Book cover of Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen

Book description

New York Times bestselling author Dan Heath asks what happens when we take our thinking upstream and try to prevent problems before they happen.

When we shift our energies upstream, we stop dealing with the symptoms of problems and we start fixing problems.

If we can stop crimes from being…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Upstream as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Paraphrasing: A group of picnickers rush to a nearby river to pull struggling kids out. There are more and more kids coming downstream, almost too many for the group. Suddenly, while overwhelmed with too many kids, one takes off. “Where are you going?” “I’m going upstream to tackle the guy who’s throwing all these kids in the water.”

I found the concepts in this work to apply to almost all aspects of life, personal and at work. Who hasn’t had a persistent problem in their life? The problem with many problems is we tend to get so focused or busy…

This eye-opening and informative book provides vivid examples of small problems that became real tragedies due to inaction, miscommunication, and poor decision-making. By looking upstream to seek and address root causes of problems, we can save money, improve lives, and increase productivity. I loved the gripping examples Dan Heath used in this book. It was as engaging as reading a novel, yet provided substantial information based on careful research.

From Mary's list on for cultivating creativity.

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Book cover of The High House

The High House by James Stoddard,

The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.

The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.

Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…

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