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S.H. Axilrod (Get the Book)
Axilrod (Federal Reserve staffer, 1952-86) takes on the task of explaining the system's intricacies. After an introduction covering central banking basics, he uses a question-and answer format to describe the organization, powers, objectives, and methods of the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed). In the chapter covering instruments of monetary policy, he looks at how Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decisions adapt to market uncertainties, how open market operations avoid creating inflation, and whether monetary policy influences spending. Where there are gray areas, Axilrod offers his interpretations. His explanations often run several pages and, while not overly technical, do require readers to have some financial background. The problem comes in fulfilling the book's conflicting goals of clarifying the Fed for a broad public audience while still being of interest to professionals. The level of detail here is more than general readers will want to wade through and too little for seasoned Fed watchers. Verdict The book's likely audience is among students of finance and economics. Readers wishing the ultimate insider's take on the Federal Reserve's reaction to the 2007 financial crisis would find Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke's 2013 The Federal Reserve and the Financial Crisis a lucid and accessible account. [On October 9, Janet Yellen was nominated by President Obama to be the Fed's new chief; if confirmed, she would be the first woman in the bank's 100-year-history to hold that position. --Library Journal
by Brian J. O'Connor (Get the Book)
O'Connor, a personal finance editor and syndicated "Funny Money" columnist at the Detroit News, bases this guide on a series he wrote for the paper on coping with the Great Recession, and here conducts a 10-week experiment to cut his family's monthly living expenses by $1,000. Each category (transportation, child care) is addressed in a chapter that offers budget-trimming suggestions. The author's agile wit elevates the book above similar titles. Though O'Connor may hope to join the likes of Suze Orman, the fact that he is struggling to support his family via his newspaper writing makes him more relatable. Suggestions range from the obvious (refinancing the mortgage), to the ingenious (finding a variety of sources of affordable child care for a special-needs child). O'Connor also writes, hilariously, of cost-cutting strategies gone awry-such as roasting four on-sale whole chickens at once using budget beer. The fact that O'Connor actually succeeded in his experiment lends credibility to this funny, pragmatic guide, which will have you laughing all the way to the bank. --Publishers Weekly
Handle employee problems effectively, without getting into legal trouble. Dealing With Problem Employees provides proven techniques that will help you get employees back on track. Every workplace has occasional problems with employees. This book is packed with the legal and practical information you need to handle those problems without getting into legal trouble. It provides proven techniques—and immediate solutions. (summary)
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by Jerry Covey (Get the Book)
In Board Basics: A Primer for Nonprofit Board Members author Jerry Covey brings a fresh, new voice to the world of governance how-to with this sleek, no-nonsense primer on board fundamentals. Board Basics is written in a concise format that provides a strong foundation for beginning and experienced nonprofit board members. Written in short, direct chapters the volume provides readers with essential information and arms them with the kinds of questions and insights that generate deeper understanding of their organization and their role in governing it. If new to the board experience, this book will get you up-to-speed quickly and help you orient to the tasks, limits, and risks of your new role, while giving you the tools and processes that are indispensable for sound decision making. Even seasoned board members will benefit from this primer, as it will revisit core governance principles and invite reflection on a board's growth and development. A central theme of Board Basics is that knowledge and appropriate action are the foundation of effective leadership. Each chapter builds on this theme by providing nuts-and-bolts advice that empowers board members to appreciate and maximize their governance role, while increasing knowledge and defining the actions required to grow in their new positions. (Summary)
