Books

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Permalink Reply by John A. Van Doren on November 2, 2008 at 11:18am

Chase N. Sargent wrote in Fire Rescue magazine some time ago a "Read to Lead" Suggested reading to enhance your leadership skills and spirit article. I found several keepers and nuggets from his list and continually pass the list along to anyone who would "take a chance" and want to improve their leadership potential.

"Sources of Power: How people make decisions" by Gary Klien (MIT Press)

"The Oz Principal: Getting results through individual and organizational accountability" by Roger Conners, Tom Smith & Craig Hickman (Prentice Hall Press)

"Credibility: How people gain it & lose it, why people demand it" by James Kouzes & Barry Posner (Jossey-Bass)

"Leadership" by Rudolph Giuliani & Ken Kurson (Miramax Books)

"First Break All the Rules: What the world's greatest managers do differently" by Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman (Simon & Schuster)

"Good to Great: Why some companies make the leap...& others don't" by Jim Collins (Harper Collins)

"It's Your Ship: Management techniques of the best damn ship in the Navy" by Michael Abrashoff (Warner Business Books)

"Leadership Secrets of Collin Powell" by Oren Harai (McGraw-Hill)

"Anatomy & Physiology of Leadership" by Alan Brunacini and Nick Brunacini

"Corps Business: The 30 management principles of the U.S. Marines" by David Freedman (Harper Collins)

"Warfighting; The U.S. Marine Corps book os strategy" by General A.M. Gray (Currency Double Day)

"Who Moved My Cheese? An amazing way to deal with change in your work & in your life" by Spencer Johnson & Kenneth Blanchard (Putnam Adult)

Permalink Reply by Erich Roden on November 3, 2008 at 8:21am

Bobby,

Another book that flew below radar was "A Plague on Your Houses." It discussed how consultants decimated fire departments and the societal and health crises that ensued across the Country. I liked a few of the books in your reading list. I especially liked the fact that none of the pop-culture feel good books/authors were present. While "Tipping Point," "Freakonomics," and "Who Moved My Cheese" have a few good sound bites in them, they lack the quintessential of what they are talking about. A few books to add to your list, be it deep reads are, "The Black Swan" by Nassim Taleb, "The Big Sort" by Bill Bishop, and "Gut Feelings" by Gerd Gigerenzer. These are the authors that Gladwell, Levitt, and others stole their ideas from...These books tell us why we can't predict, why people go and do what they do, and why everyone knows it, respectively.

Permalink Reply by Chris Fleming on November 9, 2008 at 5:38pm

Eric,
I just ordered both "A Plague on Your Houses" and "The Into the Mouth of the Dragon". How I never heard of these books until now is crazy. It would seem to me that these books should be required reading for anyone moving up the promotional ladder or any leader in a firefighter's union. I've heard of "The Black Swan", but don't know anything about it. "The Big Sort" and "Gut Feelings", I haven't even heard of. If you could give me a little more information it would be appreciated. Stay safe.

Permalink Reply by John A. Van Doren on December 2, 2008 at 5:10am

Just got through your book list. I really liked Black Swan and Gut Feelings. Thanks...I feel even better about myself now...

Erich Roden-thehousewatch.com said:

Bobby,

Another book that flew below radar was "A Plague on Your Houses." It discussed how consultants decimated fire departments and the societal and health crises that ensued across the Country. I liked a few of the books in your reading list. I especially liked the fact that none of the pop-culture feel good books/authors were present. While "Tipping Point," "Freakonomics," and "Who Moved My Cheese" have a few good sound bites in them, they lack the quintessential of what they are talking about. A few books to add to your list, be it deep reads are, "The Black Swan" by Nassim Taleb, "The Big Sort" by Bill Bishop, and "Gut Feelings" by Gerd Gigerenzer. These are the authors that Gladwell, Levitt, and others stole their ideas from...These books tell us why we can't predict, why people go and do what they do, and why everyone knows it, respectively.

Permalink Reply by Matt Thomson on January 23, 2009 at 8:57am

This thread has been dormant for a while. No more good books?

I recently finished "To Sleep With the Angels". As a new dad it had me crying more than once. FE ran an article about the fire last month but to read the whole book will give you the personal stories of what people saw and did that day. Some of those stories are truely heartwrenching while others illustrate the true bravery, courage and compassion of the CFD firefighters and citizens who were there that day.

I think it is important that those of us in the fire service read stories like this because it helps us to keep our eye on the ball. When we get complacent about code enforcement, or allow the public to do so; that's when tragedy strikes in large numbers.

I'm reading "Random Thoughts" now, it's great. I usually leave it out on the kitchen table once a day, someone is bound to pick it up and learn something or find a new idea to try out.

Permalink Reply by John A. Van Doren on January 31, 2009 at 7:40am

I read "The Shack", "Angelas Ashes", and "Strategy and the Fat Smoker" last week. This week we have been digging out fire hydrats...no time to read this week...so sad.

Permalink Reply by Marques Bush on January 31, 2009 at 7:44am

I just finished re-reading " The Present " by Dr. Spencer Johnson.

Permalink Reply by Dave LeBlanc on January 31, 2009 at 9:42am

I just finished "The Day Donnie Hebert Woke Up" and am still in awe of the whole situation, and how much Brotherhood lives in the BFD. Keep the hankies handy.....

Permalink Reply by Mike Cervik on April 14, 2009 at 7:49pm

For me it was Pride and Ownership. Lots of awesome ideas.

Permalink Reply by Brandon Roark on July 20, 2009 at 7:16am

Rescue Men is an ok book. I found that the insight and theories into the coconut grove fire fascinating. However the author seems to suffer from an interior conflict between himself and his father, which disrupts the continuity of the storyline.

I give it a 6 out of 10, certainly worth the read however at times I found my mind wondering as the book struggled to keep my attention.

I loved Zac Unger's book "working fire". Talented writer that gets the reader "involved".

Of course my favorite book, one that I can read time and time again is Report From Engine Co. 82

Chris Fleming said:

Tim,
There is a book out called "Rescue Men" about some guys in one of the Rescue companies in The Boston F.D. I haven't read it, but I've heard it's good. Ray Downey's book "The Rescue Company" is pretty good, but more of a text book than a collection of stories. I've read "Last man Out", too. It was a great book.

Permalink Reply by Tom Londo on February 11, 2010 at 10:33am

So many books to read. Good thing I have quite a few more years before I retire. Thanks to all of you brothers for the list. Its nice to be reminded of all the men and women out there that are passionate about this job.

Stay Safe and never stop learning

Tom

Permalink Reply by John A. Van Doren on February 11, 2010 at 7:52pm

I was wondering where all the book worms were...

Tom Londo said:

So many books to read. Good thing I have quite a few more years before I retire. Thanks to all of you brothers for the list. Its nice to be reminded of all the men and women out there that are passionate about this job.

Stay Safe and never stop learning

Tom

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