The Polar Bear Strategy: Reflections on Risk in Modern Life

by John F. Ross

From cholesterol to cancer, asteroids to AIDS, we face more risks than our grandparents ever dreamed of. But most of us are 200 years behind the curve when it comes to making intelligent risk-based... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738201170
• ISBN13: 9780738201177
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Basic Books (AZ)
• Length: 196 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A worthwhile book which opens your eyes to risk

You've got to read this book! Ross has taken a scary subject and used vivid graphic examples, as well as humor, to bring it into the reader's everyday life. Chapter 8 on toxins is especially enlightening. And I am changing my mouthwash -it contains alcohol! I've recommended this book to my monthly book discussion group.

It opens your eyes to the real truth about risk in life.

I first learned of this book by watching Book TV and seeing John Ross (author) speak about his book in DC. I was captivated by what I heard and had to read the book. You don't realize how much "risk" or "risk management" is a part of your everyday life. Mr. Ross does an excellent job of explaining the history of "risk management" and how it has evolved in this complexed world of ours. He reminds me of my favorite teacher in High School. This Physics teacher would explain complexed theorys and equations with entertaining short stories. All of these short stories where from his own experiences or based on true historical events. In somewhat the same way, this book teaches you about a relatively new science (risk management).I truely enjoyed the unbias and common sense way the book was written. Don't think of it as a science book. It is an eye opening truth in "Reflections on Risk in Modern Life". I have recommended this book to many of my friends and family.

All in the Risk

A savvy, readable compendium of anecdotes and scientific studies, this must-read book urges us to relax our fears of the big risky world out there. With good humor and style, the author knifes through New Age fears by comparing relative risks and gives us a manual for sane living in the modern world. Bravo to John Ross, he's a writer I'd like to see a lot more of, on any subject.

A great book! An excellent survey of risk in our lives.

Mr. Ross has done an excellent job of putting the risks all around us in perspective. He does this through a perfect blend of personal stories, historical events and pure facts. The tough topic of risk analysis is made crystal clear. A great summer read!

A fascinating topic! Well written and provocative.Read it!

Quite an interesting book. Mr.Ross skillfully strips the topic of "risk analysis" away from the stuffy theorizing of collegiate textbooks and creatively applies it to our everyday lives. By identifying and examining the risks inherent in our daily lives,the author exposes some basic flaws in the way each of us perceives risk. With this book,I was able to examine how I personally deal with my daily risks and make my life safer and more worry-free. This book is a must read!