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><channel><title>Rich&#8217;s Reco&#8217;s &#8211; Rich Maloy</title> <atom:link href="http://richmaloy.com/subject/richs-recos/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><link>http://richmaloy.com</link> <description>Life, The Universe, and Everything</description> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 08 Apr 2019 04:10:40 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.3</generator><image> <url>https://i0.wp.com/richmaloy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/cropped-richmaloy-vert.png?fit=32%2C32</url><title>Rich&#8217;s Reco&#8217;s &#8211; Rich Maloy</title><link>http://richmaloy.com</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <site
xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">124687649</site> <item><title>The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson</title><link>http://richmaloy.com/book-review/the-subtle-art-of-not-giving-a-fck/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rich]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 01 Dec 2018 04:48:27 +0000</pubDate> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://richmaloy.com/?post_type=book-review&#038;p=2021</guid><description><![CDATA[There were times during this book where I thought I was listening to a self-aggrandizing autobiography, and just as I was judging the author for a pointless diversion, BAM! He'd hit me upside the head with something mind-blowing, earth-shattering, or just laugh-out-loud funny. This book is now on my unequivocal recommendation list. GET IT, READ IT. <div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=non-fiction">Non-Fiction</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=self-improvement">Self Improvement</a></span><br
/><span
class="subjects"><strong>Subjects:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a></span><br
/></div>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There were times during this book where I thought I was listening to a self-aggrandizing autobiography, and just as I was judging the author for a pointless diversion, BAM! He&#8217;d hit me upside the head with something mind-blowing, earth-shattering, or just laugh-out-loud funny. This book is now on my unequivocal recommendation list. GET IT, READ IT.</p><h3 class="bc-heading
bc-color-basebc-spacing-smallbc-size-mediumbc-text-bold">Publisher&#8217;s Summary</h3><div
class="bc-boxbc-box-padding-nonebc-spacing-small"></p><blockquote><p>In this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be positive all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.</p><p>For decades we&#8217;ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. &#8220;F*ck positivity,&#8221; Mark Manson says. &#8220;Let&#8217;s be honest, shit is f*cked, and we have to live with it.&#8221; In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn&#8217;t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is &#8211; a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. <i>The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck</i> is his antidote to the coddling, let&#8217;s-all-feel-good mind-set that has infected modern society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up.</p><p>Manson makes the argument, backed by both academic research and well-timed poop jokes, that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade but on learning to stomach lemons better. Human beings are flawed and limited &#8211; &#8220;not everybody can be extraordinary; there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault&#8221;. Manson advises us to get to know our limitations and accept them. Once we embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties, once we stop running and avoiding and start confronting painful truths, we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek.</p><p>There are only so many things we can give a f*ck about, so we need to figure out which ones really matter, Manson makes clear. While money is nice, caring about what you do with your life is better, because true wealth is about experience. A much-needed grab-you-by-the-shoulders-and-look-you-in-the-eye moment of real talk, filled with entertaining stories and profane, ruthless humor, <i>The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck</i> is a refreshing slap for a generation to help them lead contented, grounded lives.</p></blockquote></div><div
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href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=non-fiction">Non-Fiction</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=self-improvement">Self Improvement</a></span><br
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href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a></span><br
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xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2021</post-id> </item> <item><title>Series Review: Machineries of Empire by Yoon Ha Lee</title><link>http://richmaloy.com/book-review/series-review-machineries-of-empire/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rich]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2018 03:59:06 +0000</pubDate> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://richmaloy.com/?post_type=book-review&#038;p=2266</guid><description><![CDATA[When I set out to catalog my library, I couldn't wait to write this series' review. This series is unlike anything you've ever read. It's 100% sci-fi but the technology almost seems magical in its military applications, yet is described mathematically. The effect is a rich world, deeply imagined, and well executed. The story arc is intensely character-driven, and developed from the beginning with the end in mind—in other words, it all ties in neatly throughout the book. But yet, it's not laid out directly on a straight path from past to present to future. The plot twists and turns, the timelines shift, and the perspective changes. The series is deeply engaging. Be warned, it's not entry-level sci-fi. For that, I recommend 2001 Space Odyssey, Ender's Game, or Ready Player One.  This series is for the sci-fi nerd looking for something that pushes the boundaries, breaks the norm, and yet is still interesting and engrossing.<div
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href="http://richmaloy.com/?rating=five-stars/"><div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=sci-fi">Sci-Fi</a></span><br
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class="series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?series=machineries-of-empire">Machineries of Empire</a> &#124; </span><span
class="subjects"><strong>Subjects:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=series-review">Series Review</a></span><br
/></div>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When I set out to catalog my library, I couldn&#8217;t wait to write this series&#8217; review. This series is unlike anything you&#8217;ve ever read. It&#8217;s 100% sci-fi but the technology almost seems magical in its military applications, yet is described mathematically. The effect is a rich world, deeply imagined, and well executed.</p><p>The story arc is intensely character-driven, and developed from the beginning with the end in mind—in other words, it all ties in neatly throughout the book. But yet, it&#8217;s not laid out directly on a straight path from past to present to future. The plot twists and turns, the timelines shift, and the perspective changes. The series is deeply engaging.</p><p>Be warned, it&#8217;s not entry-level sci-fi. For that, I recommend 2001 Space Odyssey, Ender&#8217;s Game, or Ready Player One.  This series is for the sci-fi nerd looking for something that pushes the boundaries, breaks the norm, and yet is still interesting and engrossing.</p><h3>Series Reviews:</h3><ul><li><a
href="http://richmaloy.com/book-review/ninefox-gambit/">Ninefox Gambit</a></li><li><a
href="http://richmaloy.com/book-review/raven-stratagem/">Raven Strategem</a></li><li><a
href="http://richmaloy.com/book-review/revenant-gun/">Revenant Gun</a></li></ul><div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=sci-fi">Sci-Fi</a></span><br
/><span
class="series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?series=machineries-of-empire">Machineries of Empire</a> | </span><span
class="subjects"><strong>Subjects:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=series-review">Series Review</a></span><br
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xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2266</post-id> </item> <item><title>Revenger by Alastair Reynolds</title><link>http://richmaloy.com/book-review/revenger/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rich]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jul 2018 02:33:52 +0000</pubDate> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://richmaloy.com/?post_type=book-review&#038;p=2178</guid><description><![CDATA[When I picked this up, I was expecting something along the lines of Reynolds' other books such as House of Suns (one of my all-time favorites) and the Revelation Space series. What I got was so completely different, I nearly gave up on it early on. After I finished it the first time, my initial rating was only 4 stars. But after some distance from it, I kept thinking about how my expectation got in the way of what is an absolutely fantastic novel. I gave it a second listen and was thoroughly entertained. Reynolds does an amazing job of both building the universe and moving the action along. And it's a wild combination of steampunk (on the habitations), space travel (intra-solar system only), and far-out sci-fi (from previous generations long since dead). The main character is a young girl and her character development is one of the best parts of the book. <div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=sci-fi">Sci-Fi</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=steampunk">Steampunk</a></span><br
/><span
class="series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?series=revenger">Revenger</a> &#124; </span><span
class="subjects"><strong>Subjects:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a></span><br
/></div>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When I picked this up, I was expecting something along the lines of Reynolds&#8217; other books such as House of Suns (one of my all-time favorites) and the Revelation Space series. What I got was so completely different, I nearly gave up on it early on. After I finished it the first time, my initial rating was only 4 stars. But after some distance from it, I kept thinking about how my expectation got in the way of what is an absolutely fantastic novel. I gave it a second listen and was thoroughly entertained.</p><p>Reynolds does an amazing job of both building the universe and moving the action along. And it&#8217;s a wild combination of steampunk (on the habitations), space travel (intra-solar system only), and far-out sci-fi (from previous generations long since dead). The main character is a young girl and her character development is one of the best parts of the book.</p><h3 class="bc-heading
bc-color-basebc-spacing-smallbc-size-mediumbc-text-bold">Publisher&#8217;s Summary</h3><div
class="bc-boxbc-box-padding-nonebc-spacing-small"></p><blockquote><p><b>A superb science fiction adventure set in the rubble of a ruined universe, this is a deep space heist story of kidnap, betrayal, alien artifacts, and revenge.</b></p><p>The galaxy has seen great empires rise and fall. Planets have shattered and been remade. Among the ruins of alien civilizations, building our own from the rubble, humanity still thrives.</p><p>And there are vast fortunes to be made, if you know where to find them&#8230;.</p><p>Captain Rackamore and his crew do. It&#8217;s their business to find the tiny, enigmatic worlds that have been hidden away, booby-trapped, surrounded by layers of protection &#8211; and to crack them open for the ancient relics and barely remembered technologies inside. But while they ply their risky trade with integrity, not everyone is so scrupulous.</p><p>Adrana and Fura Ness are the newest members of Rackamore&#8217;s crew, signed on to save their family from bankruptcy. Only Rackamore has enemies, and there might be more waiting for them in space than adventure and fortune: the fabled and feared Bosa Sennen in particular.</p><p><i>Revenger</i> is a science fiction adventure story set in the rubble of our solar system in the dark, distant future &#8211; a tale of space pirates, buried treasure, and phantom weapons, of unspeakable hazards and single-minded heroism&#8230;and of vengeance.</p></blockquote></div><div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=sci-fi">Sci-Fi</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=steampunk">Steampunk</a></span><br
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class="series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?series=revenger">Revenger</a> | </span><span
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href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a></span><br
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xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2178</post-id> </item> <item><title>Wise Man&#8217;s Fear, The by Patrick Rothfuss</title><link>http://richmaloy.com/book-review/wise-mans-fear/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rich]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2014 05:35:31 +0000</pubDate> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://richmaloy.com/?post_type=book-review&#038;p=2247</guid><description><![CDATA[As I said with "Name of the Wind" you have to treat this book, that clocks in at over 42 hours as separate books combined into one. In this case, it's three distinct stories that could have been three separate books. Keep that in mind. My best analogy for the protagonist, Kvothe, is this: the timing of Forrest Gump, the wisdom of Ender, and the wit of Bean. This time the setting is at first the Hogwarts-esque school but soon ventures far afield. And now Kvothe adds to his skills by becoming the fantasy equivalent of Jason Bourne. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the elf sex scenes. There's always that as an incentive to read this three-books-combined-into-one fantasy novel. <div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=fantasy">Fantasy</a></span><br
/><span
class="series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?series=kingkiller-chronicle">Kingkiller Chronicle</a> &#124; </span><span
class="subjects"><strong>Subjects:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a></span><br
/></div>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As I said with &#8220;Name of the Wind&#8221; you have to treat this book, that clocks in at over 42 hours as separate books combined into one. In this case, it&#8217;s three distinct stories that could have been three separate books. Keep that in mind.</p><p>My best analogy for the protagonist, Kvothe, is this: the timing of Forrest Gump, the wisdom of Ender, and the wit of Bean. This time the setting is at first the Hogwarts-esque school but soon ventures far afield. And now Kvothe adds to his skills by becoming the fantasy equivalent of Jason Bourne.</p><p>And I would be remiss if I didn&#8217;t mention the elf sex scenes. There&#8217;s always that as an incentive to read this three-books-combined-into-one fantasy novel.</p><h3 class="bc-heading
bc-color-basebc-spacing-smallbc-size-mediumbc-text-bold">Publisher&#8217;s Summary</h3><div
class="bc-boxbc-box-padding-nonebc-spacing-small"></p><blockquote><p>&#8220;My name is Kvothe. I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me.&#8221;</p><p>So begins the tale of a hero told from his own point of view — a story unequaled in fantasy literature. Now in <i>The Wise Man&#8217;s Fear</i>, Day Two of The Kingkiller Chronicle, an escalating rivalry with a powerful member of the nobility forces Kvothe to leave the University and seek his fortune abroad. Adrift, penniless, and alone, he travels to Vintas, where he quickly becomes entangled in the politics of courtly society.</p><p>While attempting to curry favor with a powerful noble, Kvothe uncovers an assassination attempt, comes into conflict with a rival arcanist, and leads a group of mercenaries into the wild, in an attempt to solve the mystery of who (or what) is waylaying travelers on the King&#8217;s Road. All the while, Kvothe searches for answers, attempting to uncover the truth about the mysterious Amyr, the Chandrian, and the death of his parents.</p><p>Along the way, Kvothe is put on trial by the legendary Adem mercenaries, is forced to reclaim the honor of the Edema Ruh, and travels into the Fae realm. There he meets Felurian, the faerie woman no man can resist, and who no man has ever survived&#8230; until Kvothe.</p><p>In <i>The Wise Man&#8217;s Fear</i>, Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero and learns how difficult life can be when a man becomes a legend in his own time.</p></blockquote></div><div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=fantasy">Fantasy</a></span><br
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class="series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?series=kingkiller-chronicle">Kingkiller Chronicle</a> | </span><span
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xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2247</post-id> </item> <item><title>Name of the Wind, The by Patrick Rothfuss</title><link>http://richmaloy.com/book-review/name-of-the-wind-the/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rich]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2014 05:23:28 +0000</pubDate> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://richmaloy.com/?post_type=book-review&#038;p=2244</guid><description><![CDATA[I love this series so much I don't even know where to begin. Let's get one thing out of the way, the books are very long. This one clocks in at over 27 hours, however, it's more like two distinct books than just one. But let's talk about Kvothe, the protagonist. Take the best aspects of Ender (a child far smarter than his age), add in the orphan story of Bean (see Ender's Shadow), then mix in the luck of Forrest Gump (always in the right place at the right time—or wrong place at the wrong time) but obviously with wit of Ender or Bean, then add in the wizarding school aspects of Harry Potter (including the rivalries) and that's book one. In a fantasy world, of course. And that doesn't really do it justice. This series will be the best fantasy series you've read in a long time.<div
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class="post-data"><span
class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=fantasy">Fantasy</a></span><br
/><span
class="series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?series=kingkiller-chronicle">Kingkiller Chronicle</a> &#124; </span><span
class="subjects"><strong>Subjects:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a></span><br
/></div>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I love this series so much I don&#8217;t even know where to begin. Let&#8217;s get one thing out of the way, the books are very long. This one clocks in at over 27 hours, however, it&#8217;s more like two distinct books than just one.</p><p>But let&#8217;s talk about Kvothe, the protagonist. Take the best aspects of Ender (a child far smarter than his age), add in the orphan story of Bean (see <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/book-review/enders-shadow/">Ender&#8217;s Shadow</a>), then mix in the luck of Forrest Gump (always in the right place at the right time—or wrong place at the wrong time) but obviously with wit of Ender or Bean, then add in the wizarding school aspects of Harry Potter (including the rivalries) and that&#8217;s book one. In a fantasy world, of course. And that doesn&#8217;t really do it justice.</p><p>This series will be the best fantasy series you&#8217;ve read in a long time.</p><h3 class="bc-heading
bc-color-basebc-spacing-smallbc-size-mediumbc-text-bold">Publisher&#8217;s Summary</h3><div
class="bc-boxbc-box-padding-nonebc-spacing-small"></p><blockquote><p><b>Discover #1 </b><b><i>New York Times </i></b><b>bestselling Patrick Rothfuss’ epic fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicle.</b></p><p>“I just love the world of Patrick Rothfuss.” (Lin-Manuel Miranda)</p><p>“He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.” (George R. R. Martin)</p><p>“Rothfuss has real talent.” (Terry Brooks)</p><p>OVER 1 MILLION COPIES SOLD!</p><p><b>DAY ONE: THE NAME OF THE WIND</b></p><p><i>My name is Kvothe.</i></p><p><i>I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.</i></p><p><i>You may have heard of me.</i></p><p>So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature &#8211; the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man’s search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.</p></blockquote></div><div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
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class="series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?series=kingkiller-chronicle">Kingkiller Chronicle</a> | </span><span
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href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a></span><br
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xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2244</post-id> </item> <item><title>Who Stole the American Dream? by Hedrick Smith</title><link>http://richmaloy.com/book-review/who-stole-the-american-dream/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rich]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 13 Aug 2014 05:03:00 +0000</pubDate> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://richmaloy.com/?post_type=book-review&#038;p=2194</guid><description><![CDATA[There are very few things in the world that have had such a profound impact on me as "Who Stole the American Dream?" I read this in 2014, after being hired by SoftLayer, a recent IBM acquisition. Though my paychecks said IBM, everything else I did was under the SoftLayer banner and culture (until 2016, but that's a story that wraps up here). I was flying around the country, working with startups, evangelizing a cloud product I cared about and believed in, and getting paid by IBM to do it. IBM, by the way, is prominently vilified by Hedrick Smith in a few places. Smith's vilification and my job enjoyment—way beyond mere satisfaction—seemed in direct conflict. This was just one of the many points in the book that had me thinking deeply about my purpose in my life. It was a few months after finishing the book, reflecting on it, and working with a coach that I crystallized my mission: to transform the world through innovation and entrepreneurship. Here's where this review becomes an actual review. The book is about the systematic erosion of the middle class in America, and how the opportunity to achieve "American Dream" is being destroyed by everything from bi-partisanship, to corporate influence over government, and ultimately the widening of the wealth gap. All of this is told through a reporter's investigative lens in a narrative style that pulls you in page after page (or minute after minute). I believe I can make a difference in the American Dream and returning the middle class to prominence, but it sure as hell is an uphill battle. If you need some inspiration to join me on this quest, start here. <div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=economics">Economics</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=non-fiction">Non-Fiction</a></span><br
/><span
class="subjects"><strong>Subjects:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a></span><br
/></div>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are very few things in the world that have had such a profound impact on me as &#8220;Who Stole the American Dream?&#8221; I read this in 2014, after being hired by SoftLayer, a recent IBM acquisition. Though my paychecks said IBM, everything else I did was under the SoftLayer banner and culture (until 2016, but that&#8217;s a story that wraps up <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/2017/04/01/ride-the-wave-to-shore/">here</a>).</p><p>I was flying around the country, working with startups, evangelizing a cloud product I cared about and believed in, and getting paid by IBM to do it. IBM, by the way, is prominently vilified by Hedrick Smith in a few places. Smith&#8217;s vilification and my job enjoyment—way beyond mere <em>satisfaction</em>—seemed in direct conflict. This was just one of the many points in the book that had me thinking deeply about my purpose in my life.</p><p>It was a few months after finishing the book, reflecting on it, and working with a coach that I crystallized my mission: to transform the world through innovation and entrepreneurship.</p><p>Here&#8217;s where this review becomes an actual review. The book is about the systematic erosion of the middle class in America, and how the opportunity to achieve &#8220;American Dream&#8221; is being destroyed by everything from bi-partisanship, to corporate influence over government, and ultimately the widening of the wealth gap. All of this is told through a reporter&#8217;s investigative lens in a narrative style that pulls you in page after page (or minute after minute).</p><p>I believe I can make a difference in the American Dream and returning the middle class to prominence, but it sure as hell is an uphill battle. If you need some inspiration to join me on this quest, start here.</p><h3 class="bc-heading
bc-color-basebc-spacing-smallbc-size-mediumbc-text-bold">Publisher&#8217;s Summary</h3><div
class="bc-boxbc-box-padding-nonebc-spacing-small"></p><blockquote><p>Pulitzer Prize winner Hedrick Smith’s new book is an extraordinary achievement, an eye-opening account of how, over the past four decades, the American Dream has been dismantled and we became two Americas.</p><p>In his best-selling <i>The Russians,</i> Smith took millions of readers inside the Soviet Union. In <i>The Power Game,</i> he took us inside Washington’s corridors of power. Now Smith takes us across America to show how seismic changes, sparked by a sequence of landmark political and economic decisions, have transformed America. As only a veteran reporter can, Smith fits the puzzle together, starting with Lewis Powell’s provocative memo that triggered a political rebellion that dramatically altered the landscape of power from then until today.</p><p>This is a book full of surprises and revelations &#8211; the accidental beginnings of the 401(k) plan, with disastrous economic consequences for many; the major policy changes that began under Jimmy Carter; how the New Economy disrupted America’s engine of shared prosperity, the &#8220;virtuous circle&#8221; of growth, and how America lost the title of &#8220;Land of Opportunity&#8221;. Smith documents the transfer of $6 trillion in middle-class wealth from homeowners to banks even before the housing boom went bust, and how the U.S. policy tilt favoring the rich is stunting America’s economic growth.</p><p>This book is essential reading for all of us who want to understand America today, or why average Americans are struggling to keep afloat. Smith reveals how pivotal laws and policies were altered while the public wasn’t looking, how Congress often ignores public opinion, why moderate politicians got shoved to the sidelines, and how Wall Street often wins politically by hiring over 1,400 former government officials as lobbyists.</p></blockquote></div><div
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href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=economics">Economics</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=non-fiction">Non-Fiction</a></span><br
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xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2194</post-id> </item> <item><title>Startup Communities by Brad Feld</title><link>http://richmaloy.com/book-review/startup-communities/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rich]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 30 Oct 2013 04:16:21 +0000</pubDate> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://richmaloy.com/?post_type=book-review&#038;p=2133</guid><description><![CDATA[Ah, the "Boulder Thesis". Startup Communities is essential reading for anyone in the startup world, especially if you're in the startup world outside of the Bay Area. I've read this book quite a few times, and have heartily recommended it over and over again. It has become such an important part of startup community development that many of the terms, ways of thinking, and even the phrase "Boulder Thesis" have become part of the startup lexicon. If you're in the startup world and you haven't read it, go grab it now.<div
class="post-meta"><span
class="rating"><a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?rating=five-stars/"><div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=non-fiction">Non-Fiction</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=startups">Startups</a></span><br
/><span
class="subjects"><strong>Subjects:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a></span><br
/></div>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ah, the &#8220;Boulder Thesis&#8221;. Startup Communities is essential reading for anyone in the startup world, especially if you&#8217;re in the startup world outside of the Bay Area. I&#8217;ve read this book quite a few times, and have heartily recommended it over and over again. It has become such an important part of startup community development that many of the terms, ways of thinking, and even the phrase &#8220;Boulder Thesis&#8221; have become part of the startup lexicon. If you&#8217;re in the startup world and you haven&#8217;t read it, go grab it now.</p><h3 class="bc-heading bc-color-base bc-spacing-small bc-size-medium bc-text-bold">Publisher&#8217;s Summary</h3><div
class="bc-box bc-box-padding-none bc-spacing-small"><blockquote><p>&#8220;Startup communities&#8221; are popping up everywhere, from cities like Boulder to Boston and even in countries such as Iceland. These types of entrepreneurial ecosystems are driving innovation and small-business energy. <i>Startup Communities</i> documents the buzz, strategy, long-term perspective, and dynamics of building communities of entrepreneurs who can feed off of one another&#8217;s talent, creativity, and support.</p><p>Based on more than 20 years of Boulder-based entrepreneur turned-venture capitalist Brad Feld&#8217;s experience in the field, as well as contributions from other innovative startup communities, this reliable resource skillfully explores what it takes to create an entrepreneurial community in any city, at any time. Along the way, it offers valuable insights into increasing the breadth and depth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem by multiplying connections among entrepreneurs and mentors, improving access to entrepreneurial education, and much more.</p><ul><li>Details the four critical principles needed to form a sustainable startup community</li><li>Perfect for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists seeking fresh ideas and new opportunities</li><li>Written by Brad Feld, a thought-leader in this field who has been an early-stage investor and successful entrepreneur for more than 20 years</li></ul><p>Engaging and informative, this practical guide not only shows you how startup communities work, but it also shows you how to make them work anywhere in the world.</p></blockquote></div><div
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href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=non-fiction">Non-Fiction</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=startups">Startups</a></span><br
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xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2133</post-id> </item> <item><title>Start with Why by Simon Sinek</title><link>http://richmaloy.com/book-review/start-with-why/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rich]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Feb 2013 04:33:15 +0000</pubDate> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://richmaloy.com/?post_type=book-review&#038;p=1984</guid><description><![CDATA[An absolute must-read. There are very few non-fiction books I recommend unequivocally, and now that I think about it, this might be the only one that I recommend without preamble or qualification. I consider Start with Why to be baseline reading for anyone, anywhere. In case this wasn't abundantly clear, you should go read this book now. And if you have read it, go re-read it. I think I'll do the same.<div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=business">Business</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=leadership">Leadership</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=non-fiction">Non-Fiction</a></span><br
/><span
class="subjects"><strong>Subjects:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a></span><br
/></div>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>An absolute must-read. There are very few non-fiction books I recommend unequivocally, and now that I think about it, this might be the only one that I recommend without preamble or qualification. I consider Start with Why to be baseline reading for anyone, anywhere. In case this wasn&#8217;t abundantly clear, you should go read this book now. And if you have read it, go re-read it. I think I&#8217;ll do the same.</p><h3 class="bc-heading
bc-color-basebc-spacing-smallbc-size-mediumbc-text-bold">Publisher&#8217;s Summary</h3><div
class="bc-boxbc-box-padding-nonebc-spacing-small"></p><blockquote><p><b>The inspiring, life-changing best seller by the author of <i>Leaders Eat Last</i> and <i>Together Is Better</i>.</b></p><p>In 2009 Simon Sinek started a movement to help people become more inspired at work and, in turn, inspire their colleagues and customers. Since then, millions have been touched by the power of his ideas, including more than 28 million who&#8217;ve watched his TED Talk based on <i>Start with Why</i> &#8211; the third most popular TED video of all time.</p><p>Sinek starts with a fundamental question: Why are some people and organizations more innovative, more influential, and more profitable than others? Why do some command greater loyalty from customers and employees alike? Even among the successful, why are so few able to repeat their success over and over?</p><p>People like Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs, and the Wright Brothers had little in common, but they all started with why. They realized that people won&#8217;t truly buy into a product, service, movement, or idea until they understand the why behind it.</p><p><i>Start with Why</i> shows that the leaders who&#8217;ve had the greatest influence in the world all think, act, and communicate the same way &#8211; and it&#8217;s the opposite of what everyone else does. Sinek calls this powerful idea The Golden Circle, and it provides a framework upon which organizations can be built, movements can be led, and people can be inspired. And it all starts with why.</p></blockquote></div><div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=business">Business</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=leadership">Leadership</a>, <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=non-fiction">Non-Fiction</a></span><br
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xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1984</post-id> </item> <item><title>Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks</title><link>http://richmaloy.com/book-review/consider-phlebas/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rich]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:53:53 +0000</pubDate> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://richmaloy.com/?post_type=book-review&#038;p=1974</guid><description><![CDATA[This was my first Culture series book, and is so far is still my favorite. It's a far-reaching novel with a protagonist you really want to root for, even if you don't fully understand his motivations. He's always in awful situations, jumping from frying pan to fryer again and again, but always has something up his sleeve to barely escape by his teeth—pun intended if you've read it. As I get more into the Culture series, I appreciate this book more and more. It's an incredible adventure set in the middle of a vast universe. <div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=sci-fi">Sci-Fi</a></span><br
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class="series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?series=culture">Culture</a> &#124; </span><span
class="subjects"><strong>Subjects:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a></span><br
/></div>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This was my first Culture series book, and is so far is still my favorite. It&#8217;s a far-reaching novel with a protagonist you really want to root for, even if you don&#8217;t fully understand his motivations. He&#8217;s always in awful situations, jumping from frying pan to fryer again and again, but always has something up his sleeve to barely escape by his teeth—pun intended if you&#8217;ve read it. As I get more into the Culture series, I appreciate this book more and more. It&#8217;s an incredible adventure set in the middle of a vast universe.</p><h3 class="bc-heading
bc-color-basebc-spacing-smallbc-size-mediumbc-text-bold">Publisher&#8217;s Summary</h3><div
class="bc-boxbc-box-padding-nonebc-spacing-small"></p><blockquote><p>The war raged across the galaxy. Billions had died, billions more were doomed. Moons, planets, the very stars themselves, faced destruction &#8211; cold-blooded, brutal, and worse, random. The Idirans fought for their Faith; the Culture for its moral right to exist. Principles were at stake. There could be no surrender.</p><p>Within the cosmic conflict, an individual crusade. Deep within a fabled labyrinth on a barren world, a Planet of the Dead proscribed to mortals, lay a fugitive Mind. Both the Culture and the Idirans sought it. It was the fate of Horza, the Changer, and his motley crew of unpredictable mercenaries, human and machine, actually to find it, and with it their own destruction.</p></blockquote></div><div
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href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=sci-fi">Sci-Fi</a></span><br
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class="series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?series=culture">Culture</a> | </span><span
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xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1974</post-id> </item> <item><title>Thirteen by Richard K. Morgan</title><link>http://richmaloy.com/book-review/thirteen/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rich]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 17 Aug 2012 05:38:31 +0000</pubDate> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://richmaloy.com/?post_type=book-review&#038;p=1917</guid><description><![CDATA[Richard K. Morgan does it again. This time in a stand-alone sci-fi novel. This is another top reco from my reading list. It's an action thriller with another protagonist that's a bit hard-boiled. Not quite as anti-hero as Takeshi Kovacs, more of a genetically modified Jason Bourne. Actually, that's a great succinct summary of this book: Genetically-modified Jason Bourne.<div
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class="rating"><a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?rating=five-stars/"><div
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class="genre"><strong>Genre:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?genre=sci-fi">Sci-Fi</a></span><br
/><span
class="subjects"><strong>Subjects:</strong> <a
href="http://richmaloy.com/?subject=richs-recos">Rich's Reco's</a></span><br
/></div>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Richard K. Morgan does it again. This time in a stand-alone sci-fi novel. This is another top reco from my reading list. It&#8217;s an action thriller with another protagonist that&#8217;s a bit hard-boiled. Not quite as anti-hero as Takeshi Kovacs, more of a genetically modified Jason Bourne. Actually, that&#8217;s a great succinct summary of this book: <em>Genetically-modified Jason Bourne</em>.</p><h3 class="bc-heading
bc-color-basebc-spacing-smallbc-size-mediumbc-text-bold">Publisher&#8217;s Summary</h3><div
class="bc-boxbc-box-padding-nonebc-spacing-small"></p><blockquote><p><span
class="bc-textbc-color-secondary">Marsalis is one of a new breed&#8230;literally. Genetically engineered by the U.S. government to embody the naked aggression and primal survival skills that centuries of civilization have erased from humankind, Thirteens were intended to be the ultimate military fighting force. The project was scuttled, however, when a fearful public branded the supersoldiers dangerous mutants, dooming the Thirteens to forced exile on Earth&#8217;s distant, desolate Mars colony. But Marsalis found a way to slip back and into a lucrative living as a bounty hunter and hit man before a police sting landed him in prison &#8211; a fate worse than Mars, and much more dangerous.</span>Luckily, his &#8220;enhanced&#8221; life also seems to be a charmed one. A new chance at freedom beckons, courtesy of the government. All Marsalis has to do is use his superior skills to bring in another fugitive. But this one is no common criminal. He&#8217;s another Thirteen, one who&#8217;s already shanghaied a space shuttle, butchered its crew, and left a trail of bodies in his wake on a bloody cross-country spree. And like his pursuer, he was bred to fight to the death. Still, there&#8217;s no question Marsalis will take the job. Though it will draw him deep into violence, treachery, corruption, and painful confrontation with himself, anything is better than remaining a prisoner. The real question is: can he remain sane and alive long enough to succeed?</p></blockquote></div><div
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