A Brief History of the Future
Oona Strathern
ISBN-13: 978-1-84529-218-8
320 pages | © 2007

From Delphi’s virgin visionaries, to science fiction writers, pop futurists, trend gurus and evolutionary experts – this book takes a look at the most interesting and influential figures and what their predictions have done for us. The brilliant, beautiful and sometimes terrifying ideas of visionary thinkers such as Leonardo, Darwin, Orwell and Dawkins have played a key part in influencing our minds, politics and civilization to date. Today, futurism is all around us – in institutes of higher education around the world futures studies are a hot subject. Governments of nations as small as Liechtenstein have shiny new futures departments, while think-tanks and consultants wield huge influence. Entrepreneurs and politicians are trying to buy a hold on the future – and the question is, do we make the future, or does the future make us? This unique and fascinating book looks behind the scenes at how tomorrow’s trends are being identified, ‘made’ and marketed today.

Contemporary Futurist Thought: Science Fiction, Future Studies, and Theories and Visions of the Future in the Last Century

Contemporary Futurist Thought describes recent thinking about the future, dealing with both the hopes and the fears expressed in modern times concerning what potentially lies ahead. There are many such hopes and fears - perhaps an overpowering number, competing with each other and swirling about in the collective mind of humanity. Psychologist and futurist Tom Lombardo describes this mental universe of inspiring dreams and threatening premonitions regarding the future. The book begins with an in-depth examination of the highly influential literary genre of science fiction, which Dr. Lombardo identifies as "the mythology of the future." He next describes the modern academic discipline of future studies which attempts to apply scientific methods and principles to an understanding of the future. Social and technological trends in the twentieth century are then reviewed, setting the stage for an analysis of the great "contemporary transformation" occurring in our present world.

Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used-New 3rd Edition
Peter Block
ISBN: 0787948039
371 Pages |

Peter Block’s "Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used" is considered the "consultant’s bible" and is a landmark bestseller that explains how to deal effectively with clients, peers, and others. This third edition addresses business and new challenges since the second edition was written and also explores what’s on the minds of consultants. As a futurist consultant I have been always enjoyed this book by utilizing its rules and principles in my profession.

If you have not enough time to read the book, you can surf Block's website to read his short articles at: http://www.designedlearning.com/

Foundations of Futures Studies: Human Science for a New Era: History, Purposes, Knowledge
Wendell Bell

The book begins by giving an extensive background about the subject on future studies. The author introduces such founders to the subject like Lasswell, Kahn, and RAND. Originally futures study/forecasting was primarily used by the military. The author writes, "purpose of future studies are to discover or invent, examine & evaluate, and propose possible, probable and preferable future." Looking to alternative futures and furthering that discussion the author mentions Alvin Toffler. Case studies are then offered to illustrate either how forecasting can predict possible disasters and/or show how alternative futures can shape the future. Re-iterating that point, the author presents nine "key assumptions" and three "general assumptions." Last sections in the book the author looks to the discussion of whether future studies is "science or an art." Followed by a proposal for epistemology for future studies. Lastly, the author reviews methods and describes the methods thoroughly to capture their diversity and ingenuity.

Futuring: The Exploration of the Future
Edward Cornish
ISBN: 0930242610
313 Pages

This comprehensive guide to the study of the future will give you a detailed look at the techniques futurists use, what we can know about the future and what we can't, and the role that forward-looking people can play in creating a better tomorrow. Used as a textbook for dozens of college courses!

Organization Theory and Design, 10th Edition

Discover to the most progressive thinking about organizations today as acclaimed author Richard Daft balances recent, innovative ideas with proven classic theories and effective business practices. Daft's best-selling ORGANIZATION THEORY AND DESIGN, 10E presents a captivating, compelling snapshot of contemporary organizations and the concepts driving their success that will immediately engage any reader. Recognized as one of the most systematic, well organized texts in the market, ORGANIZATION THEORY AND DESIGN helps both future and current managers thoroughly prepare for the challenges of today's business world. This thorough revision showcases some of today's most current examples and research alongside time-tested principles. Readers see how many of today's well-known organizations thrive amidst a rapidly changing, highly competitive, international environment. Proven and new learning features provide opportunities for readers to apply concepts and refine personal business skills and insights.

Download the COMPLETE SET of PowerPoint slides of this great book now:  PowerPoint Presentation Slides (all Chapters)

The Extreme Future: The Top Trends That Will Reshape the World for the Next 5, 10, and 20 Years

The author makes speculative predictions of the future. His sheer number of intuitive predictions will allow him to be right on many matters. It's a very useful book for the beginners, but in my point of view what is lacking are analysis and technical details of why the future is the way the author claims will be. For example, he claims lack of energy supply and technological progress will bring forth an age of hydrogen powered cars and fusion nuclear reactors. Yet, he provides no technical reasons why these two technologies will dominate the energy industry. Just how will we manage to produce hydrogen in large concentration and quantities which will be cost effective when it takes MORE energy to produce concentrated hydrogen today than the energy value of the hydrogen themselves? Also, since when was controlled nuclear fusion reactors even possible? An explanation of how we will overcome the technical hurdles is missing throughout this book.

The Leadership Experience, 3rd Edition

Equip yourself with the critical leadership skills and solid understanding of today's theory you need to become effective business leaders in today's turbulent times with Daft's THE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE, 5E. Acclaimed author Richard Daft helps you explore the latest thinking in leadership theory and contemporary practices at work within organizations throughout the world. This edition more closely connects theory to recent world events, such as the Wall Street meltdown, ethical scandals, and political turmoil. Students examine emerging topics, including enhancing emotional intelligence, leadership vision and courage, leading virtual teams, and open innovation. Packed with memorable examples and unique insights into actual leadership decisions, this edition now offers full-color visuals to reinforce the book's engaging presentation. This edition's proven applications, specifically designed for today's leadership theory and applications course, and a solid foundation grounded in established scholarly research make the topic of leadership come alive for you.

To learn more please visit: http://ecoursepacks.swlearning.com

Thinking about the Future: Guidelines for Strategic Foresight
Andy Hines and Peter Bishop
ISBN-13: 9780978931704
253 Pages | © 2007

"If you don't know where you're going, you may wind up somewhere else," baseball player Yogi Berra famously said. This singular quote encapsulates perfectly the danger of operating without a clear objective, much less a plan to reach that objective. If a corporation or organization can't even give words to the place it would like to be, then it will likely lack the vocabulary to describe why things went askew (when they inevitably do) or how to get back on a more desirable course. "Knowing where you're going" is also the animating theme of Thinking About the Future: Guidelines for Strategic Foresight, edited by futurists Andy Hines and Peter Bishop. "Many practicing analysts today have little experience or formal training in strategic foresight," they write in the introduction. "This work addresses that gap by cataloging the best guidelines for successfully applying strategic foresight, offered by professionals in the field today."