Andrew's Bookshelf

Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer – Roy Peter Clark

Andrew Lightheart — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:04:09 +0000

(Link to Amazon.com - Link to Amazon.co.uk)

I’m in the middle of reading this. It basically forms a brilliant checklist for editing your writing once you’ve written it.

Tools not rules.

Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery – Garr Reynolds

Andrew Lightheart — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:05:19 +0000

(Link to Amazon.com – Link to Amazon.co.uk)

The book on PowerPoint that blew me away.

I saw so many people struggling with terrible PowerPoint presentations that I devoted my professional life to enabling people to NOT use it.

Garr devoted HIS to enabling people to use it as a thing of beauty.

It was such a relief to find someone talking about PowerPoint (or slideware – I know!) in a truly intelligent way.

The only book about PowerPoint worth reading. At all. Ever. Times infinity. Ever.

Genius.

Speak Easy (52 Brilliant Ideas): Dazzle Every Audience and Leave Them Begging for More – Barry Gibbons

Andrew Lightheart — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:09:40 +0000

(Link to Amazon.com - Link to Amazon.co.uk)

Very practical advice from a hard-working speaker. All the stuff around remembering what you’re going to say, how to use microphones, checking out your venue…

Nitty-gritty stuff I just don’t have organised answers to.

I love it when someone else does something really well so I can just refer people to it.

Speak Like a CEO: Secrets for Commanding Attention and Getting Results – Suzanne Bates

Andrew Lightheart — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:08:14 +0000

(Link to Amazon.com – Link to Amazon.co.uk)

Despite the slightly cheesy title, I was amazed at how much I agreed with what Suzanne says about presentations.

This was the first book I read on presentation skills after I decided in 2007 to read every presentation skills book published. It got my hopes up as to the standard of said books. Unfortunately, this book was only one of three that were any good.

Suzanne’s also particularly strong on how to go about answering questions, as she used to be in the media.

What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful – Marshall Goldsmith with Mark Reiter

Andrew Lightheart — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:05:34 +0000

This book lists 20 behaviours you want to stop doing if you’re going to get any better at interpersonal skills. I read this with several groans of self-recognition, and is a useful start for anyone wanting to move on in the business world. Seriously.

Us and Them: Understanding Your Tribal Mind – David Berreby

Andrew Lightheart — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:00:57 +0000

A really rich book about how we automatically categorize people around us. A little unclear as to the message, but fascinating for anyone interested in culture.

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference – Malcolm Gladwell

Andrew Lightheart — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:58:01 +0000

The book that put the phrase into the language. Not sure of the practical applications of this, but read Malcolm Gladwell for the way he tells a story and weaves together otherwise complex topics.

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking – Malcolm Gladwell

Andrew Lightheart — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:55:09 +0000

Read this to learn lessons about being interesting. It also backed up what we’ve been doing with the pattern-maker for years.

How to Work a Room: Your Essential Guide to Savvy Socializing – Susan Roane

Andrew Lightheart — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:52:43 +0000

I avoided this book for over a decade, then finally read it, and learned a lot about networking. Damn it!

Beyond Reason: Using Emotions as You Negotiate – Roger Fisher and Daniel Shapiro

Andrew Lightheart — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:49:26 +0000

(Link to Amazon.com – Link to Amazon.co.uk)

This book is great for thinking about universal human needs. Could be shorter, but reading the chapters on the six needs serves as a great checklist to begin with.