The nations of Asia now make up more than half of the world's population. With increasingly affluent, educated middle classes and vigorous, innovative industries, they are more populous and powerful than ever before, and their influence on the rest of the world is only growing. Colin Mason provides a clear, readable introduction to their histories and traditions, from the Stone Age right up to the present day. This thoroughly revised, updated and expanded third edition contains new chapters on Mongolia, Nepal and Bhutan, separate expanded chapters on the South Asian nations, and revised chapters on all the modern states. A new introduction explores the nature and implications of the new politics of 'guided democracy', and the current clash between industrialisation and the consequences of climate change. Enriched with maps and a guide to further reading, this book is the essential guide to the history of a fascinating continent and its peoples.
The peoples of Asia now make up more than half of the world's population. They are increasingly well-educated, and successful in every area of modern trade and technology. Their influence in the rest of the world is also becoming greater. Colin Mason provides a readable and clear introduction to their history and traditions, from prehistory right up to the present day. This thoroughly revised, updated and expanded new edition includes the substantial changes and additions made necessary by the fast-changing scene in Asia, particularly China's increasing prominence in world affairs. There are new chapters on Afghanistan and Taiwan, and on World War Two and its significance in Asia, as well as extensive reworking of the chapters on the nations of South Asia. Maps and illustrations now also enrich the text throughout, making this the essential guide to the history of a fascinating continent and its peoples.
Small businesses in virtually all industrialized countries find it increasingly difficult to obtain finance from institutional sources. Banks have become more risk-averse; venture capital funds, previously of only marginal significance, are now often concentrating their investments on established companies; and management buyouts and buyins and pressures to reduce government spending have resulted in a reduction in public policy initiatives. In this context there is a growing interest in the role of the informal venture capital market as an alternative source of risk finance for small business. Informal Venture Capital: Investors, Investments and Policy Issues in Finland investigates the phenomenon of `business angels' - wealthy private individuals who invest in small businesses - who are increasingly recognized throughout the developed world as representing the most important source of venture capital for entrepreneurial businesses in their start-up and early growth stages. This volume answers key questions about these investors, and contributes significant new evidence on aspects of the informal venture capital market which have not been examined in previous studies. It further provides an authoritative assessment of the effectiveness of policy initiatives to stimulate the supply of informal venture capital, based on the experiences in Finland.
In an era of computers, it is rare to come across truly individual picture books. This is one! The Cat, the Bat and the Burglar is a beautifully hand illustrated work by writer and artist Colin Edward Mason. He is both the author, calligapher and illustrator of this delightful work. The Cat the Bat and the Burglar draws its inspiration from illuminated manuscripts and Victorian cautionary rhymes to produce an adorable tale in verse that will delight readers of all ages. Published for the first time by the Realm of Photahsiamirabel, Colin hopes you will enjoy this, his first complete illustrated story. The Cat, the Bat and the Burglar is also available from Lulu in larger hardback and A4 comic book formats.
This is a straightforward, readable look at the problems of the future, how they might interact, and what might be done about them. It is not designed for 'experts', but for everyone. The text ranges widely -- the risk of a nuclear 'incident', global warming, sea level rise, population growth, the influence of the sea and the poles, the risk of famine, and the threat of acute water shortages. Colin Mason, who wrote the international bestseller about the future The 2030 Spike, regards this book as an update to that one, and says he has done his best to make it as clear and concise as possible, free of notes, jargon and spin. If you have any interest in what your world, or your grandchild's world might be like, you ought to read this.
The peoples of Asia now make up more than half of the world's population. They are increasingly well-educated, and successful in every area of modern trade and technology. Their influence in the rest of the world is also becoming greater. Colin Mason provides a readable and clear introduction to their history and traditions, from prehistory right up to the present day. This thoroughly revised, updated and expanded new edition includes the substantial changes and additions made necessary by the fast-changing scene in Asia, particularly China's increasing prominence in world affairs. There are new chapters on Afghanistan and Taiwan, and on World War Two and its significance in Asia, as well as extensive reworking of the chapters on the nations of South Asia. Maps and illustrations now also enrich the text throughout, making this the essential guide to the history of a fascinating continent and its peoples.
For thousands of years daily life and work in Asia wove patterns that seemed changeless and timeless. During those centuries the life of each generation varied little from those that came before and followed it. Populations stayed in balance. Growth was slow. Now, the twentieth century has brought rapid and radical change.
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