Enterprise Books

1. Dispersion: Even original equipment manufacturers with captive technology are not immune from dispersion. NEC may develop a state-of-the art memory chip for its own mainframes, but it can sell five times the volume to other computer makers.
2. Partnerships: Nothing stays propriety for long and no player can master everything. Partnerships are key to spreading of technology.
3. Reducing fixed costs: To compete in global markets, companies have to incur and show find a way to defray - immense fixed costs. Automation has drive the cost of labor out of production and manufacturing has become a fixed cost activity. R&D has become a fixed cost. With globalization all major players in an industry are or may become direct competitors. You need your own people and your own labels too. That's fixed cost.
4. Brand: Brand name is a fixed cost. For many product, a brand name has no value if brand recognition falls below certain levels. You must spend enough money on brand promotion to realize "pull" benefits. With some products you can better use the same money to enhance commissions so that the sales force will push them.
5. Is IBM Japan an American or Japanese company? Its workforce is 20,000 Japanese, but its equity holders are American. IBM Japan has provided 3 times more tax revenue to the Japanese government than Fujitsu.
6. The Government's role. "People have become more informed and clever, as a real consequence of living in a truly global information era. And now governments have become the major obstacle for people to have the best and the cheapest from anywhere in the world." "What the energy crisis has taught us is that for a short term the `have' nations can create a supply shortage if they gang up. However, over a longer period of time, alternative supplies develop and the economic principles of supply and demand prevail." "Having an abundance of resources has truly slowed down a country's development, because bureaucrats there still think that money could solve all problems". "The key to success is shifting the focus from resources to marketplace." "The government's role, then, is to ensure that its people have a good life by ensuring stable access to the best and cheapest goods and services from anywhere in the world, not to protect certain industries and certain clusters of people." "Every time governments try to protect resources, markets, industries, and jobs, they cost the taxpayers dearly." "Government officials exercise power by regulating and deregulating the market, but their new role is to assume a backseat, not the driver's position, and to make sure that their country is benefiting fully from the best-performing corporation corporations and producers in the world, at the lowest possible cost to their people on a long-term basis"
7. Service Sector. In the US the service sector represents 70 percent of the work force; the cost of manufacturing is about 25 percent of the end user cost; the leading edge producers have all but eliminated simple labor from production and use robots; value chain produces high quality and cheap products in a globally interlinked economies; the most value added is in the marketplace; governmental preoccupation with production forces them to hang onto old and incompatible industries, disserving the customer and the taxpayer.
8. Equidistance: Japanese engineers working for different companies in Kyushu, a small island only 100 km away from South Korea would cat a late flight on Friday evenings to South Korea, work privately for S Korean semiconductor companies; this was illegal and violated employment agreements; the exchange of knowledge made semiconductor design methods and software similar through out the world. The Japanese learned to tailor products to local market interest, needs, and preferences rather than create a global product. Companies that are globally successful in white goods focus on close interactions with individual users; where as those that prosper with equipment installation focus on interactions with designers, engineers, and trade unions.
9. Customer oriented Strategies: Japanese auto companies are caught between a low cost producer, Hyundai and a high-end producer, Mercedes or BMW. Korea's Hyundai, Samsung, and Lucky Goldstar produces high volume products, half of what it costs the Japanese. The Japanese are caught in the middle. If you're a Japanese leader, what do you do? First, dramatically reduce the content of labor in production and push towards full automation. Examples are Nikon Seiko, Mazak Machinery, and Fujitsu Fanuc. The second way out of the squeeze is to move upmarketet toward higher margin products. Corporate culture and price cutting instincts will work against the move, as low-cost marketing games feel comfortable and predictable. Sometimes getting back to strategy means getting back to a deep understanding of what a product is about. Basics of sound management means looking closely at the customer needs, thinking deeply about a product.
10. Demand: Do more better. Create a second demand boosting market is the key. "If your goal is to beat the competition, you win by narrowing your field of vision and doing more better". "But why do companies stick with such devotion to a course that is obviously self-destructive?": Subborness, intensive rivalry, companyism, inescapable defeat or retreat phobias, nationalism, correction action did not occur because the situation did not become painful enough, and consensus from the group they were doing the right thing. "Companyism get much of its strength from this consensus-building mechanism". All must suffer visible before corrective action will occur. "Maintaining the customer relationship through good service is now the key to success". Measurement counts. Measure the powerful and often invisible influences on what you think and do.

Kenichi Ohmae, argues that borders and nation states are becoming irrelevant and explains that a "fundamental paradigm shift has occurred that is changing the way business is being done...[and that the majority of us] are still operating under the old rules. Ohmae predicts that nation states will become obsolete as their sole job will be to facilitate a comfortable environment for global companies serving the ever more educated consumer in the Inter Linked Economy.

At the business level, most of Ohmae's reasoning seem sound, and is based on basic economic principles such as economies of scale and the bargaining power a global corporation might realize etc. What may be most controversial in his book are Ohmae's views on globalization. In most ways Ohmae's view is utopian.

Ultimately Ohmae left me unconvinced in regard to his view on the speed, the benefits, and even the best methods of dealing with the ILE/globalization.

Two other good books dealing with these topics in interesting ways are Lindblom's "The Market System", and also to some degree Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations".

Tom Anderson
Anderson Analytics, LLC

Great Book!, one of Ohmae's best book. Read it, and you will understand why this world would getting smaller and smaller everyday. In this globalized economy, every single nation could take an advantage from it, no matter how poor it is, because we believe everyone in this world has a spesific competencies and capabilities to increasing their own wealth quality. See how the business organizations around the world develop their competencies and capabilities and take profit from "interlinked economy", and create something called "win-win solution", something that almost impossible if we talk that in the past paradigm.

This tilte can give us the great idea how to successfully live in the coming 21th century. After finishing this title, you can say he is one of the best auther about business.

Dr. Ohmae reveals the fundamental driving forces of the world in the new era. With his astute logic based upon numerous cases, he delineates how wealth can be created both on corporation bases and also on nation bases. No wonder Prime Minister of Malaysia invited Dr. Ohmae as an economic advisor for the nation. So far his logics have been proven to be the realities of the today's world. Some may call him a visonary, but I think what he says in this book is not the outcome of his dubious imaginations. It has been some time since this book came out, and not only we have witnessed some of the phnomena he discussed and foretold, but also now we can catch ourselves using the terminology, "borderless world", or "borderless economy" while thinking about the world. This "BORDERLESS" is one of words he made commonly used in our lives, if not he is the one who coined the word.

I was a political science major in college in the United States. I! tried hard to understand the logic of the world while studying hegemonies of various nations. However, I can tell that this book was the most powerful book for me to understand the world, not all the thick textbooks or ugly notes from the boring lectures.

So, why don't you give it a try and order this phenomenal book with Amazon!

Thank you very much, Dr. Ohmae & Amazon.

Minoru Nadai, alias NORM

This is an exceptional book. Easy to understand, gets you involved and interested in a subject that might scare a few away.
I love it and often go back to remind myself of the basics.

If your a breeder and want to learn from the best, this tape is for you. There are many examples and illustrations to use and follow. The novice along with the experienced breeder will benefit from this program.

It is an excellent resource for those who have questions and are interested in learning about breeding better dogs.

To be a "REAL" (responsible, with a long term contribution to a breed) is no matter of luck, or money (even though you may need some of both!). More than that, you have to study and understand what is behind selecting the right combination of broadstock and stud, cleanning up genetically based failures, and much more. Breeding Better Dogs is a easy to read book (don't need to be an expert) and the tips and methods are readly applicable. I breed American Bulldog, and, for the good of the breed, I really wish the most breeders in the breed would read it.

DogRead book of the month March 2002 This book was chose to be on the prestigious 'DogRead' ... as a book selection of the month. We only do 12 books or videos a year. The author comes on line for the whole month to answer questions on the book. To be selected for this group means the book or video MUST be one of the very best it its field.
treshell owner DogRead

Great book for a beginner or advanced breeder. Great ideas and charts. Also available in Video.

I bought this book for an overall understanding of BI without wanting a deep dive into the technicality of the technology. This book hit the spot nicely. Explained clearly the evolution of BI, the uses and some real-life solutions. In the final section it then went into the technology at a perfectly pitched depth. If you are looking for a BI reference guide, this is the wrong book for you. However, if you just want a clearly written book on the concepts behind BI and it's real life applications, this is the book for you.

I chose this book, because I needed to get some background on BI fairly quickly. It satisfied that need very well. It is quite well-written and some parts read more like a story, which is quite the opposite of the "just the facts, ma'am" approach of Kimball and his associates. (That is not a stab at Kimball. I am a big fan and I believe they have so much to say that they don't really have the space to make it story-like. Kimball has a completely different goal with his books -- but this is not a Kimball-review.)

At the start, the book introduces us to the Director of Imports at a gift and novelty wholesale company. Her initiative of selling a certain item didn't work so well, and we get to know the steps she has taken to analyze the data to find out what happened. Along the way, we are introduced to many Data Warehousing / Business Intelligence (DW/BI) concepts.

After the story, some basic DW/BI terms are explained in more detail. The authors explain quite well where they fit in the process of getting from mounds of static data, to a useable set of data for analytical purposes, which they call the BI Roadmap.

The book contains five case studies of a few pages each, which help fix the process of implementation.

If you know nothing about DW/BI and you quickly need a framework on which to hang whatever knowledge you gain elsewhere, I'd say this is a great start. Also, if you've implemented a DW/BI system and failed, this may help get you back to your roots. However, if you've read a lot of in-depth material and maybe have an implementation or two (successful) under your belt, this will only serve as a relaxing read; you won't gain much new knowledge from it.

I give it 5 stars, because it does what I think it attempts to do. It gives you background knowledge and a framework; it does not attempt to be an encyclopaedic work and desk reference, like Kimball's books are. Therefore it reads in a fraction of the time it would take to read Kimball. If background is what you're looking for, enjoy.

The book was a very easy read. Finised it in one afternoon. Definitely recommended for a novice. However, if you have an understanding of BI, then this book is not for you.

I like the cover. Its orange !!!

First of all, I will have to admit that I am a Microsoft advocate. I like their solutions and I think very highly of what they have to offer with SQL Server and Analysis Services.

This book lays down a good foundation for anyone to follow. It explains the concept of BI, the uses of BI, and the payback of BI. What more do you want.

I have been in charge of an SAP/BW group for a large consumer electronics company for the past 4 years. SAP's architecture for BI is very expensive, inflexible, and limited. Using Microsoft's concepts of BI would be cheaper, very flexible, with much more capabilities.

So, grab this book, read it, then read it again. Install SQL Server 2k. Install Analysis Services (comes with SQL Server 2k) and install SQL Servers Service Packs 1-3).

Then experiement with what they are telling you in this book and you will be amazed at what you can do....and cheaply!!!

Good Luck!

Techies will enjoy learning from real world examples of business intelligence technologies. Business leaders will appreciate how complex technical and business topics are tackled from various perspectives - what is BI, how BI will help your organization, and the most helpful chapter, how to actually identify, start and implement a BI solution.

Only wish the authors had spent a little more time identifying pitfalls, but that is why you hire experts to help you out.

"Gary Jones had provided a recipe for success for those considering adding business valuations to their practices. There are many technical, `how-to' books and courses in the valuation field; Gary's approach, however, is unique, comprehensive and valuable to aspiring business valuation practitioners."

As a financial practictioner,

I have applied many of the concepts from this wonderful work. One of the good things about the book is that it addresses not only the technical aspect of valuing business but also the art form as well. The book has assisted me in valuing companies in several industries and I consider it to be a one of the resources that is a staple of my practice.

Much thanks to the authors

"One of the challenges to providing business valuation services is educating inexperienced staff. Without adequate training, leveraging this profitable and growing service can be a problem. A new book by CPAs Gary Jones and Dirk Van Dyke helps.

The Business of Business Valuation is a primer for those just getting started in valuations. It covers the reasons for doing a valuation, the process and components, the valuation expert's role, as well as marketing and pricing. Even experienced valuators can benefit from the discussion of valuation consulting -- helping a business owner increase value, through smart management and policy, to achieve, overall personal, family and employee goals.

The anatomy of a business valuation is particularly helpful, as are the three sample valuation reports. You'll also find discussions of trends, ethics and coursework for porspective valuators."

"The Business of Business Valuation is a powerful book and it's about time. It is written in a clear and easy to understand style. What's exciting is the breadth of audience it addresses. This book is not just for valuation professionals...it is clearly for all business owners, employees, educators and students.

While most books on valuation only address the mechanics and components of the process, Jones and Van Dyke have given us directions on the business itself. The non-practitioner will especially benefit from this book by gaining insight into the process, how to select a professional and manage the relationship.

It is often said, `Information is power,' and this book is a must-have tool to obtaining an optimum result whether you are a valuator, business appraiser or the most important element -- the client.

This book is exactly what our industry needs at this time to continue fueling the flame of growth. Bravo!! Jones, Van Dyke and McGraw-Hill for having the courage to write and publish this cutting edge work."

This is the single most-important valuation book you will buy. It teaches you how to build a successful business valuation practice.

Gary Jones is a marketing genius, and this book contains far more marketing tips than you will find anywhere else.

I have a bookcase full of books about valuations. I've read this book twice: cover-to-cover. And it's packed so full of practical know-how that I keep discovering new, profitable ideas each time I dip back into it.

You may already know how to do business valuations. But if you want to build a successful practice...buy and read this book.

I recommend this book to my coaching clients because it gives them a real system to develop strategy and then measure performance. Everyone wants a simple way to stay on track with their goals, and this book offers organizational planning advice, suggestions on how to effectively communicate the plan with employees, and then reports to make sure there is accountability for results.

Its a real road map on how to get where you want to go in business.Its content is practical and very useful for managers and owners.The many forms are great and puts you thru the process.Written from a Tec point of view.

This book is packed with practical information and worksheets so you really get your money's worth. All points are illustrated with actual company stories and real-world experiences. The format makes it particularly easy to read and use.

Whether you work in a large company or small, are new to business or are a long-time professional, you will find something invaluable in this book. I bought the 1st edition, and this 2nd edition adds several new sections: there is a whole new chapter devoted to Human Resources, and great sections on holding a strategic planning meeting and writing a business plan. This book should be on every business person's bookshelf - you'll use it again and again.

I found the worksheets alone in this book worth the price. When you follow the step-by-step instructions, the worksheets cull out only the data you need. With all the extraneous data out of the way, it's easy to pinpoint critical problems that you might miss otherwise. And it makes developing key indicators and reports easier as well. I think any CEO who wants to keep the company's accounting and human resource managers on top of things at all times should give them this book tomorrow...if not sooner.

This is an excellent book for anyone thinking, even remotely, about starting their own business. It is easy to read and enjoyable with references to events that we can all relate to . . . such as "don't try things for the first time in front of your banker" (and how that advice came about).

There are so many things that go into running your own business that most people really do not understand. This book has a great overview of the things to consider before venturing too far in the decision stage. After reading Thornton's witty and cogent discussion, if you are ready to say "YES, I can do this", then you are already on your way to creating a successful venture. If after reading this book you decide not to proceed . . . well, this may just be the most valuable book you have ever read.

This should be required reading in all business schools.

I have recently started my own company and have been using this book as a guideline on how to do things properly. This book has been a tremendous help and has allowed me to save money along the way. From initial organization procedures to marketing strategies, Bruce has made it easy to understand how to start a company for anyone. Thank you Bruce for making it easy.

Bruce C. Thornton's "Business Start-ups Done Dirt Cheap: For entrepreneurs who want to minimize start-up costs and maximize chances of success" is much like the books from the popular "Dummies" series: readable, engaging, well organized, and clear. But there's something even better about Thornton's book. Unlike its hefty Dummies counterparts, it's not only easy to read but also easy to keep handy for reference. At just over 100 pages and with a very slim profile, it can be tucked it into a coat pocket or stashed into a laptop carry-on without a second thought.

That's a good thing, because this book is chock full of the kind of advice that entrepreneurs will want to keep handy. Especially advice on how to avoid the most common source of start-up collapse: cash failure.

There are a slew of books on how to build a successful start-up, but none that provide as sharp a focus on this problem. And it's an insidious problem, because, as Thornton explains, it can occur even in businesses that are profitable.

That's why Thornton is determined to help entrepreneurs weed out cash flow problems before they have a chance to take root. He does this through a series of practical instructions organized as they would apply at each step of the start-up process. For example, he describes how to evaluate new ideas and markets and develop strategic plans without having to hire a fancy market research firm to do it for you. How to do the initial legwork of setting up your firm's legal structure before getting the lawyers involved. How to gain valuable insights from resources like the Web, local educational institutions, or "helpful old guys" -- retired or semiretired people who have established successful businesses of their own and are happy to share their knowledge in exchange for the personal satisfaction of helping other budding entrepreneurs. (Thornton himself launched and built more than a half-dozen thriving businesses, and today volunteers in mentoring programs at the University of Texas for aspiring entrepreneurs in engineering and other technical fields.)

Note, however, that this is not a "do it yourself" guide to entrepreneurialship. While Thornton does highlight the cost-effectiveness of handling certain preparations and operations internally, he also is careful to point out when and where you absolutely, positively must enlist the help of legal, accounting, and other professionals.

Thornton also briefly discusses different sources of financing -- from personal savings and angel investors to venture capitalists, bank loans, SBA loans, and creative approaches such as extended terms from suppliers and vendors -- as well as various approaches to operations, manufacturing, marketing, and sales. In every discussion he answers one question foremost: how would using this financial source or this approach to (whatever) affect cash flow?

Thornton closes with a couple of lists of the kind that I love in the "Dummies" series. In Thornton's book, they focus on the characteristics and the management tenets of successful ventures. Some of the items are self-evident, but they also bear repeating as lessons that new and not-so-new entrepreneurs should take to heart: among others, to minimize red tape, to treat employees fairly, to maintain a bias for action, and, oh yes, to have a "passion" to conserve cash at all times.

All the more reason it's nice this book can be carried around so easily. Which I would recommend for almost anyone seeking to create a successful start-up business.

"Entrepreneurs...constantly revolutionize our economy, and have made it possible for average people today to live longer and healthier lives, with more access to technology than the kings had in previous generations." This is a very apt quote by Johan Norberg in Bruce Thornton's new book Business Start-Ups Done Dirt Cheap.

While the rewards of successful entrepreneurship can be incredibly lucrative, Bruce suggests that it "isn't about finding the perfect idea or the killer application, then sitting back to get rich. It is about successful application of multiple skills to everyday business, and execution of profitable daily operations over long periods."

This book is an excellent source for a description and application of those "multiple skills" that are necessary to create a successful venture. Chapters 9 and 10 alone are worth the price of the book. A relatively short read, the book is, nevertheless, full of very worthy and valuable advice. I highly recommend it.

This is a must read for anyone even contemplating starting a company. Well written and well researched, the author takes you through the steps needed to start up a company. Relying on real life experiences, the author relates the pitfalls and the triumphs of starting up and owning your own businesses.
Though the topic could be a dry read, his humorous anecdotes and stories keep you engaged, reading on to learn the results of his endeavors.
The forms and reference materials alone are worth the price of the book.
Reading this book will surely decrease the amount of time spent starting up a company and increase your chances of becoming a successul entrepreneur.

Lydia has borne her soul in this riviting account of her life and events surrounding an abortion at age 15. For background she shares contributing factors from her early life. The meat of the book is her journey from grief and pain to forgiveness and joy. She can't keep silent about the pain that abortion brought to her life or the joy she has found through the Mercy and Healing Power of Christ.
Her story will be particularly intersting to anyone that has experienced abortion either personally or through a friend or family member.
The book is easy to read and the story is presented in an unencumbered writing style.

Lydia has written an honest, moving, powerful story of her own life and experiences.
I am not a Christian, or a bieliver, yet I found her story a very powerful and moving account of her pain, lost, and of her recovery and healing through the power of Sisterhood, paryer and belief. It is a redemption story at it's best.

Charles Hall
rochester N.Y.

I picked up this book and couldn't put it down. I had no idea of the potential range of emotional and relationship challenges caused by an abortion.

Lydia describes the challenges one faces relating to one's future children, sexual issues, fear and inability to bond, and depression and even suicide. I know there are thousands, if not millions of women walking around with all of these unresolved, painful issues that they don't know the root of and feel they cannot even speak about. Thank God Lydia could no longer keep silent.

The best part of her book is that she actually found healing for her pain and she shares how others can achieve it as well.

This is a "must-read" for all post-abortive women!

God bless Lydia and her family.

This book gave me a lot of insight into my own life EVEN THOUGH I AM CHILDLESS BY CHOICE.

I am so glad I read this book, and I hope this book will encourage others to share their life experiences regarding abortion. I also hope the book will encourage people to NOT keep silent regarding abortion or other important issues in their lives. Don't keep issues bottled up--talk about them!

Judy Bogden

Lydia Clarke has written a revelatory, intimate, and insightful first hand account of the truthful consequences of abortion. She bares her soul and provides the reader with valuable information on post-abortive stressors. If you care to know the TRUTH about the horrors of abortion and its aftermath results, this book is a must read!

I have never had an abortion, however, I found Lydia's story most compelling and heartfelt. Thus, all women (post-abortive, or not) CAN relate to Lydia's story at some level. She focuses on issues and/or themes of self-esteem, love, bitterness, and self-hatred. She also provides the reader with valuable resources (contact information) for post-abortive women searching for help for healing and wholeness.

Lydia's story is well written. Her writing style allows for an easy read as to capture the thought, clarity, heart, and intimacy of her text. One is not bombarded, or overthrown by unnecessary academic jargon.

If you desire to be set free from a HISTORY of physical, emotional and/or spiritual bondage and turmoil -- whether a victim of abortion or not -- this book is for ALL people; this book is for you! It's time to be SET free!

Robert Bradley's new book is a much needed, thoughtful, and extremely readable book on business ethics. Every business student should read and study this book in order to obtain a systematic understanding of the ethical role of the businessman in a capitalist society. The author has a deep understanding of economics and avoids the superficial analysis that pervades much of the literature on corporate responsibility. He explains that our economic well being depends on entrepreneurs earning profits by satisfying consumer wants and not by coercing consumers through fraud or through the use of government influence. Perhaps the most important contribution of the book is to demonstrate that simple fraud (which is well understood by the general public) is a vastly smaller public problem than the use of government influence (which is only dimly understood by the general public). Business school professors would be well advised to assign this book in every class dealing with business ethics.

The supreme virtue of Rob Bradley's work on energy issues is that he has both a command of the theory of free markets (having written his dissertation under Murray Rothbard), while Bradley has also worked in the energy industry (in various capacities) for many years. In particular, Bradley was actually the speechwriter for Ken Lay of Enron, giving him (Bradley) a lot more authority on the true nature of the company. (Hint: Bradley explains that the "farsighted and responsible" energy company was a darling of the Left until it collapsed and then somehow became the poster child of unregulated capitalism.)

The fan of the free market who wants to really delve into the nuts and bolts of energy markets has an excellent guide in Bradley.

Capitalism at Work: Business, Government and Energy by Robert L. Bradley Jr, is a timely read for those wishing to gain a better perspective of the type of business/government "cooperation" America is experiencing at the close of 2008. The book's Epilogue with its focus on Enron is most instructive.

As is the case for today's financial market turmoil and the auto industry struggles, the collapse of once-mighty Enron was blamed on unregulated markets and free-market capitalism. But Bradley, an Enron insider -- and Enron critic as an insider -- explains how the company was the antithesis of the type company that leading capitalist philosophers such as Adam Smith espoused. Enron was a "politically dependent" firm, not a truly "free-market" company.

The list of Enron political initiatives to promote a marketing strategy of "sustainable development" includes: 1) support for the Clinton/Gore 1993 proposal for a Btu tax; 2) aggressive investment in solar power in 1994; 3) the purchase of Zond Corporation in 1996 to start the U.S. wind industry; 4) spearheading of the nation's most strict renewable energy mandate in Texas in 1999 and 5) unsuccessful lobbying of the Bush administration to regulate carbon dioxide emissions.

Capitalism at Work also offers a warning to those who anticipate millions of green jobs resulting from the activities of a new energy/environment Czar or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from a cap and trade system. Enron Energy Services (EES) ostensibly offered energy outsourcing for large commercial and industrial customers through long-term contracts. Bradley says, "EES, in fact, was one of Enron's fraud-rife divisions, with the estimated savings in energy and customer costs consisting mainly of speculation and accounting tricks. EES's contracts were liabilities parading as assets."

The epilogue's informed and lively account of the rise and fall of Enron offers a vivid case study of the perils of both government intervention and corporate social responsibility theory. Bradley concludes, "Enron lived, thrived, and perished in and through the mixed economy. Enron's artificial boom and decisive bust had more to do with government regulation than free markets."

Kenneth W. Chilton, Ph.D. is Director Emeritus of the Institute for Study of Economics and the Environment at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.

Rob Bradley Jr.'s Capitalism at Work offers a fascinating combination of business history, economic theory, business ethics, and moral philosophy. Maybe those topics don't sound fascinating, but by weaving his analysis in with American business history, past and present, readers gain insight into how the US economy really works.

Bradley argues that major corporate flameouts, from Samuel Insull at Chicago Edison to Ken Lay at Enron, involved more than just character flaws, incompetence, malfeasance, and arrogance. Each involved a corrupting network to government favors, subsidies, and protective regulations.

Especially today when another cohort of corrupted businesses, from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to the Wall Street firms and big three automakers that have either been taken over, bailed out, or bankrupted, Bradley's episodes from business history help us put today's crises in historical perspective.

Bradley is an expert on the history of regulation in the energy industry, the author of Oil, Gas and Government: The U.S. Experience, and has lectured and written widely on energy economics and politics. He argues that much of the U.S. economic system is better understood as "political capitalism" rather than market capitalism. Government spending and regulation, at both the state and federal level, are such a key part of many industries, that any entrepreneur or firm thriving in these industries gains success as much by political capital and leverage as by physical capital or financial leverage.

Bradley observes that "the scope and scale of Enron's politically dependent profit centers was unprecedented." He further claims: "The story of Enron is one of the most important benchmarks in the history of mixed-economy capitalism." But most books, articles and movies about Enron have so far "only superficially probed into fundamental incentives and motivations..."

To explain and contrast market capitalism with political capitalism, Bradley draws upon the writings of Adam Smith, Samuel Smiles, and Ayn Rand. Few of us are familiar with Samuel Smiles, but his work on personal improvement is fascinating: "In the mid-1840s, Smiles saw a higher calling in empowering each person to improve his or her character. Government policy was important, but the individual was the mainspring of social progress and good government... Smiles's writings inspired thousands to take charge of their own lives, revisit their attitudes, refine their best efforts, and improve in the workplace."

After reviewing these three writers on what he calls "Heroic Capitalism" Bradley explores its shadow "Political Capitalism" in Part II "Business Opportunity, Political Opportunism." I remember meeting in Seattle a businessman who strongly advocated recycling. He spoke with passion and enthusiasm, but I noticed also that his firm had the contract to supply all the plastic recycling bins that would be mandated for city and county residents. It would be hard not to be excited about recycling when holding such a business opportunity. Bradley's overview of the views and theories of industrial organization show the shift from early personal improvement and entrepreneurship to later theories that offered a diminished role for laissez-faire.

Part III of Capitalism at Work drills into debates over Energy and Sustainability, and again, the historical perspective is fascinating. We find that recent debates over "Peak Oil" are similar to debates over a century earlier over "peak coal"--that is, fears that coal reserves would rapidly run out, throwing industrial economies into chaos. Perhaps because the energy industry has for so long been regulated, and because energy is so central to a modern economy, academics have written many books on energy issues--most calling for governments to strengthen regulations and empower academics to shape energy production and policy.

The energy and environmental regulation industry has evolved over the decades, from early Earth Day activities for school children, to today's demands for banishing coal plants and limiting or sequestering carbon dioxide. Readers of Capitalism at Work are given a walk town memory lane with sections on early players like Resources for the Future, E. F. Schumacher, Paul Ehrlich, ZPG, and events like Earth Day, and the publication of The Limits to Growth by the Club of Rome.

Next up is a chapter titled "The Dark Decade" on the disaster of US energy policies from Richard Nixon to Jimmy Carter. We read the views and fears of scholars, writers, and interest groups who shaped US energy policy over these years, and further distorted both the energy industry and the US economy.

It is hard to think of a better way to prepare ourselves for the coming years of political capitalism and further government intervention in energy and environmental policy, than by reading Bradley's "Capitalism at Work: Business, Government and Energy." Highly recommended.

Dr. Bradley does a great job explaining that it is not capitalism that is failing, but political capitalism that is destroying American prosperity.

Bradley's first three chapters (Part 1), under the banner of "heroic capitalism," summarize the work of Adam Smith, Samuel Smiles, and Ayn Rand. If you want to understand the historical roots and philosophical foundations for capitalism, these chapters are excellent.

The second part of the book describes how free-market capitalism and entrepreneurial start-ups are being destroyed by business cartels supported by government intervention. Political capitalism is not capitalism at all; political capitalism is simply corrupt business leaders in bed with corrupt government bureaucarts and politicians.

Part three of the book was surprisingly interesting and educational. My background is in banking and CPA/management consulting. I have had little exposure to the energy industry, so I didn't expect these chapters to be interesting. I was wrong. The business-government corruption found in the energy industry (seen through the stories of Samuel Insull and Kenneth Lay) can be found growing in every industry.

Michael A. Beitler, Ph.D.
Host of "Free Markets With Dr. Mike Beitler"
Author of "Rational Individualism" Rational Individualism: A Moral Argument for Limited Government & Capitalism

If a friend told me that he was flying to a deserted island in the South Pacific and starting a new country, first I would tell him he was crazy. Next, I would give him this book, insist that he read it, and use it as a blueprint for a successful society. Mr. Mueller's book is an excellent defense of both capitalism and democracy, the twin pillars of our American society. The author points out that while neither system is perfect, both are superior to any other economic method or political institution. His book is filled with interesting facts and fascinating insights. For example, Mr. Mueller insists that capitalism, far from extinguishing virtue, actually encourages it. This is because businessmen who treat their customers and co-workers with fairness and compassion have an economic advantage over their brooding colleagues. This seems counterintuitive but is born out by evidence. Service was especially poor and rude in former communist countries. Today, American companies from McDonald's to K-Mart, much maligned by the press, are teaching benevolent business practices to Third World nations from Africa to the Orient. Mr. Mueller also makes the interesting point that economics is approaching a level of sophistication similar to medicine at the turn of the twentieth century. Today, for the first time ever, economists can offer truly effective remedies for policy makers. Such a development, if true, promises an era of truly spectacular growth. The author also makes the sobering point that capitalism is a poor tonic for increasing personal happiness. Money has never substituted for family, faith, and meaningful work. Nor will it in the future. When it comes to democracy, Mr. Mueller believes that we expect too much from our political process. The 1994 health care debate, to some commentators, is an example of our failed democracy. In contrast, Mr. Mueller suggests that this episode proves the resiliency of our institutions. Legislation was proposed and debated, constituencies were mobilized and addressed, and the outcome was largely favorable. Democracy can be messy but it is incredibly responsive and self-correcting. It is the only political system that provides the average citizen with the instruments of political power. As more and more nations embrace the virtue of capitalism and democracy, colossal progress can be made in alleviating poverty, ensuring human rights, and achieving self-actualization. There is no realistic alternative to democracy or capitalism on the horizon. Nor should we want one.

Prof.Mueller tries to correct several misconceptions about capitalism and democracy.
a) Quite contrary to popular beliefs and the propaganda from a deafening chorus of anticapitalist voices Prof.Mueller posits, that capitalism tends to reward positive ethical behavior. "Nice guys come out first" .
b) For a variety of reasons this simple truth became obscured and capitalism tends to be maligned and is believed to be governed by the opposite priciples of theft, deception and moral depravity.
Reading Prof.Mueller`s book I remembered the opening line of a letter, Karl Marx wrote 1872 in reply to an article in a German business paper ("Concordia"). Summarily Marx adressed producers ("Fabrikanten") as experts in counterfeiting their merchandise.
This contrasts eerily with research findings, Prof.Mueller cites, which attest English and German producers a marked shift towards ethical behaviour during the 19.th century!
c) Following Prof.Mueller, democracy may be described to be the rule of a minority with acquiescence of the majority. And this minority rule with majority asquiescence happens to be not a defect but a
strongpoint. There may even be democracy without elections, because not the ballot box is to be considered the heart of a democratic government but the responsiveness towards special interests from society, which must be given the guarantee of peaceful pursuit against those in power.
Following the author`s very sensible train of thoughts I started wondering, wether we could call the period of Kaiserreich" in German history 1870 to 1914 a democratic period and there may be room for a democratic development in China - even without challenging the one-party rule.
I can gladly label Prof.Mueller`s book the most important title about capitalism and democracy I ever read. This is a seminal book for many years to come. I am very fortunate, to have come across it! Thank you indeed, John Mueller!

This is a fine book and should receive much more attention. It's well researched, but accessible and entertaining. If you, like me, believe it's near paradise to live in a society where you can be left alone to live in relative comfort so long as you don't mind working for it, you'll love this book. If, on the other hand, you think that there was some prehistoric Shangrila, or that the constitution gurantees everyone a color TV and self esteem, don't bother unless you're prepared to learn something.

If a friend told me that he was flying to a deserted island in the South Pacific to start a new country, first I would tell him he was crazy. Next, I would give him this book, insist that he read it, and use it as a blueprint for a successful society. Mr. Mueller's book is an excellent defense of both capitalism and democracy, the twin pillars of our American society. The author points out that while neither system is perfect, both are superior to any other economic method or political institution. His book is filled with interesting facts and fascinating insights. For example, Mr. Mueller insists that capitalism, far from extinguishing virtue, actually encourages it. This is because businessmen who treat their customers and co-workers with fairness and compassion have an economic advantage over their brooding colleagues. This seems counterintuitive but is born out by evidence. Service was especially poor and rude in former communist countries. Today, American companies from McDonald's to K-Mart, much maligned by the press, are teaching benevolent business practices to Third World nations from Africa to the Orient. Mr. Mueller also makes the interesting point that economics is approaching a level of sophistication similar to medicine at the turn of the twentieth century. Today, for the first time ever, economists can offer truly effective remedies for policy makers. Such a development, if true, promises an era of truly spectacular growth. The author also makes the sobering point that capitalism is a poor tonic for increasing personal happiness. Money has never substituted for family, faith, and meaningful work. Nor will it in the future. When it comes to democracy, Mr. Mueller believes that we expect too much from our political process. The 1994 health care debate, to some commentators, is an example of our failed democracy. In contrast, Mr. Mueller suggests that this episode proves the resiliency of our institutions. Legislation was proposed and debated, constituencies were mobilized and addressed, and the outcome was largely favorable. Democracy can be messy but it is incredibly responsive and self-correcting. It is the only political system that provides the average citizen with the instruments of political power. As more and more nations embrace the virtue of capitalism and democracy, colossal progress can be made in alleviating poverty, ensuring human rights, and achieving self-actualization. There is no realistic alternative to democracy or capitalism on the horizon. Nor should we want one.

Although capitalism and democracy are regarded by many as the twin engines propelling the United States into its present position of world leadership, discussions of what these institutions mean for Amercians in practical, everyday terms are exceedingly rare. John Mueller, a professor of political science at the University of Rochester, has taken a giant step toward examining the reality of capitalism and democracy...As he puts it, capitalism and democracy consistently fall short of the images and ideas conveyed by theorists and pundits.

Mueller is convinced that the free-market economy has proven its value. Government intervention cannot instill the values essential to successful enterprise, and over the long run it undercuts them...In any event, economic inequality is inevitable, whatever the economic system in place, and capitalism has the advantage over other systems of providing greater prosperity and rewarding moral behavior...

Whereas Mueller focuses on the negative images frequently associated with capitalism, his discussion of democracy concentrates on the unattainable ideal by which it is often judged...Especially important from Mueller's perspective is recognition of the fact that special interests and inequality are inherent in democratic systems...

Democracy may be grubby, chaotic, and constantly compromising, but it soundly beats any of the alternatives. Mueller concedes that authoritarian forms of government may occasionally produce great leaders, but he argues that in no nation have such leaders existed for any length of time. Democracy constantly reevaluates its leaders and provides the means for replacing them, and it has consistently demonstrated a capacity to thrive even with large amounts of citizen apathy, cynicism, and even ignorance...

Obviously, Mueller's bare-bones approach to democracy drives a stake into the core assumptions of many texts and courses on the history of political thought. Traditionally, the rise of democratic institutions in the West has been traced to religious, economic, and ideological forces that not only forced change but also provided a basis for the survival of democratic institutions...Mueller rejects all such appeals to specific preconditions-primarily, it appears, because he fears that reliance on such historical developments will inhibit the promotion of democracy in today's world...In Mueller's view, democracy now is in "fashion" (p. 204), and the only serious threat to it is the appearance of groups of armed "thugs" (p. 203)...

As the United States moves into the twenty-first century, it has established itself as the dominant political, economic, and military power in the world. Yet its leaders and intellectuals lack the sort of architectonic theoretical paradigms that have emerged on the continent and to which many American scholars continue to feel obliged to genuflect as models to be emulated. Mueller seems singularly unimpressed by the need to formulate overarching theoretical explanations...Mueller's position is that individual liberty propelled by self-interest has made a better, if imperfect and untidy world that can be justified on its own terms.

This book draws you in until you feel like a part of the story. It is a joy to read!

Be captured into HR Peters world of love, loss, and self-discovery. Though it is set in a time hundreds of years ago--a time that is unknown to the majority of us--it is very relate-able to the modern day. There's a little something for everyone in this story: Adventure, romance, comedy--and most importantly--mischief! :) I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a private mental getaway. Very good reading!

I'm not an avid reader but I finished this book in less than a week, which is a record for me. The Captain's Choice is romantic, witty, mischievous and so much fun. Great book, I'm ready for the sequel!

I enjoyed reading the Captains Choice, it's a seemingly very well researched historical novel that is not stuffy but heartwarming, romantic, and humorous in an unconventional way. I recommend it highly!

I found this book to be a delightful romantic comedy. However, it also presented certain moral and spiritual truths which could be easily understood by all. I love historical fiction and I found this book did well in depicting the time period that the story was set in. The story and characters held my interst and I look forward to its sequel.