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The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge
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I have to admit, however, that when I first heard about this book, I didn't really want to read it. I'd just finished with Ishmael, and The Fifth Discipline was one of the books recommended by Daniel Quinn on his website, Ishmael.org. But to me it seemed like just another dry business book. It wasn't till years later when someone recommended I read it as an introduction to systems thinking that I went out and borrowed a copy from the library. After reading only a few chapters, I knew this was one of those books I had to have for myself. And yes, it IS filled with a lot of business talk, but it's also packed with concepts and principles that are applicable to ANYONE trying to be more effective in his or her life.
In fact, my favorite chapter in this book was the one on "personal mastery." I've read my fair share of both business and self-help books, and this chapter alone is by far the clearest description I've ever read of individual success. I bought myself a copy of this book based solely on the merit of this one chapter. So the rest, for me, was like a bonus. When I finally finished reading it, I felt like I got a lot more than I paid for.
For one thing, I came away with a solid understanding of systems thinking, or the "fifth discipline" that the book is named after. It is PACKED with examples and stories to help readers understand a handful of eye-opening, timeless principles. While some of the business-based illustrations are so in-depth that I couldn't help but skip over them, it's nice having them there for future reference. Even if you have very little tolerance for business jargon, then get a copy from the library and read it for the concepts, especially Chapters 1, 4, and 9.
I know and The Fifth Discipline might seem like it only caters to business people who want to achieve this thing called a "learning organization," but don't be fooled. Peter Senge has succeeded in writing a book is useful for anyone who wants to change the world, and ESSENTIAL for those of us who seek to do it through business.
If this review helped you decide to buy The Fifth Discipline (or any other book, for that matter), remember to do so from a link on this site. Your courtesy will help keep this site going, and would be greatly appreciated by me.
Daniel Quinn's work is an insipiring application of systems thinking. If you haven't read Ishmael yet, what are you waiting for? And while you're waiting for your copies of Ishmael and The Fifth Discipline to come in the mail (having been purchased, of course, through the links on this site), check out Quinn's website, Ishmael.org.
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