Books

Brief Summary The economy has never been so relevant to so many people as it is now, and it's vital that we understand how it affects our lives. 'There's no such thing as a free lunch' is the one phrase everyone has heard from economics - not even for bankers. But why not? What does economics tell us about the price of lunch - and everything else? Free Lunch makes the economics pages of the newspaper intelligible and addresses the concerns that worry us all. It will enable you to understand - and challenge - the claims made by politicians Set out like a good lunch-time conversation, the book will guide you through the mysteries of the economy. Your guides will be some of the greatest names in the field, including Smith, Marx and Keynes. This clever and witty introduction to economics costs less than even the cheapest meal. It is essential reading in these times of economic uncertainty, and is far more satisfying than even the most gourmet banquet. " ISBN:9781781250112 Author:David Smith

Brief Summary The Curve is a new way of doing business and of seeing the world. In the digital age everyone struggles to answer one question: how do I get people to pay when so much is free? The answer is the Curve. Whatever business or creative field you are in, Nicholas Lovell's startling book encourages you to embrace giving some things away for free. By stimulating interest and cultivating communities, you'll build relationships with your audience and your fans, who'll want more of what they love. With stories ranging from musicians and artists to gaming and flour companies, from Kick starter to Angry Birds, The Curve shows how to connect with people - and make them happy to pay up for the very best you can offer. " ISBN:9780670923212 Author:Nicholas Lovell

Brief Summary From Silk to Silicon: The Story of Globalization through Ten Extraordinary Lives The story of globalization, the most powerful force in history, as told through the life and times of ten people who changed the world by their singular, spectacular accomplishments. This is the first book to look at the history of globalization through the lens of individuals who did something transformative, as opposed to describing globalization through trends, policies, or particular industries. From Silk to Silicon tells the story of who these men and women were, what they did, how they did it and how their achievements continue to shape our world today. They include: • Genghis Khan, who united east and west by conquest and by opening new trade routes built on groundbreaking transportation, communications, and management innovations. • Mayer Amschel Rothschild, who arose from an oppressive Jewish ghetto to establish the most powerful bank the world has seen, and ushered in an era of global finance. • Cyrus Field, who became the father of global communications by leading the effort to build the transatlantic telegraph, the forerunner to global radio, TV, and the worldwide Internet. • Margaret Thatcher, whose controversial policies opened the gusher of substantially free markets that linked economies across borders. • Andy Grove, a Hungarian refugee from the Nazis who built the company—Intel—that figured out how to manufacture complex computer chips on a mass, commercial scale and laid the foundation for Silicon Valley’s computer revolution. Through these stories Jeffrey E. Garten finds the common links between these figure and probes critical questions including: How much influence can any one person have in fundamentally changing the world? And how have past trends in globalization affected the present and how will they shape the future? From Silk to Silicon is an essential book to understanding the past—and the future—of the most powerful force of our times. " ISBN:9780062409973 Author:Jeffrey E. Garten