Book Reviews

Book Reviews

Organic and Medicinal Chemistry. Volume 2

“The new book titled “Organic and Medicinal Chemistry”, edited by Dr. Bimal Krishna Banik, covers a very interesting list of topics involving syntheses and applications of compounds such as beta-lactams, pyrimidines, thiazolidinones, quiinazolines, phosphonates, phosphinates, isoxazolines, pyrroles, polyaromatics and glycosides. The applications especially focus on cancer and apoptosis. The book is highly recommended both for both experts and non-experts who are interested in these important areas.” – Arnold L. Demain, Ph. D., RISE Institute of Drew University, Madison, New Jersey, USA

“The edited volume by Dr. Banik is a collection of 18 chapters. The coverage is very broad with topical areas in synthesis of bioactive compounds, heterocyclic/medicinal chemistry, and anticancer agents. It is an informative collection that would benefit researchers working in these areas.” – Kenneth Laali, Ph.D., Presidential Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of North Florida

“I have looked at the contents provided by Dr. Banik. I fully endorse this book. The contents are highly adequate. In my opinion the book is extremely useful for researchers in chemistry all over the world. Each chapter is written by highly competent chemist. Consequently, I highly recommend this book for chemists all over the world.” – Narayan G. Bhat, Ph. D., Professor of Chemistry, UTRGV, Edinburg, TX, USA

For more information about this book, please click here.

Russia’s Policy in the Caspian Region

“Considering the specifics of the geographical and geopolitical location of the Caspian region, the features of the Russia policy there are revealed. There is a rich concentration of mineral and natural resources in the Caspian region, and new transport routes are actively operating. New routes can be realized there as well. All these factors are fully reflected in this book.” – Dr. Igor S. Zonn, Professor at The Moscow Sergei Witte University, Moscow

“The book reflects the policy of Russia in the Caspian in the scientific field. The author convincingly showed that Russia’s efforts in that area have played a significant role in developing common approaches to environmental safety, and protection of the biodiversity of the Caspian Sea.” – Dr Andrey G. Kostianoy, Professor at the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow

“The monograph is not the author’s first work devoted to Russian politics in the Caspian. In his book, the author explores the issues of the energy policy of Russia in the Caspian region, the features of its cooperation with the Caspian countries. The greatest interest presents the last part of the book, which reveals the current stage of the Caspian policy of Russia. Particularly, it demonstrates how Russia has managed to retain its influence as the most important transit country for Caspian oil and gas. Thanks to Russia’s efforts, a compromise approach in adopting the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea in August 2018 was developed.” – Dr Mark A. Neimark, Professor at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Moscow

For more information about this book, please click here.

Post-Investment Monitoring: Intercultural Synergy Valuation

Dr. Liviu Warter provides us with an original, fascinating approach to understanding the importance of focusing on intercultural synergy in post-investment monitoring.” – Hershey H. Friedman, Professor, PhD, Department of Business Management, City University of New York, USA

The most challenging part of the M&A process is the integration of two entities that present different organizational and national cultures. This book by Liviu Warter is showing empirical research data on the relationship between culture, post-merger integration processes, and M&A performance. Particularly on intercultural synergy Dr. Warter says: “In lieu of asking if cultural differences have an impact on performance, researchers should concentrate on how cultural differences affect M&A performance.” Intercultural synergy is the mixture of diverse cultural elements like traditions, values, norms, practices, behaviors etc. in such a way that the result is a construction of higher value than the sum of elements.

This book exerts to find an explanation for M&A performance in terms of the impact that cultural differences have on the post-merger integration process. It emphasizes the role of post-investment monitoring and intercultural synergies achievement.

Generically, M&A researchers have concentrated independently on pre-acquisition and post-acquisition influential factors. Almost all conclude that cultural influences are important in M&A. Despite this, this study reveals the underestimation of the role of cultural integration in M&A literature.

Many scholars have stated that is difficult to analyze post-merger integration although the integration phase is critical due to the significant cultural differences of the two different organizations. There are irresolute evidences on how integration is accomplished. The influence of cultural differences is sometimes antithetical.

Culture is frequently described as an obstacle to the success of M&A’s. But an understanding of cultural differences can work out be positively by enabling access to the partner’s routines and repertoires embedded in national culture.

The concept of “intercultural synergy” is still poorly understood despite a growing body of research on synergy creation. Generically, there is an inadequate practical approach although most scholars highlight the importance of intercultural synergy in M&A. To sum up, these findings suggest that intercultural synergy is a significant issue of post-merger integration processes, and M&A performance.” – Huib Wursten, Drs., Culture expert, Former co-owner of ITIM International, Associated with the Hofstede Insights Group, Netherlands

Mergers and acquisitions become a common phenomenon in modern business. Practically there is no a day without an announcement of the new transaction, regardless of the sector, country or size of the company. One should mention, however, that vast majority of such transactions fail. One of the reasons are the problems at the integration stage in which the strategic and value-creating aims have to be realized by the integration of the acquired company. Given these facts, this monograph analyses in details intercultural synergy valuation in merger and acquisition transactions.

This work should be classified as an interesting book in the field of strategic management. It presents a good scientific level, supported by the latest and very rich world literature. In addition, it is characterized by a high application value and should therefore be designed for a wide group of recipients, including scholars, managers, and students of management science.” – Włodzimierz Sroka, Associate Professor of Strategic Management, WSB University, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland

Qualitative and Quantitative Economics (Q2E): Making Economics into a Science

“Woodrow (Woody) Clark II, PhD and I have known and worked together for over two decades, from the late 1990s on the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which went on to share the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Woody gave lectures in my courses at Berkeley; and got involved when I launched the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory at UC Berkeley.
We have stayed in touch since then; and will continue to do so. Woody’s work to develop “Qualitative Economics” reflects an important conversation in the evolution of disciplines.” – Daniel Kammen, PhD, Professor and Chair, Energy and Resources Group, Professor in the Goldman School of Public Policy, Professor of Nuclear Engineering, Founding Director, Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA

“Whether one agrees or not with the thesis this is a book well worth reading. It provides a new perspective on the traditional view that dominates the field of economics. For anyone willing to be challenged, I highly recommend this book.” – James Barth, PhD., Lowder Eminent Scholar in Finance, Harbert College of Business, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA, and Senior Finance Fellow, Milken Institute, Fellow of the Wharton Financial Institutions Center, Co-Editor of Journal of Financial Economic Policy

“I have known Woody for more than two decades, when he was first teaching in the business school at what is now Cal State East Bay. Woody has a long and admirable history in bringing social, environmental and economic issues to light across a range of media and topics. He has been a pioneer in energy and environmental issues, including serving as the first Manager of Technology Transfer at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, before moving to Denmark (after being a Fulbright Fellow in the early 1990s) to be a fulltime Professor in Business Economics at Aalborg University. When Woody was asked by California Governor Gray Davis to return to California to be one of his five energy advisors, he predicted the statewide energy crisis months before it happened. Now, he has turned to another critical issue — the Circular Economy — which he helped establish in the EU and China. He brings intellect, vision and passion to everything he does, always in service of the greater good.” – Joel Makower, Chairman and Executive Editor, GreenBiz Group Inc., Oakland, California, USA

“Dr. Woodrow “Woody” Clark and I have worked together for more than two decades on solutions to global sustainability and climate change challenges. Above all, Woody understands the economics, costs, financing and ROI (both economically and environmentally) that are needed to turn vision into reality

His work in creating qualitative economics has done a lot to change economics from a “field of study” into a science, especially as it relates to our energy needs and uses. What does “clean” energy mean, for example? He demonstrates that there is no “clean coal” and that natural gas is not truly clean either. These words, terms and numbers must be defined, examined and used to reverse the destruction of the earth, water and air.

That is what this book is about and what Woody has brought into the mainstream conversation with his work on Circular Economics. This book provides cases and ways to make our planet, and its economy, green and sustainable for the long term. Our lives and our children’s lives depend upon learning new ways to see the world and taking action based on this knowledge NOW.” – Terry Tamminen, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, Executive Director of the Foundation, Beverly Hills, CA, USA

For more information about this book, please click here.

IP Basics: Educator’s Manual

“This is an important resource for anyone teaching/ mentoring/ coaching want-to-be inventors or entrepreneurs ……high school students and even undergraduate and graduate students can gain so much from understanding this basic information. This is must read and must understand information that will protect the intellectual property of these budding inventors and entrepreneurs, and make them much better prepared for real life and to protect their own interests.” – RADM Richard W. Schneider, Ph.D, USCGR, President, Norwich University, Northfield, VT, USA

“I recently read Neal Orkin’s e-book, IP Basics.  The content is presented in such a way as to capture my students’ interest and imagination, and in a format that makes it easy for them to quickly learn key concepts.  This would be a terrific addition to our STEAM Program.  Students without any knowledge of IP will find Mr. Orkin’s book both entertaining and extremely informative.” – Lee Marcus, AP Statistics Teacher, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA

“Making IP understandable and accessible to first time entrepreneurs is not easy. These publications help demystify and aid this process.” – David Bradbury, President, Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies, Inc (VCET)

“Professor Neal Orkin’s new book, “IP Basics,” stimulates curiosity and delivers vitally-important information to students and teachers alike. Orkin’s decades of IP expertise and his passion for the topic make “IP Basics”  a must-read.” – Donald L. Haskin, Senior Vice President, Citibank, Member, Board of Directors, Philadelphia Education Fund

“With their natural inquisitiveness and creativity, but lack of business experience, young people can be most susceptible to opening new businesses without proper preparation, increasing their probability of failure.

With this book, Neal Orkin has taken an important step in helping students and others new to entrepreneurship enhance their chances of success.  While today’s self-help guides, one day seminars and academic curriculum devoted to entrepreneurship may focus on the important disciplines of marketing, sales, finance, and operations, what is often missing from them is how business creators can protect what they create in the present and for the long term. This book on IP provides essential background information on how this can be done. Its clear, concise style is perfect for those interested in a short, but practical guide to this essential information for those with aspirations of creating a business. I highly recommend Neal’s work.” – Francis Linnehan, Ph.D, Dean Emeritus, LeBow College of Business, Drexel University

“Understanding and appreciating intellectual property has never been more important. Professor Orkin makes it simple but not simplistic, precise but concise. The basics made clear and useful.” – M. Kelly Tillery, Esquire, Senior Partner, Intellectual Property Department, Pepper Hamilton LLP, Philadelphia, PA, USA

“Professor Neal Orkin provides us with a concise and clear introduction to the basic issues of Intellectual Property that we all need. Based on his years of teaching Legal Studies at the LeBow College of Business at Drexel University, he shows us the sources and concerns that interest so many of us who deal with ideas and discovery, the ABCs of ownership, protection of ideas to which we are emotionally connected, and aspects of software, trademarks, patents, and copyrights that we are generating. As a researcher and teacher of molecular biology and sociolinguistics, I, together with my students and colleagues, am indebted to Neal Orkin for this most useful gift.” – Rakhmiel Peltz, Ph.D., Professor of Sociolinguistics, Founding Director of Judaic Studies, Drexel University

For more information about this book, please click here.

Intelligence and Security Challenges of European Migrant Crisis: An Insight into an Innovative Forecasting Model

“The monograph “Intelligence and Security Challenges of European Migrant Crisis: An Insight into an Innovative Forecasting Model”, written by my respected colleagues Theodora Ivanuša, Dejan Dragan, Iztok Podbregar, Gašper Hribar, and Janez Žirovnik, resulted from their successfully conducted theoretical and empirical research on important and current topic: migrant crisis in Europe 2015 – 2016, with the emphasis on its security and intelligence aspects. A unique methodological approach to researching the phenomenon resulted in testing and presenting Innovative Forecasting Model, applicable in short-term and mid-term anticipation of occurrences and development of similar crises in the future.

“The reasons behind increased attention to illegal migration today in the world are not only implications of refugee waves on political, economic, and demographic situations for the transit and host countries of asylum seekers. Namely, in the masses of refugees and migrants, the presence of undercover terrorist and transnational criminal organizations is highly expected, that may affect the national security of the country they encounter with. Noticeable example of this claim is the peak of migrant crisis in 2015, when over one million persons from the Middle East arrived in the Member States of the European Union via transiting Balkan route from Turkey. Many asylum seekers who have entered the EU on the refugee wave, have been later identified as perpetrators or accomplices of terrorist acts done in several European cities.

In introductory chapter (pg. 1-44) the authors have provided a comprehensive overview of the background, causes, trends, features, including security and geopolitical consequences of European migrant crisis, on transit countries on the Balkan and Mediterranean route, as well as on the European Union and its Member States. In this regard, it was pointed out that the migrant crisis contributed to long-term breach of the values of the EU, weakening the internal cohesion and questioning the future of the European Union, boosting populism and xenophobia in many European countries, as well as worsening inter-state relations between fragile area of the Balkans.

Studying the activities of the intelligence institutions of European countries during the migrant crisis, the authors point out the lack of attentiveness, thus incompleteness and ineffectiveness of measures for the systematic collection of relevant data and information, mismatch between national databases, failure in applying corresponding methods of analyzing and modeling, therefore, the absence of an anticipating component. The monograph states that from the intelligence community in transit and reception countries it was not realistic to expect that these countries could keep the situation completely keep under control, given the lack of inter-state and multilateral cooperation, especially in terms of the possible political influence of the intelligence-security institutions, as well as the existence of different national interests in regards to this issue. In this context, the authors are questioning whether the migrant crisis imposed the need of establishing a new specific intelligence and counterintelligence methods?

Second chapter (pg. 45-122) offers the results of analysis of the migrant wave flow across Turkey and Greece into Europe during the period October 2015 to June 2016. For the purposes of research, conducted on the basis of statistical and other open source data, the authors have used a combined Monte Carlo Scenario-Playing Simulation-Based Mechanism, in addition to designing integrated ARIMA-Intervention Model. Researchers have, in the basic of ARIMA Model, added a component of intervention due to the fact that the European migrant crisis was greatly provoked and then stopped, by the unexpected effects of external factors.

In analyzing and modeling, daily frequencies of the movement of refugees on the Balkan route during 250 days of observations were tracked and recorded, periodic trends related to the activities of the network of human traffickers (approximately weekly cycles until February 2016), and effects of external factors; situation changing on the migrant route, after the signing of the EU-Turkey Agreement on March 20, 2016, sudden changes in policy of the participating countries towards migrants in the period before the Agreement (procedure stop-start), and other unexpected external events, in terms of its effect on the magnitude expression, i.e. increase and/or decrease of migrant wave intensity. All this have constituted a framework to the authors to generate future trends of situation development in similar circumstances, using the Monte Carlo Scenario-Playing Mechanism.

On the grounds of the results of analyzing and modeling, the readers and intelligence community in European countries, were presented with possibilities of applying the Innovative Forecasting Model – for the purpose of reaching a short-term and med-term anticipation of likelihood of the future migrant wave occurrence towards Europe, i.e. the establishment of an appropriate system of early warning. In this regard, it is important to point out that the quantitative modeling, testing of various generators of uncertainty and randomness, and predictive approach of this type by now was very rarely used in research related to security issues and terrorism battling.

The obtained results could be significantly important for the relevant institutions of the European Union and its Member States, as well as, for transit states, to plan appropriate measures of border protection, battling terrorism, and improvement of the asylum policy. Also, the proposed Innovative Forecasting Model can contribute to the improvement of the methodology of analyzing data within the intelligence community and be useful to researchers focused on security issues.

That being said, the monograph „Intelligence and Security Challenges of European Migrant Crisis: An Insight into an Innovative Forecasting Model” represents a valuable and innovative scientific achievement and its publication should be wholeheartedly supported.” – Dragan Trivan, PhD, Associate Professor, University “UNION – NIKOLA TESLA,” Belgrade, Serbia

For more information about this book, please click here.

The Contemporary Caribbean: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities

“Dr. Beckford must be commended for this work in which scholars from English-Speaking Caribbean interrogate issues including energy sources, ethnicity and politics, climate change, the tourism industry, male academic underachievement, ecosystem management, among others. This text demands our attention because not only are these issues current and relevant and go to the very heart of the survival of these societies, they are dissected by some of the region’s most engaging minds.” – Livingston Smith, PhD, Professor, University College of the Cayman Islands

“This book provides a multidisciplinary look at some pressing Caribbean issues. The editor, and contributors are Caribbean experts and nationals whose authentic voices come through in their discussions. The Caribbean is an understudied region relatively speaking. This volume adds to the expanding literature about this fascinating and enigmatic world region. The perspectives presented in the ten chapters, will be of great interest to a wide cross-section of readers, both regionally and internationally. It is a timely discussion of aspects of contemporary Caribbean life and will be sought after by Caribbeanists. I look forward to using it in my own teaching and research.” – Dr. Donovan Campbell, Lecturer, Department of Geography and Geology, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica

For more information about this book, please click here.

The European Union and its Debt Crises: The Deception of the Greeks

“This book explains why the European debt crisis, which started in 2009, continues until today. It argues, among others, that national identity and the large cultural differences among the European countries, do not allow them to work together for the common good. Dr. Kallianiotis presents the historical background of the European Union and explains the causes of the European debt crisis. The debate about the European debt crisis is a very interesting one and this book is an important contribution to this debate, useful for all social scientists (economists, political scientists, historians, and others).” – Dr. Christos Pargianas, Associate Professor of Economics, Economics/Finance Department, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, USA

“European Union and its Debt Crises: Deception of Greeks offers a thought-provoking heterodox view on the modern-day economic and debt crises in Europe with an emphasis on its implications for the Greeks. As an academic economist who has a strong interest in history, I found this volume particularly interesting as it offers a serious account of most important historical developments that starting from the Holy Roman Empire led up to the formation, evolution, and modern-day peril of the European Union. This is definitely a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the topic and who is also open to new ideas and opinions.”  –
Dr. Aram Balagyozyan, Associate Professor, Department of Economics and Finance, Kania School of Management, The University of Scranton

“This book is an important contribution to the vast and growing literature on the debt crises that have been occurring in the European Union (EU), and especially in the Euro-Zone which represents the EU’s approximation to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Dr. Kallianiotis carefully and efficiently points out that what appears to be a singular debt crisis in the EU that has been in existence over the past several years is actually linked to several other crises, debt and otherwise, that have their basis not just in failure to recognize and understand basic concepts in economics and economic policy-making but, on a deeper level, in a lack of ethics and social responsibility. He pointedly and successfully argues that the various debt crises are tied to economic, financial, political, and social problems, issues, and inequities that the EU, the EMU, and the IMF all either ignored or took for granted. In that vein, his book makes valid, solid, and pertinent contributions to the political economy of the EU and the EMU and how the economic, political, and social systems in these organizations and their various institutions were tied together and how all were factors in the recent and current malaise that has inflicted and continues to inflict negative consequences on the citizens of the EU and EMU. I recommend his book highly for not just college and university courses related to international economics and finance, as well as the EU and EMU, but also for professionals who study and conduct research on the EU and EMU and all the consequences and issues and problems within each.” – Dr. Richard J. Torz, Associate Professor of Economics, St. Joseph’s College New York

“History helps the reader better understand the present and plan for the future. This book does just that. The author pays tremendous attention to historical detail. Economic analysis relates to public policy, calling attention to the potential that Greece would have sans EU and EMU. The last chapter draws worthy conclusions suggesting a strong position that needs to be taken for the country to thrive. This is the moment of truth for the author and his country. Readers will be enlightened by the plethora of examples of sovereign decisions making as parallels to use and abuse of corporate power for specific gain. The book can be used by economists and business educators as well as practitioners. I recommend this book to my colleagues, business contemporaries and students. Let us learn from the Greek experience.” –
Cathyann D. Tully, Professor of Finance, Nicolais School of Business, Wagner College, NY, USA

For more information about this book, please click here.

Monetary Unions: Background, Advantages and Disadvantages

“The establishment of the euro area has been one of the most important events in the economic history of Europe. Almost 20-year lifetime of the Economic and Monetary Union leads to an in-depth reflection on the effects in practice of its mechanisms. Such reflection is found in this book, which is the result of the work of the international research team under the direction of Prof. Sławomir Bukowski. The book provides an original and valuable contribution to the researches and literature.

The starting point for analysis is characteristic of theoretical bases of functioning of Monetary Union and occurring within the adjustment mechanisms. Then in question is the issue of the functioning of the Monetary Union without fiscal Union, the ECB’s monetary policy and its consequences, and the importance of the process of real convergence of Member States ‘ economies. An important area of analysis are the problems of the European Banking Union, structural imbalances and the flow of capital in the euro area, as well as the financial market as a source of capital for companies.

The authors have presented the complex issues of monetary integration in such a way that allows the political and economic conditions and the implications of the monetary union in Europe to be understood by a wide range of readers.

This book can be an important reading not only for scientists, economists and students, but also for a wide range of people interested in the future of the European Union and especially euro area.” – Professor Leokadia Oręziak, Head of the Department of International Finance, Warsaw School of Economics, Poland

For more information about this book, please click here.

Geopolitics of the South China Sea in the Coming Decades

“A well reasoned and timely study on burning security issues and policies of countries in East and Southeast Asia by political realist and military strategist from the region. The analysis includes assessment of capabilities and potential of rising China, declining America, struggling but fragmented ASEAN, and binding India, Japan, and other regional sea powers.” – Professor Radomir Compel, Nagasaki University

“General Aminul Karim’s new study, Geopolitics of the South China Sea in the Coming Decades, comes on the heels of his earlier work, 21st Century High Politics in the Indo-Pacific and the Bay of Bengal, is an attempt to understand the complex and complicated security issues confronting the region. With his masterly grasp, unrivaled understanding of the geopolitical dynamic of the area, and his inimitable ability to view the problems from a practical perspective, General Karim has made an invaluable contribution to the subject. Anyone interested in the region and the threats that it portends will find this book quite invaluable.” – Professor Gowher Rizvi, Former Director, Ash Institute, Kennedy School, Harvard University, Author of South Asia in the New Global Order

For more information about this book, please click here.