An Analytic Framework for Assessing Popular Business Books

Examines business books from the point of view of managerial readers, listing the desirable elements of “bestsellers” and suggesting ways of making their reading worthwhile, including a hierarchy of learning. Goes on to critique bestsellers, discussing a range of aspects from their credentials to their practicability. Concludes that managers must be both carefully selective in their choice of books and selectively careful in how to read them, and that by following the criteria posited they should progress towards creating learning organizations.