The X Factor : A Quest for Excellence by Plimpton, George - 1990

Knoxville, TN: Whittle Direct Books, 1990. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. From the book, ""As The X Factor entertainingly recounts, Plimpton's quest yields no shortage of advice, from the peculiar (What you do when you're warming up is to pick up a horseshoe and lob it through a window of the White House"") to the prudent (Protect your downside). Hoping to find more clues, he listens to inspirational tapes, tries meditation, and evaluates rage as a motivating force. He quizzes experts on what happens when one enters ""the zone"" and wonders whether he too will be able to enter that ""rare and blessed state"" in which preternatural heights of performance are allegedly available. The author extends his search into large companies such as Heinz and IBM to examine their paths to victory. At length he begins to define a common winning quality. Beneath the humor, he offers sound, practical advice on what it takes to be successful in any endeavor, from playing horseshoes to managing a corporation--or a country."" Hard cover in very good condition. Text block clean and tight. No markings noted. Contains colored photographs. Dust jacket in very good condition.