Competitividad En Hoteleria

Book Description

This volume brings together a collection of research papers on financial sector reform and privatization in the transition economies of Eastern Europe and related issues in other transforming economies.
It represents a selection of invited papers and best papers presented at various conferences and workshops held in Estonia, Poland and The Netherlands. It is the work of leading scientists, and thereby provides a very authoritative analysis of the ongoing process of financial sector reforms and privatization in transition economies. The main theoretical and empirical issues are carefully brought out to bear on the pressing policy and institutional schemes that are desirable in transition economies.

Book Description

Skilled Hands, Strong Spirits follows the history of the Building and Construction Trades Department from the emergence of building trades councils in the age of the skyscraper; through treacherous fights over jurisdiction as new building materials and methods of work evolved; and through numerous Department campaigns to improve safety standards, work with contractors to promote unionized construction, and forge a sense of industrial unity among its fifteen (and at times nineteen) autonomous and highly diverse affiliates. Arranged chronologically, Skilled Hands, Strong Spirits is based on archival research in Department, AFL-CIO, and U.S. government records as well as numerous union journals, the local and national press, and interviews with former Department officers.

Grace Palladino makes the history of the building trades come alive. By investigating the sources of conflict and unity within the Building and Construction Trades Department over time, and demonstrating how building trades unions dealt with problems and opportunities in the past, she provides a historical context for the current generation of workers and leaders as they devise new strategies to suit their current situation.

Customer Reviews:

Terrific history of construction trades unions.......2007-02-19

This book is a terrific history of the Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD), an autonomous "department" of the AFL-CIO. It is the oldest of the labor federation's so-called "departments" (which are really just federations of unions in a specific industry, affiliated with the AFL-CIO). Author Grace Palladino is an editor of the Samuel Gompers Papers. As such, she has knowledge of, and access to, the critical documents in the founding of the BCTD.

Roughly two-thirds of the book covers the BCTD's first 50 years, giving slightly short-shrift to the department's second half-century. In part, this may be forgiven because those were the BCTD's most interesting decades. But it also reflects Palladino's background, the materials she has access to, and the political nature of the American labor movement (which treats its recent history as if it were a state secret, and if it got into the hands of the Russians we ALL BE DEAD...).

The book goes to great lengths to situate the reader within the hothouse environment of the construction trades, which is a major help to the reader not familiar with how construction and construction trade unions function. It does a very good job, too, at outlining the changes in construction technology, and how this drove the jurisdictional battles among and growth of the construction trade unions.

To her credit, Palladino also manages to include brief biographies of many of the people critical to the history of the BCTD. This is not an easy task, yet these are integreated nearly seemlessly into the text. Many of these individuals are nearly forgotten, and most left behind no memoirs, recollections or even biographical sketches. The reader practically needs a scorecard, because there are so many names and the individuals are so unfamiliar. But Palladino makes this work.

It's a bit worrisome to see Palladino rely on just a few sources for the early history of the BCTD and construction unions. Notably, she leans very heavily on William Haber's "Industrial Relations in the Building Industry," Richard Schneirov and Thomas Suhrbur's "Union Brotherhood, Union Town" (a history of the Carpenter's union), and some mainstream labor and newspaper articles by notoriously self-serving authors such as William English Walling.

The record gets even thinner as history marches on. Little scholarly attention has been paid to construction unions in the post-war period, and a great deal of the reference materials relies on first-person interviews with key leaders of the BCTD and construction unions. While such interviews are critical and extremely valuable, the interviewees are also notoriously political and worried about their legacies. I wish more supporting material had been included.

Too, the book contains digressions on the thoughts and policies of Gompers, some of which don't seem terribly relevant.

But such shortcomings can be forgiven. The historical and scholarly literature regarding the BCTD and building unions is extremely thin, and Palladino has done yeoman's work in digging out what few primary-source documents and publications remain available.

The book is eminently readable, contains superb endnotes (listed by the page the note appeared on, which is a major help to the reader), and manages to evoke a strong sense of the times and people which concern the rise, growth and retrenchment of the construction and building trades. This is a major historical step forward for labor history and our understanding of the construction and building industry in the United States.

Book Description

Jazz musicians are well known for strong opinions and a major sense of humor. Quotable Jazz collects the best of these often funny, sometimes outrageous, always enlightening quotes. It's all here -- the vaudevillian ribaldry of Jelly Roll Morton, the warm humor of Louis Armstrong, the insight of Duke Ellington, the acerbic views of Miles Davis. These greats and many more, both well-known and unsung sidemen, hold forth on a variety of topics including women, race, the music business, the art of improvisation, and that eternal question, "what is jazz and where is it going?"

Quotable Jazz is a one-of-a-kind reference that's as essential to your jazz collection as Coltrane's Giant Steps or Miles' Kind of Blue.

Customer Reviews:

Never Got the book.......2007-04-11

Actually I pay for the book but it never arrived. Something strange must happened since I received the other items on the order. And its the first time ever something like that happens to me in Amazon.

Average customer rating:

Misleading

Tell it Like it is

A personal memoir, not a true assessment

A Autobiographical View of the Decline of Classical Music

An easy read for classical musicians.

No Vivaldi in the Garage: A Requiem for Classical Music in North America
Sheldon Morgenstern
Manufacturer: Northeastern University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Who Needs Classical Music?: Cultural Choice and Musical Value

Classical Music in America: A History of Its Rise and Fall

And the Band Stopped Playing: The Rise and Fall of the San Jose Symphony

Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs, and Classical Music

The Artist as Citizen

ASIN: 1555536417

Book Description

In a work rich with colorful anecdotes about family, friends, and colleagues, Sheldon Morgenstern reflects on his childhood in Cleveland, Ohio, summers at the Brevard Music Festival, and years at Northwestern University. He recounts his experiences playing French horn in the Atlanta Symphony, studying conducting at the New England Conservatory, his long tenure as artistic director at the Eastern Music Festival at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, and performances as guest conductor with dozens of orchestras around the world.

Morgenstern scrutinizes the reasons behind the increasing mediocrity of classical music and the precarious financial state of professional symphony orchestras, many of which have already declared bankruptcy. He sharply criticizes the NEA, the Canada Council, and other arts councils and political groups for the elimination of music education in nearly all public schools. He is also highly critical of Yo-Yo Ma, Shlomo Mintz, Daniel Barenboim, and other superstars who command extraordinary fees for sometimes second-rate performances but do little to teach young artists or to support struggling companies and festivals. He concludes by calling for strong actions that will ensure the economic survival of the arts without sacrificing excellence in performance.

Filled with vivid behind-the-scenes descriptions and highlighting such well-known figures as Leonard Bernstein, Glenn Gould, Wynton Marsalis, and others, No Vivaldi in the Garage offers a refreshingly candid insider's perspective on the classical music scene.

Customer Reviews:

Misleading.......2006-12-29

This book, which flows nicely via simplicity in vocabulary and sentence structure, advertises an insider's opinion on why classical music is falling away from the heart of our culture. Instead, the book provided a brag-and-rant fest about (alright,) a very important person in the history of classical music in America. The book's author is a very capable man with intelligent observations and humorous stories, however his book might fail to wow anyone not related to and directly acquainted with the author. Order at your own discretion.

Tell it Like it is.......2006-07-29

Having known Mr. Morgenstern from years ago in college as well as attending Transylvania Music Camp in Brevard NC with him, I believe he "Tells it like it is" both in his memoirs & in the state & future of music in America. His experiences in his life combined with a long list of professional accomplishments more than qualify him to tell of the problems facing & eating away at the American musical scene. Agree or not with what he has to say, I found comfort in knowing him personally that it was "The truth & nothing but the truth"

A personal memoir, not a true assessment.......2006-02-06

This book starts out with the stated goal of assessing the decline of classical music in the United States and the reasons for it. However, it turns out to be essentially Morgenstern's personal behind-the-scenes memoir of venality and corruption and, in the process of writing it, he limns the all-too-human foibles of the great and near-great. In truth, it is a series of generally none-too-flattering vignettes with interspersed musings. Had the author stated at the outset that his goal was to write his own memoir, the book would have merited at least 4 stars because it is quite readable. Nevertheless, some of the author's more salacious tidbits cannot be confirmed and some have been outright denied by those he claimed participated in certain of the events mentioned. This, in turn, calls into question Morgenstern's ultimate veracity, although not the book's fascination for readers interested in the classical music scene. In fact, the author's conclusion that classical music needs to be more emphasized in elementary school in order for it to continue to (or begin to) thrive in this country is hardly a new insight. I have been hearing it for at least 30 years and perhaps longer. So, take this book for what it is--one man's memoir of his life in classical music. Enjoy it, but don't assume you're reading some sort of ultimate truth.

A Autobiographical View of the Decline of Classical Music.......2005-08-25

The state of classical music in America is precarious. Nowhere will the orchestras fill a stadium sized arena like the Rolling Stones are doing in Boston. Why is it in America that the best music of the generations is going so unappreciated?

Mr. Morgenstern writes with a great deal of sadness about the state of classical music in the United States. He offers little encouragment for the future. He would like to see the NEA increase funding to the arts. But in a time like this, the asking of everyone in the country to pay a contribution to arts that they find useless if not objectionable is out of the question.

A good book that clearly states and understands the problem.

An easy read for classical musicians........2005-02-07

Morgenstern relates the inner workings of conducting, teaching, managing, and performing that goes with being an orchestra player in the U.S., and does so concisely and humourously.

NO VIVALDI IN THE GARAGE: A REQUIEM FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC IN NORTH AMERICA.

Average customer rating:

NO VIVALDI IN THE GARAGE: A REQUIEM FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC IN NORTH AMERICA.
Sheldon. Morgenstern
Manufacturer: Northeastern Univ. Press,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N7DRWS

Average customer rating:

No Vivaldi in the Garage: a Requiem for Classical Music in North America
Sheldon Morgenstern
Manufacturer: Northeastern University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N62XRE

Product Description

Considers the origins and development in the Great Depression of the idea of the ""American Dream.""

Book Description

Do you know someone who is infuriated if kept on hold for more than a minute? Who is positively enraged if someone answers their phone during dinner? If so, you've probably encountered the phenomenon of the grumpy old man. Packed with funny chapters such as who are we, what are we grumpy about, and how can you spot the signs of grumpiness coming on, this book will leave even the grumpiest of men with a grin on his face.

Customer Reviews:

Attention Spouses of GOMs.......2005-10-22

Caution, if your man is grumpy, this book will tend to worsen the situation for a while after he's read it. He will interpret it as a validation of his behaviour. You on the other hand will find solice in it: you're not alone in suffering and hey, there's grumpier mongrels out there in the world!

Grumps san frontiers.......2005-07-29

"Men between the ages of 35 and 54 are the grumpiest group of people in history. Grumpier than their parents, who were just glad to have survied the war, and grumpier than their children, who don't care about anything except iPods and tattoos."

I saw the series on the BBC and imediatley identified with the titular Grumpy Old Men despite not being in the age range they suggest. Then I got the book. It does cover some of the series again, but is still the funniest thing I've read in ages. The book covers such topics as who we are, what are we grumpy about and how to spot us.

Odds are you know a grumpy old man. It's even more likey that you share some of our peeves. But you should get the book, just to make sure. You'll either identify with us...or be one of us...

Average customer rating:
The Grumpy Old Men Official Handbook
Stuart Prebble
Manufacturer: BBC Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0563527463

Book Description

Programming the Web Using XHTML and JavaScript by Lagerstrom fits in introductory Web-Authoring courses in the community college, university extension or technical schools, or in Web-Scripting courses found in computer science departments. It requires no prior knowledge of HTML or programming. This book was written to offer a straightforward introduction to programming. Programming the Web Using XHTML and JavaScript starts out with an explanation of HTML and then gently guides the student into learning how to create web pages that actually respond to and interact with the web browser through JavaScript. To accomplish the patient ease of learning, Dr. Lagerstrom created various types of end of chapter material, which reinforce what has been learned via lab exercises, de-bugging problems and objective questions. Pedagogical features such as icons are located in the margins to alert students of potential trouble areas and advice.

Customer Reviews:

Programming the Web Using XHTML and JavaScript.......2007-09-16

A good book. Topics are all well explained and good programming examples are provided. The target audience is more for people with little or no programming experience. But, experienced software developers can gain some insights, too. Overall, I highly recommend if you are looking for a book on this subject which doesn't contain in-depth technical details.

Easy to read and understand.......2007-03-21

I bought this book for a class that I took at UC Berkeley and it's a great book because it teaches the reader xhtml and java in a simple way. I was amazed as to how easy it was understand all the terminology in the book. Usually I sell off my books at the end of the semester but this one was a keeper.

Nine Stars.......2003-04-28

I got this book for a class, taught by Lagerstrom, and loved it. It does a great job explaining XHTML and JavaScript. I had never been exposed to any type of programming, but this book made it simple. When I originally bought the book, I was sharing it with two other people. However, we all found it so helpful that we had to each buy our own to keep it on the shelf.

Another book I'll be adding to my shelf........2003-01-18

Wow. Very few programming books I've read do much for me. Most of them are of no more use than a reference manual. But this book....this book is different. After just an hour of reading, I now understand the basics of JavaScript. The book does a great job explaining it. The other topic this book covers is XHTML, the successor to HTML. I admire the author's constant reminders to remain standards-complient in XHTML. Good job.

Book Description

Special Edition Using HTML & XHTML is a comprehensive Web publishing reference, providing practical solutions to real-world Web development problems. Author Molly Holzschlag starts by explaining how XHTML differs from HTML and why it's necessary, but quickly moves beyond a mere comparison of the differences. The reader learns which tools are best, how to code HTML & XHTML, and the basic principles of Web publishing and graphic design. The book also shows how to integrate graphics, stylesheets, frames and multimedia into XHTML Web pages. Later chapters cover XHTML's relationship to XML and creating content for alternative devices including pagers, cell phones, and hand held devices.

Customer Reviews:

Special Edition Using HTML and XHTML.......2005-10-25

This is a very good book. I have been looking for a book like this for a long time.

Confusing, but a good reference........2004-11-26

This book, like most other primers on XHTML, tries to take the minor differences between standard HTML and XHTML, and turn it into a full blown manuscript. The truth is, if you already know HTML, then you already know most of what you need for XHTML.

XHTML differs little from HTML, except for the following points (I'm using brackets here on purpose so as not to mark up this review) :

- XHTML is case sensitive, e.g. the tags [h1] and [H1] are not equivalent.

- tags must be nested properly, e.g. [b][i]your text here[/b][/i] is incorrect in a "well formed" document.

- certain tags that take no attributes must be terminated with a slash, e.g. [br /]

- XHTML can use "modules" (and good luck trying to understand that chapter in the book).

That's about all you need to know about XHTML. Throw in a DTD definition and you're done. But the book does a poor job of explaining just what a DTD is and why you need one, other than the XML gods just saying you need one.

Much of the book is also C.I.P.U. to HTML users. CSS is given two short chapters with little explanation of why you need CSS and how it can help you manage your web pages. And then it's onto XML, with the same lack of explanation. But, as with most CSS and XML primers, this is typically the case. Everybody is touting the value of XML, but almost nobody can tell you why or how to use this new technology. And this book is no different.

I gave the book two stars because of its one outstanding feature, the references in Appendix C & D. The book is worth having around just for those two sections. In that sense you might want to pick up a used copy for much less than a new one.

In a perfect world..........2002-11-12

If, as I recently did, you were to buy Molly Holzschlag's outstanding "Special Edition Using HTML and XHTML" and "Eric Meyer on CSS: Mastering the Language of Web Design," you might wonder if you had awoken on some strange planet in which pricey web books were actually worth the money, and tech authors wrote at a level that both challenged, elucidated, and entertained.

Molly Holzschlag's book, simply put, succeeds on every possible level. The style is clear and personable and the information is cogently and logically presented. As a web standards "insider," she gives you the history behind the development of markup languages rather than just throwing out the standard grid of what breaks in which browsers -- because, as this book so clearly demonstrates, the "why" matters a great deal, and you can't really get your mind around that without a few little history lessons along the way.

But it is not just a collection of dry facts and background info; the book is hands-on all the way, and constantly uses work-along examples to teach how to use XHTML to author web pages.

As Holzschlag states in the intro, the perfect reader for this book is the intermediate user -- someone who has used HTML before, and is quite familiar with web authoring, but maybe wishes to finally learn to do things the "right way," now that the W3C has made some headway with specifications. The book hits its intended audience mark dead on. The info is not dumbed down, yet important concepts are explained in detail. If you encounter a concept that is over your head, chances are there will be a sidebar link to the W3C website for additional information you need to catch up. This seems to me a very good compromise between leaving seasoned professionals bored, and lower-level intermediates in the dust.

There are several excellent reference charts (such as for ASCII symbols, character sets), and a comprehensive XHTML tag reference, making this a perfect all-around desk reference as well as a tool for getting up to speed on XHTML.

I believe this book would be particularly useful for the web designer wishing to move towards using XHTML for content and CSS for style and layout. In that case, I suggest "Eric Meyer on CSS: Mastering the Language of Web Design" as a companion volume to round out the CSS side of things (Actually, Holzschlag herself references Meyer's book several times).

If you really want to make the switch to cleaner markup, and prepare yourself for what's coming on the web (and if you don't think you want to, this book might also convince you why you *should* want to...) you could hardly do better than this book.

it was ok..........2002-11-04

This book did a great job describing xhtml,and like most special edition books I really liked. It was easy to understand. However, they didn't do the best describing modularization. I understood it more when I read it on w3.org. It also should've gone a bit further. I was especially disappointed it didn't say anything about xforms which was like the coolest part of xhtml. That doesn't this book isn't worth the money though. Its a great reference, but if you're looking to harness the full potential of xhtml and its newer features go elsewhere.

Excellent Job.......2002-10-19

This book takes a detailed look at HTML and XHTML and all the various topics that relate to these markup languages. Even at the book's start, it discusses specifications and Document Type Definitions (DTD). In the book's second part, it talks about lists, links, tables, framesets, and forms, some of the "easier" things you can do with HTML and XHTML. Part three gets into adding images and multimedia, and what to watch out for when adding these items. Cascading Style Sheets get a thorough lookover in the book's fourth part, from using them with HTML & XHTML to adding style and positioning. The book also has a huge XMHTL reference section at the back of the book. This book is a wonderful reference guide for anyone working with HTML and XHTML, as well as providing good tutorial information throughout its pages.

Programming the Web Using XHTML and JavaScript

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Programming the Web Using XHTML and JavaScript
LAGERSTROM
Manufacturer: Career Education
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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