OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Germ Warfare (of the Corporate Kind)" by Noel Oscar Warnell.]

In this ever-changing world, there is a growing concern over the rapid spread of disease. With the media frenzy over severe diseases like Ebola, awareness of sickness has begun to increase and it should not be surprising to find another book on the spread of disease. In the case of "Germ Warfare (of the Corporate Kind)" by Noel Warnell, our perspective of disease is turned on its head. In this non-fiction book written by corporate veteran Noel Warnell, the common problems faced by office employees is defined and given easily applied solutions. The book clearly outlines each corporate disease with a brief definition, list of symptoms, and a witty treatment plan with a few insults added in for good measure. With diseases like Busy-Bee and Opiniata, Warnell outlines an illness for almost every corporate situation.

The format of the book reads like a WebMD article, except more humorous (Pun intended). Each chapter is dedicated to a different disease of the corporate world, making it easier to read and comprehend. Warnell's use of simplification and amusing remarks allows for the text to sound natural and more relatable to the average reader. To provide further clarity, Warnell organized each corporate sickness into different categories such as diseases of the head, foot, and mouth.

Each disease outlined can easily be found in someone we all know. Whether it be the person who always butts into conversations and gives their opinion or the overly exuberant bouncy bum in the cubicle right next to you, we all can apply this book to our lives. The advice for solving this corporate pandemic: read this book. With advice like "putting your hand over your mouth" to suppress the urge to give one's opinion, Warnell's advice will be hard to take seriously. After moving past the instruction to kick your co-worker in the shin, the overarching ideas behind the advice are sound steps to take in counteracting the corporate viruses.

For the first time in a long time, I honestly feel refreshed after reading a piece of non-fiction about the corporate environment. The usual book about the corporate world could not break down each of these maladies, let alone explain them in plain English. However, Warnell proves that his fifteen years working in the corporate world has left him an expert at treating these kinds of illnesses. While reading, there were times I would have to relate a problem he was explaining to real corporate situations simply because Warnell’s writing is incredibly relatable.

This book seems to lack seriousness, which in the end distracts the reader from the real purpose behind it. At times, the humor is forced, crass, and childish making it hard for the reader to actually validate the author’s opinion. I understand the author intended to be casual and funny with his writing, but at times it seemed to be too much.

Overall I enjoyed this book and rate it 3 out of 4 stars. I laughed a lot at the humor and could always place a face to each chapter’s disease, but I found it hard to move past some of the advice. If I could give this book 3.5 stars, I would because the book was an extremely entertaining read even with some of the advice. It seems Warnell effectively outlines some of the biggest problems faced in the corporate world today.

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Germ Warfare (of the Corporate Kind)
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Like kstockard's review? Post a comment saying so!

Wow, I hate the workplace to the point that I cannot function there. This book sounds like something I should probably read!!

Great review!

Your review was very funny. Great job. The book sounds like a fun read. I only lasted in the corporate world for two years.

Your review was very entertaining. Good job! I think it would be hard to survive in the corporate world if you didn't understand how it works at first. Do you think this book would be a good explanation?

Thank you all so much for reading and replying to my review. I appreciate all of your comments.

grace-grace13 wrote:Your review was very entertaining. Good job! I think it would be hard to survive in the corporate world if you didn't understand how it works at first. Do you think this book would be a good explanation?

I think Germ Warfare (of the Corporate Kind) would provide insight into the corporate world. Warnell keeps the book light, but still applicable to the office. Of course, you cannot expect this book to be a complete manual to the conquering the corporate beast, but you can gain some useful knowledge to get you started. I hope that helps.

This seems like a very entertaining read. I was actually going to read this book, but — just judging from the title — I thought it would discuss actual diseases, and I decided I wash my hands enough as it is and should probably stay away from this book. I might rethink that now. Even though it's not serious, I still might find it informative.

Michelle-lit wrote:This seems like a very entertaining read. I was actually going to read this book, but — just judging from the title — I thought it would discuss actual diseases, and I decided I wash my hands enough as it is and should probably stay away from this book. I might rethink that now. Even though it's not serious, I still might find it informative.

I also thought this book was about real diseases and this left me confused initially. I just kept thinking, how could anyone write an entire book about germs found in the office? Needless to say, I was quite pleased with how this book turned out. I promise this book will not make you want to wash your hands more, instead you will be extremely amused.

I am glad that I got around to finally reading this book and it is just as entertaining as I thought it would be. I really enjoyed the authors use of humor to explain real situations in the work place. I would definitely recommend this book and I am glad that @kstockard recommended this book to me.

grace-grace13 wrote:I am glad that I got around to finally reading this book and it is just as entertaining as I thought it would be. I really enjoyed the authors use of humor to explain real situations in the work place. I would definitely recommend this book and I am glad that @kstockard recommended this book to me.

I am glad that you liked the book and that my review helped you. I hope you are able to find more books that you like just as much as this one.

I feel like this is something I should keep in the office for borrowing, lol. I'm sure some people would appreciate the humorous advice. Thanks for the review