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Rating: 
Summary: An Unpleasant Overview
Review: I used this book in a graduate business class, and found it to be generally unpalatable, as did the rest of my class. My problem is largely in the self important, stilted writing style which is particularly notable in Chapter 3 under ecological factors (in which some popular, but scientifically questionable, theories seemingly influence the author's thinking detrimentally). As an aside, but a very distracting one, the layout of the book is absolutely horrid. There are numerous inserts, fact boxes, exhibits, and case studies scattershot throughout the book seemingly at random, which substantially breaks up the text. Additionally, many of the text boxes and examples involve copious texts and backgrounds in blue ink, which I am sure raised the production costs of this already very expensive book needlessly (not providing increased value to the end user...you would think they would read their own book).Largely the chapters are enormous lists with overly wordy jingoistic explanations. The section on "SWOT Analysis" is particularly annoying. It tries to sound like it is based on highly scientific principles, whereas, in reality, it is still a bunch of subjective value judgments. (Guesses, mostly, in actuality.) The terminology rarely cuts through to the central point, making the book enormously long and unwieldily. Likewise, it is very difficult to look up things as much of the information is scattered in seemingly illogical places. Overall, I obviously did not like this book, but gave it two stars despite it's faults due to some of the interesting case studies it contains. There are some excellent, thought-provoking cases examined. Unfortunately, there is insufficient discussion of these cases, which would have proven beneficial. The case studies aren't totally unbiased, either, as they largely are lifted directly from 'Business Week' (whose name and logo even appear on the cover) so is 'Business Week' didn't think it important, there is probably a dearth of information in the book on that subject.
Rating:
Summary: Required reading for a Class
Review: This book is a good general overview of strategic management but lacks well thought out insight into what makes a strategy successful. For example in class Dr Pearce calls SWAT analysis worthless. If that is the case then why doesn't he say that in this book? Furthermore, chapter 7 is the only worthwhile chapter in the book. But even then it lacks sufficient depth to be useful to a student or practitioner of strategic management.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book, Great Class...........NOT
Review: This book is as jaded and contrived as Dr Peirce's class. There is only one chapter worth reading #7, the rest of the book serves absolutely no value. Furthermore, I agree with the previous reviewer that Dr. Peirce makes some very strong statements in his class. However, why didn't the put them in his book? I guess other professors in the field would have laughed at him. Do not buy this book..........and save yourself 15 weeks of torture by not taking his class at Nova............MBA99
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