The Gift of Time [Paperback]

Fiona Charles (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0932633757 | ISBN-13: 978-0932633750 | Publication Date: November 1, 2008

ABOUT THE BOOK

Featuring tributes by Fiona Charles, Bob Glass, James Bach, Michael Bolton, Jean McLendon, Sherry Heinze, Sue Petersen, Esther Derby, Willem van den Ende, Judah Mogilensky, Naomi Karten, James Bullock, Tim Lister, Johanna Rothman, Jonathan Kohl, Dani Weinberg, and Bent Adsersen, The Gift of Time "celebrates Gerald M. Weinberg for the time that he has given to the Information Technology world. In an astonishing career spanning fifty-plus years, Jerry is author of more than forty published nonfiction books, many of them enormously influential, and (to date) one novel. Through those years, he has built and run a successful consulting business and designed and taught courses that helped to change his students' lives.

"Jerry's generosity with his own time is well-known among his students and friends. In the closing chapter of this book, Bent Adsersen relates how Jerry once told him that time is the most valuable gift one person can give to another. Author, mentor, writing coach, consultant, storyteller, and friend, Jerry has freely given that most valuable gift, often and to many.

"The contributors to this volume have all been recipients of that gift. As readers, students, clients, colleagues, friends -- and wife, in Dani Weinberg's case -- we have shared precious time with Jerry, gaining much from the exchange.

"This book is a gift of time we give to Jerry: from a few of his many students, friends, colleagues, and his publisher, an offering in celebration of his seventy-fifth birthday."

-- from the Preface


ABOUT JERRY WEINBERG

Internationally respected for his innovative thinking on both human and technical issues, Gerald M. Weinberg is recognized as a pioneer of software testing, starting with Project Mercury in 1958. A highly influential author, lecturer, and consultant, he draws on experiences gained in all three roles, as well as from a long technical career as a software developer and researcher. Weinberg has written on topics ranging from computer systems and programming to education, problem solving, and writing.

Weinberg is the author of The Psychology of Computer Programming, The Secrets of Consulting, Weinberg on Writing, and dozens of other highly influential books and articles. His blend of wit, storytelling, and jaw-dropping insight has won him fans around the world.

Inducted into the Computer Hall of Fame in its inaugural year, Weinberg has enjoyed a long and industrious career, serving on the faculty of famed family therapist Virginia Satir, and consulting for Fortune 500 companies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Dorset House (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0932633757
• ISBN-13: 978-0932633750
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #977,422 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I write both non-fiction and fiction, in paper and for eReaders (such as Kindle). My fiction includes such novels as Mistress of Molecules; First Stringers: or eyes that do not see; Second Stringers: the sole advantage; The Hands of God; The Aremac Project; Aremac Power: Inventions at Risk; Earth's Endless Effort.

I am the author or co-author of many non-fiction articles and books, including a number on more effective thinking: The Psychology of Computer Programming; An Introduction to General Systems Thinking; Are Your Lights On?; What Did You Say?; and Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method.

My books on leadership include Becoming a Technical Leader, The Secrets of Consulting, More Secrets of Consulting, and the Quality Software Management four-volume series.

My books cover all phases of the software life-cycle, including Exploring Requirements; Rethinking Systems Analysis and Design; The Handbook of Walkthroughs, Inspections, and Technical Reviews; General Principles of System Design, Perfect Software and Other Illusions about Testing; How Software is Built; and Why Software Gets in Trouble.

I offer several blogs and workshops for writers and technical leaders including Problem Solving Leadership (PSL) and the Amplifying Your Effectiveness (AYE) Conference. They can be see on my personal website is at http://www.geraldmweinberg.com.

You may read more about me in the Festschrift, The Gift of Time, edited by Fiona Charles and written by many of my students and readers.

I also assist my wife, Dani, in training dogs for service activities and as pets. Her work is described in her book, Teaching People, Teaching Dogs, which can also be purchased on Amazon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A collection of essays for different lenses for understanding and prescriptions for action, January 11, 2009

By 

Robert Lucente (PA - USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Gift of Time (Paperback)

"The Gift of Time" is a career retrospective on Gerald M. (Jerry) Weinberg, one of the pioneers of computing. It is composed of chapters contributed by colleagues and students each addressing one aspect of Weinberg's work. The book is really a collection of stand alone essays, each an introduction to a topic that Weinberg has investigated and taught. Together, they provide both a collection of different lenses for understanding and prescriptions for action. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is involved in software development or is interested in how people interact in business organizations.

I was impressed that Weinberg's students thought enough of their teacher to create this book to honor him. One of the contributors, Jim Bullock, is a colleague of mine who has been able help me with work challenges many times; often attributing the advice to Weinberg. So, I eagerly ordered this book expecting to learn new ways to understand organizational interactions.

Reading "The Gift of Time" I started with the chapter "Solving the Groupthink Problem". The chapter author first introduces Virginia Satir's five freedoms and congruence model - to see, feel and want what is here and now, and engaging simultaneously with self, other and context. He then describes how he used these tools in working with groupthink while organizing a technical conference. I could see immediately how I could use these tools myself.

Next, I read "To Measure Process Improvement, Look at How People Behave." The title caught my attention because I have seen people follow the letter of a process while ignoring the intention. The author calls this "Pathological Box Checking". He then brilliantly summarizes the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Capability Maturity Model (CMM) and typical behaviors encountered at each level. One example is observing whether people are on time to meetings. If they are not, it is clear that they are at Maturity Level 1, regardless of what an assessment has said. The other behaviors mentioned were as easily identifiable and as telling. The chapter makes it is easy to see whether the formal maturity level and people's behavior are consistent.

Then I read "Time - and How to Get It." The chapter begins beautifully by stating that time is the most important gift you can give to other people. The author points out that humans value time so much that they define it using a nuclear event multiplied by a 10 digit number. I was also challenged to write down my definition of time. I said: "Time is a resource to be allocated via prioritized to do lists which are adjusted for life events." Before reading further STOP and WRITE YOUR DEFINITION of time. It is enlightening. Lastly, the chapter provides some perspectives on time, for example, contrasting a boat's mandated 5 mph cruise versus the mad rush to the airport by car. This chapter made me truly appreciate how to allocate time as opposed to just responding to events. Also, I am now aware of the human perception of the tempo with which time is allocated.

The writing style makes for quick and easy reading. The individual chapters are bite sized. The only mild annoyance were the undefined acronyms. In one paragraph on page 67 I found: SEI, PSL, MBTI, and AYE. Perhaps if I had read the chapters in sequence, I would have avoided looking up acronyms.

Over a couple of weeks, I have taken 3 bites and thoroughly enjoyed each. Sometimes the snacks were prescriptive while others provided perspective. I can't wait for the full meal.

I highly recommend the book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Much more than just a tribute, December 24, 2008

By 

Janet Gregory (Calgary, Alberta) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Gift of Time (Paperback)

I started reading "The Gift of Time" with certain expectations, but as I kept reading, I found those expectations challenged.

I thought I would have a nice easy read about tributes to Jerry Weinberg. Instead, I found myself jotting down words and phrases as I was reading each of the essays. As a life long learner and a dabbler in the areas of systems thinking and organizational behaviour, I found so many tidbits of information and from so many perspectives, that my thoughts started running rampant. I wanted to go start researching and reading more.

And it wasn't only about systems thinking. For example, the essay by James Bach got me thinking again about basic testing premises. The one by Naomi Karten about experiential workshops made me think about my own tutorials and workshops and how I could improve the exercises I use. Congruent feedback by Ester Derby gave me a new way of thinking about giving feedback and understanding the importance of context... yet again. The list goes on.

I am sure everyone who reads it will pick up new ideas to research or will revisit some that need renewing. So much of what Jerry Weinberg has given the world is summed up so nicely in this small book of essays.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Addition to any Professional's Library, January 18, 2010

By 

P. Carvalho (Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Gift of Time (Paperback)

Fiona Charles has masterfully crafted a selection of essays from various authors and professionals who represent a sampling of Jerry Weinberg's "lineage" (to use a term I learned from an essay in this book) - a lineage that spans generations! I have collected and learned from many of Jerry's books over the years as various opportunities presented themselves. I have even met him a few times and heard him speak on various topics - e.g. computer technology, quality, personal development, problem solving, writing, sci fi, family therapy, consulting, and others. And yet, through this book I learned more new things about him, the work he has done, and the impact he has made on various professionals in different fields.

This book was different from similar books that I've read. The essays were written in a personal way that almost gave the book a kind of documentary feel to me. I liked that because it made it easier to digest the essays compared to similar, more technical essays that I have read in other books. Having said that, I still learned many new things from many of the stories within these pages and have made a list of more books I want to pick up, people I want to meet, and things I want to learn more about.

The Gift of Time will make a good addition to any software professional's library. Like most of "Gerald M. Weinberg's" collected works, there's a little something for everyone in this book. I can see myself re-reading it. I'm glad to have a copy.