Managing Financial Risk: A Guide to Derivative Products, Financial Engineering, and Value Maximization

Book Description

Managing Financial Risk is the most authoritative and comprehensive primer ever published for financial professionals who must understand and successfully use derivaties. The previous edition of this professional financial classic sold over 18,000 copies and emerged as a leading training tool in the derivatives industry. The book covers derivative products from the most basic to the most complex and explains how derivatives are used by each major player in the market: dealers, financial firms, and corporations. In addition, the book includes short contributions from a variety of experts from leading companies such as Citibank, J.P. Morgan, British Petroleum, and Ciba-Geigy. Completely updated to include new material on new products such as commodity swaps and credit swaps, this edition will cover every aspect of the derivatives marketplace with insight and authority.

Customer Reviews:

Dated and with plenty of mistakes.......2006-03-01

I had to buy this book as it was the text book for one of the subjects that I am studying.

Dated: e.g. Many examples that deal with European currencies that were replaced by the Euro.

Errors: In the illustrations, there are some calculations that take incorrect parameters to derive the results (obviously yielding wrong results). This is misleading and time consuming.

Verbosity: The book explains in twenty pages something that can be explained in five.

No good.

Very much better than some people might think!.......2005-11-30

For those of you who may not be aware, Charles Smithson is the "father" of the building-block approach to making derivatives understandable, showing a linked, family-tree approach, rather than each explaining each one separately with no clear connections. He is both a top practitioner with many years of senior-level experience, as well as an academic for more theoretical work.

I am amazed at some of the negative reviews. I can only think that is because there aren't enough partial differential equations and complex pricing/hedging models (there really aren't any, but that doesn't make this a simplistic book). I also teach finance at the Masters level, as well as teaching practical applications of derivatives to various bank clients.

In my oppinion, this is the single best book on derivatives for non-specialists that I have seen (and I have seen most of the derivatives books around). Even people on the trading floor would benefit from the clear forest-for-the-trees approach. This is not an easy book, though it doesn't require any more than school algebra (with the exeption of one chapter on option pricing, contributed by Cliff Smith and, even there, the calculus could be skipped over lightly). This book will give the reader a very good understanding of the most important aspects of derivatives and their applications. This is something that is often woefully lacking in banks, where the focus is on the minutiae of quantitative models, treated almost as an exercise in math, without a very clear understanding of the finance that the math is there to model. The treatment is broad and balanced, from pure product knowledge to issuer applications to investor applications and to banks managing their own market risk. This breadth is very rare in derivatives books.

My only criticisms are that there are some mistakes (as in most technical books that are not textbooks, benefiting from the review of many students, if you look hard enough for them) and there is insufficient emphasis now on credit derivatives and the management of credit risk, though I feel sure Charles Smithson will address that in the next edition - he has written a separate book "Credit Portfolio Management."

Perhaps someone should take up the offer of a free copy from a previous reviewer - a real "free lunch." I highly recommend this book to relative beginners, as well as to experienced practitioners who want more breadth.

Covers a lot of grounds on derivatives. Great reference........2003-05-29

I bought this book to give myself a thorough education on derivatives. And, I got it. It is very readable, yet it covers all the topics in adequate technical detail, so you can hold your own in the company of derivatives traders and the like. I often refer to this book, to refresh my memory on the different structure of option models, or how to value an interest rate swap. This is the sort of stuff you will not remember unless you use these concepts on a weekly basis. But, with this book, it does not matter, it is easy to refresh your knowledge.

Caveat Emptor.......2001-10-04

I also use this book as part of the Masters course in Sydney and I cannot remember the last time I picked it up to read as I have better things to do with my time than try and work through the glaring errors in formulae, graphs and general commentary. The presentation is verbose and circumlocutory and to add to the frustration often wrong. I feel obliged to warn potential buyers not to make the same mistake that I have. Gallitz on Financial Engineering is a far more interesting and accurate text and for the rigours of applied financial maths Mastering financial calculations teaches you more in 200 pages than Smithson could in a lifetime of trying to improve on this first edition. If anyone would like my copy of Smithson I'm happy to give it away for fear further sales may encourage McGraw Hill to continue publishing the book.

Financial Book, not for begineer.......2000-09-16

The book is written in a complex way. For example, a simple future contract, was explained in long and complex way. It is not able to show the point directly. Anyway, it is not a bad point. It has some quite excellent practical example. It is the most valuable parts of the book.

Managing Financial Risk/Chase Special Edition: A Guide to Derivative Products, Financial Engineering, and Value Maximization

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Managing Financial Risk/Chase Special Edition: A Guide to Derivative Products, Financial Engineering, and Value Maximization
Charles Smithson , Clifford Smith , and D. Sykes Wilford
Manufacturer: Irwin Professional Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Book Description

Leading Minds and Landmark Ideas In An Easily Accessible Format

From the preeminent thinkers whose work has defined an entire field to the rising stars who will redefine the way we think about business, The Harvard Business Review Paperback Series delivers the fundamental information today's professionals need to stay competitive in a fast-moving world.

With articles ranging from an in-depth look at the "mommy-track" to perspectives on telecommuting, this book will help HR professionals and employees at all levels understand the oftentimes delicate balance between our professional and personal lives.

Download Description

With articles ranging from an in-depth look at the "mommy-track" to perspectives on telecommuting, this book will help HR professionals and employees at all levels understand the oftentimes delicate balance between our professional and personal lives. From the preeminent thinkers whose work has defined an entire field to the rising stars who will redefine the way we think about business, The Harvard Business Review Paperback Series delivers the fundamental information today's professionals need to stay competitive in a fast-moving world.

Customer Reviews:

Great.......2006-08-03

The package came overseas to Japan in less time than expected. Great service! I was so excited to get the package of books before I had to leave for a business trip for a week. (If the books had come "on time," then I would have already left.)

Very good!!.......2001-04-25

Here we have a collection of several articles about balancing work and life. I liked the book because of that. You don't have to begin reading on page 1. Just see the index for an article of choice an begin reading there. The ideas the authors propose are written in an easy reading manner an are always backed on serious researches. I licked it a lot.

Book Description

The Compendium of Practical Astronomy is a revised and enlarged English version of the fourth edition of G. Roth's famous handbook for stargazers. In three volumes 28 carefully edited articles, aimed especially at amateur astronomers and students and teachers of astronomy in high schools and colleges, cover the length and breadth of practical astronomy. Volume 1 contains information on modern instrumentation and reduction techniques, including spherical astronomy, error estimations, telescope mountings, astrophotography, and more. Volume 2 covers the planetary system, with contributions on artificial satellites, comets, the polar aurorae, and the effects of the atmosphere on observational data. Volume 3 is devoted to stellar objects, variable stars and binary stars in particular. An introduction to the astronomical literature and a comprehensive chapter on astronomy education and instructional aids make the Compendium a useful complement to any college library, in addition to its being essential reading for all practical astronomers.

Customer Reviews:

compendium of practical astronomy.......2001-07-07

for those of you who happen to be new in this amazing and challenging area of astronomy, you will be lost looking for information to start your studies. there are too many books in astronomy on the market, but all of them turn out to be too easy or too complicated. they are designed for people that only want to be superficial in astronomy or astronomy students. but if you have a technical background or at least, feel good with some technical stuff, this compendium will fulfil all your expectacions. it covers everything about astronomy, from the basic in instrumentation until stars formation, planetary sciences and weird space objects. highly recommendable.

Compendium of Practical Astronomy: Stars and Stellar Systems

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Compendium of Practical Astronomy: Stars and Stellar Systems
Harry J. Augensen
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The Compendium of Practical Astronomy is a revised and enlarged English version of the fourth edition of G. Roth's famous handbook for stargazers. In three volumes 28 carefully edited articles aimed especially at amateur astronomers and students and teachers of astronomy in high schools and colleges cover the length and breadth of practical astronomy. Volume 1 contains information on modern instrumentation and reduction techniques, including spherical astronomy, error estimations, telescope mountings, astrophotography, and more. Volume 2 covers the planetary system, with contributions on artificial satellites, comets, the polar aurorae, and the effects of the atmophere on observational data. Volume 3 is devoted to stellar objects, variable stars and binary stars in particular, the Milky Way and Galaxies. An introduction to the astronomical literature and a comprehensive chapter on astronomy education and instructional aids make the Compendium a useful complement to any college library.

Compendium of Practical Astronomy Volume 2

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Compendium of Practical Astronomy Volume 2

Manufacturer: Springer Verlag* Ny Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Perfect Paperback

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 3540548858

The American practical lunarian,: And seaman's guide ... To which are annexed, a compendium of marine law, and mercantile regulations and customs; being ... Marine insurance laws ... Commercial forms

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The American practical lunarian,: And seaman's guide ... To which are annexed, a compendium of marine law, and mercantile regulations and customs; being ... Marine insurance laws ... Commercial forms
Thomas Arnold
Manufacturer: R. Desilver
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Maritime | Specialties | Law | Subjects | Books

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000869Q10

COMPENDIUM OF PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY VOLUME 1: INSTRUMENTATION AND REDUCTION TECHNIQUES

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COMPENDIUM OF PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY VOLUME 1: INSTRUMENTATION AND REDUCTION TECHNIQUES

Manufacturer: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 3540535969

The nautical instructor: A compendium of practical navigation,

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The nautical instructor: A compendium of practical navigation,
J. H Bell
Manufacturer: H. Hughes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0008ADH70

Book Description

The CRC Handbook of Solubility Parameters and Other Cohesion Parameters, Second Edition, which includes 17 new sections and 40 new data tables, incorporates information from a vast amount of material published over the last ten years. The volume is based on a bibliography of 2,900 reports, including 1,200 new citations. The detailed, careful construction of the handbook develops the concept of solubility parameters from empirical, thermodynamic, and molecular points of view and demonstrates their application to liquid, gas, solid, and polymer systems. Data are presented with self-consistent units and terminology in tables and illustrated diagrammatically in solubility maps with full reference to primary resources. The result is a uniquely comprehensive survey that will be valuable for a wide range of research scientists and technicians concerned with synthetic and natural polymers, plasticizers, solvents, pigments, plants, dyes, inks, lubricants, adhesives, membranes, chromatography, colloids, solvent extraction, biological systems, reaction kinetics, and surface processes.

Book Description

Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones provides both the connoisseur and the casual collector with a compact, easy-to-use volume describing more than 100 rare varieties of minerals whose beauty and mystery have possessed our imaginations from time immemorial. More than 450 brilliant photographs accompany profiles of each gem, covering such aspects as appearance, physical properties -- density, hardness, refraction -- occurrence, and how to judge quality and value. Additional sections describe the process of cutting gemstones and the techniques professional gemologists use to evaluate a stone's weight and optical properties.

Detailed and comprehensive, this book is essential for anyone interested in the study of gems and precious stones.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book on gemstone.......2007-08-13

This is an excellent book for anyone wanting to learn about the physical properties of gemstones. It would be especially useful to students interested in the scientific properties of gems. I found it useful because it describes where gemstones are found and how and when they were discovered. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject.

The Old Ones are sometimes still the Best.......2007-07-22

This books been around for quite a number of years now but has to be simply the BEST illustrated book on Gems there is. It's absolutely jam packed FULL of all the information you need to learn about precious stones.

Underwhelmed.......2007-01-04

Well written but a bit out of date. Scientific data often ages like egg salad on a warm day.

Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones.......2007-01-03

an encyclopedia of knowledge on stones and gems.

its my 10th gem book.......2006-06-27

and it is a little more technical than the rest (explains things like twinning, establishment of density, calculating specific gravity, cleavage, moh's scale, refractive indices, law of refraction, genesis, cutting, cutting styles etc).
it includes gem descriptions in much detail (thou the order in which they are arranged is a mystery to me and really bugs me, as i have to flip and flip until i find what i need).
for diamond it includes a table comparing 4 color grading systems used (which is cool).
large section on organic gems and synthetics.
all in all i see it as a really good (almost) professional level book on gems and precious stones.

Simon & Schuster's Guide To Dinosaurs And Other Prehistoric Animals

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Great for kids and up
Had to own it!
Great Book!

Simon & Schuster's Guide To Dinosaurs And Other Prehistoric Animals
Philip Whitfield
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Children's | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

Veterinary | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Simon & Schuster Children's Guide to Sea Creatures (Simon & Schuster Children's Guides)
Simon & Schuster Children's Guide to Insects and Spiders
National Geographic Dinosaurs
Dinosaur Encyclopedia
Beyond the Dinosaurs: Sky Dragons Sea Monsters Mega-mammals And Other Prehistoric Beasts

ASIN: 0027623629

Customer Reviews:

Great for kids and up.......2006-06-01

Well, I had to go into a real bookstore to check out dinosaur books. The one drawback about shopping online, you really can't be sure what you're getting unless someone tells you. Well THIS book is great. Where most of the books I flipped through had an all around discussion of when, when, and how of dinosaurs, most of them didn't really show you many of the actual dinosaurs! I'll tell you what this book HAS. First, a really quick grouping of the different types of dinosaurs. At the beginning of each time period, you get a summary of what life was like at that time, a picture of the earth's continents, and who was where. After that it's ALL DINOSAURS! You get a well illustrated pic of each dinosuar listed, its size with comparison to an average height human, and it shows which period they lived in and where. There is a short one paragraph summary of the life and habits of each dinosaur. This is a really great book that gives you a lot of dinosaurs with info to help you understand. Not much about their digestive systems or how many leaves where on the plants around them. This- is a DINOSAUR BOOK!

Had to own it!.......2004-08-12

We checked this out at the library. My nearly-three "read" it so often that he wound up tearing a page. We got it fixed up and then checked it out again. Finally, we decided to buy it. He loves the detailed drawings and illustrations. I like that there are lots of pages of drawings so he has something to look at for a good while. It is a "real" book, so it's a little dangerous in toddler hands. If they enjoy dinosaurs, though, this one should take you through the years. There's enough science info to be interesting through the middle school years.
This book is a great addition to your dinosaur lover's library.

Great Book!.......2000-06-08

This was a great book. I got it in 1993 and have liked it ever since. It lists every dinosaur from Nodosaurus, to Dryosaurus. It's got about two-hundred pages, and gives information on every animal and dinosaur in the book. It shows animals that aren't even dinosaurs, and if you like dinosaurs (Who Doesn't?), you will certainly enjoy this book.

Simon & Schuster'S Guide To Fossils (Nature Guide Series)

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On Your Bookshelf At home, In Your Pocket On The Field

Simon & Schuster'S Guide To Fossils (Nature Guide Series)
Paolo Arduini
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Fossils (Smithsonian Handbooks)
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Fossils (National Audubon Society Field Guide Series)
Discovering Fossils: How to Find and Identify Remains of the Prehistoric Past (Fossils & Dinosaurs)
Simon & Schuster's Guide to Rocks and Minerals (Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones)
Fossils (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press)

ASIN: 0671631322

Book Description

Practical, concise, and easy to use, Simon & Schuster's Guide to FossilsSimon & Schuster's Guide to Fossils contains everything the fossil enthusiast needs to know. A thorough introduction discusses science, evolution, and history and describes the process of fossilization, how we trace evolution with fossils, how fossils are classified, where fossil organisms lived, and where fossils can be found today. This indispensable guide includes 260 entries, including dinosaur fossils, all beautifully illustrated in color, and is complete with each fossil's classification, description, geographic distribution, and notes on the main areas where examples have been found. Information on age, appearance, and environment is provided and highlighted with easy-to-read visual symbols.

Whether you are a serious collector or an absolute amateur, fervently hoping to trip over an ancient shell or bone, this incomparably stunning, authoritative reference is the most useful and valuable book on fossils you can own.

Customer Reviews:

On Your Bookshelf At home, In Your Pocket On The Field.......2000-03-28

Simon and Schuster's Guide to Fossils, is the best choice for field usage and as a good reference. In the book, you not only find the right definition and name for the fossil you have found, but also the specific facts about it. From classification to description, from description to stratigraphic position and geographical distribution... It also includes special notes about the specimens that you've collected, to make you completely understand the organisms... In short, this book is what you need on your bookshelf at home, and in your pocket on the field.

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SIMON & SCHUSTER'S GUIDE TO FOSSILS (NATURE GUIDE SERIES)
Paolo Arduini
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LZ8PO2

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Simon & Schuster's Guide to Fossils
Paolo and Giorgio Teruzzi Arduini
Manufacturer: Simon and Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MBM226

Book Description

This book presents state-of-the-art analyses of developments in plasma physics.

Particle Acceleration in Space Plasmas (Advances in Space Research , Vol 21 No 4)

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Particle Acceleration in Space Plasmas (Advances in Space Research , Vol 21 No 4)

Manufacturer: Pergamon Press Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books

Geophysics | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Paperback. The Symposium DO.3, Particle Acceleration in Space Plasmas, was held from 18-20 July, 1996 at the 31st Scientific Assembly of COSPAR that was held at the University of Birmingham, England. Forty-five papers were presented, including seven solicited, twenty-eight oral, and ten poster papers. Twenty papers ultimately were submitted and accepted for publication. These papers are an excellent cross-section of the science discussed at the Symposium.

Solar System Plasmas and Fields (Advances in space research)

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Solar System Plasmas and Fields (Advances in space research)
J. Lemaire , and M. Rycroft
Manufacturer: Pergamon Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books

Solar System | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books

Advances in Plasma Physics Research, Volume 4.

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Advances in Plasma Physics Research, Volume 4.
Francois Gerard
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000M4JNUW

The Physics of Thermal Plasma in the Magnetosphere (Advances in Space Research Ser., Vol. 6, No.3, 1986)

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The Physics of Thermal Plasma in the Magnetosphere (Advances in Space Research Ser., Vol. 6, No.3, 1986)
C.R. (ed); Gringauz, K.I. (ed) Chappell
Manufacturer: Elsevier Science & Technology
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OGXQ4M

Waves and Interactions in Solid State Plasmas: Solid State Physics Advances in Research and Applications Supplement 13

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Waves and Interactions in Solid State Plasmas: Solid State Physics Advances in Research and Applications Supplement 13
P. M.; and Wolff, P. A. Platzman
Manufacturer: Academic Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OH2GZQ

Book Description

Welcome to Our Town, America, population unknown. Please join me, if you are not too faint-hearted or too uptight, as I take a casual stroll down memory lane...

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