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In 2003, the world’s attention became focused on Iraq. That’s when the United States invaded the country to overthrow Iraq’s dictator, Saddam Hussein. American leaders said Iraq had “weapons of mass destruction” and was a threat to the rest of the world. No such weapons were found. But Hussein’s rule ended, and he was captured by U.S. troops.Facts About IraqOfficial name Republic of IraqCapital BaghdadOfficial language ArabicPopulation 28,200,000 peopleRank among countries in population 44thMajor cities Baghdad, Mosul, Al BasrahArea 169,000 square miles 438,000 square kilometersRank among countries in area 57thHighest point Mt. Haji Ibrahim11,834 feet/3,607 metersCurrency Iraqi dinarOIL AND SANDIraq is a country in the Middle East. Much of Iraq is desert. Enormous deposits of oil lie beneath the desert. Oil forms the basis of Iraq’s economy. But wars since 1980 have destroyed much of the country’s oil production.SADDAM HUSSEIN AND WARSaddam Hussein came to power in Iraq in 1979. He had total control and allowed no opposition to his policies. Hussein wanted Iraq to play a leading role in the Middle East. He took many risks.Hussein led Iraq into a war with its neighbor Iran. The destructive and costly Iran-Iraq War dragged on from 1980 to 1988. Neither side gained anything from it. But Iraq had borrowed money and came out of the war deeply in debt.Iraq’s debts led to the Persian Gulf War. Iraq needed income from oil to repay its debts. In 1990, Hussein sent Iraqi forces into neighboring Kuwait during a dispute over oil. This invasion started the Persian GulfWar. The United States led military forces that drove Iraq out of Kuwait. Iraq suffered heavy damage from bombing during the war.After the Persian Gulf War, most countries stopped doing business with Iraq. The country became very poor. Life became extremely hard for most Iraqis.United States leaders still considered Hussein and Iraq a threat. The United States claimed that Iraq was hiding illegal weapons. In March 2003, U.S. forces supported by Britain and other countries invaded Iraq. They bombed Baghdad and other cities in Iraq. Today, Iraqis are struggling to rebuild their shattered country.ANCIENT IRAQOil has shaped modern Iraq. But water shaped the early history of this land. Two important rivers run through the country, the Tigris and the Euphrates. In ancient times, the land between these rivers was called Mesopotamia.The Tigris and Euphrates brought soil down from mountains in northern Iraq. Over time, this fertile soil spread over the river valleys. This made Mesopotamia an easy region to farm. Early settlers in the river valleys built canals from the rivers to water their crops.About 5,000 years ago, villages along these rivers began growing into cities. The more powerful cities conquered other cities and builtever-bigger empires. A number of ancient civilizations flourished in Mesopotamia. They made many advances in literature, law, and science.BAGHDADBaghdad is the biggest city in Iraq and the country’s capi tal. From the mid-700s to the mid-1200s, Baghdad ranked as a great center of trade and culture.Have you heard the story of Aladdin and his magic lamp? Or of Sindbad the Sailor and his seven voyages? These stories come from a book called the Arabian Nights. Many of the stories are set in Baghdad, in the court of ruler Harun ar-Rashid.ISLAMBaghdad grew important with the spread of a new religion called Islam. Islam developed in nearby Arabia during the AD600s. The followers of Islam built a huge empire. In 762, the capital of this empire moved to Baghdad.Karbala, one of the holiest cities of Islam, is located in central Iraq. Karbala is sacred to members of the Shia branch of Islam. Most Iraqis belong to this branch. Every year, Shia pilgrims flock to Karbala to honor the death of Husayn, one of their early leaders. Husayn was the grandson of the prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Husayn was killed at Karbala.。
外贸合同中英文4篇篇1International Trade ContractContractual agreements are vital in the field of international trade as they establish the terms and conditions between parties involved. These agreements or contracts must be clear, precise, and adhere to the laws governing international trade. This document aims to explore the key elements of an international trade contract and provide an example of such a contract in both English and Chinese.Key Elements of an International Trade Contract1. Parties involved: The contract must clearly identify the parties involved in the transaction, including their names, addresses, and contact information.2. Contract terms: The terms of the agreement must be clearly outlined, including the scope of work, delivery dates, payment terms, and any other relevant details.3. Pricing: The contract should specify the pricing of the goods or services being traded, including any applicable taxes, duties, or fees.4. Terms of payment: The payment terms, including the method of payment, currency, and timing of payments, must be agreed upon by both parties.5. Delivery terms: The contract should outline the delivery terms, including the shipping method, responsibilities of each party, and any applicable Incoterms.6. Dispute resolution: The contract should include provisions for resolving disputes that may arise during the course of the transaction, including arbitration or mediation clauses.Example of an International Trade ContractBelow is an example of an international trade contract between a Chinese supplier and an American importer:International Trade ContractThis agreement is made on [date] between [Chinese supplier], located at [address], hereinafter referred to as the "Supplier", and [American importer], located at [address], hereinafter referred to as the "Importer".1. Scope of work: The Supplier agrees to provide [description of goods or services] to the Importer in accordance with the specifications outlined in Exhibit A attached hereto.2. Delivery dates: The Supplier shall deliver the goods to the Importer by [delivery date]. Any delays in delivery must be communicated to the Importer in writing.3. Pricing: The pricing of the goods shall be [price] per unit, excluding any applicable taxes, duties, or fees.4. Payment terms: The Importer agrees to pay the Supplier [payment terms], with 50% due upon signing of this agreement and the remaining 50% due upon delivery of the goods.5. Delivery terms: The goods shall be delivered using [shipping method], with the Supplier responsible for packaging and loading the goods onto the carrier.6. Dispute resolution: Any disputes arising from this agreement shall be resolved through arbitration in accordance with the laws of [jurisdiction].This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings. This contract shall be governed by the laws of [jurisdiction].Signed:Supplier: __________________________Date: ________________________Importer: _________________________Date: ________________________In conclusion, international trade contracts play a crucial role in facilitating trade between parties from different countries. By clearly outlining the terms and conditions of the agreement, these contracts help to mitigate risks and ensure a smooth transaction process. It is important for parties involved in international trade to carefully review and negotiate the terms of the contract to protect their interests and avoid any potential disputes.篇2Foreign Trade ContractContract No.: ABC2021001Party A: Seller: ABC Trading CompanyParty B: Buyer: XYZ International Trading Co., Ltd.Date: January 1, 20211. Product Description:1.1 Party A agrees to sell and deliver to Party B the following products:Product: Electrical appliancesQuantity: 1000 unitsUnit Price: USD 50 per unitTotal Price: USD 50,0001.2 The specifications and quality of the products shall be in accordance with the samples provided by Party A and approved by Party B.2. Payment Terms:2.1 Party B shall make a 30% deposit of the total contract value (USD 15,000) upon signing this contract.2.2 The remaining 70% (USD 35,000) shall be paid by Party B upon completion of production and before shipment of the products.3. Delivery:3.1 The products shall be delivered to Party B's designated warehouse within 30 days upon receipt of the deposit.3.2 The delivery shall be made by sea freight to the port of destination specified by Party B.4. Packing and Shipping:4.1 The products shall be packed in accordance with standard export packaging.4.2 Party A shall be responsible for arranging and paying for the transportation of the products to the port of destination.5. Inspection and Acceptance:5.1 Party B shall have the right to inspect the products upon arrival at the port of destination. Any non-conformities or damages shall be reported to Party A within 3 days of receipt.5.2 Party A shall be liable for replacing or repairing any defective products found during the inspection.6. Force Majeure:6.1 If either party is prevented from fulfilling its obligations under this contract due to force majeure events such as natural disasters, government actions, or wars, the affected party shall not be held liable for any delays or failures in performance.7. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution:7.1 This contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the People's Republic of China.7.2 Any disputes arising from this contract shall be settled through friendly negotiation. If no agreement can be reached, the dispute shall be submitted to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration.This contract is made and entered into by the authorized representatives of both parties on the date first written above.ABC Trading Company XYZ International Trading Co., Ltd.___________________________________________________(Signed)(Signed)John SmithJane DoeTitle: Sales ManagerTitle: Purchasing Manager(Date)(Date)篇3International trade plays a crucial role in the global economy, with billions of dollars worth of goods and services exchanged between countries every day. One of the key components of international trade is the foreign trade contract, which outlines the terms and conditions of the transaction between the buyer and the seller. These contracts are typically written in both English and the language of the country where the transaction is taking place, to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.A foreign trade contract serves as the legal framework for the transaction and provides a record of the agreements made between the parties. It typically includes details such as the names and addresses of the buyer and seller, a description of the goods or services being traded, the price, payment terms, delivery terms, and any other relevant information. The contract may also include provisions for dispute resolution, warranties, and the governing law of the contract.When drafting a foreign trade contract, it is important to pay close attention to the language used and ensure that all terms are clearly defined and understood by both parties. Ambiguities or misunderstandings in the contract language can lead to disputes and legal issues down the line. In addition, it isimportant to include clauses that protect the interests of both parties, such as force majeure clauses in case of unforeseen events that prevent the fulfillment of the contract.Here is an example of a foreign trade contract in English:Foreign Trade ContractThis agreement is made on [date] between [Buyer's Name and Address] (hereinafter referred to as "Buyer") and [Seller's Name and Address] (hereinafter referred to as "Seller") for the sale and purchase of [Description of Goods/Services] on the following terms and conditions:1. Description of Goods/Services: Seller agrees to sell and Buyer agrees to purchase [Description of Goods/Services] in the quantity of [quantity] at the price of [price].2. Payment Terms: Buyer agrees to pay Seller the total amount of [total amount] in [currency] within [number] days of receiving the goods/services.3. Delivery Terms: Seller agrees to deliver the goods/services to Buyer's address at [address] within [number] days of receiving payment.4. Governing Law: This contract shall be governed by the laws of [country].5. Dispute Resolution: Any disputes arising from this contract shall be resolved through arbitration in [city].This contract is hereby signed by both parties on the date mentioned above.Buyer's Signature: _____________________Seller's Signature: _____________________In conclusion, foreign trade contracts play a vital role in international trade, providing a legal framework for transactions and ensuring clarity and understanding between parties. By drafting contracts in both English and the language of the country where the transaction is taking place, parties can reduce the risk of misunderstandings and disputes and conduct business with confidence.篇4International trade is an essential part of the global economy, with countless transactions taking place between companies and businesses from different countries every day. One crucial aspect of international trade is the negotiation and signing of trade contracts, also known as foreign trade contracts.Foreign trade contracts are legal agreements between two or more parties from different countries, specifying the terms and conditions under which goods or services will be exchanged. These contracts help to establish clear expectations and responsibilities for each party, as well as providing legal protection in case of disputes or disagreements.When drafting a foreign trade contract, it is vital to ensure that all terms and conditions are clearly defined and agreed upon by all parties involved. This includes details such as the names and addresses of the parties, the description of the goods or services being traded, the price and payment terms, delivery schedule, quality standards, and any other relevant terms specific to the transaction.In addition to being comprehensive and detailed, foreign trade contracts must also be written in both the native language of the parties involved and in English, as English is widely used as the international language of business. This helps to avoid any misunderstandings or misinterpretations due to language barriers and ensures that all parties have a clear understanding of the terms and conditions of the contract.Here is an example of a foreign trade contract in both Chinese and English:**外贸合同****合同编号:XXXXXX****签署日期:YYYY年MM月DD日****甲方:****地址:XXXXXXXXXXXXXX****联系人:XXXXXXXX****电话:XXXXXXXXX****乙方:****地址:XXXXXXXXXXXXXX****联系人:XXXXXXXX****电话:XXXXXXXXX****一、合同标的****1.1 甲方以XXXXXXXXXX为合同标的向乙方出售XXXXXXXX。
《国际安全研究》大纲International Security Studies石斌南京大学国际关系研究院□ 主要内容:安全是国际政治的一个核心概念,也是所有政治与社会生活中的一种基本价值。
安全在任何时候、对任何国际行为体而言都是参与国际交往的基本条件与首要目标。
因此安全研究在很大程度上构成了国际关系研究的核心。
本课程的学习以阅读和讨论为主,大致涉及以下五方面(尤其前三部分)内容:●国际安全的基本理论。
包括安全研究的概念、对象、分析层次与方法论;国际关系主流与非主流范式与安全研究的理论途径等;●国际安全的主要议题或问题领域。
包括国际冲突、战争与和平;军备控制与防(核)扩散;新军事革命与当代战争的变革;生态、经济、信息、恐怖主义、跨国犯罪等非传统安全问题;以及当代全球与地区安全领域的一些热点问题。
●安全战略与安全政策。
维护国家安全与国际安全,实现各种安全目标的战略、策略与手段,例如(核)威慑战略、强制外交、预防性外交、维和、安全机制/安全合作、安全共同体等;●国际安全的文化层面(战略文化与安全文化)以及与此相关的伦理与法理因素。
●中国安全:中国的安全环境、安全目标与安全战略。
□成绩评定:●出勤(10%)●阅读与发言情况(40%)●学期论文或测验(50%)□ 阅读材料1、教材:Terry Terriff et al., Security Studies Today (Cambridge: Polity, 1999). A good overview of the recent debates in contemporary security studies with chapters discussing all of the major theoretical approaches. (关于各种理论途径)John Baylis et al. (eds.), Strategy in the Contemporary World: An Introduction to Strategic Studies (Oxford UP, 2002). A good introduction to the military dimensions of international security.(主要关于军事领域)(第一部分第3章,第三部分:各种问题领域)2、其他参考书:David P. Barash (ed.), Approaches to Peace: A Reader in Peace Studies (Oxford University Press, 2000). (和平研究经典文选)Lawrence Freedman (ed.), War (Oxford University Press, 1994). (有关战争之各个侧面的文本精粹)M. Brown, et al, eds., Theories of War and Peace: An International Security Reader, The MIT Press, 1998. (军事安全问题文集)Richard Betts, ed., Conflict after the Cold War: Arguments on Causes of War and Peace, New York, 2002.(该主题各种理论流派经典文选)戈登•克雷格和亚历山大•乔治:《武力与治国方略——我们时代的外交问题》,第二部分,商务印书馆2005(政治学与历史学、理论思考与案例分析相结合)B. Buzan, People States and Fear, 2nd ed., Harlow: Person, 1991.K. Booth (ed.), Critical Security Studies in World Politics, Lynne Rienner, 2004.克雷格•A.斯奈德:《当代安全与战略》(徐纬地等译),吉林人民出版社2001年。
Mustafa Abdul Jalil says he believes Col Gaddafi is planning attacksContinue reading the main storyLibya Crisis∙After Gaddafi∙The final phase?∙Bani Walid: Loyalists fight on∙Waiting for the oil to flowThe head of Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) has appealed for weapons as NTC forces fight to capture parts of the country still loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi.Mustafa Abdul Jalil told the BBC that the ousted leader was in southern Libya and planning revenge attacks.A written message attributed to Col Gaddafi appealed to the UN to stop "crimes" against his birthplace Sirte.Meanwhile, senior officials from Nato countries are due to visit Tripoli."We say to the leaders coming tomorrow (Thursday) that they will be safe," Mr Abdul Jalil said.Earlier, the US said it was encouraged by the increasing control the NTC was exercising over security forces in the country.'Fierce battles'Gaddafi loyalists still control four areas, including Sirte on the Mediterranean coast, and Bani Walid, south-east of the capital Tripoli, as well as Jufra and Sabha.Mr Abdul Jalil said many pro-Gaddafi forces had fled to Sabha in the southern desert."There will be fierce battles in Sabha with equipment that we do not yet have, and we ask for more equipment to retake these places," said Mr Abdul Jalil.He said Col Gaddafi had possession of "all the gold" and would be planning attacks on cities, oil fields and power plants.Col Gaddafi has previously said he would rather die than flee Libya.NTC officials say members of the former leader's inner circle took gold and cash with them when they fled south across the border to Niger last week.Mr Abdul Jalil was speaking in his first BBC interview since moving to Tripoli at the weekend from the anti-Gaddafi stronghold of Benghazi.He confirmed that the NTC would not move the whole of its administration to Tripoli until the last pockets of pro-Gaddafi resistance had been captured. Earlier, he held talks with senior US envoy Jeffrey Feltman, who pledged Washington's support for the NTC and said the US would reopen its embassy in the capital as soon as possible."We remain encouraged by growing command and control over security and police forces," said Mr Feltman, the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs.Continue reading the main story∙The Gaddafi family tree∙Gaddafi: African asylum seeker?∙Darfur rebel leader flees LibyaMr Feltman said the US was working with Libya on the control of conventional weapons such as shoulder-fired missiles.The Americans were also talking to the Libyans about the risk fromnon-conventional weapons such as mustard agent and toxic chemical precursors, he said.These had in the past been accounted for by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Warfare.Meanwhile, a Syrian TV channel sympathetic to Col Gaddafi has broadcast a message purporting to be from the fugitive leader."Terrorism and destruction exercised by Nato on the Sirte area is beyond description and has no match in past history of wars," said the written message, which was read out by a presenter."You must bear your international responsibility and intervene immediately to stop this crime."The presenter said the letter had been signed: "Muammar Gaddafi, the leader of the revolution."Nato has been carrying out air strikes under a mandate from two UN resolutions to protect Libyan civilians.At least 36 members of Col Gaddafi's inner circle, including relatives and generals, have fled to neighbouring Algeria and Niger since Tripoli fell to NTC forces last month.With roads to Tunisia, Egypt, Chad and Sudan largely controlled byanti-Gaddafi forces, Niger has been used as an exit route by Gaddafi loyalists - including his son SaadiAnti-Gaddafi fighters say they have captured the northern half of Bani Walid but have struggled to push further.More oGreece 'integral' to the eurozone, say European leaders Comments (155)George Papandreou spoke with Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel by telephoneContinue reading the main storyGlobal Economy∙French banks feel eurozone pain∙Obama sends job plan to Congress∙Chief economist resigns from ECB∙World economy 'needs bold action'The leaders of Greece, France and Germany have said that Greece is an "integral" part of the eurozone.It follows a telephone call between Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.Greece also reiterated that it is determined to meet all the deficit reductions plans it agreed to in exchange for its two bailouts.Concerns continue that Greece will default on its debt.The comments are aimed at calming markets that have seen turbulent trading in recent weeks over fears surrounding Greece's finances.This has also increased speculation that Greece may have to leave the17-nation single currency zone.Greek government spokesman Elias Mossialos said: "In the face of the extensive rumours of the last few days, it was stressed by all that Greece is an integral part of the eurozone."Ms Merkel and Mr Sarkozy said in a joint statement: "Putting into place commitments of the (bailout) programme is essential for the Greek economy to return to a path of lasting and balanced growth."The European Union and the International Monetary Fund agreed in May of last year to give Greece 110bn euros ($151bn; £96bn) in emergency loans, which it is still receiving in tranches.Continue reading the main story“Start Quote[Greece sticking to its targets] is the precondition for the payment fog future tranches of the program”End Quote Spokesman for Angela Merkel∙Q&A: Bonds and eurobondsWhat might a Greek default look like?It was then agreed in July of this year that Greece would gain a second bailout fund of 109bn euros, but this still has to be ratified by the parliaments of a number of eurozone member states.Greece is set to receive the next loan from its initial bailout later this month, but it will only get this if inspectors from the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund agree that it is keeping up with its spending cut targets.There are some fears that they may rule that Greece has fallen behind. Without this month's loan, Greece will not be able to meet its debt payments by the middle of next month.A spokesman for Ms Merkel said: "[Greece sticking to its targets] is the precondition for the payment of future tranches of the program."Eurobond proposalThe talks between Ms Merkel, Mr Papandreou and Mr Sarkozy came after EU president Jose Manuel Barroso said he would urge the eurozone nations to issue joint bonds as a means to tackle the debt crisis.Under so-called eurobonds, member states would be able to borrow money collectively.The idea is that this would strengthen the positions of the more indebted nations such as Greece and Portugal as it would allow them to borrow more cheaply.However, Germany has repeatedly expressed its opposition to the idea.Because Germany is the strongest economy in the eurozone, it can attract buyers to its existing government bonds with much lower interest rates, so it has much to lose from eurobonds being introduced.Also on Wednesday, credit rating agency Moody's downgraded two French banks after reviewing their exposure to Greek debt.Credit Agricole was cut from Aa1 to Aa2 and Societe Generale from Aa2 to Aa3.A third bank, BNP Paribas, was kept on review for a possible downgradeInnovation: Size MattersInstead of trying to inflate a small idea, take a big one and tell consumers how it can change their livesBy G. Michael Maddock and Raphael Louis VitónRelated Items∙Y ahoo Investor T urns Up Heat on Board∙Google, Facebook Sued Over T ext Completion∙Pessimism Surges Over Economy∙Obama Approval Plummets on Jobs Skepticism∙Here Comes Apple's Real TVStory Tools∙∙∙∙∙add to Business Exchange∙E-mail∙Print∙CommentOoh, that is a big idea, a really, really big idea. The other guys have ideas, but theirs are so small. You’d better watch out or you may hurt someone with that big thing. And I can see you’re very excited about it, too!We know what you’re thinking. We’re just a couple of guys overly amused by sophomoric humor, making a lame attempt to get your attention and some cheap laughs, right? Well, kinda.We admit to not taking ourselves too seriously, but before you rush to judgment, let us make a simple point that leaders too often miss when itcomes to innovation: It is easy to make a big idea small and nearly impossible to make a small idea big.We’ll explain.By making a big idea small we mean coming up with a complicatedgame-changing concept and explaining it in a way that people get instantly. For example, in 2009, Hyundai introduced an “Assurance” program that allowed you to return your new car if you got laid off. As a result, while most of its competitors posted losses, Hyundai’s 2009 February sales increased.What made this a big idea was the marriage of a powerful insight—a creative insurance mechanism that would have been almost impossible to explain on its own—and spot-on marketing that talked directly to the consumer’s worry about being laid off. It was a big idea that garnered immediate attention from potential customers and the media and produced impressive results.Don’t Hype a Small IdeaStaying with the automotive theme, we see many insurers spending millions on advertising programs that give you discounts when you choose their company for multiple policies. In other words, if you bring them more business, they will charge you less. In our opinion, with the advent of companies like (PCLN), consumers now expect a discount when things are bundled, and pointing out that you can give such a discount makes a recipe for cannibalization, not sales growth. Giving a discount for buying multiple products and then hyping the idea is an attempt to make a small idea big. It rarely resonates.So when it comes to industry-changing ideas, the size of the ideas and the resolve behind them really do matter.We believe leaders should talk about big ideas. Big ideas get your company attention. They demand a higher price. They increase loyalty. They demonstrate that you know how to listen, invent, and take risks. Great leaders know how to recognize, promote, and successfully launch big ideas.Small ideas do just the opposite. With all your big talk, you may get someone to look at them, but in the end they will cost you your reputation, your team’s loyalty, and your customer. Far too often, leaders make the mistake of talking about big ideas that are really embarrassingly small.As we have said in the past, we believe that companies should manage their innovation portfolios just like they manage their financial portfolios.Low Risk, Low ROIBy definition, this means innovation leaders are intentionally taking some small risks with small ideas. We call these ideas evolutionary innovation. Good leaders do not brag about these ideas, because in addition to being lower risk, these ideas provide a lower return on investment and your competitors are already trying them. If these are the only idea s you’re working on and your head of innovation is bragging about how they are going to change the world, then yes, we suspect you have some overcompensating going on.Because of the hype, your customers will be interested at first but will quickly turn their heads toward the big, sexy ideas of your competition. You can’t tell them you have big things in store and then not deliver.On-the-Job Skills That Matter MostIt’s all about self-control, says Harvard blogger Tony SchwartzBy Tony SchwartzRelated Items∙Can Retraining Give the Unemployed a Second Chance?∙White House Aides Pushed for Solyndra Decision, Panel Says∙Obama Approval Plummets Among Americans Skeptical of Jobs Plan∙Energy Future Sues to Block EPA Cross-State Pollution Rules∙Meet the New MBA Journal WritersStory Tools∙∙∙∙∙add to Business Exchange∙E-mail∙Print∙CommentPosted on Harvard Business Review: September 13, 2011 8:00 AMSelf control is the ability to say no, in the face of temptation, and to take sustained action, despite the difficulty of a given challenge. At its heart, self-control requires the ability to delay gratification. More commonly, it’s called discipline, or will. Without self-control, we can’t accomplish almost anything of enduring value. And we rarely pay much attention to it.Over the past decade, I’ve built a company, The Energy Project, which is devoted to helping people and organizations improve sustainable performance, in large part by more systematically exercisingself-control.Over the years, we’ve l earned that nearly everything people tend to believe about self-control is wrong. Most of us assume the only way to resist our impulses, or persevere under pressure, is to grit our teeth, furrow our brows, steel our nerves, and tough it out. Precisely the opposite is true.Energy is the fuel for self-control. We each have one reservoir of energy to get things done. Each act that requires self-control progressively depletes this energy reservoir, whether it’s when you use it to resist a piece of cake, or focus single-mindedly on a difficult problem, or stay calm when you feel provoked.Roy Baumeister has been studying self-control for more than two decades and he has just published a terrific new book, Willpower, written with John Tierney, which summarizes hi s conclusions. “Self-regulation failure,” Baumeister argues, “is the major social pathology of our time.”Conversely, we’ve found in our work that skill at self-regulation creates huge competitive advantage. There are three ways to influence it —each by better managing our energy. We can intentionally increase the energy available to us, use the energy we have more efficiently, and more regularly and intentionally renew our energy.Eating strategically is the most fundamental way to increase the energy we have available for self-control. Eating more frequently —five to six times a day — provides us with regular doses of glucose, which is the body’s primary source of energy. It serves us best to eat low-glycemic foods, such as lean proteins and complex carbohydrates, which provide a more sustaining source of energy than sugars and simple carbohydrates.Aerobic exercise is a second way to increase energy. It which builds cardiovascular capacity and helps us to keep our core level of energy —physical — even in the face of high demand.We can also increase our capacity for self-control by using our energy more efficiently, and spending down our reservoir less quickly.If you use your energy at the right times, in the right ways, you spend less of it, which leaves more in your reservoir to exercise self-control. For example, it serves us best to do our most challenging work in the mornings, when our energy reserves are highest and the number of potential distractions we face are fewer.Finally, the most undervalued way to increase self-control — and effectiveness — is to renew our energy reservoir more frequently. For example, the researcher Anders Ericcson has shown that great performers sleep as much as two hours a night more than the rest of us — at least eight hours a night on average, compared to just over six hours a night for the average American.I nearly always get at least eight hours a night myself, but last week I attended an evening session at the US Open that ran very late, and only got five and a half hours of sleep that night. The cost was huge. It dramatically reduced my ability to focus, and left me feeling more irritable and reactive over the next two days.On-the-Job Skills That Matter Most(page 2 of 2)Related Items∙Can Retraining Give the Unemployed a Second Chance?∙White House Aides Pushed for Solyndra Decision, Panel Says∙Obama Approval Plummets Among Americans Skeptical of Jobs Plan∙Energy Future Sues to Block EPA Cross-State Pollution Rules∙Meet the New MBA Journal WritersStory Tools∙∙∙∙∙add to Business Exchange∙E-mail∙Print∙CommentEven a 20 to 30-minute nap during the midafternoon can dramatically refuel your energy reservoir, and increase both your capacity for focus and for managing your emotions during the subsequent several hours.The irony is that the more conscious effort you expend to build new behaviors —the more you use will and discipline —the quicker you burn down your reservoir, and the more likely you are to revert to your old behaviors.That’s why the ultimate s ecret to self-control is to build something we call “rituals” — meaning highly precise behaviors, done at specific times, until they become automatic so they no longer drain your reservoir and undermine your capacity for self-control.Our clients have built powerful rituals around everything from when they do their most important work, to how they respond when they feel triggered, to when they work out, to what time they turn out the light at night.“Civilization advances,” said the mathematician Alfred Nor th Whitehead, “by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking about them.”Related Harvard Business Review Links:Visit Subscribe to Harvard Business ReviewSign up for Management Tip of the Day free email newsletterProvided by Harvard Business Review—Copyright © 2011 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School.。
52位各国央行行长 政要金融家推荐的54本必读书你读过几本虎嗅注:我们经常推荐一些企业界明星人物的书单,比如比尔·盖茨、扎克伯格、李开复等,但鲜有涉及到金融界尤其是各国的央行行长和金融家们看什么书,本文则提供了这样一个让我们管中窥豹的机会。
原文载于彭博新闻社,由商业周刊中文网翻译,原标题为《什么值得读?彭博2015年度好书推荐》,其中令人惊讶的是,在这52位各国央行行长、金融家和政要中,有六位同时推荐了前美国联邦储备局主席本?伯南克著作的《行动的勇气》,还有的人慷慨地推荐了两本,所以就有了52个人推荐了54本书。
你知道英国央行前行长默温?金(Mervyn King)、高盛集团的阿比?约瑟夫?科恩(Abby Joseph Cohen)和智利央行行长罗德里戈?贝尔加拉(Rodrigo Vergara)平时都看什么书吗?在2015年,他们读的最棒的一本书是前美国联邦储备局主席本?伯南克(Ben Bernanke)的著作《行动的勇气》,在这部回忆录里,伯南克回顾了他与金融危机对抗的经历。
另一本被全世界的金融巨头们所热捧的书籍是菲利普?E?泰德洛克(Philip E Tetlock)与丹?贾德纳(Dan Gardner)合著的《超级预测:预测的科学与艺术》。
这本书得到了欧亚集团总裁伊恩?布雷默(Ian Bremmer)、德意志银行驻美国经济学家乔?拉沃尼亚(Joe LaV orgna)以及花旗集团副主席皮特?奥斯扎格(Peter Orszag)的力荐。
在由彭博社评选出的2015年度好书推荐榜中还有其他的入围书目,由超过50人组成的推荐团中,包括前美国财政部部长劳伦斯?萨默斯(Lawrence Summers)和约翰?斯诺(John Snow)、以色列首相本雅明?内塔尼亚胡(Benjamin Netanyahu)、汇丰集团CEO欧智华(Stuart Gulliver)、“华尔街女王”莎莉?克劳切克(Sallie Krawcheck)和避险基金巨擘吉姆?查诺斯(Jim Chanos)。
2020-2021学年杭州市启正中学高三英语期中试题及答案第一部分阅读(共两节,满分40分)第一节(共15小题;每小题2分,满分30分)阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项ABook reading is certainly one of the most absorbing habits. For young adults who love to read, finding some good books to read is very essential. Writing a book review can help you to improve your language and writing skills.The Book ThiefListed onThe New York Times Children’s Best Seller List for over 100 weeks, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is the story of a young girl in the Nazi camps set during World War II. So, if you love history and wish to learn how the life was during Adolf Hitler’s time, read this historic book.The Diary of Young GirlEven Anne Frank can not have imagined that her personal diary written during World War II would become such a popular book. It’s a must read that describes the situation of a family in the evils of wars through the eyes of a teenager.Animal FarmAnimal Farm is one of the most popular books by George Orwell. It is just a reflection of the Stalin and World War II period that has been so creatively presented in this book. It is an interesting example of how literature can be used to present conditions common in the society.Adventures of Huckleberry FinnMark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of the great American novels in history, and is certainly a great pick for young adults. Young Huck Finn and his mischief along with the color1 ful description of people around theMississippi Rivermake this novel a great book to read.1.Which book describes the author’s own experiences according to this passage?A.The Book ThiefB.The Diary of Young GirlC.Animal FarmD.Adventures of Huckleberry Finn2.What do the first three books have in common?A.All of them are about wars.B.All of them are about farms.C.All of them are intended for history lovers.D.All of them were written during World War II.3.The purpose of this passage is to _________.A.instruct youngsters how to improve skillsB.tell youngsters some wonderful reading habitsC.introduce several good books to youngstersD.give youngsters advice on writing a book reviewBAlex Wong, a junior atMarkKeppelHigh SchoolinAlhambra,California, is working hard on his application to a top college. His resume shows off his nearly straight A’s in difficult classes, experience at a summer program atStanfordUniversity, Eagle Scout project and time on the soccer team as well as the school choir. But his steady progress stopped unexpectedly this year. Aiming to open access to college-level Advanced Placement (大学预科) courses, his schoolbegan using a computer-based lottery to give out spaces. Alex got shut out of all three of the courses he requested.The new system caused anger among families whose children failed to get into AP courses, which many consider important to develop advanced skills, improve grade-point averages and allow students to earn college credit, saving them and their families tuition dollars. Students and parents wrote to administrators to complain, circulated a petition (请愿) and launched a Facebook group for trading classes. “I’M DESPERATE! I’LL GIVE YOU FREE FOOD,” one student, Kirk Hum, posted on the 210-member AP Flea Market Facebook group.AP classes have long been held dear by the most talented and ambitious students.But now they are seen as positive for all students who are willing to push themselves – and schools are increasingly viewing access to them as a basic educational right. But this change has brought challenges.Miracle Vitangcol, a junior atDowntownMagnetsHigh Schoolwith average grades and test scores, is failing her AP US history class. She said she can’t handle the rapid pace and volume of material she needs to remember. But she said she intends to stick it out because the class is teaching her to manage her time, take good notes and work hard. “I’m struggling to adjust,” she said. “But I keep telling myself: ‘It’s OK. You can do it. Just push yourself’.”Some critics worry that the open-access movement is pushing too many unprepared students into AP classes, as shown by higher exam failure rates over the last decade. They also fear that open enrollment (录取) policies are encouraging teachers to weaken courses and give out high grades to students who don’t deserve them. “While expanding access is generally a good thing, we need to make sure we’re not watering down the experience for thehigh achievers,” said Michael Petrilli, executive vice president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a Washington-based educational policy organization.4. The purpose of the new AP courses system at Alex Wong’s school is to ______.A. make sure all students get access to the AP courses they desire.B. ensure that students have a fair chance to get access to AP courses.C. improve the academic performance of students in AP courses.D. separate high achievers from average students through the new courses.5. According to the article, the AP Flea Market Facebook group is a place where ______.A. students’ parents send their complaints to school administrators.B. students share tips about saving money for college.C. students offer items to trade for the AP courses they need.D. students can find support and guidance on their AP study.6. Which of the following statements would Michael Petrilli agree with?A. Opening AP courses to all students is a bad idea.B. School administrators should maintain high academic standards for AP courses.C. High schools should stop charging students for taking AP courses.D. Access to AP courses is necessary for students applying for top American colleges.7. The author used Miracle Vitangcol’s example to show that ______.A. students need to remember too much in their AP courses.B.AP courses pose a big challenge to unprepared students.C. the secret to success in AP courses is to keep pushing yourself.D. average students don’t deserve their places in AP courses.CA Singaporean company will feed airport food waste to mealworms before turning them into fish feed, aiming to cut the country's use of imported feed and offer a continuous alternative.Blue Aqua Internationalwill partner with Dnata, an air and travel services provider, to change organic waste at Singapore's Changi Airport into insect protein for aquacultural use, according to a statement Tuesday.The project looks to replace traditional fish and soybean meal as the main sources of protein for aquafeed. The insects will eat the food waste and change it into part of the body containing about 60 per cent protein. The dried baby worms will then be made into feed.These mealworms can be a continuous solution to several problems. Using a small land and giving out less carbon, they turn food waste into feed and offer an alternative source of protein. Ynsect SAS, a small French business that keeps mealworms to feed fish and pets, attracted money from investors includingIron Manmovie actor Robert Downey Jr. in a round of fund-raising last year.The deal will give Singapore's farmers access to domestically produced animal feed, which is traditionally bought from abroad. The Southeast Asian nation imports more than 90 percent of its food and has set a goal to produce a third of its food locally by 2030. It also aims to achieve a general recycling rate of 70 per cent by then. Presently, less than 20 per cent of Singapore's food waste is recycled.As part of the partnership, Dubai-based Dnata will add Blue Aqua to its list of suppliers to buy locally farmed seafood for its catering service.8. What is the function of mealworms?A. To cut the use of imported fish feed.B. To eat food waste and make fish feed.C. To domestically produce animal feed.D. To replace traditional fish and soybean meal.9. What does Paragraph 4 mainly talk about?A. The producers of the feed.B. The purpose of the projectC. The advantages of the project.D. The composition of the feed.10. What can we infer about Singapore from Paragraph 5?A. It is a rich country.B. It is short of self-produced food.C. Its recycling rate is very high now.D. Its farmers don't support the deal.11. What is the text mainly about?A. A new way to produce fish feed.B.An introduction to a company.C. A plan to reduce food waste.D. A deal to protect farmers.DWhether for a special holiday, as a way of showing gratitude or just a way of letting someone know you care, gift giving is a universal custom Though the purpose may be similar from place to place, traditions vary widely from one country to the next. A behavior that shows respect in one place might be consideredoffensivesomewhere else. Take a look at unique gifting traditions from around the world.Here in theUS, a set of kitchen knives seems like the perfect gift idea for a wedding. However, in certain European countries likeGermany, people believe that a knife presented as a gift will cut off your friendship. There is a way to break it: Tie a coin to the knife or gift box. The receiver then returns the coin to you as a “payment”toremove the bad luck.There's a well-known Italian wedding tradition where the groom's (新郎) tie is cut into a number of tiny pieces. Wedding guests can then "buy” these tie pieces in exchange for cash. It's a fun way to give money to the new couple thatleaves guests with a wedding souvenir.As left hands are considered unclean in Indian culture, behaviors such as touching, passing money, or giving gifts are to be done with the right hand. Different from some other cultures , an odd number (奇数) of thingsor currency represents good luck. For example, £11 should be given rather than £10.InZimbabwe, it is common to directly ask for a gift. When you receive a gift without asking for it, even if the giver's family is poor, it's the worst way to reject the offering. Also, expressing thanks with actions is better than giving thanks orally (口头地).These may include jumping up and down, dancing, or whistling.12. What does the underlined word “offensive“ in paragraph 1 refer to?A. Rude.B. Creative.C. Suitable.D. Caring.13. How do people prevent friendship breaking down when giving gifts like knives?A. The guests cut the groom's tie into pieces.B. The receiver returns the coin to the giver.C. The giver gives gifts with the right hand.D. The receiver expresses thanks by dancing.14. What can we learn about the gift giving inZimbabwe?A. It is not proper to ask for a gift directly.B. It's better to reject a gift from a poor family.C. One can express thanks by writing letters.D. Showing gratitude with actions is better than words.15. Which can be a suitable title for the text?A. The Wayof Showing GratitudeB. A Fun Behavior to Respect PeopleC. Various Gift Giving TraditionsD. A Special Custom of Gift Giving第二节(共5小题;每小题2分,满分10分)阅读下面短文,从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
1. F. de Saussure (1857—1913)century. Though he was enormously influential as a teacher, lecturing at theÉcole des Hautes Études in Paris from 1881 to 1891 and as professor ofIndo-European linguistics and Sanskrit (1901—1913) and of generallinguistics (1907—1913) at the University of Geneva, he did not have hisideas published during his lifetime because of his persistent search forperfection. Three years after his death, a compilation of notes on his lectures by two of hisstudents. Bally and Sechehaye, was published with the title the Course in General Linguistics,which soon became the most influential linguistic works at that time.Saussure established the structural study of language, emphasizing the arbitrary relationshipof the linguistic sign to that which it signifies. He also contended that language must beconsidered a social phenomenon, a structured system that can be viewed synchronically anddiachronically but he insisted that the methodology of each approach is distinct and mutuallyexclusive. He also introduced two terms that have become common currency in linguistics —―parole‖, the speech of the individual person, and ―langue‖, the systematic, structured languageexisting at a given time within a given society. Saussure advocated more importance to be attachedto ―langue‖ rather than ―parole‖, and suggested that the diachronical rather than the synchronicalapproach be adopted by the linguists at his time. His creative ideas on the theoretical andmethodological orientation of language research have been so widely accepted that he is generallyregarded as the father of modern linguistics.2.Avram Noam Chomsky (1928-)Avram Noam Chomsky , born December 7, 1928) an American Array linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, political activist, author,and lecturer. He is an Institute Professor emeritus and professoremeritus of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Chomsky is well known in the academic and scientific community asthe father of modern linguistics. Since the 1960s, he has becomeknown more widely as a political dissident, an anarchist, and alibertarian socialist intellectual. In the 1950s, Chomsky began developing his theory of generativegrammar, which has undergone numerous revisions and has had a profound influence onlinguistics. He also established the Chomsky hierarchy, a classification of formal languages interms of their generative power. In 1959, Chomsky published a widely influential review of B. F.Skinner's theoretical book Verbal Behavior, which was the first attempt by a Radical Behaviorist to provide a functional, operant analysis of language. Chomsky used this review to broadly and aggressively challenge the behaviorist approaches to studies of behavior dominant at the time and contributed to the cognitive revolution in psychology. His naturalistic approach to the study of language has affected the philosophy of language and mind. Randy Harris, author of The Linguistics Wars, has described him as: "a hero of Homeric proportions, belonging solidly in the pantheon of our country's finest minds, with all the powers and qualities thereof. First, foremost, and initially he is staggeringly smart. The speed, scope, and synthetic abilities of his intellect are legendary. He is, too, a born leader, able to marshal support, fierce and uncompromising support, for positions he develops or adopts. Often, it seems, he shapes linguistics by sheer force of will." Beginning with his opposition to the Vietnam War, Chomsky established himself as a prominent critic of US foreign and domestic policy. He is a self-declared adherent of libertarian socialism which he regards as "the proper and natural extension of classical liberalism into the era of advanced industrial society." According to the Arts and Humanities Citation Index in 1992, Chomsky was cited as a source more often than any other living scholar during the 1980–92 period, and was the eighth most-cited source. He is also considered a prominent cultural figure. At the same time, his status as a leading critic of US foreign policy has made him controversial。
Book Report“ The Wealth of Nations” by Adam Smith1.Introduction.In this paper I will analyze and investigate the book “The Wealth of Nations”by Adam Smith in detail. I will discuss the core of Smith's thesis——man's natural tendency toward self-interest and the three elements that a nation needed for its universal prosperity. And I will also point out Adam Smith’s theory of the division of labor. At last, I will give a brief statement about the limitation of “The Wealth of Nations”and its broad influence on the world.2.Brief overview of “The Wealth of Nations”If you want to know the most important document published in 1776, maybe I can give you the answer. The Declaration of Independence is the easy answer for Americans, but I would argue that Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations had a more important global impact both in economy and politics.Adam Smith, a Scottish philosopher by trade, was considered the father of the modern free market theory. He combines the knowledge of geography, history, industry and economics in his book. I really appreciate the amount of information that Adam Smith integrated in this book and the intelligence he showed in his work. He gave us a firm understanding of many of the fundamentals in economy but it’s easy to understand beca use he used many simile and analogy in his theory. And that’s why he was called the great synthesizer, great observer, and great storyteller.The Wealth Of Nations, also called An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, is divided into five chapters: the Causes of Improvement in the Productive Powers of Labor, the Nature, Accumulation, and Employment of Stock, the Different Progress of Opulence in Different Nations, Systems of political Economy and the Revenue of the Sovereign or Commonwealth.Adam Smith’s intention of writing this book is to upend the mercantilism system. Because he found that mercantilism held that wealth was fixed and finite, and its only way to prosper was to hoard gold and tariff products from abroad. This means that nations should sell their goods to other countries while buying nothing in return. As a result, nations will fall into the rounds of retaliatory tariffs which will destroy the international trade or even causes wars.After reading this book, I think t he core of Smith's thesis is that human’s natural tendency toward self-interest, which in today’s modern society is looked out for number one by our human beings. Just like Adam Smith said in his book, “ There is no art which one government sooner learns of another than that of draining money from the pockets of the people”, by giving everyone freedom to produce and exchange goods as they pleased and opening all markets to competition in international as well as domestic, and people's natural self-interest would bring about universal opulence with very little effort from a nation's government. This is what we call the “invisible hand” nowadays. But it also need support if a nationwant this magic happens.According to Smith’s thesis, a nation needs three el ements to bring about a universal prosperity: enlighten self-interest, limited government and solid currency and free-market economy.For enlightening self-interest, Smith suggested people to practice thrift, hard work and then enlighten self-interest. He thought the practice of enlightened self-interest was natural for the majority of people. In his example, a butcher does not supply meat based on good-hearted intentions, but because he profits by selling meat. If the meat he sells is poor, he will not have repeat customers and thus he gain no profit. Therefore, it's in the butcher's interest to sell good meat at a price that customers are willing to pay, so that both parties benefit in every transaction. And Smith believed that the ability to think long-term would curb most businesses from abusing customers. When that wasn't enough, he looked to the government to enforce laws. Besides, Smith said that thrift and savings are important virtues, especially when savings were used to invest. Through investment, industry would have the capital to buy more labor-saving machinery and encourage innovation. This technological leap forward would increase returns on invested capital and raise the overall standard of living. As for the limited government, Smith thought that the responsibilities of the government should be limited to the defense of the nation, universal education, public works like infrastructure such as roads and bridges, the enforcement of legal such as rights property rights and contracts and the punishment of crime. He hope the government would step in when people acted on their short-term interests, and would make and enforce laws against robbery, fraud and other similar crimes. But he cautioned against larger, bureaucratic governments because it would hurt the formal economy.The third element Smith proposed was a solid currency and the free-market principles. Rather than circulating more money to pay for wars or other wasteful expenditures, Smith wanted the government to follow free-market principles by keeping taxes low and allowing free trade across borders by eliminating tariffs. He pointed out that tariffs and other taxes only succeeded in making life more expensive for the people while also ruin industry and trade abroad.3.The division of laborAnother major thing in the Wealth of Nations is the advocacy of the division of labor. In Smith’s view, the productive power of labor is increased most readily by the division of labor. He wrote that it is the maxim of every prudent master of a family never to attempt to make at home what it will cost him more to make than to buy. He claimed that the division of labor is one of the greatest accelerators of wealth, and if one man can get good at doing one thing, he gets very proficient at it. A master of one trade can produce much more than a jack of all trades. For example, it just like one machining operation in order to make a pin. We allow one person to produce many more pins is better than several people trying to make pins. Smith regarded the division of labor as a necessary consequence of the human propensity to trade or to exchange one thing foranother. He believed that the prosperity to trade is a consequence of a more fundamental human trait——self-love. Thus, for Smith, the basic motivating force of any economic system is the self-interest of each person involved in the system. And I am really impressive with his clear and broad knowledge of current industry. And I think there are few economists today can understand the manufacturing process in modern industries so thoroughly as Smith does.4.The limitation and influence of “The Wealth of Nations”Although The Wealth of Nations is an incredible book that represents the birth of free-market economics, but it also has some faults. In my opinion, it lacks proper explanations for pricing or a theory of value, and Smith failed to see the disadvantages of market and importance of the entrepreneur in breaking up inefficiencies and creating new markets. Moreover, Adam Smith’s theory is based on capitalist society, which has a great limitation and neglects the historical background of different countries.The publishing of The Wealth of Nations marked the birth of modern capitalism as well as economics. This book exerted a profound effect on the world politics, economy and even culture. The Wealth of Nations provided a new economic order and a new social production organization technology for the later rise of the British industrial revolution. And the British used it to promote free trade, and then set up the g lobal market and finally the “empire on which the sun never sets” was established during the Victorian Era. Furthermore, Smith’s theory also had a major influence on the later development of the British political economics and formation of Marxism.5.Conclusion.Adam Smith’s pioneering work, The Wealth of Nations, aims to create a new understanding of economics. He wrote largely against the mercantile system that existed at the time of writing, and gave a complicated but brilliant account of an economic system based in human nature and social demand. Moreover, Adam Smith argued passionately for the success and prosperity of a nation and in favor of the betterment of people of all ranks. Although there are some limitations in Adam Smith’s masterpiece, it is still the classic statement of economic liberalism, the source of the policy of laissez-faire and it’s useful in encouraging new business enterprise nowadays.In short, Adam Smith is a great master in the early economic field and the pioneer of today’s economic field. And The Wealth of Nations is a good book for us to know deeply about the manufacturing process and the liberalism. I enthusiastically encourage you to read it.。
Book Review of Currency WarsCurrency Wars: The Making of the Next Global Crisis, the first book of James G. Rickards, was published on November 10, 2011 by Portfolio, an imprint of Penguin Group. The author, James G. Rickards is an American lawyer, economist, and investment banker who worked in the field of capital markets on Wall Street for 35 years. He is a writer and also a regular commentator on finance. In 2001, he began using his financial expertise to assist the US national security community and the US Department of Defense. From 2002 to 2006, he informed clients of an impending financial collapse, of a decline in the dollar and of a sharp increase in the price of gold, years before all these events actually happened.The main theme of Currency Wars is that the world is already heading towards a full-blown currency war which will bring a massive economic chaos to the world economy.And the war will increase the risk of the collapse of monetary system. Rickards gives lots of historical facts to support his thesis. In general, this book can be considered as a great writing, which analyzes the economic history, the current currency war and the coming global crisis. It may be for those who are frustrated with the current situation, and worried about the outcome of the efforts made by governments, which are dealing with monetary affairs to look for a better way.The whole book is divided into three parts: war games, currency wars and the next global crisis. Rickards offered this concept before the currency wars actually happened, so at first, I considered his thought as a prediction. Now, I realize it has become a fact.The first part reads like a novel rather than a non-fiction. It describes Rickards’ participation in an exercise at the Applied Physics Laboratory to work for war games and strategic planning. It is a simulation of a global financial war fought with currencies to support national interests.In the second part, Rickards analyzes a series of historical events in chronological order, including reflections on a Golden Age, the first two currency wars and the G20 solution. This part provides a historical account of the global monetary twists and turns and the reason why these currency wars took place.The final part emphasizes the reason why the world is now fighting Currency War III, beginning in 2010 in Rickards’opinion. Rickards believes that there are three possible outcomes from CWIII –paper, gold or chaos. Each of these alternatives is analyzed in detail, providing readers with much space for thought.In this book, Rickards argues that currency wars are not just an economic or monetary concern, but a national security concern. The US is confronted with serious threats to its national security. He believes the United States needs to go back to the gold standard and should be the first country to promote this view. However, the key point is whether the process of returning to the gold standard will be smooth or not. In his opinion, a return to the gold standard will enable people to have confidence in the currency because they know they can convert their paper money to gold at any time and the governments will make payment and all that can keep the system honest.In my opinion, the US and world economic leaders should learn a lesson from the mistakes made by their predecessors and figure out a new way to maintain economic growth. It is obvious that the US is now confronted with a great threat, which is the collapse of the dollar, so it may have to adopt a series of policies, such as breaking up big banks, raising interest rates and cutting government expenses, in order to prevent the dollar system from breakdown. But, on balance, it can be safely said that the US will never lose its power in the global financial system even if the dollar system collapses, for it holds a substantial amount of gold reserves. And we have to admit that it is really a prosperous and powerful country, which probably can not be knocked down anyway.I do believe gold can play an important role, and actually, gold reappears throughout the whole book. Besides, because of inflationary and deflationary factors, it is natural for investors to seek a safe haven for their investments, which in turn, will increase the price of gold. The harmful effects of abandoning gold will impair economic activities, which may lead to the global imbalances or other problems that will ruin our world.In a certain sense, I feel that it is the governments that have caused this mess, so we cannot expect governments to solve it. Now, we should turn to private enterprises for help, which may be the solution of all problems, because the war is caused by governments rather than private enterprises. Besides, it can be safely said that companies may go bankrupt if they offer products or service with which people are not satisfied. However, governments will never disappear even if they have caused great disasters. All in all, the world should work together to solve the problems and avoid falling further into the war.For my part, money should not be a weapon used to fight for national interests. As we know, even though currency wars are not fought with weapons, nobody can guarantee that the third currency war will not bring about a shooting war. So I thinkCWIII will not end until the current situation get changed, and then another global shooting war which may happen will be avoided.84This article gives a thorough and clear report of the main ideas of the book, the background of the author. It also disputes with some of the ideas or supports some of the claims made in the book. All these are an inalienable part of a good book review. However, as I have said , to write about the background of the author is not to state facts related to him, but to use it as an evidence to support your own claims. A book review should also comments on the writing techniques of the book or the sources used in the book, and how this book may contribute to the general readers’understanding of the issued addressed in the book.The sentence in red is a frequent in the writings of many of your classmates. HEHE!。