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Rating: 
Summary: Open ended musings with no conclusions
Review: As you've probably noticed from the other reviews, J. Harvey does a good job raising questions about morality related management decisions, e.g. backstabbing or betraying a co-worker.My own enjoyment of the book suffered because there are no answers to the questions posed. Morality is not the sort of topic where one expects to the THE answer. However, I do require a speaker/writer to at least propose their answers, so I may compare and contrast them to my own views. I recommend this book if you prefer an open-ended discussion with no suggested or implied solutions. For new managers with their first inkling they might have a few misconceptions about what they've just gotten into, I recommend "Becoming a Manger: How New Managers Master the Challenges of Leadership" by Linda Hill.
Rating: 
Summary: A Solid Effort!
Review: Jerry B. Harvey, a professor of management science, offers a series of essays on various management topics, such as backstabbing, betrayal, deception and work environments. To make his points, he uses a kind of discursive, reflective approach that includes a mix of stories, fables, metaphors and considerations of language usage. Some might find his approach a refreshing narrative, complete with the feel of discovery you'd get from reading someone's diary. Others may find that the essays ramble and repeat themselves. We at getAbstract.com agree more with the first line of thinking. However, we do post the cautionary note that - although Harvey raises some generally unmentioned, intriguing issues in the politics of management - he does need to be more concise. In other words, perhaps he could have used that knife in his back to trim his prose a little.
Rating: 
Summary: Only for those who think...
Review: Jerry Harvey is great. The Abiline Paradox was wonderfully insightful and helpful and this one is also wonderful. His insights into spirituality, morality and human psychology are profound and helpful. This book is easy to read, it is fun and funny, but it is not a cookbook that tells you to do A, B, and C. It just helps you think deeply. If you want a cookbook there are a thousand books out there, I'm tired of them. Even the title of this book is thought provoking as is the rest of the book. Think for a change!
Rating:
Summary: Jerry Harvey is right on the money
Review: Jerry Harvey is sharp, quick witted, and perceptive. Anyone who interacts with other people at all should read this book. It is a rare combination of good writing and good lessons.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting ruminations on ramanagement
Review: The book centers on a key concept - we victimize ourselves. Work is a political place, but most of the time, we see problems coming. If someone stabs us in the back, usually we get a warning, but are complicit by not assertively contacting the person doing us in. This idea of defeating poor office behavior through open and honest discussion is developed in depth throughout the book.
There are two downsides. First, this book perhaps has too much text for such a simple concept. Although this is good reading for a fan of Jerry Harvey (I am one!) the Abilene Paradox is a much more efficient (more ideas, less words) introduction to his material. Second, Jerry is perhaps oversimplifying the world. Office politics is best beaten by open book confrontation of problems, but life sometimes is more complex than that.
That said, this is still a worthwhile read.
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