Financial systems are crucial to the allocation of resources in a modern economy. They channel household savings to the corporate sector & allocate investment funds among firms; they allow intertemporal smoothing of consumption by households & expenditures by firms; & they enable households & firms to share risks. These functions are common to the financial systems of most developed economies. Yet the form of these financial systems varies widely. In the United States & the United Kingdom competitive markets dominate the financial landscape whereas in France Germany & Japan banks have traditionally played the most important role. Why do different countries have such different financial systems? Is one system better than all the others? Do different systems merely represent alternative ways of satisfying similar needs? Is the current trend toward market-based systems desirable? Franklin Allen & Douglas Gale argue that the view that market-based systems are best is simplistic. A more nuanced approach is necessary. For example financial markets may be bad for risk sharing; competition in banking may be inefficient; financial crises can be good as well as bad; & separation of ownership & control can be optimal. Financial institutions are not simply veils disguising the allocation mechanism without affecting it but are crucial to overcoming market imperfections. An optimal financial system relies on both financial markets & financial intermediaries. ...

Engagement with the Muslim world & Muslim people is inevitable for Christians. After all Islam is the fastest growing religion in the United States. But what does the Qur'an really say about things like Jesus war & non-Muslims? What does the Bible say on these matters? If Christians are to engage in informed loving conversation with their Muslim neighbours they need to be equipped with more than the often-specious talking points they glean from the news or email forwards. Comparing the Qur'an & the Bible offers readers an unprecedented collection of Scriptures & doctrines of both faiths presented side by side for easy study & comparison covering such key issues as God/ Allah; Jesus; Abraham; creation; angels/jinn; jihad; the fall of man; predestination; sacrifice/ransom; grace; rebirth; godly life; women; marriage & divorce; homosexuality; suicide; resurrection; judgment; Paradise; & prayer. A brief explanation of each passage in the Qur'an & the Bible is given as well as biblical answers to Islamic teaching. The book also motivates readers to have hearts for Muslims & seek to bring them to Christ offering door openers" to sharing the Good News. This indispensible collection will be treasured by anyone seeking to understand & engage their Muslim neighbours." ...

Explaining the nature of theories in the field of child development (including why theories are useful & why there are multiple theories) Thomas highly respected book covers the widest range of theories of any text currently available. Using the following criteria: Has the theory been popular? " " Has the theory been influential? " & " Is the theory representative of a class or family of theories? " Thomas identifies the goals & describes the findings of more than two dozen theorists & inspects a series of child development issues that bridge a variety of theories. in addition Thomas suggests a variety of ways to compare theories & existing explanations of how a child develops." ...

In this follow-up to his much praised Finding Hope & Meaning in Suffering Trystan Owain Hughes encourages us to develop an approach to life that looks beyond our own concerns. Using illustrations from poetry literature & film & drawing on contemporary scientific thought the author makes plain that our natural state is an interconnected harmony with God with each other & with the world around us. Gradually we come to realize that loving others & desiring the best for them is worthwhile even when there seems to be little in it for us. Just as Christ chose to humble himself & become ' God with us' so we too will bring light to the lives of those around us by transcending our self-centredness & becoming fully present to those in need. & as we begin to attune ourselves to love's frequency our inner being will instinctively embrace all creation as sacred & deserving of our care & attention. ...

Research into the beneficial effect of developing compassion has advanced enormously in the last ten years with the development of inner compassion being an important therapeutic focus & goal. This book explains how Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
- a process of developing compassion for the self & others to increase well-being & aid recovery
- varies from other forms of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Comprising 30 key points this book explores the founding principles of CFT & outlines the detailed aspects of compassion in the CFT approach. Divided into two parts
- Theory & Compassion Practice
- this concise book provides a clear guide to the distinctive characteristics of CFT. Compassion Focused Therapy will be a valuable source for students & professionals in training as well as practising therapists who want to learn more about the distinctive features of CFT.



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Throughout history people have sought to cope with a life that is often stressful & hard. We have actually known for some time that developing compassion for oneself & others can help us face up to & win through the hardship & find a sense of inner peace. However in modern societies we rarely focus on this key process that underpins successful coping & happiness & can be quick to dismiss the impact of modern living on our minds & well-being. Instead we concentrate on 'doing achieving' & having'. Now bestselling author & leading authority on depression Professor Paul Gilbert explains how new research shows how we can all learn to develop compassion for ourselves & others & derive the benefits of this age-old wisdom. In this ground-breaking new book he explores how our minds have developed to be highly sensitive & quick to react to perceived threats & how this fast-acting threat-response system can be a source of anxiety depression & aggression. He describes how studies have also shown that developing kindness & compassion for self & others can hep in calming down the threat system: as a mother's care & love can soothe a baby's distress so we can learn how to soothe ourselves. Not only does compassion help to soothe distressing emotions it actually increases feelings of contentment & well-being. Here Professor Gilbert outlines the latest findings about the value of compassion & how it works & takes readers through basic mind training exercises to enhance the capacity for & use of compassion. ...

This self-help book explores the problems created by having ready access to high fat foods designed to taste good. Because we evolved in conditions of relative scarcity we have few natural food inhibitors & so most diet books try to encourage people to inhibit their eating by highly rule governed behaviours which have to be constantly worked at. However this can lead to various forms of self-criticism which can undermine efforts at self-control. As a result our relationship with eating can be complex multifaceted & problematic. Beating Overeating Using Compassion Focused Therapy" uses Compassion Focused Therapy
- a groundbreaking new therapeutic approach
- to understand & work with our urges & passions for food. We can learn to enjoy & accept food & pay attention to our biological & emotional needs. This book is for people who have tried diets & found that they dont work & will enable the reader to have a healthier & happier relationship with food & their body. Topics covered include: the relationship between our brains & food the evolutionary background to finding conserving & eating food; how too much or too little food affects the brain why diets dont work factors affecting our eating behaviour (tastes stress comfort etc); body shape & culture; & developing an inner compassion for ones relationship with food
- recognising what we need & what is helpful."


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We know what it's like to worry from time to time but for some of us our worrying can take over & have a serious impact on our lives. When our anxiety gets out of hand & starts to dominate our lives affecting how we function & our general sense of wellbeing it's time to do something about it. This accessible self-help guide provides the reader with a clear understanding of how problem anxiety develops the kinds of problems it's causing them & sets out ground-breaking Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) techniques to overcome their anxiety. CFT was initially developed by Professor Paul Gilbert OBE author of the bestselling The Compassionate Mind" which set out his ground-breaking approach to treat those with high levels of shame & self-criticism. It uses the proven research-based techniques of CBT & other therapies with a special focus on the importance of developing inner compassion in order to alleviate feelings of shame develop a more balanced outlook & promote resilience. It incorporates elements of mindfulness & Tibetan Buddhism with recent research on human development & studies of the brain. It is increasingly used to treat a wide range of emotional & psychological problems including depression overeating shyness trauma anxiety & anger." ...

Terrible events are very hard to deal with & those who go through a trauma often feel permanently changed by it. Grief numbness anger anxiety & shame are all very common emotional reactions to traumatic incidents such as an accident or death of a loved one & ongoing traumatic events such as domestic abuse. How we deal with the aftermath of trauma & our own emotional response can determine how quickly we are able to 'move on' & get back to 'normality' once more. An integral part of the recovery process is not only recognising & accepting how our lives may have been changed but also learning to deal with feelings of shame
- an extremely common reaction to trauma. Recovering from Trauma" uses the groundbreaking Compassion Focused Therapy to help the reader to not only develop a fuller understanding of how we react to trauma but also to deal with any feelings of shame & start to overcome any trauma-related difficulties."
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When Damon is taken captive by ruthless vampire Samuel Stefan is determined to rescue him before it is too late...even if it means seeking help from the most unlikely of places. Stefan forms a tentative alliance with a coven of witches in order to save his brother only to learn that Samuel's end game is far more sinister then they could have imagined. With Samuel on the brink of securing unlimited power the brothers are in for their deadliest battle yet. Full of dark shadows & surprising twists the final book in the latest arc of Stefan's Diaries series raises the stakes for the Salvatore brothers as they face unimaginable threats. ...