attitude, self-improvement, leadership, relationships, success, teamwork, equipping, and mentoring.  Each topic is approximately 70 pages in length divided among 8 or so chapters.  The format and structure permits a reader to digest the material and to notice the how the topics are interconnected.  For instance, attitude is the foundation of self-improvement and equipping others is the primary goal of mentoring. 

This book will be a solid addition to your leadership section.  I would also suggest that you may give this to others as a gift for their personal and professional growth.  Most importantly, get a copy for yourself and wrestle with the thoughts contained in its pages.  And, if you want to know more about these topics, Maxwell is proud to offer you other books on those topics as well.  : )


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

An Interesting History of the Cubs and Wrigley Field

Disclaimer:  this book is a deviation from my normal considerations of Biblical or theological works.  Well, on second thought -- maybe not.  I am a die-hard and "religious" Cubs fan, so I guess it does...at least somewhat...stick with my focus on religious works!!  : )

George F. Will has written a nice little history of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field -- A Nice Little Place on the North Side:  A History of Triumph, Mostly Defeat, and Incurable Hope at Wrigley Field.  If you are a Cubs fan, or even just a baseball fan, then this is a must read.  Will has a tremendous ability in the written word, and I am jealous of his talent.

Now, let's get right to the point -- if you are looking for a chapter-based book that has a logical order of grouped ideas, then you will be disappointed.  Will has a logical order but he is all-over-the-page on some of the history of the ballpark.  I have the reputation of being the "walking encyclopedia of worthless information," and I can honestly say that this book will help me retain that reputation.  There are some absolutely wonderful nuggets of baseball records.

Some other things that you will keep with you -- the mental image of Al Capone sitting at a Cubs game, a Cubs manager that hated Ernie Banks, the impetus behind the famous outfield ivy, and the "myth" of Babe Ruth's famous called home run.  I'm not going to spoil that one -- get the book and see for yourself.

A good read that will be lots of fun for you.  I encourage anyone to pick this up and enjoy!


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from the Blogging for Books Publishing Group for this review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Just Another Bible...Not a Study Bible

As the title of the blog says, the NIV Proclamation Bible is just another Bible.  Having seen the comment by Timothy Keller -- "there are many study Bibles, but none better" -- I had extremely high hopes for this Bible.  Unfortunately, I was disappointed.

The Bible is a hardcover, which is not a problem, and I love the deeper hue of the outside cover.  The print is sufficiently large for my aging eyes.  The book has about a page or page and a half introduction for each book and that is written by various contributors.  It also includes solid and colorful maps along with a cross-references and a word-based concordance. 

This new Bible lacks word studies or context boxes within the text, which is something I would expect from a study Bible.  Other than the 10 doctrinal or theological essays prior to the actual Biblical text, this NIV Proclamation Bible is sorely lacking in study tools.  Also, my personal preference of Christ's words in red was not found in this study Bible either.  The connection to the Proclamation Trust was never fully divulged, so that has left me wondering.

With all of that said, I'm not sure how this is considered a proper study Bible.  If you are looking for a study Bible, there are better candidates out there for you to expend your hard-earned money upon.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Not a Bad Read, But....

If you have read the book American Sniper by Chris Kyle, then you are familiar with the story of Ryan Job.  Kyle goes through that story in-depth and how the SEAL team rallied around for the medical evacuation.  Ryan, despite the gruesome wound and pain, would leave the battlefield under his own power so that his brothers in arms could fully fight against the insurgency.  The wound would cost him his eyesight.  Later on in that book, Kyle would have a cursory mention of Job's marriage and his unfortunate demise.

This book, A Warrior's Faith by Robert Vera, picks up where Kyle's book left off.  It unveils some of Job's accomplishments in mountain-climbing and adjustments in daily life.  The author is good at capturing real life moments with all their humor -- wait till you read about the mall shopping experience -- and he has a cleverness about him.  For instance, he speaks of his fascination with the book of Job, how God tested that man's faith, and the irony of this Navy SEAL's experience -- another man named Job!  He goes on to tell more of the story regarding Job's death due to a medical mistake and how the family responded to this situation.

The book is a pretty quick read.  It also has some solid passages in the book dealing with servant leadership and offering thought-provoking quotes like this one by poet Mary Oliver on page 165 -- "What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"  Despite those positive issues, I just did not thoroughly enjoy the book.  It was okay, and I struggle to articulate why.  Look at the words on the back cover, and I did not see how they matched the text I read -- "Ryan Job didn't just live his faith.  He lived it ruthlessly."  I do not doubt the veracity of those statements; however, the book did not dwell upon them enough.  His faith was mentioned in passing without much else regarding detail.  If the author spent as much time with Ryan in training and hiking these mountains, then more detail should have been there.

When I finished reading the book, I struggled with the title -- A Warrior's Faith.  The book appeared to be more about the author than the SEAL Ryan Job.  He seemed to invoke that he was part of the "extended family" of the SEALs and named dropped just about any of them there were associated with the book/movie American Sniper. The storyline regarding the medical mistake that led to Job's death was all about the author's intuition and his role in making it right.  Even the conclusion of the book, which the author says was four years after Job's death, makes the case that this book was more about the author than the SEAL.  It provides an awkward story entitled "Another Blind Guy" that has no connection to Job at all.

Please do not misunderstand me -- I know that Ryan Job was an American hero.  He suffered on a foreign battlefield to keep us here at home safe.  I just think the author missed out on a grand opportunity to make the story about the SEAL rather than the author's experience with the SEAL.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

It Just Might be a Must Read (and that's from a Cubs fan)

For purposes of full disclosure, I am a life-long, die-hard hard Chicago Cubs fan.  Anyone following baseball knows the intense rivalry between my beloved Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals.  With this book being by Mike Matheny, who is the manager of the Cardinals, I must dislike him a great deal.  As much as I have tried to in reading this book, I simply cannot.  Again, if you understand the depth and magnitude of that rivalry, you will comprehend just how much I enjoyed this read.

The Matheny Manifesto originated after the author retired from baseball and was approached by some parents who wanted him to coach a kids' baseball team.  Before taking them up on their offer, he drafted a 5 page letter that outlined his concerns with youth sports, his expectations for them as parents, and his goals for the team.  Needless to say, this letter went viral and sparked a "movement" within the youth baseball ranks.

In reality, the book is divided into two phases -- the problem and better way for youth sports then the keys to success that surfaced during that experiment.  Matheny will be quick to tell you that these principles were "old school" and "Mid-western values" with "Biblical roots;" however, he will not be as quick to tell you that they are exemplified by him.  Since the world does not offer many examples of individuals, even in youth sports, focused on teaching, the manifesto resonated with many folks.

Throughout the book, he shares personal examples from his childhood, high school/college days, minor league work, and work in the big leagues.  He does this with a sense of humility sharing his successful moments as well as those of failure.  If this book is an accurate representation of the man, and I have to believe that it is, then no wonder he was hired as such a young manager for the Cards.

As a Cubs fan, I looked for ways to absolutely smash this book, but I just could not.  I thought I had found the area.  He professes to be a Christian but quickly says he will not shove that down the throats of others.  I thought:  "Aha, he doesn't want to offend anyone, so he is bowing to the realm of political correctness."  Well, that disappeared when I read chapter 10:  Stand your Ground (faith - the 4th key to success).  Right in the middle of this chapter, he spells out the "Romans Road" that shares the need and way for a journey to Christ.

Simply, this book is a delightful read.  It has wonderful lessons for those coaching and refreshing takes on leadership.  As my subject says, the book is a must read.  I've added it to my list of "You Need to Read in Order to be Educated List" because of its simplicity and pop culture appeal.

In making a Cubs fan somewhat tolerate or begrudgingly like you, to that I say:  Bravo, Mike Matheny.  Bravo!


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from the Blogging for Books Publishing Group for this review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Leadership Handbook -- It Truly Can Be

If you are interested in reading The Leadership Handbook:  26 Critical Lessons Every Leader Needs by John C. Maxwell, do a quick scan of your personal or professional library.  If you find the Maxwell book Leadership Gold, then do not get this book.  The former titled book was previously published as the latter book, so they are one and the same.  Nothing having a copy of the latter title, I have grabbed this version and enjoy reading through it.

This Maxwell book is no different than any of his others.  I will list several points to further define that aspect:  (1) he continues to be quotable with his ever-present one-liners that stick with you, (2) he constantly references laws or components of his other books to drive you those ways, and (3) he puts forward ever-practical advice regarding leadership.  You do not find anything earth-shattering in my above points; however, you must understand something here -- Maxwell readily admits that we already know many of these things.  He is not necessarily trying to teach you something new as he is trying to come alongside you, as a friend, to inspire you to implement what you already know.

The book, as its title suggests, is broken down into 26 "lessons."  These are very short chapters that you can breeze through quite quickly, but RESIST THAT TEMPTATION.  What we need to do is slow down and work methodically through them.  Having the knowledge is great, but the application of that knowledge is what shows wisdom (and thus makes you a better leader).  Maxwell suggests that emerging leaders read one chapter each week for 26 weeks, and he suggests experienced leaders to take two weeks per chapter -- one week for you and one week to mentor someone else about that lesson.

I, as an experienced leader, am taking a slightly different approach - sort of a hybrid of his suggestion.  I am taking this book one lesson a week and focusing on that lesson throughout my work week.  To do so, I write the title of the lesson at the top of my Passion Planner (see http://www.passionplanner.com for more information) where it asks for "This Week's Focus."  My goal is to implement the lessons weekly and then reflect back in the Passion Planner section "Good Things that Happened."  My team knows that I am working through this book and its principles, so I will have informal discussions with them about its influence in my leadership.  Once I have finished all 26 lessons, I will go back and take several team members systematically through these lessons.

Maxwell hammers home some major points for leaders to know and understand as you go through this leadership-improvement process.  I am not putting all of them below, but did want to highlight a few of my favorites from the introduction:  (1) leadership is the willingness to put oneself at risk, (2) leadership is being dissatisfied with the current reality, (3) leadership is taking responsibility when others are making excuses, (4) leadership is the ability to submerge your ego for the sake of what is best, and (5) leadership is, above all, courageous.

At my title suggests, this book can truly become a handbook if you choose to enact the necessary steps for it to produce personal and professional change.  I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in improving as a leader.  One final thought -- be sure that the change you implement affects your personal life primarily?  Why?  If you change personally, then professional change is guaranteed -- the opposite is not true.

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Just Another Dime a Dozen Leadership Book

Leadership books are a “dime a dozen” in the modern day.  By that statement, I imply that nothing is truly novel because the ideas are merely repackaged into a different format.  Fairness is Overrated:  And 51 other Leadership Principles to Revolutionize your Workplace, by Tim Stevens, is another one of those books.  I am not saying that the book cannot help you become a better leader (because it can); however, the volume does not have revolutionary thoughts that distinguish it from any other.

Stevens divides the book into four major sections:  (1) be a leader worth following, (2) find the right people, (3) build a healthy culture, and (4) lead confidently through a crisis.  If you have read any amount of leadership books, those major headings reveal why I consider this book one of those that are a “dime a dozen.”  Within those major section headings, the author has written short – and I mean very – chapters that are easily digestible.  This format is a positive in that the ideas are easily accessible but it is also a negative in promoting the tendency to read through them quickly.  At the end of each chapter, a couple of discussions or application questions are applied.  If you are going to use this book to bring about change in your leadership, then the power rests within those personal applications.  

The namesake chapter is number 38 and begins on page 152 – “Fairness is Overrated.”  He does argue quite forcefully and correctly that fairness should not be a priority.  Why?  Listen to these short sentences – “We make decisions based on priority, not fairness.  We filter discussions through our mission and values, not whether it is fair” (page 153).   Very true!  Our world, with its bent toward social justice, struggles with being unfair; however, Stevens is right in his statement.

While the author is quotable, again, this book is a “dime a dozen” without anything spectacular; so that is why I rated this book as I did.  I also struggled with his background as a pastor and the lack of focus on God's expectations of leadership (rare quotes from Scripture or even mention of God or Jesus).  If you apply what you read from it, then changes will occur in your leadership; so if that is what you are seeking (and you will not breeze through it too quickly), then it might be a good book for you. 

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”