Houghton Mifflin Co. News Release - March 30, 2007

The Challenge of Democracy and Fundamentals of Business Communication Are Newest Additions to Houghton Mifflin's Innovative Student Achievement Series

BOSTON — March 30, 2007 — Houghton Mifflin today announced the release of two new titles in its revolutionary Student Achievement Series: The Challenge of Democracy and Fundamentals of Business Communication. Both textbooks are presented in the unique Student Achievement Series style, incorporating the suggestions, feedback and preferences of more than 600 students and instructors from 40 universities into the design and content.

"The Student Achievement Series is a groundbreaking solution for skills mastery, understanding and retention because it was developed in partnership with students and instructors from across the country," said Lisé Johnson, executive sponsoring editor, Houghton Mifflin College Division. "Due to demand, the Student Achievement Series is expanding rapidly. With every new title, more and more students benefit from Houghton Mifflin's dramatic re-invention of the college textbook in a wide array of subjects."

The Challenge of Democracy, by Kenneth Janda and Jerry Goldman of Northwestern University and Jeffrey M. Berry of Tuft's University, features a highly acclaimed, non-ideological framework exploring three themes: the political values of freedom, order and equality; the majoritarianism vs. pluralism debate; and globalization's effect on American politics. Revised chapters on policy-making and the presidency include new figures, data and discussions on topics such as the 2006 Congressional election, the Bush administration, campaign finance reform, Hurricane Katrina and FEMA, immigration policy, MEDICARE and more. The Challenge of Democracy also continues to offer leading-edge technology for teaching and learning, including course content for Eduspace, WebCT, and Blackboard formats, plus downloadable MP3 audio chapter overviews narrated by the authors.

Fundamentals of Contemporary Business Communication, by Scot Ober of Ball State University, distills the basic concepts of successful business communication, placing significant emphasis on grammar and mechanics. The author's hands-on approach—including the unique 3Ps (problem, process, product) model—connects topics, examples and exercises to the modern workplace. Contributions from current executives provide invaluable information about employer expectations in the real world, such as grammar errors that managers find most distracting, the importance of communicating effectively with non-native English speakers and expectations of employees' written communication skills.

For more information about the Student Achievement Series, visit www.hmco.com.

About Houghton Mifflin Company
Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Company is one of the leading educational publishers in the United States, with more than $1.4 billion in sales. The Company publishes a comprehensive set of educational solutions, ranging from research-based textbook programs to instructional technology to standards-based assessments for elementary and secondary schools and colleges. The Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning fiction and nonfiction for adults and young readers. In 2006, Houghton Mifflin merged with Riverdeep, bringing together one of the most respected print publishers with the leader in interactive courseware. With origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation. To learn more about Houghton Mifflin, visit www.hmco.com.