The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Fantasy

Customer Reviews:

Eh, alright...I guess........2007-08-11

This book isn't all that great. When I got it, I thought it would be about mythical creatures and things and people in fantasy. Such as, witches, wizards and so on. But instead this book is about a Fantasy Media. So it tells you about things such as fantasy movies, books, and video games. But it is also kind of old, and I've noticed that it doesn't have anything before 1997, and maybe even before. So it doesn't even talk about classic shows like: Charmed, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Supernatural, Smallville, or anything else. It doesn't even have the classic Harry Potter books! So, if you're looking to remember old time movies and books in fantasy, then this is the book for you, if not, don't get it.

Fun, informative book.......2001-10-20

I've really enjoyed this book so far, it's very informative, and is beautifully designed. In 250 pages you can only cover so much of the fantasy universe, but I think they did a good job.

I did notice that there are a lot of opinions, but there are many more facts, and the opinions make for a slightly more interesting read than just facts, as long as you take them with a grain of salt. I didn't notice overly negative opinions though, I saw a mix of positive and negative. And face it, a lot of pulp and mass-produced fantasy entertainment isn't of the best quality, that's just reality; I don't think it's unreasonable to call those types of items 'derivative'.

In summary, definitely a fun book to browse through; even extends into gaming (learning the origins of D&D, etc was very cool). I never would've thought that I'd learn the origins of the name 'Wendy' from this book!

Overly critical.......2001-06-28

Though the effort, layout and content are commendable I find one key problem with the book as a whole; it's just *FAR* too negative in it's mini-reviews of fantasy material (particularly film and t.v.). The amount of negative comments is so pervasive that I wondered, at times, if the authors even enjoyed fantasy, period. Virtually every fantasy classic is bashed for being anything from contrived to tawdry to banal. Yes, it's a work of opinion but (and I feel this is obvious) anyone who would pick up an Encyclopedia on any specific genre and to read so very much negative review was extremely off putting to me.

An Opinionated Encyclopedia?.......2000-06-16

As much as I appreciated the general quality, layout and design of this publication, I was "put-off" by the very opinionated writing which I found throughout the book. When I read entries in ENCYCLOPEDIAS, I'm accustomed to INFORMATION, not OPINIONS. Oh well...

Fun, informative, and a visual pleasure.......2000-04-20

Though "ultimate" is an overstatement, there is much to enjoy here. This book is nowhere near as comprehensive as Clute and Grant's Encyclopedia of Fantasy, but it does have its own virtues. It is lavishly and colorfully illustrated (note especially the stunningly beautiful full-page painting opposite Terry Pratchett's foreword). It has entries for most well-known fantasy authors of the past and present. There are sections on types of fantasy (fairy tales, animal fantasies, Arthuriana, humorous, heroic, etc.), movies, TV, fantasy characters and entities, games, and fantasy worlds (Middle-earth, Narnia, Discworld, Earthsea, etc.). This is an entertaining, informative and visually appealing book for anyone who enjoys fantasy.

The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Science Fiction: The Definitive Illustrated Guide

Average customer rating:

The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Science Fiction: The Definitive Illustrated Guide

Manufacturer: World Publications (MA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Science | Dictionaries & Thesauruses | Reference | Subjects | Books

Science Fiction & Fantasy | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1572152125

Ultimate Encyclopedia of Science Fiction the De

Average customer rating:

Not Free SF Reader
Wonderful Book!!!
The "Other" Science Fiction Encyclopedia

Ultimate Encyclopedia of Science Fiction the De
David Pringle
Manufacturer: Carlton Books Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Literature | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

Science Fiction & Fantasy | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

It is interesting to compare the differences, particularly when they are talking about early SF, for example, between the Clute encyclopedia and this one. This is also worth a look, but it is much more focused on video, in general, but does give an author list with bios, and a 'heroes/villains/characters' list, which is fun, indeed.

Wonderful Book!!!.......2005-01-30

An absolutely wonderful book covering many of the shows sci-fi people love. They do seem to gloss over a couple of the shows I consider to be some of the best, but this is still the best book of its kind I have seen. The author does a good job of covering many different shows even ones that were short lived. I recommend this book to anyone who loves sci-fi shows, this book will give you a good history of many older shows all the way stuff that's on the air now. You may even come across a couple of shows you had forgotten were ever around.

The "Other" Science Fiction Encyclopedia.......2003-05-02

This is an excellent reference book for science fiction enthusiasts, as well as the uninitiated. This encyclopedia is very similar to John Clute's "SF: The Illustrated Encylcopedia" (1995), but not quite as packed with information. (I bought David Pringle's version first. I found John Clute's version two years later.) I think this book gives a more detailed account of film and TV than John Clute's one, but less about the works of the writers and the social/political issues that influenced them.

Like John Clute's book, we get an informed, thorough description of science fiction's beginnings, which go back quite a few centuries, as well as an overview of the various sub-categories that fall within the overall genre (space opera, disasters, alternative histories, time travel, nuclear war, etc). A list of the most memorable books within each category is also mentioned.

Seven decades of science fiction cinema are covered (up to 1995), along with television shows, many that are well-known, some a bit more obscure. Biographies of writers and film makers are included. These are understandably brief, due to the limited amount of space within the book's 300 pages. But to compensate for this we get a list of famous heroes and villains, including Alex from "A Clockwork Orange", Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Dan Dare and the Mekon. Don't forget the Daleks.

David Pringle's book has plenty of illustrations and photographs with witty captions, an exhaustive list of reading material to go through and a useful glossary. For anyone new to science fiction, this book is a very good place to start.

Average customer rating:
The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Science Fiction: The Definitive Illustrated Guide
David Pringle
Manufacturer: World Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Literature | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books
Science Fiction & Fantasy | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000P0Y4XE

Book Description

Can you name five military leaders who were -transgendered?

Twelve cases of involuntary human experimentation by the U.S. government?

How about the four porn novels written by famous authors, 11 books left out of the Bible and over 50 side effects of NutraSweet that have been reported to the FDA?

In 1977, David Wallechinsky, Irving Wallace and Amy Wallace published The Book of Lists, causing an immediate sensation. Not only did it lead to three direct sequels (in 1980, 1983 and 1993), it also created a new genre. Soon, shelves were lined with The First Original Unexpurgated Authentic Canadian Book of Lists (1978), The Book of Sports Lists (1979) and Meredith's Book of Bible Lists (1980), among many others. Using this popular, enduring format, Russ Kick's Disinformation Book of Lists delves into the murkier aspects of politics, current events, business, history, science, art and literature, sex, drugs, death and more. Despite such unusual subject matter, this book presents hard, substantiated facts with full references.

Among the lists presented:

Innocent People Freed from Prison
Members of the Skull & Bones Secret Society at Yale
Drugs Pulled Off the Market After They Killed Too Many People
Legal Substances that Will Get You High
Dead People Surrounding Bill Clinton
Scenes that Were Cut from Movies
Raunchy Songs that Were Never Released
Military Officers, Government Officials, Astronauts, and Airline Personnel Who Say UFOs Are Real
Words and Phrases No Longer Allowed in Textbooks

Customer Reviews:

Facts And Information From Outside The Mainstream .......2007-05-16

Russ Kick uses a format similar to the one Irving Wallace and family first popularized with the original "Book Of Lists" in the 1970's (which I was a big fan of as a kid). But Kick's book is different in that it offers lists from a countercultural perspective. Some examples are "82 Brands of Heroin," "7 CIA Plots to Kill Castro," and "23 Strange Genres of Porn Movie." If you have an interest in such topics than this book will probably be a fun and informative read. But those seeking more conventional knowledge should probably look elsewhere.

It's O.K., but not worth the money........2006-12-27

This is a book of lists; there is no details behind anything, no extra information. Many of the chosen topics are very interesting and are great to share with friends (especially if your friends are semi-intelligent fifteen year olds, like mine).

But, the book is short and your jollys end quickly. Because of the lack of background material provided, it doesn't really help if you want to refrence it for an essay or project.

You could also easily research some of these things in about an hour, and it would all cost you signifacantly less than the $10-12 this book usually sells for.

Eye-catching, previously neglected information.......2006-09-06

Russ Kick has a knack for eye-catching, previously neglected information. There are 36 Corporations That Ripped of the U.S. Government (led by HCA, ripping off America's Health Care System in spectacular fashion). Another: 36 Botched Executions, complete with gory details. How about: 19 Suicide Notes (Male, 74. "I married the wrong nag-nag-nag and I lost my life.") One of my favorites: The 9 US Companies Allowed to Manufacture Illegal Drugs (The Polaroid Corporation makes a powerful psychedelic amphetamine - who knew?)

The book is great taken a few lists at a time over a month or two.

Okay, but the Internet beats it.......2005-12-19

ten years ago, this would have been a 4 star book, but you can sit down to Google and have all this and much more faster and in much greater depth. It's a good toilet tank book, but that's about it.

Strange things indeed!.......2005-06-10

Russ Hicks provides an anarchistic (or at least non-maintsteam) view of the world in his alternative media Book of Lists.

Some of it is current, including commentary on the war in Iraq. From List 31, 23 Quotes Regarding the 2003 Invasion of Iraq: "Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction." - Vice President Dick Cheney, August 26, 2002

Some of it is a spin on religeon. List 64 includes 87+ People Mormons have Baptized by Proxy, including Buddha, Albert Einstein and Joan of Arc.

Some of it is just strange, such as List 42, 9 Visitors Who Died at Disneyland. This includes examples like Mark Maples, the first, death, who was thrown from the Bobsled ride after unlocking the seat belt and standing up.

A lot of this leaves you scratching your head. The book is certainly a subversive assault on the mainstraim. No doubt it's not 100% true, but it's certainly worth the "Ahas", "Could it bes" and "No ways!" that it will generate.

Average customer rating:

The Disinformation Book of Lists
Russ Kick
Manufacturer: MJF Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

You Are Being Lied To: The Disinformation Guide to Media Distortion, Historical Whitewashes and Cultural Myths

ASIN: 1567317693

Average customer rating:
The Game of Wei-Chi
Danielle Pecorini , and Tong Shu
Manufacturer: Heian International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Board Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 981218015X

Average customer rating:

Wei-Ch'i and Chess - Eastern and Western strategic thought

Wei-ch'i (Go) and Mao

The protracted game;: A wei-chi interpretation of Maoist revolutionary strategy
Scott A Boorman
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | China | Asia | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006C00WK

Customer Reviews:

Wei-Ch'i and Chess - Eastern and Western strategic thought.......2006-12-16

As a former professional U.S. Army Military Intelligence officer, I found "The Protracted Game" to be an insightful and profound look at the differences between Western and Eastern stragetic thought. Chess is often used as a metaphor for Western diplomatic/military strategy, but chess focuses on the relative power of the pieces and their allowable moves. But in Wei Ch'i (or Go), all of the pieces (stones) have the same value and the emphasis is on strategic location and positioning pieces in spots on the board in order to capture territory. And "classic" Communist revolutionary strategy presupposes that the insurgent won't have the modern weaponry that Western military forces depend on. Thus the emphasis on capturing (and holding) territory a small piece at a time. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the development of strategic warfare and the difference between Eastern and Western strategic politico-military thought.

Wei-ch'i (Go) and Mao.......2001-01-11

This was possibly the most insightful book I have ever read. It improved my understanding of strategic human conflict on the Wei-ch'i board, in modern society, and on the battlefield as well. It is important, however, to be somewhat familiar with Wei-ch'i in order to fully comprehend the concepts.

Goh or Wei Chi: A Handbook of the Game and Full Instructions for Play

Average customer rating:

Goh or Wei Chi: A Handbook of the Game and Full Instructions for Play
Horace F. Chesire
Manufacturer: Frank Hastings
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O36UAC

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Intellectual Capital: The New Wealth of Organizations

Average customer rating:

Ref A for Buidling Value in the Information Age
Jumping Off Point Into Intellectual Capital
Stewart treats us all like children
Intellectual Capital : No Longer A Blurred Term
provides framework for better understanding knowledge assets

Intellectual Capital: The New Wealth of Organizations
Thomas A. Stewart
Manufacturer: Currency
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Strategy & Competition | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Decision-Making & Problem Solving | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Systems & Planning | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Organizational Change | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0385483813
Release Date: 1998-12-29

Book Description

Visionary in scope, Intellectual Capital is the first book that shows how to turn the untapped knowledge of an organization into its greatest competitive weapon. Thomas A. Stewart demonstrates how knowledge--not natural resources, machinery, or financial capital--has become the most important factor in economic life. Through practical advice, stories, and case histories, Stewart reveals how organizations and individuals can create and use the knowledge assets they need. Dazzling in its ability to make conceptual sense of the economic revolution we are living through, this ingenious book cuts through the vague rhetoric of "paradigm shifts" to show how the Information Age economy really works.

Intellectual Capital should be read as if the futures of your company and your career depend on it. They do.

Customer Reviews:

Ref A for Buidling Value in the Information Age.......2005-06-25

I read the same author's "Wealth of Knowledge" first, and then went back to get this earlier book (1998), and I actually feel that reading them in that order is better. This book has a lot of detail that is well served by the context that can be found in the later book.

For those who really wish to get a deep look at the future of building value in the age of distribution information in all languages, I recommend that both of Stewart's books be read in conjunction with the following three Nobel-level books: Margaret Wheatley, "Leadership and the New Science," Robert Buckman, "Building the Knowledge-Driven Organization," and Christensen & Raynor, "The Innovator's Solution." My reviews of these books are both evaluative and summative, and could be helpful as short-cut, but they are no substitute for actually buying and reading the books.

The most important point in this book is that the value is no longer found in collecting just in case knowledge, but rather in connecting dots to dots, dots to people, and (the highest value) people to people. It's about connecting, not collecting. Based on this book I drew my own value triangle, VALUE appearing in the middle of the triangle, with Context being the lower left corer, Content being the lower right corner, and CONNECTION being the apex of the triangle--further refined as connecting customers, connecting contributing talents, and connecting sub-contracted sources, softwares, and services. No one is doing this today in the manner that meets the emerging needs of the marketplace.

Most interesting to me is the author's early emphasis on the Chief Financial Officer being the point of sale, not the CEO, the CTO, or the production divisions. Intellectual capital is a value-creation and profit-building exercise, and it needs to be presented as a financial campaign plan, not a technology plan, not a human resources plan, and not a sales and marketing plan.

Although the author focuses on intellectual property, and provides compelling anecdotes and links that suggest that any company in the knowledge business can increase its bottom line earnings by 20-40% if it does a better job of managing its intellectual property, I see two other emerging marketplaces in this book that the author may not have intended but certainly contributes insights to: managing shared access to external sources, to reduce the cost and increase the knowledge that companies can use to increase their competence in a global environment; and managing customer understanding and relationships in the aggregate--it is possible to take cross-selling to new heights if companies in different industries that are not competing with one another, will share customer information in new ways, thus leading to the invention of new3 offerings and new value.

A major point in this book that I believe everyone misses is that the management of intellectual property, or knowledge management, or external open source information acquisition and exploitation, is totally and utterly without value in the absence of a strategy. Collection or connecting is of the greatest value when it is done with strategic purpose, operational efficiency, and tactical effect.

There is a lot more in this book that will impact on my strategic business planning, and that I choose to not summarize here, but will instead end with three points the author makes that I consider to be important:

1) In the information age, only investments in knowledge building are really investments--traditional investments in capital goods are costs, not to be confused with investments intended to generate new value.

2) Knowledge value grows on a logarithmic scale, while goods value grows arithmetically.

3) In today's environment, careers are defined by personal skills and networking, not traditional jobs and corporate positions. The corollary of this is that individuals must self-manage their continuing education and skill acquisition, and any job that fails to provide for continuing upgrading of skills is not worth keeping.

I consider this a seminal reference, of extraordinary value.

Jumping Off Point Into Intellectual Capital.......2002-11-13

As an occassional reader of business literature and a new convert to the importance of knowledge management, I found Stewart's book a wonderful introduction to this important organizational management strategy.

I immediately found myself thinking of ways to apply the various forms of intellectual capital (human, structural and customer) to my work in higher education. In fact, Stewart's work provided important insights that proved helpful to my doctoral dissertation on higher education/business partnerships.

Admittedly, there is little here in terms of practical strategies for applying the ideas in the marketplace. However, it does encourage those who are interested in the topic to pursue more in depth and practical works on the subject of knowledge management.

Stewart treats us all like children.......2001-05-19

I started reading this book with the best intentions. However, when Stewart begins with such kindergarten level assertations, I knew as a Business student, there was no point in continuing reading this book. Stewart, a Fortune Editor, has no business training: he is a Harvard English major, and this is clearly shown in his work. If one reads his fortune articles, they are equally poorly written with bad information. I would suggest that one spend their money on better Management authors such as Jon Katzenbach or Peter Drucker, both of whom actually have a clue.

Intellectual Capital : No Longer A Blurred Term.......2001-04-16

It is my great pleasure to write a review for this important book. Over past years a lot of book investigating "the value of human resource as a competitive advantage" in organizations was published but none of them explained us what human resource and value mean in the larger context of competition, what are practical ways to use of this very competitive resource on behalf of the organization. I herald that this book gives the absolute framework we need for a new and comprehensive study on intellectual capital.

According to Stewart, Intellectual Capital is consisted of three interconnected parts, namely, Human Capital, Structural Capital and Customer Capital. Human Capital means the knowledge and skill level of corporate personnel. If an organization has a personnel inventory whose knowledge and skills are vital in the long-run, the first part of the capital forms a strong base to capitalize on. The other part of Intellectual capital, Customer Capital, means that organization is producing value for its customers and accordingly custemers have a strong loyalty to the company. The last part of Intellectual capital is Structural capital which connects Human Capital and Customer Capital to each other. Organizations need structural systems to use human resource in order to meet customers' needs and wants in a more effective way which other companies can not imitate without incurring high costs and time loss.

You will find a lot of living examples intended to make these abstract concepts understandable to readers who are accomodated to hear many pop-ups regarding human capital and its value. Overall, I strongly recommend with five stars.

provides framework for better understanding knowledge assets.......2001-02-28

The author defines intellectual capital, its characteristics that are different from physical property, and the implications. He provides data to show increasing relative value of knowledge over physical property. He discusses identifying and nurturing knowledge assets that support your company's core competence and competitive advantage. Three categories of intellectual capital were discussed: personnel talent, structural / environmental / process / system framework, and customer relationships. An interesting model to quantify the value of customer relationships / brand / competitive advantage has been presented. This can be useful for investors analyzing companies with substantial intangible assets. Four stars because the book has not made a difference in my life, yet ...

Average customer rating:

Intellectual Capital: The New Wealth of Organizations
Thomas A. Stewart
Manufacturer: Bantam Dell Pub Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000TMM8IQ

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books