Author:J E Gordon
Why isn't wood weaker that it is? Why isn't steel stronger? Why does glass sometimes shatter and sometimes bend like spring? Why do ships break in half? What is a liquid and is treacle one? All these are questions about the nature of materials. All of them are vital to engineers but also fascinating as scientific problems. During the 250 years up to the 1920s and 1930s they had been answered largely by seeing how materials behaved in practice. But materials continued to do things that they "ought" not to have done. Only in the last 40 years have these questions begun to be answered by a new approach. Material scientists have started to look more deeply into the make-up of materials. They have found many surprises; above all, perhaps, that how a material behaves depends on how perfectly - or imperfectly - its atoms are arranged. Using both SI and imperial units, Professor Gordon's account of material science is a demonstration of the sometimes curious and entertaining ways in which scientists isolate and solve problems.
The Conversation is an extraordinarily timely book. Just as companies and organizations in the U.S. and around the world are focusing anew on the entrenched bias in their culture, The Conversation comes along to offer a path forward. Livingston has digested his authoritative understanding of the science into a remarkably approachable volume, one that is animated by his storytelling and voice on the page. The Conversation is a major achievement, one that is poised to play a significant role in improving our understanding about bias and addressing systemic racism in the workplace
—— Robin J. Ely, Diane Doerge Wilson Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business SchoolSocial justice is a long game, and it has to start with awareness of the problem. Dr. Livingston's book, just like his live presentations, is one of the most compelling articulations of the problems of racism and discrimination that I have encountered. As I've seen in my work with organizations like Airbnb, when a company is prepared to do serious work, the results can be extraordinary. This wonderful book is the place to start. The Conversation manages to be both intellectually compelling and substantive while also being infused with warmth and humor, just like Robert. I highly recommend it
—— Laura W. Murphy, civil rights activist, consultant, and former director, ACLU Washington Legislative OfficeAs a product and business innovator, I like to think about how to design globally and execute locally. This maxim is just as true when it comes to a company's culture. Candid conversations are among the best ways to dispel myths and false narratives around diversity that hold us back, but we needfactual information and a framework. The Conversation offers exactly that. This book should be required reading for leaders and all those who share the goal of a more equitable future
—— William P. Gipson, retired Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Procter & GambleI met Dr. Livingston in 2013 when he made the first of many trips to Asheville to educate our county and city leaders on how racism shows up in organizations. His presentation awakened us to what was possible if we had the courage and commitment to do the work. Fast forward to today and the progress that Asheville and Buncombe County have made toward reparations and greater racial equity, and you can see Robert's handprint in shaping this change. The Conversation is a testament to Dr. Livingston's storytelling skill as he deftly weaves research with vivid examples to make the case for how and why change is possible. This book is a must read
—— Lisa Eby, Former Human Resources and Community Engagement Director, Buncombe County GovernmentAfter devoting decades of his life working to end systemic racism, Livingston speaks not only with authority but with a refreshing optimism. The thousands of hours he has spent with community leaders across the country have shown that when conversations are candid and respectful, Americans can indeed come together
—— David Gergen, CNN Political Analyst, Adviser to Four US Presidents, and Professor of Public Service at the Harvard Kennedy SchoolSystematic racism is a part of our past, sadly part of our present and will be part of our future if we don't educate ourselves on its realities. We all need to seek the truth and be willing to have the uncomfortable conversations necessary to transform ourselves and our organizations. Livingston's thoughtful and instructive book will help us all start these important conversations
—— Mike Kaufman, CEO, Cardinal HealthRobert Livingston makes an absolutely critical contribution to the much needed efforts to understand and combat racism in the corporate realm. This is compulsory reading for all serious leaders and people who aspire to lead
—— Nels Abbey, author of Think Like A White ManA one-stop resource for anyone wanting to understand the causes and manifestations of racism, to examine their own biases - and know what works to advance racial equity at work
—— Financial TimesThis book is a great effort to dig the challenges out of the back office of procurement and bring to the fore the opportunities for improvement... If you want to improve your chances of not being done by Bad Buying, there's no better place than this book to see what the risks are and begin to understand how to avoid them
—— Charles Findlay, Director, State of FluxCovid-19 restrictions have put the spotlight on global supply chains and the difficulties caused when everybody wants to buy the same thing at the same time. Peter's book highlights where buying can go catastrophically wrong and how to avoid these pitfalls. Had this been published pre-Covid, some of the recent c*ck-ups and waste might have been avoided. It's a must read for the public and private sector alike
—— Lt-Gen. Sir Andrew Gregory, Controller, SSAFAIn turns informative, shocking and amusing, Bad Buying explores the career-limiting catastrophes to avoid and sets out a vision for better buying, not only stewarding finances responsibly but also supporting the firm's purpose and place in the community
—— Stuart Brocklehurst, CEO, Applegate Marketplace LtdBad Buying has a rich set of examples of both corrupt practices and unintentional but costly and wasteful mistakes made by business professionals. With trillions spent by organisations buying goods and services, every executive who is involved in or oversees those processes needs to make this a must read
—— Raj Sharma, Founder and CEO, Public Spend ForumA must read for Boards, CEOs and Governments. The case studies remind us all that there is 'no such thing as a free lunch' and 'if it's too good to be true it usually is'. Buyer beware, and never underestimate you stakeholder or your suppliers. Instead, build relationships and trust
—— Lucy Harding, Partner and Global Head of Practice, Odgers BerndtsonPurchasing plays such an important role in business success, but is also one of the least understood activities. Using case studies from around the globe, Bad Buying has illuminated how and why organisations can get it wrong when it comes to spending money with suppliers. This is a timely, informative and highly entertaining read!
—— Nandini Basuthakur, CEO, Procurement LeadersA highly readable reminder of how greed and gullibility so often go together, and why we need good investigative journalism to keep reminding us that if the pitch (and the person doing the pitch) look just too good to be true there is probably something fishy going on behind the scenes
—— Professor Sir David Omand, former director of GCHQ and author of How Spies ThinkAn emphatic indictment of the 'expert class' people who think agility with numbers is somehow equivalent to wisdom and morality
—— Duff McDonald, author of The Golden PassportPacked full with amazing examples
—— Jeremy Vine, BBC Radio 2Colossal, costly disasters could be averted if those holding the purse strings read this book
An edgy multi-layered mystery with an unforgettable opening and one suspect after another. The goings on in the detectives' private lives were just as fascinating as the main story. The characters were so well-rounded they felt real. I didn't want this story to end.
—— Allie Reynolds, author of ShiverThe shocking opening hooked me in and the twists and turns kept me furiously turning the pages, desperate to know how the story would unfold. Lie Beside Me is a clever and compelling thriller, with a fantastic cast of characters you'll want to spend time with. I loved it
—— Lisa Gray, bestselling author of Thin AirSuperbly plotted and and relentlessly pacy, Lie Beside Me is hands-down her best yet. From its grab-you-by-the-throat opening to its truly shocking conclusion, Lie Beside Me will have you second-guessing everyone and everything. This really is a series going from strength to strength
—— Caz Frear, Richard and Judy bestselling author of Sweet Little LiesThrilling
—— My WeeklyPraise for Gytha Lodge
—— :A novel that literally makes you hold your breath then gasp out loud
—— Val McDermidAn excellent detective novel. The opening scene is superb, and sets up the story beautifully. Gripping, multi-layered and fresh. Terrific
—— Will Dean , author of Dark PinesAn absolute gem - I was hooked from the first page
—— Jo Jakeman , author of Sticks and Stones