About

Since childhood, I have been an avid reader who is passionate about learning. That explains my appreciation of the formal education I received (BA at Beloit, MA at Yale, and additional graduate study at Chicago, Northwestern, and UCLA) and the fact that I taught English at two boarding schools in New England for 13 years (Kent and St. George’s) before embarking on a business career in public relations and corporate communications.

Years later, I returned to the classroom as an adjunct professor of English at a local community college while continuing my practice as an independent management consultant. Along the way, I began to review books for Amazon’s US, UK, and Canadian websites and blogging at other websites. So I guess you could say that I have several professional passions: to learn, to share what I learn, and to support the work of others whom I hold in high regard. Thus far, I have reviewed more than 3,400 (mostly business) books and interviewed more than 600 thought leaders.

My own education continues and, meanwhile, I am delighted to be able to share the resources that are available to you at this website as well as at other websites to which links are provided.

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40 Comments

  1. Kristin Zhivago on September 13, 2011 at 7:49 pm

    Hi, Bob. I love your reviews and other articles. I’d like very much to send you my new book, Roadmap to Revenue: How to Sell the Way Your Customer Wants to Buy. Reply with your mailing address and I will send it along to you.

    Thanks so much.

    kz

  2. Tammy on September 14, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Hi Bob,

    My name is Tammy and I work with Vineet Nayar of HCL to help grow his Employees First, Customers Second philosophy online (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Employees-First-Customers-Second-Conventional/dp/1422139069). A number of your posts and reviews have touched on some topics that we’re very passionate about (particulary the HBR one on Finding and Keeping the Right People) which in fact are central to what we’re all about, and we’d be keen to hear your and your readers’ thoughts on it.

    It would great if you could provide us with your contact details so we can ship you a book.

    Best,
    Tammy

  3. Andrew Romero on January 5, 2012 at 7:08 am

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  4. HR Crest on January 5, 2012 at 9:24 am

    Hi Bob,

    Greetings!

    I like your book reviews and the interviews. Recently, I enjoyed reading the interview with George Bradt.

    I have launched my book, Your Career Build It Your Way. It would be priceless if I could send it to you for a critical appreciation. Kindly revert with your e mail address, I can then send my book to you.

    Thanks,

    Sudakshina

  5. Bob Vanourek on October 6, 2012 at 1:27 am

    Thank you for the review you posted on “Triple Crown Leadership: Building Excellent, Ethical, and Enduring Organizations.” Reaction to the book has been most favorable, and we appreciate your endorsement. Hope you follow our blogs on triplecrownleadership.com.

  6. Charity Delich on October 10, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    Hi Bob,

    Just a quick note to say thanks very much for posting a link to the strategy+business interview of Doug Conant.

    We appreciate your support, and your blog!

    Best,

    Charity

    CHARITY J. DELICH
    Marketing & Public Relations Manager – strategy+business
    101 Park Avenue
    New York, NY 10178
    Tel: 212-551-6255

  7. Katrina Power on July 3, 2014 at 7:42 am

    Dear Bob,

    I’d love to send you a review copy of The Culture Map by Professor Erin Meyer. She’s an insightful (and humorous) writer, whose work on working with diverse cultures has been getting some great attention, for example on the HBR blog site: http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/02/how-to-say-this-is-crap-in-different-cultures/. Would you please advise of your mailing address so that I can send a copy of the book to you?

    Thanks and best wishes,

    Katrina

  8. Doug Macmillan on November 3, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    Kent’64. Still remember your Triumph and figuring out, i.e. keeping track of plots and players in “She Stoops to Conquer” using a method similar to the one you referred to for your calculus course. Today I met with a non-profit in Seattle and the young man went to Beloit and his father went to Kent ’72… Mike Brown. Thank you for any part of my success that you influenced.

    • bobmorris on November 4, 2014 at 5:34 am

      Great to hear from you, Doug. I remember so fondly the decade at Kent and regret that I have lost touch with most of those I was privileged to teach and coach. Several of my colleagues and their wives are buried in the cemetery atop Skiff Mountain. I wish you a blessed and joyous holiday season and even greater success during the new year. Meanwhile, warmest regards, Bob

    • Doug Macmillan on November 7, 2014 at 5:21 pm

      You actually took the time to cross the hall in the ‘Schoolhouse’ to talk to me when I was considering leaving Kent, which would have been a big mistake. I got early admission to Northwestern. Skiff Mountain was owned by my classmate’s (Rick Rawson) relatives and I only wish I had known any of the girls better. The 50th reunion, this June, was a momentous occasion and I am sure you would have been greeted by huge cheers. Meanwhile, God bless, Doug Macmillan

  9. robert brown butler on November 5, 2014 at 7:07 pm

    Would you be interested in reviewing my eighth book, the Disaster Handbook . . . ?

    At first glance this candidate for your review may seem like a lowly self-help book —certainly not worthy of mingling with today’s literary darlings. But this volume has won six literary awards, and its author, a prominent architect, has penned five thick volumes on architecture for McGraw-Hill. The book’s quality of writing is as literary as the best novels, is as dramatic as narrative non-fiction in the way it limns many disasters as stories, is as artistically designed and illustrated as a coffeetable art book, is certainly as suspenseful as a thriller, and it leavens this usually scary subject with humor. As for the book’s focus, it sidesteps the usual “survivalist” shibboleths that infest this genre of literature in favor of articulating how to create precautionary architecture: how to prepare your home or workplace for a disaster in advance, be safe as it happens, and repair any damage afterward. As such this publication can safen the lives of every man, woman, and child in America, anywhere, anytime —which is about as infinite a literary audience as a book can have. With all this going for it, it just might shoot to the top of the list of books you would like to review.

    If you would like to take this book for an evening’s test drive, please verify your best street address to receive a review copy. A press release, newspaper article, microsoft text files, and high-resolution images are also available on request. Please let me know how I can help you.

    The invention of the present is the hope of the future,
    Robert Brown Butler
    robert3butler@gmail.com

  10. Doug Macmillan on November 7, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    My street address is
    9236 Phinney Ave. N,
    Seattle, WA 98103
    but my preferred address for receiving things from Amazon, et al is
    PO Box 17883
    Seattle, WA 98127

  11. Thomas Huynh on September 6, 2015 at 1:37 am

    Bob, you are such a positive person, it is infectious! Keep up the good work.

  12. Oswald R. Viva on November 18, 2015 at 10:13 am

    Bob: I enjoy your book reviews. I’m about to publish my latest (12th) book and would love to have an impartial review of it. Please let me know how you work (conditions) and whether you would be interested in reviewing it. The title of the book is “The Making of a CEO”; “Helping You Deal With The Issues of Running Your Company”. It is aimed at owners of small and midsize companies.

    • bobmorris on November 18, 2015 at 2:17 pm

      I am certainly willing to consider it. Please have a finished copy shipped to:

      Robert Morris
      10438 Pagewood Drive
      Dallas, TX 75230-4254

      Meanwhile, best regards.

  13. Robert Hocking on April 12, 2016 at 4:00 am

    Hi Rob, I read a review of yours on Amazon and, based on the profile, it seems you do freelance work, is this the case?

  14. Robert Hocking on April 12, 2016 at 4:01 am

    Hi Rob, I came across your profile on Amazon and I understand you do freelance work, is this still the case?

    R.

  15. Ralph Knyrim on June 21, 2016 at 8:39 am

    Hello Bob,

    the
    “Please support this blog by ordering your books from Amazon through this link:”
    link is missing on your webpage.

    Kind regards

    Ralph

    • bobmorris on June 21, 2016 at 9:19 am

      Thank you.

      Folks are now at work on it.

      I really appreciate the head’s up.

  16. Kate Christiansen on July 17, 2016 at 11:42 pm

    Hi Bob,

    I have just spent the last two years writing a book on how to create an adaptive organisation. The information in the book draws on 20 years of experience and lots of research.
    I would love to send you a copy for your review.
    If you are interested please send me your address and I will get a pre-launch copy shipped to you. The book will be launched in September 2016.

    Kind regards
    Kate Christiansen

    • bobmorris on July 22, 2016 at 7:47 am

      Please send a finished copy to:

      Robert Morris
      10438 Pagewood Drive
      Dallas, TX 75230-4254

      I’ll get to the book ASAP, heavy emphasis on P.

  17. Alyssa Gross on July 29, 2016 at 4:34 pm

    Hi– I’m writing on behalf of Deloitte Digital, we’re gathering a list of press coverage for our website and would like permission to use your logo. Thank you! Alyssa

  18. Libby Elderfield on March 14, 2017 at 5:43 am

    Dear Bob,

    I am Kevin Murray’s Pa author of Language of Leaders and Communicate to Inspire which we have seen you have reviewed on Amazon. Kevin has a new book out People with Purpose and wondered if you would like to send us a copy?

    I look forward to hearing from you.
    http://www.leadershipcommunication.co.uk/leadership-books/

    Regards,

    Libby

    • bobmorris on March 14, 2017 at 5:48 am

      Yes.

      Robert Morris
      10438 Pagewood Drive
      Dallas, TX 75230-4154

      Thank you.

  19. Andy Cohen on June 20, 2017 at 12:00 pm

    Hi Bob, Truly appreciate the thinking that goes into your book reviews. Would like to send you my new book, Challenge Your Assumptions, Change Your World.

    The book helps people and organization make faster, more effective decisions and enhance critical thinking. I have taken a contrarian viewpoint that assumptions are neither good nor bad, rather they are part of every decision.

    The book provides a roadmap for surfacing these subconscious beliefs and then managing them productively.

    Thanks in advance for your consideration.

    • bobmorris on June 20, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      I would be pleased to consider it:

      Robert Morris
      10438 Pagewood Drive
      Dallas, TX 75230-4254

      No rush. I’m currently swamped.

  20. bobmorris on October 5, 2017 at 3:34 am

    Social media (e.g. LinkedIn) as well as the HBR and McKinsey websites are probably your best prospects for connectivity and interactivity with others.

  21. Jay Oza on December 22, 2017 at 1:11 pm

    Hi Bob,

    I am a long time follower of yours. I always look forward to your reviews and they help me decide whether I should buy and read the book. You bring a lot of excellent books to my attention.

    I have just published my book “Winning Speech Moments: How to Achieve Your Objective with Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere.” If you would be kind enough to review my book, I can send you the link where you can download it or send you a softcover copy at your address.

    I hope you have some time in your busy schedule to take a look at my book. I will have more info such as bio and synopsis on my website but I can send it to you separately to make it easier for you.

    Again, thanks for all the reviews you post and provide exposure to authors.

  22. Paige Hendren on February 26, 2018 at 6:56 am

    Hi Bob,

    I’m writing to request permission to send you an advance copy of a new book pubbing on March 7th titled WEconomy: You Can Find Meaning, Make a Living, and Change the World ,by Holly Branson (Richard Branson’s daughter), Craig Kielburger and Marc Kielburger with Foreword by Sheryl Sanberg and an epilogue by Richard Branson).

    The authors reveal how this generation’s demand for global transparency and engagement is impacting business, and why baking purpose into career, company, and the wider community not only creates profit, but allows the ability to create a positive impact.

    I would love to send you a copy for possible review. Please let me know if it’s ok to send it and we’ll get it out to you today.

    Thanks so much Bob!

    Best,
    Paige Hendren
    DeHart & Company Public Relations
    (828) 325-4967

  23. Lily on November 2, 2018 at 9:21 am

    Dear Bob,

    I hope you are well.

    I’m a big fan of your comprehensive and unbiased book reviews on Amazon, which have helped me identify what should – and should not – be on my own reading list.

    Given the content you’ve previously been drawn to, I would like to send you a complimentary copy of Competing With Giants: How One Family-Owned Company Took on the Multinationals and Won (ForbesBooks, September 2018) by Phương Uyên Trần, the deputy CEO of Vietnam’s largest beverage company. Based out of Ho Chi Minh, Phương is a role model millennial business woman who, alongside her father, turned down a proposed $2.5 billion buyout from Coca-Cola in 2012.

    Phương tells this and other insightful stories about her family’s revolutionary approach to business in her new book. Her first-hand account of navigating a hyper-competitive global business arena makes for an empowering story, one that speaks to the courage of family-owned businesses, the rise of female leaders in Asia, and the capabilities of small companies in a globalizing world.

    Competing With Giants succeeds in its unique ability to cohesively explain business strategy and the nuances of Southeast Asian markets, while engrossing readers in an emotionally-riveting personal narrative. In this sense, it’s the full package.

    I would love to hear your thoughts about Phương’s first book. Please let me know the best address to send a copy of this book to.

    Best regards,

    Lily Smith
    Target Marketing Digital

    About Phương Uyên Trần:

    Phương Uyên Trần serves as Deputy CEO of Tan Hiep Phat (THP) group, Vietnam’s leading beverage company. She is responsible for THP’s procurement, domestic and international marketing, public relations, and corporate social responsibility programs. Phương is an executive of the Beverage Association of Vietnam and also sits on the executive committee of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Vietnam chapter.

    When she was asked by Harvard Business Review to write a case study about how her family owned business walked away from a $2.5 Billion offer from Coca-Cola, Phương decided to instead write a book that would teach people exactly how to do it in their own business.
    To learn more visit: competingwithgiants.net

  24. Rodger Dean Duncan on November 21, 2018 at 5:11 pm

    Hello, Bob –

    I really like your reviews. They’re always specific and helpful. I (and no doubt millions of other people) have bought a lot of books because of your reviews.

    You did an Amazon review of one of my previous books – CHANGE-friendly LEADERSHIP.

    I have another book coming out (the first in a series) that I’d love for you to review. It’s titled LeaderSHOP: Workplace, Career, and Life Advice From Today’s Top Thought Leaders. Marshall Goldsmith, rated as the world’s #1 executive coach, wrote the foreword.

    Click here to read about it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OVTUhN

    May I send you a copy for review? I can send a PDF or a physical copy. To send a PDF I’ll need your email address. For a physical copy I’ll need your mailing address in Dallas.

    You liked my previous book, and I’m confident you will like LeaderSHOP.

    Looking forward to hearing from you.

    Happy Thanksgiving.

    Rodger

  25. Alana on January 13, 2019 at 8:27 pm

    Hi Robert,

    I found your email address in the top 10,000 reviewers on Amazon page. Do you only review books?

    Kindly send over your contact info to alana.felician@ebuynow.com to discuss further.

    Thank you so much in advance,
    Alana
    eBuy Now

  26. Lori Wojtowicz on July 1, 2019 at 10:14 am

    Hello Robert,

    I write to you as one old English teacher to another. For the first years of my thirty-five year career, I taught AP Literature to mostly white students. Even though there was great diversity in my high school, I never questioned why so few black students were in my class. When my schedule changed to include teaching African American Literature to black students, my true education began. While the book weaves educational and psychological research with the personal stories of students, the literary classics also have a voice. I am hoping you would consider reviewing it. It will be coming out in August, but would be happy to send you a copy.

    Thanks for considering,
    Lori

  27. Paige on October 10, 2019 at 8:51 am

    Dear Mr. Morris,

    My name is Paige Bremner and I am a Publishing Intern with Wolfram Research, Inc. Our CEO, Stephen Wolfram, has a new book about the applications of computational thinking launching next week.

    The aptly named Adventures of a Computational Explorer takes readers on a ride through the headspace of Stephen Wolfram. This book explores everything from the science behind Hollywood movies to the top strategies for optimizing productive time, connecting it all with the idea of computational thinking. Read about the ethics of AI and the ongoing process of creating a language that can be understood outside the bounds of our universe. For Stephen, there’s something to learn from everything and never a reason to stop learning. Adventures is a series of delightful essays for the general audience that still manages to provide new insights to leading field experts.

    I’ve seen that you’ve reviewed similar books, like Possible Minds, on Amazon, and I was wondering if you’d be interested in reading it. I would love to send you a free copy in return for your honest review. Let me know if you’re interested.

    Best,

    Paige Bremner

    paigeb@wolfram.com
    @bremner_paige
    (217)372-3161
    Document and Media Systems
    Wolfram Research, Inc.
    100 Trade Center Drive
    Champaign, IL 61820-7237
    USA

  28. dan markovitz on May 1, 2020 at 11:25 am

    Bob,

    A few years ago, you reviewed “Winning the Brain Game” by my friend, Matt May. It made me think that you might like my newest book, “The Conclusion Trap: Four Steps to Better Decisions.”

    Whereas as Matt investigated a variety of cognitive failings, I dive deeply into just one: the tendency to jump to conclusions before we even understand the problem we’re attempting to solve. This 75-page (refreshingly short!) book adapts the problem solving approach from lean production to combat this tendency, enabling leaders in organizations to generate insight before they take action.

    Individuals and organizations are feeling pressure to act, and act quickly, in this COVID-19 period. This book might be an antidote to making foolish decisions.

    Can I send you a copy?

    I’m certain you’ll like it, and that it will provide some interesting perspectives, including:

    • How jumping to conclusions damages organizations and wastes their resources.

    • The difference between facts and data, and why we need both to make good decisions.

    • Why we should think about open vistas rather than cul-de-sacs when we frame a problem.

    • How to use fishbone diagrams and Five Why questioning to find the root cause of our problems.

    What’s the best mailing address for you? (I can also send an electronic version if you’d prefer.)

    Kind regards,

    Dan

    ________________________
    Markovitz Consulting
    San Francisco | New York
    917 364 1864
    http://www.markovitzconsulting.com
    A Factory of One
    Building the Fit Organization

    • bobmorris on May 13, 2020 at 4:32 am

      Hello Dan.

      Thank you for contacting me.

      Here’s my mailing address:

      Robert Morris
      2039 Wooster Road, D-51
      Rocky River, OH 44115-2650

      Best regards.

  29. Paige on June 12, 2020 at 11:08 am

    Hi Bob,
    Back in April, Stephen Wolfram launched The Wolfram Physics Project and invited physics enthusiasts around the world to contribute to the discovery of the rule that governs our universe. Now he’s releasing the companion book that provides a unique opportunity to learn about this historic initiative in science right as it is happening. The Wolfram Physics Project is a bold effort to use breakthrough new ideas and the latest in physics, mathematics and computation to find the fundamental theory of physics, often viewed as the ultimate goal in all of science. Written with Stephen Wolfram’s characteristic expositional flair, the book includes both an accessible introduction to the project and its background, as well as core technical documents, and breathtaking visualizations that bring to life a dramatic new understanding of how our universe works.

    We appreciate you insightful review of Adventures of a Computational Explorer and we want to offer you a free copy of Wolfram’s latest, more technical book in exchange for your honest review on Amazon or Goodreads.

    Let me know if you are interested so I can send along a copy of the book.

    Best,

    Paige Bremner

    paigeb@wolfram.com
    @bremner_paige
    Document and Media Systems
    Wolfram Research, Inc.
    100 Trade Center Drive
    Champaign, IL 61820-7237
    USA

  30. Carolyn Monaco on May 10, 2021 at 6:43 am

    Bob, as you may remember I’m a longtime follower and fan. I just shared your post on TS Eliot on LI. Am I correct in thinking you’re not on LI? Just checking, in case I missed linking to your profile there.

    I realize your years at Kent are in the rearview mirror. But perhance do you remember a student named Alden Mills? He was a rower. Author of Be Unstoppable and Unstoppable Teams (HarperCollins). A longtime client, now beloved friend forever. #Small World Just curious.

    Best regards from Boston as always,

    Carolyn

    • bobmorris on May 10, 2021 at 9:40 am

      Hello Carolyn.

      Great to hear from you.

      I taught English at Kent from 1960 until 1970, then relocated to Newport to chair the English department at St. George’s School. I did not teach Alden Mills but am aware of his exceptional achievements thus far…and of yours.

      Best wishes and warmest regards, Bob

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