Merger and Acquisition Strategies

Download Merger and Acquisition Strategies PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1786430681
Total Pages : 288 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (864 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Merger and Acquisition Strategies by : Angelo Dringoli

Download or read book Merger and Acquisition Strategies written by Angelo Dringoli and published by Edward Elgar Publishing. This book was released on 2016-10-28 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The decision to carry out a merger or acquisition is certainly a risky one, not least because of the number of variables influencing the final outcome. It is also a decision frequently based on the wrong objectives and an incorrect evaluation process. With this in mind, this important new book offers solutions for reducing the high percentage of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) that fail. It adopts a normative approach, using theoretical analysis to show what managers could and should do to increase shareholders’ value through successful M&A strategies. It also explores the conditions that are suitable for favouring a certain type of M&A (horizontal, vertical or diversified) over the others. In conclusion, the book presents case studies of successful M&A strategies providing a link between theory and practice.

Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy for Consolidations: Roll Up, Roll Out and Innovate for Superior Growth and Returns

Download Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy for Consolidations: Roll Up, Roll Out and Innovate for Superior Growth and Returns PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : McGraw Hill Professional
ISBN 13 : 0071793437
Total Pages : 321 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (717 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy for Consolidations: Roll Up, Roll Out and Innovate for Superior Growth and Returns by : Norman W. Hoffmann

Download or read book Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy for Consolidations: Roll Up, Roll Out and Innovate for Superior Growth and Returns written by Norman W. Hoffmann and published by McGraw Hill Professional. This book was released on 2012-09-07 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE NEW M&A STRATEGY FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS IN TODAY’S VOLATILE MARKETS "Rich in examples and details, well-grounded in wisdom from years of experience, and blessedly practical . . . . engaging, well-written, and loaded with worthy insights. Study this book and prosper." -- DR. ROBERT B RUNER, Dean, University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, and author of Deals from Hell, The Panic of 1907, and Applied Mergers & Acquisitions. "Drawing on his experience with more than 100 M&A transactions, Hoffmann has written a defi nitive 'how-to' for acquiring companies in the below $50 million sales market space. The examples . . . [offer] astute insight into every feature of the topic." -- DR. NANCY BAGRANOFF, Dean, Robins School of Business of the University of Richmond; President of the American Accounting Association; and coauthor of Core Concepts of Consulting for Accountants and Core Concepts of IT Auditing. "This is a wonderful history with compelling lessons from the great successes of the Trader Publishing and Landmark Communications leadership and business model. The reflection on past deals gone wrong helps the reader understand why you do deals, how to pursue M&A, and what principles you need to be successful." -- MACON B. ROCK, founder and Chairman of Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., and founder and former President of K&K Toys. "A must-read for those who hope to start small and grow big by acquiring, improving, and innovating. Following his rules may not lead you to be part of the 1 percent, but it will certainly keep you from being part of the 70 percent that fail." -- HOWARD S. TEVENSON, Senior Associate Dean, Harvard University; Director of Publishing, Harvard Business Publishing Company board; and author of New Business Ventures and the Entreprenuer, Make Your Own Luck, and Do Lunch or Be Lunch.

The Synergy Solution

Download The Synergy Solution PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Harvard Business Press
ISBN 13 : 164782043X
Total Pages : 238 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (478 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Synergy Solution by : Mark Sirower

Download or read book The Synergy Solution written by Mark Sirower and published by Harvard Business Press. This book was released on 2022-03-15 with total page 238 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The new M&A bible. Few actions can change the value of a company—and its competitive future—as quickly and dramatically as an acquisition. Yet most companies fail to create shareholder value from these deals, and in many cases they destroy it. It doesn't have to be this way. In The Synergy Solution, Deloitte's Mark Sirower and Jeff Weirens show acquirers how to develop and execute an M&A strategy—end to end—that not only avoids the pitfalls that so many companies fall into but also creates real, long-term shareholder value. This strategy includes how to: Become a prepared "always on" acquirer Test the investment thesis and DCF valuation of a deal Plan for a successful Announcement Day, and properly communicate synergy promises to investors and other stakeholders Realize those promised synergies through integration planning and post-close execution Manage change and build a new, combined organization Sirower and Weirens provide invaluable background to those considering M&A, laying out the issues they have to consider, how to analyze them, and how to plan and execute the deal effectively. They also show those who have already started the process of M&A how to maximize their chances of success. There's an art and a science to getting mergers and acquisitions right, and this powerful book provides the insights and strategies acquirers need to find success at every stage of an often complex and perilous process.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Download Mergers and Acquisitions PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 0470135468
Total Pages : 415 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (71 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Mergers and Acquisitions by : William J. Gole

Download or read book Mergers and Acquisitions written by William J. Gole and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2007-07-20 with total page 415 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Supplemented annually to keep accountants up-to-date with the latest SEC requirements, this completely revised edition focuses on the entire process of Mergers and Acquisitions-—from planning through post-acquisition integration. Readers will find helpful step-by-step guidance on reviewing an acquisition candidate, setting up and implementing computer system transactions, accounting for the business combination, and tax compliance and regulatory considerations.

The Art of M&A Strategy: A Guide to Building Your Company's Future through Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestitures

Download The Art of M&A Strategy: A Guide to Building Your Company's Future through Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestitures PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : McGraw Hill Professional
ISBN 13 : 0071760164
Total Pages : 368 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (717 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Art of M&A Strategy: A Guide to Building Your Company's Future through Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestitures by : Kenneth Smith

Download or read book The Art of M&A Strategy: A Guide to Building Your Company's Future through Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestitures written by Kenneth Smith and published by McGraw Hill Professional. This book was released on 2012-01-05 with total page 368 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Seize the competitive advantage with today’s most powerful strategic tool—M&A “Given the influence of technology, globalization, and regulatory change, M&A will continue to shape our industries. For most companies, therefore, the consideration of M&A in strategy is now fundamental.” –from the Introduction to Part I The Art of M&A Strategy is exactly what you need to build mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures into your overall business strategy—to make M&A a competitive advantage and avoid landing on the long list of M&A failures. Experts in the field of M&A, Smith and Lajoux demystify this otherwise complex subject by taking you through the types of M&A strategy and the key steps to successful M&A strategy development and implementation. The Art of M&A Strategy is conveniently organized into three sections: Part I presents a range of possible corporate strategy situations and provides the role and rationale for M&A in each, such as building and managing a portfolio, participating in industry consolidation, spurring corporate growth, and using acquisitions to create “real options.” Part II outlines how to determine the role of M&A in your strategy—taking into consideration industry context, competitive imperatives, and strategy options—and explains how to find and screen partners, decide whether to buy or sell, and engage the board of directors in M&A decisions. Part III covers M&A as a sustained corporate program, particularly in the context of international growth, outlining the most strategic aspects of post-merger integration, describing how to use advisors throughout the process, and examining core competencies required for successful M&A programs. The authors illuminate the purpose and process of applying M&A with real-world success stories involving Cisco, GE, Google, and many other companies that have leveraged M&A for strategic success. Use The Art of M&A Strategy to create a powerful strategy position for success in today’s changing business environment and to seize and hold competitive advantage.

Merger and Acquisition Strategies

Download Merger and Acquisition Strategies PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Socialy Press
ISBN 13 : 9781681177533
Total Pages : 356 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (775 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Merger and Acquisition Strategies by : Terrence Walis

Download or read book Merger and Acquisition Strategies written by Terrence Walis and published by Socialy Press. This book was released on 2017-06 with total page 356 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Business environment has been changed rapidly because of dynamic changes in the global atmosphere. The technological advances have altered the business transactions in current corporations to world level. Every organisation has its vision to become a reputable organisation; along with its vision to maximize market share and future growth. Hence the organisations have to be strong in order to grow in the market. They have also needed precise and specialised information to enter in new markets. Therefore, they have to adopt a distinctive type of strategy to compete in such a dynamic environment. The organisations use Merger and Acquisition (M&A) as an effective approach to cope with the dynamic business environment. This strategy continues to be a highly familiar form of corporate development. In the last decade, M&A has become an impressive activity. Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) has redefined the corporate managerial environment, evidenced by the ever enhanced competitive edge of professional enterprises on todays market. Merger and acquisition are global phenomena which many organisations employed to grow internally, by expanding its operations both globally and domestically. Merger is different from acquisition. Merger is the combination of two or more businesses that leads to the formation of a new business, but acquisition is the takeover or purchase of one business by other business. This Monograph, Merger and Acquisition Strategies, sheds light on how synergies arise through mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Enterprises go through the process of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) with the goal of improving performance, increasing efficiency and obtaining business synergy. Merger and acquisition benefit shareholders when the consolidated post-merger firm is more valuable than the simple sum of the two separate pre-merger firms. Mergers and acquisitions are aimed at achieving cost efficiency through economies of scale, and to diversity and expand on the range of business activities for improved performance. Merger and acquisition is adopted to attain the operating and financial efficiencies. According to the efficiency theory, the main motive of mergers and acquisition is to gain operating and financial synergy. Theories behind M&A have supported the concept that the value of the combined companies may rise after coming together. Mergers and acquisitions improve market efficiency by capturing synergies between firms. But takeovers also impose externalities on the remaining firms in the industry. This book has the importance for the concerned institutions, customers, shareholders, investors, competitors and internal management. The objective of the text is to assess the changes in the financial performance of institution after M&A and give complete information to the organisations about the pros and cons of M&A in the recent competitive business environment.

Anatomy of a Merger

Download Anatomy of a Merger PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Law Journal Press
ISBN 13 : 9781588520005
Total Pages : 620 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (2 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Anatomy of a Merger by : James C. Freund

Download or read book Anatomy of a Merger written by James C. Freund and published by Law Journal Press. This book was released on 1975 with total page 620 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Anatomy of a Merger is a guide to handling a corporate acquisition negotiation successfully. Topics include the basic acquisition agreement; bargaining techniques applicable to substantive issues, and more.

Mastering the Merger

Download Mastering the Merger PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Harvard Business Press
ISBN 13 : 9781422163405
Total Pages : 248 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (634 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Mastering the Merger by : David Harding

Download or read book Mastering the Merger written by David Harding and published by Harvard Business Press. This book was released on 2004-11-04 with total page 248 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Today's corporate deal makers face a conundrum: Though 70% of major acquisitions fail, it's nearly impossible to build a world-class company without doing deals. In Mastering the Merger, David Harding and Sam Rovit argue that a laserlike focus on just four key imperatives--before executives finalize the deal--can dramatically improve the odds of M&A success. Based on more than 30 years of in-the-trenches work on thousands of deals across a range of industries--and supplemented by extensive Bain & Co. research--Harding and Rovit reveal that the best M&A performers channel their efforts into (1) targeting deals that advance the core business; (2) determining which deals to close and when to walk away; (3) identifying where to integrate--and where not to; and (4) developing contingency plans for when deals inevitably stray. Top deal makers also favor a succession of smaller deals over complex "megamergers"--and essentially institutionalize a success formula over time. Helping executives zero in on what matters most in the complex world of M&A, Mastering the Merger offers a blueprint for the decisions and strategies that will beat the odds.

Managing Mergers Acquisitions and Strategic Alliances

Download Managing Mergers Acquisitions and Strategic Alliances PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1136383107
Total Pages : 250 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (363 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Managing Mergers Acquisitions and Strategic Alliances by : Sue Cartwright

Download or read book Managing Mergers Acquisitions and Strategic Alliances written by Sue Cartwright and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2012-05-23 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mergers, acquisitions, and alliances continue to be almost an everyday feature of the contemporary business scene, yet at least half prove to be unsuccessful. The authors show the contribution that psychology can make to our understanding of the merger phenomena - how it affects organizational performance, and how it affects the managers and employees involved. Mergers, Acquisitions and Strategic Alliances is intended as a guide to successful organizational marriage. Great emphasis is placed on the issue of cultural compatibility as it concerns partner selection, integration practices and venture outcomes. The book also focuses on cross-national mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. With the increasing economic activity within the European Union and between the unions of other countries, there is a need to know more about the corporate and national cultures in these strategic alliances. The authors have drawn upon an extensive body of research based on recent cases in a wide cross section of industries across Europe. The book is unique in showing the actual effect mergers and acquisitions have on people, and consequently on the performance of the 'new' organization. It will be particularly relevant for decision makers - those who are involved in planning and implementing a large organizational change, and those responsible for ensuring successful integration afterwards. It would also be extremely useful for postgraduate management students, personnel executives and management consultants.

Business Merger and Acquisition Strategies

Download Business Merger and Acquisition Strategies PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 248 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (91 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Business Merger and Acquisition Strategies by : John J. Clark

Download or read book Business Merger and Acquisition Strategies written by John J. Clark and published by . This book was released on 1985 with total page 248 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

The Complete Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions

Download The Complete Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1118047478
Total Pages : 289 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (18 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Complete Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions by : Timothy J. Galpin

Download or read book The Complete Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions written by Timothy J. Galpin and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2010-12-23 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) experts Tim Galpin and Mark Herndon present an updated and expanded guide to planning and managing the M&A process. This comprehensive book is unique in providing the tools to address both the human and operational sides of integration. Based on the authors' consulting experience with numerous Fortune 500 companies, this resource will help organizations capture deal synergies more quickly and effectively. Augmenting their step-by-step advice with helpful templates, checklists, graphs and tools, Galpin and Herndon provide sound guidance for successfully integrating different processes, organizations, and cultures. The authors also address pre-deal do’s and don’ts, people dynamics, common mistakes, communications strategies, and specific actions you can take to create measurable positive results throughout the integration process. The revised edition not only updates case studies and presents recent integration research, but it also adds new tools.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Download Mergers and Acquisitions PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1405142375
Total Pages : 288 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (51 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Mergers and Acquisitions by : Amy L. Pablo

Download or read book Mergers and Acquisitions written by Amy L. Pablo and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2009-02-09 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book reviews both successful and unsuccessful mergers andacquisitions, exploring the reasons why so many fail to live up toexpectations. An exploration of why mergers and acquisitions succeed or fail,based on rigorous scholarly research. Stretches the boundaries of what we know about these complexphenomena. Presents original ideas about the merger and acquisitionstrategy, the effects of mergers and acquisitions on performance,and the critical processes involved in implementation andintegration. Explores new areas, such as the role of culture and leadership,and the importance of knowledge transfer and learning. Includes contributions from both highly respected scholars andup-and-coming stars in the field.

Automation of Mergers and Acquisitions

Download Automation of Mergers and Acquisitions PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN 13 : 3750462054
Total Pages : 152 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (54 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Automation of Mergers and Acquisitions by : Karl Michael Popp

Download or read book Automation of Mergers and Acquisitions written by Karl Michael Popp and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2020-10-27 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The goal of the book is end-to-end automation of M&A processes. With this book, the following tasks can be carried out: 1.Determination of the tasks to be automated: In this book, all tasks in due diligence are described. The tasks relevant for a company can be selected and then automated in a targeted manner. 2.Overview of the automation options for the M&A process: The automatability described for the tasks allow an overview of which tasks in the M&A process can already be automated in which way. 3.Determination of the automation potential of M&A processes: The methodology contained in this book and the details of the tasks and their automatability allow the determination of the digitization potential. 4.Familiarization with M&A processes: In this book all tasks in the Due Diligence phase are documented with their objectives, a description and with questions during the execution. This enables a quick familiarization with the details of the Due Diligence phase.

Making Mergers and Acquisitions Work

Download Making Mergers and Acquisitions Work PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Emerald Group Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1787433501
Total Pages : 267 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (874 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Making Mergers and Acquisitions Work by : Markus Venzin

Download or read book Making Mergers and Acquisitions Work written by Markus Venzin and published by Emerald Group Publishing. This book was released on 2018-06-21 with total page 267 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book addresses the salient question of how to make mergers and acquisitions work using a five-step approach. It explores insights gained from Prysmian’s acquisitions and other prominent M&A deals, and compares them to existing best practices.

The Complete Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions

Download The Complete Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1118827023
Total Pages : 480 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (188 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Complete Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions by : Timothy J. Galpin

Download or read book The Complete Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions written by Timothy J. Galpin and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2014-06-30 with total page 480 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ease the M&A process with a more effective integration plan The Complete Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions is the ultimate handbook for planning and managing post-merger integration. Packed full of "how to" guidance, tools, templates and resources that have been put to the test on numerous due diligence and integration efforts around the world, The Complete Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions has been the go-to guide for firms seeking to maximize the value of their deals since the release of the first edition in 1999. Poor integration management virtually ensures that a merger or acquisition will fail to meet financial and strategic goals. The Complete Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions provides the information that enables firms to quickly and prudently capture projected cost and revenue synergies, and to move the combined organization forward. The book addresses strategic deal considerations, due diligence, integration management, people dynamics and cultural integration, common integration mistakes, communications strategies, and provides actionable steps toward creating measurable, positive results throughout the integration process. The updated third edition contains new information and tools to help firms in any industry manage deals of all sizes, including: Results of The State of M&A Integration Effectiveness Survey, 2014 A new chapter on the M&A process deal stages, with an expanded Deal Flow Model Findings of substantial M&A research from various studies in multiple industries and organizations, supporting the concepts presented throughout the book New and revised tools and templates for due diligence, integration, and results measurement and reporting New case examples of recent transactions Highlighted 'Key Principles' throughout each chapter A summary of key points at the end of each chapter Discussion questions addressing the key themes of each chapter A 'rapid assessment' diagnostic regarding the key elements of each chapter, which can be completed for any organization A revised chapter on taking your M&A game to the next level – essential requirements for building M&A capabilities into a consistently successful enterprise competency Merger and acquisition activity across the globe continues to grow, and is also playing a major role in the development of expanding markets. A well-managed integration effort is essential to success, and failure means a tremendous waste in terms of time and money, as well as the rapid destruction of shareholder value. The Complete Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions: Process Tools to Support M&A Integration at Every Level, Third Edition is an invaluable resource to guide firms in managing M&A integration and maximize the value of their deals.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Download Mergers & Acquisitions PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Oxford University Press
ISBN 13 : 0199923612
Total Pages : 240 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (999 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Mergers & Acquisitions by : Michael A. Hitt

Download or read book Mergers & Acquisitions written by Michael A. Hitt and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2001-03-22 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1999, MCI WorldComm and Sprint agreed to merge. Valued at $129 billion, this expected transaction was the largest in history. However, it fell victim to regulators in Europe concerned with the potential monopoly power of the merged firm. This M&A action was merely the latest in a growing trend of "blockbuster" mergers over the past several years. Once a phenomenon seen primarily in the United States, mergers and acquisitions are increasingly being pursued across national boundaries. In short, acquisition strategies are among the most important corporate-level strategies in the new millennium. The need for clear, complete, and up-to-date guide to successful mergers and acquisitions had never been greater. This book more than fills that need. Looking at successful--and unsuccessful--mergers and acquisitions in a number of different industries, Mergers and Acquisitions: A Guide to Creating Value explains how to conduct an acquisition and how to avoid pitfalls that have doomed many such ventures. The authors take the reader step-by-step through the process, starting with the elements of a successful merger, due diligence to ensure that the target firm is sound and fits well with the acquiring firm, and how mergers and acquisitions are financed. They move on to explore how firms find partners/targets for acquisitions that have complementary resources and how to find partners with which integration and synergy can be achieved. Finally, they discuss the potential hazards found in M&A's and how to avoid them, how to conduct successful cross-border acquisitions, and how to ensure that ethical principles aren't breached during the process. Based on 15 years of research, this essential guide goes beyond specific case studies to cover all aspects of these ventures, making it required reading for all managers seeking to build a successful strategy.

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Other Restructuring Activities

Download Mergers, Acquisitions, and Other Restructuring Activities PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0123854857
Total Pages : 784 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (238 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Mergers, Acquisitions, and Other Restructuring Activities by : Donald DePamphilis

Download or read book Mergers, Acquisitions, and Other Restructuring Activities written by Donald DePamphilis and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2011-08-22 with total page 784 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Two strengths distinguish this textbook from others. One is its presentation of subjects in the contexts wherein they occur. The other is its use of current events. Other improvements have shortened and simplified chapters, increased the numbers and types of pedagogical supplements, and expanded the international appeal of examples.