Reviews (61)

The Antithesis of Winner-Take-All
If you became hopelessly depressed after reading "The Winner-Take-All Society" by Frank and Cook, then "The Long Tail" will provide you with some solace. Nothing ever reaches its logical conclusion, and economic rewards will not aggregate to the top ad infinitum. The ability to make an infinite number of copies of the "best" song or movie or book contrasts with the infinite shelf space available on the internet. "The Long Tail" demonstrates why that shelf space will be a highly democratizing force. People are always looking for something new, and the traditional, monopolistic channels (or gatekeepers) are under siege, even now.

Pop-science goes marketing
The big thing these days seems to be science writers like Malcolm Gladwell coming up with best-sellers that, charitably put, are very light on facts and very long on sometimes outlandish assertion. Chris Anderson, editor in chief of Wired magazine, joins the parade with his silly - yes, silly - claim that businesses like music and movies are no longer driven by hits, but by the "long tail." That it is the thousands of titles that people buy or rent infrequently. Somehow, according to Anderson, the idea of web merchants making a zillion titles available and some of those titles being sold or rented once or twice will be the "transformation . . . coming to just about every industry imaginable." Uh, no it ain't. Nowhere in the book does Anderson factor in the reality that someone pays for the production of all those videos and music tracks that rent or sell infrequently. Nor does he account for the reality that not every web merchant can acheive the volume of an Amazon or eBay. In other words, Anderson has discovered the obvious: if you make 30,000 movies available for rental, let's say, through a Netflix, many of the cult titles and dogs will be rented. Anderson pounds on this "long tail" effec while glossing over the fact that the neighborhood video rental store won't carry 30,000 titles. The profits from the occasionl rental of the 30,000th item on the list won't match the cost of acquiring and keeping it in stock in a store, while it makes little difference to a Netflix.
Insights that influence Google's strategic thinking.
98 Rule: Netflix reckoned that 95 percent of its 25,000 DVDs rented at least once a quarter. Amazon using an independent academic research on its book sales suggested that 98 percent of its top 100,000 books sold at least once a quarter.Digital space cost per DVD is very cheap and represent almost no physical inventory space excepting magnetic medium storage.In the sale of one or two DVDs, the traditional retail runs out of steam because it can turn inventory fast enough to pay for physical space, but the economics of online retail keep going.Eventually, Amazon will localize and print digital media using high-speed printers producing a book in seconds from an electronic catalog, the birth of a book replication. DVDs will be replaced by wireless iPods, who are paying subscribers to iTunes, will increase the speed of distribution and volume of sales of the media they prefer. The 80/20 rules are changing.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Consumer Behavior - General    5. Economic Conditions    6. Economics (General)    7. Economics - General    8. Internet marketing    9. Market segmentation    10. Marketing    11. Marketing - Research    12. Sales & Selling - General    13. Technological innovations    14. Business & Economics / Economic History   

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (43)

Rediculous!
After listening to 2 of 5 CD`s I was ready to give the audio book away. After listening to #3 and #4 it only got worse. Trump & Kiyosaki should be ashamed of themselves for passing this nonsense off as business advice.
You will learn from this book if you are ready and willing to do the work
There is a basic rule in taking advice:Never take it from someone who has not achieved the thing you want to achieve. That means, if you want to be rich, you must learn to ignore people who are not rich when they spew their opinions at you. This rule has never been more relevant than now, when comparing these two men of great achievement with the envious, entitlement-minded people who are disparaging the book with ignorant, negative reviews.
Kiyosaki is a broken record
After reading this book and Rich Dad Poor Dad, I have come to one conclusion...Robert Kiyosaki is a broken record. How many times can I read him write the same sentance and paragraph- over and over again in the same book?Kiyosaki's portion of the book provides some surface information but little depth on how to become wealthy, eventhough he specifically claims that he wants to teach us how to become rich.His writing style is a bit arrogant and provides little value to a person wishing to learn about personal finance.I agree with previous reviews about this book being a cheerleader book.
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Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Business/Professional    2. Abridged Audio - Self-Help    3. Business & Economics    4. Economic Conditions    5. General    6. Personal Finance    7. Personal Finance - General    8. Social Stratification    9. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (17)

First we start with a mistake...
Having observed the healthcare industry for the last couple of decades, I would like to point out a flaw in the author's recommendations:
the next 20 years, explained
Michael Porter, of value chain and competitive advantage fame, has taken on the US health care system.Your reviewer, who is speaking from inside the system, can guarantee that both his diagnosis and his proposed fix are bang on. In short, you bring the US healthcare system in line with other industries by making information about the outcomes of healthcare available to consumers, then letting them choose. How to get there from here takes up most of the book, and it is as brilliant and thoughtful as Porter fans have come to expect. Read this one.

A sentinel work on healthcare reform
Michael Porter and Elizabeth Teisberg have presented a sentinel work in the field of healthcare management.American healthcare is capable of providing the very best skill, professional expertise, and technology the world has ever seen. What is failing in our healthcare system is the management and business organization required deliver value to the recipients of this expertise-- patients.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Cost control    5. Cost effectiveness    6. Economic Conditions    7. Evaluation Of Health Services    8. Health Care Issues    9. Health Policy    10. Industries - General    11. Management - General    12. Medical Economics    13. Medical care    14. Public Policy - Economic Policy    15. Quality control    16. Business strategy   

Reviews (5)

Avoid if you can
I think this is one of the worst textbooks I've ever read. It uses 14 different sentences to say the same thing, and makes basic concepts seem complicated by overstating/analyzing them. This book could be significantly shorter...maybe the author was getting paid by the word?
Macroeconomics
The book was in great condition and the book was delievered in reasonable amount of time.

wrong order
i received the order on sept. 12, 2005, and it was the wrong book, and i still haven't received a refund for their mistake. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic Conditions    5. Economics - Macroeconomics    6. Macroeconomics    7. Business & Economics / Macroeconomics   

Editorial Review

Celebrated economist Jeffrey Sachs has a plan to eliminate extreme poverty around the world by 2025. If you think that is too ambitious or wildly unrealistic, you need to read this book. His focus is on the one billion poorest individuals around the world who are caught in a poverty trap of disease, physical isolation, environmental stress, political instability, and lack of access to capital, technology, medicine, and education. The goal is to help these people reach the first rung on the "ladder of economic development" so they can rise above mere subsistence level and achieve some control over their economic futures and their lives. To do this, Sachs proposes nine specific steps, which he explains in great detail in Read more

Reviews (14)

At least it got people talking about global economics...
I really wanted to love this book. It came strongly recommended by a good friend who is very interested in development work.Whenever I read a review I always try and figure out what angle the reviewer is coming from, so for the record I'm deeply interested in development work and I have a background in economics and environmental science, but mostly I'm just really well read.
why we lost the poor
The End of Poverty is an excellent book. It shows how economic thinking can provide a better wealth situation in the underdeveloped world. Jeffrey Sachs describes his last twenty years on development economics. He is the driving force behind the mayor developments in Bolivia and Poland. The book contains his experiences in Bolivia, Poland and Russia. If you introduce economic measures in these countries you can take a big step to let the people help themselves. But if you go to Africa, it seams that these measures are really not the first aid you can give them.
Historic Opportunity for Our Generation
Through clear illustrations and calculations, Jeffrey Sachs lays out a very optimistic and compelling argument that extreme poverty can be ended within our generation. Two major requirements of this plan are the rich nation's commitment to debt relief and their honoring of their promises to dedicate a meager 0.7% of GNP to Official Development Assistance (ODA). If properly invested in infrastructure, health, and education (a topic well covered in the book), these funds could put the extremely poor back on the economic ladder towards growth and development. Sachs sites numerous success stories such as the Marshall Plan and the eradication of African River Blindness and Smallpox where sufficient funding and dedication successfully accomplished development objectives.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Developing countries    3. Development - Economic Development    4. Economic assistance    5. Economic conditions    6. Economics - General    7. Economics Of Developing Countries    8. Poverty    9. Public Policy - Economic Policy    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Third World Development    13. Business & Economics / Economic Conditions   

Reviews (1)

Not that great
I read this book for an international studies class, but as an econ minor, i was really dissapointed.the book is targeted towards non-econ majors, i think, but it ended up just confusing most of my friends in the class who had no econ background.however, i did okay, not becuase of this book, but because of my own econ background that allowed me to fill in the gaps and understand the confusing explenations and definitions used in this book.there are better ways to say what gerber tried to say, in my opinion, so i would not recomend this book very highly.although it was decent, it could have been much better. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Commercial policy    5. Economic Conditions    6. International - Economics    7. International economic integra    8. International economic integration    9. International economic relatio    10. International economic relations    11. International trade    12. Investments & Securities - General    13. United States    14. Business & Economics / Investments & Securities    15. International economics   

Reviews (34)

Outdated, bias, full with prejudice and lack of analysis
This book is one of the most bias and harmful books ever written on Latin America. The only reason for his success would be it was written in the midst of the Cold War, with the support of all the comunist propoganda. The book have no depth and lacks the most basic historical, economic and social analysis. Written by a bunch of second-rate writers, it hardly scratch the surface, limiting itself to play the victim's role some leaders like Hugo Chavez are trying to play today. There're many serious books out there to waste time with this one. If you're interested with the subject, maybe you should start with a history one, like "The two empires of América".

Trash-book.The bible of latino moron.
I tried to read this trash-book,here in Brazil, about twenty years ago.This book is so bad, that I never finished it.The author is a marxist and knowed faker, ridiculous and Fidel Castro's friend.
Excellent Source book, but needs to be complimented
This book must and has to be read in conjunction with
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic Conditions    5. Economic History    6. General    7. Latin America    8. American history    9. Business & Economics / Economic Conditions    10. LATIN AMERICA_ECONOMIC CONDITIONS   

Reviews (1)

Fantastic Feast of Ideas
The Extreme Future is a fantastic feast of ideas.So many books about the future are predictable or simply boring.This book is a whole other experience. Canton's mind is a non-stop treasure trove of complex insights, wild ideas, brain-stretching posssibilities and just plain fun.I wholeheartedly recommend The Extreme Future to anyone who would like to step outside the box and look at everything - from global politics to mind control to enhanced humans - in some pretty incredible ways. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic Conditions    5. Economic Forecasting    6. Forecasting    7. Forecasts    8. Social change    9. Social prediction    10. Twenty-first century    11. Business & Economics / Planning & Forecasting   

Subjects:  1. Economic Conditions    2. Reference    3. Yearbooks & Annuals    4. Business competition    5. International business    6. International trade    7. Reference / Yearbooks & Annuals   

Reviews (41)

Investor newsletter sold as a book
Dr. Leeb's book makes a lot of sense regarding the consequences of running out of oil, and the growth of world demand outpacing the growth of supply even before supplies dry up. The question is when will all this lead to catastrophic consequnces for the world economy. Dr. Leeb suggests that this is imminent, and we are facing $200/barrel oil prices within the near future. As I am writing this review, oil prices are retreating; after having reached nearly $80/barrel, they are now around $60. How much this is due to a transient decrease in demand (the interest rate hikes by the Feds have slowed down the US economy that has some additional slowing effects worldwide), and how much this is due to price manipulations during the months leading up to the US midterm elections, is yet to be seen. The Feds may have averted stagflation for the time being, but it is doubtful that oil prices (a major reason for inflation) will remain at the current, milder level. Dr. Leeb has some recommendations for investors how to cope with the oil price explosion and period of stagflation. The advise is sensible, provided stagflation is coming in the near future. If we assume that Dr. Leeb has to be right at some point of time, but not necessarily in the immediate future, the investment strategy he recommends may lead to suboptimal returns.
Gives what may be some practical advice about oil shortages
As other reviewers have pointed out, this book by Stephen Leeb makes some straightforward points.We have a complex global civilization and a tricky national economy.And we have a large global population.That puts us all at risk in a number of ways.
Infinitely annoying, but still important to read.
A lesson from Chicken Little: when you are announcing that the sky is falling, make your argument as palatable as possible to people who obviously don't want to hear it.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic Conditions    5. Economic Forecasting    6. Economics - General    7. Economics - Theory    8. Energy Economics    9. Industries - Energy Industries    10. Investments & Securities - General    11. Nonrenewable natural resources    12. Petroleum products    13. Prices    14. United States    15. Business & Economics / General    16. Economics    17. Investment & securities    18. Petroleum & oil industries   

Reviews (33)

Current and Comprehensive
Author Oded Shenkar provides up-to-date information, specific
Insightful and well-written
China is a quickly rising economy on the world stage and many liken it to another Japan on the horizon.However, there are as many differences as there are similarities between the rise of the Chinese economy and the rise of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, or Hong Kong.These differences are critical if you are going to understand the impact this will have on the American and world economy.What is the legacy of China's history and how is that impacting their current economy?How is China dealing with (or not dealing with) the problem of piracy and bootlegging of legitimate products on the world market and how will that affect their position on the world market stage?The author deftly covers opportunities and challenges in the China market and in United States Chinese market.The Chinese Century is highly recommended for anyone who wishes to understand the Chinese market and the implications of that market for the United States.

A Window into Worldwide Change
For some time I have been concerned that China's ascent is more than a case of an emerging economy awakening from an extended period of slumber.
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Subjects:  1. 2000-    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. China    6. Contemporary Economic Situations And Conditions    7. Economic Conditions    8. Foreign economic relations    9. International - Economics    10. International Economics (General)    11. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    12. Public Policy - Economic Policy    13. Business & Economics / International    14. Economics   

Reviews (5)

Indispensable information on China's growth and impact
This book is indispensable for anyone seeking solid information about China. No country has inspired more commentary, conflict and controversy, or given rise to more disparate and confusing predictions, projections and polemics. The authors - C. Fred Bergsten, Bates Gill, Nicholas R. Lardy and Derek Mitchell - focus on economic, political and security issues, carefully assessing the range of noteworthy opinions on each issue, and offering readers the data necessary to evaluate them. The authors do not attempt to make a case one way or the other. They provide an excellent, concise survey of contemporary thinking about China, with ample evidence for and against each viewpoint. We think that if you are only going to read one book on China, this should be it. If you are going to read several, start here.

First rate think tanks, second rate authors, third rate book
This book is a major disappointment. With all the heat from two think tanks and the authors, it offers no light except something as dry and plain as chewing wax, and certainly could be written by any local journalists.
A biased description of China Development
I believe that this books does not make a sound appreciation of the interesting development china has followed since the period of Den Xiaoping which ended in a new economic and political plan after 1978. If the plan has succeded, is a consequence of the opening of china to a new form of capitalism.The authors of the book seem to be making a biased judgement based upon facts that can also be applied to the U.S government in its intervention all around the third world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1976-    2. 2000-    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. China    5. Economic Conditions    6. Economic policy    7. Economics - Comparative    8. National security    9. Political Science    10. Politics and government    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Public Policy - Economic Policy    13. International economics    14. International relations   

Reviews (2)

best on the subject
This is definitely the best introductory book there is on the subject. This was a supplemental book for an undergraduate class of mine, but I read it anyway. The authors lucid writing allows this book to be thoroughly understood by all readers despite their backround in economics. I truly believe that this book should be required reading for all history, political science, finance, sociology, and economics majors.
Rockoff is the greatest American Historian ever.
Rockoff gives a brilliant account of the history of the American Economy and is possibly the best American economic historian in US history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic Conditions    5. Economic History    6. United States    7. Business & Economics / Economic History    8. Economics    9. USA   

Reviews (1)

Decent analysis, but bad editing
To start off, the editors of this book must have been asleep when it crossed their desks: the numerous erros in spelling and grammar interrupt a generally lucid writing style, with numerous, critical errors even in charts and graphs. The worst editorial aspect of the book is that in several places, entire passages are repeated, sometimes immediately, other times in a different chapter. Being in the field, I know economists are not the most skilled writers, but I place all the blame at the doorstep of the publishing house. Read more

Subjects:  1. 1991-    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Economic Conditions    4. Economic policy    5. Economics - General    6. Globalization    7. Political Science    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Russia (Federation)    10. Soviet Union    11. Economics    12. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    13. Political Science / Globalization   

Reviews (17)

Thought-provoking, irresponsible, and sometimes comically incorrect. But fun.
Powerful Times has promise as you plow through the first handful of chapters. I've done quite a bit of future `ideating' mostly for product innovation to have concepts like `clarity vs craziness' - something we called, `synthesized sense-making' at work - and `technology acceleration vs pushback' - resonate with me. His arguments make sense and they feel like they're pointing to a powerful conclusion.