Thursday, June 6, 2013

Modern Project Finance: A Casebook, 1st edition, Benjamin C. Esty



This book is simply a collection of HBS case studies: nothing more, nothing less. For those who are not familiar with Top 20 MBA case study format (I graduated from Top 20 MBA school as recently as 2006), here is how it works:

"Company X wants to achieve Y result. Here is the data on Company X. Here is why they want to achieve the Y result. Here are some additional factors that affect the Company's decision-making process.

The Company X has options A, B, and C to get to Y. Which one of these options the Company X do you think should choose?" This is where the case ends - the correct answer is not disclosed - it is assumed one would discuss this case further in a classroom setting.

Therefore, unless one is discussing in great details the case with a professor or project finance professional, you won't know the answer / learn how to arrive at solution (read: model) yourself.

Therefore, this book is absolutely USELESS for self-study - i.e. for someone who wants to learn more about the field of project finance. Consider yourself forewarned!

I am not in a finance field per se, but the case studies were easy to follow and analyze and provided for excellent readability. The amount of detail included in the presentations of each case is amazing. The cases span the entire world and cross numerous industries. There is also a noted focus on some projects spearheaded by the IFC.

It seems like this text would benefit anyone in the field while also interesting those who have never come across project finance.

I must admit that I am a great fan of Professor Benjamin Esty.

When I bought this book I knew that I was going to come across well researched project finance case studies. The detail into which he goes into each transaction shows beyond doubt that he actually met/talked to the professionals who were an the coal-face of each transaction.

This book should also be a MUST-READ for all recent graduates who are starting out in Project Finance as it's written in a very user friendly fashion.

At the very beginning of this text book one is informed, contrary to popular belief, that Project Finance has been around for a very long time!

Five Stars material no doubt!

Msingathi "Msi" Mnyengeza

Johannesburg, South Africa

This is an outstanding book and a very important resource for me as an instructor in project finance. The cases in this book are some the best that I have seen and are very rich in complexity and in the coverage of concepts.

The book gives an interesting insight in Project Finance and is especially valuable for giving the rationale in using PF versus traditional Corporate Finance.

It gives evidence of the matter through a step by step procedure so that every case adds some knowledge. Excellent terminology section.

For not experienced professional, maybe it should be read in conjunction with some manual providing the basic principle and more insight in financial and legal technicalities.

I used this for guidance as I was preparing a financing proposal for a methanol and formaldehyde chemical plant complex (US$250MM) and along with 'Principles of Project Finance' by E.Yescombe, I was well guided and my proposal was successful.

Product Details :
Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 17, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0471434256
ISBN-13: 978-0471434252
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 1.2 x 10.9 inches

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