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Aarron Walter

Berkeley, CA: New Riders, 2008

ISBN: 978-0-321-52628-1

LCC: Not Available

Sure, writers will find the chapter on writing superficial. Developers will find the chapter on development superficial. But it behooves developers to know something about writing, and writers ought to know what it is the devs actually do. The Big Picture this book paints is nearly perfect. Everyone working in the online cultural economy should read this book. It isn’t about “best practice” — it’s about “need-to-know.” Highly recommended.

Tags: books, findability, Walter

Laurence Vincent

Chicago, IL: Dearborn Trade Pub., c2002

ISBN: 978-0793155606

LCC: HD69.B7V563 2002

Speaking as a writer, it’s heartening to see an MBA dedicate an entire book to the use of storytelling in creating brand strategy. What’s disappointing is the simplistic Aristotelian take on narrative structure provided by this book. I suppose it’s an airplane book, written to convince the execs to throw more money at the creatives. I was hoping for technique.

Tags: books, branding, Vincent

Robert E. Haskell (ed.)

Norwood, New Jersey: Ablex Publishing Corporation, 1987

ISBN: 978-0893913687

LCC: BF 458 .C58 1987

An interesting look at the construction and interpretation of metaphor. The articles in this book approach metaphor from the vantage points of neurology, psychology, and philosophy. This book dates from 1987, so the scientific findings should be taken with a grain of salt. Still, it makes for good reading about the uses of meaning. Recommended, if you’re hardcore.

Tags: books, psychology, Haskell

Frank Smith

Hillsdale, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. 1994

ISBN: 978-0030588372

LCC: BF 456 .W8 1994

Not a guide to writing, but a thoughtful meditation on the acts of writing and learning to write. Smith’s thesis is that the writer and reader both bring sets of intentions to a piece of writing, and that the gap between these intentions is mediated by the conventions of language.

Tags: books, writing, Smith

Daniel J Boorstin

New York: Vintage Books. 1992

ISBN: 978-0689702808

LCC: E169.12.B66 1992

A fascinating and highly critical meditation on the rise of verisimilitude in American culture. Frequently cited by advertising and marketing professionals. Read it and be disgusted with those who would threaten democracy in the name of commerce, or read it and marvel at the techniques of the American cultural apparatus. Highly recommended.

Tags: books, culture, Boorstin

Luke Sullivan

New York: John Wiley, c1998

ISBN: 978-0471281399

LCC: HF5825.S88 1998

The main theme of this book is “How to create great ads without selling out,” and as such it provides a major apology for the kind of advertising that seeks to entertain consumers and indulge creatives. People watching the sales curve: prepare to be offended. Nonetheless, it contains some thought-provoking material and genuine insight. Recommended.

Tags: books, advertising, Sullivan

James B Twitchell

New York: Crown Publishers, 2000

ISBN: 978-0609807231

LCC: HF5811.T9 2000

Written by an academic for a popular audience, this book describes the cultural effects of advertising in the past 100+ years. Notable discussions include P.T. Barnum, Coca-Cola’s Santa, LBJ’s “Daisy” commercial, and De Beers’ “Diamonds Are Forever.” Of limited use to people interested in marketing or advertising strategy, but full of history and cultural relevance. Recommended.

Tags: books, advertising, Twitchell

Al Ries; Jack Trout

New York: McGraw-Hill, c2001

ISBN: 978-0071359160

LCC: HF5827.2.R53 2001

A classic, as they say. Articulates the notion that successful marketing comes not from a quantity of impressions nor from having a persuasive sales message, but from owning a “position” within the prospect’s mind. Do something really well, and be the only one who does it. Recommended.

Tags: books, marketing, Ries, Trout