The Choice

By reading The Goal (Goldratt's most famous book), a number of years back, at the insistance of a very wise owl, and with reluctance, since I tend to despise typical MBA's readings, I was able to increase productivity by over 20% without investing a dime and turn one of my companies around in less than a week. So I was eager and excited to read Goldratt's The Choice. Though less earth-shattering (and less counter-intuitive) than The Goal, it is none-the-less a very interesting, meaningful and relevant book about not only how to solve business problems, but also how to think clearly and improve any area of life.The style of the book is rather self-conscious and at times unnervingly patronizing. The main deffect of The Goal (the friction generated by the style, at the same time childish and patronizing) is exacerbated in this book, told in the voice of Goldratt's daughter. It is unnerving, because the energy spent trying to make the narrative believable, takes away from the smooth flow of the important ideas. It is also strange to have the narrator (the daughter) tell us in syrupy ways what a genius her father is, when we know the author is the father! (an excessively contrived, yet inneffective device). I also found fault with the chapter on tautologies and circular logic. Tautologies are not what Goldratt thinks they are, strictly speaking. And, hoping not to sound too petty, the use of "then" instead of "than" (more then -err, than- once) was my minor editorial pet peeve.The truly enjoyable parts of the book are "the reports" that the father sends the daughter. Even if they are just stylizations of real-life situations, they are very illustrative of what is possible with a little clear thinking. After reading the book, I am eager to generate "quantum change", and take my companies to net profits equal to my current revenues.It must be said that despite being a self proclaimed "true scientist", Goldratt's approach is "integral" (or "holistic" -at the risk of scaring you with New-Agy terminology-) in the sense that it is not a valueless, flat, reductionist approach to life, but quite the contrary, an embrace of the interrelation of Emotions, Intuition and Logic, and how it relates to "living a full life". It spouses a synergistic (again, apologies for the term) approach to conflict and contradictions and an integral notion of knowledge and knowing.5 stars for content, 2 stars for style, equals 4 stars total (since I give more weight to the first).

Goldratt explains through conversations with his daughter and reports on past TOC projects how we can all choose to live a challenging and meaningful life based on self expression and taking responsibility for our lives. He explains his belief of 'Inherent Simplicity' -- that all circumstances no matter how apparently complicated are subject to fast improvement. He explains clearly and directly how we must try to control our situations and problems by seeking the truth of what causes them rather than being at the mercy of them. Some of these concepts are also dealt with in a compelling audio seminar by Goldratt called Beyond the Goal, which is offered at a very low price on Amazon-- an incredible value  Beyond the Goal: Eliyahu Goldratt Speaks on the Theory of Constraints (Your Coach in a Box) at less than $30. THE CHOICE has business and personal applications not less important than Richard Bach's ILLUSIONS  Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah and JOHNATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL  Jonathan Livingston Seagull . Money well spent.

In The Choice, Eli Goldratt exposes the deep, underlying principles of life embodied in TOC. People are Good. People Think. Emotion is Logical. All Conflicts can be Eliminated. There are always Win-Win Solutions. Systems are Simple. Systems can be Improved Infinitely. Taken together, everyone should succeed. Then, why not? Dr. Goldratt teaches us in a very carefully written way how to find the errors we make and how to correct them. I urge you to read The Choice through quickly, and then read it again slowly, thoughtfully several times. The material talks much of distribution, but it is about living your life. To have a meaningful life is up to you; you make The Choice.

This is the second time I've purchased this book. My first copy was passed to my son who is now involved in high tech manufacturing. My introduction to Goldratt's theories first came when I was engaged in management of design and construction on multi-billion dollar government projects ... I found his approach provided an analytical framework which enabled resolution of seemingly insolvable challenges. This is just one of several Goldratt books that I found to be invaluable. I STRONGLY recommend it.

I read this book a second time, as I was not too sure about how I felt the first time. After reading it a second time, I would certainly give this book a thumbs up.In The Choice, Dr. Goldratt is sharing his thoughts with his adult daughter, a very well educated woman herself. His insights are deep, and at times require a bit of reflection to fully grasp; in the end, I am glad I took a second look.

Great book but requires stopping and reflecting on the materials both from a business perspective and from a self perspective. Goldratt explains his approach to problem solving (the scientific method) and how he thinks through tough problems to find simple system win-win solutions. It is presented in the Goldratt style (Socratic method) where the reader can go on the journey of discovery that his daughter, Efrat, is guided on. Some really interesting insights are presented into how to approach problem solving in an objective manner.

This book was an easy read that gives quick insights into Goldratt's method.

GREAT BOOK.Both the THE GOAL and this one (The Choice) are a Must Read.

He explains the basic thinking methods and the overall mental approaches that enable him to produce astounding solutions for companies. He was ably challenged by his daughter; she was tougher in examining him than I would ever be.Some of the case studies in which he moves from problem to solution are jaw dropping.Well worth reading and should be read more than once.

This is essential reading if you realy want to understand how and what toc is.

Good book but not as earlier one the GOAL.

Excellent book.............Focuses on the core issue of How to live the Life fully & Get the Experience the JOY of Living. Equally useful to anyone in business also.

Nice read...theory of constraints explained in a very very generic home discussion format where Goldratt brilliantly explained how can TOC be implemented in personal life's day to day decisions.....short and easy to understand...