The Complete Idiot's Guide to Office Politics (Complete Idiot's Guides)

Rating:
Summary: Could be better, but may be helpful for some
Review: Briefly, the book was on the disappointing side. The authors have spent a long time infusing what they think is humor into every chapter which got old after a bit. While much of what is written seems to be common sense there are some helpful insights scattered throughout the book, but you have to read through a lot of fluff. The few scraps of meat in the text certainly cause you to pause and evaluate your own work relationships, behavior, as well as your coworkers, to include your boss. If money is tight, then go ahead and buy it. If you are looking for something helpful, buy something other then this book. Three stars was generous.

Rating:
Summary: Could be better, but may be helpful for some
Review: Briefly, the book was on the disappointing side. The authors have spent a long time infusing what they think is humor into every chapter which got old after a bit. While much of what is written seems to be common sense there are some helpful insights scattered throughout the book, but you have to read through a lot of fluff. The few scraps of meat in the text certainly cause you to pause and evaluate your own work relationships, behavior, as well as your coworkers, to include your boss. If money is tight, then go ahead and buy it. If you are looking for something helpful, buy something other then this book. Three stars was generous.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for office survival
Review: I found this book extremely useful. I was frustrated for quite a long time with my career without knowing the most important element I 've ignored in coporate life is office politics. However, this book saved me, while putting my way into success. I joined a new company half year ago, doing all stuff by the way received from the book, the result is amazing!!- that I could almost overcome any obstacle on my way up.

Rating:
Summary: A great book for idiots like you and me
Review: I noticed that the reviews for this book were pretty poor--along the lines of "only an idiot would get something from this book!" Well, I got a lot from this book, and I'll bet you will too. You can work your whole life wondering and complaining about why things are, well, the way they are; or, you can read a book like this and get some insight.

Yes, this book is a compendium of psychological profiles of personality disorders. But those are the people you work with, so why not find out more about them? And where are you going to find out about them--dull, dry tomes you never bothered to read when you took psychology in college?

Idiot's guides _ARE_ written for the lowest common denominator. I would not read one about my field of expertise, but I don't mind reading one where I know I don't know. I felt this book was pretty accurate and pretty humorous, and I don't regret buying it. I keep it at work as a kind of garlic and holy water to ward off the the real idiots who try to make my life difficult.

Rating:
Summary: Don't buy this book.
Review: This could have been a great book, but instead it does nothing. The author assumes that all bosses are jerks, incompetents, or bullies. No exceptions. It also has insightful gems such as "the only place to do business in California is LA" (hello? ever heard of Silicon Valley?"). The book is mean spirited (absolutely nothing positive to say about corporations or the people who work there), full of pathetic attempts at humor, and there is almost nothing usefull for understanding group dynamics in an office, which would really be usefull information. Stay away from this book.

Rating:
Summary: Don't buy this book.
Review: This is the most useless book that I have ever bought ... It's basically a collection of bad office jokes with a 1 page of real advice that's so obvious, that everyone except for the complete moron would already know. If you really want a book dealing with office politics, get "The 48 Laws of Power" - it's much more to the point, applicable beyond the office, with lots of interesting historical examples.