The Ten Books That Have Greatly Influenced Me - Book Review Let’s take a few steps back in time before we embark on a new year. In 1978 I entered the field of direct selling. Back then I was selling vacuum cleaners by appointment and I needed help. My self confidence wasn’t great and I stuttered so badly that I could barely state my own name when asked. I’d picked an interesting career. But I was determined to do well. My sales manager recommended subscribing to a regular program of book and tapes.

Freakonomics : A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything Book Review By now we have all heard an interview or two on NPR with journalist Stephen J. Dubner and economist Stephen D. Levitt. Or perhaps a friend talking at work or school about this fascinating book: Freakonomics : A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything. I was given this book before a weekend trip and I stormed through the 200 pages twice. Once on the plane trip there and again 2 days later on the trip home. It was one of those books that I wanted to talk about with all my friends.

The Competitive Advantage of Nations. - Book Review THE HARDBACK edition of The Competitive Advantage of Nations, Michael Porter's sprawling analysis of the contemporary economic world order, weighs in at slightly over three pounds--about the size of a nice bass. And cooked whole, with its formidable charts, appendices, footnotes, and bibliography intact, the book should glut all but the most data-starved readers. I wish I believed it would satisfy less quantitative needs.