The following is a list of books I have been reading in the past few years (or at least the books that have provided some value). The books range from humor to new technology, management to finances, plus several books used to prepare for the Microsoft Certified Solution Developer exams. The books are generally in the order in which I read them. Someday I may organize the books based on subject.

"The Dilbert Principle"
Scott Adams
Harper Business

This is one of my favorite books. When ever the business world is getting a little tough, I just spend a couple chapters with Dilbert.

"The Essential Client/Server Survival Guide"
Robert Orfali
Dan Harkey
Jeri Edwards
Wiley

This book may be a bit dated for the material (1996), but it provides an excellent look into the direction of client/server computing including distributed objects and the Internet. A pretty good read but somewhat lengthy (600+ pages).

"Effective C++"
Scott Meyers
Addison Wesley

A must read for any serious C++ developer. Provides 50 tips ranging from memory management to object oriented design. If you are familiar with C++ the book is a fairly easy read under 200 pages.

"How to Win Friends and Influence People"
Dale Carnegie
Simon and Schuster

An excellent book for leadership skills, motivational skills, and interaction skills for any profession (technical, management, parenting, etc.). The concepts are based on simple common sense. Yet, the concepts are as valuable as they are simple.

"How to Stop Worrying and Start Living"
Dale Carnegie
Simon and Schuster

This is also an excellent book for dealing with everyday stress. Again, the concepts are simple and valuable.

"The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking"
Dale Carnegie
Simon and Schuster

Also an excellent book dealing with communication skills. However, at this point in time, I am comfortable with my communication skills in relation to my communication requirements. So I did not get as much value out of this book as the previous two Dale Carnegie books.

"The Deadline"
Tom DeMarco
Dorset House

An excellent insight into fundamental management techniques and challenges (especially for a techie like myself). The book is also written as a novel, so you are reading a story about several characters dealing with management challenges. The book is enjoyable and throughout the book the characters are continually faced with honest, real world problems. The characters then discuss possible solutions based on sound principles. Unfortunately, the book has an unreasonable happy ending. The "evil" character, a tyrant causing some of the demanding management challenges, is secretly "drugged" thus causing an illness requiring a leave of absence. To the book's credit, it does discuss the unlikelihood of such an event and the challenges to resolve pathological politics.

"The Goal"
Eliyahu M. Goldratt
North River Press

A very interesting read concerning managing constraints in a system with direct relation to a goal. This book is also written as a novel meaning there are a series of characters dealing with various struggles of life including management challenges at a manufacturing plant. The point of the book uses the scientific method to challenge traditional quantitative metrics that are contradictory to the primary goal, that goal being a to generate revenue. I struggled applying the ideas of the book to the software development process. According to the book at least, the manufacturing industry is at a mature enough level to measure their processes. The book doesn't have issues with these metrics, but rather the book challenges the decisions made based on these metrics. The software industry however, typically has not reached the maturity level where quantitative metrics are gathered. Granted, formal software methodologies defining appropriate metrics do exist. However in reality, the discipline to achieve these metrics are typically not practiced in the software industry.

"UML Distilled"
Martin Fowler
Kendall Scott
Addison Wesley

An excellent, brief introduction to the Unified Modeling Language, a standard software system modeling language based on software industry best practices.

"Understanding ActiveX and OLE"
David Chappell
Microsoft Press

A fairly comprehensive read concerning Microsoft's COM technology. Granted, the industry has moved, or is moving, towards COM+ (the next generation of COM) and .NET. Regardless, I think this book (at least the first four chapters) provides an excellent COM foundation leading to a greater understanding of COM+.

"Desktop Applications for Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0"
Microsoft Press

This is the Microsoft Official Curriculum book for the Microsoft Certified Professional exam 70-176. The book includes a CD-ROM. It is a fairly decent book providing a fundamental knowledge base for not only passing the exam, but for using Visual Basic in Microsoft's vision of Windows DNA development. This book, along with the Transcender exam and practical work experience should be plenty to pass the 70-176 exam. If you are lacking the experience, you may require additional resources.

"Distributed Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0"
Microsoft Press

This is the Microsoft Official Curriculum book for the Microsoft Certified Professional exam 70-175. The book includes a CD-ROM. It is a fairly decent book providing a fundamental knowledge base for not only passing the exam, but for using Visual Basic in Microsoft's vision of Windows DNA development. This book, along with the Transcender exam and practical work experience should be enough to pass the 70-175 exam. If you are lacking the experience, you may require additional resources. In addition, there is overlap between exams 70-175 and 70-176. So, by preparing for one exam you have somewhat prepared to the other.

"Visual Basic 6 Exams"
David Panagrosso and Owen Williams
New Riders

I purchased this book to help prepare for Microsoft Certified Professional exams 70-175 and 70-176. I found the book somewhat annoying in the fact that sample questions and exams did not give any indication on the number of appropriate right answers. I was having trouble passing the sample example since I would give one answer when two were required, or I would give two answers when three were required, etc. This became pretty frustrating. The Microsoft exams clearly state to pick the best possible answer, or pick the best possible two answers, etc. However, by making the sample exams more difficult, there was the positive benefit of being more prepared for the real exams.

"Mastering Visual Basic 6 Development"
Microsoft

I purchased this CD to prepare for Microsoft Certified Professional exams 70-175 and 70-176. The title of this CD is misleading. Concerning Visual Basic development, I am already fairly competent (and have the court documents to prove it). So when I purchased the CD I though it would provide the opportunity to take my Visual Basic skills to the next level. However, this CD is an introduction to Visual Basic and this did not meet my needs. I think this CD is perfect for someone who has fundamental programming skills and wants to learn Visual Basic. 

"Analyzing Requirements and Defining Solution Architectures"
Microsoft Press

This is the Microsoft Official Curriculum book for the Microsoft Certified Professional exam 70-100. The book includes a CD-ROM. Unfortunately, I did not read the book once I learned the actual exam is based on reading comprehension and fundamental skills such as formulating a business process or an entity relationship diagram. The book covers the Microsoft Solution Framework (project iterations, phases, roles, etc.) and the Microsoft Solution Framework is not covered on the official 70-100 exam. Therefore, the Transcender exam and practical work experience should be enough to pass the 70-100 exam. If you are lacking the experience, you may require additional resources.

"Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 7.0"
Robert Sheldon
Microsoft Press

This is the Microsoft Official Curriculum book for the Microsoft Certified Professional exam 70-029. The book includes a CD-ROM. However, this book is different from the other Microsoft curriculum books. This book identifies the necessary skills required to pass the exam, but the book doesn't develop those skills. The book provides a brief overview, several sample questions, and most importantly, the book suggests the appropriate reading for developing the required skills. This book, along with the Transcender exam and practical work experience should be plenty to pass the 70-029 exam. If you are lacking the experience, you may require additional resources.

"Essential COM"
Don Box
Addison Wesley

Written by the industry's recognized authority on COM and a co-founder of DevelopMentor, this is an excellent book and a must read for any serious COM developer.

"Rich Dad, Poor Dad"
Robert T. Kiyosaki
Warner Books

Before I read this book, I was a little concerned about the contents given my Christian beliefs. The book is definitely not Christian based, however, I was delighted to find the message of the book does not conflict with my beliefs. I was a little worried about "money is the root of all evil" or "you cannot serve two masters". The book doesn't glorify greed. The book simply stresses the need for financial literacy. Most financial problems are caused by a lack of financial education since this knowledge or skill is not taught in schools or colleges. The book stresses that through financial literacy, money serves you and you do not serve money. You are the master of money. If I extend this using my beliefs, you serve God and money serves you (you are not serving two masters). In other words, you have a financial responsibility and you are a steward of money. Make money work for you. Don't indulge in materialism. Be responsible and build a positive portfolio. In addition I was surprised to find the concept of giving. The book briefly talks about the more you give the more you receive and the benefits of tithing. However, the book does only an average job at delivering its message as it tends to repeat itself.

"God's Little Instruction Book for Leaders"
Honor Books

A very enjoyable short book. Each page has both a modern day like saying or phrase, plus a scripture verse that supports the saying. For example, "If you can't face the music, you'll never get to lead the band" is supported by Proverbs 3:11-12, "Young man, do not resent it when God chastens and corrects you, for His punishment is proof of His love. Just as a father punishes a son he delights in to make him better, so the Lord corrects you." My general premise for leadership is who better to learn leadership skills from than God the Creator? Who is a better example for leadership and who knows human nature (enthusiasm, motivation, critisizm, etc.) better than God?

"Body for Life"
Bill Phillips
Michael D'Orsos
Harper Collins Publishing

This is a book more for physical and mental health. However, these are very important aspects of success, so I included the book in this list. The book is easy to read and very enjoyable. The book not only discusses effective physical excursive, diet, and motivation, but the book also explains why and how the human body works. So you learn not only exercises and diets, but you also learn how the body processes food, burns fat, builds muscle and how the mind stays motivated. The concepts in the book are simple and straight forward. 

"Peopleware"
Tom DeMarco
Timothy Lister
Dorset House Publishing

I'm not a manager. Nevertheless, I have an eerie voice deep inside that speaks to me and says, "Come! Come to the dark side!" At the very least, I would like to better understand the role of a manager since their participation is critical to the software development process. The book provided good insight into managing knowledge workers, the office environment, growing a productive team (or at least what things prevent a team from "jelling"), getting the right people, etc. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It is an easy read, short and concise, and offers excellent insight into the critical and excellent profession of management.

"The Software Conspiracy"
Mark Minasi
McGraw Hill

I was a little disappointed with this book. At least it is not what I expected. The book is sensationalism that feeds of fear and emotions. The book does make some interesting points. This would be a great book if you find yourself experiencing the Post Y2K Syndrome and you need a "world is coming to an end" scenario to hold onto.

"The Quotable Einstein"
Collected and Edited by Alice Calaprice
Princeton

Einstein is both very intelligent and very articulate. I found the breadth of his thoughts both interesting and enjoyable. I do differ with Einstein's opinion of God's existence. This reaffirms my opinion that belief in God is pure faith. Intelligence is neither an advantage or disadvantage in regards to faith.

"Relativity - The Special and the General Theory"
Albert Einstein
Crown Trade Paperbacks

It appears that it is intelligence that is relative.

"Jesus, CEO - Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership"
Laurie Beth Jones
Hyperion

Applies the leadership example of Jesus Christ and other biblical leaders to modern day management. For example: Jesus had a vision/mission; Jesus had a plan; Jesus formed a team; Jesus believed in his team; Jesus was bold; Jesus was not afraid of the difficult things; Jesus trained his replacements; Jesus managed from the inside out; Jesus set an example; Jesus served his team; etc. Basically, if you used the golden rule, "do unto others as you would have them do to you", to create the perfect boss, Jesus would be that perfect boss.

"After the Gold Rush"
Steve McConnell
Microsoft Press

Explores the creation of a true software engineering profession. The book explores the pitfalls of typicall software development efforts and progresses thourgh the steps necessary to establish software engineering as a mature profession (much like other engineering professions and the medical profession).

"Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to the WIN32 API"
Dan Appleman
Sams

More of a reference book. At the very least it is not a book you can read from cover to cover. This book is almost a standard for the serious Visual Basic developer. The book is well organized and has many code samples.

"Applying Use Cases"
Geri Schneider
Jason P. Winters
Addison-Wesley

This book is on my list of "must reads". I have purchased the book, however, I have not read the book.

"Design Patterns"
Erich Gamma
Richard Helm
Ralph Johnson
John Vlissides
Addison-Wesley

This book is on my list of "must reads". I have purchased the book, however, I have not read the book.

"Transactional COM+ - Building Scalable Applications"
Tim Ewald
Developmentor Series - Addison Wesley

This book is on my list of "must reads". I have purchased the book, however, I have not read the book.

"Business by the Book - The Complete Guide of Biblical Principles for the Workplace"
Larry Burkett
Nelson

This book is on my list of "must reads". I have purchased the book, however, I have not read the book.

"Selling Among Wolves Withough Joining the Pack"
Michael Q. Pink
Bridge Logos

This book is on my list of "must reads". I have purchased the book, however, I have not read the book.

"Game Plans"
Robert Keidel
Dutton

This book is on my list of "must reads". I have purchased the book, however, I have not read the book.