Linked: How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Not deep enough (?)
  • Network theory and its applications
  • Superb popular science: the laws of networks.
  • Great for the layman
  • If you liked Freakonomics...
Linked: How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means
Albert-Laszlo Barabasi
Manufacturer: Plume
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0452284392
Release Date: 2003-04-29

Amazon.com

How is the human brain like the AIDS epidemic? Ask physicist Albert-László Barabási and he'll explain them both in terms of networks of individual nodes connected via complex but understandable relationships. Linked: The New Science of Networks is his bright, accessible guide to the fundamentals underlying neurology, epidemiology, Internet traffic, and many other fields united by complexity.

Barabási's gift for concrete, nonmathematical explanations and penchant for eccentric humor would make the book thoroughly enjoyable even if the content weren't engaging. But the results of Barabási's research into the behavior of networks are deeply compelling. Not all networks are created equal, he says, and he shows how even fairly robust systems like the Internet could be crippled by taking out a few super-connected nodes, or hubs. His mathematical descriptions of this behavior are helping doctors, programmers, and security professionals design systems better suited to their needs. Linked presents the next step in complexity theory--from understanding chaos to practical applications. --Rob Lightner

Book Description

A cocktail party. A terrorist cell. Ancient bacteria. An international conglomerate.

All are networks, and all are a part of a surprising scientific revolution. Albert-L&aacuteszló Barab&aacutesi, the nation's foremost expert in the new science of networks, takes us on an intellectual adventure to prove that social networks, corporations, and living organisms are more similar than previously thought. Grasping a full understanding of network science will someday allow us to design blue-chip businesses, stop the outbreak of deadly diseases, and influence the exchange of ideas and information. Just as James Gleick brought the discovery of chaos theory to the general public, Linked tells the story of the true science of the future.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Not deep enough (?).......2007-06-23

For some reasons both this one and 'The Tipping point' didn't really appeal to me. As an example in this book there is this attempt to superimpose the 'Bose Einstein condensation' to network properties. I personally didn't see any beef there

5 out of 5 stars Network theory and its applications.......2007-06-07

After reading Mitchel Resnick's Turtles, Termites, and Traffic Jams: Explorations in Massively Parallel Microworlds (Complex Adaptive Systems), my exploration of decentralized networks went down a very viral path. This book, in particular, discusses the application of network theory in the context of its historical significance. The author explores how it can be used as a tool and device to understand cities, computer networks social networks, human-human interactions (speech), human-computer interactions (HCI), computer-computer interactions (protocol), diseases, computer viruses, nature. Based on this book and its related siblings, it inspires tremendous amounts of ideas for the next big thing in marketing strategy.

5 out of 5 stars Superb popular science: the laws of networks........2007-04-14

Networks all have a meaningful similarity. Whether the network at hand is a party, a cell's molecular reaction, or the puzzling old bridges of Königsberg, Prussia, you could describe each one by using a branch of mathematics called "graph theory," invented by Leonhard Euler in 1736. His long-dormant concept bloomed in the 1990s with the advent of the Internet and continues to yield insights into many important problems. Sounds a bit dry? Don't worry. Albert-László Barabási writes in a lively style (there's nary an equation in sight) with fun, informative anecdotes. The tale of how he and other scientists discovered "the laws of networks" unfolds like a detective story. After reading this book, you'll see networks everywhere and gain deeper insight into disparate phenomena, from biological systems to business organizations to the economics of "increasing returns." We recommend this clear, accessible book to anyone who has ever wondered about the ubiquitous webs that encompass all things. This is popular science at its best.

5 out of 5 stars Great for the layman.......2007-04-11

One of the best books I've read about the subject, especially good for those being introduced to the subject of graph theory and network thinking. One of the few technical page-turners I've had the pleasure to enjoy! Really, could not put it down!

5 out of 5 stars If you liked Freakonomics..........2007-01-12

...then you'll love the connections drawn in this text. It more than touches on the realities of "Six Degrees of Separation" (as well as Kevin Bacon!)in an interesting, readable format. You don't need to be a scientist or a mathematition to understand the links, networks, and nodes assessed in this book.

I must admit that it started out a bit slow, but I recommend you stick it out for an enlightening outlook on the interconnectivity of everything.
History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Has history been tampered with?
  • Calculations are only as good as your numbers
  • Pants on fire?
  • Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
  • Very Interesting
History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Has history been tampered with?.......2007-10-23

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RAZQNMXM4M9CL Has history been tampered with? Yes, it has! Did events and eras such as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Roman Empire , the Dark Ages, and the Renaissance, actually occur within a very different chronology from what we've been told? Yes, they certainly did!

The history of humankind is both drastically shorter and dramatically different than generally presumed.

Why is it so? On one hand, it was usual custom to justify the claims to title and land by age and ancestry, and on the other the court historians knew only too well how to please their masters. The so called universal classic world history is a pack of intricate lies for all events prior to the 16th century. World history as we learn it today was entirely fabricated in the 16th-18th centuries. It's likely that nobody told you before, but

there is not a single piece of firm written evidence or artefact that is reliably and independently dated prior to the 11th century.

Naturally, after what you've learned in school and university, you will not easily believe that the classical history of ancient Rome, Greece, Asia, Egypt, China, Japan, India, etc., is manifestly false.

You will point accusing finger to the pyramids in Egypt, to the Coliseum in Rome and Great Wall of China etc., and claim, aren't they really ancient, thousands of years ancient? Well, there is no valid scientific proof that they are older than 1000 years!

The oldest original written document that can be reliably dated belongs to the 11th century!

New research asserts that Homo sapiens invented writing (including hieroglyphics) only 1000 years ago. Once invented, writing skills were immediately and irreversibly put to the use of ruling powers and science.

The consensual chronology we live with was essentially crafted in the 16th century by the Jesuits.

The world history was compiled from contradictory mix of innumerable copies of ancient Latin and Greek manuscripts and other irrefutable proofs delivered by late mediaeval astronomers that were cemented by the authority of writings of the Church Fathers.

Early in life, we learn about ancient history. Children love the magical lessons of history - they are like fairy tales. Teachers recite breathtaking stories; very soon We learn by heart the names and deeds of brave warriors, wise philosophers, fabulous pharaohs, cunning high priests and greedy scribes.

We learn of gigantic pyramids and sinister castles, kings and queens, dukes and barons, powerful heroes and beautiful ladies, emaciated saints and low-life traitors.

Ancient history is based documents, manuscripts, printed books, paintings, monuments and artefacts - called primary sources.

The problem is that neither these ancient documents, nor events described therein can be irrefutably dated, moreover they contradict each other for the most part.

When a school textbook tells us that Genghis Khan in year X or Alexander in year Y, have each conquered half of the world, it means only that it is so said in some of the written sources.

There are no answers to simple questions:

When were these primary sources written?

Where and by whom were these sources found?

It is wrongly presumed that ancient and medieval chronicles, written by Genghis Khan's or Alexander the Great contemporaries and eyewitnesses, are readily available. Actually, only sources written hundreds or even thousands of years after the events are there, compiled mostly in the 16th 18th centuries, or even later.

As a rule, these sources suffered considerable multiple manipulations, falsifications and distortions by editing. At the same time,

innumerable originals of ancient documents under various pretexts were destroyed in Europe under various pretexts.

The names of persons and geographical sites often changed meaning and location during the course of the centuries.

Geographical locations became clearly defined on maps only with the advent of printing.

This made possible the circulation of identical copies of the same map for purposes of the military, navigation, education and governance tasks.

Historians from Oxford say: "hey, everybody knows that Julius Caesar lived in the first century B.C.

`Julius Caesar' statement is only a point of view as

there is simply no irrefutable documentary proof that Julius Caesar or any other great name of antiquity ever existed.

Better than that - extremely rare sources that can be reliably dated back to the 10th-14th centuries A D, do not show the polished picture of classical history.

They show a picture both contradictory and confusing.

All methods of dating of ancient sources and artefacts are erroneous:

Radio-carbon C14 method produces dating with exactitude of plus minus 1500 years, therefore it is too crude for dating of events in historical timeframe!

The Almagest tractate, which lies as corner stone contemporary chronology, compiled in the 2nd century A D by Ptolemy, the founding father of astronomy, contains astronomical data of 9th to 16th century!

The Bronze Age,that has supposedly began 5000 years ago. Bronze is made of 90% copper and 10% tin, but the technology for tin extraction dates back to 14th century A D!.

All eclipses contained in manuscripts, like Thucydides one, relating 'ancient' events have exclusively medieval dating. All horoscopes cut in stone or painted in Egyptian temples, like Dendera have exclusively early medieval dating solutions.

Not quite what you have learned in school? Open your eyes, and, you will find sufficient proof to reach step by step the inevitable conclusion that the classical chronology is false and therefore, that the history of ancient and medieval world universally accepted today, is also false. Have a fresh outlook on everything said or printed about "ancient" and "enigmatic" Roman, Greek and Egyptian, medieval as well as all other "lost and found" civilizations.

Antiquity and Dark Ages are phantoms invented in the 16th 18th and polished in 19th 20thcenturies. Human civilization is in fact barely 1000 years old!

This book will change your perception of History forever!
What if Ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt were invented during Renaissance?
What if The Old Testament was a rendition of events of the Middle Ages?
What if Jesus Christ was born in 1053 and crucified in 1086 AD?
Sounds Unbelievable?
Not after you've read "History: Fiction or Science?" by Anatoly Fomenko, the genius mathematician.
Armed with astronomy and computers Anatoly Fomenko turns History into a rocket science.

3 out of 5 stars Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

5 out of 5 stars Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

5 out of 5 stars Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

5 out of 5 stars Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.
Designing Dynamic Organizations: A Hands-On Guide for Leaders at All Levels
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Great. Easy to read.
  • A managment essential
Designing Dynamic Organizations: A Hands-On Guide for Leaders at All Levels
Jay Galbraith , Diane Downey , and Amy Kates
Manufacturer: AMACOM/American Management Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  5. Organizational Design: A Step-by-Step Approach Organizational Design: A Step-by-Step Approach

ASIN: 0814471196

Book Description

Which business structures are best suited to the unpredictable 21st century? How can a company, division, or department reconfigure itself with minimum disruption and maximum impact? Every executive grapples with problems of restructuring--and most need hands-on guidance to solve them. This eye-opening book shows business leaders at all levels how to examine their choices by leading them systematically through these fundamental questions:

* Should we restructure to meet our strategic goals? * What are the best structural options to achieve our success? * What lateral processes are necessary to support the new structure? * How do we staff the restructured organization to optimize results?

Based on Galbraith's world-renowned approach, this guide includes examples and worksheets that pilot readers through the essential steps of organizational design.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great. Easy to read........2007-08-05

Easy to read. Great format and approach to the book. Love the designs for how to approach the work at the end of each chapter. A great took as an HR / OD person.

5 out of 5 stars A managment essential.......2004-03-02

This book is a basic for those wishing to compose and maintain a dynamic vital organization. Highly reccomended for middle level and upper managers. You will refer to it constantly.
Small Worlds: The Dynamics of Networks between Order and Randomness (Princeton Studies in Complexity)
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • All the details you need to know to understand Watts' and Strogatz' famous article
  • Not enough contents to be a good book
  • Good, but some typos
  • Inspiring
  • Great scientific synthesis
Small Worlds: The Dynamics of Networks between Order and Randomness (Princeton Studies in Complexity)
Duncan J. Watts
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0691117047

Book Description

Everyone knows the small-world phenomenon: soon after meeting a stranger, we are surprised to discover that we have a mutual friend, or we are connected through a short chain of acquaintances. In his book, Duncan Watts uses this intriguing phenomenon--colloquially called "six degrees of separation"--as a prelude to a more general exploration: under what conditions can a small world arise in any kind of network?

The networks of this story are everywhere: the brain is a network of neurons; organisations are people networks; the global economy is a network of national economies, which are networks of markets, which are in turn networks of interacting producers and consumers. Food webs, ecosystems, and the Internet can all be represented as networks, as can strategies for solving a problem, topics in a conversation, and even words in a language. Many of these networks, the author claims, will turn out to be small worlds.

How do such networks matter? Simply put, local actions can have global consequences, and the relationship between local and global dynamics depends critically on the network's structure. Watts illustrates the subtleties of this relationship using a variety of simple models---the spread of infectious disease through a structured population; the evolution of cooperation in game theory; the computational capacity of cellular automata; and the sychronisation of coupled phase-oscillators.

Watts's novel approach is relevant to many problems that deal with network connectivity and complex systems' behaviour in general: How do diseases (or rumours) spread through social networks? How does cooperation evolve in large groups? How do cascading failures propagate through large power grids, or financial systems? What is the most efficient architecture for an organisation, or for a communications network? This fascinating exploration will be fruitful in a remarkable variety of fields, including physics and mathematics, as well as sociology, economics, and biology.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars All the details you need to know to understand Watts' and Strogatz' famous article.......2007-03-12

The book basically gives all the details needed to understand Watts and Strogatz famous Nature article 'Collective Dynamics of Complex Networks' in 1998. I think that it is basically Watts PhD-thesis and as such it is of course nicely written, but nothing for the laymen who is rather referred to Watts other, more story-telling book 'Six Degrees', Barabasi's book 'Linked', or to another book that I would recommend most, namely the one by Mark Buchanan titled 'Small Worlds'. Mark is a skillful scientific writer and his book has a broader scope that makes it more interesting than each of the two monographs that are a bit more focused on the scientists own contribution.

2 out of 5 stars Not enough contents to be a good book.......2005-07-08

Networks are since a couple of years object of intense research in several different disciplines. One reason therefore is certainly the outstanding article by Watts and Strogatz, Collective dynamics of small world networks, Nature, 393:440--442, 1998. Unfortunatelly, this book can not continue the high level of this article. Actually, it does not really provide much more information than the article itself. I would suggest to read the article cited above and either decide for another book or to look directly in the literature and read the origninal articles.

To summarize, this book is not terribly weak, but one can clearly sees that it swims on the current 'complex networks' wave without providing enough justification for its existence. Of course, if you do not have access to the original literature and just what to have a general overview of complex networks and what be done with them, you may consider buying this book.

4 out of 5 stars Good, but some typos.......2005-06-02

Mathematical level: Moderate; there's no calculus, and little high level math, but the book is quite mathematical in tone, and some of the arguments may be difficult to follow without a good "math sense". There are MANY equations and graphs.

Good points: Watts covers an area that will interest those who deal with mathematical models of social networks e.g. models of disease-spread, especially HIV. It might, however, cover other things that can spread through networks as well. He presents analysis of graphs (or networks) that are neither random nor highly structured; and begins to examine ways that the degree of structure v. randomness can be measured.

Bad points: There are more than the usual number of typos. The models presented are a "first step", only.

4 out of 5 stars Inspiring.......2001-07-24

The author believes that human thought might be a small world, in the sense that one could reach any idea if he/she finds the right associations and "short-cut"s. The small-world theory is indeed one of those short cuts itself. It links many different domains and uncovers some interesting common behavior.

The theory is developed in a scientific manner with extensive numerical support. Rich literature reviews and many open questions make this book a good research reference. Complex observations are generally followed by qualitative explanations. However, some of the simpler derivations are not fully clear. I believe that adding a few lines here and there can turn this book into a textbook.

The book spans many different areas of science and a deep understanding of the related results may require some background. However, each chapter ends with a brief summary, allowing the reader to move forward if he/she finds the chapter difficult. In summary, as the author puts it, the book is simply the "end of the beginning" in an exciting new field.

5 out of 5 stars Great scientific synthesis.......2000-07-12

The book takes a systematic look at the 'small world' graphs. These natural graphs have been discovered by graph theoretist as erly as 60's, but were not properly understood. The graphs are remarkable in their ability to cluster and scale lengths. There are fundumental connections between these graphs and complex systems, discrete dynamical systems, computation and information processing. Duncan has done a tremendous job in building experimetal and theoretical models trying to understand how these graphs come about and sustain themselves. Read this book.
Strategic Organizational Diagnosis and Design: The Dynamics of Fit (Information and Organization Design Series)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Strategic Organizational Diagnosis and Design: The Dynamics of Fit (Information and Organization Design Series)
    Richard M. Burton , and Borge Obel
    Manufacturer: Springer
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    1. Organizational Design: A Step-by-Step Approach Organizational Design: A Step-by-Step Approach
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    ASIN: 1402076843

    Book Description

    There are two very contrasting approaches to reading this book and learning about organizational design. The more traditional approach is to read the book, and then use the OrgCon on cases and applications. The second approach is to begin with the OrgCon software and only examine the book as you find it helpful. Which approach is better? It is your choice, not ours. In our experience, students in organizational design prefer to start with the OrgCon and a case, rather than with the book itself. Readers who have more background in organization theory and design usually examine the book first.

    There are numerous changes in the third edition. The literature review in each chapter has been updated. The information processing approach is strengthened and applied more comprehensively as the theoretical underpinnings. Throughout we have rewritten the text beyond normal editing in an attempt to make the presentation clearer and easier to read.

    Elements of Dynamic Optimization
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • I agree. He did it again.
    • Very Good Introduction
    • Learn the stuff before writing a textbook
    • Better than any of the courses I had attented.
    • Elements of Dynamic Optimization
    Elements of Dynamic Optimization
    Alpha C. Chiang
    Manufacturer: Waveland Pr Inc
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    1. Economic Growth, 2nd Edition Economic Growth, 2nd Edition
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    ASIN: 157766096X

    Book Description

    In this volume Dr. Chiang introduces readers to the most important methods of dynamic optimization used in economics. The classical calculus of variations, optimal control theory, and dynamic programming in its discrete form are explained in the usual Chiang fashion--with patience and thoroughness. The economic examples, selected from both classical and recent literature, serve not only to illustrate applications of the mathematical methods, but also to provide a useful glimpse of the development of thinking in several areas of economics. Outstanding features include: (1) written with clarity and a comparable level of expository patience; (2) reinforces discussions of mathematical techniques with numerical illustrations, economic examples, and exercise problems; (3) presents a simple problem with a well- known solution in several different alternative formulations in the numerical illustrations; and (4) explains economic models in a step-by-step manner (from the initial construction through the intricacies of mathematical analysis to its final solution).

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars I agree. He did it again........2007-09-02

    Yes, he did it again. He simply explains it clearly.

    Not a serious book for graduate students, but for undergraduates: this book is just in the middle of two levels.

    5 out of 5 stars Very Good Introduction.......2005-03-23

    This book provides an introduction to the advanced subject of dynamic optimization in an easy to comprehend manner. For students with no previous background in the subject, it is the best book in the market.If you are familiar with Chiang's Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics, you can expect the same level of comfort. There are plenty of examples in the text and all the aspects of the subject are covered. A valuable book to own and deserves the 5 stars.

    2 out of 5 stars Learn the stuff before writing a textbook.......2002-08-30

    This book may be great for students. I has many good examples, is well written and generally looks good. HOWEVER, for anyone who actually knows optimal control theory it is clear that the book has several flaws. The worst example is the section on transversality conditions in infinite horizon problems. Chiang simply has no idea what he is talking about.

    4 out of 5 stars Better than any of the courses I had attented........2001-02-22

    The book of professor Chiang is not simply a good introductory text to dynamic optimization in the continuous-time form, but also provides a tight explanation of the related original economic models. It is better than any of the courses most people had attented before. I wish a similar book will appear soon, developing dynamic optimization tools, and especially optimal control in the discret-time form.

    5 out of 5 stars Elements of Dynamic Optimization.......2000-07-17

    Very few people have the quality of expressing ideas and concepts with such clarity and simplicity as Professor Chinag has done. If you are new to dynamic optimization, particularly calculus and variation and optimal control theory you had better start with this treatise.
    Recursive Macroeconomic Theory, 2nd Edition
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • A book for Econometricians rather than Macroeconomists
    • get it free
    • Perfect book
    • Not for beginners
    • Not the first book in Dynamic Macro, but excellent afterward
    Recursive Macroeconomic Theory, 2nd Edition
    Lars Ljungqvist , and Thomas J. Sargent
    Manufacturer: The MIT Press
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    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 026212274X

    Book Description

    Recursive methods offer a powerful approach for characterizing and solving complicated problems in dynamic macroeconomics. Recursive Macroeconomic Theory provides both an introduction to recursive methods and advanced material, mixing tools and sample applications. The second edition contains substantial revisions to about half the original material, and extensive additional coverage appears in seven chapters new to this edition. The updated and added material covers exciting new topics that further illustrate the power and pervasiveness of recursive methods.

    Significant improvements to original chapters include a better treatment of the existence of recursive equilibria, an enhanced account of the supermartingale convergence theorem, and an extended treatment of an optimal taxation problem in an economy in which there are incomplete markets. Completely new coverage in the second edition includes an introductory chapter, which gives an overview of the themes uniting the diverse topics treated throughout the book. Two new chapters offer a self-contained account of the optimal growth model and some of its basic applications in macroeconomics and public finance. Other new chapters cover such topics as how to formulate and compute Stackelberg or Ramsey plans in linear economies, sustainable risk-sharing equilibria without commitment, and the application of recursive contracts to topics in international trade. Most chapters conclude with exercises and the book includes two technical appendixes covering functional analysis and control and filtering.

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars A book for Econometricians rather than Macroeconomists.......2004-10-30

    The book is certainly written by distinguished people, but it seems to me that their focus in writting this book was more to exhibit mathematical methods to solve problems rather than discuss the problems themselves. Apparently the book is meant for training mathematical skills in dynamic programming, and prepare you for computer simulations of macroeconomic problems. But don't use it for understanding macroeconomics.

    In general, the authors get into mathematical discussions that divert attention from the problem itself, and at the same time they don't explain why they are doing all these. Reading the book needs a lot of background knowledge and self-intuition. Apart from that some chapters are educational and fit for class work.

    The first chapters cover mathematical basics about random process and Markov chains and estimation. They are the good chapters. The chapters on partial equilibrium, complete markets ad incomplete markets are also the ones that are noramlly used in class lectures. The book's coverage of consumption theory and economic growth is weak and insufficient. I would recommend Romer or Blanchard&Fisher book for that. The chapter on search and job matching is also simplistic and again not enough. In most of the chapters, technicality dominates concepts, so having a complementary textbook can be great help.

    For one thing, the book has a lot of misprints and mistakes too, which seem to be fixed in the newer edition.

    5 out of 5 stars get it free.......2004-05-17

    This is a great book. But you can download the second addition free on Sargent's website, so I wouldn't recommend buying it.

    5 out of 5 stars Perfect book.......2003-09-12

    This is a perfect book for three reasons; i) it is perfect for those who wish to learn modern macroeconomics. The book develops necessary knowledge and tools to be applied to dynamic economics, ii) Sargent is one of most prominent and leading macroeconomists of the world, and he should be Nobel prize winner in Economics, iii) the book is published by MIT.

    4 out of 5 stars Not for beginners.......2003-04-01

    When I recently left my job as cryer in a grim, north-eastern town, I was made the head of recursive macroeconomic theory at a major international bank. I could have done with a simpler introduction than this, to be honest, as my knowledge of RMT was limited. But now I hold my own in meetings simply by spouting a few long words from this book (mainly "macroeconomic" and "recursive" - theory doesn't seem to impress as much) and delegating to underlings.

    4 out of 5 stars Not the first book in Dynamic Macro, but excellent afterward.......2002-12-02

    The first time i read the book, i'm sure this should not be the first text book for Dynamic Macroeconomics everyone should read. It's better to read somewhere else as an introduction to the idea of dynamic macroeconomics. Romer 'Advanced Macroeconomics' and Stokey, Lucas, Prescott 'Recursive Methods' are more appropriate to start. After gainning some similarity with Dynamic Methods, it would be much better to study models about macroeconomics presented in the book.

    This book is the presentations of various models using Dynamic / Recursive Macroeconomics. It makes them easier and time-saving to study many kinds of model in a semester. It's GOOD & HELPFUL IN THIS SENSE. However, it might not be a good book for study in depth. You are better to study from the original papers for the same topics.

    I think, this book is similar to Tirole 'Theory of Industrial Organization' in spirit, but different in content. They both show the simplified version of various models in the fields.

    If you think you like this style, you would like to have it. But if you don't, it might be better just to skim (from the library) and read the original papers.

    Hope this comment would be helpful for you to make a decision :)
    Dynamic Asset Pricing Theory, Third Edition.
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • painful and obscure
    • Finance for economists
    • Demanding but rewarding!
    • best intro of finance for math guys
    • A tricky book
    Dynamic Asset Pricing Theory, Third Edition.
    Darrell Duffie
    Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
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    ASIN: 069109022X

    Book Description

    This is a thoroughly updated edition of Dynamic Asset Pricing Theory, the standard text for doctoral students and researchers on the theory of asset pricing and portfolio selection in multiperiod settings under uncertainty. The asset pricing results are based on the three increasingly restrictive assumptions: absence of arbitrage, single-agent optimality, and equilibrium. These results are unified with two key concepts, state prices and martingales. Technicalities are given relatively little emphasis, so as to draw connections between these concepts and to make plain the similarities between discrete and continuous-time models.

    Readers will be particularly intrigued by this latest edition's most significant new feature: a chapter on corporate securities that offers alternative approaches to the valuation of corporate debt. Also, while much of the continuous-time portion of the theory is based on Brownian motion, this third edition introduces jumps--for example, those associated with Poisson arrivals--in order to accommodate surprise events such as bond defaults. Applications include term-structure models, derivative valuation, and hedging methods. Numerical methods covered include Monte Carlo simulation and finite-difference solutions for partial differential equations. Each chapter provides extensive problem exercises and notes to the literature. A system of appendixes reviews the necessary mathematical concepts. And references have been updated throughout. With this new edition, Dynamic Asset Pricing Theory remains at the head of the field.

    Customer Reviews:

    2 out of 5 stars painful and obscure.......2005-12-24

    The mathematics of finance is not trivial, but neither is it really all that difficult; nevertheless, Duffie works to make you think that it is.

    I maintain a scale of good versus bad mathematics writing in my head, against which I calibrate books I read. This scale stretches from, at one end, the faculty of Moscow University, in particular Israel Gelfand, Vladimir Arnold and Andre Kolmogorov, all of whom manage to explain to me hard things so that they seem easy, to, at the other, Darrell Duffie.

    5 out of 5 stars Finance for economists.......2005-04-27

    This book provides the most elegant and coherent synthesis of finance theory, in a complete markets and frictionless settings.

    For the reader interested in the theoretical foundations of modern financial models, this book has three main advantages over many of its competitors:

    - It clearly shows the link between modern finance theory and the 40-year old Arrow-Debreu model. As this book will make clear, financial assets can be viewed as "bundles" of Arrow-Debreu contingent goods, and pricing kernels are simply extensions of Arrow-Debreu contingent state prices.

    - It bridges the gap between arbitrage models on one hand, and models based on consumption, optimization/dynamic programming and general equilibrium on the other hand. Absence of arbitrage guarantees the existence of a stochastic discount factor, or pricing kernel. Optimality implies that the stochastic discount factor must be equal to the investors' intertemporal marginal rate of substitution.

    - It provides a unified treatment of discrete-time and continuous-time models. Many finance textbooks focus on the mathematic tools and emphasize the difference between continuous-time and discrete-time tools--usually at the expense of the economics underlying both types of models. In contrast Duffie's book emphasizes the conceptual unity between continuous-time and discrete-time asset pricing.

    This book was written more for students and academics than for pratictioners. It is not a reference or a recipe book for traders and programmers. Several chapters are devoted to general-equilibrium models that pratictioners are not likely to find useful. However, the essentials of derivative asset pricing and the term structure are also covered. The latest edition even includes a chapter on corporate finance.

    Finally, this book is pretty much self-contained. All the graduate-level math results used in the proofs are presented either in the main body of the book, or in appendices.

    5 out of 5 stars Demanding but rewarding!.......2003-09-30

    First of all, this book is for people with advanced mathematical preparation. Courses in functional analysis, measure theory, stochastic calculus and vector space optimization are in my opinion required for a deep understanding of the material in the book. Fortunately, the appendices are very good and provide many things that can help someone to follow the book.
    In the first four chapters the writer develops the discrete-time theory,in order to provide a better understanding of the underlying ideas which remain the same in the next chapters which deal with the continuous-time setting.
    Although the book needs a lot of effort from the reader, it is unique in that can help you see beyond the mathematics. In other words it USES the mathematics and it isn't just a layout of theorems and proofs.
    Of course it can't be compared with books like Hull as it isn't accessible to everyone. But someone with the mathematical preparation , who has read Hull , should buy this book and he will never regret it.

    5 out of 5 stars best intro of finance for math guys.......2001-12-03

    I am taking a phd level course which uses this book. For math guys, SDE and MG theory covered in this book are fine, but it is still somekind of tricky to fill in some details of proof. As author said, the latter chapters are just repeating the first two chapters in a fancy math way. It is better to understand the first two chapters very well and then go further. For optimal portfolio and consumption part, I prefer Merton's notes and his CTF. Whatever, this book is great and very neat for integrating the whole theory.

    4 out of 5 stars A tricky book.......2001-11-03

    This book, whilst being very impressive i didn't really find helpful as a learning tool. A good knowledge of the subject is required otherwise it is almost impossible to follow.

    I'm studying a masters in finance, and would say it goes well beyond what we need to know for such a course. Maybe maths & finance students would cover things in this.

    I am amazed that people actually use such a comllicated book in practice!!
    Dynamics of Markets: Econophysics and Finance
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • So what?
    • Good summary of the literature
    • McCauley complements Keynes and Mandelbrot
    • Some strengths, some weaknesses
    • Dynamics of Markets - Econophysics and Finance
    Dynamics of Markets: Econophysics and Finance
    Joseph L. McCauley
    Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 0521824478

    Book Description

    Standard texts and research in economics and finance ignore the absence of evidence from the analysis of real, unmassaged market data to support the notion of Adam Smith's stabilizing Invisible Hand. In stark contrast, this text introduces a new empirically-based model of financial market dynamics that explains the volatility of prices options correctly and clarifies the instability of financial markets. The emphasis is on understanding how real markets behave, not how they hypothetically 'should' behave.

    Customer Reviews:

    1 out of 5 stars So what? .......2007-03-26

    I am a 3rd year PhD student in Financial Economics, and although I should confess that I only browsed the book, not having fully read it (sorry about that...), I must say that this approach totally misses the target. I recommend anyone who is interested in knowing why to look up the following book review:

    [...]

    Have fun.

    4 out of 5 stars Good summary of the literature.......2007-01-10

    I think this book is nicely written and covers a variety of subjects. What I missed while reading it was more applied examples.

    4 out of 5 stars McCauley complements Keynes and Mandelbrot.......2005-02-01

    McCauley's(M) book definitely should be in the library of any technically trained (BA or BS degree in mathematics or statistics and a BA or BS in economics or finance) reader who is aware of the constant failure of neoclassical economics(and its modern variates such as rational expectations,real business cycle theory,monetarism,or supplyside economics), econometrics(Tinbergen,Frisch,Haavelmo and ,unfortunately,"Keynesian"econometricians like Modigliani,Tobin,Klein,and Solow) and financial analysts(Fama,Black,Merton,Scholes,Sharpe,Osborne,Markowitz and Cootner)to explain and forecast turning points in the business cycles of various countries and/or turning points in various financial markets(stock,commodity,real estate,currency,bond,money or derivatives)at any time in the last century,at least,using the assumption of normality(normal,lognormal,bivariate normal,multivariate normal,approximately normal,etc.).M presents a stochastic model based on the application of Green's Theorem to predict the future values of different options contracts(pp.180-192)that avoids the incorrect assumption of normality.M emphasizes changes in returns,as opposed to changes in prices a la Mandelbrot(pp.73-75).Again, the incorrect assumption of normality is avoided.This reviewer views these developments as occurring within the framework established by Mandelbrot no later than 1966.M is developing and improving aspects of Mandelbrot's general approach.However,there are three areas of M's book that need to be revised in a future edition.The first is his analysis of the classical-neoclassical concept of equilibrium and the process of adjustment involved over time.The argument made by neoclassical economists is that the economy( and all markets)is self equilibrating and always tending to or converging toward the optimal equilibrium point,although in point of fact,due to a constant set of external shocks,this equilibrium position is never reached.Thus, all short-run transactions may or may not be made at disequilibrium prices with no recontracting possible.The result,in the short run,is non optimal.However, in the long run,all of the losses and/or gains from such disequilibrium positions cancel or average out so that the resulting process can be analyzed "as if" the different markets were actually attaining equilibriums.Of course,all changes in market prices are assumed to be normally distributed around the equilibrium,market clearing price which is the average(arithmetic mean)of a normal probability distribution.This argument also is incorrect,but is much more difficult to refute since it is much more sophisticated ,using(misusing)the law of large numbers and the central limit theorem without ever actually examining the basic data.M needs to fine tune his basically sound critique to deal with the more sophisticated version of the neoclassical argument.If he does not,the neoclassical response will be that he does not understand microeconomic price theory.Second, Mandelbrot should not be bracketed with the likes of Markowitz Osborne,Sharpe,Black,Scholes,Merton,etc., on p.4 .Mandelbrot has, in fact,been clearly opposed,since the early 1960's, to the type of theoretical and statistical analysis and result that has been published by this group of economists and financial analysts.Third,M appears to have never read Keynes's A Treatise on Probability(1921;TP) or the 1939-40 exchange between Tinbergen and Keynes over the logical foundations of the basic econometric technique of multiple regression and correlation analysis ,as it regards forecasting of the business cycle.Keynes's complete argument can be found in chapter 17,pp.205-214,and chapters 29,30, 32,and 33 of the TP.Keynes always argued that,outside of the fields of life and physical science,the normal distribution was rather special and limited in application. The use of it required clearcut empirical testing of the data before normality could be assumed.Finally,Keynes's analytic tool in the General Theory(1936) is to show that the general case in macroeconomics is the existence of multiple stable equiibria.This describes the commodity or output market.The labor market is a function of changes in the commodity market.The labor market is in a state of constant disequilibrium,equilibrium only possibly occurring in the special case of a global optimum being obtained in the commodity market.M is correct that the analysis in most markets should be based on excess demand functions.Keynes arrived at this approach in 1936.A set of D=Z functions(functions clearly defined by Keynes in the GT and analyzed by Keynes in chapters 20 and 21 of the GT) define a locus of points that Keynes called the AGGREGATE SUPPLY CURVE.Only one of these points gives a global optimum.The economics profession has made a bloody mess of Keynes's mathematical analysis since the publication of the GT in 1936,constantly confusing the expected aggregate supply function,Z,with the aggregate supply curve,D=Z.M's treatment of Keynes is deficient and needs to be fixed in a later edition.A complete mathematical analysis of Keynes's theory of effective demand is contained in Brady(2004),"Essays on JM Keynes and..."

    3 out of 5 stars Some strengths, some weaknesses .......2004-12-28

    The book serves up a very interesting and enlightening alternative to traditional economic thought in a variety of different contexts. I would certainly recommend it to any graduate student of physics or economics seeking to have a well rounded view the financial world.

    The great weakness of this text is that the author seems to more than simply disagree with traditional economic theory, he despises it. That might not by itself be so great a weakness if the theory offered up in its stead were compelling, but, the author's passion notwithstanding, that is not the case here. The math aside, in tone and method this book reminds me very much of books authored by Intelligent Design advocates, seeking more to destroy the prominent competing theory than to present a coherent theory of its own.

    Perhaps such passion is needed to get the neoclassical economists to pay attention. As in many things, I suspect the two schools of thought have much to teach one another.

    On a more practical level, this is not a book for those who have not had a very solid grounding in mathematics, and likely unsuitable for all but the brightest, and most mathematically inclined, undergraduates.

    5 out of 5 stars Dynamics of Markets - Econophysics and Finance.......2004-12-10

    Dynamics of Markets - Econophysics and Finance

    by Joseph McCauley

    reviewed by: Enrico Scalas

    In 1720, Newton invested his money in the South Sea bubble and lost £20000, a lot of money in those days [1].
    So, physicists do not always do it better in financial markets.

    Having said that, let us now go on and consider the merits and limits of this book by Joseph McCauley.

    The book is divided into nine chapters. Chapters 1, 3, 8 and 9 cover material from epistemology (ch. 1), probability theory (ch. 3), fluid dynamics (ch. 8), and the theory of computation (ch. 9). Chapters 2, 4, 5,6 and 7 are mainly devoted to economics and finance. Namely, chapter 2 critically reviews the general theory of equilibrium, chapter 4 is on the dynamics of markets, chapter 5 and 6 present portfolio selection theory and
    option pricing, respectively, and, finally, chapter 7 is a criticism of thermodynamic analogies in finance.

    The range of interests of the author is overwhelming and this book is the first attempt to put together many concepts taken from various disciplines in a coordinate view. I am a fan of this method and I much appreciate the effort of the author. However, this is also a limit, as the reader looking for recipes to price options or to select a suitable portfolio will be somehow disappointed. In the very same way, those looking for a
    rational criticism of neo-classical assumptions in economics are likely to read the chapters on option pricing without great passion.

    In a short review, it is impossible to take into account all the aspects of McCauley's book.
    I will just discuss one: equilibrium in economics. But, before that, let me underline that this is the first book in Econophysics where everything in finance is done by explicitly formulating and calculating Green functions. Second, the author presents the European option price predictions in a closed algebraic form and, third, Gaussian returns play no role in the predictions fully based on the empirical distribution.

    The author presents a nice criticism of the concept of equilibrium in economics which, in itself, is worth
    buying and reading the book. The arguments are scattered throughout the book, as the author is interested
    in discussing the behaviour of financial market. For economics and finance, the author provides convincing evidence that the only legitimate form of equilibrium is vanishing excess demand. But price fluctuations in actual financial markets cannot be effectively explained by a sequence of different economic equilibria determined by varying exogenous factors. Then, the only possibility is that excess demand is considered as a stochastic process leading to diffusive models for price (or return) dynamics. Thus, the use of the Green-function formalism in Finance is a natural and logical choice.

    McCauley's discussion on equilibrium would have been helped by reference to Kaldor's 1972 paper on the irrelevance of equilibrium economics [2]. Kaldor's point of view coincides with the one of McCauley when he argues that ultimately theories must be confronted with the real world. In discussing the difference between an axiomatic theorem and a scientific theory, Kaldor quotes Einstein: << Physics constitute a logical system of thought which is in a state of evolution, whose basis cannot be distilled, as it were, from experience by an inductive
    method, but can only be arrived at by free invention. The justification (truth content) of the system rests in the verification of the derived propositions by sense experiences. The skeptic will say: "it may well be true that this system of equations is reasonable from a logical standpoint. But it does not prove that it corresponds to nature". You are right, dear skeptic. Experience alone can decide on truth. >> [3]

    Also in this book, as in many contemporary books, there are various misprints and the constant reference to wrong equation numbers is disturbing.

    I think that this book can be read with profit both by physicists interested in complex systems and by economists interested in the principles of their discipline. Economists can always refer to Newton's example mentioned above, when they read in the book about the success of physicists in finance.

    References

    [1] C. Reed, "The Damn'd South Sea" Britain's greatest financial speculation and its unhappy ending, documented in a rich Harvard collection. Harvard Magazine, May-June 1999.

    [2] N. Kaldor, "The Irrelevance of Equilibrium Economics", The Economic Journal, vol. 82, n. 328, 1237-1255, 1972.

    [3] A. Einstein, "Ideas and Opinions", Gramercy; Reprint edition (December 12, 1988).
    Six Sigma Team Dynamics: The Elusive Key to Project Success
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Insightful!
    • Great book to build great six sigma teams !
    • Insightful!
    • Eckes Fills Critical Void in Six Sigma Literature
    • A Must for the Library
    Six Sigma Team Dynamics: The Elusive Key to Project Success
    George Eckes , and Sandra Derickson
    Manufacturer: Wiley
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    Similar Items:
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    ASIN: 0471222771

    Book Description

    A full, expert discussion of the last major component of Six Sigma implementation
    George Eckes' first two books on Six Sigma-The Six Sigma Revolution and Making Six Sigma Last-dealt with Six Sigma from a strategic level and from a cultural level, respectively. Six Sigma Team Dynamics covers the last component of Six Sigma-improving team processes. The successful completion of Six Sigma depends on teams working together and applying a proven methodology that defines, measures, analyzes, improves, and controls the process. These team dynamics and the roles and responsibilities of all constituencies are the last remaining key to successful Six Sigma implementation.

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Insightful!.......2004-06-09

    This book is one of the few thorough, detailed, systematic guides to team leadership in the context of Six Sigma. Those assigned to lead or participate in Six Sigma teams will find it hands-on practical and consistently useful. To use this specific approach to team management, you need to be familiar with the Six Sigma concept and process already. Then, this straightforward, explanatory manual will take you step by step, list by list, through the task of facilitating a successful team, from establishing a plan to dealing with problem personalities. It isn't exactly juicy reading, except for the lively illustrative anecdotes, and the grammar is occasionally awkward given the jargon involved, but this focused package of instructions will help you get the job done effectively and efficiently. We recommend it enthusiastically to managers who are embarking upon, or already involved in, a Six Sigma team management process.

    5 out of 5 stars Great book to build great six sigma teams !.......2003-11-06

    This book is a must read for everyone who works on projects...
    George Eckes explains how meetings could be drastically improved, how to prepare a meeting, how a project should start, live... What are the important check-points...
    I have personnaly used the methods described in this book and I'm now totally convinced that a team well driven can boost the performance a lot higher than initial assumptions...
    Don't miss it, it's a great opportunity to learn more about human aspects of six sigma...

    4 out of 5 stars Insightful!.......2003-10-15

    This book is one of the few thorough, detailed, systematic guides to team leadership in the context of Six Sigma. Those assigned to lead or participate in Six Sigma teams will find it hands-on practical and consistently useful. To use this specific approach to team management, you need to be familiar with the Six Sigma concept and process already. Then, this straightforward, explanatory manual will take you step by step, list by list, through the task of facilitating a successful team, from establishing a plan to dealing with problem personalities. It isn't exactly juicy reading, except for the lively illustrative anecdotes, and the grammar is occasionally awkward given the jargon involved, but this focused package of instructions will help you get the job done effectively and efficiently. We recommend it enthusiastically to managers who are embarking upon, or already involved in, a Six Sigma team management process.

    5 out of 5 stars Eckes Fills Critical Void in Six Sigma Literature.......2003-01-08

    Whether new to Six Sigma or working in an established deployment, this book is for you. Until now, no books have confronted the Six Sigma Team function issue head on. Kudos to George Eckes for identifying this critical gap and plugging it!

    As an established deployment leader at a large firm, I can attest to the fact that team dynamics is one of the biggest factors in success or failure of Six Sigma projects. Eckes' book is an easy read, using a fictional team throughout that keeps the reading light and interesting, while imparting valuable tools and techniques to improve your teams. From clarifying roles and responsibilities of team participants to providing specific intervention techniques for maladaptive behaviors, this book is packed with things you can use today. No matter what role you play on a Six Sigma team - Champion, Black/Green Belt, or Master Black Belt - you will find keys to better team interactions to allow you to deliver the results your company needs to succeed.

    Terrific bonuses include common pitfalls in team dynamics you should avoid, a list of 95 questions champions should ask their project teams and tools templates you can put to work to improve your information flow.

    This book is now required reading for all our Master Black Belts and soon to be incorporated in to our Champion eduction. If you want to improve your team's results, I highly recommend this book.

    5 out of 5 stars A Must for the Library.......2002-12-07

    I really enjoyed reading this book. It flows easy and the concepts are practical. This book makes helps put the team side of Six Sigma into focus. There are plenty of tools books, but few to help the team leader (Black Belt) deal with the facilitation side of the project. The examples and recommendations are a great help. I consider this a must for a good Six Sigma library.

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