Rating: 
Summary: A very good book, though perhaps not exciting reading
Review: I just finished the book and I learned a great deal from it. I found it a little hard to get through, which is probably a good indicator that I needed it. I am one of those who have always had a basic distaste for organizational politics. But what I found here would have helped me immensely had I read it earlier. Very little in the book does not pass the common sense test, and much of it causes you to look at things in a way that not only removes the 'politics? Yuck' factor but makes you realize that organizational politics is really how things are done, so you better at least have a working knowledge of it. I thought the organization of the book was among the best I have seen and thought the summary sections were excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Superb practical guide to organizational politics!
Review: In its first edition this has been by far one of the most popular books with my MBA students. DeLuca presents useful and practical approaches to becoming and ethical political player in organizations. Too long the subject has been viewed as dirty, taboo. DeLuca brings politics out of the closet and gives readers practical tools for understanding their own political styles and how to work ethically and effectively with others. I eagerly await the second edition.
Rating:
Summary: Political Savvy - An Employee's Best Friend
Review: Mr. DeLuca has written a wonderfully insightful manual for success in the work place. A lightning fast and enjoyable read, this book will soften the battle scarred heart of even the most jaded and cynical Dilbert fans. The topic is the politics of the workplace, which is undoubtedly the leading cause of employee dissatisfaction everywhere. Joel DeLuca provides a wonderful case for recognizing human nature, and making a positive change in one's outlook to cherish the irrationality of the human organization that presently causes so much frustration and angst for the vast majority. I believe this book will be most beneficial to those who are experienced with, and distrustful of, organizational politics. I could tell you that I wish I read this book years ago, but I'm not sure that it would have had the same impact on my life had I not already seen office politics at its worst. This book provides some practical relief from the pressure of organizational politics, as well as a toolkit to help the reader participate in the workings in a proactive and benevolent way. This book is the culmination of a very sincere scientific investigation, presented in a manner that is not overly academic. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely suberb
Review: Political Saavy was among a handful of the most insightful, and eye opening business books I've read. It answers the age old question of how do I get results while doing the right thing. The counter-intuitive approach is brilliant; moreso, after reading the book, I've tried the concepts and they are right on target!
Rating:
Summary: Savvy has to be ethical
Review: Political Savy is a "must read" for anyone who has ever thought or been told that office "politics" are bad and to be avoided at all costs! Dr. Deluca provides wonderful insight into managing the "machs" and the bosses, that most of us in large organizations have encountered, who must win at all costs. By providing the rationality of the actors in organizational dramas, the book provides practical, easy-to-use methods that enable the reader to increase the probability of creating "win/win" situations that are ethical and satisfying The book is a permanent tool on my office bookshelf and I have given a copy to one of my friends and another to one of my co-workers!
Rating:
Summary: A great "how to" book on improving relationships at work
Review: Political Savy is a "must read" for anyone who has ever thought or been told that office "politics" are bad and to be avoided at all costs! Dr. Deluca provides wonderful insight into managing the "machs" and the bosses, that most of us in large organizations have encountered, who must win at all costs. By providing the rationality of the actors in organizational dramas, the book provides practical, easy-to-use methods that enable the reader to increase the probability of creating "win/win" situations that are ethical and satisfying The book is a permanent tool on my office bookshelf and I have given a copy to one of my friends and another to one of my co-workers!
Rating:
Summary: A must for corporate managers at all levels.
Review: This book touches the wellspring of success in relationships in corporate entities. The blend of understanding dynamics and learning practical skills makes this book one I will return to many times for personal grounding and for teaching others in my work.
Rating: 
Summary: Most useful as an attitude check
Review: This is a great tool to have as you build out your toolchest for corporate career growth. The style is a little dense at times. One eye-opening bit of advise was to not think of "politics" as a four-letter word. This admonishment sets the tone for a very practical and pragmatic approach to leadership through indirect influence. A good train read.
Rating: 
Summary: Idealistic and pedantic
Review: Yes, I have the book [...] and an MBA from a well-known East Coast university, plus 20 years management experience in large and small companies in high tech. True, a lot of the book's examples and ideas resonate. The main problem I have with this book is it gives SHORT SHRIFT to the effects of motivation, personality and game structure (not political style but personality such as bully, ego-defender, scorched earth type, take no prisoners...), corporate culture and just plain power politics. It assumes that its readers genuinely want to 'get the job done' and therefore want to learn ways to get others to help us 'get the job done.' Well, maybe that's true. For me, I wanted to be able to 'read' the players and the games and know how to work with them. The bottom line is, this book is a long-winded, pedantic and pseudo-quantitative statement of motherhood. Oh, the content is correct and I suppose valuable for people who have other purposes than I, but it's written in a style that is not entertaining, not flowing, not elegant; and in the end, not useful to me. By the way, the main reason I bought it is the long review by the lady from Fordham U saying it's an excellent text book. AFTER reading it, I beg to differ. Anyone want my copy?
Rating:
Summary: Idealistic and pedantic
Review: Yes, I have the book [...] and an MBA from a well-known East Coast university, plus 20 years management experience in large and small companies in high tech. True, a lot of the book's examples and ideas resonate. The main problem I have with this book is it gives SHORT SHRIFT to the effects of motivation, personality and game structure (not political style but personality such as bully, ego-defender, scorched earth type, take no prisoners...), corporate culture and just plain power politics. It assumes that its readers genuinely want to 'get the job done' and therefore want to learn ways to get others to help us 'get the job done.' Well, maybe that's true. For me, I wanted to be able to 'read' the players and the games and know how to work with them. The bottom line is, this book is a long-winded, pedantic and pseudo-quantitative statement of motherhood. Oh, the content is correct and I suppose valuable for people who have other purposes than I, but it's written in a style that is not entertaining, not flowing, not elegant; and in the end, not useful to me. By the way, the main reason I bought it is the long review by the lady from Fordham U saying it's an excellent text book. AFTER reading it, I beg to differ. Anyone want my copy?
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