Rating: 
Summary: Cheesed Off by This Book
Review: Yes, thanks to "Who Moved My Cheese," we now know who had the talent to write, "One Minute Manager." Hint: it WASN'T the author of Cheese. I've tried very hard to figure out why people think this insulting and simplistic book is valuable. I've gone back to read previous chapters that I could barely stand the first time, and still I don't see it. What I read instead if ridiculous nonsense written as if we were all children about why we should be happy that corporations are upending the workplace. That, actually, is an entirely separate issue that can't be dealt with here because the presentation is so stupid that it interferes with what otherwise is an important topic: recognizing and accepting change. In a healthy way. Not as if we were a bunch of mice too dumb to do anything but run down the passage to an unknown fate. There has to be better stuff out there. Please?
Rating: 
Summary: A message that everyone agrees with anyway
Review: Spencer Johnson, who has made a name for himself in the self-help industry with his "One Minute Manager" series of books has a winning formula: keep the message simple. "Who Moved My Cheese?" is a mere 94 pages long. The printing is extra large, and each page often contains no more than short paragraph or a single sentence, It's the kind of book you can read while standing on one foot. It carries an important message though: change is inevitable and adaptation essential. He uses the parable of characters living in a maze who look for cheese to nourish them. There are two mice named Sniff and Scurry who live by their instincts. Then there are the two "littlepeople" named Hem and Haw who live by their intellect. When all of a sudden they do not find cheese in its usual place, the two little mice immediately start searching for more. Hem and Haw, however, spend too much time hoping things will change and looking for cheese in all the wrong places.One of the beauties of this book is that it can be applied to all kinds of situations. The cheese can represent anything that we have depended on for satisfaction in life. In a simple way it shows that as one door closes, we have to find satisfaction by opening another door. This can apply to everything - a job, a relationship, our physical health, etc. It's an all-purpose feel-good book that's an inspiration. The success of the book lies in a message that everyone agrees with anyway. We all nod our heads in agreement as we read it, and smile when we finish, knowing that from now on, we'll look at change with a whole new perspective. It might be an oversimplification, but it works. I therefore recommend it. But just remember, it says nothing new.
Rating:
Summary: Reccomended to 2nd graders
Review: I was told this book was great, changed people's lives, etc... So I went into it excited to learn. However, I quickly, and I mean quickly, was bored with this book. It is written on a 2nd grade level, and tries to teach lessons that only a 2nd grader would find enlightening. There are so many things wrong with this book, I don't have the time, or inclination to highlight them. Especially annoying is the forewood which states that if you don't like this book (the story), that if you don't find the stories enlightening, that you are somehow missing it, and not able to realize the value of the book. I think the author should get off his high horse, and give some credit to his readers. It is certainly possible, if not prevalent, that people already understand and live by the "lessons" this book tries to impart.
Rating: 
Summary: A piece of cheese in a universal cornucopia
Review: This book gets your toes wet to the change process but not much more. Books that more clearly explain corporate culture and specifically change initiatives in mergers and acquisitions are "Winning at Mergers & Acquisitions" and "Joining Forces." These two books combined with Who Moved My Cheese, can help employees and managers alike best understand the big picture right down to personal issues. On its own, this book is only an appetizer on a cracker.
Rating:
Summary: I don't get it.
Review: This is a cute book, and it's priced well for corporate gift-giving. Plus, it has the 'hook' that promises it can help you deal with change. That must be what keeps it selling because it's not the content. I read the book, then re-read the testimonials on the jacket..."this book changed my life, blah, blah". I don't get it. ....P>The one thing this book CAN make change for, is that ... bill in your wallet.
Rating:
Summary: Simple Truths
Review: Who Moved My Cheese was a very easy read. There was nothing complicated or complex about it. But, it does get one to think about where they are in their lives. It points out that sometimes we don't recognize when we have accepted our comfort zones. In a simple fashion the book shows how to avoid getting stuck in a rut and wondering what happened when things change.
Rating:
Summary: A children's story intended to inspire adults
Review: This is an inspirational little book (under 100 pages) written like a child's book, but intended for an adult audience; in particular, those engaged in the business rat race. The book is written by an M.D.--my guess is a psychiatrist--who has built a fiction story with four archtypical characters to get across his thesis, which is simply some simple homilies about accepting change and adapting to it, in order to be successful in business--and also in life. Not a bad little book. It is well-written, but it defies common sense that it was chosen as a "#1 Best Seller" by such august organizations as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and USA Today Money. Actually, the best seller status results from brisk sales, rather than from intrinsic value or profundity, both of which are, I think, somewhat lacking. Nevertheless, it is an interesting tale, probably more suitable for adolescents than adult business people. Yet Merrill Lynch, Exxon, General Motors, Kodak, Marriott, Whirlpool and Xerox have "hailed" it. Of course many of the same organizations also bought into Transcendental Meditation, and hold seminars for their employees in which they "confess", cry on each other's shoulders, and generally purge themselves in front of their co-workers, which has always seemed asinine to me. But large corporations often fall prey to such mechanisms. Joseph H. Pierre
author of The Road to Damascus: Our Journey Through Infinity
Rating: 
Summary: Over Rated
Review: The actual book is only about 30 minutes long and has a long, drawn-out introduction.
Given the media hype associated with this book, my expectations were much higher. The book could serve as an encouragement for someone who has recently lost their job and is seeking employment, but I don't recommend it beyond that. I think the authors are deceived if they think these principles apply equally to relationships as they advertise.
Rating:
Summary: Smile and Say "Cheese"
Review: This will make the CEOs, Management and Corporate Hierarchy Smile. They are behaving in a simplistic fashion by virtue of the "lemming factor". They, unfortunately, think that their subordinates are the "lemmings", who will follow each other mindlessly over the edge and out the door. They, instead are the "lemmings" and they have the false sense of security that comes when an entire economy becomes apathetic and complacent about self serving Corporations controlling the destiny of the weak little mice who serve them. If we read this propaganda and believe that we cannot possibly merit the leadership required to repair the corporate bungles and ladder climbing, short cited tactics that are truly at the root of financial failures, then THEY will win. We cannot let them win. If your manager or corporate guru should suggest that you read this piece of intelligence insult.... politely suggest that you have long been off the gerbil wheel and have found more enlightening roads to travel.
Rating: 
Summary: This book makes too much sense
Review: I can sometimes be a very stubborn person. When it comes to the latest greatest thing, I think there is a catch. I thought this book was just an overhyped book with a bunch of nonsense. I was urged by a lot of people to check it out. They said that I seem to practice most of the stuff in the book but it would be fun to read anyway. I read it and agreed with it entirely. I know I can deal with change pretty well, but this book clarified and refined my way of doing it. I am not usually hanging out in the self help section but this book has provided me with a lot of self help solutions. I have even taken the time to read it to a buddy of mine. It simply puts things in perspective and helps you conquer some of your biggest fears both professionally and personally.
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