Germany’s economic miracle is a widely-known phenomenon, and the world-leading, innovative products and services associated with German companies are something that others seek to imitate. In The ’Made in Germany’Â’ Champion Brands, Ugesh A. Joseph provides an extensively researched, insightful look at over 200 of Germany’s best brands to see what they stand for, what has made them what they are today, and what might be transferable. The way Germany is branded as a nation carries across into the branding of its companies and services, particularly the global superstar brands - truly world-class in size, performance and reputation. Just as important are the medium-sized and small enterprises, known as the 'Mittelstand'. These innovative and successful enterprises from a wide range of industries and product / service categories are amongst the World market leaders in their own niche and play a huge part in making Germany what it is today. The book also focuses on German industrial entrepreneurship and a selection of innovative and emergent stars. All these companies are supported and encouraged by a sophisticated infrastructure of facilitators, influencers and enhancers - the research, industry, trade and standards organizations, the fairs and exhibitions and all the social and cultural factors that influence, enhance and add positive value to the country's image. Professionals or academics interested in business; entrepreneurship; branding and marketing; product or service development; international trade and business development policy, will find fascinating insights in this book; while those with an interest in Germany from emerging industrial economies will learn something of the secrets of German success.

From the bestselling author of The Ascent of Money and The Square and the Tower “A dazzling history of Western ideas.” —The Economist “Mr. Ferguson tells his story with characteristic verve and an eye for the felicitous phrase.” —Wall Street Journal “[W]ritten with vitality and verve . . . a tour de force.” —Boston Globe Western civilization’s rise to global dominance is the single most important historical phenomenon of the past five centuries. How did the West overtake its Eastern rivals? And has the zenith of Western power now passed? Acclaimed historian Niall Ferguson argues that beginning in the fifteenth century, the West developed six powerful new concepts, or “killer applications”—competition, science, the rule of law, modern medicine, consumerism, and the work ethic—that the Rest lacked, allowing it to surge past all other competitors. Yet now, Ferguson shows how the Rest have downloaded the killer apps the West once monopolized, while the West has literally lost faith in itself. Chronicling the rise and fall of empires alongside clashes (and fusions) of civilizations, Civilization: The West and the Rest recasts world history with force and wit. Boldly argued and teeming with memorable characters, this is Ferguson at his very best.

"One of the most visionary writers of his generation, Ginsberg was also a photographer. From 1953 to 1963 he frequently had his camera close by when he was with friends in his apartment or traveling with them, ready to record 'certain moments in eternity, ' as he wrote. For years many of these photographs languished among Ginsberg's papers. When he finally recovered them in the 1980s, he reprinted them and added handwritten narrative inscriptions. Inspired by this early work, he began to photograph again, recording both long-time friends and new acquaintances. Some eighty of these photographs are collected and brilliantly reproduced in this book, which also features the first scholarly essay on Ginsberg's photographs, written by Sarah Greenough, addressing the relationship of his photographs to his poetry and to works by other photographers of the period. Ginsberg's photographs depict many of his contemporaries, including his closest friends and lovers, such as Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, Neal Cassady, Gregory Corso, and Peter Orlovsky. They capture days walking the streets of Manhattan, San Francisco, and Paris as well as grand tours of Africa and Asia."--Jacket flap.