Doing Business In China

July 2, 2007
Plafker, a Beijing correspondent for The Economist, maintains the same restrained, reasonable tone as his employer magazine in this refreshingly informed guide to navigating the business landscape of the world's most populous nation. Behind the gleaming new airports, Gucci boutiques and teeming modern cities, Plafker argues, lie a host of (sometimes expected, sometimes not) pitfalls: frequent power outages, endemic corruption, lawless roads and severe pollution. Plafker also helpfully debunks common myths about China (spoken Chinese isn't all that difficult to learn; businesswomen may find gender is less of an issue than the fact that they're foreign), drops plenty of statistics and figures (in 2005, China imported goods worth $101 billion more than it exported) and rounds out each chapter with a bulleted list of key points. Written in accessible prose, Plafker's book is a great starting point for those thinking about setting up shop in China.

June 1, 2007

"Longtime" LJ "reviewer Charles Hayford is a visiting scholar at Northwestern University and the author of" To the People: James Yen and Village China Video By Staff Understanding the Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy. (Great Courses® Science & Mathematics). 2d ed. 8 vols. color. 45 hrs. with books. Teaching Co., 4151 Lafayette Center Dr., Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 20151; 800-TEACH-12 (832-2412); www.library-teach12.com. 2007. DVD ISBN 1-59803-274-7. $229.95; upgrade from 1st ed., $149.95. ASTRONOMY

In a three-part, 96-lecture program on astronomy, Alex Filippenko (Univ. of California, Berkeley) employs photographs, charts, and animations, as well as live demonstrations with simple props, to discuss "Observing the Heavens," "Contents of the Universe," and "Cosmology: The Universe as a Whole." Each lecture covers a specific, narrowly defined topic and is meant to build on what came before, although the lectures are self-contained enough so that one can profitably skip around. The course begins with the fundamentalseclipses, seasons, rainbows, etc.and continues with descriptions and analyses of individual astronomical objects, phenomena, and principles. Filippenko knows his subject and knows how to present it in an interesting fashion. Clear illustrations, simple animations, and down-to-earth (pun intended) demos help to make complicated concepts clear. Some math is included, but it is not critical to following along. The eight volumes of course transcripts (an $85 extra) are well worth the money. They contain glossaries, outlines, and an extensive bibliography. Highly recommended for individuals or as the basis for a college-level distance education (college-by-cassette) introduction to astronomy.Jay Schwartz, Suffolk Cty. Community Coll. Lib., Riverhead, NY

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2007
Plafker, an 18-year veteran correspondent living in Beijing, offers advice on all aspects of breaking into and expanding business opportunities in China. Although all businesses should understand the Chinese market and its explosive growth, it is a place only for those with the patience, persistence, and resources necessary to succeed. The authorgives tips and insights on the top emerging markets, rules and regulations, cultural differences, and sales and marketing strategies that differ greatly from the rest of the world. Heidentifies pitfalls, including ethical challenges and power and water shortages, and comments on the areas most resistant to change, which are its media, legal system, and currency, although absolute control of the currency will be difficult to maintain. There are many business books on China, but Plafker offers a unique perspective; his direct observation of the Chinese environment as a long-term resident with numerous local contacts and sources of information makes this a valuable business handbook.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)