It was perhaps inevitable that the theory of chaotic dynamical systems would be applied to economics. In an intuitive, everyday sense, economic phenomena is usually perceived as being "chaotic", this notion being equated with a random behavior of sorts. Whether or not economic systems are really random (from a rigorous mathematical standpoint) is the subject of other books. This one addresses the question as to whether chaos does indeed exist in economic systems. Chaos and randomness are of course distinct concepts, and this is brought out clearly by the authors of the articles in the book, the specific theme of which is to shed light on the role of oscillatory dynamics in economic fluctuations. The oscillations are put in the context of chaotic dynamical systems, which, as is well known, have a very rich orbit structure. The emphasis is on theory, but there are some articles that discuss empirical validation of chaotic dynamical system models of time series. What is most interesting about the results in the book is that chaos is a deterministic explanation of the erratic behavior of economic behavior. This is to be contrasted with the situation in financial modeling, where randonmess is thought to be essential because of arbitrage opportunities. It is fascinating to compare the ideas in this book with the ones that are very entrenched in financial modeling. The authors of the articles have been heavily involved in the research of chaotic dynamical systems in economics. Space here permits only a limited review of the contents of the book.

. Before the advent of research in chaos in economics, the complexity of economic phenomena was modeled by linear equations subjected to exogenous shocks. The approach taken in one of the articles discusses to what extent aggregate fluctuations represent endogenous phenomena that are persistent even when there are no random shocks to the economy. Recognizing that chaotic dynamical systems can generate time series that appear irregular or random, discussion is given on the models based on chaos that exhibit the persistence phenomena. Since chaotic systems have countably many periodic orbits, it is natural to ask to what extent these orbits play in models of economic phenomena. One of these considered is the overlapping generations model. A class of robust utility functions, assumed to be constant from one generation to another, are shown to give the existence of bounded trajectories that do not converge to periodic orbits or fixed points, but are also, because of the time scales involved, indistinguishable from periodic orbits of arbitrarily long period, the latter also existing in the model. The existence of these trajectories is interesting, particularly when considering the mechanism by which the trades between generations occur. This mechanism involves the introduction of a central credit authority, and even when the nominal credit expands at a constant rate, the model still exhibits erratic trajectories in the real value of credit. These trajectories appear qualitatively to be very similar to trajectories generated from random processes, and so it is no surprise that statistical techniques and ergodic theory are employed to study their properties.

Another economic model considered in the book is a two-sector growth model that consists of an industry producing consumption goods and another producing capital goods. A dynamical system parametrized by the capital depreciation rate is used to describe the time evolution of the aggregate capital stock over time, and is shown to have chaotic orbits for certain values of the capital depreciation rate. These chaotic orbits exist, interestingly, when capital, but not labor, is very productive in both sectors. An analysis of the relative capital-labor intensities is done to shed light on the oscillatory behavior of the model, this behavior contrary to the expected one of following a smooth averaged path. The latter is expected because of the choice of a concave function for the consumption and investment processes. The model is not shown to be one that could reflect phenomena that exist in the real world. In particular, the time scales needed to observe the chaotic behavior are not discussed.

Another issue taken up in the book deals with the question as to why economic activity exhibits fluctuations, and subsequent attempts to stabilize this activity via fiscal policy. The Judd model, which deals with technical innovation, is adapted to study the economic instabilities that arise from investment activity in such innovation, and the value of fiscal policy in dampening these instabilities. The model is shown to exhibit chaotic dynamics, with this being a consequence of the noncompetitive nature of a market immediately after a new good is introduced into the market. The discussion is reminiscent of arbitrage arguments in finance, since the monopolistic prices charged by the patent holder are wiped out by new innovations. Interestingly, the model shows examples of situations where stabilizing policies are undesirable, and in particular a waste of resources would result.

This self-published memoir of an Inside Passage cruise from Puget Sound to Alaska is excellent. Power boating accounts are rare. This allows the author and reader to focus on the trip rather than technique. Jess Webb entertains as he educates, recounting the rewards and hazards adeptly. This book deserves more visiblity.

Jess Miller answers this question for you. There are many characters to keep track of and sometimes it may seem confusing. My favourite is the Arab Sheik and his son. The story is set in the little town of Little Saddlington, which I don't know it really exists. The town is drawn into chaos as the auction is the biggest ever, because of all the advertising. People from Australia, Japan, America all find it very interesting. The book made me laugh at all the weird things people do when put under abnormal circumstances. There is a lot of soul, heart and a really clincher at the end of the book. I can't wait for the next novel by my friend, Jess Miller!

Gostaria de recomendar este livro a todos que se interessem por Psicologia e Saúde. Leitura fácil e agradável, tornando-se excelente para utilização em programas de extensão em Psicologia da Saúde.

After buying the first volume, "Lawyers and Other Reptiles" for a barrister friend in Nigeria, he immediately wanted the sequel. This little book continues the well intentioned poking of fun which even lawyers can enjoy. Good light reading.

This book is one of my favorites to thumb through from time to time. The book is organized with one chapter for each president and begins with one to two pages of biography and historical context, then moves on to some of the most profound and most ridiculous words to fall from the lips of men. I enjoy the quick synopsis of each presidency, and take a lesson that quotes can inspire and inflame. This book gives the reader a good sketch of each of our presidents, expressed in their own words. I hope the authors continue to update this volume as new presidents pass into history and as old ones are revisited.

Edward Fritz's REALMS OF BEAUTY, along with the photography of Jess Alford,may give us our last full glimpse of the five natural wilderness areas of Texas before massive dams and federal policies allowing timber cutting in federal forests wipe out the beauty and diversity the book documents. Better yet, details in accessing the areas, what to take, and what to look for-- add to the value for first time Texas Wilderness Walkers. Though "Ned" Fritz has spent a lifetime as a constant defender of public forest areas, this book sticks to a non-political understanding of the unique ecosystems and seasonal changes in the wilderness areas as well as a geological timeline that shows the buildup of the Texas forests over millions of years. As you read each section of the book, there's no doubt that the writer has been there himself and is sharing what you need to know before trying a wilderness hike on your own when cool weather comes!

This book contains abstracts, and presentations from international seminars on throwing, there are five sections;

1. General throwing, some very good introductory articles

2 Shot, the least well covered section

3 Discus, some very good authors

4 Hammer, one superb article by Bondarchuk, the rest are so-so.

5 Javelin, some very enjoyable articles.

A great book to think your way through the sport, the different authors all bring different ideas to the table.

The varity of different articles stopped it being a five, but buy it for Bondarchuk, Bartonietze, and Grigialkya, they are superior to any other throws authors I have read.

Buy it!

This book is so full of errors and unintelligible passages that it should be avoided by the naive and curious (in case you believe the information) or the experienced (who probably already know not to waste their money). Occasionally, the book is unintentionally funny. After all, how often can you find a book that provides erroneous information AND is badly written? Both thumbs down. Unfortunately, there is no choice in the field for minus 5 stars.

Forgery is virtually the "oldest crime." This book explains and answers the ins and outs of how to recognize and deal with it. It is both a reference and textbook containing all aspects of forgery including the use of the newest type -- the computer. It is a "must" for your library. I can't say enough good things about it.

LARRY C. LIEBSCHER, B.A., DABLEE, FACFE; court certified expert in the examination of handwriting; police investigator examiner of handwriting for Redding Police Department and owner of Forensic Handwriting Services, Redding, CA.

What an excellent work! Having waded through various helpful, but ancient books about questioned documents, I find Document Examiner Textbook to be a breath of contemporary fresh air. Furthermore, the text is actually fun to read (a rare feature amid many of today's technical writings). I appreciate the book's broad coverage of the entire field of questioned document examinations. It is without hesitation I recommend this book to both the experienced and beginning examiner of questioned documents, in addition to all members of the criminal and civil law communities. Mr. Dines' book is a "must read" for all experts in the field of document examinations.

Most dramaticly and ironcally his own son

Although there is impressive testimony that many of Edgar Cayce's medical treatments proved to be successful, and are still used today, in one form or another, it boggles the scientific mind to be able to accept that such cures were imparted to Mr. Cayce through a trance like state of sleep and that during his waking hours he had no knowledge of the meaning or methods of his prescribed cures.There is much mumbo jumbo in the book, involved with trying to explain the meaning of his various predictions about the changes to take place in the world. Due to the vagueness of most of his predictions, one could pick a year and find some thing to apply it to to prove that he had great powers. His greatest supporters in today's world would seem to be the osteopaths who have successfully used his prescriptions and natural alternative treatments to help ailing patients. Would be interesting to hear a report from their view!

One has to consider the time this occurred and the level of education of Edgar Cayce. He was incredible and I find it sad that people reading it today are unable to grasp the importance of his work. I think this is a book all thinking people should read and understand in context. If a reader is too literally minded or unwilling to accept the possibility of miracles then (s)he should read something else.