Beyond the Looking Glass: Overcoming the Seductive Culture of Corporate Narcissism by Alan Downs

Beyond the Looking Glass: Overcoming the Seductive Culture of Corporate Narcissism by Alan Downs (Paperback - May 6, 1997)

Amazon.com Review

Beyond The Looking Glass: Overcoming the Seductive Culture of Corporate Narcissism is organizational psychologist Alan Downs's provocative exploration of high-profile corporate leaders (such as Al Dunlap and Robert Allen) who literally have only one thing on their minds: profits. Such narrow focus actually may yield positive short-term benefits, Downs writes, but ultimately it will drag down individual employees as well as entire companies. Alternative thinking is proposed, and some firms now utilizing these options are examined.

From Library Journal

Management consultant Downs (Corporate Executions, AMACOM, 1995) defines narcissism as "an obsession with a self-image of success." Through case studies, he describes characteristics of narcissistic managers and how their behavior can ultimately be destructive for themselves, their associates, and their companies. Some symptoms of the narcissistic organization are a structure that evolves around personalities rather than work functions or products, a focus on material success rather than the company's mission, expendability of employees, and an emphasis on competition instead of collaboration. Downs recommends a plan of action for such organizations, including executive coaches, surveys, and management seminars. A checklist is included for readers who wish to analyze their own behavior patterns. An insightful and important work; recommended to both public and academic libraries.?Lucy T. Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, N.Y.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Hardcover: 222 pages
Publisher: Amacom (May 6, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0788191764
ISBN-13: 978-0788191763

Rich Dad's Escape from the Rat Race: How to Become a Rich Kid by Following Rich Dad's Advice by Robert Kiyosaki

Paperback: 64 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (January 1, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316000477
ISBN-13: 978-0316000475

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up–The authors of the bestselling Rich Dad, Poor Dad attempt to teach financial intelligence to children through colorful cartoon images and cute animal characters. However, the lessons are more suitable for high school students. The authors tell readers to minimize their liabilities such as credit-card debt while building assets, such as starting their own businesses. Examples of the latter include charging classmates to read their comic books or for borrowing their bicycles. The lessons encourage "financial intelligence," but seem to discourage readers from getting a traditional job and fail to mention the hard work and long hours involved in running one's own business. Keltie Thomas's The Kids Guide to Money Cent$ (Kids Can, 2004) and Jamie Kyle McGillian's The Kids' Money Book (Sterling, 2003) offer far better advice.–Karen T. Bilton, Somerset County Library, Bridgewater, NJ

Product Description

How do you get kids interested in learning about finance? Give them a comic book! Rich Dad series author Robert Kiyosaki, whose books have sold over 5 million copies, recognized the increasing need for people to begin their journey to financial literacy-and life-long wealth-as early as their preteen years. In Escape from the Rat Race, basic lessons about ``working to learn, not to earn'', buying assets, and understanding a financial statement are revealed in a graphic format through the tale of Timid T. Turtle. When Tim runs out of cash at an amusement park, his savvy friend Red E. Rat shows him how to ``make money work for him''-and tells Robert Kiyosaki's own riveting account of learning the basic principles of lifelong financial success. Illustrated with full-color sequential art in the style of Rich Dad's popular CASHFLOW games and Web site, here is a book that gives kids (and reluctant readers of all ages) the chance to take their first steps toward financial freedom.

About the Author

Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter are the authors of the #1 New York Times bestseller Rich Dad, Poor Dad, as well as Rich Dad's Guide to Investing, Cashflow Quadrant, and Retire Young, Retire Rich. Both authors live in Arizona.

About the Artist
Rantz Hoseley has been working in comics since 1987, starting with Tales of the Ninja Warriors (CFW Publishing). Since then, he's worked on many different titles, of which a few include: Angry Shadows (Innovation), The Shattered Earth (Eternity Comics), Caliber Presents (Caliber Press), Ouch (BayWauHaus Publikations), R.I.P. (TSR/Wizards of the Coast), Medal of Honor (Dark Horse) and Real Stuff (Fantagraphics).

In addition, Rantz created, wrote and drew the daily strip "Edge City" for the Daily Evergreen from 1992-94 and is the creator/writer/artist on the thrice-weekly online comic strip DeathMarch (www.gamespy.com/comics/deathmarch) hosted by the largest gaming network online.