Book Reviews by Ayoola Kaffo

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

I read this book not too long ago, having heard so much about it over the years. I first came across it during a visit with my Husband to his friend's house. I read 7 Habits and I learnt so much from it, I wish I had it earlier. Not only did this book get my full attention from beginning to end, it made me think seriously and I was forced to act on what I have learnt even before I finished reading the whole book. It is the first book I have read and been able to religiously apply the principles to my life with results to show for it. Stephen Covey presents a book with all the tools necessary for the journey of life and destiny.

It is one of those books you don't want to give away as it would be regularly needed for reference. As a christian, personally my number 1 book is the 'Holy Bible', and 7 Habits for me is the next book after that. It touches on all aspects of life. The book is so good, I had to get the version: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey, for my 12 year old son. I'm sure if I had I read that when I was his age, I would have moved further than this in life. My mum didn't buy me the book (Mum, I love you, you did and are still doing a great job).

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a book I strongly recommend for anyone genuinely interested in making their situations better by getting better. The 7 habits are not a set of separate formulas.They provide an incremental, sequential, highly integrated approach to the development of personal & interpersonal effectiveness. Before explaining the habits, Stephen describes Perception - how you see / view the world, Paradigm shift - to see situations differently: it's not what happens to us that affects our behaviour but it's how we interpret what happens to us. I'm excited about this book and I really could go on and tell you more , including the 7 habits. I can do more than that, I can propel you to your success, by encouraging you to get or buy the 7 Habits.

Summary: A Life-Changing Book!!!Buy this book

Jack: Straight From the Gut by Jack Welch

This book is listed on the "50 Success Classics by Tom Butler - Bowdon. In 2004, my Best Friend, Adenrele who also loves reading, brought the 50 Success Classics to my attention. We both agreed to go through the list and read all 50 books with life-changing wisdom. I'm on my 7th book now and I think she's probably on her 20th book already.

I read JACK - A book I would refer to as a "Success" story, by Jack Welch, who narrates his journey of 41 years with a Company (GE) that achieved so much. In a simple and with a lot of detail, he explains his wins, losses, the pluses & minuses that he encountered in GE and life in general. If there was something Jack had so much of, it was self-confidence, which he descibes as the greatest single gift his mum gave him right from his early years. Building self-confidence in people and others was the core and huge part of his leadership - as a junior Manager and right through his career as Chairman & CEO of GE. "Confidence gives you courage & extends your reach. It lets you take greater risks and achieve far more than is thought possible". His Mother gave him that much confidence, she convinced him that he could be anyone he wanted to be. It was really up to him "You have to go for it" - she would say. His mother raised him to be strong , tough and independent.

The book presents Jack's Leadership styles, Management beliefs and secrets of his success; which are definitely worth reading. Jack sure does have "guts". In school he wasn't the smartest, but he had the focus to get the work done & he bagged a degree, masters degree, PhD, and became the greatest Corporate Leader of the 20th Century who turned GE into the most valuable Company in the world.

Summary: A very interesting read. It's a book with a message not to be missed, grab it with both hands.View and buy this book

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Wow... I read 'Think & Grow Rich' in July 2005 out of curiousity, and it captured my interest after reading the first few pages. Once I read this book I had no choice but to develop an idea and put a business plan together.

Think & Grow Rich is not a book you read just for the fun of reading. The message of this book is clear, challenging and influential. I tell every interested individual I come across about this book. I was extremely excited to discover that my Niece, Adeola, a University Student at Newcastle, has also read Think & Grow Rich. This book is an absolute must for anyone in business, planning to go into business or anyone with a desire for success and wealth. Think like a winner and you will be one! If you haven't read this book already, you should! Buy yourself a copy. You will be glad you did.

Summary: Think & Grow Rich is guaranteed to change your life!View and buy this book

Who Moved My Cheese by Dr Spencer Johnson

If you haven't read, seen or heard of "Who Moved My Cheese" before and you are asking yourself right now, what's cheese got to do with anything?, then I would say you really ought to read this book to find out what your cheese is. I remember reading this book initially in April 2006 and I have since then read it at least 3 times over. The 'cheese story' as it is referred to stimulates my thinking each time I read it.

I had a discussion with my best friend, Adenrele, the morning after I initially read about the cheese story. We talked about business and investment opportunities in and around the world, the advances in technological developments that has taken place over the years, the endless possibilities all around and everywhere and new opportunities waiting for grabs. That's what reading Who moved My Cheese did, it profoundly changed my point of view and my evaluation of the world. Suddenly I could see clearly, it appeared I had been walking through life with my eyes closed.

Who Moved my Cheese is a good book,well written, easy to understand that one could almost miss its important and relevant message due to it's simplicity. With only 93 pages, it took me about 2-3 hours to read, I could have read it in less time. I learnt from this book not to get too comfortable in any situation, to keep moving, to seek, recognise and find new opportunities. "There is always new cheese out there whether you recognise it at the time or not". Hidden in the cheese story is what the biggest inhibitor to better things is, the crucial factors for success and how to cope better in finding new cheese and loads more.

Summary: To sum up the book, 'Who Moved My Cheese': I'll say great things come in small packages. A small, simple but significant book.View this book

The Richest Man In Babylon By George S. Clason

This book is an all time Classic. I read it in September 2005 and I have to say that I was initially put off by the ancient parables and style of writing, but extremely pleased I decided to carry on reading regardless.

I find the 'Richest Man in Babylon' highly motivational and I strongly recommend that you buy and read this book. The writer teaches the basics of becoming wealthy - the seven cures for a lean purse and the five laws of Gold, including sound financial advice that gets one well on the road to riches.

Summary: An absolute must-read!View this book

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Rich Dad Poor Dad is one of the very first books on finanace I read many years ago. I found in this book the basic education needed for finanacial matters.

Rich Dad Poor Dad is very informative and insightful. It was certainly an eye-opener for me and I'll recommend it as a starting point for anyone looking to gain control of their finanacial future.

Summary: For financial freedom, this is a book one can't be without!To view and buy this book

Think Big: Unleashing your Potential for Excellence By Ben Carson

I started 2007 with this book. A good friend, Biodun Aderoju gave me her copy of Think Big during the 2006 New Year's Eve Celebration in the early hours of 2007. I was at that period contemplating on my next book, when miraculously Think Big came along. Thanks to Biodun and I have to say it was God sent, because the message in Think Big was exactly what I needed then.

In Think Big, Ben Carson narrates how thinking positively and having a Positive Mental Attitude is the philosophy for success in life. He describes his real life situations, how thinking big, giving his best and seeking excellence has enabled him to shape and change his life around for good; to reach beyond himself and make a valuable contribution to the world. Ben Carson's message in Think Big is - if he can do it, so can any one else.

Not only did I find this book interesting, but challenging. It's such a power-filled book, that my lovely neighbour, Mrs Aderibigbe read a few pages of my copy, then decided to buy her own copy. A week later she requested 2 more copies for family members. I have to say I got hooked on Ben Carson for the next 2 months after reading Think Big, and I decided to read his other 2 books in February 2007: The Big Picture and Gifted Hands. What more can I say about 'Think Big' - It speaks for itself; We can choose the way we think and if we are what we think, I'd rather Think Big!

Summary: A powerful book!View this book

Rich Dad's Retire Young Retire Rich: How to get Rich Quickly and Stay Rich Forever by Robert Kiyosaki

There is definitely a lot to be learnt in this book which I read in June 2008, being the Book of the Month. It is meticulosly written by Robert Kiyosaki, who shares his own personal experiences on money, finances,  wealth and Real Estate.  Robert Kiyosaki elaborates on the paths taken by his 2 dads, one rich and the other poor; if you have read any of the 'Rich Dad' series you'll understand what that means. He brings out lessons learnt from both his dads using his own situations to guide the reader to make right choices about money.

The book explains in detail and elaborates on the Power of Leverage. I found it quite enlightening to discover a higher level of awareness that we all have within us the most powerful form of leverage in the world, which has the power to make us rich or poor, depending on how it is used. This book is loaded with essential information and hot tips on how to become financially free. The important step, however, is finding that STRONG ENOUGH PERSONAL WHY you want to become rich and that for me is the highlight of the book. As indicated by Robert Kiyosaki, without a strong enough why, even the easiest how to get rich will be too hard. There are many, many ways to get rich but there are only a few personal reasons why you want to get rich. If we find our WHY then we will find our HOW.

Summary: This is a book you need! View and buy this book.