There Was a Time


Frank White - 2017
    A Lincolnshire village on a glorious summer's morning in 1940, the countryside as still as a painting. In the blue sky above, the fate of the whole war will soon rest with the RAF and their desperate effort to win the Battle of Britain. If they fail, Hitler's next step will be invasion. And as the scene comes to life before us over the next six months, this shadow of war will not disappear - the conflict will take husbands and sons away, bring in evacuees from the city and soldiers to defend the coast. There will be more money from war work, but less to spend it on - legitimately at least. Everywhere, the feeling of change is in the air. From the pub to the church, the humblest cottage to the biggest farm, from a struggling single mother to the lady of the manor, the paper boy to a traumatised bomb disposal volunteer, this superb jewel of a novel portrays a community of people and weaves together their stories with passion, betrayal, intrigue and suspense.

How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness


Russ Roberts - 2014
    But few people know that when it came to the behavior of individuals—the way we perceive ourselves, the way we treat others, and the decisions we make in pursuit of happiness—the Scottish philosopher had just as much to say. He developed his ideas on human nature in an epic, sprawling work titled The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Most economists have never read it, and for most of his life, Russ Roberts was no exception. But when he finally picked up the book by the founder of his field, he realized he’d stumbled upon what might be the greatest self-help book that almost no one has read.In How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life, Roberts examines Smith’s forgotten masterpiece, and finds a treasure trove of timeless, practical wisdom. Smith’s insights into human nature are just as relevant today as they were three hundred years ago. What does it takes to be truly happy? Should we pursue fame and fortune or the respect of our friends and family? How can we make the world a better place? Smith’s unexpected answers, framed within the rich context of current events, literature, history, and pop culture, are at once profound, counter-intuitive, and highly entertaining. In reinvigorating this neglected classic, this book provides us with an invaluable look at human behavior through the lens of one of history’s greatest minds.

The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power


Joel Bakan - 2003
    Eminent Canadian law professor and legal theorist Joel Bakan contends that today's corporation is a pathological institution, a dangerous possessor of the great power it wields over people and societies.In this revolutionary assessment of the history, character, and globalization of the modern business corporation, Bakan backs his premise with the following observations:-The corporation’s legally defined mandate is to pursue relentlessly and without exception its own economic self-interest, regardless of the harmful consequences it might cause to others. -The corporation’s unbridled self-interest victimizes individuals, society, and, when it goes awry, even shareholders and can cause corporations to self-destruct, as recent Wall Street scandals reveal. -Governments have freed the corporation, despite its flawed character, from legal constraints through deregulation and granted it ever greater authority over society through privatization.But Bakan believes change is possible and he outlines a far-reaching program of achievable reforms through legal regulation and democratic control.Featuring in-depth interviews with such wide-ranging figures as Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman, business guru Peter Drucker, and cultural critic Noam Chomsky, The Corporation is an extraordinary work that will educate and enlighten students, CEOs, whistle-blowers, power brokers, pawns, pundits, and politicians alike.

The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It


Robert B. Reich - 2020
    After years of stagnant wages, volatile job markets, and an unwillingness by those in power to deal with profound threats such as climate change, there is a mounting sense that the system is fixed, serving only those select few with enough money to secure a controlling stake. With the characteristic clarity and passion that has made him a central civil voice, Robert B. Reich shows how wealth and power have interacted to install an elite oligarchy, eviscerate the middle class, and undermine democracy. Using Jamie Dimon, the chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase as an example, Reich exposes how those at the top propagate myths about meritocracy, national competitiveness, corporate social responsibility, and the free market to distract most Americans from their accumulation of extraordinary wealth, and power over the system. Instead of answering the call to civic duty, they have chosen to uphold self-serving policies that line their own pockets and benefit their bottom line. Reich's objective is not to foster cynicism, but rather to demystify the system so that we might instill fundamental change and demand that democracy works for the majority once again.

The Motley Fool Guide to Investing for Beginners


The Motley Fool - 2015
    So we’ve created a guide that will show you (or a friend or relative who’s just getting started): * How much you need to start investing. * The key steps for building long-term wealth. * Proven ways to find great companies to buy. Understanding these life-changing concepts will get any investor on the path to financial freedom. Built upon our 13 Steps to Investing Foolishly, The Motley Fool Guide to Investing for Beginners includes our top investors’ biggest mistakes, insights into different styles of investing, and much more. Plus, you get 3 great stock picks that we think could make a strong foundation to any portfolio.

Digital Gold: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money


Nathaniel Popper - 2015
    Believers from Beijing to Buenos Aires see the potential for a financial system free from banks and governments. More than just a tech industry fad, Bitcoin has threatened to decentralize some of society’s most basic institutions.An unusual tale of group invention, Digital Gold charts the rise of the Bitcoin technology through the eyes of the movement’s colorful central characters, including an Argentinian millionaire, a Chinese entrepreneur, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, and Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Already, Bitcoin has led to untold riches for some, and prison terms for others.

The Educated Franchisee: Find the Right Franchise for You


Rick Bisio - 2008
    There is nothing more expensive than ignorance -- let The Educated Franchisee serve as your guide for selecting a franchise that meets your needs!The Educated Franchisee will teach you:-- How to find a franchise that is right for you.-- How owning a franchise can create wealth.-- Where to find quality franchisors.-- What qualities franchisors look for in a franchisee.-- How to gather information from franchisees.-- How to make sure the franchise makes money.-- How to confidently select the best franchise advisors.-- The five keys to long-term success as a franchise.

Resurrect


Kane Gilmour - 2011
     A century and a half later, his descendent and legions of devoted followers plan to take over more than just the Middle Kingdom. When alpine engineer and mountaineer Jason Quinn, a man with a past mired in tragedy and violence, meets archeologist Dr. Eva Rayjek after a plane crash in the high Himalaya, neither of them are expecting wave after wave of Chinese assassins intent on killing them. Pursued to America, the frozen ice of the Gulf of Finland, and the heights of Hong Kong, Quinn and Eva connect her investigations with the machinations of charismatic shipping magnate and cathedral-builder, David Hong. As a scheme to obtain a private audience with the Pope at the Vatican comes to fruition, Hong’s fanatical followers are preparing for global warfare. If Quinn fails to stop Hong’s plan, the entire Catholic Church just might crumble. RESURRECT is the first book in the Jason Quinn series. Fans of Matthew Reilly, Jeremy Robinson, James Rollins, and Clive Cussler should all enjoy this first adventure in the exploits of mountaineer Jason Quinn. PRAISE FOR GILMOUR: "RESURRECT by Kane Gilmour is a smart, taut thriller that takes the genre forged by Clive Cussler and makes it fresh again. The combination of history, conspiracy and explosive action makes the book impossible to put down. Highly recommended!" —Jeremy Robinson, bestselling author of INSTINCT and THRESHOLD "If you're a fan of thrillers, and you haven't read Kane Gilmour's Resurrect, you need your head examined. Quickly. Gilmour mixes Clive Cussler with Matthew Reilly, then adds a healthy dose of his own style. The result is a debut novel that stands with the best in the genre and leaves you ready to pound on Gilmour's door demanding the sequel." —Edward G. Talbot, author of 2012: THE FIFTH WORLD and NEW WORLD ORDERS “I know I’m not the first to say it, but it bears repeating. Kane Gilmour has tapped into the same creative vein that energized Clive Cussler’s earlier Dirk Pitt novels. It’s all there, from the pitch perfect character chemistry to over-the-top action. If you’ve been craving some old school Cussler, you really need to read RESURRECT.” —Sean Ellis, author of INTO THE BLACK and MAGIC MIRROR “I understand that RESURRECT is a first novel and to say it was impressive would be an understatement. A very entertaining action thriller. Well paced and hard to put down.” —E. Bard, ThrillReads and Reviews ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kane Gilmour has lived all over the world. He has worked as a physical therapy assistant in the U. S. Air Force, as a clerk in various retail positions, as a human trash compactor for a freight company, and as a teacher, a teacher-trainer, and a teacher of teacher-trainers. Recently, he has worked as an editor for an IT firm and as a freelance editor for thriller authors. RESURRECT is his first novel. Kane lives with his wife, son, and newborn daughter in the wilds of Central Vermont.

A Brief Guide to World Domination


Chris Guillebeau - 2008
    

Beyond Candlesticks: New Japanese Charting Techniques Revealed


Steve Nison - 1994
    The man who revolutionized technical analysis by introducing Japanese candlestick charting techniques to Western traders is back--this time with a quartet of powerful Japanese techniques never before published or used in the West. Stunningly effective on their own, these new techniques pack an even greater wallop when teamed up with traditional trading, investing, or hedging strategies, and Steve Nison shows you how to do it. Beyond Candlesticks provides step-by-step instructions, detailed charts and graphs, and clear-cut guidance on tracking and analyzing results--everything you need to pick up these sharp new tools and take your place at the cutting edge of technical analysis. Critical praise for Steve Nison's first book . . destined to become the classic reference on the subject. --Charles Lebeau and David Lucas Technical Trader's Bulletin I believe Steve Nison's new candlestick book is destined to become one of the truly great books for this time period.. Whether you trade futures, commodities, or equities, day trade or hold positions overnight, this book is a must. --Lee Siegfried Investor's Library, Data Broadcasting Corp. It is hard to be too effusive about the quality of NiSon's work . this is clearly one of the best investment books ever written in terms of covering a subject with pedagogical ability and writing skill. The organization is impeccable . reading it was a pleasure. --Commodity Traders Consumer Report

The Forward Book of Poetry 2014


Jeanette Winterson - 2013
    The anthology - the 22nd of its kind - is introduced by Jeannette Winterson. If you buy only one poetry book this year, this deserves to be it.

The Million Dollar Decision: Get Out of the Rigged Game of Investing and Add a Million to Your Net Worth


Robert Rolih - 2017
    That is why a typical investor loses more than one million dollars in his/her investing career (see pages 172-175). The GOOD news is that you can smile now because finally there is a simple solution. Robert Rolih will share with you the details and secret subtleties that will enable you to fire your financial adviser, take control of your money and investments and outperform the pros - while spending only a few hours per year. By reading The Million Dollar Decision, you'll finally discover how to make sure your invested money works for you - and not for the financial industry: The Six Dark Forces of Investing: if you don't learn what these forces are, you will never be able to invest profitably. Get to know them, and Darth Vader will seem like a good guy to you. The Commission Camouflage Effect: learn how the financial industry takes most of your future returns - without you even being aware of it. The most important formula of your financial life: Financial Success Formula. This is an entirely new philosophy on personal finance and investing that will, quite literally, save you financially. If you have adult children, you will want to share it with them right away. Financial safety with the A.R.M.O.R. Formula: even if you are the kindest and most positive person, something unforeseen can happen that turns everything around. Use this simple formula to prevent financial disasters from disrupting your financial security. Selecting the right financial products and minimizing risk: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, index funds, gold, silver. Get a clear answer on how to make the right choices. Investing for retirement or to grow your wealth simply can't get easier! How to beat Richard Branson's speed of creating wealth with one smart move? No hype. Just facts. This will come as a total surprise for you. Short-Term Investing Slaughterhouse: learn the sad truth about short-term trading. If you are thinking about trading stocks, Forex, binary options and other instruments, this chapter will be a life saver. How to get out of the rigged game of investing and add a million to your net worth in just a couple of hours per year? By reading this book you'll have total confidence in yourself when investing and outperform even the experts in just a couple of hours per year. Add this book to cart now and make your Million Dollar Decision! "Being a doctor of medicine I have never enjoyed books about personal finance and investing.

Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth


Margaret Atwood - 2007
    She doesn’t talk about high finance or managing money; instead, she goes far deeper to explore debt as an ancient and central motif in religion, literature, and the structure of human societies. By looking at how debt has informed our thinking from preliterate times to the present day, from the stories we tell of revenge and sin to the way we order social relationships, Atwood argues that the idea of what we owe may well be built into the human imagination as one of its most dynamic metaphors. Her final lecture addresses the notion of a debt to nature and the need to find new ways of interacting with the natural world before it is too late.

After the Music Stopped: The Financial Crisis, the Response, and the Work Ahead


Alan S. Blinder - 2013
    financial system, which had grown far too complex for its own good-and too unregulated for the public good-experienced a perfect storm beginning in 2007. When America's financial structure crumbled, the damage proved to be not only deep, but wide. It took the crisis for the world to discover, to its horror, just how truly interconnected-and fragile-the global financial system is. The second part of the story explains how American and international government intervention kept us from a total meltdown. Many of the U.S. government's actions, particularly the Fed's, were previously unimaginable. And to an amazing-and certainly misunderstood-extent, they worked. The worst did not happen. Blinder offers clear-eyed answers to the questions still before us, even if some of the choices ahead are as divisive as they are unavoidable. After the Music Stopped is an essential history that we cannot afford to forget, because one thing history teaches is that it will happen here again.

God's Bankers: A History of Money and Power at the Vatican


Gerald Posner - 2015
    (The New York Times).From a master chronicler of legal and financial misconduct, a magnificent investigation nine years in the making, this book traces the political intrigue and inner workings of the Catholic Church. Decidedly not about faith, belief in God, or religious doctrine, this book is about the church's accumulation of wealth and its byzantine entanglements with financial markets across the world. Told through 200 years of prelates, bishops, cardinals, and the Popes who oversee it all, Gerald Posner uncovers an eyebrow-raising account of money and power in perhaps the most influential organization in the history of the world.God's Bankers has it all: a rare expose and an astounding saga marked by poisoned business titans, murdered prosecutors, mysterious deaths of private investigators, and questionable suicides; a carnival of characters from Popes and cardinals, financiers and mobsters, kings and prime ministers; and a set of moral and political circumstances that clarify not only the church's aims and ambitions, but reflect the larger dilemmas of the world's more recent history. And Posner even looks to the future to surmise if Pope Francis can succeed where all his predecessors failed: to overcome the resistance to change in the Vatican's Machiavellian inner court and to rein in the excesses of its seemingly uncontrollable financial quagmire. Part thriller, part financial tell-all, this book shows with extraordinary precision how the Vatican has evolved from a foundation of faith to a corporation of extreme wealth and power.