Rating: 
Summary: The reality of the matter is that....
Review: You can make money or you can make excuses, you can't make both. The reality of the matter is that we are in a ever changing world. The more we can bend, flex and adjust to that change, the better off we will all be.Many businesses have fallen by the wayside because they couldn't adjust to change. They were not adaptable.Many employees are out of work because they cld not adapt or adjust.Some people prefer to blame others. They say that "It's not fair." Or "It's not my fault." EXCUSE ME! You need to become autonymous---take total responsibility. Become self reliant. It's not your employer. It's not your coworkers. It's not the economy. It's you and I. We must take responsbiity. Become self reliant.The reality is that it is all up to you. You can adapt and adjust or be left behind. It is all up to you. This book explains the importance of change.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF 1 STAR REVIEWS, OBVIOUSLY SOME PEOPLE PREFER TO BE IRRESPONSIBLE AND BLAME OTHERS.Your choice. I prefer to be self directed and self reliant and take responsibility.HOW ABOUT YOU?Good book. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Eat My Cheese, Please
Review: Book CritiqueBefore I start, I just want to make it clear that these are my opinions, based on very personal experiences. I am quite sure that there are those who will be offended by what I have to say about this book, as I am sure there are those who actually thought enough of it to recommend it to others to enjoy (or else, why would it be a bestseller?). I am also certain that others have learned from Dr. Johnson; some may have even been inspired. As for me, I have found another reason to strengthen my conviction that inspirational publications need to be avoided at all costs. I give this book 4 "eye rolls" and a sneer. I find the obvious metaphorical references to "cheese" and "writings on the wall", frankly, completely lacking in literary creativity. It was like watching a movie with a very obvious twist foreshortened in every fade-out. It was very hard for me to get past such sentimentalities as "weakened by one's own fears" and the value of "laughing at oneself". If the Haw character laughed at himself one more time (and please, "Haw"? - do I need a pin to touch my eyeball to realize it could hurt?), his life would literally be one big joke. The prologue and epilogue with the group of old high school friends were like scenes from a bad after-school feature (Screech, are you there?). But so much for its literary value; let us look at Dr. Johnson's "great truths". If you are working within any organization, hopelessly influenced by a market economy, under the will of an established internal structure anywhere in the world and still have no idea how to successfully maneuver around change, this book is, by no means, what you need to get you out of your predicament. Yes, Virginia, life is not fair and you will always have to deal with forces beyond your control. Did your scout master forget to teach you to "be prepared"? And, if you are still wallowing in your troubles; sitting around while others around you are moving on - ask your doctor about SSRIs. A little cynical, you might say? Sure - but I will concede that the book gives cutesy alternatives to admitting things about one's organization that may otherwise be a little too uncomfortable to handle "head-on". Instead of a hostile take-over, let's just say "someone moved our cheese". Let's call someone "Hem" instead of that "useless son of a gun". And while we are at it, let's "laugh at ourselves" instead of admitting defeat and strategizing. There was one point worth mentioning. I will admit that "a change imposed is a change opposed" is a good adage - I may not have used such a corny phrase, but this is a principle that I try to live by. People just do not want to be told what to do. And when one is trying to manage physicians, it would be best to keep this in mind. Of course, one could always spread the word by buying more of Dr. Johnson's books and distributing free copies at Christmas. It wouldn't hurt the good doctor's finances, either. That last page in the book was little more than a thinly veiled marketing ploy. Am I just a bit miffed? Of course I am! I grew up in a world where people are born into and die in abject poverty, often in spite of the best efforts to rise above their lot in life. Fathers die and children wake up without a roof over their heads; mothers and sisters forced into prostitution. I have had to learn the nuances of a language my parents did not master, ignore the instincts of my native culture, and succeed in a society that has told me I am not fit to be called a "creature of God" ( my apologies for the dramatic license). Outside U.S. borders, sometimes, when the cheese is moved, there is no other cheese to be found.
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Summary: read it before your boss does
Review: I've noticed this book for some time but never felt the urge to read it until this week. A friend called me up and said that her boss had given everyone in her department a copy. Uh oh. Sure enough 2 out of the 5 folks were fired. Who Moved My Cheese is a precious little fable ( I don't mean this in a good way) about lab mice and wee gnome like folk. It teaches the pefectly true lesson that life is about change. You do not own your job, your employer does and one day your job (the cheese and the lifestyle it supports) can vanish over night. Instead of crying get with the program and find more cheese. This is truth but it's presented in such an annoying, and patronizing way that I really hated the book.
I can only assume that the author thought he was writing for idiots.
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Summary: Dealing with Reality
Review: Who Moved My Cheese is about reality - what exists - not what you wish existed. It isn't about blaming someone for the reality that exists - just about finding a roadmap deal with life's changes - whether they are good changes or bad changes. It is a quick read, and its message is so universal, it may act as your roadmap to deal with whatever change comes your way - for the rest of your life - no matter what your profession or station in this world. No one said life was fair. This book helps you deal with that fact.
Rating: 
Summary: A good book for a changing time
Review: "Who moved My Cheese?" is a quick and lighthearted book to read, but provides many invaluable messages about change and the change process. Through the telling of a story of mice and people, it emphasizes a proactive approach to anticipate change and to adapt quickly. Although it starts with "Once, long ago in a land far away...", the story that is the centerpiece of the book is unadorned. The four characters are named Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw and act as names suggest. The story describes the characters' daily routine of searching a maze for cheese, the events that occur when they find a substantial amount of cheese and what happens when the cheese is no longer available. Each character responds differently to the loss of the cheese and thus lessons are drawn. At a symbolic level, the four characters are literal representations of how one responds to change. Some hem, some haw, some scurry to the next goal while others sniff out new goals. The interesting figurative nature of cheese allows a reader to conclude what cheese may represent for him/her. For myself, the cheese is a metaphor for the comfort and satisfaction one needs in order to feel confident in their chosen career. "Having cheese makes you happy." As a person involved in a professional time of change due to my organization's desire to change, not mine, many messages of the book resonated with me. " The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you can enjoy new cheese." This message reminded me to adapt to change quickly and look for new opportunities to find satisfaction and utilize my knowledge, skills and talents. "Move with the cheese and enjoy it." This message reminded me to look at change as not an ending but as a new beginning. Lastly, "They keep moving the cheese." This proactive message helped to focus me on the fact that I need to be ready for change and enjoy it each time it happens as it will surely happen again and again throughout my life. In conclusion, I enjoyed reading this book and believe Spencer Johnson's simple but concise messages are important for all of us in this rapidly changing world.
Rating: 
Summary: Dreadful cutsey little story.
Review: This is the kind of claptrap that slimeball CEO's love to peddle to their staff. It is supposed to be a cutsey parable teaching us how we should embrace change and get on with our lives. Be the mice, don't do too much thinking. Get your skates on, and think yourselves lucky if you get anything for your trouble. The problem is, the guy moving my cheese around lives in a mansion with more cars than he knows what to do with, and with a swimming pool for his daughters pony! He doesn't live in the crappy maze, and he moves the darn cheese wherever he wants. Lately he has taken to moving the cheese to Eastern Europe and south east Asia, where the native mice don't eat as much. But one thing in this book is very true. If you see the writing on the wall (especially if someone gives you a free copy of this book at a seminar) get your running shoes on fast. High tail it out of there and find new cheese before the rest of the posse catch on! Don't be tempted to buy this book - unless of course you are a slimeball CEO planning to relocate to the third world. In that case, do the decent thing, slip a free copy in the envelope with their termination notice! And as you add up your bonus cheque for this year, just keep telling yourself how you deserve it, and that your duty is to the Shareholders!
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Summary: simple book, think not, take the survey.
Review: The message from the book is loud and clear, deal with change ASAP! This is a positive message for individual and corporations. However, it is surprise to see such a simple book remains as bestseller for such a long time. It is an indicator of the rapid changing world we live in. The rating of the book on Amazon is a barometer of the economic and social well being in this society. reference point feb 2004:
Amazon sale rank: 164
Average Rating: 3 stars
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Summary: They moved my cheese for sure!
Review: Beware! If your employer asks you to read this book, there's a good chance you won't be employeed by them much longer!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Great little book! This book is a parable realating to personal change (which so many people dred) that can lead to greater happiness and prosperity. If you don't find your cheese, or enough of it, in one place, then look in another. This book communicates a message in a one sit read that other books can't accomplish in several hundred pages. On many of the negative reviews --- Some reviewers out there say that this book attempts thought control, is communist, is a way big corporations brainwash people. --- what a bunch of nonsense --- seeking out change and not going with the flow (masses) is brainwashing? Seeking to be more prosperous is communist? Seeking change to better yourself only helps big business? Just take these negative reviewers for what they are --- mindless followers looking for their next handout and their next life decision to be made by someone other than themself. These are the people who won't hold themselves accountable for the (obviously poor) choices they have made in their lives.
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Summary: Exellent book for dealing with change
Review: This book by Spencer Johnson is excellent for the times we are living in now and will teach anyone how to deal with an ever changing world. Analytical people will probably not be too happy with Who Stole My Cheese. Hard to believe that a 100 page book can contain so much infomoration. But it does. I also recommend 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr. Covey.
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