The majority of books examined in Soundview Executive Book Alert are intended for individuals who have already achieved a certain level of success in their careers. The assumption is that the busy executive needs to be informed of titles that will maintain, or better still, enhance the individual's skill level and position within an organization. Many people reached their seats of power and responsibility through dedication, consistent effort and, if they were fortunate, a bit of help from a mentor or two. While key relationships are important to anyone's rise, the maturation of an individual is often a lonely road, requiring the person to figure out a lot for him- or herself. It's no surprise that many a retirement celebration is accompanied by the strains of the famous song "My Way," as its lyrics would reflect how many reached the top.

For individuals at the outset of this journey, author and investment strategist Hugh Karseras writes an ideal pocket-sized companion for their travels. In the pages of From New Recruit To High Flyer, Karseras helps new entrants to the corporate world, a group he calls "first rungers," avoid many of the pitfalls that sidetrack otherwise highly skilled individuals from fulfilling their potential. Karseras writes with tightly-wound prose that neither cuts corners nor avoids being blunt when necessary. Corporate America should send copies of From New Recruit To High Flyer to seniors at colleges across the country. It would serve as an incredible eye-opener to a coddled generation that never learned how to handle criticism, if they received it at all.

Executives should not dismiss From New Recruit To High Flyer outright as a book for beginners. In his introduction to the book, Karseras correctly points out that his book "provides tips, tricks, rules of thumb and tactical pieces of advice that are too numerous and specific to absorb in one reading." While such a boast might ordinarily draw a skeptical raise of the eyebrow, Karseras delivers on his promises. There are strategies revealed in From New Recruit To High Flyer that would benefit even the most battle-scarred executive. The text is never short of practical advice. This is a book that an executive would not want to fall into a competitor's hands. In fact, in the editor's opinion, the book should be required reading for any new hire at a business that claims to have a "fast-paced, challenging work environment" in its classified ads. If there is any veracity in such a description, the new employee will need the help of From New Recruit To High Flyer.

Divided into three major sections, From New Recruit To High Flyer gives readers a guide to life in the working world. It focuses on developing the right attitude, mastering the fundamentals of quality work, and guiding oneself through the straits of office politics. Every employee regardless of rank has room for improvement, and the suggestions offered by Karseras in section two of the book should be studied with great care. New employees will save themselves a great deal of aggravation by adhering to some of the simple rules about organization and efficiency. Executives, particularly those who are new to management, will find thought-provoking advice in the book's sections on managing others and improving business communication. There is no single employee in an organization who would find From New Recruit To High Flyer devoid of useful advice.

Readers should take note of the detail to which Karseras endeavors when explaining his ideas. The author absolutely practices the ideals he preaches and it shows on page after page. He doesn't simply refer to the cliché "e-mail etiquette" list with advice such as "Don't use all capital letters." From New Recruit To High Flyer gives detailed instructions about good composition, proper grammar and clear communication of ideas. In addition, the author backs up his text with diagrammed examples. He leaves no area untouched, yet doesn't overwhelm readers with superfluous material. It's a bit of a testament to the author's methods that the book is as compact as it appears.

Due to the high volume of business books that flood the Soundview offices, it is rare that one title is revisited. However, the editor can say without question that From New Recruit To High Flyer is a book whose pages will be turned again and again. For any individual seeking a method for career improvement, this book should be considered a must-read. Even a "first runger" putting in long hours has no excuse not to read this book. Perhaps instead of "My Way," the post-Karseras generation of executives will retire to the tune of "With a Little Help From My Friends."