F Books

This is the best book about General relativity ( GR ) that I have ever read. Instead of trying to explain GR with words the author is using mathematics to to illustrate some of the consequences of GR. This means that some mathematical knowledge is required ( but not knowledge about tensors and dfferential forms ) and that the reader need to spend some time with paper and pencil to truly understand the text. The examples is concentrated on what is happening around black holes but the advance of Mercury's perihelion and the slowing of light around the Sun is also described. A very good book!

Einstein's general theory of relativity is perhaps one of the most mathematically intense areas of research any physicist or astronomer could undertake. However this book takes the subject and turns it into a joyous romp through curved spacetime.

By avoiding the field equations and focusing on their solutions the authors impart to the eager student an overview of general relativity and set the stage for a more rigorous approach to be undertaken later. This book is the perfect introduction to the subject.

The book is well suited for advanced undergraduates who have had several hours of physics and mathematics. It is likewise suited to serve as a introductory text for graduate students that are studying astrophysics and astronomy. In the latter case the text serves well as an overview of what general relativity is, many of its findings, its predictions, and its relevance to observational astronomy.

If you have a basic understanding of calculus and have studied the special theory of relativity in some detail then this book is well suited to your needs.

This book was delivered in immaculate condition and is exactly how I was hoping it would be. Thank you for your product and i hope to do business with you again!

Sincerely,

Travis

A book I really wouldn't have thought could have been written. There are a lot of books on general relativity at the superficial level, call these books 'mathless.' There are monumental tomes aimed at the graduate student level, call these books 'tensor calculus.' Here is a book exquisitely positioned between these others. The student will need to have had differential calculus, and perhaps a bit of basic physics, and with these he will get a pretty good, introductory understanding of General Relativity.

The real key to this book is that it explains a lot, but then it open up a bunch of other questions, questions that we really haven't answered yet -- things like dark matter, dark energy, accelerating expansion of the universe, and more.

The book ends with: 'How can physics live up to its true greatness except by a new revolution in outlook which dwarfs all past revolutions? And when it comes, will we not say to each other, Oh, how beautiful and simple it all is! How could we ever have missed it so long.'

That's just the awe, the vision, that we want new and budding physicists to have.

This book sidesteps the hard work needed to motivate and develop the Einstein field equations, and goes directly to one of the most important solutions of the equations, the Schwarzschild solution, which gives rise to the concept of a black hole. By exploring what observers in different parts of space-time would experience along their different trajectories (whether falling into a black hole or watching from a safe spot far away), Taylor and Wheeler manage to convey an intuitive understanding for such typical GR "paradoxes" such as the fact that the same "event" (the crossing over of an object through the event horizon) can be seen to take 15 minutes, or forever, depending on who's watching it.

Because of what it omits, this book is not a complete presentation of GR. It does present the most fun part of GR, however, in a way that is mathematically accessible.

Along the way, a few side questions are adddressed, like "How painful would it be to be squished/torn apart as I fall into a black hole?" A lot of time is also spent explaining how the weird trajectories of light within the event horizon will transmogrify what is seen by the observer.

This is a great book and a lot of fun. I am also left with a greater motivation to go back to a more complete presentation, to be convinced that "this is where you have to end up". Although much longer, this book is a worthy successor to the original output of this dynamic duo, "Spacetime Physics".

Lesson of the Harvest has many stories that just begin and end. The pacing of the plot is poor. This could have been an excellent book, but needed more details with better pacing to make a "book" not just 'stories'.

From the first page, I was drawn into depression-era Georgia. Through her heroine, Mattie, the author allows us to experience the good and bad of a culture that is disappearing. With Mattie, we live the bucolic lifestyle of a child, dreaming in the warm sun on a flat rock, swimming in the nearby swimming hole. We remember a day when contracts were sealed with a handshake. Then we see the dispair of poverty and meanness of racial hatred. Cover to cover- I didn't put it down.

A wonderful story which captures the reader's attention from page one about the trials and tribulations of Mattie a young girl growing up in the Deep South during the Great Depression. Rejection by her mother, loss of her best friend (Little Tom) to a cruel and unjust fate, and revenge for her sister, Rosie's violation brought to realization through a fighting, family spirit bred into Mattie's soul in rural South Georgia. This is one you can't lay down after the first page.

Even if readers are not knowledgeable about rural life, they will find themselves walking along Shanahan Lane with Mattie. Jenny Massey has done an excellent job of portraying Mattie's victories and anguishing pains life handed her. Senses will be aroused in the reader: the smell of the freshly ploughed dirt, the stench of burning flesh, the weltering of tears in one's eyes of love and pain, and the touch of God's hand in Mattie's life through her grandmother. Mattie's feisty spirit, determination, love and loyalty to family and friends personify why Lesson of the Harvest captures the hearts of reader's young and old.

Author Jenny Massey entices the reader with her heartwarming struggles of Mattie McCarey who embodies the essence of family, spirit, friendship, and goodness. She faces life in the old South with muster-never giving up. The reader cannot get enough of Mattie who compels one to want more as Mattie becomes alive in the reader's mind. Her struggles become the reader's struggles. She is a compelling character who draws one in immediately and intrigues one to the end.

[...]

This is a major compilation of the work of the intriguing graphic artist, M. C. Escher. Remember seeing depictions of events that seem plausible but, under closer analysis, involve impossibilities? That describes some of Escher's most interesting works.
The book provides just about everything Escher produced (appearing in the "Catalog" section of the book), including his earliest works compiled during his teens. Among the most well known (and fascinating) include "The Waterfall," "Ascending and Descending March," "Convex and Concave," "Liberation," "Synthesis," "House of Stairs," and so on. The catalog section is fun, for one thing, simply to trace the evolution of his art.

But there is more to this volume than the works themselves. The volume provides context, with a brief description of his father's life as well as a more detailed analysis of Escher's life, from his birth in 1898 to his death in 1972.

There is also a most useful chapter labeled "The Vision of a Mathematician" (featuring the thoughts of mathematics teacher Bruno Ernst). It begins by noting two periods in the work of Escher--(page 135): ". . .pre 1935, in which landscapes predominate, and post 1937, which is characterized by a marked mathematical tendency." Ernst describes the mathematical principles in some detail (for those interested in this, a fascinating discussion). The textual portion of the book concludes with an essay by Escher himself on "The Regular Division of the Plane," including his reflections on his art.

This book has been around a while, but it is a valuable backdrop to getting a sense of the art of M. C. Escher.

I love everything Escher. I have several books, numerous calendars, as well as large jigsaw puzzles, T-shirts, magnets and mini jigsaw puzzles. Because of the detail in this book, I will never need to add another book to my collection. I especially appreciate the explanations. I am nowhere near smart enough to figure out what Escher was doing in each of his artworks. The detailed lesson on what each piece means is much appreciated by an art fan who is not an art scholar. I think this book would be great for any Escher fan, but I feel the need to tell you it is very large. Make sure you have room for it.

And c'mon - if you've seen his work, you're a fan.

The great thing about this book is not just the extensive and readable biography, but the complete (so they say) catalog of his graphic works. Even people very familiar with Escher's ouvre will be surprised by some of the entries here. They go back to work he did at ages 18 and 19, and show the devleopment of the Escher that has become so famous. It's just a little disappointing that the catalog is printed only in black and white, when so many of his works used color. The catalog reproductions are just that - a listing of his work, not a gallery, so the quarter-page size of most pieces is adequate for recognizing a piece, if not for appreciating it fully.

It is fascinating to see Escher's style develop though his (and the twentieth century's) twenties. Various influences early on suggest Beardsley (cat. 49, 67), Picasso (cat. 51, 58), or the pervasive Art Deco of his time (cat.34). Even then, some of Escher's later fascinations begin to emerge, including hands and reflective balls (cat. 88 and 80), symmetries and tilings (cat. 61, 65), and complex interactions of many figures in a repeating structure (cat. 90). The lesser-known parts of his work also start to emerge by the time he's 30, including delicate lithographs (cat. 129, 132). As much as I love his visual paradoxes and flirtation with the infinite, the lithos and mezzotints are the pieces that truly move me. "Snow" and "Blowball" (cat. 278 and 330) have an eloquent simplicity. "Eye" and "Drop" (cat. 344 and 356) demonstrate his classical sense and his perseverance with the demanding medium of mezzotint.

The text is also thorough and enjoyable - a good thing, since it takes up half of this heavy book, including its own set of illustrations. I admit that I have only skipped around this section, which starts by describing Escher's father. It's small wonder that his father was an engineer and that his son Arthur studied geology. Although an artist to the core, Escher had fruitful contact with mathematicians and crystallographers. He is one of very few artists that have successfully incorporated hard science into their artistic vision at such a visceral level, and the scientists appreciated that as much as anyone.

Although out of print, this book is available inexpensively on the used market. It's one of the best bargains around; if you've read this far, you'll probably find it well worth having.

//wiredweird

I haven't even had a chance to go through all of this remarkable book yet, but I am so impressed with it so far I cannot burble enough about how delighted I am with my purchase. This is a beautifully produced, designed, and wonderfully complete book. Many tales of the personal life an vision of the artist, countless, cleanly reproduced graphics, many works I have never seen or heard of before. Terrific! Can't recommend enough!!!

Definitely the first book every Escher fan should purchase. It's helpful in getting to know about the man himself as well as his brilliant artwork. It may seem pricey, but it's totally worth it, being hardcover (at least the one I got), and high quality photos of his work. It also shows his lesser known works (ones never released apparently), as well as photos of himself and his family. A very informative read and a quality edition.

I have been a closet Pat McManus fan since the 80's. His short stories always make me laugh out loud, no matter what mood that I am in before I start reading them. These stories are for everyone. You don't even have to fish or hunt and you'll still get it. Anyone who has ever spent any time outdoors will be able to relate to his adventures.

The names of the stories in this book are:
Sequences
The Dumbest Antelope
Out of Sync
Kid Brothers and Their Practical Application
The Fried Flies, Please, and Easy on the Garlic
At Loose Ends
Getting It in the Ear
Garage-Sale Hype
How to get Started in Bass Fishing
As the Worm Squirms
Scoring
A Road Less Traveled By
Gunkholing
Blips
The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw
Water Spirits
Letter to the Boss
Scritch's Creek
The Tin Horn
Cupidity, Draw Thy Bow
Whitewater Fever
Never Cry "Arp!"
Visions of Fish and Game
A Brief History of Boats and Marriage
Boating Disorders
Try Not to Annoy Me

First let me say I found the Patrick McManus stories funny each month as I got that magazine. Maybe it was Outdoor Life,,,,,
Then I read there that I could get books full of his stories.
WOW, I bought all of them.
I must say though that I like this one best.

BTW, If you ever read a story by Pat about being lost in the woods by all means believe him. I am way up here in NW lower Michigan.
A man I know who is a regular fisherman was fishing a local river. He was away from any road when he happened to find a man that had been fishing, but was asking how to get out of there back to a road. After he had told the guy to just follow the river that way for about two more miles the guy introduced himself,,, Guess who? Patrick McManus of course. 8>))

Now, I'm actually from Idaho where this book is actually based off of. Despite all of the Sarcasm, you got Idaho. HAHA LOL. I know this is bad but I hate to read. I had to read this book for an english assignment. But I really like this book. It is non-stop laughter. I think I am going to read all of his books now. I hope that is enough for you to be convinced that this book really is good and should be read by anyone who loves humorous books. HAPPY READING! :)

This book is hilarious. We like to read it to the middle and high school kids. You can hear them laughing about the fur coat, etc. outside the building. It has sparked many a boy into getting Partick's other books and reading for themselves. As a library director I know how hard it is to get middle and high school kids to read for pleasure. Patrick McManus is sure a pleasure. When I read the Goombaw story, and I have numerous times I still can not get through it without tears running down my face.

I have always thought that Patrick McManus is the funniest writer on the planet. I read his stories when I need to laugh or relax. Sometimes I irritate my wife by reading it in bed. I try not to laugh out loud, but I only succeed in sounding like I am trying to muffle continuous sneezes.

However, not everyone gets it. I have been shocked by watching people read McManus without so much as a smile (though most start snorting like wild pigs on acid) . My only guess is that getting McManus requires a couple things. First, it requires some understanding of his experiences. He absolutely nails all of the stupid things 'outdoors men (outdoors people)' do and think, but don't want anybody to know about. Second, you have to see the self-deprecating aspect of his humor. Third, you can't look for great literature in integrated books. Patrick McManus is an excellent writer, if you see these as independent stories simply collected in a volume. They are meant for adults who want to laugh at themselves. So, If you are willing to or already meet the above three criteria, you will love this book.

By the way, I am a professor of clinical psychology and (other than worrying a little about McManus) I sometimes recommend this and other McManus books. I do this with people who have racing thoughts and anxiety at bedtime, and when I believe they have the necessary experiences to find it funny. It often works quite well. I think of his stories as little pieces of happiness. (Oh, that even makes me sick to hear. Sorry)

I think this book was published in 1946, but don't let the age fool you. The author presents the story in a much more real way than many of the modern Christian writers do today. In many of the contemporary Christian novels, the characters are either so perfect that they don't seem real or so have very filthy minds. A good Christian novel is one that is somewhere in between.

Francena H. Arnold, in Not My Will, keeps it real and presents characters with real problems that only God can solve. Contemporary Christian authors should follow her example in the novels they write. Parts of it are sad, but it is well worth reading.

You may also consider reading Searching for Mom, which isn't nearly as bleak, but it is a more recent book that explores the will of God in the family relationship.

Best book I've ever read!!! Loved to read it when I was a teenager, and still love it now in my 30s! A classic!

The plot of this book is great, and the ending is so unpredictable!

This book was really great and very hard to put down. I loved it! It is also a very inspiring book. The woman in this book is not very religous or spiritual but during a very difficult time she turns to someone who shows her such unconditional love that at first she finds it hard to believe someone could be so kind. Until she learns about the love of God and His love for her. She then realizes what her heart really needs to begin to heal and what is most important in life...her Heavenly Father. She learns to put her faith in God and to live according to His will.
An excellent book. It will surely touch your heart.
It is a love story like no other. You will not be able to stop reading once you start.

This book is so amazing. Normally I don't get emotional when I read touching stories, but I felt tears well in my eyes as I read this heart-wrenching book.

The characters became real to me, and I felt every joy, sorrow, and trouble that they felt.

This book is a must-read. Every person should read this book!

This book is so fun, so colorful. Everyone, from begginers to experts, can learn from it or get creative new ideas.

'Polymer Clay for the Fun of it!' is a perfect title for Kim Cavender's
book as it promises and delivers fun projects in a fun and lively way from
start to finish.
She adds personal notes, quotes and useful tips throughout.
It's just like being in one of her classes; you learn, have fun
and at the same time make something to take home and show off.
The book is much more than 20+ projects because all its decorative clay
techniques can be used for other projects of your own choice.
An entertaining and very versatile book - well done, Kim Cavender.

Carol Blackburn, author of Making Polymer Clay Beads

This is one of the most delightful new polymer clay books! I have been working with polymer clay for 12 years, and still found this book full of fun, colorful ideas. Kim Cavender is a wonderful, creative clay artist and this is a book that everyone can learn from and get creative new ideas. Kathy Weaver

Cavender is a talented polymer clay artist who really knows her stuff. While I prefer the bead making side of polymer clay, I find techniques in this book to be easily adaptable for my purposes. Techniques and tools are thoroughly explained and projects have apt photos. Beginners will not be overwhelmed as Cavender has a knack for simplifying the most intricate looking pieces.

I have several polymer clay books, and Kim's books is one of the best! Her projects are easy to do and colorful. The directions are easy to understand, and the photos are clear. The book has jewelry projects, projects for the home, and more.

Kimberly Miller

Absolutely outstanding and well structured. Gives a proper understanding of the fundamental theories and equation formulations, which are the building blocks for any concept to start with. Highly recommendable!

Good luck finding this much information about vehicle dynamics in any other book, that is as well put together and easy to comprehend as this one. Well suited to those with engineering/math/science related backgrounds but not all of the information is beyond grasp of most people.

A very informative book on the engineering fundementals, it would be good if a second edition with more mordern race vehicles was in the works.

I think i've bought this book a bit too early in my learning curve!
This is a book intended for the Professional Race Engineer, or an extremely motivated amateur.
It contains a wealth of mathematics for vehicle dynamics.
Very exciting, i expect to have years of fun with the various chapters in this book.

Milliken lays down the fundamentals and advanced topic of vehicle dynamics as applied to racecars. The text is not for beginning or nontechnical readers in the slightest manner. Milliken points out many subtle and difficult areas to understand, which take hours of studying to fully grasp. For those seriously considering a career in this field or to the extremely interested reader, this text is the source of information.

I'm so glad I finally found this book. I was beginning to think I dreamed reading this story and that there never was such a book! Now I have my answer as to the difficulty in findng this book--it's out of print. What a shame! Thank goodness for used book sellers.
I read this book while I was in high school about 10 years ago and absolutely loved this book. Susannah, a southerner, contends with the problems associated with living in the South during the Civil War. Amidst all the tragedies--near starvation, losing loved ones, leaving her home, she finds love in the least likely of places--a yankee and Union soldier named Caine Harding. Of course, in the end, they are able to be together, but the story and romance along the way is a lovely tale for anyone wanting some enjoyable reading... I'm saving this one for my daughter when she is old enough. (Much better for character building than stories about frivlous mall shopping, etc.)

I remember seeing this book in the back of my french class back in 8th grade. Someone had left it there so I had to pick it up. Looking at the cover, I didn't think I was going to like it because romance novels aren't my type of things, but as I read it, I grew to love it. Throughout high school, I checked it out at least ten times if not more. It made me want to read more of the Sunfires. ( I now own 14 of the books and am still collecting the whole series! )

Since I am a history and Civil War buff, I was glad to see that the book was true to the historical time period especially with how things were in the South compared to the North. Susannah is a girl I wish I could be. She's strong and has a lot of character strength, especially when she is faced with all the hardships she is faced with. I always read this book when I feel down in the dumps. Even at the age of 19, I enjoy this story just as much as I did the first time I picked it up, literally.

The Sunfire books were some of my best loved books when I was a young adult reader, and Susannah was my favorite. An exciting, touching, vivid portrayal of the Civil War south seen through the eyes of a young woman. It's a shame these books are out of print; I hate to think that young readers are being deprived of them.

This wasn't the best Sunfire I've read. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful book. It's an accurate picture of the life of a young girl during the Civil War. It was more emotional then exciting, which is alright. It kind of leaves you in a gloomy state. Usually in those books, the end is cheerful, and all the problems have been fixed, etc. But in the end, the war is still going on leaving me with a curiosity of how there life worked out for them. But all things considered, Susannah is a strong girl, who is aware of her strengths and weaknesses. How she took control of things was quite admirable. It really was an emotional roller coaster, at times I got so mad at her beau's sister I wanted to throw the book. Then the next minute I was near tears, then the next happy that she was in love. I think it was a good book, but I wouldn't suggest it to just anyone. You really has to be a romantic to enjoy this book. But if you are, then it's a great book.

Despite the image on the back cover, Susannah isn't Scarlett. She's a resiliant, strong girl who doesn't wallow in melodrama. War is not romanticized in this book - not only is the loss of life unflinchingly told, but the terrible price that those on the homefront faced - poverty, starvation, and a generally unsettled life. But this isn't a grim story, because of the romance between Susannah and Caine, a Union soldier, offers such hope and promise. When I was fifteen I was half in love with Caine myself... the ending is a compromise and feels realisitic - Susannah realizes that the home of her childhood is gone forever. A moving story of the Civil War, a wonderful romance, all told in Ransom's usual descriptive style. Ms. Ransom, I believe, makes her home in Virginia, and her love for the area is reflected in Susannah.

Now that I've finished "To Serve Them All My Days" I feel that I've lost an old friend. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, savoring it and rationing my reading so as not to finish it too quickly. A must read for those interested in teaching, education in general, and in understanding children. This story is a study in the trials and tribulations life offers us, and how one person not only overcame these setbacks but also flourished in spite of them. Although I watched and enjoyed the Masterpiece Theatre series on TV in the early 80's I did not really appreciate it then, as I would now if it were to be rebroadcast. I have exhausted all possibilities in trying to obtain a copy of a WGBH tape of this series. If anyone knows how to obtain a tape please let me know. I highly recommend this book.

This is one of my favorite books, too. You may purchase a copy of the DVD from "Deep Discount DVD" which has a web page
http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/index.cfm ..the price is $49 but
no shipping charges. I just finished viewing all 4 disks (rented from Netflix) .. good luck

Now that I've finished "To Serve Them All My Days" I feel that I've lost an old friend. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, savoring it and rationing my reading so as not to finish it too quickly. A must read for those interested in teaching, education in general, and in understanding children. This story is a study in the trials and tribulations life offers us, and how one person not only overcame these setbacks but also flourished in spite of them. Although I watched and enjoyed the Masterpiece Theatre series on TV in the early 80's I did not really appreciate it then, as I would now if it were to be rebroadcast. I have exhausted all possibilities in trying to obtain a copy of a WGBH tape of this series. If anyone knows how to obtain a tape please let me know. I highly recommend this book.

I love this book. It has been quite a long time since I've read a book with such depth and realistic characters. The people in this book ARE REAL. I am having trouble putting into words how much I loved this book. It made me laugh and cry, and I was very depressed when I had finished it. If you like Dickens, I think you will enjoy this author's style.
The mini-series is now out on DVD. I will be getting it soon, and it is hard for me to think about much else. I can't wait to see it; eleven hours! Excellent.

I ran across this book by chance in a hospital lending library, and it was just the thing to read during a tedious recouperation. This is an enobling book, it reminded me of how people can rise to wonderful levels of caring and integrity, it showed a person wounded in body and spirit who found that concentrating on the details of teaching the schoolboys under his care was, in a sense, a healing meditation. I am slightly sceptical that anyone can be that free of ignoble impulses; it seemed that none of the characters in the book did anything at odds with their personality or with a base motive. However, I don't care: I'd RATHER that people's best selves were always visible. And I'd like to believe that the everyday world can be a healing place, and that I too can go forward with courage, confident that I would be able to show the truest part of my personality. -- In addition, I appreciated the book's description of the changing political mood in England during the two world wars.

As an expert on creativity, I am very excited about this book as it easily guides parents into nurturing parenting by teaching them to honor the individuality of each child and encourage unique self-expression. By fortifying a child's self-esteem and acknowledging their natural gifts and abilities, parents can have a powerful impact on this next generation of "litle souls" ensuring that they become who they are truly meant to be.

This book caught me by surprise, with the warmth that infuses its writing, the penetrating insightfulness of its principles, and the ability to integrate its ideas into the everydayness of life. It elevated my focus from the intensity of life's details to touch base with matters of the heart. I began to reflect with renewed clarity on the sense of family and values that I impart daily to my children ages 5 and 7. While other books out there have tried to copy this message, this book clearly has become the classic in its field. What a tremendous service to us moms!

Giving children the best possible start in life includes fostering their spiritual development. In our fast paced, result-driven world, our emotional and spiritual needs can be overlooked. The principles highlighted in this book give invaluable guidance for parents wishing to assist their children in developing values and coping skills that will take them through the challenges of life.

As a therapist, I am happy to recommend this book to my clients who are parents. The best legacy we can leave to our children is a world that is gentler and more compassionate. The only route is through individual accountability - this book is an instrument to that end.

Mrs. Doe is such an inspiration. She is my second mother, and I love her!
Even more so, she is such an amazing author. She continues to inspire my life and my familial relationship through her writing.
Thank you Mrs. Doe.

EVERYONE BUY THIS BOOK.

It will change your life.

Unlike many other 'parenting books' (full of psychological recipies which make you feel bad if you don't follow their particular recommendations, each one of course holding the absolute and only truth), this one is simply wonderful, refreshing, full of practical tips and freely inspiring. I was a bit skeptical when I read in a previous review that it could also be a spiritual book even without being a parent, but yes, it is definitely full of ideas to develop spirituality into one's life, being or not a parent. I'm sixth month pregnant, finishing the book, and now I feel completely reassured about the parenting adventure which awaits me. Thank you!