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by Carrie Schwab-Pomeranz (Get the Book)
Building off her popular "Ask Carrie" column, Schwab-Pomerantz (president, Charles Schwab Fdn., senior vice president, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; coauthor, It Pays To Talk) presents her latest book as a collection of answers to the most important questions for those who may be near retirement or thinking about it. After introducing her "Top Ten Recommendations for Every Age" on how to become and remain financially fit, she addresses everything from planning for retirement to encouraging financial independence in children and other family members. Her style is conversational and open-minded, a necessity with such a delicate subject. The advice is sound, not groundbreaking, but readers will appreciate the Q&A format that will allow them to skip to the most relevant points as needed. VERDICT The title of the book should not dissuade younger readers from picking up this volume as it includes invaluable guidance on many personal finance topics that affect those under 50, including saving for college, paying off debt, and preparing for the golden years. --Library Journal
by James W. Russell (Get the Book)
This is the story of how one individual fought bureaucracy and won. Along the way, Russell (Double Standard: Social Policy in Europe and the U.S., 2010) educates us about the fallacies inherent in our three-legged retirement system of Social Security, personal savings, and the employer pension 401(k) system. Although most of his battle is with the pension (defined benefit or DB) plan in the state of Connecticut, he manages to give readers an eyeful (and earful, if you can hear his insistence) about Social Security and the issues with personal investing not only in the U.S. but also in Chile, the UK, and other countries. His homework is impressive. He's researched the opinions of the World Bank, countless politicos and U.S. presidents, and conservative think tanks, as well as the outliers, such as the Cato Institute and Peter Orszag. Meanwhile, he also demystifies the pundits: Social Security will not go broke; 401(k)s do not offer a higher rate of return; and defined contribution plans (such as 401(k)s) are cheaper for employees and employers. His campaign is truly a case history to be emulated, one that requires much patience and time. --Booklist
by Tom Hopkins (Get the Book)
Every no means something different in sales. And rather than relying on a rote way of teaching how to break through these obstacles, experts Hopkins (author of How to Master the Art of Selling, 1980) and Katt show readers through examples. Their process is named the circle of persuasion, which starts and ends with traditional steps, from establishing rapport to closing the sale. What makes the program work is the authors' intense attention to detail as well as two conversation-filled case histories that mirror the content in each chapter. Here, salesperson Kate focuses on business sales; Bob, on residential. Emphasizing that a no doesn't signify a personal rejection, Hopkins and Katt pound away on the fundamental skills every good salesperson should acquire, such as listening, going beyond surface rapport, relaxing (a key attribute when the close is near), and negotiating. Selling well is not an easy subject to teach on the printed page; both authors will earn readers' respect for doing just that. --Booklist
by Miki Agrawal (Get the Book)
Agrawal, who founded New York City's farm-to-table pizzeria Slice at age 25, presents a unique approach to happiness and fulfillment: "doing cool shH t." Her success story is likely to lure potential readers: she's now partnering with Zappos.com founder Tony Hsieh (who contributes the book's foreword) to open Slice: Las Vegas. Offering a combination of vivid stories with action-able advice, Agrawal helps readers define and achieve their personalized versions of success. A cornerstone of her advice centers on mutually beneficial experiences. She encourages the evaluation of all relationships through a mutually beneficial lens and then prompts action, whether it means asking for change or moving on. Throughout, she challenges the reader to continually ask questions and to assess using her "BET" (bullet, eliminate, and take on) system, which consists of creating a segmented list of commitments, affiliations, and people. The result: eliminating the unworthy, nurturing the useful, and initiating new activities that conform with personal goals. Simple yet powerful, Agrawal's process liberates readers from conventional thinking and restrictions, freeing them to pursue their passions and make a living at the same time. --Publishers Weekly
