Monday, October 26, 2015

The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home

by Dan Ariely 
online access from Books24x7
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Focusing on our behaviors at work and in relationships, this provocative book offers new insights and eye-opening truths about what really motivates us on the job, how one unwise action can become a long-term habit, how we learn to love the ones we're with, and more.

“Dan Ariely is a genius at understanding human behavior: no economist does a better job of uncovering and explaining the hidden reasons for the weird ways we act.” — James Surowiecki, author of The Wisdom of Crowds

Behavioral economist and New York Times bestselling author of Predictably Irrational Dan Ariely returns to offer a much-needed take on the irrational decisions that influence our dating lives, our workplace experiences, and our temptation to cheat in any and all areas. Fans of Freakonomics, Survival of the Sickest, and Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink and The Tipping Point will find many thought-provoking insights in The Upside of Irrationality.

(Excerpt from amazon.com)

葉靈鳳香港史系列: 張保仔的傳說和真相、香港的失落、香港方物志、香島滄桑錄、香海浮沉錄

葉靈鳳
online access from SuperStar Digital Library (張保仔的傳說和真相)
online access from SuperStar Digital Library (香港的失落)
online access from SuperStar Digital Library (香港方物志)
online access from SuperStar Digital Library (香海浮沉錄)
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葉靈鳳,最早一批對香港歷史進行認真研究的學者,於上世紀四十年代年開始在《星島日報》開闢「香港史地」專欄,依據實地調查和豐富藏書資料,以獨到角度寫下大量有關香港「失落」(成為殖民地)的經過、著名「海盜」張保仔事跡以至香港方物等文章,開創了「香港學」研究寫作的先河。「葉靈鳳香港史系列」共五冊,收錄了葉靈鳳有關香港研究的重要文章,為後世提供了全面的香港歷史參考,尤其是開埠前後、鴉片戰爭那一段時期,極具學術價值。

在《張保仔的傳說和真相》中,葉靈鳳旁徵博引,以客觀沉著的態度去挖掘晚清時期的大海盜張保仔的種種真相。張保仔在全盛時期擁有數千艘大小盜船,部眾二萬五千餘人,威震華南沿海。其叱吒風雲的海盜傳奇,中外聞名。據說當時在香港的張保仔洞,遍及紅磡、赤柱、長洲、大嶼山,甚至牛池灣及鴨(月利)洲。有關其藏金地圖之說,更是疑幻疑真,為人津津樂道。

蕭國健導讀:《張保仔的傳說和真相》一書以中、外檔案及文獻資料,考證張保仔的事蹟、出身、在海盜中地位、品德、與香港有關的史實、投降朝廷的經過及最後下落,目的是使人認識有關張保仔的歷史真相。

《香港的失落》收錄香港島為英國割佔前後、開埠初期、二次鴉片戰爭及租借新界有關的文章。通過這些探索性的文章及書介,葉靈鳳為大家逐步解開香港的「失落之謎」。葉靈鳳並非歷史學家出身,他原是愛恨分明的文學作家,因此所寫文章皆立場鮮明,再加上文筆潑辣,文章短小精悍,讀來實在饒有生趣。

丁新豹導讀:葉靈鳳學貫中西,掌握到這麼多外文資料,故往往可以徵引中外文資料作比較,從而探索到事件的真相。葉氏在〈九龍城寨的主權問題〉一文裏,相當詳細的記述了中英雙方就九龍寨城的管治權的角力。記憶中,這是有關此一問題較早的一篇。

《香港方物志》的文章記述的是二十世紀五十年代的香港風物。葉靈鳳將香港的鳥獸蟲魚和若干掌故風俗,運用自然科學知識和民俗學知識,將它們與祖國方面和這有關的種種配合起來,這裏面有科學也有傳說,用散文隨筆的形式寫成。

《香島滄桑錄》所收錄葉靈鳳研究香港史的文章,題材主要分兩類,一是香港成為英國殖民地之後早期的社會現象(如「大笪地的痛心史」),二是考證英佔以前香港的山海史實(如宋末二帝在香港留下的種種史蹟)。文章雖然寫於五六十年前,但涉及不少近年香港社會關注的課題,例如填海帶來的紛爭、政府山的保育,以及因荷李活道已婚警察宿舍的保育而為公眾所注意的城隍廟等。

《香海浮沉錄》收錄了三十五篇有關香港由開埠到二十世紀初的法政歷史的文章,早年的香港華洋雜處,政法制度一時未備,於是諸如「全港英人中毒事件」、「顧利臣街的警匪大槍戰」和「大難財標參的故事」等令人嘖嘖稱奇的事件,遂層出不窮。在書中,葉靈鳳以舒徐不疾、寓考證於趣味的文字將段段舊事娓娓道來,從側面寫出早年香港殖民地的種種危機。

(摘錄自cp1897.com.hk)

Monday, October 19, 2015

The Great Escape : Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality

Angus Deaton
online access from ProQuest Ebook Central
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The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2015 was awarded to Angus Deaton "for his analysis of consumption, poverty, and welfare". (nobelprize.org)

The world is a better place than it used to be. People are healthier, wealthier, and live longer. Yet the escapes from destitution by so many has left gaping inequalities between people and nations. In The Great Escape, Angus Deaton--one of the foremost experts on economic development and on poverty--tells the remarkable story of how, beginning 250 years ago, some parts of the world experienced sustained progress, opening up gaps and setting the stage for today's disproportionately unequal world. Deaton takes an in-depth look at the historical and ongoing patterns behind the health and wealth of nations, and addresses what needs to be done to help those left behind.

Deaton describes vast innovations and wrenching setbacks: the successes of antibiotics, pest control, vaccinations, and clean water on the one hand, and disastrous famines and the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the other. He examines the United States, a nation that has prospered but is today experiencing slower growth and increasing inequality. He also considers how economic growth in India and China has improved the lives of more than a billion people. Deaton argues that international aid has been ineffective and even harmful. He suggests alternative efforts--including reforming incentives to drug companies and lifting trade restrictions--that will allow the developing world to bring about its own Great Escape.

Demonstrating how changes in health and living standards have transformed our lives, The Great Escape is a powerful guide to addressing the well-being of all nations.

(Excerpt from amazon.com)

香港故事

小思 著
online access from SuperStar Digital Library
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香港,一個身世十分朦朧的城市!身世朦朧,大概來自一股歷史悲情。

文化,是一座城市的個性所在。香港的個性呢?

我常對朋友說,香港既是一個朦朧之城,生長其中的人,自當也具備這種朦朧個性。香港人不容易讓人理解,因為我們自己也無法說得清楚。生於斯長於斯,血脈相連著,我們已經與香港訂下一種愛恨交纏的關係。對於她,我們有時很驕傲,有時很自卑,這矛盾纏成不解之結,就是遠遠離她而去的人,還會時在心頭。

傾城之戀,朦朧而纏綿,這是香港與香港人的故事。

(摘錄自三民網路書店)

Monday, October 12, 2015

Academic Writing : A Handbook for International Students

Stephen Bailey
online access from Taylor & Francis eBooks
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Academic Writing : A Handbook for International Students... writing good academic English is a demanding task. The new, fourth edition of Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students has been completely revised to help students reach this goal.

The four main parts of Academic Writing are:
• The writing process
• Elements of writing
• Vocabulary for writing
• Writing models

Each part is divided into short units which contain examples, explanations and exercises, for use in the classroom or for self-study. The units are clearly organised to allow teachers and students find the help they need with writing tasks, while cross-referencing allows easy access to relevant sections.

In the first part, each stage of the writing process is demonstrated and practised, from selecting suitable sources, reading, note-making and planning through to re-writing and proof-reading.

The fourth edition of this popular course builds on the success of the earlier editions, and has a special focus on the vital topic of academic vocabulary in part three, Vocabulary for Writing. Part three deals with areas such as nouns and adjectives, adverbs and verbs, synonyms, prefixes and prepositions, in an academic context. More key features of the book include:
• All elements of writing are clearly explained, with a full glossary for reference
• Models provided for all types of academic texts: essays, reports, reviews and case-studies
• Full range of practice exercises, with answer key included
• Use of authentic academic texts
• A companion website offers further practice with a range of additional exercises
• Fully updated, with sections on finding electronic sources and evaluating internet material

Students wanting to maximise their academic potential will find this practical and easy-to-use book an invaluable guide to writing in English for their degree courses.

(Excerpt from amazon.com)

戰爭中沒有女性 (War's Unwomanly Face)

斯薇特蘭娜. 阿列克茜葉維契 (Svetlana Alexievich)
online access from SuperStar Digital Library
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戰爭中沒有女性 (War's Unwomanly Face) / Svetlana Alexievich 《戰爭中沒有女性》是2015年諾貝爾文學獎得主斯維特拉娜·阿列克西耶維奇(Svetlana Alexievich)的作品。

《戰爭中沒有女性》這部作品,可以說是一部全景性紀實文學。作者沒有像前人一樣,選擇一個或幾個原型,精心構思,寫成一篇環繞一個或幾個人物展開情節的小說。如果那樣做,作者也是有足夠的素材積累和駕馭能力的。但是,作者為自己確立的目標,似是要寫出偉大衛國戰爭中蘇聯婦女的整體形象。她不是描寫一兩個、十幾個女性形象,而是集中了數十個戰時婦女的故事,讓她們作為主人公輪流出現,“自己講自己”,仿佛直接面對讀者娓娓而談。這些女主人公的命運遭際豐富多彩、各個不同,又具有整體的共性。作者巧妙地剪輯和匯合了她們的故事,構成了一幅波瀾壯闊的戰爭中婦女群象的長卷巨畫。作者所取的描繪角度也頗具獨特性,她不去渲染戰鬥和工作的過程,也沒有直接描寫女兵們在戰場上的英勇表現,而主要是通過女性心靈對於戰爭的感受,從感情上去反映和描繪戰爭,進而深刻地揭示了那場戰爭的本質。戰爭本來似乎是男人的事,女性與軍人難以得兼,但這一常規在衛國戰爭中被打破了,眾多女性從戎參戰。女孩子們身上習見的嬌柔、溫存、端莊、懦弱等等,在戰火中改變了,女性非女性化了,這一事實說明了戰爭的嚴峻和殘酷,更說明了衛國戰爭的正義性和全民性。這部作品著意於探索戰爭中女性的心理及其種種表現,種種變化,同時也就反映了衛國戰爭中蘇聯婦女的犧牲和貢獻。

(摘錄自douban.com)

Monday, October 5, 2015

The Elements of Academic Style: Writing for the Humanities

Eric Hayot
online access from ProQuest Ebook Central
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The Elements of Academic Style: Writing for the Humanities / Eric HayotEric Hayot teaches graduate students and faculty in literary and cultural studies how to think and write like a professional scholar. From granular concerns, such as sentence structure and grammar, to big-picture issues, such as adhering to genre patterns for successful research and publishing and developing productive and rewarding writing habits, Hayot helps ambitious students, newly minted Ph.D.'s, and established professors shape their work and develop their voices.

Hayot does more than explain the techniques of academic writing. He aims to adjust the writer's perspective, encouraging scholars to think of themselves as makers and doers of important work. Scholarly writing can be frustrating and exhausting, yet also satisfying and crucial, and Hayot weaves these experiences, including his own trials and tribulations, into an ethos for scholars to draw on as they write. Combining psychological support with practical suggestions for composing introductions and conclusions, developing a schedule for writing, using notes and citations, and structuring paragraphs and essays, this guide to the elements of academic style does its part to rejuvenate scholarship and writing in the humanities.

(Excerpt from amazon.com)

研究設計與方法 (Research Design and Methods)

肯尼斯·S·博登斯 (Kenneth S. Bordens) , 布魯斯·B·阿博特 (Bruce B. Abbott)
online access from SuperStar Digital Library
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研究設計與方法  (Research Design and Methods) 本書從研究設計的通用原理、研究設計方法和結果分析等三部分,對心理學研究方法進行闡述。不但是心理學專業,而且也是社會科學裡很多專業的學習者都值得閱讀的一本書。

(摘錄自博客來網路書店)