Reviewed by Leonard William Smuts for Readers' Favorite

As the world enters increasingly turbulent times, corporate security is threatened by new and diverse challenges such as cybercrime, terrorism, kidnapping, natural disasters, social unrest, health-related issues, and many more. Dr. Karen Hardy has gathered together a team of industry experts to give readers an overview of areas that must be addressed to identify and mitigate risks to their enterprises. The various chapters deal with aspects of the organization such as resilience, continuity, compliance, and monitoring. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought with it unique threats that have tested corporate adaptability. It has also exposed weaknesses in the supply chain and threats to the health of employees. Global awareness is thus vital. As companies become more reliant on information technology, they must protect client confidentiality as well as have backup plans in place for data recovery and protecting themselves against ransomware. Flip This Risk for Enterprise Security takes readers through a variety of processes that will help them examine their risk profile, identify potential threats, and formulate a coordinated response and recovery plan. Top management buy-in is essential and a multi-disciplinary approach is advocated.

Flip This Risk for Enterprise Security is designed to be a user-friendly guide to the issues likely to be encountered. The advice provided is both sound and based on many years of practical experience by the contributors, who are all experts in their fields. I particularly liked the chapter on executive security, which highlights overlooked aspects such as what family members post on social media that could compromise home security. The tips on international travel include a checklist and were equally useful. The point is made that while security can be boring in terms of daily routine, it should not be taken for granted. The question is asked of management as to whether being in charge is actually being in control. An interesting debate is the need to balance risk with profit, but security should never be underfunded. In the final analysis, security is everybody’s responsibility and advance planning will give any organization the ability to respond appropriately. Dr. Karen Hardy, herself an authority, has put together a well-written and informative guide that will greatly assist enterprises in planning strategically. The book sets out to be a compact publication and in this, it succeeds admirably.

Reviewed by Tanja Jurkovic for Readers' Favorite

Who Are You, Really? The Search for Authenticity by Ray LeCara Jr. is an insightful and concisely written self-help book that takes the reader on a journey of self-realization, and a quest for authenticity. As today’s world is becoming saturated with all kinds of information, it is easy to be confused by the expectations of contemporary society, with its ever-changing rules and advice on how to keep up with the overwhelming world around us. The author eloquently emphasizes the fact that one’s authenticity can easily be lost, and he suggests wonderful and simple ways to regain our originality to lead a happy and fulfilling life.

The concept of the book is helpful and straightforward, providing genuine advice that Ray LeCara Jr. offers as a road map for starting the process of finding one’s authenticity. What I liked the most is the space that he gives us in the book for making daily notes to record our progress in finding our authentic selves. Who Are You, Really? is a beautiful and inspirational little handbook full of practical guidance on how to achieve your goals in life, how to react to tough situations, and finally how to avoid losing yourself in this busy modern world in which we live. This is a definite recommendation to help people learn more about themselves and others in the process.

Reviewed by Grace Ruhara for Readers' Favorite

Let's be frank. We are tired of those boring lectures, presentations, and public speeches that send us to sleep once the speaker opens their mouth. Shane Read's Winning at Public Speaking gives you the willpower to become that courageous, convincing, enthusiastic, and persuasive speaker you admire and want to be. Shane takes us through the essential aspects of what one should do, overcome, or know before and during a speech. One of the important topics he discusses is fear and how to overcome it. The author goes on to advise on how to persuade your audience to connect with you as you incorporate exciting stories, creative and memorable visual aids, and gestures to convince the audience to agree with and understand your message. Read also discusses the seven principles of public speaking that must be followed. He also emphasizes that after learning what mistakes to avoid, you must practice, practice, practice.

I enjoyed many aspects of this book, making the reading experience educational and entertaining because it incorporates the author's personal experiences and those of famous lawyers. This demonstrated that public speaking can be eloquent, courageous, and enthusiastic enough to convince the audience while holding their attention. The author conducted extensive research to provide us with factual, objective evidence that has been tested. The different examples provide insight into what made these great speakers and lawyers successful. Finally, the experiences made the author's work realistic, credible, and appealing to the reader. I also loved the further reading at the end of every chapter for those who would want more information on that specific topic. I recommend Winning at Public Speaking by Shane Read to readers who want to venture into public speaking since the book will equip you with tips and principles on being a great speaker.

Reviewed by Marie-Hélène Fasquel for Readers' Favorite

The Captivating Public Speaker: Engage, Impact, and Influence Your Audience Every Time by Peter George is a comprehensive guide. It appealed to me straight away as I always want to dig deeper into topics and improve what I do. As a speaker and also as a teacher, I benefited immensely from the author’s advice, experience, and comprehensive guidance. It is everything that was advertised and much more. The author explores all the areas that could prove difficult from before the talk to well afterward. He also focuses on the audience, not only on the speaker and the talk itself. This is excellent thinking as we do not usually get such complete and deep analysis. To top it all, this book is extremely well-written, engaging, fun, and serious at the same time.

The Captivating Public Speaker by Peter George is a fabulous guide that I highly recommend and that I would have loved to read before I gave my TEDx talk in Rennes, France! However, as I keep giving talks and am in front of an audience most days of the year as a teacher and trainer, it is still going to help me greatly. I already know that I will change a few things in the future. For instance, I will focus much more on the audience, manage my nerves (not my strongest suit) and try to tame the power of the pause. I will re-read passages as I get ready for talks and try Peter’s methods. Thank you so much for such an effective and amazing book that I’ll use regularly and promote without hesitation.

Reviewed by Grace Ruhara for Readers' Favorite

Most institutions with a large labor force in the same environment clash at some point because of their differences. This, therefore, creates toxicity that interferes with the proper functioning of the institution. Oops, My Team is Toxic by Amy Newfield is one of the best self-help books I have ever read. It helps you recognize these bad habits and take steps to stop them. The book tackles topics such as what toxic traits are and the cycle of toxicity that involves getting hired, being excited to be part of the crew, an increase in workload, no praise from leaders, gossiping and bullying, having busy days that lead to burning out, having fewer salaries, and finally quitting. It shows examples of toxic traits and how to deal with them in different ways. Amy Newfield also talks about what happens when people have these traits and how to stop them from being toxic in institutions. Some strategies that I found most applicable and relatable were embracing conflicts and criticism—changing the negative culture of the group members, and cultivating positivity.

What I liked about Oops, My Team is Toxic by Amy Newfield is that she details her own relatable experiences and gives different scenarios she found herself in and how she handled them. The book not only offers you information on the different toxic traits and how to curb them but also goes deeper into how you can approach the situations and gives you examples of the exact wording for how to say things. This is very helpful, especially to leaders and members who are inexperienced in this or this is their first time solving such matters in the workplace. Most of them will need to learn precisely what to say and how to say it. Therefore I recommend this book to everyone that works primarily in busy companies. You will discover some toxic traits you never knew you had or did not know were toxic, like lack of motivation and no voice. This helps you to scrutinize yourself and act accordingly.

Reviewed by Miche Arendse for Readers' Favorite

Are You Love Smart or Love Stupid? by Dr. Rachel Sims is a modern-day guide to relationships and dating. From the dos and don’ts to the advice you need to forget you ever heard from others, Dr. Sims takes you through realistic expectations, relationship advice, and modern-day examples of what you face in the dating pool. This book will give you the tools you need to find and stay in a healthy relationship.

Are You Love Smart or Love Stupid? Debunking the Myths That Stop You from Finding and Keeping Love by Dr. Rachel Sims is definitely a book worth reading. I have found that when it comes to dating, much like in the book, you are met with some ridiculous bits of advice or sayings regarding relationships. This is, of course, due to everyone’s unique experience in relationships; however, it does not mean the advice you receive is coming from a previously healthy relationship and therefore can lead you astray. This book seeks to correct the issue by giving you advice that leads you to make better choices in finding and staying in a healthy relationship. I love how the author does this in stages and with the use of common myths about dating.

Throughout the chapters, there are myths with given examples which are then busted, showing the reader how these myths are false and how they can actually cause harm to your relationship. Overall, I found this book to be really insightful and empowering, giving advice that enables the reader to make better choices and go forward to build or find a healthy, functional relationship.

Reviewed by Leonard William Smuts for Readers' Favorite

It seems that wisdom, much like common sense, is no longer common. There are distractions. The need to earn a living and lifestyle choices leave little time for self-contemplation. Because of this, individuals simply take on the belief systems of society and lose individuality, influenced along the way by social media and fake news. The modern education system is not geared to encourage freedom of thought, nor does it cultivate inquiring minds, yet it is the ability to introspect and know ourselves that leads us towards wisdom. Wisdom takes readers on a journey of exploration, delving into all the relevant aspects that define our lives. Jason Merchey unpacks what wisdom represents and explores issues such as whether wisdom can be taught, whether it requires a high level of intelligence to achieve, and whether it inherently brings happiness. Jason asks searching questions of contemporary American society and its values, politics, beliefs, and present direction – where wisdom is increasingly lacking. Topics such as social justice, the capitalist system, political polarization, mental illness, and equality are among the many topics evaluated. Measuring success is equally challenging. Humans are by no means perfect and the pursuit of wisdom is not an easy path.

In writing Wisdom, Jason Merchey inspires readers to take time out to evaluate the questions that have troubled philosophers for millennia, and in particular, wisdom. In this, he succeeds admirably! Classic philosophers have arranged themselves into schools of thought, but few have really provided a cohesive overview of the nature of our being. Using a practical approach, Jason draws on his experience of life, both as a former psychotherapist and a student of human behavior to provide guidance. The success of this book lies in the author’s ability to convey complex concepts in simple terms, illustrated with many examples and backed by quotations from the wise. The lofty ideology of academia is replaced by homespun values which lead to understanding and ultimately wisdom. By reading this book we can better understand the underlying thought processes that influence our lives and then apply them to achieve personal growth. Wisdom is a virtue that is not for sale - life must be experienced and lessons learned. This is a thought-provoking and insightful book, which is highly recommended, and concludes that wisdom remains our greatest strength. A great book that provides a down-to-earth understanding of a neglected field!

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

From the Mountaintop is a memoir by author Campbell Bolwell and yet it is much more than just the detailing of one man’s life; it is a journey deep inside the mind of all of us, an attempt to answer those age-old questions – Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going? And, of course, what is our purpose here on earth? From a very early age, the author has been asking questions, seeking truth, direction, and purpose. It has been a lifelong search through the world’s established religions, philosophies, and cultures looking for that one spark, the one enlightenment, that one “ah-ah” moment that will reveal all to us. He takes the reader through his own exploration of his inner self and arrives at some truths that although stunningly simple and easy to understand are nevertheless often overlooked, ignored, or misunderstood by humanity. This book will challenge your core beliefs and will force you to stop and take a long, hard look at the journey you personally are undertaking on planet Earth.

As a professional reviewer, I read many books in a year, as well as a number of “self-help” or “new-thought” authors but few have touched me as deeply or resonated so soundly with me as From the Mountaintop by Campbell Bolwell. Perhaps it is that we are of a similar generation; perhaps it is that the book reflects many of my own beliefs; perhaps I feel a kinship with his story (He is an Australian and I am a New Zealander plus he has spent a lot of time in South East Asia, where I have lived for the past 11 years) but whatever the reason, this book spoke to me on a level that few have. I would place this book on the same high pedestal as some of the great “new-thought” authors I have read, such as Wallace Wattles, Rhonda Byrne, Bob Proctor and Jack Canfield – it really is that insightful, that exciting, and that revelatory.

I particularly enjoyed that Bolwell used his personal experiences, his friends and family relationships to underline the fascinating precepts and concepts he expounds. I also loved that this book discusses a complete theory of man’s evolution and development, our purpose, and our direction, but the author was unafraid to openly admit there are some things about this Universe that we still do not understand and perhaps never will. I found it so exciting that if not us, then at least our children will participate in the knowledge explosion which will open up the gates of wisdom to more. I wholeheartedly concur with the author that our purpose on this physical plane as spiritual beings is to garner wisdom. If you are searching, if you are lost, or if you just want to consider an alternative meaning to life than the day-to-day grind, then this is the book to read. I commend the author for his logical and complete presentation of this work and I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

As hackers continue to level up their game, cybersecurity specialist, US Army veteran, and ex-NSA developer Ben McCarthy invites you into an ancient and effective way to fight cybercrime in Cyberjutsu: Cybersecurity for the Modern Ninja. The book’s message is clear and direct, and it all lies in the strategies and techniques that ninjas used for warfare. Using the lessons obtained from unearthed ninja scrolls from medieval times, this book allows you to visualize a more physical rather than a mere virtual or cyber environment, which then makes you think of hackers’ tactics and techniques as they relate to tangible assets. Every chapter provides you with Castle Theory exercises that ask you to solve a threat scenario using what you’ve learned about ninjas and cyber concepts.

Much like the lessons that The Art of War has provided for modern-day businesses and entrepreneurs, Cyberjutsu aims to give invaluable lessons from the past to help you not only think like a hacker but to think like a ninja as well. There is no doubt that what we need to protect our businesses and online privacy is an innovative practice and mindset that will put us always a step ahead against the enemy. Investment in security measures is only part of the answer, and we have seen that traditional methodologies can only do so much. As a modern voice referencing an ancient text, Ben McCarthy makes his book resonate on all levels. A highly recommended read for those who are concerned about facing the security challenges in this age of digital information.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Get Bail, Leave Jail by S.J. Plotkin is a non-fiction book with the tagline “America’s Guide to Hiring a Bondsman, Navigating Bail Bonds, and Getting out of Custody before Trial.” The book is exactly that: a no-nonsense comprehensive resource for those who find themselves thrown in at the deep end and into the world nobody ever wants to be in. While the book would obviously be helpful to anyone, it is primarily tailored to those on the outside of a cell, although anyone on the inside with access will find it helpful as well. A massive range of scenarios, advice, and assistance is offered in a virtual encyclopedia of information.

Get Bail, Leave Jail can be a bit heavy for a reader who has not had any experience navigating the justice system, but the whole point of S.J. Plotkin's work is because there are so many people out there with the same inexperience. It is for this reason that Plotkin's book is so important. The author narrates with authority and a level of understanding that enhances their credibility, and as a reader, I trusted them completely. The most interesting parts to me were the segments on the different types of bonds, but what stood out as the most relevant is in the section titled Avoiding Juridical Mistreatment. This covers what the rights of the accused are and how to make certain they are correctly implemented, writing: “If an inmate does not know their rights or have the aid of both a good lawyer and bail agent, overzealous police and prosecutors can take advantage of them.” This is the book nobody wants but everybody needs and is probably the most comprehensive guide I have read.