X Books

My third grade students loved this book! Only a handful are English language Learners but all the kids got a kick out of the gorgeous illustrations and the fun poetry. We read the poems together in both English and Spanish and the kids had fun painting their own impressions of the poetry. I strongly recommend this book for any K - 6 classroom!

As a bilingual teacher I was thrilled to discover such a wonderful book. It can be compared to Carmen Lomas Garza's book, Family Pictures. The author, Francisco X. Alarcon weaves cultural, historical, spiritual and nature themes into poems that sing from the page, touch the soul and even inspire reflection. Each poem shares a snapshot of life - bringing back some of my personal memories. The bright, colorful illustrations by Maya Gonzalez complement the poems and further bring them to life with a Latin flair. My sixth grade students enjoyed this as well as my four year old nephew. I am sure it will become a timeless treasure in everyone's library.

I had to pick this up for a college course...it has an excellent sampling of various literature written in different styles and at different time periods.

Whether you want to have a collection of short stories, poetry, drama, etc, this book deserves a place on your shelf.

Thanks, Doc Staley.

I'm using this for a Lit. class. There's a good collection of works here.

Mitch Albom is easily the best sportswriter I have ever read, and is among the best comtemporary writers. Live Albom is a collection of his early writings for the Detroit Free Press. Even if you know little about Detroit sports teams and care less, Albom's columns will captivate you. Most sportswriters write only about the action on the field, and Albom generally leaves that to them. His columns are really about people, not sports. Many will inspire, some will tug at heartstrings, and many will make you laugh hysterically. Few, if any, will bore you.

Being that I'm not much of a sports fan unless it's hockey, I wondered if I would be bored by this book. Quite the contrary! Mitch has the uncanny knack of drawing his readers in and making them feel as if they are part of the story. I laughed out loud on more than one occasion and wanted to cry after reading some selections. I found myself deeply interested in columns about sports I detest. Mitch is truly the most talented sports writer in the country, and possibly the best overall writer as well.

My main reason for buying this book was because my father was in the PT Squadron that Mr. Cave wrote about - his name is listed in the back of the book. He was a Radioman chief and his name is in the book several times. He is 92 years old and can tell me the differences between fiction and truth in the book. It is so wonderful that he still has all his faculties and can remember these things about his exciting and dangerous career on PT boats during WWII. It is nice that someone wrote about how dangerous it was to serve on these small boats and what a contribution they were to the war effort.

My grandfather was a member of Squadron X (Gavin J Hamilton, chief radioman). This is a personal account told by three members of the squadron -- two captains and the executive commander -- and it is the most compelling tale I've ever read on the subject. What 80 men managed to do with 8 plywood boats is almost impossible to believe. Patrol torpedo boats were only 70 feet long, armed with two fifty-caliber machine guns, a 20mm machine gun and four torpedoes, and powered by three Packard airplane engines. Almost nightly, they went up against Japanese destroyers, cruisers and transport ships. For months, they helped protect the Marines entrenched at Guadalcanal and racked up an amazing number of kills, helping to turn the tide and defeat the Japanese in the Solomons. The "mosquito boats" were never glamorized by the Navy, but they should have been. Their contribution to the war is awe-inspiring.

Pet owners and animal lovers will find plenty to enjoy in Love Is A Four-Legged Word, the story of animal lovers around the world. The authors lost their pet and set out to build a system which would care for pets. Love Is A Four-Legged Word tells of a pet lover's belief in their system and how a dream was built.

I absolutely love this book and can't stop talking about it.

Mr. Leeds was inspired to revolutionize the pet hospitality industry back in 1970 when his pet ocelot died while being boarded due to neglect. He investigated and found conditions unsatisfactory.

Mr. Leeds believed in his idea and went forth never minding the naysayers. He met with Ray Kroc and together started a dream come true! It is an interesting book from an animal lover's perspective as well as an entrepreneurial adventure. I am very glad to see that he has done so well! Mr. Leeds has a heart for all of God's creatures. I found it interesting that when he and Ray Kroc were first beginning, taking the risk of starting this new business that they found time to fundraise for Save-A-Pet shelter. American Pet Motels is more than a profit seeking enterprise. It is a dream come true. My friends rave about the service in Prairie View. It was interesting to see how it all started!

I was diagnosed as "borderline hypoglycemic" when I was 19 after have a rootbeer float at lunch. At the same time I was told that low blood sugar "usually" turns into a full blown case of diabetes and that there was no Known cure for it.

By following the basic guidelines given in this book, I learned how to control my blood sugar level, how to tell when it was getting to low, or was to high. Its all in what is eaten and how often. What you eat today, will effect how you are going to feel tomorrow. After awhile, it all became a habit.

I'm quite happy to say that almost 30 years later, I still watch the signs, symptoms, know when to eat what. And am still "borderline hypoglycemic".

For many years I could not find an answer to my problems I experienced. I only knew that it was connected with nutrition and the book was an absolute eye opener to me. Now I feel much better having taken notice of Fredericks' advice in this book.

I would appreciate to get in touch with the autor and ask for his e-mail address or normal address, because in the New Low Blood Sugar and You book we found a mistake in the charts ( which did not relate to the page where they are described).

I became a Mac convert in 1986 while editing a magazine (Living Among Nature Daringly) but overseas work forced me to switch to a Windows-driven PC 18 months ago. At that time I was using Mac OS 9.

Thus, I had to learn more complicated procedures for getting my prime writing and editing done.

During that 18 months I went bonkers with almost daily freeze-ups and system crashes. Finally, exasperated, I surrendered and bought a Mac iBook in Cairo, Egypt, even though almost no individual in this country uses one.

This iBook is running on Jaguar. In other words, it runs on system 9 (of which I am well-experienced), and system X in which I have not a clue! To make a long story short, I bought Mac OS X Jaguar Hands-on Training because I was having troubles trying to re-learn 9 and to learn to use X in a manner similar to 9.

The explanation of the differences between 9 and X helped bail me out of deep schisms I was falling towards.

The training in iLife programs, especially iTunes, iPhoto and iCalendar has given a deep appreciation for Apple - the corporation that knows how to provide a real system and computer for people who want to get a mission accomplished instead of impressing folks with how computer literate they are. In other words, engineers will use Windows, managers, writers and editors will use Mac.

This book is a quick read despite its 800-plus pages. The included lessons and examples on the accompanying CD are extremely helpful, especially for my wife, Dina, who has never used a MAC!

Allow me to use a metaphor. God made man in His image. Eventually, man made computers in his image - that is the MAC.

Mac is a Godsend. Mac OS X Hands-On Training is my first choice for learning to use a computer that acts like a human.

Bottom line: buy the best book for most easily learning the best computer operating system!

I've been a Mac guy for years, running good old dependable, only crashes sometimes, System 9. But I finally broke down (after my aging PowerBook did) and bought an iBook 700 with a fast (when I bought it) G3 processor, running System X, Jaguar. And after a couple weeks stumbling through the new, but not as intuitive could have been, operating system, I bought a couple books. Fortunately, this was one of them. If you are running Jaguar, this is the only book you'll need. You'll find simple exercises here, some a little more complicated. You'll find a little humor and you'll find all the help you'll ever need. As far as I'm concerned, among all of the Jaguar books out there, this book is the best of the bunch. A terrific two thumbs up from me.

Ideal for OS 9.x Converts & New Mac Users alike.
My deepest gratitude to the Design Graphics Guide Series authors at Wiley Publishing for an exceptional guide to Mac OS X (Jaguar 10.2). Mac OSX Illustrated has the most user-friendly an organized Layout, Glossary & Index I have ever encountered for a computer publication. I have introduced it to many students, colleagues, and clients who have found it to be an indispensable part of their libraries.

Key Features:
Colour Coded chapters: Visible when book is closed
Chapter Reference on all relevant pages: Graphic Key
OS 9.x to OS 10.x then & now comparisons: Reference for those familiar with OS 9.x & earlier
Very clean full colour graphics: Suitable for visual thinkers.

Even though I've been a Macintosh user since 1995, when I got my new iMac I knew from the first time I plugged it in that I was entering a totally different territory. The lustrous Aqua interface, the fact that it now supports different user profiles, the organization of the System in general, iTunes, iMovie, iCal... I knew at once there was much to be discovered. I started to look around for a guide that would tell me about the new Mac OS X without boundaries, and when I came across "Mac OS X Illustrated", by the people of Australian "Design Graphics" magazine, I knew I had found it.

This is an awesome book. With realistic, full color drawings, superb print quality and minimalistic text, it achieves its purpose: to provide a wholesome tour of Apple's new system in a way deep enough for one to be comfortable with it, but at the same time basic enough so that users interested in learning more about a particular subject, can use the resources and suggestions given to get further answers. The book uses color not only for illustrative purposes but to catalogue its subjects in ways that makes them easier to find when we need a quick reference. Everything here is explained: Apple's new iApps, the new finder, the new online resources (such as iDisk), how to customize each profile, etc. The second part of the book introduces us to the Unix language, which is at the core of the new Mac OS X system, and it is altogether a whole new animal. This is one of the areas where further research is required, but the book does instruct us on the basic commands (including what not to do in order not to mess your system up).

Something I really liked about this guide is that it's not only restricted to Apple's new system software, but it also recommends third parties that are essential in every possible area for a Mac user, such as graphics, creation of documents and presentations, utilities, etc. So even in this area, one gets the benefit of expert advice on the type of software that will run better on Apple's new computers. An excellent tool to keep beside your new iMac or G4 at all times and refer to again and again.

This reasonably edited pocket guide was designed for two groups of 'Mac' learners: those who have limited time to invest on a more detailed textbook and those who simply need a handy mini reference.
Either way, this edition of "Mac OS X Pocket Guide" fulfills its obligations. The book is very straightforward. No unnecessary detail will be found in it. In fact, this book is so compact and concise that an average reader can finish reading its entire chapters in less than three hours with full comprehension. Fast readers will accomplish that much earlier.
This is the book to invest on, if your need includes a quick and reliable memory refresher. In a very short time, it will familiarize its reader with all the important issues about the new Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar software.
It is a reasonable and dependable handbook which every 'Mac' stalwart should benefit from.

By Sean Alexandre
Bishop Eastern Sierra Macintosh User Group (beSMUG)

People are a bit reluctant to make big changes when it comes to technology, especially computers. Just when you think you've learned all you could about your Mac, the great minds in Cupertino go and change the whole scheme of things. Mac OS X has caused a lot of Mac users to wonder, worry and squirm. I've watched a more than a few Mac users being dragged to OS X kicking and screaming-but it was really for their own good. In fact, many Mac users are still finding it a bit scary to make the big switch.

Well, fear no more. The good people at O'Reilly-publishers of such indispensable references as Mac OS X In A Nutshell, Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Mac OS X Hints: Jaguar Edition and Office X For Macintosh: The Missing Manual-have slapped a picture of a German Shephard on a great little paperback entitled Mac OS X Pocket Guide written by Chuck Toporek. This is the second edition and covers Jaguar with over 250 hints and tips for everyone. It doesn't matter what your computer skill level is, this handbook will show you what you need to get moving in the OS X fast lane.

This book is a series of individual, short hints and tips and how-tos, organized by your approach to the new Mac OS:

Are you a Classic Mac user? The Mac OS X Pocket Guide will give you step-by-step plain English instructions to transfer all your important files and give you side-by-side comparisons to explain the OS X equivalents of the Classic functions that you've grown to love and need.

Many Windows users want to make the switch-now there is no excuse. Much like the Classic switcher, the Windows switcher will also enjoy the ease of learning presented in this book on how to transfer and convert all those valuable files from their PCs. Again, there are many tips and hints with Windows to OS X equivalents to make the Switcher feel more comfortable.

...

If you're the owner of a Macintosh running OS X and security is either a concern or an interest, this book is a great reference.

It covers both the very basics in good layman's terms and identifies what is useful information to the average user, such as safely sharing a computer between many users, encrypting files, saving passwords, and how to prevent unauthorized use.

For system administrators and power users, it points out and describes the security considerations of using the more advanced features features of Mac OS X, including file sharing, NetInfo, the Apache web server, and the many networking features and protocols for which Mac OS X includes support.

In order to prevent and monitor for security incidents, the book contains a good description of monitoring an OS X system, and in the unfortunate case of such an incident happening, forensics tools are discussed as well.

In summary, "Mac OS X Security" is a comprehensive reference on the security features, functionality, and strengthening of Apple's new operating system with good information for OS X users of all levels of skill.

-Peter Bartoli

The following review was originally made for the Lower East Side Mac Unix Users Group, (lesmuug.org).

OVERVIEW
--
I was heading out soon to my first 'DefCon Experience' this summer, so when I saw this Security book with a really ugly green-trippy cover on the LESMUUG bookshelf, I was immediately interested.

I'd read loads of security materials before, some good, some completely stupid. Good security is never an absolute, any experienced locksmith or network security admin knows this, so I'm wary of any resource which states 'Do this, and your safe' (except from the author of the resource).

This book met, and exceeded my base expectations, starting out expressing this very sentiment- and constantly refers to the idea that every feature (even just booting), carries with it consequences- some having greater chances of being compromised in some way.
That stated, every nuts-and-bolts section deals with the risks involved with a given system component, and gives best-practice real world examples. Noteworthy, is that the book rarely says 'do this', as this violates basic principles security, but instead explains how your system works in the context of securing your data, gives general conceptual workarounds, and assesses their general consequences.

Clear distinctions between Mac OSX, Darwin, and Mac OSX Server are clearly defined and referenced- and the information covered definitely applies to the future with 'Panther', (though some of the locations of various resources will likely change).

BOOK SUMMARY
--
The book is divided up into sections for easy reference, but I'll summarize it all by grouping things into 3 main sections:

1) Finder: User (finder level) Application security
2) Darwin: Server and general UNIX security
3) Enterprise Security/Authentication systems built into MOSX and how-to use them

All the sections cross reference each-other nicely, (for example, secure Mail.app usage [and protecting local mail data], is totally shot if your mail server is insecure). The materials on User-level security really go deep into the way the system relies on various system frameworks, and how these frameworks are secured.
It also goes into depth on how Keychain.app works, and how to effectively use it- (as well as touching on how developers can implement it).

To me, a web application developer, the Darwin and general UNIX security section was most useful to me, as it gave the MOSX equivalents for a lot of what I do daily on freeBSD servers (and gave a deeper understanding of how thoughtfully designed Darwin is!)
Additionally, clear how-to's of almost every basic secure system is covered, (SSL, SSH, Tunneling, authentication best practice, etc...), excellent practical info for both newbies and professionals alike. (All of it made me want to do more system development and hosting on Darwin after going through this!)

The Enterprise security sections (network/security) give a great overview of both practical use, and the internals of things like NetInfo, LDAP, Kerberos, etc... giving both a general overview of these systems, and their relevance to MOSX, from both a client and server perspective. There additionally is a section on security auditing and forensics, but it's mostly a brief overview, as these topics are way too large to be covered in-depth here. Regardless, it does cover the basics and gives some valuable MOSX-specific notes for log locations. I thought this is great stuff, especially since I (and most folks) don't use this stuff every day, and things like NetInfo are so poorly documented elsewhere.

IKE SUMMARY
--
If you want absolute security for a given system, don't turn on the computer (and additionally, encase it in concrete, and hide that somewhere). However, if you want to gain a better understanding of how to reduce the likelihood of having your data compromised, this book is a terrific launchpad for the practical and/or paranoid Mac OS X user, developer, or other... heck, it's just a good book to quickly a practical view of the core of how OSX fundamentally works.

All in all, THIS BOOK ROCKS, as do the authors. Good information doesn't usually come from good writers, and this text is extremely readable.