Book Description
If you're like most people, you bet your career and company on innovation--because you must. Payback: Reaping the Rewards of Innovation offers you a new way to think about and manage innovation that will dramatically improve the odds of success.
Authors James Andrew and Harold Sirkin, senior partners in The Boston Consulting Group, describe an approach to managing innovation based on the concept of a cash curve--which tracks investment against time. They ask the questions you need to ask: How much should you invest in a new product or service? How fast should you push it to market? How quickly can you get to optimal value? How much additional investment should you pour into sustaining and building the product or service?
Payback offers you practical and economically sound advice on when to pursue cash flow indirectly by first pursuing other benefits, such as brand and knowledge. It also shows you how to reshape the cash curve by using different business models--integrator, orchestrator, and licenser--each of which balances risk and reward differently.
The authors then present a short list of decisions and activities that you must make--not delegate--to achieve a high return on innovation. You won't find facile answers in Payback--but you will find valuable insights and practical guidance for mastering one of the most challenging and critical business activities: innovation.
Customer Reviews:
Solid idea; very weak exposition.......2007-05-24
This book bears all the weaknesses one expects from management consultants. It has a solid core concept, the cash curve, and a very simple graph to go with it. Virtually everything worth knowing gets said in the first 50 pages of the book.
What follows is a logical, step by step exposition of each point in more detail using selected examples from the authors' consulting experience. Sadly, no single customer example is longer than four pages, and details are sparsely strewn. It is especially noteworthy that they graphic of the key concept, the cash curve, is wholly absent from the second (much longer) half of the book.
One also gets the feeling that if the authors had had different customer engagements, they would have come to different conclusions. For instance, they discuss how Intel practices the integration business model in their chip business. However, virtually every other semiconductor company of any note on the planet is using outside factories (fabs in semiconductor parlance). Many, such as Qualcomm and Broadcom just to pick two examples have built market capitalizations in the tens of billions of dollars practicing the orchestration business model. It would have been very instructive to compare and contrast how two different models in essentially the same business can both lead to outstanding results for investors. Sadly, that discussion is wholly absent.
In summary, the core principal of the book is a very important one. I cannot think of a single business that could become a big success not understanding it. However, the lack of details in the customer examples keeps this book from realizing anywhere close to its real potential.
Freshman overview.......2007-05-14
Don't expect any insight into the process of innovation. Payback provides a freshman-level overview of innovation taking place in various companies, but is not a source of insight into the process. Years after the results of internal policies of many companies have become apparent to the business World, the author merely points to seeming successes and says "Do That", and to the failures "Don't Do That".
There is a decent comparison of the Integrator, Orchestrator, and Licensor models and some of the issues facing decision makers. Look for this around the middle of the book.
For a far more profound study that is immediately useful there is probably nothing better than Christensen's Innovator's Solution - cover-to-cover. Payback lacks any reference at all to many of the biggest challenges to implementing policies and deriving return in the market place, from innovation. Beginning with Christensen's Innovator's Dilemma, learn first of all why established companies get stuck in a rut of satisfying the demands of existing customers and simply cannot produce new products and services that really will produce big paybacks. Learn also the big difference between sustaining innovations and disruptive innovations. Discussing payback without this understanding is like studying Rocks without studying Geology.
I must have read a different book.......2007-04-09
Based on the other reviews I must have read a different book. But seriously Payback bills itself on the ideas behind creating practical and actionable innovation, how else could you meet the promise of 'reaping the rewards of innovation.'
Unfortunately the rewards they are talking about are all in terms of cash and profits making this book a 101 finance book built around the authors notion of the Cash Curve with the following basic tenants:
- don't spend to much to create an idea because that consumes upfront cash
- don't take too long to commercialize and bring the idea to market
- get your idea into volume production as soon as possible
- support the idea with a measured post launch investment.
Sorry but that's it. The book is heavy on the finance 101 side and extremely light on the idea of practices and ideas. Sure they say that you can play different role: innovation integrator, orchestrator, or liscensor but you pretty much know what the authors are going to say just by the role names.
The book does have an number of case studies, many that are available in the public domain, however these cases are more narrative telling you what happened without being analytical and telling you why the did this or that and the result it took.
Overall this book is very light on the ideas and actions required to deliver the rewards of innovation because it treats innovation as a financing event that is intended to generate cash. While that view is true, there is allot of insight, actions and practices that must happen before we can start thinking about how to get cash out of an innovation. I only hoped that the authors had taken the time to tell us that.
Business libraries and business managers will find it inspirational........2007-03-12
Written by professional consultants James P. Andrew and Harold L. Sirkin, Payback: Reaping the Rewards of Innovation is a solid guide to the difference between having a good idea and turning that idea into financial reward. Payback puts forth the argument that the biggest challenge facing most companies today is their need to increase returns from their innovation spending. Introducing a concept called the "cash curve", Payback explores the fundamental factors that affect how much financial return will be netted. From how and when it can be profitable to apply innovation to noncash goals (such as the acquisition of new knowledge or enhancement of the company's brand), to models that accurately assess financial, technical and market risks to the relative advantages and disadvantages of the integration, orchestration, and licensing models and when to employ each, Payback is a reservoir of solid, high-stakes insight into skilled decision making. As valuable for innovative small business owners as for managers of grand enterprises.
Leading Beyone Where The Numbers Can Tell You.......2007-02-18
Innovation is one of the biggest problems facing companies today. This book does an excellent job of analyzing innovation into various types of companies and showing several examples of successful and unsuccessful companies.
The authors break innovation approaches within companies into three broad categories:
1. The Integrator - Here is where a company has a core competence and they hold the developement very close to their chest. The example they use is BMW who has a core technology in engines that they protect as much as they possibly can. Afer discussing a couple of other successes they then discuss Polaroid who attempted to move from film to digital cameras but failed.
2. The Orchestrator - where a company has the broad general idea and the ability to take a product to market but doesn't have the time, expertise, or desire to do this particular design/manufacturing job.
3. The Licensor - Some companies develop technologies that they are not going to take to market themselves. Dolby is the example they use, with technology licensed to various manufacturers. They have become the standard for audio professionals.
These decisions cannot be made by accountants, they take a leader. Someone has to see the potential beyone what the sheer numbers are showing.
Book Description
In her hot, gritty new urban drama, Essence ® bestselling author Wahida Clark tells the story of a woman who thinks she has everything, but who really has everything to lose— starting with her best friend, and ending with her life… Brianna and Shan couldn't be more different. From her $1200 weave to her closet full of Gucci, Prada, and Chanel, Brianna believes that men were born to bankroll her lifestyle. Shan likes to make her own money by working for a living at a men's prison—and prefers Sean John, Baby Phat, and Fubu to Jimmy Choo. Still, despite appearances, Shan and B are sisters where it counts—or so they think…
For B, lying is part of the hustle, and the hustle is what gets her sex, clothes, cars—pretty much whatever she wants. She couldn't care less who gets hurt along the way, as long as it isn't her. But it's one thing to hustle tricks, and quite another to betray the one person who really cares. When one of B's schemes goes too far, blood is spilled—and Shan is caught in the crossfire. Now, with friendship and lives on the line, Brianna's got one last chance to change her ways—or suffer the consequences…
Customer Reviews:
Truly a gifted Author !!.......2007-09-23
This book was great Ms. Clark puts it down in her stories and I have to say this story was so real and full of action all the way to the end I can't wait to read the second book.I hope she does put out a second one to this one since it's left with a cliff hanger. You will love this as well as all of Wahida's books.Brianna is smart but gets hooked up in some crazy stuff you have to read it to see what I mean. Go and get this one.
Very hard to follow..........2007-07-16
After reading the "Thug" series, I expected this book to be just as interesting, but it wasn't. There were too many undeveloped characters in this book, and quite franky, just too many characters, period. About three quarters thru the book, you find out how the characters are intertwined. I still can't wait to read Wahida's next novel though.
OMFG!.......2007-07-13
This was a great book i read about a year ago and i have to say it was off the hook!!!!!! I could neva put the book down!!! And da ending blew me away it surprised the hell out of me!!! The title goes perfect with the storyline
RAW.......2007-07-09
AFTER HOLDING ON TO THIS BOOK FOR MORE THAN 3 MONTHS I'D FINALLY PICKED IT UP... OH MY GOD WAS I MISSING OUT... WAHIDA DID HER THING ON THIS ONE REAL TALK... BRIANNA... WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT HER, SHE WAS OFF THE CHAIN, AND THAT DAMN SHADEE THEY BOTH GOT EXCACTLY WHAT THEY DESERVED... BUT SHAN WAS SO NAIVE ABOUT EVERY D*** SHE HAD ME MAD LIKE WAKE UP AND SMELL THE D*** ROSES... WOW... IS ALL I CAN SAY... I KNOW THERE IS A PART 2... IT HAS TO BE... SO COME ON WITH IT... IM ADDICTED
Little Off.......2007-06-26
I'm going to give this 4 stars because I like Wahida, I think this was a little rushed but it kept me turning the pages.
Customer Reviews:
Funny Tale of Revenge.......2007-07-09
This second installment of The Sisterhood series does not disappoint. In fact, this one gives us two "paybacks" to enjoy. I agree with one reviewer who said, "lighten up!" These books are fiction, fun, escapist reading. Could they really happen? Probably not, but it still is fun to imagine. To get the full benefit, read Weekend Warriors first.
When justice is Denied........2007-06-11
The Sisterhood is back for their second search for justice for their members who have been denied by the system. Julie Webster is a high-profile doctor who is facing a death sentence administered by her philandering husband. For her there can be no justice, she has lost her career and may lose her life to AIDS.
As Julie grows weaker and more fragile from the disease her friends, through the financial help of Myra Rutledge search for other mates in U.S. Senator Mitchell Webster's extramarital affairs, so they can be warned to seek help. He is being considered as a vice-presidential running mate when The Sisterhood extract their payback.
Fern Michaels' "Payback" is a sharp read, with twists and turns for late night and beach enjoyment.
Nash Black, author of "Qualifying Laps" and "Taxes, Stumbling Blocks & Pitfalls for Authors, 2007.
Lighten up.......2007-02-13
After reading a lot of the reviews on "Payback", I think many of the readers missed the point. This is a 'just for fun story' (fiction), fairy tale, I enjoyed every minute of the read. Different from the usual trivia. Looking forward to more.
Payback.......2007-02-02
I love Fern Mickaels. Her writing makes me feel like I'm part of the sisterhood. To get the full impact of the story you need to read Weekend Warriors first. I have a group of friends that will stand by me through thick and thin. I just wish we had the power that these ladies have. I plan on listening to the whole series. My commute to work is so much more fun now.
perfect .......2006-12-16
this is wonderful. You can hear the whole book in one day. I have everyone of them on CD. I am now waiting for the next one. Can hardly wait
Product Description
Lion in Love Wanted: A Dominant...one male to fulfill her greatest fantasies... Leigh is tired of repressing her sexuality. Finally over her devastating marriage break-up and with her young son happy and settled into a normal life once more, she decides it's time to indulge herself and give in to her increasingly intense fantasies of being submissive to a man. Wanted: A Submissive..one female who will fulfill hes greatest fantasies... Leo is tired of the "average" submissive woman. He wants someone whom he can dominate in the bedroom, but who will challenge him and help him grow in the rest of his personal life. When he sees the mother of one of his young students at the party, he knows one of his greatest fantasies is about to become a reality. Payback Caroline Thompson went to Nevada to have a much needed two-day holiday far away from work and family. She was planning on enjoying herself - gambling a little and having a lot of sex. Instead, she found herself tied to a bed and erotically teased by a disgruntled wanna-be employee. Justin Stormcloud has been driven to the breaking point. It's time to teach Ms. Thompson a lesson she won't quickly forget.. And payback is a bitch.
Customer Reviews:
Wasted more than a Year!!!!.......2007-04-19
I'm sorry to say that I wasted more than a year waiting for this to come to print format, rarely will I buy a eformat book, so sadly I waited and wasted more than a year of anticipation. Bought the book for Payback and haven't even gotten to the first story in the book, my review is only for the second book. Let me say this, I feel cheated out of a good solid, leave u' in heat kind of story. When I found out about this book, I was under the miss conception that, it was about an alpha male and alpha female (Victoria) that were going to have an all out kind of thing, instead, I got a case of mistaken identities, on both parts. First, what was so wrong about the male lead, "he had connections not suitable for a lily white company" did not see it at all, to me he read more like an undergraduate student trying to get a decent job, he didn't even have a personality to go with the "I'm going to teach you not to mess with me" thing he plan, if he had gotten Victoria, I don't think he would have know what to do with her. Which brings me to my next point, what was the purpose of changing characters, instead of a strong, man eating female, I was now stuck with a character that I frankly didn't care for, she was Blah to me, not interested, I wanted fire, sizzle, power clashing, going to make you summit, love it and beg me for more. All of course in a very sensual and not forceful way, please. I guess I was expecting something that the author did not care to give, shame on me... maybe in a couple of days, I'll be up to reading the first story in this book, maybe I would find it worth the price of the book, but for now I'm putting it on a side and morn for my year of unfulfiled expectations.
Book Description
RECRUITED:A crack team of cover agents.Word is out to ex-Marine sniper Charlie Dean and his team of the National Security Agency: Infiltrate the highest stratum of Peruvian political power and derail a renegade general from acing an election. All Dean has to do is find a way inside an impenetrable bank vault protected by armed guards round the clock-it's all in a day's work for the men and women of Deep Black.ENGAGED:A violent political coupBut things get complicated when Dean and company discover the renegade general's second plot. The military madman's ruse-a nuclear weapon he claims is in the hands of Marxist guerillas, a bomb that only he can rescue...and control.IGNITED:A devastating terrorist plot.When the general and his plot are exposed, the NSA concludes the greatest threat is over. But in fact, it's only just beginning...
Customer Reviews:
Deep Black: PayBack (CD - Unabridged).......2007-02-06
I bought this to listen to in the car while I drive, and I have not had a chance to listen to it yet. Therefore, I have no review of the book at this point and cannot give it an accurate rating.
FUTURISTIC PLOTS........2007-01-05
As stories go it is good, but you have to have a very active mind to cope with things like thought transmitted conversations! His air stories are better.
Thriller in Peru.......2006-04-14
This a well written book that follows the Deep Black format of short chapters, frenetic action and high technology. Unlike some of the previous books in the series, this one did not rely so much on gizmos and concentrates on character development.
That said (but coming), I'm not sure I buy the whole plot and these books rely on plotting to an extreme.
The story involves Peru's presidential elections threatened by a General descended from Incan rulers. To add modern spice to the mix, a Russian arms dealer has a nuclear bomb that he wants to detonate in the USA.
In a world with Iranian nukes, Chinese war lords and Russian arms merchants, there are certainly more compelling stories to be told.
Action Packed.......2006-04-04
This book takes the "Deep Black" series to a new level not only in action, but also in character development. One of the main characters suffered a rape in the prior book, and some of this one shows how she deals with that along with continuing with her job as a deep black agent. Crossed over with faults in other characters and a nuclear weapon and this is a book that is worth picking up and reading. If you are into the Technothriller style of books, give this series a try. You will not be dissapointed.
intriguing Deep Black adventure thriller .......2005-10-04
Peruvian general Tecume has concocted a brilliant plan to not only obtain a nuclear weapon, but to bluff the Americans into going after insurgents; his outcome is to become the president of Peru.
Crippled Stephan Babin owes a lot of people. He is in debt to Tecume for saving his life so is assisting him with his nuclear ploy. However, he hides from the General that his personal agenda is to take the nuclear option one step beyond his Peruvian host. He plans to avenge what the CIA did to him, when they shot down his plane leaving him crippled.
NSA assigns the Deep Black team headed by Charlie Dean to stop the General. The crack squad aided from thousand miles away by their Runner Rockman begin a counter ploy to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of Tecume and local terrorists, but neither Charlie, his teammate Lia DeFransccesa, nor the home office are aware that the real threat comes from the more dangerous opponent Steve Babin who has armed his host with a second bomb unbeknownst to the Deep Black squad or any American intelligence agency.
The fourth Deep Black adventure thriller is an intriguing tale because just when the team and readers think the case is solved in spite of plenty pages to go, the plot offers a delightful exhilarating twist that ratchets up the suspense levels. The story line is loaded with testosterone action even when the females like Lia take charge. Fans of the series or anyone who appreciates a black ops antiterrorism thriller will receive plenty of positive payback from this adrenaline pumping tale that goes at one speed faster than light.
Harriet Klausner
Average customer rating:
- amazing as always.
- Revenge is Sweet
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Payback
Andy McNab , and
Robert Rigby
Manufacturer: Putnam Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Action & Adventure
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Traitor
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Deep Black
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Dark Winter
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Avenger
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Aggressor
ASIN: 0399244654
Release Date: 2006-10-05 |
Book Description
A series of high-profile suicide bombing has devastated London and stymied British Intelligence. But none of that matters to Danny Watts and his ex-spy grandfather Fergus, who are living peacefully incognito in Spain—that is, until their cover is blown in a botched assassination attempt.
Suddenly, Danny and Fergus are forced to return to London and into the swirl of current events. Their only hope of clearing the family name is to break into Intelligence headquarters and steal the files that prove Fergus was framed by his commanding officer. But when Fergus takes a bullet in the leg, it's up to Danny to do the job alone. Is Danny up to the task? And what is the Watts family's connection to the bombings?
With a story ripped from today's headlines, and filled with authentic details from Andy McNab's experiences in British Special Ops, Payback continues the explosive action that made Traitor a YA action fan favorite.
Customer Reviews:
amazing as always........2007-09-06
A great book in full Mcnab style.
I have read most of his books but his way of
making quite internal military stuff mix with
splendid action is amazing as always.
Revenge is Sweet.......2007-01-27
Danny and Fergus are on the run again! This time they are trying to get Fergus's name cleared from the Secret Intelligent Service. He was framed when he was working with the SAS, and George Fincham wants to kill him now because he doesn't want anybody to know the real story. Danny is Fergus's grandson who helps the old SAS sergeant clear his name. Andy McNab and Robert Rigby made you feel like you were watching what was unraveling in the book. The action and all the moving around in the book keeps you hungry to keep reading.
This book always keeps you on the edge of your seat. Danny and his grandpa are usually one step ahead of the Secret Intelligent spies who are trying to kill them wherever they are. Marcie Deveraux, a woman who works for the Secret Intelligace Service, is constantly changing sides on who she wants to help. She can help Danny and gramps, or she can help the Secret Intelligence Service. She adds a constant twist to the book because she is always shooting at something or someone, so everyone better watch out for her. Fergus and Danny have to worry about her, and they have to worry about teenage suicide bombers that have been popping up everywhere. However, Danny's girlfriend is constantly helping these two escape from danger. What would you do if you were in all of this mass chaos that Danny and Fergus are in? I know I wouldn't know what to do. In addition to all of this intensity, Danny and Fergus were constantly moving around from place to place in this book. They had to travel on foot for most of this story, so Fergus had to think of many great places to hide when the Secret Intelligence Service was on their heels. Fergus camped down in a national forest with Danny after he, Fergus, had been shot in the leg. Fergus hid himself in some pine trees where no one could see him. These two convicts, who are on the run, also broke into highly guarded areas. Danny broke into an army facility that had guards with machine guns and ferocious guard dogs. He did this just to clear his grandfather's name from the Secret Intelligence Service.
This book was well written by the authors to the point where you could not stop reading it because there was always a critical turning point in the story. This book is interesting and keeps you wondering what's going to happen next. This book was a great sequel to Traitor because you are always biting your nails with all of the action happening.
Average customer rating:
- Great stories, Lousy covers!
- Brainless fun.
- Just OK
- Fans of Burke take notice!
- Excellent read
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Payback
Richard Stark
Manufacturer: Mysterious Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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The Man with the Getaway Face (Parker Novels)
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The Score
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The Jugger
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Backflash (Parker Novels)
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Comeback
ASIN: 0446674648 |
Customer Reviews:
Great stories, Lousy covers! .......2006-06-17
Fast paced, brutal and to the point! the Parker crime series is one of the best around, and Parker's debut is one of the best of the series. If you're tired of reading overlong crime novels where cleche'd characters rehash scenarios you've read before, or seen on TV and movies before, be prepared for a breath of fresh air. Richard Stark's writing is bare boned and to the point, with no fat to trim, just like the attitude of his main character. A criminally underrated series!
My only criticism of these reprint books from Mysterious Press are the muted, boring covers which do nothing to highlight the raw energy of Richard Stark's writing.
I would recommend the publishers take a look at the recent James Bond reprints from Penguin books, or the covers to the Hardcase Crime books currently being released (The ranks of which Richard Stark's Lemons Never Lie will soon join) to see how its done.
Brainless fun........2006-04-21
Richard Stark, The Hunter (Mysterious Press, 1962)
Parker is the kind of guy who, if you're forced into contact with him, you want him on your side. The quintessential antihero, he's someone you feel soiled for identifying with, but can't help yourself.
Richard Stark, alias Donald E. Westlake, wanted to create a character he could use to sell a book a bit more hard-boiled than the stuff he'd been writing, and Parker was the result. The Hunter, the first Parker novel, turned out to be such a success that he;s had sixteen more books written about him. But it's the first one everyone knows, thanks in no small part to two film adaptations, the most recent of which is 1999's Payback, with Mel Gibson as the good/bad guy.
The plot: Parker is back in New York after his wife and an associate double-crossed him on a big job. He wants revenge. He also wants his share of the take.
Yes, that's the entire plot. Seems kind of thin, right? Not if you're Donald E. Westlake, one of the undisputed masters of the twentieth-century American mystery. The book plays out like your typical revenge storyline, with most of your typical characters, and to be fair there's a lot of stereotype writ large here. This is not deathless literature by any means. What it is, however, is good old-fashioned fast-paced meaty writing. Westlake-- erm, Stark-- knows how to keep the pages turning, his characters are well-drawn enough to be distinct from one another, and everything comes to an ending that is, if not happy, a resounding success.
The hardboiled mystery/thriller is the testosterone-fueled version of the romance novel, and Richard Stark does it better than most. Sure, it's empty calories, but that's part of what makes it so good. *** ?
Just OK.......2005-02-19
After reading all these rave reviews on here I decided to get this book. It's out of print and I could only find copies ranging from $20-$40. I found a really clean 1st edition and payed $35 for it. I wish I hadn't. This is an extremely short read. 155 very tiny pages. I do not understand why everything thinks this novel is so tough. Stark's writing style is so dry it takes any excitement out of the action sequences. And the bit about Parker having strong hands is way too played out. Parker has strong hands, I get it. I won't even go into how many holes this plot had. The movie (I have not seen Point Blank, I am reffering to Payback) is actually better than the book. Unless you can find an extremely cheap copy, don't bother. You're not missing anything special.
Fans of Burke take notice!.......2004-05-13
My first exposure to the character of Parker was the 1960's movie "Point Blank." Great film and the Mel Gibson version, "Payback" isn't bad either. (Tough as Mel is, he's still no Lee Marvin.) Having said that, neither of these movies correctly depicts Parker as the mean cat he truly is. There is a whole series of these books, and I have begun the task of collecting all of them, not easy since many are out of print. If you like hard boiled fiction like Andrew Vachss or Jim Thompson I highly reccomend the Parker series.
Excellent read.......2003-01-13
I found about Westlake recently from the "Resevoir Dogs" DVD Bonus disc. I read "Hot Rock" and enjoyed it. So, I decided to tryout Stark. I'd seen both "Point Blank" and "Payback." So, I knew the gist of what was going to happen in the book. I was blown away, though, by how much better this was than either movie version. I'm glad Stark was talked out of killing Parker off at the end of this book. I cannot get enough of this character. Stark's up there with Walter Mosely and James Ellroy, in my opinion.
Average customer rating:
- Myrah's Thoughts
- :(
- It is all about PayBack
- He Did it again
- Roy Glenn did it again!
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Payback
Roy Glenn
Manufacturer: Urban Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Drug Related
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Mob
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Is IT A Crime
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Outlaw
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Married to the Game
ASIN: 1893196372 |
Book Description
Roy Glenn is back with Payback and continues to introduce us to unforgettable characters that immediately become real. The story begins with a long overdue visit to from Nick Simmons (Drug Related). However, before Nick has the chance to hook-up and reminisce with his old friend, the drama begins. Nick finally has the pleasure of meeting the lovely Shy. After a wild shootout at his club in the Bahamas, Mike Black's wife, Cassandra "Shy" Sims, is kidnapped by South American drug dealers. Mike Black has to find his wife while fighting off a take-over attempt, and solve a murder with political implications, only to find that there is one man behind it all.
Customer Reviews:
Myrah's Thoughts.......2006-11-24
Payback by Roy Glenn was brilliant I have never heard of Roy Glenn Until I read Payback I am now a Roy Glenn fan and I will continue to buy any books by him.
:(.......2006-10-21
This book sucks, I don't see how Roy Glenn got a book deal. I could have wrote better. DON'T BUY IT
It is all about PayBack.......2006-08-02
The title says it best. This one of the best book I have read. It is one of those that you think you have it all figured out then you dont. If you like suspense you love this book.
He Did it again.......2006-03-25
If you read the other books Its a Crime, Mob, Drug Related you are gonna love Payback. Roy Glenn has really outdone himself in all of these books. He made you feel like Black, Shy, Bobby, Freeze, Nick and Wanda were people you knew for real. I had an Idea it was Melinda cause the chick had issues. Pam should of shot Bobby's ass. Freeze was the man I loved him. I'm just waiting patiently for the next one. So go out and get these good books you will not be disappointed. At all
Roy Glenn did it again!.......2006-02-18
This was a must read. if you liked Drug Related, you'll love this! Throughout this book I questioned everyone. Who kidnapped Black's wife, Shy? What was Bobby keeping form Black? Who is the women who wants Shy killed? This was a suspense novel for real. Now, I am good at seeing foreshadowing in a novel, but thios one, I was soo off. If you are a Mike Black fan, do you remember the chick he was with before Shy? Well that's all I am going to say. This book was hot. It's as if you are with them through all the drama.
Book Description
Within the infamous underworld of Bridgeport, CT dwells Cream and War, childhood partners who stay on the grind 24-7. Everyday is a hustle, so everyday is hectic. In the midst of doing daily dirt they encounter Tiara, a blazin' beauty hailing out of Brooklyn, NY who has just moved to the Terrace Garden Projects. Looks can be deceiving. Tiara rolls with an all female squad of vigilante cut-throats that hold the power to either redeem or destroy their lives.
PAYBACK'S A BITCH is certified intelligent gangsta! It's the first epic tale of the Woman Hood series. In this cinema-in-ink styled novel, the author Marcus Spears submerges readers into the notorious realm of BPT, CT a city where the motto "Two wrongs don't make it right, it makes it even" originated. Now pull up your jeans or tighten your bra strap as you learn that in the center of all lies, lies the truth and whatever you do...never put too much trust in friends!
Customer Reviews:
Great Book!.......2006-06-20
I am from the same hometown as Marcus Spears, and I know and relate to the things that he talk about in his first book, Payback's a Bitch. Because of everything that was going on back home, growing up around the corner from the Infamous Father Panik Village that he talks about in the book and all the negativity that was going on in the hood, I left, joined the military and got out of there quick. I may not have been one of the safest moves that I ever made, but I can say that it was the smartest. Everytime that I come home, the same pepole that I grew up with are still doing the same things that they were doing when I left.
I commend Marcus greatly for writing this book and exposing the life that we all endured coming up in the mean streets of Bridgeport, and letting them all know that it's a lot that we endured in our lives growing up there.
Paybacks always a BITCH.......2006-03-16
I enjoyed the book and look forward to the sequel.I found myself
scimming over some of the dialog from Ma because it tended to go on and on but all in all the book was a good read and I look forward to finding out what payback Mende will get.
Ok Read.......2006-03-03
I read this book in one night, but only to get to the second book to see if it was any better. Instead of 3 stars, I give it 2 1/2.
Balance.......2006-02-11
Cash rules everything around me and in Bridgeport Connecticut there is no difference. In this first episode, Payback's A Bitch we're introduced to childhood friends Cream, Warren a.k.a War and Drench. Cream is known for hustling hustlers, War is a big time womanizer and poor Drench is a broke weed head. The three friends are all products of their environment and find themselves in "the garden" preparing to extract revenge on a small time hustler.
Just as the conspiracy opens up the readers are introduced to `the Woman Hood' a sexy hit squad that deals payback instead of dope. The all female militia take a special interest in Cream and War.
Payback's A Bitch is a terrific book with an assortment of drugs, sex, lies, betrayal, violence, politics and corruption.
I particularly like the way Marcus Spears illustrates a sense of hope and planning to rebuild and restructure the hoods. I cannot wait to read more about the `Woman Hood', they have me completely open.
Reviewed by: Crystal
"GIVE IT UP FOR THE PORT".......2005-06-14
PAYBACKS A B****,ISN'T IT.WRITTEN STRAIGHT FROM BRIDGEPORT CT.MARCUS SPEARS WHO HUNG OUT IN MY HOOD WHICH IS THE EASTEND OF BPT,KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT,HIS NOVEL IS OFF THE HOOK,AND I'M NOT SAYING IT BECAUSE HE'S FROM MY CITY,OR BECAUSE I MY PEOPLES AND FAMILY KNOW HIM,I'M GONNA TELL THE READERS TO READ AND FIND OUT,BECAUSE IT IS OFF THE HOOK.CREAM,WAR,MATI,SHELL,KALI,AND THE REST OF THE CHARACTERS ARE HOOD,AND TELL ABOUT SOME OF THE BEST HOODS IN BRIDGEPORT CT,AND NEW YORK.THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ,AND IT IS HOT.MARCUS SPEARS,I LOVED WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT THE BIG EASTEND.AND THE SHOUT OUT TO NEWFIELD PARK,THATS MY PARK YO,KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.AND IF ANYONE HASN'T READ THIS BOOK I RECCOMMAND IT.
YOU WILL FIND OUT THAT PAYBACK IS A B****
From the Publisher
Leading Conservative Economist Explodes the Myths of the "Decade of Greed" and Investigates the Conspiracy Against Michael Milken and Drexel Burnham
In his controversial new book,
Payback: The Conspiracy to Destroy Michael Milken and His Financial Revolution, Daniel Fischel, a prominent conservative economist and advisor to both leading figures in the financial world and the government, challenges what he calls the myths of the "Age of Greed," taking on the popular notions of the causes and villains of the 1980s financial crises and standing them on their heads. Fischel draws on his expertise in economics and his first hand experiences of Wall Street in the eighties to write a revisionist history of the events and characters that resulted in the defining moments of that decade: the prosecutions and downfall of the leading figures of the junk bond industry, Michael Milken and Drexel, and the S&L crisis that cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
Fischel makes a compelling argument that Milken, Drexel, and others in the junk bond business that fueled the corporate takeover frenzy in the eighties were not the villains that the government and press made them out to be. Rather, the financial innovations championed by these young Turks of Wall Street, such as junk bonds and leveraged buyouts, breathed new life into the stagnant investment banking world and helped produce a much-needed restructuring of the outdated American corporate system. A jealous and fearful financial establishment repaid Milken and Drexel for making them obsolete by waging an overwhelming propaganda campaign against them and enlisting the government and press in an "unholy alliance" to bring about their downfall. The book demonstrates that Milken was innocent and not guilty of any crimes, even the crimes he plead guilty to.
Fischel's extensive investigation leads the reader into the backgrounds, motivations, and actions of principal figures such as Milken, Ivan Boesky, Rudolph Guiliani, and Charles Keating, and guides us through the rhetoric and lies surrounding the unfolding drama of the rise and fall of the junk bond market and the crisis in the Savings and Loan industry. He also attacks Judge Ito for bungling the Charles Keating trial. Fischel's sophisticated and in-depth research of these events is devoid of academic jargon and accessible to the reader unfamiliar with the ins and outs of high finance.
His conclusion, that the U.S. government-not Milken, Drexel, or the other modern-day robber barons-was responsible for the economic dislocations that ensued, is certain to shock readers and force a reevaluation of the "Decade of Greed."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Daniel Fischel is a Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, and is affiliated with the economic consulting firm, Lexecon, Inc. His clients have included Michael Milken, Charles Keating, and David Paul, and he was involved in the prosecutions of James Sherwin and the Princeton/Newport defendants. He has also served as a consultant to the U.S. Justice Department, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission.
Customer Reviews:
No good deed goes unpunished.......2004-01-06
Michael Milken, so says David Kelley, has done more to help humanity than Mother Teresa ever did (it'd be interesting to hear what Christopher Hitchens has to say about it). He could be right; Milken's ideas about an overlooked "niche" in corporate paper - the region known as "junk" - turned the staid banking industry on its head, and in the process cleaned house in a number of other industries. MCI and McCaw cellular were created with Milken's help, and put an end to the AT&T monopoly; indeed, many people today are disconnecting their wireline phones as they talk on a cell and surf on a cable modem. T. Boone Pickens was able to bring the oil industry to a more rational level after it overbuilt for the 70's oil crisis. Ted Turner took a little TV concern in Atlanta to a nationwide audience, then went on to start CNN, and today the cable industry is far more interesting than the Big 3 networks.
In the process, Milken made many powerful enemies, who eventually turned to the federal government, and an ambitious prosecutor by the name of Rudolf Giuliani (who wanted to become Mayor of NY, NY) to pay Milken back. Milken's marketable and profitable bonds were known as junk because Standard & Poor's and Moody's services often overlook talent and entrepreneurial vigor in favor of longevity. It was only government interference in the market in the late 80's that brought down the market (by such atrocities as FIRREA); this fact did not stop critics of Savings and Loans from blaming Milken for that fiasco. Fischel explains the major S&L trials, as well as the Milken trial, and finds the government guilty of propping up an industry that was insolvent by 1980, made no sense after Congress bailed it out, and ultimately cost taxpayers more than if Congress had merely let it die in 1980.
Still, the conspiratorial tone is a little much, and Fischel accepts a fool's errand in trying to defend people whose names have become euphemisms for greed. People actually think that the Michael Douglass character in Wall Street, Gordon Gekko, was a real person. It would be worth reading Burton Folsom's _Myth of the Robber Barons_ and understand his differentiation between business entrepreneurs and political entrepreneurs before reading _Payback_.
Good counterweight but author out of his expertise.......2003-05-05
Watch out when an economist begins talking about law (or, like Posner, a lawyer talking about economics).
Another good book in this general line is Fenton Bailey's "Junk Bond Revolution". Very well written, probably by a ghostwriter.
A useful counterweight to conventional received wisdom, but, keep in mind, that experts are hired mouthpieces, and Alan Greenspan once testified on behalf of Charles Keating.
Very interesting, but doesn't live up to its title.......2001-05-15
I bought this book, looking for a history of Drexel and Milken, and what they did, and what junk bonds were.
I found a defense of Drexel and Milken, and a rebuttal of the charges against them.
Most of the book is a description of their trials, and how they defended, and how the charges were 'put up' by attorney Guilani.
But, I think the book went too far in the last 100 pages. Having run out of things to say about Drexel and Milken, the author diverted his attention to the Savings & Loan scandal, and has the gall to defend Charles Keating, and then go on to defend other S&L 'criminals'. What this has to do with Milken or Drexel is beyond me, and thus only the first 2/3rds of the book lives up to its title.
Also, he never concretes the evidence that there is a conspiracy, only that a top guy in government (who is jealous of Drexel), and Ralph Guilani, (not to mention the government's policies) are against Drexel.
Must read for one who is not afraid of the hurting truth.......1999-08-24
Payback - the conspiracy to destroy Michael Milken and his financial revolution is an outstanding book that changes your way of thinking about the american dream, the junk bond decade and I recommend it unconditionally to anyone who is willing to have a lot of conventional wisdom and preconceived ideas turned around.
The author starts with a strange question - is there something like too much wealth ? Is it embarassing to earn too much money in a short period of time. Is there something like if you are born like this you must utmost become that ?
This book is a story about a man who I believe was on the way to become the most important financial thinker in our 20th century, a man whou should be seen as a scholar more than as a businessman, in particular because he prooved what scholars before him erected as a hypothesis.
His crime: working unnormally long hours, thinking the impossible paths of financing, not considering the estalished rights of normal banks (which would after him cease to exist) and not bending over to the politicians who turned an industry, that should have been killed in the early 80s into a nightmare of dimensions never heard of before. Milken just helped to open ways to a new wave of shareholder- value-oriented management, and he helped to get the best result out of the S&L legislation, in principle just the way the politicians wanted it - only that they wanted to reverse everything after they had seen what had gone completely wrong,much too late at a much too high cost.
I admit I have always liked Mr Michael Milken, already in the late 80s, when he was convicted, beacause the accusations seemed not plausible. This book shows, that he was sentenced to 3 years in prison (not 10 as one so often reads) for a crime that n-o-b-o-d-y can commit, because it is not a crime. It was just an accusation and a judge who lost control over the PR-work of a selfish State attorney Ralph Guliani. I admit that since reading the book I also admire Mr Milken for his proof, what a man, his wife and chidren can endure.
Read this book just to show reverence to a great man of history who will never surrender, be it to unjustified accusations or to death in form of cancer, and to whom scholars in the next century will look as a magnificent thinker of the last century.
Dr. Rudolf C. King
Payback: A Must Read!.......1999-04-16
Mr. Fischel does an excellent job explaining what exactly happened with high-yield financing by Drexel Burham Lambert (Milken) in the 1980's. The book also goes into great detail about how Milkens financing of raiders helped evict the "entrenched" risk averse management of many US companies. These managers filled with anger and evny, join with their former college buddies (such as Nick Brady) to form an unholy alliance and stop Milken, Pickens, Icahn and their ilk. Mr. Fischel also describes in great detail of how a zealous prosectuor named Guiliani stopped at nothing to get Milken, et. al so he could boost his chances at the 1989 mayoral race in NYC. Fischel also speaks of some anti-semitism that might have been behind this. The book doesn't make apologies for most of what transpired on Wall St. in this era. Fischel declares Boesky and Levine to be "crooks" and shows no quarter when it comes to any of the other thieves who profited from insider trading. However, he justifies what Milken did to improve the US economy both then and now. The book also talks about Keating and the S&L problem. A great book, I couldn't put it down!!!
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