Book Review: The Great War of our Time by Michael Morell
Great first hand account of recent history covering the CIAs
involvement and actions in current history. Mr. Morrell was a first hand witness and influential actor in current history. His experience ranges from being with President Bush as his intelligence
briefer during 9/11 to Libya during the Bengazi attack. His viewpoints are predictably patriotic but seem like an honest recounting of the facts. What is kind of remarkable, is that he shares
such details on Agency operations around enhanced interrogation and secret prisons. I guess this has become public with the administration disclosure, but this recounting reminds me how
dangerous it was to disclose this information. I think about the repercussions toward Americans that will likely result. The Bengazi Embassy attack sounds like State Department and
Agency screw ups. The bin Laden capture was recounted well in Panetta's book and matched up well here. His focus and stated purpose for the book is about the threat from radical Islam. I wonder
where this will go, if they will gain legitimacy and if it will divide the world. Will they become a force that can't be ignored and require action by others to address or will they crumble.
Certainly, in the current environment, actions must be taken - the book recounts what is being done. The nature of the threat is random and unpredictable, as a result, its difficult to show
success and too easy to look incompetent. Its a challenging time and a shift is happening, I foresee the leveling between developed and emerging countries with many complex changes
resulting.
Book Review: Conor O'Clery Moscow December 25, 1991
The Last Day of the Soviet Union
The book centers on a events that lead up to the dissolution of Soviet Union and the birth of the Russian Federation. It focuses on the main characters, Gorbachev, Yeltsin and
their key leadership. Using the day Gorbachev resigned as the pivot, forward and back. Starting with the Dawn, he describes the USSR that Gorbachev ran, his relationship to Yeltsin and other
world leaders. Where they live, how they travel and details of their personal lives are described to give us a good sense of who they are as people and leaders influencing the peaceful transition
from a communist regime to a confederacy of countries.
There is little discussion of the economic drivers of this change or the new freedoms that are introduced with 'glasnost' and their affect on the actions. But these are mentioned as backdrops for
the decisions. You almost wonder how much of this change was the result of Gorbachev's leadership style and affinity to the West vice maneuver's by Yeltsin and needs of those in Russia.
You get the feeling that outside influence was being asserted to drive events. Its also interesting to see what has been done and how difficult it is to undo. For instance, close states like
Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine and their deep ties and the decisions that result. For instance, the current issues with Crimea are explained well in this discussion but also show
how popular opinion's change. At the time of this change, the people of Crimean Peninsula voted to stay with Ukraine rather than today's opinion to side with Russia.
In retrospect, looking at Russia today and Putin's leadership decisions. It seems that the decision was made more because the Russians didn't like Gorbachev and took drastic actions to dissolve a
confederation rather than focusing on reforms and working together. The damage is done, Putin seems to be reconstituting the country and its influence. I hope the foundation is there to
support it.
Book Review: David Baldacci Hour Game
I like a good mystery, David Baldacci’s characters are well formed and believable (for the most part). This story introduces us to an
small Virginia community with characters we can all relate to. The wealthy family that 'owns' much of the town and the characters that support the community. Learning the character's motivations
and the underlying relationships are well developed and layered. This makes the story interesting by keeping the reader theorizing and guessing on possible
outcomes.
Book Review: Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Lincoln is probably one of the most interesting people in history. His actions set the foundation for countless leaders since him. I appreciate the author's description of his humble
leadership. Directing actions that others thought they were leading or initiated from them. Fascinating how he masterful he was at this. He made key decisions, knew when and how to
work with others who weren't entirely loyal. But realized their value and kept them involved to affect his goals. He showed tolerance and humility in the most troubled situations.
Several things I learned:
- How his candidacy came about and that all of the Republican candidates didn't attend the convention
- The origins of the Republican party replacing the Whig Party, founded bypass the Northern states with a pillar to abolish slavery
- How the Civil War came about, it was describes as initiated by the Southern States and it appeared not actively addressed by the Northern Generals during the first years of the war
- Lincoln's tolerance of Gen McClellan, Army of the Potomac and Salmon Chase, Secretary of Treasury - he eventually took action but only after significant damage to the administration
- That the mood in the country was that the founding fathers had done all that was required to establish the country that led to a lazy approach to governance resulting in leaders thinking in small terms and focus on petty issues. Sounds familiar. This was evident in the Democratic party and how they "blew their opportunity" with both the 1860 and 1864 convention. Again, sounds familiar.
- Interesting that he used his Presidential War Powers to free slaves by emancipating enemy 'property' seized from victories by the Union Army. Slaves in the North, weren't freed by the Emancipation Proclamation
Good book describing his rise from almost no where to be THE pivotal character in the second chapter of America.
Book Review: Thom Hartmann The Crash of 2016: the Plot to Destroy American and What We Can Do to Stop It
I need to write reviews while I’m reading to remember all the points. Thom is a Progressive and writes from this perspective. His arguments and views are filtered through this lense. He does
support his conclusions with facts and information, and a lot to evaluate. First and foremost, is the role of government to create opportunities and encourage social order. The author believes in
significant public sector spending to create jobs encouraging middle class. His model is the new deal created by FDR to support middle class. His argument is for investment that brings benefits
vice much of our defense spending that benefits few of the largest defense contractors and lessens impact on the populous middle class. He also asserts that “wealth redistribution” is just
fair. That when you’ve amassed $1 billion, you should give the rest to the government to support social spending. Specific means he proposes are to raise trade tariffs reversing NAFTA and
subsequent free-trade zones. And to raise taxes on earners making more money. Tax rates of >75% to $100% over a certain amount. Things instituted by Ronald Regan but continued through
Clinton and even Obama he laments.
I have concerns over the ability for everyone to succeed in our high tech workforce. Jobs like what FDR created with the CCC and other programs are not possible in today’s economy - everything’s
more complex. Building trails, improving parks and nature areas are important and still need to be done. But having young men live in camps and work on trails seems a little unimaginable today.
Maybe it could happen, parks are a good thing and they need work. I’m having trouble translating this to the present. Besides, our current government programs don’t seem to help. The jobs needed
are in science and technology. The author wants to bring back manufacturing to the US. I agree but even those will be high skilled jobs. The author has solutions in mind - I’ll give him that. It
might be worth a try, but I think our problems are deeper than a good job. But a good job is a great start!
Areas where I agree are in moving toward renewable energy and transforming our transportation infrastructure toward shared vehicles and electric vehicles. Not because of climate change, but for
common sense reasons. More people moving to urban centers need a different mode of transportation than people living in suburbs, small towns and rural. Not everyone needs their own car, and urban
planners need to plan and build around efficient public transportation solutions as exist in most of the rest of the developed world. Even my commute, living in Denver, would be twice as long on
public transportation than my own vehicle. On renewable energy, as a kid decades ago, I remember reading an article in Popular Science - one of my favorites. they imagined a near future without a
central public power grid. Each home would have its own power generation capability. At that time, it was a home nuclear reactor but solar with battery is now possible and practical as our
infrastructure ages and decays.
Overall, I agree that a market correction is likely and the risks of not supporting a strong middle class increases both economic and societal risks. But, I don’t think more government
programs support the these goals and put more on the line if we take away personal incentives.
Book Review: The E Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
The author describes the problems experienced by most startups and entrepreneurs. They make the company about them and their passion. They "give themselves a job" as a technician, a do-er in
their company. That results in burn-out as a company based on the talents of an individual can't be sustained. Since the company is about the person or the product, its capacity to sustain itself
is based solely on the individual. I think about 2 restaurants, first my Uncle Frank's in Mystic Connecticut. It was dependent on him and a few others to sustain - it was a family business
providing an income and service to the community. Everyone could and did contribute but it ended with him. Then, in Leon Panetta's book Worthy Fights, he characterizes his growing up with parents
running a family restaurant and the opportunities it created. The result wasn't more restaurants or even sustaining the one. Rather it was using the funds to purchase property in
post-war California developing a rental market in a military community and getting out of the restaurant business. Neither is better than the other, but I use them as models of how they used the
concepts discussed in this book. Neither really did and neither created a sustainable business beyond themselves except that property in Carmel Valley California became very valuable and left a
legacy of wealth for the Panetta family. Right place, right decisions and the right time.
Michael Gerber discusses the three personalities and how to be each one: the Entrepreneur; the Manager and the Technician. How companies are most often started by Technicians who want to
execute their craft, their way. And how this can't scale or sustain until the Technician steps back and determines that they aren't the business, neither is their product. The business is the
business. To create value there must be a product and a repeatable process for delivering that product that can be done by the "least skilled person possible". This, the author contents is the
way to creating a valuable company that can scale and succeed. And notes that not doing this results in frustration and failure. Working ON your business means creating organizations the result
in improvements through innovation - things that make your product/service different and valued by the customer. Along with a means of sustaining and improving on it through Innovation. Second is
a means of Quantifying your value by creating and tracking metrics to test Innovations value when implemented. Third is Orchitestration focusing on managing and sustaining the
business.
Despite my aversion to "process" I can see the value in creating standards for delivery and the strength that comes from knowing work is defined and your team knows how to get it done. For me
this is helpful in 2 ways, first since I'm often a technician - solutions I create don't live beyond my involvement. Second, as my skills wain, I need to count on others and create 'systems' for
their success so that I can take on greater roles and realize corresponding success. Good advise on how to view your business, understanding what limitations you have as an individual
in running, delivering and sustaining your business. Good for both entrepreneurs as well as business leaders in larger organizations to know how you can contribute through others to broaden your
impact.
Carsons Kaloko Cabin
Pros:
- location, just 15 minutes from Kailua Kona
- rain forest jungle setting
- cabin, simple and well appointed
Cons:
- far from the beach
- no pool
- no place for clothes
Carson’s cabin was our own Shangri La in the Hawaiian jungle for the week. The air is clear and fresh in the up country. At nearly 3000 feet above the ocean its cooler and very comfortable.
Highs were in the 70’s, lows in the evening dropped to about 60. We put on a sweatshirt and were comfortable. The cabin includes a wood stove and a gas heater which was good to take the
dampness out of the air. The cabin felt a lot like camping in upstate NY in the summer where I grew up. Cool, damp, heavy dew in the morning. The big difference was the the type of forest
and animals. Chickens, geckos and our hosts dogs and cats were the only writers we could see. the jungle floor was thick, we couldn’t see a lot down there.
The cabin was an oasis, broad and deep front porch, wonderful sun deck surrounded by the forest. It reminded us of home we once owned in Colorado (in the summer). Nearby was a nice trail in
the Honuala forest with a large network of trails. We found 2 geocaches up in the forest. the main trail is about 2 miles one way and pretty flat, good for a trail run if you like. At the
end of Ha’o is the Mountain Thunder coffee plantation. They provide free samples and tours on the hour, its worth a stop. Try the Vienna roast, 100% Kona.
the cabin itself is rustic, but has everything you need. Internet is provided by a Verizon MiFi, adequate for everything except streaming. Dish TV and a DVD player, fully-stocked kitchen and gas
grill. The only knock was there’s no space fro putting your clothes away. You’ll need to live out of your suitcases. So, if you bring a lot you’ll be stepping over it. Scott, our host says he’s
adding a hot tub soon. That should be a nice addition to the cabin. We hope to come back and check it out. Great location, close to Kona, but away from it all!
Mango Suite Kailua Review
Kailua is a great beach town! The Mango Suite is a quiet place to enjoy the beach (< 1/2 mile walk) and the famous Kalapawai Market. The room itself is comfortable with everything you need,
great bathroom and small kitchenette with a microwave, coffee maker and fridge. Enough for a light breakfast or snack. The best part of the suite, was the private lanai. There an enclosed garden
with a large overhang for shade or rain. The pavers are a cool gecko shapes accessed from a secret gate from the front yard. The home has a pool, but this suite doesn’t have access
to it, kind of a bummer.
Allison was a great host, everything was provided, beach towels, chairs, beach umbrella, boogie boards … everything you need!
Book Review: Tom Clancy Support and Defend by Mark Greaney
This is a story resembling the Edward Snowden case describing a young whistle blower thinking he’s doing it for altruistic reasons, working with press. The story line is focused on what happens
when he leaks information and when he flees. It doesn’t lay an in-depth foundation for his reasons, except to liken it to the Snowden case, describing him as a young ideologue with a world-view
born out of common liberal beliefs and distrust for US power. It characterizes him as egotistical and selfish.
What I find interesting is how international espionage elements work together and apart to confuse and manipulate events. Everyone’s got a reason to manipulate the situation, some multiple
reasons. The Snowden character, operating out of ego and self-righteous beliefs is manipulated by press with similar beliefs but aided by nation-states that clearly don’t share their
beliefs. I like the fiction describing what could have happened to Snowden when he made his run to Hong Kong and Russia. The story even cites a source for the vulnerability coming from an expert
from Booz Allen, Snowden’s employer at the time of his departure.
This story is clearly on the side of maintaining secrecy and the risk of inappropriate disclosure. It casts the Snowden character as reckless and manipulated by foreign powers. To me, the story
rings true. I think there is a place for maintaining privacy of nation-state information. While the disclosure didn’t cast the US government is a good light, the information disclosed it out of
context and is one-sided. To think other nations don’t and wouldn’t is naive. This story tells a *possible* story behind the story elements of which are believable. What isn’t believable is the
rapid response from multiple international players. Real-time responses to live events is possible but unlikely.