Valuing Employee Stock Options: A Comparison of Alternative Models

Average customer rating:
Valuing Employee Stock Options: A Comparison of Alternative Models
Financial Executives Research Foundation , and John D. Finnerty
Manufacturer: Financial Executives Research Foundation, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Employee Stock Options and Equity Valuation

ASIN: 1885065523

Book Description

Accounting for employee stock options has become a hot issue for financial executives once again. The International Accounting Standards Board has published for public comment proposals on how companies should account for share-based payment transactions (ED 2, Share-based Payment), and the Financial Accounting Standards Board is considering whether it should propose any changes to the U.S. accounting standards on stock-based compensation, in accordance with its objectives of promoting international convergence of accounting standards.

Book Description

A comprehensive guide to understanding the implications and applications of valuing employee stock options in light of the new FAS 123 requirements
Due to the new requirements of the Proposed Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS 123) released by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)-namely the fact that employee services received in exchange for equity instruments be recognized in financial statements-companies are now scrambling to learn how to value and expense employee stock options (ESOs). Based on author Dr. Johnathan Mun's consulting and advisory work with the FASB consulting projects with several Fortune 500 firms, Valuing Employee Stock Options provides readers with a comprehensive look at this complex issue.
Filled with valuable information on binomial lattice and closed-form modeling techniques, Valuing Employee Stock Options can help financial professionals make informed decisions when attempting to ascertain the fair-market value of ESOs under the new requirements.
Johnathan Mun, PhD, MBA, MS, CFC, FRM (San Francisco, CA), is Vice President of Analytical Services at Decisioneering, Inc., the makers of Crystal Ball analytical software. He is also the author of Applied Risk Analysis (0-471-47885-7), Real Options Analysis (0-471-25696-X), and Real Options Analysis Course (0-471-43001-3), all of which are published by Wiley.

Download Description

A comprehensive guide to understanding the implications and applications of valuing employee stock options in light of the new FAS 123 requirements Due to the new requirements of the Proposed Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS 123) released by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)-namely the fact that employee services received in exchange for equity instruments be recognized in financial statements-companies are now scrambling to learn how to value and expense employee stock options (ESOs). Based on author Dr. Johnathan Mun's consulting and advisory work with the FASB consulting projects with several Fortune 500 firms, Valuing Employee Stock Options provides readers with a comprehensive look at this complex issue. Filled with valuable information on binomial lattice and closed-form modeling techniques, Valuing Employee Stock Options can help financial professionals make informed decisions when attempting to ascertain the fair-market value of ESOs under the new requirements. Johnathan Mun, PhD, MBA, MS, CFC, FRM (San Francisco, CA), is Vice President of Analytical Services at Decisioneering, Inc., the makers of Crystal Ball analytical software. He is also the author of Applied Risk Analysis (0-471-47885-7), Real Options Analysis (0-471-25696-X), and Real Options Analysis Course (0-471-43001-3), all of which are published by Wiley.

Customer Reviews:

Frustrating.......2006-09-28

Jonathan Mun is one of those authors with lean credentials who write a book to establish themselves as experts in a field, rather than seeking to clarify an admittedly complex suject for the reader. In so doing, he manages to cram a 15-page paper into a 300-page book, primarily by being repetitive and secondly by including lots of obscrure tables.

Aha!, one says, I'll load the accompanying C.D. and work my way through the spreadsheet examples. Well, unfortunately the speadsheets are not operational. In order to use them, you have to buy the author's working version for a mere $1,000. For even more, you can buy Mun's corporate solutions for HR departments. In other words, the book is simply one long advertisement for Mun's software company, and is of limited usefulness to readers seeking to understand the complexities of ESOs.

This is not Wiley's standard practice. For instance, another of their books ["Financial Modeling" by Chandan Sengupta], which discusses option pricing using lattice models, contains a cd with working Excel spreadsheets that are fully operational. Unfortunately, it does not discuss ESOs, which differ somewhat from regular stock options.

So what are the alternatives?

1. The casual user (e.g., an employee who wants to get an idea of what his stock options are worth) can use one of the many calculators for general options available for free on the internet. A good one is the Option Pricing Calculator by OTrader Software.

2. Three useful articles for understanding the basics of lattice models are "Valuing employee Stock Options Using a Lattice Model" from the December 2004 issue of the CPA Journal, "Valuing Employee Stock Options: A Binomial Approach Using Microsoft Excel" from the July 2005 issue of the CPA Journal , and "How to 'Excel" at Options Valuation' from the December 2005 issue of the Journal of Accountancy. All three articles contain Excel spreadsheets as examples.

3. Readers wishing Excel spreadsheets that incorporate all of the features unique to EOSs (vesting periods, termination, illogical behavior, etc.) may wish to consider purchasing (@ 1/15 of Mun's price) Peter Hoadley's ESO package over the Internet. He also provides (for free) links to academic papers on the subject.

NOTE: The book describes Mun's credentials as follows:

"JOHNATHAN MUN is Vice President of Analytical Services at Decisioneering, Inc., the makers of Crystal Ball° analytical software. His duties focus primarily on heading up the development of real options and financial analytics software powered by Crystal Ball. Prior to joining Decisioneering, he was a consulting manager and financial economist in the Valuation Services and Global Financial Services practice of KPMG Consulting, and a manager with the Economic Consulting Services practice at KPMG LLP. He holds a PhD in finance and economics, and an MBA and MS in management. Mun is also certified in financial risk management and in financial consulting. He is currently a visiting professor in finance, economics, and statistics at various universities, including the University of Applied Sciences (Germany), the Swiss School of Management (Switzerland), and Golden Gate University (California). Mun is the author of Applied Risk Analysis, Real Options Analysis, and Real Options Analysis Course, all published by Wiley. He continues to offer worldwide seminars and lectures on the topics of real options, simulation and risk analysis, and corporate finance."

Generous on Theory, Secretive on Details.......2005-04-12

The book does a decent job of providing intuition on why traditional Black-Scholes framework will not work for Employee Stock Options. But then again, if directional intuition is what you are seeking, why spend the money on this book when you can get the same information by reading articles published in the Financial Analysts Journal (FAJ)? The book and the accompanying CD seem to be very cryptic when it comes to understanding the effects of early exercise. The CD is pretty much a black-box. If you think you can buy this book and explain the results of the analysis, then you are mistaken. Unless you have a PhD in Finance or a Masters in Financial Engineering, you may not understand what the algorithms do. Then again, if you had these degrees, you wouldn't need the book!

Valuing Employee Stock Options and Other Share-Based Payments: Complying with FAS 123R

Average customer rating:

Valuing Employee Stock Options and Other Share-Based Payments: Complying with FAS 123R
Ronald D. Rudkin; Rod A. Parsley
Manufacturer: Financial Executives Research Foundation, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

Valuing Employee Stock Options (Wiley Finance)

ASIN: 1933130016
Release Date: 2005-04-30

Product Description

This is a FERF Issue Alert authored by Ron Rudkin, PhD, and Rod Parsley, both of Analysis Group, Inc., entitled Valuing Employee Stock Options and Other Share-Based Payments: Complying with FAS 123R. This Issue Alert, which provides a checklist to assist companies in preparing to comply with FAS123R, Accounting for Share-Based Payments, was revised to reflect the SECs amendment of the compliance dates of FAS123R.

Average customer rating:

NBER working paper series
Steven Huddart
Manufacturer: National Bureau of Economic Research
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Leadership | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006R4Y0O

Book Description

In an era of globalisation, syndicated lending and consolidation within the banking industry, virtually all industries will have international dealings, whether directly or indirectly, and will therefore be exposed to consequential risks. An understanding of international risk, from that of bank of country failure to the idiosyncrasies of different regulatory frameworks, is essential for the modern banker. This book gives the reader a thorough understanding of how to calculate, analyse and manage such risks.

Download Description

Management accounting--risk and control strategy: David Laws offers his guide to the balanced scorecard and explains why a sound understanding of non-financial ... : An article from: Financial Management (UK)

Average customer rating:

Management accounting--risk and control strategy: David Laws offers his guide to the balanced scorecard and explains why a sound understanding of non-financial ... : An article from: Financial Management (UK)
David Laws
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Financial Management (UK), published by Thomson Gale on April 1, 2006. The length of the article is 1582 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Management accounting--risk and control strategy: David Laws offers his guide to the balanced scorecard and explains why a sound understanding of non-financial controls is important for both P3 and P6 students.
Author: David Laws
Publication: Financial Management (UK) (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: 47(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Average customer rating:
Criminal Justice History: An International Annual; Volume 4, 1983 (Criminal Justice History: An International Annual)

Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Criminal Law | Law | Subjects | Books
General | Law | Subjects | Books
Criminology | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Law | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0313280614

Average customer rating:
Criminal Justice History: An International Annual; Volume 4, 1983 (Criminal Justice History: An International Annual)
Editor-Henry Cohen
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTLVJ6

Book Description

Proceedings of the Golden Jubilee International Symposium on "Copper in Soils and Plants" held at Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia on May 7-9, 1981 under the sponsorship of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences.

Copper Metabolism. A Symposium on Animal, Plant and Soil Relationships

Average customer rating:

Copper Metabolism. A Symposium on Animal, Plant and Soil Relationships

Manufacturer: John Hopkins Baltimore
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K0D2QY

Average customer rating:

Copper Metabolism. A Symposium on Animal, Plant and Soil Relationships.
William D., & Bentley Glass, eds. McElroy
Manufacturer: Baltimore:
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LVC3CQ

Assessment of comparative toxicities of lead and copper using plant assay [An article from: Chemosphere]

Average customer rating:

Assessment of comparative toxicities of lead and copper using plant assay [An article from: Chemosphere]
Y.J. An
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Elsevier | By Publisher | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B000RR5KU6

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Chemosphere, published by Elsevier in . The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
The acute toxicities of lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) to important crop plants Sorghum bicolor, Cucumis sativus, Triticum aestivum, and Zea mays were compared. The EC50 values (the concentration of metals in the soil that reduces the growth of shoots and roots by 50%) were derived using the Trimmed Spearman-Karber method. The EC50s-shoot (root) in mgPbkg^-^1 dry soil and mgCukg^-^1 dry soil were in the range of 519 to >1280 (285-445), and 48-232 ( <40-110), respectively. Those concentrations are likely to occur in some abandoned mine areas in Korea. The figures indicate that Cu is more toxic than Pb to the plants in this study, and that root growth is more sensitive to the toxicity endpoint than shoot growth in Cu- or Pb-amended soils. On the other hand, seed germination is insensitive to both Pb and Cu toxicities. The Pb- and Cu-sensitive plants were also identified. Among the plants tested, T. aestivum and S. bicolor were most sensitive to Pb and Cu, respectively. Z. mays was most resistant to both Pb and Cu. The combined effects of Pb and Cu depend on the plant species, and no general phenomenon was observed. Bioaccumulations of Pb and Cu were observed in all test species, and they are concentration-dependent. These differences in the toxicities of Pb and Cu in plant species should be taken into account in biomonitoring and ecological risk assessment.

Effects of compost and phosphate on plant arsenic accumulation from soils near pressure-treated wood [An article from: Environmental Pollution]

Average customer rating:

Effects of compost and phosphate on plant arsenic accumulation from soils near pressure-treated wood [An article from: Environmental Pollution]
X. Cao , and L.Q. Ma
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Elsevier | By Publisher | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B000RR3VJI

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Environmental Pollution, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
Leaching of arsenic (As) from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood may elevate soil arsenic levels. Thus, an environmental concern arises regarding accumulation of As in vegetables grown in these soils. In this study, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate As accumulation by vegetables from the soils adjacent to the CCA-treated utility poles and fences and examine the effects of soil amendments on plant As accumulation. Carrot (Daucus carota L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were grown for ten weeks in the soil with or without compost and phosphate amendments. As expected, elevated As concentrations were observed in the pole soil (43mgkg^-^1) and in the fence soil (27mgkg^-^1), resulting in enhanced As accumulation of 44mgkg^-^1 in carrot and 32mgkg^-^1 in lettuce. Addition of phosphate to soils increased As accumulation by 4.56-9.3 times for carrot and 2.45-10.1 for lettuce due to increased soil water-soluble As via replacement of arsenate by phosphate in soil. However, biosolid compost application significantly reduced plant As uptake by 79-86%, relative to the untreated soils. This suppression is possibly because of As adsorbed by biosolid organic mater, which reduced As phytoavailability. Fractionation analysis showed that biosolid decreased As in soil water-soluble, exchangeable, and carbonate fraction by 45%, whereas phosphate increased it up to 2.61 times, compared to the untreated soils. Our results indicate that growing vegetables in soils near CCA-treated wood may pose a risk of As exposure for humans. Compost amendment can reduce such a risk by reducing As accumulation by vegetables and can be an important strategy for remediating CCA-contaminated soils. Caution should be taken for phosphate application since it enhances As accumulation.

Plant community tolerant to trace elements growing on the degraded soils of Sao Domingos mine in the south east of Portugal: environmental implications [An article from: Environment International]

Average customer rating:

Plant community tolerant to trace elements growing on the degraded soils of Sao Domingos mine in the south east of Portugal: environmental implications [An article from: Environment International]
H. Freitas , M. Prasad , and J. Pratas
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000RQZDWW

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Environment International, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
The selection of trace element tolerant species is a key factor to the success of remediation of degraded mine soils. Mining activities generate a large amount of waste rocks and tailings, which get deposited at the surface. The degraded soils, the waste rocks and tailings are often very unstable and will become sources of pollution. The direct effects will be the loss of cultivated land, forest or grazing land, and the overall loss of production. The indirect effects will include air and water pollution and siltation of rivers. These will eventually lead to the loss of biodiversity, amenity and economic wealth. Restoration of a vegetation cover can fulfil the objectives of stabilization, pollution control, visual improvement and removal of threats to human beings. Thus, remediation of mine spoils/tailings and biogeochemical prospecting would rely on the appropriate selection of plant species. Plant community responds differently on their ability to uptake or exclude a variety of metals. In this work, plant species were sampled from all populations established in an abandoned copper mine of Sao Domingos, SE Portugal. Plants belonging to 24 species, 16 genera and 13 families were collected from the degraded copper mine of Sao Domingos. Plant samples were analysed for total Ag, As, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The highest concentrations of metals in soils dry matter were 11217.5 mg Pb kg^-^1, 1829 mg Cu kg^-^1, 1291 mg As kg^-^1, 713.7 mg Zn kg^-^1, 84.6 mg Cr kg^-^1, 54.3 mg Co kg^-^1, 52.9 mg Ni kg^-^1 and 16.6 mg Ag kg^-^1. With respect to plants, the higher concentrations of Pb and As were recorded in the semi-aquatic species Juncus conglomeratus with 84.8 and 23.5 mg kg^-^1 dry weight (DW), Juncus efusus with 22.4 and 8.5 mg kg^-^1 DW, and Scirpus holoschoenus with 51.7 and 8.0 mg kg^-^1 DW, respectively. Thymus mastichina also showed high content of As in the aboveground parts, 13.6 mg kg^-^1 DW. Overall, the results indicate accumulation of various metals by different plant species, with some of these metals being partitioned to the shoots. Environmental implications of these observations are discussed.

Centerline soils and materials sites investigation, Copper River to Kuskulana River, McCarthy Road (Materials site report)

Average customer rating:

Centerline soils and materials sites investigation, Copper River to Kuskulana River, McCarthy Road (Materials site report)
Jack D Fowler
Manufacturer: Engineering Geology Section, Materials Division, Alaska Dept. of Highways
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Soil Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Copper and molybdenum uptake by legumes growing on topsoiled mine spoils: Final report

Average customer rating:

Copper and molybdenum uptake by legumes growing on topsoiled mine spoils: Final report
Dennis R Neuman
Manufacturer: Reclamation Research Unit, Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Montana State University
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Soil Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00072ZXOO

Copper for organic soils (Extension folder / Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota)

Average customer rating:

Copper for organic soils (Extension folder / Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota)
G. E Varvel
Manufacturer: Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Soil Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006Y5HP8

Average customer rating:

Copper in Soils and Plants
J. F. Loneragan A. D. Robson
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OH6Y5O

Book Description

Ronald Fairbairn's theory of object relations, first published in the 1940's, revolutionized psychoanalysis. Countering Freud's view that the developmental drive emerged almost solely from within an individual, Fairbairn argued that each person's fundamental need for relationships organizes development and its vicissitudes. In the ensuing years, frequently without attribution to Fairbairn, object relations theory became central to psychoanalytic thinking, and a source for modern infant research, relational theory, the study of dissociation and multiple personality, psychoanalytic family therapy, and the techniques of psychoanalytic therapy.

Customer Reviews:

historically significant papers.......2006-11-02

For students of psychoanalysis, here is a collection of Fairbairn's papers. Assembled in part by his daughter. The articles are of historical interest, due to them forming a coherent alternative to Freud's ideas in this field. The quality of the writing is also seen to be high. Fluidly expressed ideas that contemporary students should be easily able to follow, even if they don't necessarily agree with all that Fairbairn claims.

The book contains more than just his research papers. It has excerpts from correspondence between his and other researchers. These can be of interest, in giving more flesh to his ideas, and, indeed, to his own personality and way of thinking.

Collected Papers of I.A. Richards 1919-1938: Volume 9, I.A Richards: Selected Works 1919-1938 (Library of Literary and Cultural Criticisms)

Average customer rating:

Collected Papers of I.A. Richards 1919-1938: Volume 9, I.A Richards: Selected Works 1919-1938 (Library of Literary and Cultural Criticisms)
John Constable
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

Reference | Books & Reading | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literature | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0415217407

Book Description

Please see I. A. Richards (ISBN: 0415217318) for details or email info@routledge-ny.com.

Logic and Knowledge: Selected Papers Volume I (J.L. Mackie, Vol 1)

Average customer rating:

Logic and Knowledge: Selected Papers Volume I (J.L. Mackie, Vol 1)
J. L. Mackie
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Epistemology | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Logic & Language | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 019824679X

Book Description

This collection of John Mackie's papers on topics in epistemology, some of which have not previously been published, deal with such issues as: incorrigible empirical statements; rationalism and empiricism; the philosophy of John Anderson; self-refutation; Plato's theory of idea; ideological
explanation; problems of intentionality; Popper's third world;; mind, brain, and causation; Newcomb's Paradox and the direction of causation; induction; causation in concept, knowledge, and reality; absolutism; Locke and representative perception; and anti-realisms.

Louis Marshall: Champion of Liberty: Selected Papers and Addresses, Volume I.

Average customer rating:

Louis Marshall: Champion of Liberty: Selected Papers and Addresses, Volume I.
Louis Marshall; Editor Charles Reznikoff
Manufacturer: JEWISH PUBLICATION SOCIETY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OKNOBI

Precision Measurement and Calibration NBS Special Publication 300 Volume I Selected NBS Papers on Statistical Concepts and Procedures

Average customer rating:

Precision Measurement and Calibration NBS Special Publication 300 Volume I Selected NBS Papers on Statistical Concepts and Procedures
Harry H. Ku
Manufacturer: National Bureau of Standards
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IXH3HW

Precision Measurement and Calibration: Selected Papers on Electricity and Electronics (NBS Handbook 77, Volume I)

Average customer rating:

Precision Measurement and Calibration: Selected Papers on Electricity and Electronics (NBS Handbook 77, Volume I)
Sherman (ed.) Booth
Manufacturer: Government Printing Office
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JNY7G6

SELECTED LITERARY AND POLITICAL PAPERS AND ADDRESSES OF WOODROW WILSON, VOLUME I OF III ONLY

Average customer rating:

SELECTED LITERARY AND POLITICAL PAPERS AND ADDRESSES OF WOODROW WILSON, VOLUME I OF III ONLY
Woodrow Wilson
Manufacturer: Grosset & Dunlap
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HHQTG0

Selected Papers of Julian Meade Ruffin, 2 Vols. - Volume I: 1934-1966, Volume II: 1936-1966 by Ruffin, Julian Meade

Average customer rating:

Selected Papers of Julian Meade Ruffin, 2 Vols. - Volume I: 1934-1966, Volume II: 1936-1966 by Ruffin, Julian Meade
Julian Meade Ruffin
Manufacturer: Science Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000ND3SYO

Book Description

This book describes characteristic features of cryogenic systems involving two-phase flow, creates mathematical models of these systems, and then shows how the models may be used to develop optimal designs for practical cryogenic systems. The authors draw examples in the book from cryogenic fluid transport, gasification, and the stabilization of superconducting magnets. Much of this work is related to the development of large Russian systems in the areas of space technology, energy research, and particle physics.

Book Description

The African Safari Papers is an intense and outrageous portrait of a family so troubled that their family trip is, in a word, torture. Richard Clark, the narrator of this sharp and madcap novel, is nineteen years old, a drug-addicted, foul-mouthed, sex-crazed young man who is off to Africa on a safari with his parents. Obviously, this is a mistake of magnitude. As Richard smolders with resentment, his voice by turns self-loathing and self-righteous, he documents his trip in a series of journal entries that are funny, sad, and piercingly insightful. Juxtaposed with the hostile environment, the already tense situation becomes explosive: Mom is going insane, Dad drinks compulsively as he ticks off wildlife sightings on his checklist, and Richard is busy getting high on the drugs he has smuggled in his mother's suitcase. Anything can happen, and it does, in this Catcher in the Rye for the twenty-first century.

Customer Reviews:

A fun read.......2004-06-16

I recommend this book. This was a fun summer read. While saying this I also must explain to you that this book is not meant to be anything more than a summer adventure. As I look back to my summer adventures, though they are not as explosive as the African Safari our hero embarked on, are just a break from the routine life that I was accustomed to. Similarly with our hero who after returning from the trip will leave Africa behind and all his troubles. That is why this book must be read with that in mind. Our hero is 19 so of course he think his wisdom is worthy of contending against Solomon in his pride. His spirituality and philosophizing is not meant to blow the reader away in awe, but to be viewed condescendingly by the reader. Condescendingly as in, "Ah, yes. I remember being 19 and being that silly."

spiritual, real, and powerful............2004-02-21

I just finished the book last night, and it is the best book I have gotten my hands on so far. The thought process and ideas are so powerful that I highlighted quotes all through the book that inspired me in several different ways. The book is really powerful because of how real it is, it is an invitation into someone else's world and mind while stuck in many different situations and experiences. This made it so interesting to me since I write myself, and I am just a few years older than he was at the time. Don't make the assumption that a journal would not have an interesting plot or story, because the ending proves that assumption wrong..there is a build up throughout the whole book that explodes at the end, as I closed the book after finishing the last page I got a strong chill and sat in a daze for about 5 minutes trying to pull myself back into reality. I suppose I am a really deep person, but this book had an affect on me that will change the way a perceive life and situations. I plan on reading it again soon to see if I can pick up on more views.....you have to have an open mind to really get sucked into this book.

Love the writing style.......2004-01-10

I give this book four stars simply because in his first book he already has a writing style that made the book extremely enjoyable. The main character in the book was honest, witty, and very easy to connect with. I think Sedlack relayed the inner thoughts, dilemmas, and turmoils of disenchanted youth with unbelievable accuracy and insight. At times I felt as if I was reading my own thoughts. The author's honesty proved very entertaining and very comical.

This book would be an easy 5 stars if there was a more developed plot. I think he might wanted to keep the plot simple so he could have room to vent the thoughts of the main character on a regular basis throughout the novel. However, it would be very interesting to see a mix of his writing style with a bit of Chuck Palahniuk style plot mixed into it.

If he continues to grow as a writer he will be AMAZING. He is already very, very close.

Fun read.......2003-12-25

Somewhat of a stream of conscious narrative about a screwed up kid and his screwed up parents. I found it interesting that none of the three Clark family members end up as the least or most worst of the bunch. Issues, problems, and idiosyncrasies are just about equally dispersed. The narrator, Richard, virtually vomits his thoughts into his journal, bile and all. What is also interesting is how he sometimes will put down his thoughts, consciously edited, but generally will end up stripping away the bows and ribbons to expose what he thinks is his most primal and honest feelings. We are all guilty of presenting our thoughts to others with a patina derived of conventional morality sometimes only hinting at our true feelings. I think this book exposes the paradox of private thought that is influenced by conventional morality when held up to the mirror of one's experiences. What are our true thoughts? Can a person really know? Richard struggles with what he feels are his true feelings in his efforts to honestly chronicle the safari, straining their current experiences thru a mesh built by his past. In the end he really is not sure how he feels. The only downer for me was the violent ending for his parents. I thought it to be somewhat of a too convenient contrivance. It seemed like it was a hasty way of wrapping things up and came off a little too corny.

Not bad, fast read.......2003-12-13

Man, it was okay, but it wasn't that good.

Average customer rating:

The African Safari Papers
Robert Sedlack
Manufacturer: BANTAM DOUBLEDAY DELL
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLJHHM

Average customer rating:

African Safari Papers
Robert Sedlack
Manufacturer: BANTAM DOUBLEDAY DELL
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLN97Q

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books