Kenneth J. Thurber has spent his career working in the field of computer and system architecture. He has written or led nearly 500 technical proposals (winning over 200) leading to over $2.5 billion dollars in research, development, and product derived work since 1969. He also consulted on the purchase by end users and/or product introduction by manufacturers of over $10 billion dollars worth of equipment. He was the system architect for the specification of the Local Area Network and distributed processor concepts that resulted in the deployment of a real time system worth over $7 billion dollars. He developed the concepts of technology big wave surfing as a metaphor for ways to capitalize on the disruption that technology brings to the product marketplace. He is the creator and the world’s leading practitioner of extreme ways to develop, manage, market and invest in the technology product marketplace. In addition to forming and running several companies he has been a consultant to many Fortune 500 companies. He is considered by many to be the “Consultant’s Consultant”.

Reviewed by Anne B. for Readers' Favorite

The current economy leaves many of us with knots in our stomach. The stock market is volatile, jobs are uncertain, and retirement and social security benefits are eroding due to inflation. "Big Wave Surfing" offers hope in this insecure environment. Mentioning technology terrifies many workers, but it is the wave of the times. No longer can a factory worker expect to get by with their work ethic and their brawn. Manufactures want and need employees that are willing to adapt with the times. Kenneth J. Thurber Ph. D urges readers to look at their talents and develop them. Challenge yourself to invest in “skills that you need to survive!” A business, no matter what size, must become efficient in management and marketing.

Thurber creatively uses the image of a wave to illustrate what the reader must do to prosper: spot the coming wave, wait for it, meet it and maneuver it our way to successfully ride it to shore. "Big Wave Surfing" is written in an easy to read style offering tidbits of information on technology, promoting, and other strategies that will help you succeed in today’s economic market. The reader will find Thurber’s ideas to be unique and outside the box. This book is chock-full of interesting anecdotes and illustrations which are interesting and add much to the text.

This book teaches you to prepare yourself through education and research, learn what to watch for, be patient, and then grab your opportunity when presented. I found this book to be very helpful and encouraging.