Carroll's Desk Reference on the Economy is comprehensive, issues oriented and balanced. These qualities make it great for getting up to speed for economic issues in the 2000 election. The sections on Social Security, Environment, Taxes and Presidential performance measures are especially strong. The Q&A format works well. I recommend it to anyone who wants to get more out of the news.

In their opening words in Chapter 1, the authors state.... "the purpose of due diligence is to develop information that allows one to make a reasonable estimate of the viability and future profitability of a business being considered for acquisition." I belive that the authors' step-by-step approach and easy to follow guide have most effectively enabled the reader to make just such a determination. The checklists and critical questions that are provided in this text are well worth the cover price, in and of themselves. I believe that this book is an excellent companion to Joseph Krallinger's text, "Mergers & Acquisition: Managing The Transaction." The authors' hands-on business experience, as well as their academic abilities are clearly in evidence in their work. The chapters related to the valuation of the various forms of assets and liabilites (including the potential legal consequences) are especially valuable to the reader. As a leadership coach to CEO Entrepreneurs and as an academcian who teaches courses in entrepreneurial leadership and decision making, I find this book to be a valuable resource. All in all I'd strongly recommend this book to any entrepreneur or would be entrepreneur who is considering the acquisition of an existing business.