Value

This case-based guide explains how to assess the economic value of ecosystems and the services and support that they provide to nearby communities. When the value of a resource can be explained, arguments for sustainable and equitable use and development can be incorporated into decision-making and policies.

This book is published as part of the World Conservation Union's Water and Nature Initiative, a program to encourage community-based management and stakeholder participation in the management of water resources. It is particularly interested in bringing lakes and rivers back to life and creating sustainable resource management structures for future generations.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Value: Counting Ecosystems as Water Infrastructure
IUCN: The World Conservation Union
TD 388.5 .E44 2004

Risk Assessment

This is a textbook of theories and methodologies for assessing risk. The first part of the book explains the theories underlying risk assessment in geotechnical engineering, including over 100 examples that put numerous methodologies to work. The second part uses probability and statistics to quantify these risks. The methods described in this book range from single-variable and "first order" methods to advanced methods with multiple, coupled variables. Particular emphasis is given to the random finite element method (RFEM).

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Risk Assessment in Geotechnical Engineering
Gordon A. Fenton and D.V. Griffiths
TA 710 .F385 2008

The Next 100 Years

Friedman offers a prediction on what the world can expect during the 21st century. He predicts which countries will emerge as powerful forces, both politically and economically, where and why wars will break out and how they will be fought, and how technology and culture will affect the way we live. Drawing on history and trends from geopolitics, Friedman shows how we got to where we are today. He focuses on the rise of the United States as a superpower, the polarization of the United States against Russia, the Islamic world, and nations of the far east. He also traces the influences of population explosions, the widespread use of computers, and the clash of cultural values on political and international conflicts and concerns. This is an intriguing look into what the next century may bring for our country and the international community in which we live.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century
George Friedman
JZ 1305 .F75 2009

Military to Federal Career Guide

This book is designed to walk military personnel through their transition to being federal civilian employees. It describes how to develop a network of contacts who can help you find a suitable civilian position and how to translate military experiences into a basic civilian resume. It profiles numerous sites that advertise federal positions and describes how to analyze the announcements to determine the qualifications that they are really looking for. It describes how to apply for federal positions, including submitting resumes electronically and addressing the knowledge, skills, and abilities that the positions ask about specifically. Finally, it provides advice on how to interview for positions and helps applicants to understand the benefits that will be offered with federal civilian jobs. This straightforward guide is an essential for uniformed personnel, but is also tremendously valuable to federal civilian employees who are looking to change jobs.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Military to Federal Career Guide: Ten Steps to Transforming your Military Experiences into a Competitive Federal Resume
Kathryn Kraemer Troutman
JK 716 .T76 2006

Artifice and Design

This book discusses the relationship between design aesthetic and technical objects, examining both their function and artistic beauty. Allen analyzes seven bridges, developing his conviction that art and technology must be treated together. This book touches on wide-ranging concepts, from the philosophy of art, design and beauty, the technical aspects of architecture, tools, and building execution, as well as evolutionary biology, psychology, and the history and anthropology of aesthetics and technology. The book concludes that it is wrong to think of art or beauty as subjective, or to think of technology as strictly functional. This book will encourage you to think differently about the design around you.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Artifice and Design: Art and Technology in Human Experience
Barry Allen
N 72 .T4 A46 2008

Juran's Quality Handbook

This reference book is an essential for anyone working in the areas of quality engineering or quality management. It provides processes, tools, and methods that can be used to plan, control, and evaluate results. This new edition emphasizes the role of software in quality management processes, but it does not neglect human factors addressed in earlier editions. Sections that discuss customer service, relationships with suppliers, and worldwide standards have been updated. Continued attention has also been given to strategic planning concerns, training, supervision, and self-directed teams. Metrics also play an important role in chapters on total quality management (TQM), benchmarking, statistical problem solving, and other quantitative methods.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Juran's Quality Handbook
5th ed
Joseph M. Juran and A. Blanton Godfrey
TS 156 .Q3618 1999

Natural Climate Variability and Global Warming

An ever increasing body of scientific data points to the role of greenhouse gasses in causing global warming. However, it is also true that our planet's climate system has inherent variation. In order for scientists to accurately predict the timelines and effects of global warming, both of these factors must be taken into account. This is the first scientific study that discusses both greenhouse gasses and natural climate variation's contribution to global warming. It uses models of the past, particularly those of the later part of the Holocene era. It is hoped that these new models will enable researchers to better explain the current changes being observed in ecosystems and to predict what may happen as a result of global warming.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Natural Climate Variablity and Global Warming: A Holocene Perspective
ed by Richard W. Battarbee and Heather A. Binney
QC 884.2 .C5 N38 2008

It's Not What You Sell, It's What You Stand For

Spence defines purpose as a statement that describes the difference you are trying to make in the world. He asserts that it is the key to creating and maintaining high-performing organizations, and that business leaders would be well served to pay more attention to writing their purpose statements as they do to writing organizational strategy documents, monitoring performance, or encouraging innovation. What differentiates purpose from mission, vision, or other strategic planning statements, according to Spence, is that it has been integrated into the beliefs, values, and behavior of each employee within the organization. He asserts that a workforce who clearly understands their purpose will feel great about what they do and be excited to go to work every morning. This audiobook will help you to answer tough questions about what your organization really stands for and values, what matters to the employees, customers, and other stakeholders, and what you could stop doing within the organization without undermining its purpose.

This Audiobook on CD can be found in HECSA Library:

It's Not What You Sell, It's What You Stand For: Why Every Extraordinary Business is Driven by Purpose
Roy M. Spence, Jr.
HF 5386 .S7515 2009

Traffic

Have you ever wondered why traffic jams form? Vanderbilt explores how traffic works, why we drive the way that we do, and what that says about us. He explores basic traffic phenomena--why the other lane always seems to be moving faster and how our eyes play tricks on us while we drive, why more roads leads to more traffic, and how highways, round-abouts, and dangerous roads are actually safer for us. Most interestingly, he brings together history and psychology to explain what driving habits and traffic say about the local culture.

Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What it Says About Us)
Tom Vanderbilt
TL 152.5 .V36 2008

Wired for war

A Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Singer's previous books predicted the development of private military companies and the increase of child soldiers around the world. In this book, he describes the increasing use of robotic weapons on the battlefield, including those in use today in Iraq and Afghanistan. While these tools have the benefit of taking the place of soldiers in warzones and reducing the number of casualties, the similarity between war and video games makes it much easier to start a war and shifts the ethical boundaries involved in taking lives. While there is a certain science fiction quality to Singer's writing, he points out that technology only serves to complicate war, making it more difficult and expensive to fight, but also increasing the likelihood that as other countries develop robotic technologies also, they will bring war to the United States. This book is a fascinating look at today as well as a frightening prediction of what the future may bring.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century
P. W. Singer
UG 450 .S45 2009

Power of Less

Many of us are living a 24-7-365 lifestyle these days. Babauta argues that much of this is simply busywork, clutter, and noise. He advocates simplifying--just doing less--in order to become more productive and efficient. He stresses several principles, including setting limits, increasing focus, developing new habits, and making small changes at a time. At the same time, he offers practical solutions for the types of problems often encountered in the workplace, including identifying tasks, time management, managing e-mail and internet activities. He advocates establishing routines, keeping the spaces around you clean and clutter free, and balancing work with appropriate fitness and nutrition choices.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Power of Less
Leo Babauta
HD 69 .T54 B329 2009

Sustainable Landscape Construction

This book is full of both practical and clever ideas to integrate sustainable practices and green building techniques into landscaping and outdoor architecture. Chapters are thematically organized by the principles that they demonstrate. For example, "Keep Healthy Sites Healthy" highlights a non-mechanized construction method chosen to protect the mature trees in a forest location. "Respect the Waters of Life" shows a drainage system that collects roof runoff, directing it through the garden to create a beautiful water feature. Each chapter ends with a resource list that combines definition of terms used with citations to print and online resources that readers can go to for additional information on the topics that interest them.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors
2nd ed.
J. William Thompson and Kim Sorvig

Restoring the Balance

The George W. Bush administration put forward a distinct model for ending autocratic regimes and establishing democratic governments in nation-states. However, these same policies are not likely to work for the challenges that the Obama administration is likely to encounter. This book brings together experts on Middle East foreign relations to offer policy recommendations for the new administration. They identify areas in which conflicts are likely to arise and make suggestions on how these conflicts may be diffused and problems solved in ways that are satisfactory to the United States and resulting in a more peaceful and stable Middle East region. Topics of discussion include the evolving strategy in Iraq, nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, counterterrorism, and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Restoring the Balance: A Middle East Strategy for the Next President
Council on Foreign Relations Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings
JZ 1480 .A55 R47 2008

The 4-Hour Workweek

Ferriss suggests that many executives could dramatically reduce their time spent working by delegating work to virtual assistants and investing in business ventures that generate income with very little time spent on them. This kind of work life, he states, allows the executive lots of time to travel and pursue hobbies while providing plenty of money to live on. To pursue this type of work life, he states that first, you have to define your goal. Next, eliminate tasks that take time and learn to selectively ignore information. Third, he explains how to automate your income so that it takes up very little of your time. Finally, he explains how you can spend the time that you've now liberated for yourself.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
Timothy Ferriss
HD 6955 .F435 2007

What is a City?

This collection of essays is a reflection of what we have learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Its writers address social attitudes and practices, attitudes about space, and beliefs about urban life. The essays are organized into five thematic clusters. First, the authors look specifically at New Orleans, idenitifying characteristics of its city that help to define it and make it unique. Next, they examine the material culture of New Orleans, the concept of mobility in relation to urban life, and the role of memory in disaster recovery. Finally, the authors address the divisions within the city and the connections that have been forged between people and regions after going through a major event together.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

What is a City? Rethinking the Urban after Hurricane Katrina
ed. by Phil Steinberg and Rob Shields
HT 167 .W43 2008

Regionalization of Watersheds

Designing appropriate flood control measures requires knowing the frequency and extent of flooding in a particular watershed. Often, however, this data is not available. The authors have developed a new analytical technique called regional flood frequency analysis (RFFA) which can be used to stand in for some of this missing data. In this method, flood records are gathered from watersheds similar in characteristics to the one being investigated. This pooled data is then used to analyze the region in question. Clustering techniques, artificial set theory, and artificial neural networks are used to identify appropriately similar watersheds. Groups of watersheds are then further tested for homogeneity. The authors argue that using these methods allows for reuse of optimal design structures for similar watersheds and for better regionalization of flood control efforts.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Regionalization of Watersheds: An Approach Based on Cluster Analysis
A. Ramachandra Rao and V. V. Srinivas
GB 1399.2 .R355 2008

Shape of the World to Come

Globalization is certainly the most powerful force facing the political world today. Many interpret this movement as an equalization of people and nations across the globe. This author, however, cautions that the current globalization trend still has roots in longstanding regional geopolitics. Rather than Europe or the United States playing the role as world leader, he sees China and India emerging as economic powerhouses and technological leaders. This book offers a new analytical framework in which to consider the globalization phenomenon, one in which multipolar dominance may replace a single world leader.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Shape of the World to Come: Charting the Geopolitics of the New Century
Laurent Cohen-Tanugi
JC 319 .C64 2008

Sustainable Design

Williams challenges his readers to think about architectural projects not as objects, but rather as pieces connected to a whole system which includes human health and well-being, regional economies, and ecological systems. In doing so, he asserts that sustainability is the most important concept in the future of the building and design professions. He guides his readers through a discussion of the effect of buildings on the environment and defines the concept of sustainability in the design field. He focuses on designing and building appropriately for the region, including a chapter of how to build sustainable urban areas and communities. He finishes with the challenges and opportunities that sustainable design provides to architects.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Sustainable Design: Ecology, Architecture, and Planning
Daniel E. Williams
NA 2542.36 .W548 2007

The Art of Command

Are great leaders born or made? This book tries to answer the question by profiling successful military leaders from George Washington through Colin Powell. The authors identify nine core characteristics of effective leadership, then show how these are exemplified in military leaders who excelled during conflicts or helped lead their branch of service through technological and ideological changes. By looking at biographical portraits and historical context, this book provides a look into military leadership styles that crosses time, place, rank, and branch of service.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Art of Command: Military Leadership from George Washington to Colin Powell
edited by Harrs S. Laver and Jeffrey J. Matthews
U 52 .A77 2008

Writing for the Technical Professions

This comprehensive guide for those in technical professions addresses how to communicate in writing. Interpreted broadly, this book begins with the research process, discussing how to find and evaluate source materials, organize information, and present it in an organized manner. It discusses choosing appropriate charts and graphs, using technologies such as PowerPoint, and appropriately pacing the presentation of information. The book also discusses at length many text-based communication formats including memos and e-mail, policies and procedures, abstracts and summaries, technical reports, project proposals, websites, and newsletters. Final chapters discuss how to communicate with professional audiences through presentations and job application materials. This book has a simple, straightforward style which will appeal to new scholars, but has a rich depth of information which will be valuable to experienced professionals as well.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Writing for the Technical Professions
4th ed
Kristin R. Woolever
PE 1475 .W66 2008

The Quality Toolbox

Are you looking for new tools that can help you improve the way that you are doing things? This book provides 148 tools and variations that help you generate, organize, and evaluate ideas, analyze processes, determine root causes, plan, handle data, and much more. These tools are organized and categorized to help you find the ones best suited to your situation. Sections are clearly written to teach readers how to use tools that are new to them, providing step-by-step instructions and examples. This book is valuable for quality improvement and quality management, Lean Six Sigma, benchmarking, and other improvement initiatives.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Quality Toolbox
2nd ed.
Nancy R. Tague
HD 30.28 .T33 2005

Waves in Oceanic and Coastal Waters

This book is concerned with the impact of ocean waves on ships, off-shore structures, and coastal regions. It not only provides easy to understand descriptions of wave phenomena, it also offers examples of how to model waves using statistical methods and mathematical methods based on one and two-dimensional theories of wave behavior. Final chapters add to this understanding by discussing the interaction of waves with stationary coastal zones and with other waves. This book will be of interest to advanced students and professionals in water science and oceanographic engineering.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Waves in Oceanic and Coastal Waters
Leo H. Holthuijsen
QA 927 .H66 2007

Emergency Management

This guide serves as a textbook and resource covering emergency management techniques for local government. It is intended to help emergency managers serve as leaders throughout emergency situations. The book provides the context that they will need to make decisions in the middle of a crisis. It shares the wisdom and experiences of previous emergency personnel as both positive and negative lessons learned. Finally, it highlights best practices of emergency management by addressing legal concerns, social issues, medical and health factors, information technology, and budgets.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Emergency Management: Principles and Practice for Local Government
2nd Ed
HV 551.2 .E457 2007

Resilient Cities

Because of their old and inefficient transportation systems and poorly designed buildings, many cities, particularly those in the United States, consume huge amounts of energy every day. Much of this energy is generated by fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas, and gives off high levels of greenhouse gasses when these fuels are burned. At current consumption levels, many of these cities have energy demands which are simply not sustainable and may drive the city itself toward collapse. The authors of this book argue that with intelligent planning, redesign, and dedicated leadership, many cities can transform themselves and overcome the pending oil and climate change crises. The authors draw on initiatives from around the world to demonstrate the potential for urban renaissance and the implementation of practical solutions to reduce our energy requrements.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Resilient Cities: Responding to Peak Oil and Climate Change
Peter Newman, Timothy Beatley, and Heather Boyer
HT 241 .N495 2009

Hard Lessons

This book reviews Iraq reconstruction experience from mid-2002 through the fall of 2008. It seeks to fulfill the congressional mandate to provide "advice and recommendations on policies to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness" in programs developed for Iraq reconstruction by providing after action review and reflection, rather than a detailed audit of problems. The report includes a chronological history of the reconstruction program discussing the challenges that security concerns presented, the dramatic and frequent changes in direction of the reconstruction strategy, the disturbance caused by continuous personnel turnover, waste caused by inefficient contracting practices, and poor integration of efforts by different agencies because of the presence of multiple command structures. The report uses texts, interviews, anecdotes, and facts to explain the successes and failures of the reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
DS 79.769 .H37 2009

Climate Change: What's Your Business Strategy?

Whether you believe the scientific models or not, talk of climate change has been one of the biggest trends over the past decade. As a business leader, you must understand that this change, whether in environmental conditions, public policy, or public opinion, will certainly have an effect on businesses. Have you developed strategies to adapt to these changes? This pocket-sized book highlights the steps that must be taken to make these changes. Suggestions focus around three main areas: knowing the company's carbon footprint, embracing changes to reduce the company's environmental impact, and having a voice in the strategy and policy development processes for the company. The authors draw experience working as consultants for major companies.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Climate Change: What's Your Business Strategy?
Andrew J. Hoffman and John G. Woody
QC 981.8 .C5 H633 2008

Hydrometry

This textbook-like book presents techniques and methods for measuring the flow of water in open channels. This third edition has been careful to remain in line with the latest ISO standards. Themes discussed include the measurement of water levels and bed levels, measuring sediment transport. It discusses instruments used during measurement efforts and explains how to organize a river survey. This book should be useful to environmental science students as well as to water resource management experts.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Hydrometry: A Comprehensive Introduction to the Measurement of Flow in Open Channels
3rd ed.
Wubbo Boiten
TC 177 .B65 2008