The irrational economist : making decisions in a dangerous world

 The past year has been eye-opening for economists, suggesting that free markets are far from self-correcting and that people do not, in fact, behave rationally, a hard blow for a burgeoning field that aspires to hard science. To make up for that apparent reality gap, this compendium from academics Michel-Kerjan and Slovic broadens the purview of economics by drawing on everything from psychology (behavioral economics) to neurology (neuroeconomics) to underwriting (lessons from catastrophe reinsurance). Many contributors' approaches are so nascent they suggest little more than a direction for exploration, but raise compelling questions regarding the human capacity for irrationality: why, for instance, can the fate of one (imaginary) boy in a helium balloon arrest our sympathy while we ignore the violent deaths of thousands in Darfur? Why do we fail to protect ourselves against likely catastrophic events (only 1 out of 5 California households hold earthquake insurance) while investing millions of dollars to combat highly unlikely terrorist attacks? Allowing for such factors when building economic and other models of human behavior should enhance their predictive power; one essayist reveals how the inevitable failure of New Orleans levees might have been foreseen and prevented. This collection is an intriguing look at the limitations of human knowledge regarding its own nature, especially relevant for the current moment of economic turmoil. --Library Journal (Check catalog)

War at the Wall Street journal : inside the struggle to control an American business empire

 by Sarah Ellison. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), published by Dow Jones, had been family owned for over a century when Rupert Murdoch's bid split the Bancrofts. Although the family had not been actively managing Dow Jones, instead relying on advisers, many were convinced that Murdoch would sensationalize the paper. Others worried about the paper's right-wing editorial slant encroaching on its journalistic bent. Ellison, a former reporter for the WSJ, delves into extraordinary detail on the business and personal disputes that peppered the 2007 acquisition. Keeping track of all the players can be tricky, but a Cast of Characters list at the book's beginning helps. Ellison makes clear that a large reason Murdoch wanted to purchase the WSJ was a rivalry with New York Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. VERDICT This is an ideal read for those heavily interested in media business and tactics, but it might be too detailed for others looking for an overview (point them to the Mar. 8, 2010, New York magazine cover story on Murdoch, "The Raging Septuagenarian"). --Library Journal (Check Catalog)

The performance appraisal handbook

 by Amy DelPo. The Performance Appraisal Handbook is a must-read for every manager, whether they're writing a performance review for the first time or the hundredth. It's packed with the information and tools you need to make their company's appraisal process work better for everyone. Readers will know: • How to write and conduct effective appraisals • How to prevent potential lawsuits stemming from an appraisal • Essential employment law basics. The 2nd edition is completely updated with latest laws and provides sample forms and policies. Also, there is now going to be a CD-ROM which will include the forms, checklists and quizzes from the book. --Publisher (Check Catalog)

Your career game : how game theory can help you achieve your professional goals

 by Nathan Bennett. Bennett (management, Coll. of Management, Georgia Tech.) and Miles (vice chairman, Heidrick & Struggles), coauthors of Riding Shotgun: The Role of the COO, return with a look at how understanding game theory affects careers. The opening chapters focus on viewing your career as "a game where players compete for opportunities" and introduce readers to game theory. Then the authors explain the types of "moves" the reader can make, with specific examples. Central to the book is the chapter on available moves, which includes broad types of moves, and even outlines for topics like "how to win when succeeding saints and sinners," and a discussion of the value and timing of returning for an MBA. Chapters close with at least three topical discussions with current corporate executives and an analysis of those conversations, a nice change from the sometimes abstract chapters. VERDICT Accessible and relevant, this book provides an invigorating new view. Suggested for most libraries, particularly in areas with a mobile workforce. --Library Journal. (Check Catalog)

13 bankers : the Wall Street takeover and the next financial meltdown

 by Simon Johnson. Though this blistering book identifies many causes of the recent financial crisis, from housing policy to minimum capital requirements for banks, the authors lay ultimate blame on a dominant deregulatory ideology and Wall Street's corresponding political influence. Johnson, professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and Kwak, a former consultant for McKinsey, follow American finance's rocky road from the debate between Jefferson and Hamilton over the first Bank of the United States through frequent friction between "Big Finance" and democracy to the Obama administration's responses to the crises. The authors take a highly critical stance toward recent palliative measures, arguing that nationalization of the banks would have been preferable to the bailouts, which have allowed the banks to further consolidate power and resources. Given the swelling size of the six megabanks, the authors make a persuasive case that the financial system cannot be secure until those banks that are "too big to fail" are somehow broken up. This intelligent, nuanced book might be too technical for general-interest readers, but it synthesizes a significant amount of research while advancing a coherent and compelling point of view. --Publishers Weekly. (Check Catalog)

More guerrilla marketing research : asking the right people, the right questions, the right way and effectively using the answers to make more money

 by Robert J. Kaden, et al / This sequel to Kaden's Guerrilla Marketing Research (CH, Jul'06, 43-6639) differs from many other marketing research texts in that basic methods are explained in a nontechnical style that emphasizes their purpose and usefulness rather than the details of operation. Inserting the term "guerilla" in the title implies agility in utilizing unusual or creative approaches in the application of marketing research procedures. Although this publication could benefit those who wish to conduct research on their own, it would be particularly helpful to those who need to understand the basics in order to interact meaningfully with persons or firms conducting the actual research. This volume would also be helpful to managers who require an understanding of marketing research and its place in an organization, for example, to establish budgets or to allocate resources. The authors bring their many years of research experience to their presentation, thus providing practical insights as well as a hands-on guide to marketing research. Examples and tables help to illustrate points made in the text. The final chapter on the future of marketing research is interesting. A bibliography or suggestions for further study would be a useful addition to the book, particularly for those wishing to conduct their own research. --Choice. (Check catalog)