Why We Write: Personal Statements and Photographic Portraits of 25 Top Screenwriters

Amazon.com

Pity the hapless screenwriter. Once he or she has finished a work, it is churned like butter by the great Hollywood system--rewritten and reworked at will. If a movie is successful, the director gets the credit; if it bombs, the screenplay is to blame. "Few people are as essential to a film's success as its screenwriters," says Kenneth Turan in his introduction to Why We Write, "and few are as invisible." What a pleasure, then, to be able to look into the eyes and minds of 25 of today's top screenwriters. In these pages, Michael Ferris (The Net) and Daniel Waters (Heathers) lament the Hollywoodization of their endings. John Briley (Gandhi) and Mark Rosenthal (The Jewel of the Nile) warn against script gurus and film courses. There is plenty of complaining about Hollywood's propensity for producing formula pictures, and about the industry's abuse of its writers.

But it is the screenwriters' humor, passion, and, finally, love for what they do that are so appealing here. In the book's most entertaining essay, Daniel Waters describes the screenplay as "the most fragile art form there is, the one with the most perilous journey from cocoon to butterfly." While other artists' work is done when the artist says so, for screenwriters the end is just the beginning. "No one," says Waters, "has to go through an uglier, middleman-packed, Chinese telephone torture than a screenwriter does." Lawrence Konner (The Jewel of the Nile) takes a more exalted view of his work:

The poet said, "Only God can make a tree." The poet lied. A screenwriter can also make a tree. Or a forest fire to consume that tree. Or the brave man to put out that fire.... A screenwriter can make any team he wants win the World Series. And on a good day, a lucky day, he can write a moment of human truth that makes someone in the darkened movie theater sit up and say, "Yes! That's just how it is!"

--Jane Steinberg

Customer Reviews:

Not What You Expect.......2006-11-25

Judging by the title alone, I really thought this book would be part advice and part insight into making it as a screenwriter. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see it more of an inspirational book. Some are funny, others give an almost a poetic insight into their inspirtation. None, however give thier schedule or method of writing.
It was also disapointing to see some of the writers go on an egotistical rant. Take note that the book is edited and not written by Lorain Tamara Elbert. There are no direct interviews but it seems a request by letter to contribute to the book and thus some have resulted in mini biographies of the screenwriter. On the upside, the black and white photgraphs are well done.

An insightful read, beautifully photographed.......2004-04-17

Lorian Tamara Elbert's Why We Write is immensely enjoyable. I figured I might skip some of the chapters by writers whose films were action/thrillers, but wound up reading the entire book. I especially dug Patrick Donovan's musings on why screenwriting is a GREAT gig, and the impact his Mr. Holland's Opus had on people; Dana Stevens ruminating on her weird little writing office; Scott Alexander's amusing explanation of why he always writes about wacky madmen; and Michael Ferris' tongue-in-cheek take on the Hollywood rollercoaster and the spoils of success (helicopters, hot tubs, dominatrixes...).

Elbert's interviews not only got her subjects to open up in very personal ways, her photos bring out her subjects' essences (a la Annie Liebowitz) and their tones (light, contrast) are striking, B&W is a great medium for her.

Great insight.......2001-07-10

Giving the screenwriters the opportunity to write what is true to their soul is by far the best idea I have seen in a long time. How many times do we read about somebody through the edited interview process? It is so interesting to hear what these screenwriters have to say, unedited. I loved the pictures too. This approach creates a wide variety of stories heard from the least heard about people in the film industry...screenwriters.

Interesting -- but would have liked longer interviews.......2000-11-12

Although there are some interesting backgrounds provided on each of the screenwriters profiled here, I would have preferred even longer interviews (how did these people get into screenwriting? what obstacles did they have along the way? how did they land their first agents, if they used one on their first sale? etc.) I guess this book wasn't really meant to be a career primer, but just a collection of insights from some writers and their backgrounds.

John Brancato and Michael Ferris's (THE GAME, THE NET) interviews, however, gave some insight into their writing process and how they get ideas for scripts (they banged out a first draft of THE GAME in a matter of weeks). And Michael Grais's interview really shows the sacrifices some people make to stay in the arts (he picked fruit at one point). Again, I wish more of the book was like this.

Bottom line though: not worth the price. Read it in the store or borrow it from a friend or the local library. There's some other picture book about screenwriters -- this is the better one if you're going to buy one of them.

Done Deal's Review of "Why We Write".......1999-06-18

"The joy of this book is that the reader is actually able to learn the screenwriting process from successful screenwriters. Only a selected, creative few become successful writers in Hollywood. Most of them are contributors to this book. This collection serves as inspirational tool that will teach you, the novice screenwriter, what it takes to become successful, and what steps the contributors took to become a success."

"Once you pick the book up, it's difficult to stop reading. This well-structured and artistic book is highly recommended.&quot

Average customer rating:
Why We Write : Personal Statements and Photographic Portraits of 25 Top Screenwriters
Lorian Tamara (editor) Elbert
Manufacturer: Silman-James Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KYKTZW

Book Description

George Whitefield Chadwick was one of the most prolific composers that the United States ever produced. During a career that spanned over 50 years, he was considered the "Dean of American Composers" from the 1880s until after World War I. He composed in nearly every genre, including opera/stage works (seven), orchestral music (17 major works), songs (over 100), and dozens of choral and chamber works. Chadwick benefited from numerous performances of his music--particularly by the Boston Symphony Orchestra--and many of his works were published during his lifetime. He was also considered one of the foremost teachers of his era. He began teaching composition at the New England Conservatory of Music, and became its Dean in 1897, a post he held for more than 30 years. Chadwick and his music are currently enjoying a revival.

George Whitefield Chadwick: A Bio-bibliography.(Review): An article from: Notes

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George Whitefield Chadwick: A Bio-bibliography.(Review): An article from: Notes
Wilma Reid Cipolla
Manufacturer: Music Library Association, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from Notes, published by Music Library Association, Inc. on March 1, 2000. The length of the article is 733 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: George Whitefield Chadwick: A Bio-bibliography.(Review)
Author: Wilma Reid Cipolla
Publication: Notes (Refereed)
Date: March 1, 2000
Publisher: Music Library Association, Inc.
Volume: 56 Issue: 3 Page: 699

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Customer Reviews:

Great book, but this is an out of date edition.......2003-04-09

I wish the material in on-line reviews had stated clearly that "Ultimate King's Indian Attack" by Dunnnigton was just an updated edition of "How To...", otherwise I wouldn't have purchased this "How To..." book. Granted, it was only $8 (+ shipping) used, but it was still a waste of time/money to track it down and buy it. I thought that perhaps "How To..." was more of an introductory text. Get "The Ultimate King's Indian Attack", the updated version of "How To...", by the same author instead.

If you're really strapped for cash, and you don't care about slightly out of date theory (some ideas stand the test of time), then I give this book 5 stars, but I want others looking for KIA books to know these two are just different editions of the same book.

Average customer rating:

Unnecessary

Masterpiece full of typos

Cannot beat basic principles

Good Stuff

notation problems

How To Play Good Opening Moves (Chess)
Edmar Mednis
Manufacturer: Random House Puzzles & Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Strategic Chess: Mastering the Closed Game

Pawn Structure Chess

Ideas Behind the Chess Openings: Algebraic Edition (Chess)

How to Win in the Chess Openings

Best Lessons of a Chess Coach (Chess)

ASIN: 0812934741
Release Date: 2002-05-14

Book Description

This brand-new revision, in modern algebraic notation, is sure to become a classic of chess instruction.

It was written for the chess player who needs to understand, not memorize, the chess openings. The three basic principles of the opening are well established and will not change in the foreseeable future. By emphasizing these principles, the author has created a timeless teaching volume that can be used by students, parents, teachers, and others for years to come.

Customer Reviews:

Unnecessary.......2003-10-11

This book is really unnecessary. If you first study the basic opening principles found in most any beginning chess book and then play through the opening sequences of the games in Chernev's Logical Chess Move by Move and/or Nunn's Understanding Chess Move by Move, then you've already accomplished everything (and more) that this book might help you accomplish. You can save your money.

Masterpiece full of typos.......2003-06-01

If you have basic understanding of chess strategy and tactics this is the book you should buy to play any opening well. It teaches opening principles in plain english. Before you start memorizing variations make yourself a favour and read this littte masterpiece from Mr Mednis. It is a shame this revised algebraic edition if full of typos, which is why I have not given it 5 stars.

Cannot beat basic principles.......2001-10-27

I have not played competitive chess for over fifteen years now but have decided to get back into the game. I know how important the openings are because there is nothing worse than losing a game before you even start. I also know how boring it can be memorizing different sets of moves. This book teaches you the principle of the opening phase without you having to memorize. When you do start playing the established openings, you will be able to appreciate the underlying thought processes behind them. A must for anyone who wants to get through the opening phase without cramming.

Good Stuff.......2001-04-23

Many chessplayers concern themselves with memorizing hundreds and hundreds of opening moves. What they don't understand is the ideas behind. Here is a solid book which does not go too deep into openings, but explains the ideas behind them. Along with the openings, Mednis shows master games which were won becuase of solid opening play. A must for a chessplayer who is ready to handle openings theories, but not just memorizing them.

notation problems.......2000-01-26

Just a quick heads-up for people planning on buying this book - its in the old notation 1.pq4 instead of 1.e4 I bought it since it was highly recommended, but had problems reading it.

hth,

Book Description

Clear, profound examinations of just what each opening is intended to do and how opponent can counter. Many sample games.

Customer Reviews:

In Descriptive Notation.......2002-01-10

An excellent book which is not out-dated and for the price an absolute steal. Though some older opening books can be criticized as a tad bit out-date most can still be used today to learn the basics structures of different openings. Besides, the actual variations used in a game works better if it is your own creation rather than a memorized version and this applies to beginners as well as the experts. Excellent for intermediate players, but can also be used by all. If you are not comfortable with descriptive notations, GET COMFORTABLE! You will be missing out on a lot of excellent books (which are usually half the price). Being comfortable with descriptive as well as algabraic gives you the option and the flexibility to buy whatever chess books are out there, especially the best!

Notation.......2000-02-24

The book is good if you can read the old notation. It left me frustrated from time to time because I'm so used to the new notation (ex. 1.e4)

Teaches the openings to be even, not to win.......1999-05-04

The author shows a game and in the same game there are 600 variations. Very difficult to play thru.

As well, the author will gave an example of an opening and after 10 moves claim - both sides even: Why learn an opening to be even, learn an opening to win.

The best single resource I have read on chess openings.......1999-02-07

This book is very well structured. It is easy to read and will give the intermediate player a much better understanding of the chess openings. I really enjoyed the traps illustrated.

a classic but underated.......1998-06-03

This book is the best book I have ever read on the openings in chess. The author recommends understanding of the openings rather than to try to memorize endless variations. After giving the first principles of the openings, he then shows how the openings should be played using these principles. He also devotes a section on exploiting the weak squares of your opponent. He classifies the openings under four catagories, which is very helpful in organizing the ideas behind these openings. This book is a masterpiece on opening theory and practice. Unfortunately, it is one of those books that goes largely ignored. Probably because people listen to "experts" too much, instead of thinking for themselves. This book is the best on the openings and cannot become "dated."

How to Play the Sicilian Defense (The Macmillan Chess Library)

Average customer rating:

A Great Book for those new to the Sicilian
A must for intermediate players who want to play 1...c5!

How to Play the Sicilian Defense (The Macmillan Chess Library)
David N. L. Levy , and Kevin O'Connel
Manufacturer: Collier Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0020291914

Customer Reviews:

A Great Book for those new to the Sicilian.......1998-08-26

The move 1...c5 in response to 1. e4 is baffling to beginners. It does nothing to aid the development of the minor pieces, fails to move out a center pawn and is often followed by even more non-developing pawn moves. Many must surely ask, "How is a defense that seems to flout all the opening priciples so often adopted by super-strong players?" They're right: Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov, Spassky, Tal and others have had the Sicilian figure prominently in their repertoires. Levy an O'Connell do an excellent job of outlining strategies for White and Black in this wide-ranging opening (As far as I can tell, only the c3 Sicilian and the odd gambits are ignored). For those rated 1400-1800, this is a good introduction to the opening. For "A" players, this will provide an excellent foundation for deeper research into the opening. Another fine effort from David Levy.* Highly recommended. (*Excepting his, An Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player, co-authored with Raymond Keene, which is a clinker -- see my review under that title.)

A must for intermediate players who want to play 1...c5!.......1998-08-23

The Sicilian is a bizarre animal: 1...c5 opens no lines for Bishops, prepares no pieces for development and fails to place a center pawn into play. Yet it is Black's most formidable defense to 1. e4. The authors do an excellent job of explaining why and provide ideas for both White and Black in a variety of settings: The Maraczy Bind, Sheveningen, "Little Center", Dragon, ...e5 systems and closed formations are all covered. Only the Morra-Smith gambit (and other lesser gambits) and the c3 Sicilian have been left out. If you are a 1400-1800 player and want to get a handle on the Sicilian, this is the place to start.

Average customer rating:

An Excellent Introduction to Modern Openings

How to Play the Opening in Chess
Raymond Keene , and David Levy
Manufacturer: B.T. Batsford
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0713471158

Customer Reviews:

An Excellent Introduction to Modern Openings.......2005-10-29

I found this to be an excellent book for someone looking to learn the main lines of major modern openings without getting lost in too many variations. If you're looking to develop an opening repertoire for tournament chess, this is a great book to start with. Then you can go and get other books with more details, variations and sample games. But this a great reference book for your chess library.

--Alexander Shaumyan, poet and chess player, author of "Spirit of Rebellion"

Baroque Chess Openings, Or, How to Play Your Betters at Chess and on Occasion Win

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Fun and stylish
And yet it improves your game
A chess humor book! It can't be real!

Baroque Chess Openings, Or, How to Play Your Betters at Chess and on Occasion Win
Richard Wincor
Manufacturer: Harvard Common Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0876450591

Customer Reviews:

Fun and stylish.......2005-10-11

'That many a chessplayer below Master rank has the power, through changing his style, to improve his playing strength dramatically in one sudden leap, is the argument maintained in this little book.' This is not so much a book of particular things to do as it is a change of point of view, according to author Richard Wincor. Wincor is a self-described 'average player', although it is obvious that he is better than that (however, Wincor's name is absent from the major lists of players, so while he may be above average, he did attain the master level ranking).

This is not in fact a book for beginners, or perhaps even average players. It involves strategy and tactics that Wincor describes with little definition to the terminology he uses. This can be confusing to the novice who is unfamiliar with chess writing, so this is perhaps a good second or third book, but not a good first. Besides, perhaps one should learn the game along the more traditional lines before one goes for broke through the baroque.

Wincor's style of writing is fun and interesting to read. He would identify with the second section in Edward Lasker's book, 'Chess for Fun and Chess for Blood'. However, for Wincor, obviously the 'blood' is fun! He writes of the first opening he describes, 'The most aggressive Baroque opening for White is the Dutch Stonewall. Its texture is solid, massive and pent-up, something like a bunching of heavy tanks. When it rolls, it has a chance of flattening all opposition in the King's fortress.'

Wincor's commentary is inspired. For example, in the same Dutch Stonewall game, he makes a comment after one interesting turn of play, 'Mrs. Bruce played that domestic tragedy like an Amazon.' Wincor, upon speculating on the question of whether or not there is such a thing as a perfect opening, draws in ideas from Neoplatonists and quotes the poet Pope (yet hastens to add that Pope never thought of chess as an application of his verse).

Wincor does not promise in this book that the novice will begin winning in grand-master tournaments. However, he states, 'Still they lose, but with more style than before.'

This is a very fun book.

And yet it improves your game.......1999-08-18

This book was recommended to me by an "A" player back when I was rated 1300. He said it helped his game by 300 pts. It did the same for me. Its kind of like Nimzo on tranquilizers.

A chess humor book! It can't be real!.......1998-10-26

This book is a Pythonesque take on chess openings. And now for something completely different. "Baroque," explains the author, is used here in all its senses: ornate, complex, to some degree indecipherable, and not least sort of ugly. The openings Wincor describes are truly all these things. But if you can appreciate the British sense of humour, you'll enjoy reading it regardless of your attitude or knowledge about chess. I left my copy on a train years ago, and the loss still haunts me.

Baroque Chess Openings: Or, How to Play Your Betters at Chess

Average customer rating:

The game usually goes to the craftiest
If it ain't "baroque", don't fix it!
A Baroque Collection of Romanesque Clarity

Baroque Chess Openings: Or, How to Play Your Betters at Chess
Richard Wincor
Manufacturer: Citadel Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0806505036

Customer Reviews:

The game usually goes to the craftiest.......2002-07-22

Chess being a mental game itself, it necessarily follows that its devotees enjoy mind games when facing opponents. This is an excellent book for such folks. I recommend it highly.

The book covers one offense, the Dutch Stonewall Reversed, and two defenses, The Black Dragon variation of the Sicilian Defense (for playing against a King Pawn opening), and the Queen's Indian, for playing against a queen pawn opening. It explores only these three openings, no more. It is the author's theory, and my own, that it is better to be able to play a few variations very well than a great many variations badly.

Few people see the Dutch Stonewall Reversed. It is a strong, fluid offense, and frequently takes even expert players by surprise. Many times, the so-called superior player recovers too late. AHA!

The two defenses are somewhat more commonly seen, but each has the virtue of shifting momentum to Black in the event of the slightest error by White. Again, that's what any player wants.

The book is eminently readable and fun. It iexplains the nuances of the three openings and shows you how to play them without drowing you in notation or sterile analysis.

This book has given me a lot of pleasure, and has allowed me to beat players who were easily superior to me under normal circumstances. You will enjoy it a lot. It's not for the real beginner, but you don't have to be Nimzovitch or Fischer, either. Enjoy.

If it ain't "baroque", don't fix it!.......2000-07-01

This book is a fun read. The author explains and discusses a number of opening systems for White and Black (including the King's Indian Attack, Queen's Indian Reversed, Stonewall Attack, and Old Indian Defense)in a light and witty style,with a good deal of verbal discussion of strategy, plans and ideas.

These openings are theoretically inferior -- "less than best". However, if you enjoy playing slow, manuevering, Nimzovich-style chess and are satisfied with reaching a merely equal middlegame, then perhaps you'll find this book worth studying.

A Baroque Collection of Romanesque Clarity.......1999-11-15

The chess opening seems to bring out the sincerest form of flattery in most players. Among any particular group of low-rated players, a high percentage in any community tend to play either the opening that the world champion is playing (such as the mid 1970s, when every 'D' rated player wanted to play the Najdorf Sicilian Poison Pawn variation) or what the local experts and masters play (in one community, the Goring Gambit and Smith-Morra Gambit were considered well-nigh a forced win by a local strong player, resulting in a world of people playing who should have been content with the Colle System or the Bird variation to the Ruy Lopez).

Wincor's book is a classic of teaching the chess player to march to the tune of a different drummer. The style is light, humorous, and aimed less at describing intricate variations than at giving ideas on a new way to play. Wincor's suggested style is "baroque", a deviation from the wild tactics of the e pawn beginner or the boring oversolidity of the 1. d4 2. c4 player.

The influence of this book filters through amateur chess even today, as a minority of fun-seeking explorers move into the B ratings using the odd but very workable ideas contained herein. In the same way that surrealism eventually filtered into mainstream MTV videos, a good day at the Internet Chess Club or any local chess club will net baroque players, who used to be a rarity. Still, second only to Koltanowski's Colle System book, and a nose ahead of Soltis' book setting forth a Slav/Caro-Kann defensive system, this is a book which can help a D player become a B player, and help an E player move towards C. If you haven't read this, let Amazon.com locate it for you, and enjoy!

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Eighth book of chess;: How to play the queen pawn openings and other close games
Fred Reinfeld
Manufacturer: Sterling Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0007E3B2I

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HOW TO PLAY CHESS - Powerful Moves for Opening, Middle and End Game
D. B. Pritchard
Manufacturer: Coles Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GW01HE

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How To Play The Belgrade Gambit
Eric Schiller
Manufacturer: Chess Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0875682944

Book Description

The worldwide success of VISA International, Dee Hock asserts, is due to its chaordic structure: it is owned by 22,000 member banks, which both compete with each other for 750 million customers and must cooperate by honoring one another's $125 trillion in transactions annually across borders and currencies. "One From Many takes the never-before-told story of how that structure came into being, and updates it for today. The book also highlights Dee Hock's evolution from humble beginnings to an iconoclast who challenged the nature of traditional organizations and management. It is the story of an entrepreneur who created a new concept of organization, brought it into being, and led it to amazing success in less than a decade. Hock is a corporate statesman who continues to carry these ideas around the world. Lyrical, humorous, powerfully thoughtful, "One From Many tells how one man blended chaos and order in the unexpected realm of business.

Customer Reviews:

Innovative Capitalism.......2007-01-29

I read a lot, a solace and a life line out of the madness of today. I finished up my week-end with this most unusual gem, and it is with some emotion that I put it down and take the time to write this review.

In my lifetime, there have been fewer than four individuals able to understand me and manage me, and Dee Hock now joins that number, sight unseen. This is one of the *good guys*! If he and Bill Bradley and Jim Turner (Transpartisanship) can come together, we can remake the world.

The book benefits from a Foreword by Peter Senge, who notes that VISA as it emerged was a disruptive concept that threatened traditional powers. Senge also notes the importance of distinguishing between enabling technologies, such as the Internet, and what is enabled, such as democracy or equitable wealth creation and sharing. Finally, Senge observes that global complexity requires distributed democracy, to which I and the author would both be quick to add: "and moral capitalism."

The book is at root about the failure of all of our instititutions, and the need to find a third way between over-bearing centralization and anarchic decentralization. The author coins the word "chaordic" to deswcribe an even-handed and often-changing balance between the two.

Dee Hock is a philosopher-king, and I am reminded of "Voltaire's Bastards" and "Consilience" as I read his denouncement of the Western concept of separability and his own understanding that complexity is about never-ending and alway-changing relationships. In one example with the US Army, he explores how rules-based organizations waste 45-85% of the time and value of their employees. He specifically notes that human ingenuity is the ultimate resource and is abundant, but too often constrained if not crushed by schools, armies, corporations, and so on.

The author's morality shines forth as he describes non-monetary exchanges of value as the best possible foundation for what others call reciprocal altruism. At one point he observes that "leadership is not necessarily constructive, ethical, or open."

The entire book is about the creation of an organization in which participation is the primal element, agreement is dynamic, and trust and tolerance are the prevailing values. He states that organizational heaven is purpose, principle, and people. Purgotory is paper and procedure. Hell is rule & regulation.

He realizes early on that fraud and theft are major challenges, and that information is, as he quotes Gregory Bateson, "a difference that makes a difference."

I have a big note: this is a smart, ethical, practical, inspiring person--one of the good guys!

The author is deeply and empathetically aware of the discord between our industrial era understandings and perceptions, and the bio-cultural realities of the Earth and all its processes. He sees clearly what the "true cost" or natural capitalism literature seeks to teach.

A line jumps out, in which the author is lamenting that we have such a wealth of information, yet have drifted into "collective madness."

He clearly sees that our current form of predatory immoral "bandit" capitalism specializes at the socialization of cost and the capitalization of gain, which is fancy wording for looting the commons and stealing the profit. He also points out that we are putting the debt on to future generations.

He clearly describes the current form of corporations as inimical to the commons.

The book concludes strongly, lionizing the will to succeed when joined with the grace to compromise, placing VISA on a par with the Internet and LINUX as an organizational model for the future, and noting that growth comes from failure.

On page 284 he lists the following ten attributes from a living organization in Spain that represents the best of the chaordic model:

01 Open membership
02 Democratic organization
03 Worker sovereignty
04 Instrumental subordinate nature of capital
05 Participation in management
06 Wage solidarity
07 Cooperating between cooperatives
08 Social transformation
09 Universal nature
10 Education (he might have added, life-long, unconstrained, free of the prison-rote we now suffer, and teaching sharing as well as learning)

He ends with the story of his recall from his wanderings in the wilderness, to explore examples, models, the intellectual foundation, and organizations by which we might save the Planet and our species, to include the necessary means of mind-crafting for the future.

I actually had goose-bumps as I put this book down. I felt, very strongly, that I had been within the aura of a great leader, a gentle person, a world-class humanitarian, a capitalist Dalai Lama if you will (don't laugh--this author strikes me as quite amazingly special).

I cannot say enough about this book. It joins the very short list of books I have posted on moral leadership through open source intelligence, and it places Dee Hock up there with Buckminster Fuller, Margaret Wheatley, Robert Buckman, and a tiny handful of Senge's and Druckers.

I hope I meet him one day. Right now, he joins Bill Bradley as one of just two people I'd be willing to leave my mink-lined bunker to follow into battle. This book and this author's mind and clarity of communication have simply blown me away.

See the two images I have loaded here to illustrate concepts that I share with this author. You can see other images at Earth Intelligence Network, where you can also use the Amazon Base Page to get access to my 30 lists of books for each of the ten threats, twelve policies, and eight challengers. I am also creating Amazon discussion pages for each of these.

Management Consultant.......2006-05-03

Dee Hock, Founder and CEO Emeritus of Visa, not only recalls the intriguing events that led to the creation of Visa, but shares the roots of his personal journey that took him to that place and time. This book chronicles Hock's exploration of the nature of organizations that go well beyond anything that had been done to that point in time. As a byproduct, he helped save a credit card industry that was bleeding money across a sea of large and small financial institutions.

Readable and relevant.......2005-10-17

Dee Hock is not only a great story teller but also a "future teller". The history of his incredible involvement with the rise of VISA only sets the stage for a fascinating look at the future as it "might become and ought to be". Very much worth the read for anyone vested with leadership and/or innovation in any organization (which is everyone).

The one story not told is how the book was made to come about. After reading of Dee Hocks life experience it seems that it is simply "how it ought to be".

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