Controlling: Concepts of Management Control, Controllership, and Ratios

Book Description

In times of globalization, competition and economic and technological progress, the permanent improvement of the planning, coordination and control system of companies is a major task of Controlling. This book presents a concise concept for the design of a ratio and management report system for each functional part of the company. It addresses as well practitioners who seek decision support in their day-to-day business, as scientists and students who want to obtain information about the state of the art of Management Control and Controllership.

Book Description

The most recent meeting of the world's white dwarf specialists was held in Leicester, U.K. during July 1992, reporting on the wealth of new astronomical data that has been made available from a new generation of space-based observatories and recent theoretical advances which are essential for interpretation of the results. Astronomers now have access to previously unavailable spectral ranges and dramatically improved sensitivity in those wavebands already explored. Results from the ROSAT all-sky survey, Hubble Space Telescope, Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope and the Colorado Rocket-borne Spectrometer shed new light on the composition of white dwarfs and their evolution. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the internal structure of white dwarfs with asteroseismological techniques which are outlined in several papers. New observational results, which utilise this theoretical work are also presented. This book will be ideal for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers interested in isolated white dwarfs or binary systems containing a white dwarf component.

Book Description

Cape Cod, that sandy, wind-swept enchantress, has captivated many writers, among them Henry David Thoreau, whose descriptions of that "wild, rank place" have fired the imaginations of not one but many generations. Among Thoreau's literary progeny is David Gessner, but this book goes far beyond the naturalist's focus on the transcendent beauty of the landscape. Rather, Gessner combines his deeply felt sense of place with observations of the Cape's people and with insights about his family, himself, and his art. In a series of interconnected personal essays, he explores his response to his own recently cured cancer and to the lung cancer that is killing his father. Issues of life and death intertwine with images of a land that Gessner finds curiously healing: "Here thoughts are swamped by the smells, sounds, and sights of place. The gentle hypnotic lapping of waves. A prehistoric cormorant on a slick black rock. The delicate lacework of sea grass roots breaking down through a ledge of sand."

Gessner's introspection during a year spent writing in the family's weathered cottage portrays another struggle, too. For a young writer just beginning his career, such mighty literary forebears as Thoreau can be imposing, if not paralyzing. Yet the process of sorting through and making peace with the memories of his genetic father gives Gessner the power to declare artistic independence from his literary one. Seeing "something tremendously heroic" about his father's determination to perform mundane tasks in the face of imminent death brings Gessner to realize that "our minds have minds of their own. Reality is fabulous, yes, but we also crave something more. Symbol, perhaps. Meaning." In the end, what Cape Cod comes to mean for Gessner is not just freedom from the past, but love and nobility in the face of death.

Customer Reviews:

Honest, beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking.......2001-03-20

I had the pleasure of meeting Gessner at a bookstore he made an appearance at. I bought two of his books, "Wild Rank.." and "Return of the Osprey." I was almost unable to put down "Wild Rank." It was so moving...so touching...so brilliantly honest, I kept the pages open as I did mundane things so I could peek over occassionally and be mesmerized by his essay. The book is a mix of so many things -- there's a little "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" in his brutal honesty. Then there's a little Thoreau when he briefs us on what the marshes and the "Suet" mean to him. This book is a must read for anyone who understands or wants to understand that life on life's terms is the only way we can exist -- and one of life's terms is that we take care of the land. Another of those terms is that our parents, for whatever faults they have, shape us in ways we can neither forget nor sometimes identify. David, I'm so glad I met you -- the book has been one of those wonderful surprises in life that change you a little bit when you encounter them. Kudos!

No Henry Beston or Henry David Thoreau.......2000-12-29

I found this book a disappointment because the author allowed his personal issues and problems (e.g. family problems, illness, drug use) to interfere with the picture he was trying to paint. Henry Beston's THE OUTERMOST HOUSE, A YEAR OF LIFE ON THE GREAT BEACH OF CAPE COD, is much more to my liking, because of the beautiful prose and the full concentration of Mr. Beston on the topic at hand (i.e. the Cape, its history, its beauty, its wildness). I find it incongruous for this author, David Gessner, to make the effort to get in touch with nature by living out in the wilds by the ocean, and then to take the unnatural step of using drugs while doing so. It offends my senses almost as much as do the actions of people who play boomboxes at the beach while supposedly enjoying nature. I guess I like my nature natural and without the distractions of these other modern day intrusions. And I like my information and insights gleaned from my readings to be based on reality not drug induced fantasy. These personal issues (which in another context, might have been appropriately raised and interesting) seemed only to be undesired distractions in this context.

An excellent exploration of the soul and its surroundings.......1999-04-29

Mr. Gessner has created a powerful memoir of his childhood on Cape Cod, the loss of his father and his love for the harsh Cape environment that is emblematic of personal struggles Gessner has faced and, with humor and intelligence, ultimately overcome. A thoughtful and thought-provoking work from a promising young author.

Excellent! A superb debut........1999-02-22

An inspiring narrative about a young man who survives cancer, only to watch his father be taken by the same disease. In the tradition of Beston and Thoreau, Gessner brings the Cape to life in all its seasons. But this book should not be tied to one place: readers from all over the globe will identify with Gessner, his family, and his love of home. A Wild, Rank Place is a very special book. You'll be glad you read it.

Here's a Writer to Watch!.......1999-02-21

David Gessner isn't your typical nature writer. Not simply content to give lip service to "birds and trees," Gessner enters the landscape as an animal, swilling and raging and chortling his way across Cape Cod with glee and guts. He isn't afraid to tackle tough material either: he receives news of his father's malignant carcinoma after, ironically, beating his own cancer successfully. In the face of such significant life issues, Gessner worries about place---his own as son and native to Cape Cod, and the strength of his writing voice in the shadow of his real and literary fathers. This book does for fathers and sons what Terry Tempest William's Refuge did for mothers and daughters. I found Gessner to be charmingly self-absorbed: he allows the reader to view him ("the thing itself") and his landscape, warts and all. And just when some might dismiss him as another Abbey-wanabee who goes about the motions of outrage for outrage's sake, Gessner shows his talent and unique writing strength: he writes movingly and memorably about his own father's death in a stunning journal section simply titled, June. The last sections of the book are a Hymn---for Gessner's father, for the place of his birth, for life. In the end, Gessner shows how grace and real beauty rise from fiercely loving ALL the parts of the world, even the ones which pain us most.

A Wild, Rank Place: One Year on Cape Cod

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A Wild, Rank Place: One Year on Cape Cod
David Gessner
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MU8YW4

Book Description

Frommer's Portable Guides offer all the detailed information and insider advice of a Frommer's Complete Guide--but in a concise, pocket-sized format.

Perfect for the short-term traveler who insists on value and doesn't want to wade through or carry a full-size guidebook, this series selects the very best choices in all price categories and takes you straight to the top sights. Get the latest on resorts, restaurants, sports, shopping, and nightlife in a nutshell in these lightweight, inexpensive guides.

Meticulously researched by an acclaimed local journalist, Frommer's Portable Maui is a concise guide to the best of the Valley Isle. You'll rely on our top-notch coverage of the island's best beaches, golf courses, and adventure outings, including complete details on Haleakala National Park. Our candid and in-depth hotel reviews cover everything from luxury oceanfront resorts to family-friendly condos to upcountry B&Bs, and our dining coverage ensures that you'll enjoy a true taste of Hawaii.

Download Description

Frommer's Portable Guides offer all the detailed information and insider advice of a Frommer's Complete Guide--but in a concise, pocket-sized format. Perfect for the short-term traveler who insists on value and doesn't want to wade through or carry a full-size guidebook, this series selects the very best choices in all price categories and takes you straight to the top sights. Get the latest on resorts, restaurants, sports, shopping, and nightlife in a nutshell in these lightweight, inexpensive guides. Meticulously researched by an acclaimed local journalist, Frommer's Portable Maui is a concise guide to the best of the Valley Isle. You'll rely on our top-notch coverage of the island's best beaches, golf courses, and adventure outings, including complete details on Haleakala National Park. Our candid and in-depth hotel reviews cover everything from luxury oceanfront resorts to family-friendly condos to upcountry B&Bs, and our dining coverage ensures that you'll enjoy a true taste of Hawaii.

Customer Reviews:

bad driving info but good restaurant info.......2000-11-27

If you are looking for good eating recomendations, this is the book for you. But if you are interested in driving around Maui, especially the Hana Highway, find another book. The driving directions they give -- site-seeing points, where to stop, how to find roads off the highway and especially how to find hiking trails are not good at all. I just returned from a trip to Maui and wished I had another guidebook along. I wish I had bought Maui Revealed, because the Author's Kaui Guidebook was great

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Frommer's Portable Maui
Jeanette; Fujii, Jocelyn Foster
Manufacturer: MacMillan Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O9050W

Book Description

The story of a lost and confused rock and roll musician who has settled for an existence of total oblivion but finds that he has other options.

Customer Reviews:

Hot Music & Hotter Writing.......2004-05-26

This book had to be written by someone who must have lived the life of a musician on the road. I was a roadie for five years and I saw some of the same things like they're described in this book. The sex and drugs are rampant. The strange people are always there, crowding around the players, wanting attention, wanting to be a part of the scene. E.Layne Kelly caught that atmosphere. She nailed it. If you're into music, you'll dig this one.

Recovery Time.......2004-04-09

This novel surprised me. I thought it would be focused strictly on the wild and crazy times of a big-time rocker. And it did that, but it also told the story of how badly drugs can control your thoughts, your actions and can destroy your entire life. Then it showed how this young man recovered from his death-seeking plunge and surfaced somewhat intact. The ending is very satisfying and rang the bell of hope for those suffering addictions. If you're an adult with or without kids, you'll get more than a glimpse at what confronts many kids. If you're a kid, you'll see the raw side of the so-called glamerous life of rock and roll for what it is, really.

Its Amazing!!.......2004-02-26

When I was looking for a good book to read i recently saw this one online and I was anxious to see what it was about. All I can say is that from the moment it arrived in the mail to the moment that I read the last word of the last page, I could not put the book down. It wasnt a typically book that by page 50 you knew what was going to happen and who as going to wind up with who. It truly had a twist in every chapter, and you couldn't help but feel like you were right in the mix of it. I cant wait for her next book to come out and everyone who wants an amazing book should read this.

Real Rockers.......2004-02-11

Rolling Stone magazine has tried to warn us for years that people like this really exist, but maybe I didn't believe them. This book delivers a jolt of reality that is stunning. My friends and I listen to rock music every day and often hear about the outrageous behavior of rockers, but reading about Peter Woody's life is an experience all its own. The plot is like a psychedelic trip filled with self-inflicted pain, but also suffused with glimpses of love and in the end, self-redemption. The rawness of the language backed by the quirky, brash, unapologetic writing style is reflective of the subject matter--power rockers unbalanced on the edge of total craziness. This totally rocks!

Stay Up At Night.......2004-02-07

I enjoy books that keep me up late at night to finish them. Peter Woody Rising has kept me up several nights as I am reading it for the second time (at least the juicier parts). The characters seem to be pulled from loud concert stages and out of wild clubs where anything can and does happen. The drug culture that exists in the world of rockers is depicted here in a most realistic and frightening way. The subtitle (sex, drugs, power rock) is reinforced in a very creative way on the inside pages. This is an unusual read, very different in many ways. No holds barred!

Book Description

This new concept in financial training guides novices through the often complex and challenging world of derivatives. Full of definitions, concise descriptions, quizzes, and examples, it is primarily a study of financial instruments. Topics covered include futures, options, and swaps from the very basic to the applications in trading, hedging, and arbitrage. This book will be of particular interest to novice traders, investors, and trainers in financial institutions looking for a key introductory text.

Este libro constituye un nuevo concepto para el aprendizaje de los derivados. Para ello, parte de los conceptos más básicos y llega a las aplicaciones de futuros, opciones y swaps relacionadas con la contratación, cobertura de riesgos y arbitraje. Con el fin de que cada contenido quede más claro, se incluyen definiciones, cuestionarios, y ejemplos. Se trata de una obra de gran utilidad para los que desean comprender cómo funcionan los mercados de derivados (contratos a plazo, futuros, opciones swaps).

Book Description

A large share of the population in many developing countries suffer from chronic undernutrition. In this book, Professor Svedberg provides a detailed comparative study of undernutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, the two worst affected areas, and provides crucial advice for all those concerned in development worldwide. The book concentrates on the five challenges that undernutrition creates: what undernutrition is, who the undernourished are, where the undernourished are, when people are undernourished, and why people are undernourished. The book is divided into five parts: Part I introduces the main paradigms and controversies of undernutrition; Part II deals with the relationship in the individual between calorie intake/expenditure, work effort, body weight, and income; Part III assesses the method of defining and measuring undernutrition based on estimates of gaps between calorie intake and calorie requirements for households; Part IV provides a parallel analysis of the main alternative approach to defining and measuring undernutrition, based on anthropometric assessment, mainly of young children, but also adolescents and adults; Part V analyses the consequences and causes of anthropometric failure, as well as the related policy issues.

Poverty and Undernutrition : Theory, Measurement, and Policy (WIDER Studies in Development Economics)

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Poverty and Undernutrition : Theory, Measurement, and Policy (WIDER Studies in Development Economics)
Peter Svedberg
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKTUJ8

Book Description

In this invigorating mix of natural history and adventure, artist-naturalist Ellen Meloy uses turquoise—the color and the gem—to probe deeper into our profound human attachment to landscape.

From the Sierra Nevada, the Mojave Desert, the Yucatan Peninsula, and the Bahamas to her home ground on the high plateaus and deep canyons of the Southwest, we journey with Meloy through vistas of both great beauty and great desecration. Her keen vision makes us look anew at ancestral mountains, turquoise seas, and even motel swimming pools. She introduces us to Navajo “velvet grandmothers” whose attire and aesthetics absorb the vivid palette of their homeland, as well as to Persians who consider turquoise the life-saving equivalent of a bullet-proof vest. Throughout, Meloy invites us to appreciate along with her the endless surprises in all of life and celebrates the seduction to be found in our visual surroundings.

Customer Reviews:

Great book of essays.......2007-09-02

This is an interesting book all about an unusual subject:Turquise, as a mineral and as a color. One thing I liked is that each of the essays is self contained so one can put the book down and pick it back up at a later date if you like and you don't miss anything. Another thing I liked is that I learned quite a few things, for example the mineral Turquise is not only found in the American southwest. Read the book and find out where else it is minned. This is a book I will keep and reread. In fact the first thing I did upon finnishing it was to order a copy for a friend!
If you like this book you will like her other books as well. Raven's Exile: A Season on the Green River
After I finnished reading the book I discovered she has fund in her name that suppoerts desert writers: http://www.ellenmeloy.com/.

A Loss to Literature.......2004-11-15

Did this ever happen to you, you close the pages of a well-written book and you just sigh for a minute, wishing it had not ended? And then as it happens you open up your daily newspaper and find out that the author has died, died even perhaps as you were reading and admiring her prose style? I first read "Swimming in Mojave" two years ago in the magazine ORION, and I laughed out loud thinking of the author trying to beat the desert heat by swimming across the sands, like a John Cheever character, in every swimming pool at every motel and resort her family could find. Recently I found this book, THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF TURQUOISE, and settled in for the pleasure of a whole collection of essays, and some well-researched bits of historical fact and fancy about the mineral turquoise, another hobby of mine.

The book took me over two weeks to finish, as I kept putting it down to admire the author's flights of fancy and beautiful language. There wasn't much of a story, but as I read it now, and think about the different essays from The "Deeds and Sufferings of Light" to the final chapters of "Brides of Place" and "Passing through Green to Reach It," I see so clearly how her words speak to the drive in every one who lives out West to stay alive and to see the possibility and grandeur in all of the things God or the Devil created. Ellen Meloy has left us, but she has left us with a magnificent charge, to go into the world unafraid and to urge the others to "You come, too."

Colors are the deeds and sufferings of light - Johann Wolfg.......2004-10-31

There are three reasons to possess this book. The first reason: You want to read an author whose prose verges on poetry... "On the Colorado Plateau... nights come less as a smooth pause than as a steep, enduring purity of eye-blind dark. (In the day) The mesa's colors in their flanks - terra cotta, blood-red salmon, vermilion - bear the temperament of iron."

Second: Color for you, as for flowers, are a part of your being. You draw colors into your life as an elixir to defeat life's monotony. Ellen Meloy is a master wordsmith. She, more than most, knows that colors "challenge language to encompass them", yet, unabashedly, she tracks down the colors of nature, feels them, tastes them, holds them in her mind and then vividly gives them life. No color is sacrosanct to her. Yes, orange, red, blue, green will all find an expression, but Meloy seeks, not the plebeian, but the unusual, unique, even ruthless colors: burnt sienna, magenta, burgundy red, Prussian blue and of course turquoise, "the stone of the desert," "the color of yearning,". For Meloy; "Colors bear the metaphors of entire cultures. They convey every sensation from lust to distress. Flowers use colors ruthlessly for sex. Moths steal them from their surroundings and disappear. A cactus spines glows red-gold in the angle of sun, like an electrocuted aura." Life is good.

Finally, you will find in Ellen Meloy a forthright lover of nature. She is a south westerner, lover of the desert and outdoors woman who sees in desert life the paradoxes of being. She calls for attention as she expresses the damage to the earth that we are so thoughtlessly committing. She points out how we, Homo sapiens, are the first species to witness and will our own extinction. Her social - naturalist commentary is balanced with humor and memoirs; her narrative is both captivating and informative. She is at her best when she sticks to the southwest, but the chapters that chronicle her forays to the Bahamas and the Yucatan are nonetheless engaging. This is a well-crafted work that is filled with captivating metaphors, naturalism, travelogue, memoirs and humor. If you seek award winning writing, are captivated by colors and find sustenance in the natural world this is a highly recommended read. 4.5 stars

amazing insight into the natural world.......2004-05-13

Enthusiastic Recommend: The Anthropology of Turquoise by Ellen Meloy
I finished this book sitting in my camp chair on the edge of Capital Reef National Park - on the side of Boulder Mountain looking into the vista of the water pocket fold and the Henry Mountains. It was four days after I ran a half marathon, and I was decompressing on a camping trip. The scenery was amazing, Meloy's writing just as good.
Meloy lives not all that far from where I was sitting, in what I would call an "outpost of nowhere" in southern Utah on what she calls the "salsa farm beside the river." She's a desert rat with a keen sense of surroundings and life.
Her book is about a lot of things; it's a collection of essays loosely tied by the idea of turquoise - the color and the rock. But the essays that spoke to me were the ones about the land, the desert southwest and the creatures, plant and animal, that inhabit it. Meloy can bring you inside a flower, near a big horn sheep, into the river, out into the night sky. She made me ache to be part of the natural world, her desert world. Her prose is poetic. Here's a taste. This is what she writes about the river that is so deeply engrained in her soul when she finds herself swimming after her boat: "What happens when I surrender to the aloof, silken creature that hurls me down its spine?" Again, about her river: "I write a book about a river and cannot tell if it's a love story or an obituary or both."
She cares deeply about her land. And she also writes about writing: "Writers write because they can't shut up." This resonated. I have found my voice in my fifth decade of life. But I have also found other voices, voices like Meloy's that are worth shutting up to hear.

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