Description: As the competition is intensifying, companies, across the globe, are increasingly looking at the acquisitive growth strategy to fuel their growth. As a result, the number of M&A deals has been on the rise in recent times. However, amidst these frenzied deals, it is imperative that the aspiring acquirers realize that, as they embark on the M&A bandwagon, they face a slew of challenges which, when ignored could prove to be financially fatal, as examples such as AT&Ts failed acquisition of NCR, and now the beleaguered AOL-Time Warner merger suggest. These cases of failure clearly underline the importance of a well-crafted strategy before acquirers jump on the M&A bandwagon. This strategy should focus on not only enabling the combined firm to gain further growth momentum but also on shareholder wealth creation. Further, it is equally imperative that acquiring firms do a comprehensive due diligence before going ahead with their acquisition plan. Contrary to the past practice, when acquirers relied on traditional due diligence to deliver things, todays highly dynamic and complex business environment requires a variety of due diligence acts to be performed on the part of the acquirers before lapping up the target firm. The book, Effective M&A Strategies Emerging Perspectives, attempts to offer insights into M&A strategies which could enable acquirers to deal with acquisition challenges effectively. With the rise in the cases of merger failures, it is imperative that the focus of due diligence is broadened so to avoid any unpleasant surprise in future. The book offers useful perspectives on several of these new, emerging areas that are now seen as critical components of the due diligence process such as Cultural Due Diligence, Market Due Diligence, Brand Due Diligence, Intellectual Property Due Diligence and Due Diligence under Sarbanes Oxley Act.