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Summary: Behold, The Power of Metaphor
Review: The four characters in pursuit of the metaphorical "cheese" in this book exhibit various character traits, anthropomorphized in two mice and two miniature people, existing in the metaphorical "maze" of life. At first they find an ample supply and become complacent after finding it in the same place, "Cheese Station 'C'," every day. One morning they return to find the cheese absent.The two mice, Sniff and Scurry, approach the problem of the change in the "cheese" supply by simply taking action, setting out to look for more. The two small people, Hem and Haw, approach the problem of missing "cheese" by rationalizing the situation over and over, rather than realize that they just need to take action and look for more somewhere else. Finally, Haw reaches the turning point in his life when he sets out on his own and learns to laugh at himself and his predicament, as well as taking a chance by going in a previously untraveled direction. He reapeatedly tries to convince Hem to try the new route to "cheese" which he has had limited initial success attaining, but Hem insists on waiting for his old "cheese," which he felt entitled to, to return. Haw emerges as the hero of the story, adapting to change and eventually liking it, along the way leaving "writing on the wall" to inspire Hem, should he ever follow. We live in an era of rapid changes and the reader can interpret the "cheese" almost infinitly as a metaphor to some aspects of their own life, be it work habits, routines or personal life. (Who said, "the only constant in life is change?") This book is not an answer, but as with all metaphorical parables, an inspiration to broader thinking. It is short, easy to read and printed in larger type (probably to make the book appear longer.) It can be finished in one sitting, but the thought process will probably continue for some time, as you discover the different flavors of "cheese" in your life. If you enjoy metaphorical thinking, you will enjoy this book and find it useful. If nothing else, you will find a new set of cliches in the "writing on the wall."
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Summary: a brain washer
Review: this book just brain washed people instead of helping them. This book teaches one to accept unfairness and move on instead of staying and fighting for what one believes is fair.
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Summary: Simple story reminds us what's important
Review: Although the format of this book is simple and the story is a very short one (about a one-hour read), there are some profound messages in this book. It would be easy to dismiss this book because it's too short or by saying "I already know that", but that would be losing the essence of the author's message. Some of the main points in this book remind me a lot of my favorite book: "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work" by Ariel and Shya Kane. The key for me was to use the major points as reminders in my daily life because they are ideas we easily forget, but make life so much more enjoyable when applied. The main points I took from "Who moved my Cheese": - Have a sense of humor, don't take it all too seriously - Don't be complacent, but be willing to adapt to change. This doesn't mean lay down and die, just don't be so rigid you can't change perspectives. - Recognize that sometimes you are afraid, then act anyway. - Change is what makes us feel alive and keeps life exciting. I highly recommend "Working On Yourself Doesn't Work" in addition to this book. Some ideas are similar, but there is also a great deal of additional insight to gain from Ariel and Shya Kane's book about living in the moment and how awareness can transform your life (and helps you to get excited about New Cheese!).
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Summary: Simple and Deep
Review: Although at first appearances this story is very simplistic, when you listen more deeply, much of life can be seen in this story. If you are afraid of change, as most of us are, this story can help you put change into a clearer perspective. This is a MUST read!
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Summary: Worse Than Bad, It's Evil
Review: Luckily enough, I didn't have to pay money for this book - I was forced to read it by my employer. The fact most people read this book after their co-workers are handed pink slips as part of a kinder, gentler corporate reduction in force should be indicative enough of the intent of this book. Don't be fooled by the wanna-be New Age slant - the majority of examples in this book are work-related. The "& in Your Life" in the title is there to attempt to hide the ridiculously pro-upper management viewpoint of the book. Even if you can get over the 2nd grade reading level writing style, there's still the truly bad content to contend with. The author categorizes us all as either mice or "little people" in a maze who get bent out of shape if our "cheese" is moved. The moral of the story is that we should not get angry when our life bread is constantly moved and hidden from us by some invisible higher power (hmm, equating a higher power to large companies isn't too disconcerting now, is it?). Instead, we should not only embrace the fact we are being messed with, but also have FUN with it. I am a reader of self-help books. Additionally, I deal with change for a living (it's in my title and everything). I can, without a doubt, tell you that the goal of this book is not to teach the reader change management techniques for work or personal life, but rather it teaches that we should all be good little soldiers. It is antithetical to what most self-help books and books that address coping with change try to teach their readers. If you are looking for one of those types of books, save your $10-20 and look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for a way to control your large, disgruntled workforce, then by all means purchase 100 copies and distribute immediately as required reading to your employees. Those who read between the extra-large lines will most likely begin to seek employment elsewhere (who needs such rabble-rousers, anyway) and the rest will be pressured into submission (you hope).
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Summary: TRITE
Review: THE BOOK IS CLEARLY SOPHOMORIC IN ITS TREATMENT OF A COMPLEX SUBJECT. THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FORCES CAN NOT BE BOILED DOWN TO A SIMPLE MAZE. THE CHEESE MAY BE MOVED BECAUSE OF BIGOTRY AND NOT THE CHANGE OF ECONOMIC FORCES. THE BOOK OVERLOOKS THIS CONCEPT. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN CHANGE FOR CHANGE SAKE IS NOT GOOD AND MUST BE FOUGHT AGAINST.
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Summary: Radical
Review: First, let me say that my life was changed by this book. I stopped whining, I grew up, and I gained a mature perspective on my life. This book is incredibly instructive and valuable to anyone who wants to face life head-on. Two enthusiastic thumbs-up from a man turning over a new leaf! -Bean
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Summary: Who moved my wallet?
Review: Great, another management book. Is there anyone in America who is NOT an expert on the basic commonsense notions of organizations? I suggest buying some real cheese (you can almost get enough real Parmesan to flavor pasta for four) instead. You'll feel better, and if you've never had real Parmesan, you'll learn a lot.
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Summary: Who Stole My Cheese?
Review: 1. This book is wrong. It teaches that you must accept change without regard to whether it is appropriate it not. It teaches that you must not struggle, you must not fight. You must simply accept whatever change happens. This is the perfect book to distribute when a company is going through reorganization. 2. This book is inspirational. I mean inspirational in the sense that you can take a primitive and silly story, wrap some gibberish around it, bind it in hardcover and sell it for $20. 3. This book is horrible and has almost absolutely no value. The only way you might find value in this book is if you have no sense of self. It could be called "How to take a five-minute dinner story and turn it into a boring book." 4. There are two mice (or toolittlepeople) --- Spence Johnson and Ken Blanchard --- who stole my cheese. From my pocket. The only advice: please be careful. And save your money.
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Summary: "What would you do if you were not afraid?"
Review: This small book has a simple story about two mice and two small men. All four want cheese (ultimate happiness) and live in a maze. The mice are dumb but active and they find new cheese stocks when old ones finish. Men are, however, intelligent and they frequently disagree on ways to find new cheese stocks. Story tells you how the men deal with difficult and ambiguous situations and what lessons they learn. We all have changes happening around us and decisions to make in response. The message from the book is: WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE NOT AFRAID? Take a little risk to find your cheese in life. You might be lost in the maze and die but it's better than being lost in your home and live.
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