Faculty bookmarks
Oct, 2009
We asked a selection of MBS faculty about the books that they've been reading. From children's books to confronting fiction, the responses might surprise you.
Professor Richard Speed, ANZ Professor of Strategic Marketing and Associate Dean for Faculty Resources: r.speed@mbs.edu
The Man who ate everything, Jeffrey Steingarten, Vintage 1998
It must've been something I ate, Jeffrey Steingarten, Vintage 2003
Jeffrey Steingarten, "the man who ate everything", is a former lawyer turned food critic of American Vogue. He has published two books of wonderful, witty essays on food, its consumption, production and social context. His work has been described as "two parts Escoffier, one part Tom Wolf" and "Hunter S. Thompson meets Delia". There's also a fair bit of Morgan Spurlock, since Steingarten's preferred method of testing any diet, medical finding or health fad is self application.
What's this got to do with business? Well, there's case studies (the rise of the upmarket Parisian bistro for instance), there's operations management (pig processing, bread making, potato mashing), plenty of consumer behaviour, and also a bit of neuroscience, as Steingarten investigates whether or not his interest in fine food is a result of lesions on the brain. Plus there are a few good recipes too.
Dr Sam Wylie, Senior Fellow - Finance: s.wylie@mbs.edu
I love listening to audio tapes on history, philosophy, politics and biography. Mostly I buy them from the Teaching Company www.teach12.com and listen on my iPod. Over the last ten years I have listened to about 80 of their lecture series. I listen to them on the plane, in the taxi and in the gym. Some of these courses are quite inspiring, not just in the content, but in the quality of teaching. I probably should have been a historian; but if I was, then I would just spend my spare time reading economics. Five of my favourites are:
1. The Enlightment Invention of the Self
2. The American Mind
3. Tudor and Stewart History of Britain
4. Great Minds of the Western Tradition
5. Renaissance, reformation and the rise of nations
Associate Professor Shaun Vahey: s.vahey@mbs.edu 
Come on shore and we will kill and eat you all, Christina Thompson, Bloomsbury 2009
A two-sided culture shock as Westerners and Maoris collide. Personal and historical perspectives on economic and social developments in the South Pacific.
Dr Jody Evans, Senior Lecturer - Marketing, PhD Co-ordinator: j.evans@mbs.edu
Where is the Green Sheep? Mem Fox and Judy Horacek, Harcourt 2004
My son and I both love this book, but for different reasons. For me, it is a constant reminder of the beauty of simplicity when it is perfectly executed. Also, when I am suffering writer's block the story behind the story helps me to reflect on the often painful, yet rewarding, process of developing a new idea. For Ben, he just wants to find the elusive green sheep, put his finger to his lips and whisper "shhh he's asleep".
Professor Paul Dainty, Professor - Management Development: p.dainty@mbs.edu
Managing With Power: Politics And Influence In Organizations by Jeffrey Pfeffer, Harvard Business School Press, 1992
Jeffrey Pfeffer, who is perhaps more well known (along with Christina Fong) for his criticism of MBAs, nevertheless is a very perceptive writer on a subject that is often played down in managing organisations; i.e. power and politics. Although an older book, Managing with Power is possibly still one of the most insightful on the subject, emphasising the practice of power, not just the theory. It thoughtfully explores an area that is frequently dismissed or seen negatively, but often critical to surviving in many organisations.
Dr Nicole Gillespie, Associate Professor of Organisational Behavior: n.gillespie@mbs.edu
The White Tiger, Aravind Adiga, Free Press 2008
This book provides a fascinating yet completely irreverent and bleak look at the under-belly of contemporary Indian society. Through the journey of Balram, the son of rickshaw puller, from the "Darkness" of village life to the "Light" of entrepreneurial success, issues of class, privilege, power and corruption are brutally portrayed. Winner of the 2008 Man Booker Prize for Fiction, the book is surprisingly accessible but is not for the faint-hearted.
