Red Roulette. An insider’s story of wealth, power, corruption, and vengeance in today’s China. Desmond Shum. 2021. ISBN 9781982156176.  This is a telling book. Much of what we have seen China do to its own people, Hong Kong and recently expats falls into place.  The regime exists to protect the well-being of those in power, their relatives and no one else.  The author believed in their system, followed all the “hidden” rules, grew wealth but ultimately lost everything, and his own wife’s life to the regime. Your eyes will be opened to what really goes on in China and how things get done. It is a very readable book that would make any business person think long and hard about doing business in China.  One can only think that Hong Kong is in for an inexorable take over in all things to benefit the mainland regime.  I would also support ensuing that China does not grab Taiwan in some way.  Canada and the US can no longer pussy foot around this.

Unreceptive. A better way to sell, lead and influence. Tom Stanfill,2021. ISBN 9781400225811.  This author really gets it. How to deal with those folks in your life who just don’t/can’t hear you. He gives you the context for how a person becomes unreceptive and then how to better approach them. Then as a sales pro he leads you through how to apply this to your interview practice.  I was glued to this book and read it nonstop.  {How come all this good stuff comes along now? I could have used it years ago).  Terrific book, very readable, something to really kick start your year.  Go get em’.

Value(s). Building a better world for all. Mark Carney. 2021. 978-1-5417-6871-0. I have been impressed with Carney’s career ((from Ft Smith, NWT to Governor of Bank of England and now his Un posting wrto Climate Change. The book is thorough, deeply researched and timely.  His chapters on Climate change and Covid are worthwhile reading for all of us.  His explanations on how we got here to present and different definitions of value are prescient.  It should be required reading for all politicians and bureaucrats. He is a straight shooter and you can see how he could guide Canada through the financial crisis and the UK to be prepared for Brexit. He is a thinker and a planner.  He would be a stellar PM for Canada but I doubt he would take on the job.  The book is engaging, and not trivial.