Regular Now & Z/Yen readers are used to the idea of Michael Mainelli as a man of letters; indeed Korean and Chinese as well as English letters, since The Price of Fish, co-written with Ian Harris, went global.

Now Michael has added French letters to his collection of multi-lingual literary feats. L’Innovation Financière Au Service Du Climat: Les Obligations Á Impact Environnemental, co-written with Abdeldlellil Bouzidi, is an essential read for those interested in policy performance bonds; in this case environmental policy.

Michael heaps praise on his co-author, Djellil, describing writing with him as an absolute pleasure. Now & Z/Yen finds it strange that Michael has never expressed the process of writing with Ian in such terms. Djellil must have caught Michael in a rare good mood.

Michael was impressed by Google translate, which he says helped enormously to get his rusty French into vaguely editable shape. Now & Z/Yen is not so sure about the merits of on-line translation. For example, when we tried translating the term “French letters” it returned “capotes anglaises”; how can that be right?

Seriously, Michael also credits Simon Mills and Chiara von Gunten for their thoughtful and valuable input to this project. The book is an important contribution to the emerging world of policy performance bonds as financial instruments. Click here if you want the book and/or contact Michael on michael_mainelli@zyen.com if you want to follow up on the subject business-wise.