Richard L. Smith - Böcker

Global Trade in the Premodern World offers an authoritative and expansive history of exchange and interaction across Eurasia from the prehistoric origins of trade to the integration of large parts of this world-system by the fifteenth century CE.The book tackles questions that are critical to our understanding of premodern globalization. How did global trade in the premodern world take shape? Who did the trading and what motivated them? Which commodities were traded and how did different goods influence how trading networks functioned? How did geography change how and where people carried goods? How did states and communities seek to control the practice of commerce? And finally, what was the impact of trade on political structures and in the relationship between different states, empires, and communities?Drawing on the fruits of research in history, anthropology, and archaeology, as well as primary sources produced by authors from Africa, Asia, and Europe, Global Trade in the Premodern World is a book of remarkable scope written engagingly and accessibly with scholars, students, and non-specialists in mind.

Global Trade in the Premodern World offers an authoritative and expansive history of exchange and interaction across Eurasia from the prehistoric origins of trade to the integration of large parts of this world-system by the fifteenth century CE.The book tackles questions that are critical to our understanding of premodern globalization. How did global trade in the premodern world take shape? Who did the trading and what motivated them? Which commodities were traded and how did different goods influence how trading networks functioned? How did geography change how and where people carried goods? How did states and communities seek to control the practice of commerce? And finally, what was the impact of trade on political structures and in the relationship between different states, empires, and communities?Drawing on the fruits of research in history, anthropology, and archaeology, as well as primary sources produced by authors from Africa, Asia, and Europe, Global Trade in the Premodern World is a book of remarkable scope written engagingly and accessibly with scholars, students, and non-specialists in mind.

Trade and commerce are among the oldest, most pervasive, and most important of human activities, serving as engines for change in many other human endeavors. This far-reaching study examines the key theme of trading in world history, from the earliest signs of trade until the long-distance trade systems such as the famous Silk Road were firmly established. Beginning with a general background on the mechanism of trade, Richard L. Smith addresses such basic issues as how and why people trade, and what purpose trade serves. The book then traces the development of long-distance trade, from its beginnings in the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods through early river valley civilizations and the rise of great empires, to the evolution of vast trade systems that tied different zones together.Topics covered include:• products that were traded and why;• the relationship between political authorities and trade;• the rise and fall of Bronze Age commerce;• the development of a maritime system centered on the Indian Ocean stretching from the Mediterranean to the South China Sea;• the integration of China into the world system and the creation of the Silk Road;• the transition to a modern commercial system.Complete with maps for clear visual illustration, this vital contribution to the study of World History brings the story of trade in the premodern period vividly to life.

Trade and commerce are among the oldest, most pervasive, and most important of human activities, serving as engines for change in many other human endeavors. This far-reaching study examines the key theme of trading in world history, from the earliest signs of trade until the long-distance trade systems such as the famous Silk Road were firmly established. Beginning with a general background on the mechanism of trade, Richard L. Smith addresses such basic issues as how and why people trade, and what purpose trade serves. The book then traces the development of long-distance trade, from its beginnings in the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods through early river valley civilizations and the rise of great empires, to the evolution of vast trade systems that tied different zones together.Topics covered include:• products that were traded and why;• the relationship between political authorities and trade;• the rise and fall of Bronze Age commerce;• the development of a maritime system centered on the Indian Ocean stretching from the Mediterranean to the South China Sea;• the integration of China into the world system and the creation of the Silk Road;• the transition to a modern commercial system.Complete with maps for clear visual illustration, this vital contribution to the study of World History brings the story of trade in the premodern period vividly to life.

Introduction to Supercritical Fluids, Second Edition provides an accessible overview of elementary supercritical fluid processes (extraction, particle formation, mass transfer, heat exchangers, phase equilibrium, chemical reaction equilibrium) supported by easy-to-use Excel spreadsheets suitable for both specialized-discipline (chemistry or chemical engineering student) and mixed-discipline (engineering/economic student) classes. Each chapter contains worked examples, tip boxes and end-of-the-chapter problems and projects.Part I covers web-based chemical information resources, applications and simplified theory presented in a way that allows students of all disciplines to delve into the properties of supercritical fluids and to design energy, extraction and materials formation systems for real-world processes that use supercritical water or supercritical carbon dioxide.Part II takes a practical approach and addresses the thermodynamic framework, equations of state, fluid phase equilibria, mass transfer (newly added), heat transfer and cycle analysis (newly added), chemical equilibria and reaction kinetics of supercritical fluids. Spreadsheets are arranged as Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) functions and macros that are completely (source code) accessible for students who have interest in developing their own programs. Programming is not required to solve problems or to complete projects in the text.Introduction to Supercritical Fluids, Second Edition is written primarily for graduate students and researchers in chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science.

Provides an overview of elementary supercritical fluid processes (extraction, particle formation, heat exchangers, phase equilibrium, chemical reaction equilibrium)Each chapter contains practical activities with worked examples, tip boxes and end-of-the-chapter problems and projects for the readerContains new and updated worked examples suitable for both introductory and advanced level students and fully updated Excel VBA Worksheet functions that can be used "as-is" to perform "hands-on" calculations, simulations and analyses of supercritical fluid processes and allow users to design their own processesIncludes helpful teaching aids that will simplify instruction of both introductory level students and advanced students about the merits and applications of supercritical fluidsFluid phase equilibria and chemical equilibria worksheets allow users to change conditions, study new solutes, co-solvents, chemical systems, or reactionsNew to this edition: New comprehensive chapters or sections on Mass transfer, Heat Transfer, Pinch analysis, AI-assisted approaches, Commercial applications, Phase Behavior, with all previous material and VBA Worksheets being fully updatedNew improved comprehensive property calculation worksheets for water and carbon dioxide that simplify teaching of supercritical fluid properties to large classes

Entrepreneurial Finance: Strategy, Valuation, and Deal Structure applies the theory and methods of finance and economics to the rapidly evolving field of entrepreneurial finance. This approach reveals how entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and outside investors can rely on academic foundations as a framework to guide decision making.Unlike other texts, this book prepares readers for a wide variety of situations and problems that stakeholders might confront in an entrepreneurial venture. Readers will find a unique and direct focus on value creation as the objective of each strategic and financial choice that an entrepreneur or investor makes. The authors specifically address the influences of risk and uncertainty on new venture success, devoting substantial attention to methods of financial modeling and contract design. Finally, the authors provide a comprehensive survey of approaches to new venture valuation, with an emphasis on applications.The book appeals to a wide range of teaching and learning preferences. To help bring the book to life, simulation exercises appear throughout the text. For those who favor the case method, the authors provide a series of interactive cases that correspond with the book chapters, as well as suggestions for published cases. Finally, the book is organized to complement the development of a business plan for those who wish to create one as they read along.Entrepreneurial Finance is most effectively used in conjunction with a companion website, http://www.sup.org/entrepreneurialfinance. On this site, Venture.Sim simulation software, spreadsheets, templates, simulation applications, interactive cases, and tutorials are available for download. For those teaching from the book, the authors also provide an invaluable suite of instructor's resources.

Entrepreneurial Finance: Venture Capital, Deal Structure & Valuation, Second Edition illustrates how the theory and methods of finance and economics can be used to guide strategic decision-making. This text prepares readers for a variety of situations that confront stakeholders in the rapidly evolving fields of entrepreneurial finance and venture capital, outlining ways to think from the investor's and entrepreneur's perspectives. Readers will find a unique and direct focus on value creation as the objective of each strategic and financial choice. The authors specifically address the influences of risk and uncertainty on new venture success and investment performance, devoting substantial attention to methods of financial modeling and contract design. Finally, they provide a comprehensive survey of approaches to new venture valuation, with an emphasis on applications.The second edition is thoroughly revised to reflect new data, research, and changes in practice in this fast-moving field. It has an increased focus on venture capital, while maintaining its hallmark coverage of the financial aspects of entrepreneurship. Updates throughout address technological changes that have the potential to dramatically change the landscape for finance, such as recent innovations in contracting for early-stage ventures, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and Internet connectivity. Lastly, the book offers a companion website with a useful suite of resources for students and instructors alike, including spreadsheets, templates, simulation applications, and interactive cases and tutorials.