Industrial Books

We usually see bridges as an extension of the road we're on, never realizing that every bridge is a great venture unto itself, where creativity, engineering genius and big capital all come into play.
Mr. Cortright's book highlights the most beautiful and unusual bridges from around the world, covering a span of nearly 3000 years. They're all here, from ancient Roman arches to extravagant futuristic showpieces. Whether the locale is Buenos Aires or Shanghai, you'll find yourself daydreaming about who built these bridges and what it would be like to cross them. I picked up this book in an odd moment and found myself captivated for hours.

Ideal for bridge fans, but even better for those who simply like to travel in their imagination. Highly recommended.

An amazing book. Great photos of bridges all over the world. Very insightful. The book has inspired me to go Bridging and I use the book as a reference handbook.

Bridge aficionados are lucky that Bob Cortright is alive, well, and traveling the world with his camera and lifelong, unabashed love of bridges. In this, his third magnificent volume, Cortright takes his camera further afield to bring readers stunning, full color photographs of bridges from 28 countries across six continents. His witty, succinct commentary conveys fascinating lore and trivia about each bridge. A perfect gift for travelers, students, and pontists of all ages. To see more of Cortright's bridges, visit [...].

If you take bridges for granted, perhaps as part of a daily commute, you likely won't again after reading Robert Cortright's lovingly assembled book.

Whether it be a multi-century old stone bridge in the old world or a recently built cable-stayed structure, you can't help but pause to admire the hundreds of examples of man's handiwork in Bridging the World.

Grouped by the method of construction used, these bridges are a tribute to man's ingenuity and his need to communicate. Featuring bridges from almost 30 countries and from 6 continents, the book is guaranteed to leave you wanting to see more, perhaps even in your own locale.

BRIDGING THE WORLD would make a wonderful gift for anyone with an interest in engineering or architecture, an armchair traveler or history buff, or anyone who just likes beautiful photography. Cortright is a retired American banker who just loves bridges. This is his third book filled with bridge photos, and he's obviously very good at his craft. The photos are gorgeous, displaying bridges from all over the world, with 306 clear, colorful photos from 28 countries and six continents.

The photography is exquisite -- you can see the individual cables, the shadows on the water or canyon beneath the structure, and the texture of the stones and other materials used in the bridge construction. The book arranges the bridges more or less chronologically or by length of span. The photos are divided by method of construction used in the bridge -- beam, arch, suspension, cable-stayed, aqueducts and special bridges. The book begins with structures built in ancient times and moves on to huge, modern works of art. To see several of the photos, visit www.bridgeink.com. Strongly recommended, especially as a gift.

I read and review dozens of technology books for my TrainingCity.com classes every year, and I only recommend a small percentage of them. Broadband Telecommunications Handbook is among the best. It's the perfect resource for individuals who need a clear and concise explanation of the technologies encountered in the field every day.

The book gets to the heart of modern WAN technologies and explains concepts such as T1 AMI vs. HDSL in an extraordinarily clear and easy to understand manner. Very few authors have this ability to explain technologies in a way that can be understood by both engineers and non-engineers alike.

In conclusion, Broadband Technologies Handbook deserves a place in your resource library today.

This book covers all the basics in Broadband circuits. As a field operations engineer, I deal with all types of circuits. DS0, DS1(T1/EC1), DS3(T3), STS,ISDN, all DSL type circuits, OC3-OC48, and DWDM. My job travels me around the U.S. alone testing and turning up circuits and this book insures me of knowing what is what when dealing with these types of circuits. Clear understanding of terms and procedures for the greenest(new person)technician in the business. I've purchased over $600.00 in books on telephony and telecom over the past 4 years and this is one of few that thats worth holding on to. A must have for broadband junkies like me.

oNe

Well maybe not everything. The technology is broad and ever changing. However this book is packed with juicy tidbits about all kinds of broad band communications. I already know a lot of the information. However there are two distinct advantages in this book. One is to tell you what you know from a different point of view; this help round out the concepts in ones head. The second advantage is the book starts from ground zero allowing non technical people the ability to communicate and make educated decisions about communications.

After this overview book you can go into more depth with the manuals from the product. However you will find yourself coming back to this book to affirm the concepts. You can use the book like a dictionary of terms or an encyclopedia.

Some of the high lights:
Introduction to Telecommunications
Telecommunications Systems
Virtual Privet Networks
Data Virtual Private Networks
Advanced Intelligent Networks
Local number Portability
Computer Telephony Integration
Signaling System 7
CTI Technologies and Applications
Integrated Service and Digital Network
Frame Relay
Asynchronous Transfer Mode
ATM and Frame Relay Internetworking
Cable TV Systems
Cable Modem Systems and Technology
xDSL
MMDS and LMDS
Specialized Mobile Radio
Cellular Communications
Global Service Mobile Communications
Personal Communications Services
Wireless Data Communications
General Packet Radio Service
Third-Generation (3G) Wireless System
Satellite Communications Networking
Low-Earth-Orbit Satellites
The T Carrier Systems (T-1, T-2, and T3)
Synchronous Optical Network
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
Wave Division Multiplexing
The Internet
Network Management SNMP

An added plus is instead of a monster Bibliography You can contact the Author (Geris J. Gates Jr.) personally by phone or the internet.

This is a great book. As the title reflects, it is a "Handbook" not and in-deep technical manual to the telecommunications technologies. The examples and illustrations are very easy to understand and the topics are treated in a clear and concise manner. From switching to routing, firewalls & proxies, dsl to cable, it is all here. Many things are explained deep and others enough to understand the role they play. If you need to go deeper, them you should get your manufacturer techmanual and white papers out.

Most of my customers are in the telecom/datacom field. I was very happy that I chanced upon this book. It goes through the end user's perspective, the IS/IT staff's perspective and what's the typical decision process to make sure the design is appropriate and excellent description of each technology. It helps in sounding more intelligent in front of my customers as well as better service.

I have always been interested in Latin America, particularly when its regarding it's metropolises. The sheer economic, social, and cultural contrasts these metropolises display is exciting and appealing to me, more so due to my interest in politics, sociology, and economics.

However, Buenos Aires: El Escenario Urbano is an excellent book depicting Buenos Aires in all its dimensions. It covers this amazing South American capital in all angles and points of views. It's well balanced giving the reader glimpses of what life is like for the denizens of Buenos Aires, while at the same time it does not neglects some of the urban social/economic problems the city faces. Despite this, the problems are presented in such a way that its not depressing at all! The author is truly impressive in his way of accomplishing such a well rounded book of a metropolis worth discovering.

The photos are incredible!

This book is a perfect introduction to anyone planning to visit Buenos Aires, anyone who lives in Buenos Aires, or anyone who simply likes to travel from the comfort of a couch and simply let the imagination do the work by reading about other places on earth!

I hope Sebastian Letemendia starts a series of "El Escenario Urbano" about other Latin American metropolises such as Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Santo Domingo, Caracas, and others.

A rare view of Buenos Aires, from an insider's perspective. Having read a number of books on Buenos Aires, it seems that many authors only think of La Recoleta and Palermo as the only interesting places in Buenos Aires. Mr. Letemendia shows his readers the beaty and complexities of a great city. A great read.

We bought this book as a gift to an English-only speaker, but to our regret, we are returning it, because the English part of the book comes as an addendum at the end of the book. It would be great if it is published with Spanish and English side by side.

Once again, Mr. Letemendia produces a powerful book which immediately pulls the reader in. The photographs are outstanding! They represent not only the beauty of the city, but also a feeling for how people live in the city. In addition to being an exceptional photographer, Mr. Letemendia is also a talented writer. His portrayal of the city's history and development give the reader an understanding of and appreciation for the complexity of Buenos Aires. I have never been to Buenos Aires yet now I feel I know it. The book is a great enticement to visit Buenos Aires. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!

If you like - or think you might like - Buenos Aires, then this is a book worth having. As opposed to the typical great picture approach that makes every place look like paradise, the author's photographs reflect the city as it really is, balancing the typical beautiful views with others that depict every day life and even less pleasant ones that also form part of every city.

At the same time, the author explains in very ammenable text, how and why Buenos Aires got to be what it is, thoroughly analyzing in each chapter a different component of the city's life.

This beautifully assembled combination of text and pictures conveys a very truthfull and wholesome idea of Buenos Aires.

Worth buying and keeping!

This is the first and the best in a very long series of books concerning recording studio acoustics. Jeff Cooper was one of the pioneers in studying and building recording studios and though this book is very compact, it contains much of his knowledge in a precise and very simple way. This book manages to make a very complicated matter accesible to everyone who has an interest in building either a recording studio or a listening room.

As someone unfamiliar with construction techniques, this book was a god send to me. The writing is clear and straightforward, and it contains a series of easy to understand illustrations showing construction details. From my simplistic laymen's perspective, I can say that after reading this book, I was able to have intelligent and informed conversations with architects and contractors regarding my studio. I'm sure readers who know how to swing a hammer will feel prepared to do a lot more than just talk.

In my opinion this is a good book. Helps you solve some problems of existing acoustical environments and provides great info on building rooms "from the ground" as well.
Now, the author him self says that going deeper on some stuff is beyond the scope of the book, but I think a little bit more wouldn't hurt.
Other aspects are it is really easy to read and have some nice drawings of every detail approached by the text. That helps you with ideas to be developed.
I think that this is a very good book for anyone seeking basic reference to rely on.

Jeff Cooper "nails" every relevent topic on the construction of a modern recording studio. Not for the faint of heart (or wallet) as these construction tecniques are hardly ever followed in today's home studios. But at the least, you'll know how to do it right and why the real built-up studios should get the big bucks!

After reading lots of boring Acoustics books, I had already given up on finding a book with "PRACTICAL" advice on how to build a studio. The only negative point about this one is that maybe it is a bit scarce on contents (only 200 pages)... Once read the book, one wishes it had a sequel!

Today, it's everyone's role to market and sell. The book will help you with everything from implementing a marketing plan and building strategic alliances to selling virtual construction and design-build methodologies. What an effective and powerful tool for the construction industry and about time!

The pace of change we see today is similar to a constant kick in the pants for anyone marketing construction services. This book will help make that change a little less painful. A must read for anyone who wants a road map for success in the twenty-first century.

"Building Profits in the Construction Industry" is an up-to-date, comprehensive source of information invaluable to all segments of the building business, from contractors, construction managers, and design firms to owners' representatives, and developers.

Though contractors don't always realize it, marketing always has--and will continue to be-- the best way for them to distinguish themselves from their competition. Now, for the first time, everything a building professional needs to know about marketing construction services has been pulled together in one easy-to-follow book. A "must read" for success in the twenty-first century!

The reviewer is the Past-President of the Construction Writers Association, and Publisher of the award-winning construction newsletter "Words from Woody."

Authors Kubal, Miller and SMPS' own Ron Worth have put togetherone of the strongest marketing books to come along in a long, longtime. This is a virtual encyclopedia of how-to marketing, weighting in at 420 pages plus a CD-ROM.

Finally we have a marketing book that recognizes we are in the electronic and digital age and that the internet has changes marketing forever. The summary of Chapter Two on "Virtual Construction" starts out, "Undoubtedly the virtual age is encroaching upon the construction industry. Its effects on how construction is completed will become obvious, and changes to how construction is sold and marketed in the twenty-first century will also occur." while that is an understatement, many firms have not yet realized that the twenty-first century is here and these things are happening all around us.

The CD-Rom, with its listing of internet hyperlinks, is worth the price of the book alone. Using this CD, you can access most of the information about our industry that is available today. The book's chapter on market research will show you just how valuable the internet and the CD can be.

While some of the chapters in the book are targeted to the construction field, most of the book is directly applicable to our entire industry. The chapters on "Creating a Marketing Plan" and "Marketing and Sales Technology and Marketing Materials," while illustrated with examples from the construction industry, are as good a general guide on "how to do it right" as you will find anywhere.

Some of the best of the book can be found in "Marketing Communication Plan" and "Getting Publicity for Your Business." Any firm can gain from reading and implementing the material in these chapters. The list of questions on how to quantify your prospects on page 99 needs to be copied and given to every marketer and principal in every firm in the land. It is a list of the basic questions, the ones not asked or, if they are, the answers are ignored.

I have a couple of bones to pick about the book. One is the title. Why not just call it Marketing Techniques for the Construction Industry? I guess they thought that mentioning 'profits' would get more attention. My problem with the title is that some will buy the book looking for the wrong thing and, more importantly, some will not buy the book when they go looking for good marketing advice.

The other problem I have with the book (and I am being really picky here) is that the authors, from time to time, get too caught up in the widgets and wizardry of technology. The danger here is that the widgets and wizardry change every day. When you mention Palm Pilot III, you are already yesterday's news. The concepts are right, but listing today's technology tools is a mistake.

The 4th Edition of the Camera Assistant's Manual by focal press author David Elkins is a must have for the beginner as well as the seasoned pro. From how to set up a darkroom, to threading diagrams on all "in use" cameras, to lifelong useful tables and charts, this edition has it all.

Nothing comes close to David Elkins' book. It's that simple. This is the best, most complete book on the job of the camera assistant. PERIOD. If you are new to the job of the camera assistant, this book is an absolute must have. If you are a seasoned "vet" who has years of experience working on motion picture sets, again, this book is an absolute must have. Elkins' total description of every aspect of the AC's job is so consise, it's like a classroom in a book. Loaded with every conceivable diagram and chart, and covering every motion picture camera currently being used, this book goes well beyond your typical "job description" type tome.

The bonus materials alone make this book invaluable. Along with the companion website, the reader has vast amounts of precious material available for when the job calls for it...label templates, charts, manufacturer links and contacts, the list goes on and on and on. The best part is the writing style is clear and informative, almost like Elkins himself is teaching you as you go.

Look no further than this book. It's all here.

The Camera Assistant's Manual is a must have reference book for both beginners and experienced professionals in the camera department. If you are a beginner, this manual will teach you all of the basics as well as the advanced details of camera assisting. Although not a substitute for actual experience, author David Elkins also coaches you on how to act efficiently and professionally on a set. This can save you countless embarrassing blunders on your "first barbeque." But before learning all of the AC's duties, the reader is introduced to the basics of cinematography and a complete overview of the camera department. This is extremely helpful - allowing the beginner to understand the "big picture" first. If you are an experienced professional, Elkins gives you hundreds of tips and suggestions that will add to your knowledge base and help your job go smoothly. This 4th edition contains the most complete and up to date camera diagrams, tables, and formulas of any single reference source. Imagine your relief when you have to load and thread a new camera for the first time. The Camera Assistant's Manual is worth it's weight in gold.

I bought this book when I was hired to AC for a project on equipment I had never worked with before. For one of those, "Holly crap! I agreed to do a job I only know how to do part of!" moments, this book is great. Every question I could think of was answered thoroughly and I mean THOROUGHLY. If you want to learn exactly what the responsibilities of an Assistant Camera Person are and how best to execute them read this book! If you are a working AC and want an easy to read, text-book style reference this is it.

David Elkins's The Camera Assistant's Manual, Fourth Edition is the best technical book around, and one of the best books on movies, period.

Dave manages to cover every aspect of an assistant's job, no matter how obscure or infrequently encountered. But the completeness is only one aspect which recommends it to any aspiring or working cinematographer.

Written in a clear, conversational manner, Dave manages to demystify both the jargon and the sometimes strange job of an assistant. His accounts of procedure for both first and second assistants clarify what we in the business call "industry standard": the accepted, professional way of conducting yourself and doing a job. Outside of a job on a
Hollywood set, it is nearly impossible to learn these classic, time-saving routines. And unless you've been a pro in the business, you're not going to know about such things as the relative merits of Magliner and Rubbermaid carts for hauling equipment.

The book covers the general characteristics of film, cameras, and lenses in such a way as to give a general technical education. Dave also gives a valuable overview of the camera department and its place in film production overall.

What many readers will find most useful are the sections on troubleshooting, the diagrams and threading patterns of every currently used camera, and the wealth of forms and lists to organize the on-set work.

I've tried to give a good idea of what the book covers, but it contains much, much more. I've been using The Camera Assistant's Manual since the first edition. This is the biggest and the best version. I only wish that, when I started as a camera assistant, I had had access to such a clear, helpful book.

I got this book for a class. It worked great. The book was clean and brand new. Thanks!

Very good reference on how to handle an elementary classroom. Children's environment and temperament were considered. Sample lay-outs included.

Smooth and speedy transaction. Updated emails on the tracking of my purchase were much appreciated. Great buy. Recommended.

Having purchased many types of teaching resources over the last few years, I have finally found one more helpful than all the others combined. Evertson not only outlines the procedures in an easy to read manner, but she also gives excellent examples of her theories in practice. I was expecting a book that strictly dealt with keeping order in the classroom, but what I received was so much more. This book describes ways to teach that will ensure that classrooms run smoothly and more importantly the students learn. I only hope that other new teachers find this text at the beginning of their careers as the advice contained is invaluable. If your budget or time schedule only allows for one book, definitely buy this one!

"Classroom Management..." is THE book for those who are looking for the proverbial Teacher's Manual. Apart from covering all the basics in a lot of detail, it offers checklists and (so-called) case studies. The downside of this is that the book starts out a bit dry and too straightforward, with instructions so clear-cut you would think they are for operating some sort of machinery. The "case-studies" are examples rather than studies, so the objection here lies with the misnomer. These are clearly minor drawbacks to a great book that only gets better as you read on. With a fabulous Further Reading section after every chapter, and delectable cartoons sprinkled throughout the book, it is an essential text for every teacher's personal library.

I found this book to be a great read with a significant amount of insightful material on e-commerce development. Anyone contracting for software development should read this book before they start. Even though this book was written several years ago, it remains relevant in 2004.

A good read, and a great addition to anyone's business book library.

If you are looking for a book that will actually provide you with know-how and help in the management and operation of your company, this is the book for you.

There are a handful of books out there that actually make sense for "real" companies trying to move online. This is one of them.

Unlike books full of goofy theories and breathless hype, this book is a clear, methodical exposition and explanation of the legal and structural issues related to becoming an eBusiness.

The author is an attorney, however, unlike the typical "legal department" issues that slow things down, his practical experience with the law will help you speed things up - all the while avoiding pitfalls that could trip you up down the line.

This one is staying in my "must-read" collection.

If you have a business and if that business is on the Internet(or going to be), then you'd better get your hands on this book--pronto!

In the lawsuit-happy world we live in, ignorance has never been more deadly.

"Clicking Through" is packed with legal information relating to cyberspace, but it doesn't bog you down in either legalese or techie language.

Here's some of what's covered:

=> ownership of creative materials => copyrights & trademarks => games, give-aways, contests, promotions, & more => pros & cons of linking => multinational marketing => risk/reward of unsolicited email => privacy => marketing to & hearing from children on the Internet => the downside of downloads

I suppose most of us think, and the operant word here is * think *, that we already know this. I found I didn't know nearly as much as I thought.

It's inconceivable that a contest or the wrong link could cost us our business. Sadly, the truth is it happens. Why take the risk?

Did you know that:

=> there are 4 myths about copyrights? And a lot of people on the web break those laws every day? (p. 44)

=> for a promotion to be called a contest, it must include some level of skill? (p. 120)

=> depending on the intellectual property laws of the jurisdiction where the copying (of your site content) takes place, it may in fact * not be illegal, * even if you explicitly prohibit copying of your content in the text of your site? (p. 136)

=> if you collect email addresses from business cards dropped off at a trade show, email sent to these people might be considered spam? (p. 143-144)

=> it's a good idea to provide a link to your site's privacy policy from each of the main pages on the site? (p. 160)

=> the online equivalent of the 'fake i. d." is easier, more serious, and far more prevalent, then in real life? (p. 177)

=> in most cases, an email is considered 'in writing,' and email is often stored long after it has been read and may exist on backup tapes months or years after both sender and recipient delete the note (as Oliver North found to his dismay)? (p. 201

Interesting, isn't it? This is an incredible book written by an Internet-savvy attorney; useful, content rich, timely, & priced right.

Ezor's book is easy to read and I can't think of any topic that's missing. Don't worry about it being out of date. It's newly published & the legal issues, though changing in some areas, don't negate the basics -- and this information is basic.

Are you sick of the condescending tone of most Internet instruction books? Well, Jonathan Ezor has written the book for you. It focuses specifically on managing the risks involved in bringing your company online. Ezor uses Internet jargon, but he defines terms quickly and clearly. He doesn't sugarcoat the risks of the journey into cyberspace. Despite the risks, he shows that the effort is worthwhile because of the Internet's incredible potential for your company. We at getAbstract recommend this book to those who are bringing their companies online, and to those considering this step.

As a business owner, I found this book to be an eye-opener. In a clear and concise manner, the author pinpointed the both the areas to watch out for, and the areas of opportunity when venturing onto the Internet. My partner is now reading it!

I work as a Communications Specialist... sounds impressive, but really it is all about listening...and this book gives real world examples and steps for improving how you communicate change in your company. Perhaps I enjoy it because it supports my own theory that a chat or memo from the CEO is nice, but who is the guy/woman? really?...the immediate supervisor is the one I interact with everyday... that person is the key to clear communication and the conduit to change.
This is an easy-to-read book, presenting clear practical solutions.

Nearly every CEO of a large corporation believes that words directly from his or her mouth will inspire front-line employees. Five decades of research show just the opposite, explain consultants and authors T.J. and Sandar Larkin. Their investigations emphasize the importance of communicating change through low-level supervisors, a group that has more credibility with front-line workers. They maintain that CEOs must go beyond simply telling supervisors what to do; they must also listen to these key employees and empower them by taking their suggestions seriously. The authors provide plenty of real-world examples to bolster their case. We recommend this clearly constructed argument to CEOs and to anyone charged with communicating with large numbers of employees. This engaging treatise, a classic, is ready to persuade its next crop of managers.

After years of being force-fed communications theories that didn't work, it was a real joy to see reality documented. The solutions presented are too simple to be acceptable to anyone more interested in documenting "quality" than running a business. These "rules" help: they work in practice (when was the last time you heard that about a communications theory?): and they will change your world.

My line of consulting has a lot to do with change management and communicating change so this was a good book to refer to for additional ideas and tools for the toolkit. One of the chapters that sticks out in my mind is the one that talks to how people prefer to hear certain types of messages (e.g. from their direct mananger, through an email, at an all hands meeting etc) The author uses actual data from surveys to back up his ideas which I fpund helpful - not only in helping me recommend certain vehicles for communication but also convincing others. Good resource.

I'm an academic--a professor of corporate communication--and this is one of the few books I recommend to students in this area. Larkin bases every one of his assertions on applied research in organizational communication--very refreshing from the "I did it in my organization, so it must work in your company" perspective of most business authors. Larkin also completely shatters myths around traditional corporate communication practices (e.g. the executive should communicate directly to employees around major change areas), and bases such assertions on research in the area *plus* his own consulting experience (of which he has a great deal). My students also loved this book. If you buy one book on employee/corporate communication, this is the one.

CORPORATE AGILITY: A REVOLUTIONARY NEW MODEL FOR COMPETING IN A FLAT WORLD tells of a new business model, one that enables businesses to embrace workworld changes on a global scale. Currently most companies are unable to adapt to new methods of doing business, and become crippled by high fixed costs and new competition. CORPORATE AGILITY tells how to break this destructive cycle, offering tried methods by leaders of the Work Design Collaborative and providing a survey of value to any business library.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Finally there is a book for the Facility Manager, I.T. Guy or H.R. professional looking to prove their point. How often have we heard the words; "That may be a great idea, but what is everyone else doing?" When it comes to leading edge ideas for changing the work place and the way we work, this book provides hard data based on what some of America's top companies are doing now.

Corporate Agility gives us a look into companies such as Hewlett Packard, Sun, IBM and others. It provides detailed analysis of how they are addressing the changing work place environment. How are companies staying connected with an increasingly mobile work force? How are they integrating Gen X, Gen Y & the Millennial workers? How are they reducing costs for work space, real estate and I.T. while increasing productivity and worker satisfaction? In depth case studies provide hard data regarding how different programs impact costs savings, worker productivity and employee satisfaction.

The analysis and case studies also let you key into a network of resources to help with your projects. Furniture systems, architects, designers, real estate brokers and I.T. solutions are all discussed. The Future of Work community is a door to a nearly endless supply of thinkers and practitioners dedicated to solving today's work place issues. Regardless of the size organization you are trying to change, Corporate Agility will provide the ammunition you need to get the project designed, approved and completed.

All Real Estate organziations struggle with driving dramatic change in their organizations, whether stemming from the challenges of supporting 4 generations under a single (physical or virtual) roof, dramatically reshaping a portfolio and costs or creating a stragety that aligns with the overall business strategy -- this is THE book for you. It's written with a relevant, direct approach and loaded with practical case studies that can easily be applied to your operations.

The authors do a fantastic job connecting people, technology, and facilities. The intersection of these circles becomes the heart of the new workforce for tomorrow today. The authors offer insights that define the mobile worker; actions to serve this worker; and recommendations to manage this worker. It is an outstanding compilation of ideas with impact.

In the Introduction, Charles Grantham, James Ware, and Cory Williamson explain that they assembled a small group of thought leaders from major corporations and collaborated with them when conducting a survey among decision-makers in both labor and management "to discover how new technologies, the changing workforce, and economic globalization were changing how and where people worked, and what those changes meant to the future of work in the so-called Information Economy." The survey responses confirmed what they had only suspected previously: "most businesses had been unable, or unwilling, to adapt their traditional management styles to the new conditions." Various factors resulted in a crippling loss of corporate agility. "These Industrial-Age behemoths are often referred to as corporate dinosaurs, in an effort to describe just how slow and unwieldy they really are - to say nothing of being nearly extinct - and there may be even more truth and insight contained in that image than anyone ever intended."

Grantham, Ware, and Williamson pose an especially interesting question: How can a business evolve from being a dinosaur to a jaguar, and do so in the space of months, not millennia? In this book, they provide their response to it, what they characterize as "a collaborative, strategic approach to management that acknowledges and leverages the growing interdependence of human resources (HR), corporate real estate (CRE), and information technology (IT), a process we call collaborative strategic management." In this volume, they explain to define, develop, and then implement the CSM process, and thus achieve corporate agility. The co-authors organize and present their material within ten chapters and draw upon a collection of wide-ranging, cutting-edge ideas drawn from pilot programs, case studies, and evolving best practices established by members of the Future of Work community. (The co-authors invite you to visit www.thefutureofwork.net/index.html.)

FYI, the quoted phrase in this review's title was formulated by James O'Toole while identifying major barriers to leading change in a book that bears that name. Grantham, Ware, and Williamson have no illusions whatsoever as to the difficulty of defining, developing, and then implementing the CSM process to achieve corporate agility. They realize that many organizations cannot overcome "the ideology of comfort and the tyranny of custom" and will not survive. These are the "dinosaurs" to which they refer. However, other organizations can become agile and thus adapt to rapid, model-shattering changes in the global economy. These are the "jaguars" to which they refer.

To me, it is especially appropriate that the process of defining, developing, and then implementing collaborative strategic management requires organizations to be actively involved in all manner of alliances and mutually beneficial partnerships between and among members of global communities such as Future of Work. This is precisely what Satish Nambisan and Mohanbir Sawhney also have in mind in Global Brain: Your Roadmap for Innovating Faster and Smarter in a Networked World. They wholeheartedly agree with Grantham, Ware, and Williamson that agility is more, much more than a highly desirable attribute; it is, in fact, a key to organizational survival. Hence the importance of this brilliant book that will be of incalculable value to those planning for or have already embarked upon the perilous and complicated but necessary process of strategically integrating the effective management of real estate, human resources, and technology assets.

And as Charles Grantham, James Ware, and Cory Williamson point out, "It does that in a collaborative fashion that requires a change in decision-making processes and styles from what most organizations rely on today. [Moreover, an agile enterprise organizes itself into three (and only three) levels that center on completion, survival, and renewal." In this context, I assume that "completion" refers to achieving the given objectives, whatever they may be. However, collaborative strategic management is a journey rather than a destination, an on-going process that must be constantly renewed with appropriate modifications. Only then can an organization sustain its agility.

Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Thomas Friedman's The World Is Flat and Competing in a Flat World co-authored by Victor Fung, William Fung, and Yoram (Jerry) Wind as well as The New American Workplace co-authored by James O'Toole and Edward Lawler, O'Toole's aforementioned Leading Change, Henry Chesbrough's Open Business Models, Noel Tichy and Warren Bennis' Judgment, Richard Ogle's Smart World, Frans Johansson's The Medici Effect, James Kilts's Doing What Matters, Dean Spitzer's Transforming Performance Measurement, and Enterprise Architecture As Strategy co-authored by Jeanne W. Ross, Peter Weill, and David Robertson.