Agent Reviews

Motivation, Agency, and Public Policy: Of Knights and Knaves, Pawns and Queens

Published in Hardcover by Oxford University Press, USA (2003-11-27)

Author: Julian Le Grand

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Average review score:

An excellent thinking framework

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-15

The author uses an easy-to-understand framework to describe the expectations of public service users in society, both today and in years past, and, the motivations of agencies that act as providers of these services.

Examples mainly drawn from education and healthcare in the UK show an increasingly informed public that demand greater accountability and value for money from service providers (from Pawns to Queens). From this customer-driven evolution there appears to be an increasing realisation that those who provide services to the public do so with a wide spectrum of different motivations (from Publicly-Spirited Knights to Self-Interested Knaves).

Interestingly, the author finds that characteristics of both 'knightly' and 'knaveish' behaviour in combination may indeed yield the greatest benefit for society. The 'robust' strategy / policy therefore becomes one where altruism and self-interest align, a point where society benefits the most from the efforts of the publicly employed agent(s).

It is in matters of policy execution, however, that the book probably falls a little short. Description of how you might identify and implement 'robust' strategy is high-level and hard to visualise, via, an action plan, for example. An example of a 'robust' strategy was provided from public housing but was not particularly well specified. The ideas the book presents clearly outweigh the policy implementation path attempted.

Policy implementation and the small font with which the book has been printed are the only drawbacks. Otherwise it is well written, well researched and an important contribution of ideas to those engaged or interested in public policy.

Public confidence erodes

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-11-07

From the Journal of Economic Literature September 2004:
Explores assumptions and realities concerning human motivation and the implications for the design of public policy. Describes how in Great Britain and other countries there has been a gradual erosion of confidences in the reliability of the public service ethic as a motivational drive and a growing conviction that self-interest is the principal force motivating those involved in public services, and how these changes have resulted in radical reforms in public service delivery systems. Reviews the empirical evidence concerning the existence of self-interested and altruistic motivations in the public sector. Illustrates how policy structures and context can change the balance of self-interested and altruistic motivations in individuals working in the public sector. Develops a theory of public service motivation and explores the implications for service delivery. Considers whether users of publicly funded services should have control over how much and in what way they make use of publicly funded services or whether their use should be largely determined by professionals or others involved in service provision. Explores the question of the appropriate balance of power between individual users and professionals in the context of health care, education, and saving for retirement. Assesses some specific policies or proposals designed to address motivation and agency issues in the welfare state, considering the U.K. experience with Primary Care Trusts in the health care sectors; the U.K. experience with parental choice and competition in primary school education; the idea of a capital grant, or demogrant, to every young adult; the idea of "partnership" matching grants to encourage savings for pensions and long-term care; and a proposal to increase individual citizens' control over the fiscal systems through hypothecation or the earmarking of particular tax revenues for specific uses. Le Grand is the Richard Titmuss Professor of Social Policy at the London School of Economics. Index.

My Adventures As A Spy

Published in Kindle Edition by LeClue 22 (2008-05-30)

Author: Sir Robert Baden-Powell

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Average review score:

Bits of Adventure from Someone Who Lived It

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-23

The author, Robert Baden-Powell was a British soldier and spy, and also founded the Boy Scouts. The author's love of adventure is evident in this book, which is a collection of 1- and 2-page essays.

After a short series of essays defending espionage as being both useful and honorable, the remainder of the book explains spycraft of the time and particular incidents in which Baden-Powell directly participated. The stories are interesting, and would certainly appeal to many young readers. Occasional use is made of the author's own illustrations, including sketches of fortifications modified for secrecy to resemble much more benign subjects (insects, stain glass windows, etc.) which were spirited back to headquarters.

On a historical note, this book is reminiscent of other adventure books by European authors in roughly the same period (Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle).

Titles published by Dover tend to be inexpensive, and this book is no exception. Even at full retail, this book is a steal.

Dated but inspiring

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-27

Lord Baden-Powell's autobiographical treatise on the basics of spy trade craft is dated, around a hundred years old at this point. The technological innovations since then have changed many aspects of the intelligence profession. On the other hand, the work is inspiring. B-P's passion for human intelligence collection is contagious. Based on this work, it is clear that he loved what he did for the thrill and challenge of it and it was a fringe benefit that it served his country (I am not questioning his patriotism, but his writing makes it clear that his work was his true passion).

There are numerous vignettes to illustrate different techniques and principle of tradecraft, mostly with some humerous aspect. My personal favorite was the incident where B-P was collecting on German fortifications in the Balkans. He walked through the German military site drawing pictures of the facility, was stopped, and was able to walk away without being detained. How did he pull this off? It was the butterfly net, book about butterflies, sketch book full of drawings of butterflies, and having the nerve to ask the German soldier if he had seen a specific butterfly. Where were the sketches of the fort? Concealed inside the drawings of the butterflies....

The book is short and aimed at 10-15 year olds, but is enjoyable to anyone with an interest in espionage or the history of espionage.

Caveat: If you are a parent and feel that a career in intelligence is not acceptable for your child, keep this book out of your child's hands!

Oh, and Baden-Powell went on to found the Boy Scouts. "Scouts" as in "soldiers specializing in tactical intelligence collection"....

NetSuccess: How Real Estate Agents Use the Internet

Published in Paperback by O'Reilly (1996-09)

Author: Scott Kersnar

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Average review score:

A good book for real estate people starting out on the 'Net

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 1997-01-05

If you're business is real estate and you want to know what other real estate professionals are doing on the 'Net, this book is a good place to start.

With the speed that the internet and the web changes, the book will certainly have second and third additions, as most books on the internet do!

Scott's book will answer many of the first timer questions, and he has included good perspective from people already doing real estate business over the internet, using web pages, newsgroups and mailing list.

Ray Dixon
WebEstate Global Real Estate Web
http://www.wegrew.com/

Best internet resource today for real estate professionals!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1996-09-14

Net Success: How Real Estate Agents Use The Internet
By Scott Kersnar
Co-Published by SONGLINE Guides and O'Relly & Assoicates, Inc.
ISBN 1-56592-213-1

Author, Scott Kersnar quickly makes his point that he is no stranger to real estate, the internet and how both are used successfully by today's real estate professionals. The author eloquently puts the words in simple day to day language. After reading the book I am not even sure if Scott Kersnar is capable of all that computer jargon many of us frequently associate anything with a computer today. Scott's book should prove useful to both the novice and advanced real estate professional as many of us still pioneer this newly found frontier called the internet.

The book takes the reader from the basics of getting connected and using email, to using and promoting both their offices and themselves on the internet. Moreover the book is full of useful real estate internet resources and how to create a successful real estate web site.In addition to being a "how to" book the author provides numerous accounts of actual real estate professional's success on the internet and takes special care so as not to cause computer or internet phobia from any reader.

I plan to keep this book within reach at all times as both a ready reference and for every novice real estate agent who is seeking answers on conducting thier own real estate business on the internet. I expect this book to be a real estate classic 50 years from now!

Robb Russell, Re/max Affiliates, Bayonet Point, Florida
http://www.4realtors.com

Operation: Second Chance: The Special Agents (Harlequin Superromance No. 1185)

Published in Mass Market Paperback by Harlequin (2004-02-01)

Author: Roxanne Rustand

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Average review score:

From The Special Agents series -- Very highly recommended

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-03

After five years of prison, T.J. Cauthen has a plan to exonerate himself after having lost his career, his honor and his daughter. Double crossed by his coworkers with the DEA and framed for a crime he did not comment, T. J. intends to prove his innocence. When released from prison, T.J. travels by bus to Silver Springs, Wyoming, with a cheap duffel bag of second hand cloths, planning to investigate Abby Hillard, the wife of the man who landed him in prison. But from their first meeting, Abby is nothing like the sleek, wealthy woman in his newspaper photograph.

Indeed, T.J. immediatelyb confronts the question of where Oren Hillard's money could have gone. Abby's boarding house is in need of significant maintenance, and she obviously scrimps to get by. Moreover, the glitzy look of the society newspaper photograph does not match the gently humor, or the personal concern that she exhibits toward her boarders. In addition, despite his determination to clear his name, T.J. quickly finds himself facing difficult choices when his brother can no longer look after his daughter Megan. Now his investigation could put her at risk, and her pain regarding his five-year absence is palpable, especially since she does not know he was prison. Between his ten-year old daughter and money launders, T.J. will have his hands full, especially when he falls for the disconcerting Abby as well.

Author Roxanne Rustand pens a heart-rendering tale of loss, opportunity and second chances in OPERATION: SECOND CHANCE. T.J. is a fascinating blend of determination and compassion, strength and concern, but it is his vulnerability and need to learn to trust that becomes the heart of his story. In addition, his remorse over the pain his past has caused his daughter provides him a endearing quality that readers will love. Abby's determination to earn her independence from her family by finishing school and creating a new life matches T.J.'s tenacity. Ultimately, they prove to be memorable characters with their remarkable ethics and deep passion. A beautifully rendered story that belongs on the keeper shelf, OPERATION: SECOND CHANCE comes very highly recommended.

exciting second chance at love romantic suspense

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-02-08

He spent five years behind bars for a crime he did not commit. His career as a special agent is only a distant memory. Perhaps what hurts the most is he lost five years of watching his precious daughter grow. Starting life over is not enough for former special agent T. J. Cauthen. He is obsessed over finding out who set him up to take the fall before he finally retrieves his daughter from his brother.

In Silver Springs, Wyoming, T. J. goes undercover as Joe Coughlin taking a room at Abby Hilliard's boardinghouse. He believes that his beautiful landlady is where to start in unraveling who destroyed his life as her late husband remains the key. To his shock he finds Abby and her little charge interesting. He hopes that the woman who has given him a reason to live leads him to the Ricardo Torres gang, but is also an innocent bystander because once he tells her the truth that he used her as a pawn to achieve vengeance, he fears how she will react.

This is an exciting second chance at love romantic suspense though the intrigue elements enter late. The story line is fun to follow as Abby blows away all of preconceptions that T. J. had of her before they met. Though love blossoms between the lead couple, he is wary of any relationship and she was the victim of a terrible marriage. A precocious five year old adds insight into the lead protagonists especially the heroine. Contemporary readers will enjoy Roxanne Rostand's fine tale of redemption through love not vengeance.

Harriet Klausner

Oxidation of Alcohols to Aldehydes and Ketones: A Guide to Current Common Practice (Basic Reactions in Organic Synthesis)

Published in Kindle Edition by Springer (2005-12-14)

Authors: Gabriel Tojo and Marcos Fernández

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Average review score:

Opinion about "Oxidation of Alcohols to Aldehydes and Ketones"

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-29

"Oxidation of Alcohols to Aldehydes and Ketones"
The strength of this book is its clarity and style. This book is plenty of synthetic examples with several references from the literature. Thus, it is an interesting book to be placed near working benches in laboratories.
Moreover, this guide describes several general procedures for different oxidation of alcohols and ketones. The weak point could be that this book is short in my opinion (375 pages).
José A. Castillo.

Oxidation of Alcohols to Aldehydes and Ketones

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-01

This book (as well as the whole collection "Basic Reactions") is not
well-suited for students of Organic Chemistry. Rather, it is a
practical guide for organic chemists working at the bench, because
besides theoretical sections, it contains plenty of practically
important information:
- A lot of hints on optimization (different conditions and additives,
what can inhibit and what can accelerate reaction, buffering etc.).
- Compatibility of different conditions with functional groups and
protecting groups.
- Survey of observed side reactions and solutions how to avoid or mitigate them.
- Oxidation selectivity between 1°, 2° and allylic (benzylic) alcohols.
- Different types of work up: all advantages and disadvantages (how to
avoid emulsions, how to purify easier, sensitivity of groups etc.)

I have found this book very useful in my daily work in total synthesis
and I am looking forward for next volumes of this collection.

NB: Another book from this collection which deserves attention is:
"Oxidation of Primary Alcohols to Carboxylic Acids" by the same
authors.

The Pain Journal (Native Agents)

Published in Paperback by Semiotext(e) (2000-11-01)

Author: Bob Flanagan

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Average review score:

Bob Flanagan's Death Bardo (from Ahadada Books)

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-03

I met Sheree Rose last December at the Ahadada reading at Beyond Baroque. She was slightly buzzed, I suspect, and talked about Bob as if I knew--or should have known--all about him. "They treated us like gods in Japan," she said. "Oh really?" I said and smiled. Now I understand Sheree's logic, I think. Beyond Baroque used to be pretty much run by Bob Flanagan, and on top of that, Bob was the incredible fellow who had Cystic Fibrosis and lived to the ripe old age of 42, and on top of that he was the fellow who writhed on screen in the cult movie "Sick" while being punished in various fashions by Sheree.

I found Bob's site on the Internet and decided to pick up The Pain Journal and give it a read. This is a remarkable document because it takes us inside the head of a bright, articulate individual as he staggers, crawls, and sometimes even sprints (in spirit) toward the Great Unknown. Mostly we get to see what a bore dying is. Bob complains about everything, including complaining too much. Nothing is quite right, nothing suits him. Sheree snores too much, the meds aren't working, his mother doesn't seem to care, or maybe cares too much. Television doesn't interest him, though he watches long hours of it, unable to sleep. Still and all, we have to admire the guts Bob had to continue writing and doing what he did until almost the end. He had that much hope that he continued on. Some parts remind me a bit of Tolstoy's Kreutzer Sonata with the all-knowing Mind of Tolstoy ripped away leaving behind a sky denuded of metaphysics and strangely backlit by the steady-state half-life of greater L.A.

The final words and journey of Bob Flanagan

Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2001-08-30

Bob Flanagan spent his entire life dying: he was born with cystic fibrosis in 1952. Most individuals with this disease of the lungs don't make it out of childhood, but with a combination of strength, humor and a bit of S&M, Flanagan survived to be 43, almost unheard of even in this medical age. This book is literally a diary he kept during the last year of his life. Best known as the subject of "Bob Flanagan: Supermasochist", there isn't much kink or S/M in this. This is a man dealing with mortality, reviewing his past life, trying to accomplish all he has set out for himself before he is gone. At that same time that this journal was being written, a documentary was being made, which would eventually be called "Sick: The Life and Death of Bob Flanagan" and it won the Sundance Special Grand Prize in 1997. This journal is an excellent companion to the film, and a final view of the man in his own words.

Pharmacology and Ototoxicity for Audiologists

Published in Hardcover by Delmar Cengage Learning (2006-08-25)

Author: Kathleen C. M. Campbell

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Average review score:

pharm and ototoxicity

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-09

This was shipped as indicated and rec'd on time. Book was in excellent condition and has been one to keep as a reference.

good info

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-13

good basic introduction to pharmacology and ototoxicity for beginners

Secret Agent Minister

Published in Kindle Edition by Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense (2007-09-01)

Author: Lenora Worth

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Average review score:

Good read

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-03

This was a good read. The heroine was a bit whiny throughout hence the 4 stars, but it ended very well. Good plot.

Secret Agent Minister by Lenora Worth

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-16

This was a great book to read. The author Lenora Worth went right into the action and intrigue from the beginning.I absolutely loved the romance that was going on between Pastor Dev and Lydia and at the same time all the trouble that was going on around them. In my opinion this was an excellent book.

K. Smith

Shaping the Skyline: The World According to Real Estate Visionary Julien Studley

Published in Hardcover by Wiley (2004-08-30)

Author: Peter Hellman

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Average review score:

Lively and Interesting

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-09

The author, Peter Hellman, walks us through Julien Studley's upbringing and professional life in a story-telling manner that is fun, engaging, and full of interesting details. His quotes from individuals and depiction of Studley are not imbalanced with ingratiating self-promotion -- like that of other real estate "tycoon" books. Rather he tries to portray a soft-spoken, strong-willed immigrant who's seen every kind of deal in NYC. Ultimately, one may not be entirely convinced that Studley was "Shaping the Skyline" of NYC, but that he is an unusual character that played a part in NYC's real estate history as a broker.

In this authorized biography, Studley aims to demonstrate that amongst a crowd of boisterous competitive brokers he is sophisticated and honorable with some examples within the context of some deals. Because of his Holocaust-escaping experience, he speaks several European languages and immigrated to the US with a strong sense of purpose and survival skills. After decades of street-smarts and experience-led-wisdom, his rough edges may have been softened, but his skills as a negotiator and arbiter are amongst the best.

Reason for a 4-star (rather than a 5-star) rating is the author tends to exaggerate the impact of brokers on real estate developments and outcomes. Although understandable because his sources are mainly brokers, one does question the reality of intermediaries -- even those as successful as Studley. Similar to why high-energy sales people may never make good CEOs, front-line brokers are unaware or uninterested in the complexities of how property developments materialize after the paper marked "sale" is signed. For instance, on pg 131, Michael Colacino, a high-performance broker, is described as completing Time Warner's innovative $1 billion synthetic lease. The analysis, due diligence, and decision to execute a synthetic lease involve a company's lawyers and bankers far more than its broker. And for a broker to claim a leading role on a synthetic lease deal causes the reader to wonder about the bravado during that particular interview.

Another mild disappointment about the book is that it spends many chapters talking about Studley's company and not about him. Anecdotally, it talks about their company outings, offices, and managers but the reader is left wondering how does this relate to the "visionary" and his story. I would have rather seen chapters about Studley's homelife, how he invests, or evolving religious views.

In sum, however, a good book and an entertaining read that can inspire a real estate professionals or not -- alike.

Great Book if you want to learn about Real Estate Brokerage

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2004-12-10

I would encourage anyone to read this book if you are interested in learning more about how Commercial Real Estate Brokerage works. Especially if you are currently a broker, this book is for you.

However, if you want to learn about development of huge commercial real estate projects, this book might not be what your looking for. It goes in-depth on deals made over the last 40 years in NYC but speaks more on the sales/leasing end and less on the development end.

However the man's story is a great American Dream turned true and will no doubt give you a great look into the Commercial Real Estate world.

Simulations (Foreign Agents)

Published in Paperback by Semiotext(e) (1983-01-01)

Author: Jean Baudrillard

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Average review score:

Difficult reading, but interesting insights (sometimes swallowed up by verbiage)

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-02

Jean Baudrillard, postmodern thinker, despairs; he claims, in "Forget Foucault," that there is an "impossibility of any politics" in our current situation. An important part of this context are media simulations, of reality so obscured by the play of images completely unrelated to any "reality" which might be out there that we are hopelessly incapable of arriving at any judgments on which to base political decisions and actions. Images on television and in the movies and in other media are "floating signifiers," having no real connection to concrete referents. The key concept associated with Baudrillard is simulations and the simulacrum. He begins by quoting Ecclesiastes: "The simulacrum is never that which conceals the truth--it is the truth that conceals that there is none. The simulacrum is true" (by the way, this quotation may be a simulacrum; I could not find it in Ecclesiastes!). Simulations began historically as replicas of the real, as reflections of "reality." However, with time, simulations have become increasingly detached from concrete "real" references. Simulations do not have reference points or substance or any tie to "reality." Simulations have become "a real without origin or reality"--a hyperreal. We face a procession of images and simulations, and lose sight of the simple fact that they are "floating signifiers." The simulacra become real for us.

Put in post-structural (or postmodern) terms, the models created are floating signifiers (simulations in Baudrillard's terms) which structure people's discourse with one another and shape their behavior. Images become crucial in politics. After presidential debates or major policy speeches or elections, the "spin patrol" gets going. These are the spokespersons of the parties or candidates who try to convince the audience that their simulations of the event are better than their opponents' simulations. In the process, no one particularly cares what actually happened or what was said. It is the simulations pushed by the various actors that become the news.

Baudrillard's writing is challenging; many will write him off as an unreadable crank. Nonetheless, the underlying concept of the simulacrum is fascinating and generates much reflection. This is a postmodern work that may actually speak to some real world issues. . . .

Great book, bad edition.

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-21

A very interesting read on the nature of reality. Baudrillard has a wonderful way of shuffling your thinking that can only be understood by reading his work first hand. I highly recommend this work, but I would suggest buying a different edition; the Semiotext edition fell to pieces the first time I read it.

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