Examines the main ideas that characterize all religious thought and practice. The Sacred Quest takes a thematic and comparative approach to the study of religion. It gives equal weight to theoretical issues and practices reflected in the major world religions. The text identifies the theoretical issues surrounding the study of religion and focuses on fundamental topics such as ritual and sacred language. Learning Goals Upon completing this book readers will be able to: Recognize main ideas that characterize all religious thought and practice Identify theoretical issues surrounding the study of religion Recognize fundamental topics of religion: ritual, sacred communication, and morality

Anyone can buy stock in a public company, but not all shareholders are equally committed to a company’s long-term success. In an increasingly fragmented financial world, shareholders’ attitudes toward the companies in which they invest vary widely, from time horizon to conviction. Faced with indexers, short-term traders, and activists, it is more important than ever for businesses to ensure that their shareholders are dedicated to their missions. Today’s companies need “quality shareholders,” as Warren Buffett called those who “load up and stick around,” or buy large stakes and hold for long periods. Lawrence A. Cunningham offers an expert guide to the benefits of attracting and keeping quality shareholders. He demonstrates that a high density of dedicated long-term shareholders results in numerous comparative and competitive advantages for companies and their managers, including a longer runway to execute business strategy and a loyal cohort against adversity. Cunningham explores dozens of corporate practices and policies—such as rational capital allocation, long-term performance metrics, and a shareholder orientation—that can help shape the shareholder base and bring in committed owners. Focusing on the benefits for corporations and their investors, he reveals what draws quality shareholders to certain companies and what it means to have them in an investor base. This book is vital reading for investors, executives, and directors seeking to understand and attract the kind of shareholders that their companies need.

CULTURE AND VALUES: A SURVEY OF THE HUMANITIES, International Edition takes you on a fascinating tour of some of the world's most significant examples of art, music, philosophy, and literature, from the beginnings of civilization to today. New features in this edition are designed to make it easy for you to understand the influence of historical events and values on the works produced by each culture-guided discussions of all of the readings, chapter previews, timelines, "Compare and Contrast" sections, "Big Picture" reviews at the end of each chapter, expanded coverage of Asia and Africa, and high-quality images with clear captions.

Warren Buffett and his company, Berkshire Hathaway, are legendary for their distinctive investing approach. Yet many equally unconventional but less well known aspects of Berkshire's managerial practices and organizational structure are rich with lessons for those seeking to follow in Buffett's footsteps. Margin of Trust is the first book to distill Buffett's approach to management and corporate life. It provides a definitive analysis of the tenets of the Berkshire system, its costs and benefits, and how it can be adapted for other organizations. Lawrence A. Cunningham and Stephanie Cuba develop a new account of how Berkshire Hathaway works, showing that the key to its success is trust. Profiling partnership practices and business methods, they contend that Berkshire's distinguishing feature is a culture in which autonomy and decentralization are core management principles. Cunningham and Cuba provide instructive examples of how this model has been successfully adapted by other companies that share a faith in trust as an organizing principle. They also offer candid commentary on the risks of a trust-based approach and how to mitigate them. Margin of Trust features illuminating analysis of Buffett's take on the role trust plays in business agreements, what Buffett looks for in great corporate boards, and what lies ahead for Berkshire after its iconic leader leaves the scene.

CULTURE AND VALUES: A SURVEY OF THE HUMANITIES, Ninth Edition, takes you on a tour of some of the world's most interesting and significant examples of art, music, philosophy, and literature, from the beginnings of civilization to today. Chapter previews, timelines, glossaries of key terms, Compare + Contrast, new Connections and Culture & Society features, and "Big Picture" reviews all help make it easy for you to learn the material and study more effectively. Links to full readings and playlists of the music selections discussed in your text are available online in MindTap, where you will also find study resources and such tools as image flashcards, guides to research and writing, practice quizzes and exercises, and more.

In this engaging collection of stories, 40 veterans of Berkshire Hathaway annual meetings reflect on why throngs attend and speak to what Warren Buffett seeks in shareholders. Beyond the highlights of Warren's wisdom displayed on stage in his day-long Q&A with vice chairman Charlie Munger, these experts reveal the Berkshire meeting as a community gathering of fun, fellowship, and learning. The contributors whisk readers through the meeting's surrounding events--book signings, panel discussions, and social gatherings--and share the pulse of this distinctive corporate culture. They take stock of how the convocation has evolved and what it might yet become. To learn about what makes Buffett's shareholders tick and what happens at the Berkshire meeting, or to reminisce about past meetings, make this delightful book your companion. Includes work by these best selling authors: - Robert Hagstrom - Robert Miles - Jason Zweig - Joel Greenblatt - Vitally Katsenlson - Jeff Matthews - Charlie Tian - Whitney Tilson - Prem Jain - Karen Linder

Using the ways of the best moneymakers to invest wisely

An intelligent and thoughtful guide.­­BusinessWeek

. . . a welcome addition to the bookshelf of anyone who wants to take control of his or her financial life.­­United Press International

The bestselling hardcover edition of How to Think Like Benjamin Graham and Invest Like Warren Buffett was widely hailed for its straightforward approach to making wise investment choices. This paperback version makes these same tools and tactics available to a wider audience. Explaining how to analyze investment targets based on honest value instead of hype and mirrors, Lawrence Cunninghams top-ranked book reveals:

• How to ask valuable questions, and demand meaningful answers
  
• Market-proven methods for evaluating managers and CEOs
  
• Value investing techniques that made Warren Buffett a billionaire­­and todays number one investor
  

CULTURE AND VALUES: A SURVEY OF THE HUMANITIES, NINTH EDITION, takes you on a tour of some of the world's most interesting and significant examples of art, music, philosophy, and literature, from the beginnings of civilization to today. Chapter previews, timelines, glossaries of key terms, Compare + Contrast, new Connections and Culture & Society features, and "Big Picture" reviews all help make it easy for you to learn the material and study more effectively. Links to full readings and playlists of the music selections discussed in your text are available online in MindTap, where you will also find study resources and such tools as image flashcards, guides to research and writing, practice quizzes and exercises, and more.

CULTURE AND VALUES: A SURVEY OF THE HUMANITIES, NINTH EDITION, takes you on a tour of some of the world's most interesting and significant examples of art, music, philosophy, and literature, from the beginnings of civilization to today. Chapter previews, timelines, glossaries of key terms, Compare + Contrast, new Connections and Culture & Society features, and "Big Picture" reviews all help make it easy for you to learn the material and study more effectively. Links to full readings and playlists of the music selections discussed in your text are available online in MindTap, where you will also find study resources and such tools as image flashcards, guides to research and writing, practice quizzes and exercises, and more.

CULTURE AND VALUES: A SURVEY OF THE WESTERN HUMANITIES takes you on a fascinating tour of some of the world's most significant examples of art, music, philosophy, and literature, from the beginnings of civilization to today. New features in the eighth edition are designed to make it easy for you to understand the influence of historical events and values on the works produced by each culture--guided discussions of all of the readings, chapter previews, timelines, "Compare and Contrast" sections, "Big Picture" reviews at the end of each chapter, and high-quality images with clear captions. Volume 2 covers the High Renaissance to the 21st Century.