Reviews Books

I've really been enjoying this book, ten minutes at a time. It explains the rules (I'm not sure I had realized there were any)behind the action, and includes capsule looks at number of bots I've seen locked in the box. The author talks about the costs of some bots, the time involved in designing them, and the number of upgrades they've gone through. I suggest this book for any fan of the TV show or the sport.

Fun book, lots of great pix, and a spread on my favorite robot: Dr. Inferno, Jr. What's not to love?

If you or someone you know likes BattleBots, Robotica, or Robot Wars, this is a great book. It has tons of high quality still and action photos. It also has great descriptions and pictures of famous bots and bio's of their builders. Find out how much your favorite BattleBot cost or how long it took to build! The book also has basic instructions on how to build a bot plus simple examples of different design types. It also has the Win-Loss record plus stats (like # of Knock-outs) for every bot. This book has something for everyone. It has enough "meat" to it that die-hard fans will love it and the photos and stats will keep even young kids engaged.

This glossy coffee table book is packed with photos, robot CAD drawings and a thorough history of the BattleBots competition. The abundant photos, in depth builder and robot profiles and stylized design caputres the real spirit of BattleBots. I love the chapter on "How to Build a Bot"- the step by step tutorial and comparison of materials provides solid advice to newbie builders like me. It is the best book on robotic combat I have ever seen. A must for all robot enthusiasts.

Great book! The history and the personalities behind Battlebots are really interesting. The machines are given the level of attention you always wanted to get on the show. Great looking too. Put it on you coffee table; guests will actually pick it up (and spend half an hour with it!).

What stories The Bluebook can tell! Winding up late Friday evening, knowing that a Petition for Appeal is due on Monday. Putting in sixteen hours on Saturday, only to be devastated by the realization that one is less than one-quarter through. Putting in another sixteen hours on Sunday, with only a very rough draft in hand at midnight. Getting into work early Monday morning, to begin another eighty-hour week... so very, very blue.

Let's be honest. A lot of people felt that Bluebook had fallen off. After that award show confrontation with ALWD and the concealed weapons charges, Bluebook looked like they were on the ropes. That only makes this 18th edition more triumphant for the Bluebook. A stunning return to the form that made them such an irresistible bunch of ragamuffins to begin with, Bluebook has a sure answer to the naysayers who thought they couldn't adapt to the electronic movement--a blistering tribute to Internet citation.

For anyone interested in their new "harder" sound, the blue practitioner pages don't disappoint. Meanwhile the smooth, sculptural rhythms of "cases in textual sentences" will leave a smile on your face.

Overall, the soothing melodies of this consistently powerful album are ideal for any mood, whether it be insomnia or deadline adrenaline rushes. And let's be honest, it's the Bluebook. You're going to buy it. As another reviewer observed: buy it, don't download it off the internet! The artists really deserve our support.

Forget the New York Times bestseller list! Out of the anals of human history comes a book so compelling, so emotional, so all encompassing, that it defies description. On a level with "Great Expectations," mere words cannot describe its insightful witticisms ("Go forth and construe")("To interplead is human, to demur...devine"), its quaint conundrums ("To quash or not to quash, that is the interlocutory question"), its prophetic wisdom ("a footnote, in the right format, is worth a thousand words"), and yet its ultimate tragedy ("As you shall sow, so shall you replevin"). No true literary scholar should be without their own copy. Why wait for law school when you can own your copy today!

Mom & Dad, buy this book and a Black's Law Dictionary for your law student- to-be. If you buy anything when you go to law school, buy this. Current attorneys should own a copy; paralegals need to memorize it. I would never put pen to paper and write anything without this book by my side. It is a complete and easy to use reference guide. A time and grade saver for law students accross the nation.

Research and writing guides for the academic community (and the legal community in this case), don't come much more direct and no-nonsense than this. The Bluebook doesn't mess around with cheesy tips on how to write or structure a paper, which are useless puffery in other style guides that are merely there to add space and cost. The Bluebook lays out the highly complex requirements of the style in an easy-to-follow format, with useful examples for all (or most) possible sources, from standard newspaper articles to sections of foreign constitutions. The book ably provides what you need to write a properly-cited paper for the legal academic world, with no need to waste your time slogging through the filler of a typical style guide. The only problem is that the Bluebook is not quite adequate for beginners, even if they're fairly knowledgeable, because it assumes you're already familiar with the voluminous Latin terms and other arcane language of the legal realm. Basic introductions to some terms would certainly be an asset here, but eventually you'll have to buy a law dictionary anyway. [~doomsdayer520~]

Blueprints is a great review book for your third year rotations. It does not have too much detail, but enough so you know you've covered all of your bases. If you need more detail, you can always go to the web or to a textbook from the library.

I've only used med and peds so far, good questions in back in shelf/usmle format. Highly recommend for clinicals, only downside is med was a little thick to get through by the end of my rotation.

I really enjoyed reading the Blueprint series. These books are easy to read and give you a great overview over each topic. The more motivated student might feel that some subject is not very deeply covered. Still the essentials you need to know are there. In general USMLE don't ask beyond that. Illustration are excellent and extremly helpful. Also a quick summery with key points helps you to keep important things in mind. In addition the question section is very helpful to estimate your level of knowlege. Overall a series very concisely written, consistent and very good in terms of didactics. Recommended especially for foreign medical graduates.

The Blueprints series in combination with UCV, first aid step 2, NMS question helped me ace step 2 and make a score in the high 90s. Must start with a sound step 1 base though. Highly recommended. Mastering the material is a must though.

I used Blueprints as my primary study guide during my third year of medical school for all rotations. They have all the information you need to know for shelf examinations. Really! I scored well above the 90th percentile on all shelf exams by diligently studying this series. A must have for clinical rotations.

Iowa Orthopaedics Resident

This is a thourough urology review, meanwhile contains contraversial aspects in your front.

This is indeed the best urological textbook, or better to call it the bible of urology , I can not wait for the next edition

If you need to know urology, then you need this set of book. This edition is set up very well. The 4 books make it easier to look up info. It covers all the major topics in urology and is as up to date as any book can be.

This book is the most extensive single source of urologic information available. It covers all basic aspects of urology in a fairly complete manner. The main drawbacks are:
1)Reference authors quoted directly in text. This makes the book fairly diffcult to read in a fluid manner and adds extra length to the already lengthy text. Gillenwater is a much more readble text.
2)Some chapters need a better overall framework. The best example of this is the chapter on adrenal pathology which does not provide a very good thorough to the asymptomatic adrenal mass, by far the most common adrenal problem.
3)Often excessive discussion regarding all the studies for and against an issue. I feel that it would be better to state that an issue is unresolved and then list some appropriate ways of attacking the problem.
4)Certain chapters are written in the 1st person. The chapter on the technique of radical retropubic prostatectomy is a personal account and not a reference chapter. MAny innovations from other centers are missing making this chapter somewhat biased.

Overall an excellent and authoratative view or urology

Medicine is obviously a rapidly evolving field and most medical texts receive a periodic retooling. All revisions should be as thorough and meaningful as the Seventh edition of Campbell's. The text has been sucessfully expanded where appropriate and each section further honed. Figures are elegant, pertinent, and well rendered. The references are all encompassing and as current as one can expect in a volume such as this. If there are any hesitations about updating from the sixth edition (which was also a vast improvement from the fifth) I hope to assuage them, encourage the reader and congratulate the authors.

High yield for shelf exams. THick, but quick and fast read. Borrow a copy. For step 2, use Pre-test pediatrics.

Case Files for Pediatrics is an easy-to-read high-yield source to study during the pediatric clerkship or review for Boards. It was a great adjunct for shelf exam preparation.

I wish I had found this book earlier in third year. Like others said, it's easy to read and since it's broken up into 60 chapters (which are each about ~10 minute chunks) it's great when you have little bits of free time throughout the day. Occasionally you'll read something that you'll want to look up elsewhere, but you can definitely use this as your primary textbook. I read this book ALONE, no blueprints, no A&L, no pre-test and my shelf score jumped into the 90's compared to the 50's before. Buy this book, it's absolutely money.

Although this is probably not adequate as a primary source when studying for the shelf, this book is excellent! For a study guide, it's actually a pretty enjoyable read. It contains 40 case scenarios that cover some common and not-so-common pediatric illnesses. It has also some useful tables, X-rays, and diagrams. I recommend using it in conjunction with Blueprints.

I started using Case Files halfway through my 3rd year as it was gaining popularity. My shelf grades soared with this light reading. Unfortunately, I had pediatrics before I learned about the Case Files series. So, for Step 2, I needed a good review source. I read this in 2 days and peds was one of my best sections on Step 2. I can't stress enough how the layout of this series lends to a high yield review that doesn't take extreme concentration. This series is almost all you need for third year!

I find many of the reviews "right on".

However, many comments are off-base, and as His Cousin, I find inappropriate. Ask, and you may find Truth!

"No disrespect..." ..."but"... there is that word again... don't listen to what I just said, just what I am about to say...

Amazing how the critics, nearly a Century later, have criticisms that sting, but couldn't find the gumption to face Him... or me!

Let's get it on!

Simply put, William Roughead was and is the greatest true crime writer of them all. Combining unusually supple storytelling talents with an inimitable, pawky sense of humor, he remains the best prose stylist chronicling human depravity since, well, the compilers of the King James Bible. A Scot by birth, Roughead became a Writer to the Signet at the turn of the last century, a privileged position which allowed him to attend and write up the great murder trials of his day and his favorites from Great Britain's colorfully criminous past. Almost all of his works are shamefully out of print but are well worth searching out in used book stores: both his own popular accounts and his contributions to the more formally edited "Notable British Trials" series. Henry James was one of his many besotted fans, and even the briefest sample of his work makes it obvious why true crime buffs consider him the Master. "Classic Crimes" (which includes chapters on Deacon Brodie, Burke and Hare, Madeleine Smith, Dr. Pritchard and other irresistible villains) is the best collection of his work, and I would be remiss if I did not own that my introduction to his peerless work came via Toni Morrison, who confessed her own idolatrous admiration in the New York Times Book Review some two decades ago. If you like Roughead, you'll never be able to get enough. As Luc Sante writers in his perceptive introduction to this latest reprint, Roughead repeatedly creates narratives which contain "in full that collision of placid, well-furnished pedantry with savage howling atavism" that was the keynote of his fascination with evil--and Roughead did believe in evil--people. More of his genius is avalable on display in "Twelve Scots Trials," available from Amazon. co.uk. As Roughead so eloquently put it: "Murder has a magic of its own, its peculair alchemy. Touched by that crimson wand, things base and sordid, things ugly and of ill report, are transformed into matters wondrous, weird and tragical. Dull streets become fraught with mystery, commonplace dwellings assume sinister aspects, everyone concerned, howsoever plain and ordinary, is invested with a new value and importance as the red light fall upon each."

William Roughead's accounts of great crimes from eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Scotland and England are about the most delicious mind candy I can think of; I opened this new edition from NYRB and almost couldn't put it down. While his vocabulary and style at times go a bit overboard in terms of their purpleness, he still presents very readable and exciting accounts of some incredible crimes which still haunt the popular imagination today (such as his account of the West Port murders of Burke and Hare, the body snatchers).

Re-issuing Roughead's work is really a feather in NYRB's cap, and yet I can't help wishing they had taken more pains with this edition. (Because of this, I felt I could not really offer it the five stars it otherwise would've deserved.) The introduction by Luc Sante is interesting, but not without errors: he notes that all of the crimes excepting those of Burke and Hare "are discoveries [on the part of Roughead]"; yet Roughead himself admits that Deacon Brodie's case has been dramatized many times, and inspired Stevenson's "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Madeleine Smith's trial inspired a film, "Madeleine," directed by David Lean in the 1950s. Similarly, no editor seems to have taken the time to annotate some of Roughead's more bizarre (or anachronistic, or peculiarly Scottish) terms: "douce" is used repeatedly for "sweet", and "lands" (apparently a term for the highrise towers in Edinburgh) recurs often too, yet there's nary a word of explanation. This lack of editorial interference is not welcome, especially since Roughead often refers repeatedly to other writings of his which his original audience would have recognized but which remain obscure to a contemporary reader.

Still, this book is a real treasure--and, as with all NYRB books, it comes on beautiful paper and with a gorgeous cover.

Simply put, William Roughead was and is the greatest true crime writer of them all. Combining a supple prose style with an inimitable, pawky sense of humor, he remains the best prose stylist chronicling human depravity since, well, the authors of the King James Bible. A Scot by birth, Roughead became a Writer to the Signet, a privileged position which allowed him to attend and write up the great murder trials of his era (1870-1952). His works are shamefully out of print and are well worth searching out in used book stores: both his commercial collections and his contributions to the "Notable British Trials" series. Henry James was one of his many devoted fans and even the briefest sample of his prose makes it obvious why true-crime buffs consider him the master. "Classic Crimes"(which includes chapters on Deacon Brodie, Burke and Hare, Madeleine Smith, Dr. Pritchard, William Palmer, etc.) is the best collection of his work in print and I would be remiss if I did not mention that I owe my introduction to this peerless writer to Toni Morrison, who confessed her own idolatrous admiration in a New York Times Book Review piece more than 20 years ago. If you like his stuff you'll never be able to get enough of it. (Also worth securing are the works of Roughead's friend, the American Edmund Pearson, whose "Studies in Murder" was reprinted last last by the Ohio State University Press.) As Roughead so eloquently put it: "Murder has a magic of its own, its peculiar alchemy. Touched by that crimson wand, things base and sordid, things ugly and of ill report, are transformed into matters wondrous, weird and tragical. Dull streets become fraught with mystery, commonplace dwellings assume sinister aspects, everyone concerned, howsoever plain and ordinary, is invested with a new value and importance as the red light falls upon each."

This is a truly enjoyable read of murders and a recounting of the trials associated with them.-Roughead is an inimitable Scottish stylist and, as Luc Sante points out in the introduction, his "musical" use of abstruse Scottishisms is a joy in and of itself to read.

The only thing in literature to which one can really compare it is Sherlock Holmes-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle makes an appearance in one of these cases, btw.-I don't mean to do Roughead a disservice in this comparison-Certainly, these are as true to the actual facts as Roughead could make them (and he goes to great lengths to do so), and several of the cases remain unsolved or "Not Proven"-a verdict in Scots law with which you shall become all too familiar if you read this book. - But, the same Victorian atmospherics are present as in Doyle, the Victorian moralisms, the eerie descriptions, the bumbling Dogberries of police constables. It's actually refreshing to know that these things existed just as Doyle wrote of them....except these cases are REAL!

Of course, there's the question the contemplative reader asks himself from time to time as to why he is interested in the macabre and the details thereof.-An interesting question.-I know not the answer.-But we all are, it would seem, to one ghoulish extent or the other.

5 Macabre, Scottish Stars!

This work contains the details of classic horrors. i.e.
- Phantom of the Opera
- The Magician
- Dr. Mabuse
- Frankenstein
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
- The Mummy and White Zombie
- King Kong
- Cat People
- Hauntings and Possessions

Photos by Boris Karloff, the Bride of Frankenstein and Son of
Frankenstein provide an historic dimension to the overall
presentation. Lesser horrors are included; such as, the Creature
from the Black Lagoon , The Mole People and Monster on Campus.
The photos of Fredric March and John Barrymore depict the
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde characters in all their glory. A first
edition rendition of this work will be treasured most by
horror enthusiasts. The cost is modest for the value provided.

i like a comedy and sports and ect..... then, i want to show your videos but you may not accept my opinion....uhm.....

Having owned this book since the first printing in 1975, I have used it as a guidance tool to track down and watch over the past 29 years the excellence that is horror films outlined in this book. The late author clearly has a firm grasp of the element of a successful horror film; i.e. lighting, timing, musical score (or lack thereof), delivery, etc., and contained within this volume are critically acclaimed classics as well as little known "nuggets" worth searching out, such as "Murder in the Zoo," "Strangler in the Swamp," and the last of the great horror films, "Night of the Demon." Since the book's release, many of the titles have become increasing accessible both in video and in DVD, which allow for a greater enjoyment by the classic horror audience. You won't find any of the latter day slasher, gore-fest "movies," but you will find a careful synopsis and examination of each film contained in this volume. My recommendations to watch after reading this book are: Night of the Demon, The Uninvited, The Devil Doll, and The Man Who Laughs (silent).

Having grown up watching classic sci-fi, horror and monster movies on Saturday afternoons, I couldn't wait to read this book. It's a well-researched, enjoyable history of Classic Horror Films, from the 20s through the Exorcist. Everson does a fine job of covering the well known films, as well as pointing out a few classic sleepers (e.g., Murders in the Zoo) If you love these films, this book is a must read. Lots of great photos as well!

Having grown up watching classic sci-fi, horror and monster movies on Saturday afternoons, I couldn't wait to read this book. It's a well-researched, enjoyable history of Classic Horror Films, from the 20s through the Exorcist. Everson does a fine job of covering the well known films, as well as pointing out a few classic sleepers (e.g., Murders in the Zoo) If you love these films, this book is a must read. Lots of great photos as well!

Well written book with good examples. I am recommending this book to many of our residents and fellows !

This is an essential book for any physicians or other medical personnel interested in evidence based medicine and reading of the medical literature. It is extremely well written and presents the materials in a coherent and understandable manner. It uses excellent examples to illustrate its points. We are using this text to introduct our first year medical residents to clinical epidemiology.

Clinical Epidemiology has been considered the new 'Basic Science' to medical students. This book offers a excelent approach to main problems found by beginners in this vast field of knowledge like how to deal with Statistics and with the huge number of papers published. With a easy language this book is good option to get started in this branch of Medicine now called the 'Science of the Art'.

Clinical Epidemiology has become a core element in the understanding and treatment of human illness. Defined as a method of generating valid conclusions from clinical observations, clinical epidemiology arms health practitioners with skills essential for modern health care. As a Physical Therapist (PT) I am often asked to render a diagnosis based on clinical hypotheses with "soft" measurements like pain, distress and function loss; how can I ensure that my diagnosis is correct? Traditional practice encourages the health care student to believe that knowing enough anatomy & physiology will somehow optimise health care outcomes. This book not only challenges that view but it also arms the reader with the knowledge and applicable skills to interpret research and also to ensure that any work you carry out is robust and in keeping with EBM principles. A highly recommended text and great value for money. A must for lecturers, student PT's and anyone who wonders how they can improve their critical analysis of health care practice. Don't treat patients without a copy on your shelf (assuming of course you read it...osmosis is NOT a recognised learning tool).

The authors explain the basic principles and basic concepts of clinical epidemiology in a clear and understandable way. Examples for each subject make reading pleasant and easy, contrary to what one may expect in a book of this kind.
I recommend it for every person who is related to the health sciences and interested in obtaining the best out of medical literature.

A wonderful guide book for people new to anime. Includes a overview of anime history; year by year breakdown of TV programs released in the States from the 60's to the 90's; a listing of videos released in the states (both in and out of print), and a listing of anime related clubs, retailers, and conventions. Dated now, but still a wonderful resource.

Trish Ledoux is an absolute genius, and it shows in the amount of information held within this relatively short TPB. I have never seen such a vast amount of information in so few pages. The Complete Anime Guide succeeds is giving a very thorough account of the Japanese artform without boring the reader.

With out a doubt the most complete guide I've ever seen. Not only are most of the Anime tities cover with short synopses but history, fan clubs and retailer addresses are included. A superb book

This is the best book on anime released in North America. The section on anime TV series is interesting as well as informative. It just about covers every series that aired on U.S. television. It also covers the vast genres of anime while it gives informative side notes. It also has brief synopses on a few anime titles as well as a listing of all titles released up to December 1995. To sum it up, I believe that this is the definitive source on anime released in North America. The authors really did their homework in writing this book

This is solid an knowledgeable work, and an excellent resource for anyone new to Anime (Japanese Animation). The first half of the book covers the history and culture of Anime, and is thorough and well-researched. The second half gives quick synopses of the Anime titles available on video in the US. This section is slightly weaker: it is dating rapidly (unavoidable in such a work), and the synopses tend to be back-of-the-video stuff and not always too informative. On the whole, though, well worth buying.

How can any little book presume to be 'complete' when it comes to Alfred Hitchcock?

He practically invented a cinematic language, used his commercial success to at once deflate pretense in others and experiment most boldly with cinematic form, and, in the process, scared the pants off us.

What is complete in this book? Each film is given its own section, which concludes with a "Final Analysis" section. Here's a quick cut from the final "Final Analysis" [Family Plot]:

"Hitch's last project was the most important one he ever undertook, for trying to get this spy story to the screen allowed him to entertain the fantasy that he was both still working and well enough to work, despite evidence to the contrary."

Complete? Even in the last sentence, the authors admit that death cut off what could have been even more from a great twentieth century artist.

As a novice Hitchcock fan, I find this book extremely informative. It gives a good summary of all of Hitchcock's movies as well as a good analysis of the films. It also includes where Hitchcock can be spotted in the movies and little tidbits on the actors and actresses who were casted in his movies as well as behind the scenes information. I would recommend this book for those who are starting to discover Hitchcock.

I bought this book sight-unseen, knowing absolutely nothing about it (which is why I'm now writing this review; maybe you'll be more willing to try it once you know what it has to offer). It's a thorough, well-nigh encyclopedic look at Hitch's work, with a brief chapter (averaging about 4 pages) on each major film. The chapters include complete cast and credits --including "uncredited cast" -- plus a synopsis, and sundry comments on each film under such headings as "cruelty to

animals," "mysogyny," "ice maidens," "roots," and a "final word" with a critical appraisal including a rating on a scale of 1-10. While examination of each film is necessarily brief, it's quite thorough and absolutely chock-full of cool trivia. Every now and then there are sidebars on stars with whom Hitch worked; there's also an amazing appendix listing every single episode from Hitch's TV shows (not just the ones he directed -- but ALL OF EM). Only negatives: could use an INDEX, plus I noticed several careless spelling errors (actors' names and so forth) of the type that tend to make one a bit suspicious. On the whole, however, this is THE place to start for the Hitchcock novice, and a real treasure trove for the seasoned fan like me. Highly recommended.

I see that the other reviewers have pretty much said all there needs to be said about this book and I doubt I will say anything new here. All I want to emphasize it that this is truly THE book to get for a quick, easy, complete understanding of Alfred Hitchcock's movies. I have read other,longer, deeper books on his films which were very good, yet this one is nice when you are new to Hitchcock or just do not have the time to devote to much reading. These authors have a good sense of humor as well, and it always is fun to read a book where you can get a few laughs. They have some good trivia in the book, spotlights on certain Hitchcock actors,a few pages of pictures showing some poster art and movie stills, and they tell you where to find Hitch in the movies where he had cameo appearances. Hitchcock's movies are among my favorites, and this book is among my favorites about them. Get it and read it, you won't be disappointed.

After having read this book from stem to stern I would recommend it to new Hitchcock fans and more experienced fans alike. For the new fan it offers a clear synopsis of each film as well as offering many interesting points to look for. For the more experienced it makes for a convenient "turn to" source so as to better avoid the mountains of heavy, sometimes overly self satisfied observations that many resources tend to become, thereby saving wading through chapter upon chapter in order to reach simple facts.

I must respect the authors for their understanding that an enjoyment of film does not require a degree. I always commend a person for having the ability to transfer complicated observations in the simplest of English without the use of parables and without patronizing tones. Paul Condon and Jim Sangster have managed just that and not without the occasional bit of side splitting humour. Even if you are not watching the films in question it is more than a worthy read. That said, it may help to be familiar with some English terms such as "send up" as the average American does not know what it means to send something up so may be left wondering.

However, with the authors sardonic senses of humour being clear I would have liked to have seen further elaboration of the "goofs" section. There are so many Hitchcock bloopers worthy of a mention. I am certain it was a deliberate omission (perhaps for the next book) but nonetheless I was left wishing that they had made note of the obvious ones if only to give the new viewer that added bit of fun and sport.

Despite taking umbrage at the use of the phrase "just a smathering of dull brunettes" ahum, I would gladly purchase any other offerings from either or both authors and very much look forward to a second volume of "Complete Hitchcock," contradiction that it may be. Hopefully with an eye to the slip ups and perhaps more production details (locations, circumstances, first hand anecdotes, etc.) If that isn't a hint to get writing I don't know what is : )

In short I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would not only recommend it but have already bought several other copies for friends and family. Enjoy.