What The Dental Warrior Is Reading

I tend to read in fits and starts.  Recently, I decided to get back on the treadmill at home to get some exercise.  I get bored very quickly on the treadmill, so I need something to distract me.  And, it may as well be something that enlightens me.  I’ve got a large stack of unread books.  But, over the past few weeks, I’ve made a dent in my reading project.

Without further ado, here’s what I’ve read or am currently reading:

Reviews of each book after the jump!

(Click on the book titles or book images to find them at Amazon.)

The E-Myth Dentist:

I just finished this book.  I will say that I was a bit disappointed.  I read the original E-Myth several years ago and found it to be a good read.  I expected the E-Myth Dentist to offer specific strategies for dentists.  Rather, I found it to be mostly conceptual platitudes.  I also found it to be annoyingly repetitive.  The entire book could have been reduced to a magazine article, in my opinion.  It is a fairly quick and easy read.  That said… it might be worth reading for those who have not read the original E-Myth.

The take-away message is that all businesses (including dental practices) need to develop and DOCUMENT systems that would make the business “franchise-able.”  In other words, your documented systems should make it so that anyone could walk into your business and run it effectively… or that it could be duplicated somewhere else by anyone reading your documented systems manual.

Furthermore, you need to REGULARLY take time to work ON your practice rather than IN it.

Evil Plans – Having Fun on the Way to World Domination:

I really enjoyed this book.  The author has a great writing style that is both humorous and compelling.  This book even inspired me to write a blog article:  Do You Have an Evil Plan?  

Evil Plans is an inspiring call to action.  What would you do, if you could do anything with your life or business?  What could you do that would surely precipitate a cacophony of discouragement from the usual naysayer suspects?  And, how will you feel when you succeed in spite of their well-intentioned admonitions?

How Successful People Think – Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life:

Back in May, I ended up in the emergency room late at night with severe abdominal pain.  At about 2am, I found myself at a pharmacy waiting for my meds.  There was a revolving stand of books that caught my attention, and I grabbed this one to distract me while I waited.  When the pharmacist said my prescriptions were ready, I threw the book in and took it home.

It’s a small book that makes for a quick read.  It’s largely an inspirational book that covers the common traits of very successful people…

• Big-Picture Thinking
• Focused Thinking
• Creative Thinking
• Realistic Thinking
• Strategic Thinking
• Possibility Thinking
• Reflective Thinking
• Popular Thinking
• Shared Thinking
• Unselfish Thinking
• Bottom-Line Thinking

I enjoyed reading it and recommend it.

The Law of Self Defense – The Indispensable Guide for the Armed Citizen:

If you decide to take responsibility for the security of yourself and your loved ones by arming yourself, it is undeniably prudent to know how the laws affect that decision and the potential consequences.  Using lethal force in self-defense is serious business.  After you survive the deadly encounter, you will likely face a legal minefield.  And, every state is different… sometimes VERY different.  It still beats being six feet under.  I hope none of us is ever forced into such a situation.

This book is an excellent reference that dispels a lot of myths and will leave you knowledgeable about handling life-and-death scenarios both tactically and legally.  The author uses real-life stories to illustrate his points.  And, each chapter has a section with the laws particular to each state.

Whether you carry concealed every day or just have a “bump-in-the-night” shotgun in your master bedroom, you should get this book and READ IT.

Defend Yourself – A Comprehensive Security Plan for the Armed Homeowner:

This is another excellent reference for those who decide to take home security seriously.  This book is divided into three parts, each with many chapters parsing every detail of home security.

Part 1:  Home Invasion:  Tactics to Survive
While rare, this does happen.  Fires are rare, too.  Yet, we plan for them.  This part of the book covers everything from evasion to barricades to firearms storage to close quarters shooting.

Part 2:  Hardware and Other Considerations
This section covers choosing a firearm (handgun vs rifle vs shotgun), taking a defensive position, and fortifying your home against invasion.

Part 3:  Reality-Based Training
This section discusses fighting theory along with how and where you can get additional training.

This book has an engaging and very easy-to-read layout.  It’s also fully illustrated in color.  I submit this is an excellent companion to the book about self-defense law reviewed above.

Mouthguards – The Effects and the Solutions for Underlying Problems:

Being a “Hockey Dad,” of course I’m interested in protective sports mouthguards.  I heard about this book on Dentaltown.  At $49 for 100-page paperback, it’s not cheap.  But, it was highly recommended.  So, I bought it, and it’s “on deck.”  I haven’t read it, yet.  A perusal of the chapter titles tells me that it covers all aspects of mouthguard design and fabrication.

Making a GOOD (and truly protective) athletic mouthguard is far more involved than a simple single-layer “suck-down.”  I already have the equipment and know how to make laminated mouthguards.  But, I wanted to “take it to the next level.”  We’ll see if the book was worth buying.  I’ll update this entry once I’ve read it.

Edit on July 4th, to add:

I just finished reading R. Lee Ermey’s new book, “Gunny’s Rules.”  If you like “The Gunny” and his in-your-face, tell-it-like-it-is style, you’ll like this inspirational book.

I got mine autographed by The Gunny himself.  You can get an autographed copy here:  http://px.rleeermey.com/gunnys-rules.

The book’s description:  Put down your sissy drink with its umbrella, get off your backside, and square yourself away. Get fit, get a job, and get yourself some self-respect. America’s favorite, most in-your-face Sarge is going to show you how to get squared away like a Marine.

R. Lee “Gunny” Ermey, of The History Channel’s Mail Call, takes time out from telling viewers all about military technology, to tell readers all about life. Men today are facing a crisis of emasculation. Gunny is here to tell you how to fight back and save your dignity: by taking control of your own damn life. First, he teaches you how to get fit, stay fit, and defend yourself. Then, he teaches you how to conduct yourself the way real men do: with assertiveness but also with wisdom and courtesy. Finally, Gunny motivates you to use your new fitness and new attitude to live life like a man of honor: to work hard, reach for high goals, and set an example with your life.

Gunny’s Rules is the ultimate guide for anyone who wants to live life like one of the toughest of the tough—like a Marine.

Edit to add on July 18th:

Think Like a Freak: The Authors of Freakonomics Offer to Retrain Your Brain:

I just finished “Think Like a Freak” by the same guys that authored “Freakonomics.”  You may have heard the term, “think outside the box.”  Thinking like a freak takes it to another level.  This book effectively illustrates how our biases, conventional wisdom, and “common sense” often lead us down the wrong road.

“Think Like a Freak” is an easy read, yet it’s very thought-provoking.  I highly recommend it!  I read this one on my new “Paperwhite” Kindle!

If you’ve read any of these books (or plan to), chime in with your opinion in the comments section below!

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