Philosophy Books

This is again a Jeffrey Liker book (although probably mostly written by Michael Hoseus). And that means that you can learn, but also that you will suffer. Because you have to understand the 'living' meaning behind the words. And that is not gooing to be easy ...
Learning items are for example:
- what is lean culture and what is the impact on business
- how to hire/select/train people and what to train
- people and organisation as work teams, team leader. But also visual management and the role of management
- HR processes including Hoshin Kanri
and so on.

This book again cannot bring you anything unless
- you have read The Toyota Way, The Toyota Way Fieldbook, Learning to see, Kaizen (Imai) and ...
- and most important, you have to be active in finding your own lean path in your organisation for at least a couple of years.

If you only read this book in your chair within practical experience, it is all time lost.
If you read it, because you are struggling within your organisation with very real issues, then this book will become alive. This is a book (as The Toyota Way is) that will be a good friend on your journey to Lean (but this friend will also ask attention and you will have to invest time for him!).

Jeff Liker has done an absolutely wonderful job of explaining the Toyota way and the cultural aspects. I worked at Nummi early on as the Program Manager for the 1989 Prism and Corolla. I could see and feel the Toyota Way but myself and my peers could not articulate it as well as Jeff has.

This is a very good book for understanding. It gives you the vision and what your organization could be. Toyota has an advantage over most compnaies because their new places do not have a legacy culture that needs to change. That is a much bigger challenge than Toyota has. You need the vision and understanding of "Why they do it" and it can fule your improvement. Hat's off to Jeff and mike.

John Casey

While more 'quality' orientated this book should be read by every safety manager too as it has application outside the production line.

Lean is not sustainable without the culture to support it. This culture is a complex amalgam of leadership values, open communication, training and development, and measures to build trust. People are the key and, indeed, the early name for the Toyota Production System was the "Respect for Humanity" system. "Toyota Culture" describes how a supportive and continuously improving culture has been developed at Toyota's American plants. The book goes into considerable detail of the "People Value Stream" at Toyota and how it is sustained and developed. It is a long book packed with insights and case studies, but there are no quick fixes here - no "do this and you'll be sorted in a year" magic pills. It's a slow process of building trust and working together. That's what lean is all about and this book is essential reading for any manager aiming to build a continuously improving lean organisation for the long term. It is true that there are no quick fixes but surely the results, and the joy of working in such an organisation, make the effort worthwhile.

Toyota Culture is the 5th book in "the Liker Toyota series". After Toyota Way, Toyota Way Fieldbook, Toyota Product Development and Toyota Talent, you would expect that there is less news to write about Toyota. Well, not true. Toyota Talent is the thickest book in the series with it's almost 600 pages of Toyota info.

Toyota Culture mainly covers HR practices and related policies. It describes this as "the people value stream". How does Toyota hire and train people (the detailed training processes are described in Toyota Talent). How do they grow inside the company. How does Toyota work with the local communities.

The book is separated in five parts:
- What is Toyota Culture?
- The Quality People Value Stream
- People Supporting Process
- Organizational Supporting Processes
- Learning from Toyota

The first part is some-of an introduction. It explores what "company culture" means by referring to the work of Ed Schein. Then it introduces "the people value-stream" which the rest of the book is organized around. Part 2 is about the value stream itself while part 3 and 4 are the supporting processes of the people value stream.

Part 2 talks about how Toyota does hiring and how they grow the people within the company. It starts with the hiring and from there onto the training part (which had some duplication with Toyota Talent) and then moved into problem solving, one of the essential parts of the Toyota culture. It ends with how Toyota builds its image and works with the local communities to improve the life of its employees.

The third part starts by looking at the Toyota organizational structure, work teams and the team leader role. From there it moves to safe workplaces and how the standard problem solving is also applied to workplace safety problems. The last 2 chapters are about visual management and servant leadership. How management acts as servants and teachers to the workers, enabling the value-added work.

The fourth part looks at organizational supporting processes and especially HR processes. Toyota still want people to have a job for life, even though this is not common outside Japan. It talks about how Toyota deals with ups and downs in resourcing and moves to HR policies and rewarding policies (an very interesting chapter!). Chapter 15 is a short introduction to Hoshin Kanri.

The last part is about learning from Toyota, the "what can you do" part which many books end with. The first two chapters describes a couple of Toyota Way implementations within Toyota itself, to try to learn from that. The last chapter (probably the best) looks at lean implementations and wonders why they fail. It tries to find general change recommendations to try to learn from Toyota while creating your own company culture.

Parts of the book were extremely good and, at other times, parts of the book were somewhat long and boring. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I had that possibility and decided to go to 5 stars since I felt the last chapter was really very good.

A couple of things that I didn't like. Most of the book talks about Toyota in the US and seldom talks about the Toyota culture in Japan. It's obvious the authors are most familiar with the Toyota US situation. Also, most of the book still has a manufacturing focus. There is very little about other functions (e.g. product development) within the book itself. The culture in the different functions is probably similar, but will also have differences. Things like organizational structures and teamwork will be different in the different functions and thats not covered.

All in all, another great Toyota book. Highly recommended for people who are interested in how Toyota works and why. I wouldn't recommend it as your first Toyota book, I'd probably then start with the Toyota Way book and move to this one after that.

I enjoyed Maira Kalman's lovely illustrations and her musings about the mysteries of the world. Having read many of her children's books, I was not surprised at her trenchant observations about the more grown-up parts of life, but I was gratefully surprised at the delicacy, poignancy and humanity of her images. Her work deserves admiration for its honest portrayal of reality, but with the wonderful twist that a real artist can bring. The Principles of Uncertainty is structured around the journal or diary form and I think it benefits from being read that way rather than reading it from front to back. It's hard to stop,once you start, but save a little for later!

This book holds a permanent place on my coffee table. It is a wonderfully illustrated and observed year in a life. Page by page, it offers captivating visual and written poetry of the everyday, as well as ruminations on "the big picture."

This isn't really a book for reading, it's a book that you'll dip in and out of, reading the humorous and sometimes touching vignettes at your whim - much like the blog that spawned this book. Some of the illustrations are better than others - I particularly like the historical portraits and full-colour pages. Nonetheless it's a beautiful illustrated book and a sweet gift for someone.

This is such a beautiful, unique book. Each time you see a picture or read a section, you think and then think again something altogether different. This is a book not to read, but to experience. Thank you Mrs. Kalman.

This is one of the most brilliant books in existance. It has weight to it, and the art & words are thought-provoking & insightful. Most of it feels tinged with a slight melancholy-- that could be just me-- but it doesn't hurt the book by a long shot. If anything, it deepens it. I'm glad i was finally able to buy it, after reading it again & again in bookstores. Definitely recommend this book.

This exceptional new ethics book is one I share with friends and students at Baylor University who are or wish to become, professional therapists, coaches, or psychologists. The book's wisdom, advice and research go way beyond any professional ethics code in existence. In a fun, engaging style peppered with colorful case histories, these highly trained and experienced authors tell us how to chart the ethical minefield that is counseling, coaching, therapy, family therapy, social work, psychiatry, or clinical psychology. But their approach is positive rather than defensive. That is, we strive to be ethical as part of our pursuit of excellence. We strive to be ethical in order to express our caring and compassion to those we help--people we care for and encourage in the same way we would like to see a loved one cared for and encouraged. Only the best will do. The best therapy or coaching is intertwined with the best ethics like stripes on a peppermint stick. Buy this book. You will not be disappointed.

This is the classic work on how to practice ethically for psychologists who engage in clinical work, teaching, research, administration, or any other domain of professional activity. Not only does if offer a thorough review of the literature on ethical behavior, it provides a truly detailed analysis of how the ethics code applies to a vast range of contexts, client types, and vexing clinical dilemmas. What's more, the book is filled with interesting, and sometimes entertaining case vignettes--many of them based on actual ethical complaints. No other book on the market for psychologists offers this combination of clarity and thoroughness. It is a must for the library of any serious psychology graduate student or psychologist. When I teach Ethics at the graduate level, it is the only text I require.

Ethics in Psychology is a graduate level textbook on the subject of ethical dilemmas in counseling. The authors definitely meet their goal in exploring the APA's Ethical guidelines and applying them pratically to the practicing therapist and academic. Their use of humorous "psuedo-psychologists" illustrate well the problem of many counselors who get themselves into ethical dilemmas each year innocently. I believe every therapist and academic should read this book at least once a year in order to minimize the ethical issues that are a part of everyday practice. Non-APA practitioners may find the book slanted toward doctoral-level therapists being the minimum for competence but there is great wisdom in this book.

The price of the book was a very good price compared to other places I've looked.

Fiero has done a wonderful job surveying history, making it enjoyable and interesting to almost any reader. With pictures of artwork and architecture, Fiero's text is enchanced, allowing the reading to gain a broader view into history from the enlightenment to modern times. As with many history books, the writer's presuppitions are reflected in their writing. Fiero follows this trend, allowing her feministic presupptions to interpret history. While this is not so evident in volumes 4 and 5, in volume 6 (a review of modern times), this view is highly stated. This series (including the first 3 volumes) is a wonderful review of history, allowing the reader to see into various cultures throughout history.

I have the first edition of this book and, unlike other professors, he did not lecture verbatim from his own book. I appreciated this.

His lectures are dynamic, humorous and insightful. His books can give you a fine taste of his vast knowledge but don't adequately reflect his excellent teaching style.

Furthermore, his material applies directly to your career. No matter what career you choose. He makes certain that there are contemporary touchstones and references. I went directly from his upper level classes into a career in PR and Marketing Communications with confidence that I would never encounter issues similar to his case studies. Wrong!

The funny thing about his writings and lectures is that they trigger epiphanies over a period of years.

I made only average grades in his classes (they are VERY difficult and I admittedly didn't always apply myself) but I am able to quote key legal cases, recall ethics case-studies and comprehend media principles that most people with years in the MarCom/PR field can't even grasp.

If you get a chance, buy any of his publications. If you feel bold and really seek some enlightenment on Media Ethics and Law issues, you should call Oklahoma Christian University and request any of his lecture videos.

If you are reading this Dr. P, I'm still waiting on your book on Media Law. I liked ethics but your media law courses rocked!

I have gone on to become an Information Technology engineer and yet still find myself applying knowledge gained from his courses. (Such as Intellectual Property law, copyrights, libel and fair use.)

In case you folks think I'm a shill, it should be noted that I haven't been in contact with Dr. Patterson since around 1991 and I'm fairly certain I was among his least-promising students, so we had no casual relationship.

Regardless of this, I credit his classes and books as the major force for saving my professional and, to some extent, my personal life, from self-destruction.

I have the first edition of this book and, unlike other professors, he did not lecture verbatim from his own book. I appreciated this.

His lectures are dynamic, humorous and insightful. His books can give you a fine taste of his vast knowledge but don't adequately reflect his excellent teaching style.

Furthermore, his material applies directly to your career. He makes certain that there are contemporary touchstones and references. I went directly from his upper level classes into a career in PR and Marketing Communications with confidence that I would never be like any of his case-studies. Wrong!

The funny thing about his writings and lectures is that they trigger epiphanies over a period of years.

I made only average grades in his classes (they are VERY difficult and I admittedly didn't always apply myself) but I am able to quote key legal cases, recall ethics case-studies and comprehend media principles that most people with years in the MarCom/PR field can't even grasp.

If you get a chance, buy any of his publications. If you feel bold and really seek some enlightenment on Media Ethics and Law issues, you should call Oklahoma Christian University and request any of his lecture videos.

If you are reading this Dr. P, I'm still waiting on your book on Media Law. I liked ethics but your media law courses rocked!

I have gone on to become an Information Technology engineer and yet still find myself applying knowledge gained from his courses. (Such as Intellectual Property law, copyrights, libel and fair use.)

In case, you folks think I'm a shill, it should be noted that I haven't been in contact with Dr. Patterson since around 1991 and I'm fairly certain I was among his least-promising students, so we had no casual relationship.

Regardless of this, I credit his classes and books as the major force for saving my professional and, to some extent, my personal life, from self-destruction.

Most books on ethics and laws are boring. And those that aren't boring usually lean towards not giving any practical information. This book, however, is different.

Each chapter has information to explain a specific ethical question, then a real-life example of how that question might come about, then more questions to stimulate responses. I had the honor of being in a Media Ethics class taught by the author, and our discussions were always A) in depth B) heated C) helpful.

If you are considering becoming a journalist, photographer, tv personality or any other sower of information, read this book. It will help you to formulate your opinions now, instead of being stuck in an ethical no-win situation later.

Read it.

I am from the Philippines and your book is one of the major references being used by the best professor and college instructor in our country. I have searched through and through but still couldn't get a copy of your book. I am in dire need to read your book. Where can i find it here ? Who are your local distributors or publisher ? pleeeassseeee help ???

I found this edition to be very helpful to me as an introduction to The Bhagavad Gita. I had to learn about the Gita quickly in preparation for helping with the Gita-inspired CD "Ocean of Consciousness" by Jeffrey Fisher...it is a dynamic, new age/bluesy work illustrating the story in music! What a gift to be introduced to the Gita and Mr. Easwaran's writing through my work!!!

This was a pretty pleasant read. For people who are studying yoga, this version makes a lot of sense. I skipped over the philosophical interpretations first then went back and reread them. I kind of want a version with the poetry all together first then a more in-depth discussion afterwards.

A great book with a strong translation. At first, I did not appreciate the introductions offered, however after reading the B. Gita, I have come to appreciate the introductions. Sometimes I read them after the section, so as to not gain a bias. The book itself is a wonderful story with a great message that everyone can benefit from. I intend to look for more versions of the B. Gita to expand my collection. I think it is important to read this book from a few different translators. So while I am happy with my first purchase of the B. Gita, it will not be my last, so I can not say if this is the best version out there.

This is the second book in Easwaran's series, Classics of Indian Spirituality, that I have read. This work is one of the most important spiritual writings ever created. Easwaran's translation is easily readable, and his introduction to the Bhagavad Gita is priceless. Easwaran had such a pleasant, inviting, and passionate way of describing the mystical experience of Self-realiztion that one is overly eager to delve into the work he is introducing in just a few pages.

Each chapter includes an introduction that is helpful. Notes on key verses are contained in the back as well as an extremely useful glossary of important terms.

I cannot aptly describe the beauty that is contained in these scriptures, so I will just highly recommend you purchase this book and experience the Gita for yourself. After being impressed by Easwaran's translations of the Dhammapada and this work, I read his book Meditation, and I'm now reading his translation of the Upanishads. I have found that this man was a true teacher of the spiritual path to Self-realization/enlightenment/God-realization (call it what you will). I recommend his works and his Eight-Point Program (found in the book, Meditation) as a genuine way for regular people with regular lives (jobs, families, bills, etc.) who have no intention of selling all their possessions and moving to the Himalayas to truly live a practical, spiritual life.

[...]

Eknath Easwaran has not understood the Gita. In fact, it is pretty evident that he had no interest in the Gita. He just wanted the use the Gita to preach his own bogus message. His explanations are so far off from the verses, that you'd wonder whether he considered himself to be smarter than God. Why else should he discard the teachings of God and put his own?

I would have given this book 5 stars but I found that when describing the normative theories I found other internet sites gave an easier to read and understand description. The case studies were eye opening and covered just about every ethical topic one would imagine could happen in a business environment. Overall, a good resource.

I purchased this book as required reading for a class and am enjoying its easy style and case studies.

The actual chapter text is a little dry and sometimes confusing, but the layout is good and the case studies at the end of the chapters are VERY interesting and thought-provoking. I may not have gotten through the class with an A if not for the way the book is so well organized and clear.

A good introduction but the professor's introductions are sycophantic, eulogizing and unbearably pedantic. The religious insinuation of Marx with Axial wise men is voluptuous and intellectually vulgar; as one of the first anti-State economists Marx deserves better. This edition is used widely by universities, so this treatment comes to no surprise.

Other recommendations:

Actually reading the volumes of Capital

The Trotsky compiled reader.

From Marx to Mises: Post-Capitalist Society and the Challenge of Economic Calculation
-- David Ramsay Steele

The Myth of National Defense
-- Hans-Hermann Hoppe

Nation, State and Economy
Theory of Money and Credit
--Ludwig von Mises

marxists.org
mises.org

(avoid the viking portable Marx, get the real deals)

Karl Marx is absolutely brilliant concerning his approach to peasant revolution. Such examples of his brilliance is China, Russia, Southeast Asia, and Cuba. Marx understood the importance of the proletarian's existence in the social order and food chain. In these selected writings, Marx discusses the manipulation of the proletarian by the bourgeois social class, the importance of a collectivist society, the failures of capitalism, the advantages of socialism, etc... Ultimately, Marx states that, with the exception of China, capitalism will evolve into perfect communism. He also states on page 175 10 characteristic of a capitalistic society evolving into communism: 1)abolition of land property and rent, 2)a progressive income tax, 3)abolition of all inheritance, 4)confiscation of property, 5)centralization of credit into the state, 6)centralization of communication, 7)state-owned businesses, 8)equal liability to all labor, 9)abolition of difference between town and country, and 10)free education in public schools. This book is an excellent edition to any student of political philosophy.

I'm taking anthropology in College, and Marx has been a big influence in the studies. One of the required textbooks was this one. It was great. It goes deep into socilogical culture analysis, communism, and religion.

i would recommend this book to anyone!

If you want to fall in love with philosophy don't read this book. An overly pretentious writing style will keep you from the concepts over and over again. Some concepts could be easily be explained in 6th grade language, but instead, is made so convoluted that you'd think it was a credit card company purposely trying to make you avoid reading the fine print. That's what this book is... a 600 page long fine print. If you like reading fine print, then this is an awesome book. Thus 2 stars total.

I had to read many of the readings from this book for my Intro to Ethics class. While it continued to stimulate my mind and make me think past what I had previously believed on many issues, I had to re-read many writings multiple times to even start to understand what was REALLY being talked about. However, when I did understand, it made the reading that much more interesting.