Blackwell (marketing, Ohio State Univ.; From Mind to Market, LJ 11/1/97) and Stephan (coauthor, Contemporary Cases in Consumer Behavior), president and vice-president, respectively, of the marketing and consulting firm Blackwell Associates, declare that the 21st century will represent a shift of power in the consumption of goods and services, with the customer acting as ultimate master. The answers to two basic questions will determine the future of e-commerce. First, will consumers who use the Internet for communication, information, and entertainment also use it for buying? Second, will entrepreneurs ever make a profit selling consumer products on the Internet? The authors believe that a successful blending of a bricks-and-mortar store with a strong Internet presence will determine whether or not a company will thrive in the new economy. In detail, they discuss examples of companies that have made this transformation, such as L.L. Bean, Victoria's Secret, Sherwin Williams, and Nordstrom. The authors go on to describe the strategies that firms can use to survive in a "blended" retail environment, as well as tips on how to use the Internet as a marketing tool. Although there is much written on this topic, the authors present their information clearly and without unnecessary jargon. Recommended for business and marketing collections in public and academic libraries. Bellinda Wise, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.