The discipline of intangible management (knowledge management) has been around for over a decade; there have been many attempts in better understanding & management of intangible assets, with different perspective (organizational learning, technology, strategy etc). Lev has provided a very concise analysis of intangible management with an economics perspective. His analysis is very systematic, robust, with support of empirical studies. I find his treatment of the subject coherent and enjoyable to read. I find the recommendation part slightly weak, the value chain scorecard does not provide significant enhancement over Kaplan & Norton's balanced scorecard.

The topic of intangible assets is one of the most vexing issues facing corporations, investors and policymakers today. Professor Lev's book is an important contribution to the literature on intangible assets. The author is well-informed on the inadequacies of current accounting practices and his prescriptions for dealing with the problems are extremely insightful. What makes this book special is the author's obvious passion and enthusiasm for his subject. This book deserves more than five stars.

With the collapse of dot coms and many other high tech companies, many wonder whether intangibles should also go by the wayside. In his book, Lev persuasively argues otherwise. In today's environment, in both old and new economy sectors, the only systematic and sustainable drivers of value and growth are intangible assets, such as patents, brands, unique supply and distribution processes, and human resource practices.

This landmark book represents the most comprehensive and thorough economic analysis of intangibles to date. Building on the author's high-impact research and first-hand experience working with executives, consultants, and regulators, the book offers a coherent framework for understanding the fundamental economics of intangible assets. Baruch Lev identifies attributes of intangibles that are different from tangible assets (property, plant, and equipment), by focusing on their distinctive role in value-creation. He highlights the most critical issue concerning intangibles: the need to make relevant information available to outsiders.

Perhaps the most difficult job in tackling a challenging issue, such as intangibles, is to recommend a practical solution. Baruch Lev proposes an information system, the Value Chain Scoreboard, to enhance information disclosure about intangibles. A notable feature of the system is its emphasis of key drivers in the creation of valuable intangible assets, as opposed to ex post measurement of performance. Although the focus is on improving external information communication, its mission of reflecting the valuation-creation process of intangibles makes the system potentially useful for managers who want to monitor the performance of investment in intangibles.

With a wonderful blend of real-world stories and easily understood economic reasoning, the book also has tremendous educational value, in a variety of business disciplines. It is an especially valuable source for those interested in learning about managing knowledge-based business.

no words can describe the richness and clarity of this book.the description of Maxwell's distribution, Gibbs formalism,etc...all with marvelous clarity and rigour. Everyone who wants to learn statistical Mechanics (under and graduates) MUST read this book.

This book is a classic, especially in the sense it is somewhat old fashioned in its basic approaches when compared with newer books. For example it examines statistics and entropy from the ergodic as opposed to the ensemble approach. Information Theory and role of symmetry and symmetry breaking is not treated in detail. However I can't hold these omissions against the book since these developments happend mostly in the late 70s.

What Landau does here, and which in explicably very few Statistical Mechanics books do nowadays, is the full Gibbs Formalism. Not only is the Gibbs Formalism more compatible with Quantum Mechanics, it can also fits in beautifully with Ensemble Statistics and Inofrmation Theory. More over, it is at once clear Maxwell and Boltzmann statistics are only special cases of the Gibbs formalism, and can be easily shown in a few lines.

What Landau does, is to gave an elegant and cohesive view the trully fundamental features of Statistical Mechanics. Chapters 1-6 of this book alone displays a deeper level of understanding than whole books that have been written. If you are interested in Statistical Mechanics at all, this must be a centerpiece of your library.

This is the Volume 9 of the famous Course of Theoretical Physics by L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz. All serious students of theoretical physics must possess the ten volumes of this excellente Course, which cover in detail and rigour practically all the branches of theoretical physics. The Volume 9 treats important specialized topics of modern statistical physics. These topics include the theory of quantum liquids(Fermi and Bose types), the theory of superfluidity, created by Landau to account for the phenomena ocurring in liquid helium at approximately 2 kelvin, the microscopic theory of superconductivity, the general method of Green's functions, so important to modern statistical physics, and some other topics, such as the quantum mechanics of a electron in a crystal lattice. The book still contains the general theory of electromagnetic and hydrodynamic fluctuations, treated in the spirit of the Green's functions. These topics are treated with rigour, efficiency and c! larity of language. For this reason, all readers with some aqquaintance with basic statistical physics can read and understand much of this book without major problems. Certainly there is not other book comparable with the Volume 9, a unique and valuable addition to the literature on modern statistical physics!

The only thing I can say about this book and the author is that this man was a genius! Worth every second spent reading it!

Vygotsky, who was a contemporary of Piaget, unfortunately never received nearly as much attention while still alive. Probably due to the fact that he was working in Russia and had a relatively short career his work seems to have taken a very long time to even get published for 'western' consumption. His theories also go against the grain of the dogma currently in vogue in psychology.

This book gives a brief overview of Vygotsky's life and career. Then it launches into Vygotsky's original manuscript which begins with a critique of some of the central themes of that time; oddly enough those themes are still being pursued by psychologists today. Vygotsky's critique is very interesting and demonstrates a very broad range of understanding of psychological, physical and philosophical knowledge throughout the section.

The second part of the book then advances Vygotsky's theories of thought and language development. And that is the crux of Vygotsky's theory: thought and language each develop in a manner that one might characterize as partially self-catalyzing in addition to behaving as one. Vygotsky also advanced some important ideas about child potential with his "zone of proximal development".

Vygotsky pointed out that development hinges on the social structure surrounding the child and is not similar to the idea of some computer operating system simply requiring some type of "load" instruction. That is, Vygotsky's work seems to dispel some of the hot air surrounding Chomsky's ideas about "deep grammar" structures existing and just waiting for the instructions to start working; instead thought and language develop, sometimes separately and sometimes requiring each other to act as catalysts.

Given recent advances in primate language studies, complex adaptive systems and Wittgenstein's contributions to the philosophy of systems I believe Vygotsky's work becomes all the more important and relevant. We are only just starting to grasp the importance of thinking about development in a systems mode as opposed to the old way of reductionism (and the weird dogmatic offshoot of this: strict materialism).

This is a must-read for anyone interested in learning about how we develop. Other interesting ideas and overviews can be found in Bogdan's "Minding Minds" and Faber's "Objectivity and Human Perception". Then there is the burgeoning field of complexity where a good general overview can be found in "Signs of Life". And for those who really want to get deeper, read some of the recent work done in EEG and meditation to help kids with ADD and other problems.

A contemporary of Piaget (developmental psychology)and Watson (behaviorism), Vygotsky launches a cogent critique and synthesis of these two scientific schools. His asserting that learning leads development is as fresh and valuable today as it was when he first wrote the text. Secondly, his calling for a functional analysis of language has been pursued only by the behavioral schools; a short-fall of cognitive and developmental psychology which focuses on the structure of language and hypothetical constructs of brain functioning. Vygotsky relied on observable behavior under contrived and natural conditions in developing his model of socially mediated learning. Although he does a bit of theorizing, his view of learning speech and thought--a skill taught and mediated by social forces--is an excellent bridge between the two schools of thought mentioned above. This book should be required reading for developmental psychologists, educators and behaviorists alike.

The text has appealing simplicity of style and glides the reader through some esoteric concepts with ease.
A lot of cultural and spiritual practice is distilled here ~ a valuable book to use every day.

The book infuses the underpinnings of an Eastern system with a Western hence universalist understanding. The wisdom of the Chinese approach is thus made accessible to all and easily given to integration with, and enhancement of, other spiritual paths. On a more practical side, the author's special slant toward enabling more restricted populations (the elderly and disabled) is very much in line with the growing recognition of Tai Chi's usefulness for these populations (see Diane Hoxmeier's "How is Your Proprioception? in T'ai Chi, The International Magazine of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Vol. 23, No.2, April 1999, pp. 6-7, 51), which cites the relevant study in the Journal of the American Medical Association) (Vol. 273, pp. 1341-1347, 1995) and explains how Tai Chi may work to improve balance and prevent falls in the elderly. On a personal note, I used some of the principles explained in the book to help my dear mother, age 78, to simply walk in a more effective, healtful manner. This book is an important contribution to the growing trend of incorporating T'ai Chi and Chi Kung in health maintenance programs for everyone, especially the elderly. Its exercise instructions are simple and well illustrated and can be learned and taught without any special background.

I was impressed with this book, as well as its accompanying videotapes, because it advocates neither great physical exertion nor any vague mysticism. Yet its benefits to the mind, body and spirit are far-reaching. The writing, like the exercises, are gentle, intelligent and pleasurable. My husband and I feel good for days after following Breslow's simple and clear wisdom from the ages. A highly-regarded teacher in these parts, Breslow has succeeded admirably in transferring his gift to paper.

Although I just received the book today, I have scanned through it. The information will be beneficial to my study.
This book was ordered through Finest Books. They indicate in an enclosed letter that they are a new company. I am completely satified with the time frame in which the book was delivered, the packing, and the condition of the book. I feel completely confident that this company is not only reliable, but will benefit others with satisfaction guaranteed.
Thank you Finest Books.

Deborah K.

While the book is full of theory that might discourage someone from reading it, it has an absolutly fantastic practical implacation worth the effort! The second half of this book, "Educational Implications" discusses the Zone of Proximal Development. Learning about this "Zone" plus the discussion regarding how children learn to read and write, tells those of us who really want to help children learn, ways to set-up an environment and activities to do it!!
Don't let the theory scare you away, this is a MUST READ!

This is one of the earliest and still one of the best introductions to socio-historical psychology, the study of how individual human intelligence develops in interaction with people and the environment. In concert with many contemporary approaches in cognitive science today, Lev Vygotsky, A.R. Luria and A.N. Leontiev argued that human intelligence is characteristically mediated through objects and social activity. Humans think through tools. Talking to oneself, for example, is not an irrelevant activity. Putting one's actions into speech is a way of focusing one's consciousness on the problem. This kind of speech is not pointless, but rather a cognitive tool that gives one a greater awareness of one's own actions and makes it easier to modify these actions--a point that Vygotsky proved with research on how children solved problems. Much of human activity involves making use of tools, signs, and activities, the kinetic melodies of action and conceptualization that make us smart, and through which we are able to accomplish the uniquely human feats of complex intellectual action. This is an excellent place to begin studying Vygotsky and activity theory. If you like this you will also like A.R. Luria's *The Making of Mind*, and the classics *The Man With A Shattered World* and *The Mind of a Mnemonist*, the books that inspired Oliver Sacks' writing.

While expertly written and a joy to read, I feel that Mr Spillwater is slightly over-exgerating the positive effects he claims to have experienced after reading this book. Having personaly known him for nearly a year, I have truley experienced the cacophony of spilled of drinks, washing machines and most things fluid over a whole army of animal, mineral and vegtable. The only improvement I have seen in Mr Spillwaters' affliction after reading "Hand-Eye Coordination Boosters", is that his friends and close associates now only approach him while wearing safty clothing - preferably with life jacket included!

After 23 years of constantly spilling every beverage in sight I didn't expect much from this book. How wrong could I be. I now have fantastic hand-eye coordination - and am even able to drink over half a glass of water with out spilling a single drop!

Its changed my life

"In "The Shadow of the Ladder", brings to the ordinary reader the concepts that the Creator is good and only does good, and that we can help manifest this goodness in our own lives.For me personally in "The Shadow of the Ladder" has changed my life completely.I recommend this book whole-heartily.
From a reader in Jerusalem.

This an excellent book and worth getting for two fine translations of two Introductions (to much more extensive works) by Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag. Rabbi Ashlag is a major Kabbalistic figure in the 20th century. Though the language he uses (and translated into english) is not overly complicated, he uses terms that require elaboration. This is done iin a special section written by the two authors at the end of the book. Once you review this section for a fine and clear explanation of Rabbi Ashlag's terms and concepts, a return to the man in text will be very rewarding. There is another beautiful essay on how learning and practicing Rabbi Ashlag's system has had a trasformative effect on one of the authors. This is a great book and I suggest anyone interrested in Kabbalah and Jewish Spirituality obtain it.

I have been reading the Livanova's book again and again since undergraduate to the present PhD studies. To my knowledge this is the more detailed book about the great physicist and teacher Lev Davidovitch Landau, the unmistakable ``Dau''.

You'll find in this book an impressive amount of details about Dau himself, about his world wide famous style as a physicist, his school on theoretical physics, the theoretical minimum, the relationship with his pupils, etc..

Above all, and the most important, you will find Dau own advice about what, when and how to study to become an eventual theoretical physicist in Landau's high professional tradition. It is a very nontrivial advice!

I have been reading the Livanova's book again and again since undergraduate to the present PhD studies. To my knowledge this is the more detailed book about the great physicist and teacher Lev Davidovitch Landau, the unmistakable ``Dau''. You'll find in this book an impressive amount of details about Dau himself, about his world wide famous style as a physicist, his school on theoretical physics, the theoretical minimum, the relationship with his pupils, etc.. Above all, and the most important, you will find Dau own advice about what, when and how to study to become an eventual theoretical physicist in Landau's high professional tradition. It is a very nontrivial advice!

When I need the real explanation of something concerning relativity, electromagnetism or gravitation, I know this is the place to go. I know I will find the essence of the problem clearly yet tersely written. Some highlights: the derivation of the retarded Green function, where a clever mathematical analogy avoids lots of contour integration; the frequent use of the powerful Hamilton-Jacobi equation, again avoiding long Riemannian-geometry computations; the explanation of why nothing, not even light, can escape the attraction of a black hole. When it overlaps with Jackson's rightly famous textbook on Electrodynamics, you'll see the difference between a good (Jackson's) and a remarkable book. Though not up to date in matters of cosmology, it is still the starting point to be recommended.

This book is simply the best treatment of the subject that can be found. Period. Having been written by Landau it comes with the guarantee that the material is presented in the most elegant, yet logically consistent manner possible. And this book delivers all of that and more. Similar to the approach in "Mechanics" the principle of least action plays a prominent role in all the theories: relativistic mechanics, electromagnetic theory and Einstein GR. As a result Landau develops the whole material through very plausible and very physical arguments, thus providing a very deep understanding for the material.

To put it simply, the derivation of Maxwell's equations are stunning. I have never seen a clearer, more convincing treatment. And as we have come to expect from this series, it is almost impossible to find any flaws(except for some typos which unfortunately still exist even in the most recent reprint.) The sections on radiation of electromagnetic waves and

The treatment of relativity is very consice and it is rather unfortunate that we could not get a more detailed exposition on the subject from Landau. It would have been extremely interesting to see what Landau would have had to say had he written this section after the "Golden Area for Black Holes Rsearch" As it is the discussion of Relativity from, as is to be expected, a principle of least action(Hilbert Action) is very cleverly done. Every section of the book is very physically motivated rather than purely geometric arguments. Reading this book gives you a fairly good intuitive understanding for the actual physics involved rather than simply an ability to write and solve field equations.

It might be a very good idea to read some sections of their Vol1. on Mechanics before attemting this book, with special attention to Chapters 1,2 and the last chapter on the Hamiltonian treatment.

But all in all, this is probably one of my favorite books both in terms of contect as well as sheer elegance of presentation. A geneuine masterpiece.

This is a magnificent book carefully crafted by two of the leading theorists of the twentieth century. If you have a basic grounding in mechanics, vector analysis and tensor analysis then much of this book will be accessible. The early parts of the book are concerned with Special Relativity and the classical electromagnetic field using the action principle and tensor form of Maxwell's Equations. Later in the book there is in depth presentation of the General Theory of Relativity. This is very much a reference book rather than one to approach these subjects for the first time. There are no exercises or problems but it is a truly masterly work and well worth the money spent upon it and time invested studying it.