Tag: nonfiction

Bankable Buyer by Byron K. McFarland Review 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Byron K. McFarland shares the experience and insights gained from selling a business to the right people in “Bankable Buyer.”

The Synopsis 

When the Buyer Is Already in the Building

For owners who want more than a transaction, Bankable Buyer explores one of the most overlooked—and most misunderstood—exit paths: selling a business to the people who already know it best.

Through real-world scenarios, behind-the-scenes analysis, and practical reflection, this book examines what it takes to prepare a management team to become a credible buyer—and what owners must consider long before an exit is forced by circumstance.

This is not a how-to manual or a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a clear-eyed look at readiness, risk, and responsibility—for both sellers and future owners.

If protecting your people, your culture, and your legacy matters as much as the numbers, this book belongs on your desk.

The Review 

This was a compelling and insightful read. The balance the Author found in both the financial and human aspects of not only owning a business, but of making sure that business goes into the right hands was refreshing to see play out in this book. The author does a remarkable job of writing in a way that feels personal and speaks to each individual reader in a different way.

The heart of this book was in the careful framework of the authors experiences in selling their business in coming up with a clear succession plan. While thoroughly detailed, the author never lets up on loading the reader, now the emotional impact of selling a business and what it took to get that business up and running to begin with. Finding the right person or persons to run us something you created showcases how important humanity is in business not just profit. The pacing is perfect and allows readers to pick this book up time and time again on needing help in creating their own succession plans.

The Verdict 

Compelling, written with authority, and highly engaging, author Byron K McFarland’s “Bankable Buyer” is a must read non-fiction business book. An emotional and inspirational written book, the author showcases why it is so important to have a succession plan in order and the importance of finding the right people to take your business and the direction you intended it to be taken in making this a perfect reference book that readers can pick up time and time again. If you haven’t yet, please be sure to grab your copy of this book today!

Rating: 10/10

Official Links

• Amazon Listing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GD7MJ6YQ

• Website: https://www.themcfarlandgroup.com/

• Byron’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byronkmcfarland/

• The McFarland Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-mcfarland-group/

• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMcFarlandGroup

More Than Just Luck by Greg Wier Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Greg Wier shares the personal triumphs that led him to where he is today in the memoir “More Than Just Luck.”

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The Synopsis

A Tale of Survival and Success

Fresh out of high school in the early ’80s, a young man named Greg Wier chose marriage and family over carefree nights with friends. But with adulthood came the fast reality of car and mortgage payments, and responsibility quickly replaced the party life. Armed with nothing but determination and an unshakable will to succeed, Greg not only made a living but carved a path through dangerous times and bold risks—rising all the way to the top.

This must-read story is one of survival, grit, and the relentless pursuit of success in a world where status and possessions define the game. Greg overcame competitors with hard work, battled legal and business challenges with sheer instinct, and proved that winning isn’t just about running the race—it’s about finishing first.

A gripping, inspirational read for anyone who wants to learn not only how to compete, but how to thrive. A true thriller of perseverance and triumph.

The Review

A refreshingly honest, compelling memoir, the author does an incredible job of writing in a way that feels both conversational and inspiring. The author’s writing style holds no punches, speaking directly to the reader and revealing the gritty side of both his life and life in the world of personal security. The shocking stories the author relates to readers, from both a personal and professional angle, are astonishing, to say the least, and prove that some of the most compelling stories come from the most unlikely of places.

At the heart of this narrative is the story of family, both family found and family lost. The lengths that a person is willing to go to be responsible and take care of their family, and the ways in which family shapes who we become. The relatability and emotional core of the author’s story will resonate with so many readers, and the balance this strikes with the more humorous and striking narratives the author reveals makes this memoir incredibly engaging.

The Verdict

Honest, enthralling, and inspiring, author Greg Wier’s “More Than Just Luck” is a must-read nonfiction memoir. The detailed, in-depth stories the author relays to readers, and the way the book explores both financial freedom and family responsibility, make this feel like a memorable nonfiction read that will resonate with readers for years to come. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Greg Wier did not ease into adulthood — he was forced into it.

Four months after graduating high school, he was married. Five months later, he was a father. With no safety net and few opportunities in the early 1980s, survival became a matter of discipline and resolve.

At nineteen, he started his first business: a janitorial company cleaning apartment hallways. It failed quickly. He lost his only account and was dismissed from the job. But the lesson was permanent. If he wanted control of his future, he would have to build it himself.

Greg took a job as a security guard. It changed the trajectory of his life. He learned the business from the inside — operations, sales, trust, and how power actually moves. Years later, he partnered with others to launch a security company that grew rapidly. On the surface, it looked like success. Privately, it was unraveling. A partner was stealing, supporting two families, and driving the company toward court judgments, bankruptcy, and multiple attempts on Greg’s life.

Greg walked away and rebuilt.

Then rebuilt again.

Another company collapsed under theft, drugs, and internal disorder. In 2002, Greg made a defining decision: no partners. no excuses. only accountability. What followed was his strongest rise. He built a major security company, expanded into residential real estate, and entered the music business. In 2005, the sale of his security company made him a millionaire at forty-one.

Greg reinvested in music, working with national artists and developing new talent until one artist chose self-destruction over success and the business collapsed without warning. He responded with his boldest move yet: purchasing a nine-story, 100,000-square-foot commercial office building. It became the base of operations for a new structure — a guard company, an entertainment company, and an electronics business, each occupying its own floor.

For the next twelve years, those companies expanded beyond expectation. The cost was personal. Partners left. Greg remained. Seven days a week. On call at all hours. The pressure was constant.

In 2022, he sold the business — the most relieving and most difficult decision of his life. What he built was gone, and one truth became clear: the work was never the mistake. Sharing a vision with people who did not carry it was.

Today, Greg waits — not in retreat, but in preparation. Preparing to return on his own terms, with full control of the vision he once built.

His story is not about luck.

It is not about timing.

It is not about chance.

It is about endurance.

It is about consequence.

it is about finishing what you start.

https://linktr.ee/morethanjustluck

https://www.instagram.com/morethanjustluck

Getting to a Better Place: A Way for Men (and Women) to Chart A New Path by Carine Fabius Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Carine Fabius shares the path for both men and women to dismantle the Patriarchal system that has plagued our society for so long in the book “Getting to a Better Place.”

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The Synopsis 

Getting to a Better Place: An Empowering Appeal for Change

Is the current state of things getting you down? This book is your call-to-action!

Written with love and humor, Getting to a Better Place is in the zeitgeist. More than a book—it’s a movement, inspiring young men seeking a brighter future for themselves and future generations to flip the script and make a difference—one simple step at a time.

Giving voice to women who feel unheard, empowering men to move forward in new ways.

It’s not about blame, it’s about better.

Reader quote:

“Not your average book; very insightful and thought-provoking. If you’re a dude, give it a try: a much different perspective on things that make a lot of sense.” Wilfrid N., Civil Servant

The Review

This book immediately spoke to me. Growing up spending so much time with my mom and sister, I’ve always been dumbfounded by the attitude and behavior of men in relation to women in our society, and have always thought that no matter if a person has any role in the way things happen or not, men should always be part of the solution, and not just the problem. The author does a remarkable job of conveying this throughout the book, delving into the harmful indoctrination this system has in place for men growing up without hating or hurling insults at men in general, but instead speaking to men in an effort to educate and help reinforce ideas of partnership between men and women in general.

The balance of statistics and research, with the author’s passion for the material and the humor with which the author writes, made this a compelling book to delve into. The need to get rid of these hard-hitting ideas that gender norms are set in stone was perfectly summarized when the author studied the difference between male, man, and macho, while also delving into serious movements like the Me Too movement and why it was so vital and important to our society, and how men reconsidered how they approached and treated women. These topics were handled with honest, upfront, and thought-provoking writing.

The Verdict

Insightful, compelling, and engaging, author Carine Fabius’s “Getting to a Better Place” is a must-read nonfiction book and guide to gender, relationships, and societal movements. The depth of research and relatability of the scenarios in each chapter, along with the author’s writing style in general, will keep readers invested in the book, and the value of the lessons and the overall movement this book inspires will have readers returning to it time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

If you’ve landed on my site, it means you’ve found someone whose life and business revolves around the arts—the literary arts, visual arts and body art. People exposed to the arts at an early age develop the crucial life skills of engaged and discerning citizens. The so-called Bohemian Factor has also demonstrated that the presence of artists in an area impacts housing values and regional incomes in a crazy positive way! Here’s to living the magical and creative life, and embracing the often-challenging destiny that comes with it. I love to write. I am the author of six fiction and non-fiction books. I also blogged for Huffpost for 10 years on the arts, culture, lifestyle, politics, and business until they shut down their blogger platform. 

 I am also  an art dealer, owner of Galerie Lakaye, a contemporary ethnic art gallery specializing in Haitian art. Visit us at http://www.galerielakaye.com. I love curating art exhibitions and do so for museums, municipal art galleries, and other public spaces. Finally, I am the owner of Lakaye Studio, which introduced henna tattoos to the West Coast in 1997. We manufacture temporary tattoo kits that we sell to stores and direct to customers at www.earthhenna.com.

http://www.carinefabius.com

http://www.huffpost.com

https://cfabius.medium.com/

https://tinyurl.com/fjefywj4

I Have An App Idea by Amanda Spann Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Amanda Spann shares the guide non-technical readers can use to help launch an app in the book “I Have An App Idea.”

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The Synopsis

I Have An App Idea is the ultimate resource for aspiring app entrepreneurs without a technical background.

This workbook offers a step-by-step road map to guide nontechnical founders from concept to launch with confidence. Designed to break down the complexities of app development, it combines Amanda Spann’s personal experiences and proven strategies with interactive activities and worksheets that provide hands-on support every step of the way.

Through relatable stories, real-life examples, and practical tools, Amanda helps founders avoid costly mistakes and build products primed for success. With each chapter, readers will uncover strategies to validate their ideas, build sustainable businesses, communicate effectively with developers, and manage the development process—ensuring founders remain empowered and in control. This book demystifies app entrepreneurship, clarifies the essentials, and offers a solid foundation for creating scalable products—without the overwhelm.

This book demystifies app entrepreneurship, clarifies the essentials, and offers a solid foundation for creating scalable products without the overwhelm.

Holiday Bundles

The Review

A truly insightful and engaging read, the author does a remarkable job of crafting a guide that feels instructive and compelling. The wealth of knowledge and skill the author brings to each chapter is evident on every page, and the straightforward, educational approach to the topic feels both guided and relatable, giving readers a sense of ease as they jump into this guidebook.

What stood out from other books in the tech sphere was the lack of technical terminology and the scope of work this book was meant to encompass. Rather than focus on coding and other tech-specific language, the author approached it from an inspirational and business-level perspective, allowing the reader to get an inside look at how app development works without feeling lost in the tech language and knowledge that often escapes others. 

The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and engaging, author Amanda Spann’s “I Have An App Idea is a must-read nonfiction book and guide for those looking to develop their ideas for apps. The focus on developing the idea itself, as well as the app to accompany it, was great, and the author’s honest and insightful perspective came through naturally in a straightforward writing style that will keep readers returning to the book time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Amanda Spann, recognized as America’s Leading App Educator, has empowered over 30,000

entrepreneurs globally with the tools to bring their app ideas to life. A serial app entrepreneur

with a background in brand development, Amanda specializes in helping individuals and

institutions design, launch, and scale new products, incubator programs, and entrepreneurship

ecosystems.Credited with co-founding the U.S.'s first immigrant-focused accelerator, her

experience spans supporting underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs in

economically distressed areas across the U.S. and empowering founders domestically,

throughout Africa, and the Caribbean.

https://linktr.ee/IHaveanappIdea

https://www.instagram.com/theamandaspann/

Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes by Claude Hanhart and Rachel Collins Review 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Authors Claude Hanhart and Rachel Collins share effective tools to communicate goals in business in their book “Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes.”

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The Synopsis 

You’ve been in that Agile planning session.

Everyone agrees on goals like “improve customer experience” or “increase engagement.” The roadmap looks aligned. The OKRs are approved. But when the sprint ends, no one can clearly explain what success actually means—or why customers should care.

Months later, your product team ships a feature. Customers don’t use it. Stakeholders ask uncomfortable questions. Someone says, “I thought we were building something different.”

This isn’t a delivery problem. It’s a conversation problem.

Across Agile teams, product management organizations, and enterprise transformations, teams work hard, follow the process, and deliver on time—yet still struggle to create real customer and business value. The gap isn’t execution. It’s how goals, assumptions, and decisions are discussed.

Structured Conversations is a practical toolkit for closing that gap.

This book shows product leaders, Agile coaches, and delivery teams how to use clear language and visual thinking to align strategy, product decisions, and day‑to‑day work around measurable outcomes.

In this book, you’ll learn how to:

  • Write clear, outcome‑focused goals using VERB + NOUN syntax that eliminate ambiguity
  • Connect customer needs to business impact using Empathy Mapping, Customer Journey Mapping, and Impact Mapping
  • Align product roadmaps and delivery plans with OKRs that drive accountability and learning
  • Validate assumptions early using Hypothesis‑Driven Development and Example Mapping
  • Facilitate cross‑functional Agile conversations where disagreements become productive
  • Turn vague requirements into clear, executable user stories that teams interpret the same way

Drawing on experience across startups, financial services, and large‑scale Agile transformations, Structured Conversations bridges the gap between product strategy and value delivery with techniques that work in real‑world environments.

The approaches are modular. Start with the technique that addresses your biggest challenge today. Each chapter includes step‑by‑step guidance, real examples, and “Try This Right Now”exercises you can apply immediately.

Whether you work in product management, Agile delivery, or organizational change, this book helps you turn good intentions into measurable outcomes.

The Review 

This was a compelling, engaging business-driven book. The authors do a wonderful job of hooking readers with a simple yet impactful solution that creates engagement and interest in companies and their products. The balance between thoughtful lessons and frameworks for driving these successes, along with the actual workbooks and guides the authors create, allows readers to put what they’ve learned into practice, making this a memorable book to get lost in.

The precision and expertise with which the authors lay out their templates was incredible. The idea of using a single noun and verb to communicate products and services, and of creating a comprehensive structure that businesses can build upon, was fantastic and incredibly innovative. The author’s writing style was engaging and to the point, and they imparted a lot of knowledge in just a short amount of time.

The Verdict 

Engaging, thought-provoking, and compelling, “Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes” by author Claude Hanhart and Rachel Collins is a must-read nonfiction book. The structure and clarity these concepts bring to readers, and the way the authors show readers how to approach these steps rather than just talk at the reader, make this a stunning book that readers can pick up and use as a reference time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Authors

Claude Hanhart is a Product Strategist and Agile Coach with 10+ years of leadership experience in driving groundbreaking product strategies and agile transformations. His approach centers on fostering innovation rooted in business objectives, customer experience, and market leadership through tools such as Generative AI, OKRs, and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD).

Claude’s unique academic background – with an MA in Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology and Languages from the University of Berne in Switzerland and an MA in Geography from the University of Minnesota – brings an interdisciplinary perspective to modern product challenges. His multilingual abilities in German, Swiss German, and French have proven invaluable in international collaborations.

Structured Conversations represents Claude’s commitment to bridging strategic thinking with practical implementation. Currently based in New Jersey with his wife, Claude finds that their three energetic dogs serve as daily reminders about the importance of clear communication and patient guidance – principles that translate beautifully into his professional coaching work.

Rachel is a seasoned business‑strategy professional whose career has been built around turning complex challenges into clear, actionable solutions. With a track record of guiding organizations toward measurable impact, she blends rigorous, data‑driven analysis with a human‑centric mindset – always asking how people, processes, and technology can work together more effectively. Her practical, results‑focused approach has helped teams align goals, streamline actions, and translate those actions into lasting outcomes.

Structured Conversations marks Rachel’s first full‑length publication, and she feels especially honored to have been invited by Claude to co‑create this work. Rachel lives in North Carolina with her husband and their four rambunctious cats. When she isn’t untangling business puzzles, you’ll find her exploring the local arts scene, hiking and mountain biking, or enjoying a quiet evening of reading with her feline companions.

https://a.co/d/088B7dTQ

The Campfire Effect by Matthew Kaufman Review 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Matthew Kaufman shares the science and tools of building communities in the book “The Campfire Effect.”

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The Synopsis

What if the secret to building stronger teams, closer families, and more connected classrooms has been hiding in plain sight for over a century?

For more than thirty years as a summer camp professional, Matt Kaufman has watched thousands of children transform from anxious strangers into lifelong friends in a matter of weeks. Along the way, he noticed something remarkable: camp wasn’t just creating memories. It was engineering belonging through a neurochemical process that most organizations stumble into by accident.

The Campfire Effect reveals the five-chemical framework behind that transformation: oxytocin for trust, dopamine for motivation, cortisol for resilience, serotonin for dignity, and endorphins for joy. Together, they form a flywheel that any leader, parent, or teacher can set in motion.

Most communities are accidental. Yours should be intentional.

Inside, you’ll discover:

• Why your workplace may be functioning as what psychologists call a “wire mother,” and what to do about it

• The surprising reason your best employees are leaving (it’s not the money)

• How a single three-word check-in can transform the culture of a team, a classroom, or a family dinner

• Why stress plus support equals growth, but stress alone equals damage

• What Google’s Project Aristotle and a cabin full of eleven-year-olds have in common

Each of the seventeen chapters ends with a Monday Morning Blueprint, giving you concrete tools for parents, managers, and teachers. The appendices include ready-to-use agreement templates, fifty questions to spark connection, a troubleshooting guide, and a one-page cheat sheet you can pin to your wall.

Whether you lead a team of five or a school of five hundred, The Campfire Effect gives you the science, the stories, and the step-by-step tools to build communities where people actually belong.

The Review

This felt like such a relatable, fun, and engaging read. The reality of many books on leadership, business, and life itself can feel too technical and data driven at times, and the experiences and stories the author brings to this book changes the formula greatly. The amount of research the author put into creating this book by including well-founded research and study on human brain chemistry and the impact of social interaction overall was astounding to see on the pages of this book. 

The heart of the book was not in the science itself, but in the impact that science had on highlighting the importance of community as a whole. The emotional connection people make when they find their community, and the bonds that form between individuals in that community help motivate and inspire others in their everyday life, and the way the author is able to apply that through these composite figures they create to represent the people they’ve met over the years was inspired and highly creative. Insights into how quiet leadership can accomplish a great deal of things or how even technology like Zoom calls can become the modern-day equivalent of gathering around the campfire and exchanging stories is a testament to the way forming bonds can push people forward in life.

The Verdict

Insightful, compelling, and enthralling, author Matthew Kaufman’s “The Campfire Effect” is a must-read nonfiction book on leadership development, relationships, and the science of community. The depth of knowledge is well-balanced by the personal stories and experiences the author is able to relate that knowledge to, and will keep readers eager to use this book as a great reference book long after they have finished reading it. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Matt Kaufman trained as an engineer. He has spent over thirty years applying that discipline to the most complex system imaginable: human belonging. His laboratory is summer camp.

What began as a summer job became a lifelong study of what makes groups of strangers become families. As a camp director, Matt has watched thousands of children cross the threshold from fear to courage, from isolation to belonging. He has decoded the invisible architecture that made these transformations possible.

In The Campfire Effect, Matt translates the principles of camp into practical tools for leaders, educators, and families. He shows how to bring the warmth of the campfire into the cold of the conference room and the quiet of the kitchen table.

Matt continues to believe that every organization, every classroom, and every home can become an intentional community.

https://amzn.to/3ORQwJp

https://us.list-manage.com/kQ8ASEdBGxn?e=85cd11142f&c2id=d5b48220409453d004374198058a3bde

Uncommon Sense by Mel Blackwell Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Mel Blackwell shares the lessons he learned to create a culture of problem solving in successful businesses in the book “Uncommon Sense.”

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The Synopsis

Does your business look successful on the outside—but feel chaotic on the inside?
Are you stuck in constant firefighting, watching the same problems repeat while people dodge responsibility and culture slowly erodes? Is your culture just dysfunctional enough that everyone’s comfortably miserable, too afraid of the change that actually removes the root obstacles?

You don’t need another trendy leadership theory. You need something that actually works. Fix your culture and all metrics improve immeasurably.

After more than 35 years leading startups, turnarounds, and large organizations, former EOS Integrator Mel Blackwell has seen what really breaks businesses—and what actually fixes them. He’s led from the shop floor to the C-suite, rebuilt broken teams, and helped leaders move from chaos to clarity when pressure was real and payroll was due.

Uncommon Sense: The Fight to Fix Your Workplace Culture in the Wild West of Business is built on battle-tested leadership—not buzzwords. Through gritty stories, plainspoken wisdom, and practical tools, Mel shows you how to build a culture that can take a hit, solve problems fast, and keep moving forward.

This book doesn’t sell theory. It gives you a roadmap.

In this book, you’ll learn:

  • How to build a problem-solving culture instead of a complaining one
  • How to build winning leverage and traction into your culture
  • Why structure must come before people—and how to get it right
  • How to lead with accountability, not excuses
  • The system for eliminating toxic behavior that attracts, empowers, and develops good people
  • Best Pledge™—How to get the absolute best from your people because people as their worst self will not deliver best practice
  • How to align your team around vision and stellar execution
  • Why every organization needs two visions—and how to use them
  • How to lead with courage and win when pressure hits


Plus, you’ll discover why most leaders are “worshipping problems” instead of solving them, why not everyone belongs in every role, and how real leadership shows up when things get hard.

This book doesn’t read like a consultant talking at you. It’s written by a mentor walking beside you—telling the truth, sharing the scars, and showing you what works in the trenches.

When you apply what’s inside this book, leadership gets clearer. Problems get smaller. People are at their best. Teams get stronger. You gain leverage. And your business becomes something that can survive storms instead of being wrecked by them.

If you’re tired of drifting, guessing, and putting out fires—and ready to lead with clarity, courage, and confidence—this is your moment.

Buy Uncommon Sense: The Fight to Fix Your Workplace Culture in the Wild West of Business today and start building a culture that actually works.

The Review

This was a powerful and insightful read that really does a remarkable job of cutting through the technical jargon and power words that so many other business books like to focus on for leadership and instead focuses on getting to the root of many company’s problems. The honest and engaging way the author engaged with the reader and wrote in a way that felt conversational in tone allowed the reader to hone in on the author’s core messages and experiences and apply those lessons throughout the book to their own life.

The author touches upon a lot of useful and tried and true practices and engaging tools that management, leadership, and aspiring entrepreneurs can use on a daily basis. The idea of leaders needing not only an initial vision for the company, but a subvision of how the company will get to that end goal was fascinating, as was the square wheeled wagon theory the author presents that reflects the misdiagnosis of company problems that often lead to more issues than results. The imagery and creative ways in which the author relates these problems are not only fun but help illustrate the problems perfectly.

The Verdict

Engaging, thoroughly-presented, and compelling, author Mel Blackwell’s “Uncommon Sense” is a must-read business and leadership nonfiction book that will both inspire and educate readers who are looking to establish a solid, functioning culture of cohesiveness for their businesses. The even pacing of the book and detailed practices the author puts out there for readers to utilize will keep them not only engaged in the book, but utilizing it as a point of reference time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Mel Blackwell – Senior Executive, Speaker, Culture Architect

Mel Blackwell has been fixing broken businesses for over 35 years. He started in a smoke-filled trailer park collection office right out of high school and worked his way up to leading teams at billion-dollar companies. He’s run startups, turned around failing businesses, and spent more than 20 years in VP-level C-suite roles.

He’s learned what works and what doesn’t, usually by screwing things up first, then figuring out how to fix them. He’s walked into businesses that looked like shot-up saloons and helped turn them into places where good people actually want to work.

Mel doesn’t sell complicated frameworks or flavor-of-the-month programs. He shoots straight about what it takes to build a culture that can actually handle the Wild West of business. No fluff. No corporate jargon. Just what works.

When he speaks or coaches, people tell him he makes complicated things simple. That’s because he’s lived it. He knows what it’s like to be in the middle of the fire with no perfect answer and a team looking to you for direction. He is featured in International Business Times, USA Today, CEO Weekly, and MSN.

Mel holds a BS in Marketing from Auburn University and an MA in Management from The University of Alabama, but most of what he knows came from doing the work, not from a textbook.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mel-blackwell-702866271

https://www.instagram.com/blackwellmel/

https://amzn.to/4u5QJsB

The Hands That Built This by K.A. Pierce

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book and exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author K.A. Pierce shares the reason why more people should choose trade work as their first choice of a career in the book “The Hands That Built This.”

The Synopsis 

America is running out of people who know how to build what it needs.

The Hands That Built This is a compact, urgent memoir-manifesto by K.A. Pierce—14 years as a carpenter and ironworker and nearly two decades as a construction-safety professional—that argues trades must be first-choice careers, not Plan B.

Through vivid job site scenes, program case studies, and practical policy steps, Pierce demonstrates how apprenticeships, earn-while-you-learn models, mentorship for women, and safety-first training can address labor shortages, mitigate costly failures, and provide stable, debt-free lives.

Concise, actionable, and voice-driven, this book provides parents, educators, contractors, and policymakers with a clear roadmap to rebuild the skilled trades and the communities they sustain.

The Review 

This was such an insightful and engaging read from the get-go. The author writes with passion in an insight into trade work that is inspiring, and will resonate with readers greatly. The fast pacing of the book will allow readers to not only connect with the message of the book, but we’ll give it that re–readability factor that is perfect for books like this that are a constant source of both inspiration and resourcefulness.

The author balances a personal writing style that feels very conversational to the reader with both expertise and familial experience that will allow readers to feel the importance of trade work in our world. The author does a great job highlighting the shame aspect a trade work that has for too long, taken young people away from this line of work and instead of showcases, the heart, the nobility and the honor that could be found in this line of work. The book is also a great source of alternate learning for those who never felt called to higher education, but have a passion for creative yet stable work and also highlights the historical accomplishments trade work has been responsible for.

The Verdict 

Well balanced, engaging, and heartfelt, Author K.A. Pierce’s “The Hands That Built This” is a must read non-fiction memoir meets inspirational guide for any young person who seek a direction in life involving trade work. The amount of knowledge and insight the author is able to fit into such a short read is astounding and readers will feel connected to the author’s story while also allowing them to see themselves in a position to pursue a career and trade work. If you haven’t yet, please grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

I have several books published under various pen names across diverse genres: self-help for personal growth, historical fiction weaving tales of the past, fantasy worlds of imagination, and practical guides to growing orchids. 

Each project reflects my curiosity and commitment to sharing knowledge that empowers and inspires.

However, construction is a passion of mine and has treated me well over the years.  With over 34 years in the construction trade, with 14 years as a carpenter and ironworker, I transitioned into Safety in 2008.  I led zero-incident sites and coached more construction workers than I can count in order to protect the crews and foster leadership.  My book “The Hands That Built This: Restoring Respect and Rebuilding the Future of the Trades”reflects that passion.

Born and raised in rural Minnesota, where hardworking values shaped my early years, I’ve always been drawn to hands-on pursuits. My Dad was a carpenter, and he could build or fix anything.  Life took me on a journey through Texas and then Indiana before landing in sunny Florida, each place adding layers to my story.  I have worked all over the US – including Alaska and Puerto Rico- and in some interesting places as well, like Antarctica’s South Pole Station. That’s another story!

Whether building structures or stories, I believe in restoring respect for skilled hands—those that craft our world. This site is a hub for my work, insights, and connections. Explore, connect, and let’s build something meaningful together.

Cheers! Kim

https://pierceauthor.com/books/the-hands-that-built-this-restoring-respect-and-rebuilding-the-future-of-the-trades-k-a-pierce/9798994628836
https://amzn.to/4b21wv7

The Focused AI Captain by Rene Esteban Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Rene Esteban shows the steps CEOs and leaders to successfully integrate AI into long lasting businesses in the book “The Focused AI Captain.”

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The Synopsis

Master the Art of Leading AI Transformations for Lasting Business Success

Only 5% of enterprise AI initiatives succeed.

Are you ready to be among the elite few who truly transform their organizations? In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses face a common enemy—AI initiatives that fail to deliver real impact. Millions are spent on pilots that never scale. But the true obstacle isn’t the technology itself; it’s how organizations are structured, aligned, and led. In The Focused AI Captain, René Esteban, CEO of FocusFirst, reveals why most AI transformations stall—and what leaders must do differently to succeed. Grounded in real-world enterprise experience, this book provides a clear, practical roadmap to turn AI ambition into measurable business results. In this book, you will learn how to:

  • Master the 10-20-70 Rule to allocate resources effectively and maximize AI ROI
  • Apply the 3D Framework to Diagnose challenges, set Direction, and Deliver results
  • Bridge the Trust Gap and turn employee skepticism into active AI adoption
  • Move beyond pilots and confidently lead AI initiatives at scale


This book is written for CEOs, executives, and decision-makers who refuse to let their organizations fall behind in the AI revolution. Whether you’re leading large-scale transformation or preparing your organization for the next wave of AI adoption, you’ll gain practical frameworks, leadership insights, and execution tools you can apply immediately.

Get your copy now and start leading your organization to AI-driven success.

The Review

The straightforward, almost conversational tone the author took on from the first chapter of this book onward was a breath of fresh air in the nonfiction business genre. The exploration of AI not from a technical or critical point of view, but instead from a business and human perspective was a great direction to not only make the book stand out but the message as well. The research and knowledge the author took on and imparted to the reader was so insightful, and gave the readers a fresh new perspective on the topic.

The exploration of AI in business is a great direction to follow, and the author’s ability to highlight their experience in technology integration helped cement the knowledge that was being passed on. The failure of any technology, especially from a business perspective, is usually not the tech itself, but the lack of human integration with the tech. Training people and helping people to understand how the tech works often allows human resistance to change and fears of being replaced to become prominent, and keeps any company from growing in the right direction. This added an emotional and societal insight that is needed for both the technology and business as a whole to grow.

The Verdict

Memorable, honest, and compelling, author Rene Esteban’s “The Focused AI Captain” is a must-read nonfiction book that will stay with readers and give leadership a fresh new direction to help in the integration of this technology. The fast pacing of the book and the ability for readers to be able to return to this book time and time again for reference make this an essential read for business leaders looking to better understand how AI can be used in the coming years. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

“Inspiring and focused. René Esteban shows how big goals are actually achieved in corporations.”

– Brian Tracy

New York Times Bestselling Author of “Goals”

René Esteban brings unwavering passion to making big goals tangible and inspiring people to achieve them.

As Founder and CEO of FocusFirst, Keynote Speaker, and Senior Advisor to top executives, he has made it his mission to accelerate transformations in organizations. He firmly believes that complex change succeeds best through clear focus on a single goal, excellent communication, and active involvement of all stakeholders.

René began his career at Merck, where in his mid-20s he led the global build-out of the e-commerce division, today a billion-dollar business. This experience taught him that successful transformations depend not only on the right strategies, but critically on early and open communication with key stakeholders. His insights led to the development of the award-winning PEAK Method, with which FocusFirst has already guided more than 250 transformations.

René is a passionate entrepreneur with several companies alongside FocusFirst.

He cherishes inspiring moments of exchange over Italian wine and loves traveling the world with his family – especially to Italy.