Russian banking is 'inventing' a new Russian social process for individual and small group entrepreneurial pioneering and providing people with new pathways for economic growth. Every decisive step in the history of economic development ha been the result of deliberate decisions to open up space and enable people to pioneer. This deliberate incubation of the free enterprise of ordinary people has always worked to produce great results. This is not nostalgic, not romantic, not greed. It is the simple principle of applying "opportunity" to the great driving hunger of millions of people to transcend their inadequate past

A far better description of the actual situation in Russia than what is available in the U.S. or Russian Press, or other alternative sources. Opened my eyes to what I should be aware of.

I found this book provided a clear description of possibilities for collaboration and cooperation with Banks in America. Our methods and practices differ but Dr. van de Waal-Palms explains the common denominators.

I feel that this book has been the most outstanding work ever done in the financial services sector. I recommend this highly especially for people involved in the financial services business. I have used this book immensely in my business too. My heartiest congratulations to all the four authors of this book. I look forward to another book from them in the future.

It is a superb book which has a total grip of the latest in the financial services sector globally.

A "MUST READ" for all financial services participants and strategists. I have read the book three times over and everytime I read this book I find a new angle which I could apply to my business.

A very useful book describing a variety of approaches to creating value, such as strategy, products, technology, logical and mathematical modeling frameworks for analyzing a firm's strategy, technology, and process choices.

A must read for managers of financial service firms, and consultants as well as researchers who work in the area of strategic planning, technology choice, process design and process re-engineering.

"Merchants of Misery" is a damning indictment of unregulated, free-market capitalism and provides a reader with more than enough material to refute the claim that capitalism is synonymous with fredoom, as espoused by Milton Friedman disciples etcetera.

A lucid, searing and compelling analysis of America's poverty industry, "Merchants of Misery" starts off by illustrating how discriminatory banking practices disallow poor and minority coneumers to partake of their services. By refusing banking services (loans) in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, mainstream banks are creating a vacuum that is being filled by cheque-cashers, high-rate mortgage companies and other financial enterprises eager to fleece the poor.

"Merchants of Misery" provides glimpse after glimpse into the lives of real poverty-stricken people and their efforts to fight back. Fighting back by way of consumer rights attorneys, neighbourhood activists and a coalition of average citizens attacking the purveyors of this despicable industry with lawsuits, protests and alternative financial services. A powerful book.

How much misery can one person stand in their lifetime? is it not enough to be poor in America? Must one suffer injurious harm and injury at the hands of rent-to-own centers,check-cashing stores, and pay-day lending operations? Michael Hudson catalogs not just the personal misery of those merely seeking a piece of the American dream, he skillfully exposes the corporations behind the merhcants of misery. The names of these corporate perpetrators are all-too-familiar to us--Ford, Chrysler, and NationsBank. Hudson ironically points out that these same corporations, who are unwilling to provide branch operations in the inner city, are perfectly willing to provide finance subsidiaries, check-cashing operations, rent-to-own centers, and a myriad of loan sharking operations that would make the mafia proud. Hudson points out that few states, particularly southern states, have usury laws which prevent these predators from charging anywhere from 20-1,000% for their merchandise. In one case, a TV set, which could have been purchased for $300-400 went for over $1,200 after all the payments were made to a rent-to-own center. Hudson has written an important, must-be-read book detailing yet another war on the poor--the war penalizing those who merely want a piece of the American dream--and get a piece of the American nightmare.

Now in an updated and expanded fourth edition, Michael Banks' The Modem Reference continues to offer a complete and comprehensive guide to personal computer communications. This invaluable reference explains the concepts underlying computer data, data encoding and transmission, as well as supporting hardware. The Modem Reference covers how modems work, communication software, working with Windows, file transfers, connecting on the road, modem troubleshooting, modem types (including features and options), making online connections, essential menus and commands, online services and the Internet, physical connections and cables, and resources for online users. The Modem Reference is especially recommended to anyone wanting to maximize their PC, fax, and data communications capabilities at work or at home.

This updated 4th edition of a classic explains all the concepts behind modem use; from modern technology and PC communications to working with Windows, online services and on the internet. Troubleshooting ideas and file transfer tips are especially valuable here.

This book is really beautiful. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry. I could not put it down. If you are feeling down it will pick your spirts up. This is a book that I will read over and over again.

I wrote "The Life Retrievers." It is the autobiographical story of how my father's Labrador Retriever took care of me while my mother abused and severely neglected me when I was a toddler. Duchess also saved me from a charging black bear. I was a co-winner of Mike Capuzzo's "Great American Dog Contest." My story is referred to in the Kirkus review as "dogs who rescue others from abuse." Celebrity authors include Rudyard Kipling and James Herriot. This book ranks right up there with "All Creatures Great and Small." They are true stories of dogs who have greatly enriched ordinary peoples' lives. They are stories by ordinary people like myself whose relationships with their dogs were so extraordinary that they felt compelled to write them. The stories come straight from the dog owners' hearts. The premise of Mike Capuzzo's "Great American Dog Stories Contest" was that it move the reader to emotion. That is what this book will do. It's a 20 hanky book, but there are many laughs as well, such as "The Lobster Apso." Lynn Marie Harvey

This book demonstrates conclusively that the World Bank has done little more than shore up colonial economic structures. However, instead of stopping there, Brown goes on to demonstrate that African institutions and progressive NGOs provide an excellent alternative to the World Bank model -- an alternative that stresses development led by the people of Africa themselves.

I used this book for a business school "Central Banking" class recently. Michael Mussa really knew what he was talking about, and he writes concisely and elegantly.

He analyzed the effects on the Argentinian economy of irresponsbible fiscal and monetary policies. And in the process of doing so, he also convincingly illustrated the intercation between fiscal and monetary policies and its implications in steering the economy in general.

Best book written on Argentinian economy I have ever read. Two-thumbs up!

Review from the Journal of Financial Service Professionals [Vol. LIII, No. 4 (July 1999)] by: John S. Bickley, Emeritus Frank Park Sanford Chair of Insurance, The University of Alabama.

In preparation for a review of Michael White's A Comprehensive Guide to Bank Insurance, it seemed appropriate to pose a series of questions that would be expected to be answered in this pioneer work. It is satisfying to note that all questions raised were considered. It thus seems obvious that this comprehensive volume should be compulsory reading for both bankers and insurance executives who are considering a joint effort to expand their operations and profits.
The arguments for the entry of banks into the insurance arena are really quite simple. Banks need to distribute insurance products to strengthen their competitive position. And insurers need banks as an outlet for their products. The difficulties of supporting the traditional agency system of life insurance dictate the development of new distribution channels.
There are many difficulties to be overcome in achieving a successful entry into insurance marketing by banks. It is clear that considerable study and dedication are required to follow the steps mapped out to implement such a policy. Careful attention is given in the book to the issues that must be resolved, and a comprehensive blueprint is laid out to achieve a successful entry into insurance.
This book is not simply a how-to-do-it publication, as the procedures presented are rooted both in theory and practice. Conclusions are founded upon a large number of studies and on an examination of specific cases that are germane to the issue at hand. The recommendations offered are based on strong theoretical planks, as well as on a variety of case studies.
Any student of banking would find much of value in this volume whether entry into insurance is being considered or not. The summary of the problems banks face if they continue with long-held practices makes it clear that the industry has deep-rooted problems that need to be addressed.
Their role as a depository has been challenged severely by such services as Merrill Lynch's cash management account and by money market mutual funds. On the asset side of their balance sheets, there has been an erosion caused by competition from the securities market. The share of credit supplied by banks has slipped from 66 to 44 percent in the past two decades.
The in-depth review of the marketing problems of life insurers documents how companies have failed to expand their sales commensurate with the growth of the market. The industry's agency force is declining rapidly, the number of uninsured and under-insured individuals is growing, and the productivity and service offered by the agency force is declining. Those responsible for the health of their companies are searching for alternative distribution systems. One such is bank insurance.
The major problem in confronting the question of a bank's involvement in insurance relates to federal and state laws and regulations, as well as to court rulings. A wide variety of measures have been enacted which, in essence, permit banks to participate in insurance distribution in one way or another. The author does a masterful job of documenting the restraints and opportunities that have existed for sometime now. As bankers contemplate insurance marketing, they can find answers in this book on a variety of legal problems in the entry process and in the on-going management of this form of service to the public. This is considered of such importance that a large portion of this volume is devoted to this subject. It is hard to see how such a meaningful review could be done in less space.
Chapter nine is rather unique in that it takes the reader through a case involving a medium-sized bank that is considering entry into life insurance distribution. The guidelines, which are enunciated, will serve well any bank seeking similar goals. Insurance agents and companies similarly can benefit from the lessons offered. The analysis is a detailed one. It indicates the kind of factual data that must be secured and studied before a decision is made to undertake insurance operations. It is a highly practical run-down of a demanding decision-making exercise. It is encouraging to note that estimates are based always on a "worst-case" scenario. Economic assessments are uncertain at best, so this is no place for undue optimism.
This book is not designed for casual reading. Much factual information is presented in tabular form. The layout of the text, with its frequent headings, makes it easy to see the parameters of each topic. The appendices are especially useful for persons seriously considering a marriage of banking and insurance. Legal citations are helpful in considering the authority of banks in this field. The listing of names and addresses of banking and insurance regulators, trade associations, education and training organizations, publications, and statistical services facilitate action on the issues involved. A comprehensive listing of abbreviations in common usage is of value.
In summary, the book answers the most significant questions those contemplating bank entry into insurance should ask. It shows why banks should undertake insurance operations, why there is a ready market for such services, why there is a potential for profit, what must be done to assure success, and what might be the relationship with the traditional insurance business. Finally, it makes clear the legal and regulatory framework within which banks must operate.

the book was very good. It happened in dayton Ohio. I thought that I knew what it was but I was wrong. if you like mysteries than you should buy this book. It is good for ages 9 and up. Evan though it says 9-12.

The Church Tower Mystery was a spine tingling thriller. All those, young or old, who love a mystery this is a perfect book for them. You never know what will happen next! It's an enjoyable book for everyone! This wonderful tale about two young boys tracking down a tricky bank robber. In this tale the boys find themselves in a web of circumstances. It was very fun to see how they worked their way out. I enjoyed it very much!

... and all through the church, two boys were stirring, caught in the lurch! Bad rhyme, but a fun book. I enjoyed Disneyland as an adult, and I enjoyed this book, too. I am betting our grandchildren will like it as they get closer to the suggested 8-12 reading range. The story is engaging. The setting is just old and quaint enough to be "ancient" to our young ones. It brought back memories to me. It's a good stocking stuffer for the bright youngster who enjoys a mystery, and it will stretch vocabulary just a bit as well.