The value of nothing : how to reshape market society and redefine democracy

Raj Patel. Expanding on his analysis and recommendations in Stuffed and Starved, which located the horrifying imbalance in the world's food system in its profit-driven framework, activist and academic Patel critiques "free market culture" at a moment of universal crisis, both economic and environmental. Beginning with a historically grounded account of market society's operative assumptions, "the way capitalism sets the terms of value," Patel takes aim at the notion of "Homo economicus": a vision of human beings as self-interested utility-maximizers integral to market society's dollar-valuation of everything. Through a shrewd and absorbing discussion, Patel exposes the flaws in the "model of the world in which people are... prepared to override their own better judgment in service of their selfish natures" and the nominal separation of the economy and the state, describing the relationship as compromised but also more "plastic" then we are often led to believe. With due attention to the developing world as well as Europe and North America, the author offers examples of the "countermovement" underway and urges us to build on a vision of ourselves far more extensive, generous and hopeful than that confined to market society's Homo economicus. --Publishers Weekly. (Check catalog)

IT Disaster Recovery Planning for Dummies

by Peter Gregory. This work in the popular series contains a common methodology that will help organizations prepare for and recover from different types of disasters. Part I describes the nature of disasters and their effects on business, and takes readers on an end-to-end tour of the entire disaster recovery planning process. Part II contains core components of the disaster recovery plan, with chapters on planning user recovery, facilities protection, system and network recovery, data recovery, and writing the disaster recovery plan. Part III focuses on what happens after the disaster recovery plans are written, with advice on plan testing and descriptions of five common types of tests. A final section (the "Part of Tens") describes 10 disaster recovery planning tools, 11 relevant Web sites, and 10 benefits of disaster recovery planning. Gregory is an information security consultant. (Check Catalog)

The AARP Retirement Survival Guide : how to make smart financial decisions in good times and bad

by Julie Jason. *Starred Review* The AARP brand works extraordinarily well in providing valuable and objective information that readers can put to good use immediately especially on the subjects of health care and finances. Case in point: author (The 401(k) Plan Handbook, 1997, among others) and investment counsel Jason thoroughly and accurately reviews the state of retirement 2009 with full consideration of our current economy. That state includes a solid grounding in the basics (such as the infamous What's your number? discussion), careful outlines of how to approach retirement income products as well as the stock market, and approaches to taxes and to potential advisors. What's unusual is her factual analysis of CDs (featuring a checklist), reverse mortgages, annuities in all shapes and forms (e.g., immediate, equity-indexed, fixed), and guaranteed minimum benefits (in the forms of withdrawal and income benefits). In fact, it's well worth the book's cover price to delve into these somewhat arcane financial instruments if only because the author posits, in plain English, the ups and downs: warnings (e.g., read the prospectus), the workings, the terms to know along with hints, the promises, and a clear statement of what you get for your money. If that isn't clear enough, she creates a fictional case study with numbers and charts, accompanied by a straightforward assessment on ease of understanding, complexity, risks, safety, costs and taxes, and the salesperson's motivation. That approach characterizes all of the chapters, whether on tax-deferred accounts or sales scams to avoid. Resources and research cinch the deal to consider this top of the borrower's pile. --Booklist. (Check Catalog)