Most Popular Books by Richard Johnson

This is the story of six extraordinary men who each built something from nothing, redefined the automotive industry after World War II, and redirected its course for the future: Henry Ford II (visionary autocrat with an iron will), Shoichiro Honda (most successful automotive entrepreneur since Henry Ford I), Eberhard von Kuenheim (founder of the modern BMW), Lee Iacocca, Ferdinand Piech (builder of Volkswagen Group) and Robert Lutz (who left retirement at 70 and is still highly influential at General Motors). What made them special was the sheer volume of fundamental change they brought to the largest industry in the history of the world. They not only re-shaped the auto business, the six made a sizable dent in the societies they lived in. To a man they were great cognitive thinkers. Their minds worked with animal speed, even instinct speed. But more than anything these were brave and cantankerous souls who rode the waves of history. Each could see the future. They could just make it out-sometimes imperfectly, but could see it nonetheless. They took a business that had begun to mature and decline by the 1930s and found ways to make it fresh and whole again.- The compelling story of the global car business over the past half-century.- A lively and engaging narrative that recounts some times collaborative, sometimes archly antagonistic interactions among the men- Full of business revelations at the highest level, written by a journalist operating at the heart of the industry- Global appeal that shows how automotive groups in the USA, Europe and Asia have influenced each other- A business story interlaced with personal details that explains why the six were determined to be successfulAbout the AuthorFor two decades, Richard Johnson has worked for Crain Communications, publisher of the world''s leading automotive business publications. Founding editor of Crain''s Automotive News Europe, he has been a reporter and editor for the group in Detroit, Tokyo, Frankfurt and London. He is currently a senior editor with Automotive News in Detroit and regularly talks to the most senior executives in the leading car manufacturing groups.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Democracy in the United States is under threat. The Trump administration’s attack on the legacy of the civil rights movement is undermining America’s claims to be a multi-racial democracy. This moment of peril has worrying parallels with a previous era of American history. The gains of the Reconstruction era after the civil war, which saw African Americans given full democratic rights, were totally reversed within a generation. There is a serious risk that the advances of the civil rights era – the ‘Second Reconstruction’ – will go the same way unless we learn from the past and appreciate that American democracy has never been a story of linear progress. Skilfully analysing the similarities – and the differences – between the 1870s and the 2010s, Johnson outlines a political strategy for avoiding a disastrous repetition of history in in the twilight of the Second Reconstruction. Anyone interested in seeing the Trump presidency in wider historical context, from students of race, politics and history in the US to the interested general reader, will find this book an essential and sobering guide to our past – and, if we’re not careful, our future.

In ''An Address to the Inhabitants of the Colonies, Established,'' Richard Johnson presents a compelling examination of colonial society, underscoring the social, political, and economic conditions faced by inhabitants during a pivotal era of transformation. The text exemplifies an eloquent prose style that combines persuasive rhetoric with moral reflection, urging colonial residents to engage in thoughtful self-governance and cooperative action. Rich in historical context, Johnson''s treatise responds to the anxieties of a society grappling with British imperial authority and the burgeoning desire for autonomy, making it a vital document for understanding the philosophical underpinning of early American revolutionary sentiments. Richard Johnson, an influential figure in the early colonial period, was deeply rooted in the political landscape and social dilemmas facing the colonies. His background as an engaged citizen and his involvement in the emerging dialogue on governance provided him with unique insights into the aspirations and grievances of colonial inhabitants. This work reflects his advocacy for unity among colonists, illuminating the complexities of identity and allegiance in a time of upheaval and change. For readers interested in the intersections of literature, political philosophy, and colonial history, Johnson''s ''An Address to the Inhabitants of the Colonies, Established'' serves as an essential text. It not only provides a window into the minds of early American thinkers but also encourages contemporary readers to ponder the intricate fabric of social responsibility and civic engagement.

''The Ancient Customs of the City of Hereford'' is a fascinating look at the social and cultural customs that have shaped this historic English city. Author Richard Johnson offers a detailed description of the many rituals and traditions that have been observed in Hereford for centuries, including customs related to law, politics, religion, and everyday life. With its rich historical detail and engaging writing style, ''The Ancient Customs of the City of Hereford'' is a must-read for anyone interested in English history and culture. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Democracy isn’t broken – it’s stuck. Around the world, people are growing angry and polarized – not because they’ve stopped caring, but because democracy has stopped evolving. The result isn’t apathy – it is a rising sense of political futility. In Democracy’s Second Act, Peter MacLeod and Richard Johnson argue that the first act of democracy – anchored in voting rights and representative government – achieved extraordinary gains. Free elections, near-universal suffrage, and the peaceful transfer of power reshaped societies and expanded human freedom. But these achievements represent the promise of democracy, not its completion. Their book offers a hopeful, clear-eyed vision for what comes next. Drawing on groundbreaking citizens’ assemblies in Ireland, Canada, and France – as well as democratic innovations from more than a dozen countries – MacLeod and Johnson show how we can build on the legacy of the first act by creating new institutions that tap into the talents, judgement, and capabilities of ordinary people. They make the case that the public isn’t a risk to be managed, but a powerful resource ready to be harnessed and that the future depends on giving citizens real responsibility, not just a periodic vote. Smart, story-driven, and deeply grounded in political theory and practice, Democracy’s Second Act is for changemakers ready to move beyond cynicism and rebuild democracy for a new era.

"Optimal Pathfinding with A-Star Algorithms" "Optimal Pathfinding with A-Star Algorithms" delivers a comprehensive and rigorous exploration of modern pathfinding theory and practice, centering on the powerful A* family of search algorithms. The book systematically builds foundational knowledge, covering problem formulation, essential graph theory, complexity analysis, and the principles of both uninformed and informed search. Through clear explanations and detailed mathematical formalism, it lays the groundwork necessary for understanding what distinguishes A*-based approaches from other search strategies, making it a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and advanced students alike. Moving far beyond the canonical A* algorithm, the text delves into advanced heuristic construction, algorithmic optimizations, and scalable deployment in distributed or resource-constrained settings. Readers are guided through topics such as memory-efficient heuristic design, dynamic replanning, hierarchical and parallel implementations, and the intricacies of multi-agent and multi-objective pathfinding. This breadth ensures relevance to a wide spectrum of real-world applications—from robotics and autonomous vehicles to intelligent game agents and logistics systems—while maintaining a deep focus on optimality, completeness, and computational efficiency. In its final chapters, the book turns to pressing challenges at the forefront of the field, including security, robustness in adversarial environments, experimental benchmarking, and the integration of learning-based techniques. Emerging directions like quantum and probabilistic computing, energy-efficient planning, and human-in-the-loop systems are thoroughly surveyed, reflecting the ongoing evolution and multidisciplinary reach of A*-driven research. With its combination of theoretical rigor and practical insight, "Optimal Pathfinding with A-Star Algorithms" stands as an indispensable guide for those seeking mastery over the science and engineering of intelligent search.

Instantly and accurately diagnose and treat the full range of pediatric skin problems "The focus on quick recognition of pediatric dermatologic conditions and pediatric illnesses makes this atlas an asset in the office. The ease of reference is fantastic. This will replace the dermatology reference I currently use. 3 Stars."--Doody''s Review Service Modeled after Fitzpatrick''s Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, the world''s most widely-used dermatologic reference, this point-of-care atlas provides large, detailed, full-color photographs of skin diseases in children along with the latest management and treatment recommendations. You''ll find everything you need to confidently assess, diagnose, and manage diseases of the skin, hair, and nails of pediatric patients in a busy clinical environment. Each illness or disorder features a logical easy-to-read presentation that includes: Epidemiology Pathophysiology History Physical Examination Differential Diagnosis Laboratory Evaluation Course and Prognosis Treatment and Prevention/Management (with approved pediatric dosages) One or two full-color photographs Featuring more than 350 clear, crisp full-color photographs and coverage that spans everything from disorders of blood and lymph vessels to cutaneous bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, Color Atlas & Synopsis of Pediatric Dermatology is the fastest and most reliable way to confirm your next pediatric diagnosis.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

"InfiniBand Architecture and Implementation" "InfiniBand Architecture and Implementation" is an authoritative, in-depth guide to one of the most advanced interconnect technologies driving today’s high-performance computing, enterprise, and AI infrastructures. Beginning with a thorough exploration of InfiniBand’s origins, fundamental concepts, and layered architecture, the book masterfully contrasts it with competing standards such as Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and NVLink. Readers are introduced to critical terminology and immersed in the evolution of hardware and software standards that have propelled InfiniBand’s widespread adoption across industries. The book systematically dissects InfiniBand’s technical underpinnings, from the physical and link layers to advanced network, transport, and management layers. It delves into the inner workings of fabric topologies, host adapters, switches, and state-of-the-art features like HDR and NDR, providing a clear blueprint for successful design, initialization, discovery, automation, and integration with distributed systems. Real-world implementation insights encompass integration with MPI, IPoIB, storage protocols, virtualization, and cutting-edge accelerator technologies such as GPUDirect—all while addressing the challenges of scaling, troubleshooting, and performance optimization in both single and distributed deployments. Designed for architects, engineers, and researchers, this comprehensive reference also addresses security, reliability, and compliance concerns in detail, presenting strategies for partitioning, access control, threat mitigation, high availability, and disaster recovery. The book concludes with a forward-looking perspective on emerging trends, future challenges, and case studies of large-scale deployments, making it an essential resource for anyone seeking to master InfiniBand technology or to design and operate resilient, high-performance computing fabrics at scale.

"Playwright in Action" "Playwright in Action" is a comprehensive guide that illuminates every facet of modern browser automation using Microsoft’s Playwright framework. The book begins by grounding the reader in Playwright’s architectural fundamentals, its comparative advantages over other leading automation tools, and best practices for environment setup across multiple programming languages. With detailed explanations of browser driver models, device emulation, and advanced API integrations, it establishes a robust understanding for both newcomers and seasoned automation engineers. Across sequential chapters, readers are guided through sophisticated testing strategies, spanning resilient selector patterns, network interception, stateful browser context management, complex authentication workflows, and automation of native dialogs. The book devotes significant attention to creating robust, maintainable, and data-driven tests through patterns like the page object model, advanced synchronization methods, and visual regression techniques. It further integrates testing into modern DevOps pipelines with in-depth coverage of CI/CD, scalable cloud grid executions, and artifact management, ensuring tests can be executed reliably at scale. Advancing beyond core web automation, "Playwright in Action" explores device emulation, accessibility checks, regulatory compliance automation, and cross-platform strategies vital for enterprise-grade solutions. Extensive sections on security, privacy, extensibility, plugin development, and the intersection of UI with API testing empower teams to future-proof their testing efforts. Rounded out with real-world case studies, AI-driven automation approaches, and a forward-looking analysis of trends, this book is an indispensable resource for maximizing the impact, reliability, and efficiency of browser automation in any organization.

"Designing for Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability in Modern Systems" In an era where the seamless operation of digital infrastructures underpins business continuity and user trust, "Designing for Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability in Modern Systems" presents a comprehensive exploration of the principles and practices that define robust computing environments. This authoritative volume begins by demystifying the RAS triad—reliability, availability, and serviceability—offering readers both historical context and a rigorous framework for understanding how these non-functional attributes shape modern IT expectations and economic outcomes. From mainframes to cloud-native deployments, each chapter methodically reveals how the evolution of RAS intersects with the demands of today’s interconnected and heterogeneous systems. The book delves deep into the technical bedrock of reliability engineering, high availability design, and advanced serviceability. Readers will find thorough treatments of fault modeling, defense-in-depth redundancy, automated failover, and observability, anchored in both quantitative metrics and real-world validation methodologies such as chaos engineering and large-scale resilience testing. Essential attention is given to the interplay between hardware and software reliability, the challenges of distributed systems under the CAP theorem, and the integration of security and regulatory rigor—all supported by illuminating case studies, canonical best practices, and pragmatic anti-patterns to avoid. As technology frontiers shift, the final sections of the book look at the future of RAS, highlighting transformative trends including AI-driven predictive operations, RAS for edge and IoT systems, sustainable engineering practices, and the critical role of industry standards. Whether you are a systems architect, site reliability engineer, or technology leader, this book offers actionable insights, detailed patterns, and conceptual clarity for designing and operating resilient, highly available, and supportable systems at scale.