is a business book that gives examples on what managers can learn from churchill's leadership during the Second World War. The book is divided into thematic chapters on different topics like dealing with difficult people [using the Soviets as the example], micromanagement, honesty and standing firm. I can quibble with some of the historical analysis but you wouldn't be reading this book for that so I'll let it go. The stories from Shovel's career are interesting and help link the wider themes to a business level.Recommended.
Note: this was provided for review by the author.
fascinating look at how an Israeli organized crime figure was arrested for selling Ecstasy. The narrative follows several of the agents as well as members of the crime family. Drugs were made in the Netherlands then smuggled into New York where they were distributed in clubs. The book also contains an interesting history of the creation of Ecstasy and it's illegal status. No citations but I can't really fault Sweetingham for that. There are some suggestions for further reading. A fast paced informative read.
short highly illustrated book on well what the title says. Nice amount of information crammed into 64 pages. Explanations are concise. He's willing to admit where there's no information. If you're interested in the topic a must have.
attempts to do what the title says. I'll give Laqueur credit some of the theorists and examples he discusses are those that are so obscure I haven't heard of them even though I've been studying the topic for 4 years now. That being said there are some major problems with his work. The most glaring is one of definitions. His idea of Guerrillas is so broad that it includes such groups as Baader-Meinhof and FLQ. To my mind this makes the term almost useless. These are groups that barely made it into phase one. He also strikes me as trying his hardest to be contrary. He frequently breaks with the standard view on various topics such as the utility of guerrillas in Yugoslavia during the Second World War with little or no evidence. In short borrow it from the library and copy the bibliography.
an interesting concept tell the invasion of Egypt by Napoleon through the perspective of the locals. Unfortunately it gets bogged down in social science jargon and drawing parallels to current American policy. Useful for the extensive translations of primary sources.
this is the second book in the Earthsea fantasy young adult series. Tenar chosen to be the leader of a temple must deal with her position and faith. Most of the book is taken up with her trying to make sense of things. Ged the hero from the last book only appears at the very end. Not to give anything away but there's a change in Tenar's outlook that although it was telegraphed was still too abrupt for me. I'll be continuing along in the series.
what to say about a 400 page novel that contains the plot of a short story? Basically this is alternate history. Difference engines aka early computers exist in victorian London. A computer program that could be used for gambling is passed between many hands with violent results. Unfortunately an interesting idea gets bogged down with page after page of victorian slang and scenery.
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