One-Page Business Plan

By Mark R. Smith

Mark Smith delivers an extremely helpful and concise overview of a business plan with a practical template for writing one. Mark provides the introductory "what it is" with enough "how to" to help any prospective start-up cover the essential aspects of a thorough and compelling business plan. This resource is a thinking-person's tool to work through the business planning process. Mark combines his Stanford MBA smarts with two decades of business start-up expertise to deliver a tool that is easy to read, but will require careful thinking to complete. I found it extremely helpful as I work to expand and monetize my website and "brand."

On Power

By Robert A. Caro

Robert Caro has devoted a lifetime to analyzing political power in lives of Robert Morris and Lyndon B. Johnson. Here, in his own voice, he shares some of those key moments. Caro gives us a glimpse into the factors that motivated him to purse Morris and Johnson. He lets us see some of his research and writing methodology. And he provides his unique perspective on political power, how it is employed for good and ill, and consequences both intended and unintended that occur in its wake. "On Power" is fascinating listening (and learning).

Reaching For Glory

By Michael Beschloss

Reaching For Glory by Michael Beschloss is "required reading" (listen to the audio version for an extra bonus as it includes LBJ's own voice) for those who want to better understand the enigmatic life that is Lyndon Johnson. Covering the years 1964-1965, Beschloss gives us the unvarnished and "uninterpreted" voice of Johnson, Lady Bird, and many of his associates. I especially appreciated the Editor's Note (some of Beschloss research methodology), the Cast of Characters (listing key players of the time), and the Appendix (some of Johnon's "ramblings" from 1969 as he reflected on his time in the Oval Office. Unfortunately, the Audible version is abridged only so one who would follow both the written and audible versions will have their work cut out for them. That said, it was worth all the time to follow both, which I did.

Leading Without Power

By Max De Pree

You don't really read Max De Pree, you just pull up a chair and soak up the wisdom that pours from his pages. While Mr. De Pree passed from this world in August of 2017, his legacy (he addresses the topic of legacy in this book) lives on, in part, in his writings. De Pree writes, "I have written Leading Without Power: Finding Hope in Serving Community in the hope that it will in some modest way help nonprofit organizations and the people in them understand leadership in a new light." As one serving in a nonprofit sector, I say, "Mission accomplished!" But these insights should not be reserved only for those in the not-for-profit tribe. No matter where you lead, pick up this book. I suspect you will be highlighting and making multiple notes with a view to serving better through your leadership.

The Midnight Line

By Lee Child

This may be my favorite Reacher to date. Reason? Lee Child dedicates The Midnight Line to those recipients of the Purple Heart and then precedes to show us the duty, heroism, and costs that lie behind the honor. Never one to lay down "simple morals" (Reacher has his own moral code), Lee Child makes the reader grapple with the unintended consequences of war and the scars both physical and psychological, they leave. Not simple. Entertaining in the Lee Child/Jack Reacher way, this volume seems to me to be the most mature Reacher (he is aging) with respect to life and what it's all about.

Turning Points

By Mark A. Noll

Mark Noll provides a splendid overview of the decisive moments in the history of Christianity. Get ready for a fascinating (yet dizzying) list of key characters, dates, and events. Those used to looking at the history of Christianity through Western eyes are will appreciate the way he broadens their understanding of God's work throughout the world, yet the way he frames that work through key moments is a great contextual and historical aid.

Leadership Secrets from the Executive Office

By George Hathaway

George Hathaway provides practical, doable compendium of suggestions/principles for improving one's leadership. The quotes are worth the price of the book (though I wish they were sourced). My suggestion is to take one of his suggestions each day, reflect on it, and then work to apply it in one's work context. I liked this: "Be a leader--demand good answers. Your staff will grow accustomed to preparing answers to the difficult questions, and this will only help make everyone more productive." Page 138.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue

By Kate DiCamillo

A delightful tale about Mercy the pig and the interesting cast of characters who surround her: Mr. & Mrs. Watson (love is blind); Eugenia and Baby (aging spinsters who have conflicting opinions about Mercy); and Lorenzo and Ned (firefighters determined to do their job to their bestest). The illustrations by Chris Van Dusen are outstanding and help bring Kate DiCamillo's entertaining story to life. I read this to my granddaughter and it kept her delightfully wonderfully engaged the entire time.