Every Mistake in the Book
By F.J. Lennon 
Regan Books, 2001 - 208 Pages 

After reading this book I thought Lennon was a very cynical SOB.  He talks about never trusting people, people backstabbing him, etc.  The book is separated into business basics, another section on money concerns, how to manage people and things, comments from the front lines and some personal advice on drinking, dressing, etc. 

Getting about ½ way through I thought the book was fun to read but I thought he was so cynical.  Then, I got laid off and I realized two of the mistakes he made I just experienced first hand!  TOO FUNNY (not really.)  After recently finishing the book and chatting with my father about this book (he is a president of a $20 billion company (rev.)) he said most people should read the book.  Business is ugly as many senior execs I know put it.  People claw and scratch their way to the top, backstab people and very rarely put the organization first in the long-term.  As some people put it, 90% of the people will backstab you in a heartbeat to get ahead. 

My final conclusion.  A definite read for anyone getting ready to graduate as I thought a lot of comments were very appropriate and many I thought weren’t I have found out were on the money. 

About the Author: F. J. Lennon is a computer programmer / software developer.  In 1985 Lennon co-founded a computer game company that he initially ran from his college dorm room. After a seven-year struggle to keep it going, he sold out to a larger company in return for stock options.  That company floundered, Lennon bought it back, and he quickly resold it to another firm. After selling the company he migrated from job to job as a consultant / developer.  This book is a summary of his experiences / observations during the entire journey.  In this book he shares 103 of his revelations sorted into five broad categories: business fundamentals, finances, managing people, corporate strategy and politics, and personal attitudes and behavior.