New Release Books by Alex Sherman

In Alex Sherman's novella of space exploration The Tourist, a young academic travels to a mining outpost on a small planetoid, far from their sun There he studies the culture and music of a small squatter population that lives in total darkness. This is the first time any student has been allowed to travel there. Chocky agrees to show the student around, although he has more pressing things on his mind. Maybe this tour will provide the resources he needs, after all. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Alex Sherman's Cosmic Crust is a Tor.com original science fiction story. In an apocalyptic, depopulated city, a young man named Bhu struggles to feed his ailing dog, Lucy. Phan, the local pizza parlor owner, takes pity on Bhu and provides the meat Lucy needs so she can survive. But what exactly is in the meat? And how far is Bhu willing to go to save his dog? At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

52 Things We Wish Someone Had Told Us About Customer Analytics is for anyone who uses customer information to make business decisions: CMOs, CEOs, product owners and the people who provide that information, e.g. data scientists, market researchers, business analysts. By tying impact to tools and techniques, through real-life stories, we hope to help decision makers better understand how to use customer data while helping data analysis providers understand how to create output that end users will value.This book provides 52 real-life anecdotes that illustrate important learnings about customer analytics. It draws from the worlds of big data and customer insights. It is our contribution to help managers do a better job using customer analytics (what to do and what not to do) so that the analytics actually makes a difference.Books on customer analytics (data science, business analysis, market research, whatever you like to call it) primarily exist in two categories: as academic texts, which discuss theoretical approaches to data analysis problems; or as technical texts, which teach the statistics or computer programming required to conduct an analysis. As the focus of these books is on analysis tools and techniques, fictitious examples are often used to explain main topics. Our book fills in the missing gap between these approaches by providing real-life, practical stories, tying analysis directly to business value.---"Essential reading for those who want to cut through all the hype of big data. This book has practical advice on how to have real financial and business impact, from the experienced authors who have done this in real life."John ForsythFormer Principal (Partner), McKinsey, former Head, McKinsey's Global Customer Insights Practice---"Mike and Alex have delivered an entertaining and highly readable romp through many aspects of customer analysis-from qualitative focus groups through to terrabytes of big data; and utilizing many real-world examples to reinforce their points. They employ a relentless focus on the use of analysis to deliver meaningful and impactful business value ... and that should matter to you, too, whether you're the CEO, the product owner or a junior analyst delivering the work."George HaylettFormer Asia Analytics Head for Amex, Citibank and HSBC---"Significance. Reliability. Confidence. These and other such terms can be a mantra for both suppliers and buyers of data and analytics. Whether it be big data, qualitative research or something in between; sampling, statistics and "findings" are often the drivers of customer or business analytic exercises. But what about relevance? If the results cannot direct business decisions, what does it matter how "accurate" they are? Used correctly, such analytics are an enormously powerful driver of business performance and profitability. But only if the findings have business salience or business significance. Otherwise, aren't they just another type of BS? In this book, Mike and Alex Sherman lay out some wonderful examples of how the time and money spent on business analytics can transform decision-making or be a complete waste of time. It contains great lessons for buyers and users of such services. But I would also commend it to consultants and suppliers. We shouldn't need to sell what a computer can do with data. We should be promoting what humans and businesses can do by asking the right questions of the results."Adrian ChedoreFormer CEO of Synovate---"This book thoughtfully and practically reminds us that, as we continue to further automate consumer insight analytics efforts with the newest analytics and AI technology, human thinking and human understanding of the fundamental purpose of the analysis, and of the questions that are essential to understanding that purpose, becomes even more important."Professor Steven MillerVice Provost (Research), Singapore Management University

Celtic designs, with their intricate knotwork, dizzying spirals, and repetitive tessellation have a magical quality, both to those who view them and the artists who create them. The timeless beauty of these ancient forms is reinterpreted here in more than 200 original designs. This invaluable collection is a resource that will inspire artists and crafters in every medium, from drawing and lithography to jewelry, ceramics, stained glass, weaving, embroidery, quilt making, and carpentry. The images may be copied unchanged, or modified to suit the user—either of which can be done digitally, thanks to the CD that comes with the book. Anyone whose heart is drawn to the Celtic tradition will find this unique sourcebook absolutely stimulating.