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John Gall
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The Systems Bible: The Beginner's Guide to Systems Large and Small Paperback – January 1, 2003

by John Gall (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 296 ratings
Book is in Good condition
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  1. Print length
    316 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    General Systemantics Pr
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.75 x 8.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0961825170
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0961825171
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ General Systemantics Pr
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 2003
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 316 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0961825170
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0961825171
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 296 ratings

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John Gall

John Gall

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
296 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and entertaining, with one review noting it contains many non-intuitive examples of system operation. Moreover, the book's humor receives positive feedback, with one customer highlighting its sarcastic and provocative style that challenges assumptions. However, several customers find the book useless.

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InsightHumorEntertainment valueValue for money
25 customers mention "Insight"22 positive3 negative

Customers find the book insightful, with one customer noting it's a great resource for learning about systems and systems thinking, while another mentions it contains many non-intuitive insights.

"...after 50 years of working as a professional, and this book is the best description of "how things actually work" I've yet to meet...." Read more

"...Just don't think it's a "Bible". It's a good thought exercise and will give you another lens to view your systems through, but it is by no..." Read more

"...Clear insights like these allow you to recognize the absurdity of so many things we take for granted...." Read more

"...these aphorisms, oh Student, are based on a Lifelong and Deep Study Of Systemantics, and proposed as semi-serious Laws (like Murphys)...." Read more

16 customers mention "Humor"13 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it hilarious, with one customer noting its sarcastic and provocative style that challenges assumptions.

"...No math, no academic phrases; just plain English that explains why, for example, you can never seem to get your prototype system to scale up - or..." Read more

"...What's more, this book brings it to you with a great sense of humor, in itself a vehicle to open up to John Gall's geniality in analyzing our castle..." Read more

"I enjoy this refined manual on systems. The style sarcastic and provocative challenges your assumptions and keep you thinking...." Read more

"...Full of insight and wrought with wit, this book explains the strange world we live in by analyzing its various systems--from garbage collection to..." Read more

5 customers mention "Entertainment value"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with one mentioning it's a fun read for systems enthusiasts.

"...But it is very entertaining and it dispenses some very useful insight into why complex systems that work are very difficult to develop...." Read more

"...Otherwise, the book itself is entertaining...." Read more

"This book is cheeky and has the same edge of its time. It's engaging and a fun read for systems lovers. Highly recommend." Read more

"Somewhat entertaining, but uninteresting and useless, despite its pretensions." Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"0 positive3 negative

Customers find the book to be a waste of money.

"...Maybe. Certainly nothing in it for me. Wasted my money. Wish I could return it." Read more

"Somewhat entertaining, but uninteresting and useless, despite its pretensions." Read more

"Eloquent, sarcastic, useless...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Solextre
    5.0 out of 5 stars Written so cleverly it almost seems like a joke - but it's very real
    Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I've retired after 50 years of working as a professional, and this book is the best description of "how things actually work" I've yet to meet.

    No math, no academic phrases; just plain English that explains why, for example, you can never seem to get your prototype system to scale up - or why the new plan always seems to return results that are no better than the old chaos.

    Systemantics belongs up there with Parkinson's Law and The Peter Principle as books that every manager, if not every human, should read.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • DMH
    4.0 out of 5 stars Critical Theory for "Systems". Good thought exercise but NOT a "Bible".
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book - either you seem to hate it or love it. I enjoyed it for what I believe (or at least hope) it is supposed to be. It is designed to get you really thinking about systems in general. It has definitely helped me see things differently. A key takeaway for me is the idea that a properly functioning system should generate a minimal amount of "messages". It's been very hard to come up with effective ways to measure the efficiency of processes I manage. Now I can see a much easier way to get a general read on efficiency: how much message traffic (emails, phone calls, IM's) is required to complete a task?

    Now for the bad. This is really Critical Theory as applied to Systems. It does a good job of highlighting weaknesses but offers no real solutions. It's great to get you thinking but like Critical Theory in general, you'll need to come up with solutions on your own. The author also undermines his own credibility by being pretty obvious about his biases.He is very much a part of the "you can't hug your children with nuclear arms" crowd and it undermines his credibility to some extent. Everyone is entitled to their views but the simplistic examples make you start to question the author's intent.

    This is why I call it Critical Theory. It's very easy to cherry-pick your facts to bash something you don't like, especially when you don't consider benefits or alternatives. You can string together a bunch of facts about Oil Supertankers to make them seem silly but neglect to mention where the gas in your car comes from.

    A quick example of his bias and simplistic analysis: in attempting to criticize Military systems he uses the example of what was the M1 Abrams tank, new when this book was first written.

    "The latest model Tank for the U.S. Armed Forces are so designed that the engine must be removed in order to change the oil, a procedure that must be performed every few hundred miles. Huge cranes - themselves armored - must follow the Tanks into battle to ensure proper servicing."

    Yes, these facts themselves are true for the most part, but even a little bit of research will give you the real story. Or, simply ask a Vet. The M1 has a turbine engine that is removed as an entire pack for quick replacement in the field. Oil changes are a bit different than crawling under your Honda. It's use on the battlefield might be a little bit different, too.

    Overall, I like this book because it approaches systems from a different angle and really makes you think about then in a different light. However, you really need to be aware of the author's selective biases as you think about the implications of your own systems and processes. Just don't think it's a "Bible". It's a good thought exercise and will give you another lens to view your systems through, but it is by no means a complete reference to Systems or System design.
    60 people found this helpful
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  • Leonardo Wild
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essential to Understand our World
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2011
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I first found a copy of Systemantics: How Systems Work and Especially How They Fail. It was the first edition of The Systems Bible. If you wonder why the world cannot be fixed by creating more systems, this book is for you. Even if you haven't wondered, this book is still for everyone who likes to ask questions and wants clear answers. In short, the system does not do what the systems says it's doing, and reality is what is being reported to the system. Clear insights like these allow you to recognize the absurdity of so many things we take for granted. What's more, this book brings it to you with a great sense of humor, in itself a vehicle to open up to John Gall's geniality in analyzing our castle of cards.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Nicholas Lesiecki
    3.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating but Irritating
    Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The aspiring Student of Systemantics embarks upon a tour of systems Large and Small with the Humble But Wise Author, whose approach to the subject may be summarized thus:

    ANNOUNCING PITHY QUOTABLES IN ALL CAPS

    Luckily these aphorisms, oh Student, are based on a Lifelong and Deep Study Of Systemantics, and proposed as semi-serious Laws (like Murphys). The approach wisdom in the limit, but often seem to rest on

    ASSERTING THEM WITH CONFIDENCE

    and when that fails, the Extremely Humble, But Very Perceptive Author can resort to

    PROOF BY ONE MADE UP EXAMPLE

    ~~
    I want to like this book, but the whole thing reads like the prose above, and want Gall to settle down and spend time exploring his genuine nsights, and explaing why systems behave the way they do rather than Just Asserting That They're Weird.
    55 people found this helpful
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  • Carlos Arias
    5.0 out of 5 stars A bit pessimistic but brilliant nevertheless
    Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoy this refined manual on systems. The style sarcastic and provocative challenges your assumptions and keep you thinking. I found it a bit pessimistic because systems (not all of them!!!) are the foundation and the way societies reinvent themselves. I liked the image about that the parts of a plane fight the purpose of flying but in the right combination and the due maintenance they are able to fly! So are systems...
    One person found this helpful
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  • Charles F. Tutt
    4.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I plan to read this book again—this time to capture notes on work I’m doing.

    I’d recommend this book to anyone in business, government, or academia. You’ll certainly get some ah ha realizations.
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  • reenum
    5.0 out of 5 stars A lot of wisdom behind the humor
    Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is a book about systems. But in the context of discussing systems, John Gall also cuts to the heart of some of the problems with humanity.

    The main axiom that the book leads back to is keep things simple. Gall describes many systems that morph into grotesque and unrecognizable behemoths that don't do anything they were intended to. In a way, this book also follows this idea. Each chapter is sort and to the point. Main points are in all caps. And then, for good measure, they're all collected in an appendix. Many books will take 300 pages to say something that could have been said in 3 pages. Not here. If Galt was a greedy man, he could likely have gotten 6 or 7 books out of the material in the book. But that's not his style, and we're all better off for it.

    I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
    16 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kostas
    5.0 out of 5 stars Useful, fun, easy to read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    A very interesting book about how things work! Written in an accessible, tongue in cheek way makes it a solid good companion and a quick and fun read!
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  • Kaz Kearns
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good addition to my profession library
    Reviewed in Australia on November 7, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Some really interesting principles and guidelines to appreciate systems thinking from.
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  • Christian Pier
    5.0 out of 5 stars Die Welt ein bisschen besser verstehen
    Reviewed in Germany on January 16, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Systeme haben eine Eigendynamik. Man kann über Systeme keine Kontrolle erhalten und oft tun Systeme nicht das, was man von ihnen erwartet oder wofür sie geschaffen wurden. Was zuerst sehr theoretisch klingt, wird mit vielen Beispielen aus der Praxis überzeugend erklärt.
    In der ersten Hälfte des Buches erfährt man, dass sich daran nichts ändern lässt. In der zweiten Hälfte erfährt man, warum das gar nicht schlimm ist und wie man diese Erkenntnis für sich nutzen kann.
    Die englische Sprache sollte man sehr gut beherrschen, um an diesem Buch bis zum Ende Spaß zu haben.
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  • Jifising
    4.0 out of 5 stars for systematic sinners
    Reviewed in France on June 13, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    fun and witty , enjoy a sample :
    "At 2 AM on Sunday, October 27, 1985, Amtrak trains all over the United States ground to a halt and remained motionless for a solid hour. Bewildered passengers were informed that the nation was switching back to Standard Time from Daylight Saving Time, and the trains were waiting for the clock to catch up."
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  • Gerardo Hernandez
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as expected
    Reviewed in Mexico on July 8, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The explanation is hard to follow, the axioms are explained vaguely using examples that are non-recurrent (and some of them come from engineering complexities), and there’s no proposed clear solutions for the problems that are posed.
    Anyhow, some axioms maybe useful as food for thought.
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