The Dealmaker's Ten Commandments

Book Review/Summary:

I purchased this book from Amazon after I listened to the author on an American Bar Association webinar.  I am not a "Dealmaker" in the sense that is used in the book, I don't negotiate deals for a living as a lawyer.  However, everyone is constantly negotiating in their lives and just because you are not a contract lawyer or talent manager the Ten Commandments here still hold true.  The ideas that create a successful Dealmaker in the talent industry are easily transferable to any job that lawyers are involved in.  I honestly think this should be required reading for law school students, because after sitting through Contracts I & II and a semester of Commercial Papers one know the Code, but not how to negotiate.  This book focuses more on negotiation skills, and honestly everyone can benefit from brushing up on negotiation skills.
The Tips and Self-Mastery Sections at the end of each Commandment is good self-reflection for the reader while not coming across as "Duh, you should know this!" or "Now spend an insane amount of time reflecting before the next Commandment."  They are ideas and suggestions on how to self-reflect and incorporate what you were reading into your job.  The book being about 130 pages means it is not an in depth detailed this is what you must do to be successful in being a "Dealmaker" but that is not the purpose of the book.  The purpose of the book is to realize what skills are needed and the Tips and Self-Mastery allow for the reader to determine how to incorporate, strengthen, and hone those skills as it relates to their job.
By biggest compliant with this book is that the title makes it sound like it would only be relevant for lawyers who represent talent in Hollywood.  However, if you read the book it is more about being a negotiator and that is transferable to so many jobs.  Lawyers, no matter what type of law you practice, are constantly negotiating.
For a "job book" meaning not a book I would pick up and read to decompress from work (ex. books Rick Riordan or Craig Johnston) this was a very good read.  The length also means that it could be read while traveling for work (in the car listen to the audio instead of trying to read and drive).

Book Rating:

5 our of 5 books

Suggested Reading & Viewing:

 
 

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean (Book 1) by Justin Somper

Character List:

Grace = Conner's twin sister, smart

Conner = Grace's twin brother, strong
Dexter Tempest = lighthouse keeper, father if twins Grace & Conner
Polly Pagett = matron of Crescent Moon Bay Orphanage
Lachlan Busby = Crescent Moon Bay Bank Manager
Cheng Li = pirate that rescues Conner, sails on The Diablo, does not get along with Captain Wrathe
Molucco Wrathe = Captain of The Diablo
Bartholomew = pirate on The Diablo
"Cutlass" Cate Morgan = pirate & swordswoman on The Diablo
Lorcan Furey = rescued Grace, swears to protect her
The Captain = Grace's savior
Miss Darcy Flotsam = rings the Dawning bell and the Nightfall bell


Book Review/Summary:
Starting out the twins, Grace & Conner, hear the shanty (old song) of vampirates from their father, who in the next chapter is dead.  There is no mother in the picture, and given the choice of the orphanage or being adopted by the town banker the twins decide to take to the seas.  Unfortunately, the seas separate the twins and almost kills both of them, so that a few chapters in the twins are on separate pirate ships, but convinced that the other is still alive.
There is no real set up to how close the twins are, except that it is repeatedly stated and the twins miss each other.  The ships are mysterious at first and more characters and details about the ship are revealed in alternating chapters.  It is nice to know that every other chapter or so there is a switch from Conner's view to Grace's view.  The titles of the Chapters are also revealing of something key that will happen in that chapter, introducing a new character, or an event.
Half-way through the book the twins have been separated by fate, and are trying to find their way on the ship that has rescued each one.  Grace has realized that that shanty her father would sing to them is true and what kind of ship she is really on.  Conner is torn between knowing his sister is alive and what his shipmates tell him, and decided to follow the advice of his father "Make yourself ready and trust the tide."
The story ends predictably with the twins having reunited, but potential conflict looms in the air.  The Vampirates ship has an enemy and Grace may not be willing to leave.  The Diablo has a danger new person on their ship and Conner may not be willing to leave.
The ending of the book, makes me feel as if the purpose of this book was just to lay the ground work for future books.  There is the possibility of conflict and power struggles, on both ships, but nothing really has happened in this book.  While this is not the next great masterpiece that will change the world of literature, it is a fun lighthearted read.  I have hope that the next book in the series will improve my view, or I may end the reading there.

Book Rating:
3 books out of 5

Recommended Reading:

     

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland

Review & Summary:

I will start by saying I bought this autobiography after watching A Ballerina's Tale .  I was inspired by this talented dancer to find out more about her background and what she went through, so I bought this autobiography.
My first impression as I start to read this is that while it is great that Misty is willing to share her stories she glosses over some of the challenges she faced.  While I understand it is her life and she does not have to share details, glossing over struggles makes it seem like there was no struggle.  I am hoping that as the book continues she will open up about her current life and what the world of ballet has meant to her and some of the challenges that she faced.
As the book moves on, you start to realize that while Misty is a prodigy or a natural at ballet there were other challenges that went along with it.  I don't know if it is her personality or the way she wants to view the world (or have you think she does) but she glosses over challenges and discrimination that she faced.  Making you wonder if she is either not as bothered by it as her and her co-writer want you to think or is she hiding hurt she may have felt in the past and gotten over, and does not want to relive those feelings or hurt others by talking about it.
As a reader you do appreciate more of Misty's accomplishments, because you learn more about her and how hard she worked to get where she is.  But, as Misty said in the book: when asked about the battles from her childhood she would keep answers short and sweet, because it was disheartening people knowing things about her that she didn't share or want them to know.
After reading that in Chapter Seven, I realized how hard it was for her to write this book and share things with strangers, and that might be why topics are glossed over instead of providing details of the drama.  While Misty talks of overcoming her shyness and anxiety when she is on the stage it seems off stage she still has the shyness.
Misty does discuss her struggles with racism within the world of ballet and how she has a support system.  Misty is great at pointing out who is helping her, but not letting the personal details of her private life be exposed.  While reading the majority of the book you think this is annoying or question why she glosses over topics, but in the final chapters she opens up on all the reactions she has gotten.  Reading how much criticism, bigotry, and hatred she has received at every accomplishment and when she does something in the public eye you understand why she keeps so much of her life private.  People are mentioned and memories are shared but details and in depth stories are held back.  Which makes her all the more amazing to me.

Book Rating: 5 out of 5 books

Suggested Reading/Viewing: