Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Review/Giveaway: There's More to Life Than the Corner Office

There's More to Life Than the Corner Office: The Secret to Total Life Prosperity by Lamar Smith and Tammy King is a modern-day business fable. Twenty-eight-year-old Patrick Mitchell is on the fast track to investment banking success when the older and successful CEO, Al Crafton, takes him under his wing and passes on some life lessons. Patrick starts to realize that there is more to life than money, and that achieving balance in every aspect of his life is the way to go.
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The Author

Lamar Smith is a "first generation college graduate who was a successful entrepreneur as he put himself through school. After college he entered the Air Force, where he was a highly-decorated attack pilot who flew 114 combat missions. For 15 years he was the CEO of First Command Financial Services, a retail brokerage firm with more than 300,000 clients, and he is currently the chairman of a nonprofit organization and director of Torchmark, Inc. He and his family reside in Texas."
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My Review

This is the second book I've reviewed on "balance" lately; it seems to be a recurring theme in my life. Wonder why! This book would fit into what I've called my "lunch hour" (or "half-hour!") reading material: interesting business reads that inspire me in my work life and impress the boss at the same time.

It's certainly not the first business book to use the mentor relationship fable to bring points across. That style works - it keeps one's interest, allowing points to be made without having to present a lot of research and boring background material. It's nonthreatening in the third-person style, as well as easy to read and to make connections to real life.

This particular book IS different than other business books I've read in this style, however, in that it's about total life balance, not just about team building, leadership, and business success. I love the points it makes about integrity. You don't need to be an up-and-coming businessman to appreciate the lessons in it.

This is not a long book; I finished the 160 pages in one sitting. It's well-written and moves quickly. My one complaint might be that the lessons aren't summarized and stated outright; I sometimes would have to re-read a section to come away with the main point being made in that chapter. Perhaps this simply makes it a more realistic story. Overall, this was an enjoyable read that inspired me to rethink my priorities and make a change in areas of my life.

For more information on this book or the author, visit www.improvingyourbalance.com. You can also follow the author on twitter: @LamarCSmith

Thanks to Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc., I've got one extra copy of this book to give to one commenter.

To enter: Just leave a comment on this post with a way for me to contact you if you win.

The winner will be chosen randomly on August 30th (which just happens to be my birthday...).

International entries welcome!

For more family-friendly book giveaways, check out our book giveaway bulletin board blog: Winning Readings.

51 comments:

Eduarda said...

Seems like a nice read. I like the way you write.
girlmozambique@gmail.com

Brooke said...

i'm always up for checking out a new author.

stingysingleton@gmail.com

ShEiLa said...

Sometimes when you are making a honest effort to change something in your life... self help books etc. you wind up frustrated.

Here is my idea, read books on an unbalanced life... and the balance will probably just happen.

;)

ToOdLes.

Heidi V said...

This book sounds like a great read!

Thanks!
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Tami @ This Mom's Delight said...

I'd love to win this one! mymadakaja at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I think my husband would really like that book . . . and I would like to read it as well. Balance is such a hard thing to master--thanks for the review!

lafabulosa@gmail.com
Alicia

Swati said...

Happy birthday in advance!

wwrk said...

I would love to win this book.

wwrkster@gmail.com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me, Jane. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

intensev5 said...

Count me in to win --- thanks for the great giveaway:)

Lisanne624 said...

Sounds like a great inspirational book by someone who's "been there!"

lahlstedt (at) gmail (dot) com

K. Rock said...

Sounds interesting. Sign me up.

Krab said...

Looks like a good read, happy (early) birthday!

graveflame {at} gmail {dot} com

Unknown said...

Hopping by on the McLinky Givewaway Hop. Please hop by www.jdaniel4smom.blogspot.com and enter my giveaways.

mrsshukra said...

Please count me in!

delilah0180(atyahoo(dot)com

David Johnson said...

Please count me in, thanks.

Amber said...

I would love to win, this book would help me better appreciate what I have.
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

avalonne83 said...

Sounds great! :-)

Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

tetewa said...

I'd like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com

danosor said...

Looks like a real good book to read.I hope i win.

Anonymous said...

This seems like an informative and gentle read; something to help with introspection and growth. Please enter me in the giveaway.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Looks like a good book, please enter me into this drawing.

Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

y2 said...

Sounds like a great book, that I would have otherwise overlooked had I not seen this! Hope I win!

wantsandwishes said...

This is right up my alley. Balance is also a recurring theme for me as well.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Bombtastic Belle said...

Looks like a nice read:)
eod_army_wife04@yahoo.com

sweetsue said...

I like that this book focuses on integrity-so many books of it's kind don't.
smchester at gmail dot com

Nickolay said...

Looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

blogggggg said...

I would love to win this book! Thanks for the chance!

wordsmoveme at gmail dot com

erma said...

I'd love to win this.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Melanie said...

Sounds like a great read!



clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this great giveaway! Hope your birthday is awesome!

Anonymous said...

Happy Weekend!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Enter me please :)

axelrulz@hotmail dot com

chromiumman said...

would love this

chromiumman (at) mail (dot) com

Dawn Reid said...

Looks like a real good book to read.

Sheila Hickmon said...

Sounds interesting. Thanks for the chance!
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com

demmi said...

please enter me in the book giveaway con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

mindy said...

sounds great thanks minsthins at optonline dot net

D.Lynn said...

Balance is a good thing and something I've always tried hard to work at-sometimes more sucessful than others!
Thanks for the chance at winning this very cool looking read.

john ferris said...

Sounds interesting.
john ferris
guapo1317@live.com

Sara said...

Happy Early Birthday. Book looks interesting.

Thanks!
skkmiller at live dot com

packerfantimmy said...

I am new to your writings but they seem very interesting. Great contest, thank you very much!
titletowntreasures(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

susansmoaks said...

thanks for the chance to win this awesome book!

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book. It sounds good. garrettsambo@aol.com

Renee G said...

Would love to read this. I'm always striving for balance.

rsgrandinetti@yahoo(Dot)com

Helen said...

This sounds like a great read!

Charlene Kuser said...

This sounds like a great book.
Balance in life is the way to go
Thanks for the giveaway

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

masonsgranny59 said...

This book sounds like a great:)
ty 4 the entry:)

lilyk said...

Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!

lilyk@mail2world.com

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