The Power of Moments delivers four stars on the concept, but closer to three stars on substantive content. Everything inside is instructive and worthwhile, but the conversational style draws it out too long too often. Sure, Chip Heath almost had to do it to have a book, but there were too many times the lessons made me feel impatient.

Of course, the book still earns for stars for how often his anecdotes were noteworthy. I just wish they were shorter at times, especially as the book begins to wind down at the end.

The general concept, however, hits a home run. By defining moments and thinking about moments, Heath helps readers become aware of what's really important between companies and customers, leaders and employees, and even husbands and wives. What's more, he tells you how to do it by building peak moments within truncated timeframes that people not only remember but rave about, making the first four chapters among the strongest in the book.

After that, Heath goes deeper into self-defining insights that change behavior, becoming more aware of others, and multiplying milestones to help us keep moving toward our long-term objectives. It's all clever stuff, especially when he shifts into something more intimate like the connections we make with not only customers but spouses. After all, creating moments that matter is distinguishable from one relationship to the next. You either exchange understanding, validation, and caring with someone, or you don't. The only difference is what constitutes an appropriate level of intimacy with that person.

So there you have it. The Power of Moments is one of those books you'll be glad you read. It's chalked full of insights, examples, and "clinics" to help you think through situations. It's a fast read, even if the conversational style elongates the experience. But that's all right. You're still more competent for it.