While I do not agree with everything that the authors have to say, everything in the book is good food for thought. Many of the patterns are common sense, such as "21. Get A Guru". Nothing makes a manager's life easier than having an expert. "23. Overtime Detox" should be common sense, but it speaks of the state of software development when most software management books have to speak out against manditory overtime. One pattern that I really question is "24. Defense de Pisser". This pattern suggests that drug tests in the work place should be completely done away with. Even if I didn't agree with this in principle, it is not practal. Many companies are in the defense or transportation industry where employees are required by the government to pass drug tests.
I could go on for quite a while on what the authors have written, but I'll stop at giving you a peek at the book. While I don't agree with everything that the authors wrote, it was still worthwhile to read it from cover to cover. For each issue they present, I suggest first deciding whether or not you agree with them. Then answer the deeper question of why or why not. You will be better off for your efforts if you do.
I am a software engineer with over twenty years in the trenches. I was recently placed in a managerial position at gunpoint. I suspect that this makes me the living anti-thesis of this book, wherein developers choose a manager for thier team from a pool of available managers. I read this book a few months ago. I found myself today presenting an argument to our Higher up Management addressing why mandatory overtime is a bad idea. I found the lucid writing of the authors rolling off my tongue and to my surprise and utter disbelief they agreed. Too bad there was no chapter addressing higher salaries and less responsibility. At any rate it worked. I would like to thank the authors in this review.
I was somewhat disappointed by the use of Radical in the title. As a baby boomer I was geared up to read an accompaniment to Jerry Rueben, "Steel this Book", but alas are there any radicals left amongst us. The book is a funny read, and in many ways conjured both visual and practical similarities to The Mythical Man Month. Can the "Mythical Radical Corporate Manager" be far behind.
Good book !
I would recommend it to anyone in the IT trenches.