Exploring Extreme Programming
Spade and Archer: The Prequel to Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon, by Joe Gores. Knopf, 2009. This prequel attempts to revive the classic Sam Spade and other characters. It’s a decent read. The characters generally echo of Hammett’s voice although Continue reading Review – Spade and Archer
Exploring Requirements: Quality Before Design, Donald C. Gause and Gerald M. Weinberg. 1989, Dorset House. This book is an exploration not just of gathering requirements, including the challenges of ambiguity. The authors describe how to clarify expectations by using functions, attributes, Continue reading Review – Exploring Requirements
Stacking the Deck. Bryan Berg with Thomas O’Donnell. Fireside, 2003. If you’d like to see some amazing card-stacking by a world-class expert, this is the book for you. It’s got lots of great pictures of some amazing structures, and instructions Continue reading Review – Stacking the Deck
How to Systematize the Day’s Work – The System Company, 1911. (Seems to be equivalent to How to Double the Day’s Work (or this version) by P. W. Lennen) I’ve been studying personal productivity books, and this is the oldest one I own. (You Continue reading Review – How to Systematize the Day’s Work
Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality, Bob Walsh. Apress, 2008. Walsh defines a Micro-ISV as a small, self-funded internet business. This book touches on a number of topics, including programming, choosing a domain name, company formation, and marketing. There are Continue reading Review – Micro-ISV
The Sciences of the Artificial (3/e), Herbert A. Simon, MIT, 1996. The Tree of Knowledge, Humberto R. Maturana and Francisco J. Varela, Shambhala, 1992. These books represent two very different approaches to understanding the nature of intelligence. Simon comes from Continue reading Review – The Sciences of the Artifical, The Tree of Knowledge
Voice Lessons to Go: Volume 1 – Vocalize and Breathe Voice Lessons to Go: Volume 2 – Do Re Mi Ear and Pitch Training By Ariella Vaccarino. These CDs are designed to help improve your singing voice. For me, Continue reading Review – Voice Lessons to Go
Hot, Flat, and Crowded, Thomas Friedman. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008. The author of The World is Flat looks at the implications of globalization, the impact that a global middle class will have on energy in the future. Rather than Continue reading Review – Hot, Flat, and Crowded
Getting the Right Things Done. Pascal Dennis. LEI, 2006. A lean thinking book about “strategy deployment” – planning and execution. It’s in the form of a story mixed with explanation. Touches on a variety of tools: “True North,” PDCA, catchball, Continue reading Review – Getting the Right Things Done
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Stephen R. Covey. Fireside, 1989. I avoided this book for a long time, just assuming it was a rehash of personal-affirmation type platitudes. Instead, I found the habits and the book to be Continue reading Review – The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People