Lowdown

We live and work in a global market - but English is still regarded as the international language of business. It is the most widely spoken second language in the world and those who can speak it with clarity have a great advantage. Used properly, speech can help us to achieve a greater level of success. Clear speech sends out the message 'I am in control, I can take charge,' inspiring confidence in those around you. The Lowdown: Improve Your Speech - American English for Chinese Speakers is primarily aimed at those who have a working knowledge of the English language, but who want to continue to improve their clarity of speech and their accent. Through easy exercises and helpful hints, this title will help you make the necessary adjustments to achieve clearer English, giving you confidence and helping you to make the best impression possible.

A concise history of the origins of the war to end all wars. Many of us know that the first world war began when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo in June of 1914. But have you ever wondered exactly what chain of events led up to the incident that caused the whole world to erupt into one of the bloodiest conflicts in our history? Expert military historian and lecturer John Lee explains the causes behind the origins of the war and gives us a unique insight into the unfolding drama that defined and shaped a generation — and generations to come. ©2010 Creative Content Ltd (P)2010 Creative Content Ltd

The 'must have' top tips guide to doing business in Japan. This “quick fix” guide will give you the inside information on how to do business and cope with business socializing in Japan. Despite what some would have you believe, there’s nothing particularly mysterious or complicated about doing business with the Japanese, but there are some important rules to follow in order to avoid causing offense and to ensure that things go smoothly. The Lowdown: Business Etiquette – Japan will give you practical tips on how to navigate your way through a business trip to Japan, and on how to behave - and how NOT to behave - in both business and business socialising situations. This guide will help to ensure that you maximize your time in Japan or in dealing with your Japanese business colleagues, thus making you a greater asset to your company and your profession. We live and work in a global environment - and knowing how to behave with courtesy in other countries allows us to make a great impression and maximize our potential. • Topics Covered Include: • Preparing for your trip • Understanding Japanese communication styles • How to navigate your first business meeting – what to do and what NOT to do! • Overcoming the language barrier • Understanding the importance of hierarchy: consensus-building, nemawashi, and protocol • How to cope with social invitations and understand their critical importance in a business relationship • Hosting Japanese visitors • Special tips for women doing business in Japan • A list of useful phrases ©2010 Creative Content Ltd (P)2010 Creative Content Ltd

A concise history of Saddam's road to ruin — the denouement of Iraq. The Lowdown: A Short History of the First Gulf War gives an explanation of the causes of the Gulf War in 1990-91 and how the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s shaped the political and diplomatic landscape that led to a confrontation between President Saddam Hussein of Iraq and a world coalition led by the United States. At the end of the Iran-Iraq War in 1988, Iraq was in significant debt. Saddam coveted Kuwait's vast oil revenues and considered using his vast and seasoned army to get them. He presumed that there would be little resistance to an invasion — a dreadful miscalculation. When Iraqi forces poured into Kuwait, much of the world united against them. The First Gulf War opened a new chapter in the region's politics, bringing together the Arab states and the Western world. Yet, ultimately, it was a war that convinced Saddam to continue his defiance of the West and to exercise even greater ruthlessness to stay in power - a situation which led to the Coalition invasion of Iraq in 2003. After that 2003 onslaught, many speculated as to what had gone wrong in the first Gulf War. Why had Saddam been able to survive? What was it that drove him to continue to snub the world and pursue his objectives so aggressively? The Lowdown: A Short History of the First Gulf War" considers these questions, examines the character and experiences of Saddam himself, revisiting the First Gulf War in light of more recent events. ©2010 Creative Content Ltd (P)2010 Creative Content Ltd

A concise history of the origins of The Vietnam War for a new generation. On September 2, 1945, Vietnamese revolutionary Ho Chi Minh boldly proclaimed his country's independence. Just as Americans had done almost two centuries earlier in defiance of the British, Ho declared that Vietnamese patriots were, after many decades of French domination, affirming that all the peoples on the earth are equal from birth "and have a right to live and to be happy and free." Among the cheering Vietnamese assembled for this auspicious announcement were American military officers, who had worked with Ho and his Vietminh political front to defeat the Japanese imperial forces that had occupied Indochina and had replaced French authority for the previous four years. Envisioning this dramatic scene and not knowing the tragic saga that would follow, someone might assume that Americans and Vietnamese had much in common on which to build a harmonious international relationship. In reality, however, the two nations were destined to collide in a war that would ultimately cost more than two million Vietnamese and more than 58,000 American lives. How could it have happened? This fascinating story of how the Vietnamese people resisted external control and moved outward like pioneer settlers to occupy the country that became Vietnam, creating a unified and independent government, is in many ways like the story of early America. In this concise history of the origins of the Vietnam War.

A guide giving useful tips to help achieve a more professional level of speech. Our speech and voice can say as much about us as the clothes we wear, the car we drive, or even the newspapers and magazines we read. Used properly, speech can help us to achieve a greater level of success. Improve Your Speech is not about individual accents - it is about clarity in our communication skills. It is aimed primarily at those who have American English as their first language, but it is also useful for those with English as their second language.

Useful tips to help achieve a more professional level of speech. The way we speak can say as much about us as the clothes we wear, the car we drive, or even the newspapers and magazines we read. We live and work in a global market - but English is still regarded as the international language of business. Clear speech will help you to maximize your potential, making you a greater asset to your company and your profession. Improve Your Speech is ideal for those who are long on ambition, but short on time. In an effective but lighthearted talk, you will be taken through easy exercises and given helpful hints and top tips on how best to use your voice and tidy up your speech, giving you confidence and helping you to make the best impression possible - whether at work or when socializing. It is aimed primarily at those who have British English as their first language, but it is also useful for those with English as their second language.