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Recommended Reading List
Recommended Reading List
This recommended reading list shows some of the books that are either
already in my personal library
or hopefully will be in the near future, and all of which have had a
profound impact or helped shape my life through the years. |
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| "EntreLeadership"
by Dave Ramsey This guy has been a great inspiration to me over the past few years. Dave's latest book, published in September 2011, is his 4th New York Times bestselling book, and provides practical, step-by-step guidance to grow your business, including how to inspire & unify your team, handle money, and reach goals. The Dave Ramsey radio show is heard by more than 4.5 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. |
"Stop
Acting Rich" by Thomas J. Stanley Listened recently to the audiobook. Dr. Stanley, a recognized and highly respected authority on how the wealthy act and think, also wrote "The Millionaire Next Door," which revealed shocking statistics about the average millionaire. In this book, he details how the less affluent have fallen into the elite luxury brand trap that keeps them from acquiring wealth and details how to get out of it by emulating the working rich as opposed to the super elite. |
"Thou
Shall Prosper" by Rabbi Daniel Lapin Rabbi Daniel Lapin outlines 10 fundamental "commandments" relating to business and money, and a practical approach to creating wealth, based on the established principles of ancient Jewish wisdom. I own some of this amazing man's audio programs as well, and listen religiously to his radio show every week. |
"The
Traveler's Gift" by Andy Andrews This thought-provoking book combines self-help with fiction, as the story's main character is magically transported back in history, where he is met by seven of history's most inspirational figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Anne Frank, King Solomon, Harry Truman, and Christopher Columbus, each of whom gives him a letter providing positive suggestions for overcoming life's obstacles. |
| "48
Days
to the Work You Love" by Dan Miller One of my favorite mentors whose podcast I listen to every week. His 48days.net community is an idea networking site for people who want to generate their own income, work on their own terms, and create the work they love. |
"The
Good
Life Rules" by Bryan Dodge I recently starting listening to this amazing man's Dallas, Texas radio show on my PC (www.wbap.com -- Sat. 4 pm CST). With all the depressing news these days, I think most people really need this stuff. |
"Tribes"
by Seth Godin Marketing guru Seth Godin is the founder of Squidoo.com, writes the #1-ranked marketing blog, & has written 13 bestsellers that have been translated into 33 languages. |
"How
to Be
a Gentleman" by John Bridges "When a gentleman has finished eating, he places his knife and his fork, crisscrossed, on his plate; A gentleman always restocks the copy machine with paper; A gentleman always offers to share his umbrella…" |
| "The New
Abs Diet" by David Zinczenko I have an older version of this book, but still recall the acronym, ABS DIET POWER, for recommended foods: A=almonds, B=beans, S=spinach, D=dairy, I=instant oatmeal, E=eggs, T=turkey, P=peanut butter, O=olive oil, W=whole grains, E=extra-protein powder, R=raspberries |
"Internet
Riches" by Scott Fox Scott Fox is a valuable resource on how to set up an online money-making venture, and runs the popular "Click Millionaires" online community. |
"Hiking
in
Japan" by Craig McLachlan, David Joll, et al. My bible, & in true Lonely Planet style, it's by far the ultimate reference source for climbing the highest mountains in Japan. |
"The
Beatles 100 Greatest Songs" by Rolling Stone One of my former university students who shares my passion for the Fab Four gave me this book last year. It's definitely a must-have for all true Beatles fans. On the last page are these amazing Beatles stats: 20 #1 hits; 46 Top 40 hits; 14 U.S. #1 albums; 219 songs recorded; longest stay at #1: "Hey Jude" - 1968 - 9 weeks; career record sales worldwide: 1.3 billion (as of 2004). Wow!! |
| "Why
You're Dumb, Sick & Broke" by Randy Gage This self-help book reveals the secrets of manifesting health, happiness, and prosperity in your life—but not in a way you’ve experienced before. Blunt, outspoken, and brutally honest, Randy Gage shoots down the forces that hold you back, and shows you how to take action to get smart, healthy, and rich. |
"The Total
Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey Ramsey offers a bold, no-nonsense approach to money matters, providing hope for getting out of debt and achieving total financial health. He debunks the many myths of money and attacks the illusions and downright deceptions of the American dream, which encourages overspending and massive amounts of debt. |
"How
to Be
Funny" by Jon Macks This book is the source of many of my old man's gag jokes that my students love so much. 
This invaluable guide on how to "lighten up" is written by a
comedy writer for The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno and over a dozen of the
nation's top comedians, politicians, and corporate leaders. |
"The
Millionaire Next Door" by Thomas Stanley & William
Danko Most of the truly wealthy in the U.S. don't live in Beverly Hills or on Park Avenue---they live next door. This bestselling book identifies seven common traits that show up again and again among those who have accumulated wealth. |
| "The
7
Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey The internationally respected leadership authority identifies the 7 habits that enable truly successful people to balance personal and professional effectiveness, so they can perform better in both arenas. A must-read for all self-improvement aficionados like myself. Over 10 million copies sold pretty much speaks for itself. |
"Ask
and
It Is Given" by Esther & Jerry Hicks This book will help you learn how to manifest your desires so that you’re living the joyous and fulfilling life you deserve. You’ll come to understand how your relationships, health issues, finances, career concerns, and more are influenced by the Universal laws that govern your time/space reality. And you’ll discover powerful processes that will help you go with the positive flow of life. |
"The
4-Hour Workweek" by Timothy Ferriss Whether your dream is escaping the rat race, experiencing high-end world travel, earning a monthly 5-figure income with zero management, or just living more and working less, The 4-Hour Workweek is the blueprint. I actually met Tim Ferriss by chance on the streets of Tokyo in Oct. '07.  |
"Success
for Dummies" by Zig Ziglar Zig Ziglar has been one of my top mentors since the mid-80's & has inspired and motivated hundreds of thousands of people the world over through his popular seminars and bestselling books. As one of today's most sought-after motivational speakers and trainers, Zig is arguably the foremost expert on how to be successful in your business & personal lives. |
| "Your
Best
Life Now" by Joel Osteen Joel is one of my top mentors & pastor of Lakewood Church, America's largest congregation in my hometown, Houston Texas, and whose services I watch live on the internet every weekend. More than 43,500 people attend the four English language services and two Spanish language services every week in the 16,800-seat church, which is located in the former Compaq Center sports arena. |
"Love
Busters" by Willard F. Harley Jr. Many wonderful pointers on protecting your marriage or relationship from those habits known to destroy romantic love. A very good read & reference source. (Too bad I didn't read it before my divorce.) |
"Chicken
Soup for the Single's Soul" by Jack Canfield &
Mark Victor
Hansen A 2002 Father's Day gift from my daughter which contains many great stories of love and inspiration for the single, divorced, and widowed. Yet another masterpiece from Canfield & Hansen. |
"The
Memory
Workbook" by Douglas J. Mason & Michael Lee Kohn After crossing the half-century landmark, the eyes were the 1st thing to go, closely followed by my memory. This interactive workbook contains breakthrough techniques to exercise your brain & improve your memory. |
| "How
to
Stop Worrying and Start Living" by Dale Carnegie This book has taught over 6 million people how to eliminate debilitating fear and worry from their lives and to embrace a worry-free future. Carnegie offers a set of practical formulas that you can put to work today and is packed with lessons that deal with fundamental emotions and life-changing ideas. |
"Light
Her
Fire" by Ellen Kreidman No comment, except that her advice on "how to ignite passion, joy, and excitement in the woman you love" really works. Trust me! |
"At
the
Sharpe End" by Hugh Ashton Hugh gave an excellent talk at our December 2010 Tokyo PC Users Group meeting on "The Pleasures and Perils of DIY E-publishing." Also, his 8-page e-book, "Keiko's House," is an interesting short story about an old house in Japan, its history, and how what has gone on before in the house has affected the people who live there now. |
"Little
Texas Cookbook" by Carolyn Dehnel This 1999 Valentine's Day present from mom has recipes for some of my favorite Texas concoctions, including barbeque beans, shrimp gumbo, chili con carne, beef brisket, fried okra, buffalo wings, jalapeno jelly, Mexican corn bread, chocolate pecan pie, poppy seed dressing, and sun tea. Long live yum-yum Texas cuisine!! |
| "Campfire
Songs" by Irene Maddox Over 100 folk songs, ballads, work songs, spirituals, cowboy songs, sea chanteys, and patriotic tunes. Perfect for any outdoor outing, including camping, hiking, or school/scout trips. This is an update of the same little book I fell in love with at a museum in Great Falls, Montana, enroute to my 1990 summer job at Glacier National Park and have cherished ever since. |
"Advanced
Skywatching" by Robert Burnham et al. A gift from a dear friend in California who knows firsthand my passion for stargazing, a hobby which goes all the way back to my Boy Scout days. This amazing starhopping guide is designed for both Northern and Southern Hemisphere observers and contains an easy-to-use series of charts offering 20 telescope tours through the sky's most fascinating regions. |
"Staying
Young, Looking Great" by Michael Lafavore From the former executive editor of the popular Men's Health magazine, this book covers topics that are important to men, including fitness, sex, food, health, career, and grooming. I picked up my copy shortly after first arriving in Japan. |
"I
Could
Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was" by Barbara Sher From the best-selling author of "Wishcraft," this book helps you ditch your unsatisfying job and seek out a richly rewarding career rooted in your heart's desire. It will help you recapture your long-lost goals, overcome the blocks that inhibit your success, and help you decide what you truly want to be. |
| "Why
Men
Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps" by Barbara
& Allan Pease To discover the differences between the way men and women think and communicate, the authors spent three years traveling around the world, collecting dramatic findings of new research on the brain, investigating evolutionary biology, analyzing psychologists, studying social changes, and providing answers to all things you've ever wondered about the opposite sex. |
"Work
Your
Way Around the World" by Susan Griffith This guide for the working traveller explains how to find temporary work around the world not only in advance, but also when on the spot while travelling. It gives information on all the main areas of temporary work including the tourist industry, teaching English, childcare and voluntary work, business and industry, and in addition covers how to travel for free by land, sea, and air. |
"Don't
Sweat the Small Stuff" by Richard Carlson Dr. Carlson's cheerful book offers 100 meditations designed to make you appreciate being alive, keep your emotions (especially anger and dissatisfaction) in proper perspective, and live a calmer, richer life. He aims to make us stop and smell--if not roses--whatever is sitting in front of our noses, and helps dispel the notion that gentle, relaxed people can't be super-achievers. |
"Do
What
You Love, The Money Will Follow" by Marsha Sinetar This book provides a step-by-step guide to finding the work that expresses and fulfills your needs, talents, and passions. The author shows you how to overcome your fears, take the little risks that make big risks possible, tune into your inner world and your unique talents, evaluate and build your self-esteem, liberate yourself from an unfulfilling job, and become a person whose work means self-expression, growth, and love. |
| "1,000
Places to See Before You Die" by Patricia Schultz When I bought a copy of this nearly 2-inch-thick book for my daughter last year, I figured I better just go ahead and get one for me as well.
This latest edition of the world’s bestselling travel book
has been completely revised and updated (Nov. 2011) with over 200 new
entries and has more than 500 full-color photographs. The perfect
resource for laying out your Bucket
List. |
"NIV
New Men's Devotional Bible" by Zondervan When I first saw this Bible in a Walgreens drugstore in Houston, I was immediately struck by one of those "I've got to have this right NOW" emotions.
This very delightful book includes daily devotions by over
100 prominent godly men and includes an author index with biographical
information, subject index, and multiple reading plans. Contains the
complete text of the New International Version, today's most popular
Bible translation, in an easy-to-read, double-column format. It's a
Bible for, by, and about today's Christian men. |
"Managing
Cultural Differences" by Robert Moran & Philip
Harris This book was a present from a former Japanese coworker who studied under one of the co-authors, Dr. Robert Moran, professor emeritus at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona. Having spent a good part of my professional career training Japanese engineers and managers prior to their overseas assignments, this book has been a valuable resource through the years, and I recommend it to anyone working or living in a cross-cultural environment, either at home or abroad. |
Main Tier 2 Pages:
What's New? (blog)
Highest Mountains in Japan
Strongest Ever Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Pacific Islands Travel
What Japanese University Students Think About...?
Yoshimizu's Artwork
Japan Mountain Pages:
Climbing Mt. Fuji - FAQ
Mt. Kita-dake
Mt. Oku-hotaka-dake
& Mt. Yari-ga-take
Mt. Ai-no-dake &
Mt. Shiomi-dake
Mt. Warusawa-dake
& Mt. Akaishi-dake
Mt. Tateyama &
Mt. Tsurugi-dake
Mt. Shirouma-dake
Mt. Yakushi-dake
Mt. Kasagatake
Mt. Kashimayari-ga-dake
Mt. Suisho-dake &
Mt. Washiba-dake
Mt. Jonen-dake
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