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Book reviews for "Slater,_Robert" sorted by average review score:

Magic Cancer Bullet: How a Tiny Orange Pill May Rewrite Medical History
Published in Hardcover by HarperCollins (03 June, 2003)
Authors: Daniel Vasella and Robert Slater
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The Inside Story
This is an excellent account of the way things really happen. The media sometimes beats the political drum so loudly about the pharmaceutical industry being an evil empire that the other side of the story is never heard. Here is an inside look from the perspective of dedicated scientists, committed business executives, and the people they serve. If you want to base your opinions on all aspects of the issue, this is required reading.

This book will offer you an inside view....
As an employee within the pharmaceutical industry, this book will offer the reader an inside view of how a product goes from the research phase to finally, the consumer. As a father to a child with cancer, this book offers hope that someday a cure will be developed to eliminate cancer. A must read!

Gleevec Book
As someone who has CML, the disease that Gleevec was developed for, and as someone for whom Gleevec has been a life-saver, I can attest to the the fact that this book is a valuable and interesting read.

This book makes note of the important part the internet played in the rapid FDA approval of this "proof of concept" drug. It also tells the personal story of how several persons that have used this drug lives' have been affected. Some parts of this book may bring tears to your eyes.

It is becoming apparent that Gleevec will be of help against several other diseases, besides just CML.

As a "proof of concept" drug, Gleevec is truly unique, promising and exciting, and that fact alone makes the telling of its story so worthwhile.

I am totally satisfied with this book, and am glad that I bought it.


Portraits in Silicon
Published in Paperback by MIT Press (15 February, 1989)
Author: Robert Slater
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The People Behind the Computers
The book starts with a brief bio of Charles Babbage from the nineteenth century and then continues with twenty-seven twentieth century masterminds behind computer software, hardware, and business models. Each subject receives ten to twelve well-written pages by prolific journalist Robert Slater - Von Neumann and Shannon, Mauchly and Aiken, Shockley and Cray, Gates and Jobs, Backus and Knuth, and many others.

This book is for the serious reader, interested in the history of science and technology.

The book is part of my 900-volume library on science and technology, and I strongly recommend it. With the short chapters on each subject, the book would make a good gift - something to be carried in a brief case on long trips.

Very good book.
This is the choice when you need to know how the computer came possible.

Necessary Reading For Computer Types
This book is a series of bibliographic essays on the people behind the computer revolution. The subjects range from hardware builders to software writers to those that expanded the uses of computers. If you are a computer enthusiast, a lover of history or just a fan of a good book, this is definite reading.


Get Better or Get Beaten
Published in Hardcover by McGraw-Hill Trade (26 February, 2001)
Author: Robert Slater
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More of the Same from Robert Slater
I previously read "Jack Welch and the GE Way", also by Slater and published in 1999, but I never read the original version of "Get Better or Get Beaten". This newer version of "Get Better..." contained a substantial amount of material that was already covered in more detail in "the GE Way" book. Except for some of the material covering events since 1999, I think "the GE Way" was a better choice of the two, especially if you're looking for more detail and analysis. In many ways I felt like I was just re-reading the other book. On the other hand, if you're looking for sort of the 'Cliff Notes' version and want some good insight into Six Sigma, this newer, smaller work by Slater is certainly satisfactory. There's only marginal benefit to reading both of these.

Simple, strategic and to the point
This is the first GE's Jack Welch book I ever read. I bought it because the title is so far the best amongst its keens, "Get Better or Get Beaten", which is a norm in today's competitive world. Remarkably, the content is of the same quality as its title. It is so well written that I finished it in 1.5 day.

In fact, the core concepts or the secrets are nothing new. Quality and Re-engineering gurus like Peter Drucker, Philip Crosby, Tom Peters etc had stressed the importance of quality, customer orientation, corporate culture, employee involvement blah blah blah for decades. It's just that Jack Welch has been so successful a real life practitioner and advocate that nobody can neglect. Think about the 6 sigma phenomenon and you know what I mean.

In case you just want to know the secrets without the elaboration, or that you cannot afford one, go to the table of content (Thanks to Amazon) and have a look. All the secrets are already there. (Sorry, Mr. Slater). However, I still think it is a good collectible for your personal library.

p.s. I had worked in an acquired subsidiary of a Fortune 20 company. I am sorry that what happened there was far from what Mr. Welch preached. The result is: The leader five years ago (when it was acquired) is now the fifth in the market.

Get Better, And Then Get Even Better
This is one of the few best books on leadership I have read in a long, long time. The others, which compliment this book are Jack Welch's book, "Jack", and Norman Thomas Remick's book on the philosophy behind all the good advice from Mr. Slater and Mr. Welch called "West Point". Read "Get Better" to get better, then read the others to get even better yet. And what's nice about it, they're all available right here on Amazon.com.


Living With Multiple Sclerosis: A Handbook for Families
Published in Paperback by Hungry Minds, Inc (10 June, 1994)
Authors: Robert Shuman, Janice Schwartz, and Robert J. Slater
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Practical insight for family understanding & communications
An eye-opener of a book, offering not psycho-babble, but genuine insight into the coping mechanisms, both helpful and hindering, that patients and families often use in the path to adapting to the changes incurred by chronic illness. Not just for those with MS, this book offers general insights into the challenges of physical and emotional adaptation to crises in life that everyone endures. It offers insight into forging a stronger familial bond, through working together through the crisis. Real examples of successes and failures at communication, which affect so much of the adaptive cycle, fill the book. There is much encouragement to be realistic, and helps to find the middle ground between denial and hopelessness.If you've ever despaired over the words, "you're not fighting this hard enough" you will find encouragement here. If you have felt your life will never again have meaning, you will find encouragement here.

Also contains helpful hints on practical physical issues.

An excellent read for those newly diagnosed with MS.
This book offers a realistic view of life with MS. Its refreshing approach to this subject, with andedotes from others with and those who live with them, offers a great information by ways of nutrition, treatment and mental issues.


Great Jews in Sports
Published in Hardcover by Jonathan David Pub (01 January, 1992)
Authors: Robert Slater and Red Auerbach
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Encyclopedic!
Outside the names of Sandy Koufax and Mark Spitz, it's hard to rattle off a list of great Jewish athletes. For me, this encyclopedia of Jewish athletes (complete with photos) offered encouragement in the field of athletics, and I think this can be a very empowering book for aspiring Jewish athletes in any sport. It's fun to flip each page and learn about another exciting career!


Great Moments in Jewish History
Published in Hardcover by Jonathan David Pub (01 January, 1998)
Authors: Elinor Slater and Robert Slater
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A great Jewish reference book
This book makes an original bar or bat mitzvah gift and is a companion to the Slater team's other books about Great Jewish Women and Great Jewish Men. The division into categories rather than straight chronology makes it the kind of book one browses rather than reads right through, but the writing is light and interesting and suitable for all age groups. The "moments" the authors have highlighted are well chosen to provide a wide-ranging and varied overview of the history of the Jewish people.


The New GE: How Jack Welch Revived an American Intitution
Published in Hardcover by McGraw-Hill Trade (01 August, 1992)
Authors: Robert Slater and Jack Welch
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good book
I'v read its Chinese edition 4 times since 1996


The Vanguard Experiment: John Bogle's Quest to Transform the Mutual Fund Industry
Published in Hardcover by McGraw-Hill Trade (01 October, 1996)
Author: Robert Slater
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Excellent book for those interested in Vanguard
Would recommend anyone intersted in this book to first read "Bogle on Mutual Funds" first as it's an excellent book and covers similar material. If you are still interested in learning more about Vanguard, then this book is an excellent compliment. It's not as critical of it's subject as I would have liked, and really doesn't cover the personal life of the subject so as a biograhy leaves a lot to be desired. It does, however chronicle the amazing story of Vanguard.


Get Better or Get Beaten!: 31 Leadership Secrets from GE's Jack Welch
Published in Hardcover by McGraw-Hill Professional (1994)
Author: Robert Slater
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Superficial
This is a rather superficial book with questionable value. It presents 31 Jack Welch's slogans and without almost any discussion declares them genius. Jack Welch is a very interesting manager whose methods and results deserve a lot more detailed approach. Each of the slogans or ideas should be analyzed, discussed and explained on a good example. Otherwise, as the book is written, the ideas can not be taken seriously by any professional. This book serves as a good introduction to Jack Welch as a manager, but if you want to really learn something, better buy a different book.

Fine Book. But others exist.
There are a series of great books available on Amazon.com that much better explore the world of Jack Welch and GE. After attending a workshop I picked up three from Amazon and two at the library. This was the weakest of the three. First, this is a poorly constructed paperback version. It is just plain cheap. Feels cheap and looks cheap. Thats it for the layout and format.

Second, many of the paragraphs seem to be cut and pasted from one chapter to another. I felt that I was re-reading essentially the same ten paragraphs scattered throughout the book. Very frustrating because it indicates either laziness by the author or redundancy to be pedantic.

Next, many books claim to have a special insight since the author was given rare access to the GE training center known as the "pit." This book claims that as well and quotes Welch at a number of public meetings...in an attempt to reinforce the concepts.

As Welch soon retires, I wonder if these same books will hold the interest they now capture. You are better served by more narrative, substantial texts on Welch and his management style. As always, Amazon readers can rate reviews and many loyalists vote against critics. I have a great admiration for Welch, and what he managed to accomplish. This book does neither him, nor his accomplishments real justice.

Reading this "guide for leaders" I wondered if Welch would look at it and laugh at its simplicity.

Business genius: cliff notes version
I received a copy of the book while I worked for GE several years ago, and picked it up again recently. When I received the book I felt Jack Welch's ideas were simple, straightforward and obvious. It is only after working for other companies that I realize the genius behind them, and how rare it is for these "simple" concepts to be played out elsewhere in corporate America. Jack Welch is truly a business visionary, and this book outlines many of his ideas, albeit in sketch format. His ideas about re-structuring, de-layering, change management, corporate speed and employee empowerment were all way ahead of their time. Thirty-one of his best ideas are presented here, but unfortunately, with little substance behind them. I would suggest that this book is a great place to start if you are interested in GE's business and corporate philosophies, however, to get more in depth analysis and explanation you will need to look elsewhere. I would recommend this book for a trip, as it is good airplane reading, and may spark some ideas for your business.


Jack Welch & The G.E. Way: Management Insights and Leadership Secrets of the Legendary CEO
Published in Hardcover by McGraw-Hill Trade (31 July, 1998)
Author: Robert Slater
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FANTASTIC STORY... INCREDIBLE MAN!
Any corporate executive or manager should read this book to be an effective, top-notch leader. Jack Welch has come through the ranks and has shown us that in the corporate world of business it is not enough to manage, one must lead by example. Welch shows how and why corporate change is both healthy and a necessity. Above all, the book brings out the fundamental aspect of communication and the fact that many of our obstacles, trials and errors in the corporate world could easily be overcome or eliminated with effective communication skills. In the world of business, communication takes up the majority of our time even though many CEO's and managers have, seemingly, not learned this critical fact. If CEO's, managers and employees are lacking exceptional communication skills, corporations, both large and small, will not reap the fruits of their labour and achieve optimum results.

Overall, "Jack Welch and the G.E. Way" is an insightful look inside the mind of brilliant man, and penned by a writer who puts meaning and conviction to the words. The story which unfolds, and Welch himself, are throughly intriguing. The book is highly recommended and certainly deserving of a five-star rating.

Highly Recommended!
Robert Slater's book is an inside account of General Electric's history since Jack Welch became Chief Executive Officer in 1981. Under Welch's direction, GE made great strides in the economic community, both domestically and internationally. Welch is considered to be the toughest boss and the most admired manager in the United States.

Although this is a company biography, it also contains hands-on advice that will serve any company well. It teaches companies how to restructure and how to make their employees more enthusiastic. It offers advice on how to change management and gives many examples of specific ways to help a business become a leader in its field. This well-written, well-organized book is easy to read and very entertaining. Chief Executive Officers who want to take their companies to a higher level should study it. Today's business leaders can learn a lot from the lessons of Jack Welch. We [...] recommend this book to all managers.

A BLUEPRINT FOR ACHIEVING SUCCESS
This is Robert Slater's third book about Jack Welch, who has achieved almost mythic status in his 17 years as CEO of GE, making the company the wolds most valuable. This new book focuses on the lessons all businesses can learn from how Welch transformed GE from a manufacturing to a service centered business by embracing change, creating a boundaryless organization focussing on globalization and emphasizing communication. Slater is a Welch fan. I would also recommend reading Thomas F. O'Boyles muckraking work AT ANY COST, JACK WELCH, GENERAL ELECTRIC and THE PURSUIT OF PROFIT as an antidote to boosterism and an insight to the darker side and human cost of radical change in a giant corporation. After you have finished with Welch and GE read the refreshing 2000 PERCENT SOLUTION by Mitchell, Coles, and Metz for a wealth of information and freeing your organization from common practices that stall growth. Welch examples may inform us but Mitchell, Coles and Metz give us a blueprint for achieving success in our businesses and organizations and involving our employees in the process of exponential growth


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