Chris Brady

Chris Brady took his wife and four kids to Italy. Nice for them. Unfortunately the books doesn't deliver on its offer to make this kind of experience possible for the rest of us, the non-independently-wealthy types who could never dream of dropping 150 euros on a pizza lunch, which (the offer having been made) is disappointing. It's just a travelogue of the Brady bunch and their trip. Apparently they made some kind of effort to learn a little Italian before they left the USA, or so he says, but not enough to actually read road signs. They rented a truly outsized vehicle and ignored signs designating various areas as pedestrian only -- many or most centri storici in Italy are no-vehicle zones, and even if not, a sign Centro Storico should tip you off that anything much larger than a Vespa or Ape is not going to fit on some streets. At one point Chris drove his monster van down a series of narrow and narrower laneways and ended up stuck with little old ladies yelling incomprehensible Italian at him. I wish I had been there. He would have understood what I yelled at him.

After spending many months in a small Italian city where even a normal sized car inching down the street--and I'm thinking of Via Garibaldi, one of the widest streets in the centro storico--causes pedestrians to squeeze into doorways with their children and strollers, the Bradys' escapade made me cringe. What a bunch of Americans.

Interestingly, americani stupidi translates on at least one translation site as "Americans".

As for the subtitle on my edition, "Rediscovering the art of vacation", if the art of vacation involves hubby renting a motorcycle and leaving wifie home with four kiddies, count me out. Please.

This book has to go. I get mad every time I see it on the shelf.… (altro)

I was surprised by all the rave reviews this book has gotten on goodreads. The more modest rating here on librarything seems more appropriate. While the book has some good points, it struck me as a lot of rehashing of previously rehashed concepts. That rehashing seems to be a constant in leadership books, as is what I have come to think of as quote-itis, which this book is seriously guilty of (even lists two books of quotes in the bibliography at the back). To me, those two things make for a poor quality read. They could easily have cut this book to half the length without taking out any meat. I also find the emphasis on conservative religion and politics distasteful (and prevalent) in leadership books. This book is especially guilty of the former.

The things I liked:
This book has the longest section on mentoring (in the section on Level 4 leadership) that I have ever come across.
Some of their graphic/schematic representations were quite apt. I love the "shoulder of frustration" and the "ditch of discouragement."
I also think the "character/tasks/relationships" assessment of leadership development is practical and useful.… (altro)