Incongruous Entertainment: Camp, Cultural Value, and the MGM Musical

Book Description

With their lavish costumes and sets, ebullient song and dance numbers, and iconic movie stars, the musicals that mgm produced in the 1940s seem today to epitomize camp. Yet they were originally made to appeal to broad, mainstream audiences. In this lively, nuanced, and provocative reassessment of the mgm musical, Steven Cohan argues that this seeming incongruity—between the camp value and popular appreciation of these musicals—is not as contradictory as it seems. He demonstrates that the films’ extravagance and queerness were deliberate elements and keys to their popular success.

In addition to examining the spectatorship of the mgm musical, Cohan investigates the genre’s production and marketing, paying particular attention to the studio’s employment of a largely gay workforce of artists and craftspeople. He reflects on the role of the female stars—including Judy Garland, Debbie Reynolds, Esther Williams, and Lena Horne—and he explores the complex relationship between Gene Kelley’s dancing and his masculine persona. Cohan looks at how, in the decades since the 1950s, the marketing and reception of the mgm musical have negotiated the more publicly recognized camp value attached to the films. He considers the status of Singin’ in the Rain as perhaps the first film to be widely embraced as camp; the repackaging of the musicals as nostalgia and camp in the That’s Entertainment! series as well as on home video and cable; and the debates about Garland’s legendary gay appeal among her fans on the Internet. By establishing camp as central to the genre, Incongruous Entertainment provides a new way of looking at the musical.

Book Description

Advance praise for Hotel California

"A British rock critic obsessed with America, Barney Hoskyns brings a genuine love as well as an outsider's keen eye to the rise and fall of the California scene in the sixties and seventies. This is a riveting story, sensitively told."
—Anthony DeCurtis, Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone

"Comprehensive and lively, Hotel California offers a front-row seat on the wild ride—fueled by drugs, sex, and lots of cash—that took Southern California singer-songwriters from hot tubs and local bars to sold-out stadiums, private jets, and the bestselling album of all time."
—Alan Light, author of The Skills to Pay the Bills: The Story of the Beastie Boys

"One of our finest pop historians reappraises a neglected and often maligned milieu. Barney Hoskyns deftly evokes not just the decadence but the sense of discovery rooted in 1960s idealism and fostered by a gaggle of record industry mavericks who, for a brief period, managed to make art and business coexist."
—Simon Reynolds, author of Rip It Up and Start Again

Customer Reviews:

A Thoroughly Enjoyable Summer Read.......2007-08-20

This is the definitive story of Laurel Canyon and the rise and fall of the singer-songwriters that defined an era. Fabulous backstage gossip, great interviews, and a long, revealing look at David Geffen and his role in shaping the sound and artistry of so many great musicians -- Joni, Laura, CSNY, Gene Clark, JT, you name it.

I enjoyed this book so much I didn't want it to end. It also turned me on to some forgotten songwriters and albums that got lost in the shuffle -- Judee Sill being one amazing example.

An essential read for music fans.

Hotel California: The True-Life Adventures of Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, Mitchell, Taylor, Browne, Ronstadt, Geffen, the Eagle.......2007-08-04

No Pretender. Interesting insight into the genre of singer-songwriter and into the time period when music was becoming personal to a generation that would lay the groundwork music for future generations. Good background story on the artists and players, explaining with some detail the lyrics that still roll around in my head. Somewhat shallow story describing a shallow lifestyle that resulted in deep emotion. Too much repetition, would have been more interesting if more of the story was told with less dialogue. That said - it's worth the time, and the knowledge gain. Good to know who's behind Linda's "You're no good", and Joni's "Case of You" and why James went to "Mexico". Boomer fodder.

A good read.......2007-08-03

An enjoyable book with a lot of insight into the rock stars of the era.

Just in case the music wasn't a big enough reason to hate them..........2007-07-23

Did you know that the only time musicians ever wrote their own songs was from 1967 to 1976? That's what you'll learn from this book. Did you know that the kids of today just don't care about the world around them? According to the book the only evidence you need of this is that you don't hear a lot of chart-topping anti-Bush songs coming out of coffee houses. So remember kids, until you're a drug-damaged, self-righteous, hypocritical d-bag pushed to the stars by a sexually confused ruthless business man (the only people who have ever been capable of and succeeded in changing the world), you don't mean anything-just like their elders.

But to sum up this book: Stills and Young have a love-hate relationship, David Geffen is gay and pushed Jackson Browne because he had a crush on him, David Crosby is an easier-to-listen-to version of Sean Penn, The Eagles were a marketing scam and Joni Mitchell owns that parking lot.

PS-too many Zevon tags, not enough Zevon.

poorly written,inaccurate.......2007-06-10

don't bother to buy this very poorly written book that has distorted facts.The author is basically repeating various quotes from many sources repeatedly.Boring...His facts are wrong.For example he states that Graham Nash was a very compromising person.In fact he was not and this has been verified with his past history with the Hollies.
I am not a critical person but this book was a real disappointment to me...

4 Way Street: The Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Reader

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Like reliving the great days of CSN&Y
CSN&Y Articles
A riveting, exciting book
An Essential Read For All Music Fans

4 Way Street: The Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Reader

Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306812770
Release Date: 2004-02-03

Book Description

"Crosby, Stills & Nash are in their own special realm-triumphant harmonies, never second-hand or behind the times, always touching the chord and going to the heart."-Bob Dylan

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young have been hailed as "The American Beatles" and "Folk-Rock's Mount Rushmore." They launched a trail-blazing acoustic-electric sound in 1969 and have been captivating listeners with their music ever since. Coming together as refugees from three seminal '60s bands-the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and the Hollies-the combined talents of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young have influenced several generations of musicians while proving to have enduring appeal to fans of all ages. As rock and roll's first "supergroup," CSNY generated an enormous amount of media scrutiny-from their galvanizing appearance at Woodstock to multi-platinum, chart-topping albums such as DŽj^ Vu, from David Crosby's miraculous recovery from life-threatening addictions to the band's resurgence for enormously successful concert tours. Now, noted CSNY historian Dave Zimmer distills the best of the journalism on these four remarkable artists, ranging from group portraits to individual profiles to in-depth interviews to incisive commentary by such writers as Cameron Crowe, Ben Fong-Torres and David Crosby himself. 4 Way Street: The Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Reader is an open window into one of the most popular groups of all time, offering a fascinating look at their highly charged musical relationships and how they have changed over the decades, along the way revealing a colorful chronicle of the music of an era that continues to echo into the new millennium.

Customer Reviews:

Like reliving the great days of CSN&Y.......2006-01-20

You'll be glad you buy this book, if you do! I was a little young when CSN&Y came out (only 7!), but I kept up with them through the years and always found them fascinating. This book makes you feel like you've got a scrapbook of them from "the old days." The journalism is great, especially the pieces of Cameron Crowe and the first piece about Laurel Canyon and its many musical artists. You also "get to know" the personalities because of the concise natures of the interviews. I found out a lot about my favorite, Stephen Stills. I also love the selection of B&W pictures and took them to Kinko's to copy and put on my walls! The book truly captures their magic and fire. I also have Zimmer's bio, but it's always the Reader that I go back to because you can skip around in it too. The only regret I have is that I will it was a larger book, like the size of the Rolling Stone magazine, which would really give it a scrapbook feel. Nevertheless, I'm thrilled that I found this by doing an Amazon search! Please buy; you'll be glad you did!

CSN&Y Articles.......2004-11-06

Dave Zimmer has complied articles from the thrity-five year career of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The articles are great because they are from the time the events in the band's career were actually unfolding and you don't get that filtered look of biographies that were written years later. The more interesting articles are from the early days especially ones by Lenny Kaye and Cameron Crowe. A worthwhile read for all fans of CSN&Y.

A riveting, exciting book.......2004-03-13

This book is riveting, even electrical, for anybody who wants an inside look at the music business. The selections are in interview form, so as you read, it feels like the music stars are sitting in nearby chairs as they detail inside stories, opinions and perspectives. The author/editor who put it together, Daved Zimmer, did a fantastic job, and no one came better prepared for the job. When Crosby was arrested, I saw that Mr. Zimmer was the one who the New York Times sought out for comment. Even if you are only distantly interested in CSN&Y, but are fascinated with the music biz, you will find the book hits the bulls-eye.

An Essential Read For All Music Fans.......2004-02-29

Thirty years ago my dad "accidentally" flooded the garage, destroying my carefully harvested collection of UK and US publications containing interviews with, articles about and occasional references to CSNY, who for me were "the" band of the early to late 1970's. This latest manifestation of Dave Zimmer's love for the music of, and fascination about the individuals in, the USA's first "supergroup" means I now have access again to many of those writings.

Ranging from 1970 to 2002 in terms of first publication, the articles and interviews cover the development of CSNY from a self confident, but untested, aggregation of individuals through to being elder statesmen of rock capable of selling out tours of major venues in the early 21st century. Although the primary ingredient is pieces that focus specifically on the band as a whole, Zimmer leavens the mix with items that focus on the individuals, using them to cast a more oblique and often revealing light on the activities and behaviour of the "main" band. Not surprisingly, the majority of the articles come from US publications; that said, these include both the usual suspects - primarily "Rolling Stone" and writers such as Cameron Crowe - and also less well known (at least in the UK) publications such as "Crawdaddy" and "Creem". There are, however, some significant pieces from UK publications such as "Melody Maker" and UK writers such as Roy Carr and Vicki Wickham.

Music is the central interest of Zimmer's selection of pieces. CSNY were, however, notable for the nature of their personal, as well as professional, lives and the issues are not shied away from. Some of it requires reading "between the lines", but such articles as Roy Carr's interview with David Geffen, Zimmer's own major interview with Graham Nash and the pieces on David Crosby's drug addiction deal with the issues head on.

Customer Reviews:

Rogan a fount of misinformation.......2000-06-14

Both of the Rogan books on CSN are full of half-truths, poorly researched descriptions, and lots of misinformation. David Crosby, according to a number of online comments, is definitely NOT a fan of Rogan. Forget this and Rogan's other book and get the real story in Dave Zimmer's book, Crosby Still and Nash, the Biography, or from Crosby's excellent autobiography.

a great book for fans.......1999-10-11

If you're into CSN(Y) this is a cool book. It's got lots of good pictures, nice anecdotes, and a lot of information about tour dates and the like. Of course, if your're not really so much of a fan, it won't do that much for you!

Very Disappointing Volume.......1999-09-12

The format of this book is more like a diary than any actual analysis of their music and impact. Focuses a bit overmuch on the trials and troubles of David Crosby. A bit sad that the group was viable for no more than a couple of years and to watch their talents deteriorate as the years went on. Rogan's Complete Guide was a lot better in terms of summing up their careers.

The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Made Easy for Guitar

Average customer rating:

The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Made Easy for Guitar
Brent Phillips
Manufacturer: Warner Bros.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Product Description

A songbook of popular songs by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, arranged for the beginner guitar player, with lyrics. The songs are: Carry On; Deja Vu; 4 + 20; 49 Bye-Byes; Guinnevere; Helpless; Helplessly Hoping; Lady of the Island; Love the One You're With; Marrakesh Express; Ohio; Our House; Pre-Road Down; Suite: Judy Blue Eyes; Teach Your Children; You Don't Have to Cry.

Average customer rating:

Useful guide but a key omission
Remembering the past.

Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young

Manufacturer: Alfred Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0769202756

Book Description

Arranged for Piano/Guitar/Chords with Lyrics. 19 classic songs from CSN&Y.

Customer Reviews:

Useful guide but a key omission.......2005-02-18

This book is good for those of use who want to play the songs of Crosby, Stills & Nash, but it does not include every song from their first two albums. "Woodstock," written by Joni Mitchell, is not here. Maybe the publisher could not get the rights to use her song. Since that's one of CSNY's best songs, its a key omission. But the rest is here, including "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" and "Carry On" -- good singalongs that most guitarists can play.

Remembering the past........2000-12-05

Some song will float in your head for many minutes after it is done. When you hear the first several bars of music - at first you may not know the name of the song (or who sang it), but some where from deep inside of you the words come to your mouth and you sing along with the radio. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young is one of those groups that had songs you will find yourself doing just that.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Complete Guide to the Music Of...)

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Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Complete Guide to the Music Of...)
Johnny Rogan
Manufacturer: Omnibus Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0711963096

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American Dream
Stills (DELETE) Crosby
Manufacturer: Alfred Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Best of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young Made Easy"

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The Best of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young Made Easy"

Manufacturer: Alfred Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0897249208

Book Description

John Brimhall has successfully arranged this supergroup's greatest hits for easy piano. The titles are: Carry On * Country Girl * Deja Vu * Everybody I Love You * 4 + 20 Guinnevere * Helpless * Helplessly Hoping * Long Time Gone * Marrakesh Express * Our House * Suite: Judy Blue Eyes * Teach Your Children * Wooden Ships * You Don't Have to Cry.

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Classic Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Jo Novark
Manufacturer: Warner Bros Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Crosby Still Nash and sometimes Young (Volume 2)

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Crosby Still Nash and sometimes Young (Volume 2)

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 9051790392

Product Description

A biography about Crosby Stills Nash & sometimes Young. Founding fathers in the history of rock.

Average customer rating:

Some Problems with the problems

OK, but there are problems

A pretty good chess work out

Very disappointing and full of errors!!!

Very disappointing and full of errors!!!

303 Tactical Chess Puzzles [Mensa]
Fred Wilson , and Bruce Alberston
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Sharpen Your Tactics

303 Tricky Chess Tactics

More Chessercizes: Checkmate: 300 Winning Strategies for Players of All Levels

Chess Training Pocket Book: 300 Most Important Positions and Ideas, Second Edition

Simple Checkmates

ASIN: 080692733X

Book Description

It's the mental gymnasium where you can do a winning chess workout! Based on the authors' belief that the only way to improve is to study tactics, each intriguing example hones your skills so you can move up to the next level. Organized into beginners, Intermediate, and Tournament levels of play, each gets 100 puzzles, with additional material on defense and defeating computer chess machines.

Customer Reviews:

Some Problems with the problems.......2006-01-16

Problem #42 is inconcistent with the proposed solution. On the bright side, the number of errors creates another opportunity to review the problems.

OK, but there are problems.......2004-11-18

Before I go into the problems, I should say that I do think that the book has some value just because more puzzles = good. The book does contain some interesting puzzles. The book is small and handy, so I do think it's an ok addition to a chess library.

I've worked through about half of this book and own one other tactics book (Sharpen Your Tactics). The graphics are good -- large enough to see easily. The puzzles are very difficult compared to Sharpen Your Tactics. This has a bad side. It takes so long to go through the book, and because it's not arranged thematically, it doesn't seem to help beat the pattern recognition into my brain (that is the whole point, right? We all know what skewers, forks, pins, etc are, but need enhanced pattern recognition to really be effective) very well. A few difficult puzzles doesn't seem to do this as well as a lot more, well-organized, but easier puzzles. Sharpen Your Tactics does a much better job at this.

This also makes the book inadequate for teaching good kid chess players. My 8 year old is an excellent player for a kid and he could barely do many of the easier puzzles. He got really frustrated and gave up. He's on puzzle 210 of Sharpen Your Tactics because they offer enough easier ones to keep his interest and build his confidence. It has really helped his game.

I've also found multiple errors in the solutions. I would've thought that they would check the thing versus any one of the major computer programs before publishing the book. That's probably the biggest embarrassment of the book. Some of the errors are laughable. I spotted one of them within about 10 seconds of looking at the puzzle. It seems like a couple of 2300 players (the authors) would've spotted these if they spent any time at all on quality control. For that matter, they could probably hire some poor chess player to review it for them. My 8 year old could set those positions up in Chessmaster and tell them if they work! He works cheap!

A pretty good chess work out.......2004-04-07

There are 2 diagrams per page, so the diagrams are easy on the eyes... good for chess players over 40, or those who need to avoid eye strain. I read negative reviews about mistakes in this book... the few I saw are no big deal. In one case we find Queen to A5 as our solution, the answer shows Queen to H5. No big deal, my brain saw that instantly as a typo. The problem is still valid. The lesson learned is still a good one. In regard to another problem, one reviewer points out there is a mate in 1, so why show a mate in 2 for the answer? Interesting, I saw the mate in 2 in a flash... almost in the blink of an eye. So I didn't even look for a quicker mate. But does that mean my brain didn't get charged up for tactics? No, my brain worked fast enough to see a mate in two... it involved "removing a defender" which was a lesson being taught...it worked... it would have won the tournament or match game. Yes, the 1 move mate is better... in either case the game is over in a flash. I like this book a lot. The ocassional errors one might come across are no big deal. At least not to me. I've been going through problems every night and my brain feels tactically charged. A frequent user of this book is sure to be a worthy chess opponent. If it wasn't for the small printing mistakes that show up every once in a while I could easily give this book 5 stars.

Very disappointing and full of errors!!!.......2003-11-26

There are THREE ERRORS IN THE FIRST TWELVE PUZZLES THAT I COULD FIND... and I am a novice... so I didn't bother looking at the book any further! I'm taking the book back... although it may be useful as kindling. Who did the editing... DID ANYONE ACTUALLY WORK THROUGH THE SOLUTIONS??? Sample solution "errors":

Puzzle #8: CORRECT ANSWER should be 1 Qa5 threatens Qxc7#, and 2 Qxh5.

Puzzle #10: White responses are illogical. White could at least gain one of the Rooks for its lost Queen... rather than leaving Black with both Rooks as the authors suggest. CORRECT ANSWER and replies should be:
1 ... Rd4+, 2 f4 Rxf4+, 3 Qxf4 Nxf4

Puzzle #12: CORRECT ANSWER is the AMAZINGLY complex SINGLE move of
1 Qg8#! It seems UNBELIEVABLE that the author suggests some round about two move alternative when MATE is plainly staring at you.

Very disappointing. An "Official American Mensa Puzzle Book"... HA!

Very disappointing and full of errors!!!.......2003-11-26

Puzzle #8: CORRECT ANSWER should be 1 Qa5 threatens Qxc7#, and 2 Qxh5.

Puzzle #12: CORRECT ANSWER is the AMAZINGLY complex SINGLE move of
1 Qg8#! It seems UNBELIEVABLE that the author suggests some round about two move alternative when MATE is plainly staring at you.

Very disappointing. An "Official American Mensa Puzzle Book"... HA!

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303 Tactical Chess Puzzles
Fred Wilson
Manufacturer: Goodwill Publishing House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 8172453183

Average customer rating:

The Ultimate Career Guide (really!)

Great advice for anyone

Not quite Machiavelli, but good counsel for the aspiring business prince

Building Your Career Like Building the Coke Brand

Good Book

Career Warfare: 10 Rules for Building a Successful Personal Brand and Fighting to Keep It
D'Alessandro , and David D'Alessandro
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Be Your Own Brand: A Breakthrough Formula for Standing Out from the Crowd

Career Warfare: 10 Rules for Building Your Successful Brand on the Business Battlefield

ASIN: 0071417583

Book Description

In his signature, outspoken style, D'Alessandro offers concrete advice on building a reputation that commands respect, coping with office politics, and surviving the less-than-sane aspects of any organization. He explains why only 20 percent of the people in a given corporation are truly valuable to the organization, demonstrates the right way to polish the boss's image and prevent the boss from tarnishing the reader's, and provides valuable lessons in the etiquette of reputation building.

Download Description

"FROM THE NATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF BRAND WARFARE A genuine winner shows you how to stand out from the crowd As the youngest-ever CEO of John Hancock Financial Services and the bestselling author of Brand Warfare, David D'Alessandro knows plenty about breaking away from the pack. In Career Warfare, this ultimate insider tells the true story of how he learned the unwritten rules of corporate ladder climbing. In his signature, outspoken style, D'Alessandro offers concrete advice on building a reputation that commands respect, coping with office politics, and surviving the less-than-sane aspects of any organization. He explains why only 20 percent of the people in a given corporation are truly valuable to the organization, demonstrates the right way to polish the boss's image and prevent the boss from tarnishing the reader's, and provides valuable lessons in the etiquette of reputation building. Through engaging, often-hilarious stories drawn from his own dramatic climb to the top, David D'Alessandro speaks to success-oriented readers at every level and explains: - How to make people want to take a chance on them - How to gain and keep a great reputation - Why success will not proceed in a rational manner - Why hard work and accomplishment aren't enough - What character has to do with it "

Customer Reviews:

The Ultimate Career Guide (really!).......2007-06-01

This is one of those few business books that you can read more than once. D'Alessandro makes one key point with this book - you don't get to the top by being great, but by not screwing up. This point is made through countless stories that he tells about his career.

D'Alessandro is not arrogant, like many (if not most) other business authors. Rather, he is hilarious. I lost count at how many times I laughed so hard, interrupted my wife, and related a story from this book. This is what I want out of a career guide - a book that conveys it's point so well, and in many different ways, that you can't help but to remember it.

If you work in the real world, and need a career guide (trust me, you do), then this book is for you. I have recommended it to others several times, and have been thanked often for the referrals.

Great advice for anyone.......2007-05-12

I have read this book twice and have also recommended it for Managers working on my team as well. David D'Alessandro presents great advice for anyone in any business environment about building and maintaining your reputation or brand. The person's on my team who have read it are also big fans. I recommend this book for anyone in business - especially anyone out there who subscribes to the "I am the way I am, and my colleagues need to learn to accept me for who I am" way of thinking - I would say this one is especially for you. No matter where or when, you are constantly being evaluated by your co-workers, higher ups, and those that work for you. This book helps make sure you understand that reality, and provides context and serious, useful advice on how you can leverage the environment to your advantage. If you are just entering the marketplace - you should absolutely buy it now. I would recommend for anyone who has been around for a while as well. I read a lot of business books - I have always found this one valuable and am always recommending or buying it for members of my organization.

Not quite Machiavelli, but good counsel for the aspiring business prince.......2007-01-21

Definitely worth reading for the war stories alone! But I've never quite understood the urge to publish in people who by all evidence were focused above all on personal power and financial success. D'Alessandro strenuously maintains that the ambitious executive's aim should always be the good of the organization and those involved with it, but it's hard to see who really benefited from the de-mutualization of John Hancock, over which he presided, other than John Hancock executives: same could be said of the later sale of the company to Manulife Financial (oddly, also run by a D. D'Alessandro, no relation). At least, such is the general view, especially among those who were pink-slipped.

Still, although we're not getting the whole story of a career here - it's a how-to, not a history - there is certainly a pleasing openness in describing many events and relationships, and the author's rise from that grocery store in Utica. He is naturally interested in the stories of other famous names in business and has found some great anecdotes: for instance, about John H. Patterson the founder of NCR: he had, quoting Mark Bernstein, "an absolute genius for firing people," including the executive who discovered he was fired when he found his office furniture on the NCR front lawn - in flames. . . But lesser mortals also are noteworthy, including the interviewee in the Chinese restaurant who thought the slim, tortilla-like moo shu pancake was a hot towel and slapped it on her face...

Good cautionary tales about "loose lips sink ships," such as the consultants who lost a multi-million dollar engagement when some of their private discussions came to the wrong (or right) ears...I'm pretty sure I know which firm that was, having (full disclosure!) been a computer consultant at John Hancock, and later Manulife, for several years.

And I really like his classification of meetings into three types: Staff, Get-something-done, and Combat!

D'Alessandro is rightly proud of his Italian ancestry (at least we have one thing in common!), but does not come over as a total Machiavelli. However, there is a certain ruthlessness: he is not at all the forgiving type. The word "Vendetta" springs irresistibly to mind. In fact, one section's heading makes an explicit reference - "You can enjoy a dish best served cold."

All in all, a pretty good read, and I'm sure very useful to the young aspiring executive...not exactly for me, as I never headed that way, being more of a technician/practitioner.

Building Your Career Like Building the Coke Brand.......2006-11-01

A great book on career management! It covers both stratetic and tactical parts of career management by elaborating its core theme: build your career success like build a shining brand.

It was already exciting enough for me to realize that I can apply whatever I learned in marketing class to my career. And I was further impressed by the rich real world anectodal stories this book uses to support each of its rules.

In additional to what has been already covered by other reviewers, I want to highlight three places where this book excels.

First, a great job in clarifying the myth behind any promotion decision.
The truth is that most decisions are made on impression base, rather than based on thorough and vigorous research, analysis or comparison. (So it is highly important to build and protect your brand. )The author has done a great job on this point and reinforces it again later in the book to deepen your understanding. Starting from how the promotion decision is made, the book then puts forth its most important point: a promotion comes from a good reputation, which comes from consistent excellent performance plus careful and meticulous brand management. As the veteran in brand management and a long-time "player" in this career game, the author did an excellent job in teaching how to manage your own brand. And here is a really small but good example. The author tells us not to spend much time chatting with bosses in cocktail party--just say hi and move on. The reason is that in this kind of chatting, you have higher risk by damaging your brand and very low chance by winning any positive points.
Counterintuitive but make a lot of sense!

I don't like the chapter of how to manage your brand after you become a CEO.It seems to be short and could have been put into another book. Maybe it is just me--being a small potato not worrying about what will happen after becoming a CEO.

Nevertheless, highly recommended!

Good Book .......2006-01-27

In my opinion, it is a good book on exceling in a corporate world. The 10 steps provided are very profound and some actually gave me "light-bulb" moments!

Average customer rating:

Glad I read it. Good common-sense in an artificial world.

Career Warfare: 10 Rules For Building A Successful Personal Brand and fighting to keep it
David F. D'Alessandro , and Michele Owens
Manufacturer: American Media International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 1932378553

Book Description

The best-selling author and CEO of Hohn Hancock offers concrete advice on building a reputation that commands respect, coping with office politics, and surviving the less-than-sane aspects of any organization.

Customer Reviews:

Glad I read it. Good common-sense in an artificial world........2006-02-19

PROS:
(1) Excellent concept (your personal Brand).
(2) Most of the value of the entire book can be received by reading the Introduction and the first Chapter (Disc 1).
CONS:
(1) The writer spends a little TOO much time characterizing one's Brand as a set of responses to certain situations, rather than being substantially a reflection who you are.

VERY GLAD I READ THIS BOOK:
In the past I have thought about my "reputation" in businss, but that concept is very subjective, and now I realize it is also incomplete. Re-framing my business-reputation as a Brand helped me realize that to a small extent the rules of business warrant special treatment, and just doing my job well is not the only issue. To a limited extent I *do* need to wear a well-chosen mask in order to play the business game - not good news, not bad news, just true.

A reader should be careful to balance this book with, say, Stephen Covey books, which reinforce that who you are as a person is a large part of your "Brand". Reading only Career Warfare might convince you that your Brand can be molded any way you want, by just saying the right things at the right time, which will certainly not work in the long term!

Reader's style (for audio version): Good

Average customer rating:

CAREER WARFARE : 10 RULES FOR BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL PERSONAL BRAND AND FIGHTING TO KEEP IT
DAVID F./ OWENS, MICHELE D'ALESSANDRO
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFRJSC

Average customer rating:

Career Warfare: 10 Rules for Building a Successful Personal Brand and Fighting to Keep It
Michele Owens, David Dandapos;Alessandro David F. Dandapos;Alessandro
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFLFYG

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