Polgar gives an insightful and illuminating examination of the human condition, and his prognosis is encouraging. We have the ability to reach out fullest potential despite the systematic obstruction of our parenting, emotional, and moral development. The underlying cause: aberrant behaviors that are a product of dysfunctional families perpetuated inter-generationally and precipitated by adverse, environmental conditions to which children are exposed prenatally and during their most crucial formative years. Polgar's solution is simple. Since the obstruction of our development is environmentally induced, we can achieve optimal development in our parenting abilities, moral reasoning and emotional intelligence by incrementally altering environmental conditions. Such a change must occur at the grass-roots level and culminate in a global coalition of like-minded people. He believes that such changes will take five generations to accomplish.

"Have you ever wondered why some people are addicts and others are not? TWO is the first book of four in the Freedom from Addiction series. This book takes you on the journey of two characters, Sally and Tom. They tell their story of addiction. Therapist Dr. Alexander Polgar comments on their experiences and provides an understanding of the nature of addiction. Readers will understand in a new and different way how addicts impact individuals, their friends, and families. This evidence-based psychosocial will explain how addicts are created and how this can be avoided. The number of addicts who become addicted is exponentially increasing. This is a global problem that requires an explanation on which relative prevention and intervention strategies can be based."--Amazon.

This second book, of four, in a trilogy about substance abuse tells the story, in the voice of addicted addict Sally, of the challenging journey to getting and staying abstinent from all intoxicants. The message is, that the journey is not easy and that there are several land mines along the way. The first purpose of this tale, therefore, is to warn people like Sally, and those who care about them, of the dangers, and then prepare them to manage successfully this difficult, but extremely rewarding process. The second purpose is to convey that the potential with which Sally, indeed each of us, is born, can only be activated when specific environmental conditions are present, including but certainly not limited to, getting, and staying, sober.

This very large 465 page book is actually 2 separate but closely related books bound together as one — an inspirational novel and a thought-provoking philosophy book. Together they tell the story of a bold and visionary group of people creating a highly advanced prototype community and way of life based upon applying a philosophy that believes in human potential rather than supernatural forces, helps individuals self-actualize, promotes values and responsibility for SELF, SOCIETY, & ENVIRONMENT; and creates harmonious communities in which human potential flourishes. This results in happy people doing great things and achieving a tremendous sense of enjoyment and accomplishment in the process (something we all seek). As the story unfolds, a bright progressive group of people in Colorado adopt this new philosophy, become part of the Potentialist Movement, and focus on how to fund and develop this highly advanced community. To meet the challenge, the founder (Freeman Valor Smith) convinces the Hollywood producer (Steven Spielman) that the story would make a good film, thus ingeniously getting the producer to make the development of the project possible by funding its construction as part of the cost of production. So the project gets underway. But the powerful editor of the local newspaper (Norman Sully) has a deep grudge against the founder and plans to totally disrupt the group's efforts — so he hires an attractive undercover reporter (Serene St. Haven) to infiltrate the group and dig up as much dirt as possible. But a romance ensues between the reporter and the founder that changes the situation dramatically. So the editor takes drastic measures on his own to sabotage the project. What results is an intricate web of romance, treachery, intrigue, and inspiration. With great courage, this resourceful group of Potentialists overcomes all obstacles and a BOLD NEW WORLD is created which shows what people with the right values in the right environment can accomplish.

Although the successful economic transformation and reform of China since the 1970s could be regarded as a triumph in human history, China has now entered into the New Normal Era and encountered some slow-down in recent years. The perspective of China's growth under the New Normal Era is relevant for both the domestic and global economies.As the third instalment of ACI's annual tracking of the dynamics of competitiveness for Greater China, this volume includes the rankings and simulation results at both the provincial and regional levels. These offer insights for policy-makers, industry leaders and other stakeholders in identifying challenges and opportunities for sound decision-making. As an important part in determining the success of China's structural change, agricultural productivity is also discussed in detail. Quantitative research is conducted to estimate the agricultural total factor productivity at the provincial level. This provides policy recommendations to help China achieve self-sufficiency in terms of agricultural products.

Policy-making for urban transport and planning of economies in the developing world present major challenges for countries facing rapid urbanisation and rampant motorisation, alongside growing commitments to sustainability. These challenges include: coping with financial deficits, providing for the poor, dealing meaningfully with global warming and energy shortages, addressing traffic congestion and related land use issues, adopting green technologies and adjusting equitably to the impacts of globalisation. This book presents a contemporary analysis of these challenges and new workable responses to the urban transport problems they spawn.