Book Description

The Sixth Edition of BIOLOGY by Neil Campbell and Jane Reece builds upon the earlier versions' dual goals to both help readers develop a conceptual appreciation of life within the context of integrating themes, and to inspire readers to develop more positive and realistic impressions of science as a human activity. <P>The authors have thoroughly updated each of the book's eight units to reflect the existing progress in our understanding of life at its many levels, from molecules to ecosystems. Examples of updated content include the Human Genome Project, the revolution in systematics, HIV as a research model in evolutionary biology, the role of cell-signaling pathways in plant responses, new frontiers in neurobiology, and experimental approaches that are advancing ecology. To assure accurate representation of each field of biology, a team of stellar specialists has worked with the authors in updating every unit. <P>An innovative design breakthrough ensures that the art is as current as the content. Guided Tour diagrams explicitly guide readers through the more challenging figures, succinctly explaining key structures, functions, and steps of processes within the figure, reducing the need to look back and forth between legend and art. It's as if an instructor were looking over the reader's shoulder and clarifying each part of a figure! Guided Tour commentary is set in blue, making it easy to differentiate these explanations from ordinary labels and keeping the figure itself clear and uncluttered. For college instructors and students. ... Read more

Reviews (72)

a well laid out, informative book
I used this book this past summer in order to place out of College Bio I and II through a CLEP exam. Through independent study from this book and its companion CD I was able to place out in the 97th Percentile.

There is a reason why this book is still continued to be used today in classrooms as it is on its sixth edition. The authors use of layout in the book is well thought out and organized. His vast use of pictures, graphs, and tables streamline with the text of the book. In addition, the companion CD and web site provide the reader with an even greater study guide-- using interactive flash programs and video to further explain biological processes.

Further, in addition to the basic Biology taught in classrooms, this book goes one step further and explains some advancing fields in the Biology Profession. For example, chapter 20 covers the use of computers in analyzing biological data and gives prime examples from the current Human Genome Project. Further, every section of this book covers an interview with a specific individual in that profession. Such, if one is not aware of what exact field one wish's to pursue, interviews that cover some of the daily activities of these individuals are provided.

I would recommend this book for anyone who is seriously interested in Biology.

If possible I'd give it a 4.5
This is a nice book, though a bit tough for the unknowledgable person. This is supposed to be a general biology book, used by people without any prior knowledge of biology too, but I somehow don't know if they'll find it too easy. But other than that one drawback, i think that the rest of us will appreciate this book for what it's worth. It's nicely written, with a lot of illustrations and explainations. There are also many references to websites and stuff, so it's additionally useful. Depending on the book bought, there are some nice extras too. My version had a nice and very useful CD-ROM, with a lot of pictures and animations, and practice tests and etc. It also came with a free one year subsciption to an online biology website that was one of the best I've ever seen. Otherwise the subscription costs a lot. The text book by itself was good too, and I really had no need to read any outside material, I found it perfectly good. Everything considered, I really liked this book.

Not bad...could be better
Biology, by Campbell and Reece is very informative. However the book (6th Ed.) does not grab the interest of the student. As a college student, I have used Campbell's Biology publication in both Advanced Placement Biology in High School as well as Biology 1 in College. The text is very boring and does not use language which may interest the reader. Understandably, it uses strong science vocabulary, however, it tends to be a sure cure for Insomnia.

Now this, is a textbook
I loved this textbook. Imagine that, the words "love" and "textbook" in the same sentence. This is my first college Biology text so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I feel I did very well in my class not only because I love biology, but because this textbook explained everything in such an interesting and lucid way. The pictures and diagrams are wonderful and incredibly helpful. To give a random example, the chapters on cell mitosis and meiosis. This can be a potentially difficult subject if you're expected to memorize the various stages, and what the chromosomes are doing and when, but this book gives very helpful and colorful diagrams and light micrographs of each stage. The authors really understand the importance of visual learning in conjunction with reading.

Speaking of the authors, I was pleasantly surprised that the writing had a hint of personality, and didn't have the dreaded "textbook dry" monotone. It didn't feel as if robots wrote the book, as in some textbooks. I noticed they reinforced important core concepts throughout to drum it into the students head, like the the connection between "form and function", or how the size and shape of, for example an enzyme, is really it's most important characteristic.

I bought this book new and it came with a cd-rom, that for me, put my grades over the top. I'm not sure I would have done as well without this cd. In it are all sorts of quizzes and tests, a complete on-line version of the book, various links to helpful internet sites, and which I used the most, animations and voice commentary of each chapter. Many people are visual learners, and sometimes they get a much deeper understand of something when they see it in action.

I will not be selling this textbook back to the college after I'm done with it, this is a keeper. I have no complaints about it.

Very good Bio. Book
I am an unusually harsh critic of most textbooks. However, I must say that I am pleased to give this book 5 stars. As an introductory book, it is simply superb. It even covers some subjects far past the introductory level. Some may say that this "completeness" is something of a hindrance; however, I disagree. If the student carefully and actively reads, he should find no problem cutting the fat out, while retaining important intro material. Then, once the student has the basic information cold, the book makes a superb reference for a segway into intermediate or advanced topics. The books organization is very carefully planned and the integration of old material into new material is particularly deft for such a long text book. The section on plant physiology and form is particularly good and molecular biology is stressed throughout most chapters after an early introduction. My only complaint is that the problem sets at the end of each chapter are somewhat short, but this is not a serious problem. The binding and paper quality is pretty good as far as modern text books are concerned. All in all, a very good book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Economics is not widely considered to be one of the sexier sciences. The annual Nobel Prize winner in that field never receives as much publicity as his or her compatriots in peace, literature, or physics. But if such slights are based on the notion that economics is dull, or that economists are concerned only with finance itself, Steven D. Levitt will change some minds. In Freakonomics (written with Stephen J. Dubner), Levitt argues that many apparent mysteries of everyday life don't need to be so mysterious: they could be illuminated and made even more fascinating by asking the right questions and drawing connections. For example, Levitt traces the drop in violent crime rates to a drop in violent criminals and, digging further, to the Roe v. Wade decision that preempted the existence of some people who would be born to poverty and hardship. Elsewhere, by analyzing data gathered from inner-city Chicago drug-dealing gangs, Levitt outlines a corporate structure much like McDonald's, where the top bosses make great money while scores of underlings make something below minimum wage. And in a section that may alarm or relieve worried parents, Levitt argues that parenting methods don't really matter much and that a backyard swimming pool is much more dangerous than a gun. These enlightening chapters are separated by effusive passages from Dubner's 2003 profile of Levitt in The New York Times Magazine, which led to the book being written. In a book filled with bold logic, such back-patting veers Freakonomics, however briefly, away from what Levitt actually has to say. Although maybe there's a good economic reason for that too, and we're just not getting it yet. --John Moe

Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner Answer The Amazon.com Significant Seven

Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, author and co-author of this season's bestselling quirky hit, Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, graciously answered the Amazon.com Significant Seven questions that we like to run by every author.

Levitt and Dubner answer the Amazon.com Significant Seven questions

... Read more

Reviews (118)

interesting, but not rocket science
Unlike a lot of economics books this book is pretty fair and unbiased. I don't think it is as funny as some readers thought, but the subjects are interesting. Most of it is common sense. Like that teachers cheat to make their students look smarter on standardized tests and real estate agents won't necessarily being doing everything they can to help you. As a graduate student in economics, I find is reasoning for the decline in crime being attributed to abortion highly speculative. Common sense would tell you that "aborting" fetuses that are likely to become criminals will reduce crime, only if that mother doesn't have as many children as she would if abortion were illegal. The author does a good job of staying away from the politics of abortion.

This book is good for the layman but is nothing new to the average economists. I personally think that it has been given too much praise and attention.

Thought provoking but falls a bit short
While Levitt has the propensity to ask many interesting and thought-provoking questions, his data analysis is often suspect to the same tunnel vision which he attributes to many academic studies. Levitt seems so intent on proving the "conventional wisdom" wrong that he immediately accepts data from a single source as long as it provides a sensational conclusion. For instance, just about all of Levitt's conclusions on education and parenting come from a single ECLS study conducted 15 years ago. The early chapters on information and cheating are quite solid and alone may be worth the price of the book. However once Levitt tackles education, crime, and parenting his down-to-earth anecdotal approach becomes insufficient to explain these complex issues. Freakonomics is similar to many other pop-science bestsellers in that it makes its subject more approachable through oversimplified explanations and conclusions.

A Great, Quick Read, Perfect for Summer
I very much have enjoyed reading this book.As a grade school teacher, it doesn't surprise me that teachers cheat on their students' end-of-the-year assessments; what is surprising is that this is rarely talked about and people seem to be shocked and surprised when, on the rare occasion, someone gets caught.With the pressure to have one's students earn high scores coming from both parents and administrators, how could it not happen?Much more is expected of teachers today, and not all are up to the hard work, time and energy.But this book isn't only about teachers--you'll learn about drug dealers and how they organize their gangs quite similar to corporations; you'll be surprised that sumo wrestlers cheat (I actually hadn't thought about them or the game, but there is a way they can cheat), among other topics. Perhaps the most controversial notion is about what brought down crime levels in the 1980s, a time when everyone predicted crime would rise.It's an interesting idea, but Levitt doesn't provide much support, which was disappointing.

Layman's LanguageAnalyses of Various Social Canards
Too often articles or books written by economists are couched in arcane verbiage and statistics.Levitt avoids this, and the result is a very interesting, though-provoking review of several social myths.

He begins by summarizing the status of crime in the mid-1990's - high, and projected to go much higher with the coming "teenager boom."Instead, it began a long, steep decline.The most common "explanations" were "roaring economy," "gun control," and "innovative policing." Levitt then goes on to summarize data that convincingly reture them all.For example, a good economy might decrease economic crimes, but why did violent crimes drop even more?Further, why didn't crime also fall during the booming '60s?As for innovative policing, Levitt reports that the declines began prior to this initiative, and that its prime contribution was through adding policeman (accounting for about 10% of the drop).Similarly he refutes the logic for crediting increased rights of citizens to carry guns, and gun buy-backs, while the drop in crack prices is credited with 15% of the drop.

Levitt then reports the results of Romania's strong anti-abortion posture in the 60s - a large contingent of resented children, many of whom became serious problems when they grew up.Finally, the "shocker" - Levitt presents various data that provide a solid case for concluding that the drop in crime was primarily due to Roe v. Wade making abortions available to lower-income women - many of whom would have had problems raising the unwanted children.

Other topics addressed by Levitt include documenting cheating associated with "high-stakes" (eg. potential job loss, raises, school closure) pupil testing (estimated at about 5% in Chicago Public Schools), documenting and explaining the lack of drug traffic profits for most of those involved (rakeoffs by those at higher levels).Another interesting and useful topic covered is how society often misplaces efforts into low-payoff efforts to protect children (eg. child-resistant packaging, flame-retardant pajamas, avoiding being seated near front-seat airbags, and keeping their children out of homes with guns), instead of the much higher-payoff of keeping children away from homes with swimming pools.

Throughout the book, Levitt carefully summarizes supporting data, while also informing readers of how similar data are often misused.His "bottom-line," so to speak, is for the reader to become more aware of the effect of incentives, and the frequent lack of factual bases for conventional thinking.

An interesting, useful two-hour read.

Revelations?!only if you're the type to wear shades at night
while interesting, the subject matter of this book is not sublime, the questions are not revolutionary and the 'answers' are soooo not comprehensive. though a contribution is likely, to claim that crime went down simply because of abortion is silly. and duh swimming pools are 'more dangerous' if you look at data collected from past incidences. but you cannot claim this to be true of the inherent/accidental potential for danger of a swimming pool compared to a gun. this book seems to ignore that probability is only predictive if circumstances are equal. and that sometimes a name might carry significance beyond where it can get you in life. but perhaps that one is more than what can expected of educated white men. Still... fun reading, great cover. And I'm sure levitt's classes are more intellectually engaging than this book. ah! one more thing: drug dealers live at home because 'Gator boots, with the pimped out gucci suit/ Ain't got no job, but I stay sharp/ Can't pay my rent, cause all my money's spent/ But thats ok, cause I'm still fly/ Got a quarter tank gas in my new e-class/ But that's alright cause I'm gon' ride/ Got everything in my moma's name/ But I'm hood rich da dada dada da' - Still Fly by Big Tymers ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you judge books by their covers, Jack Welch's Winning certainly grabs your attention. Testimonials on the back come from none other than Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Rudy Giuliani, and Tom Brokaw, and other praise comes from Fortune, Business Week, and Financial Times. As the legendary retired CEO of General Electric, Welch has won many friends and admirers in high places. In this latest book, he strives to show why. Winning describes the management wisdom that Welch built up through four and a half decades of work at GE, as he transformed the industrial giant from a sleepy "Old Economy" company with a market capitalization of $4 billion to a dynamic new one worth nearly half a trillion dollars.

Welch's first book, Jack: Straight from the Gut, was structured more as a conventional CEO memoir, with stories of early career adventures, deals won and lost, boardroom encounters, and Welch's process and philosophy that helped propel his success as a manager. In Winning, Welch focuses on his actual management techniques. He starts with an overview of cultural values such as candor, differentiation among employees, and inclusion of all voices in decision-making. In the second section he covers issues around one's own company or organization: the importance of hiring, firing, the people management in between, and a few other juicy topics like crisis management. From there, Welch moves into a discussion of competition, and the external factors that can influence a company's success: strategy, budgeting, and mergers and acquisitions. Welch takes a more personal turn later with a focus on individual career issues--how to find the right job, get promoted, and deal with a bad boss--and then a final section on what he calls "Tying Up Loose Ends." Those interested in the human side of great leaders will find this last section especially appealing. In it, Welch answers the most interesting questions that he's received in the last several years while traveling the globe addressing audiences of executives and business-school students. Perhaps the funniest question in this section comes at the very end, posed originally by a businessman in Frankfurt, who queried Welch on whether he thought he'd go to heaven (we won't give away the ending).

While different from the steadier stream of war stories and real-life examples of Welch's first book, Winning is a very worthwhile addition to any management bookshelf. It's not often that a CEO described as the century's best retires, and then chooses to expound on such a wide range of management topics. Also, aside from the commentary on always-relevant issues like employee performance reviews and quality control, Welch suffuses this book with his pugnacious spirit. The Massachusetts native who fought his way to the top of the world's most valuable company was in many ways the embodiment of "Winning," and this spirit alone will provide readers an enjoyable read. --Peter Han ... Read more

Reviews (63)

Interesting Insight
Although it is true that the business environment in the U.S. is changing at lightning speed, this book still has a lot to offer.I can't comment so much on the business advice in this book since I work in a small school, but his advice on attitude is dead on.People often make their own hell because they have the wrong attitude.Some say they work in a bad environment and that they can't work well, but the worker himself is a big part of that environment.You would be suprised at how a little kindness or a smile will change a working environment.Offer a little extra, and don't be afraid to help out.You'll enjoy your work and life more.

Insightful At Times, but Mostly Superficial
Jack Welch clearly is a legendary business leader; however, a great writer he is not. The book offers a few insights - eg. the power of corporate vision and value, budgeting and rewarding performance in the real (dynamic) world - but his book is not nearly as specific and helpful as Larry Bossidy's (Welch's former #2) "Confronting Reality," and "Execution." Sadly, the book also does not reference how Welch greatly simplified planning and accountability by getting rid of the planners, and instead focusing on fast reaction - a lesson that some firms, government and public education still need to learn.

In addition, Welch does not address most of the vast changes simplifying much of management in the last few years - even though he pioneered much of their use. The job has become primarily one of reducing costs - especially by shifting work away from Americans. This is accomplished by:

1)Maximizing outsourcing (eg. to Canada - primarily to avoid U.S. healthcare costs; to China and India - primarily to greatly reduce production labor, call-center, and design and programming costs,

2)Maximizing use of illegal immigrants within the U.S. - eg. in the meatpacking, construction, and other food-processing and food-serving areas,

3)Maximizing use of legal temporary immigrants within the U.S. - eg. Indian citizens with H-1B and L1 visas in areas such as electronics design and manufacturing, and computer programming.

4)Maximizing use of aggressive accounting - eg. capitalizing expenses, pre-booking revenues, optimistic assumptions about corporate pension fund growth, creating new entities to "hide" excess debt etc., and taking "special write-offs" wherever possible.

5)Minimizing exposure to risk of major commodity price increases - eg. large-scale futures buying of aviation fuel.

Further American worker head-count reductions are accomplished by implementing new IT systems, process improvements (eg. Six Sigma, cycle-time reductions), "rank and yank" personnel evaluations (Welch does reference this topic, but sugar-coats it to seem beneficial to all), and divesting or consolidating companies (mergers and acquisitions), divisions, functions (eg. personnel, IT, procurement), products, components, and suppliers. Cost reductions for those remaining American employees can be achieved by reducing salaries (eg. competitive contracting out "non-core" functions - defined as broadly as possible), infrastructure (eg. work-at-home, "owner-operator" truckers), health-care benefits (through increasing worker contributions) and pensions (eg. via canceling, or switching from "defined benefit" to "defined contribution" plans. And then all the preceding measures are forced through the supply chain by requesting price reductions and/or the "China price."

Finally, leveraging tax reductions, abatements, pension plan takeovers, exemptions from lawsuit liability and various regulations (eg. EPA, OSHA. zoning) and various other "freebies" from government has also become another major modern "management skill" (eg. via threatening or actually moving production and/or headquarters; promising to create new jobs, threatening lawsuits, making large campaign donations) that Welch fails to reference in "Winning."

In summary, "Winning" is somewhat interesting, but mostly superficial and irrelevant. And overall, "winning" is no longer a skill to be proud of, worth multi-million dollar payouts to CEOs, or necessarily good for America.

Full of energy and a passion for results
Having read Dr Welch's earlier book "Jack: Straight from the Gut", I was eagerly awaiting the release of Winning. This book is logically split into several sections and chapters ranging from Strategy, Performance Management, Mergers and Acquisitions, Recruitment, Promotion and finally a chapter on answers to questions on China and other issues not addressed in the other chapters.

True to his style, candor is the hallmark of this book. One may not fully agree with Dr Welch on many issues, and he has not changed his opinion and conviction on some of the policies that he rigorously implemented at GE. But this book is an excellent summary in crisp and simple text, distilling his over four decades of experience in working for and leading one of the most admired companies of this planet.

Those interested in a serious discussion of management theories and looking for an approach based on data and research may be disappointed. But if one is looking for what works and what does not in reality, this book is sure to impress.

Content is one thing about books. What makes this book very different from what could have otherwise been published as a summary of concepts is the first person narrative style of the author. Every page is filled with energy, strong belief and commitment to the ideas discussed.After all this is a book based on true personal experience and not a discourse on theoretical concepts.

Dr Welch, thank you so much for this wonderful gift to next generation managers.

Can You Spell Class Action
The Jack and Suzy show has fallen flat on its face. Welch's
coda, to fire 10% of the workforce every year, translates into massive age discrimination (you need "vitality" in your staff) in the workplace, and is currently the subject of a 15,000 person class action lawsuit against a major US corporation, which has the misfortune of being run by a runner-up in the succession sweepstakes "won" by Jeff Immelt. Ironically, the CEO of this company was 51 years old at the time of Welch's retirement, and was probably passed over for the top job because Immelt was 44. The abused become the abusers.

WARNING!
I have no doubt that the book version is excellent. I have no doubt that the message is great, but the audio cd version of this book sucks. Jack Welch reads it so slow that it sounds like he is reading it to a group of first graders who don't speak english. I wish I hadn't opened the package because I would love to return the cds. I might as well have thrown the money in the waste basket.


... Read more

Book Description

Garrison/Noreen has been- and still is- the market-leading text in managerial accounting, having educated close to 2 million students since its inception. In short, Garrison is the Guide in Managerial Accounting.The lighthouse on the cover symbolizes that for this difficult course, Garrison's comprehensive but manageable coverage, author-written supplements, and peerless end-of-chapter material makes it a safe and dependable choice for instructors and students alike. The loyalty and following it has achieved is due to the authors unwavering commitment to three simple principles: relevance, balance, and clarity.

• Relevance- Every effort has been made to help students relate the concepts in this book to decisions made by working managers. The Managerial Accounting in Action segments within the chapters help students apply concepts to real world problems.
• Balance- Garrison mixes its coverage to include a variety of both service and manufacturing organizations- this includes new coverage of e-commerce and e-tailers. Service examples have been expanded in this new edition and these are marked with a S icon in the margins.
• Clarity- The entire supplements package has been written by the author team to insure that students and professors will work with clear, well-written supplements that employ consistent terminology.

Reviews (10)

Managerial Accounting, 9th edition
This is an outstanding book, which covers complex topics on a very friendly manner. Maybe for some readers this book may seem hard to understand, so I strongly recommend everybody to think over the necessity of studying managerial accounting. For me as a person who works with internal finance and who makes prompt decisions upon raw timely data, the book was a relief. It covers such immensely important topics as break-even, leverage, cost behavior and structure, and so forth. One suggestion, do not learn everything by heart, it's useless. You never learn everything in managerial accounting. Use the book as a reference for your everyday needs. Good luck.

good accounting book
not a big fan of accounting, but i must admit, this is a really good textbook. anytime i got lost in my classes or lecture, this book explains things in a very clear and organized way to help you better understand. the problems are long but extremely helpful in getting a handle on the methods. the real world examples they use in the text also adds to whatever concept you're learning. i couldn't imagine a better managerial accounting book at the moment. so 5 stars. yup. i'm so glad i'm done with this course...

Not for the novice
What I do not understand about these accounting textbooks is that they give all this wonderful case studies and examples, but when it comes to mba exam times we are faced with far more difficult questions that require prompt and correct answers. This book is so long winded and goes on about topics that are irrelevant. Hope this is not part of your MBA course, We need examples with solutions applicable to examination guidelines...

Managerial Accounting, 10th Edition
Garrison/Noreen has been and is still the leading text in managerial accounting, having educated close to 2 million students since its begining. In short, Garrison is the Guide in Managerial Accounting. The lighthouse on the cover symbolizes that for this difficult course, Garrisons comprehensive but manageable coverage, author-written supplements, and peerless end-of-chapter material makes it a safe and dependable choice for instructors and students alike. The loyalty and following it has achieved is due to the authors unwavering commitment to three simple principles: relevance, balance, and clarity. Relevance- Every effort has been made to help students relate the concepts in this book to decisions made by working managers. The Managerial Accounting in Action segments within the chapters help students apply concepts to real world problems. Balance- Garrison mixes its coverage to include a variety of both service and manufacturing organizations- this includes new coverage of e-commerce and e-tailers. Service examples have been expanded in this new edition and these are marked with a S icon in the margins. Clarity- The entire supplements package has been written by the author team to insure that students and professors will work with clear, well-written supplements that employ consistent terminology.

Great guide for Cost / Managerial Accountants
This book is great for Cost / Managerial Accountants as well as new comers to the field of cost accounting. I read this book as part of MBA curriculum and loved every bit, even though I do not have an accounting background. ... Read more

Book Description

The acknowledged leader and standard in general chemistry, this book maintains its effective and proven features—clarity of writing, scientific integrity, currency, strong exercises, visual emphasis and consistency in presentation. It offers readers an integrated educational solution to the challenges of the learning with an expanded media program that works in concert with the book, helping them to approach problem solving, visualization, and applications with greater success.Chapter topics cover: Matter and Measurement; Atoms, Molecules, and Ions; Stoichiometry: Calculations with Chemical Formulas and Equations; Aqueous Reactions and Solution Stoichiometry; Thermochemistry; Electronic Structure of Atoms; Periodic Properties of the Elements; Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding; Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories; Gases; Intermolecular Forces, Liquids, and Solids; Modern Materials; Properties of Solutions; Chemical Kinetics; Chemical Equilibrium; Acid-Base Equilibria; Additional Aspects of Equilibria; Chemistry of the Environment; Chemical Thermodynamics; Electrochemistry; Nuclear Chemistry; Chemistry of the Nonmetals; Metals and Metallurgy; Chemistry of Coordination Compounds; and The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry.For individuals interested in the study of general chemistry. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Chemistry: The Central Science, 9th edition
I found this book to be very easy to read and follow. There are lots of pictures, diagrams, graphs, and tables which aide in understandin the text. There are review sections and questions at the end of every chapter so it is easy to tell if you have learned the material or not, plus you get plenty of practice. It covers all the basic advanced highschool chemistry and is a great book to go through before freshmen level chemistry in college. Overall this book is an excellent learning tool weather you are using it in a class or just using it for a reference for upper level chemistry classes.

classic text
This text is widely used and has helped many students to understand chemistry. The sequence of topics presented is traditional. It has a good chapter on modern materials. The dual-column format of examples clearly shows problem solving strategies.

This, and all other similar textbooks, are written for studnents who have appropriate background in high school sciences and reasonable reading comprehension. It is not fair to compare this book with a teacher whom you can talk face to face. Considering the poor reading skills of today's college students, most of whom have hard time with any materals written at 8th grade readability level and do have no idea on how to read and use a textbook, it is impossible for any textbook to do the magic of enlightening them.

The companion website of this text has thousands of problems available for practice, much more than most other similar textbook websites. Learning chemistry is like learning how to play tennis. You can't expect to learn how to play tennis by watching tennis matches on TV. Similarly, you can't expect to learn chemistry by simply reading the textbook or watching your professors solve problems in class. You have to practice. If this is the text you are using, take advantage of this good resource. Students using other texts are not as lucky as you are.

For a slightly more engaging text, see the one by Moore, Stanitski and Jurs.

Chemistry, the Central Science.
I am a teacher using this book for an AP Chem class. I have found the book very difficult to use. Topics are rather disconnected and most of my students had trouble following the logic of more difficult subjects. The early chapters are particularly difficult. I have also found numerous mistakes with the materials available to teachers. The number of errors on the power point presentations are ridiculous. I also questions some of the answers with regards to the use of significant fiqures.

The Web Site is excellent even though I only use the standard version and not the electronic chapters. The solution manual is so-so. Sometimes shortcuts are used without explanation which is dangerous for AP students.

I would not recommend this book for use in the high school classroom from the point of view of both the teacher using the books and materials and the student attempting to learn from the book.

There must be a better book out there
The only reason I got A's in Gen. Chemistry 1& 2 is because I had a FANTASTIC teacher (thank you François). This book makes Chemistry harder to understand than it should be. I recommend this book to insomniacs who like to get headaches!

Well done intro to Chemistry
This text is a great introduction for students just beginning their study of chemistry at either the advanced highschool or college freshman level. Every chapter has a review and questions so that the reader is able to verify how much (or indeed how little) they have learned. It's easy to read and quite thorough, and for someone in a science field it's also a great reference to keep on hand for when those basic details begin to slip. I found myself consulting it frequently as I prepared for my MCAT examination, and it still has a place in my science library. As for the CD-Rom, I'm sure it's lovely, but I've never even put it in the computer. Overall a worthwhile purchase if you need a chem text. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Disciplines like strategy, leadership development, and innovation are the sexier aspects of being at the helm of a successful business; actually getting things done never seems quite as glamorous. But as Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan demonstrate in Execution, the ultimate difference between a company and its competitor is, in fact, the ability to execute.

Execution is "the missing link between aspirations and results," and as such, making it happen is the business leader's most important job. While failure in today's business environment is often attributed to other causes, Bossidy and Charan argue that the biggest obstacle to success is the absence of execution. They point out that without execution, breakthrough thinking on managing change breaks down, and they emphasize the fact that execution is a discipline to learn, not merely the tactical side of business. Supporting this with stories of the "execution difference" being won (EDS) and lost (Xerox and Lucent), the authors describe the building blocks--leaders with the right behaviors, a culture that rewards execution, and a reliable system for having the right people in the right jobs--that need to be in place to manage the three core business processes of people, strategy, and operations. Both Bossidy, CEO of Honeywell International, Inc., and Charan, advisor to corporate executives and author of such books as What the CEO Wants You to Know and Boards That Work, present experience-tested insight into how the smooth linking of these three processes can differentiate one company from the rest. Developing the discipline of execution isn't made out to be simple, nor is this book a quick, easy read. Bossidy and Charan do, however, offer good advice on a neglected topic, making Execution a smart business leader's guide to enacting success rather than permitting demise. --S. Ketchum ... Read more

Reviews (126)

Execute optimally!
This book describe a necessary leadership behavior in the Execution paradigm -- Insist on realism. As thinking is the basis of action, this concept requires more exploration and explanation. Prior to the introduction of Optimal Thinking into the corporate world, the pervasive motto was Think Positive. Optimism promotes persistence, but it is a poor strategy when the cost of failure or probability of failure are high. With the current integration of Optimal Thinking into leading corporations, the transformation from AnyCorp (consisting of any thinkers) to Opticorp (consisting of Optimal Thinkers) empowers the corporate culture to practice optimal realism. Optimal Thinkers accept what is out of their control, and optimize what is within their control. Using Optimal Thinking to ask questions like, What is within my/our control here? What are my/our options here? What is the worst event scenario? What is our optimal contingency plan? What is in our best interest? What is our highest priority? What are the best actions we can take to achieve it? What is the best thing you/we can do under the circumstances? empowers us to set clear priorities, and take the most constructive actions to follow through -- essential for optimal leadership and optimized execution. Execution-driven leaders who thrive on accountability and reward performance, must select the right people for the right jobs. This is achieved with Optimal Thinking. Read these two books, get your key people to read them too, and you will OPTIMIZE productivity.

Leadership for the real world
Reading "Execution" and pondering its theses is a lot like listening to your mother telling you to eat your broccoli: There are other things you'd rather have, but in your heart you know it's the right thing. Much of "Execution" is plain old common sense; to move a business forward, everyone from the CEO downward needs to work to make things happen.

A refreshing departure from the fuzzy style of most leadership books, "Execution" is invaluable for up-and-coming business leaders of all stripes, though its focus is primarily senior management in very large organizations. Some readers will find that Bossidy and Charan spend a lot of time re-stating the obvious. For every "ah-ha!" moment this book presents, there are at least two "well, duh!" moments. But in light of many of the problems facing businesses today, the obvious bears repeating.

Others will find that "Execution" barely scratces the surface of a highly complex series of topics, and will want a greater diversity of business cases. Much time is spent fawning over Jack Welch at the expense of other, equally deserving business leaders. To that end, a sequel or a companion workbook would be helpful. But for getting managers thinking about their jobs in a new and beneficial light, "Execution" accomplishies its goal admirably. Much like broccoli!

The book that Jack should have written.
This is perhaps one of the best business books I have ever read. Unlike many books which use extensive academia and complex formulas which rarely see the light of day or work well outside of a controlled environment, this book is simple. That said this simplicity can be a bit deceiving. When I worked for GE, as did Bossidy and Jack Welch, the concepts which turned that business into a global leader in industry were remarkably simple. It wasn't the simplicity of the ideas, but rather the ability to get a hundred thousand people executing flawlessly on them that makes the difference.

In the book Bossidy describes how he personally would ensure execution occurs within his businesses. Start with the right people. Too many times we assume people are merely interchangeable cogs, but great business leaders who get results know differently. Chapter 5 discusses the responsibility and focus required to ensure the right people are in the right jobs. Even as a CEO he spent up to 40% of his time on developing and hiring the right people.

Another interesting aspect is the ability to speak directly and level set expectations and have a firm grasp on reality, regardless of how painful that reality may be at the time. Throughout the book is example after example that illustrates the value of direct conversation and clear feedback and communication. As you read the book, look for not only the content of what is discussed, but how it is discussed. Nearly always the method is to truly listen and engage people in a dialog which will set expectations, and ensure misunderstandings or mixed messages are limited. This allows people to focus on what needs to be done instead of being distracted with politics and other non value added issues.

While some may see the content as too simplistic, those same people are usually unable to deliver results in the same manner as Bossidy did at GE, or Honeywell. The value of this book is both in content and style.

The book itself is never dry, is easy to read, flows smoothly in conversational format, and is highly engaging. Highly recommended to anyone in a business situation who wants to improve execution and results.

Standard business consulting verbiage
I was hoping that this was a down-to-earth book with interesting and useful ideas like Built to Last or No Excuses Management. Alas, it's just a standard, boring, fluffy business book filled with many more words that are called for. It might be worth reading if you're stuck on an airplane with it.

A must for serious business officers
The principles of the book helped us move our stock from $1 to $6 in 2 years. I not only like the book, I now use it as a tool for my consulting business. It helps focusing on the essential and provides a template for structuring a business for success. I believe that it can be adapted to any venture.

I recommend it because of its simplicity and connection to reality. If you have managed operations, you will appreciate this down-to-earth layout of how to steadily drive your business or evaluate another business. Use that approach and you are above 99% of the business crowd out there. I am grateful. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here's another management parable that draws its lesson from an unlikely source--this time it's the fun-loving fishmongers at Seattle's Pike Place Market. In Fish! the heroine, Mary Jane Ramirez, recently widowed and mother of two, is asked to engineer a turnaround of her company's troubled operations department, a group that authors Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul, and John Christensen describe as a "toxic energy dump." Most reasonable heads would cut their losses and move on. Why bother with this bunch of losers? But the authors don't make it so easy for Mary Jane. Instead, she's left to sort out this mess with the help of head fishmonger Lonnie. Based on a bestselling corporate education video, Fish! aims to help employees find their way to a fun and happy workplace. While some may find the story line and prescriptions--such as "Choose Your Attitude," "Make Their Day," and "Be Present"--downright corny, others will find a good dose of worthwhile motivational management techniques. If you loved Who Moved My Cheese? then you'll find much to like here. And don't worry about Mary Jane and kids. Fish! has a happy ending for everyone. --Harry C. Edwards ... Read more

Reviews (161)

Motivation ?
FISH! is he story of a woman searching for a way to revitalize her workgroup and in the process save her job. The solution she finds comes from the unlikely place of the local fish market. By listening to the stories of one of the market's clerks our heroine is able to take back to her own problem four basic tenets for success. She meets her staff at the corporate "toxic waste dump" and is able to convert them to a person from a group of dispirited losers into the best team in the company.

The 112 pages of this book read very quickly and the ideas in the book are quicker still. They are basic and they certainly are sound ideas for motivating people. However, I think that the parable of Mary-Jane and her dysfunctional team was far too simplistic to stand up to real world application and that is a serious detriment to the book. Once the lead is converted she meets with her team who, after one negative comment, begin to embrace the ideas wholeheartedly. Where are the perpetual whiners ? Where are the "We have always done it this way" complaints. How about that perennial favorite "It isn't our fault" ? And best of all - The sullen non-complainers who will agree to anything to get the meeting over with but resist any real change ? I am not trying to be a spoil-sport here but these are serious obstacles to the kinds of change that this book tries to implement. I think that this book is either much too long to explain what the four ideas are (and they are good), or it is much too short to actually serve as any kind of an implementation tool.

It is also a poorly written story. Rather than as a parable of one woman's self discovery, I would much rather have seen it as a non-fiction management book with the story of Mary-Jane interjected as an example. As written it is not a good manual nor is it a helpful example.

A Fish Story That's Real & Inspirational
What does a "Toxic Energy Dump" and throwing fish have to do with life, especially performance in the workplace? A great deal according to the authors of The Fish.

In this parable you learn very quickly and easily how to turn around a "toxic" environment. Although the solutions may sound simple and obvious, they remind us - that regardless of our position in an organization, it's a great thing to find enjoyment and satisfaction in our ordinary day-to-day work lives. The writers provide simple descriptions of what attitude and fun can do to turn around the "toxic energy dump" in the workplace. The fable and principles show you how to bring hope and excitement to the people who perform the "back room" functions.

This book is a quick read, with principles that are easy to grasp and apply. Laughter and fun are great bridge builders between people - I encourage you to try The Fish and see how these principles are used to build bridges not only at a renowned fish market in Seattle, but between people within a back room department and other departments.

Always Smell Your Fish Before You Buy
This book was given to me as part of a Fish seminar conducted by my company. The book must be addressed on three different levels: as a story, as a philosophy, and as a business book. The story is about a woman who takes over a failing department in her company, finds the inmates are running the asylum, learns some pearls of wisdom from some local fishmongers, teaches the employees the philosophy, and ends up with a successful department. The preceding explanation is only slightly shorter than the book itself, which contains so much white-space that it could easily be halved, and repeats so often that it could easily be halved again. As bad as the story and writing are, the philosophy underlying the Fish idea is even worse. It is essentially a hedonistic philosophy - that what employees really need to perform well is enough fun at work. The problem is that all jobs and careers involve a certain amount of tedium. Everone must "pay their dues." Too often the people complaining the loudest are those that refuse to deal with tedium as a fact of life. As a business book it fails as so many business books do because the ultimate goal of the book is not to attract a reader, but to convince corporations to buy a whole suite of products and services: the books, videotapes, fun fish things, decorations. Avoid this book, read Drucker instead.

Would rather be fishing
This book reminded me of a story about cheese. The ideas make sense, but the story is childish and doesn't provide an action plan. I recommend reading Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life instead.

Insipid Garbage
I was unfortunate enough to have been made to read this utter, banal trash. This 'book' is yet another in the endless deluge of 'management' aids. Being a manager myself I was extremely disappointed as this book offers no new insight or any hints to great management secrets. Once one gets past the countelss pages of fluff, the underlying moral is simple...your job is what you make of it. If you have a positive attitude and outlook, your job will be enjoyable. If you think your job is boring and menial then it will be just that. These are basic common sense ideals that any capable manager should already be instilling on its employees. If you are a manager and are unfamiliar with these concepts then you are obviously either ill-trained or completely inexperienced and should not be a manager in the first place.
My true rating would be NO STARS, but the lowest possible was one star. ... Read more

Book Description

This text remains the only text in the market that presents a balance of financial theory and applications.The authors maintain the same four goals as with the first edition: helping learners to make good financial decisions, providing a solid text for the introductory MBA course, motivating learners by demonstrating finance is relevant and interesting, and presenting the material clearly. ... Read more

Book Description

With every new edition, the No. 1 best-selling non-majors microbiology book wins over readers with its careful balance of concepts and applications, art that teaches, and its straightforward presentation of complex topics. For Microbiology: An Introduction, Eighth Edition, this successful formula has been refined with hundreds of research and disease updates, updated morbidity data, and an enhanced Mircobiology Place Website and CD-ROM.For college instructors, students, or anyone interested in microbiology. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

It's an excellent book for undergraduate students!!!
It was by chance that I learned from this book. A student of mine went to California on vacation and she bought it. Later she showed it to me. I found that "MICROBIOLOGY an Introduction" is a very good text book. I use, and recommend it to the students at the Faculty of Dentistry at the Santa María University, USM.

LUIS A. GUEVARA M.Sc., D.Sc. Chief of Department of Oral Biology - Faculty of Dentistry - USM

THE BEST BASIC MICROBIOLOGY BOOK EVER!!!!
THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENT. I originally purchased it for a course in undergraduate Microbiology. It explains concepts and ideas clearly and has many illustrations to increase understanding of structures and the details of microbial organisms, such as viral envelopes and bacterial cell walls. Now that I am in Medical school, I still refer back to it as an introduction and refresher for more advanced medical courses. The concepts are so clearly presented that it is easy to go back and read over a few chapters of this book to enhance and reinforce the understanding of particular subjects. When you are short on time, it is much better to review chapters in this book than to scan and decipher numerous pages of medical text when many of the important main points are presented clearly in this text. Although, I recommend using it as an adjunct to your class lecture notes. If you are looking for a dry, banal book that will put you to sleep, this is not it. ANYONE WHO GAVE THIS BOOK A BAD REVIEW IS WRONG!!! THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENT!!! BUY IT AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!!!

Caution: This is not the Textbook!
Be aware that this is NOT the textbook, it is the Study Guide! Although it may be useful for you (we decided to keep it anyway), it isn't what the title says.

NOT a keeper
We used this book in our Microbiology class (community college-pre nursing). Everyone, including me, disliked this book. We usually keep all our books for future use, but concensus was to get rid of this one. We have found the topics to be scattered all over the book and not organized well. DNA replication information was not clearly explained...In fact I found most of the topics to be better explained in "Biology" by Cambell-Reece-Mitchell. I usually read all my books. This class, I used the web for DNA replication and bacteria caused diseases, and biology book for the rest. One good thing came out of this. It forced me to use the web, and it is a great resource for Micro.

Inaccurate descriotion of paperback
I was surprised to open my parcel to find the study guide instead of the textbook. There is NOTHING in the description that explains as so. Very dissapointed as I need the text for an exam. ... Read more

Reviews (44)

This bible contains errors
First, my review refers to the 1997 3rd edition.

Since this book is regarded as the bible of derivatives (it was also my first introduction) I will leave it to others to praise it and concentrate instead on what's wrong with it. First and foremost, one cannot learn how correctly to formulate solutions to stochastic differential equations from this text: eqns. (10.7,8), e.g., are not correct for arbitrary returns but are valid only as approxmations for small returns (Hull leads the reader to believe the opposite). The problem is that Ito's lemma is only stated, not proven, and it's the proof that shows one how to formulate correctly the stochastic integral equations that Hull calls 'stochastic difference equations'. When volatility depends on returns and/or time, then the errors made from following Hull's oversimplified treatment become serious.

My first impression of Baxter & Rennie's 'Financial Calculus' was that it was unnecessary and a waste of money. My opinion reversed completely after realizing (under prodding by a physics colleague who's an expert on sde's) how badly Hull's approach to sde's really is. Also, the systematic derivation of Black-Scholes from the assumption of a replicating, self-financing strategy in B&R is very nice. As Feynman said, we don't really understand a result until we can derive it from many different viewpoints. The method is not really different in principle from the standard short derivation given in Hull, but it does provide a nice, clear example of what is meant by replication and self-financing in the terminology of Brownian motion/sde's.

Probably the best for practitioners; useful for theory
This book is a solid introduction to pricing derivatives and explains in lucid detail all the techniques you need to get up and running with numerical valuation. It is aimed, I would say, at advanced MBA students and practitioners on the job already. That is to say, Hull doesn't spend too much time on theory (for instance, his explanation of HJM summarizes several of their papers and a number of preludes into a few paragraphs).

I would also say that the more theory-oriented reader would benefit from reading Hull. It provides a fresh picture, distinct from the essential theoretical foundations of Merton, Duffie, Campbell, and Cochrane. Thus, to learn CAPM, state prices, or portfolio choice, look elsewhere; to learn how to price derivatives in practice, this is your best bet.

Very useful manual for practitioners
This is a great manual for market practitioners. It does not use detailed math, does not go into issues of corporate finance. But it is very easy to follow and it is "complete". More than that, the book is to the point and very clear. Market professionals will find the examples spread around the book very useful for their daily work. The surprising new book by Nefci which I just got, but did not have time to study in detail, seem to provide all the missing links.

I had used an earlier edition of Hull, and it appears that John Hull adds all the relevant material needed for market finance with each new edition. In fact I have purchased several books on Mathematical Finance and Derivatives but few of them remain on my desk for future consultation.

One of the great foundation texts in finance(******) 6 stars
I am a huge fan of this book. The fourth edition was the single most influential text in my study for my MBA. It opened new kinds of thinking for me and helped me understand the intuitions and they methods for valuing the various kinds of derivatives. While the language is not simple, it is not arcane. Some complain that the mathematics are not rigorous. So what? There are such books on the market and are suitable for those that want them. This is the standard book for thousands of MBAs who need a solid foundation, but do not need to be able to higher math to understand how a binomial tree works or to even create one my hand. Certainly, it is helpful to understand the math as deeply as you can. However, the reality is that most of the time practitioners use pre-made tools to run their Monte Carlo simulations rather than programming from scratch.

There are several new chapters on very helpful and interesting topics (using futures for hedging, numerical procedures, swaps, credit risk, real options, insurance, derivative crises, and more). Some of this is new and some adapted from previous editions. Other material has been rewritten and clarified.

DerivaGem 1.5 is included with the book, but a URL is provided to get the latest version from Prof. Hull's website.

This is a terrific book and I consider it one of the most valuable on my shelf of business texts. It is one I would never want to be without and one of the few I am willing to keep up with the new editions. While no book is perfect for every use in every situation, this is one of the great foundation texts.

Simply the Best!
This is the bible of options and futures markets. It is very well written, clear, and relatively easy to understand. However, you have to read it carefully as it minces its words. Every sentence is packed with information and is important. You may find 'easier' books, but they will not go the distance. So, save your money and get the best of them all. Risk Magazine lists this book as #4 among most widely cited papers/books between 1988 and 2003. No surprise there! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Perhaps I don't get it...
True, previous acclaimed editions of this book have been used in MBA level courses on marketing, etc., etc.

However, I read through this book and I noticed the relative absence of *practical content*. Tons of theory, though: 8 reasons for this, 12 reasons for that, but not enough on how to directly apply the principles to the real world.

I think this book should be recommended for academics, people seeking advanced degrees in marketing. Those who are already in business, like me, might have a hard time extracting practical advice from it.

... Read more

Book Description

This worldwide best-selling book highlights the most recent trends and developments in global marketing-with an emphasis on the importance of teamwork between marketing and all the other functions of the business. It introduces new perspectives in successful strategic market planning, and presents additional company examples of creative, market-focused, and customer-driven action.Coverage includes a focus on customer relationship management, partner relationship management, the Internet and its effects and uses, brand building and brand asset management, alternative go-to-market channels, and marketing around the globe. Chapter topics discuss building customer satisfaction, market-oriented strategic planning, analyzing consumer markets and buyer behavior, dealing with the competition, designing pricing strategies and programs, and managing the sales forceFor marketing managers who want to increase their understanding of the major issues of strategic, tactical, and administrative marketing-along with the opportunities and needs of the marketplace in the years ahead. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

The "Bible" of Marketing
Phillip Kotler's Marketing Management is the the classic MBA marketing text. It's comprehensive and encyclopedic--that means its not an easy read. Kotler's writing style could be described as a list of lists. Each topic is parsed into its elements and he then recites all possible attributes.

The book has an enormous market share, which means it comes with every possible ancilliary product (for instructors who adopt the book) such as videos and power points. Because Prentice Hall sells so many of this book, they can afford to issue new editions on an accelerated, two-year cycle. The good news from this is it allows them to move with the times (in this edition, they've eliminated all the trivial "Did you know ...?" sidebars that detracted from the seriousness of the last "Millennial Edition." The bad news (from a student point of view) is that you may be forced to buy new, because used copies won't be correct.

However, this is one book that you'll want to keep on your professional library shelves--it's as much a reference as a text. All other marketing texts either derive from Kotler or distance themselves from this book, so you might as well go to the source.

IT RAMIFIED EVERY ASPECT OF MARKETING
Using a variety of case-study analyses, this "Marketing Management" elaborated on the principal concepts of 21st Century marketing. Post-graduate students, as well as practising professionals will find it useful. Its specialized chapters did their best in ramifying every aspect of marketing. Information is everywhere; although that its versatility led to the boring repetition of strategies.
This book is simple and well-written. It is very good; but in comparison, the "Principles of Marketing", which is cheaper and comes with an attached CD-ROM, (and was written by Gary Armstrong and this same Philip Kotler) offers much more for less money.

Marketing Management
The eleventh edition of this bestselling marketing management text reflects the recent trends and developments in global marketing. It emphasizes the importance of teamwork between marketing and all other functions of the business.

For teaching
Generally useful and apply to real life situation

Broad Focus
Kotler is a name synonomous with marketing. I have several of his books and have enjoyed them very much. It is a broad focus though. It doesn't dig very deep into specific industries of course. If you happen to be looking for restaurant marketing specific book recommendations, there are several at the Quantified Marketing Group website at www.quantifiedmarketing.com. We have several complimentary restaurant marketing resources and book recommendations there. ... Read more

Book Description

Information systems knowledge is essential for creating competitive firms, managing global corporations, and providing useful products and services to customers. This book introduces management information systems that readers will find vital to their professional success.Emphasizes the digital integration of the firm through enterprise applications (management of the supply chain, customer relationships, enterprise systems, and knowledge). Offers vivid examples, engaging and interactive exercises, and the most up-to-date information to illustrate the impact of information technology on business. Highlights new applications and technologies to digitally enable business processes for electronic business and electronic commerce—i.e., what will improve firms' relationships with customers and create additional value.Provides new Running Case on Laudon Web site and accompanying CD-ROM; examines a fictitious company called Dirt Bikes USA, with each text chapter containing a project requiring readers to use application software, Web tools, or analytical skills to solve a problem the company has encountered.An indispensable reference for managers and executives who wish to integrate or update MIS in their organizations. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Not sufficient for the DANTES MIS test
The recommended reading list for the DANTES management information systems test listed "Management Information Systems: Organization and Technology by Kenneth and Jane Laudon" current edition. [Although this particular book's title is "Management Information Systems: organization and technology in the networked Enterprise"]

This one appeared to be the latest book that Kenneth and Jane Laudon had available.

The content was okay, but not sufficient to pass the DANTES MIS test. I had to supplement my studying with the MIS book by James A. O'Brien. If you are looking for a textbook to use for passing the DANTES MIS test, use the James A. O'Brien book.

The layout of the book is VERY distracting. Not an easy read. Not smooth flowing due to the hideous layout. The book's graphics designer probably thinks it's a work of art. But then they probably only had to "look" at it, not actually TRY to read it!

Writers must know the technology
While studying for MBA, my course teacher suggested this book as text. After reading this book, I could not undertsnad why the book is still in market? It has so many technical mistakes. I am mentioning one here.
The authors described "Star Topology" as: consists of a central computer connected to a number of smaller computers or terminals. Anybody having basic knowledge on computer networking will disagree with this definition. Actually the computers are connected to a hub or switch, not to a computer, and the computers need not to be 'smaller'.
The definition of other network topologies are also flawed. At the end of section 'The Ring Network' the authors commented that: Both ring and bus topologies are used in local area networks (LANs)... Probably they want to say that Star topology is not used in LAN, but the fact is that most of LANs in today's world use Star topology.

The book is not intuitive
I am a computer programmer and had to use this book as a requirement for CIS class for my MBA degree. In my class I did not meet a single person who liked the book or found it satisfactory. I don't claim that I know everything about MIS. But the terms I knew are not explained well in the book. And it is very hard to understand terms I did not know. To illustrate my point, here is book's definition of the term 'hypertext markup language (html)' - "Page description language for creating Web pages and other hypermedia documents." In my opinion you don't explain word 'hypertext' with 'hypermedia'. "Page description language for creating Web pages" doesn't sound intuitive either. Most of the definitions sound like that. The only positive thing was that Book Store gave me 50% of the book price back when I returned it.

Case Study, How Can I get the answer?
Hi, everybody!!!

This book is the one, don't doubt it. Well, anybody know where i can get information about the cases studies, i would like compare my answers with a credible source.

Well, thanks a lot.

Managers, Sales Rep.'s, MBA-students.... this is a must have
The emphasis of this book is how organizational change is required to implement an information system. At this point, we have all been involved in new implementations or updates to existing implementation. This book addresses logical approaches to managing the organization during these changes.

This book is **not** for techical administrators; however, it is an ideal resource for the non-technical manager who oversees a technical team, a technical business, or who wants to see the business grow to the Internet or use EDI type processes.

Because it uses current cases to introduce concepts about networking, it would be ideal for a graduate business program.

Because it is well written and clearly defines the key elements of networking, it would be a great desk reference for any business oriented manager or sales rep. ... Read more

Book Description

McConnell-Brue's Economics 15e is the best-selling textbook and has been teaching students in a clear, unbiased way for 40 years. The 14th edition grew market share because of its clear and careful treatment of principles of economics concepts, its balanced coverage, and its patient explanations.More students have learned their principles of Economics from McConnell-Brue than any other text--12 million of them.The 15th edition is a substantial revision that delivers a tighter, modern, Internet-savvy book. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Excellent Book!
I am pursuing an MBA. I had no economics background, however I found this book to be easy to read, very well structured and most of all, you can find the actual applications of Economics. I highly recommend this book over Economics from Samuelson, he's a brilliant economist but he clearly doesn't explain as good. If you are going to buy only one book of economics, I recommend this one.

Great Book!
I used this textbook in an advanced placement Macroeconomics course. Believe me the textbook itself is more interesting than the class. The text provides well detailed explainations of concepts and even provides a comprehensive glossary for those who might find the language alittle to difficult to understand. An overall great book, I've read other economics texts and this one is absolutely stellar in comparison.

Very good tool !!!
I don't study Economy, but I found that this book is easily understandable for those that have at least some notions on the subject. I liked it, because it includes the main themes on which everybody should know at least something, and it is quite entertaining (for a book on this subject).

Also, at the end of each chapter the authors include some questions that help you to understand it better. There is also a web link that provides you with the answers to those questions (so, if you are like me, and want to be sure you answered correctly, you have the opportunity to find out).

Anyway, I highly recommend this book: it is a thoroughly good introduction to economy!!!!. And last, but not least, it is also of good help in exams, because some basic questions have a tendency to be repeated, and with this book: you have the answers!!!).

Not bad.
This definately wasn't written for the layperson, but for the college level reader/student.

Overall, the book wasn't that bad. However, there were some instances where it just seem to drag on and on, which was a tad annoying. I think the authors could've written some things in a better way to make it more understandable.

Although Economics isn't necessarily an easy subject, this book is considered authoritative in the feild of macro/microeconomics. The authors should've definately made it a little more easier to understand.

Thank you.

Good, in fact very good
As an MBA (with a fair subject background)interested in applied economics I found this to be an impressive piece of writing. The real world examples and colloquial expression can only comfort a reader intimidated by this very complex and volumnous discipline. I was rather srprised to see some of the reviews calling this a very difficult-to-comprehend text. In my opinion even someone relatively new to economics will find his knowledge stacking up as he progresses through the text. Given that the sequencing is not classic with micro followed by macro, I feal the authors have done a good job of going against the conventional and merging the potent interrelationships of these two basic areas-after all one evolves into the other. Also the web-based material was also more than helpful. Finally a book in its fifteenth edition, read over 40 odd years better be good. ... Read more

Book Description

A Framework for Understanding Poverty teaches the hidden rules of economic class and spreads the message that, despite the obstacles poverty can create in all types of interaction, there are specific strategies for overcoming them. Through case studies, personal stories and observations that produce some aha! moments, Payne clearly strikes a chord in her readers., and provides a hopeful message. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

A good starting manual for teaching those born into poverty
A Framework for Understanding Poverty provides a structure on which to build one's teaching. The way we teach is as important as what we teach, for , as Payne makes quite clear, we will not reach all children until we can understand--and accept--their backgrounds and any accompanying privileges or limitations children carry with them to the middle-class mindset of most American schools. As a high school English teacher, I found Chapter 2, "The Role of Language and Story", quite helpful--in fact, it has changed the way I approach writing in the classroom. Even if you have read bits of this information elsewhere, the author has gathered much relevant research in an easy-to-access format that any harried teacher can appreciate. For those teachers who balk at recognizing and/or accomodating behaviors related to class, I ask them to take the "Could you Survive in Poverty" quiz on page 53. I don't have any idea how to "get and use food stamps" or "how to get by without a car"--do you? I'd love to see a companion manual to this one that lists books for students that address class differences, either fiction or nonfiction.

A "must" read for teachers who teach children in poverty
I teach in an inner-city school where poverty is prevalent in almost every family. Not until I read Ruby Payne's book did I have an understanding of the differences involved when one teaches a child who is living in poverty. The book gives specific case studies that make you think and relate to poverty-stricken people. It then goes even further and gives the teacher examples of how to use the new knowledge in the classroom. It is, without a doubt, the best book I have ever read on the subject of poverty and how it relates to school children. I learned more from the reading of this book about how to relate to the students I teach than I have from any other book I've ever read about any subject. I have no reservations whatsoever in recommending this book to any teacher who truly wants to understand the individuals she/he teaches.

Payne's book an eyeopener
Payne does a wonderful job of showing how economic status influences a person's world view and affects his/her reality. She does this while allowing us to step out of our own reality and experience the view from other socioeconomic classes. For people who work with the public, it's a valuable resource.

Summarizing Anecdotes is not research
As a psychology researcher in inner-city schools, I am drawn to the description of this book because as a field (edu. research), we do indeed lack a theoretical framework to understand poverty in relation to school achievement. But this book falls very short in presenting such a framework. The main data of the book is the author's anecdotal experience, which she summarizes in almost in-your-face presentation of poverty case studies. But a framework fails to draw on various existing well-researched directions in poverty and in education to present a coherent parsimonious way to understand complex phenomena. The conclusions drawn by this author is thinly baesd on a few limited writings (mostly on linguistics), while largely a collection of personal opinions. The author stated that the idea for the book proceeded her years of "research" experience. That may be the problem. A hindsight retrospection wears very tainted lenses. The "years of experience" is not examined in real-time with specific research questions. Rather, they are selectively drawn upon to be coherent only with the author's current thinking. The reference list in the back is more in depth than what the author actually put in text. The mostly pointless clip art inserted throughout the book made it seem like the publisher is trying to squeeze more pages into a other-wise small book. The two pages comparing classes are interesting (but by no means research or data based). They did become very stereotypical (like the local evening news). Educational recommendations are very simplistic and lack explicit logical reasoning. I question the book's treatment of poverty students as a different breed, indicating that somehow they need to be taught special rules in order to even begin learning. For example, the notion that somehow poverty students don't have a sense of choices thus fail to understand causal relationship leading from choices to consequences. What?! That's a very very broad claim that is unlikely to be measurable. In child development, there comes a certain age where many children have trouble realizing (thus having to learn) that choices are related to consequences, regardless of their race, culture, or, income. These claims are quite outrageously stereotypical. Overall, Framework for Understanding is neither framework nor understanding. It may be of some interest here and there, but its title surely over-claims the substance of its content.

For interested readers, I recommend John Ogbu's ethnographical study on Shaker Heights, titled "Black American Students in an Affluent Suburb".

Review of Understanding Poverty
This was an eye opener for me. Poverty isn't just financial as I had thought. It put into words what I had been thinking and questioning. I mentor and I wish it would have addressed more solid solutions to help with these problems of society. ... Read more

Book Description

Winning by Not Competing: A Fresh Approach to Strategy

Since the dawn of the industrial age, companies have engaged in head-to-head competition in search of sustained, profitable growth. They have fought for competitive advantage, battled over market share, and struggled for differentiation. Yet these hallmarks of competitive strategy are not the way to create profitable growth in the future.

In a book that challenges everything you thought you knew about the requirements for strategic success, W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne argue that cutthroat competition results in nothing but a bloody red ocean of rivals fighting over a shrinking profit pool. Based on a study of 150 strategic moves spanning more than a hundred years and thirty industries, the authors argue that lasting success comes not from battling competitors, but from creating "blue oceans": untapped new market spaces ripe for growth. Such strategic moves-which the authors call "value innovation"- create powerful leaps in value that often render rivals obsolete for more than a decade.

Blue Ocean Strategy presents a systematic approach to making the competition irrelevant and outlines principles and tools any company can use to create and capture blue oceans. A landmark work that upends traditional thinking about strategy, this book charts a bold new path to winning the future.

W. Chan Kim is the Boston Consulting Group Bruce D. Henderson Chair Professor of Strategy and International Management at INSEAD. Renée Mauborgne is the INSEAD Distinguished Fellow and Professor of Strategy and Management.

... Read more

Book Description

West Federal Taxation: Individual Income Taxes, 2005 Edition continues to set the standard in introductory tax. Its Authors and editors stay on top of trends in both tax law and tax education, as a result, the 2005 Edition is thoroughly up-to-date, current in its thinking, and pedagogically advanced! No other text is as effective at helping users master the ever-changing Individual Tax Code. It provides accessible, comprehensive, and authoritative coverage of the relevant tax Code and regulations as they pertain to the individual taxpayer, as well as coverage of all major developments in federal taxation.It also adheres to the recommendations of the Accounting Education Change Commission (AECC) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Visit the Product Website @ http://wft.swlearning.com ... Read more

Amazon.com

As a social science researcher and an esteemed business consultant, Marcus Buckingham (First, Break All the Rules and Now, Discover Your Strengths) has spent considerable time studying the big picture. This wide-angle approach led him to an unexpectedly narrow conclusion: There is a core concept to even the most complex topic. What he has discovered in The One Thing You Need to Know is that single "controlling insights" exist for a whole range of situations, and when properly applied, can encourage exponential improvement and lead to precise action and results. In applying this concept to managing, leading, and individual performance he has pinpointed the single element necessary for achieving success in each of these three key positions.

Buckingham acknowledges the subtleties of the topic and his goal is "not to make these subjects simpler, merely clearer." And what could be clearer than one thing? The challenge lies in filtering out the nonessential matters and distinguishing "between what is merely important and what is imperative" in order to produce the greatest and most far-reaching effects. In offering advice on how to do this he also details the three things you need to learn about a person to manage them effectively, explains why a lack of balance is a good thing, shows how to identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and discusses which personality traits all great leaders must possess.

Clearly written, informative, and enjoyable, the book aims to motivate readers to act--not just think--differently by providing concrete examples and specific lessons. And it need not be confined to the office--the concepts outlined in these pages can help people feel more fulfilled and productive in all aspects of life. --Shawn Carkonen

Essential Buckingham

First, Break All the Rules	Now, Discover Your Strengths	The One Thing You Need To Know, Audio CD
First, Break All The Rules, Audio CD	Now, Discover Your Strengths, Audio CD	First, Break All the Rules, Audio Cassette

If You Like Buckingham, You'll Love...

Jack Welch Jim Collins Larry Bossidy

Patrick Lencioni Stephen Covey Malcolm Gladwell

Tom Rath Daniel Goleman Clayton Christensen

... Read more

Reviews (13)

Brilliant !
(*****)

This book tackles very delicate theories in managing and leadership brilliantly.Marcus Buckingham's approach is straightforward, uses easy language but it definitely kicks you hard.

Part of the charm of the book perhaps is in managing expectations.I expected to learn just `One Thing' but instead there are so many things you'd read that would change your outlook.

The better books are those that would change your views, the best ones change your actions... this one is part of the latter.Aside from changing my views of managing and leading forever (in a way are opposites), this book has changed my routine and made me do changes here and now.

A must read!

Some Nuggets - Same Ideas as previous books, but applied.
I like the overall tone of this book, as I am a real advocate of his earlier works with discovering & developing one's strengths.For me, however, it was largely recycled ideas - albeit good ones!

The best nuggest I got (so far - I'm still reading parts) is that great managers play chess rather than checkers with their people.That is, in chess, you have to know each particular piece - how each one moves & performs in a different way.In checkers, you treat all pieces the same regardless.Perfect analogy, which I will use in my classes & for clients!

The one thing you need to know..
dont waste your money on this.

Just a collection of boring anecdotes.

Very insightful, practical and useful...A must read!
I loved this book! I learned a great deal about how to improve my own performance at work as well how to better understand others around me. Buckingham cuts through the business babble out there and provides useful practical advice one can apply in the work world and in life. Although I'm a fan of the first two books, this one is the must read!

Highly Recommended!
Many soothsayers pontificate sonorously about leadership to anyone who will listen, but over time they gradually lose touch with their subject matter. You may at first wonder if best-selling guru Marcus Buckingham has stumbled into this very ditch after he devotes eight pages early in the book to what makes great marriages (FYI: he says it's always interpreting everything your spouse does in the warmest possible light, whether or not that is logical). Well, not to worry - Buckingham is just warming up. An original thinker who lets his intellect roam, he brings sharp insights to the evergreen topic of leadership. Although this book is essentially creative in nature rather than intellectually rigorous, you'll come to respect the powerful perceptions it has to offer. Buckingham must navigate a perilous balance between clarity and oversimplification, and he pulls it off rather well. While we wouldn't say this is the only book you need to read to understand leadership, we highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

How did you feel after your last interaction with another person? Did that person-your spouse, best friend, coworker, or even a stranger -fill your bucket" by making you feel more positive? Or did that person "dip from your bucket," leaving you more negative than before? The number one New York Times and number one Business Week bestseller, How Full Is Your Bucket? reveals how even the briefest interactions affect your relationships, productivity, health, and longevity. Organized around a simple metaphor of a dipper and a bucket, and grounded in 50 years of research, this book will show you how to greatly increase the positive moments in your work and your life-while reducing the negative. Filled with discoveries, powerful strategies, and engaging stories, How Full Is Your Bucket? is sure to inspire lasting changes and has all the makings of a timeless classic. ... Read more