Customer Reviews

Don'T Step In The Leadership:A Dilbert Book

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Don't Step In The Leadership" is a collection of Dilbert comic strips from 1998. Scott Adams has accurately captured the idiocracy of life that is called work. Whether it's the pointy-haired boss trying (and failing) to manage his employees or Catbert: Evil H.R. Director prescribing an anti-depressant drug for Alice, you will be amazed at how much this art imitates your life.

Adams, once again, proves that you can laugh at something not because it is funny, but because it is true. As comic relief for common cube dwellers, the reading of this book provides an excellent reason to delay (at least for a while)going "Postal" and providing what justice there may be found in corporate America. In the current competitive business environment, Scott's work also provides an excellent manual to be followed for those who wish to not only fit into established large business/government practices, but who wish to master and excel in policies and practices that are not readily comprehended by those with common sense.

I enjoyed this collection of Dilbert cartoons, as I do all of Scott Adams' compendiums. I can see some of Dilbert in me, and some of me in Dilbert (especially the bent tie), and easily recognize parallels between Dilbert's workplace and mine. I at least have an office and don't have to live with the cubicle dwellers and my boss is somewhat brighter than Dilbert's, but it's still scary how realistic Dilbert's world is.

I would have given this book 5 stars except all of these cartoons appear, in sequence, in my 2001 Dilbert desk calendar, so I've already read many of them and I have no reason now to flip to the next day on my calendar. That's almost Dilbert-esque, in a way.

Despite a limited group of characters and settings, Scott Adams continues to find funny situations for his characters. Once again, over one hundred pages full of Dilbert cartoons and the bunch of characters that we all know so well.

Dilbert and his co-workers continue to fight their battle against pointy haired bosses, Dogbert and Catbert. My personal favourite in this collection is Dilbert's discovery that the Moon is populated by the women who love engineers but really, the whole collection is great.

These cartoons age very well compared to some strips in the newspapers and they certianly stand several readings. Highly recommended.

This edition of Dilbert features the collection of cartoons printed from January to October, 1998. It's the traditional "smaller" collection, at 127 pages. Wally, Ratbert, Dogbert, the Pointy-haired boss, Dilbert's mom, and, of course, Alice... they're all here!

Need some examples?

[Catbert, the HR Director, speaking to Wally]
Catbert - "The company is giving free flu shots, Wally. The shots will be delivered by wealthy stockholders who will hunt you down and shoot you with flu darts."
Wally - "At least I won't get the flu, right?"
Catbert - "You're probably thinking of the flu PREVENTION shots."

[Wally, studded with darts, is complaining to the boss]
Pointy-haired boss - "No one likes being hunted down and shot with flu darts, Wally. But remember: companies are managed for the benefit of stockholders, not employees."
Wally - "I own stock. It's in my 401(K) account."
Pointy-haired boss - "I'm not supposed to tell you, but none of that is real" (p. 60).

and

[Dilbert talking to secretary]
Dilbert - "I need to document your procedures. It's an ISO 9000 requirement. So... the engineers submit their time cards and then you do what?"
Secretary - "I put them in a pile until I'm sure they're all here. Then I move them to the magic cylinder."
Dilbert - "The trash can?"
Secretary - "No. It's a magic cylinder. I put my work in there and by morning it's gone."
Dilbert - "I've been giving you my time cards for five years."
Secretary - "No one has complained yet."
Dilbert thinking, as he walks away - "After today, I am NOT rounding to the nearest fifteen minutes" (p. 106).

Engineers!

Need more? Don't forget this mega-volume: Dilbert 2.0: 20 Years of Dilbert.

Every time I sit down and read a Dilbert book I am truly amazed by the humor portrayed and find myself chuckling at something on just about every page. Of course, what's truly funny about it is how it actually happens and many of the stories portrayed are based on actual experiences people have had with their CowOrkers and truly memorable inDuhviduals. yes, there really are people like that. Scary, but true.

Do yourself a favor and buy this book. It's had me in stitches many, many times. What else is there to say?

Dilbert is always packed with hilarity, and has the added perk of real lessons you can actually try at the office. Too fun!

Scott Adams obviously sold his soul to the Devil, because no one can hit the ball out of the park every time! It's impossible.

Thanks for making the sacrifice, Scott.

You have to like Scott Adam's work to appreciate this book, but I don't know many people who don't. I think anyone who has ever been to work or had a boss will enjoy this book.