Reviews (2)

History Matters, and how!
This is a celebratory volume for Paul A. David, the noted Stanford (and subsequently Oxford) economic historian. David is known internationally for his contributions in American economic history, demography, and the economics of science and technology. He has long been engaged in investigating the conditions that give rise to path dependence in micro- and macro-economic phenomena.

The book brings together a group of David's students and colleagues who present seventeen papers. Nine of the papers deal with path-dependence, one of David's trademark issues; four of the papers look to the influence of culture, geography, and political institutions on economies and policies, another area in which David has made important contributions; and four deal with economic growth and demographic change, yet another of David's central concerns.

The cast of authors is impressive, including David's Stanford colleague and Nobel laureate Kenneth Arrow, as well as contemporaries from the old guard in economic history, Peter Temin, Richard Sutch, and Charles Feinstein. Contributors from a younger generation include a number of David's impressive students: Charles Calomiris, Tim Guinnane, Joshua Rosenbloom, Bill Sundstrom, David Weiman, David Weir, and Warren Whatley.

Guinnane, Sundstrom, and Whatley are to be commended for putting together such an outstanding volume. They have surely done their teacher proud.

yes, history matters
The editors of this festschrift for Paul David, one of the greatest living economic historians - and one of those who has influenced leading economists most - have done him proud.

Festschrifts don't always work. They are prone to prolixity, and to be the recepticles of papers unwanted elsewhere. This is not the case here. The editors' decision to focus only on topics associated with Paul David give his Festschrift more unity than most, and Guinnane et al. have persuaded a stellar list of authors to contribute. These include Nobel Laureate Ken Arrow, Charles Feinstein, Tim Besley, David Weir, Warren Sanderson, and several more.

Over four decades Paul David has made seminal, brilliant, and highly imaginative contributions to the measurement of early U.S. economic growth, to explaining that growth, to the economics and economic history of technological change, and to demographic history. For this he deserves the gratitude of all economic historians. The papers reflect his achievement, and point to its ability to inspire more work.

All economic historians need to know about and read chunks of this book. ... Read more

Amazon

Is Microsoft truly a classic monopoly, whose aggressive pursuit of markets for Internet browsers and operating systems is harmful to consumers and worthy of government intervention? Or has it actually been a victim of aggressive rivals (led by Sun, Novell, Oracle, and IBM) who called in high-level favors to keep Bill Gates & Company out of the lucrative market for network servers? Richard McKenzie, a noted economist with the University of California at Irvine and the author of more than 20 books, is convinced of the latter. He advances a formidable argument on that behalf in Trust on Trial, which maintains "the Microsoft case has shown--and not for the first time--how politics can taint the antitrust enforcement process." Starting with copies of major U.S. antitrust laws, McKenzie shows how cases such as this eventually may affect consumers in both the short and long term. With some people unconditionally opposed to anything out of Redmond, of course, his thesis won't convince everyone the government proceedings are a sham. But even many of Microsoft's detractors should concede that he makes a compelling point, particularly with his overriding contention that the process is usually political. "More than Microsoft is now on trial: trust in antitrust enforcement is on trial," he says. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Reviews (13)

powerful insights on every page
The technological revolution should be causing a fundamental reevaluation of the government's role in the economy. Whether that reevaluation takes place, or government policy stays rooted in 19th-century understanding will be determined for some time to come by the Justice Department's case against Microsoft. For a accessible and lively account of the issues involved and what is at stake, I can think of no better book than Trust on Trial by Richard McKenzie. Is Microsoft a monopolist? The Justice Department says yes based on considerations that were thought relevant when the Sherman Antitrust statute become law in 1890. McKenzie makes a compelling case that these considerations no longer provide useful guidance to antitrust policy. Microsoft may have a dominant market share, but it certainly is not acting like a monopolist. Monopolists are suppose to restrict output and raise price, but Microsoft has done exactly the opposite. McKenzie explains how the network and "lock-in" effects that the justice department argues Microsoft are using to exploit consumers have rendered traditional notions of monopoly obsolete. Instead of these effects allowing microsoft to exploit consumers, they explain why competition in the software industry, and other technology industries is more intense than ever and why this competition, which is enormously beneficial to consumers, leads to firms that temporarily dominate their industy. And the only hope these firms have for prolonging this dominance is by not behaving like a monopolist. In addition to providing powerful economic insights, McKenzie also points to the real motivation driving the Microsoft case, and it has nothing to do with protecting the consumer. The justication for antitrust action is to protect the consumer by protecting competition. Unfortunately, in reality the motivation has more often than not that of protecting competitors who find they can do better by influencing politicians than by satisfying consumers. This certainly seems to be true in the Microsoft case, and McKenzie pulls no punches when laying out the evidence. It should be emphasized that this book is not a puff piece for Microsoft. McKenzie has no financial or emotional stake in Microsoft's successes of failures, and he points to the blemishes and warts on Microsoft's behavior. McKenzie's motivation seems to be nothing more than a desire that sound economic analysis be used to determine what is best for the consumer--something that should be the dominant motivation of the Justice Department, but which obviously isn't. A great book. Enjoyable and informative.

A Careful Analysis
Anyone who has followed the Microsoft trial has to be impressed with the skill and flair of the Government's legal team (and less than overwhelmed with the performance of Microsoft's defense lawyers). But putting such professionalism aside, many thoughtful people have misgivings about the Antitrust Division's attack on Microsoft and the trial court's sweeping and conclusory findings. Richard B. McKenzie's Trust on Trial: How the Microsoft Case Is Framing the Rules of Competition is an informative book on the Microsoft case. Professor McKenzie makes noteworthy points about monopoly behavior and the fluidity and competitiveness of the computer industry. He offers an interesting analysis of the reasons why Microsoft gave away its Internet Explorer browser for free, as well as anecdotal insights into the companies and key players involved. He also reminds us that the heart of an antitrust case like this one is that consumers have suffered antitrust injury, of which he sees little or no evidence.That said, Trust on Trial is not an easy book to read for anyone not steeped in economics or antitrust. Readers must endure a number of scholarly discourses on management theory and political science, at least some of which could have used an editor's careful hand. In addition, some points are treated more lightly than some readers might prefer. For example, while McKenzie casts doubt on the validity of the so-called "applications barrier to entry," he could have strengthened his point by several concrete illustrations. As another, the competing views at trial of Microsoft's dealings with its developers regarding Java are hardly mentioned. On balance, you have to want to read Trust on Trial to get something from it. If you do read it, you will get useful insights into the lawsuit and the role of antitrust in today's technologies. And you will be better poised to analyze the next Microsoft battlefield-no, not the remedies phase or the appeals process, as important as they will be-but all those private antitrust class action lawsuits brought by plaintiff's lawyers just waiting to move billions of dollars from Bill Gates' pockets to their own.

Fascinating View of Microsoft Propaganda
Mr. McKenzie's piece on the Microsoft monopoly is amusing if factually biased and tendered towards Microsoft.

Considering all legal disputes in regards to Microsoft's guilt are a moot point, the nature of this works is to try the legal system to deflect attention from Microsoft's anticompetitive behavior. These circumstances lead one to wonder what the class status of a lawbreaker is such that it can argue that it is in fact the law that is incorrect, not the behavior.

This title is a fascinating lobbying piece and a valid historical reference of Microsoft Propaganda in the Antitrust Years.

obviously biased analysis
As an attorney with a background in antitrust law, I was anxious to find a book that could cut through all the hype surrounding the Microsoft case. McKenzie approaches the case with an obvious axe to grind in favor of Microsoft; now, that's okay, as long as he still makes rational arguments. But his argumentation reads like a law school student trying to prove his antitrust professor wrong. I will give just one example--he argues that Microsoft isn't a "monopolist" because they "only" control 90% of the market. Anyone familiar with antirtrust law knows that the term "monopoly" need not be taken literally, and that market power can be exercised by a firm controlling far, far less than 90% of a market. Such spurious argumentation make you wonder if Bill Gates didn't subsidize this book.

Richard McKenzie: Trust on Trial
As an economist specializing on public policy, I have found the Microsoft case fascinating enough to have plowed through the economists' testimony in the case, the briefs from DOJ and Microsoft, the judge's findings, and a bit of the interpretive writings.

Mc Kenzie proved an excellent guide. My assessment is that the government totally failed in establishing the critical premises that Microsoft had a monopoly and predatory practices were a plausible strategy. The government's case on these points barely existed, and its lead expert contracticed himself and his prior writings. In contrast, Microsoft's expert economist present a coherent argument about why Microsoft should not be considered a monopolist and why the charges of predation were invalid. The government sought to hide this deficiency by concentrating on the tertiary point that Microsoft was aggressive. The government's experts and the judge got so steamed up about the appearances that they forgot the fundamental economic point the aggression without monopoly is useless.

The judge showed no understanding of the economcs and was not particularly astute about what any experience computer user knows. For example, he swallowed the government nonsense about the difficulties of downloading. (If it were so difficult, this site would not be as good as it is. )

McKenzie's careful, economically sound review of the case gives a perspective sadly lacking in the journalistic accounts that I have seen (including the press and magazine articles that were the basis for two of the three available journalistic accounts).

McKenzie, in particular, concentrates on the germane issue of why Microsoft should not be considered a monopolist out to overcharge consumers. He shows that the case really is one of rivals, unable to compete in the marketplace, running to Washington for aid. The book is a readable introduction to these critical economic points. It tells how the case developed and what the underlying economics are. People wanting a treatment of what really matters in the case should skip the journalists and try McKenzie. He is evidence that technical problems that journalists fear to treat can be made understandable. ... Read more

Book Description

How far have OECD countries advanced in their move to a knowledge-based economy? Which new technologies are growing in importance? How far have information and communications technologies spread? How are these trends affecting the global interaction of economies, in trade and investment as well as science and technology? And how does this affect productivity and industrial competitiveness?

Over 200 graphs, many of which are new to this edition—the sixth in a series spanning a decade —provide a comprehensive picture of countries’ performance in the areas of science, technology, globalization, and industry. New indicators address emerging policy issues: international mobility of researchers and scientists, innovation as measured by patent families, biotechnology, nanotechnology, new indicators on the information economy, the role of multinational enterprises, productivity, firm turnover, and industrial performance.

With the essential findings presented as bullet points and in methodological notes on indicators and data sources, this publication combines statistical rigor with easy access and readability. ... Read more

Book Description

If you're fascinated with technology and prefer working with words and symbols than with transistors, software may be the career for you. Software does require a different skill-set than hardware engineering but the basic characteristics—a desire for an elegant solution, a need to make things work, patience, and creativity—are similar. The working environment for a software engineer is slightly different from that of someone in hardware in that the former is a little more independent. Though team-based, most software workflows require a lot more solo work

The hardware industry is far ranging, its products showing up in places you might not expect. Of course there are the giant servers, the desktop computers, the game consoles. But there are also the microchips that go in cell phones, into talking teddy bears, into car engines. All present characteristic and sometimes unique challenges—so, if you're the type who always loved taking apart toys, is obsessed by circuit diagrams and all that arcane stuff, don't just look at computer companies for potential jobs. And, in your search, don't forget to look at the companies that make products that connect to all of the above: printers, keyboards, microphones, diagnostic devices are all "hardware."

This WetFeet Insider will tell you what to expect in the computer software and hardware industries and how to get into them. Read this insider to learn:

• Who the major players are and what products they produce.
  
• How the major trends of consolidation, downsizing, and outsourcing affect you, the job seeker.
  
• The range of positions available in these industries -- from software engineer to marketing communications specialist.
  
• What a typical day in the life is like for a few veterans.
  
• What the hours are like, and the compensation you can expect.
  
• What to do (and not to do) before and during the interview.
  
• More!

Reviews (3)

good info on programming opps
as a programmer at a small start-up in the SF bay area, i've been thinking i'd like to get into a (larger) company with more stability. but which ones are likely to stick around for the long term (at least more than a couple years)? well, a friend recommended i check out wetfeet's library to see what it had on computer programming, and i found this guide. it was not only extremely informative, but it was clearly written by someone in the industry. i now have a good idea about who i should be gunning for....my top 10 list has solidified since reading this book. it also helped to read the real people profiles of people who are ahead of me in their career track and see myself in one of those roles.

Reassurance for Computer Geeks
As a recent computer science graduate, it won't suprise anyone to say that I've been a little disappointed with the opportunities available to me, especially after seeing my peers just a few years ahead of me with all kinds of options. So I bought this guide, with a certain amount of skepticism.

However, upon opening up to the Industry Overview, I was reassured to find that the guide was actually quite current: "2002 is a different world than 1999, or even 2001. Gone are the days where simply flashing a Computer Science (CS), Electrical Engineering (EE) or MBA degree was enough to start the flow of lucrative job offers." Yah!, I thought, so what do I do now? This guide went on to answer just that question. Now I have a much better idea of which areas of the industry are the most promising right now, and where I should focus my job search, as well as an overview of the main (and still-existing) companies to look at.

The "Getting Hired" section was especially helpful because it broke down information for Undergrads, Advanced Degrees, and Midcareers, rather than just giving general instructions that may or may not apply to you directly. I also found the following Interview Tips helpful for any interview situation.

Well written and informative!
This was a great read--I enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek writing style, and the let's-not-look-at-this-industry-through-rose-colored-glasses approach. It certainly didn't turn me off to wanting to get into computer software once I graduate with my EECS degree; instead, it helped me narrow down my list of future employers so that i can continue my research in a more focused and efficient manner. Thanks Wetfeet, for a job well-done. ... Read more

Book Description

Plunkett’s InfoTech Industry Almanac presents a complete analysis of the technology business, including the convergence of hardware, software, entertainment and telecommunications.This market research tool includes our analysis of the 15 major trends affecting the industry, from the saturation of the PC market, to Wi-Fi and ultrawideband, to open systems, web services and supercomputing. In addition, we provide 17 major statistical tables covering the industry, from computer sector revenues to broadband subscribers to semiconductor industry production. No other source provides this book’s easy-to-understand comparisons of growth, expenditures, technologies, imports/exports, corporations, research and other vital subjects. The corporate profile section provides in-depth, one-page profiles on each of the top 500 InfoTech companies. We have used our massive databases to provide you with unique, objective analysis of the largest and most exciting companies in: Computer Hardware, Computer Software, Internet Services, E-Commerce, Networking, Semiconductors, Memory, Storage, Information Management and Data Processing. We've been working harder than ever to gather data on all the latest trends in information technology. Our research effort includes an exhaustive study of new technologies and discussions with experts at dozens of innovative tech companies. Purchasers of the printed book or PDF version may receive a free CD-ROM database of the corporate profiles, enabling export of vital corporate data for mail merge and other uses. 646 pages. ... Read more

Book Description

He is Thomas Edison and Henry Ford rolled into one -- except that William Henry Gates III maybe smarter and more successful than either. He is America's richest man, and on the corporate landscape, he may well be the most feared. In less than a generation, Bill Gates has done nothing less than change the way we live and work.

Here is Bill Gate's story, taking you inside the mind of this brilliant visionary and inside the rise of Microsoft, the world's most succesful corporation. What unique combination of historical factors and personal qualities made Gates the right man at the right time? How did he invent an industry from scratch, and what choices -- from people to products -- made Microsoft the resounding success it has become? How has the company faces Apple, Netscape, and its other competitors and partners? From Microsoft's Redmond, Washington, campus to Gates' relationships with women and with other business people, like fellow billionaire Warren Buffett, here is a compelling portrait of a unique American citizen at the dawn of the twenty-first century: a man whose career, and his effect on our world, has only begun. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

GOOD BOOK! you should read it.
This book is a great book. It is a condensed version of his life... Instead of reading too much into boring details you get the quick fast pace version in a great, easy to read novel. The author has obviously done great research of his subject. Do not listen to these other reviews which are obviously from people who hate Bill Gates. Below you will find my summary and analysis of this book:

Bill Gates is probably one of the smartest and most successful men of our time, maybe of all time. This book is the summary of Bill Gates' path to success and the history of how our society became dependant on computers and of course Microsoft. How did Bill Gates become the richest man ever know? What Challenges did he face? All is revealed about the man behind Microsoft, the company that changed how we live.

Bill Gates is a genius that is probably smarter than anyone you will ever know. Here is the story that will show you his inner workings. Interesting combinations of unique personality characteristics that this man has is what has made him the success he is and is explained to you in this story.

Contrived, biased
This book is definitely not worth reading. The premise is misleading (it is hardly in-depth), writing is poor (I found numerous typographical errors), all views are strongly biased towards Gates, and none of the author's arguments are supported sufficiently.

Just plain stinks
If this book is called The Path to the Future, why does the author spend so much time talking about the past? The book contains boring histories that everyone already knows, plus a lot of filler and no actual insights. Don't waste your time. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Love him or hate him, no matter how you feel about Bill Gates, you've got to respect him. As the richest man in the world and leader of the most successful company of our day, Gates has achieved a level of success that even the Almighty might be jealous of. In Bill Gates Speaks, Janet Lowe captures much of the Gates legend by weaving together stories and quotes attributed to Gates in speeches, newspapers, and interviews in a short and easy-to-read volume. The book covers everything from Gates's time at Harvard to the construction of his "home" on the shores of Lake Washington near Seattle. The result is a well-rounded look at the man who has helped to shape our present more than any other individual alive today. --Harry C. Edwards ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Nothing "Original" But Still A Good Book for Young Teens
This is one of a series of books that covers highly successful, highly visible individuals and how they got that way. These books are targeted at school age teens to inspire them to follow their paths for success. The author seems to cover the life stories of Bill Gates and adds quotes where appropriate to boost the storyline. There are occasional segments on subjects related to Gates as shown in the Amazon's "Look in" review. It's an easy read with only 230 pages. If you read any of the other books such as "Gates" or "Hard Drive" you'll get the feeling of reading this book before. Since the work isn't original and seems to heavily reference other books I give it 3 stars. The only question I have is whether the author actual sat down with Bill Gates and talked to him or did she really just go to the library, the Internet, etc. to get info on the book. As a first book on Bill Gates life, it's still a good read for young adults looking to be inspired.

It's just a sumary of other books
It's an easy to read story of Gates, but there's nothing new here.In fact, the whole book is made up of quotes from other books and articles.You can't really tell if they are taken out of context or not.There's just not much original stuff here.

No Meat To This BooK!
I like to be told a story. Although the book starts with a good story on how Bill Gates got started, it quickly digresses. This book is an accumulation of facts and boring accounts about Bill Gates and Microsoft. It never gets into the meat of things. I would have liked to have read more about the litigations against Microsoft. Maybe some more about Nescape's lawsuit. It mentions very little about the Antitrust lawsuit that I was looking forward to learning about. Instead we get quotes from Bill Gates that do not enhance the book, but instead interrupt it. The author references websites about Microsoft's and the government's claims about the lawsuit. It's like the author got lazy. Don't waste your money on this book. A very big dissapointment!

Not what I thought
While this book was well written, I was dissapointed with what I learned about Bill Gates. There was not enough detail and the book was pieced together from a number of different quotes, which is ok for many biographies but the extent of the number of quotes compared to the varied sources did not complete the picture.

The books cover claimed 'Insight From The Worlds Greatest Entrepreneur' but I did not feel an insight.

Despite the above, if you like Bill Gates and want to learn a little more about him, I recommend this book. There are some fun stories and some things to be learned about the man. It is put together nicely, it makes a high claim but does not completely deliver on this claim.

A compelling "biography"
I met and spoke to Mssr. Gates six years ago and he came across as very smart and very down-to-earth.This book captures the thoughts and actions of this genius very well.It's easy and pleasant to read, unlike otherboring biographies (and Gates' own books :).I think it also gives thereaders plenty to think about. ... Read more

Book Description

Everything you need to know to capitalize on the hottest job sector ever! There's never been a better time to get an Internet-related job. The market for Webmasters, software engineers, and other computer talent is booming. What do these jobs require? Who has the best opportunities? How to find the most comfortable fit and highest pay? This insider's guide knows and tells all. From the basics to the fine points, it delivers the information every new and experienced Internet job seeker needs: where the jobs are--the 50 top cities; what the jobs are--complete with job titles; top 100 Internet employers; data on salaries, stock options, work hours, dress code, unusual perks, and more; guidance on certifications; pros and cons of temp/contract work vs. staff positions, start-ups vs. established companies, and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Not worth the paper.
If the paper had been blank, I could have used it to print some code.

I got my job through Internet Jobs.
Just joking. This book really does not list any jobs. Rather, it discusses some of the trends that are shaping the world of Internet jobs. The books suggests that in the next few years all jobs will be Inetrnet jobs. The best thing about the book is how it organizes jobs into three classifications: content, infrastructure, and business. Jobs in all three areas are changing and people who understand those changes are in a much better position to get the best jobs. This book helped me understand what to look for in a position.

Very useful
I found this book to be very useful to me. The author presents a positive, upbeat prespective of the oppurtunities and challenges presented by the Internet. ... Read more

Book Description

Companies such as Toyota, Nissan, and Sony have a powerful presence in world markets, so much so that their names are household words to Western consumers. But another group of Japanese companies--NTT (Nippon Telephone & Telegraph), NEC, Sumitomo Electric, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Toshiba--are not so well known. Though they are economic powerhouses in Japan and very large by world standards--indeed, NTT was recently identified as the largest company in the entire world by BusinessWeek-- these computer and communications firms have not achieved the same global success as their neighbors in automobiles and consumer electronics. Why should this be so? And what are the implications of the global marketplace for the future competitiveness of these companies?

Japan's Computer and Communications Industry is the most authoritative examination to date of the strengths and weaknesses, past and future of this dynamic sector of the Japanese economy. Based on more than 600 personal interviews with Japanese leaders taken over a period of over eight years, this book provides an unprecedented amount of new empirical material, offering the fullest picture ever of its subject. Its special focus on NTT (Japan's AT&T) will be of particular interest as that company tries to fend off a government move to break it up into smaller companies in 1995. And its clear analyses of complex issues will be essential reading for a broad audience of economists, businesspeople, and investors who study Japan, do business with Japan, or work in the computer and communications industry worldwide. ... Read more

Book Description

"Nathan Newman has written a fascinating history of the Silicon Valley that chronicles the federal government’s leading role in creating, and then privatizing, the Internet. Net Loss not only dispels the myth that the Internet emerged full-blown as a result of entrepreneurial risk in a competitive marketplace, but also explains in depth how forces of globalization have undermined regional economies in California while reshaping social and political life in local communities. This groundbreaking book is a must read for anyone concerned with the power of global corporations and the future of democratic governance."—Scott Bowman, California State University, Los Angeles

"Net Loss is the perfect antidote for the confusion generated by the years of hype and the recent disillusionment surrounding the Internet economy. Nathan Newman offers a cogent and original analysis of what the Internet has really meant to the regional economy of the Silicon Valley as well as to other regions. Anyone in search of fresh ideas carefully grounded in a rich base of research will find this book just what they have been looking for."—Peter Evans, University of California, Berkeley

How has the Internet been changing our lives, and how did these changes come about? Nathan Newman seeks the answers to these questions by studying the emergence of the Internet economy in Silicon Valley and the transformation of power relations it has brought about in our new information age. Net Loss is his effort to understand why technological innovation and growth have been accompanied by increasing economic inequality and a sense of political powerlessness among large sectors of the population.

Newman first tells the story of the federal government’s crucial role in the early development of the Internet, with the promotion of open computer standards and collaborative business practices that became the driving force of the Silicon Valley model. He then examines the complex dynamic of the process whereby regional economies have been changing as business alliances built around industries like the Internet replace the broader public investments that fueled regional growth in the past. A radical restructuring of once regionally focused industries like banking, electric utilities, and telephone companies is under way, with changes in federal regulation helping to undermine regional planning and the power of local community actors. The rise of global Internet commerce itself contributes to weakening the tax base of local governments, even as these governments increasingly use networked technology to market themselves and their citizens to global business, usually at the expense of all but their most elite residents. More optimistically, Newman sees an emerging countertrend of global use of the Internet by grassroots organizations, such as those in the antiglobalization movements, that may help to transcend this local powerlessness. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Startling cogent analysis
What fun this was to read!It's so refreshing to read something that looks at the actual facts, crunches the data, and tells me the way it is, the way it should be, and how to fix it-- in clear language!Newman's argument is flawless, and I couldn't put it down.Read this to learn how little fish can team up to eat big fish.

Challenges conventional wisdom
After having the lights go out in the Northeast, it's worth reading a book that predicted the problems coming from deregulating "networked" industries.More broadly, it challenges the conventional wisdom on the Internet-- from making clear how much the tech boom was based on government regulation and spending as well as why it was the withdrawal of government that helped lead to the Silicon Valley bust in the last 90s.

Highly recommended.

It's good for you and it tastes good too!
This author has somehow taken topics that, despite their importance, ordinarily would make my eyes glaze over with boredom and has through pithy writing and an abiliy to interpret complicated matters for the lay person acually managed to make them into a fun book to read.I highly recomend this book especially if it is not the type you would typically read.

Myth about a 'myth'
I don't know anyone who believes that anyone other than the government, through DARPA originated the Internet ... so why the book? ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

The first journalist to herald the New Economy of the 1990s now predicts a stunning, sharp downturn: why it will happen, when it's coming, and what will happen afterward.

The economist most renowned for predicting the New Economy of the 1990s now returns-just as books like The Long Boom and Dow 36,000 are turning the idea of perpetual prosperity into conventional wisdom-to say that the dominating economic event of the next few years is likely to be a deep recession, perhaps even a depression. Michael J. Mandel begins The Coming Internet Depression by explaining why just such a depression is not only possible but increasingly likely. His explanation is based in a comparison of the present period with the 1920s: both saw tremendous growth in GDP that was largely centered on the "hypergrowth" of a single industry-automobiles in the 1920s, information technology today. When this "hypergrowth" reverts to a normal growth pattern, as the automobile industry did in 1929, the resulting overcapacity will slow down the entire economy. Mandel addresses three key questions: When will the Internet Depression start? How will we know when it's coming? How bad will it be? Finally, he shows how investors, workers, and businesses can navigate the bad times safely and prosper in the long recovery that will follow. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Don't understand the internet economy? Read this book.
Don't judge a book by it's cover....or in this case, by it's title. The author (Michael J. Mandel) displays a very convincing understanding of the "New Economy". He vividly points out that many economists today have proven they do not understand it, and that some even deny it's existence. This book is not a doom and gloom story as the title would suggest, but is rather a keen insight to future business cycles as compared to past cycles. It is a study of what is really driving our economy today, and how much it differs from the past economic expansions. Most notably, the internet boom will end like no other boom has ever before, and how it must be understood by decision makers when that ultimately happens, else we truly will have a depression on our hands.

I found this book hard to put down, and read it cover to cover in one day. Although parts of it were somewhat dry or repetitive, I recommend it. I have already ordered a copy for my father.

Has W Become Hoover 2
Should the title be changed to "The Currant Internet Depression'? It seems likely. Mandel highlights the obvious parallels between the twenties and the nineties, and explains in detail why he expects why he the currant economic protections to ineffective and dealing with the possible collapse of the New Economy. His main thesis is that the currant economists, business leaders and government officials will be as unprepared for the tech collapse as the people of Hoover's time were for the stock crash, and for much the same reasons. Mandel believes the 'New Economy' is more important even than New Economy proponents suggest, and that it's collapse will lead a general collapse by a few years. He suggests that it represents an economic shift of the magnitude that took place in the twenties with the emergence of personal credit and the spread of new technologies of the time. He does not claim, as his overconfident knee jerk critics will expect, that the collapse will happen the same way as the Great Depression. Indeed, this is the opposite of his thesis; although he does point out that the conservative economists of the twenties were just as certain that there could never again be a collapse. One ideologue I mentioned the work to dismissed it out of hand because of the SEC and the FDIC, it's this sort of overconfidence that lead to the last collapse and the inability to cope with it when it did occur. Indeed, given Congresses willingness to allow the protections installed in the thirties to lapse (allowing consolidation and cross pollination in the financial/insurance world) perhaps it WILL happen just the way that it did, especially if the knee jerk anti-government lassie fare radicals actually get their way. If anything, Mandel is to optimistic, especially when he suggests that Venture Capitalists are a hardy forward-looking bunch. Mandel's scenario, with tech layoffs leading to a crisis of consumer confidence and subsequent personal bankruptcies and an unwillingness on the part of VC's to indulge in risky spending to jump start the tech sector seems compelling, and not simply because it seems to be happening now. Is the 'recession' really a 'depression' and will it last as long as Mandel suggests? You can decide for your self, but you ought to read the book, if for no other reason than to understand the underlying weakness of a risk driven economy.

Put a crystal ball in front of this guy!!!
Mandel called it before it happened.... He recognized the patterns in psychographics, world economics, technology, and the road ahead. He shows that the paradigms of the technology driven society we hastily built will need to radically change if we are to continue growing. As we are all painfully aware, we built upon the euphoria of intrinsic technology while the foundation was being eroded by weak (to non-existent) earnings and fundamental business needs. If you want to understand exactly what's going on right now and how to position yourself for the future, you will want to get this book!

He is right, but just how right?
After seeing MJ Mandel again on cnbc tonight, I felt motivated to send a copy of his his book to a friend. I had first read it about 5 months ago, and am increasingly impressed by how it is playing out in real time now. It is clearly written and is a natural follow up read to Dow 64000 ( I wish ), and to 'Irrational Exuberence". The book was apparently written well before the ongoing fall of the nasdaq these past months. He presents concepts on the tech cycle and "new economy" worth considering by all, and appears to correctly emphasize the danger of too slow monitary and fiscal response to the increasing tech downturn ( come on congress and Greenspan ).His discussion of the delay between the nasdaq fall and the economy fall some year or so later appears well thought out.Hopefully the extent of the down turn he contemplates, will prove milder than he fears ;if so good. If not, this book is surely an important read for investors.

Solid book
This is a very informative, level headed look at all the current trends and what the natural result will be. And a note to all the people who decided to review it, you seem to justify the stigma that no two economists can ever agree upon anything. As Ronal Reagan said "An economist seems to me to be someone who see's something happen in practice and wonder if it could work in theory". It somehow never works in reverse. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If a company's soul is defined by its employees, Cheryl Tsang's Microsoft First Generation offers the definitive look at the way one of the world's top corporations has really been shaped. In straightforward but perceptive profiles, Tsang introduces a dozen key individuals hired by Bill Gates and Paul Allen before 1990--when the primary focus was creation and development, rather than growth and maintenance. They are mathematician-programmer Bob O'Rear (hired two years before Microsoft relocated from Albuquerque to Seattle), technical writer Russell Borland, programmer Richard Brodie, senior vice president Scott Oki, chief information officer Neil Evans, CPA Dave Neir, Ida Cole (the first female VP), CD-ROM author Min Yee, technical manager Ron Harding, publishing-systems manager Russell Steele, Asian-business-development manager Paul Sribhibhadh, and senior diversity administrator Trish Millines Dziko. "The people who comprised Microsoft's first generation were exactly right for their time. They were the pioneers," Tsang writes. "The founders of Microsoft were shrewd to have hired them, for the company's monumental and continuing success would not have been possible without [their] exceptional work and passion." --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Truly awful
It is such a shame. Imagine a party where everyone is telling the best reditions (often exaggerated) of their life choices and career path. These party goes will be slapping each other on the back for their good judgement, their luck, their brilliance. They are unlikely to tell the truth such that you would ever use the story as a basis for your own decision making. The story is also unlikely to provide access into what actually happened so that you get a sense of being there or give lessons to repeat it. Record these stories at your next party. Transcribe them. Publish as a book.

Does what it says
I picked this book up and I think that it is very good. I started reading it right after finishing up a book on Linus Torvalds the creator of Linux. Thus this is almost the flip side of that coin, showing how Microsoft became. One thing that surprised me was that Bill Gates was not one of the main focuses of this particular book, though he is mentioned quite frequently. Rather it shows some of the others responsible for possibly the most successful computer company ever. This is not all just programmers either, but a good selection of people from various different aspects of the microsoft realm.

Dull...
Unfortunately, this book simply isn't very well written... it reads like an 8th grader's English homework. The interviewees don't really shed any light on Microsoft, and their stories are so lacking in detail as to be pointless. Read "Gates" for a far better treatment of the topic.

First Generation: A wonderful example to today's society.
Tsang's book, Microsoft: First Generation, display's a great example to today's society, and generation. The book focuses on 12 key members of Microsoft in it's earliest stages, which, in a way, helped create the infrastructure of the company. The interviews show how all 12 ex-ms employees ended up where they were, and what it took to be successful. I applaud Mrs. Tsang for her hard work. I recommend this book to anyone interested in business, or Microsoft itself.

Good Retirement Blues!
The interviews are with people (10 out of 12 pictured) who were at the company at 1996 IPO. The profiles more and less read like: He/She worked VERY hard! Had done a lot of nice things! The company started to become bureaucratic! I quit and now a have a lot of time and time.

The bottom line is: People got their money and decided to retire early. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In net.wars, Wendy Grossman accomplishes two things: She dissects and explains today's most controversial Internet issues and she thankfully explodes the myth that there were ever "good old days," when the Net was just one big happy virtual family. Grossman turns a well-tuned reporter's eye to the areas that generate the greatest amount of heat. She doesn't pretend to be a dispassionate observer, making neither bones nor apologies about being an enthusiastic netizen herself. She does, however, carefully examine all sides of each issue and she presents issues clearly before expressing her own opinion.

Grossman presents many of the issues you would expect, such as sex on the Net, the proper limitations of information security, hackers as heroes and villains, online sexism, and the dispute on the right to privacy versus the need for law enforcement. However, she also addresses less dramatic but equally fascinating issues, such as the debate between those who view the Net as an all-inclusive level society and those who are intolerant of newcomers and their mistakes. And then there's the world's newest form of bigotry--siteism--in which practitioners discriminate against a poster because they dislike the access provider the poster uses.

Rather than simply looking at the philosophical and ethical issues involved, Grossman presents the history of the various controversies, explaining landmark developments and detailing how each issue evolved into the "Net war" we see today. One example is the issue of "copyright terrorists," those who have applied old-technology definitions of intellectual rights in ways that others perceive as inhibiting free speech or as halting the fair use of knowledge. Here, the defining development in the controversy was a battle between the Church of Scientology and its opponents, where the worst casualties were, as in many real-life wars, those caught in between. Grossman traces the evolution of the battle step by step, presenting the views of key players on all sides and showing how laws intended for traditional media can have unexpected consequences when applied to the Internet. Entire volumes have been written about many of the issues discussed here, but this short book is enough to give readers an excellent grounding in all of them. ... Read more