At Work With Thomas Edison is a great book. I had always pictured Edison as the lone inventor. Nothing could be further from the truth. This book proved many of my ideas about Edison were simply myths. On the other had this book also expanded my view about the truly amazing accomplishments of Thomas Edison (he started over 100 companies include GE and had over 1,000 patents).

As the book quickly points out Edison was one of the first practitioners in the war for talent. Edison's lab was the first innovation factory and in many ways a precursor to Silicon Valley. The lab had no rules (pet bear, pipe organ, and pranks) and was a true meritocracy. Edison's lab had a basic apprenticeship program and Edition worked with many, many people on the innovation teams that worked on projects. The electric light bulb team was over 75 people.

The book also cast a complementary light on Edison as a businessman. The innovations of the labs lead to the founding of over 100 companies. The labs innovations lead to a virtuous cycle of products, systems, and industries. This led to more innovation and more businesses. Edison was not Rockefeller nor did he want to be he wanted his business to continue to provide funding for invention. Edison was adept at capturing and using venture capital.

Edison was also quite adept at marketing. At a time before self-promotion was recognized or well understood Edison was adept at it. Edison's ability to market himself and his ideas lead to better funding, recognition, and a reputation, which allowed him to invent even more.

This is a great book. Edison was one of the greatest Americans to have ever lived.

At Work With Thomas Edison: 10 Business Lessons From Ame4rica's Greatest Innovator by Blaine McCormick (management professor at the Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University) is a savvy presentation of ten crucial business lessons from America's greatest inventor. A an astute businessman as well as a famed inventor and creator of the world's first research and development (R&D) operation, Thomas Edison's management techniques helped him incorporate over 100 businesses and contain much wisdom to remember in today's modern world. Innovative, inspirational, and motivational reading.

Here is another terrific book from Blaine McCormick who, as he did so skillfully in Ben Franklin's 12 Rules of Management, focuses on an historic figure from whose life and work certain important "lessons" can be learned. Yes, they include lessons relevant to business but so many other kinds of lessons which anyone needs inorder to think more clearly and more creatively, to nourish and enrich one's personal life, and of equal (if not greater) importance, to persevere in the face of great adversity. Most people would agree that Edison was the greatest inventor who ever lived. Most people may not know that he was also a very shrewd businessman with a deep understanding of key issues such as allocation of resources (e.g. time management), setting proper priorities, delegating work to those better qualified to complete it, and creating and then sustain competitive advantage.

McCormick identifies and then examines ten different "Lessons" which, collectively, delineate Edison's business model:

1. Limit your way to greater creativity.

2. Talent comes and talent goes but mediocrity accumulates.

3. Creativity is all about making connections.

4. If you want to invent, build yourself an invention factory.

5. The greatest innovators have made a lot of F's.

An interesting point because most people fear failure. Edison passionately believed that the more failed experiments (whatever the situation) he completed, the more likely eventual success would be. Only through rigorous and extensive experimentation is it possible to determine what we don't know, and, what doesn't work. Moreover, what is true today and what works today may be inadequate or even wrong tomorrow. For Edison, failure (not success) was the best teacher. He was an avid student whose appetite for learning was insatiable.

6. In a capitalist society, whoever attracts the most capital wins.

7. The best-promoted technology will often beat the best technology.

8. The price of freedom is a premium most customers are willing to pay.

Another interesting point. An abundance of research data on "customer satisfaction" indicate that "convenience" (or "ease of doing business") is almost always ranked #1 or #2 among attributes. FYI, "Price" is ranked anywhere from #9 to #14.

9. Play is to innovation what rules are to bureaucracy.

10. Glow, but don't consume yourself.

McCormick organizes his material within ten chapters, including with several an "Interview with an Innovator" section which poses questions or explores issues such as "Why Do So Many Men Never Amount to Anything?" and "How to Succeed as an Innovator." Throughout the crisp narrative, the reader is provided with dozens of brief quotations from Edison's writings which correlated with relevant "Lessons" and anchored in specific situations throughout his life. All of us are by now weary of (indeed hostile to) books which provide flimsy lessons from questionable sources, such as "People Skills Lessons from the World's Greatest Hermits." Both in his book on Franklin and in this book on Edison, McCormick focuses on "Lessons" (albeit familiar) which are wholly authentic within the context he creates for them. Wisely, McCormick allows Edison the last word: "My philosophy of life is work -- bringing out the secrets of nature and applying them for the happiness of man. I know of no better service to render during the short time we are in this world." There is no way I (or anyone else) can improve on that so I shall not try. Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Edison in the Boardroom, co-authored by Julie L. Davis and Suzanne S. Harrison.

This is a book that every one will enjoy. It is light and humorous, perfect for summer reading.

The story unfolds as a couple are reunited after years of separation. They embark on an adventure that takes them across the United States. Along the way they meet some very interesting people, and a stray dog that can think for himself. Their lives are drastically changed by a very strange and unexpected event, that no one can explain.

This is a book that will amuse you and keep you entertained until you read the very last word.

The high praise given to this book by a friend caused me to order a copy. I must say that I was not disappointed. The main characters are so well defined that you instantly fall in love with them. The plot is well developed and I found the underlying humor to be delightful. The theme of having this old couple triumph over nature was refreshing, the trial kept me reading page after page, and hearing from the dog was great. I especially liked the conversations that the couple had as they minded their own business. This is the first book that I've found in a long, long time that wasn't filled with bad language, sex or violence. I could and will recommend this book to my grandparents, as well as to my parents and my own children. If the author reads this: Thank you for writing such a book, I wish that I could get you to sign it. Doris.

Born and raised here in Iowa myself, I heard rumblings of this great book about a fellow Iowan. I got the book and read it after my wife was finished with it. It was a top notch book. I could have told them to stay out of those Florida swamps, but be that as it may, the book struck a cord with me. I see ways to improve most books that I read, not so with this one. That's not altogether true, it could have been made longer. I hated to read the words "the end". This is my first attempt at book reviewing, maybe I can start a second career as I am shortly to become another retired Iowa farmer drawing social security.

Ok. this story is well written and exciting but the plot is a hundred novels old! Let's start: first, they plan on attacking a clan world that should be garrisoned only by a PGC, but find out ,too late of course, that they have a front line unit on the planet, which also happened to Prince Davion in Lethal heritage and to the Black Thorns in DRT. Then they lose their ability to take off from the planet,what has happened to almost all units, mercenary and regular alike, everytime an assault is planed on the Battletech universe, then, like all the other books, one of the characters comes up with an uncanny way of saving the day. I'm not saying that the book is bad, just that the story is not as inventive as it may appear.

The Northwind Highlanders are some of the best mercinaries in the Inner Sphere. Now they've been hired by the Draconis Combine to attack the Combine's number one enemy, the ruthless clan Smoke Jaguar. The Highlanders travel to the distant planet of Wayside, far in the deep periphery. They expect it to be an unimportant planet, with only a token force guarding it. What they find is the Smoke Jaguar's newest, hottest military force, primed and ready for action. Their intel useless, the Highlanders must come up with a plan FAST or face destruction.

This is defianatly one of the best Battletech novels available, and if you've read Highlander Gambit (or even if you haven't) you have got to try this book. It features many of the characters introduced in Pardoe's first novel, as well as introducing Kurt Blackard, Cullen Craig, chief tech Mitch Frasure, and clan bondsman Kerdon. This is a great sequel to Highlander Gambit.

A note, this book has Stirling's Fussilers rather than Macleod's Regiment as the primary Highlander unit.

This book was my first book in the Battletech series and it got me hooked. The descriptions of actual battles are excellent. Blaine Lee Pardoe should definetly bring back the Northwind Highlanders in his next Battletech book. From what I gather this shows one of the few examples where the Inner Sphere works together instead of having internal strife. I also like the plan Jaffery comes up with; it shows imagination. I will definetly get all the books.

This book is an interesting read, as it uses Ben Franklin, one of the most celebrated characters in history, to give substance to certain abstract concepts relating to good managers and leaders.

In many ways, it is a very pragmatic book, even Machiavellian. For example, Franklin made sure people had an impression of his being a hard worker, by keeping his lights on till very late and by making sure people saw him leaving his work very late. Translated to today's world, such a rule could be translated into the realm of "face time". Like this one, the rules in the book are timeless.

My only concern about the book is the limited historical scope of it. It focuses on the period before Franklin got involved with politics and the revolution, so the more interesting parts of his life are not present. When I grabbed this book, I was expecting both a management lesson and a history one; forget the history one.

One should keep in mind the title of the book: 12 Rules of MANAGEMENT. That is very accurate, and it is clear that those rules are focused on management and NOT leadership. If you are looking for good manager advice, this is a very good book.

After reading McCormick's book, being a first year business student, I had no trouble at all understanding the points made in each chapter. I thought the overviews at the end of each chapter made the vital points clear and helped me follow along with what McCormick was trying to convey to his readers.

Not having too much business experience, I can say that after reading this book, business is definitely something I want to look further into.

I have a weakness for reading every management book that tries to teach management concepts by relating the ideas to an historical hero. I've read management by Lincoln, Grant, Lee, Achilles, and even Star Trek characters. They all follow the same format and for the most part do does McCormick.

One significant difference, however, is that McCormick recognizes and cautions the reader from applying Franklin's rules willy-nilly. Yes, a lot of the moral training Franklin tried to push in the 1700's would equally apply today but the environments do differ.

I, too, read Franklin's autobiography many years ago. This book makes Franklin's ideas much more reachable by the masses but I liked the poetic syntax and cadence of the original Franklin. It's like hearing a story from your grandfather rather than hearing a second-hand version from your brother.

Nevertheless, I liked the book and will be thinking about and trying to exercise the points for many weeks to come.

It shows the game from a ref's standpoint.. it's a good book

If you're a basketball official, you need to read this book. Earl Strom was regarded as the best and he couldn't write this book until he retired. It's now out of print, but if you can locate it, do it! Is Fantastic...

I liked the book because it let you see from the wolfs point of view. I also liked the book because it told you every little deteal there was. I liked the drawings to because the ilastrater used lots of color. The athar Dave Sargen is cool because he tells real stories.

I think you should read this book because you learn how to share. It is very entertaining. I really liked it and you would to if you read it. This kind of book is really cool.
Dike and his brothers are hunting for their food. Dike chases a deer into the woods and he got lost. Dike didn't come home for about three or four days. He learned what is okay to eat and what isn't okay to eat and what to stay away from. Some things can get him sick. If you like wildlife adventures this is the book for you.

Although Walls of Jericho was a terrific and interesting read, I was ecstatic at the return of Blaine McCracken, Johnny Wareagle and Sal Belamo. Even though we did see a fallible side to "Blainey" at first, which was a first for this character, he recovers most dramatically. A bit less intriguing than other McCracken adventures, reading this book was still time well spent.

This was a very good book written by Land. The book starts with Blaine McCracken being wounded severely by a terrorist. He has to go to Florida to recover from his wounds. He is ran through a recovery program by his old sergeant. In the meantime "Jackie Terror" and his gang of psychos has hilacked a truckfull of Devil's Brew(A dangerous explosive).Blaine's old sergeaent has to leave and go help his daughter and is promptly Kidnapped.The bad guys.led by Jackie Terror and his gang also a[[ear. McCracken gathers his old troops(7 foot tall Johnny Wareagle) in order to do battle with Jackie Terror and his gang.This book is action packed from beginning to end. You will find it hard to put down. Another good book from Jon Land.

Once again Jon Land has outdone himself. Dead Simple is full of fast hard hitting action and in depth charactar relationships. Blaine and the Indian once again go up against a totally evil, larger than life villian, with a powerful weapon and an even more powerful past! The assortment of fellow bad guys leaves little to be desired. The government bads guys shine in this one also. And Blaine gets hurt pretty bad for the first time. As an avid Jon Land fan, this book does what all of his books do, they force you to keep on reading on the edge of your seat to the very finalle. And Dead Simple has a wopper of a finalle! Enjoy, people, enjoy.

I haven't picked up the revision of this book, but I like the 3050 origional. The clan mech pictures are disapointing, and the picture of the AS-7 K Atlas is bad compared to the one in the 3025 revised edition. The commentary on the mechs are a little disapointing, but anyone new to battletech, or any fan what-so-ever should pick this book up. For any MW2 fans, this is a must get.

This is a must have guide book for All Mechwarrior andBattletech Fans alike.

This is a great book in all aspects and especialy the clan 'mech pictures. the pictures are 1D because, standing from a role play look at things, no body could get a picture out of thease 'mechs because the 'mechs are total mysterys. i wish they would, however publish a book on clan weaponry and technologys standing from a clan warriors point of veiw.

I read this book shortly after it was published. The characters were real individuals that I could picture in my mind. Just when I thought I had something figured out in the story, the author was able to take the story down a totally different path! The story was full of surprises and good character development. The book left me with a lot of unsnswered questions, so I'm VERY anxiously waiting Ms. Kramer's next book. I hope that Annie becomes a character we see a lot more of!

Anne Blaine PI character keeps the plot going with a fresh new look. The author has been able to have more than one plot going and tie it up at the end. The book was very interesting and I will buy the next one when it comes out. I really enjoy reading something with intrigue and a twist at the end.

The author is able to capture your imagination and keep you wondering what will happen next. She gives insight into her characters and by the end of the book you can't wait to find out what they will be up to next.

Bev Kramer will be someone we will hear from again in the near future.

hillarious characters and a twising plot make this book a quick and painless read. i can't wait for the sequel!

This story continues the exploits of Archers Avengers. The Avengers are ordered to the planet Odessa in order to convince Snord's Irregulars not to renew their contract with Katrina Steiner in the hopes of helping Victor regain control of the splintered FedCom. The storyline is predictable and Archer reminds me of the characters from the old BTech novel Ideal War with the introduction of the Knights of the Inner Sphere. We continue to see the growing conflict within the FedCom, but the last few BTech novels seem mostly filler rather than introducing pertinent elements into this storyline. Hopefully, we'll see some more plot development in the next few novels as it appears that the civil war storyline is winding down. Overall, a good read, but nothing too heavy. As always, I recommend some of the earlier Michael Stackpole novels for background of the FedCom

Overall the book is great, with continuity from measure of a hero. One thing that doesn't match up are the dates, measure of a hero concludes in early feb,3063 in the book, but call of duty starts only a few days later (11,feb,3063) on odessa and the author mentions that archer has been there for the pass three weeks. The word count limit is also really killing the stories

This is an up in your face book.It is 1 of my favorites out of the many battletech and mechwarrior books.The Whole book is action packed.I read it again and again.