Postindustrial Possibilities: A Critique of Economic Discourse

Book Description

While it is often acknowledged that we live in a "postindustrial" age, our economic concepts have lagged far behind our postmodern sensibility. In this incisive new work, the well-known sociologist, Fred Block, sheds obsolete and shopworn economic analysis by presenting a bold, sweeping reconceptualization of the economy. Postindustrial Possibilities provides a fresh understanding of the dynamics of postindustrial change while offering a roadmap for future economic thinking.
Block takes as his point of departure the tired concepts of neo-classical economics which, while still dominant, fall short as tools for comprehending contemporary economic forces. In Block's mind, the failure to revise the concepts of industrial economics means that the reality of today's economy is increasingly understood as "through a glass darkly." Intent on reinvigorating thinking in this area, Block masterfully critiques the central categories of neo-classical economics, such as the market, labor, and capital.
Block argues that the neo-classical tradition has obscured the fact that capitalist prosperity has been built not on "free markets" but rather on systematic constraints on market freedom. He further suggests that measurements of capital have become increasingly problematic and that the concept obscures the critical sources of productivity within organizations. In his far-reaching analysis of the Gross National Product, Block shows that there is a growing divergence between the factors that determine people's well-being and trends in measured GNP.
Postindustrial Possibilities sets forth a new intellectual paradigm that might be called "Qualitative Growth." One of its primary foci is a shift toward improved product quality and greater priority for various non-commodity satisfactions such as leisure, interesting work, economic security and a safe and clean environment. It also promotes a recognition that greater economic efficiency rests not on infusions of capital but on cooperative labor relations and on institutional reform.
Wide-ranging, intellectually vibrant and lucid, Postindustrial Possibilities will engender controversy and debate. It is an enormous contribution that social scientists and policymakers will need to come to terms with.

Book Description

Must reading for academics and executives alike. Leading business scholar Chris Argyris helps readers understand why individuals and organizations are unable to learn from their action, then presents the steps that must be taken to change.

Customer Reviews:

Another attempt for racionality behind human behavior.......2000-12-11

I must confess I do not have psychological background. From my humble point of view, all books like this, look at "the good and rational background" of people. They have the premise that all the staff is doing their best but "strange forces" makes them not to get the optimum for the organization. So, the goal is overcoming those refraining forces. I do believe that behavior of people is headed for their own rational interest which is not always the best for the company. In adition, we are looking for rationality in behavior which is only part of the truth. Is not envy, jealousy, narrow-minded, stuborness and so on, part of human being behavior?. without them, we only have part of the great picture and so, remedies will not work properly. Apart from that, the book is well organized and explains clearly the models the author is working with and the methodology used. Premises are strong and goals interested which lead to good results (provided human being were not as they are).

The one book to read on ending office politices.......1997-07-01

Argyris cuts to the heart of why organizations go wrong with a combination of passion and precision. Several authors who have written about effective teams and organizations such as Peter Senge and Gerald (Jerry) Weinberg regard Argyris's work quite highly, and rightly so. While other authors talk about and round the problems and issues, Argyris creates models which show not just what people do, but how they think. Other books in the field of Organizational Design that I have looked at appear dry as dust next to Argris. Readers should be cautioned, however, that Argyris is a academic and researcher -- reading his books requires work, but work well worth the effort. - Cortlandt Wilson, Software Consultan

A Manual of Organizational Development: The Psychology of Change

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A Manual of Organizational Development: The Psychology of Change
Clare Huffington , Carol F. Cole , and Halina Brunning
Manufacturer: Psychosocial Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1887841067

Book Description

The 38 chapters of this Field Manual provide the tools required for planning experiments with entomopathogens and their implementation in the field. Basic tools include chapters on the theory and practice of microbial control agents, statistical design of experiments, equipment and application strategies. The major pathogen groups are covered in individual chapters (virus, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, nematodes). Subsequent chapters deal with the impact of naturally occurring and introduced exotic pathogens and inundative application of microbial control agents. The largest section of the Manual is composed of 21 chapters on the application and evaluation of entomopathogens in a wide range of agricultural, forest, domestic and aquatic habitats. Mites and slugs broaden the scope of the book. Supplementary techniques and media for follow-up laboratory studies are described. Three final chapters cover the evaluation of Bt transgenic plants, resistance to insect pathogens and strategies to manage it, and guidelines for evaluating the effects of MCAs on nontarget organisms.
Readership: Researchers, graduate students, practitioners of integrated pest management, regulators, those doing environmental impact studies. The book is a stand-alone reference, but is also complementary to the laboratory-oriented Manual of Techniques in Insect Pathology and similar comprehensive texts.

Customer Reviews:

ANOTHER CLASSIC IN THE FIELD OF INSECT PATHOLOGY!!!.......2001-09-13

This is an excellent book, with lots of up-to-date information which will be of great use to those interested in microbial control of insect pests. It serves as a complement to Lacey's "Manual of Techniques in Insect Pathology." Unfortunately, the book is ridiculously priced, which will greatly limit its availability. Imagine spending over [price] in Latin America or Africa for ONE book. It won't happen.

Manual of Techniques in Insect Pathology (Biological Techniques Series)

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manual of techniques in insect pathology (biological techniq
Excellent Resource Book

Manual of Techniques in Insect Pathology (Biological Techniques Series)

Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

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ASIN: 0124325556

Book Description

Biological Techniques is a series of volumes aimed at introducing to a wide audience the latest advances in methodology. The pitfalls and problems of new techniques are given due consideration, as are those small but vital details not always explicit in the methods sections of journal papers.
In recent years, most biological laboratories have been invaded by computers and a wealth of new DNA technology and this will be reflected in many of the titles appearing in the series.
The books will be of value to advances researches and graduate students seeking to learn and apply new techniques, and will be useful to teachers of advanced undergraduate courses involving practical or project work.
This manual describes the broad array of techniques that are used in insect pathology. It will provide biologists, insect pathologists, entomologists, and those interested in biological control, with the necessary information to work on a variety of pathogen groups.
This book will be an essential laboratory reference for insect pathologists.

Features include:
* Step by-step instructions on how to isolate, identify, culture, bioassay and store the major groups of entomopathogens
* Details of the practical knowledge needed by beginners to apply the techniques
* Chapters written by an international group of experts
* Discussion of safety testing of entomopathogens in mammals and also broader methods such as microscopy and molecular techniques
* Provides extensive supplemental literature and recipes for media, fixatives and stains

Customer Reviews:

manual of techniques in insect pathology (biological techniq.......2002-03-26

manual of techniques in insect pathology (biological techniques)

Excellent Resource Book.......2001-03-21

This book is a MUST for anyone working in the area of Insect Pathology. It provides information about and how to work with most all insect pathogens. The material is comprehensive and detailed, yet easy to follow. The methods given for culture, staining, identification, etc. of the various pathogens included actually work and yield the desired results. This is an excellent teaching reference as well.

Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology: Application and evaluation of pathogens for control of insects and other invertebrate pests

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Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology: Application and evaluation of pathogens for control of insects and other invertebrate pests

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

The Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology is designed to provide background and instruction on a broad spectrum of techniques and their use in the evaluation of entomopathogens in the field. The second edition of the Field Manual provides updated information and includes two additional chapters and 12 new contributors. The intended audience includes researchers, graduate students, practitioners of integrated pest management (IPM), regulators and those conducting environmental impact studies of entomopathogens. Although it can function as a stand alone reference, the Field Manual is complementary to the laboratory oriented Manual of Techniques in Insect Pathology and to comprehensive texts in insect pathology.

The Editors have structured the 40 chapters of the Field Manual into 10 sections to provide the tools required for planning experiments with entomopathogens and their implementation in the field. The basic tools include chapters on the theory and practice of application of microbial control agents (MCAs) (Section I), statistical considerations in the design of experiments (Section II), and three chapters on application equipment and strategies (Section III). Section IV includes individual chapters on the major pathogen groups (virus, bacteria, microsporidia, fungi, and nematodes) and special considerations for their evaluation under field conditions. This section sets the stage for subsequent chapters on the impact of naturally occurring and introduced exotic pathogens and inundative application of MCAs. Twenty-three chapters on the application and evaluation of MCAs in a wide variety of agricultural, forest, domestic and aquatic habitats comprise Section VII of the Field Manual. In addition to insect pests, the inclusion of mites and slugs broadens the scope of the book. Most of the chapters in this section include step by step instructions on handling of inoculum, design of field experiments and experimental plots and application and assessment of efficacy of dozens of MCAs. Several of these chapters include supplementary techniques and media for conducting follow up laboratory studies for confirmation of infection, determination of persistence, etc. The three final chapters include: special consideration for evaluation of Bt transgenic plants (Section VIII); resistance to insect pathogens and strategies to manage resistance (Section IX); and guidelines for evaluating effects of MCAs on nontarget organisms (Section X).

Due to uncertainty regarding the future availability of organophosphate and other conventional chemical insecticides, MCAs will play increasingly important roles in IPM. The Field Manual will provide researchers and IPM practitioners with techniques and practical guidance for the study and optimal use of MCAs in a variety of settings.

Book Description

b /b b i Speculations After Freud /i /b confronts the dilemmas of contemporary psychoanalysis by bringing together some of the most influential and best known writers on psychoanalysis and culture. These advocates and critics of psychoanalysis, both institutional and theoretical, reveal the powerful role psychoanalytic speculation plays in all areas of culture. br br Psychoanalysis has played a pivotal role in challenging the modernist notions of rationality and selfhood. It offers an alternative means of examining how identity is engendered, yet its identity has come into question because of multiple claims to its possession. This volume addresses the dilemmas that afflict contemporary psychoanalysis, transforms the terms in which psychoanalysis has to be seen and shows the portents in store as we enter a post-analytic age. br br b Contributors: /b Mikkel Borch-Jacobsen, Cornelius Castoriadis, James Hillman, Sarah Kofman, David Farrell Krell, Julia Kristeva, Alphonso Lingis, Nicholas Rand, William Richardson, Charles E. Scott, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Maria Torok.

Book Description

"People want to attract wildlife to their yards for a variety of reasons, but probably foremost among these is that birds and other animals bring us pleasure. The exuberant songs of cardinals and mockingbirds, the playful antics of young squirrels at feeders, and the sight of colorful butterflies dancing above wildflower patches provide us with both daily and lasting joy."-from Landscaping for Wildlife

Written by Jeremy D. Garrett in association with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), Landscaping for Wildlife provides beginners and experts alike with specific, detailed, yet easy-to-follow instructions for meeting water needs, feeding preferences, and nesting requirements of wildlife species found in the southern Great Plains. Garrett also explains how specific plants draw animals to your property by providing food and shelter sources.

To assist readers in designing their own "wildscape," detailed diagrams and plant listings accompany photographs of several ODWC-certified wildscaped properties. A woodworking section includes patterns of nesting and feeding stations designed for individual wildlife species. Garrett's explanations and advice are complemented by Coral McCallister's elegant and charming illustrations of wildlife as well as of various habitats and wildscapes.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation manages Oklahoma's wildlife resources and habitat to provide scientific, educational, aesthetic, economic, and recreational benefits for present and future generations of hunters, anglers, and others who appreciate wildlife.

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Coral Gables: An American garden city ;

Manufacturer: Norma Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 2909283348

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Coral gardens
Leni Riefenstahl
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 000216129X

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Coral Gardens & Their Magic 2 Volumes
Bronisla Malinowski
Manufacturer: IN UNIV PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VL0S5U

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Coral Gardens and Their Magic
Bronislaw, 1884-1942 Malinowski
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NP0XE0

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Coral Gardens and Their Magic
Bronislaw, 1884-1942 Malinowski
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NP0WB4

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Coral gardens and their magic
Bronislaw Malinowski
Manufacturer: Allen & Unwin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0006BPEUY

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Coral Gardens And Their Magic - A Study Of The Methods Of Tilling The Soil And Of Agricultural Rites In The Trobriand Islands - Vol Ii: The Language Of Magic And Gardening
Bronislaw
Manufacturer: Bronislaw Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 1406760560

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Coral Gardens and Their Magic : Volume I, Soil-Tilling and Agricultural Rites in the Trobriand Islands / Volume II, The Language of Magic and Gardening [Set of 2 books] (Coral Gardens and Their Magic, Volumes 1 and 2)

Manufacturer: Indiana University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000FBVAVW

Product Description

Complete set of 2 books.

Coral gardens and their magic: A study of the methods of tilling the soil and of agricultural rites in the Trobriand Islands

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Coral gardens and their magic: A study of the methods of tilling the soil and of agricultural rites in the Trobriand Islands
Bronislaw Malinowski
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Amazon.com

For sports gamblers in Las Vegas, nobody cares who wins; it's by how much that matters. In The Odds, Chad Millman follows three professional gamblers through a year of college basketball, where meticulous research, betting discipline, and instinct clash with addiction, and no one relaxes until they've lost it all.

The three colorful gamblers Millman expertly portrays are a high-rolling career "wiseguy," a slacker wannabe, and a bookmaker who sets the lines on games (for example, Iowa over Indiana by 4-1/2 points, meaning if you bet on Iowa, you win only if Iowa wins by five points or more). The idea behind the betting line is to lure bets (hopefully, losing ones) and make a profit for his casino from the action, but more importantly to stay ahead of those who pounce on a weak line like hungry wolves. Millman provides the answer to what makes these wiseguys tick: "While the casual bettor weighs common sense and financial realities with every bet, the wiseguy pushes those aside... [his] battle isn't with what makes sense; his battle is with anyone who gets in the way of making his bet a euphoric experience."

Along with lurid details of what these gamblers do to feed their frenzy, Millman enriches us on gambling's history and sobering statistics, on Vegas's decline and the rise of offshore casinos, and on the effects of media coverage and politics on sports and gambling. While you won't learn how to get rich off the next office pool, you will get an inside look at those who make or lose money on some kid's buzzer-beater or a garbage-time lay-up. --Michael Ferch

Book Description

"One wild read" (Rick Reilly, Sports Illustrated) about a unique city trying to find itself--and about three gamblers who win, lose, and risk everything during the college basketball season.

One gambler is a manic former cokehead with an Ivy League degree. The second is a college dropout trying to make a living at the only thing he enjoyed at school--gambling. The third, one of Vegas's most respected bookmakers, is perilously close to burning out. The Odds follows the lives of these three professional gamblers through a college basketball season in a one-of-a-kind city struggling to reconcile its lawless past with its family-friendly makeover. With a wiseguy attitude and a faultless eye and ear for the sights and sounds of Vegas and its denizens, Chad Millman has created a portrait that the Wall Street Journal called "fascinating... often screamingly funny." The Las Vegas Review-Journal had just one word for the book: "Superb."

Customer Reviews:

worse than stupid.......2007-09-11

betting football is neither less nor more "euphoric" than winning at chess, ping-pong, or the stock market: euphoria is absolutely tangential to bringing home the bacon.

as a winning NFL and NCAA football bettor, i can say emphatically, books which emphasize the "inevitability" of losing at the game only promote the mentality of losing to an elevation akin to destiny, or worse, fate.

the fault is not in our stars but ourselves, that we lose thus or thus.

i have known other winning players; i AM a winning player; you, however, are probably not a winner, and the author of this book is CERTAINLY NOT a winning player.

tlt.

Not much meat.......2007-07-10

I love to read books about gambling and gamblers. A well written book allows me to really get into the heads of the "characters" and somewhat vicariously experience their highs and lows. This book was a disappointment in that regard.

Millman spent far too much time on the "basics" of gambling and gambling history. This may have been informative to the uninitiated, and perhaps he was hoping for broad-based readership and a best seller, but if you're looking to read the book in 2007 chances are you're already familiar with the basics of sports betting.

Millman focuses on two gamblers and the bookmaker for the Stardust casino. We never really get to "know" these three. We get a glimpse into the mind of Allen Boston, a "professional" gambler, but know virtually nothing about the other two. There is not enough detail of the decision-making process that the gamblers go through in deciding on their bets.

After reading Michael Konik's latest book which really DID give me a good view of gamblers and the gambling world, I was disappointed in this one.

The Odds leaves a bitter taste; wiser but sadder.......2006-02-04

After tracing the history of sports wagering, and examining the sports wagerer, this book leaves the reader bewildered, disgusted and bereft of the innocence once had when first encountering sports and athletic events. The gambler is exposed as socio-pathic and lost, but worst of all, aware of their own situation. Unlike narcotic addictions, there is little escape or euphoria, but instead self loathing is reinforced by immediate recognition of folly. It reads quickly and well, but is devastating to the illusion of the glamour of betting.

The Odds on Favorite.......2005-11-28

This is a good/great book for everyone. This is a very well balanced book that deals with both "Action" sports betting as well as the lives of the men who risk it all on the bounce of a ball. The author does a good job of presenting the reader a voyeuristic look into the lives of these three men. You can almost feel your heart pound as you read about the games coming to a close with a one point difference meaning winning or losing tens of thousands of dollars.
Great read for the beach or to keep yourself entertained this winter.

One Season, Three Gamblers, and the Death of Their Las Vegas.......2005-11-16

This quick read about what makes the world of sports betting tick from the perspective of the gambler and the casino reads like an extended magazine article (not surprising as the author is a former Sports Illustrated writer and now a contributor to ESPN The Magazine). What I found most enlightening was the world of the sports book managers of the casino's. The devotion to setting the proper line was facinating and speaks to the business of sports book - the odds are set by a person everyday and the books profits or losses are determined by how well the line is drawn. Also of real interest is how the on-line books have taken the major gambling action away from Vegas and is the death of old Vegas. Its not about action its about profits as Vegas has become a corporate entity. Interesting in the end but I would have enjoyed a little more analysis of the structure of what has brought about these shifts in the way money drives sports.

Book Description

In a clear, cohesive format, Delivering Health Care in America provides a comprehensive overview the basic structures and operations of the US health system—from its historical origins and resources, to its individual services, cost, and quality. Using a unique "systems" approach, it brings together an extraordinary breadth of information into a highly accessible, easy-to-read text that clarifies the complexities of health care organization and finance, while presenting a solid overview of how the various components fit together.

Now in its third edition, Delivering Health Care in America has been updated with the latest available data and research findings to provide the most current information on the foundations, structural features, past and current trends, and major issues pertaining to the U.S. health care delivery system.

Customer Reviews:

Book order.......2007-09-23

Delivering Health Care in America: A Systems Approach with Resource Guide (Purchased on 08/22/2007) was purchased. It was recieved in excellent condition and was a brand new book as stated in the original description. I am very satisfied with the service, especially after saving over $30 by ordering through this buyer versus my campus bookstore. The order was received timely.

A Systems Approach is not very systematic.......2007-02-18

This is one of the worst text books I have ever used for a course. The content is dense and difficult.
Chapters are not well outlined and don't follow sequence provided in text.

Too many inconsistencies in the data and materials. Chapter 12, page 524 says that the HEDIS quality review has 56 measures, the glossary says 71. This is only one of many I identified. I spotted far too many grammatical errors, incomplete sentences and more for a 3rd Edition book.

It is more than obvious that some updates have occured in certain sections but have not been rolled throughout the entire text. This textbook is in dire need of an overhaul and condensing. Major points are diluted with it's over-complicated verbiage, poor flow and lack of comprehensive outline.

Delivering Health Care in America: A Systems Approach.......2005-09-24

I was very satisfied. Quick service and quality product.

The Best.......2004-07-30

I've seen a lot of health care texts and this one is by far the best book of its kind. Very current and thorough coverage of all aspects of health care delivery. This book really shows you how all of the components of the health care system fit together. The author has done a remarkable job and all students in health care and health administration need to read this book. KUDOS!!!!

Fluffy.......2004-03-08

This book is near 600 pages, but it could be condensed to 300 easily: by cutting back on some simplistic flow charts and over-explanation. Maybe the goal was to make the book readable for the high school level, but I didn't find its style or level appropriate for a graduate (MBA) textbook. One further annoyance was the authors' shameless and open promotion of socialized health care. A more balanced take would give the authors greater credibility.

Delivering Health Care in America: A Systems Approach. Third Edition.

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Delivering Health Care in America: A Systems Approach. Third Edition.
Leiyu Shi
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000M4T8SY

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