Book Description
The experimental and alternative theater movement that began in the 1960s and 1970s continues to make an important contribution to the arts in the United States and has embraced a wide range of noteworthy performances. Many of these events have been concerned with social or political issues, some have explored unusual staging methods, and others have looked inward to examine the nature of consciousness, perception, or the structure of thought.
In his groundbreaking book, American Alternative Theatre, Theodore Shank was one of the first critics to describe and interpret the work of groups and individuals such as Spalding Gray, Elizabeth LeCompte,
El Teatro Campesino, Robert Wilson, Richard Foreman, and the Bread and Puppet Theater. That work continues to be a classic in the field of theater studies. Beyond the Boundaries enlarges and updates American Alternative Theatre, examining the ways that the genre continues to affect contemporary theater. It describes the young theater artists of the 1990s as looking to the 1960s for role models, and sees that the recent resurgence of derivations of 1960s and 1970s alternative theater have arrived with a sharper, more cynical edge.
Theodore Shank is Professor of Theatre and Dance, University of California, San Diego. His books include The Art of Dramatic Art, Contemporary British Theatre, Contemporary Experimental Theatre, and Theatre in Real Time.
Customer Reviews:
theatre isn't DEAD!!!.......2002-10-09
This book is a must for any student, teacher, or artist concerned with American theatre. Shank details the work of a number of prominent theatre artists who purposely set out to test the boundaries of theatre as an art form. (thus the title, BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES) He also includes the work of a number of lesser-known, though no less important, groups and individuals.
The book contains a number of quotes and detailed descriptions of performances, but the greatest thing about it may be the amazing collection of photographs! Be forewarned: some of these photographs are quite explicit and NOT for the faint of heart. Though they document everything from multiple body piercings to full frontal nudity, they are not gratuitious, but rather support one of Shank's central assertions, that contemporary alternative theatre is largely a VISUAL form.
Book Description
Now in paperback-the beauty event of the year! Iman's full-color guide to makeup for women of every skin tone.
The first beauty and make-up book to address skin tones from across the spectrum-including Latina, black, Asian, Indian, Native American, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern, as well as multiple ethnicities-The Beauty of Color features:
- Skin care basics with specialized beauty regimens for skin of color
- Makeup 101-what you really need for every skin tone
- How to create ten amazing make-up looks with easy step-by-step instructions and photos
- Famous beauties, including Salma Hayek, Tyra Banks, Eva Mendes, Venus and Serena Williams, Eve, Rosario Dawson, Padma Lakshmi, Jade Jagger, Alicia Keys, and Kimora Lee Simmons
- Remarkable real-life makeovers for women of every age
Customer Reviews:
A MUST for ALL Women!.......2007-07-22
This book is nothing like any other "celebrity" how-to-book you've ever read. Let's face it, celebrities set trends, style, fashion, good or bad. Looking at them we think, I'd look fabulous too if I had a person to do my hair and make-up flawlessly! Iman says you CAN have someone to do it, YOU! And because no one was really interested in doing make-up for darker hues when she stepped onto the runway, she had to do her own. But the silver lining is that now she can share everything she learned. Her first point is crucial, she emphasizes that women must begin by looking in the mirror and seeing that they are beautiful without the makeup. When I heard her on Oprah's Show, I couldn't believe she was so real, down to earth, and connected to women. That connection is detailed as she provides little girl pictures of all the beautiful ceebrity women she showcases, and there is great diversity among them. This is ideal for little girls who feel like ugly ducklings,in that the book allows them to see there's a whole lot of growing into their beauty they will have to do. She also shows that few of us are born with, and keep, perfect skin, but we all have beautiful skin to work with. Whether light or dark, the book includes the do's and don'ts in an easy to follow language and doesn't endorse a bunch of expensive products. Instead, there are basic rules of the trade, products that she considers must haves, and examples of every look one might want for any event (including the I just ran to the store look!). Finally, the directions are detailed for skin, lips, eyes, eye brows, and much, much more. Most importantly, she shares that any woman can enjoy different colors with no holds barred. Express yourself! Beautifully photographed, illustrated, and packed with information, Iman uses humor and grace to connect and make you feel like a friend. Makes a Wonderful gift!
Colorful Diversity.......2007-03-29
Former supermodel Iman, now founder of a successful cosmetic line, focuses on the entire gamut of skin tones - from light to dark - with this quality coffee table book.
Full of chapters on skincare and makeup, Iman also debunks the myths and provides insights from top beauties like Selma Hayek, Eve and Tyra Banks. Sure to be appreciated by all women of color - whether black, Hispanic, Middle Eastern or Asian.
This is a good book .......2007-03-09
I bought this book as christmas gift to myself. This book tells of basic makeup application for the eyes, skin, lips, etc. It has different looks for you to try and it gives you instruction on how to apply it. I rated this book 4 stars because I thought their should have been more african-american women in our variety of colors, but the book is the the book of color. I have tried one of the looks and I can say I looked HOT!! Good for beginners.
4.4 STARS! .......2007-02-26
I love this book! I checked it out of the library but I'm planning on purchaseing it soon. So many great tips and everything is explained so nicely. I love Iman's voice in it too. She's sweet and funny and is open-minded about how there are rules in applying make-up but no rules! Allow yourself to be creative! The only reason I'm not giving it a five star is because no book is perfect and also because I didn't see one picture of a woman with the same shade of skin as mine. I have a unique color. Not dark brown but not light tan. So, I was in between a lot with the advice on what colors to purchase. Plus, it didn't help that women like Vanessa Williams and Halle Berry are in it claiming to be African-American (black pride) but we all KNOW that they wouldn't look like that if they weren't biracial. Yea, your black with blue eyes?! Let me not go there....two points for Alicia Keys who said she is biracial. Anyway, enjoy and don't forget to have fun!
Freakin' Awsome.......2006-09-17
I am a MUA and i have to say that this book is freakin' AMAZING!!! its beautifully inspiring...and a great reference book for women of color! i love it!!!!! BUY IT !!
Book Description
They are the Great Lake Avengers, the guys who got the shortest end of the super-hero stick. But with the real Avengers disassembled, they're going to try to step up to the plate and deal with one of their most powerful villains! Can they save the day? Well, we just hope these guys can save themselves! Collects G.L.A. #1-4; and West Coast Avengers #46.
Customer Reviews:
Good Comic.......2007-05-30
Great comic, very funny. If you need a comic that is funny and a good read you should check this one out. Funny characters and situations they get into.
Hysterical.......2007-03-09
Dan Slott is one of the most underrated writers in mainstream comics today. Perhaps best known for his run on the surprisingly good She-Hulk, Slott does Marvel's version of Formerly Known as the Justice League with G.L.A.: Misassembled; a mini-series taking place during the disassembling of the Avengers. A bunch of D-league superheroes (maybe even lower), known as the Great Lakes Avengers tries to become the real deal with the real Avengers gone, but as they soon find out, that's easier said than done. Especially when an old Avengers villain comes out of the woodwork with a plan that could destroy, well, everything. What really makes G.L.A. so good is Slott's hilarious dialogue and story that not only pokes fun at the superhero genre, but comic books in general. Not to mention the not so subtle jab at Brad Meltzer's Identity Crisis mini-series for DC; G.L.A. features many memorably inefficient heroes (including leader Mr. Immortal, as well as an obese, bulemic heroine by night and supermodel by day). What G.L.A. really does the best though is remind us in this doom and gloom age of comics is that they can still do the one thing they were meant to do in the first place: be a fun escape. Paul Pelletier (Exiles) provides solid art to boot. The only real downside is that G.L.A. is short, too short. That aside, there's some extra issues thrown in here, including John Byrne's issue of West Coast Avengers which introduces the heroes featured here. All in all, though it doesn't get a 5-star rating, G.L.A. is still worth picking up, and is one of the more fun comics to come out in quite some time.
THESE AVENGERS ARE "GREAT!".......2006-03-13
This TPB is awesome! One of the funniest titles (on purpose) that I have read in a long time. Author Dan Slott knows exactly how to stage a joke (his shot at DC's Identity Crisis was perfectly timed) and he is clearly familiar with the Marvel Universe (come on when was the last time you saw Paladin or Captain Ultra in a comic book?)!
The 4-issue premise centers around D- Level characters: Mr. Immortal, Door-Man, Flat-Man, Big Bertha, Dinah Saur, Grasshopper, and Squirrel Girl (with her sidekick Monkey Joe) and their battle to save the universe from total extinction simply because a villain realizes that whenever a plan is hatched in New York too many heroes are around to stop it...so he moves to Wisconsin.
The jokes come at a rocket-fire pace and yet through it all I still felt like I was reading an actual hero adventure that had some gravity to it. Did I mention a team member dies in all 4 chapters (one of them 5.7 seconds after officially joining the team)? Artist Paul Pelletier puts together a solid layout reminiscent of John Byrne in his hayday (Byrne was the original creator of most of these characters).
I cannot imagine a comicbook fan who wouldn't get enjoyment out of this book. It does for Marvel what "Formerly Known as the Justice League" did for DC. Check it out...but beware Leather Boy!!!!
Monkey Joe...we hardly knew ya!
SEQUEL! HOUSE OF IDEAS I DEMAND A SEQUEL!
Comic book humor at its finest.......2006-01-30
This is, hands down, the funniest Marvel story I've seen. If you like comic books even a little, and can appreciate a few jokes at their expense, this is a must-read. My only complaint about it is that the G.L.A. mini was only four issues long. This is definitely something that needs to be an ongoing series. Fortunately for G.L.A. fans though, and if you aren't one yet you will be after reading Misassembled, they also threw in the original appearance of the G.L.A. as well as the first and only previous appearance of Squirrel Girl. They're not as great as the main story, but they do prove that it was possible to write funny comics upwards of twenty years ago, and hey, six issues for the price of four. I can't recommend it highly enough.
"I'm Homo supreme!!!".......2006-01-22
The Great Lakes Avengers is one of those super-teams that you just gotta love, or at least laugh at: a crew of well-intentioned misfits who try a bit too hard to make the big leagues. Actually, the powers exhibited by the team are pretty cool, but those powers are always overshadowed by the team's lack of ability. Mr. Immortal, Flatman, Big Bertha, Doorman, and Dinah Soar... a great group of characters. I initially passed on this title a couple of weeks ago, namely because I didn't know it had been released. I finally picked it up this past weekend on a sales clerk's recommendation, particularly after cracking the cover and seeing how favorably the art compared to John Byrne's work on the team's first appearance in West Coast Avengers #46.
This book collects GLA: Misassembled # 1 - 4, which finds the team in some dire straits. So dire, in fact, that Mr. Immortal starts the story off by killing himself... unsuccessfully, of course. But that shows you just how bad things have become for the team. And they get worse, as more team members, or even heroes slightly associated with the team, kick the bucket for real (trust me, this book is full of death). This is all due to the machinations of Maelstrom, a B-level villain who has found a way to... well, do what villains always do, destroying the world, or something like that, it's really not the point of the story. What IS the point is how the GLA slowly develops into a team that is even more likeable, though still not one on which you'd want to bet money.
As I mentioned earlier, the artwork, by Paul Pelletier, is very good, reminiscent of a more stylized version of John Byrne. The real star, of course, is writer Dan Slott, who provides a cohesive and very funny story. There are some truly great comedic moments in this book which made me laugh out loud (my review title refers to one of them). Even the aforementioned large body count is given a light touch, which you'll just have to see to appreciate.
Also included in this collection is West Coast Avengers #46 (the team's first appearance) and Marvel Superheroes #8, the first appearance of new GLA recruit Squirrel Girl. So, for those of you who have fond memories of the GLA in West Coast Avengers, or even DeMatteis and Maguire's dysfunctional Justice League, check this out. It's definitely worth it.
Book Description
One of the hot gift books of '91, '92, and on.
Customer Reviews:
Funny.......2007-07-02
As a cat lover and as a (not so continuous) student of the French language, I thought this book was funny. The author has certainly captured the attitude of most cats in this world. If you want a chuckle here and there and to learn a little French along the way, then this is the book for you.
Huge Let-Down.......2007-02-21
This product was definitely mis-represented. Although it contains quite a bit of dry wit, the French translation has absolutely no phonetic assistance. So, if you don't know how to pronounce the phrases - you are out of luck. If I wanted a book of one-liners, I would have purchased something from Shecky Greene or Jackie Mason. I wound up re-gifting this book to a French acquaintance of mine. Don't waste your money.
Undiluted Fun, Irresistable, Nicely Illustrated.......2005-12-18
Don't over think this one. This little book won't be mentioned on Oprah or noted at your book club. Just buy a used copy of this book and stuff it into your jacket pocket until you need to pass some time with a smile on your face. If you like cats or just want to brush-up on your French you'll find this colorfully illustrated book a delight. There is an added benefit beyond your amusement. You will find the experiences of "le chat" useful in social situations. The next time you are at a boring function remember what your feline friend would say.
Je crois que je vais cracher une boule de poils
(I think I am going to cough up a fur ball)
French for Cats: All the French Your Cat Will Ever Need.......2005-08-23
This is an absolutely delightful book with cute illustrations as well as clever observations about cats. It is also a fun way to brush up on your French. I first read this little book in the waiting room of my veterinarian's office. It was so cute, I had to have my own copy. I keep it on the coffee table and reread it from time to time just to lift my spirits. Anyone who loves cats will enjoy every page. It would make a cute gift for a cat lover.
Funny & cute book for sophisticated cat owners........2003-12-24
Soon you too can say "J'aime ce livre" (I love this book), and "Enlevez le chien svp" (Remove the dog please). And you'll know what was said when you hear "Donnez-moi ce poisson de votre plat" (Give me that fish on your plate)..Ok, ok, I cobbed these phrases from google, but really that quote about the hairball from another reviewer is in the book. And the one's in the book are as good.
Book Description
The production, distribution, and perception of moving images are undergoing a radical transformation. Ever-faster computers, digital technology, and microelectronic are joining forces to produce advanced audiovision -the media vanishing point of the 20th century. Very little will remain unchanged. The classic institutions for the mediation of film - cinema and television - are revealed to be no more than interludes in the broader history of the audiovisual media. This book interprets these changes not simply as a cultural loss but also as a challenge: the new audiovisions have to be confronted squarely to make strategic intervention possible.Audiovisions provides a historical underpinning for this active approach. Spanning 100 years, from the end of the 19th to the end of the 20th century, it reconstructs the complex genesis of cinema and television as historically relative - and thus finite - cultural forms, focussing on the dynamics and tension in the interaction between the apparatus and its uses. The book is also a plea for "staying power" in studies of cultural technology and technological culture of film.Essayistic in style, it dispenses with complicated cross references and, instead, is structured around distinct historical phases. Montages of images and text provide supplemental information, contrast, and comment.
Average customer rating:
- The best place to start to explore classical music
- Great Bios
- Excellent NearPerfect Music Guide!
- More helpful with composers than recordings
- An overall helpful book...
|
The Rough Guide to Classical Music 3 (Rough Guide Music Guides)
Rough Guides
Manufacturer: Rough Guides
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ASIN: 1858287219
Release Date: 2001-11-29 |
Book Description
INTRODUCTION
Though few of them make much effort to entice a new audience to their product, the recording companies continue to pour out a flood of classical music. The catalogue of current classical CDs runs to more than two and half thousand tightly packed pages, and lists nearly three hundred composers before reaching the second letter of the alphabet. An average month sees some four hundred recordings and re-issues added to the pile. The Rough Guide to Classical Music attempts to make sense of this overwhelming volume of music, giving you the information that's essential whether you're starting from the beginning or have already begun exploring.
As well as being a buyer's guide to CDs, this book is a who's who of classical music, ranging from Hildegard of Bingen, one of the great figures of eleventh-century European culture, to Thomas Adès, born in London in 1971. Of course we've had to be selective, both with the composers and with their output - Domenico Scarlatti, for example, was a fascinating musician, but no book of this scope could do justice to each of his five hundred keyboard sonatas. Gaetano Donizetti wrote more than seventy operas, but you wouldn't want to listen to all of them. We've gone for what we think are the best works by the most interesting composers, mixing some underrated people with the big names, and highlighting some we think you should keep an eye on.
When it comes to CDs the situation requires even greater ruthlessness. Beethoven may have written only nine symphonies, but there are more than one hundred versions of the fifth in the catalogue, and scores of recordings of all the others. Several of these CDs should never have been issued - they are there simply because any up-and-coming conductor has to make a Beethoven recording as a kind of calling card, regardless of any aptitude for the music. However, a fair proportion of the Beethoven CDs are worth listening to, because a piece of music as complex as a Beethoven symphony will bear as many different readings as a Shakespeare play.
Although there are recordings that stand head and shoulders above the competition, no performance can be described as definitive, which is one reason why we have often recommended more than one account of a work. Whereas all our first-choice CDs make persuasive cases for the music, some of the additional recommendations are included because they make provocative counter-arguments. Where price is a consideration, we've also listed a lower-cost alternative whenever appropriate - thus we might suggest a mid-price boxed set of symphonies as an alternative to buying them as full-price individual CDs. Finally, in many instances we've picked an outstanding pre-stereo performance as a complement to a modern recording.
These `historic' reissues are the one reliable growth area in the classical music industry, and their success is not due to mere nostalgia. There are some great musicians around today, but there's also a lot of hype in the business, with many soloists owing their success more to the way they look than to the way they play - and conversely, many superlative musicians who remain obscure because they don't project the requisite glamour. It's in the area of orchestral music and opera that the situation is especially bad, notwithstanding the technically immaculate quality of many digital recordings. Orchestral musicians are now trained to a very high standard, but only a few of the top-class orchestras enjoy the sort of long-term relationship with an individual conductor that can mould a distinctive identity. The same goes for opera companies, which used to have a stable core of singers and musicians working under the same conductor for years. Now there's a system based on jet-setting stars, who might be performing in London one night, New York the next, then in the recording studio for a few days to record something with people they hadn't met until the day the session started. You don't necessarily get a good football team by paying millions for a miscellaneous batch of top-flight players, and you don't build a good musical team that way either.
Musically, then, new is not always best. And don't assume that a recording made more than thirty years ago will sound terrible. Sound quality won't match that of digital CDs, but you'll be surprised at how good it can be - indeed, many people prefer the warmth of the old analogue sound to the often chilly precision produced by modern studios. (We've warned you if surface noise or tinny quality might be a hindrance to enjoyment.) In short, you'll be missing a lot if you insist on hi-tech - few recent releases can match Vladimir Horowitz's 1940 account of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, for instance, or Josef Hofmann's versions of the Chopin piano concertos from the 1930s.
Customer Reviews:
The best place to start to explore classical music.......2005-11-09
This book is invaluable for those who have a limited knowledge of classical music and want to expand their listening repertoire. The choice of composers is excellent - of course when the number is limited (200+), one can always gripe about the favourites that have been left out. The accounts are written in a lively, up-beat style which does not compromise the fidelity of the information and the major works are well chosen. Finally a couple of key recordings are recommended - they tend towards the conservative, but pretty much ensure that the new listener will not be disappointed.
I would certainly recommend this book above the NPR guide and other "beginners guides" I have seen. Testimony to that is the fact that my copy has fallen apart from overuse over the years and is now held together with rubber bands. Enjoy!
Great Bios.......2005-03-11
I'll start off by saying that I'm not rating this book based on it's CD recommendations. My knowledge of all the recorded versions of any particular composition is not vast enough for that critique.
However the biographies are excellent; Well written and intriguing within the concise bounds required by this format.
If fact you will probably read about and become interested in many composers that you know little about.
Excellent NearPerfect Music Guide!.......2004-11-29
Truly, all the ROUGH GUIDES are top notch! This beautifully designed book will give you not only the basic pieces of just about every leading composer through the present, but also picks the top CD performances. Plus there are short bios on leading players and conductors. Did you know there is a collection of about 94 CD's by Toscanini, for example, (who, I did not know, lived in to his mid 90's). Browsing thru, say, Mozart on Beethoven, you get a terrific rundown on their top pieces and performances, plus bios and place in musical history. Plus there are many relative unknowns who I never knew! One very small criticism..Where are the 2 American composers, Edward MacDowell, and Amy Beach? (Maybe in later editions. Mine is dated 1994).In sum, a very fine book, even with these monir flaws!
More helpful with composers than recordings.......2004-08-30
I bought the Rough Guide to Classical Music a couple years back to complement the other reference guides in my library. Having used it a couple years, I can say it provides nice summaries of composers and the compostions they rate. It also provides some fascinating features -- such as "What Is a Fugue?" and "Sonata and Sonata Form" -- that provide information the average collector will find helpful if he/she is not a practicing musician.
However, the main reason people buy these books is to get information on CDs they intend to purchase or add to their collection. I use this one and a half-dozen others as reference for that purpose.
On that score, I find the Rough Guide is an average book. I say this because the authors tend to give highest grades to the most oft-recommended CD of a particular piece of music and never -- never -- go off the beaten track to recommend anything outside the standard circle of well known conductors, performers and orchestras.
This tells me the authors of this book do not have a very comprehensive working relationship with classical CDs, even though they have written a book recommending same! This pattern becomes almost predicatable after while. In fact, this book can become more conservative than the ultraconservative American Record Guide in making recommendations on core repertoire.
For the Beethoven Violin Concerto -- which every violinist in history has taken a shot or two at -- this book goes back to World War II to recommend the Menhiun-Furtwangler recording and recommends a Heifitz recording on an old Music and Arts CD. To give balance to current performers, they also include a recommendation for the more recent Hilary Hahn recording.
I've heard all these recordings and Heifitz could not be more different than Hahn. Most collectors that enjoy one would not care for the other, although they might buy it to build their collection. But Heifitz, who jets through the concerto in less than 40 minutes, is a far cry from the romanticism of Hahn and Menhuin.
On the basis of this kind of thing happening over and over again in these pages, I'd say the Rough Guide authors either haven't heard all the recordings out there or they consciously make an effort to satisfy old timers and DDD fanatics simultaneously. Nothing wrong with trying to keep everyone happy, I suppose, although to me it seems like a lack of vision.
Furthermore, the book does not include recordings by a number of composers of note. Bernhard Henrik Crusell, a Scandanaivan composer whose three clarinet concertos have been recorded a half-dozen times in recent years, is not represented in the book. Neither is Franz Krommer, a Moravian Romantic era composer that published several symphonies and a number of popular and often recorded woodwind works.
Meanwhile, composers Carol Gesauldo and Morton Feldman found their way into this book. Also included are Guillame de Machaut, Elisabeth Luytens and Perotin. A living composer named Sofia Gubaidulina gets as many pages in this book as Carl Maria von Weber and more than Einojuhani Rautavarra, the most popular of all living composers.
For these reasons, no serious collector could consider the Rough Guide to Classical Music a core item in their library. I've been collecting books on 78, LP, tape and compact disk criticism going back to "Ewen's Musical Masterpieces", first published in 1954 (Ewen also recommended the Heifitz recording in Beethoven, the old RCA Victor ICT 1010).
I find this book helpful on occasion but, more often that not, it pretends to be a lot more thorough than it is.
An overall helpful book..........2004-07-15
This book I found to be an overall quick and easy reference book, there are of course more explicit and more informative books around, but this book is great for an overall view of a composer's life and famous works. But there are several things that I must attend to in this review and that would be: I believe it would be really nice if instead of alphabetical order they would have catagorized them into their eras, but of course this would most likely be only appeasing to me or some other person who knows what eras they are in, so if you don't know about eras etc. then this should not discourage you in any way. I also was rather disappointed that the author yeilded into only putting in their most famous works, which is fine and all, it just even more obscures some of the composer's works of equal quality that have been placed in the back row. (ex: Mozart's string quintets are very famous and I grant, excellent, but why is it that no one ever hears his string Duos and trios which are of equal greatness?) Again, nothing to discourage you from buying this book. But overall this book is a great reference source for novices and experts alike.
Book Description
Profusely illustrated how-to book describes over 30 ways to add decorative touches to clothing, household accessories, and more. Easy instructions for folding and sewing strips of ribbon into dramatic bows, ruffles, bands, and fashioning them into daisies, grapes, chrysanthemums, rosebuds, violets, petunias, dahlias, sunflowers, bouquets, and more.
Download Description
"To compete effectively, you must innovate: Not just once, but consistently, in all your products, services, and business functions. But, profitable innovation doesn't just ""happen."" It must be managed, measured, executed on¿and few companies do that well. Making Innovation Work offers the first real solution: A start-to-finish process for driving growth from innovation.
The authors draw on unsurpassed innovation, consulting experience, and a thorough review of innovation research. Their techniques have been proven at top companies ranging from Apple and GE to Toyota. In this book, they demonstrate what works, what doesn't, and how to use all your management tools to maximize the value of your innovation investments.
You'll learn how to define effective strategies and organizational structures for innovation, manage innovation more successfully, incent teams to deliver, and infuse metrics throughout every phase of the innovation process. Simply put, Making Innovation Work takes the mystery out of profitable innovation, showing how to lead it, track it, incent it, and get more of it.
Leading innovation
Defining innovation strategy, designing portfolios, and encouraging value creation
Integrating innovation and business strategy
Matching innovation to your overall business strategy
Balancing creativity and value capture
Generating successful new ideas that drive maximum ROI
Weaving innovation into the fabric of business
Making innovation truly integral to your company's business mentality
Neutralizing organizational ""antibodies""
Preventing your company from killing off its best new ideas
Building innovation networks
Leveraging innovation resources both inside and outside the organization
Measuring and rewarding innovation
Implementing the right metrics and the right incentives to drive results"
Customer Reviews:
Innovation: Thrive or Fade Away.......2006-07-20
The term "Innovation" has been used so much in recent years that it's become cliche. Humans have been innovative for over 30,000 years, before the day of the first fire pit. People have always utilized innovation. But now it's is more vocally emphasized in the business realm because of ultra-competitive global market forces, and because we've reached the stage where technology enables change at a more rapid pace. "Innovation" is a Mantra. For lack of better words, creativity, adaptability, and innovation have always been vital. They've always been used by the successful: the winners; the victors. Innovation has always been mandatory. Survival: both literally and figuratively.
Authors Tony Davila, Marc Epstein, and Robert Shelton list 7 rules for innovation. This book uses matrices and tables to detail the different choices and the positives and negatives of choosing these various options. There are three types of innovation: 1) Incremental 2) semi-radical and 3) Radical.
Of the tons of information in this book, some things noted are the case study of the Coca-cola company and it's drop in sales, to Individual employee motivation in the "pay-performance relationship." Why do incentives for employees fail at times? Because they are overused. What can inhibit and actually kill creativity? "Fear, Failure, and Fairness" affect calculated risk taking by individuals, staff-teams, and entire companies. As for Radical Innovation, what is the motivation for radical innovations? That groundbreaking new idea, invention, product, vaccine, or piece of technology? Answer: intrinsic motivation.
One example of the types of innovation is a combination of them, such as in "Ersatz Radical Innovation." Ersatz is when a company (e.g. Apple) combines two forms of semi-radical change to create of successful product that changes an entire industry.
One case study enumerated how a company can focus too much on
innovation and lose site of the goal, such as in the case of Xerox PARC. The creative process must have the crucial ingredient that's equally vital: commercialization. It's a symbiotic relationship. Another very relevant issue discussed is the Outsourcing of Innovation. Which developments should be kept in-house? Which should be shared and outsourced? Innovation is so critical that it can't be outsourced entirely, so partial and selective outsourcing (sharing) is done under the proven concept of "partnering." Innovation is obviously borrowed, and oft-times today, it's outright stolen.
Perhaps a lot of this new focus on "creativity," and "innovation" and "adaptability," and "co-operation" is because of the recent rise of China, India, and other parts of the world. Game Theory's concepts are sprinkled about in this book because Game theory is an underlying and also an explicit element in economics, business, and calculated risk taking. Because of the theoretical and applicable strengths of
Game Theory we see innovation and adaptability + Game Theory.
This book deserves more attention. The writing style is
reader-friendly and keeps your interest. The authors provide
numerous case studies, stats, tables & figures, theory, and
practicality, and specific ways on how to survive and thrive in
today's world. Great book that more people should know about.
The first word on innovation.......2006-05-01
We recommend this book to everyone involved in innovation. Whether you're involved as a creative thinker, a promoter of new products, a manager guiding the innovation process or an investor evaluating an innovative company, there's gold here for you. Authors Tony Davila, Marc J. Epstein and Robert Shelton compress a mass of research and experience in innovation practices into a set of rules and guiding principles. Then, they use stories, lucid explanations, charts and careful definitions to illustrate how these principles work. A few of these concepts could have been expanded profitably - for example, how to tell in practice when radical innovation is needed, how to determine if you're innovating too much or too fast, and how to sort out the best ideas without discouraging the creators of the rejected concepts. That's the only caveat; everything else is fascinating and immediately applicable.
An Important Guide to Establishing Innovation Processes.......2006-03-01
Many executives decide they want more innovation from their organizations . . . but aren't quite sure how to encourage that result. Relax. You can read and apply Making Innovation Work, and you'll do a lot better.
The authors clearly understand today's best practices in innovation both for breakthroughs and for on-going incremental improvements. They take what seems amorphous to many and make it as concrete as is desirable to do.
The basic approach entails helping readers to understand that the processes you use to innovate determine what kind and how much innovation you will accomplish. From there, the book focuses on how to use a process that permits all of the kinds of innovation to prosper that the company's strategy pursues.
While many such books exhort everyone to go for breakthroughs, Making Innovation Works also explains when it's appropriate to have a more defensive innovation strategy . . . but to stay in the game . . . rather than to fall behind by being too defensive.
For me, though, the book really hit its stride in chapter six where the appropriate measurements are described to identify how your innovation process is doing. The book became even more impressive in chapter seven where incentives for innovation are explained. Chapter eight on how to learn innovation is perhaps the most pivotal section in the book. Chapter nine on creating a supportive culture for innovation was also solid.
I was pleased to see that Making Innovation Work looks beyond just innovating products and processes. The book also addresses business model innovation, perhaps the most important subject for innovation.
The only weakness I found in the book came in describing business model innovation and how to pursue it. The authors have too narrow a view of what's involved in business model innovation. They need to become more familiar with the less frequently cited best practices in business model innovation. Although their bibliography on innovation is a marvelous one, I was surprised to see how thin it is on the subject of business model innovation.
Until a better overview of how to manage innovation comes along, Making Innovation Work will be the standard reference.
My review is addressed to undergraduates.......2006-02-25
It is a good book that clearly shows models to map the different types of innovation and the problems involved to manage it.
A Fresh Look at Nothing New.......2006-01-21
There is a dire need for a fresh look at innovation.
Contrary to popular belief, the authors assert, much of what is held as common wisdom regarding how innovation is managed is wrong. Tony Davila, a faculty member of Stanford's Graduate School of Business, Marc Epstein, a research professor at Rice University's School of Management, and Robert Shelton, managing director of Navigant Consulting's Innovation practice write that contrary to popular belief, innovation:
* Does not require a revolution.
* Is not alchemy
* Does not require a "creative" culture.
* Is not solely about processes and stage-gate tools.
* Does not focus exclusively on new technology.
* Is not needed in copious quantities.
The authors write that innovation, like many business functions, is a management process that requires tools, rules and discipline. It needs to be measured and promoted if sustained, high yields are going to be delivered. It is a necessary ingredient to safeguard an organization's tangible and intangible assets. In short, it is a vital and must be managed.
To do so, the book identifies seven rules:
1. Strong leadership encourages value creation.
2. Innovation is a vital part of an organization's mentality.
3. Innovation matches the organization's business strategy.
4. Creativity and value creation are balanced.
5. Seek to neutralize forces that discourage good ideas.
6. Networks, not individuals, are the building blocks of innovation.
7. Metrics and rewards make innovation manageable.
Execution of innovation is not difficult, the authors conclude. It is similar to other management activities, such as manufacturing or financial control. There are no secret formulas. This book replaces the myths and half-truths with clear and concise thinking on how to manage and execute innovation.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Naval War College Review, published by Thomson Gale on January 1, 2007. The length of the article is 620 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Divila, Tony, Marc J. Epstein, and Robert Shelton. Making Innovation Work: How to Manage It, Measure It, and Profit from It.(Book review)
Author: Hank Kniskern
Publication:
Naval War College Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 60
Issue: 1
Page: 149(2)
Article Type: Book review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is a journal article from Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, published by Elsevier in 2006. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
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