This book is about corporate finance. It focuses on how companies raise capital and how they invest it. Financial management is important interesting and challenging. It is important because today's capital investment decisions may determine the businesses the firm is in 10 20 or more years ahead. A firm's success of failure depends in large part on its financial decision and planning. Finance is interesting for several reasons. The financial community is international and fast moving with some colorful heroes and a sprinkling od unpleasant villains. Financial decisions are rarely cut and dried and the financial markets in which copmanies operate are changing rapidly.