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Daniel M

Daniel M

has 7 followers and is following 7 people

I have been an avid reader my entire life. I tend to focus on themes and I have multiple books in process at any one time. My best reading is while flying, especially on a long-haul flight with a constant cup of hot coffee at my side.

As a founder of a think tank, The VeraSage Institute (www.verasage.com) I am surrounded by prolific... more »
  • Portland, OR, USA
  • member since January 1, 2008

Reviews

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Displaying 1-10 of 89 reviews
  • Unbroken
    • Rated 5 stars

    “I was referred to this book during a conversation at the Vista Verde Ranch relating to ethics, character, and humanity. My breakfast companion, looked me in the eye and said "Dan, read this book, it is a page turner that you won't be able to put down and will illuminate you about WW II, the war in the Pacific, and the ability to survive".

    She was right. One thing about book readers is that glowing and passionate endorsements are frequently followed up with both a purchase and subsequent read.

    Although, I am not an avid war history reader, I found Unbroken to be an engaging story about humanity, our ability to adapt, survive, and forgive. This book touched my soul and I have contemplated its meaning for hours and days since completing it.

    LIke the Shack (see my review), our ability to heal requires our ability to forgive those that harm us (not to forget, but to forgive). I admire the strength of humanity, our ability for some to survive when others don't. Our ability to keep focused on the good and negate the evils surrounding us. Our ability to move forward.

    Unbroken is the story of survival, courage, and honor. It reminds us of the mostly silent heros of WW II that returned from war changed men an women who together moved our country forward.

    ”

    Daniel M wrote this review Tuesday, August 9, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Upside of Irrationality
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Dan Ariely makes reading about how we operate (as persons) both fun and informative. He is an excellent story teller and weaver. Although this isn't as outstanding has his 1st book (Predictably Irrational) - it does continue with the notion that people aren't rational even while acknowledging that different choices would lead to better outcomes.

    Excellent read, after reading his 1st book. ”

    Daniel M wrote this review Thursday, July 22, 2010. ( reply | permalink )
  • Seven Events That Made America America
    • Rated 4 stars

    “I found this book browsing my local BN before my vacation. This is an excellent book. Had it been easier to read, I would have rated it 5 stars. Whether the 7 events selected by the the author are the definitive events, he clearly established that they were and are significant.

    The 7 events included: Martin Van Buren's push to form the first national political party and how that lead to the rampant size of today's current government; how Rock and Roll facilitated the demise of the Iron Curtain (this was the most enlightening chapter); how Ronald Reagan's choice on how to deal with Islamic radicals, including the tragedy of the Marines in Beruit, the depth of American's to help others from the Jonestown Flood to the Dayton, Ohio floods, that some how was transferred to the government and how FEMA and the government can't resolve what is essentially a local challenge, to the Media and how it has moved from factual to editorial while claiming to be factual, why Ike's heart attack created harm via the Nanny state and why we are mislead relative to medicine and foods we should eat and/or avoid, and the most historically chapter relating to Dred Scott and how the activist courts have expanded government beyond that conceived at our country's birth.

    The author is clearly a conservative thinker. And this point will most likely turn off the liberal and left leaning populace. My liberal and left-leaning friends (if I have any) should really read this book as it is exceptionally powerful and criticizes both right and left political wrongs.

    I won't predict that this is an automatic page turner, but it is well worth reading and thinking deeply about and that is about all that an exceptional book should do. ”

    Daniel M wrote this review Thursday, July 22, 2010. ( reply | permalink )
  • Trade-Off: Why Some Things Catch On, and Others Don't
    • Rated 4 stars

    “I found Trade-Off to be both simple and complex. I am unable to say it is an enjoyable read (like The Experience Economy by Pine & Gilmore) but it isn't a complete drag either. What I found was the analysis was consistent and well reasoned. I am not a fan of anecdotal evidence as the premise for business strategy, yet the author was able to weave his thoughts consistently throughout the chapters.

    The theme is simple. Business decisions face a consistent trade-off between convenience (think 7-11) and quality (think custom or high end like Ritz Carlton or Starbucks). When a business strategy moves towards a strategy of mediocre convenience and customization - the strategy tends to fail.

    I think that business strategists, advisors, and entrepreneurs will benefit from reading Trade-Off, yet I won't predict life-changing results from the material. Although a thinking reader will look to apply the themes to their business strategy and look for ways to improve their placement and ultimately profitability.

    This is a valuable read, just not life-changing.”

    Daniel M wrote this review Friday, January 1, 2010. ( reply | permalink )
  • My Life with the Saints
    • Rated 4 stars

    “4 Stars + for this engaging autobiographical journey of a Jesuit (Society of Jesus) and his journey from entering the Novitiate through just a year or so ago, and the Saints that he has come to know, love, and learn from.

    I became engaged in learning about Saints I had never heard of before. Their challenges and their beauty. Father Martin writes extremely well and from the heart and the soul. He expresses his own humanity and his own revelations as he matures and becomes the best of his vocation.

    Like all great religious books, you don't need to be of the religion of the author to become engaged and closer with your own relationship with God.”

    Daniel M wrote this review Monday, August 10, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Long Walk
    • Rated 5 stars

    “I purchased this book at the Portland Airport location of Powell's Books. It was one of those books located on the staff recommends table and the hand written note described the book as something of a moving tribute to the strength of the drive for freedom and a must read.

    I will agree with both of those comments. This is the story of Slavomir Rawicz, a pre-WWII Polish Cavalry Captain that is arrested by the Stalin Soviets in 1939 and spends 18 months suffering in Moscow prisons until they sentence him to 25 years of hard labor. Slav, as he refers to himself, then begins a journey that surrounds him with 4,000 + fellow convicts, a trip across Russia, a chained march of more than a thousand miles to a Siberian prison camp.

    We wouldn't be reading his story if he hadn't made it out, and that is the story. The formation of colleagues with a desire for freedom. The escape. The ultimate year plus walk from northern Siberia, out of Russia into Mongolia, across the Gobi Desert, through Tibet, over the Himalayas, and into India.

    The journey is almost beyond comprehension. The brutality of the Soviets under Stalin. The luck of connecting with the one person who could help his escape. The shear ability to survive. The push for freedom. The value of sacrifice for the dream.

    Although I haven't been to Mongolia, nor across the Gobi, I have spent time deep and high in the Himalayas. I was well fed, well clothed, and with new equipment. I had a guide. They had heart and the direction of the sun.

    I had a sleeping bag - they slept in caves. I had boots. They had moccasins made from Sable fur and other animals. How they crossed is amazing to me. How they lived for days upon days without food and water. Their ability to stretch few ingredients for months and months and over a year still amazes me.

    This is a great story. It is one of love and pain. It is one of grandeur and sorrow. It is one that reminds us that our ability to understand that Freedom is worth the effort and the rewards. That together we can defeat the evils that may have entered our lives.

    Read this story - it will stay with you and remind us to be kind to all of those in need. ”

    Daniel M wrote this review Saturday, August 8, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Why We Make Mistakes
    • Rated 4 stars

    “I read this book in two days (I was flying for 14 hours during those two days, so that helped I am sure) but I enjoyed reading this book. It will be re read as I took copious notes about why we, as people, can accept information as factual and yet not alter our behaviors.

    For example, research has demonstrated that students taking an exam that 2nd guess their original answers are more than 2:1 incorrect and that changing their answer will improve their score. Yet, students with this knowledge, don't change answers on future exams? Why? Great question and important implications as it relates to change management, leadership, and related matters.”

    Daniel M wrote this review Wednesday, March 11, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

  • The Portable Curmudgeon

    by Jon Winokur
    • Rated 3 stars

    “I refer to this style of writing as "bathroom" reads. Meaning, they are fun to leave by the throne for a quick chuckle and to pass the time. At that level, this was a reasonable opportunity to pass the time.”

    Daniel M wrote this review Monday, June 30, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Fourth Turning
    • Rated 3 stars

    “It is really folly to predict the future. Dated book with some insights about people and what might be next.”

    Daniel M wrote this review Monday, June 30, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Losing My Virginity
    • Rated 3 stars

    “I enjoyed this book but compared to "Nuts" (the Southwest story) not as strong. I learned a lot, but this just didn't deserve more starts.”

    Daniel M wrote this review Monday, June 30, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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Displaying 1-10 of 89 reviews

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