Book Description

The best-selling, best known text in Mathematical Economics course, Chiang teaches the basic mathematical methods indispensable for understanding current economic literature.the book's patient explanations are written in an informal, non-intimidating style.To underscore the relevance of mathematics to economics, the author allows the economist's analytical needs to motivate the study of related mathematical techniques; he then illustrates these techniques with appropriate economics models.Graphic illustrations often visually reinforce algebraic results.Many exercise problems serve as drills and help bolster student confidence.These major types of economic analysis are covered:statics, comparative statics, optimization problems, dynamics, and mathematical programming.These mathematical methods are introduced:matrix algebra, differential and integral calculus, differential equations, difference equations, and convex sets. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Great Introduction to Mathmatical Economics
I used Chaing's book for an intro the mathematical economics as an econ undergrad. Much of the material is useful for both advanced undergraduates and graduate studies. I especially found the optimization (applied differential calculus) and matrix algebra useful. Using an input output coefficient matrix (as described in the text) we were able to see how Russia operated under the communist regime. We used GAMMS for the mathematical programming. Overall the course and this book were an eye opening experience to applying mathematical models to real world problems. I hope to explore this realm of thinking further in my graduate studies. I highly recommend this book, even to people with a somewhat limited math background (1 calculus course).

A must read for graduate students in economics
Alpha Chiang's text should serve as the foundation for all quantitive analysis done in economic theory. It is an invaluable teaching tool for graduate students in economics and will help them better understand the mathematical techniques that have become so necessary for economic modeling.(p)

I am not a highly quantitative person myself, but I found Chiang's book comprehensible and a useful reference guide in my gradaute economics classes. Along with Hal Varian's "Microeconomic Theory" and Jan Kmenta's "Econometrics", I would say that Chiang's "Fundamentals of Mathematical Economics" should serve as sacred literature for any prospective graduate student in economics.

Wonderful Book
I used this book as a review of the mathematical concepts before entering my Ph. D. program. It is extremely helpful and well-written. From the very beginning, Chiang does a good job in explaining things. I initially complained about the dragging discussion on convex sets. Later on, I realized the importance of such in optimization, and finally understood why Chiang had the reader go through that much detail. A decent background in calculus and statistics is probably sufficient to get you through this book on your own. Although the last edition of this book was written in 1984, I think that it's still one of the best reference books that you can have.

Never quite goes to the point
I am writing my PhD dissertation in Economics. I was first assigned this book almost 10 years ago during my second year undergraduate course in mathematics for economists. This book has then kept resurfacing, for instance in the summer course in math that preceded my master.
Actually, I quite dislike the book. Lukily, I was given the choice between this book and Simon&Blume and I chose the latter. I unfortunately bought Chang first and started studying this becuase it was the "preferred text".
It turns out that Chang tries to make it too easy. It's great when books make the subject easy, and I abhor formalism for its own sake, but when you have to wade through pages and pages of bubbling and exercises to find out what the chapter is all about, then it is too sloppy. Please have nicely stated assumption, theorem, nicely worked out examples and explanations. No! Chang thinks that it is better to work out for you tons of examples without bothering to put it all together in a nice statement. I get lost in this! Too easy is wrongly easy, if the text book omit to clearly state all the assumptions (because it would be too difficult) you can be sure that my profs put a tricky case in the exam in which the assumptions are violated and you don't know what to do, because Chang never stated them, nor bothered to solve that specific case - or maybe he did solve that case but it got lost among the others.

Have a look at the table of content. The first half of the book is appropriate for a first undergraduate course in mathematics for economists, and the second half for a second course. It won't lead you much further than that.
Most masters will require you to learn at least hamiltonians (but that's easy). True problem is that this book does not really give you good basis for thinking mathematically in graduate school.

Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics
Mathematicians should like this book, not economists. The text focuses on mathematic theory, not on calculations and economic applications. This text is not good for applied economics or business. ... Read more

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

This worldwide best-selling business statistics text teaches students how to apply statistics to real business problems through the author's unique three-step approach to problem solving. Students learn to IDENTIFY the right technique by focusing on the problem objective and data type. They then learn to COMPUTE the statistics either by hand, using Excel, or using MINITAB. Finally, they INTERPRET the results in the context of the problem. Keller's approach enhances student comprehension as well as practical skills. The book offers maximum flexibility to instructors wishing to teach concepts by hand or with the computer, or by using both hand and computer methods. ... Read more

Book Description

Brad Schiller's text, The Microeconomy Today, 9/e, is noted for its three great strengths: readability, policy orientation, and pedagogy.His accessible writing style engages students and brings some of the excitement of domestic and global economic news into the classroom.Schiller emphasizes how policymakers must choose between government intervention and market reliance to resolve the core issues of what, how, and for whom to produce.This strategic choice is highlighted throughout the full range of micro, macro, and international issues.Every chapter ends with a policy issue that emphasizes the markets vs. government dilemma.And Schiller packs his chapters with the facts of economic life-real stories, not fables.This is a book that teaches economics in a relevant context and with careful pedagogy.Schiller 9e is for students motivated by real-world policy issues who want to become economically literate.This is a book students actually READ.Schiller is also known for its cutting-edgeand current coverage of today’s issues. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Microeconomy for undergraduate
Excellent feature of this book is the aplication part that shows real impacts or examples of theory in reality. I have bought this book to accompany my Economics by Collander and it was good choice. If you want to test your knowledge - buy yet Economic Concepts (ISBN 0070455910). You will do the best for your understanding. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive reevaluation of the nature of economic systems across the globe, A New View of Comparative Economic Systems is today's choice for today's world.This exciting text is not merely a re-treading of an obsolete Soviet-oriented text, but a fresh, new, and comprehensive reappraisal of the nature and study of economic systems.A New View of Comparative Economic Systems defines a new approach and will set the standard for years to come in Comparative Economic courses. ... Read more

Book Description

PRAISE FOR Modern Investment Management

"This powerful book brilliantly discovers the routes to superior investment results in the roots of economic theory. In the process, it combines elegance of presentation with the highest levels of lucidity. The authors offer lessons that neither the scholar nor the investor-in-action can afford to ignore."
––Peter Bernstein, bestselling author of Capital Ideas: The Improbable Origins of Modern Wall Street and Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk

"In Modern Investment Management: An Equilibrium Approach, Bob Litterman and his colleagues at Goldman Sachs Asset Management provide the reader with a gentle introduction to modern financial theory and a survey of their own monumental contributions to theory and practice. The role of the late Fischer Black is amply noted."
––Harry M. Markowitz, 1990 Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics

"This comprehensive guide to equilibrium investing is perhaps the finest demonstration of the relevance of financial theory to investment practice. Both the academy and industry owe a huge debt to this exceptionally talented team for reuniting their paths. Study this book carefully and keep it close at hand if you are serious about investing or teaching about it."
––Mark Kritzman, Managing Partner, Windham Capital Management Boston and Research Director, The Research Foundation of the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR)

"This book develops a powerful framework for making better investment decisions. The equilibrium approach frees you up to focus on what you know, without being blinded by what you don’t know."
––Andre Perold, Professor, Senior Associate Dean, Faculty Director
Harvard Business School

"An invaluable investment manual ably supported by the highest-quality financial theory, but well peppered with common sense. The fund manager and the institutional investor ignore this book at their peril. It will be a key reference book for our pension plan."
––David Morgan, Chief Executive, Coal Pension Trustees Services Ltd.

"This novel and ambitious book breaks new ground in demonstrating how modern investment theory can be refined and adapted to practice. The authors’ experience as investment professionals in a sophisticated institutional setting lends much credibility to their skillful blending of rigorous analysis, intuition, and real-world application."
––Robert F. Stambaugh, Ronald O. Perelman Professor of Finance
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Oldschool
Nicely written from a journalistic perspective but rather old fashioned. Many mistakes and deliberate false claims in order to suit product interests of Goldman Sachs. Examples:

In the chapter on asset liability management there is always an analytical case for equities. However the only reason is that GS does not allow duration as a choice variable. Otherwise beta (in their formula) would become one and the optimal equity allocation is zero. Accidental? I doubt it.

They also claim to have found (earlier) a better method than Stambaugh on dealing with missing data. However either you publish or you shut up.

Waste of time for serious quants

The definitive equilibrium investing title
My highest commendations to the asset management team at Goldman Sachs. They have come together and created a highly comprehensive tome that covers all the bases within the realm of modern investment theory. Their solid equilibrium approach is applied to all areas, from traditional investments to alternative asset classes, from institutional funds to private wealth, using analysis and real world applications. Incredibly thorough, extremely recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

The text uses a thematic approach to managing the risks of trade in goods and services, the protection and licensing of intellectual property, and foreign direct investment. The authors examine both private and public law issues from both an international and comparative perspective. This edition focuses on the transactional aspects of international business as well as on the legal, cultural, political and economic environment affecting managerial decision making on a global scale. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

It is an excellent book for international lawyers
This book contains a concise explanation of every day problems regarding foreign transactions, together with an explanation of the Common law system specially in United States, this book concentrates pertinent cases for each of the subjects explained in it. ... Read more

Book Description

“Is our healthcare system really in crisis?” That’s a question Hank McKinnell one of the world’s most influential coporate leaders encounters every day.His answer may surprise you.While McKinnellagrees that there is a crisis, he doesn’t think the problem is with “healthcare”—rather, he asserts the crisis is in “sick-care.”

Healthcare systems around the world, McKinnell argues, are focused on sickness and its management rather than health. As a result, dialogue about how to sustain health now takes a back seat to arguments about cost—containing it, avoiding it, or shifting it to someone else.The result? A near-universal belief that healthcare is becoming unaffordable, fragmented, and impersonal. “Focusing only on the cost of care is looking at the healthcare problem though the worong end of the telescope,” says McKinnell, the chairman and CEO of Pfizer. “The real focus should be on the horrific cost of disease.”In America, the “sick-care” system delivers the world’s most sophisticated procedures, while skimping on vaccines, hampering the fight against AIDS, and intruding into one of life’s most personal relationships – doctor and patient.

Groundbreaking and provocative, A Call to Action, reframes the dialogue on healthcare and offers people a way out of the zero-sum, win-or-lose game they now encounter. Distilling more than 30 years of experience in global healthcare, McKinnell provides concrete action steps to build cost-effective, inclusive healthcare that he believes can extend millions of lives and save billions of dollars over the next generation. He addresses:

• A new, prevention-based approach to employee healthcare
• Why pharmaceutical companies have lost trust, and what they must do to regain it
• Why Americans pay more for prescription drugs than people in Canada and Europe
• How competition can spur the healthcare industry to improve services and contain prices
• How new technologies can reduce medical errors and improve the dialogues between patient and doctor
• How we might lose the race between the world’s most insidious virus and the world’s best researchers
• How we can take more responsibility for our health

McKinnell also assesses the global challenge of infectious disease, particularly the pandemic of HIV. He demonstrates why this pandemic –the worst in human history –is beyond the scope of governments acting alone —and how, even in the face of devastating global catastrophes, public-private partnerships can deliver real hope.

The healthcare crisis can be brought under control. Sick-care systems can be changed to put patiens over payers. In this book, McKinnell offers a compelling case for change, and a plan of action to make healthcare systems work for us and our children.

Reviews (1)

There is Hope
In "A Call to Action" Pfizer chairman Hank McKinnell makes the observation that the US has a "sick care" system, not a health care system.While the entitites working within this system may be the best at what they do, the lack of a true health care system will continue to impose a growing financial, social, and quality-of-life burden on all.Additionally, the health issues facing the world, such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic, are bigger than any one organization can handle.

Through provocative observations and insightful questions, McKinnell creates a framework for the discussion of this crucial issue.The solution can not lie solely upon private enterprise, governments, NGOs, or individuals, but must be achieved through the concerted efforts of all parties, both public and private.The questions raised in this book provide a necessary framework to both get the dialogue going as well as to organize what may otherwise be considered an overwhelming task.Importantly, this industry veteran shows that there is reason to believe the goal is achievable.

Our healthcare system has profound effects throughout every fiber of our society, from the way we live our lives to the taxes we pay to the role of government in providing for a healthful place in which to pursue our dreams.As such, it is important for all concerned citizens to understand the challenges facing the establishment and maintenance of a true health care system.

"A Call to Action" is a surprising, thought-provoking, and ultimately hopeful challenge to establish a true and sustainable health care system.I strongly recommend this to anyone interested in one of the biggest issues facing the US both today and in the future. ... Read more

Book Description

The Wealth of Nations
by Adam Smith

It is symbolic that Adam Smith’s masterpiece of economic analysis, The Wealth of Nations, was first published in 1776, the same year as the Declaration of Independence.

In his book, Smith fervently extolled the simple yet enlightened notion that individuals are fully capable of setting and regulating prices for their own goods and services. He argued passionately in favor of free trade, yet stood up for the little guy. The Wealth of Nations provided the first--and still the most eloquent--integrated description of the workings of a market economy.

The result of Smith’s efforts is a witty, highly readable work of genius filled with prescient theories that form the basis of a thriving capitalist system. This unabridged edition offers the modern reader a fresh look at a timeless and seminal work that revolutionized the way governments and individuals view the creation and dispersion of wealth--and that continues to influence our economy right up to the present day. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Needs Revision
Needs to be revised and the title changed to "The Wealth Of Global Corporations", hence 4 stars instead of 5. Would probably be more accurate if almost every reference to nation(s) was replaced with global corporation(s), and so on.

The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
Adam Smith is considered a founding father of economic theory.
In the Wealth of Nations, he laid a foundation for the free market while at the same time explaining some of the problems
encountered by workers. He explained that all work had to be
highly organized in order to be productive. In addition, he
recognized that machinery facilitated work. This notion serves
as an important foundation for more modern patent practice.
He praised the ingenuity of inventors and makers of new

machinery. The author spoke of increased production as a
condition precedent to enhancing the power of labor. From this
precept, he explained that the size of a market would dictate
the division of its constituent labor. For instance, a small
community in the suburbs might be serviced by a local
"General Store"; whereas, a county in a large city would be
serviced by a retail chain store with hundreds of employees
and a highly sophisticated management structure.In Adam Smith's
time, metals were popular in the manufacture of commodities.
Problems were encountered in weighing the metals and arriving
at a uniform system of metrics. The theory of pricing was
a function of the toil needed to purchase a good. For instance,
the price of an auto was a function of the many hours of labor
necessary to earn the money to buy the car. In addition, the price of an item was related to its constituent parts.
For instance, the price of linen was a function of the labor
of the flaxdresser, spinner, weaver, bleacher and overall
employer. The natural price varied with the price of component
parts. For instance, if the semiconductor was reduced significantly in price- then the overall price of an electronic
appliance would go down. Adam Smith saw labour as a function
of national wealth. He recognized that laborers had to earn
more than a mere subsistence in order to live dignified lives.
He told a story of a mother in the Highlands of Scotland who
had to raise 20 children so that 2 would survive. Presumably,
18 children would die from various diseases and poverty.
The interest rates at the time were low. In England, rates
hovered at 5%. In France, the rates were 3-5% . The government
could borrow at 2% in Holland.

Adam Smith defined a wage as a function of the following:
o the ease or hardship to do work

Consider the case of a diamond cutter. The art of cutting a
diamond is a precise process which requires extensive training
and expert worksmanship. The demand for precious stones was a
function of their inherent beauty, scarcity and workmanship
involved in polishing them and preparing them for commercial use.

o the difficulty and expense of learning a trade
A skilled surgeon required years of medical training and a
long apprenticeship in anatomy and surgery.

o the constancy of employment
o the trust reposed in the workpeople
Consider the case of a landowner who took a year-long vacation
to the Orient. He/she would leave behind a manager to run the
entire business on a 24/7 basis. This high degree of trust
reposed in the workperson required a commensurate compensation.

o probability of success or failure of the venture
Consider the effort required to cross the Atlantic. The trip
was lengthy, dangerous and prone to failure due to the vagaries
of nature, pirating on the high seas and disease. Naturally,
a worker had to receive a greater compensation to take these
factors into consideration.

o the danger inherent in doing the work
Consider the danger inherent in entering a diamond mine.
The possibility of collapse was a constant threat. Accordingly,
workers were compensated commensurate with the threat level.

Adam Smith explained that fear of misfortune dampened the taking
of risks. He knew (intuitively) that investors were risk averse.
In addition, there was a restriction on training new labor.
In Sheffield, no master cutter could train more than a single
cutter . Apprenticeships were lengthy. i.e. 7 years in length

Adam Smith explained that food was a source of rent to the
landowners. The pricing of metals was a function of the price
in the most fertile mine in the world. Whatever increased the
fertility of the land increased its value by implication.
Markets in foodstuffs were restricted because refrigeration
did not exist until motors and condensers were perfected.
Essentially, there were no operable refrigerators until the
famous Clausius statement was perfected in the engineering
sciences.

Accordingly, the market for butcher's meat was confined to the
country of origin. Wool and raw hide could be transported;
however, meat was consumed locally as its shelf-life was limited.
The value of money was a function of the value of annual produce.
Accordingly, increased quantities of commodities raised the
value of money. Low fixed rates of interest promoted business
and discouraged usury. Riches were a function of the annual

produce which created the wealth and supported the tax base.
High duties were enforced to protect the local markets. Treaties
between countries helped local merchants to craft meaningful
trade sequences. Exports were encouraged . The expense of
erecting public works was a function of the taxes raised on the
land and the proportion of yield from the crops.
Governments granted bounties to merchants who wanted to sell
overseas in order to assist them in making a profit and
defraying costs/risks. This work is a classic in theoretical
and practical economics. It is a "must read" for economists,
historians, majors in government, financiers, investors,
literary buffs and a large constituency of academicians. ... Read more

Book Description

This text is the first book explicitly designed for the one-term, principles-level course covering both micro and macroeconomics, and can also be used for two-term or full-year courses where a very concise, focused treatment is desired.This is NOT a cursory "survey" text; rather, it carefully selects and fully explains all of the core topics essential to the principles course with a rigorous and analytical treatment of all introductory economic concepts.It presents economics as a unified subject in which the macroeconomics chapters build on, and flow from, the key microeconomic principles established in the first half of the book. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Love It !!!
I baught this book for my sister. She uses it in her business class. She loves it. The professor uses examples from the same book. She is very happy with it. Even though we baught it used, the condition of the book was well kept. And delivery was on time. We only waited one week. We definitely recommend this book.

as for the content
well, i was a little surprised to see this book (as probably many others as well) being judged by the extent as to which it matches the lectures held by other professors.
i just stumbled across it today in my university's library. as i am studying in germany, i of course do not enjoy the teaching of either of the authors. but knowing that oftentimes american authors' explanations tend to suit my way of learning and - most importantly - understadning things better than those of german profs, i gave it and try and took a peek into it.
it was a pleasure to see how easy things became then. i have to admit that i already had some background on the subject from my lectures so far, but those were and are being held in a completetly different style. this book actually makes a really good read (it's fun!) and that is the best way to get a hold of things, ain't it?
i'd have to say that if one actually wants to learn something and not just read what his/her own professor talks about in class, this is an excellent (supplementary) reading.

i admit, though, that the price is a downside of this otherwise very recommendable product.

Make sure your professor actually uses the book!!!
I feel I wasted my money really. My class never uses this book. The book merely is an exact copy, if not less material than what my professor teaches. I gave it 3 stars because frankly it is a good book. It can provide a lot of information. The one thing I saw that the book is definitely lacking is graphs. I am an extremely visual person, and without graphs, the information really doesn't click.

Just make sure your professor uses this book intesively before buying it, or else you will be wasting a lot of money, and if you are a starving college student, this book can easily be the same price as 8-10 large pizzas, thats a 8-10 weeks of eating...think about it.

not bad
THis book is pretty straightforward and helpful for my class but we didn't get to use it that much. It is worth having. ... Read more

Book Description

Baye's Managerial Economics and Business Strategy is one of the best-selling managerial economics textbooks.It is the first textbook to blend tools from intermediate microeconomics, game theory, and industrial organization for a managerial economics text.Baye is known for its balanced coverage of traditional and modern topics, and the fourth edition continues to offer the diverse managerial economics marketplace a flexible and up-to-date textbook.Baye offers coverage of frontier research in his new chapter on advanced topics. The Fourth Edition also offers completely new problem material, data, and much more. ... Read more

Book Description

“I have observed several hundred salespeople who were taught to use deceptive practices like ‘bait and switch’ and encouraged to play negotiation games with customers. They were so stressed by this behavior that they suffered from a high incidence of alcohol and substance abuse, divorce, job-jumping, and low productivity. In the same industry, I have observed countless people who had been taught to sell with high integrity. Ironically, their customer satisfaction, profit margins, and salesperson retention were significantly higher.” — Ron Willingham

If you’ve tried manipulative, self-focused selling techniques that demean you and your customer, if you’ve ever wondered if selling could be more than just talking people into buying, then Integrity Selling for the 21st Century is the book for you. Its concept is simple: Only by getting to know your customers and their needs — and believing that you can meet those needs — will you enjoy relationships with customers built on trust. And only then, when you bring more value to your customers than you receive in payment, will you begin to reap the rewards of high sales.

Since the publication of Ron Willingham’s enormously successful first book, Integrity Selling, his sales program has been adopted by dozens of Fortune 500 companies, such as Johnson & Johnson and IBM, as well as the American Red Cross and the New York Times. In his new book, Integrity Selling for the 21st Century, Willingham explains how his selling system relates to today’s business climate — when the need for integrity is greater than ever before.

Integrity Selling for the 21st Century teaches a process of self-evaluation to help you become a stellar salesperson in any business climate. Once you’ve established your own goals and personality traits, you’ll be able to evaluate them in your customers and adapt your styles to create a more trusting, productive relationship.

Drawing upon Willingham’s years of experience and success stories from sales forces of the more than 2,000 companies that have adopted the Integrity Selling system, Ron Willingham has created a blueprint for achieving success in sales while staying true to your values. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Order it NOW!
This book is one of, if not the BEST guide to selling success I've read. It exceed Mr. Willinghams previous works. The clear and concise concepts are easy to read and apply. They're simple but not simplistic. The principles in this book feel like he has combined the best from Carl Jung, Wm. James, Tom Hopkins, Stephen Covey, Tony Robbins and Donald Goldman. It reads like a roadmap for both selling and personal growth success. It's a nice mix. The chapter summaries can be used like a workbook. The best and most practical sections are on Releasing Achievement Drive and Values Congruence. If you want to 'raise your game' read and work this book.

This new volume is the best that I have discovered.
After more than three decades of searching out the top books on leadership and sales, I must say that this new volume is the best that I have discovered, especially in these times when genuine care and consideration for the customer is a prime ingredient in forming and growing a meaningful relationship. Trust is the foundation for Integrity Selling in the 21st Century ... and Ron Willingham has encapsulated the essence of doing it right and doing it well. This book belongs on every business leader's desktop and the principles belong securely planted in their hearts.

"Integrity" says it all
If you are in sales and you want a system that truly focuses on the needs and wants of the prospect, this book is for you. It'll help you feel good about what you do and, more importantly, it'll help your customers feel good about what you do.

You'll position yourself as someone who genuinely wants to do what's best for the customer, and that will make you easy to do business with and easy to refer to others.

I've worked with this system since Ron's first book came out. Sales people of all experience levels have the same response - this works and people buy because they know I am interested in them. This book is better than the first one, and in my opinion will increase your production through providing value to the customer.

Conscious Competency
We all sell everyday even though most of us have never had a sales territory. And we have been successful in selling our ideas, our strategic initiatives, our companies and ourselves.

We have been successful because we are competent in creating value for others, and we do this naturally, unconsciously. The value of "Integrity Selling" is that it gives context and consciousness to these natural competencies. The result is logic and understanding behind our approach that takes our success to even higher levels. Understanding why we succeed in selling our points-of-view and moving people to action is a powerful gift Mr. Willingham gives to us through his new book. And once understood, we become even better!

Integrity Selling for the 21st Century
I used less than one highlighter on this book which rates it 3 stars. If you've read many sales books, much of the content in this book is not new. I think, though, that it is a very nice overview for those new to sales or if you'd like a refresher on successful sales principles. The "Three Parts of You" and "Sales Congruence" models were both interesting. I didn't feel the middle chapters had much new or thought-provoking information. It almost seemed that the first and last few chapters contained the more relevant or new information and the middle chapters were put together as "filler". I agree with another review that the title "Integrity Selling" did not accurately represent, in my mind, the content of the book. I felt a little mislead in that respect. It was good enough to make it into my sales book rotation to be re-read at a later date and I'm sure I'll find more valuable information. A nice, easy read. ... Read more

Book Description

Labor Relations, the most accurate, readable, timely, and valuable book of its kind on the market, provides readers with a basic understanding of unionism in its natural habitat and a fundamental appreciation of the union-management process.It focuses on the negotiation and administration of labor agreements, and emphasizes the more significant bargaining issues. The 11th edition includes much new material and an extensively revised and updated bibliography.For vice-presidents and directors of labor relations, union presidents, and others who are full-time labor-management professionals for either managements or unions. ... Read more

Book Description

An in depth look at the tremendous potential of this vital market with expert advice from one of the foremost authorities. The foreign exchange market is the world's largest and fastest growing financial terrain.Despite its high trading volume, it is also a market little understood and little regulated.This definitive resource brings the universe of foreign exchange within reach of every investor.The revised edition includescomplete comprehensive coverage of the euro and the latest historical and economic changes in the market.

Cornelius Luca, a renowned authority on international investing, draws on the insights of leading experts in diverse fields of specialty to explain every crucial aspect of foreign exchange.He provides investors with an arsenal of trading weapons, many on the cutting edge of technology.Demystifying the intricacies of these markets, the book includes:

Analysis of the mechanics of the market, the major players and markets, the pertinent risks, corporate trading, and methods of trading execution.

A thorough overview of foreign exchange instruments and major option strategies, with clear explanations of why currencies are traded and how to forecast currency behavior. An in-depth look at the three types of analysis: fundamental, technical, and econometric.Featuring 200 charts and graphics, TRADING IN THE GLOBAL CURRENCY MARKETS is an indispensable guide to a daunting yet promising financial playing field. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Trading in the Global Currency Markets
Loved Trading in the Global Currency Markets! While I only used it to brush up my FX knowldege, I had all my 5 FX traders read it to prepare them for this fast currency market. The book gives you everything you need, and then some. It's a very methodical book, leaving no stone unturned. It's also very objective. All other books on FX or technical analysis have "an angle". Not Luca's. In his book, he presents all facets of the industry. You just need to choose what's best for you.

Trading in the Global Currency Markets
"Trading in the Global Currency Markets" lands you smack in the middle of the currency markets and really makes you understand how all these FX traders maneuver money day in and day out. Due to the complexity of the subject I needed to take it easy, especially in the technical analysis sections. But I can now use the averages and MACD well enough to enter and exit successful FX transactions.

A 3rd Edition is called for . . .
In 2000, when this edition was released, it most probably provided a fair introduction and overview to the global forex market, but not for individual traders.

However, its use to traders, especially individual traders is limited. Since 2000, there has been an almost explosive growth in the number of forex market-makers and brokers, catering to the individual traders, making it possible and very easy for the individual to trade forex on the inter-bank system. One can now start trading a mini forex account with only $300 !!

These critical new developments in the forex trade, are unfortunately not covered in Mr Luca's book - hence my call for a 3rd edition. The amount of information contained in the various broker's websites - inclusive of "How to" sections, "FAQs", tutorials, and other background information, pretty much contains most of the info presented in Mr Luca's book, with the exception of forward contracts and options.

The Technical Analysis information presented, is similar to the stock market, but not covered extensivley. So, if you already have that knowledge, you wouldn't need to purchase this book to start trading forex. If you need to acquire this knowledge, then I would suggest any one of the excellent in-depth books on the topic of technical analysis available. These books, even though written for the equities market, will give any prospective forex trader most of the knowledge he/she will need to start trading forex.

Extremely informative!
Mr.Luca has out done himself. I am a 11 year veteran of the futures markets and I have written three book on futures trading. Mr.Luca's book exceeded my expectations. I read it and was completely enlightened at the chain of connections that drive the currency market. His technical analysis on forex trading was easily adaptable to my own strategies, plus I learned a few new tricks.

Mr.Luca's writing is very indepth and many beginners to forex trading will find a lot of information to wade through in order to find the nuggets they are looking for. That being said, any serious beginner will not have a problem with getting a thorough education in this fascinating subject.

Intermediate traders will see there mistakes and hopefully correct them by using this book.

Overall, this is a great book by Mr.Luca and I keep a copy as a refernce.

Great waste
There is nothing in this book. It's a waste of money and time reading it, and also even if it's free, you should not read it. ... Read more

Book Description

Practical Business Statistics, 5/e was written in response to instructors not wanting a formula driven, mathematically encyclopedic book.The use of computer applications means some topics no longer require coverage in detail.This allows future managers to know how to use and understand statistics.The text does this by using examples with real data that relate to the functional areas of business such as finance, accounting, and marketing.It de-emphasizes the theoretical, and presents the material in a well-written, easy style designed to motivate students.The emphasis is on understanding and applications as opposed to mathematical precision and formula detail. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Mediocre.
This is not the best book on the subject. There are many other superior books to this one. I still keep it around as a descent reference on statistics, and occasionally get something out of it.

The review of Practical Business Statistics
It's a very good book because of the way it divulges you into the real world. If you are interested in learning business and business statistics, what better place to learn it than the real world.

Instead of a "mean" they should call it a "nice"
I had the privelege of taking an MBA level course from Andy Siegel. The style of the text reflects the simply, user-friendly way he communicates in class. Not having taken a stats class before, I was happy to find a professor who could take a dry, complex subject and make it interesting and relatively painless. More professors should use this text! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Five Frogs on a Log is a practical and easy-to-absorb manual for corporate leaders facing those intense periods of total transformation that seem--for better or for worse--to define today's business world. Written by Mark L. Feldman and Michael F. Spratt, both partners and managing directors of PricewaterhouseCoooper's global M&A consulting division, the book aims to help managers through the "jolts, curves, and emotional potholes" that inevitably accompany such large-scale restructuring. "The high-priced bankers and lawyers exit with the close," they write, "leaving management to confront the challenge of producing results that justify the price, the added risk, and/or the significant disruption to current operations. To complicate matters, they face what amounts to a new company and a set of unexpected demands that can easily divert them from capturing the value that drove the deal." With help from insightful illustrations and quotations from those who have been there, Feldman and Spratt build upon their basic theory--that speed is of the essence in corporate upheavals of this type--by offering pragmatic solutions for the myriad problems that invariably arise. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Reviews (23)

This book saved my company twice
I've purchased over 50 copies of this book. Before our first acquisition attempt, I bought this book for the entire executive team. We used it as a field manual. It was great. It gave us solid guidance and confidence while we were sorting out union accommodations and shareholder approvals. But, when union demands became difficult we remembered the authors saying that deal momentum often results in closing bad deals. This is because CEOs generally don't want to walk away from the high investment of time and resources they have already put into deal completion. The authors compellingly asserted that with the odds generally against acquisition success, if you can't do a deal on your terms, don't do it. After much debate we decided the authors had a point. We walked away from the deal. Looking back, this advice alone saved our company.

Our second acquisition was completed. But the two management teams began to argue immediately. We set up transition teams and made certain everyone had a copy of "Five Frogs". This book became our bible for accelerating the integration of the companies. The guidelines on post-deal priorities, reorganization and communication helped break through every impasse. We followed their advice to the letter and we've been growing profitably ever since. We are still following the book's advice and I'm still giving copies of the book to new colleagues and other CEOs. If you're going to merge two companies, do what we did. Buy this book for every member of the management team and insist that they read it. You'll be glad you did.

Unexpectedly fun to read!
I had expected to get a dry, formulaic tome on standard business practices from a couple of long-time PWC executives. What I found in this book is actually an entertaining and deeply insightful guide to merger and acquisition integration strategy. I also found it to have actionable recommendations, and would urge anyone working on a merger or acquisition to READ THIS FIRST!

Very thought provoking
This book is an excellent view of the M&A process from a very different angle. Many books cover the mechanics of the process, but this one looks at the outcomes for human beings - our most important assets. I would recommend it highly.

Worth reading
Having been on the receiving end of several poorly-executed acquisitions, I much appreciated the authors' vivid descriptions of merger complexity - and their straightforward advice on how to avoid it. Definitely worth reading.

The best of them all
My company has been making acquisitions for over twenty years and I think we've read all the merger books in print. "Five Frogs" is the winner when it comes to candid, practical and intuitive advice on how to accelerate through the post-deal transition without destroying shareholder value. Its a fast and easy read that makes its points clearly and with great examples that force you to think intelligently about decisions that must be made and executed quickly. The two chapters on internal and external communications planning and execution alone are worth the price. Our results from following the authors'advice on post-deal priority setting were both powerful and surprisingly painless. We're about to go through the biggest merger in our history and every member of every transition team in both companies now has a copy of "Five Frogs." It's become our merger bible. Also, if you get a chance to hear Feldman speak on the subject, don't miss it. He's an articulate and entertaining speaker who's seen it all. Very motivating. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Well worth getting the update
Cheng Hsiao's 1986 monograph "Analysis of Panel Data" drew the attention of many to the inherent advantages of using longitudinal (ie. panel) data sets, where the same subjects are observed at different periods in time. Substantially as a result of Hsiao's excellent presentation of key issues, the volume of research using panel data increased dramatically during the next fifteen years.

It is especially timely that Hsiao has written an updated version of this classic. All the essential concepts from the first edition have been retained; in addition, the author does a very good job of providing coverage of the many advances which have been made in analysis of panel data since 1986.

Of special note, in relation to the second edition, are the chapters on dynamic models (Ch. 4) and discrete response models (Ch. 7). These two areas have been particularly in need of an updated treatment, since a great deal of recent research has taken place into the properties of estimators in these situations. Hsiao's treatments of these are correct up to and including 2001, which provides a major service for researchers interested in these topics.

An alternative book, by Badi Baltagi, exists. However, Hsiao's book is superior and should be purchased by all who wish to pursue modern empirical work.

A classic.
This book is a classic on panel data econometrics. Nevertheless, the materials in this book do not account for nonstationary panel data. I am anxiously waiting for Arellano's Panel Data Econometrics, which contains up-to-date treatment.

A book necessary for panel data analysis
This neat monograph is necessary for any research in panel data analysis. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

not a "textbook" on macro...
This is basically a handbook of mathematical methods necessary to study dynamic economic modells. As such it does a very good job, since as the authors note, just presenting the applications without developing the necessary mathematics would require the reader to keep quite a few math books alongside to keep going at an acceptable pace. It should be clear that the applications developed in this book are idiosyncratic (Carnegie-Mellon/Chicago/Minnesota school).
The book certainly doesn't work too well in a first year graduate Macro course, for that it is simply too terse. That a lot of material is left to the exercises certainly has to do with the fact that the book is already quite thick. In general this is going to be a textbook for a course and won't be used for self-study. Therefore i don't think that missing solutions to exercises are too much of a problem.
I think the book is useful for someone with an "ok" math backround, who has not yet had the chance to study dynamic programming, measure theory and lesbesque integration etc. and who wants to go beyond the typical first year macro stuff. If you have a strong math backround this book is rather unnecessary, save maybe the chapters on applications. I give the book 5 stars as a mathematical compendium, as a macro textbook (which the authors to not claim to have produced) it should get less.

You better read something else
This is among the worst books I've seen in economics. I suggest you read something else in maths such as dynamic programming, stochastic dynamic programming, measure theory to get the neccessary tools instead of reading this book. By studying these serious books in maths, you get the foundations. The arguments do not flow. To much exercises are left for the readers. The explanations are bad and too terse. The references are really bad and creat a lot of diffculties for you to keep track. This book teachs you many thing you can find in Sargent's three books: Dynamic macroeconomics, recursive macroeocnomics and macro theory. But I found those books are much,much more entertaining and systematic. Forget about this book. I first studied this just to get pass with my course requirement however, after that I switched to more serious mathematic books and read Sargent's in complement. That helps.

Good as research reference, but not in mastering the field
As a research economist or graduate student, especially if working in economic theory or dynamic macroeconomics, it is difficult to overstate the value of this book as a handy guide for a set of essential facts (re: theorems) regarding the existence of solutions to dynamic programming problems or markov decision processes, as well as characterizing the properties of the set of solutions.
That being said, this is not the book a budding theorist wants to learn techniques from (For the mathematical prerequisites: measure theory, topology, probability, stochastic processes, hilbert spaces, there are better treatments in the math literature. For dynamic programming in discrete time itself: Bertsekas and Shreve's 1978 text is far superior). Though I am not an expert in macroeconomics, I believe Sargent's sequence of books is a better source for learning the how-to-do, while keeping the economic questions crystal clear: neither of these is a strong point of this book.

Classic Textbook on Mathematics for Economists
Let's get three things straight. This book is (1) a textbook, (2) in mathematical techniques, and (3) aimed at economists. As a textbook, it contains a large number of exercises with which students can test their understanding. As it is written for economists, it is not as rigorous as a mathematics text, but is pitched at a level of rigor appropriate for an economics graduate program at a school like Chicago. As it is a mathematics text, it does not emphasize the economics underlying the problems.

Given this, I think the book does a wonderful job. It is beautifully intuitive, illustrated with lots of examples, and is just rigorous enough to provide the grounding necessary to go on to more advanced mathematics texts.

And for those who want a solutions manual, one is on the way ... Harvard University Press expects to release one some time in 2002. Early drafts are available from the authors: Irigoyen, Rossi-Hansberg and Wright, who are all graduate students at Chicago....

A book in need of a study guide.
First, let me say that this is an IMPORTANT book; about as important a book on macro that has come out in the last 30 years. That said, it is a horrible book to learn by. It should not bill itself as anything other than a reference book. It doesn't have any examples; just a lot of exercises. By trying to be general, it leaves the beginning student without a clue as to how to apply this in a more concrete context. In short, if ever there was a book in need of a study guide with examples worked out, this is it. ... Read more

Book Description

Brad Schiller's text, The Macroeconomy Today, 9/e, is noted for its three great strengths: readability, policy orientation, and pedagogy.His accessible writing style engages students and brings some of the excitement of domestic and global economic news into the classroom.Schiller emphasizes how policymakers must choose between government intervention and market reliance to resolve the core issues of what, how, and for whom to produce.This strategic choice is highlighted throughout the full range of micro, macro, and international issues.Every chapter ends with a policy issue that emphasizes the markets vs. government dilemma.And Schiller packs his chapters with the facts of economic life-real stories, not fables.This is a book that teaches economics in a relevant context and with careful pedagogy.Schiller 9e is for students motivated by real-world policy issues who want to become economically literate.This is a book students actually READ.Schiller is also known for its cutting-edgeand current coverage of today’s issues. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Macroeconomy Today
This textbook is quite a comprehensive of introductory macroeconomics. Great graphs, well-explained, carefully thought out. The one downside is that it is quite idealistic, as one would expect of a neo-classical economist. The author does not recognize flaws in the theories nor does he acknowledge that the real world is not so cut-and-dry and ordered as we would be led to believe. However, as stated before, this is a wonderful introductory text for anyone who wants to understand the economy today. ... Read more