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

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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.