The communities of the 21^st century aren’t formed around front porches, or churches, or any physical structure or social institution.

Here Comes Everybody by Clay Shirky

Think of Facebook or Wikipedia as high-profile examples, but there are others ranging from amateur photographers to disaffected political activists.

Shirky dissects the phenomenon by uncovering the equation beneath these leader-less organizations: a promise that makes sense, a tool to achieve it, and a bargain that the users can accept.  Readers of books like “The Tipping Point” and “The Long Tail,” and other books that dove into the new nature of social interaction and mass commerce, will find Shirky’s tone and approach quite familiar.

Buy Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations at Amazon.com

The Ugly Truth About Managing People by Ruth King

Share your own reviews of this book in the comments at the bottom of the page. Also, feel free to suggest other related titles.

King collects some basic management situations and horror stories – everything from “we had to find a compromise” to “my client was sexually harassed by his former boss” – and extracts some basic kernels of wisdom, then explains how to apply them to your company.  She then lays out some basic strategies for good people management, talent development and general hints for success.  Developing managers and entrepreneurs may benefit from seeing how others came through similar challenges.

Buy The Ugly Truth about Managing People: 50 (Must-Get-Right) Management Challenges…And How to Really Handle Them at Amazon.com