Book Reviews

Below are links to several books important to the evolution of my thinking about meaningful work and the ongoing cultural transformation within which we’re all enmeshed. These books were all published in the latter half of the 20th century, but they are still pertinent today and much of what they describe and advocate are still part of the current issues and concerns for our society, community, and families.

They are each well worth the read!

• The Republic of Tea: How an Idea Becomes a Business by Bill Rosensweig, Mel Ziegler, and Patricia Ziegler.
• Merchants of Vision: People Bringing New Purpose and Values to Business by James Liebig.
• Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master’s Lessons in Living a Life That Matters by Bernard Glassman & Rick Fields.
• Job Shift: How to Prosper in a Workplace Without Jobs by William Bridges.
• The Warrior: Living the Fourfold Way by Angeles Arrien.
• Success Without College: Why Your Child May Not Have to Go to College Right Now—and May Not Have to Go At All by Linda Lee.
• 22 Keys to a Meaningful Workplace by Tom Terez.
• In My Own Way: An Autobiography 1915-1965 by Alan Watts.

Each book in this list has passed the test of time and many foresaw the troubles of today 10, 20, or 30 years ago. The problems have increased in seriousness, but the tried and true solutions reported in these volumes are as applicable today as they were at any time in the past, if not more so.

Many of the volumes listed here are technically out of print. But a visit to Amazon.com, Bookfinders.com, or eBay will help you locate used copies. These books are still steady sellers known in the book business as “backlisted” books.

Check them out for yourself. We think you’ll be glad you did.

For reviews of more recently published works on these topics, check my blog.