Theory over practice.
345892
The book is very theoretical. I am fun of more practical books.
249101
A primer on game theory - it attempted to explain the main concepts in lay language, without going too much into the maths. Found portions difficult as some examples were drawn from baseball and american football, which I'm not familiar with. Still, there are many other interesting examples that will warp your brain. Some of the mathematical explanations were also beyond me. My main grouse with game theory is that it assumes that players are logical, which is apparently not true all of the time. Nonetheless, it does provide good frames for thinking about problems. Recommended if you're interested in game theory.
2077524
A bit rambling and few examples or concrete explanations to back ideas given.  Some chapters have titles that have nothing to do with the content of the chapter and it's hard to see where the author is going.  I think the overall idea of physical laws governing higher level systems is fascinating, but the author goes too far with too little evidence given.  Very hard to read.
584579
I enjoyed Edmundson's Why Read, so I picked this up. That it pertained directly to my profession was also important, but I was a bit disappointed in the collection of platitudes and cliches that much of this book contains. Then, again, it is a great challenge to discuss this topic without falling back onto platitudes and cliches, and Edmundson occasionally comes up with some good points about teaching and why one enters this career. Much of the problem seems to be that society, in general, does not have a high regard for teachers (professors are in another category, which can be better or worse!). Financially, as well as socially, teachers tend to be regarded as lazy (they leave work at 3pm and don't work in the summer!), know-it-alls (how many teachers ever land on juries? Lawyers don't like 'em), and general gadflies. That's okay, some of us are, but it doesn't explain why some teachers endure years of over-work (yes, over-work), and over-supervision: this is what Edmundson tries to do. I am not so sure he succeeds as well as he would like, but, read it; next time you see a teacher with a rather hapless expression on his face, maybe you'll understand just a bit better.
395751
This book, by a well-known poser of puzzles, sets out of the order of a thousand logic puzzles in a format loosely styled upon the presentation of Scheherazade, but in a somewhat less entrancing way.  The problem with logic is that there is just so much of it about. Perhaps the axiom 'less is more' might have been applied and some judicious excision of the more mechanical or repetitious examples been performed.  The jewels are lost amongst the glass beads. Obviously by its nature mathematical logic eschews value judgements, but in the present case this seems to have been taken rather too literally.
505854
A book that echoes many of Malcolm Gladwell's themes  in "Outliers"about practice and constantly generating new compositions and works. Yes, such practice (Kobe Bryant) and constant creativity  (Shakespeare, Beethoven, etc.) can sure help you become proficient in many fields. I totally agree on this.  However, I find this book dipping too far into the "authoritarian person" idea. The author seems to believe that if you raise children with  strong rules tempered by "you'll hurt the other person," children will become virtuous adults who will not be "bystanders" in the face of evil. I don't believe that what makes a person risk his life and others to fight evil (similar to individuals who saved Jews during the Holocaust) can be quantified in any way. Some of the business examples are interesting, but again, are very debatable and depend on the economic situations and possibly just dumb luck.
804681
Need to get way smarter to do a better job. Sometimes it must be invoking the "nut case algorithm " does a terrible job. At other times it does a job 60% satisfactory.
3100072
Having a hard time staying awake. The ideas are spot on but the examples are drawn out too long.
209220
Blaine's concept of power principle is interesting but it draws too much parallel to what S.Covey's message has been and offers little new. The opening chapters dragged on previous power principles, many of which an MBA student have learnt in Management 101.  The various examples drawn are trying to hard to mirror S. Covey's real life issues and the content delivery tries to mimic Covey's 7 Habits' magic.  I have a very difficult finishing it even thought I am a strong Covey enthusiasts.
1325446
Lots of math, lots of theory, only a small chapter at the end with some applications. I wish the authors had more clearly explained the motivations for using a particular approach. It looks like a bunch of theories... Not usable.
4826272
Too much theory and needs for practical examples, Got lost in thee contect fo the book. it is okay but disappointed
480705
The principles in this book are simple ideas but difficult to put into practice.  One of the hardest things to do is admit a mistake and accept criticism.  Making mistakes is human, and honest feedback is a gift.  Self reflection is an important part of self development.
3666054
This was a nice idea; however, each rule could use further reasoning. Rather then one or two sentences. Why that rule? Where is the science behind it? Perhaps less rules and longer chapters.
3122252
A difficult read that could benefit from better organization and less redundancy.  My preference is to read primers that inspire further study while lowering the barriers to learning.  I needed to work a bit harder to understand this author's ideas.
3325177
The book is full of intriguing ideas worth trying.  Some are based on left/right brain theory, which has recently been challenged.  However, the techniques may work for different reasons.  Understandably, many of them require repetition. It is too early to tell if they will bear fruit for my student..
4852469
There are things you just aren't ready for. I've read this book and found the exerises too challenging. To even attempt the exercises,you need to pull yourself together.
I have no doubt that the exercises work and can personally guarantee you mastery over your mind if you perform them as described. If you are willing to give your life for the rewards,you may have the fortitude to practice these exercise.
I have great regard for the author but i think he overestimated the discipline of people of our times,or did he?
642832
Better suited to an academic than a salesperson. Not that the ideas don't work for faster-paced industries, it just takes additional thought to translate since most of the examples in the book are academic in nature.