Scan barcode
dashtaisen's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.0
The main points were insightful. It’s worth noting that this book is not an explanation of the various approaches to systems thinking, but rather a description (and to some extent promotion) of the author’s specific approach. Fortunately the author is transparent about this, but the book does have a feeling of self-promotion at times
rhyslindmark's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty meh. Felt waaaayyyy too much like a consulting guide. And weirdly, there were only ~5 case studies that they kept coming back to.
I like the idea of expanding on systems traps, but this wasn't it.
I like the idea of expanding on systems traps, but this wasn't it.
halkid2's review against another edition
3.0
First, full disclosure. I picked this up because it was recommended to me to help guide my work with a non-profit. I read some, skimmed some, skipped some of the book.
On the plus side it has some very useful information about how to think about "big picture" solutions to to pervasive problems. And I think a full understanding of the material would help people facilitate change in an organization's thinking. However, it was pretty dry, even dull to read. So, if you're interested in helping an organization shift to a more strategic kind of problem-solving, I'd recommend this book. Just be prepared for it to feel like reading a textbook.
On the plus side it has some very useful information about how to think about "big picture" solutions to to pervasive problems. And I think a full understanding of the material would help people facilitate change in an organization's thinking. However, it was pretty dry, even dull to read. So, if you're interested in helping an organization shift to a more strategic kind of problem-solving, I'd recommend this book. Just be prepared for it to feel like reading a textbook.
the_great_gabsby's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
0.25
This is the most boring book on economics I’ve ever read and that’s saying something for the world of economic books! For a book about how graphs can help explain ideas in a simple way the graphs suck. Its dry and bland and only really good as a substitute for melatonin.
caprivoyant's review against another edition
As a trained systems engineer, I was excited to read this book! And I love the intention behind it. I think systems thinking can and should be applied to solve complex social problems.
I wasn't impressed with the author's ability to get a look at the whole system, though. Specifically, he talks about the get-tough prison sentences and the problem of over-incarceration & how many people released from the prison system find their way back. In the first 2 chapters, he doesn't recognize the original role of policing and it's racist origins. In chapter 3, he mentions that connection... But in a conference meant to solve the problems of the prison system that he helped to organize so people could start to think more systemically about the problems they were trying to solve, there was no invitation sent to people who had been released from the prison system. Nobody who had personal experience with that seemed to have a voice at the conference.
Anyway. That makes me question the credibility of this author. I feel like I can find a different book that'll cover the same stuff but in a more systemically-holistic way.
I wasn't impressed with the author's ability to get a look at the whole system, though. Specifically, he talks about the get-tough prison sentences and the problem of over-incarceration & how many people released from the prison system find their way back. In the first 2 chapters, he doesn't recognize the original role of policing and it's racist origins. In chapter 3, he mentions that connection... But in a conference meant to solve the problems of the prison system that he helped to organize so people could start to think more systemically about the problems they were trying to solve, there was no invitation sent to people who had been released from the prison system. Nobody who had personal experience with that seemed to have a voice at the conference.
Anyway. That makes me question the credibility of this author. I feel like I can find a different book that'll cover the same stuff but in a more systemically-holistic way.
donifaber's review against another edition
2.0
I don't feel like I learned much of anything in this book that wasn't covered better by Donella Meadow's book.