Good Buy!, 14 Oct 2008
This book is a compact tool for a management student and maybe professional, very handy compact and packed with relevant details!

Great survey, but sometimes superficial, 04 Apr 2007
This 214 page book surveys 56 key management models (hence the title) in the fields of Strategy, Functional Processes, Organization, People and Behaviour and Primary Process. With that many models in those few pages, it's clear this is not going to be an in-depth treatment. The articles outline the key ideas and show the most important diagrams, as well as giving an assessment of the value of the model, under the headings of 'The Big Idea', 'When to use it' and 'The final analysis'.

Inevitably some of the concepts lend themselves better than others to this treatment. The article on the BCG matrix (question marks, cash cows, rising stars and dogs) encapsulates the idea and expresses it elegantly. The article on chaos theory is rather more sketchy.

This is a superb book for reminding you, in a handy volume, of the terminology and main ideas of management models that you already understand. It's also a good launching point for further reading, if you have the time to do this. Equally, if you are confronted with a model you are unfamiliar with in a meeting, you could quickly slip out (and break the tension, by saying "Excuse me, I just have to slip out for a -er- study break") and check out what the person is talking about.

On the other hand, this book is not a shortcut to understanding management theory. To be fair it is not marketed as such, but I suspect that a number of purchasers will be looking for that very thing.

Just a couple of final quibbles. 'Key Management Models' picks up on Mintzberg's Configurations and his Management Models, but not on his seminal 10 types of strategy, which seems an odd omission. Also, the spelling and general editing are not _quite_ up to the usual standards.

Worth having, though, if only as a quick reference to things you used to know.

Great for MBA students, 28 Oct 2005
I recommend this to any business student. Most of the main theoretical models are covered in enough depth to aid understanding and justify/otherwise inclusion in assignments.

Well worth the money.

Big let down, 13 Jun 2003
Having read the previous reviewer's remarks I bought this work.

It's a big let down. Conceptually it's great and the authors have chosen their models wisely. Likewise, the layout of the book is good. What lets this book down is the text: wordy, clumsy, imprecise and difficult to understand. It's not up to the FT's usual standards and I can't help but think it clipped through an editor's net. I give it 3 stars for the content selection alone and 0 stars for the text.

Meandering through Management, 05 Jun 2003
It’s a brave team that releases yet another text on management models in Britain in the midst of on-going heated debate about the UK’s preoccupation with management over leadership.

That said, if you do want an easy-to-read, ready-reference manual that does provide a clear, succinct overview of influential management models today, this book by ten Have et al definitely deserves shelf space. This text of just 200 pages manages to squeeze in some 56 models without leaving the reader feeling exhausted by sheer weight of content.

The book has a refreshingly practical orientation and avoids presentation of models as pure theory. The writers have helpfully defined their use of the term ‘model’ in the preface (p.ix) as: “a tool that can be employed to enable or enhance the daily functioning of both organisations and the managers within them, or to solve related problems.” The emphasis on tool, as an implement to create and change, is an implicit theme throughout this text.

Each model is approached from 3 perspectives, moving the reader gently from the “What?” to the “So what?” These perspectives are: The big idea (i.e. the basic concept), When to use it (i.e. the kind of circumstances under which use of the model might be appropriate) and The final analysis (i.e. summary comments and critique). Certain chapters also have short case examples to illustrate the points covered although, in general, I found the case study material a bit too sketchy to add value.

Design and layout are two of the book’s selling points, especially for managers who don’t have the time or inclination to work through erudite tomes of a more hefty nature. Its masterful use of text, symbols, diagrams and white space communicate a sense of clarity and confidence in the subject matter before the reader has even started to dig in. The language, too, is user-friendly and leaves the manager-practitioner feeling well informed and satisfied without any sense of bedazzlement or being patronised.

I enjoyed the amusing comment on the back cover that reflected this point: “Management models…have two main purposes. The first is to provide a framework for improving business performance. The second is to help managers and management consultants get away with murder by intimidating the uninitiated with buzzwords and acronyms.” This book works hard to restore confidence and credibility in this latter respect.

Overall, I was very impressed by the ability that ten Have et al have demonstrated in introducing and applying each model, especially for a book of this breadth and size. I will definitely recommend Key Management Models to fellow managers and consultants as one of those handy ‘flick-through’ books that help you maintain your bearings when getting your Maslows mixed up with your Mintzbergs. Marks out of 10? A good 8.

Aimed at any serious programmer or computer science student, the new second edition of Introduction to Algorithms builds on the tradition of the original with a truly magisterial guide to the world of algorithms. Clearly presented, mathematically rigorous, and yet approachable even for the maths-averse, this title sets a high standard for a textbook and reference to the best algorithms for solving a wide range of computing problems.

With sample problems and mathematical proofs demonstrating the correctness of each algorithm, this book is ideal as a textbook for classroom study, but its reach doesn't end there. The authors do a fine job at explaining each algorithm. (Reference sections on basic mathematical notation will help readers bridge the gap, but it will help to have some maths background to appreciate the full achievement of this handsome hardcover volume.) Every algorithm is presented in pseudo-code, which can be implemented in any computer language, including C/C++ and Java. This ecumenical approach is one of the book's strengths. When it comes to sorting and common data structures, from basic linked list to trees (including binary trees, red-black and B-trees), this title really shines with clear diagrams that show algorithms in operation. Even if you glance over the mathematical notation here, you can definitely benefit from this text in other ways.

The book moves forward with more advanced algorithms that implement strategies for solving more complicated problems (including dynamic programming techniques, greedy algorithms, and amortised analysis). Algorithms for graphing problems (used in such real-world business problems as optimising flight schedules or flow through pipelines) come next. In each case, the authors provide the best from current research in each topic, along with sample solutions.

This text closes with a grab bag of useful algorithms including matrix operations and linear programming, evaluating polynomials and the well-known Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) (useful in signal processing and engineering). Final sections on "NP-complete" problems, like the well-known traveloling salesmen problem, show off that while not all problems have a demonstrably final and best answer, algorithms that generate acceptable approximate solutions can still be used to generate useful, real-world answers.

Throughout this text, the authors anchor their discussion of algorithms with current examples drawn from molecular biology (like the Human Genome project), business, and engineering. Each section ends with short discussions of related historical material often discussing original research in each area of algorithms. In all, they argue successfully that algorithms are a "technology" just like hardware and software that can be used to write better software that does more with better performance. Along with classic books on algorithms (like Donald Knuth's three-volume set, The Art of Computer Programming), this title sets a new standard for compiling the best research in algorithms. For any experienced developer, regardless of their chosen language, this text deserves a close look for extending the range and performance of real-world software. --Richard Dragan

Good Buy!, 14 Oct 2008
This book is a compact tool for a management student and maybe professional, very handy compact and packed with relevant details!

Great survey, but sometimes superficial, 04 Apr 2007
This 214 page book surveys 56 key management models (hence the title) in the fields of Strategy, Functional Processes, Organization, People and Behaviour and Primary Process. With that many models in those few pages, it's clear this is not going to be an in-depth treatment. The articles outline the key ideas and show the most important diagrams, as well as giving an assessment of the value of the model, under the headings of 'The Big Idea', 'When to use it' and 'The final analysis'.

Inevitably some of the concepts lend themselves better than others to this treatment. The article on the BCG matrix (question marks, cash cows, rising stars and dogs) encapsulates the idea and expresses it elegantly. The article on chaos theory is rather more sketchy.

This is a superb book for reminding you, in a handy volume, of the terminology and main ideas of management models that you already understand. It's also a good launching point for further reading, if you have the time to do this. Equally, if you are confronted with a model you are unfamiliar with in a meeting, you could quickly slip out (and break the tension, by saying "Excuse me, I just have to slip out for a -er- study break") and check out what the person is talking about.

On the other hand, this book is not a shortcut to understanding management theory. To be fair it is not marketed as such, but I suspect that a number of purchasers will be looking for that very thing.

Just a couple of final quibbles. 'Key Management Models' picks up on Mintzberg's Configurations and his Management Models, but not on his seminal 10 types of strategy, which seems an odd omission. Also, the spelling and general editing are not _quite_ up to the usual standards.

Worth having, though, if only as a quick reference to things you used to know.

Great for MBA students, 28 Oct 2005
I recommend this to any business student. Most of the main theoretical models are covered in enough depth to aid understanding and justify/otherwise inclusion in assignments.

Well worth the money.

Big let down, 13 Jun 2003
Having read the previous reviewer's remarks I bought this work.

It's a big let down. Conceptually it's great and the authors have chosen their models wisely. Likewise, the layout of the book is good. What lets this book down is the text: wordy, clumsy, imprecise and difficult to understand. It's not up to the FT's usual standards and I can't help but think it clipped through an editor's net. I give it 3 stars for the content selection alone and 0 stars for the text.

Meandering through Management, 05 Jun 2003
It’s a brave team that releases yet another text on management models in Britain in the midst of on-going heated debate about the UK’s preoccupation with management over leadership.

That said, if you do want an easy-to-read, ready-reference manual that does provide a clear, succinct overview of influential management models today, this book by ten Have et al definitely deserves shelf space. This text of just 200 pages manages to squeeze in some 56 models without leaving the reader feeling exhausted by sheer weight of content.

The book has a refreshingly practical orientation and avoids presentation of models as pure theory. The writers have helpfully defined their use of the term ‘model’ in the preface (p.ix) as: “a tool that can be employed to enable or enhance the daily functioning of both organisations and the managers within them, or to solve related problems.” The emphasis on tool, as an implement to create and change, is an implicit theme throughout this text.

Each model is approached from 3 perspectives, moving the reader gently from the “What?” to the “So what?” These perspectives are: The big idea (i.e. the basic concept), When to use it (i.e. the kind of circumstances under which use of the model might be appropriate) and The final analysis (i.e. summary comments and critique). Certain chapters also have short case examples to illustrate the points covered although, in general, I found the case study material a bit too sketchy to add value.

Design and layout are two of the book’s selling points, especially for managers who don’t have the time or inclination to work through erudite tomes of a more hefty nature. Its masterful use of text, symbols, diagrams and white space communicate a sense of clarity and confidence in the subject matter before the reader has even started to dig in. The language, too, is user-friendly and leaves the manager-practitioner feeling well informed and satisfied without any sense of bedazzlement or being patronised.

I enjoyed the amusing comment on the back cover that reflected this point: “Management models…have two main purposes. The first is to provide a framework for improving business performance. The second is to help managers and management consultants get away with murder by intimidating the uninitiated with buzzwords and acronyms.” This book works hard to restore confidence and credibility in this latter respect.

Overall, I was very impressed by the ability that ten Have et al have demonstrated in introducing and applying each model, especially for a book of this breadth and size. I will definitely recommend Key Management Models to fellow managers and consultants as one of those handy ‘flick-through’ books that help you maintain your bearings when getting your Maslows mixed up with your Mintzbergs. Marks out of 10? A good 8.

Yes, it's certainly comprehensive, 02 Dec 2007
There's a limited amount you can do in a thousand pages and I reckon the authors have done what they can.

This is *not* for casual reading, it's hard work on a par with Knuth's tomes. It's not as all-inclusive as the latter, but it goes deeper into certain aspects.

The mathematical bits at the start are okay, and there is an excellent exposition on the big-oh notation (and its relatives) - such is difficult to find, for some reason. That alone makes it worth getting.

However, as a work of art it seemed somewhat amorphous to me (yes, even books on mathematics and computer science, even technical manuals, are works of art and can be judged as such), and when I got to the end, I found myself not caring too much whether the butler did it or not.

That said, if you follow through with all the exercises and problems, and manage to do them all, you look like you could have a career as a code-cutter of adequate ability.

The world needs more books like this. Bring 'em on.

Sound introduction to foundational algorithms, 13 May 2007
The algorithms, including the mathematical background and justification, are set out clearly. The comprehensive index makes this a useful reference. Online resources to support the book include a corrections page and an explanation of the "Professor's names" jokes scattered through the text. There is an instructor's manual but, given the widespread use of the book in formal training courses, it is not available to independent users of the book, whether students or practitioners.

Very good book, 05 Jan 2005
I like this book very much. It's very well written and it shows every concept in a very understandable way.

Written Well !!, 23 Dec 2004
I enjoyed reading this book. The topics are covered in detail and explained well. However, at time the pseudo-codes dont make sense at all. There are sufficent exercises for practice purposes( but no answers given !). Novice in programming may find it tedious and elaborate because of its overt attention to efficency. I recommmend this book to anyone with little programming skills. In all, good book !

Good book..., 09 Aug 1999
AS a CS student, we had this book reccommnded for our data structures and our algorithms design courses. It was really usefull foor the algorithms design course (although I hadn't compared it to any other book...) but I did find a better book for the data structures course...

Good Buy!, 14 Oct 2008
This book is a compact tool for a management student and maybe professional, very handy compact and packed with relevant details!

Great survey, but sometimes superficial, 04 Apr 2007
This 214 page book surveys 56 key management models (hence the title) in the fields of Strategy, Functional Processes, Organization, People and Behaviour and Primary Process. With that many models in those few pages, it's clear this is not going to be an in-depth treatment. The articles outline the key ideas and show the most important diagrams, as well as giving an assessment of the value of the model, under the headings of 'The Big Idea', 'When to use it' and 'The final analysis'.

Inevitably some of the concepts lend themselves better than others to this treatment. The article on the BCG matrix (question marks, cash cows, rising stars and dogs) encapsulates the idea and expresses it elegantly. The article on chaos theory is rather more sketchy.

This is a superb book for reminding you, in a handy volume, of the terminology and main ideas of management models that you already understand. It's also a good launching point for further reading, if you have the time to do this. Equally, if you are confronted with a model you are unfamiliar with in a meeting, you could quickly slip out (and break the tension, by saying "Excuse me, I just have to slip out for a -er- study break") and check out what the person is talking about.

On the other hand, this book is not a shortcut to understanding management theory. To be fair it is not marketed as such, but I suspect that a number of purchasers will be looking for that very thing.

Just a couple of final quibbles. 'Key Management Models' picks up on Mintzberg's Configurations and his Management Models, but not on his seminal 10 types of strategy, which seems an odd omission. Also, the spelling and general editing are not _quite_ up to the usual standards.

Worth having, though, if only as a quick reference to things you used to know.

Great for MBA students, 28 Oct 2005
I recommend this to any business student. Most of the main theoretical models are covered in enough depth to aid understanding and justify/otherwise inclusion in assignments.

Well worth the money.

Big let down, 13 Jun 2003
Having read the previous reviewer's remarks I bought this work.

It's a big let down. Conceptually it's great and the authors have chosen their models wisely. Likewise, the layout of the book is good. What lets this book down is the text: wordy, clumsy, imprecise and difficult to understand. It's not up to the FT's usual standards and I can't help but think it clipped through an editor's net. I give it 3 stars for the content selection alone and 0 stars for the text.

Meandering through Management, 05 Jun 2003
It’s a brave team that releases yet another text on management models in Britain in the midst of on-going heated debate about the UK’s preoccupation with management over leadership.

That said, if you do want an easy-to-read, ready-reference manual that does provide a clear, succinct overview of influential management models today, this book by ten Have et al definitely deserves shelf space. This text of just 200 pages manages to squeeze in some 56 models without leaving the reader feeling exhausted by sheer weight of content.

The book has a refreshingly practical orientation and avoids presentation of models as pure theory. The writers have helpfully defined their use of the term ‘model’ in the preface (p.ix) as: “a tool that can be employed to enable or enhance the daily functioning of both organisations and the managers within them, or to solve related problems.” The emphasis on tool, as an implement to create and change, is an implicit theme throughout this text.

Each model is approached from 3 perspectives, moving the reader gently from the “What?” to the “So what?” These perspectives are: The big idea (i.e. the basic concept), When to use it (i.e. the kind of circumstances under which use of the model might be appropriate) and The final analysis (i.e. summary comments and critique). Certain chapters also have short case examples to illustrate the points covered although, in general, I found the case study material a bit too sketchy to add value.

Design and layout are two of the book’s selling points, especially for managers who don’t have the time or inclination to work through erudite tomes of a more hefty nature. Its masterful use of text, symbols, diagrams and white space communicate a sense of clarity and confidence in the subject matter before the reader has even started to dig in. The language, too, is user-friendly and leaves the manager-practitioner feeling well informed and satisfied without any sense of bedazzlement or being patronised.

I enjoyed the amusing comment on the back cover that reflected this point: “Management models…have two main purposes. The first is to provide a framework for improving business performance. The second is to help managers and management consultants get away with murder by intimidating the uninitiated with buzzwords and acronyms.” This book works hard to restore confidence and credibility in this latter respect.

Overall, I was very impressed by the ability that ten Have et al have demonstrated in introducing and applying each model, especially for a book of this breadth and size. I will definitely recommend Key Management Models to fellow managers and consultants as one of those handy ‘flick-through’ books that help you maintain your bearings when getting your Maslows mixed up with your Mintzbergs. Marks out of 10? A good 8.

Yes, it's certainly comprehensive, 02 Dec 2007
There's a limited amount you can do in a thousand pages and I reckon the authors have done what they can.

This is *not* for casual reading, it's hard work on a par with Knuth's tomes. It's not as all-inclusive as the latter, but it goes deeper into certain aspects.

The mathematical bits at the start are okay, and there is an excellent exposition on the big-oh notation (and its relatives) - such is difficult to find, for some reason. That alone makes it worth getting.

However, as a work of art it seemed somewhat amorphous to me (yes, even books on mathematics and computer science, even technical manuals, are works of art and can be judged as such), and when I got to the end, I found myself not caring too much whether the butler did it or not.

That said, if you follow through with all the exercises and problems, and manage to do them all, you look like you could have a career as a code-cutter of adequate ability.

The world needs more books like this. Bring 'em on.

Sound introduction to foundational algorithms, 13 May 2007
The algorithms, including the mathematical background and justification, are set out clearly. The comprehensive index makes this a useful reference. Online resources to support the book include a corrections page and an explanation of the "Professor's names" jokes scattered through the text. There is an instructor's manual but, given the widespread use of the book in formal training courses, it is not available to independent users of the book, whether students or practitioners.

Very good book, 05 Jan 2005
I like this book very much. It's very well written and it shows every concept in a very understandable way.

Written Well !!, 23 Dec 2004
I enjoyed reading this book. The topics are covered in detail and explained well. However, at time the pseudo-codes dont make sense at all. There are sufficent exercises for practice purposes( but no answers given !). Novice in programming may find it tedious and elaborate because of its overt attention to efficency. I recommmend this book to anyone with little programming skills. In all, good book !

Good book..., 09 Aug 1999
AS a CS student, we had this book reccommnded for our data structures and our algorithms design courses. It was really usefull foor the algorithms design course (although I hadn't compared it to any other book...) but I did find a better book for the data structures course...

Makes the complex simple to understand, 20 Jun 2008
Cryptography is a knotty subject but this book by Professor Piper starts from the beginning and provides a highly digestible (if compressed) walk through the subject. As a consultant and engineer I needed to learn something about the subject in very little time, and this book does not waste a single word in getting to the point. I would not expect to get anything more than a high level overview, and this book delivers that perfectly. It's rare to find such a well written technical book that is also comprehensible to the non-technical reader - congratulations!

Intro to Crypto, 15 Apr 2003
It deals with all the basic on cryptography and it is a very well thought and written book. There is only one thing better than the book and that is listening to a lecture from Professor Piper...if you have the privelege.

Intro to Crypto, 15 Apr 2003
It deals with all the basic on cryptography and it is a very well thought and written book. There is only one thing better than the book and that is listening to a lecture from Professor Piper...if you have the privelege.

Perfect Primer for Cryptography, 11 Jul 2002
This book presumes no prior knowledge of Cryptography whatsoever, and as such is both accessible and enjoyable to read.

Its great value for money and will serve anyone new to the subject well. It contains references which allow the interested reader to further research the topic further, either mathematically or historically.

For anyone studying Cryptography for the first time, this really is the perfect pocket primer! Highly recommended.

Good Buy!, 14 Oct 2008
This book is a compact tool for a management student and maybe professional, very handy compact and packed with relevant details!

Great survey, but sometimes superficial, 04 Apr 2007
This 214 page book surveys 56 key management models (hence the title) in the fields of Strategy, Functional Processes, Organization, People and Behaviour and Primary Process. With that many models in those few pages, it's clear this is not going to be an in-depth treatment. The articles outline the key ideas and show the most important diagrams, as well as giving an assessment of the value of the model, under the headings of 'The Big Idea', 'When to use it' and 'The final analysis'.

Inevitably some of the concepts lend themselves better than others to this treatment. The article on the BCG matrix (question marks, cash cows, rising stars and dogs) encapsulates the idea and expresses it elegantly. The article on chaos theory is rather more sketchy.

This is a superb book for reminding you, in a handy volume, of the terminology and main ideas of management models that you already understand. It's also a good launching point for further reading, if you have the time to do this. Equally, if you are confronted with a model you are unfamiliar with in a meeting, you could quickly slip out (and break the tension, by saying "Excuse me, I just have to slip out for a -er- study break") and check out what the person is talking about.

On the other hand, this book is not a shortcut to understanding management theory. To be fair it is not marketed as such, but I suspect that a number of purchasers will be looking for that very thing.

Just a couple of final quibbles. 'Key Management Models' picks up on Mintzberg's Configurations and his Management Models, but not on his seminal 10 types of strategy, which seems an odd omission. Also, the spelling and general editing are not _quite_ up to the usual standards.

Worth having, though, if only as a quick reference to things you used to know.

Great for MBA students, 28 Oct 2005
I recommend this to any business student. Most of the main theoretical models are covered in enough depth to aid understanding and justify/otherwise inclusion in assignments.

Well worth the money.

Big let down, 13 Jun 2003
Having read the previous reviewer's remarks I bought this work.

It's a big let down. Conceptually it's great and the authors have chosen their models wisely. Likewise, the layout of the book is good. What lets this book down is the text: wordy, clumsy, imprecise and difficult to understand. It's not up to the FT's usual standards and I can't help but think it clipped through an editor's net. I give it 3 stars for the content selection alone and 0 stars for the text.

Meandering through Management, 05 Jun 2003
It’s a brave team that releases yet another text on management models in Britain in the midst of on-going heated debate about the UK’s preoccupation with management over leadership.

That said, if you do want an easy-to-read, ready-reference manual that does provide a clear, succinct overview of influential management models today, this book by ten Have et al definitely deserves shelf space. This text of just 200 pages manages to squeeze in some 56 models without leaving the reader feeling exhausted by sheer weight of content.

The book has a refreshingly practical orientation and avoids presentation of models as pure theory. The writers have helpfully defined their use of the term ‘model’ in the preface (p.ix) as: “a tool that can be employed to enable or enhance the daily functioning of both organisations and the managers within them, or to solve related problems.” The emphasis on tool, as an implement to create and change, is an implicit theme throughout this text.

Each model is approached from 3 perspectives, moving the reader gently from the “What?” to the “So what?” These perspectives are: The big idea (i.e. the basic concept), When to use it (i.e. the kind of circumstances under which use of the model might be appropriate) and The final analysis (i.e. summary comments and critique). Certain chapters also have short case examples to illustrate the points covered although, in general, I found the case study material a bit too sketchy to add value.

Design and layout are two of the book’s selling points, especially for managers who don’t have the time or inclination to work through erudite tomes of a more hefty nature. Its masterful use of text, symbols, diagrams and white space communicate a sense of clarity and confidence in the subject matter before the reader has even started to dig in. The language, too, is user-friendly and leaves the manager-practitioner feeling well informed and satisfied without any sense of bedazzlement or being patronised.

I enjoyed the amusing comment on the back cover that reflected this point: “Management models…have two main purposes. The first is to provide a framework for improving business performance. The second is to help managers and management consultants get away with murder by intimidating the uninitiated with buzzwords and acronyms.” This book works hard to restore confidence and credibility in this latter respect.

Overall, I was very impressed by the ability that ten Have et al have demonstrated in introducing and applying each model, especially for a book of this breadth and size. I will definitely recommend Key Management Models to fellow managers and consultants as one of those handy ‘flick-through’ books that help you maintain your bearings when getting your Maslows mixed up with your Mintzbergs. Marks out of 10? A good 8.

Yes, it's certainly comprehensive, 02 Dec 2007
There's a limited amount you can do in a thousand pages and I reckon the authors have done what they can.

This is *not* for casual reading, it's hard work on a par with Knuth's tomes. It's not as all-inclusive as the latter, but it goes deeper into certain aspects.

The mathematical bits at the start are okay, and there is an excellent exposition on the big-oh notation (and its relatives) - such is difficult to find, for some reason. That alone makes it worth getting.

However, as a work of art it seemed somewhat amorphous to me (yes, even books on mathematics and computer science, even technical manuals, are works of art and can be judged as such), and when I got to the end, I found myself not caring too much whether the butler did it or not.

That said, if you follow through with all the exercises and problems, and manage to do them all, you look like you could have a career as a code-cutter of adequate ability.

The world needs more books like this. Bring 'em on.

Sound introduction to foundational algorithms, 13 May 2007
The algorithms, including the mathematical background and justification, are set out clearly. The comprehensive index makes this a useful reference. Online resources to support the book include a corrections page and an explanation of the "Professor's names" jokes scattered through the text. There is an instructor's manual but, given the widespread use of the book in formal training courses, it is not available to independent users of the book, whether students or practitioners.

Very good book, 05 Jan 2005
I like this book very much. It's very well written and it shows every concept in a very understandable way.

Written Well !!, 23 Dec 2004
I enjoyed reading this book. The topics are covered in detail and explained well. However, at time the pseudo-codes dont make sense at all. There are sufficent exercises for practice purposes( but no answers given !). Novice in programming may find it tedious and elaborate because of its overt attention to efficency. I recommmend this book to anyone with little programming skills. In all, good book !

Good book..., 09 Aug 1999
AS a CS student, we had this book reccommnded for our data structures and our algorithms design courses. It was really usefull foor the algorithms design course (although I hadn't compared it to any other book...) but I did find a better book for the data structures course...

Makes the complex simple to understand, 20 Jun 2008
Cryptography is a knotty subject but this book by Professor Piper starts from the beginning and provides a highly digestible (if compressed) walk through the subject. As a consultant and engineer I needed to learn something about the subject in very little time, and this book does not waste a single word in getting to the point. I would not expect to get anything more than a high level overview, and this book delivers that perfectly. It's rare to find such a well written technical book that is also comprehensible to the non-technical reader - congratulations!

Intro to Crypto, 15 Apr 2003
It deals with all the basic on cryptography and it is a very well thought and written book. There is only one thing better than the book and that is listening to a lecture from Professor Piper...if you have the privelege.

Intro to Crypto, 15 Apr 2003
It deals with all the basic on cryptography and it is a very well thought and written book. There is only one thing better than the book and that is listening to a lecture from Professor Piper...if you have the privelege.

Perfect Primer for Cryptography, 11 Jul 2002
This book presumes no prior knowledge of Cryptography whatsoever, and as such is both accessible and enjoyable to read.

Its great value for money and will serve anyone new to the subject well. It contains references which allow the interested reader to further research the topic further, either mathematically or historically.

For anyone studying Cryptography for the first time, this really is the perfect pocket primer! Highly recommended.

A Good Mathematical Introduction to Financial Maths, 09 Mar 2003
Being a novice to financial quantitative mathematics, I find this book a good, but a pretty heavy introduction. Depending on the level of mathematical background that you are coming from, you may find having an alternative math reference and detailed financial concepts reference very handy, when reading this book.

Personally, I find this book complement very well with other texts that are more descriptive on the business aspects, such as John C Hull’s book. The approach of this book to mathematical treatment is very direct, and to a large degree unsympathetic, in that it assumes your familiarity with the engineering calculus, probability and statistics, and do not waste time repeating them. Consequently, you really must have am alternative text handy for maths, where necessary: The essential pre-requisites being, solution of linear partial differential equations (especially parabolic equations), integration techniques, basic probability theory, and statistical maths.

Although I am still in the process of grasping more advanced concepts, I see this book to be a good reference to the readers who are more experienced in financial mathematics. (Or you may also opt for the “non-student” version of this book, which includes advanced topics, but at a considerably more expensive price.)

Highly recommended to the readers who are keen on delving to the details of quantitative mathematics, who are ready to be first bewildered by their intricacies, and then be patient enough to understand the mathematical treatment from alternative math texts, and finally to relate the business concepts treated in other text, such as John C Hull’s. It’s definitely not a light read, but I think is a very good investment upfront indeed.

Excellent but highly mathematical introduction, 05 Jan 2000
This is an excellent introduction to pricing financial derivatives. The authors' background is clearly in solving partial differential equations (PDEs) and there is a great deal of material on this approach. Half the book is devoted to numerical methods for solving PDEs with non-analytic solutions which will prove useful to implementors. A word of warning: I found this book heavy going mathematically - and I have a PhD in Maths! I would only recommend it to someone with at least a degree in a highly quantitative subject. You should preferably already be familiar with solving simple PDEs such as the diffusion (heat) equation. Each chapter has numerous problems for the reader and working through these is extremely educational, although in many cases extremely challenging. Not a light read but a good one.

Good Buy!, 14 Oct 2008
This book is a compact tool for a management student and maybe professional, very handy compact and packed with relevant details!

Great survey, but sometimes superficial, 04 Apr 2007
This 214 page book surveys 56 key management models (hence the title) in the fields of Strategy, Functional Processes, Organization, People and Behaviour and Primary Process. With that many models in those few pages, it's clear this is not going to be an in-depth treatment. The articles outline the key ideas and show the most important diagrams, as well as giving an assessment of the value of the model, under the headings of 'The Big Idea', 'When to use it' and 'The final analysis'.

Inevitably some of the concepts lend themselves better than others to this treatment. The article on the BCG matrix (question marks, cash cows, rising stars and dogs) encapsulates the idea and expresses it elegantly. The article on chaos theory is rather more sketchy.

This is a superb book for reminding you, in a handy volume, of the terminology and main ideas of management models that you already understand. It's also a good launching point for further reading, if you have the time to do this. Equally, if you are confronted with a model you are unfamiliar with in a meeting, you could quickly slip out (and break the tension, by saying "Excuse me, I just have to slip out for a -er- study break") and check out what the person is talking about.

On the other hand, this book is not a shortcut to understanding management theory. To be fair it is not marketed as such, but I suspect that a number of purchasers will be looking for that very thing.

Just a couple of final quibbles. 'Key Management Models' picks up on Mintzberg's Configurations and his Management Models, but not on his seminal 10 types of strategy, which seems an odd omission. Also, the spelling and general editing are not _quite_ up to the usual standards.

Worth having, though, if only as a quick reference to things you used to know.

Great for MBA students, 28 Oct 2005
I recommend this to any business student. Most of the main theoretical models are covered in enough depth to aid understanding and justify/otherwise inclusion in assignments.

Well worth the money.

Big let down, 13 Jun 2003
Having read the previous reviewer's remarks I bought this work.

It's a big let down. Conceptually it's great and the authors have chosen their models wisely. Likewise, the layout of the book is good. What lets this book down is the text: wordy, clumsy, imprecise and difficult to understand. It's not up to the FT's usual standards and I can't help but think it clipped through an editor's net. I give it 3 stars for the content selection alone and 0 stars for the text.

Meandering through Management, 05 Jun 2003
It’s a brave team that releases yet another text on management models in Britain in the midst of on-going heated debate about the UK’s preoccupation with management over leadership.

That said, if you do want an easy-to-read, ready-reference manual that does provide a clear, succinct overview of influential management models today, this book by ten Have et al definitely deserves shelf space. This text of just 200 pages manages to squeeze in some 56 models without leaving the reader feeling exhausted by sheer weight of content.

The book has a refreshingly practical orientation and avoids presentation of models as pure theory. The writers have helpfully defined their use of the term ‘model’ in the preface (p.ix) as: “a tool that can be employed to enable or enhance the daily functioning of both organisations and the managers within them, or to solve related problems.” The emphasis on tool, as an implement to create and change, is an implicit theme throughout this text.

Each model is approached from 3 perspectives, moving the reader gently from the “What?” to the “So what?” These perspectives are: The big idea (i.e. the basic concept), When to use it (i.e. the kind of circumstances under which use of the model might be appropriate) and The final analysis (i.e. summary comments and critique). Certain chapters also have short case examples to illustrate the points covered although, in general, I found the case study material a bit too sketchy to add value.

Design and layout are two of the book’s selling points, especially for managers who don’t have the time or inclination to work through erudite tomes of a more hefty nature. Its masterful use of text, symbols, diagrams and white space communicate a sense of clarity and confidence in the subject matter before the reader has even started to dig in. The language, too, is user-friendly and leaves the manager-practitioner feeling well informed and satisfied without any sense of bedazzlement or being patronised.

I enjoyed the amusing comment on the back cover that reflected this point: “Management models…have two main purposes. The first is to provide a framework for improving business performance. The second is to help managers and management consultants get away with murder by intimidating the uninitiated with buzzwords and acronyms.” This book works hard to restore confidence and credibility in this latter respect.

Overall, I was very impressed by the ability that ten Have et al have demonstrated in introducing and applying each model, especially for a book of this breadth and size. I will definitely recommend Key Management Models to fellow managers and consultants as one of those handy ‘flick-through’ books that help you maintain your bearings when getting your Maslows mixed up with your Mintzbergs. Marks out of 10? A good 8.

Yes, it's certainly comprehensive, 02 Dec 2007
There's a limited amount you can do in a thousand pages and I reckon the authors have done what they can.

This is *not* for casual reading, it's hard work on a par with Knuth's tomes. It's not as all-inclusive as the latter, but it goes deeper into certain aspects.

The mathematical bits at the start are okay, and there is an excellent exposition on the big-oh notation (and its relatives) - such is difficult to find, for some reason. That alone makes it worth getting.

However, as a work of art it seemed somewhat amorphous to me (yes, even books on mathematics and computer science, even technical manuals, are works of art and can be judged as such), and when I got to the end, I found myself not caring too much whether the butler did it or not.

That said, if you follow through with all the exercises and problems, and manage to do them all, you look like you could have a career as a code-cutter of adequate ability.

The world needs more books like this. Bring 'em on.

Sound introduction to foundational algorithms, 13 May 2007
The algorithms, including the mathematical background and justification, are set out clearly. The comprehensive index makes this a useful reference. Online resources to support the book include a corrections page and an explanation of the "Professor's names" jokes scattered through the text. There is an instructor's manual but, given the widespread use of the book in formal training courses, it is not available to independent users of the book, whether students or practitioners.

Very good book, 05 Jan 2005
I like this book very much. It's very well written and it shows every concept in a very understandable way.

Written Well !!, 23 Dec 2004
I enjoyed reading this book. The topics are covered in detail and explained well. However, at time the pseudo-codes dont make sense at all. There are sufficent exercises for practice purposes( but no answers given !). Novice in programming may find it tedious and elaborate because of its overt attention to efficency. I recommmend this book to anyone with little programming skills. In all, good book !

Good book..., 09 Aug 1999
AS a CS student, we had this book reccommnded for our data structures and our algorithms design courses. It was really usefull foor the algorithms design course (although I hadn't compared it to any other book...) but I did find a better book for the data structures course...

Makes the complex simple to understand, 20 Jun 2008
Cryptography is a knotty subject but this book by Professor Piper starts from the beginning and provides a highly digestible (if compressed) walk through the subject. As a consultant and engineer I needed to learn something about the subject in very little time, and this book does not waste a single word in getting to the point. I would not expect to get anything more than a high level overview, and this book delivers that perfectly. It's rare to find such a well written technical book that is also comprehensible to the non-technical reader - congratulations!

Intro to Crypto, 15 Apr 2003
It deals with all the basic on cryptography and it is a very well thought and written book. There is only one thing better than the book and that is listening to a lecture from Professor Piper...if you have the privelege.

Intro to Crypto, 15 Apr 2003
It deals with all the basic on cryptography and it is a very well thought and written book. There is only one thing better than the book and that is listening to a lecture from Professor Piper...if you have the privelege.

Perfect Primer for Cryptography, 11 Jul 2002
This book presumes no prior knowledge of Cryptography whatsoever, and as such is both accessible and enjoyable to read.

Its great value for money and will serve anyone new to the subject well. It contains references which allow the interested reader to further research the topic further, either mathematically or historically.

For anyone studying Cryptography for the first time, this really is the perfect pocket primer! Highly recommended.

A Good Mathematical Introduction to Financial Maths, 09 Mar 2003
Being a novice to financial quantitative mathematics, I find this book a good, but a pretty heavy introduction. Depending on the level of mathematical background that you are coming from, you may find having an alternative math reference and detailed financial concepts reference very handy, when reading this book.

Personally, I find this book complement very well with other texts that are more descriptive on the business aspects, such as John C Hull’s book. The approach of this book to mathematical treatment is very direct, and to a large degree unsympathetic, in that it assumes your familiarity with the engineering calculus, probability and statistics, and do not waste time repeating them. Consequently, you really must have am alternative text handy for maths, where necessary: The essential pre-requisites being, solution of linear partial differential equations (especially parabolic equations), integration techniques, basic probability theory, and statistical maths.

Although I am still in the process of grasping more advanced concepts, I see this book to be a good reference to the readers who are more experienced in financial mathematics. (Or you may also opt for the “non-student” version of this book, which includes advanced topics, but at a considerably more expensive price.)

Highly recommended to the readers who are keen on delving to the details of quantitative mathematics, who are ready to be first bewildered by their intricacies, and then be patient enough to understand the mathematical treatment from alternative math texts, and finally to relate the business concepts treated in other text, such as John C Hull’s. It’s definitely not a light read, but I think is a very good investment upfront indeed.

Excellent but highly mathematical introduction, 05 Jan 2000
This is an excellent introduction to pricing financial derivatives. The authors' background is clearly in solving partial differential equations (PDEs) and there is a great deal of material on this approach. Half the book is devoted to numerical methods for solving PDEs with non-analytic solutions which will prove useful to implementors. A word of warning: I found this book heavy going mathematically - and I have a PhD in Maths! I would only recommend it to someone with at least a degree in a highly quantitative subject. You should preferably already be familiar with solving simple PDEs such as the diffusion (heat) equation. Each chapter has numerous problems for the reader and working through these is extremely educational, although in many cases extremely challenging. Not a light read but a good one.

Whatever is most important can, indeed must be measured...accurately and consistently., 09 May 2007

Obviously, it is highly desirable to measure what matters and that is especially true of marketing initiatives. Here's the challenge which many (most?) readers will face after they finish reading this volume: Which metrics are the most appropriate for their specific organization? Co-authors Paul W. Farris, Neil T. Bendle, Phillip E. Pfeifer, and David J. Reibstein offer 50+ and in an ideal business world, every executive can - and will - master all of them. That is possible but highly unlikely. Fortunately, the authors offer a wealth of information and observations that can guide and inform the selection of those metrics that will enable executives to "gather and analyze basic market data, measure the core factors that drive their business models, analyze the profitability of individual customer accounts, and optimize resource allocation among increasingly fragmented media.

To the authors' substantial credit, they make effective use of a number of reader-friendly devices which enliven what would be an otherwise dull textbook and they do without compromising the integrity of research-driven insights which so many books on marketing lack. These devices include definitions, formulas, and brief descriptions of various metrics. They also include within individual chapters several sections, such as "Construction" (e.g. metrics issues concerning their formulation, application, interpretation, and strategic ramifications), "Data Sources, "Complications, and Cautions" (i.e. an analysis of the limitations of the metrics under consideration, and their potential inadequacies once executed), and "Related Metrics and Concepts" (briefly surveyed). This is by no means an "easy read" but will generously reward those who absorb and digest its material with appropriate rigor.

Although I believe this volume can be of substantial value to executives in almost all organizations (regardless of size or nature), I think it will be of greatest benefit to those - probably in larger companies -- who have an urgent need for accurate and consistent measurement of, for example, the dynamics behind their market share; the profitability of producing, pricing, selling, distributing, and servicing what they offer; and the ROI of marketing initiatives within the framework of enterprise financial metrics.

Those who share my high regard for this volume are urged to check out Enterprise Architecture As Strategy: Creating a Foundation for Business Execution by Jeanne W. Ross, Peter Weill, and David Robertson as well as Ram Charan's Know-How: The 8 Skills That Separate People Who Perform from Those Who Don't, Lynda Gratton's Hot Spots: Why Some Teams, Workplaces, and Organizations Buzz with Energy - And Others Don't, Robert J. Herbold's Seduced by Success: How the Best Companies Survive the 9 Traps of Winning, Jack Alexander's Performance Dashboards and Analysis for Value Creation, and Michael Useem's The Go Point: When It's Time to Decide--Knowing What to Do and When to Do It.

Good Buy!, 14 Oct 2008
This book is a compact tool for a management student and maybe professional, very handy compact and packed with relevant details!

Great survey, but sometimes superficial, 04 Apr 2007
This 214 page book surveys 56 key management models (hence the title) in the fields of Strategy, Functional Processes, Organization, People and Behaviour and Primary Process. With that many models in those few pages, it's clear this is not going to be an in-depth treatment. The articles outline the key ideas and show the most important diagrams, as well as giving an assessment of the value of the model, under the headings of 'The Big Idea', 'When to use it' and 'The final analysis'.

Inevitably some of the concepts lend themselves better than others to this treatment. The article on the BCG matrix (question marks, cash cows, rising stars and dogs) encapsulates the idea and expresses it elegantly. The article on chaos theory is rather more sketchy.

This is a superb book for reminding you, in a handy volume, of the terminology and main ideas of management models that you already understand. It's also a good launching point for further reading, if you have the time to do this. Equally, if you are confronted with a model you are unfamiliar with in a meeting, you could quickly slip out (and break the tension, by saying "Excuse me, I just have to slip out for a -er- study break") and check out what the person is talking about.

On the other hand, this book is not a shortcut to understanding management theory. To be fair it is not marketed as such, but I suspect that a number of purchasers will be looking for that very thing.

Just a couple of final quibbles. 'Key Management Models' picks up on Mintzberg's Configurations and his Management Models, but not on his seminal 10 types of strategy, which seems an odd omission. Also, the spelling and general editing are not _quite_ up to the usual standards.

Worth having, though, if only as a quick reference to things you used to know.

Great for MBA students, 28 Oct 2005
I recommend this to any business student. Most of the main theoretical models are covered in enough depth to aid understanding and justify/otherwise inclusion in assignments.

Well worth the money.

Big let down, 13 Jun 2003
Having read the previous reviewer's remarks I bought this work.

It's a big let down. Conceptually it's great and the authors have chosen their models wisely. Likewise, the layout of the book is good. What lets this book down is the text: wordy, clumsy, imprecise and difficult to understand. It's not up to the FT's usual standards and I can't help but think it clipped through an editor's net. I give it 3 stars for the content selection alone and 0 stars for the text.

Meandering through Management, 05 Jun 2003
It’s a brave team that releases yet another text on management models in Britain in the midst of on-going heated debate about the UK’s preoccupation with management over leadership.

That said, if you do want an easy-to-read, ready-reference manual that does provide a clear, succinct overview of influential management models today, this book by ten Have et al definitely deserves shelf space. This text of just 200 pages manages to squeeze in some 56 models without leaving the reader feeling exhausted by sheer weight of content.

The book has a refreshingly practical orientation and avoids presentation of models as pure theory. The writers have helpfully defined their use of the term ‘model’ in the preface (p.ix) as: “a tool that can be employed to enable or enhance the daily functioning of both organisations and the managers within them, or to solve related problems.” The emphasis on tool, as an implement to create and change, is an implicit theme throughout this text.

Each model is approached from 3 perspectives, moving the reader gently from the “What?” to the “So what?” These perspectives are: The big idea (i.e. the basic concept), When to use it (i.e. the kind of circumstances under which use of the model might be appropriate) and The final analysis (i.e. summary comments and critique). Certain chapters also have short case examples to illustrate the points covered although, in general, I found the case study material a bit too sketchy to add value.

Design and layout are two of the book’s selling points, especially for managers who don’t have the time or inclination to work through erudite tomes of a more hefty nature. Its masterful use of text, symbols, diagrams and white space communicate a sense of clarity and confidence in the subject matter before the reader has even started to dig in. The language, too, is user-friendly and leaves the manager-practitioner feeling well informed and satisfied without any sense of bedazzlement or being patronised.

I enjoyed the amusing comment on the back cover that reflected this point: “Management models…have two main purposes. The first is to provide a framework for improving business performance. The second is to help managers and management consultants get away with murder by intimidating the uninitiated with buzzwords and acronyms.” This book works hard to restore confidence and credibility in this latter respect.

Overall, I was very impressed by the ability that ten Have et al have demonstrated in introducing and applying each model, especially for a book of this breadth and size. I will definitely recommend Key Management Models to fellow managers and consultants as one of those handy ‘flick-through’ books that help you maintain your bearings when getting your Maslows mixed up with your Mintzbergs. Marks out of 10? A good 8.

Yes, it's certainly comprehensive, 02 Dec 2007
There's a limited amount you can do in a thousand pages and I reckon the authors have done what they can.

This is *not* for casual reading, it's hard work on a par with Knuth's tomes. It's not as all-inclusive as the latter, but it goes deeper into certain aspects.

The mathematical bits at the start are okay, and there is an excellent exposition on the big-oh notation (and its relatives) - such is difficult to find, for some reason. That alone makes it worth getting.

However, as a work of art it seemed somewhat amorphous to me (yes, even books on mathematics and computer science, even technical manuals, are works of art and can be judged as such), and when I got to the end, I found myself not caring too much whether the butler did it or not.

That said, if you follow through with all the exercises and problems, and manage to do them all, you look like you could have a career as a code-cutter of adequate ability.

The world needs more books like this. Bring 'em on.

Sound introduction to foundational algorithms, 13 May 2007
The algorithms, including the mathematical background and justification, are set out clearly. The comprehensive index makes this a useful reference. Online resources to support the book include a corrections page and an explanation of the "Professor's names" jokes scattered through the text. There is an instructor's manual but, given the widespread use of the book in formal training courses, it is not available to independent users of the book, whether students or practitioners.

Very good book, 05 Jan 2005
I like this book very much. It's very well written and it shows every concept in a very understandable way.

Written Well !!, 23 Dec 2004
I enjoyed reading this book. The topics are covered in detail and explained well. However, at time the pseudo-codes dont make sense at all. There are sufficent exercises for practice purposes( but no answers given !). Novice in programming may find it tedious and elaborate because of its overt attention to efficency. I recommmend this book to anyone with little programming skills. In all, good book !

Good book..., 09 Aug 1999
AS a CS student, we had this book reccommnded for our data structures and our algorithms design courses. It was really usefull foor the algorithms design course (although I hadn't compared it to any other book...) but I did find a better book for the data structures course...

Makes the complex simple to understand, 20 Jun 2008
Cryptography is a knotty subject but this book by Professor Piper starts from the beginning and provides a highly digestible (if compressed) walk through the subject. As a consultant and engineer I needed to learn something about the subject in very little time, and this book does not waste a single word in getting to the point. I would not expect to get anything more than a high level overview, and this book delivers that perfectly. It's rare to find such a well written technical book that is also comprehensible to the non-technical reader - congratulations!

Intro to Crypto, 15 Apr 2003
It deals with all the basic on cryptography and it is a very well thought and written book. There is only one thing better than the book and that is listening to a lecture from Professor Piper...if you have the privelege.

Intro to Crypto, 15 Apr 2003
It deals with all the basic on cryptography and it is a very well thought and written book. There is only one thing better than the book and that is listening to a lecture from Professor Piper...if you have the privelege.

Perfect Primer for Cryptography, 11 Jul 2002
This book presumes no prior knowledge of Cryptography whatsoever, and as such is both accessible and enjoyable to read.

Its great value for money and will serve anyone new to the subject well. It contains references which allow the interested reader to further research the topic further, either mathematically or historically.

For anyone studying Cryptography for the first time, this really is the perfect pocket primer! Highly recommended.

A Good Mathematical Introduction to Financial Maths, 09 Mar 2003
Being a novice to financial quantitative mathematics, I find this book a good, but a pretty heavy introduction. Depending on the level of mathematical background that you are coming from, you may find having an alternative math reference and detailed financial concepts reference very handy, when reading this book.

Personally, I find this book complement very well with other texts that are more descriptive on the business aspects, such as John C Hull’s book. The approach of this book to mathematical treatment is very direct, and to a large degree unsympathetic, in that it assumes your familiarity with the engineering calculus, probability and statistics, and do not waste time repeating them. Consequently, you really must have am alternative text handy for maths, where necessary: The essential pre-requisites being, solution of linear partial differential equations (especially parabolic equations), integration techniques, basic probability theory, and statistical maths.

Although I am still in the process of grasping more advanced concepts, I see this book to be a good reference to the readers who are more experienced in financial mathematics. (Or you may also opt for the “non-student” version of this book, which includes advanced topics, but at a considerably more expensive price.)

Highly recommended to the readers who are keen on delving to the details of quantitative mathematics, who are ready to be first bewildered by their intricacies, and then be patient enough to understand the mathematical treatment from alternative math texts, and finally to relate the business concepts treated in other text, such as John C Hull’s. It’s definitely not a light read, but I think is a very good investment upfront indeed.

Excellent but highly mathematical introduction, 05 Jan 2000
This is an excellent introduction to pricing financial derivatives. The authors' background is clearly in solving partial differential equations (PDEs) and there is a great deal of material on this approach. Half the book is devoted to numerical methods for solving PDEs with non-analytic solutions which will prove useful to implementors. A word of warning: I found this book heavy going mathematically - and I have a PhD in Maths! I would only recommend it to someone with at least a degree in a highly quantitative subject. You should preferably already be familiar with solving simple PDEs such as the diffusion (heat) equation. Each chapter has numerous problems for the reader and working through these is extremely educational, although in many cases extremely challenging. Not a light read but a good one.

Whatever is most important can, indeed must be measured...accurately and consistently., 09 May 2007

Obviously, it is highly desirable to measure what matters and that is especially true of marketing initiatives. Here's the challenge which many (most?) readers will face after they finish reading this volume: Which metrics are the most appropriate for their specific organization? Co-authors Paul W. Farris, Neil T. Bendle, Phillip E. Pfeifer, and David J. Reibstein offer 50+ and in an ideal business world, every executive can - and will - master all of them. That is possible but highly unlikely. Fortunately, the authors offer a wealth of information and observations that can guide and inform the selection of those metrics that will enable executives to "gather and analyze basic market data, measure the core factors that drive their business models, analyze the profitability of individual customer accounts, and optimize resource allocation among increasingly fragmented media.

To the authors' substantial credit, they make effective use of a number of reader-friendly devices which enliven what would be an otherwise dull textbook and they do without compromising the integrity of research-driven insights which so many books on marketing lack. These devices include definitions, formulas, and brief descriptions of various metrics. They also include within individual chapters several sections, such as "Construction" (e.g. metrics issues concerning their formulation, application, interpretation, and strategic ramifications), "Data Sources, "Complications, and Cautions" (i.e. an analysis of the limitations of the metrics under consideration, and their potential inadequacies once executed), and "Related Metrics and Concepts" (briefly surveyed). This is by no means an "easy read" but will generously reward those who absorb and digest its material with appropriate rigor.

Although I believe this volume can be of substantial value to executives in almost all organizations (regardless of size or nature), I think it will be of greatest benefit to those - probably in larger companies -- who have an urgent need for accurate and consistent measurement of, for example, the dynamics behind their market share; the profitability of producing, pricing, selling, distributing, and servicing what they offer; and the ROI of marketing initiatives within the framework of enterprise financial metrics.

Those who share my high regard for this volume are urged to check out Enterprise Architecture As Strategy: Creating a Foundation for Business Execution by Jeanne W. Ross, Peter Weill, and David Robertson as well as Ram Charan's Know-How: The 8 Skills That Separate People Who Perform from Those Who Don't, Lynda Gratton's Hot Spots: Why Some Teams, Workplaces, and Organizations Buzz with Energy - And Others Don't, Robert J. Herbold's Seduced by Success: How the Best Companies Survive the 9 Traps of Winning, Jack Alexander's Performance Dashboards and Analysis for Value Creation, and Michael Useem's The Go Point: When It's Time to Decide--Knowing What to Do and When to Do It.

I was taught by one of the authors, 11 Dec 2007
I was actually taught by Mr G. Mallard at SWCHS last year and he was one of the best teachers i have ever had. He was able to explain everything in a way that could be taken in easily and made sure that everything was as clear as day before moving on.
Many of the students that took economics will attribute As at A-level to his teaching along with Mr M. Landor.
I have had a look at this book already and i find that the content is much te same as the lessons and would most certainly be a fine companion to any student studying economics at a higher level.

Good Buy!, 14 Oct 2008
This book is a compact tool for a management student and maybe professional, very handy compact and packed with relevant details!

Great survey, but sometimes superficial, 04 Apr 2007
This 214 page book surveys 56 key management models (hence the title) in the fields of Strategy, Functional Processes, Organization, People and Behaviour and Primary Process. With that many models in those few pages, it's clear this is not going to be an in-depth treatment. The articles outline the key ideas and show the most important diagrams, as well as giving an assessment of the value of the model, under the headings of 'The Big Idea', 'When to use it' and 'The final analysis'.

Inevitably some of the concepts lend themselves better than others to this treatment. The article on the BCG matrix (question marks, cash cows, rising stars and dogs) encapsulates the idea and expresses it elegantly. The article on chaos theory is rather more sketchy.

This is a superb book for reminding you, in a handy volume, of the terminology and main ideas of management models that you already understand. It's also a good launching point for further reading, if you have the time to do this. Equally, if you are confronted with a model you are unfamiliar with in a meeting, you could quickly slip out (and break the tension, by saying "Excuse me, I just have to slip out for a -er- study break") and check out what the person is talking about.

On the other hand, this book is not a shortcut to understanding management theory. To be fair it is not marketed as such, but I suspect that a number of purchasers will be looking for that very thing.

Just a couple of final quibbles. 'Key Management Models' picks up on Mintzberg's Configurations and his Management Models, but not on his seminal 10 types of strategy, which seems an odd omission. Also, the spelling and general editing are not _quite_ up to the usual standards.

Worth having, though, if only as a quick reference to things you used to know.

Great for MBA students, 28 Oct 2005
I recommend this to any business student. Most of the main theoretical models are covered in enough depth to aid understanding and justify/otherwise inclusion in assignments.

Well worth the money.

Big let down, 13 Jun 2003
Having read the previous reviewer's remarks I bought this work.

It's a big let down. Conceptually it's great and the authors have chosen their models wisely. Likewise, the layout of the book is good. What lets this book down is the text: wordy, clumsy, imprecise and difficult to understand. It's not up to the FT's usual standards and I can't help but think it clipped through an editor's net. I give it 3 stars for the content selection alone and 0 stars for the text.

Meandering through Management, 05 Jun 2003
It’s a brave team that releases yet another text on management models in Britain in the midst of on-going heated debate about the UK’s preoccupation with management over leadership.

That said, if you do want an easy-to-read, ready-reference manual that does provide a clear, succinct overview of influential management models today, this book by ten Have et al definitely deserves shelf space. This text of just 200 pages manages to squeeze in some 56 models without leaving the reader feeling exhausted by sheer weight of content.

The book has a refreshingly practical orientation and avoids presentation of models as pure theory. The writers have helpfully defined their use of the term ‘model’ in the preface (p.ix) as: “a tool that can be employed to enable or enhance the daily functioning of both organisations and the managers within them, or to solve related problems.” The emphasis on tool, as an implement to create and change, is an implicit theme throughout this text.

Each model is approached from 3 perspectives, moving the reader gently from the “What?” to the “So what?” These perspectives are: The big idea (i.e. the basic concept), When to use it (i.e. the kind of circumstances under which use of the model might be appropriate) and The final analysis (i.e. summary comments and critique). Certain chapters also have short case examples to illustrate the points covered although, in general, I found the case study material a bit too sketchy to add value.

Design and layout are two of the book’s selling points, especially for managers who don’t have the time or inclination to work through erudite tomes of a more hefty nature. Its masterful use of text, symbols, diagrams and white space communicate a sense of clarity and confidence in the subject matter before the reader has even started to dig in. The language, too, is user-friendly and leaves the manager-practitioner feeling well informed and satisfied without any sense of bedazzlement or being patronised.

I enjoyed the amusing comment on the back cover that reflected this point: “Management models…have two main purposes. The first is to provide a framework for improving business performance. The second is to help managers and management consultants get away with murder by intimidating the uninitiated with buzzwords and acronyms.” This book works hard to restore confidence and credibility in this latter respect.

Overall, I was very impressed by the ability that ten Have et al have demonstrated in introducing and applying each model, especially for a book of this breadth and size. I will definitely recommend Key Management Models to fellow managers and consultants as one of those handy ‘flick-through’ books that help you maintain your bearings when getting your Maslows mixed up with your Mintzbergs. Marks out of 10? A good 8.

Yes, it's certainly comprehensive, 02 Dec 2007
There's a limited amount you can do in a thousand pages and I reckon the authors have done what they can.

This is *not* for casual reading, it's hard work on a par with Knuth's tomes. It's not as all-inclusive as the latter, but it goes deeper into certain aspects.

The mathematical bits at the start are okay, and there is an excellent exposition on the big-oh notation (and its relatives) - such is difficult to find, for some reason. That alone makes it worth getting.

However, as a work of art it seemed somewhat amorphous to me (yes, even books on mathematics and computer science, even technical manuals, are works of art and can be judged as such), and when I got to the end, I found myself not caring too much whether the butler did it or not.

That said, if you follow through with all the exercises and problems, and manage to do them all, you look like you could have a career as a code-cutter of adequate ability.

The world needs more books like this. Bring 'em on.

Sound introduction to foundational algorithms, 13 May 2007
The algorithms, including the mathematical background and justification, are set out clearly. The comprehensive index makes this a useful reference. Online resources to support the book include a corrections page and an explanation of the "Professor's names" jokes scattered through the text. There is an instructor's manual but, given the widespread use of the book in formal training courses, it is not available to independent users of the book, whether students or practitioners.

Very good book, 05 Jan 2005
I like this book very much. It's very well written and it shows every concept in a very understandable way.

Written Well !!, 23 Dec 2004
I enjoyed reading this book. The topics are covered in detail and explained