Driven to Distraction by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey is the most well-known book on ADHD (and the ADDexecutive promises to post an in-depth review before long).

In fact, Dr. Ned Hallowell is broadly recognized as one of the most important MDs to research, treat, and write about ADHD in both children and adults.  In 1996 he created the Hallowell Center which provides holistic treatment and education about ADHD for both children and adults.  The Hallowell Center also offers consulting service for businesses/businesspeople affected by ADHD.

Below, an excerpt from their Mission/Vision page:

"Mission Statement

At The Hallowell Center we are committed to helping people lead happier, more productive lives through our balanced treatment approach; integrating brain, body and heart.

Philosophy

The Hallowell Center is dedicated to promoting cognitive and emotional health in both children and adults. We combine the latest knowledge about the brain, learning, human behavior, and emotion with a personal, patient-centered approach to diagnosis and treatment. Our goal is to help people achieve their goals in life.

…It is our mission to bring to you the power of knowledge and the spirit of human connection. In addition to treating individuals, we recognize the importance of working with couples, families, schools and businesses. Our staff integrates a traditional medical practice with natural approaches to health and healing. Our nutritionist can evaluate the effects of diet and natural supplements on your mood, mental focus, sleep, and energy. We also teach stress reduction through meditation and muscle relaxation techniques.

Finally, we have a business consultation arm of The Center which specializes in the psychology of the workplace and organizational dynamics."

Three things commend this book: (1) it focuses on success (2) much of the content is composed by Thom Hartmann’s readers who wrote in with their real-life, detailed stories, and (3) it links anecdotes with Hartmann’s "hunter theory" of ADD.  For example:

Wilson Harrell, founder of the Formula 409 Corporation and former publisher of Inc. Magazine, enthusiastically and proudly points out that he’s a Hunter.  When I asked him how he dealt with procrastination, he said that he’d organized his life so  that the things he’d normally procrastinate about — the paperwork and taxes and correspondence — were done by other people.

"That’s why you hire assistants and secretaries," he said.  And then he’s free to make his living writing (which he says gives him that high-stim jolt…as it does me), giving speeches (another good source of adrenaline), and, now in his 70’s, flying around the world as a consultant to businesses…"

Thinking about buying this book?  Some notes to consider:

ADDexec Relevance:

1. Article on "good career settings for ADD adults"  (10pp.) of which ~1/2 is directly relevant to ADDexecs.
2. Reader stories on workplace success and tips (14 pp.) of which ~1/3 is specifically relevant to ADDexecs.
3. A chapter on "defining ’success’ for ourselves’ (7 pp.) which is very relevant to ADDexecs who generally have the privilege to set their own course in work.
4. Chapters on dealing with procrastination, criticism and self-criticism (11 pp.) of which ~1/4 is particularly relevant to ADDexecs.

Good:

1. The book focuses and success, and the content comes from real-life reader experiences.
2. The book is affirming:  read it and you’ll know you’re not alone and that success is possible by way of (and not just despite) your ADD.

Not so Good:

1. The book is old., Part I — the bibliography and reference materials (e.g., on available drugs) are now 12 years old and thus painfully incomplete and/or incorrect.
2. The book is old, Part II — many of the comments refer to technology and working conditions that don’t reflect how we live today (i.e., with the internet on 24/7).