Editorial Review

Thomas L. Friedman is not so much a futurist, which he is sometimes called, as a presentist. His aim, in his new book, Read more

Reviews (822)

Friedman's history is great, but "Flat" has its drawbacks
Friedman's substantial, "The World Is Flat" is a summary of the dramatic changes in the economy of the world in the first few years of the 21st century.The book is full of great stories from all over the world that shows how, while the geography of our planet hasn't changed, that geography is becoming less and less an obstacle for business.The author shows, in a fairly amusing way, how certain dates in history (e.g. 11/9/89 - When the Walls Came Down and the Windows Went Up) represent major milestones in the progress to a flat world.These events, called flatteners, helped usher in the new globalization (version 3.0), which is exploding and resulting in a new world economy where India and China are on the same production and creative level as the United States.
The future is here, and it is starting to be evenly distributed
I have to admit I only read this book based on the fact it was topping all the best seller lists. I found it to be a worth while read. Even though I follow technology closely, I wasn't really aware of some of the points that the author made, so hopefully many will pick up something from this book. Many parts of the book I had difficulties relating to, but the new insights it provided were defently worth it.

How to destroy the United States 101 - What the book should be titled
It's a shame that US leaders have based a lot of its US policies on this book.It's like they want to make the US North Mexico or some Third World country. Really it's traitorous.
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Subjects:  1. Diffusion of innovations    2. Economic aspects    3. General    4. Globalization    5. History & Theory - General    6. History: World    7. Information society    8. International - Economics    9. International Economic Relations    10. International Relations - General    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Social Forecasting    13. Social Science    14. Social aspects    15. Sociology    16. Social Science / General   

Editorial Review

John Perkins started and stopped writing Read more

Reviews (431)

Yawn...
While it does contain a few interesting bits here and there (mainly in the first half of the book) this book fails to live up to the buzz surrounding it. There were few actual "insider" details (or details of any kind, in fact) and the author's voice grated on my nerves -- very self-serving. I suppose those interested in U.S. foreign and overseas development policy during the Cold War and post-Cold War era will find it worth reading, but getting through it is something of a chore. It took all my will power to plow through the last quarter of the book...

Sadly not the book it's been touted to be
The premise for "Confessions Of An Economic Hitman (COHM)" couldn't be more intriguing and the book did after all sell tons of copies and has remained on most booksellers' recommended reading list for ages. So my expectations were high for John Perkins' blow out confessional, the product of a conscience that struggled with but manfully prevailed against the temptations of a financially lucrative and high flying career as an "economic hit man".
enlightening insight into US foreign economic policy
I am so glad I read this book. While it has been critized for relying largely on the testimony of the author, John Perkins' book fits squarely into a lineage of books that are beginning to reveal the United States' plans for "global empire." Like Chomsky, Perkins reveals the actions behind the double-speak and PR-sanitized language that occludes the economic domination that is really going on in the form of "aid," "development," etc.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Business    6. Conspiracy & Scandal Investigations    7. Economists    8. Energy consultants    9. Foreign Relations Of Developing Countries    10. Government & Business    11. Intelligence officers    12. International - Economics    13. U.S. Government - Intelligence Agencies    14. United States    15. Business & Economics / Economics / International   

Reviews (1)

Oblivious to the reader
I am currently using this book for my Multinational Finance class.This book is not written with the student in mind.There are very few complete examples to learn from, and most of those are poorly worded.There is a lack of simplicity and elegance to all of the materials presented in this book.I think the writers forgot that students need to learn from this book.There are no study aids in this book, and the website for the book is sparse.You will not gain knowledge from this book, only confusion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Finance    5. Foreign exchange    6. International - General    7. International business enterpr    8. International business enterprises    9. International finance    10. Business & Economics / Economics / International   

Reviews (5)

International Financial Management (with Xtra!, World Map, and InfoTrac)
I recibed the Instructor's edition book, but there is a note in the back cover of the text:"NOT FOR SALE EDITION" and I paid for it $128 USD. I hope will exist more retailer`s control.

Great Book
The Book arrived on time, and wasbrand new just as stated.

Worth it
I have had many textbooks over the years and this is one of the best I have had.Some textbooks I have not even bothered to read but this one clearly explained the concepts it presented and was a great addition to my instructor's lectures.It gave a lot of real life examples in order to show applicablility and I actually didn't mind reading the chapters.The key learning objectives were really good as well as the questions at the end in order to meet educational needs.The online tools available with this book were also essential to passing exams with good grades.It was worth having to buy for my class. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Finance    5. International - Economics    6. Management - General    7. Business & Economics / Economics / International    8. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry    9. International economics   

Reviews (6)

International Economics (with InfoTrac)
This seler is not reliable!!!! They charge you and make you wait for a long time, and then, they email you saying that they can't delivery the book!!!! There is a refund regarding the cash, but the time you waste with this transaction is worthless!!!!

Not the best for undergrad international economics
As an instructor teaching an undergrad international economics, I used this textbook as designated reading for the class. There are several merits about this textbook: simplicity, tons of real-world examples, and plain description. Unfortunately, there are several disadvantages about this book that I can't stand:
Clarity of writing makes topic accessible
I had Dr Carbaugh as a student at UW Eau Claire, and enjoyed the clarity of his lectures.His book is nearly as good.My (first) edition is still worth consulting when I have the opportunity to teach econ. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. International - Economics    5. International - General    6. International economic relatio    7. International economic relations    8. Business & Economics / International    9. International economics   

Editorial Review

One day in 1992, Thomas Friedman toured a Lexus factory in Japan and marveled at the robots that put the luxury cars together. That evening, as he ate sushi on a Japanese bullet train, he read a story about yet another Middle East squabble between Palestinians and Israelis. And it hit him: Half the world was lusting after those Lexuses, or at least the brilliant technology that made them possible, and the other half was fighting over who owned which olive tree.Read more

Reviews (393)

Not just terms....
A treatise on globalization.Published in 1999 it seems apropos to review this in the context of history.In the midst of his conclusions / suggestions, as another reviewer cites, "Friedman on terrorism, two years prior to the 9/11 attacks: `When you combine the angry men that Americanization-globalization creates with the way in which globalization can super-empower people, you have what I believe is the real, immediate national security threat to the United States in the twenty-first century: the Super-Empowered Angry Man ...'."
The Best Explanation of Globalization That You Are Likely to Find
If you want to know exactly what globalization is, this is the book that contains perhaps the best explanation of globalization.Between the protests and the periodic G7 and G8 meeting of industrialized countries when the media is full of globalization stories, one finds there is a dearth of good explanationsof exactly what globalization is.Historically countries have always completed economically, developed countries used captured markets (colonies), during the mercantilistic era,the cold war was an aberration where the world competed on an idealogical level.Presently with the cold war at an end, there is an allure of attracting investment from multi-national companies. Vica-versa every country is also being evaluated in accordance to its business climate.A corrupt government, spendthrifts regime, or a fragile banking sytem loses votes (investment dollars) , countries with a good business climate receive investment dollars.The author's point is that no one company or country is actually controlling this system.The countries protesting the loudest are the same countries providing a weak business climate, and but they want to participate in the rewards. It is a natural outcome that as every country joins the international communityis judged by multitudes of investors on a worldwide basis.
Intriquing and Positive Look at Globalization
Written in the late 1990s (and later updated), Tom Friedman's lengthy assessment of globalization and the post-Cold War ear has etchd its place as one of the more prominent optimistic takes on the subject.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Capitalism    4. Economic Conditions    5. Economics - Theory    6. Free trade    7. General    8. International - Economics    9. International Relations - General    10. International economic relatio    11. International economic relations    12. Politics / Current Events    13. Social aspects    14. Technological innovations    15. Political Science / International Relations   

Reviews (17)

An important and useful text for understanding trade theory
Krugman and Obstfeld, two world renowned international economists, provide a full detailed analysis and examples for the basis of trade among nations. It is relatively straightforward to comprehend for both economists and noneconomists. International trade is an important component of economic policy for the growth and development of countries. This book examines various theoretical trade models and provides real world examples of policy formulation and their impact. The authors do not take any political positions, thus making their analysis a purely objective, or positive study.
Krugman
Some complicated theories explained in a way that can be understood.
Not What I've Come to Expect from Krugman
First off, even if you totally discount the rest of my review, buy the low price international version of this book.On the March 10, 2005 episode of the daily show Krugman elucidated his feelings quite clearly."The real money is in textbooks. With other books, people need to decide whether to buy them or not. Students have to buy textbooks."Thanks Paul.I think I'm being charitable when I say that at $125 this book is a ripoff.It isn't even full color.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Globalization    3. International - Economics    4. International economic relatio    5. International economic relations    6. International finance    7. Political Science    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Economic theory & philosophy    10. Political Science / Globalization   

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   

Editorial Review

Daniel Yergin's first prize-winning book, Shattered Peace, was a history of the Cold War. Afterwards the young academic star joined the energy project of the Harvard Business School and wrote the best-seller Energy Future. Following on from there, Read more

Reviews (109)

Should be assigned as a text
This is a thoroughly engrossing, still-relevant treatment of the history of oil and its effect on history.Many of the events recounted are familiar from high school and college history courses, but in the typical linear-timeline of such studies, the interconnectedness of oil toward other major historical events is often lost.This book puts all that in perspective, neatly tieing other technological and political events across 150 years to the rise of oil and its use in the internal combustion engine.I strongly agree with an earlier comment on this book, "if you don't know the history of oil, you don't know history."
Very Comprehensive
This book will help understand the current geopolitical landscape and the "great" democracies intervention in the middle east.

Here we go again!
(Hey, this review is supposed to be 5 stars! What's up with the editing?)
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Causes    3. Government - International    4. History    5. History: American    6. Industries - Energy Industries    7. Industries - General    8. International Relations - General    9. Military aspects    10. Modern - 20th Century    11. Petroleum    12. Petroleum Industries (Economic Aspects)    13. Petroleum industry and trade    14. Political Science    15. Political aspects    16. Politics / Current Events    17. Politics/International Relations    18. World War, 1914-1918    19. History / General    20. International economics    21. Petroleum & oil industries    22. Social history    23. USA   

Editorial Review

In Read more

Reviews (67)

A very detailed analysis of sustainability
Just a couple comments and caveats to add not covered in the in-depth Spotlight Reviews.First, this book is absolutely loaded with stats and data and provides a more rigerous, academic treatment of working towards more sustainable way to grow businesses and communities.The fact that the references at the end go on for 55 pages attest to this level of detail!).Given that the authors are from one of the most prominent "think tanks" of eco-capitalism - The Rocky Mountain Institute - explains this level of detail and expertise.But, it really can come across as a "brain dump" where every fact the authors knew of are piled into the chapters (whose origins are earlier position papers). So, if you really need hard data and lots of factoids, this book is a top, well-researched and dependable reference.
Delivers its promise.
Full with advanced thinking and practical examples, this book really is a window (rather, a super-window) to the near future. It explains what is wrong with many systems: optimization of a component pessimizes the whole and gives advice for better available solutions. A must for everyone interested in economics and ecology. along with "Cradle to cradle", the best I have read so far.

Natural Capitalism - China's Future | America's ???
Just this morning I was watching Cashin' In on Fox News. One hot topic was how Oil / Energy prices not only affect gas prices, but ripple across the entire economy - creating potentially deadly inflation. The fact is, our oil addiction is 1) consuming non-renewable resources, and 2) polluting the air, water, and land all around us. This cannot continue for long without irreversible effects on the world.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economics - Theory    5. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    6. International - Economics    7. Public Policy - Economic Policy    8. Business & Economics / Economics / International   

Reviews (9)

Well, it's almost okay
Murphy's books are great.The information in this book SHOULD work, but it doesn't.I've checked the data going back 20 years and it just doesn't hold up... although, again, I'll be the first one to say that it SHOULD hold up.Oh, well, guess that I'll have to stick with what Murphy REALLY does with his own money which is... ahh, shucks, I'll never tell, even though I really do know.

A MUST READ FOR ANY SERIOUS INVESTOR/TRADER
Are you still trading with a narrow vision? We live in a world beyond our imagination. The impact of the Asian markets on the US, relationship between crude oil and transports, impact of Taiwanese semi-conductors on the $SOX, etc... All these are crucial information that can help anticipate market direction. I highly recommend this book to any serious investor/trader.
A must read for any serious investor
If you ever wondered why you zigged when the market zagged, this book is for you. Understand how to identify which market and/or sector is peaking and which will be growing ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Finance    5. Futures And Options Trading    6. Investment analysis    7. Investments & Securities - General    8. Stocks    9. Business & Economics / Finance    10. Corporate finance    11. International economics   

Reviews (1)

Totally dissatisfied
I'm really unhappy with both the book and the services provided that come with the book. This has several reasons of which I'd like to point out a few here (though I have to note that I only read the second part - the one about international monetary policy):
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Subjects:  1. Globalization    2. Political Science    3. Politics / Current Events    4. Politics/International Relations    5. International economics    6. Political Science / Globalization   

Reviews (4)

Deep content, but terrible style
First, I should note that The Wealth Of Networks is terribly edited. Given that Benkler thanked his editor for his Herculean work at the beginning of the book, I can only imagine the state it started in; as it is, it ended with glaring grammatical errors, including using "effect" when he meant "affect" and "wave" when he meant "waive". (I'll provide specific examples sometime tomorrow.) Editing, apparently, is a craft that is only noticed in its absence. I didn't realize this until I read The Wealth of Networks. By the time I was done with the book, I was copyediting every page.
Manifesto for the 21st Century of Informed Prosperous Democracy

Web 2.0 rationale
I have worked with some of the new web 2.0 products and felt unease at explaining how they fiteed into the 'selfish' model that we associate with economics. Benkler explains this without sounding hippyish or Marxist. A good read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Computer networks    4. Computers - General Information    5. Economics - General    6. Information Technology    7. Information networks    8. Information society    9. Social Aspects - General    10. Social aspects    11. Impact of science & technology on society    12. Industry & Industrial Studies    13. International economics    14. Law / General   

Reviews (2)

best introduction to international economics
I have taken a few international economics courses and of all the textbooks this was by far the easiest to read and understand. The authors do an excellent job of making the models clear by giving detailed examples. This is one book I am definitely not selling back to the bookstore at school.

A great resource
This text book is a wonderful resource for all wanting to learn more about economics in the international arena.It is packed full of facts, graphs, and explanations.One problem I did find in this book is that it tried cover too broad a field.If it would have concentrated on one specific topic like the international economics, and left out the finance, it could be a much stronger work.I grew tired of hearing "as you already know..."It could have not made so many assumtions about what students already knew and used the extra area to cover them.All in all, it was a helpful resource for extra learning, however, I would suggest looking further for a book that will stand alone in teaching an international economics course. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. International - Economics    5. International economic relatio    6. International economic relations    7. International finance    8. International trade    9. Business & Economics / Economics / International    10. International economics   

Reviews (2)

The Best
The Best book for fundamental theory of project finance,integrated and described overall, a guidance to plan a project finance.

Great Book
This book is a great reference .....the tables, the schematic drawings...great tool for finance professionals. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accounting - General    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Engineering - Civil    6. Finance    7. International - Economics    8. Investments & Securities - General    9. Project management    10. Budgeting & financial management    11. Business & Economics / Finance   

Reviews (33)

Current and Comprehensive
Author Oded Shenkar provides up-to-date information, specific