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My Turn - Achieving the American Dream
Silicon Valley is home to several large Technology and Pharmaceutical \ Biotech corporations. Chris moved to this area in early 2000. He has been
handling data for prestigious companies for well over ten years. His work ethic and morals have kept him employed.
During his tenure at a Fortune 100 company, he is offered a position at a small Biotech. It is not too long after taking this new position that he is promoted to Management. The IT Directory who Chris reports to gives him the choice of playing the corporate game or getting fired. Chris must either choose being ethical and getting fired or keeping his job by being unethical. After much thought, he realizes that honesty and integrity have kept him from achieving the American dream. Tired of living paycheck to paycheck he decides to play the corporate game. This decision will not only affect his professional life but his personal life as well.
handling data for prestigious companies for well over ten years. His work ethic and morals have kept him employed.
During his tenure at a Fortune 100 company, he is offered a position at a small Biotech. It is not too long after taking this new position that he is promoted to Management. The IT Directory who Chris reports to gives him the choice of playing the corporate game or getting fired. Chris must either choose being ethical and getting fired or keeping his job by being unethical. After much thought, he realizes that honesty and integrity have kept him from achieving the American dream. Tired of living paycheck to paycheck he decides to play the corporate game. This decision will not only affect his professional life but his personal life as well.
150 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2014
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 6, 2015
I was provided with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is an interesting take on the battle between climbing up the corporate ladder and living a values-based life. The book revolves around Chris and his journey on the corporate ladder in an American firm. In a world that thrives in cut-throat competition, Chris is left wondering about what shape life should take. When it comes to a critical situation, what does Chris choose? Using Chris, the protagonist as the tool, the author presents his views on what takes prominence in living a successful life - being loyal versus being ruthless, being honest versus being clever, being responsible versus being ambitious, being truthful to integrity versus being opportunistic.
The book is carved out very well to bring out aspects of the right and wrong, without sounding preachy in the least. Any of us who has been at the receiving end of the cruel corporate world can empathise with Chris' dilemma. The writing style is thoroughly enjoyable. Williams' writing is smooth and engaging. I felt that the book could have been slightly crispier, as there are pages that are filled with Chris' and his thoughts, long after the reader has gone on to agree with them.
The book is still a nice read and I recommend this to everyone.
My rating for this book: 4 stars
This book is an interesting take on the battle between climbing up the corporate ladder and living a values-based life. The book revolves around Chris and his journey on the corporate ladder in an American firm. In a world that thrives in cut-throat competition, Chris is left wondering about what shape life should take. When it comes to a critical situation, what does Chris choose? Using Chris, the protagonist as the tool, the author presents his views on what takes prominence in living a successful life - being loyal versus being ruthless, being honest versus being clever, being responsible versus being ambitious, being truthful to integrity versus being opportunistic.
The book is carved out very well to bring out aspects of the right and wrong, without sounding preachy in the least. Any of us who has been at the receiving end of the cruel corporate world can empathise with Chris' dilemma. The writing style is thoroughly enjoyable. Williams' writing is smooth and engaging. I felt that the book could have been slightly crispier, as there are pages that are filled with Chris' and his thoughts, long after the reader has gone on to agree with them.
The book is still a nice read and I recommend this to everyone.
My rating for this book: 4 stars
May 26, 2016
My Turn: Achieving The American Dream, by Jonathan Williams, is my one hundred and fifth book that I have received and read from Goodreads. I really enjoyed reading this book. Easy one day read. This is the first time I have read a book from this author.
This story takes place in Silicon Valley, California, the year is 2000. Chris Park's works and handles data for a prestigious company, in the Technology and Pharmaceutical/Biotech Corporation. Chris has really good work ethic and morals.
Chris is offered a position at a small Biotech. Not long at the company, Chris is promoted to management. The person Chris reports to does not know his job, he knows very little about the whole operations, on top of that he is very unethical, and plays what calls the Corporate Game. He gives Chris the choice of playing the Corporate Game or be fired.
I am not going to tell you anymore of the story. This story makes you wonder if if what you read could really take place. I want my wife to read this book she holds the same position as Chris, and get her input. This book was really interesting and would make a good read for High School thru Adults. I would also like to thank Goodreads for picking me to read this book.
This story takes place in Silicon Valley, California, the year is 2000. Chris Park's works and handles data for a prestigious company, in the Technology and Pharmaceutical/Biotech Corporation. Chris has really good work ethic and morals.
Chris is offered a position at a small Biotech. Not long at the company, Chris is promoted to management. The person Chris reports to does not know his job, he knows very little about the whole operations, on top of that he is very unethical, and plays what calls the Corporate Game. He gives Chris the choice of playing the Corporate Game or be fired.
I am not going to tell you anymore of the story. This story makes you wonder if if what you read could really take place. I want my wife to read this book she holds the same position as Chris, and get her input. This book was really interesting and would make a good read for High School thru Adults. I would also like to thank Goodreads for picking me to read this book.
April 11, 2015
Exploring an ethical conundrum such as the one setup in this book is an interesting premise. It’s an excellent way to put the reader in a situation where he or she can explore their own thoughts and feelings without suffering any real world consequences. The premise of My Turn is one with lots of possibilities.
However, the execution fell far short of the promise. There were problems with typos and bad grammar. (In fact, at the time I wrote this review even the book description used an incorrect word.) I found many of the typical problems with technique common to beginning writers. These included an overabundance of telling rather than showing (which included what is often called an “info dump” near the beginning to establish back story), head hopping from character to character without a proper transition, and a tendency to be repetitive.
One bright spot is that in places where the story involved technical areas (some might think it did this too often), there were explanations that simplified these subjects for the layperson and did so very well. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough to offset the other flaws.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
However, the execution fell far short of the promise. There were problems with typos and bad grammar. (In fact, at the time I wrote this review even the book description used an incorrect word.) I found many of the typical problems with technique common to beginning writers. These included an overabundance of telling rather than showing (which included what is often called an “info dump” near the beginning to establish back story), head hopping from character to character without a proper transition, and a tendency to be repetitive.
One bright spot is that in places where the story involved technical areas (some might think it did this too often), there were explanations that simplified these subjects for the layperson and did so very well. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough to offset the other flaws.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews