Crown of Venus: A Guide to Royal Women Around the World

Book Description

They are the women who have shaped or been shaped by war and peace, glory and exile, fame and obscurity. In a world rapidly discarding the system of monarchy as obsolete and wasteful, these twenty one queens, empresses, and princesses must scale challenges from both the outside and the inside. Representing ten different monarchies from around the world, some as different from each other as night and day, the ranks of these royal women include such famed figures as Princess Diana and Queen Sofia, but also their obscure counterparts like Princess Fawzia of Egypt. This informal guide explores the background and history of these women’s monarchies, as well as their own personal lives and legacies.

Customer Reviews:

An important book.......2000-05-25

I have read the book writen by Mr. Jeffrey Lee and I think I must congratulate him for his enormous and interesting work done. His book approach us the figures of some current Queens and explains their roles and current position. A very interesting book for those who try to know a little more about the monarchies around the world. I specially recomend the part of the book devoted to H.I.M. Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran. She is, according the opinion ot the author and my own one, the most stood out royal woman. Reed it, please, you will enjoy and learn many things about many women who will win over you and your hearts.

Un bon livre!.......2000-05-22

A very good book! This was my first Internet ordered book and I am very happy with it. I found a beautiful website when looking for Queen Elizabeth... and from there I got my copy of this book. I liked the essay on Sirikit of Thailande and Mathilde of Belgique, and hope there is a French translation of the book since I couldn't understand some parts. Please email me ... if anyone knows if I can get a French copy for myself and my family!

Excellent!.......2000-05-21

The author of this book has done a beautiful job of bringing together so many important women from around the world into a collection like this. There is very interesting information about Farah Diba, Regina Noor, and of course our beloved Sofia of Spain. The best part is the background given for each monarchy Before the author goes into the life of the woman he tells about her country and its royal family's history. I should have liked to see more on Rania of Jordan and Beatrix of Holland, two very important figures the author left out. I want to thank the author for telling the stories of so many women I knew so little about, and also to my friend Elena Bencomo, who will love this book.

Interesting Subject, but the writing is Putrid!.......2000-05-19

I am interested in all the women of the monarchies around the world. But I would like to be presented with the information I desire in a clean, flowing way. Into the author's mind the information goes; jumbled it comes out. Has this guy even graduated 10th grade English? But, beside that, I see a promising young artist. I am expecting to see more verbiage, though, before anything of worth is produced. Thank you for reading my review.

A great book.......2000-05-17

I think this book was Awesome and I admire the authors style of writing.

Book Description

'My position was uncomfortable. Here was I, in an absolutely exposed place, with Red Guards and commissars on every side. I had very little money left and no means of transport at all.' Paul Nazaroff was the ringleader of a desperate plot to overthrow the Bolsheviks in Central Asia in 1918. He was betrayed to the Secret Police, who declared him 'the most dangerous counter-revolutionary at large in the Tashkent region'. Thus began his extraordinary catalogue of adventures, 'a long and distant odyssey which would take me right across Central Asia . . . over the Himalayas to the plains of Hindustan'. As he fled from Lenin's men, he was aided by the indigenous peoples of the region, the Kirghiz and the Sarts, whose language and culture had been steeped in since boyhood. For months he was forced to live the life of a hunted animal. Peter Hopkirk has contributed a fascinating introduction to this tale of hair-breadth 'scapes and survival against all odds, as well as an epilogue which reveals Nazaroff's later fortunes.

Customer Reviews:

The geology and nature stuff became tedious after a while.......2005-01-03

I thoroughly enjoyed Nazaroff's tales of being on the run from the Bolsheviks. He was a man of obvious intellectual talent and his many academic interests put him in contact with a wide variety of people that helped him on his long, difficult journey fleeing from the communists. There were times I couldn't put down his gripping stories of nearly getting caught or how he was even sealed up in an earthen wall to hide.

One thing other reviews mentioned, but that isn't mentioned at all on the back cover of the book is how much time Nazaroff spends detailing geological features of the areas he's travelling through and about the natural history of these areas. Some of it is interesting, but at times, it just becomes very tedious and I found it quite boring. When he's talking about how this stuff could reshape the economic future of areas, I found that interesting, but when he's simply describing finding mineral seams in rocks, I couldn't have cared less.

Overall, a very interesting read, but there are a few boring spots one has to plow through.

Bolsheviks and Natural History in Central Asia.......2004-11-26

Paul Nazaroff was a Russian geologist, naturalist and sportsman living in Tashkent at the time of the Bolshevik revolution. He was arrested, gaoled and interrogated by the Cheka on suspicion of being involved in the counter-revolutionary movement in Russian Turkestan. Naturally he denied being a participant, although enough hints appear in this autobiographical work (covering 1918 to 1920) to make it plain that he was a ringleader.

Nazaroff managed to avoid the firing squad until Tashkent was liberated by the Whites. This liberation was short lived as the Soviet forces soon prevailed in a bloody counter-attack ending in mass executions. Nazaroff was forced into hiding amongst the native population - he spoke the local languages and had many contacts. The continuing search for him by the Bolsheviks forced him to move across Turkestan using forged papers and the aid of friends, all the time being in danger of being recognised. Nor did his troubles end upon crossing the Soviet border into China.

His account not only covers his struggle to survive, but also highlights the destructive and bestial behaviour of the revolutionaries towards people and property, noting how the resources of this rich province were being squandered as uneducated brutes were placed in positions of authority with no check on their powers. But this is only part of the tale as the geology and natural history encountered en route are related in great detail, perhaps too much for some readers, while the lives of the native peoples, the Sarts and the Kirghiz, are illustrated by one of the few Europeans to have spent months living amongst them as an outsider in a family home.

Little of political history will be found (other than an eyewitness account of the Bolsheviks in action and popular response) as the author was careful not to divulge confidences that even in 1932 had the potential to incite reprisals. What is presented is a panorama of a region that would remain closed to the outside world for seventy years as well as the courage and perseverance of the author. A brief epilogue by Peter Hopkirk details Nazaroff's later life.

On the run from the Soviets.......2003-01-14

This book, first published seventy years ago, is a harrowing account of the author's escape from the Soviet Cheka shortly after the Russian Revolution. He was the leader of a group of rebels in Turkestan, and as such was a much sought after prize for the Bolsheviks, who wanted to eliminate him and all other opponents of their regime. The story is told in such a low-key way, however, that often it becomes a mere travelogue rather than a tale of action. For all of that, the underlying terror comes through, and the danger and hardship which the author faced appears very real to the reader. In addition to the main story, this book is also full of geography, geology, zoology, botany and history. The author was certainly a well-rounded individual, in addition to being very, very brave. We don't see many heroes such as this man in our times, and it's rewarding to read that such people were more than wiling to risk everything to combat tyranny.

An amazingly good read.......1997-03-20

It is the story of a White Russian who was worked against the Bolshevik's during the Russian revolution. It provides chilling insight into the reign of terror but also fascinating information on life in Central Asia during the 1920's. Highly recommended

Average customer rating:

What a story!
Good thriller, but hard to believe
this book is not only ficticious; it's very bad fiction
Gripping, but real?
A True Story?

Hunted: A True Story of Survival
David Fletcher
Manufacturer: Carroll & Graf Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0786711604

Book Description

At the outset of a solo climb up Alaska's Mount Hess, veteran mountaineer Fletcher had been warned never to underestimate the grizzly, because "they are mean, they are natural killers, and above all, they can think." In this incredible true-life adventure, Fletcher recounts with breathtaking vividness his battle with a giant grizzly bear that stalked, hunted, frequently outwitted, and, finally, attacked him furiously.

Customer Reviews:

What a story!.......2007-08-30

Very interesting story, but what poor writing skills. So, if you don't mind poor grammar this book sure is an interesting read.

Good thriller, but hard to believe.......2006-05-15

I don't know very much about bears or bear behavior, but fortunately I do have enough common sense (and it doesn't take much) to realize this guy is fudging on his "true story of survival." It was still a good suspense book though.

this book is not only ficticious; it's very bad fiction.......2005-08-21

First of all, the narrative is clumsy, but that can be excused in this sort of book. The larger problem is that the story is entirely unbelievable. My advice to Mr. Fletcher would be to do a little research before his next attempt to portray the figments of his imagination as non-fiction. Anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of bear behavior and biology will quickly recognize that this story is completely inplausible. My personal favorite was the account of the bear charging forward on its hind legs, "running as any man would do." I will not pass judgement on whether the climbing account is true, but if it is, I would invite Mr. Fletcher to kindly confine his adventures to Europe. American wilderness has no need of hikers who take delight in toppling rock formations and prying crystals from caves. If you must read this book, do yourself a favor and check it out from the local library.

Gripping, but real?.......2004-10-16

I've been to Alaska a number of times, dropped off, almost everytime, just me and one other person, in the absolute wilderness. So the tale was gripping. I've always been fascinated by these big bears, coupled with a huge dose of respect.

I eagerly read every page--was totally enthralled. And I was impressed with certain aspects of the author's wilderness and mountaineering skills. But on a whole different level, I just had to wonder if it was real. He's such an outdoorsman, but makes such blundering errors.

Everyone knows, even if they've never ventured into the wilderness, that a she bear grizzly is ferocious when it comes to her cubs. Imagine killing a cub and surviving the fist 15 minutes. And instead of skidadling, you hike up a ridge, and the next morning roll boulders down the slope and announce to the world where you are. And imagine not looking over your shoulder every fifteen minutes. And imagine camping at the end of a box canyon, with not much escape. And imagine hearing a bear on the glacier and not putting two and two together. And imagine crawling down into a crevasse where you've made your base camp, smelling a bear, seeing that she's strewn the rock slide everywhere in her rage. Imagine slinking down into that hole. Oh, and by the way, you really don't starve in several days, so any degree of hunger would not drive me down that hole.

So, I did really, really, enjoy it. But there's alot that just doesn't make sense to me. I'd like to see a picture of the author, before and after, without and then with white hair.

A True Story?.......2004-09-29

This is not so much a review as a comment/question.

I have, indeed, read the book, and I am troubled by some of the events and details described.

Fletcher describes the damage done to his backpack by the bear, and this, alone, is enough to make me doubt the non-fiction status of this book. A grizzly does, indeed, have large claws, but they are not particularly sharp, and would not leave five clean rips in the material as described. Nor would one of the claws puncture his boot unless the boot were pinned against some object.

I am very skeptical of the "facts" as recounted in this book.

Average customer rating:
Serial Television: Big Drama on the Small Screen
Glen Creeber
Manufacturer: British Film Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1844570207

Book Description

Serial Television focuses on contemporary television drama, offering detailed accounts of hugely popular, influential, and groundbreaking shows such as The Sopranos, Queer as Folk, Sex and the City, Twin Peaks, This Life, Prime Suspect, Cold Lazarus, The Kingdom, Holocaust, Heimat, and Roots.
Glen Creeber argues that the demise of the single play has not meant the end of original, challenging, and innovative television drama. Instead, he reveals how contemporary television drama is frequently more complex, radical, and multilayered than its historical predecessors. In particular, he shows how serial dramas have breathed new life into representations of gender politics and refreshed genre formats, and he reconsiders trends such as art television, soap operas, and the historical mini-series.

Book Description

The gentle, graceful imagery of this charming deck is set against a tapestry of medieval England. Old English Tarot inspires a peaceful atmosphere for readings and meditation.

Customer Reviews:

Old English Tarot deck.......2006-03-11

Charming and exquisitely rendered, this deck is reminiscent of the of 17th-century alphabet symbols used to teach children (on display in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia). Nevertheless, while the artwork is beguiling, don't infer from its beauty that this is a set to be taken lightly: It's just as multi-functional and expressive as any of the older, more traditional decks. Not only does the symbolism fulfil expectations, but the unique, silken finish makes this a sheer joy to hold - a tactile advantage that many decks simply can't offer. If selecting one's favorite tarot deck is based, in no small part, on the very feel of the cards in one's hands and the ease of interpretation, then this promises to be a collector's must.

Warm Summer Deck .......2005-07-09

There seems to be nothing short of a warm summer afternoon to describe this deck. I particularly like this Tarot in that regard. It is true, there are not a lot of occult, mystical references here but it is very user friendly by client standards.

Many decks scream at clients as the cards are turned. This is not one of them. The subtle tones and warm colors lend to this calm feel-a big plus for many who have had customers squirm at various decks. I would recommend this for kids as well. The images are obvious, but not threatening. Ms Kneen illustrates for childrens books as well.

I use this deck for folks who have stressful issues facing them. The colors are soothing, yet the images are not too soft. This deck has a very agrarian feel to it. Many of the minor trumps depict pastoral scenes, which could be used for folks asking about gardening or farming. Do not feel limited to this purpose alone! In skilled hands, this deck can be consulted on all issues.

Many reviewers here and elsewhere had said this Tarot lacks something. Occult references, I believe, were left out on purpose. The overall feel of the deck becons one back to the Middle ages. I could see this as being as an intermediate deck for someone who has had some experience with this particular system of divination. The Tarot is not for everyone to read. It is a fine art, that needs many years of practice to perfect.

A Kinda-Sorta Marseilles Deck.......2005-07-08

In her Little White Book's (LWB) introduction, Maggie Kneen says the oldest tarot decks are her favorites. I suppose this is why the Majors for her deck use the archaic, additive Roman numeral system, (VIIII for IX), and the Trumps are reminiscent of the Marseilles deck.

However, there are some changes that don't quite seem to fit into a refashioned Marseilles scheme. Justice comes before Strength in the Marseilles but Kneen gives them the Golden Dawn's (GD) rectified positions of XI and VIII respectively. She also uses the GD titles of High Priestess and Hierophant for the older names of Papesse and Pope for cards II and V.

This decks flip flops around and can't make up its mind. Are the trumps based on the Marseilles or GD? Are the Minors' meanings illustrated, pips, or are the pictures at the bottom of them not unlike the illuminations of a medieval book of hours? I think the last is where Ms. Kneen's commitment lies.

She mentions the detailed images of the Luttrell Psalter, written and illuminated in the 14th century, as being a formative influence on her style of illustration. I think these medieval English motifs are the overriding theme of this deck. While this makes for lovely pictures, it doesn't gaurentee a coherent tarot deck.

Let's examine some of the trumps, beginning with cards that make me cranky.

The Fool doens't look foolish and innocent at all. He looks crazy like a fox.

While his headgear may be true to the Luttrell Psalter, The Magician needs to be wearing that big hat with a brim that looks a lil like a figure eight.

Not only should the High Priestess be called the Papesse but she should also look like Some type of religo/mystical figure. In this card she looks like a queen reading a book.

What's with the wings on the Empress. I suppose the back of the throne on the traditional card could be mistaken for wings, unless one looked closely at the card. But heck, she is an earthly figure, not an angel.

Even though I'm complaining, these cards are well executed and pleasing to the eye. Some of the Majors that I especially enjoy include Judgement; it is wonderful how the angel emerges from a hole in the sky that looks like a rose.

Her version of The World is one of the few I've seen where the central figure, with its slim hips and androgynous face, actually looks like it is a hermaphrodite.

Her angel of Temperance is one of the foxiest ladies I've ever seen in a tarot deck.

Although her versions of the Minor Arcana have illustrations only half of them could be considered illustrative of their meanings. Tis prolly better to consider them pips with pretty illustrations at the bottom of the cards. All the meanings given in the LWB are those of the Minors of the Rider deck. For some reason the order of the pips in the LWB is Swords, Batons, Cups, and Coins, so we will look at them in this order.

Swords have martial scenes depicted at the bottom of the pips that could be read as similar to the Rider images.

Batons have scenes of planting, tending, and harvesting of crops. These illuminations have nothing whatsoever to do with the meanings attributed to the cards.

Cups have figures playing musical instruments, which of course are no help in giving visual cues for meanings.

Coins scenes seem to be concerned with vinyards, grapes, and wine. Some of these could be construed as reminiscent of the Rider's pentacle cards.

The Court cards are a major disappointment. Most of them look like unfinished afterthoughts. Of all the Court cards, only the Knave, Knight, Queen, and King of Swords lived up to the standard set by her other cards in this deck.

These cards are reversible with a lovely design in gold and reds on the back. Meanings for reversals are given in the LWB.

The LWB is a fairly bare bones affair. There is a brief introduction, meanings and reversals are given for all cards, and the Celtic Cross spread is laid out. I especially enjoyed the introduction where we get to learn a lil about Maggie Kneen. She has sensible things to say, and her writing is as refreshing as her ideas.

This is a Very attractive deck. If you love medieval illustrations this may well be the deck for you. I just wanted it to be a lil more focused on tarot.

So close to perfect!.......2004-04-01

This is a beautiful deck, as a history buff I really appreciate its imagery and style. In my personal readings, I get the best readings of my entire deck collection. The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the imagery of the minors, while largely not straying from the Rider Waite Smith system, is from a source that is very obscure, at least here in America we aren't really taught much about the Lutrell Psalter, this is my first exposure to that book specifially. I wish Maggie Kneen would write a more thorough book than the Little White Book included, not only would that mean more business (hint!), but also a deeper understanding for people like me! Other than that, this really is a great deck, but unless a real book surfaces, I can't recommend it to anyone who isn't pretty familiar with the Rider Waite Smith minors.

This deck is pretty good.......2003-02-08

I gave this deck to my friend for Christmas, and I really like it. Some of the human figures seem to be just slightly out of proportion, but overall, I like the colors and the symbolism which is reflective of Rider-Waite-Smith. The minors are mostly pips, with a tiny scene at the bottom of each card. It is a really interesting way to illustrate them, which I haven't seen ain any other decks. The Little White Book that comes with the deck is pretty limited, so if you are a beginner, I would suggest a standard Tarot handbook to go with it, like Tarot, Your Everyday Guide by Janina Renee or 78 Degrees of Wisdom.

Average customer rating:

Pretty good, especially good for stories, but won't change your life

Good read for C-level execs of start-ups

Good read for C-level execs of start-ups

A framework everyone in business can use

Who ya' gonna call? Fiefdom Busters!

The Fiefdom Syndrome: The Turf Battles That Undermine Careers and Companies - And How to Overcome Them
Robert Herbold
Manufacturer: Currency
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0385510675
Release Date: 2004-08-24

Amazon.com

Is your company threatened by turf battles, shut out of key data sources by territorial "lords," or ravaged by hundreds of "micro-companies?" If so, your organization may be suffering from a potentially crippling case of "Fiefdom Syndrome." Robert Herbold, former COO of Microsoft, presents a wealth of case studies from the usual (and always interesting) suspects--IBM, Proctor and Gamble, Microsoft, and Wal-Mart--to illustrate an affliction that affects for-profit and non-profit organizations alike.

Herbold identifies why fiefdoms are a problem, where they typically arise in companies--finance, HR, marketing, IT, virtually in most teams and departments--and offers solutions for preventing fiefdoms from cropping up and how to dissolve existing turf control. In an approachable manner, he demonstrates how discipline, creativity, and enforcement are keys to preventing the spread of fiefdoms: "The basic human tendency to want to control one's destiny or turf runs counter to discipline in an organization. If the CEO or the manager of a unit lets people act on their own, the company will soon fall into disarray."

Like headaches, fiefdoms can become a persistent problem and if left untreated, can send organizations into an endless loop of deteriorating health and repeated investigations into the cause. Prudent companies will take Herbold's advice and learn how to prevent and treat their little fiefdom problem. --E. Brooke Gilbert

Book Description

“Turf wars and bureaucracy can undermine even the strongest corporate strategies. Drawing on lessons learned throughout his distinguished career, Bob describes innovative and practical ways to tackle this pervasive problem – and beat The Fiefdom Syndrome.” --Bill Gates, Chairman and Chief Software Architect, Microsoft Corporation
"A vitally important business book. As Bob Herbold, longtime COO of Microsoft makes clear, the battles over territory and turf stem from basic human behavior. Uncontrolled, they can be incredibly destructive, yet they are inherent in every organization. In The Fiefdom Syndrome, Herbold shows how fiefdoms can hamstring a company's operations, and how to break through them. I strongly urge people of all organizations, large and small, profit and non-profit to read this book." --John Chambers, President and CEO, Cisco Systems

The turf battles and territorial “fiefdoms” that undermine so many companies—and how to break through them, by long-term Microsoft COO Robert J. Herbold

There is a potentially infectious condition inside virtually all organizations that can cause more damage than economic downturns, management upheavals, and global business shifts. Until now it has had no name. But it has impacted some of the world’s leading companies, including Procter & Gamble, IBM, Coca-Cola, and Microsoft.

Robert J. Herbold, the COO who brought corporate discipline to a young Microsoft organization and helped to transform it into a mature global giant, calls it the Fiefdom Syndrome. And it happens at organizations large and small, profit and nonprofit, at the individual level as well as the group and divisional level. It can undercut a company’s effectiveness, and in extreme cases it has shaken entire industries and taken down major corporations.

The problem begins when individuals, groups, or divisions—out of fear—seek to make themselves vital to their organizations and, unconsciously or sometimes deliberately, try to protect their turf and others’ perceptions of them. It is a natural human tendency, dating back to the origins of our species, but if it isn’t managed properly, the damage caused by these “fiefdoms” can spell the death knell of what should have been a strong and vital organization.

People who create fiefdoms can become dangerously insular, losing perspective on what is happening in the world outside their own control. They hoard resources. They are determined to do things in their own way, often duplicating or complicating what should be streamlined throughout the company, leading to runaway costs, increased bureaucracy, and a loss of agility and speed.

In The Fiefdom Syndrome, Bob Herbold exposes the myriad ways such fiefdoms can compromise a company’s effectiveness—as well as show what managers, companies, and individuals can do to break up fiefdoms and conquer the turf wars. Illustrated with countless examples from Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, IBM, and other corporations, The Fiefdom Syndrome is an essential tool in every manager’s toolkit.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty good, especially good for stories, but won't change your life.......2006-06-12

"The Fiefdom Syndrom" is a good book on bad work habits, organized by different kinds of "fiefdoms," which are political cadres that fight change to retain control. There are some good stories from the author's days at Microsoft and P&G, but this book doesn't hold big insights and it will likely not change your thinking about business. The bad behaviors demonstrated are obviously bad, easy to spot, and fought the same way whether you understand the author's classification of fiefdoms or not.

The author's steps to fight fiefdoms are useful, but I think Larry Bossidy's model in "Confronting Reality" is more universal and a better way to focus business decisions. This book is definitely a cut above John C. Maxwell's stuff, and may be just the thing for some readers. Definitely worth reading, but is too pedestrian to be the keystone of your operational business strategy.

Good read for C-level execs of start-ups.......2005-07-29

There is a lot you can learn from this book and enjoy doing so. Having 15 years of IT experience, I agree with many aspects of what the author calls a "Fiefdom" (eg, individuals or groups that tend to isolate themselves from the larger organization under the cover of seemingly-superior management styles leading to the decline and end of an otherwise-good company). The author's experience (especially his tenure at Microsoft) is very interesting, but I somehow was not totally satisfied with his suggestions on how to overcome this problems. What sometimes the author sees as a fiefdom is actually not so if you take into consideration that not all countries go about doing business like an Western corporation. However, if you are an Western business and don't want to let your organizations structure and dynamics isolate you from the rest of the world outside (were a larger percentage of customers live) then this book is a great guide.

Good read for C-level execs of start-ups.......2005-07-29

A framework everyone in business can use.......2004-12-28

In this book, Herbold sets up a framework that all in a business setting can use. Applying the fiefdom framework will help anyone be a better manager or follower. The types of fiefdoms that herbold describes are a drag on productivity everywhere.

The only drawback is that it is one man's experiences, and not an academic empirical study. Despite that, it is still a worthwhile read for practitioners.

Who ya' gonna call? Fiefdom Busters!.......2004-11-24

What is the common prerequisite for success in organizational project management maturity, enterprise architecture management, organizational learning, or organizational portfolio management? Eliminating or mitigating intra-organizational fiefdoms! Each of these domains presumes or facilitates relatively unimpeded strategic alignment and interoperability across intra-organizational divisions, founded on strategically coherent organizational leadership, culture, and acquisition of talent, technology and materiel. However, intra-organizational "feudalism" can render organizations strategically fragmented and inept.

This is why studying the fiefdom-busting principles and practices presented in "The Fiefdom Syndrome" is so beneficial - without taking on fiefdoms either obliquely or head-on, improvements in organizational effectiveness will be seriously hampered regardless of the disciplinary approach. Through able story-telling, Mr. Herbold effectively shares his wisdom on the causes, effects and remediation of fiefdoms. Many have written on related issues, typically under the change management subheading of "resistance to change." However, Mr. Herbold's particular focus is on fiefdoms as an organizational phenomenon rooted in timeless human foibles. Also, Mr. Herbold's perspective as a consultant is uniquely credible: it is not only informed by direct observation of multiple corporate clients, but interpreted from the uniquely practical vantage point of a former long-time, high-powered commercial corporate executive.

The Fiefdom Syndrome: The Turf Battles That Undermine Careers and Companies - And How to Overcome Them

Average customer rating:

What's wrong with corporate America?
A TO-THE-POINT GUIDE ON HOW TO DEFEAT FIEFDOMS

The Fiefdom Syndrome: The Turf Battles That Undermine Careers and Companies - And How to Overcome Them
Robert Herbold
Manufacturer: Currency
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0385510683
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Book Description

The turf battles and territorial “fiefdoms” that undermine so many companies—and how to break through them, by long-term Microsoft COO Robert J. Herbold

There is a potentially infectious condition inside virtually all organizations that can cause more damage than economic downturns, management upheavals, and global business shifts. Until now it has had no name. But it has impacted some of the world’s leading companies, including Procter & Gamble, IBM, Coca-Cola, and Microsoft.

Robert J. Herbold, the COO who brought corporate discipline to a young Microsoft organization and helped to transform it into a mature global giant, calls it the Fiefdom Syndrome. And it happens at organizations large and small, profit and nonprofit, at the individual level as well as the group and divisional level. It can undercut a company’s effectiveness, and in extreme cases it has shaken entire industries and taken down major corporations.

The problem begins when individuals, groups, or divisions—out of fear—seek to make themselves vital to their organizations and, unconsciously or sometimes deliberately, try to protect their turf and others’ perceptions of them. It is a natural human tendency, dating back to the origins of our species, but if it isn’t managed properly, the damage caused by these “fiefdoms” can spell the death knell of what should have been a strong and vital organization.

People who create fiefdoms can become dangerously insular, losing perspective on what is happening in the world outside their own control. They hoard resources. They are determined to do things in their own way, often duplicating or complicating what should be streamlined throughout the company, leading to runaway costs, increased bureaucracy, and a loss of agility and speed.

In The Fiefdom Syndrome, Bob Herbold exposes the myriad ways such fiefdoms can compromise a company’s effectiveness—as well as show what managers, companies, and individuals can do to break up fiefdoms and conquer the turf wars. Illustrated with countless examples from Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, IBM, and other corporations, The Fiefdom Syndrome is an essential tool in every manager’s toolkit.

Customer Reviews:

What's wrong with corporate America?.......2007-08-02

Herbold is correct in his assertion that fiefdom behavior impares the profitability of corporate America. However, I think his methods may be worse than the fiefdoms. After reading this book, I get a picture of Mr. Herbold's consulting path through major corporations, slashing staff and dismantling existing structures wherever he goes. As an experienced professional who has lived through the pain and chaos of layoffs, I believe that it is immoral for corporate executives to regard staff as throw-away cost generators. I was brought up to believe employment involved a certain amount of loyalty on both sides. That's not the case in Herbbold's world.

A TO-THE-POINT GUIDE ON HOW TO DEFEAT FIEFDOMS.......2005-12-21

Fiefdoms are an organizational disease afflicting all types of organizations at all levels; fiefdoms can even be found withing fiefdoms. It's a human tendency. Herbold shows how to fight fiefdoms using process, behavior and people disciplines balanced with fostering creativity and innovation to better serve customers (a chapter is devoted to how to foster creativity).

Leadership is highlighted as a central factor for success. Herbold also provides guidelines and illustrations of how to make the process, behavior and people disciplines a reality. Additionally, he discusses how fiefdoms affect strategy and execution and hinder mergers and acquisitions. A solid chapter is devoted to communication as a tool to fight fiefdoms. The book wraps up with a summary of the advantages of a fiefdomless organization and the benefits to individuals.

This book is loaded with specific actions and guidelines. It is deep but not dense. It is written in a to-the-point style, using interesting-to-read cases woven into the text to make and enrich the message. This is a practical and well written book. Very highly recommended!

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The Fiefdom Syndrome: The Turf Battles that Undermine Careers and Companies, and How to Overcome Them
Robert J. Herbold
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B000AAVA0O

The Fiefdom Syndrome: the Turf Battles that Undermine Careers and Companies--and How to Overcome Them.(Book Review): An article from: Human Resource Planning

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The Fiefdom Syndrome: the Turf Battles that Undermine Careers and Companies--and How to Overcome Them.(Book Review): An article from: Human Resource Planning
Traci L. Nyberg , Danielle S. Beu , M. Ronald Buckley , and J.C. Penney
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from Human Resource Planning, published by Human Resource Planning Society on March 1, 2005. The length of the article is 1075 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: The Fiefdom Syndrome: the Turf Battles that Undermine Careers and Companies--and How to Overcome Them.(Book Review)
Author: Traci L. Nyberg
Publication: Human Resource Planning (Refereed)
Date: March 1, 2005
Publisher: Human Resource Planning Society
Volume: 28 Issue: 1 Page: 61(1)

Article Type: Book Review

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