My overwhelming feeling upon trying to read this book (I couldn't bring myself to finish it) was sorrow that such a great idea for a book was executed so poorly. I had hoped for a cynical look at the idiocy that finds a home in so many large organizations, something along the lines of "The Devil's Dictionary" or something. Although this was clearly the intent, the reality falls short of the mark.

First off, the book is infuriatingly poorly written. It is rife with misspellings, bizarrely worded sentences, and endless repetition. Even the physical quality of the book was poor - it had a wrinkled cover and sections started falling out before I'd read fifty pages.

Still, the concept is excellent. I wonder what a good editor could have done with it....

"Mediocrity in Ten Easy Steps" by Al Michaud is a very funny book; I would file it between "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" and "The Art of Coarse Acting" -- a hilarious send up of my craft. It bristles with an iconoclastic, wincing humor as you see your friends, family, fellow workers, and especially your boss skewered and pilloried. It just may be, as you wheel around to watch your back, you'll catch a glimpse of yourself. I did. Michaud knows where of he speaks; he is writing from an active retirement following an executive career of memos and meetings in one too many boardrooms. "Mediocrity" is an ideal travel book for suitcase or backpack; begin anywhere -- if interrupted -- pick up at another point. A word of caution: you may be required to read it aloud to explain, "What's so funny?"

It's been a while since I read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" but I recall its search for a definition of "quality." What is quality? We know it when we see it -- but, what is it? Al Michaud does for mediocrity what Robert Pirzig did for quality. Looking over what I have written it would appear that I like this book -- and, I do. But to be definite and unequivocal is to stray from the true path of mediocrity. (See chapter heading: "Take No Stand.") So, I would, at this point, like to interject doubt and conclude by suggesting that the book may not be as good as I think. Upon second thought, I find I must award this book five stars and a very full moon.

Jim Cooke, actor / historian