Support Independent Booksellers by purchasing books at Powell's Bookstore of Portland, Oregon, via www.powells.com.
My Suggested Reads |
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Support Independent Booksellers by purchasing books at Powell's Bookstore of Portland, Oregon, via www.powells.com. |
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"The New Geography: How the Digital Revloution is reshaping the American Landscape", by Joel Kotkin - If you're a fellow city lover, you'll love this book because Kotkin calls for cities to develop ways to meet the technological demands of it's citizens or better yet, it's "consumers" right now. Kotkin claims that past civic treasures such as train depots, department store buildings, hotels, clocks, and squares in cities such as St. Louis, Detroit, and Philadelphia are underutilized like "an old man's clothes several sizes too large", and it's time that we need to meet the transformed neighborhood demands of Wicker Park, South Park, and Pioneer Square that are knowledge-value driven. He shares the theory that new social communities of the future will act like "urban boutiques." Boutiques in the form of public places and neighborhoods that cater to a today's clientele who embrace the technological advances and uses of society. If you're living in an urban neighborhood, check this book out and pick up knowledge about how your community can use technology to aid your neighborhood's development. -BD 4/05 |
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"The Rise of the Creative Class" by Richard Florida- This book has generated a lot of conversations in planning board offices, architecture firms, coffeehouses, city halls, and sociology departments across the country. Florida has tapped into the current trends of a changing work force in the U.S. According to his beliefs, the ways of the working class has changed from manufacturing to producing creative tasks that provide experiences for our society. In the last few decades, society has changed it's work habits, it's work hours, and it's job duties, and Florida believes it's time that cities address these needs today. By embracing new jobs that are based upon creativity such as advertising, designers, entertainment, and even hair-dressers, cities that are addressing the needs of the new creative class will be leading the way for the future of the U.S. I believe a lot of creedence should be placed upon his views. With a mass exodus of manufacturing jobs and the large increase of outsourcing white collar jobs to foreign countries, our generation has to look at ways our cities can respond to quick changing economic and social conditions. This is an excellent book that not only generates foresight into how we're changing as a society, but it also looks at how we're now living our lives. -BD 10/03 |
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"Smart Mobs" by Howard Rheingold - Considering that this book is on every syllabus exploring digital technology across camupuses today, it's not a stretch to say that this is an outstanding read on how current technology is utilized by all types of social groups. From teens using text messaging in Tokyo, to people installing make-shift wireless nodes during 9/11 in Manhattan, to the creation of wireless neighborhoods in Stockholm, new forms of technology are emerging due to people's desires to improve their ways of social networking. What I like about this book, is that Rheingold suggests that each individual is acting as an information portal with the use of technology. He also understands how space and public places are conforming to technology, and what are the implications of technology intertwining with public space. If you would like to ante up your tech skills, check out Rheingold's blog site "Smart Mobs." Not only will you amp your tech vocabulary, but he also has built one of the informative and forward-thinking blogs on technology today. A special note is that Rheingold teaches a class at Stanford University on the emergence of digital communities. He often posts videotaped lectures from his class on his blog. Check them out over a green tea during coffee break time...Good stuff. - BD 4/04 |
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"Why Architecture Matters" by Blair Kamin- This book opened my world to Urban Planning, Urban Design, and the importance of Historical Preservation for our society today. While reading Kamin's columns in the Chicago Tribune, I've become a big supporter of his views. In this book, Kamin provides excellent suggestions and answers to solve many of our urban problems through design and architecture. It was a especially important to me because the collection of past columns involved major issues that are prevalent in our society today and most of the columns are set in Chicago, which is often called "The City that Works". You may not agree with all Kamin points, but he gets you thinking about how urban design affects our everyday life. Critiques on From Chicago's Walter Payton High School and New York City's Rose Center for Earth and Space, to Gehry's Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao Spain and the Disney Store on Chicago's Michigan Avenue, Kamin presents his arguments on how urban design helps citizens in a fair manner, and he pulls no punches in his writings. Check this book out, and see how you can change your world. Get involved in your local organizations of community development, planning boards, or urban design boards. Learn how urban design can make a difference in our world. -BD 1/03 |
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"The Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are Smarter than the Few" by James Surowecki - Fear breeds mediocrity...And that's why you have to keep your mind open to new realms of thought and sharing of ideas. That sounds good, but I have to admit that I'm a fervent beliver in team play. I love the Princeton offense, and after earning 2 degrees and working on my MBA at UNC, I'm devoted to the 'Carolina Way' and team-oriented philosophies of Dean Smith. So, you know I jumped on the bandwagon for this one Surowecki is a major proponent of collective action. His beliefs stem from the thoughts that although all people are self-interested, a good society is defined more by how people treat strangers than how they treat themselves. How people treat strangers leads to the power of sharing of ideas, which leads to the powers of collaborative thought to approaching problems. Collaborative thought is the basis behind the philosophies of open-source communities. Open-source communities are driven by the unquestioned point that people crave public recognition and influence within their organization or group whether big or small. The efforts to gain influence and recognition among peer and leaders brings public sharing and collaboration, which results in stronger ideas that are not only shared by the community, but also tested by the experts of a community. Build teams, "communities", or create groups within your business world, share your ideas, and drive for collective action. After reading this book, you'll understand the powers of team play...Watch your world and business ideas open. - BD 2/06 |
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"The Experience Economy: Work is Theatre & Every Business a Stage" by Joseph Pine- Great book on how to compete in a society that demands each and every activity to be an experience. Published by Harvard Business School Press, the book gives great theories on how each consumer is searching for more and more experiences with their entertainment and buying choices, and how our businesses should be and are meeting those demands. Whether it's answering the phone, entering the mall, or the customer experience derived from a physical place such as a retail store at SouthPoint Mall, the challenge will be what feeling did each user achieve from that interaction with the business itself, and how did your business provide that experience. The race is on to compete in the Experience Economy...Now, how are you going to seperate yourself in the market as an experience provider? The book was recomended to me at the International Urban Parks Conference by one of the Directors of Marketing for Coca-Cola. Check it out...Good read. -BD 10/03 |
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The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century, by Thomas L. Friedman - What flattened the world?...It's no secret that the world has changed tremendously over the past fifteen years. Yet, why do I love this book? Because Friedman stresses the importance of 'sourcing', innovation, and imagination with research and development in order to adapt to the dynamic fast pace that our world is demanding...And I'll agree with him that I don't think we're adapting to the long-term plan right now. Friedman traveled the world for in-depth insights and interviews with business innovators who are creating needs and utilizing imagination in the marketplace. Due to global trade, the information revloution, and the access to education and training, countries such as China, India, and Singapore are creating the demand for people who are "less like specialty tools and more like Swiss Army knifes." Grab this book, and discover why we should "run like gazelles" in a world filled with with "supply-chaining", "versatilists", and "sourcing"...It's a whole new world people...You better get your game like Dirk Nowitzki, and be "nonfungible". -BD 07/05 |
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Moneyball, The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, by Michael Lewis - What can you say to the most influential and important sports read over the past two decades...Yes, this read is that good. When Lewis penned this, he changed the outlook of baseball by portraying the importance of playing the percentages and removing the "old-school" theories of how to judge and evaluate talent in baseball. What I like about the book is that it gives a great insight into the mind of Oakland A's GM, Billy Beane, who has done an incredible job of finding comparative advantages in marginal players that can be found at very affordable costs for a small-market team. I'm a converted believer of the percentages. However, I do believe that there still should be some creedence given to intangibles in baseball. Especially, when you're evaluating how a player interacts in a team environment...Why? Because I do believe in team-chemistry, playoff experience, and locker-room politicians in sports play a major role with winning teams. I also believe that the overemphasis of "Moneyball" strategies don't answer for dumb failures like poor base-running mistakes that killed the A's twice in the ALCS...Ask Eric Byrnes and Jeremy Giambi about the art of sliding. With that said, this book forced me to reevaluate not only my judgements of athletic talent, but also my judgements of people in life. That's why I now believe in a blended approach...Give major creedence to the hidden numbers while not overemphasizing appearances...You can carry this over to sales or any other industry. When you're evaluating a player (i.e. salesperson)..."You're not selling blue jeans." Look more at how the percentage that a player gets on base to score, or gets in front of the customer. That's why this is a must-read for any manager. - BD 10/03 |
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"The Wages of Wins: Taking Measure of the Many Myths of Modern Sport" by David Berri, Martin Schmidt, and Stacey L. Brook- "Who's the best of all-time?" "Who's better than Tom Brady?!" "Kobe is MVP!" When the conversations turn to sports, those types of questions always linger and don't leave my head for a while after a intense discussion...Then again, maybe, my ears are just ringing too hard. Yet, these authors take a start at answering the myths and bombastic statements that surround sports and people's love and affinities for teams and athletes. Like "Moneyball" proved, people tend to form their opinions from their own experiences in life, and they refuse to look at statistical evidence to support their theories. Yet, these authors utilize stats to show the holes in the myths such as why payroll and wins are highly coorelated, why quarterbacks should be judged by their Super Bowl rings, or why you can't give a true statistical value to basketball players and teams. The authors give solid evidence to support theories such as when the law of diminishing returns really does enter the picture in terms of productivity, why points are overvalued and why Kevin Garnett is the best player in the NBA, and just how valuable a NFL QB really is. I still believe in the heart of an athlete and the role that a person has within a team. And, I found that the book doesn't give full due to the values of team chemistry, the effects of injuries, or how much value a role player like Manu Ginobili or Ron Harper can derive from other players on their team. However, the book not only makes a solid effort at answering the myths of sport, but I also realized how bizarre the statements and hype delivered by sports blowhards on TV and Talk Radio really are. That's why I give a thumbs-up to this read. Pick this up, and you'll be surprised at how far you'll be in front of the pack. That's a strong value. - BD 7/06 |
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The Fight by Norman Mailer - Kinhasa Zaire...1974...One of the most publicized and adored fights of the 1970s, and what better writer to depict the settings than Mailer. This book was a tough find until '96 when the legendary documentary, "When We Were Kings" was released. Mailer's descriptions of the fight throughout the film were compelling enough to make me search out his read. Many people forget that the fight was postponed for two weeks by Foreman's camp, and the fight almost didn't go off, which leads to chaotic story. Mailer's settings in the Zaire heat and his descriptions of icons such as Hunter Thompson, George Plimpton, Jim Brown, and Don King roaming the lobby of Zaire's Inter-Continental Hotel are so good that you'll feel as if you've been thrown back for two weeks through a time-machine to 1974. A true time period when sports was straight-up for men's men Now, I'm not so into the romaticized Ali depictions seen through the eyes of Michael Mann, 'limo liberals' and other misinformed academians, and I will never adopt the modern day pre-fabbed tributes to Ali. Accompany this read with a viewing of "When We Were Kings" or with a read of Thomas Hauser's "King of the World", , and you'll catch my drift. Avoiding a Ali tribute, Mailer loves the sport of boxing, and it shows throughout the book. "The Fight" is a great read that depicts a chaotic time, Zaire, the characters and the life surrounding the classic fight.. Lead with a right-hand jab, and pick this read up. -BD 5/03 |
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Operation Yao Ming: The Chinese Sports Empire, American Big Business, and the Making of an NBA Superstar by Brook Larmer - I first saw Yao Ming in a Marriott Courtyard lobby in during an AAU tour in '98. I was wowed by the secrecy around the guy at the hotel. Since then, I've been waiting for the real story...No fluff. Well, Larmer captures it with his research. Even better, he coorelates it to the development of the Chinese economic boom. Major props... Now, will critics of Yao please read about the environment that surrounded Yao and Shanghai during his development? Will they please realize that Yao would be better suited for a team concept? It's just unfortunate that he started off his NBA career by landing into a thug party in Houston. Critics have been killing Yao for becoming too soft or for not stepping up to the mantle. Yet, what they don't realize is that Yao is from entirely different culture that professes team not the "I" like the majority of today's NBA superstars. He's a team player and a product of Soviet Training who places the group's interests above personal accolades...Does anyone remember the late '80s version of Arvydas Sabonis? Larmer touches it all by detailing politics, the reign of Mao, alternative health and herbs, Soviet training methods, Nike, academies, agents, the NBA and sports marketing. Tie this in with 'World is Flat', and you'll see a glimpse of sports in the 21st century. - BD 1/06 |
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Basketball Book List - Check out this article that I wrote for Tar Heel Daily.com in the Summer of 2004 for my reccomendations on the best basketball books. I geared the article toward UNC basketball, but as an overall history of the game...After a second read, I have to hand it to "PickUp Artists" by Lars Anderson because I believe the roots of the game is through the concrete-laden neighborhood playgrounds in cities such as Chicago, New York City, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. Yeah..Yeah, yeah...Stop screaming, and take a look at the list. My number one can change at any minute. I'll also debate the list with anyone. Please email me at bret.dougherty@gmail.com, and personally, I don't want to hear "nubuck" Darcy Frey supporters. So, step to the left, lil' nephew. I also do reserve the right to change my choice back to "Heaven Is A Playground" tomorrow. - BD 5/04 |
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Crash Course, 'Imagining a Better Future For Public Education', by Chris Whittle - I caught this lead after watching former Channel One CEO, Chris Whittle, speak on The Charlie Rose Show...Damn, Charlie's show is incredible...With that said, what intrigued me was Whittle's demands for innovation in...gasp!...American Public Education. Regardless of what your views are upon public education, we are currently funding a system that hasn't changed in over 100 years. In order to address change, Whittle examines a wide array of topics from classroom design, teaching requirements, budgets, class-size, technology, to creating an "ownership" culture for students. Understandably so, we have a considerable amount of fear surrounding change in the public education sector. However, Whittle brings successful examples such as utilizing private partnerships similar to the funding sources that have fueled the Department of Defense and NASA. We should explore these Edison School ideas of change not only to improve our public education of today, but also to how to propel our public education into the future. Let's take a "Stand and Deliver." approach in our communities. Find this read in order to generate ideas of how to prepare and create our students for the world today...not for the communities of thiry years ago. -BD 9/05 |
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"Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius" by Angeline Stoll Lillard - As a former Montessori student, I've been amazed at how other children develop learning methods in classroom experiences across the U.S. With our educational system in flux, how about looking to Maria Montessori and her teaching philosophies that she developed a century ago. I may hold a biased view for Montessori learning. However, Montessori believed that the 'factory method' of schooling was outdated. Believing that children have blank slates for learning, she created learning techniques and environments that develop concentration, independent thought, motivation, curiosity, and self-discipline for life's choices. After reading this book, I'm in full agreement with her teaching methods. Lilliard explains the history and theories behind Montessori education in-depth and with strength. She explains the importance of our relationships and environment within the classroom and our homes, and she explores the knee-jerk arguments against Montessori education. If you're working or raising children, you'll be way ahead of the game with this thorough and insightful book. I wanted to explore the foundations of how I learn in life, and Lillard answers my questions. I'm not only more knowledgable about how I learn, but also I'm more aware how intelligence is developed and the possibilites of how our youth can learn in today's world. Add to your building blocks of knowledge, and explore Montessori methods...Supreme read. - BD 6/07 |
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Just when you think you have the answers to everything, something comes down your path and changes the way you think...Well, that's what happened when I read this book, and yes...That means this is a great read. Sure, it's great to learn the reasons why crack dealers in Chicago are actually working for around $3.30/hour and the reasons why abortion has actually lessened crime, but what I like about this book is that it proved to me that illogical and irrational answers will answer perceived rational and simple questions. The end result is...Things aren't always what they seem, or better yet...what they're assumed to be. Feel free to question...Isn't that great for business? Levitt is a wunderkind of sorts, a "smart and curious explorer", who teaches economics at the University of Chicago. He paired with Dubner, who portrayed him in a classic New York Times Magazine article in 2003, to prove that questions can uncover deceit, fears, and riddles of all kinds. To make it a fun read, there are also a lot of great tests for you in this book. In particular, try the test that asks you what factors correlate to strong test scores, or the factors that supposedly reduced crime in cities in the mid 80s. Let's see how you do...Start Freakin'. - BD 5/05 |
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40 Watts from Nowhere by Sue Carpenter - This book is about dreams and guts....Straight up. Sue Carpenter looked far into her dreams with a simple vision of starting a "pirate" radio station called KPBJ from her apartment in the Mission District of San Francisco. With the simple dream of creating a radio station that would play cool music for her own listening and her friends diverse musical tastes, Carpenter built her own radio station with a simple $100 transmitter....in her apartment. After a move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in writing, Carpenter built another "pirate radio" station in her apartment, and this book details her wacky double life as a writer/station manager. This is a very hip book that details a lot the energy that exploded in the Silver Lake neighborhood of LA in the early 90's. Carpenter's "pirate radio" station KBLT was a major influence on the neighborhood's culture. The book intertwines hilarious tales of her privacy battles against the FCC and the budding growth of a true community media outlet. Major kudos should go toward Carpenter's efforts of creating a grassroots radio station for the public and of creating a cool-ass station for independent listeners who love music. To people who have cool-ass ideas for their projects, but are too scared to find the time, listeners, or support from others, get this book....Live life....Thank you, Sue Carpenter. - BD 11/03 |
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NO MORE PRISONS by William "Upski" Wimsatt- I have to admit that when I first picked this book up at City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco I was totally freaked out by the title and cover...Now, what's that old cliche....Right?. This book should be required reading for all high schoolers across the country because it speaks the language for today's student. I wish more people could read this book because people could realize how to utilize hip-hop and youth mobilization as a tools to help solve the issues that are occurring throughout the U.S. today. Upski grew up in one of my most favorite neighborhoods in the world, Hyde Park, which is located in the South Side of Chicago. You can tell that the neighborhood had a big influence upon him because he understands the benefits of surrounding yourself with other cultures. After reading his calls-to-action, I was inspired to start an AAU Program in the ABLA Homes on the West Side of Chicago in order to utilize athletics as a tool to attract inner city youth to community center programs. This book also started me on my path to explore the revitalization of public places in inner cities. Check it out...Implement change in your neighborhood now. - BD 5/00 |
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The Path of Emancipation, by Thich Nhat Hanh - If you look at my "Cool People" section, you'll understand why I admire this book. This book has provided a tremendous growth experience with my steps to learning the power of meditation. This is a beautiful book that is the result of 21 day retreat at a Zen Meditation Center in Burlington, Vermont. The book is a wonderful educational tool on breathing during silent meditation, walking meditation, and achieving presence. A great woman at Shambhala Books in Berkeley presented this gift to me. If you choose to pick this up for a daily read, this is a wonderful gift that I've passed onto you. - BD 3/03 |