There Must Be a Pony in Here Somewhere: The AOL Time Warner Debacle and the Quest for the Digital Future
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Enjoyable account of the AOL Time Warner deal
  • This is not just about AOL
  • The story of people behind the rise and fall of AOL
  • Crash of the Titans
  • Wonderful, Easy to Read Perspective on AOL-Time Warner Deal
There Must Be a Pony in Here Somewhere: The AOL Time Warner Debacle and the Quest for the Digital Future
Kara Swisher
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Strategy & CompetitionStrategy & Competition | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1400049644
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Book Description

“AOL had found itself at the edge of disaster so frequently that one of its first executives, a brassy Vietnam veteran and restaurateur named Jim Kimsey, had taken the punch line of an old joke popularized by Ronald Reagan and made it into an unlikely mantra for the company. It concerned a very optimistic young boy who happened upon a huge pile of horse manure and began digging excitedly. When someone asked him what he was doing covered in muck, the foolish boy answered brightly, ‘There must be a pony in here somewhere!’” —From the Prologue

If you’re wondering what happened after “a company without assets acquired a company without a clue,” as Kara Swisher wryly writes, it’s time to crack open this trenchant book about the doomed merger of America Online and Time Warner. On a quest to discover how the deal of the century became the messiest merger in history, Swisher delivers a rollicking narrative and a keen analysis of this debacle that is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand what it all means for the digital future. Packed with new revelations and on-the-record interviews with key players, it is the first detailed examination of the merger’s aftermath and also looks forward to what is coming next.

It certainly has not been a pretty picture so far—with $100 billion in losses, a sinking stock price, employees in revolt, and lawsuits galore. As Swisher writes, “It is hard not to feel a bit queasy about the whole sorry mess...It felt a bit like I was watching someone fall down a flight of stairs in slow motion, and every bump and thump made me wince. It made me reassess old ideas and wonder what I had gotten wrong. And it left me deeply confused as to what had happened and, more important, what was coming next.”

For Swisher, finding the answers to what went awry is important because she remains a staunch believer in the digital future—maybe not in the AOL Time Warner merger, but in the essential idea at the heart of it that someday the distinction of old and new media will no longer exist. Borrowing from Winston Churchill, Swisher calls it “the end of the beginning” of the digital revolution. “By that, I mean that it is from the ashes of this bust that the really important companies of the next era will emerge. And that evolution will, I believe, be shaped by what happened—and what is happening now—at AOL Time Warner.”

To figure it all out, Swisher takes her reader on a journey that begins with a portrait of two wildly different corporate cultures and businesses that somehow came to believe, in the crucible of the red-hot Internet era, that they could successfully join forces and achieve unprecedented growth and success. When the merger was announced in early 2000, the irresistible combination was hailed as the new paradigm and its executives—Steve Case, Jerry Levin, Bob Pittman—as popular icons of the future. But after the boom so spectacularly turned to bust and the visions of New Media Supremacy lay in ruins, Swisher searches for clues about where the merger went wrong and who is to blame.

More important, she looks to the future of both AOL Time Warner and the Internet as she seeks to answer the key question that the noise of the disaster has all but drowned out. Will the demise of the AOL Time Warner merger be the final and inevitable chapter of the dot-com debacle or will it herald a new paradigm altogether? This book, then, is a primer for the time to come, using the story of the AOL Time Warner merger as the vehicle to show the troubled journey into the future.

“Swisher narrates human foible and brilliance, a train-wreck tale brightened by plenty of personality—including her own, sparkling through in laugh-out-loud observations on almost every page.” —Boston Globe

“Swisher displays a finely honed hogwash detector and maps AOL’s inevitable fall with the perfect amount of cynicism and whimsy.” —Newsday

“Swisher delivers a readable account of the gigantic merger and why it didn’t work. She mixes in distinctive humor with hard-core reporting to expose a monumental exercise in ineptness.”—Dallas Morning News

“[Readers] will be entertained by Swisher’s barbed wit and carried along by her expertly constructed narrative.” —Forbes.com

“Swisher moves her narrative along swiftly and adopts a pleasingly irreverent tone...Better yet, Swisher diligently reconstructs the optimism with which many Time Warner officials (including Ted Turner) greeted the merger. The merger was not a total loss...Swisher has produced an enjoyable book about it.” —Washington Post

“Swisher explains in her excellent new book why the merger turned out to be a rotten egg...Pony is a wickedly funny, insider-y tale...Swisher deftly paints the characters of the top executives, then exposes all the bickering and backstabbing.” —San Francisco Weekly

“Swisher has a wicked sense of humor and a keen eye for human foibles and folly.” —Chicago Sun-Times

“[An] entertaining and sharply written analysis of the fateful AOL Time Warner merger.” —Variety.com

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Enjoyable account of the AOL Time Warner deal.......2006-12-15

Swisher's account is lively and engaging. The only quibble I have with it is that she injects herself into the story at several points, inappropriately, it seems to me; she's supposed to be a journalist, isn't she? The story is really not completely objective. But that's a small quibble; the basic facts are fairly presented as they occurred. I did enjoy reading the book.

5 out of 5 stars This is not just about AOL.......2005-11-18

Swisher is a remarkable writer. She is able to capture the personalities, hubris, technological hype, and all the other elements that went into one of the worst merger deals in history. She has a remarkable ability to capture both the substance of the deal points, how both entities came to the position that they did and yet offer larger lessons on corporate America. The book is entertaining and instructive. It would be a great read if you are interested in any of the following topics - the internet bubble, corporate egos, corporate finance, the new versus the old media or if you simply want to read a very entertaining book.

5 out of 5 stars The story of people behind the rise and fall of AOL.......2004-10-30

This book chronicles the saga of the much maligned merger between AOL and Time Warner. A deal that exemplifies the era of dot.com speculations, shady accounting, and wealth created by the absurd free-for-all that was the mid to late `90's. When the bottom dropped out of the dot.com boom the merger left few standing and the biggest single financial loss in corporate history.

The book looks at the storied and unlikely emergence of AOL, through an often dizzying and phoenix-like rising from the ashes of one failed concept after another. Throughout, the narcissistic antics of the leaders of the company are legendary. David Colburn, the famed deal maker at AOL, used particularly colorful language in his wholesale assault on those he sought to best (Page 46), never content to merely close a deal but demoralize people in the process. He is but one of the many examples.

Time Warner head Jerry Levin, who took most of the blame for the disastrous merger, was himself a study in what happens when leaders insulate themselves from feedback. The sections on Levin are perhaps the most interesting. Devastated by the murder of his son, and the events of 9-11, Levin occasionally demonstrated "jerry mcguire-esqe" moments of humanity, including a plea for the organization to dedicate itself to serving the public good. (Page 207) A plea that was met by outright hostility as it was timed with the release of the admission that the new AOL-Time-Warner would miss all of its projected financials. Steve Case, himself a unique individual, is profiled as an enigma. Both eventually take the fall for the financial debacle.

Throughout the book the author provides powerful, yet subtle, glimpses of how real life values and meaning intercede in the "hamster on a wheel" joke that is the true character of many corporate executives. Despite the money and the power, it is clear that many of these leaders were disillusioned and left wondering what life really means.

Of particular interest here is perhaps the best example ever assembled of the power of culture. The culture clash between Time and Warner was never resolved even prior to the even worse clash of the AOL deal. An executive describing the cultural issues existing at Time Warner prior to the deal underscores the magnitude of the gap: "At Warner, if you didn't make mistakes you'd be fired because you were not taking enough chances; At Time the attitude was - don't make mistakes". (Page 73) The clash with AOL was even more severe.

The AOL executives were hated with a passion usually left to sports rivalries and terrorists, and often employees compared the merger to the "Nazi's invading Paris". When several key AOL leaders were ousted it was compared to the fall of the Taliban! There are simply way too many examples of failed due diligence, obviously on the financial and contractual aspects of the deal, but also on the total lack of insight into the devastating impact of the culture clash and poor integration and leadership. Blame flies unabated off of nearly every page on whose fault it was; the brash arrogance of AOL or the stodgy lack of vision at Time Warner, but regardless it is a textbook case study on how important culture and creating shared vision is to success.

I recommend this book highly. There are many lessons to be learned here, and it is an engaging and fun book to read. Well done.

4 out of 5 stars Crash of the Titans.......2003-11-22

Much of Kara Swisher's lively chronicle of the biggest media merger in history is focused on two visionary company leaders: AOL's Steve Case, who made the company into the 800-pound gorilla of cyberspace but could never seem to turn that power into genuine respect; and Time Warner's Gerald Levin, whose efforts to take the venerable media company into a Net-based future met with one failure after another (FSN, Pathfinder). In theory, the merger should have given both partners what they wanted. So what went wrong? Swisher counts the ways, from bad timing (the tech boom of the late 90's was already starting to wane when the merger was first announced) to tumultuous ego clashes between the "young turks" of AOL and the feudalistic "old school" hierarchy of Time Warner. And then, of course, there's the money. Swisher details AOL's "creative" accounting practices, Time Warner's less-than-diligent due diligence (possibly a product of Levin's determination to make the merger happen, no matter what), and the desire on both sides to create a "synergy" of old and new media, with no clear idea on how to make it happen. Synergy was AOL-Time Warner's Holy Grail, all-important but ever-elusive, and when the company failed to get it, the stock price tumbled. Swisher's prose style is accessible and informative. When she offers personal anecdotes or opinions, they are never intrusive or self-important; instead, they add dimension and context to the narrative, fleshing out the how-high-can-we-go? headiness of the late 1990's. My only complaints are minor ones. First, I wish the book contained a "cast list" of the major players for quick reference; when the surnames start flying around (Pittman, Parsons, Colburn, Crawford), it would have been nice to have a reminder of what positions each person held. Also, and this is no fault of Swisher's, the book went to press before the ideal ending could be included: the decision to drop AOL from the company name. (In fairness, Swisher did predict the name change would happen, and she expected it sooner rather than later. Perhaps the paperback edition will feature an extended coda.) When the merger was first announced, Ted Turner, a major stockholder and Warner board member, compared the experience to "that night when [he] first made love some forty-two years ago." By the end of There Must Be a Pony, readers may have much earthier metaphors in mind.

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful, Easy to Read Perspective on AOL-Time Warner Deal.......2003-11-22

I would get this book prior to any trip...it is well-written with an irreverent, breezy style and an eye to the clever phrase or interesting anecdote. It is fun to read. The author, Kara Swisher, not only chronicles the AOL-Time Warner transaction but also provides interesting perspective on the late 90's and early 00's. One could ask why my comments and why this particular book? The book has value in that the author lived through this period, understood the genesis of the acquiring company, AOL, and importantly, was a keen observer of Time Warner (including its key players, Jerry Levin and Ted Turner among others) and the transaction that took place. To give you a sense of her style and perspective, she describes the merger as " a company without any assets acquiring a company without a clue."

What makes the book worthwhile is the author, her style and most importantly, the relationships she established with almost all of the main players. She had extraordinary access to them over time and they were comfortable enough with her to provide their own perspectives in something other than a self serving manner. There are no heroes only fools, some more gullible than others.

Buy it, you'll enjoy it and you will remember to look for Kara Swisher's by-line when you next read the Wall Street Journal.
There Must Be a Pony in Here Somewhere: The AOL Time Warner Debacle and the Quest for a Digital Future
Average customer rating: Not rated
    There Must Be a Pony in Here Somewhere: The AOL Time Warner Debacle and the Quest for a Digital Future
    Kara Swisher , and Lisa Dickey
    Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover
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    1. Crazy Like a Fox: The Inside Story of How Fox News Beat CNN Crazy Like a Fox: The Inside Story of How Fox News Beat CNN

    ASIN: B000F6Z9FU
    There must be a pony!: A novel
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      There must be a pony!: A novel
      Jim Kirkwood
      Manufacturer: Little, Brown
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Unknown Binding
      ASIN: B0007E5OHI
      There Must Be a Pony
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • The innocent son
      • A sensitive and very memorable book
      • For the eternal optimist that lives in all of us...
      • TMBAP is only an appeteaser to Kirkwood's literary banquet.
      • Memorable
      There Must Be a Pony
      James Kirkwood
      Manufacturer: Dell
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Mass Market Paperback

      ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
      Similar Items:
      1. P.S. Your Cat Is Dead P.S. Your Cat Is Dead

      ASIN: 0440202388
      Release Date: 1989-01-02

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars The innocent son.......2006-11-26

      The story is narrated by fifteen year old Josh, son of waning film star Rita Cydney. Rita enjoys a traumatic love life, divorced from Josh's father and with a trail of failed lovers. Enter Ben, the seemingly perfect partner, and father to be for Josh, but then one day Josh discovers Ben's body at the bottom of the Garden with a bullet in his head. But is it suicide or murder, and so the nightmare begins. A fascinating tale, but the real beauty is the writing, which truly conveys the honesty, passion and innocence of the fifteen year old Josh; an absolute joy to read.

      5 out of 5 stars A sensitive and very memorable book.......1999-05-25

      I find it so sad that most of James Kirkwood's books are now out of print. I still have my copy of P.S. Your Cat is Dead. I lent out all of my others over the years and never got them back...now, I'm searching for copies. It makes me crazy to think that an entire generation and generations to come will miss out on this wonderful author. I first read him in my sophmore year of college and was immediately hooked and grabbed every book of his I could find. My college roomate and I fell in love with his writing; much the same way that we did with John Irving. I still feel the connection 25 years later. Each and every one of his books is worth a read. James Kirkwood's life was too short and his work should not be forgotten! HIT ME WITH A RAINBOW is another one not to be missed. Happy reading and good luck to all trying to locate his wonderful work...

      5 out of 5 stars For the eternal optimist that lives in all of us..........1999-01-02

      I believe I have read most, if not all, of James Kirkwood's books. It would be extremely difficult to pick out a 'favorite'. They were all favorites...they still are, though my dog-eared copies have long since mysteriously vanished! But my memories of the writings of this incredible man and the way he could reach into my heart and soul and make me feel so much will never dissappear. As with all of his books, this one pulled me (more than once) through very dark periods of my life, of which there were many. Thankfully, I am more comfortable with myself now. But I will never forget how all of Kirkwood's books provided me with a respite from whatever internal or external turmoil that was going on in my life. How sad that this brilliant writer is no longer writing. Even sadder that his books are so difficult to find. I'm seaching for them all, to read again from a different perspective and to remember where I've been and what lifted my spirits when I really didn't think I had any spirit left.

      5 out of 5 stars TMBAP is only an appeteaser to Kirkwood's literary banquet........1998-04-19

      This was the first of Jimmy Kirkwood's books I read, over 30 years ago, and I was as hooked as I was to Salinger -- in exactly the same way. I related, I experienced, I lived the main character. "P.S. Your Cat Is Dead", will remain my favorite, and I have read them all, but Pony establishes a reader's line of communication with the author on an almost personal level. With one exception, I've read all his work in chronological order. That line, that level, that common bonding, both between reader and author, and between author and underlying content, threads itself through all the novels and plays. In the early 70's, while spending several seasons in the Hamptons, I was fortunate enough to meet and spend some time with Jimmy. To read his work is to know the author, and he, in turn, is a master of turning the mirror toward the reader. Any of his writing is a good place to start, but, in my opinion, Pony is the best beginning. . . and a sure guarantee that you'll search out copies of all the rest. Like his personality, his writing is addictive.

      4 out of 5 stars Memorable.......1998-02-18

      I read this book as a high school sophomore...I can honestly say that it was one of the most inspirational books I've ever had the pleasure to read. On my college applications I wrote about it as the book that most changed my life. I was fortunate enough to find a used copy at a local library sale, and will never part with it again.
      There Must Be a Pony in Here Somewhere (Unabridged)
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        There Must Be a Pony in Here Somewhere (Unabridged)
        Dickey, Kara, Lisa Swisher
        Manufacturer: audible.com
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Audio Download
        ASIN: B0000X8R6G
        There Must Be a Pony in Here Somewhere {Unabridged Audio}
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          There Must Be a Pony in Here Somewhere {Unabridged Audio}

          Manufacturer: Books on Tape, Inc.
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Audio Cassette
          ASIN: 0736694226

          Product Description

          In her acclaimed AOL.COM, Kara Swisher chronicled the unlikely ascent of a group of underdog entrepreneurs and their influence on American net culture. This book picks up where the previous one left off, investigating AOL's merger with Time Warner and its aftermath. Journalists Swisher and Dickey have an ear for the comic and an appreciation for the larger-than-life personalities that propel the drama. After the merger, a troubled journey lies ahead both for AOL Time Warner and for its competitors. Microsoft, Yahoo, Disney, and AT&T all circle for position, hoping for the worst. But like the little boy who searches through a pile of horse manure looking for the pony, the companies are vigorously scooping their way forward - often without a clue.
          There Must be a Pony!
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            There Must be a Pony!
            James Kirkwood
            Manufacturer: Avon
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Paperback
            ASIN: B000O5JMIM
            There Must be a Pony!
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              There Must be a Pony!
              Jim Kirkwood
              Manufacturer: Signet
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Mass Market Paperback
              ASIN: B000NLWCZ2
              There Must be a Pony!
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                There Must be a Pony!
                Jim Kirkwood
                Manufacturer: Penguin Books
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Paperback
                ASIN: B000S5UDTU
                There Must Be a Pony
                Average customer rating: Not rated
                  There Must Be a Pony

                  Manufacturer: Signet
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Paperback
                  ASIN: 0451020456

                  The Essentials of Trading : From the Basics to Building a Winning Strategy (Wiley Trading)
                  Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
                  • Where is the book?
                  • Great Book for New Traders
                  • Designed for the Individual Trader
                  • The Real Deal
                  • An Essential Resource for Developing Traders
                  The Essentials of Trading : From the Basics to Building a Winning Strategy (Wiley Trading)
                  John Forman
                  Manufacturer: Wiley
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Hardcover

                  GeneralGeneral | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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                  3. Winning the Day Trading Game: Lessons and Techniques from a Lifetime of Trading (Wiley Trading) Winning the Day Trading Game: Lessons and Techniques from a Lifetime of Trading (Wiley Trading)
                  4. Trading Rules that Work: The 28 Lessons Every Trader Must Master Trading Rules that Work: The 28 Lessons Every Trader Must Master
                  5. Enhancing Trader Performance: Proven Strategies From the Cutting Edge of Trading Psychology (Wiley Trading) Enhancing Trader Performance: Proven Strategies From the Cutting Edge of Trading Psychology (Wiley Trading)

                  ASIN: 047179063X

                  Book Description

                  Praise for The ESSENTIALS OF TRADING

                  "This is the book I wish I had when I began a training program for new traders. John's familiarity with trading and traders is evident in this text. His incorporation of exercises and use of examples bring topics to life, maintaining the interest of even the most hyperactive traders."
                  —Brett N. Steenbarger, PhD, author of The Psychology of Trading

                  "The Essentials of Trading masterfully teaches the novice how to conceptualize, implement, and manage the important fundamentals that form the building blocks of successful trading. Because the book and its examples have been classroom tested at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, the pace of presentation is ideal for a full or partial classroom exposure to Internet-based trading. The book is highly recommended as a viable academic teaching tool, and equally so for the developing nonstudent practitioner."
                  —Dr. Gordon H. Dash Jr. Associate Professor of Finance, University of Rhode Island

                  "As the founder of a women's entrepreneurial networking organization, one of the most essential messages I relay to our members is the importance of understanding and managing their own personal and professional finances. John Forman's book is one that I highly recommend to all our members, because of its clear explanations and teaching style that will allow any novice to develop a solid understanding of the world of finance and investment trading."
                  —Sherry Thacker, President and Founder, WENS Inc.

                  "The Essentials of Trading is an excellent introductory book on the subject. It not only provides the critical know-how, it also manages to inspire the reader to take their first tentative steps into the trading arena. A joy to read."
                  —Paul Gould, Managing Director, trade2win.com Global Trading Community

                  "While trading has become more challenging, the tools have improved, and John Forman brings an up-to-date, insightful perspective on what is needed for traders of all backgrounds to absorb. With the bar having been raised for all market participants, The Essentials of Trading brings a fresh look, providing successful examples of the implements necessary to build a trading system and have confidence in your own work."
                  —Joel Marver, Chief Technical Analyst, IFR Division, Thomson Financial

                  Customer Reviews:

                  1 out of 5 stars Where is the book?.......2007-08-23

                  I ordered this book 7/17/07 and here it is, 8/23/07 (more than a whole month later) and still, I have not recieved this book. I find that the "warehouse deals" thing that amazon offeres is a joke. I've e-mailed them over 4 times to find out where the book is or when it is going to arrive and I have not heard back from them once.

                  Don't buy from warehouse deals!

                  5 out of 5 stars Great Book for New Traders.......2006-09-10

                  I'm new in trading and I've spent time and money to find books teaching the real stuff of trading. This book, as the title says, describes all the essentials you need to consider when you want to start trading. It covers the plan, the system, the testing, and the final application. It opens up my mind to view trading as a real challengr both interllectually and mentally.

                  However, I hope it can put more resorces in developing and testing systems.

                  HP

                  5 out of 5 stars Designed for the Individual Trader.......2006-06-07

                  Trading in the stock, foreign exchange, or other markets used to be a game played only by the experts on Wall Street or at a minimum sitting in a brokers office watching the ticker go buy. News dissemination was slow and poor. All of this has changed. The web now allows everyone the world over instant access to the same information and instant access to on line trading.

                  This book starts with the very beginning, opening a trading account. From there he moves to the development of a trading plan and tracking that plan using the 'demo' or test account at an on-line traders. The development of a plan that suits your needs, your own level of risk. In describing how to create your own plan, he goes over the primary ways used by the pros to analyze markets: Fundamental, Quantitative or Technical Analysis. Strangely enough, he doesn't seem to have a favorite as most authors do.

                  On the whole, you couldn't ask for a better introductory to the subject.

                  5 out of 5 stars The Real Deal.......2006-05-04

                  This book realistically describes what you need to know and what you need to do to trade successfully. I would recommend it to all aspiring traders. It provides the knowledge base and perspective that good traders develop through years of experience. A great book for both new and established traders.

                  5 out of 5 stars An Essential Resource for Developing Traders.......2006-04-23

                  Rarely does a week go by in which someone in the trading world does not ask me to endorse their website, product, or publication. I politely decline 90% or more of the time. The sad truth is that many trading texts are written by individuals who are not truly experts in their domains. When I had the opportunity to review John Forman's book "The Essentials of Trading" prior to its release, I not only gave it my endorsement, but consented to write its Foreword. I would only do that for an author who knows his stuff and for a work that I am proud to be associated with.

                  What John has accomplished is, to my mind, the best general-purpose introduction to trading I have yet encountered. Having run a training program for aspiring professional traders at a proprietary trading firm, I know the questions that new traders ask and the lessons they need to learn. John has clearly addressed these in "The Essentials of Trading". He begins with trading mechanics: the nuts and bolts of executing and managing a trade. His discussion is accompanied by real examples, with screen shots of order tickets and trading screens. This is no academic, theoretical treatise, but a hands-on introduction to trading basics.

                  Later chapters take up the important topics of trading plans and risk management, followed by methods for analyzing markets and designing, testing, and optimizing trading systems. Once again, practical examples abound, with clear illustrations of actual markets, positions, and systems. A nice touch are the text boxes throughout the book highlighting key concepts. Many of these are comments from traders and the lessons they've learned.

                  Overall, I found John's writing to be clear and concise. He has served as content editor for the Trade2Win community site, and his writing experience shows. When I endorsed the book, I said that it was the text I wished I had when I started my training program. I stand by that comment: this is a great introduction to the trading world.

                  Are there weaknesses to the book? Those will depend on readers' interests. Two full chapters are devoted to trading systems, but only part of a chapter to technical analysis. Valuable insights regarding trading psychology are scattered through the text, but there is no dedicated chapter to the topic. Conversely, the bonus sample trading system included in the appendix is worth the price of the text alone, providing an illuminating example of a trading methodology.

                  In sum, I highly recommend "The Essentials of Trading" for new and developing traders. From execution to planning to risk management to market analysis, it covers the basics in a clear, engaging style.

                  Confronting Sexual Harassment: What Schools and Colleges Can Do
                  Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
                  • Practical, solution-oriented, highly recommended
                  Confronting Sexual Harassment: What Schools and Colleges Can Do
                  Judith Berman Brandenburg
                  Manufacturer: Teachers College Press
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Hardcover

                  Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse | Abuse & Self Defense | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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                  GeneralGeneral | Education | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
                  ASIN: 0807735914

                  Customer Reviews:

                  5 out of 5 stars Practical, solution-oriented, highly recommended.......1999-05-19

                  This readable and practical book addresses the problem of sexual harassment in educational institutions from multiple approaches. Author Judith Berman Brandenburg weaves together psychological, ethical, legal, sociological, and educational themes. Having held administrative positions at Yale University and Teachers College, Columbia University, she has thought long, hard, and sensibly about solving sexual harassment problems. The book covers the development of campus harassment policies and procedures, identifying three issues as particularly thorny. These are: reconciling a complainant's request for confidentiality with the institution's need to take action; retaining records of informal, unsubstantiated complaints that may document patterns of repeat offenders; and the tension between due process and collegial mediation. The book includes an excellent chapter on educational programs to combat harassment. Particular attention is devoted to off-campus programs such as clinical placements for students and field trips. It's the best book I've found on harassment. An added bonus is its successful blend of ideas suitable for higher education and primary and secondary schools. I highly recommend it for anyone in American education who cares about sexual harassment.
                  Confronting Sexual Harassment: What Schools and Colleges Can Do.(Review): An article from: Journal of Higher Education
                  Average customer rating: Not rated
                    Confronting Sexual Harassment: What Schools and Colleges Can Do.(Review): An article from: Journal of Higher Education
                    Susan J. Scollay
                    Manufacturer: Ohio State University Press
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Digital

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                    ASIN: B0008GVV1S
                    Release Date: 2005-07-28

                    Book Description

                    This digital document is an article from Journal of Higher Education, published by Ohio State University Press on January 1, 2000. The length of the article is 1901 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

                    Citation Details
                    Title: Confronting Sexual Harassment: What Schools and Colleges Can Do.(Review)
                    Author: Susan J. Scollay
                    Publication: Journal of Higher Education (Refereed)
                    Date: January 1, 2000
                    Publisher: Ohio State University Press
                    Volume: 71 Issue: 1 Page: 108

                    Article Type: Book Review

                    Distributed by Thomson Gale

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                      Manufacturer: Taylor & Francis
                      ProductGroup: Book
                      Binding: Hardcover

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                      ASIN: 9054103078

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