Before reading Foundations of Corporate Empire I was not aware of the other book Birth of the Multinational: 2000 Years of Ancient Business History--From Ashur to Augustus, now I still think do I have to buy that one too? For me it is a fascinating book which is the outcome of a detailed investigation and work.

By the way, I would be pleased if they put more stress on the Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire and also South East Asia, Inkas, Azteks etc.

But I can recommend this book as a guideline of historical evolution of the modern business organizations and cultures.

From the Report on Business, Globe and Mail Newspaper, Canada's National Newspaper
By BRIAN MILNER
Friday, December 28, 2001 - Print Edition, Page 91FOUNDATIONS OF CORPORATE EMPIRE: Is History Repeating Itself? by Karl Moore and David Lewis (Financial Times/Prentice Hall, $...) Foundations of Corporate Empire is a dreary title for a business book that turns out to be anything but. It is in fact a sweeping, yet remarkably readable, history of globalization that marshals impressive evidence to prove something we should have learned by now: There is simply nothing new under the sun, and anyone who thinks business just discovered the joys of free trade and global markets yesterday has a lot to learn.Doing the teaching here are two Canadian academics: Karl Moore, a professor of strategic management at McGill University, and David Lewis, a historian with a wide range of interests, including ancient Mesopotamia. That, in fact, is where the authors start, tracing the development of business cultures from the Bronze Age and the "first recorded multinational"--a family trading business in Assyria nearly 4,000 years ago--up to the internet age and America's globe-spanning technology giants.Unfortunately, this book was finished before the tech bubble burst, making some of its conclusions as obsolete as those Assyrian traders. But this does nothing to detract from its main points--that today's economic and corporate structures are the product of generations of evolution and that each nation favours the model best suited to its own culture, institutions and history."Many of today's economic structures existed in prototype form several thousand years ago," the authors note early on, and then set out to prove it. They make connections between the business leaders of Mesopotamia and modern German corporations, between classical Athens and Britain at its height, between ancient and modern China, and between the mighty Roman and even mightier American empires. Some of the links are obvious, such as the mass production and technological developments stemming from the military requirements of both ancient Rome and the United States. Others seem more of a stretch.What is particularly refreshing is that this is no apologia for the current wave of globalization or its apparent American character. The authors make a convincing case that merely because the American model has been overwhelmingly dominant, it does not mean every country will inevitably have to fall into line. Any attempt to impose the American way "in its entirety...is bound not only to fail but also to generate a very unpleasant backlash."

A novel and intriguing look at the history of modern civilization and the corporate underpinnings that have pervaded throughout. Somewhat general but nonetheless both accurate and interesting. Original and entertaining. Great Book

I found this book to be a very fine one for those first time logic learners. The book is worthwhile for re-reading on a regular basis. So far I re-read it two times. This book is very helpful for daily living. It comes in handy for computer programming when you have to specify conditions, in queries for example or for subsetting data. Gives a good review of invalid argument types so if you ever run into them, such as when politicians speak in such arguments (ex. "You are either with us or against us"), the better logically equiped reader will not be mislead. Start studying Lgic now!

I found it very helpful to read Basic Logic. The book explains logical reasoning in a step-by-step manner, starting with the very basic elements and concepts of logic and ending with last chapters on how to form arguments. The book explains very well how our own language can be constructed by using principles of logic. There is no question that we use logical reasoning on a daily basis. The book includes many examples of how symbolic logic can be translated into English and vice versa. The book also has review exercises at the end of each chater. So, this book should provide you with a lot of practice. I would recommend this book to anyone, who wants to be a more powerful thinker, reader, and learner. You don't have to be a genius in order to possess such a useful and necessary skill. You don't have to know advanced mathematics in order to be able to understand this book.

Edith Wharton until recently has not received the interest and praise she deserved as one of the finest American authors -- was it because she was wealthy and female? Because people thought she was simply a protege of Henry James? Or because her books rarely had happy endings? Fortunately, a new generation is reappraising her work and finding much of value in it, from her critique of early 20th century American society and subtle assessment of man-woman relationships to her wonderfully textured and evocative style. RWB Lewis, who must be the foremost Wharton scholar today, brings Wharton to life in this book -- her tremendous intelligence, the terrific emotional hardships she endured, her great capacity for friendships and amazing zest for life. Wharton got started late as an author, not publishing her first book until nearly 40 -- because she had to overcome a tremendous hurdle -- being born into a society where women writers simply did not exist. Everything she accomplished thus was purely out of her own drive to communicate and create. If you haven't read much Wharton, I recommend also The Age of Innocence, The Custom of the Country, The House of Mirth, and any short stories you can lay your hands on.

I had to read this for a college class about 10 years ago and was reluctant at first. It turned out to be a very interesting, informative book. It's quite large, but enjoyable - the pictures were especially fascinating, especially of Edith's various homes throughout her lifetime.

Neal Flomenbaum is the most amazing editor in the world, he contributes alot to this book and he's the best dad. Hi daddy,

Love, Adam

Goldfranks Toxicologic Emergencies provides a rich source of very concise toxicology information on wide variety of topics immensely important to anyone who is interested in clinical toxicology. This texts socratic approach is well received in an in depth but easy to digest form. It provides up to date information on the latest trends in the management of poisoned patients. If you are serious about toxicology, this book is a must!

This is an exquisite table top book that you won't want to shelve anytime soon. Lavish in detail the book has 275 paintings that are world famous. The time period covered is the 12th right up through the 20th century. No easy task to get a sampling from the Prado, one of the greatest museums in the world. The author manages just that as he doesn't over emphasive the "known" masters and unveils some of the lesser and even unknown artists.Since the author, Santiago Alcolea Blanch, a renowned art historian, is Spanish, there is a leaning towards the works of the well known Spanish masters like El Greco and Velasquez, right up to the more modern Picasso. This is not to say that it only features Spanish artists as it includes the masters from throughout Europe. Anyone interested in art will love and benefit from this book. There is much to be learned from superb works that have withstood world wars and other atrocities of mankind and been viewed by millions of people. The first paintings revealed are those painted on murals and board, eventually working its way to oil on canvas. Since much of the works from the masters is of a religious nature one will find superb paintings inspired from the divine, mans earliest works as manifested through his interpretations of God and his glory. Marveling at these works leaves no doubt about the everlasting impression this subject matter must have had on the artists. That we would be given the opportunty to view such inspirational works from the comforts of our living rooms is an additional blessing. The works are not limited to religious themes as there are countless portraits of the nobility and loyalty that shaped the world events of their time and even directed the course of history. These were the photographs of their day, long before digital images could be loaded instantly on a computer, only the wealthy could afford such a luxury. The works, as percieved through the eyes of the artist are uncommon and magnificent testimonials of a bygone era. As an additional bonus the book is also a history book. The first 139 pages are a concise explanation of the origins of the Royal Collection and the Academy of Fine Arts. Included in the historical tour are great black and white photographs of the Prado in various time periods, including draft plans for the additions. Each director is profiled in story book fashion to illustrate the achievements and problems encountered during their time as directors. Captivating and informative, the written word in this book is an excellent source of information for the art historian. Follow the trial and tribulations of those most influential in giving the world one of it's greatest museums. For furhter exploration there is also a pretty extensive bibliography. This is a quality book that any lover of art will cherish, highly recommended for those that like the works of the masters.

Take a tour of the fabulous Prado museum with this lavishly illustrated volume. Featuring over 300 full page photos, this work reveals the astounding depth of the Prado's collection. The book is arranged by "schools" of nationalities, just as the museum is, and features many of the most classic and cherished paintings Europe has produced from medieval triptychs to Picasso's "Guernica". These aren't the only paintings featured, however. The reader is invited to see the collection longitudinally. I really enjoyed, for example, seeing the wonderful variety of Velasquez' paintings - those he did in the employ of the royal court were markedly different than his early work.

The book is not just colorplates, though. The first 125 pages give a detailed history of the museum itself, which is very fascinating (especially the travails of the building and the collection during the civil war). There is also included a reprinting of the royal proclamation establishing the museum in 1432.

The book is published by Abrams' reprint service, but the quality is still exceptional. The colors are beautiful and the binding is very nice and durable as well. Enjoy it!

Richard D. Lewis, an expert on cross-cultural and language training who has tutored clients from Swedish corporate executives to the Japanese Imperial Family, discusses the need to consider cross-cultural differences in managing any company in today's global world. He suggests a broad model you can use to characterize different national characteristics as linear-active, multi-active, and reactive. These traits shape attitudes toward time, leadership, team building, and affect a range of organizational behaviors. Lewis includes brief national profiles you can refer to when doing business away from home. This in-depth book covers common patterns in different cultures, and offers many examples of how different groups act under different situations. We at getAbstract recommend this book to top executives, managers and anyone who works in a multicultural business environment, as well as to general readers with a yen for informed people watching.

Richard Lewis is a speaker of 12 languages and herein lie some clues to his understanding of intercultural communication.His book avoids the complex academic distinctions seen elsewhere and concentrates on practical understanding of each nation's "collective programming". It has helped me to understand how to deal and work with people of other nations with much increased effectiveness. Lewis explains why there are differences, and how we should approach them, using many simple diagrams and patterns. A must for anyone interacting internationally, or indeed with different ethnic groups within their own country.

SAX's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials Ninth Edition-CD-ROM Version

The NST/Engineers, Inc. reviewer, an EPA First Responder, found the Ninth Edition of Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials-CD ROM version (SAX CD) to be a powerful database of easily retrievable, detailed, and pertinent information. The reviewer envisions the target users of the SAX CD deriving the most benefit to be: chemical operators, chemical process engineers, chemists, clinical toxicologists, fire companies, first responders, HAZMAT teams, industrial hygienists, plant managers, physicians, police departments, process safety managers, research professionals, risk management planners, safety engineers, transportation officers, and treatment storage and disposal facility (TSDF) personnel.

The 22,380 materials included are categorized at a minimum according to: Listing Name, Hazard Rating, Chemical Name, Molecular Formula, Molecular Weight, Chemical and Physical Properties, Synonyms, Toxicity Data with References, (instantly accessible by screen "pop-ups"), and Safety Profile.

Where available, NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limits, OSHA Permissible Exposure Levels, ACGIH Threshold Limit Values, (all expressed as Time Weighted Averages) and German MAK exposure limits are included. Consensus Reports (Community RTK, EPA TSCA and Genetic Inventory list) along with DOT hazard Classifications and UN/NA 4-digit identifier (for HM-181), CAS Registry number, and Class (carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, primary irritant, food additive, etc.) are also included.

For forty years, NST/Engineers, Inc. personnel and associates have found editions of SAX to be an invaluable resource. The Ninth Edition on CD ROM provides the instant retrieval capabilities sought by the electronic communication age. The program includes an intelligent default, twelve-characteristic, search engine. It highlights each "hit" in the text and has a "tracking" system that allows the user to look forward or to "backtrack".

In the NST/Engineers, Inc. trials, SAX CD was used in "mock" HAZMAT spills. The reviewer found that the initial assessments of the spills were conducted many times faster by using the SAX CD. Armed with a laptop computer, as are most police and other emergency responders, the addition of this software will greatly decrease response time and reduce the confusion that routinely surrounds hazardous materials incidents. An increase in facility and public safety will be provided by the fingertip access to the knowledge base in the SAX CD .

The SAX CD works on both PC and Macintosh platforms.

this item was great for my 10 year old who enjoys making up poetry herself

Much as I hate to admit it, editors add more value than authors often appreciate. This book is a good example of missed potential for good editing.

The book contains almost 500 Absolut ads, and some of the rejects. What I did not realize until I looked at this book was how much bad Absolut advertising has appeared. Clearly, this volume would have been greatly improved by eliminating about 450 of the images in it. There is also a lot of text about how the ads are created, with a lot of pats on the back for the importers and agency involved. But there is relatively little about the creative process, and what works and what doesn't.

If you want to learn more interesting details about Absolut, I suggest that you acquire the newer book, Absolut, the History of the Bottle, instead.

Absolut advertising is all built around the formula of the word "Absolut" followed by some other word or words intending to say "Absolute X." While the lines are almost always good, the execution of how well the images fit with the text often leaves something or a lot to be desired. In other cases, the visuals are just plain ugly.

As the text suggests here, the idea was that "Absolut would be a product that could laugh at itself." That position is missed when the image is either almost irrelevant or unattractive. It just makes Absolut seem like it is a reflection of bad taste.

The mood for the ads was supposed to be light to " . . . add a dollop of humor so the 'We're the best' claim wouldn't be quite so boring or prententious." Well, you'll have to judge for yourself, but the ads seemed to have badly strayed from that standard.

Just so you won't think I dislike the campaign, here are my favorite ads in the book (I have eliminated "Absolut" from the titles to save space): Perfection, Joy, Peak, 19th, Harmony, L.A., Manhattan, Haring, and Appeal.

The other thought that bothered me was treating expensive vodka advertising as art. What's the social benefit here?

After you have finished considering the book, I suggest that you examine how you can add beauty to the world through your life and your work.

A votre sante!

This is one of those excellent books that you keep out on a table in your house and flip through everytime that you are near it. This book collects about 500 different advertisements that the Absolut Vodka company has used to promote their product in magazines. Most of the ads featured are very creative and all of them very well done. To top that of the book has inside information on the making and history of their advertising campaign. This really is an excellant book for the coffee table.

I have been collecting the Absolut ads for years now and I am just crazy about this book. It is a fabulous advertising book about the history of the company and of the ad campaign. If you love the Absolut ads, you'll love this book!

The financial concepts are explained very nicely. Though it is my first finance book i can go through it without much difficulty or extra help. However there are still some drawbacks need to be noticed:

1. Need more charts and graphics to explain the concepts, ie: when explaining the DU PONT System, i think the pyramid structure can be illustrated so as to state a whole concept, not only fragments

2. Too many examples

3. This book is too detailed in both relevant and irrelevant matters

Still, I think it is a good book.

If possible, please tell me the difference between this book (Fundamentals of Corporate Finance by Richard Brealey) and Principles of Corporate Finance by Brealey and Myers. I currently own the 5th edition of Principles; having worn the book down with constant thumbing, I am looking for a replacement.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I and my friends(with no business background) are studying corporate finance by ourselves using this book and all of us are very satisfied with the book so far.

The concepts are explained very clearly(even kindly) and sample tests with complete solutions are very useful. The book also has solutions for selected end-of-the chapter problems and I enjoy mini cases which help me apply the concepts to the practice in detail.

I had tried other finance books before and most of them were not clear in explaining concepts and a bit difficult for me(my major was chemistry). I think that this book is probably the easiest and the best book to begin with for starters in finance.