Ray Bradbury, Arthur Clarke, James Clavell, William Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald, C.S. Forester, Ernst Hemingway, Stephen King, James Michener, John Steinbeck, Leon Uris and Herman Wouk.
What do they have in common? They all are good books found in used book stores that make excellent investments, and sometimes can be resold the same day for lots of cash. There is no mistake. Good books, bring big dollars. But, more important then cash, these books are collectible because first, and foremost, they are great reads.
These are the names of American Literature. These are the sure fire sellers in all bookstores. Everyday readers discovers these authors and is overwhelmed by the quality of their work and their individual gifts to captivate the reader in their world on wonder.
Pick up any book by Charles Dickens and read it. Give it a try. You will be overwhelmed and the power of this writer who worked with ink and a pen quill. Very little reference material if any. No spell checker. Nothing. Just beautiful words written with such a flowing grace that you are carried into a special world.
Why do people return to the classics?
Because the quality of their writing is of such elegance that it can’t be compared to some of the modern fiction writers of today.
An excerpt from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens:
I discovered afterwards that Miss Lavinia was an authority in affairs of the heart, by reason of there having anciently existed a certain Mr. Pidger, who played short whist, and was supposed to have been enamoured of her. My private opinion is, that this was entirely a gratuitous assumption, and that Pidger was altogether innocent of any such sentiments - to which he had never given any sort of expression that I could ever hear of. Both Miss Lavinia and Miss Clarissa had a superstition, however, that he would have declared his passion, if he had not been cut short in his youth (at about sixty) by over-drinking his constitution, and over-doing an attempt to set it right again by swilling Bath water. They had a lurking suspicion even, that he died of secret love; though I must say there was a picture of him in the house with a damask nose, which concealment did not appear to have ever preyed upon.
Wonderful!
All riled up and overstressed, the auto industry as it sails through the intimidating high tide of economic battery, alarmed and defensive automakers attempt to salvage the best out of the bad times. This also seems to be an opportune moment for a review of the industrial events as they unfold, and to gain insights in to the hows and whys. And then, to march ahead with a perked up grit, coupled with an approach that signifies a paradigm shift, perhaps.
Authored by Graeme P. Maxton and John Wormald, both seasoned industry veterans, the book “Time for a Model Change: Re-engineering the Global Automotive Industry” delves deep into the unsystematic thinking, and unsynchronized approach that ails the industry as a whole, both the auto manufacturers and the auto parts sector.
The development of the automotive industry has turned out to be the one of the most significant industrial phenomenon of the previous century, that’s impacted the society like no other. And it continues to be one, as it makes up for more than 11% of the GDP of Europe, North America, and Japan. This means that a one in nine people are employed by the industry.
The reader, throughout the journey of its reading would encounter broad, new, practical, critical, and far reaching recommendations meant to ensure the industry’s sustainability, by satisfying its myriad stakeholders.
The book takes the reader on and intriguing voyage bit by bit, here’s the rundown of the contents.
1. From automania to maturity: in the main markets at least
2. The problems that can be fixed: dealing with noxious emissions, traffic accidents and congestion
3. The global resource challenges: energy and space
4. A global industry: the changing international order
5. The supplier industry: the catalyst for the profound changes to come
6. The downstream sales and service sector: the coming revolution
7. When the numbers don’t add up: an industry that doesn’t earn its keep
8. Choosing a future for the automotive industry
9. Time for a model change
The content is comprehensive and thoroughly researched, just as you would expect from the ace analysts. The critical analysis exposes the fallibility of the present system, but not without several eyeopening ideas as solutions. Further, since the coverage presents the automobile industry’s overview as a whole, and not its fragments, the text has universal appeal. For instance, the after markets are an ever expanding segment but are still fuel by obsolete standards of retailing. The authors explain this and point out the opportunities that lie within the sector.
All in all, the book appears to be a must read for one and all associated in any way with the industry, not to mention all those who’re simply interested.
To learn more about the book and auto industry in general, kindly visit my blog: “Automobile Hotspot.”