market-economics

World Development Report 2002 is a good source for understanding of the issues that need to be understand for third world development. It focuses on firms, government and society. It deals with specific facotros with each of these. With firms, it deals with farmers, financial systems and governance of firms. WIth government it deals with political institutions and governance, the judicial system, competition and regulation of infrastructure. WIth society, it deals with norms and net works as well as the media.

Good source to better understand development in the third world.

I picked up Dan Sherman's book while browsing for a book I once read called "The One Minute manager". What I found in "You can be a peak performer" was much more useful, as it gives a good account of many do's and dont's, and the case studies are really useful and make great reading. 5 Stars!!

This report from Packaged Facts provides great information about the Gen X market and the brands that have become household names because of the spending habits of this group. This report was useful to me (I work for a research firm), and, as always, the quality of the PDF was second-to-none. Packaged Facts must employ a group of artisans to make PDF's that are so readable, navigable and aesthetically pleasing.

"Detailed in its content, broad in its coverage, and refreshingly clear in its delivery, this is a book that will propel Dr. Mwenda to the top list of emerging authorities on capital markets and corporate finance law. . . the book. . . will enjoy broad appeal in academia, development finance and international finance institutions, and in the corporate world." - Gerry Nkombo Muuka, PhD, Associate Professor of Management, Assistant Dean & MBA Director, College of Business and Public Affairs, Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky 42071, U.S.A

"Kenneth Mwenda has written an excellent treatment of the role of stock markets in developing countries: focussing on the case of the public distribution of securities in Zambia, and drawing conclusions that are of wider application to policymakers concerned with the development of capital markets in similar settings." - Douglas A. Webb, Formerly Legal Advisor, Finance and Private Sector Development, Legal Department, the World Bank; and presently, Managing Counsel, Legal Department/Vice-Presidency, the World Bank, Washington DC, U.S.A.

I remember having to read this book as an assignment for a JROTC leadership class; 'The Greatest Salesman In The World' is the first book that I can remember that truly impressed me. Og Mandino has written this classic in a language and style that is easily understood by anyone who opens it's covers. Even though the title contains the word salesman, the book contains profound statements that can be applied to any part of life. If people lived their lives by the messages contained within this gem of a book, life would be so much happier for everyone involved. I highly recommend that all people read this book and add it to their libraries.

I bought this book about 6 years ago and read it once. A few days ago, I re-read this book and when I read Scrool II, suddenly tears started flowing and I didn't even know why. It touched me so deeply, bringing back memories. On the same day, I went to look up my old files and inside I found the same text of the scroll but in different language. I think it is a sign that I have to start living with the principles Og Mandino has set out in this book, especially scroll II..I will greet this day with love in my heart. It is really a powerful, motivational book that you need to carry with you all the time. If you read it once and not very impressed by it, I suggest that you read it again and again until the messages start to get into you. You'll enjoy this book to the fullest :) Success be with you!

If you are tolerant/smart enough to embrace or get past the Christian references in this book, and you are in the business of Sales, then this book should be on your shelf. No amount of sales training--tactical or strategic, linguistic or psychological--will help you unless you have first acquired the habits, behaviors, and heart of the Greatest Salesman. This is what Hafid teaches us.

I currently have a private library of about 3000 books. Og's little volume is the one I'll rescue should my house ever catch fire.

I wouldn't recommend this book if someone is trying to do the right thing and wants to truly make a difference in other people's lives. If you are looking to make it to the top and don't really care who you manipulate to get there, this is the book to read. Don't expect to make friends by using this book. To make friends, you don't always have to agree with someone, or be perky all the time, just be you.
Carnegie's heart may be in the right place as far as some of the principles go. He has a point, if we are good to other people, they will be good to us in return. At least that is how it should work. The thing he never addresses, is that this isn't always true. Sometimes no matter how hard we try, things don't get better, and some really great people never make it to the top. I think he should at least make it known that this isn't fool-proof, and that sometimes people don't appreciate others no matter what is said or done.
The most important thing about this book is that Carnegie makes us think. It does make a person stop and think about how they are acting towards others.
I came up with my own principle after reading this book. It has really nothing to do with the book itself, but rather what I think he left out... To be a true influence on others, be real, be kind, and be respectful. If you do those things you will touch lives every day. To make friends and be a true influence, do just one thing, be genuine.

What can't I say about this book?! I first read How to Win Friends and Influence People five years ago. I have made it practice to read it at least once a year now in the hopes that some day I may actually assimilate the incredible wealth of material included in the pages. Listen, there are a ton of self-help and motivational books out there, but this one isn't like all the rest: it is the forefather to all of them! I have to be honest when I say that this book has had a profound impact on my life and my way of thinking. It is timeless, priceless, and seems to get better with age. I hold no reservation or hesitation in recommending that you not only put one of these on your shelf, but that you read it over, and over, and over again.

Reviewed by: James L. Clark, MBA, MSc., PhD Candidate (Leadership) is a serial entrepreneur, lecturer, and consultant. He is the author of the book Wading Through the Crap: How to Start Living the Successful Life You Have Always Wanted (ISBN 0972697551) that has received rave review.

To my mind, sincerity and deference are at the core of Carnegie's advice, which I find to be quintessentially Taoist in character. Well-researched and occasionally even tear-jerking, this is one of the most engrossing books I've ever read. I highly recommend the audio version as well. The narrator is the best I've heard, with a tone that carries the intamcy of a fireside chat, and an inflection that communicates a emotional connection to the work.

Despite its esteem, I ignorantly passed over this book for years because the title gave me the impression that it described ways to manipulate people's feelings in order to further one's business/financial career. Carnegie takes care to periodically remind us that the practice only becomes a tool for manipulating others when people employ it insincerely. When his or her efforts are neither manufactured nor contrived, the successful Carnegie student displays grace, diplomacy, poise, and deference (wit sold separately).

After he spent years managing mutual fund that is bigger the GDP of most countries, Peter Lynch has learned a few things about how to invest wisely.

While a lot of investment books will tips that claim will triple your money (but only make you broke instead) Lynch preaches from the pulpit of common sense when it comes to making investments.

One up on Wall Street should be required reading for every investor who wants to succeed if you have never invested a nickel or hold stock in 1,000 companies, Lynch's life time of investing experience can help you make better investment decisions.

This book helps you categorize and what phrase different stocks (and the companies behind them) are in and then what strategy you can use when investing in these different stock categories.

It will help you sort through the maze of financial numbers and makes it easy for anybody to perform simple stock research that professional perform everyday and are often overpaid for.

Lynch's lessons are timeless and his common sense approach can work in any market, up or down. If you have never invested before and looking for some help or you have spent years investing, buy two copies of these books in case you lose the first one.

I borrowed my copy of "One Up On Wall Street" from a friend who is a longtime professional equities investor. He received this gift as recommended reading from a veteran investment analyst he knows. While Peter Lynch has written an easily comprehendible advice book on common stock investing - very much written in layman's terms and without emphasis on industry jargon - the principles he puts forth are fundamental and worth reviewing by anyone, amateur or pro.

Within the 300 pages of this book, Lynch outlines a useful rubric against which all stock selections might be measured. His stocks fall into six categories: Slow Growers, Stalwarts, Cyclicals, Fast Growers, Turnarounds and Asset Plays. Screening, buying and selling advice are outlined for each of these six flavors, although nothing revolutionary (eg., Sell a slow grower when the dividend is unattractive.) He delivers a wealth of the basic analytical tools (well, more like rules of thumb) for stock research, explaining price earnings ratios, the import of tax loss carry-forwards, goodwill accounting, inventories, and other basics of P&L statements and Balance Sheets. It's a pocket guide financial course for those who may have slept through Accounting 101.

Lynch urges stock pickers to do their homework, and suggests the regimen of a "Two Minute" drill, whereby an investor can recite a brief monologue of reasons for selecting a security: Reasons for selection, what the company needs to do to succeed, and pitfalls that stand in the way. Obviously, this is not a book for the technicians or chartists. Nor even speculators, as Lynch reminds the reader that his "ten-baggers" or "forty-baggers" all come as a result of having held at least three to four years.

Quite a bit of the book carries a populist bent. There is plenty of advice to pay more heed to what's happening in the local shopping mall than to investment brokers ("oxymorons"), and to avoid stocks with exotic names or that may have been whispered to be hot. Of course, we've all been aware of this, and we're all wealthy and drinking daiquiris on the beach now, right?

In sum, it is worth the investment of the few hours it takes to swallow this information. At worst, it is an entertaining look at some high-fliers the former Magellan manager scored with, but at the very least it serves as reminder that basics need to be followed, and nothing works as well as solid research, good discipline and old fashioned hard work.

A Good book of investment for beginner as well as veteran.
I like the most about how he classified companies into six categories and talk about what you should reasonably do to make a profit out of them.

Also, the witty writing will give you a laught even if you are not interested in investment.

Successful people, according to the author, have harnessed the power of thought. This book gives several examples of outstanding people making their thoughts a reality, including the example of the author's son who, being born deaf, learns to hear because of his great desire to do so. It was not an easy journey for the boy, but his father helped instill in him this desire and he wouldn't stop until he realized it. Probabably most of you have strongly desired something and someone told you it was impossible, yet you achieved what you were told you couldn't. This book is about that, but about more, besides. There are parts of this book that seemed geared more for men than for women, however, and I also found that this book was not as clear to me as The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy (try to get the unrevised edition, if you're interested.) Still, this book is worth reading. Just don't read it and stop there. Get some other books as well to help you understand how to apply the principals of faith. (Every religion always tells you to have it, but in practical layman's terms, many religions do not explain how.)

Napolean Hill spent 25 years writing this book after being persuaded to do so by Andrew Carnegie-the richest man in the world at the time. The book turned out wonderful. There is no denying that this book is a winner. Although it truly a very high concentrated book, what it says is still pertinent today. The book can be discouraging since it presents many examples of success. You need to be ready for this book since it tells you of extra ordinary winners. It tells many stories of successful people and unless you are prepared to be a success yourself, you may not understand what is being said. The book puts plainly before you many reasons that people become successful. You do not have to be obsessed. In order to be rich, you need to obtain what you need, and this book will help. This book will help you form a foundation in which to build your riches upon. You may write your notes in it and keep it as an aid in your outline while getting richer. You do need persistence and will power and focus-all of which is analyzed in this great book. This book also presents you with many secret riches right under your nose. Those riches that make a difference in life: love, happiness, good health. The good and free foundation of riches. It even states that the riches of the heart are more worthy than mere representations of wealth like paper money. It says most of all be happy. I think this book will make you happy. Yet this book also clearly defines the true ingredients which go into acquiring material riches-it contains moral support on your road to riches. This book may not give you what you expect-because, the secret of this book is.. it'll give you what you need: riches of the heart and mind~self respect.

Overcome these and you will be RICH!
31 Of The Most Common Causes of Failure:

Heredity background
Lack of a well defined central purpose
Lack of ambition
Insufficient education(applied)=>What they do with what they know
Self discipline
Ill Health
Environmental influences in childhood
Procrastination
Lack of persistence
Negative personality
Lack of control
Uncontrolled desire for something for nothing
Lack of well defined power of decision: Prompt decisions/ indecision
6 Fears (in the book)
Wrong selection of a mate in a marriage
Over caution / satisfied with leftovers
Working with the wrong associates in business
Superstition and prejudice
Wrong selection of vocation
Lack of concentration
Indiscriminate spending
Lack of enthusiasm
Intolerance (religion political or race etc) stopped acquiring knowledge
Intemperance - Overindulgence
Inability to cooperate
Possession of power you didn't earn (inheritance)
Dishonesty
Egotism
Guessing instead of Thinking
Lack of capital
Other

My expectations of this book were perhaps mislead. I thought that this would deal with more the generalized view of Wall Street. However, it really concentrates on the lives of traders.

Lewis does shed some light on Wall Street trading in general, including a good description of mortgage trading and junk bond trading. However, this book sort of throws it into the mix. I wasn't sure what Lewis was trying to do. Sometimes it felt like a history book, sometimes a biography, sometimes an economics lesson, sometimes a comedy. It felt haphazard and lacked direction, and with the writing style presented, it lacked a certain amount of fluidity.

It was fun to learn the different people in Wall Street. From the obese, abusive traders, the short sighted and greedy executives, the brown nosers, to the "back row" trainees. It's basically a fun little description of office life at Solomon Brothers in the eighties, not an exciting expose on the finance industry as the cover would like you to believe.

This book is hilarious. I didn't think a bond trading floor could be so amusing, but Michael Lewis proved otherwise. Look up a picture of John Gutfreund online before reading the first chapter.

I am a novice at financial markets. I picked up this book "just because it was there" (mountaineers will understand the pun!). I loved every page of it. The author's sense of humor and writing style is very impressive. What's more, for a finance novice, it is an education on bonds with a good mix of historical perspective. I found, at times, the author's low opinion of himself, a bit strange. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in a candid account of the upheavals, tricks and treacheries of the financial market.

Many of these books are difficult to understand because they are meant to be used as study and reference guides along with a teacher. The Book of Five Rings (of which I've read 3 of the 5, and am just a few pages away from finishing) is a treatise describing Musashi Miyamoto's personal school of fighting - the school of two skies. He eschews other schools as too this or too that. They concentrate, he says, on technique rather than what swordfighting is all about - killing your opponent.

The text is dry, and the sections are short. They are intended (a) for swordfighters, and (b) to be meditated on. The principals in this book would take a swordfighter years to master. In fact, at one point he says one should study for about 3 years (he gives a specific number of weeks) and then practice for 30 or so more years.

How does this translate into my life? I'm not sure. I don't have enough of a background in swordfighting, the culture, etc. to know how these concepts apply to my life. If perhaps I had a guide, in the form of commentary, I could more easily integrate these concepts into my life. As is, however, this book isn't of much use to me, except as reference for the day when I do have commentary.

I reccomend, instead, Cleary's Classics of Strategy and Counsel. This trilogy of books includes the Art of War, Mastering the Art of War, The Lost Art of War, The Silver Sparrow Art of War, Thunder in the Sky, The Japanese Art of War, The Book of Five Rings, Ways of Warriors, Codes of Kings (which includes several works), The Art of Wealth, Living a Good Life, The Human Element, and Back to Beginnings.

In addition to the text, there is often commentary, and supplementary material that can put the text in context and aid the student on his or her journey. Amazon lists several of these as the same book...

Musashi manages to fit into about 100 pages the perspective of Oriental thinking. He works out a system which is a considerable oracale. All is one to him and this is, although sometimes hard to recognize, his vehicle of success. One with the eastern philosophy of natural order Musashi puts into a very small literature a heart of iron and a spirit of fire. Maybe he will be refined yet.

Small book which allows you to look at things from a different perspective. Every time you read this you will find something new to learn from it.