Japanese Labor Market in a Comparative Perspective With the United States

Book Description

As a governor of the Federal Reserve Board from 1996 to 2002, Laurence H. Meyer helped make the economic policies that steered the United States through some of the wildest and most tumultuous times in its recent history. Now, in A Term at the Fed, Governor Meyer provides an insider's view of the Fed, the decisions that affected both the U.S. and world economies, and the challenges inherent in using monetary policy to guide the economy.

When Governor Meyer was appointed by President Clinton to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in 1996, the United States was entering one of the most prosperous periods in its history. It was the time of "irrational exuberance" and the fabled New Economy. Soon, however, the economy was tested by the Asian financial crisis, the Russian default and devaluation, the collapse of Long-Term Capital Management, the bursting of America's stock bubble, and the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

In what amounts to a definitive playbook of monetary policy, Meyer now relives the Fed's closed-door debates -- debates that questioned how monetary policy should adapt to the possibility of a New Economy, how the Fed should respond to soaring equity prices, and whether the Fed should broker the controversial private sector bailout of LTCM, among other issues. Meyer deftly weaves these issues with firsthand stories about the personalities involved, from Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan to the various staffers, governors, politicians, and reporters that populate the world of the Fed.

Since the end of his term, Meyer has continued to watch the Fed and the world economy. He believes that we are witnessing a repetition of some of the events of the remarkable 1990s -- including a further acceleration in productivity and perhaps another bull market. History does not repeat itself, yet Meyer shows us how the lessons learned yesterday may help the Fed shape policy today.

Customer Reviews:

Monetary Primer.......2006-11-03

A must for anyone interested in monetary policy. It stimulates an intense interest in the subject.

Irrational exuberance.......2005-12-31

Productivity is the measure of the economic well being of society. Productivity is the maximum sustainable level of output of an economy without lowering the unemployment rate and triggering inflation. Leaps in productivity will raise wages in the long run, but not initially. This means that it is possible to have steady inflation at a lower unemployment rate. As a result in the short term increased productivity tends to lower the cost per unit of output and generally push prices down. Once wages begin to rise in response to increased productivity acceleration and if the unemployment rate remained low, inflation would begin to rise.

In the 90s, Greenspan feared an ever-tightening labor market and the possibility the market would ignite overheating and higher inflation and the fed recognized this possibility with new technologies and a new economy.

The economy seemed to be growing without high inflation. New technologies had the potential too be introduced into the market before it reached the top. Technology developments such as massive parallel computers, personal robotic, biotech, & communications).

Inflation was at 2 1/2 percent and would remain that way until 2005. Inflation had anchored. GDP shifted from manufacturing output to service output. Inflation violatility and output volitility standard deviations were low through out the world. The economy looked health and would recovered from shocks with a soft landing. Irrational exuberance seemed more speculative than real.

Market experts were not in consensus that technology had reached neither market output limits, nor that the consumer buying behavior had collapsed, or that growth was slowing.

Greenspan seemed to be talked about a potential risk management policy rather than a reality. Greenspan made a policy statement with his irrational exuberance remark shocked the market, suggesting the Fed would step in and increase interest rates. Was there really any rational reason not to believe productivity would not remain strong in the 90s? It is not irrational to invest in companies that will grow, position themselves in the market long term, and bring innovative products and services too market; this is the benefit of capitalism.

However, Greenspan thought he saw consensus that the market was over-hyped, speculation was overvaluing stocks, and the Venture Capitalist were dissatisfied with their investments. Greenspan characterized the era of growth as "irrational exuberance". Greenspan believed productivity would climb "higher" but never verbalized how high. Greenspan had limits. The market reacted negatively too Greenspan's remarks but reversed and marched to higher stock prices. The market continued to drive one of the longest bull markets in history. The bulls were running Wall Street.

Stevenson said, "There are limits. They may not be the old limits that disciplined policy in the past. But even if the limits are new, they must be respected. Overheating is a natural product of expansion that over-taxed these limits. Good policy must therefore balance regularities and possibilities."

Technology increases manufacturing productivity. In the 1990s productivity growth was at 3%. In the 1990s capital was deepening per employee and the capital and labor equated to quantifiable increases in productivity. The increases in employee productivity were long-term and permanent.

2002 through 2003 the growth of the economy reached 5%, the fastest in 40 years. The higher the GDP, the more improvement in labor conditions emerged. Productivity continued to climb through the recession of 2001, accompanied by a decline in inflation. The Fed wondered if rising productivity and declining unemployment would trigger inflation. The Fed wondered if power dis-inflationary effects created by higher productivity could be used as justification delaying tightening of money supply. The Fed wondered about the affect on real interest rates and the need to tighten money supply. The Fed's policy was positioned to slow the growth trend and avoid the possibility of overheating at the risk of causing a massive depression. During these two years, the DOW had risen 25% and the Nasdaq risen 50%. Productivity had stimulated the demand side of the economy. The fed was measuring productivity, aggregate demand, and employment. The reasoned the economy looked health, inflation was below the target and fed rate increases could be delayed. The Fed did not fear immediate deflation and it reasoned that if deflation was a result of positive supply shock then growth most likely would continue.

$890 billion of debt is the "irrational exuberance" and has become the nexus for the Fed raising rates. Government spending gain power and increased debt in historically unachieved amounts. However, Inflation and productivity arguments do not hold up for reasons for raising the Fed rate and slow down growth; it was the potential inflation of Taylors equation that cause the rate increases.

No tell-all page turner here!.......2005-08-25

If you are looking for a tell-all confessional about the wild coke-filled parties that take place before meetings of the FOMC, this book will be sorely disappointing to you. But if you want to be reassured about the level of economic discourse at the meetings of the FOMC, you will also be disappointed. More than one academic economist has commented on the low level of economic discourse in Washington (see, for example, 'Peddling Prosperity' by Paul Krugman or 'The Roaring Nineties' by Joe Stiglitz). This book will do little to disabuse readers of the notion that most economic policy is made with a good deal of intuitive guesswork (e.g., about where the NAIRU is in this case) and great uncertainty about even the current economic situation (e.g., the lack of evidence on productivity growth until years after the Fed was being forced to make decisions). While hardly reassuring, this probably gives a pretty good idea of how most policy is made!

The book has some interesting parts (e.g., the power of Mr Greenspan, the importance of consensus, the lack of internal discussion outside of the meetings, and the great uncertainty about even short-term policy making). But it is very slow--no revelations about the personalities involved (including Mr Greenspan) or the internal politics of the Fed. Moreover, if you have been reading the popular press over the past decade (e.g., The Economist or Business Week), most of the economic discussion (e.g., over productivity growth) will be old news. So should you buy it? If you want a primer on how the Fed works, this is probably a good place to start. Just drink lots of coffee before attempting to read it!

Informative and Funny.......2005-01-16

This is a wonderful book -- well-written, funny, and intelligent. Laurence Meyer served as one of the governors of the seven-member Federal Reserve Board, all of whom are appointed by the U.S. president. While Meyer was selected by Clinton and appears to be a Democrat, he was known as an inflation hawk, and was reputed to have clashed with Chairman Greenspan -- something Meyer denies in this book.

Meyer served on the board from 1996 to 2002, during the rapid rise and nearly-as-rapid fall of the U.S. stock market, and a period in which numerous international financial crises (Asia, Russia, LTCM, 9/11) took place. This is a unique look at the inner workings of the Fed and can be enjoyed by the general reader.

Read the book, but perhaps skip a few chapters.......2004-11-30

Meyer's book succeeds in providing an excellent view of how the Federal Reserve governors make monetary policy, the personal, organizational and economic aspects. Yet in some ways this is a disappointing effort. In particular, the middle of the book is kind of dull, almost repetitious. Once Meyer's term approaches the turbulent economic times which culminate in the bursting of the equities bubble, the book becomes interesting again. Meyer has a gift for explaining economics, and he has a wonderful personality, the type of person you would like to have as a friend: he clearly enjoys life, is warm, positive about other people, modest, truthful, objective. Perhaps the problem is that it just isn't very interesting being a Fed governor. Or it may be that the book is too focused. For example, the productivity acceleration that Greenspan was sure was taking place took a long time to be reflected in the economic statistics, but once it was, it was also determined that the historical statistics had been significantly wrong! Meyer had nothing to say about these errors, other than to note them. Meyer also had much too little to say, to my mind, about why the Federal Reserve did not adjust margin requirements when it thought there was probably an equity bubble. Read this book, but do not hesitate to skip some of the chapters.

Average customer rating:

A Term at the Fed An Insider's View
Meyer Laurence H.
Manufacturer: HarperBusiness
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UIEO86

Average customer rating:

A Term at the Fed: An Insider's View
Laurence H. Meyer
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEVH9U

Book Description

Beginning with a walk-through of a typical business transaction, this book shows readers how “business really works” and how debts arise and how liens are created. Bridging the gap between basic business law and the complex concepts in the Bankruptcy Code, it readers paralegals inside the arenas where clients conduct business, and helps them appreciate the laws and processes that govern collection of debts, repossession of personal property, prejudgment remedies, and enforcement and collection of judgments. A Typical Business Transaction. Laws that Limit Collection Activity. Prejudgment Remedies. Postjudgment Collection. Secured Transactions Under the Uniform Commercial Code. Bankruptcy Basics. For paralegals.

Book Description

Over the past few years, there has been significant growth and development in the salmon farming industry. In order to be successful, practitioners not only need to know how the salmon lives and survives in the wild but, amongst other things have knowledge of disease, production processes, economics and marketing.
The Handbook of Salmon Farming is a practical guide that covers everything the practitioner needs to know, and will also be of great use to academics and students of aquaculture and fish biology. The editors have invited contributions from experts in academia, the fish industry and government to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive handbook.

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Salmon Farming Handbook
Stephen Drummond Sedgwick
Manufacturer: Blackwell Science
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0852381581

Salmon: The Illustrated Handbook for Commercial Users (Osprey Title)

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Salmon: The Illustrated Handbook for Commercial Users (Osprey Title)
Ian Dore
Manufacturer: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Reptiles & Amphibians | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Manual of Salmonid Farming (Fishing News Books)

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Manual of Salmonid Farming (Fishing News Books)
Stephen Willoughby
Manufacturer: Fishing News Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reptiles & Amphibians | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0852382456

Book Description

The growing interest in health risks associated with toxigenic fungi and related mycotoxins has led to the development of a number of research projects during the past decade in several European countries and a great deal of information has been produced on their natural occurrence in plants, foods and feeds in Europe. The differences in environmental conditions (temperature, light, rainfall etc.) and in exposed cultivated plants (type of cereals, cultivars etc.) in the different European countries have significantly influenced the distribution of specific toxigenic fungi and relative mycotoxicological problems. In addition, transglobal transposition of plant products seems to have significantly contributed to the spreading of toxigenic species and lineages worldwide. Therefore, the migration of agriculturally important toxigenic fungi generated by trade exchanges may represent an important source of inoculum for new plant diseases in Europe and for a wider genetic diversity of local populations.

This volume summarises the contribution that experts from 18 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Russia, Serbia-Montenegro, Spain, Turkey and UK) gave at the closing meeting of COST-835 held in Martina Franca, Italy, on 24-25 October 2003. It provides a detailed overview on the occurrence of toxigenic fungi (Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium etc.) and mycotoxins (trichothecenes, zearalenones, fumonisins, ochratoxins, aflatoxins etc.) in plants, foods and feeds that can serve as a basis for risk management based regulatory decision.

Book Description

The rheology of filled polymer systems is an ever expanding field in the polymer industry today. Using a concise, practical and simple format this comprehensive work explains the concepts behind filled polymer systems and the rheological techniques involved in studying their behaviour. Aware that the readers of the book may come from differing background, the first three chapters familiarize the reader with the basics about polymers, fillers and physicochemical interactions between them, rheology and rheometry. Covering such topics as preparation of filled polymer systems, steady shear viscous properties and extentional flow properties, this book covers the areas of importance from an introductory level through to more complex issues.

Customer Reviews:

A flashlight in the dark.......2000-11-22

Book Review - Rheology of Filled Polymer Systems Aroon V. Shenoy

Kluwer Academic Publishers ISBN 0-412-83100-7

As a researcher in the area of particulate-filled composites I am continually looking for good books on this subject. Such books are hard to find, possibly because the topic is so multi-disciplinary that few authors manage to bring together the knowledge from polymer science (processing, stability, mechanical properties), surface science (dispersion, wetting, surface-treatment) and rheology (compounding and processing).

One area where it is especially difficult to find good information is that of filled polymer rheology. This topic is vital to understanding the behaviour of a filled polymer melt. For example, extruder throughput and mould filling during injection moulding are critical factors that must be understood when formulating a good particulate-filled polymer composite. I have found it hard to understand most texts on filled polymer rheology and therefore I was relieved when I read this book. The author must be congratulated on having presented such a complex field in a focussed and interesting way. All aspects of rheological measurement techniques are covered. First of all is an introduction to the rheological behaviour of un-filled polymers. Basic rheological concepts are presented followed by a comparison of the different measurement techniques. Steady shear and unsteady shear are both treated in detail where the author highlights the trends such as the influence of particle size, shape, distribution, concentration and surface treatment. Another chapter discusses the different types of polymer processing equipment and their relative merits and drawbacks for preparing polymer composites.

One especially intriguing section shows that even MFI data, which is simple and inexpensive to obtain, can be used as a powerful tool for estimating the rheological response of a filled polymer melt. The author shows that just by knowing the MFI and the Tg of the polymer, it is possible to calculate an approximate rheological response of the filled polymer melt. This estimation has sufficient accuracy to be of use in predicting the flow behaviour of the filled polymer melt during processing. Thus, even the humble MFI technique is shown to be a powerful tool and I expect that Shenoy's Unification approach will prove useful for many people, including myself.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in filled polymers. It is clearly written by someone with an excellent grasp of the subject. The text is concise and easy to read whilst the content is well organized and interesting.

Dr. Chris DeArmitt (CChem MRSC), Senior Project Manager, Electrolux Core Technology & Innovation, Stockholm, Sweden.

Book Description

Explores the fascinating story of how the concepts of empty space, vacuum and the void reveal an incomprehensibly alien landscape in which all of existence is imbedded.

Patterns in the Void examines the great dark matter and dark regions that pervade the universe, from elementary particles to the immense areas of "vacuum" that make up most of deep space, and everything that is - or is not. Like the void itself, the book ranges in temporal and spatial scales - from our human world, down to the molecular and sub-atomic world, and up into the farthest reaches of the expanding universe. Complementing such recent books as K.C. Cole's The Hole in the Universe and Lawrence Krauss' Quintessence, Patterns in the Void weaves the human element into understanding this modern science, telling stories of ancient sacrifices, paranormal experiences, purported alien abductions, and more - all part of the human dilemma to make sense about the vast unknown.

Customer Reviews:

Needs better editing and more focused writing.......2005-11-12

I bought this book to learn about vacuum / zero-point energy and perhaps, dark matter and the accelerating expansion of the universe. Certainly all of these seemed likely to be covered, based upon the jacket and in fact, all these are touched upon, but not very well.

I did not find the book too helpful. The personal anecdotes that preface each chapter are neither illuminating nor particularly original and break up the train of thought. Most science books are organized according to a pattern. This could either be the chronological order in which the discoveries were made, the sequence of events following the Big Bang or perhaps chapters could be arranged in order of complexity of the concepts discussed, sequentially stacking them one on another. Here the organization is somewhat haphazard and there is a lot of repetition. The author is fascinated by the beliefs of the Incas and by the workings of the brain as described in V S Ramachandran's book Phantoms In The Brain. Neither of these topics has much to do with the subject matter.

The word "void" is used here far too loosely: in a philosophical or almost mystical sense. Particles created by human endeavor are said to come from the void. Yet most readers would probably not give that status to particles created in a physics experiment by the application of enormous amounts of energy within the experimental apparatus. This is hardly producing something out of nothing. The creation of a new universe from the old would be a natural example of creation from the void. If we could tap into a source of energy from the vacuum (in excess of that needed to extract it), that too would impress me that something had been created from the void. Alas, here the claims are made for far more mundane phenomena.

The last chapter is probably the best and addresses some philosophical issues. Unfortunately, these same thoughts appear in earlier chapters and disrupt the progression of ideas. They would have been better left entirely until the end. Maybe the book needed a better editor.

What I did get out of the book is that empty space (aka the void) is space-time which is the same thing as gravity (there being no way to separate them). The structure of gravity at the Planck length is mysterious but presumably it has embedded within it (or itself gives rise to) various fields that manifest as matter. In general, it seems that matter (contrary to intuition) may not be a distinct and separate entity from space-time. Instead of matter deforming empty space, giving rise to gravity and so space-time, the book appears to contend that it is the other way around. The chicken comes before the egg.

Masterful Blend of Cosmology and Psychology.......2005-09-10

I am a "Professor Emeritus" of psychology and computer science who, thirteen years after formal retirement, still teaches my physics department's "Modern Astronomy" course. "Patterns in the Void" is the first, of the many books which attempt to explain "Cosmology," that I have felt comfortable in recommending to my undergraduate students.

Beautiful and Troubling, a New Creation "Myth".......2004-05-28

The ancient mystics have long talked of the primacy of the Void as the source of everything. It seems that modern science has arrived at much the same conclusion.
I was struck over and over how much what Odenwald described parallels what I've read in Buddhist, Hindu, or Taoist Myth or philosophy.
The one leap he (and science in general) doesn't, perhaps CAN'T, make is to attribute some intention to our presence in the universe as self-aware observers of it.
There can perhaps be no "proof" of such intention that would ever satisfy a scientist; and the mystic does not need or want it, his or her experience is proof enough.

Beautiful, Eloquent, Personal and Enlightening.......2004-04-04

What is this book about? In a few words it is about "Nothingness" or the vacuum or "Void", cosmology and the fate of our Universe. What is the Void? It may surprise you to find out that physicists unilaterally agree that, in a strict sense, there is no such thing as nothing anywhere in our Universe. What is the nature of the apparent emptiness between particles of matter and the space between galaxies? The answer - Fields. These fields are the ubiquitous, ephemeral, and evanescent Higgs, Gravitational, Electromagnetic (QED), (electro) Weak, and Strong (QCD - color). This answer is obviously incomplete. QFT may be penultimate to an absolutely fundamental M-theory. In an additional sense, I think it's fair to say that Patterns is a study of one humble astronomer's experience, observations, and search for meaning in and of the physics of Spacetime & Gravity, the Vacuum, and the physics of Fields. It is a search you can comfortably ride along with - sharing in the exploration, gaining ontological handles for carry-on technical concepts. Here's a quick look at the Table of Contents:

Prolog
Acknowledgements
1. The Dark Constellations
Why We Fear the Dark
2. The Spirits Within
Invisible Fields and Ethers
3. Blind Spots
Quantum Fields and the Physical Vacuum
4. Patterns in the Void
Vacuum Energy and Hidden Fields
5. Gravity's Web
Space, Time, and Gravity
6. Eternity's Road
Cosmic Space and Its Expansion
7. Eternity's End
Dark Energy and Cosmic Acceleration
8. Between Shadow and Light
Quantum Gravity and the Nature of Space
9. A Fire in the Whole
The Unstable Void
10. The Sundered Worlds
The Creation of the Universe
Epilog
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

Well, how does `Patterns in he Void' read? `Patterns' isn't the usual gee-wiz historical chronology or rundown of concepts and theoretical breakthroughs made by the respective physicists. Dr. Odenwald uses accessibly technical language tempered in confidential, sincere and conversational prose - addressing deep issues & questions that you and I, as mere mortals in spectator physics, might seek meaningful answers for. He is personal, warm, candid and forthcoming - even in his chapter that tackles the stark outlook for the ultimate fate of humanity and the seemingly inevitable heat death of Universe. Be prepared, some chapters have a bit of foreboding and melancholy. I can't help but feel as if this is the story of how the author faced his fears and came to final acceptance of the honest scientific facts regarding the ultimate demise of Life and the Universe.
Sten uses a refreshing approach in the beginning of each chapter giving occasional real-life stories that lend warmth, meaningful context and impetus for further reading - welcoming one to move forward without trepidation. For example, he reminisces about star parties with like-minded friends of his youth - earnest and eager in their amateur astronomical attempts to grasp the big picture of cosmology. He also shares some of his later outings and adventures in the rugged backcountry wilderness where strange and ominous events brought his mind to the precipice of epistemology. These often tie-in with issues of mind & matter - consciousness, brain perception, and physical observation with regards to theoretical physics. To be sure, this is not the titillated/fluffy & tangential speculation of the paradox in measurement, uncertainty, and quantum conundrums one sees in much of todays popular quantum physics publications. You can find these philosophical treatments in just about every other book.

Early in the book, a seashore tide pool is used as an exquisite metaphor for discovery. Eloquent analogies abound throughout the text. Quantum Fields, Superstring, Supersymmetry, and M-Theories are wonderfully elucidated in later chapters. The beauty and power of physical theories and, to a very limited extent, the mathematics used in their description is shared in accessible language. On an incidental note, I perceived subtle hints of something strange early in this book. It almost seems as if, while on one hand, the idea of the "Ether" has been successfully dismissed in physics, on the other modern physical theorists have evolved the ether into sophisticated quantum fields.
The center of the book contains a series of 12 glossy-colored plates spread across 8 pages. These include gorgeous imagery from Scanning-Tunneling Microscopes and supercomputer simulations of atomic and other sub-microscopic images along with intricate fractals and uncanny Galactic Super clusters. Spectacular photos brought to you by the Hubble Space Telescope add to the repertoire of magnificent art in these plates.

The Glossary uses in 5 pages to describe 9 major terms that are thematic elements throughout the text. They are: Dimension, Field, Hyperspace, Nothingness, Quantum, Space, Space-Time, and Vacuum.
The bibliography is a bounty of books, articles, and references used in the development of the text. I strongly encourage you to mine this section for seminal sources to further your pursuits.

This review comes after my second reading and I eagerly anticipate my third, fourth and fifth readings. But why stop there? Because of his creative style and delivery, it was easy to connect to Sten's fascination with the great mysteries of the infinite heavens and the infinitesimal fabric of reality. I related with his desire and intent of writing a book that comprehensively pieces together diverse threads into an artful masterpiece. A few last words to describe this wonderful work: `Patterns' is beautifully written, thoroughly objective, cogent, technically concise, conceptually accessible, and gives a succinct yet coherent discourse of the deepest, most fundamental aspects of physics. I think Patterns is a fitting landmark in the broader path the aspiring autodidact chooses to follow. I only wish I had written it...
Indiandy

refreshingly honest..........2002-12-31

Sten Odenwald gives us a non-academic perspective on a topic usually reserved for ivory tower types. This view is welcome and friendly and vulnerable. Sten courageously shares with us his fears and disappointments as he delves ever deeper into a bottomless subject. It's just so nice to hear someone admit to wishing like heck that UFOs, etc were real, only to bite the epistemic bullet and admit mundane reality appears to rule. What a let down. And then what's left?...death itself awaits.

In very human terms Sten clues us in on the professional inside information that astronomers chat about amongst themselves. This is so neat! And Sten has no dogmatic axe to grind...none so's you'd notice anyway. In a personal communication to me, he kindly comfirmed this openness. He simply says, "Wait and see..." With that conclusion, Sten has earned my respect and gratitude.

I must also insist, however, that careful examination of cosmological opacity can very easily force our attention back unto human affairs, where we can still effectively pursue improvements. Prof. Munitz's conceptualization of the cosmos as a Boundless Existence in his three final books helps assuage the fear that Sten seems caught up in. I can recommend the Munitz books as a serious source of comfort...even beyond the death that looms so ominously.

Book Description

Marking the thirtieth anniversary of Theophilus North, this beautiful new edition features Wilder's unpublished notes for the novel and other illuminating documentary material, all of which is included in a new Afterword by Tappan Wilder.

The last of Wilder's works published during his lifetime, this novel is part autobiographical and part the imagined adventure of his twin brother who died at birth. Setting out to see the world in the summer of 1926, Theophilus North gets as far as Newport, Rhode Island, before his car breaks down. To support himself, Theophilus takes jobs in the elegant mansions along Ocean Drive, just as Wilder himself did in the same decade. Soon the young man finds himself playing the roles of tutor, spy, confidant, lover, friend, and enemy as he becomes entangled in the intrigues of both upstairs and downstairs in a glittering society dominated by leisure.

Narrated by the elderly North from a distance of fifty years, Theophilus North is a fascinating commentary on youth and education from the vantage point of age, and deftly displays Wilder's trademark wit juxtaposed with his lively and timeless ruminations on what really matters about life, love, and work at the end of the day -- even after a visit to Newport.

Customer Reviews:

Delightful tale of a 'benevolent meddler'.......2005-10-23

I've lived long enough to be able to judge novels by how many times I'm willing to re-read them. I've read Theophilus North about 20 times...

If it's not my favorite novel of all time, then it's definitely within the top five. The main character really appeals to me, a supremely independent, intelligent, well educated soul, who repeatedly, almost against his will, gets entangled in the lives of those with whom he comes in contact while on a summer vacation in Newport - always to the benefit of those fortunate enough to to be a target for his 'meddling'.

I know this is a fable, not a true story... but, oh, how I wish there were people like this in the world...

A NICE READ, BUT POINTLESS.......2000-06-24

this author, which has written books so beatiful, has given the world this one which is also beatiful, but pointless, i guess that the main character is himself. the book does not have a plot or at least is not going anywhere, but it is not boring, and it is a good read. i just loved it, even though when i finished i had the sensation of not being told anything new. the book has gone into oblivion and will propably stay there, the one i read i took it from the library and i was the only one who got it from the shelf in more than a decade, i guess it is there in the shelf at the library, waiting for another ten years until some reader will take it down, and write another pointless review about it....

LUIS MENDEZ luismendez@codetel.net.do

It creeps into your heart.......2000-06-21

I read this book more than 20 years ago as a college student and I still find myself thinking about it now. I was a persnickety English student and I wouldn't have imagined the book was making much of an impression on me at the time. Maybe I needed to age considerably before I could appreciate Wilder's idea that you do get everything you wish for -- just not on your schedule, and seldom packaged as you may have hoped or expected.

Goody Two-Shoes.......2000-05-22

At once a nice travelogue of Newport, Rhode Island, in the 1920's and a novel of human interaction, "Theophilus North" is a well-written and engaging (at first) book. It's just hard to understand why Wilder wrote it. There is so little of it in the way of dramatic or comic invention. The protagonist is a bodhisatva (a saint on earth) who spends his days doing good. All the time. You keep expecting some rising action - after 100 pages you yearn for it - but it never comes. Just one good deed after another. It isn't a bad read, and it might even be a good thing to put into the hands of teenagers (if you can get them to sit still for it). But there's no inner struggle going on in this first person narrative. And that makes ultimately for a weak plot. The book was something of a hit when it first came out, but it has since sunk to the obscurity it probably deserves. That saddens me, because I thought the author's "Our Town" and "Skin of Our Teeth" to be some of the finest writing this side of Heaven.

Spend a delightful summer in Newport, RI.......1999-06-07

This novel of a young man just leaving a teaching position and heading "who knows where" is really a Walter Mitty story: this is how I would be if I were as wonderful as I want to be. Purported to be autobiographical, the hero is detective, psychologist and always friend to his acquaintances of all social classes. He cleverly and compassionately resolves all their problems and his own. Not containing the depth of other novels such as Bridge at San Luis Rey, this book is for pleasure.

Average customer rating:

Theophilus North A Novel
Thornton Wilder
Manufacturer: Harper & Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K08T30

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