Business Portfolio Management: Valuation, Risk Assessment, and EVA Strategies

Book Description

The Ultimate Guide to Applied Strategies for Managing Business Units and Portfolios Two of the most important business trends of recent years are increasing corporate acquisitions and managing business units as individual companies with a synergistic relationship to the parent company. Business Portfolio Management is an indispensable tool for corporate managers and strategists involved in these pursuits. This no-nonsense reference cuts through the competing claims and conventional wisdom to take a hard look at the realities of portfolio management. It provides the concepts and strategies necessary to create real strategic alternatives, estimate accurately the value of each alternative, and understand the risks involved in each. It supplies a framework for choosing between alternatives, for making tradeoffs between risks and opportunities, and for understanding how individual units in a portfolio will interact. From beginning to end, the concepts, techniques, and situations discussed in Business Portfolio Management are illustrated with detailed examples drawn from actual consulting engagements conducted by the author and his colleagues. These examples not only provide specific descriptions of how portfolio management concepts are implemented in the real world, they also give a real-world picture of the magnitude of value increases that are created through effective portfolio management.

Customer Reviews:

Linking strategy with the numbers.......2000-09-04

It's a book about strategy. The author shows how to establish a value-creating business portfolio stategy, stressing the importance of developing different strategic alternatives, including possible aquisitions, and assesing the risk involved. The book is an excellent choice for those facing the definition of an optimal non-financial portfolio.

Missing the point.......2000-05-24

The book was written probably some 15 years ago, when Real Options barely existed and the only tools available to consultants were efficient frontier and NPV. The treatment of risk vs. return is very simplistic, NPV concept does not hold any more (ROV is a way to go). In summary: an outdated book.

Excellent Job!.......2000-05-24

Michael Allen has portrayed the real meaning of portfolio management in a manner that is readily accessible to business executives. His concept of "full value" is a challenging one for anyone charged with creating value where portfolios of products, business units, R&D projects, and so on, are involved.

Book Description

For the home-based business: inside tips on getting quality office equipment, furniture, and services--without getting ripped off.

When it comes to fluctuating prices, few things are as volatile as office equipment, furniture, and services. And that's dangerous for home-based business owners, where a few misguided purchases (or plain raw deals) can spell big financial trouble.

Now there's a book that explains how to get the best deals on everything needed to compete and prosper. Readers will find: * Inside information on how to buy powerful computer and office equipment at rock-bottom prices * Tips for finding the best deals on quality office furniture (it's not where you'd think) * Strategies on negotiating the lowest rates for services such as banking, printing, Internet service, legal counsel, and more.

Customer Reviews:

An essential reference and guide for novice entrepreneurs........2000-05-04

Those planning on working from home will find this an important guide which goes beyond most home office handbooks to focus on cost-effective methods for setting up the home office. From adding phone lines and Internet access to purchasing fax machines and considering video conferencing equipment, Outfitting Your Home Business For Much Less is packed with tips on various purchasing options.

Average customer rating:

cosmic perspective

Great Textbook, easy to read and enjoyable to learn.

Too easy

The Best Introductory Astronomy Book I've Every Read

Reviewed by an astronomy student

The Cosmic Perspective, Third Edition
Jeffrey Bennett , Megan Donahue , Nicholas Schneider , and Mark Voit
Manufacturer: Addison Wesley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Science | Subjects | Books
Astronomy | Astronomy | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Cosmic Perspective Media Update with MasteringAstronomy(TM) and Voyager SkyGazer Planetarium Software, The (4th Edition) (MasteringAstronomy Series)

Introductory Astronomy Lab Manual

Cambridge Dictionary of Astronomy

Astronomy Media Workbook (5th Edition)

The Essential Cosmic Perspective Media Update with Astronomy Place website, Skygazer Planetarium Software, eBook CDROM and Astronomy media workbook (3rd Edition)

ASIN: 0805387382

Customer Reviews:

cosmic perspective.......2007-05-31

i found this book to be very helpful for my intro to astronomy class..the pictures were very helpful

Great Textbook, easy to read and enjoyable to learn........2007-03-28

As stated in the title, bought this book for a college course and found it to be a good read and a pleasure to learn from. Lots of great color pictures other artwork.

Too easy.......2006-08-16

This book is an excellent introductory to astronomy. However, it seems as if the authors are afraid of scaring away students with a few equations and math. They spend pages trying to describe an astrophysical situation when they could list an equation or a graph that would be more succinct and easier to comprehend.

The Best Introductory Astronomy Book I've Every Read.......2006-04-20

The best astronomy book I've ever read. Even more than that, this is the best science book I've ever read. The writing style combined with the excellent illustrations make even fairly complex subject simple and understandable. Even their descriptions of things like relativity are so simple that anyone can understand them.

Now the book is in its fourth edition, bringing it up to date with:

the discovery of an object larger than Pluto in our own solar system
the latest results from the rovers and orbiters studying Mars
the latest Cassini results from Saturn and Huygens results from Titan
the Deep Impact mission to Comet Tempel 1
supernovae observations providing stronger evidence for dark energy
recent results from the Spitzer Space Telescope
Mastering Astronomy -- the book includes a one-year subscription to this web based interactive media that has been used by over 100,000 students.

Note that this book comes in several editions. This one covers everything. The other two are extracted from this book.

Reviewed by an astronomy student.......2000-01-04

As an astronomy student at the University of Colorado, I have used "The Cosmic Perspective" as a text book for two of my classes (one on stars and galaxies, and one on the solar system). This book is perfect for both: the text is clear and full of insight; the illustrations and photographs are abundant and extremely professional, and they complement the text superbly; the sections called "Mathematical Insight" give the reader a clear understanding of the science involved, and the sections called "Common Misconceptions" are as fun to read as they are informative.

I have read this book cover-to-cover, and although it is intended as a text book, it reads like many of the very popular science books I have read. If you enjoyed reading Sagan's "Cosmos", Gribbin's "In Search of the Big Bang", Feynman's "The Character of Physical Law", Lederman's "The God Particle" or Hawking's "A Brief History of Time", you will enjoy this very well-conceived and well-written book.

"The Cosmic Perspective" is very comprehensive. Besides covering the fundamental concepts of astronomy (such as light as the cosmic messenger; universal motion; celestial timekeeping; and telescopes), this book details how stars are born, evolve and die; the fundamentals of relativity; how the galaxies were formed, as well as how our solar system was formed; how vast space really is; how we know the distances to various objects in our universe; and how we know what happened at the early moments of the Big Bang. Since this book is new (published in 1999), it contains the latest facts and the latest thinking of modern astronomy. This book captured my interest and my enthusiasm the moment I began reading it.

Average customer rating:
Astronomy Media Workbook for the Cosmic Perspective, Third Edition
Bennett , Donahue , Schneider , Voit , and Michael C. LoPresto
Manufacturer: Pearson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000QO9ZTW

Average customer rating:
Modern Physics and Antiphysics
Adolph Baker
Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H9PLY4

Average customer rating:
Modern Physics and Antiphysics
Adolph Baker
Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Physics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0201004852

Average customer rating:
MODERN PHYSICS AND ANTIPHYSICS
Adolph Baker
Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKXJQI

Average customer rating:
Modern Physics and Antiphysics

Manufacturer: 0
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ICUBT0

Average customer rating:
Modern Physics and Antiphysics
Adolph Baker
Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IJ9KRW

Average customer rating:
Modern Physics and Antiphysics
Adolph Baker
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000M3L6QM

Customer Reviews:

Spying, Surfing, Shagging.......2007-03-17

No doubt there are a lot of things they don't tell you when you sign on for a hitch at The Agency.

Gus discovers when he is detailed to the embassy in Indonesia that the other station hands are only interested in golf and diplomatic parties. Fortunately our hero has packed his surf boards, and arrives just when the country is being opened up as a surfing paradise. Along the way he also finds exotic women and interesting bars, forms an entourage of locals and international expatriates, and even commits a little espionage.

The book is kind of an inverse of Graham Greene's "Our Man in Havana"; instead of making stuff up for his handlers, Gus tries to avoid telling his boss about the contact he has made with an Iraqi diplomat on the cusp of the first Gulf War. While chuckling at Gus's bureaucratic entanglements with his superiors, the reader gets a travelogue of Indonesian beaches and colorful details of Jakarta nightlife.

Compelling but Short.......2003-08-12

The first half of this novel was absolutely amazing - as if I was magically transported to another entertaining world filled with great waves, crazy adventures, and sexy encounters with "professionals" and other mind-bending characters. Somehow, I think the Editor showed up on Nicholas' door right when the second half got underway because the pace hurried, the details were lost from the first half of the book, and the message and adventure got muddy.

I definitely recommend the book - especially if you surf, you'll get charged by it - because of the great character portrayals, the comical situations, and the vivid imagery. Hopefully, though, on the sophomore effort from NC, the Editor will leave him alone for a few extra days...

Light reading.......2003-04-18

On his first effort as an author, Nicholas Ware brings us a very entertaining book. Drawing on what I believe are a series of autobiographical incidents, Nicholas strings together the adventures of a young CIA officer named Gus, whose only real concern is to catch the best possible wave on his surfboard. His "surfer attitude" keeps getting him in trouble with his superiors; yet enables him to unofficially recruit an Iraqi diplomat just at the start of operation Desert Storm.
Nicholas' descriptions of the Indonesian locales where the action takes place (bars and beaches mostly) definitely make you want to go there and see that with your own eyes and that, along with his reflections on the futility of war are the high point of the book.
On the other hand the CIA angle feels almost like an excuse for the character to be in Indonesia; the references to the work done for the agency are minimal and loosely put together (he might as well have been an oil, relief worker for the UN or any other profession that allowed him to be there long enough to make friends and catch waves)
What's supposed to be the main topic of the book, Gus befriending an Iraqi diplomat is constricted to the last quarter of the book, making you doubt of its real importance in the plot. Finally the way the hero fouls an Iraqi plan to assassinate the US ambassador is barely believable and is perhaps the lowest point in the book.
All in all, the book is fun, very readable and worth your time and money as long as you do not expect anything too serious from it, I guess that to fully enjoy the book you must adjust your mindset in the same way that you do when you go and watch a 007 movie, you know things are not always going to be logical or 100% possible or believable; but if you are willing to let go of that of a while, you spend a good time.

More than surfing; Excitement!.......2003-03-17

Definitely a wild ride, however it is rated R, so don't leave it for your young kids to read. Definitely worth your time, and this man really has a way of putting a high-class spin on low class talk.

Average customer rating:

Well done.

Another French Military Disaster...

Great material, Bad editing

Poitiers 1356: The Capture Of A King (Campaign)
David Nicolle
Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
General | England | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
General | Military | History | Subjects | Books
Medieval | World | History | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Crécy 1346: Triumph of the longbow (Campaign)

Armies of Crecy and Poitiers (Men-At-Arms Series, No 111)

Orléans 1429: France turns the tide (Campaign)

Agincourt 1415: Triumph against the odds (Campaign)

Stirling Bridge and Falkirk 1297-98: William Wallace's rebellion (Campaign)

ASIN: 1841765163
Release Date: 2004-06-24

Book Description

When Edward the Black Prince marched out of Gascony in August 1356, his plan was to carry out a large-scale destructive raid into the territory of the French King, John II. On 18 September, however, he was cornered south of Poitiers by a larger French army, and was left with little option but to fight. The ensuing battle proved an unmitigated disaster for the French. Their army was butchered and the King himself captured. In this volume, Dr David Nicolle details a campaign that enhanced the reputation of the Black Prince and led King John to catastrophe.

Customer Reviews:

Well done........2006-02-12

An excellent detailed study of the events leading up to the Black Prince's summer 1356 chevauchee, the first two months of the raid itself, the battle of Poitiers, and its aftermath.

Another French Military Disaster..........2004-08-22

With Poitiers 1356, Osprey's Campaign series has now covered all the "classic" battles of the Hundred Years War (the other titles are Crecy, Agincourt and Orleans). Osprey's medieval expert Dr. David Nicolle provides an excellent summary of the Black Prince's raid into France in 1356 and the resultant Battle of Poitiers. As usual, Nicolle's work is erudite, if a bit short on humanity and military insight.

Dr. Nicolle begins Poitiers 1356 with a very good introduction that outlines how the English had established themselves in southwest France in Gascony, and the impact of the Black Death on military operations. The author explains how the English launched deep penetration raids from their coastal enclaves; the raids were designed to disrupt the French economy and to undermine the legitimacy of the French monarchy. It was the raid in 1356 by the heir to the English throne, the Black Prince, that led to the Battle of Poitiers. In the section on opposing commanders, the author provides capsule biographies on the Black Prince and five other English leaders, and the French King John II and five other French leaders. The section on opposing armies is a bit overly brief, providing only the barest details on the composition of either army (while Nicolle notes that estimates vary widely on the size of the French army, it would have been nice if he had provided some information on what these varying opinions said). Whatever the size of the French army, it is clear that the armies of Poitiers were smaller than previous armies in the Hundred Years War, primarily due to the Black Death. While Nicolle notes that the Black Prince's army was a mix of English and local Gascon mercenaries, he gives no clue as to the relative balance (how much was Gascon?). The author also outlines in the section on opposing plans that while the Black Prince sought to avoid battle, the French king's primary intent was to cut off and destroy the enemy invaders in a large battle.

Dr. Nicolle spends about twenty pages describing the Black Prince's raid from Bordeaux deep into central France, the gathering of the French army and its pursuit. It is clear that the French demonstrated superior operational art in outmaneuvering the English and cutting off their retreat near Poitiers. Although poor reconnaissance undermined the French tactical operations, the English were brought to battle according to the French operational plan. The author then spends about thirty pages describing the tactical conduct of the Battle of Poitiers on 19 September 1356. As Nicolle describes it, the Anglo-Gascons selected a good defensive position (with their backs to the woods blocking retreat?) behind a solid hedgerow and with flanks anchored on impassable marshes. The French had learned a few lessons from earlier defeats at the hands of English longbows so they elected to launch a massive frontal attack with three divisions in echelon of dismounted men-at-arms. The main attack was preceded by two unplanned cavalry charges on the flanks which were repulsed. In short, the first echelon was defeated and withdrew, the second echelon left the field without orders and the third echelon (with the French king) launched a final surge into the English line. Unlike Crecy, Poitiers had a considerable amount of close combat and the French came close to achieving at least a draw if not a victory. However, the Anglo-Gascon counterattack shattered the third echelon and captured the French king. Nicolle is a bit vague on losses: he notes that the French suffered about 3,000 dead and over 2,000 captured but does not mention Anglo-Gascon losses (other sources suggest about 2,000 killed and wounded or about 25% casualties, which indicates a fairly close battle). By any measure, Poitiers was a major military disaster for France.

Poitiers 1356 includes five 2-D maps (France from 1346-1355; Operations in France, January-August 1356; the French Assemble; the French Pursuit; France from Poitiers to the Treaty of Brétigny, 1360), three 3-D "Birds Eye View" maps (the French Mounted Charges; Attack of the French Main Body; the Anglo-Gascon counterattack) and three color battle scenes (the looting of Vierzon; English longbow men at Poitiers; the capture of King John II). Unfortunately, much of the tactical action is hidden in the crease of the full-page 3-D maps - a common problem with Osprey maps - and a zoomed-in 2-D map would have been better to display Anglo-Gascon dispositions behind the hedge. Like most Medieval battles, Poitiers was fought in a very small area and these 3-D maps are better designed for "larger" battles of the 18th or 19th Century (keeping in mind that no Medieval tactical weapons had ranges beyond a few hundred meters). The battle scenes by Graham Turner are excellent, but it would have been better to have an "action" scene of the French attack at Poitiers rather than the relatively bland scene of English looting. Dr. Nicolle also provides an excellent bibliography and good notes on the battlefield today.

Great material, Bad editing.......2004-08-16

Dr. David Nicolle is undoubtebly one of Osprey's most credible authors, an authority in his own right. In his newest installment, Poitiers 1356, he brings us a solid histroy lesson not unlike his many other titles.

In my opinon, I believe Poitiers was one of his better books (Ive read about seven of his books). He presents easy-to-understand, flowing material (albiet dry) about the background events leading to this battle. At the time of Poitiers, France was decimated by the Plauge, and Nicolle goes as far to say that almost half of France's population where wiped out because of it. The new King John II (the French king who's captured) had a herculean task of keeping his country together, as well as fighting off the English who didn't spare France a day of mercy, plauge or no plauge.

But this book's main asset is the style in which Nicolle shows eyewitness accounts. This book is loaded with them, greatly harmonizing the author's common dryness in the book with colourful first-hand images. Nicolle nevers says a single truly colourful line in the whole book, leaving it to Froissart and other eyewitnesses to do the job for him (which they do marvelously).
The most touching of these accounts is written by Froissart, being the King's surrendur to an English-employed French Knight: "..it fortunatley happened that this knight...said in good French, 'Sire, sire, surrendur yourself.' The King, who found himself very disagreeably situated, turneding to him asked, 'To whom shall I surrender myslef? Where is my cousin, the Prince of Wales? If I could see him I would like to speak to him.' 'Sire.' replied Sir Denis, 'he is not here, but surrendur yourself to me, and I will lead you to him.' 'Who are you?' said the King. 'Sire, I am sir Denis de Morbeke, a knight from Artois; but I serve the King of England because I cannot belong to France, having forfeited all I possesed there.' The King thus gave him his right hand glove, and said, 'I surrendur myself to you.'

The one major flaw in this book is the editing; on a few of the 2D maps there are some major errors concerning dates (such as the error that the French army marched 40 miles in less than a day on the map when it only did ten in the reading). It threw me off for some minutes until I got a bearing of the situation by reading that section over and over again.

The maps are great, the material interesting and flowing, and the accounts of the battle are excellent. Just keep an eye out for the map errors...highly recommended!

Book Description

This well illustrated book tells for the first time, the story of the passport, from earliest times to the present day.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Read.......2007-01-06

This is a terrific book. It details the origins of the passport, how it developed from an informal travel document to the modern entity we know of today. There are some stories and some topics I would have liked to have seen discussed at more length, but overall an excellent and entertaining book.

Good overview of what passports are and where they came from.......2006-03-13

Martin Lloyd does a good job in this book of telling the story of the passport. He uses a fair number of illustrative stories to show how international incidents could come about (an assassination attempt on Napoleon III, for instance) because of passport rules (in that case, passports could be issued by one nation to another's citizens at that time). The book kept my interest throughout, and it includes illustrative pictures of passports and similar documents. The author is very conversational, occasionally letting his viewpoint come through but in a non-irritating way. It is interesting contemplating being a customs officer before passports were at least somewhat standardized. It's hard enough NOW to determine their authenticity!

The Amazing History of a Traveler's Everyday Companion.......2003-07-13

Every now and then an expert in a field will produce about it a guide for laymen, a book to introduce aspects of his life's work to others. One might not expect much from Martin Lloyd, who spent 23 years in Her Majesty's Immigration Service, especially since as author he has confined himself to one little part of his job. In _The Passport: The History of Man's Most Travelled Document_ (Sutton), however, Lloyd has made uniquely interesting a document that most travelers just take for granted. From the paper it is printed on to its cover, and from cuneiform to optical scanner recognition, the passport is all here. This is just the book to give to someone racking up international frequent flier miles.

It is surprising how unsubstantial a passport is in legal terms, and how much it has changed in the centuries. International law, amazingly, has nothing to say about the rights of those with or without passports. Passports themselves were originally a sort of letter of introduction, but then monarchs became established and realized that it was useful to have some sort of control of who was leaving or entering one's realm. Even this was not given much legal weight. A more-or-less organized passport system has been in place for three centuries, but before the First World War, one could travel to most of the world without one; a passport was "in most cases a facility or a politeness, not a requirement." Internationalizing passports has presented problems, many of which have no good solution. It was difficult, once passport booklets had become the standard and once typewriters were universal, to develop a way to type into the booklet without breaking the spine. Worse, it was often hard to tell what was the front of a passport; Lloyd may be writing from his own experience when he explains that puzzled passport control officers would try to remember whether a certain nation's passports opened at the front, the back, were read sideways, and if so, which way sideways. International Civil Aviation Organization organizes passports, and has decreed, for the sake of civil rights, that passports not have a magnetic strip; that would make using them easier, but it might also encode information about the bearer.

Lloyd has included a host of interesting anecdotes about passports through history. William Joyce, for instance, was famous as Lord Haw Haw, the broadcaster of Nazi propaganda. He was obviously a traitor, but he was born an American and had become German, and had never been British. He was captured by the British, and accused of treason, but it is not logical that Britons could try a non-Briton for such a thing. Joyce happened, however, to have gotten illegally a British passport, and this was enough eventually to hang him. In 1953, an American named Davis declared himself a citizen of the world, and made his own passports under the auspices of the World Service Authority, a "fictional organization"; the document was mistakenly endorsed as real by some countries. Napoleon III, himself nearly a victim of an assassination plot involving false passports, said that passports are "... an obstacle to the peaceable citizen, but are utterly powerless against those who wish to deceive the vigilance of authority." Today's travelers are probably more inconvenienced by searches and interrogations, but Lloyd's original book, full of surprising facts, gives the full story of the original and everlasting ticket to overseas, one that governments have found useful, travelers a nuisance, and international law a nonentity.

Customer Reviews:

excellent resource for basic information.......1999-01-18

I use this book as the resource for an adult science education course I teach at a local university. I find it an excellent base for information for people who have not had any real science exposure. My students have reacted positively to its use amd I would recommend it for middle/high school library reference as well as for older students.

New Everyday Science Explained: From the Big Bang to the human genome...and everything in between

Average customer rating:

Too Much Gloss
Great Overview of Many Science Topics
A great survey of science .

New Everyday Science Explained: From the Big Bang to the human genome...and everything in between
Curt Suplee
Manufacturer: National Geographic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Biotechnology | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Science | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0792273575
Release Date: 2004-02-01

Amazon.com

The New Everyday Science Explained updates Curt Suplee's coffee table classic with 21st-century answers to many of the most common science questions, and quite a few uncommon ones. Why is the sky blue? How can we get rid of body fat? Why do we get sunburned? Is light a wave or a particle? Organized around general principles such as "Matter and Motion" and "The Chemistry of Life," this is an ideal family reference book, genuinely appropriate for both adults and children. And because it's from National Geographic, it's full of amazing photographs--a tightrope walker, red blood cells killed by malaria protozoans, a monstrous traffic jam--chosen to help explain scientific fundamentals. Within each larger chapter are 15 or more two-page spreads focused on a single idea. With just two to four paragraphs per topic, Suplee manages to clearly communicate the facts in a chunk that's easily digestible, even for science-phobes. For parents who want to be able to help with the homework, students who need a quick reference, and browsers who love National Geographic-caliber knowledge and photos, The New Everyday Science Explained is a delight. --Therese Littleton

Customer Reviews:

Too Much Gloss.......2006-02-01

Just too much gloss and not enough information. Where's the Beef?

Great Overview of Many Science Topics.......2004-11-10

Curt Suplee attempts to explain science in short excerpts beginning with the first section, Matter and Motion, through the fourth section focusing on The Chemistry of Life, which ends in a brief description of how and why we dream and how we age.

Obviously the fields of science are far too broad to have any depth of explanation in a book this short. However, as an introduction to the numerous fields of science this book is an outstanding beginning. This book would be most valuable for the aspiring young scientist in late elementary school through middle school. A child may review each of the fields covered in this book, which encompasses physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, chemistry, and medicine, and determine whether science truly is for them, and, if so, which field of science.

Even adult readers will find this book to be a great refresher for many of the topics covered in classes long gone. Suplee manages to explain a facet of each of the topics he covers enough to provide a basic background, and yet does so in a way that does not talk down to readers.

Since this book is a National Geographic book, you know that it will be filled with incredible photography to match each of the subjects. There are pictures of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge that collapsed in 1940, shown in such a way that it captures what happened in just two photographs. There are photographs of Mars and the stars, and even a rusty car. Photographs of cells and the brain are also provided. Even an excellent explanation of the bad effects of poor nutrition and what happens when you eat too much fat.

This book is a good general science book that could help provide the start of a research project. Others may use it as a coffee table book, particularly in the hardcover edition with the dust jacket on it. A casual guest will be impressed with your scientific interests and your appreciation of good books.

A great survey of science ........2004-11-05

Curt Suplee really opened my eyes to the chemical and physical science I encounter everyday. The book is full of beautiful photographs and simple and amusing illustrations in addition to Mr. Suplee's excellent prose.

National Geographic's How Things Work : Everyday Technology Explained

Average customer rating:

Great book that explains how things work in plain English.

National Geographic's How Things Work : Everyday Technology Explained
John Langone
Manufacturer: National Geographic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Reference | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | History & Philosophy | Science | Subjects | Books

Engineering | Reference | Science | Subjects | Books

General & Reference | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0792271505
Release Date: 1999-06-01

Book Description

We Push Buttons, Flip Switches, zip zippers, dial dials, click remotes, tap keys, crank ignitions, and things just happen. But how? Why? What exactly makes things do what they do? If you're curious about everyday gadgets, machines, tools, and even industrial and medical processes, this book invites you to discover what makes them work. Here, in National Geographic's How Things Work: Everyday Technology Explained, you'll find the answers you've always wanted in clear language, accompanied by more than 400 full-color photographs and technical drawings, diagrams, and cutaways.

* Clear, concise text, crafted for curious minds by an award-winning science writer, backed by experts in the field
* Over 300 photographs, most in full color
* More than 100 technical illustrations -- diagrams, schematics, and cutaways -- created specially for this book
* Cross-references on each spread to similar technologies in other applications
* 272 pages, complete with an index, a glossary of scientific terms, and a list of books and articles for additional reading

Customer Reviews:

Great book that explains how things work in plain English........1999-07-13

This book covers a lot of areas: appliances, machines, buildings, transportation, communication, etc. Each topic was explained in plain language, yet as much as I wanted to know about that topic. Great pictures and illustrations too!

Average customer rating:

A First Step Into the World of Science
Magnificent science book for both children and adults!
A GREAT BOOK THAT LIGHTENS THE HEAVIER SIDE OF SCIENCE
I love it. I'm the photgrapher for the sound wave image.

Everyday Science Explained
Curt Suplee
Manufacturer: National Geographic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | History & Philosophy | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0792271947
Release Date: 1999-08-01

Amazon.com

Anyone who thinks science is confusing or dull has not browsed through Curt Suplee's magnificent work. He explains why your shoelaces become untied (but never spontaneously tie themselves), why you don't fall on your head when the roller coaster goes loop-de-loop, and how a slice of pizza passes through your digestive system and out the other end. With 110 topics covering matter and motion, forces of nature, nutrients and fuels, and the chemistry of life, and with sensational photography and illustrations, Suplee has pulled off one of the most readable, informative, addictive, beautiful science reference books ever.

Book Description

Why?

Why aren't these avid roller-coaster riders falling right off the track? What do watery ripples have in common with lasers, earthquakes, and sound? How do aerialists and athletes keep their balance? Explore some of the fascinating facts about that most marvelous machine -- the human body -- as it develops from a single cell into the world's most incredible entity. These and other eye-opening insights into the realms of science fill this lavishly illustrated book. Author Curt Suplee explains the natural laws that govern the everyday lives of us all clearly, concisely, accurately -- and with style.

Customer Reviews:

A First Step Into the World of Science.......2000-10-24

This is the most colourful book I own. A wide variety of photos are presented in different topics to make readers grasp the 'everyday' feeling. Every topic covers an idea with a well-written short text which is understandable to first-timers. This is a book I would recommend to junior science students and general readers who want to begin their exploration in science.

Magnificent science book for both children and adults!.......2000-06-22

This is one of the most accessible science books on my shelves. Since I am always on the look-out for science books which have as much visual content such as photos, pictures, graphs, etc. for my Deaf students, as they do written language...this book was perfect. For regular teachers who are looking for books that can be used in inclusive classrooms, this is definitely a winner. Luckily the type is extremely large, so with the new technology coming out which allows a visually impaired person to either use a mouse with a camera, or a 'reader' to also access this book. I wish more companies and educational/science books would use this format...we wouldn't be having such a difficult time in inclusive classrooms if they did. As an adult and a neuroscientist too, I thoroughly enjoyed going back and relearning things I had forgotten, or things such as astronomy I just hadn't been taught. Cudos to the author and National Geographic once again! Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh

A GREAT BOOK THAT LIGHTENS THE HEAVIER SIDE OF SCIENCE.......1998-11-25

This book by The National Geographic and Washington Post Science editor Curt Suplee is a real stunner. National Geographic does it again, with great photo editing and use of art work, it brings science to life. You'll begin to think atoms are highly personable, and really quite friendly. If you flunked science back in school and want to understand the world around you...its not too late, try this book!

I love it. I'm the photgrapher for the sound wave image........1997-08-27

How strange to be asked what I thought in an E-Mail when My photo is in the book across a double page spread. The book is great and lives up to all the comments I heard about it before it was released. The Sound wave image "Shock Waves" was taken by Louise Walker and me, Dirk Kenyon Schenck. We were honored by the request for usage of our image in the book. They cropped the day lights out of it, but I'm still happy with it. I could write a novel about how great it felt to see the image in the book. It was like some one was playing a joke on us at first. Everyone from the Society was wonderful. I hope they call on us again. Thanks for the question. ( E-Mail ) Sincerely, Dirk Kenyon Schenck

Average customer rating:

Everyday Science Explained
Curt Suplee
Manufacturer: RANDOM HOUSE @ TRADE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000Q1KST6

Everyday SCIENCE Explained by CURT SUPLEE

Average customer rating:

Everyday SCIENCE Explained by CURT SUPLEE
CURT SUPLEE
Manufacturer: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000SJOCL6

Product Description

1.SCIENCE-POPULAR 2.PHYSICS-POPULAR 3.CHEMISTRY-POPULAR 4.HUMAN BIOLOGY-POPULAR.....

Average customer rating:

Everyday Science Explained, hc, 1996
Curt Suplee
Manufacturer: Natl Geographic Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MM7QJE

Book Description

Coastal regions around the world have some environmental features and problems unique to their location. Containing the proceedings of the fourth international conference on this topic, this volume highlights the latest research on these important regions. The contributions featured will aid the understanding of risk, hazard mitigation and remediation strategies and help to protect the business and leisure activities so crucial to these areas.

Topics covered include: Environmental Management and Impact; Oil Slicks and Spills; Erosion and Drift; Sediment Transport; Hydrodynamics and Transport Modelling; Water Quality Issues; and Atmospheric Pollution and Control. A number of the papers reflect the use of remote sensing in the monitoring of coastal regions and the detection of problems such as pollution or drift.

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