If the above title sounds too good to be true, check out a copy of The 100 Best Business Books of All Time: What They Say, Why They Matter, and How They Can Help You by Jack Covert and Todd Sattersten (Portfolio Books/Penguin Group USA).

    It's being published on February 5, 2009. It's a strong, engaging overview of some of the best business books published in recent years (though it's not a stand-in for any of them, and doesn't pretend to be).

    Are you fascinated by the world of work, or what makes people tick, or how to manage people, or how to succeed, or what the great leaders are made of?  All of those topics are covered here. The short reviews and articles, which pull out the salient points of each book, are written in a direct, no-nonsense style. They also include nifty little notes at the end of each review, directing you to other reviews within the book on similar topics. That's a smart and helpful device.

    So why this book? The Milwaukee-based authors, Covert and Sattersten, have taken it upon themselves to become a "filter" for the vast array of business books that have been published (and continue to be published each year).

    At its core, this is a mission I was naturally attracted to, as this is what our great magazine does for millions of readers each month, on a very broad scale, in the categories of inspiration, drama, humor, service, health, national interest, and many others. But these guys have focused on business, and business leaders, and business theory. Covert is the founder of 800-CEO-READ, a business book retailer. Sattersten joined him a few years ago as the company's president. Together they've read and reviewed every one of the books included here.  

    You'll find a write-up about Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence; about Twyla Tharp's The Creative Habit; about James Surowiecki's The Wisdom of Crowds; about Seth Godin's Purple Cow; about Jim Collins's Good to Great; about The Lexus and the Olive Tree by Thomas Friedman, and many other noteworthy books. (Not included: Who Moved My Cheese?)

     They also include Personal History by Katharine Graham (a personal fave of mine), as well as Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson, quoting Branson on his business philosophy: "To be successful, you have to be out there, you have to hit the ground running, and if you have a good team around you and more than a fair share of luck, you might make something happen."

    A few other great quotes: "All economic activity is by definition 'high risk.' And defending yesterday—that is, not innovating—is far more risky than making tomorrow." (from Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Peter Drucker).  

    And: "Relevance, simplicity, and humanity—not technology—will distinguish brands in the future." (from A New Brand World by Scott Bedbury [president of marketing at Starbucks in the 1990s] with Stephen Fenichell) 

    There is so much to enjoy and reflect on here.  I was involved throughout.  Check out the authors' website here, for more info.

    Questions, though:  Will there be a follow-up?  Can you stop at 100?  And will these challenging economic times dictate the choice of the next '100 Best,' assuming there is one?