Systemantics: The Underground Text of Systems Lore (Paperback)

by John Gall (Author), D.H. Gall (Illustrator)

Product Details

• Paperback: 319 pages
• Publisher: General Systemantics Press (November 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961825103
• ISBN-13: 978-0961825102
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #777,089 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The answer to: "Why is Dilbert so popular?", August 23, 2000

By	Anne Hudon "Anne Hudon" (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I know the author personally. As a lawyer and a former executive, I found the book insightful, hilarious, and - even - depressing. John does an excellent job of uncovering cultural blinders we all labor under. Our genes have not prepared us to work in the gigantic systems and organizations that provide, govern, and torture us. I enjoyed the second part of the book ("Applied Systemantics") more than the more conceptual first part. This book is an important antidote to Organizational Development hucksterism.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous, Sad & Illuminating, December 20, 2001

By	yo-tambien (Reno, NV) - See all my reviews

Discovering John Gall's book a view of life. Gall spells out the failings of, largely, cultural assumptions in the realms of education, food production, corporate culture and so on, in ways that are easy to understand despite complexities. Systemantics represents a collection rules and laws that characterize and define systems (from corporations, organizations, religions to families and other social groups), and Gall cites notable examples that have graced the headlines (from the mid-80s, in my edition). With humor and wit, Gall outlines potential and obvious pitfalls. Despite its age, this book is even more relevant today since much of what Gall elucidates is even more rampant than ever. Fans of Daniel Quinn (author of Ishmael, The Story of B, etc.) may find this appropriate to augment their interests.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The hillarious and useful guide to systems of all types, October 4, 2001

By	Elmira Cancelada "Elmira Cancelada" (Portsmouth, NH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read the previous reviews -- the most of them came from people with engineering bend. But this book is not only for engineers, it is for everyone - managers, politicians, lawyers, programmers, urban planners -- you name it. As the matter of fact, you will never read a newspaper the same way after being familiarized with Dr. Gall's book. The Diberterque environment of your office will not feel like something extraordinary after you realize that there are natural reasons why it has become Dilbertesque.