An ageing reporter, consigned to a South American backwater covering an election in which nobody is interested, spends his last nights in a bar. Striking up a conversation with a mysterious stranger, he is told a story of death and destruction and of wealth beyond his dreams, a story of eight long weeks in the lives of three men.

This is the first study to draw on international research carried out across four EU member states to add to the neglected area of the creative economy of peripheral regions. Economies are dynamic entities and subject to constant flux. Driven by changing tastes, new ways to make and disruptive innovations, new routes of economic development present themselves at ever increasing rates. This study is concerned with the rise of the creative economy. UNCTAD has marked the emergence of the creative economy across the globe and noted its resilience in the face of recent economic turmoil. Here, the authors intend to bring the level of analysis down to the regional and firm level by uncovering the extent of the creative economy in some of Europe's most peripheral regions. This is the first study to draw on international research carried out across four EU member states to add to the neglected area of the creative economy of peripheral regions. The work contributes to expanding theory in the areas of economic geography, business studies and regional development.

It's now 50 years since gold convertibility of the US dollar ended in 1971, and was succeeded by the unsustainable "non-system" of 100% paper currencies and floating exchange-rates, which is now nearing its end. The monetary instability experienced in recent years imposes enormous costs worldwide, and has led to calls for a "A New Bretton Woods" or other "reset" of the international monetary system. In order to avoid the same problem arising again at a later date, the value of money must once again be defined in terms of some real commodity or commodities, as it has been for most of history. However, making currencies convertible into gold once again would be no panacea. A better alternative, first proposed in the 19th century, and advocated in the 20th century by both Keynes and Hayek (despite being leaders of opposing schools of economics) is for money to be made convertible into a range of commodities other than gold. A simple, practical means of implementing this idea was promoted in the 1950s by the Australian economist Leo StClare Grondona, to much acclaim in Britain. Despite the growing potential of new forms of money using Blockchain technology, no alternative to real convertibility has been proposed as a reliable means to ensure their value, and so this book argues that the Grondona System's time has now come. The world cannot afford another round of unsustainable and unstable "fiat" currencies that will fail yet again, spreading poverty and injustice worldwide once more. A sustainable basis for sovereign national money systems, which the world urgently needs, can be simply achieved by implementing this "Grondona System" - the only practical and dependable way to realize the policy advocated by both Keynes and Hayek, whereby the value of currency is stabilized by making it conditionally convertible into a range of primary commodities. Once one country implements the Grondona system, market forces will be harnessed to stabilise the value of the national currency, creating a system which provides an objective measure of its real value. The impact on both economic policy and on the economics profession of a growing range of countries adopting the system will be profound. It will also help many poor developing countries, which export primary commodities and suffer greatly from both the instability of commodity market prices and fluctuations in world trade.

This book provides a hard-working handbook on assessing situations and pinpointing the appropriate techniques for any given circumstance. There's great real-life advice, including details on how to negotiate at restaurants and hotels. Negotiation is not just a process; it's an attitude - one that we all can learn. Patrick Collins, an internationally recognised expert on the subject, offers an original, comprehensive guide to maximising negotiation skills, whether in a one-on-one encounter or a larger, more formal negotiating session. Collins explains what negotiation is and isn't and discusses ways to overcome fear, strategies for gaining the upper hand by manipulating the environment and tactics tailored to negotiation type.

The monetary instability experienced in recent years imposes enormous costs worldwide and has led to calls for a reset of the international monetary system. To avoid the problem arising again, the value of money must once again be defined in terms of some real commodity or commodities, as it has been for most of history. However, making currencies convertible into gold once again would be no panacea. A better alternative, first proposed in the 19th century and advocated in the 20th century, is for money to be made convertible into a range of commodities other than gold. Stabilizing Currency and Preserving Economic Sovereignty Using the Grondona System discusses how a sustainable basis for sovereign national money systems can be simply achieved by implementing the "Grondona System," whereby the value of currency is stabilized by making it conditionally convertible into a range of primary commodities. Covering a range of topics such as economic growth, fiat money, and digital currencies, this book is ideal for policymakers, economists, investors, academicians, researchers, instructors, and students.

Evolution of Ireland's Industrial, Science and Technology Policy examines the evolution of industrial, science and technology policy from a small country perspective. In particular, the monograph focuses on the evolution of Irish industrial development, the develop of Irish industrial cluster with a distinct focus on the case of the medical technology cluster in the West of Ireland, and Ireland's education research policy designed to build capacity and scientific capabilities. The authors conclude by discussing the challenges and implications of industrial science and technology from a small country perspective. The monograph reflects on the future industrial, science and technology policy considerations that Ireland as a small open economy needs to focus on in order to evolve, maintain, and grow its international industrial, science, and technology reputation and standing.

Among the peace and posterity of ancient city Ivonasium, a problem arises that could send this successful city spiraling into despair - the natural iron ore deposits have nearly been depleted and after many years of progress King William is forced to begin importing new supplies from the rival city of Dene to continue Ivonasium's successful progression. That is until the Crown Prince devises a brilliant plan - dragons. Dragons to smelt the iron to save Ivonasium. Together with Gaffer, the high steward and his trusty dog Jack, Prince Peter sets off on a daring quest across land in search of those that have dazzled his dreams and fueled his imagination. A must read adventure and spectacular.

Patrick Collins has the life that he has always wanted: a loving family and supportive friends who help him in following his dreams. He has an accomplished baseball career and a unique passion to change the world. That is, until illness strikes. Plagued by fatigue, arthritis, chronic sinus infections, mood swings, and seizures, Patrick is left without a guide in his search for what is wrong with him. Doctor after doctor runs tests and comes up without a diagnosis. The family is told it is -all in Patrick's head, - and is offered antidepressants. Two years and tens of thousands of dollars later, a diagnosis is given: Lyme disease. Although Patrick's malady finally has a name, the extensive testing for, and treatment of, this enigmatic disease is not covered by insurance companies, leaving the family financially devastated. This memoir draws readers into the mind of this young sufferer of Lyme disease who had lost all hope of recovery, missing out on years of his childhood.