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"The ages of great financial speculation, which occur as irregular outcrops of fool's gold in the landscape of global economic history, have brought with them riches and ruin in almost equal measure." The Secret History of the South Sea Bubble tomers into categories, and then explain how compa- nies can achieve success by organizing around these categories. As the anecdotes in the case studies suggest, such a shift in perspective isn't easy for most companies to attain, but the authors believe it's well worth the pain. (Portfolio, $27.95) The First Stock Market Crash "The ages of great financial specula- tion, which occur as irregular out- crops of fool's gold in the landscape of global economic history, have brought with them riches and ruin in almost equal measure." So says Malcolm Balen about midway through The Secret History of the South Sea Bubble, his detailed and absorbing account of "the world's first great financial scandal." This particular disaster occurred in London in 1720 when a group of unscrupulous speculators sold stock in an unsuccessful trading company to finance a scheme to wipe out the national debt. Balen sets his story against a backdrop of international competi- tiveness among England, France, and other European countries, and peoples his tale with the thoughtful, arrogant, brilliant, or dishonest personalities of the day. He also is deft at creating a historical context for his chapters, bringing to life the bustling financial districts of Exchange Alley in London and rue Quincampoix in Paris. His financial calculations, although complex, are clearly stated, and the enormity of what is about to occur becomes truly appalling as the events unfold. It's impossible to overlook the some more modern financial disas- ter. It's hard to know if it's horrify- ing or comforting to realize that people are no smarter about money today than they were 300 years ago. It's more sobering to reflect that, if history is any guide, the same mis- takes will be made over and over in the future. (Fourth Estate/Harper Collins, $24.95) Internet-based compa- nies. In fact, to make sure readers don't miss the parallels, Balen opens each chapter with a newspaper account about access any information available to the company, at any time, and from any place." We all know enough about cell phones, PDAs, and other wireless devices to know we're already halfway there. (Prentice Hall, $34.99) similarities between the South Sea bubble and the recent rise and fall of Quick Looks In an early chapter of Patrick Brans's Mobilize Your Enterprise, he quotes science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke's famous comment that "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." He then proceeds to explain the current state of the magic in the wireless rev- olution, which he believes will ulti- mately change the way all business is done. His book is a detailed but highly understandable critique of the services wireless technology can offer and the devices now on the market to perform these functions. He also offers caveats about the drawbacks that hamper existing technology. But he's pretty certain that when tech- nology catches up to human desire, it real- ly will seem like sor- cery. "What would companies do if they could work magic?" Brans asks. "Com - panies would really like for all of their employ ees to have telepathic powers that allow them to The first time a per- son meets you, it only takes him seconds to decide if he likes you or if he doesn't, and many of your suc- ceeding interactions with him will be determined by his ini- tial snap judgment. If you're in business, how can you make sure that you always make a positive impression on people, so that they want to hear your offer, buy your product, or entrust you with a mil- lion-dollar contract? Nicholas Boothman lays out the answers in How to Connect in Business in 90 Seconds or Less, a book that's part pop psychology, part pep talk, and part a blueprint for getting along with oth- ers. His chapters on body language, attitude, personal style, and personal space are all familiar from other sources, but they combine here to reinforce the idea that by projecting the right mix of interest and atten- tion, almost anyone can win over anyone else. "There are only six ways you can get people to do things: by law, with money, by emotional force, physical force, the lure of physical beauty, or by persuasion," he writes. "Of these, persuasion is the most efficient." By the end of the book, you'll be per- suaded, too. (Workman Publishing, $16.95) ■ z BizEd JULY/AUGUST 2003 59