Recommended reading for would-be and current MBAs
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Peter Robinson's illustrative account of his first year MBA days in Stanford makes interesting reading. Being keen on getting my MBA and on a friend's suggestion, I went hunting for this book (it was out of print for a long time, which I perceived to be due to the high demand!!!). All in all, the least that can be said about this book is that it makes very interesting reading. It PAINTS A TRUE PICTURE of the days in an MBA program and gives prospective MBAs a chance to really reflect upon their decision to pursue one. Events such as Robinson's struggle with anything quantitative (he was a poet in Bschool terms), his room mates and other examples are not only insightful and funny, but also thought-provoking. Must read for all management students.
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The first MBA stone to turn.
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Considering the cost and commitment involved, understanding the true nature of an MBA course is fundamental. Robinson's hectic, 'literarily' hampered romp through the first year of Stanford's highly analytical course, provides, for any prospective Business School prey, a fundamental understanding of what is involved; forcing them either to send a decision tree branch spiraling towards an MBA or removing it completely to concentrate on applying to Law School. A very good read that is great background for any MBA application.
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An easy reading diversion from those turgid management texts
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Having just picked up my MBA, I had been anxious to read this book for some time. However it has only recently come back into print. Certainly it is a well written entertaining read and, having spent the last three years reading some business books written in a style akin to an exceptionally turgid dish of porridge oats (that had of course been left to set for several months) , this was an easy read. To an extent I was glad not to have read this prior to embarking on an MBA, as although it correctly describes the huge workload and pressures of an MBA, it does not develop those themes that see you through:- such as camaraderie and a huge lot of fun. These themes are hinted at, but never expanded. Disappointments with the book include the introduction of some business ideas, which are never fully developed. I had the sense that the author intended to introduce some material from the course as a taster, but never made his mind up as to whether this worked or not. The fact that the book only covers the first year of a two year course does leave you feeling slightly cheated at the end :- having followed the author through the year there is definitely a sense of abandonment at leaving him half way through. This book is of course based on the experiences at a US business school and the European experience can differ. Nevertheless I identified with the author's complete mysticism when encountering some of the more way-out concepts. Glittering Tree's certainly rang some bells. One day I hope to understand this. I hesitate to say that this is a "must read" for anyone embarking on an MBA. The story is broader than that being that of an individual's struggle in the fast lane. However it is useful to be able to peek beneath the covers and to know that bafflement is certainly an emotion that is strongly experienced during an MBA. And so I score this book at 4 out of 5.
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