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Chairman's Circle Library
See what the Birmingham area's
top business leaders are reading
These key individuals and their organizations represent the top echelon of membership in the Chamber and enable the Chamber to perform successfully for the region. Here's what they are reading:
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John Beard President, Alacare Home Health and Hospice |
Shane Spees President and CEO, Baptist Health System |
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Ty Dodge President and CEO, Realty South |
Bill Taylor President and CEO, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. |
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Jay Grinney President and CEO, HealthSouth |
W. Lee Thuston Managing partner, Burr and Forman LLP |
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Thomas Hamby President, AT&T Alabama |
Mary Valenta Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, O'Neal Steel |
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Susan Huff CEO, Liberty National Life Insurance Company |
Paul Vercher Manager of public policy and governmental affairs, U.S. Steel |
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Alan Rogers Partner, Balch & Bingham LLP |
Andrew Westmoreland President, Samford University |
John Beard
President, Alacare Home Health and Hospice
"Egonomics:
What makes Ego our Greatest Asset (or Most Expensive Liability)," by David
Marcum and Steve Smith. Arrogant, self-centered, stubborn, and
insecure - words that most people associate with ego. But in this
original, eye-opening work, authors David Marcum and Steven Smith argue that the
upside of ego is as powerful as the downside and answer questions about ego that
have been a mystery to most people.
What the critics say: "I loved this book. Reveals in depth and originality how to deploy this basic force for self-development and the common good." - Dr. Warren Bennis, professor of business, University of Southern California
"Leadership
Brand," by Dave Ulrich and Norm Smallwood. In "Leadership Brand," Dave
Ulrich and Norm Smallwood show how branded leadership delivers unique value for
firms' investors, customers, and employees-elevating market value and creating a
sharp competitive edge.
What the critics say: "The authors lay out a straightforward six-step process of creating a leadership brand." - The New York Times
"Winning
the Game of Life," by Tom Gegax. Winning in the Game of Life, Gegax's
self-designed, revolutionary plan merges the lessons of home and work into
lessons of life. This unified approach helps you identify your purpose in
life—your guiding mission—and teaches you how to put it into play.
What the critics say: "Tom Gegax has a particular talent for making real what others can only imagine." - Deepak Chopra, author of "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
Ty Dodge
President and CEO, Realty South
"To Kill a Mockingbird," by Harper Lee.
At
the age of 8, Scout Finch is an entrenched free-thinker. She can accept her
father's warning that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, because mockingbirds
harm no one and give great pleasure. The place of this enchanting, intensely
moving story is Maycomb, Alabama. Her father, Atticus, is a lawyer with
unfaltering good will and humor. Because Atticus is what he is and lives where
he does, he and his children are plunged into a conflict that indelibly marks
their lives—and gives Scout some basis for thinking she knows just about as much
about the world as she needs to.
What the critics say: "It's one of the finest books ever written...If it's been a while since your read it, read it again." - Sessalee Hensley
"Leadership
Lessons of Robert E. Lee," by Bill Holton.
In "Leadership Lessons of
Robert E. Lee," the great Civil War general's qualities are considered as
examples of what each of us, as aspiring leaders and perfecting human beings,
can become. In this book, Bill Holton proposes that within all of us are the
high qualities that Lee possessed, and that these qualities are operating at
various stages of dormancy and activity in our own professional and personal
lives.
What the critics say: No reviews available.
"Devotions
for Couples," by Patrick Morley.
Both profound and practical, these 120
devotional readings will help you apply biblical truths to deepen your
relationship, communicate better, understand each other, learn about what pulls
you apart and how to stay together, raise you children and share a future filled
with grace, faith, growth and appreciation of one another.
What the critics say: "'Devotions for Couples' will give husbands and wives a track to run on and will be a door-opener for many interesting and in-depth conversations." - Dave and Claudia Arp, "Marriage Alive"
Jay Grinney
President and CEO, HealthSouth
"Homo
Politicus," by Dana Miller. Deep within the forbidding land encircled by the
Washington Beltway lives the tribe known as Homo Politicus. Normal Americans
have long feared them, with good reason. But fearless anthropologist (and
Washington Post columnist) Dana Milbank has spent many years immersed in the
dark heart of Washington D.C. and has produced this portrait of a bizarre
culture.
What the critics say: "What elevates Homo Politicus above the level of mimicry are Mr. Milbank's bone-dry phrasing and keen instinct for the finishing stroke." - The New York Times
"Dog
Man," by Martha Sherrill. How one man's consuming passion for dogs saved a
legendary breed from extinction and led him to a difficult, more soulful way of
life in the wilds of Japan's remote snow country
What the Critics say: "'Dog Man' evokes the ancient myths: deep and quite like high mountains in snow. Morie Sawataishi has learned from his beloved Akitas to embrace the wild. Read this book and feel that power." - Neenah Eillis, author of "If I live to be 100"
Thomas Hamby
President, AT&T Alabama
"Sharpe's
Prey," by Bernard Cromwell is part of a series of historical adventure novels
regarding the British and their wars with Spain, France and India in the 1800s.
What the critics say: "If the historical novel presently appears to be
undergoing a renaissance, Bernard Cornwell, no less than Patrick O'Brian, is one
of the reasons ... Sharpe's Prey gives us a vivid account of a little-remembered
episode in History." - Washington Post
Susan Huff
CEO, Liberty National Insurance Company
"Become
a Better You," by Joel Osteen. In this new book, "Become a Better You," Joel
Osteen offers seven simple yet profound action steps that will help readers
discover the better things they were born for...their individual purpose and
destiny. As charming and passionate on the page as he is in person, Osteen
incorporates key biblical principles, devotions, and personal testimonies that
will uplift and enlighten readers.
What the critics say: "This is a kind of sequel to Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential. Both books exemplify the distinctively American take on conservative Christianity existing at least since the days of evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson." - Library Journal
Alan Rogers
Partner, Balch & Bingham LLP
"Manhunt:
The 12 day chase for Lincoln's killer," by James L. Swanson. The murder of
Abraham Lincoln set off the greatest manhunt in American history - the pursuit
and capture of John Wilkes Booth. From April 14 to April 26, 1865, the assassin
led Union cavalry troops on a wild, 12-day chase from the streets of
Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of
Virginia.
What the critics say: "James Swanson has written a terrific narrative of the hunt for Lincoln's killers that will mesmerize the reader from start to finish just as the actual manhunt mesmerized the entire nation. It is a triumphant book." - Doris Kearns Goodwin
"The
Coldest Winter," by David Halberstam. Halberstam uses his unrivalled
research and formidable journalistic skills to shed light on a dark corner in
our history: the Korean War. "The Coldest Winter" is a successor to "The
Best and the Brightest".
What the critics say: "The 'Coldest Winter' is a superb conjoining of all the factors of this tragic war: the military tactics and strategy of both sides; the international diplomacy; the internal politics; the personalities of the various players. A great work." - Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.), co-author of "We Were Soldiers Once."
"The
Self Destructive Habits of Good Companies," by Jagdish Sheth.
Why do so many good companies engage in self-destructive behavior? This book
identifies seven dangerous habits even well-run companies fall victim to - and
helps you diagnose and break these habits before they destroy you.
What the critics say: "This book will help every manager who thinks they are doing just fine. Bad habits can creep up on a company until they sap its effectiveness and destroy its profitability. This is the right check list to make sure you are not crippling your own company." - Newt Gingrich
Shane Spees
President and CEO, Baptist Health System
"Leading
Change," by John P. Kotter. Geared toward managers and business students,
this leadership guide identifies an eight-step process that companies must go
through to achieve their goals.
What the critics say: "'Leading Change' provides valuable insights that will benefit any organization contemplating or undertaking major changes to position itself to compete successfully in the global marketplace today and into the 21st century." - Stanley C. Gault, chairman of the board, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
"The
Appeal," by John Grisham. In a crowded courtroom in Mississippi, a jury
returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic
waste into a small town’s water supply. The company appeals to the Mississippi
Supreme Court, whose nine justices will one day either approve the verdict or
reverse it. Who are the nine? How will they vote? Can one be replaced before the
case is ultimately decided?
What the critics say: "…[Grisham] focuses on the absurdity, no matter which side you are on, of judicial elections. Unlike a lot of novels and TV docudramas that selectively latch onto facts to create a false picture, The Appeal delivers a real picture of a real problem. And, it all goes down easily because he spins it around such a gripping tale." - The New York Times
Bill Taylor
President and CEO,
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc.
"Double
Cross," by James Patterson. Alex Cross rejoins the police force to face the
most diabolical villain he's ever encountered - a serial killer with a hunger
for mega-celebrity. Just when the detective thought his life was calming down,
he finds himself back in the game - this time to catch a criminal mastermind
like no other.
What the critics say: "The story is exhilarating and intense, and Patterson's writing is as solid as it's ever been." - NightsAndWeekends.com
"Blink,"
by Malcolm Gladwell. In this best-seller, a staff writer for The New
Yorker weighs the factors that determine good decision-making. Drawing on
recent cognitive research, Gladwell concludes that those who quickly filter out
extraneous information generally make better decisions than those who discount
their first impressions.
What the critics say: "Readers acquainted with Gladwell's articles and his 2000 bestseller The Tipping Point will have high anticipations for this volume; those expectations will be met." - Howard Gardner, The Washington Post
W. Lee Thuston
Managing Partner, Burr and Forman LLP
"Death
by Jury," by John Lutz. Private Investigator Alo Nudger is hired by an
attorney to learn about the client he is defending on a murder charge. The
defendant's wife has disappeared and the police believe that her wealthy husband
killed her. But despite his guilt, the husband seems strangely unconcerned.
What the critics say: No reviews available.
"The
Motive," by John Lescroart. Hardy and Glitsky are embroiled in a murder that
begins in the upper echelons of San Francisco society, where money and political
influence collide. It starts with a double homicide. Because of the high
profiles of the victims - a politically connected socialite and his glamorous
fiancée - the mayor of San Francisco herself demands that a high-ranking
detective be put on the case. And so Abe Glitsky is thrust into the
controversial investigation. Dan Cuneo, the officer already working the case, is
immediately wary of Glitsky and doesn't hide his distrust.
What the critics say:
"...a smashing legal thriller that surpasses anything
Grisham ever wrote and bears comparison with Turow." - The Washington Post
"All
the Money in the World," by Peter Bernstein and Annalyn Swan. Published to
coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Forbes 400, All the
Money in the World, the work of a team of prominent editors and business
writers, goes behind the celebrated list to paint a vivid and revealing portrait
of the wealthiest Americans of the past quarter century. The book shows how the
superrich succeed, how fortunes are made in various industries, and how, once
made, they are saved, enhanced, and sometimes squandered.
What the critics say: "Their determination (Forbes 400 members) is inspiring as well as contagious, and public library audiences, business historians, and fellow Forbes 400 members will delight in reading about the various methods these people employed to achieve wealth." - Caroline Geck, Library Journal
Mary Valenta
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, O'Neal Steel
"Madame
Curie: A Biography," by Eve Curie.
Marie Sklodowska Curie (1867-1934) was
the first woman scientist to win worldwide acclaim and was, indeed, one of the
great scientists of the 20th century. Written by Curie's daughter, the
renowned international activist Eve Curie, this biography chronicles Curie's
legendary achievements in science, including her pioneering efforts in the study
of radioactivity and her two Nobel Prizes in Physics and in Chemistry.
What the critics say: "The actual record of Marie Curie's life is epic. Eve Curie writes that epic movingly." - Chicago Tribune
"Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Business Creativity," by Michael Michalko.
In hindsight, every great idea seems obvious. But how can you be the person who
comes up with those ideas? Thinkertoys makes it easier, with more than 30
meticulously outlined techniques, and hundreds of hints, tricks, tips and tales
to turn anyone into a startlingly creative thinker.
What the critics say: No reviews available.
"To Kill a Mockingbird," by Harper Lee.
At
the age of 8, Scout Finch is an entrenched free-thinker. She can accept her
father's warning that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, because mockingbirds
harm no one and give great pleasure. The place of this enchanting, intensely
moving story is Maycomb, Alabama. Her father, Atticus, is a lawyer with
unfaltering good will and humor. Because Atticus is what he is and lives where
he does, he and his children are plunged into a conflict that indelibly marks
their lives—and gives Scout some basis for thinking she knows just about as much
about the world as she needs to.
What the critics say: "It's one of the finest books ever written...If it's been a while since your read it, read it again." - Sessalee Hensley
Paul Vercher
Manager of public policy and governmental affairs, U.S. Steel
"A Season on the Brink," by John Feinstein chronicles the 1985-86 season
Feinstein spent following the Indiana Hoosiers and their coach, Bobby Knight.
The author's all access look into the season captures the drama of big-time
college basketball and Knight's struggle to avoid a losing season.
What the critics say: "Perhaps the best basketball book ever written - a
riveting work." - Dayton Daily News/Journal-Herald
"Charlie
Wilson's War," by George Crile is the true story of how a Texas congressman and
a rogue CIA agent conspired to launch the biggest, meanest and most successful
CIA campaign ever - the operation to fund the mujahideen in their fight against
the Soviet army that had invaded Afghanistan.
What the critics say: "A tour de force of reporting and writing. Tom Clancy's fiction pales in comparison with this amazing, mesmerizing story." - Dan Rather
Andrew Westmoreland
President, Samford University
"Meditations,"
by Marcus Aurelius. Few ancient works
have been as influential as the "Meditations" of Marcus Aurelius, philosopher
and emperor of Rome (A.D. 161–180). A series of spiritual exercises filled with
wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behavior, it
remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever
written.
What the critics say: "A remarkably straightforward and readable translation of the passing thoughts, maxims, and musings of a man by nature a saint and sage, by profession an emperor and warrior." - Barnes & Noble
"unChristian,"
by David Kinnaman. Based on
groundbreaking Barna Group research, unChristian uncovers the negative
perceptions young people have of Christianity and explores what can be done to
reverse them.
What the critics say: "This is a wonderful, thoughtful book that conveys difficult truths in a spirit of humility. Every Christian should read this, and it will likely influence churches for years to come." - Publishers Weekly
"The
Future of Management," by Gary Hamel.
Hamel argues that organizations need management innovation now more than ever.
Why? The management paradigm of the last century-centered on control and
efficiency-no longer suffices in a world where adaptability and creativity drive
business success. To thrive in the future, companies must reinvent management.
What the critics say:
"His casual and frank writing style makes
this akin to a one-on-one management master-class he is holding for you every
morning for a week at Starbucks. No decaf allowed." - USA Today