Well, what can you say about a book that’s been on the New York Times Best Seller’s List for eons? The first thing you can say is, um, why are YOU reading it? Because. My employer bought a thousand copies of the book and “highly recommended” that everyone read it. So I did. And now, here’s my review.

Kristina Rants
This is one of the latest, self-help, rah-rah books that all corporate Human Resource/Organizational Development fanatics have embraced. When you open up the cover to the book, it tells you that many corporations are using it – AT&T, Goodyear, IBM, Proctor & Gamble and even the United States Army/Navy/Air Force. Pardon me for showing my sarcasm here, but does anyone here think of any these corporations as giant agents of change? Uh huh.

Jumping to the Summary
I know some of you are in a hurry, so I’ll just let you know my conclusion right here. Do you possess no common sense? Were you the last person in your family to get on the Internet? Have you not updated your resume in the past eighteen months? If you answered yes to all three of these questions great! This book should be a second bible to you. If you answered no, just skip this book. Believe me, you have better things to do with your time.

So okay, if you’re going to stick around…..here’s what this book is about.

Who Is Spencer Johnson M.D.?
Does his name sound familiar? It should. He’s co-author of the previous fad-like series on the One Minute Manager. Dr. Johnson is a self-help guru who showboats his wares on CNN, The Today Show, and Larry King Show – just to name a few.

Premise of the Book
Who Moved My Cheese claims to be able to give you a roadmap to deal with change in both your personal and professional life. The majority of the book is a story about four characters in search of their "Cheese" through "The Maze". "Cheese" is a metaphor for what you want in your life. This could be a good job, a healthy relationship, money, etc... "The Maze" is where you look for what you want. Through the actions and reactions of the characters, you are supposed to be able to identify yourself and start on the path towards enlightenment.

Format of the Book
You have to get through the couple of pages of praises. Statements like, "This wonderful book is an asset to any person or group that applies its lesson" and "I can picture myself reading this wonderful story to my children and grandchildren in our family room with a warm fire glowing, and their understanding lessons" are nauseating to say the least.

Parts of All of Us
A nice one page summary of the concept of the book. You get an introduction of the characters.

Sniff - A mouse who sniffs out change early.

Scurry - A mouse who scurries quickly into action.

Hem - A littleperson who denies and resists change as he fears it will lead to something worse.

Haw - A littleperson who learns to adapt in time when he sees changing leads to something better.

The Story Behind the Story
You get to read another self-help guy, Dr. Kenneth Blanchard, blather on about what a gem Dr. Johnson is.

A Gathering: Chicago
This is one of the most baffling sections. The good Dr. uses a few pages to have a story introduce a story. Friends gather for a reunion and "The Cheese" story comes up.

The Story of Who Moved My Cheese?
I'm going to summarize this as best as I can. Cheese is in one location. Hem and Haw take this fact for granted. Over time, the cheese becomes less and less and one day, it disappears. Now Sniff and Scurry are the opposite of their friends, Hem and Haw. They've noticed all of this and when the cheese disappears, they move on looking for more cheese in bigger and better places. Hem and Haw stay behind, throwing a fit. If you haven't figured it out already, Dr. Johnson wants you realize that you're not very smart and probably, you are either Hem or Haw. Haw, eventually, sees the light, and gets himself out of the situation. Hem doesn't and probably dies in denial.

Dr. Johnson really wants you to be (or wants you to think you are) Haw. Well, how would a girl like me know this? Oh, that's easy. The majority of the story is from Haw's point of view. Over time, as Haw sees the light, he comes up with something I liken to a cult anthem.

The Handwriting on the Wall
* Change Happens
They Keep Moving the Cheese

* Anticipate Change
Get Ready for The Cheese to Move

* Monitor Change
Smell The Cheese Often So You Know When It Is Getting Old

* Adapt to Change Quickly
The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese

* Change
Move With The Cheese

* Enjoy Change!
Savor The Adventure And Enjoy The Taste Of New Cheese!

* Be Ready To Quickly Change & Enjoy It, Again
They Keep Moving The Cheese

A Discussion: Later That Day
This is actually humorous. You get to read people at their most stupidest. Like this really happens - old friends sit around and talk about their pathetic lives, carefully comparing and contrasting these episodes to the characters ups and downs in "The Cheese" story.

If You've Read This Far
Congratulations! You're a dedicated epinioner. Hey - I left that summary at the top for a reason :).

Now lest you think that I am against self-help books...I'm not. What I am against are books that treat the audience like they little to no brain. I guess the smaller the brain, the easier it is to brainwash???

And finally.....the book never addresses Who Moved My Cheese! Darn it! I was hoping it would give me some insight as to why those who are really in charge, move my cheese - and without any rhyme or reason!

But oops....I've said too much :).



Recommended: No