Dryden’s Handbook of Individual Therapy introduces the field of individual therapy by examining the major approaches used by counsellors, psychotherapists, and other helping professionals. The book presents therapy as a process in which trained practitioners help individuals understand their thoughts, emotions, behaviours, relationships, and life challenges.

The introduction emphasizes that individual therapy has developed through many different theoretical traditions, each offering its own explanation of human difficulties and its own methods for supporting change. Rather than presenting one approach as universally correct, the book explores the diversity of therapeutic models and encourages readers to understand their principles, applications, strengths, and limitations.

Economics for Business introduces the relationship between economic theory and business practice. The book explains how firms operate within markets and how economic forces—such as consumer demand, competition, costs, government policies, and global events—affect business decisions and performance.

The introduction presents economics as a practical tool for understanding the challenges faced by businesses. It shows that managers need economic knowledge to make decisions about pricing, production, investment, strategy, employment, and responding to changes in the marketplace. The book connects economic concepts with real business situations, helping readers understand how theories apply in practice.

Economics with MyEconLab introduces the fundamental principles of economics and explains how economic ideas can be applied to understand real-world decisions made by individuals, businesses, governments, and societies. The book provides a broad introduction to both microeconomics and macroeconomics, helping students understand how markets operate and how economic forces influence everyday life.

The introduction presents economics as the study of how limited resources are allocated to satisfy unlimited human wants. It emphasizes the importance of understanding choices, incentives, opportunity costs, markets, and the role of institutions in shaping economic outcomes. The book is written from a European perspective and connects economic theory with practical issues affecting businesses and economies.

The book introduces electronic commerce (EC) from a managerial perspective—what it is, how organizations use and manage it, and its opportunities, limitations, issues, and risks. Chapter 1 is “Overview of Electronic Commerce.”

1. Meaning of Electronic Commerce

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is the use of electronic networks, particularly the Internet, to conduct business transactions and exchange products, services, information, and payments.

2. Main types

• B2C: Business → Consumer
• B2B: Business → Business
• C2C: Consumer → Consumer
• C2B: Consumer → Business
• B2E: Business → Employee

These categories describe the different parties involved in electronic transactions.

3. Why e-commerce is important

E-commerce enables organizations to:

• Reach customers globally
• Operate 24 hours a day
• Reduce some transaction costs
• Communicate quickly
• Improve customer convenience

The introduction explains why Linux is useful for embedded systems and introduces the basic concepts needed to understand embedded Linux development.

1. What is Embedded Linux?

An embedded system is a computer system designed to perform a specific function as part of a larger device. Examples include:

• Consumer electronics
• Networking equipment
• Automotive systems
• Industrial controllers
• Mobile devices
• Medical equipment

Embedded Linux uses the Linux operating system as the software foundation for these specialized devices.

The introduction explains the importance of teaching materials in English language education and examines how materials influence the way languages are taught and learned. It highlights that materials are not simply textbooks or classroom resources; they reflect theories of language learning, teaching approaches, cultural values, and educational goals. The editor discusses the need for teachers and researchers to critically evaluate materials and consider how they can be adapted to different learners, contexts, and learning needs. The book brings together theoretical perspectives and practical examples to explore issues such as teacher-created materials, commercial textbooks, technology-based resources, and materials evaluation. Its aim is to help teachers develop a deeper understanding of how effective teaching materials can support successful language learning.