John Gordon

The 2008 financial crisis was a reminder to people both inside and outside the Actuarial Profession of just how complex the Financial Services industry has become, and just how tied the World economy presently is to its fortunes.This wide-ranging, non-technical book examines our present economic model, the industrys present function and the appropriateness of the Actuarial Professions present strategy and direction in the aftermath of that crisis, and in the context of the challenges that lie ahead. The books central premise is that, far from being a one-off, the 2008 crash is merely a portent of things to come, and that the Profession, the industry it serves, and even the political and economic models under which both presently operate are in need of fundamental reform if they are to equip our society to withstand the challenges that are going to be visited upon it. This book seeks to explore the reasons why, and to open the debate about what shape that reform ought to take. As such it should be of interest not just to actuaries, but to anyone who has an interest in our collective future.

Wintertime in the moody, atmospheric mists of East Anglia. Diving into the cold, murky water of a lake, Kit and Joe find an elaborate patten - a Fen word for ice skate. Its return to the surface is not widely welcomed and, as it emerges, the story of how the skate became detached from its owner fifty years ago leads the boys deep into a chilling mystery whose conclusion is yet to be played out. What could have been surging up through the ice that day half a century past that so frightened young Tom Townley? Why has Tom suffered constantly from nightmares and visions of beings who make no noise, but so menacingly watch? Who are they watching now - and why?

First published in 1968, THE GIANT UNDER THE SNOW created a fascinating world of magic, ancient evil and curses long before Harry Potter and His Dark Materials.Three children find an ornate Celtic buckle. To them its treasure, a fantastic find. They have no idea that it has awakened a giant who has lain at rest for centuries. Little do they know that an evil warlord and his Leathermen have also awaited this moment, this chance to wield their deadly power. In a chilling tale full of menace and suspense the final battle between good and evil must be fought.This is a story that transcends age. Beautifully written, subtle and evocative, THE GIANT UNDER THE SNOW transports the reader into an intensely atmospheric world where the imagination knows no bounds.

Una historia para dar energía a los equipos de trabajo¿Está cansado de la negatividad y de las quejas continuas que se expresan en su ambiente laboral?Es la historia de una Directora de Recursos humanos que debe hacer frente no solo a una crisis personal, sino a la crisis de su empresa que tiene problemas con un producto defectuoso y con empleados que esparcen su negatividad por todo el mundo a traves de la web.En busqueda de una solucion, se entera que existe un metodo en apariencia muy simple pero muy efectivo. Utilizar la regla de que esta "prohibido quejarse". Esta y otras reglas destinadas a cambiar la negatividad del entorno de trabajo y cambiarlo por otro mas positivo tendran un sorprendente efecto en la vida personal de la protagonista y en el bienestar de la empresa.Una agil y entretenida historia basada en casos reales que han aprovechado la regla de que esta "prohibido quejarse".Para todo aquel interesado en cambiar el mal humor que reina en la oficina.

Durante una excursión de la escuela, Jonquil Winters y sus amigos Bill y Arf encuentran en el bosque un extraño objeto dorado. Pronto descubrirán que es la hebilla de un cinturón mágico de origen celta del que quieren apoderarse fuerzas malignas. Los tres jovenes protagonistas estan a punto de vivir una aventura inolvidable.