Cpg Quick Reference Guide: Fill & Download for Free

First, for quick reference you can refer to these 2 Wikipedia articles for rudimentary understanding the job function we are talking about:IBM Global ServicesInformation technology consultingNow coming to my personal experience about what I do being in IBM GBS for the last 4.5 years: We basically provide solutions to clients related to IT. Say a big MNC X which may be from either of Telecom, Banking or CPG industry, wants to implement some automation with the help of some softwares for their business activities in order to ease the process/ make it more accurate/ enhancing user experience. Now here’s where the firms like IBM GBS comes into play. They will analyze the requirements of the clients & advice or guide them in selecting & implementing the best solution to meet their needs in a cost effective way, in lieu of which they will charge a consultancy fee from the client.

"Adulteration" is a legal term meaning that a food product fails to meetfederal or state standards. Adulteration usually refers to noncompliancewith health or safety standards as determined, in the United States, bythe FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).1938 - Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic ActThe Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act (1938) provides that foodis "adulterated" if it meets any one of the following criteria: (1) itbears or contains any "poisonous or deleterious substance" which mayrender it injurious to health; (2) it bears or contains any addedpoisonous or added deleterious substance (other than a pesticide residue,food additive, color additive, or new animal drug, which are covered byseparate provisions) that is unsafe; (3) its container is composed, inwhole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance which mayrender the contents injurious to health; or (4) it bears or contains apesticide chemical residue that is unsafe. (Note: The United StatesEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes tolerances forpesticide residues in foods, which are enforced by the FDA.)Food also meets the definition of adulteration if: (5) it is, or it bearsor contains, an unsafe food additive; (6) it is, or it bears or contains,an unsafe new animal drug; (7) it is, or it bears or contains, an unsafecolor additive; (8) it consists, in whole or in part, of "any filthy,putrid, or decomposed substance" or is otherwise unfit for food; or (9)it has been prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions(insect, rodent, or bird infestation) whereby it may have becomecontaminated with filth or rendered injurious to health.Further, food is considered adulterated if: (10) it has been irradiatedand the irradiation processing was not done in conformity with aregulation permitting irradiation of the food in question (the FDA hasapproved irradiation of a number of foods, including refrigerated orfrozen uncooked meat, fresh or frozen uncooked poultry, and seeds forsprouting [21 C.F.R. Part 179].); (11) it contains a dietary ingredientthat presents a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injuryunder the conditions of use recommended in labeling (for example, foodsor dietary supplements containing aristolochic acids, which have beenlinked to kidney failure, have been banned.); (12) a valuable constituenthas been omitted in whole or in part or replaced with another substance;damage or inferiority has been concealed in any manner; or a substancehas been added to increase the product's bulk or weight, reduce itsquality or strength, or make it appear of greater value than it is (thisis "economic adulteration"); or (13) it is offered for import into theUnited States and is a food that has previously been refused admission,unless the person reoffering the food establishes that it is incompliance with U.S. law [21 U.S.C. § 342].Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection ActThe Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Actof 1957 contain similar provisions for meat and poultry products. [21U.S.C. § 453(g), 601(m).Poisonous or deleterious substancesGenerally, if a food contains a poisonous or deleterious substance thatmay render it injurious to health. It can cause various harms. It isadulterated. For example, apple cider contaminated with E. coli O157:H7and Brie cheese contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes are adulterated.There are two exceptions to this general rule. First, if the poisonoussubstance is inherent or naturally occurring and its quantity in the fooddoes not ordinarily render it injurious to health, the food will not beconsidered adulterated. Thus, a food that contains a natural toxin atvery low levels that would not ordinarily be harmful (for instance, smallamounts of amygdalin in apricot kernels) is not adulterated.Second, if the poisonous or deleterious substance is unavoidable and iswithin an established tolerance, regulatory limit, or action level, thefood will not be deemed to be adulterated. Tolerances and regulatorylimits are thresholds above which a food will be considered adulterated.They are binding on FDA, the food industry, and the courts. Action levelsare limits at or above which FDA may regard food as adulterated. They arenot binding on FDA. FDA has established numerous action levels (forexample, one part per million methyl mercury in fish), which are setforth in its booklet Action Levels for Poisonous or DeleteriousSubstances in Human Food and Animal Feed.If a food contains a poisonous substance in excess of a tolerance,regulatory limit, or action level, mixing it with "clean" food to reducethe level of contamination is not allowed. The deliberate mixing ofadulterated food with good food renders the finished product adulterated(FDA, Compliance Policy Guide [CPG § 555.200]).Filth and foreign matterFilth and extraneous material include any objectionable substances infoods, such as foreign matter (for example, glass, metal, plastic, wood,stones, sand, cigarette butts), undesirable parts of the raw plantmaterial (such as stems, pits in pitted olives, pieces of shell in cannedoysters), and filth (namely, mold, rot, insect and rodent parts, excreta,decomposition). Under a strict reading of the FD&C Act, any amount offilth in a food would render it a, however, authorize the agency to issueDefect Action Levels (DALs) for natural, unavoidable defects that at lowlevels do not pose a human health hazard [21 C.F.R. § 110.110]. TheseDALs are advisory only; they do not have the force of law and do not bindFDA. DALs are set forth in FDA's Compliance Policy Guides and arecompiled in the FDA and Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition(CFSAN) Defect Action Level Handbook.In most cases, DALs are food-specific and defect-specific. For example,the DAL for insect fragments in peanut butter is an average of thirty ormore insect fragments per 100 grams (g) [CPG § 570.300]. In the case ofhard or sharp foreign objects, the DAL, which is based on the size of theobject and the likelihood it will pose a risk of choking or injury,applies to all foods (see CPG § 555.425).Economic adulterationA food is adulterated if it omits a valuable constituent or substitutesanother substance, in whole or in part, for a valuable constituent (forinstance, olive oil diluted with tea tree oil); conceals damage orinferiority in any manner (such as fresh fruit with food coloring on itssurface to conceal defects); or any substance has been added to it orpacked with it to increase its bulk or weight, reduce its quality orstrength, or make it appear bigger or of greater value than it is (forexample, scallops to which water has been added to make them heavier).Microbiological contamination and adulterationThe fact that a food is contaminated with pathogens (harmfulmicroorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or protozoa) may, or may not,render it adulterated. Generally, for ready-to-eat foods, the presence ofpathogens will render the food adulterated. For example, the presence ofSalmonella on fresh fruits or vegetables or in ready-to-eat meat orpoultry products (such as luncheon meats) will render those productsadulterated.For meat and poultry products, which are regulated by USDA, the rules aremore complicated. Ready-to-eat meat and poultry products contaminatedwith pathogens, such as Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes, areadulterated. (Note that hotdogs are considered ready-to-eat products.)For raw meat or poultry products, the presence of pathogens will notalways render a product adulterated (because raw meat and poultryproducts are intended to be cooked, and proper cooking should killpathogens). Raw poultry contaminated with Salmonella is not adulterated.However, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has ruled thatraw meat or poultry products contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 areadulterated. This is because normal cooking methods may not reduce E.coli O157:H7 below infectious levels. E. coli O157:H7 is the onlypathogen that is considered an adulterant when present in raw meat orpoultry products.Enforcement Actions against Adulterated FoodIf a food is adulterated, FDA and FSIS have a broad array of enforcementtools.They are of various types. These include seizing and condemning theproduct, detaining imported product, enjoining persons from manufacturingor distributing the product, or requesting a recall of the product.Enforcement action is usually preceded by a Warning Letter from FDA tothe manufacturer or distributor of the adulterated product. In the caseof an adulterated meat or poultry product, FSIS has certain additionalpowers. FSIS may suspend or withdraw federal inspection of an officialestablishment. Without federal inspection, an establishment may notproduce or process meat or poultry products, and therefore must ceaseoperations. With the exception of infant formula, neither FDA nor FSIShas the authority to require a company to recall an adulterated foodproduct. However, the ability to generate negative publicity gives themconsiderable powers of persuasion.State regulators generally have similar enforcement tools at theirdisposal to prevent the manufacture and distribution of adulterated food.In addition, many states have the authority to immediately embargoadulterated food and to impose civil fines. Federal agencies often willcoordinate with state or local authorities to remove unsafe food from themarket as quickly as possible.Food adulteration detectionFood Tea Leaves Adulterant Iron Flakes Detection Spread a small quantity(2 tea-spoon) of the sample on a piece of paper. Draw a magnet over it.Iron flakes, if present, cling to the magnet. The same test may becarried out to trace iron flakes from tea half-dust and iron filings fromtea dust. Food Tea Leaves Adulterant Leather Flakes Detection Prepare apaper-ball. Fire the ball and drop a little amount of the sample on it.The presence of leather flakes emits an odour of burnt leather. Food TeaLeaves Adulterant Coal Tar Dye Detection Scatter a little amount (1 teaspoon)of the sample on a moistened white blotting paper. After 5minutes, remove the sample and examine the paper. A revelation ofcoloured spots indicates the use of the dye. Food Coriander powder andCumin Powder Adulterant Saw Dust Detection Take a little amount (a halfof tea-spoon) of the sample. Sprinkle it on water in a bowl. Spice powdergets sedimented at the bottom and saw-dust floats on the surface. FoodGreen vegetables like Bitter Gourd, Green Chilli and others AdulterantMalachite Green Detection Take a small part of the sample and place it ona piece of moistened white blotting paper. The impression of colour onthe paper indicates the use of malachite green, or any other low pricedartificial colour. Food Arhar Pulse Adulterant Kesarri Pulse DetectionKesari Pulse has a characteristic wedge shape. Larger Kesari resemblesArhar (Tur). It can be separated by visual examination. Food Black PepperAdulterant Papaya Seeds Detection Papaya seeds do not have any smell andare relatively smaller in size. Adulteration of papaya seed with BlackPepper may be detected by way of visual examination as also by way ofsmelling. Food Rice Adulterant Earth, sand, grit, unhusked paddy, ricebran, talc, etc. Detection These adulterants may be detected visually andremoved by way of sorting, picking, and washing. Food Wheat AdulterantEarth, sand, grit, chopped straw, bran, unhusked grain, and seeds ofweeds. Detection These adulterants may be detected visually and removedby way of sorting, picking, and washing. CHEMICAL TESTFood Coffee powder Adulterant Cereal starch Detection Take a smallquantity (one-fourth of a tea-spoon) of the sample in a test tube and add3 ml of distilled water in it. Light a spirit lamp and heat the contentsto colourize. Add 33 ml of a solution of potassium permanganate andmuratic acid (1:1) to decolourize the mixture. The formation of bluecolour in mixture by addition of a drop of 1% aqueous solution of iodineindicated adulteration with starch. Food Coffee powder Adulterant Powderof scorched persimmon stones Detection Take a small quantity (1 teaspoon)of the sample and spread it on a moistened blotting paper. Pour onit, with much care, 3 ml of 2% aqueous solution of sodium carbonate. Ared colouration indicates the presence of powder of scorched persimmonstones in coffee powder. Food Jaggery Adulterant Sodium bicarbonateDetection Take a little amount (one-fourth of a tea-spoon) of the samplein a test tube. Add 3 ml of muratic acid. The presence of sodiumcarbonate or sodium bicarbonate effects effervescence. Food JaggeryAdulterant Metanil yellow colour Detection Take a little amount (onefourthof a tea-spoon) of the sample in a test tube. Add 3 ml of alcoholand shake the tube vigorously to mix up the contents. Pour 10 drops ofhydrochloric acid in it. A pink colouration indicates the presence ofmetanil yellow colour in jaggery.Food Asafoetida Adulterant Resin and colour Detection Take a littleamount of small parts of the sample in test tube. Add 3 ml of distilledwater and shake the tube gently. Pure asafoetida dissolves in water veryquickly and produces a milky white colour, but in case of adulterationwith a chemical colour the mixture turns to be coloured. The purity ofasafoetida may also be examined by taking a little amount of it on thetip of a force and placing the same on the flame of a spirit lamp.Asafoetida burns quickly, producing bright flame and leaving theimpurities behind.Food Gram powder Adulterant Kesari powder Detection Take a little amount(a half of a tea-spoon) of the sample in a test tube with 3 ml ofdistilled water. Add 3 ml of muratic acid. Immerse the tube in warmwater. Check the tube after 15 minutes. A violet colouration indicatesthe presence of Kesari powder in Gram powder.Food Gram powder Adulterant Metanil yellow colour Detection Take a smallquantity (a half of a tea-spoon) of the sample in a test tube. Add 3 mlof alcohol. Shake the tube to mix up the contents thoroughly. Add 10drops of hydrochloric acid in it. A pink colouration indicatesadulteration of gram powder with metanil yellow.Food Processed food, sweetmeat or syrup Adulterant Rhodamine B colourDetection The presence of this chemical colour in food is very easy todetect as it shines very brightly under sun. A more precise methods ofdetection is also there. Take a little amount (a half of a tea-spoon) ofthe sample in a test tube. Add 3 ml of carbon tetrachloride and shake thetube to mix up the contents thoroughly. The mixture becomes colourlessand an addition of a drop of hydrochloric acid brings the colour backwhen food contains Rhodamine B colour.Food Processed food, sweetmeat or syrup Adulterant Metanil YellowDetection Take little amount (a half of a tea-spoon) of the sample in atest tube. Add 10 drops of muratic acid or hydrochloric acid in it. Theappearance of rosy colour indicates adulteration of food with metanilyellow.Food Parched rice Adulterant Urea Detection Take 30 pieces of parchedrice in a test tube. Add 5 ml of distilled water. Shake the tube to mixup the contents thoroughly. After 5 minutes, filter water contents andadd to it a little amount (a half of a tea-spoon) of powder of arhar orsoyabean. Wait for another 5 minutes and then dip a red litmus paper inthe mixture. Lift the paper after 30 seconds and examine it. A bluecolouration indicates the use of urea in parched rice. Food Turmericpowder Adulterant Metanil Yellow colour Detection Take a little amount(one-fourth of a tea-spoon) of the sample in a test tube. Add 3 ml ofalcohol. Shake the tube to mix up the contents thoroughly. Add 10 dropsof muratic acid or hydrochloric acid in it. A pink colouration indicatesthe use of metanil yellow colour in turmeric powder.Food Green vegetable like green chilli etc. Adulterant Malachite GreenDetection Rub the outer green surface of a small part of the sample witha liquid paraffin soaked cotton. The sample is adulterated when the whitecotton turns green.Food Dry red chilli Adulterant Rhodamine B colour Detection Take a redchilli from the sample and rub the outer surface with a piece of cottonsoaked in liquid paraffin. The sample is adulterated if the cottonbecomes red.Food Dry turmeric root Adulterant Metanil yellow colour Detection Take apiece of dry turmeric root and rub the outer surface with a piece ofcotton soaked in liquid paraffin. A yellow colouration of cottonindicates adulteration of turmeric root with metanil yellow colour.Food Sweet potato Adulterant Rhodamine B colour Detection Take a smallpart of the sample and rub the red outer surface with a piece of cottonsoaked in liquid paraffin. The cotton adhering colour indicates the useof Rhodamine B colour on outer surface of the sweet potato.

Recent Classic Fiction : These are usually well known books that have some of the best style and rich vocabulary.The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - One of the most romantic books on the list. Though it will capture you, leave a very warm feeling and may even make you cry, the main value of the book is its stunningly beautiful language and great history insights (Do you know who a bootlegger is?).Review by someone: "The book is easy to understand because it is a romance. While reading, you imagine the scene, every detail.You may find some "elder" words reading it, such as "any body" instead of "anybody", but nothing like you would find reading an original text by Christopher Columbus . Still, the story has a rich vocabulary."Someone said that the book has some tough parts that could make one cry, but I did not even got "sad".The bottom line: it worth both your time and your moneyOf Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - the most well know of Steinbeck's masterpieces. Not the best value for the money with only 92 pages, but it has the most cultural value as everyone in the US read, watched, or heard of it.Cannery Row by John Steinbeck - a story about a group of good-natured bums living in Salinas, Northern California in the 1920's and 1930's - the book has plenty of humor to keep you cracking through all 200 pages - a quick read. A movie with the same title has been made based on this book. 4.5 Amazon stars based on 233 reviews.Daisy Miller by Henry James - definitely one of the most romantic books by James, but he has fantastic English - 3 line sentences and more on 128 pages.A Movable Feast by Earnest Hemingway - a very inspiring book about the writer's years in Paris. Ideal book for a trip - great language, good sentence structure, and great useful vocabulary.Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - great language and style. Also the annotated edition will keep you much more in sync with all the references. The most famous of Nabokov's pieces and one that coined a name for itself in history.Sidartha by Herman Hesse - if you ever wondered about the meaning of life or how to be happy - read through a short book about an Indian boy who seeks enlightenment and satisfaction. This is one of the most famous works by Hesse. He received a Nobel prize for his life-long contribution to the world's literature.The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro - fantastic language and a very interesting book about the life of a British butler. A movie has been made based on the book, but it is not even 10% as good.Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - 2,500 Amazon reviews probably speak for themselves. This was the first book I read after starting business school - good language, captivating plot that will have you read through nights and a lot to learn about early 20th century Japan and the role of a Geisha. I read it over a course of several weeks and when I was finished, I felt a part of me was missing.To kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee - this story grew with and around single family in small city Monroeville, which said to be Herper Lee's hometown. Herper Lee delineated each character through the eyes of Jean Louise who was a girl between 7-8 yrs. This story helps identify each character based on its vicinity and consequences.Men without women by Earnest Hemingway - compilation of fourteen short stories so good reading guide for them who think that reading novel could waste precious preparation time. Stories are distinct and readers have enough room to juxtapose their thoughts with those of author.Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values (P.S.) - The book is meant to be read with concentration and a sound mind (which is very important in papers like GMAT and CAT). It is not only psychologically motivating (if understood), but also trains the reader's mind for complex texts.Heavyweights (500+ Page Fiction Books)Longer books but worth every pageThe Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck - a timeless classic and required high school reading, this book covers the lives of several families caught in the 1930's great depression. 464 pages of great English, interesting story, and full of cultural references.Wild Swans by Jung Chang - a fascinating journey through the 20th century history of China - may not be the best style book, but extremely captivating and educational. 544 pages.Shogun by James Clavell - let the 1,200 pages not scare you - this will be a fast read about 17th century Japan. A TV-series was made based on this book. Good English, though language can get tough sometimes.Guns Germs and Steel" - fascinating book for history freaks. Certainly improved my RC skills. An enjoyable book as well.Non-Fiction - Captivating and educationalThe Naked Ape: A Zoologist's Study of the Human Animal by Desmond Morris - if you want a new perspective on the human race, learn what makes us who we are, laughing most of the way, this book is for you. 256 pagesThe Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography by Simon Singh - the only book on this list with a flawless record of 5 Amazon stars based on 255 reviews. If you are interested in code and how cryptography works - this book is almost a step by step guide - very interesting if you are into puzzles.Future Shock by Alvin Toffler - The book is dense and idea rich and yet just 385 pages in length.Other RecommendationsFinance BooksBlue Blood and Mutiny: The Fight for the soul of Morgan StanleyHandbook of Corporate Finance: A Business Companion to Financial Markets, Decisions and TechniquesBanker to the Poor - book about the Grameen Bank and microfinance in the third world, and delves into how capitalism and the free market can be harnessed to return value to vulnerable communitiesLiar's poker - a bit dated but its gives you a sweet intro to the S&T worldUgly AmericansWhen Markets CollideDamn it feels good to be a banker - And Other Baller Things You Only Get to Say If You Work On Wall Street- by Leveraged Sellout (it looks brilliant if it's the same quality as the blog)Economics BooksTravels of a T-shirt - is pretty fun, written by a prof at georgetown - she explores the global economy (and the institutions that govern it) by following the creation, life, and death of your average t-shirt.The World is Flat - Do not BuyPassionate EconomistThe Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of MoreThe End of Poverty - Harvard Alum and Professor at Columbia's Global Earth Institute, Sachs presents interesting, simple (perhaps even common sense) solutions to tackling the following obsctackes we will face in the upcoming century namely: the environment, poverty (extreme - less than $1-2/day) and population growth (in the poorest countries).Common Wealth - regarding Jeffrey Sachs - as someone who works in international development, I'd like to point out that for all his popularity among the general public, most people working in the field think a lot of his "big ideas" are sheer lunacy. Particularly the idea of a "big push" to massively increase the amount of official development aid to developing-world governments. He's a very smart guy, and End of Poverty (as well as Common Wealth) are both interesting books with a lot of good information - but the policy prescriptions they contain are totally off the mark.The White Man's Burden - it provides an outstanding analysis of not only successes and failures of trying to develop the third world, but at lot of it also applies to life in general (politics, economics, society, etc).The Forgotten ManThe Chicago School - For those thinking about going to Chicago and going to economicsVienna and Chicago, Friends or Foes? - For those thinking about going to Chicago and going to economicsRise and fall of great powers by Paul Kennedy - though i read it about 10 years ago(when the book was too good for me). i immensely liked it. It beautifully captures a history of all great powers(economic and military) from sixteenth century to mid twentieth century. wonderful analysis and breadth in my humble opinion.Leadership BooksA Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the FutureWe need Managers, Not MBAs - It's a scathing look at MBAs. If anyone reads this again, please keep an eye out for the part where he reveals the statistics that something like 70% of MBAs quit their jobs within two years of graduating (suggesting that the vast majority pick "wrong"). I cant find the exact stats anymore, so please, if you see it, take note of the page.Behavioral BooksBlink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking - There's a little pop psychology to it, but it has some interesting insights.Fooled by RandomnessOutliers - Malcolm Gladwell: I had thought about many of the theories he exposes way before this came out, but it's still an interesting/easy/quick read.Predictably Irrational - is by a fuqua prof that is a total boy genius. it's behavioral econ.Why We Buy - if you have any interest in running a business that is consumer-facing (CPG, banking, retail, restaurants, the post office) this is a must-read. or if you just wanna know why the bananas are where they are in the grocery store. Behavioral Econ.Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard H. Thaler - written by a lawyer and an economist from the University of Chicago. The book sort of sits at the intersection of public policy and business, and provides examples of how consumers can be 'nudged' towards decisions that are in their economic/physical/emotional/etc... best interest. You get the point after the first few chapters, but it's worth finishing nonetheless. (recommended by CS11)Investment Banking BooksMore than Money by Mark Albion - No, its not a rant against banking - he says thats the right path for some - but it is a very real depiction of MANY MBA attitudes and it will make you consider your goals. Frankly, in retrospect, this short book is probably the single most important thing I could have read before getting my MBA. It so accurately captures exactly what so many of us have thought or felt at some point - about jobs, about money, about careers - I virtually promise that it will resonate with you at some level. Its also worth noting its a short and easy read.Tearing Down the Walls: How Sandy Weill Fought His Way to the Top of the Financial World. . .and Then Nearly Lost It All - to all future investment bankersMonkey Business - which was a very quick read that provides an interesting look into the IB landscape in recent times.Barbarians at the Gate - really is a must read. I thought it was great and included all of the major Wall Street legends, Kravis, Wasserstein, Fortsman, Lipton, etc.Risk Takers6.Pioneering Portfolio ManagementThe accidental investment banker - Jonathan Knee - pretty funny; give you a very good idea over the Ibank world. Not great though.Den of Thieves - well-researched book that brings up a number of scandals involving Michael Milken, Ivan Boesky, Martin Siegel, and othersWhen Genius FailedThe Money Culture by Michael Lewis - It is a collection of articles published by Michael Lewis in various magazines in the late 1980s and early 1990s. I thought it made a brilliant read not just because Michael is a very funny guy. His articles were very insightful and, in some cases, prophetic. He has consistently been critical of levels of debt in wall street since the 1980s (if only everyone else took notice). He takes particular joy in poking fun at the LBO players and the value they add to a takeover target. His criticism of the American Express card had me splitting my sides laughing. This book will not be too much fun for those without enough knowledge of wall street history (especially of the 80s and early 90s when Japan and not China was considered threat #1 to US supremacy). A recommended light read for those long flights to b-school. (recommended by BSD Lover)Reminiscences of a Stock Operator - This book is a timeless classic for anyone moving to any form of trading / investment(recommended by BSD Lover)M&A BooksM&A Titans M&A Titans: The Pioneers Who Shaped Wall Street's Mergers and Acquisitions Industry - about some of the legendary dealmakers in Wall Street's golden era (recommended by JB32)Deals from Hell: M&A Lessons that Rise Above the Ashes - (especially relevant for future Darden IB's since it was written by a Darden prof.) - case study about 10 of the worst deals of all time. (recommended by JB32)The Big Deal by Bruce Wasserstein - The book is loooooooooonnnngggg (like 1,000+ pages), but provides a history of deal making by industry from the 1950's up through 2001 (published in 2002). It's amazing how much M&A shaped many of the familiar brands we know today. Then, the second half of the book chronicles how a deal gets done and who the main players are. I would recommend this book for anyone that wants to be a dealmaker. (recommended by JB32)Design Thinking BooksThe Design of Business: Why Design Thinking is the Next Competitive Advantage - Martin shows how leading companies such as Procter & Gamble, Cirque du Soleil, RIM, and others use design thinking to push knowledge through the stages in ways that produce breakthrough innovations and competitive advantage.Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation - Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO, introduces the idea of design thinking and it′s a human−centered approach to problem solving that helps people and organizations become more innovative and more creative.Accounting BooksThe Portable MBA in Finance and AccountingMarketing BooksWhy We Shop: The Science of Shopping" by Paco Underhill. I found it very interesting especially for those with an interest in CPG, brand management, marketing, retail and even consulting. Its a quick read and very entertaining. I definitely find myself thinking differently every time I walk into a store now.Management BooksHow Would You Move Mount Fuji?: Microsoft's Cult of the Puzzle -- How the World's Smartest Companies Select the Most Creative Thinkers - to all future Management Consultants...The Halo Effect:... and the Eight Other Business Delusions That Deceive Managers - Wow! Good book. It pretty much blows apart a lot of the analysis people do to find out what makes a company "successful".International Relations and Policy Booksconfessions of an economic hit manRise and Fall of EmpiresShock Doctrine - Naomi Klein: Must read. it opened my mind to sooo many things. please go read it, it gets long but towards the end it's amazing.Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism - Sixty percent of the world's population live on 6% of the world's income. The author argues that capitalism, if it accepts a social conscience out of self-preservation, can eventually develop a world where poverty is on the decline.The Post American World - By far one of the most accessible poly-sci books around. Zakaria presents brutally honest opinions on the state of the U.S. in contrast to the rest of the World. He brings forth the challenges that face the U.S. and the world in the 21st century. Good read, not heavy at all.No Logo - is a bit dated but a lovely attack on globalization. if i weren't already too old, i'd grow up to be naomi klein.Fortune at the bottom of the pyramid - by Dr CK Prahalad. a must read for all those interested in social entrepreneurship and non-profit careers.Career and Networking BooksAhead of the Curve - best book I've read on business school - more specifically HBS - looking at a top bschool from the pov of a non-business candidate gave me an amazing idea of the whole thing.Never Eat Alone - Its a great book about the power of networking and how to build a strong networkGreen BooksHot, Flat, and Crowded - which is about why we need a green revolution. While i'm just 1/3 of the way through, it's excellent so far... He's got some hard facts scientifically, politically, and economically about why we need to care about our planet and makes it easier for me to explain to another layperson why we need a green revolution.2. Green to Gold by Daniel EstyIT and OperationsBlack Swan - not recommended (I read part of the book when it came out but just got sick of it and never finished. If true "black swan" events by definition cannot be predicted or foreseen in any way, what's the point of it?)The Goal - is something you'll probably read in your ops class. the best textbook ever, the worst novel ever. i'm a closet ops geek, so i dug it.Poker and Gambling BooksHarrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments - Dan HarringtonRead 'em and reap 'emBringing down the houseFiction and OtherThe prince - Niccolo Machiavelli: I don't know why but I recently picked it up and it's full of pretty interesting stuff. It is not about business but it gives you an idea of how Power was seen in the 1500.Guns, Germs, and Steel - overview of Human Civilization, focusing on the question why Eurasians took over other continents rather than inhabitants of other continents - a bit repetitive but a good read - a lot of interesting informationNathan McCall's Them - t's an interesting read, and a great book to invoke discussion amongst peers who view the world differently.A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier - (not for the faint-hearted; story of a young boy in Africa). A diary/journal of sorts of a young boy who escaped the "recruitment" of rebels in Sierra Leone. Witness of death and consumed by drugs at a young age, he manages to escape through a very graphic yet inspiring story. Now in the U.S.The snowball - Biography about Warren Buffet - I got this one as a present and thought it would be amazing, however I still haven't really started loving it (ive read around 25% of it- its looong) but I guess if you like biographies then you'll like it.The Last Tycoons - “Cohan's thoroughness—he interviewed over 100 current and former bankers and assorted bigwigs—unearths a trove of colourful titbits, many quite racy . . . Illuminating are Mr. Cohan’s descriptions of the scheming, politicking, and general dysfunction that was Lazard.”—EconomistAtlas Shrugged - the last and best of Ayn Rand's books - beware 1,000 pages and not really a travel size.Sourced from various websites, handpicked, referenced, and aligned.