Review of The Intrepid Brotherhood

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Fester John
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Review of The Intrepid Brotherhood

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[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Intrepid Brotherhood" by Gordon Graham.]
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4 out of 5 stars
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"The Intrepid Brotherhood" is a memoir that unveils the darker side of leadership and governance within a public utility company in Washington state. Its author, Gordon Graham, once held a senior management role at Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) but was terminated for exposing the corruption and misconduct of his superiors. The book charts his personal and professional journey from a dedicated and respected employee to a victim and a champion of justice.

The book is divided into three distinct sections: "The Beginning," "The Middle," and "The End." "The Beginning" delves into Graham's background, his career at the PUD, and his participation in a multimillion-dollar project aimed at overhauling the PUD's information technology systems and business management. "The Middle" reveals the events leading to Graham's termination, the retaliation he endured from his superiors, and the legal battles he undertook to vindicate his name and uncover the truth. "The End" narrates the outcome of Graham's case, the repercussions for the PUD and its leaders, and the insights gleaned from his experience.

Written in an articulate and persuasive style, the book blends facts, anecdotes, emotions, and insights seamlessly. Graham doesn't shy away from naming individuals and presenting evidence of the wrongdoings he bore witness to and endured. He candidly shares his personal struggles, fears, hopes, and values throughout his ordeal. He portrays himself as an honest, brave, and principled individual who took a stand for what was right, even at the expense of his career and reputation.

Beyond being a memoir, the book also serves as a commentary on issues related to power, corruption, whistleblowing, and ethics within public organizations. Graham dissects the root causes and consequences of toxic leadership, organizational dysfunction, and cultural degradation within the PUD. He also provides suggestions and recommendations on how to prevent and combat such issues in the future. He advocates for transparency, accountability, integrity, and respect as the fundamental values of any organization.

In my estimation, this book deserves a 4 out of 5 stars for its relevance, authenticity, and bravery. It is a valuable read for anyone interested in or connected to public service, leadership, or governance. The book has the potential to inspire and educate readers on how to confront corruption and injustice in their own workplaces or communities. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the perils and difficulties of whistleblowing and its impact on one's life. I must also underscore that the review is professionally edited, devoid of any grammatical errors or typos that might detract from the overall reading experience of any reader.

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The Intrepid Brotherhood
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Cara Wilding
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Post by Cara Wilding »

Fester John wrote: 21 Oct 2023, 09:47 [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Intrepid Brotherhood" by Gordon Graham.]

"The Intrepid Brotherhood" is a memoir that unveils the darker side of leadership and governance within a public utility company in Washington state. Its author, Gordon Graham, once held a senior management role at Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) but was terminated for exposing the corruption and misconduct of his superiors. The book charts his personal and professional journey from a dedicated and respected employee to a victim and a champion of justice.

Written in an articulate and persuasive style, the book blends facts, anecdotes, emotions, and insights seamlessly. Graham doesn't shy away from naming individuals and presenting evidence of the wrongdoings he bore witness to and endured. He candidly shares his personal struggles, fears, hopes, and values throughout his ordeal. He portrays himself as an honest, brave, and principled individual who took a stand for what was right, even at the expense of his career and reputation.

Beyond being a memoir, the book also serves as a commentary on issues related to power, corruption, whistleblowing, and ethics within public organizations. Graham dissects the root causes and consequences of toxic leadership, organizational dysfunction, and cultural degradation within the PUD. He also provides suggestions and recommendations on how to prevent and combat such issues in the future. He advocates for transparency, accountability, integrity, and respect as the fundamental values of any organization.
I'm getting more and more interested in memoirs as I read the many reviews on them, this one included! Not only does this author do the "right thing" but he continues to be courageous by simply publishing this account. I enjoy seeing justice served and that makes me feel like I would enjoy this book. I started my graduate studies in organizational psychology, which covers the topics of toxic leadership, organizational dysfunction, and cultural degradation that you speak of; I would be curious to learn from a real-world example of these. I think this would inspire others to have the courage to speak out with regards to malfeasance in the work place. This was a well-written review, thanks so much for sharing it with us!
:tiphat:
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