Book Description

Unlike other government and not-for-profit accounting texts, this one is directed for both potential users and preparers of financial reports. Emphasis is placed on the significance of reported information and how both users and preparers can interpret and analyze accounting information. ... Read more

Book Description

At the center of our country's political life are some basic economic questions: How does the government affect the economy? What should the government do? Why are some economic activities undertaken in the public sector and others in the private? Should government do more than it is currently doing, or less? Should it change what it is doing, and how it is doing it? To answer these questions, we must begin by understanding what the government does today. How had the government grown over the past fifty years? How do the size and scope of government in the United States compare with government's size and scope in other countries? This new edition of the acclaimed textbook by leading economic Joseph W. Stiglitz is the definitive text for studying public sector economics. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Review of Public Sector Economics by J. Stiglitz
Excessive use of graphs and charts which are very difficult to follow. Some chapters read easily, others very difficult to understand. Would be better if it had a complementary teacher's guide. LRM

mixed feelings
accessible text for beginners, but the text is NO preparation for the end-of-chapter questions. With no available answer key and no help from a teacher, the questions are IMPOSSIBLE to answer leaving the student/reader/taker of test extremely tired and hungry and unsatisfied with econ knowledge at 2 in the morning.

A very uneven text
I found reading this book a very frustrating experience. The good things include:

* Solid undergraduate discussion of the economics of taxation;

* An introductory discussion of a great many of the fascinating policy controversies of our time;

* Often a lively text by one of the most powerful minds in contemporary economics.

Flaws include:

* A failure to update many of the data and references carried over from the preceding (1988) edition;

* Too much focus on American facts and institutions;

* A failure to understand the Public Choice perspective;

* A failure to appreciate the beauty and simplicity of the Flat Tax, and a refusal to cite the work of Hall, Rabushka, and Bradford in the area;

* A failure to describe the work of Ronald Coase properly;

* A sneering denigration of the stock market as a "gambling casino", without mentioning the role of the stock market in disciplining managers, in reallocating risks, and in diffusing ownership of large enterprises;

* A failure to appreciate how problematic the taxation of realized capital gains can be;

* A failure to appreciate the drawbacks of pay-as-you-go public old age pensions;

* A failure to appreciate the merits of vouchers enabling parents to choose among private as well as public schools;

* Finally, an unseemly deference to the Clintonista party line, unseemly in an academic.

The tragedy is that politicians, judges, and the better cut of journalists could use a better text on this subject.

Comments
All I've to say is that is an excelent book is very useful in careers like economy is very intuitive and easy to understand ... Read more

Book Description

A complete and balanced reference, this timely resource surveys the current state of budgeting throughout all levels of the United States government. The text emphasizes methods by which financial decisions are reached within a system as well as ways in which different types of information are used in budgetary decision-making. It also stresses the use of program information, since, for decades, budget reforms have sought to introduce greater program considerations into financial decisions. Public Budgeting Systems, Seventh Edition retains the structure of the sixth edition yet gives increased attention to topics such as program information and government’s role in the economy and has been updated with all new tables and exhibits. Using this text, students will gain a first-rate understanding of methods by which financial decisions are reached within a system, and how different types of information are used in budgetary decision-making. ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Life is not a game show
This is not a printed version of "Do You Want to Be a Millionaire?" It's based on the assumption that you want to CHANGE your life for the better, and are willing to take action to do so. You have to exercise your intellect, your intuition, your initiative, and your skills in (1) deciding which life-changing activities you want money for, (2) selecting the best possibilities for funding them, and (3) filling out applications, writing grant proposals, or something similar. I found the book a very useful compilation: while the information is available elsewhere, it's often hard to find, and this book not only put it all together but allowed you to make comparisons easily. While some of the addresses and phone numbers are out of date, that's inevitable in any printed reference work, and (in my experience) this book was better than average. If you want to transform your life, and just need the money to do so, this book can show you how to get it. But if you're contented to remain a couch potato, and want to do it in a bigger house with a wide-screen TV, sorry; you might as well save your money and buy a lottery ticket.

85% Fluff - Plays well to a lazy persons gullibility
YES - there are government programs, but NO - it's not as sexy as being a day trader and making wads of cash from one good tip. It takes time and in many cases the government marginalizes your need to get you out of the door at their least expense possible. ALSO, and this is very big - YOU LIVE IN UH... ONE STATE RIGHT? We'll it will be a better idea to find a local book of government programs because this one wastes pages by giving you a directory of every state! Big book, good trick eh?

Read this as "No Stars", please
I think I speak for all public librarians when I say, "I HATE THIS BOOK."

I hate the fact that I have to keep it behind the desk so it won't get stolen. I hate that people constantly ask for it because they are either A. Naive enough to believe you can get something for nothing or B. Lazy enough to expect to get something for nothing or C. Pathetic because they are depressed and think that this Lesko con artist can save their lives.

I hate that nothing in it is true, or is true but has been warped by his presentation to the point that the less sophisticated John Q. Publics think that they can get a million dollars just by filling out some obscure form (which we don't carry) and mailing it to some obscure address (which we do not have a listing for).

I don't believe in banning books, or starting book bonfires, but I really, really, really wish this book would go out of print. Permanently.

Waste of time!
Reader from Oklahoma, we know you are Matthew Lesko! You make so many references to yourself. Shame on you for writing your own review! If you are upset about your book getting bad reviews then trying writing a book with substance!

Worse Than Useless: Misleading
Lesko is one of the slickest scam artists around -- and he has been around for a long time, making it sound as if "free money" is just a phone call away, when the reality is quite different. For the more than 20 years that he's been scamming consumers with his seductive pitch, notice how he doesn't have testimonials from anyone who has benefitted from his materials. That's because the only one who's been getting money off this scam is Lesko himself. Shame on him. This book does not even deserve a single star. Unfortunately, that's the lowest we can go. ... Read more

Book Description

THE GREAT BOOM IS COMING

How and where we work and live is about to change drastically. In The Roaring 2000s, Harry S. Dent, Jr., one of the world's most prescient forecasters, turns his visionary eye to the full spectrum of possibilities that will follow in the wake of a burgeoning turn-of-the-century economy. Dent identifies opportunities, explores trends, and makes concrete predictions. Among them are:

A Dow that will reach at least 21,500 and possibly 35,000 by the year 2008
The rise of "gazelles," small- to medium-sized, high-growth companies that are now creating most of the jobs in the country
The Eight Critical Technology Trends Changing How We Live and Work
The New American Dream -- why changing technologies could mean a return to small-town living, and the nine types of boomtowns that will offer the highest quality of life
The New Network Corporation, which features leadership at the center rather than management from the top, and human browser teams that represent customers by connecting them directly to servers or specialized products and experts. These organizations are fast, responsive and entrepreneurial
The Seven Principles of Successful Investing

For anyone who wants to take advantage of these invaluable, emerging opportunities. The Roaring 2000s is a necessary guidebook to a not-so-distant future. ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Share market and real estate
I think the basic assumption about the impact of the baby boomers is correct, but where Harry went wrong is that he encapsulated the "message" by focusing exclusively on the sharemarket. If he had said that assets, viz average share prices and average property values, will quadruple by 2008, then he will probably be right. Unfortunately he said words to the effect that the Dow Jones will go from 10,000 to 40,000 by 2008. What he didn't properly explain was that in some years real estate will go up, and down, likewise the share market. Together, over the period 2000 - 2008, the combined value will quadruple. His thesis is correct; it was the catchphase that was wrong.

How this guy ever got published is a lesson in itself...
How this guy ever got published is a lesson in itself!
I read this book back in 2000 before the crash and agreed with
some of his reasoning as to the mechanics and ideas which would be implemented in the New Millenium, but disagreed with his
belief that there would be such great prosperity,as history ALWAYS repeats itself.
But alas, no one wants a pessimist. Then he came out with the "Roaring 2000's Investor", which again was creative and showed brilliance, but proved to by flawed on many levels. Now he has another book slated to come out

"The Greatest Bull Market in History: 2003-2008: Investment, Business and Life Strategies - For the Great Boom Ahead and the Great Bust to Follow"

If his past predictions are any indication, this title itself is already filled with hindsight and error. I can tell you there will be no sustainable bull market on any of the indexes for at least the next decade.

I must admit I would like to speak with this guy. With a few real life experiences under his belt he may really hit the target, but so far the best title for a book would be "The Roaring 2000's: How to prosper by making the best seller list by publishing books that make people believe you have the answers."

Lession #1: Don't put dates in the titles of your books that try to predict the future"

What is your opinion of the economy?
It is amazing how everyone has a prediction about the economy, but few will have so many predictions come true. Start with Mr. Dent's first book "The great boom ahead", how did Mr. Dent know the deficit would be wiped out by 1998? Furthermore, I encourage the reader to really study the dow channel. Regarding the Roaring 2000's, I would encourage the reader to read (by the way this was published in 1998) page 296 "remember 2002 could see a substantial correction for adding to stock positions." Furthermore, turn to page 305 "the best years in the stock market and economy should come from late 2002 into...." The last piece of evidence you will find on page 52 "The Roaring 2000's will parallel the Roaring 20's on a two generation or 80 year lag." Do your own research, look at the chart of Intel July 1992-July 2002 and General Motors February 1912 and February 1992, you will find they overlay exactly, exactly 80 years apart. Enough said.

This time around Dent's predictions are completely wrong.
Harry Dent poses as an economist but he is not. He also poses as a demographer but he is not either. As a consequence, he develops sweeping broadbased theories without solid scientific foundation. His main theme is that the large Baby Boom generation is going through its peak spending years during this decade, and as a result it will sustain an economic and stock market boom until 2009. He concludes that it is almost certain that the stock market will earn 10% and above returns throughout this decade.

However, when you look at the record so far, Harry Dent's prediction in 1999 for the first decade of 2000's is way off. The ink was barely dry on his book when the stock market actually peaked (first quarter of 2000) and then tanked. The stock market then suffered a three year bear market. Current outlook for the stock market is for increased volatility, but reduced growth in the single digit range (not the double digit range, Dent predicted).

Dent missed a lot of things. Some of them he could not have predicted such as heightened geopolitical risk, terrorism. Some other factors, he should have predicted. These included the overvaluation of stocks as a result of the Internet Bubble, the onset of World deflation associated with the flooding of cheap exports from China, the eventual slow down of the U.S. economy among others.

Dent also pauses as a futurist. In this role, he just repeats what Alvin Toffler stated in Future Shock almost 30 years ago. Technology will reform the workplace, will boost economic productivity, etc... Nothing new or informative here.

The only somewhat valuable part of this book includes several recommendations for successful investing, including:
1) Save at least 10% of your salary;
2) Use buy and hold strategies, don't try to time the market;
3) Use mutual funds to most efficiently diversify your holdings;
4) Use asset allocation. The greatest returns result from the correct asset allocation. Asset allocation should match your personal risk tolerance; and
5) Invest systematically not emotionally.

However, the author did not support these good investment strategies with adequate useful details. For instance, using a 401K is the best and easiest way to implement all of his five strategies mentioned above. Also, within his mutual fund recommendation, he did not mention the advantages of index funds (greater diversification, lower cost). Thus, he omitted much information for this section of the book to be as informative as it could have.

The Knaves and their New Economy
Harry Dent couples an investment advisory book with a piecemeal economic analysis of the dynamics of the so called 'New Economy' in the 21st century. The author Harry Dent may drool blissfully over his portfolio (which at the time 1998 was probably doing quite well) and see a world of compounding returns and infinite growth, but we live in a real world of scarce resources and measured productivity gains which usually grow marginally each year. One thing that I find anecdotal was the chapter on human development entitled the 'The Right Brain Revolution,' which appealed to the kooky materialism of Abraham Maslow. This was just a rehashing of tired humanistic theories over man's wants and needs.

First to give a background to this book: it was written in 1998-which in Greenspan rhetoric may be deemed a time of "irrational exuberance"-so not suprisingly the author was blissfully optimistically over a booming economy. In reality there was a long-term inflationary boom coupled with a strong market for IPO's and tech stocks. Of course, the speculative bubble burst. Contrary to the harbingers of infinite economic growth, there are no new dynamics to the so called "New Economy." If companies hemorrhage money on spending-showing no prospects for profit in their foreseeable future-than they'll probably be restructuring, going out of business, or solve their insolvency problem by merging with a larger firm. Generally, the present recession has made those who believe that there are some new rules to the game come to retreat from their Alice and Wonderland economics. Granted, we're not going to be in this recession forever contrary to the prophets of eternal economic gloom. However, there are NO new rules for a "New Economy" where profit margins can be razor thin, earnings simply non-existent and profit/equity ratios are absurdly proportioned. So, now we can come back to the real world of 2003, where high government spending and half-trillion dollar deficits crowd out the supply of credit and capital.

Dent is optimistic over the labor market giving way to 'entrepreneurs,' freelancers and temps. However, it is by no means a positive sign when corporations are taking the axe to their personnel that we're in for more prosperity. In addition, some of Dent's positive economic indicators and his analysis are erroneous. For example, he sees large population growth as some positive sign that with more people, they'll be more consumption and consumer spending. But consider that in recent years, GDP growth aside, actual productivity gains have been miniscule and sometimes actually losses over the previous year. Moreover, the population growth (chiefly fueled by immigration) far exceeds productivity growth. So how is this deemed a positive sign if they're less goods and services available on per capita basis? These factors which shade the real 'New Economy,' may suggest that we will be in the economic doldrums for a little while longer. Dent ignores substantive economic indicators, which even in 1998 could have foretold the present recession. If anything, it is quite tenable that the first decade of the 21st century may resemble the stagflation of the 1970s-where inflation and unemployment are high-though not with such severity.

All things considered, the blissful optimism and absurd economic logic so popular which fueled the speculative boom circa 1998 was but a foreshadowing of the present dreary state of economic affairs. The prosperity gurus will never be able to transcend common-sense economic logic with their gospel of eternal economic optimism. Then again, their perspectives are skewed in times of boom when all they see are compounding equity returns. It just seems when some people have a run of luck in the market, they have a tendency to have their judgment clouded in seeking out more 'easy money.' Some like Dent even hope to jerry-rigged the market with a psychology of perpetual prosperity. Anyway, Dent's bullish predictions have already been disproven. (I give it a pithy 0.5/5.0 star rating ... ... Read more

Book Description

This book represents a considerable revision and expansion of Public Choice II (1989). As in the previous editions, all of the major topics of public choice are covered.These include: why the state exists, voting rules, federalism, the theory of clubs, two-party and multiparty electoral systems, rent seeking, bureaucracy, interest groups, dictatorship, the size of government, voter participation, and political business cycles.Normative issues in public choice are also examined.The book is suitable for upper level courses in economics dealing with politics, and political science courses emphasizing rational actor models. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good Review Text on Rat-Choice Politics and Public Choice
This is a great book! As a political-science graduate student I've been exposed to a great deal of game-theory and rat-choice in my seminar classes, but, unfortunately, it has come in the form of numerous papers, piles of books, and several classes that did not build off of one another. I was left with the feeling that it was a very, very important subject, but it was presented in a manner that left me, as a student, with an incomplete picture of the topic and the breadth of work that has gone on in this field.

Mueller's achievements in this volume have been three:

1. Coherent presentation of the theory of public choice / rational politics.

2. Discussion of the most important empirical work that has gone on in this field in a unified fashion that leads one naturally into further inquiry in this area.

3. Logically organizes and presents the material in a way that reinforces concepts, logic, and thinking in the book.

These three things make this book a great review or introductory text to the field of public choice / rational politics that should be on the "must have" list of every serious student of politics and economics. Moreover, not being terribly skilled at mathematics myself, the material is presented both through intuitive written discussions, fairly simplistic "example" equations that are pretty easy to follow if you've had a "principles" microecon course with calculus, and, which I greatly appreciate, a fair amount of graphs. Moreover, the bibliography that the book draws on is very, very extensive...meaning that it has the additional utility of being a handy jumping off point if you're doing research in this area.

My only complaint, and this is a minor one, is that I would like a bit more math in the book either at the end of each chapter or in an appendix that works out, step-by-step, some of the additional concepts he runs over that aren't dealt with mathematically in the main text of the chapters themselves.

This, at least in my opinion, is an excellent book for the graduate student interested in learning about public choice / rational politics. ... Read more

Book Description

The most comprehensive and accurate treatment of the public budgeting process on the market, this book offers a thorough treatment of the entire subject, with an emphasis on state budgets. Public Budgeting in America, 5/E is user-friendly, with a no-nonsense approach that offers readers a solid theoretical treatment of key constructs that underlie public budgeting in America.It includes case scenarios, practical examples, and instructional exhibits of working budget documents and analysis, as well as supporting data to demonstrate key concepts. Topics include: budget formats and preparation; modern budgeting; budget behavior; applied analysis; processing; operating budgets and accounting; capital budgeting and debt administration; revenue systems; and internal service functions.For individuals employed in the fields of public budgeting, financial management, and public finance. ... Read more

Book Description

"The framework used for thinking about the mass media industry is excellent. The presentation of the material reflects the complexity of the mass media industry in a way that should be quite accessible to students, both conceptually and in terms of specific examples".

--Jane Downing, University of Missouri, Columbia

A basic or supplemental text for any Media/Society course offered in Media Studies or Journalism departments/programs or in Sociology departments.

A provocative, in-depth analysis of the changing media industry. Particular attention is paid to the tension between the media industry’s insatiable quest for profits and a democratic society’s need for a media system that serves the public interest. In Part I, the authors provide a framework and historical context for considering the media industry. Drawing from both social and economic theory, they develop two conceptual frameworks for analyzing and evaluating media: a market model and a public sphere model.

The market model enables us to understand the rationale for industry actions. Most popular commentary about the media industry begins from market model assumptions. The public sphere model introduces social issues by highlighting the public interest role of the mass media. This framework is especially useful in evaluating the influences of the media on society. Part II describes the major media industry trends, focusing on development in the last decade. Here Croteau and Hoynes explore issues and concerns from a market model perspective. Part III stresses the public sphere model, providing a critical analysis of the contemporary media business. The authors argue that, in its expansive pursuit of profits, the highly concentrated media industry often fails to serve in the public interest.

Reviews (1)

In largely jargon-free and accessible terms
The expert collaboration of David Croteau (Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richard, Virginia) and William Hoynes (Associate Professor and Chair of Sociology at Vasser College, Poughkeepsie, New York), The Business Of Media: Corporate Media And The Public Interest is a candid revealing and detailed study of the rapidly evolving media industry, especially in an increasingly media-saturated society. A thoroughly scholarly work which deftly presents its in-depth study in largely jargon-free and accessible terms ideal for the non-specialist general reader, The Business Of Media offers insights and a close scrutiny into what really goes on behind newspaper and broadcast journalism headlines. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent Resource for Nonprofit leaders and professionals
Capital Campaigns from the Ground Up: How Nonprofits Can Have the Buildings of their Dreams
By: Stanley Weinstein ACFRE, EMBA

Published by: The AFP/Wiley Fund Development Series

Reviewed by: Norman Olshansky, President
NFP Consulting Resources Inc.

Planning for and conducting a Capital Campaign can be a very complex, time consuming and challenging enterprise for a nonprofit organization. It can also revitalize, enhance and enable organizations to dramatically improve their overall operations and financial resource development activities way beyond the conclusion of the campaign.

Stanley Weinstein's book is a very good source for information on what it takes for a capital campaign to succeed. The main part of the book contains advice obtained from Weinstein, who was a professional fundraiser and consultant. He has many years of campaign experience, and was a former member of the national board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. His comments on planning, board involvement, prospect identification and cultivation, as well as on volunteer and solicitor training are very good. He also has separate chapters on Churches and Faith Based Institutions as well as Historic Preservation Projects. See below for chapter listing.

One of the more significant aspects of the book, which is not found in most other publications on capital campaigns, is the chapter written by Dale Dekker, one of the contributing authors who is an architect. His input on Project Planning, Design, Construction, Furnishings, Contracting, etc. is excellent.

The book also provides very good information on the basic techniques, skills, processes, timelines and pre-requisites for a successful capital campaign. It could be an even more valuable publication if it included more examples from case experiences that demonstrate creative use of newer fundraising techniques, divisional activities, marketing and additional information on how to help potential solicitors overcome anxiety related to making the ask.

Budgeting and sequencing of the information could also be improved. It wasn't until chapter 8 that issues related to pre-campaign planning studies was reviewed.

On the plus side, the inclusion of a detailed index at the end of the book helps to make the publication a valuable reference resource.

Chapters include:
Coordinating Project Planning and Fundraising Planning
Confidence and Communications
Building a Strong and Committed Board
Project Planning
Project Delivery Strategies
Prospect Identification and Cultivation
The Case for Support and Campaign Materials
Precampaign Planning Study and Campaign Readiness
Staff and Volunteer Solicitation Training
Managing the Campaign
Grants and Government Funding
Churches and Faith Based Institutions
Historic Preservation Projects
Parting Thoughts

Despite its limitations, this is a solid publication and a very helpful addition to the body of materials currently available on the subject. ... Read more

Book Description

Urban Economics is the market-leading text for this course. Throughout the book, the author uses simple economic analysis to explain why cities exist, where they develop, how they grow, and how different activities are arranged within cities. The author has updated the tables and charts thoroughly, and has reorganized sections of the book.The material on poverty and public policy has been extensively rewritten. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A very comprehensive overview
I had "Urban Economics" for one of my urban planning courses at graduate school.It was a pleasure to study the principles and processes of city building, growth and dynamics, through this book.Every chapter inthe book can be a title for a separate volume.So this is a verycomprehensive overall general view of economics as a determinant of urbandevelopment and form.

I particularly liked the chapters on UrbanPoverty and Housing.The chapter on poverty explains issues like incometransfers, food stamps and their effect on consumer behavior, problems ofinner cities and development policies needed to change that.

Housing hasa great chapter devoted to the peculiarities of housing as a commodity andthe effect of race and discrimination on housing patterns.The mostinteresting part concerns the "filtering" of housing from theupper income to lower income populations.

Also explained is the autooriented transportation vs mass transit and their specific roles in shapingcities.

Highly recommended.Easy to read and understand. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Harvey Rosen’s scholarly and up-to-date Public Finance continues to be the market-leading book. The book takes its readers to the frontiers of current research, yet remains accessible to undergraduates.Although it draws upon the latest research, the book never loses sight of the reality it is supposed to describe, always drawing the links between economic analysis and current political issues. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Public Finance
Perhaps slightly lacking on the theoretical side (but I guess this was Prof Rosen's objective), this book offers a broad yet detailed overview of public economics. Many parts are in narrative style making for a pleasantly clear read.
Certainly a good and clear text for an exposition on the topic, especially if complemented/expanded on by a good lecturer.

Less brilliant, more honest
This book is not as challenging as Stiglitz, and the author does not have Stiglitz's dazzling facility with economic theory. But Rosen is properly less trusting of the political process, gives greater scope to political and ethical philosophy, is open to a wider range of ideas and has more references than Stiglitz, is less prone to rush to judgement, and is less beholden to the Clintonista viewpoint. This is the better book upon which to ground a sound understanding of public economics. Compare Rosen with Stiglitz on the Coase Theorem, the Flat Tax, the economic role of the stock market, and Social Security reform. Too bad Rosen's fairness cannot be combined with Stiglitz's brilliance. ... Read more

Book Description

The most practical, authoritative guide to governmental GAAP

Wiley GAAP for Governments 2004 is a comprehensive guide to the accounting and financial reporting principles used by state and local governments as well as other governmental entities. Financial statement preparers, attestors, and readers will find its full coverage of authoritative accounting standards coupled with many examples, illustrations, and helpful practice hints extremely useful and user-friendly. Designed with the needs of the user in mind, a "New Developments" chapter keeps you informed of all of the important developments in governmental GAAP during the past year. A look ahead to the status of current and future Governmental Accounting Standards Board standards and projects provides information on the very latest in standard-setting activities and covers:

• GASB Statement No. 40 Deposit and Investment Risk Disclosures
• GASB Statement No. 41 Budgetary Comparison Schedules–Perspective Differences
• GASB Technical Bulletin No. 2003-1 Disclosure Requirements for Derivatives Not Reported at Fair Value on the Statement of Activities
• GASB Exposure Draft Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefit Plans Other Than Pension Plans
• GASB Exposure Draft Accounting and Financial Reporting by Employers for Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions
• GASB Statement No. 42 Accounting and Financial Reporting for Impairment of Capital Assets and for Insurance Recoveries
• GASB Exposure Draft Economic Condition Reporting: The Statistical Section
• The latest GASB projects on pollution remediation liabilities, tobacco settlement accounting, and derivatives and hedging accounting

Here are some other highlights of Wiley GAAP for Governments 2004:

• A streamlined format helps readers find what they need to know quickly
• A comprehensive financial statement disclosure checklist assists preparers and attestors in confirming that their disclosures are complete
• New accounting standards, including GASB 34, are fully integrated into the text, and examples are provided in the related chapters

Wiley GAAP for Governments 2004 strives to be a thorough, reliable reference that you’ll use constantly. It’s designed to be kept on your desk rather than on your bookshelf. ... Read more

Book Description

Hardbound. The Field of Public Economics has been changing rapidly in recent years, and the sixteen chapters contained in this Handbook survey many of the new developments.As a field, Public Economics is defined by its objectives rather than its techniques and much of what is new is the application of modern methods of economic theory and econometrics to problems that have been addressed by economists for over two hundred years.More generally, the discussion of public finance issues also involves elements of political science, finance and philosophy.These connections are evidence in several of the chapters that follow.

Public Economics is the positive and normative study of government's effect on the economy.We attempt to explain why government behaves as it does, how its behavior influences the behavior of private firms and households, and what the welfare effects of such changes in behavior are.Following Musgrave (1959) one may imagine thr ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Valuable tool for public finance research
This text is essential not only for students taking courses in public finance, but a primary tool for researchers in this subject. This text comprises of works conducted by the leaders of this field. I recommend thistext for anybody who is serious in learning the current research in thisvast field of economics. ... Read more

Book Description

Written by two of the nation's leading experts on land conservation, Land Conservation Financing provides a comprehensive overview of successful land conservation programs -- how they were created, how they are funded, and what they’ve accomplished -- along with detailed case studies from across the United States.

The authors present important new information on state-of-the-art conservation financing, showcasing programs in states that have become the nation's leaders in open-space protection: California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New Jersey. They look at key local land protection efforts by examining model programs in DeKalb County, Georgia; Douglas County, Colorado; Jacksonville, Florida; Lake County, Illinois; Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; Marin County, California; the St. Louis metro area in Missouri and Illinois, and on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

The authors then examine how hundreds of communities have created hundreds of millions of dollars in funding by developing successful campaigns to win land conservation ballot measures. They offer case studies and pull together lessons learned as they lay out how to run a successful campaign. The authors also consider the role of private foundations, which have made immense contributions to land conservation over the past two decades.

The book concludes with an examination of the emerging concept of green infrastructure -- a strategic approach to conservation that involves planning and managing a network of parks, natural areas, greenways, and working lands that can help support native species, maintain ecological processes, and contribute to the health and quality of life for America’s people and its communities.

Land Conservation Financing is an indispensable resource for land conservationists in the public and private sectors who are looking for a detailed, national portrait of the state of land conservation in America today. ... Read more

Book Description

City, county and school district elected officials annually deal with multi-million, sometime billion dollar budgets. But many have little, if any, knowledge about local government financial matters when first elected. Written in an easy to understand style, this book provides beginning and seasoned elected officials and public administrators with the fiscal awareness to confidently make good budget and financial decisions.Local government is more complex today and there are more opportunities for poor judgement, conflicts of interest, embezzlement and fraud. The best antidote is an informed constituency that insists on good government and accountability.Community members, homeowners groups, business people, unions, service organizations, public watchdogs and newspaper reporters who want to assess their local elected officials' performance will find this book invaluable. Each chapter begins with a real life story such as the city manager who used the city's credit card to go on an lavish shopping spree, the city that used debt to mask it's huge deficit or the school superintendent who sacrificed the district's solvency to create an award winning curriculum. Vignettes from over 77 different local governments across the country are used to buttress the suggested tips and techniques. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

An excellent budget, financial and treasury primer.
As an elected Treasurer and local government finance director for the past several years, I found this book to be an excellent primer for all elected and appointed officials. The practical advice offered by Mr. Wood is based on his experience and input from his peers and is extremely valuable. The book is written in a very informal and concise way and should be required reading for all elected officials. In fact, I gave this book to each City Council member and they have all indicated that this book provided excellent financial advice.

Excellent reading for the Government Watchdog
Len Wood presents Dollars and Sense in a practical manner enabling readers to absorb its content. A must read book for those that "watch" their local governments, school districts and elected officials. Written for fast reading,yet covers the subject matter extensively. If you want to be certain your local government is working at its fullest potential, Dollars & Sense can be a great help to you.

Great book for people interested in local government.
What a delightful book. The author has presented his subject in an understandable and capitivating manner. He does this by using lots of real life vignettes to make his points. People who want to know what their local officials should and should not be doing will want to read this book.

A Guide for Achieving Job Longevity in the Public Sector
Here is a "no holds barred" approach to describing "real life" shortcomings in handling public finances, and then providing tips to local government policy makers and managers on how to avoid a similiar circumstance.

Len Wood writes from first hand knowledge and experience. He describes the situation; outlines the facts; details the results; and provides the reader with suggestions to lessen financial risk and/or failure in the expenditure of public funds.

While the author's primary target is the newly elected official, the importance of this work to experienced elected and appointed public officals cannot be overstated. No one who has worked in the public sector can peruse this book without saying, "There, but for the grace of God, go I!" ... Read more

Book Description

Public Finance--while continuing to follow an innovative approach that is both theoretical and empirical--is now completely updated to reflect major changes in its key topics. New or revised information includes explanations of the Social Security trust fund, a new section on the alternative minimum tax (AMT), possible links between the corporation tax and high-profile scandals such as Enron, and more.

Book Description

Elaborating on the concepts first introduced in Global Public Goods, this book addresses the long overdue issue of how to adjust the concept of public goods to today's economic and political realities. The production of global public goods requires the orchestration of initiatives by a large number of diverse actors across different levels and sectors. It may require the collaboration of governments, business and civil society, and in most cases it almost certainly calls for an effective linkage of the local, national, regional, and global levels. In light of today's new realities, this book examines a series of managerial and political challenges that pertain to the design and implementation of production strategies and the monitoring and evaluation of global public goods provision.As participatory decision-making enhances the political support for - and thus the effectiveness of - certain policy decisions, this volume offers suggestions on a number of pragmatic policy reforms for bringing the global public more into public policy making on global issues. Nine case studies examine the importance of the global public good concept from the viewpoint of developing countries, exploring how and where the concerns of the poor and the rich overlap.Providing Global Public Goods offers important and timely suggestions on how to move in a more feasible and systematic way towards a fairer process of globalization that works in the interests of all. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Perfect Follow-up
Global Public Goods and Multilateralism must intertwine in order for progress and provision to come about. This is an idea that is so often neglected and forgotten. This book places an importance role that nations must carry out...it also provides recommendations for issues that arise in the midst of GPG provision. This book does not negate the global issues that exist within and surrounding the international realm...yet the book does a fabulous job on highlighting the importance of addressing these issues as a means of furthering the progress of Global Public Goods.

Thought Provoking
This books is an excellent follow-up of the Global Public Goods: International Cooperation in the 21st Century. It helped me visual and understand the provisionary measures needed to bring about GPGs. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Look at Big Sports Business
This was a very interesting book. Written by 2 scholars but easy to read and enlightening to anyone who wants a closer look at how sports teams and cities play off against each other and with competition (other sports teams and other cities).
Also gives an interesting look at the regional dynamics of the different regions of the USA. Very interesting look at how people in various cities in the US see themselves and how the importance of spectator sports ranks relative to other economic and entertainment opportunities in various cities.
A must-read for the average citizen to help make informed choices if and when governments in their area are evaluationg/pushing new stadiums. ... Read more