L. J. Smith Books

Perhaps I can shed some light on why this book has received one star reviews. If you look at the date of the 1-star reviews you will notice they are all from quite some time ago. The reason for this is because they are actually reviewing the 2nd edition of this book instead of the 3rd.

I was actually in Dr. Strauss's Calculus class (Fall 2000) when we were using the 2nd edition (he was not a co-author at this time). The general rule for the class was, if the answer you got did not match the answer in the back of the book or handbook, assume the text was wrong. I shudder to think of all the errors we found; however, the content of the book was still quite good. Dr. Strauss would catalog and submit all the errors his classes found, which is how he was invited to be a co-author. As a result, the 3rd edition is virtually error free in comparison, and I have no issues recommending this excellent text.

TO ANYONE WHAO HAS EVER FOUND MATH TO BE THE IMPOSSIBLE DISCIPLINE FIT FOR GENEUSES ALONE...CALCULUS IS A VERY EASY SUBJECT! - or perhaps it is so only to those who were fortunate enough to encounter this wonderful text that guides its readers in their transition from the mathematics of high school precalculus where the emphasis was placed on computation, to the college-level calculus where emphasis is placed on truly understanding the mathematics. In Pre-calc, it may have been enough to understand a theorem such as the Mean Value Theorem as an intuitively acceptable definition. In calculus, such a theorem holds value, only to a degree that a student could apply it appropreately in a proof of another theorem. Caculus is the last stepingstone of elementary mathematics. Despite the rigor of mathematics, it must be understood and embodied by all students that while mathematics is teoretical in the sense that its practitioners are interested in deriving the ultimate truths of the workings of the universe, there is an emperical and practical fascet to the subject that allies the theory. It is often the case with students taking the first tree (or four) semisters of calculus is that they are interested in the practical use of calculus towards their major . Whether you are a student who is a non-mathematics (non-physics or engeneering) major or otherwise, this text will undoubtedly be of great use. The distingulishing characteristic of the text is with the authour's abilities in elucidating the rigorous concepts of mathematics through clear, every-day language If you think you are mature enough, go with the Stewart text- I'm speaking to not many of you. Otherwise, Buy this book The Larson text will guide you through the rigor of calculus, and the Strauss text will elucidate the meanings and applications.

I learned calculus from this book, and i think that as a text it is excellent. I learned very little from my lecturer, and almost 90% of my 3 4.0 grades in calc 1,2 and 3 can be attributed to the pages of this book. On the other hand, by the end of the year my book had nearly fallen apart; i ask myself, why so expensive for cheap print? Furthermore, why would the authors write such a good book, but make the binding so terrible? If you use this textbook, be CAREFUL with the binding!

Many people say that this book is bad. On the other hand, I think is very challenging. The exercises are not as simple as in other calculus textbooks. The book explains everything well and provides you with many examples. I am a math major and this book has been really helpful.

I also disagree with the reviewers that were so passionate about ditching the book with one star ratings. All I can think is that all of them were students who used it as a textbook in college. Most college students, specially Engineering students (guilty :) tend to put Calculus on the back seat and try to skim a lot specially when pressured by finals or other subjects. Fortunately, this wasn't my case. I used the book as a refresher and went deeper into more advanced topics at the of the book that were never explored in class back when I was in college. The book proved to be wonderful for this purpose. In four months I could get to the level I aimed for. I do agree however about the printing errors, the scarceness of the example problems, and some discrepance between the levels of examples and the exercises. Also, there are a few parts that should have been a little more detailed(that's why I don't grant it a 5-star). Nevertheless these little flaws do not take away the book's merit. I recommend to anyone(student or self-learner) who will block some time to go through the text without rushing,without skimming and appreciating the way new(or old) ideas are presented (as well as the history inserts). Great buy!

Why oh why haven't Smith and Ragan, experts in instruction, noticed that dry writing is not effective? Apparently they believe that dry impersonal writing is a model of proper academic voice. Sure, if the purpose of writing is to ensure that readers disengage as quickly as possible, then the style chosen does a wonderful job.

In addition, the text presumes that its audience are bottom-up learners and short-changes those of us that need a good hard look at the big picture before we can absorb the components thereof.

I can say one good thing about this text; it holds its resale value.

In designing a course and a tutorial for to be taught online for the first time I used this text. I especially found the chapter on the affective component of course design helpful as students are very anxious initally with distance learning. I have subsequently used the book to retool my face-to-face classes. The examples and end-of-chapter sections are useful for new ideas and approaches.

This book did have good points, but they drown in a stagnant, dreary pool of monotonous prose that could put the heartiest of readers to sleep. Just imagine wading through page after page of sentences like this: "Closer attention to learners' cognitive processes during declarative knowledge learning has led us to realize that elaboration is a basic process by which links are made with information being received as well as for connecting new information to existing knowledge and structures" (161). Someone please rush the authors a copy of Richard Lanham's "Revising Prose".

This text was quite informative and covered everything. However, the layout of the text was boring. The font was small and each page had double columns which just made reading the material very arduous.

Beyond the fundamental Systematic Approach to Training process, Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation, the authors present proven strategies for teaching students how to learn. Problem-solving, delcarative knowledge, concepts, and principle scenarios are presented. This book is a valuable shelf reference for the K-12 teacher as well as the Instructional Technologist.

Once again, Dr. Ken passes himself off as an allged authority in the field. Have a look at the other reviews, from some anonymous person in Whitewater CO. (That you Bonnie Kosanke?) Whitewater is a pretty small place, after all. Didn't have the nerve to rate your own material 5 stars?

The recent output of books providing accurate scientific discourse on pyrotechnics has been almost nonexistent. While there are still copies of many good texts on this subject, new editions to this extant literature have been rare. The publication of the two-part syllabus of the course "Lecture Notes for Pyrotechnic Chemistry" is a welcome addition to the chemistry of pyrotechnics literature. (Note that earlier edi-tions were called: "Chemistry of Fireworks" and "Chemistry of Pyrotechnics".) The layout of this publication exists somewhere between a course outline and a book and has many strong points.

Many great traditional pyrotechnic texts do not discuss or just briefly mention the topics of whistles and strobes. Their discussion in this publication is very strong and up to date. I especially found the description of their proposed burn mechanisms helpful. The text covers the fundamental principles necessary for a basic understanding of pyrotechnic chemistry. Readers with both a chemistry and non-chemistry background will find this text a valuable addition to their collection of pyrotechnic literature.

Hazard management, in the last section of the text, has good charts highlighting hazardous chemical combinations. This strong section could only be strengthened by providing information about proper disposal of residue and waste chemicals.

Because of the outline nature of the text, such things as references for some of the sources, page numbers, and an index did not appear in the earlier editions. However, edition 3.1 includes page numbers and a nine page index.

Discussion of major topics was well done, although I would like to see more on the effects of hygroscopicity. The presentation of oxidation states is very brief, and I would like to see this dealt with in more detail. Those without training in chemistry often find oxidation and reduction reactions a difficult subject.

This volume should be of real benefit to all those involved in pyrotechnics and a welcome new addition to my pyrotechnics library.

This review originally appeared in "Journal of Pyrotechnics", No. 6, Winter, 1997 and was for an earlier edition. The book has recently been revised and expanded, but is still available at the same price.

The recent output of books providing accurate scientific discourse on pyrotechnics has been almost nonexistent. While there are still copies of many good texts on this subject, new editions to this extant literature have been rare. The publication of the two-part syllabus of the course "Lecture Notes for Pyrotechnic Chemistry" is a welcome addition to the chemistry of pyrotechnics literature. (Note that earlier edi-tions were called: "Chemistry of Fireworks" and "Chemistry of Pyrotechnics".) The layout of this publication exists somewhere between a course outline and a book and has many strong points.

Many great traditional pyrotechnic texts do not discuss or just briefly mention the topics of whistles and strobes. Their discussion in this publication is very strong and up to date. I especially found the description of their proposed burn mechanisms helpful. The text covers the fundamental principles necessary for a basic understanding of pyrotechnic chemistry. Readers with both a chemistry and non-chemistry background will find this text a valuable addition to their collection of pyrotechnic literature.

Hazard management, in the last section of the text, has good charts highlighting hazardous chemical combinations. This strong section could only be strengthened by providing information about proper disposal of residue and waste chemicals.

Because of the outline nature of the text, such things as references for some of the sources, page numbers, and an index did not appear in the earlier editions. However, edition 3.1 includes page numbers and a nine page index.

Discussion of major topics was well done, although I would like to see more on the effects of hygroscopicity. The presentation of oxidation states is very brief, and I would like to see this dealt with in more detail. Those without training in chemistry often find oxidation and reduction reactions a difficult subject.

This volume should be of real benefit to all those involved in pyrotechnics and a welcome new addition to my pyrotechnics library.

This review originally appeared in "Journal of Pyrotechnics", No. 6, Winter, 1997 and was for an earlier edition. The book has recently been revised and expanded, but is still available at the same price.

The recent output of books providing accurate scientific discourse on pyrotechnics has been almost nonexistent. While there are still copies of many good texts on this subject, new editions to this extant literature have been rare. The publication of the two-part syllabus of the course "Lecture Notes for Pyrotechnic Chemistry" is a welcome addition to the chemistry of pyrotechnics literature. (Note that earlier edi-tions were called: "Chemistry of Fireworks" and "Chemistry of Pyrotechnics".) The layout of this publication exists somewhere between a course outline and a book and has many strong points.

Many great traditional pyrotechnic texts do not discuss or just briefly mention the topics of whistles and strobes. Their discussion in this publication is very strong and up to date. I especially found the description of their proposed burn mechanisms helpful. The text covers the fundamental principles necessary for a basic understanding of pyrotechnic chemistry. Readers with both a chemistry and non-chemistry background will find this text a valuable addition to their collection of pyrotechnic literature.

Hazard management, in the last section of the text, has good charts highlighting hazardous chemical combinations. This strong section could only be strengthened by providing information about proper disposal of residue and waste chemicals.

Because of the outline nature of the text, such things as references for some of the sources, page numbers, and an index did not appear in the earlier editions. However, edition 3.1 includes page numbers and a nine page index.

Discussion of major topics was well done, although I would like to see more on the effects of hygroscopicity. The presentation of oxidation states is very brief, and I would like to see this dealt with in more detail. Those without training in chemistry often find oxidation and reduction reactions a difficult subject.

This volume should be of real benefit to all those involved in pyrotechnics and a welcome new addition to my pyrotechnics library.

This review originally appeared in "Journal of Pyrotechnics", No. 6, Winter, 1997 and was for an earlier edition. The book has recently been revised and expanded, but is still available at the same price.

I, on the other hand, think its a great collection of American literature, but maybe just a bit too pricey for what it offers. I would suggest it more as something to use as a reference than as something that should be read cover to cover, I mean, geeze, its 2060 pages long.

Few literary textbooks equal "An Anthology of American Literature" in length and dryness. While the book is a collection of mediocre stories who are now only seeing the light of day due to the baneful effects of political correctness, the editor of this work delves deeper to not include a single illustration that may have shed some light of this terrible experience of reading this collection of pointless stories,

This huge textbook is a steal: hundreds of major works from the last century and a half, printed on quality paper, bound with a strong but flexible gum binding. If this were a hardcover, you'd pay twice the price for what it includes. It's thorough and scholarly, a tome that defines the Big League of anthologies. It's not for the shallow reader, though, who's accustomed to the sensuous audio-visuals of TV and the Internet. This is TEXT. Time to resuscitate the thinking mind, the patient intellect, the autonomous imagination.

Great collection of American Writing, used to book for online class, but never took it outside the house. Its pretty heavy and very easy to tear. I have no idea why pages are so THIN. Serioulsly, they are thinner than the toilet paper.

Dont flip the page too fast, you might loose it.

Let's face it, most people won't be buying this volume by choice--they'll buy it for a class. Still, it's good to know what you're getting into. This is a pretty good anthology of American literature, starting all the way back with Native American myths and Columbus's journals and continuing through Puritan, Enlightenment, Transcendentalist, Romantic, and modern periods of literature in America.

The introductions to the pieces are good--as good or better than Norton's--and the selections themselves are generally good. Still, though, there are a few notable things missing, but that is to be expected in any compendium, I suppose.

One of the highlights of this volume is the full reprints of Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography and Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn. If you have to buy this book, it should be useful and may even be worth keeping around after the class is over. I know I'm going to keep mine.

This goes month by month through all the changes you will experience! One thing I really liked about this book were the recipes that are "tummy friendly" if you need that, like I did. It is difinitely a good read and full of information. It even includes information about the first 6 weeks after your child is born and what to expect then. I read both this one and The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy, I highly recommend reading both!

Good book to calm your worries. A go-to guide for pregnancy. Highly recommended addition to your baby book collection.

Heidi Murkoff uses humor and reality to inform women about the trials and joys of pregnancy. This book is great because it breaks down the symptoms felt by months in which you are most likely to have the problems. The book is written in a question answer format so you can easily skip over the information that doesn't apply to you or indulge in the information if you have the time. This book helps you to understand why you go through so many pregancy symptoms and helps you to remedy the problems and helps you know when to call your midwife/doctor. What to Expect: The First Year is also an outstanding book.

This has been a great resource for my daughter as she went through her 9 months of pregnancy

As a first-time expectant mom, I bought this book as I had heard it described as an "excellent", "helpful" and "wonderful" guide to pregnancy.

I am almost 30 years old, and I am no idiot. However, the authors of "What to Expect" seem to assume that the reader is a young, immature girl who needs a lot of "bootcamp" style, strict rules, and a preachy, motherly tone. They imply that if the expectant mom does not follow their "Pregnancy Diet", her baby will have a low birthweight, be sickly, mentally challenged, or who knows what. They make every abdominal cramp, slight twinge, or spot of blood into a major medical emergency! They devote an entire chapter to "When there's a problem", discussing miscarriages and other abnormalities, giving the expectant mom (or dad, or domestic partner) a terrible scare and a large dose of paranoia. They also state several times that the best "cure" for a miscarriage or stillbirth is to "get pregnant again as soon as possible". Unbelievable!

This book is made up almost entirely of questions they supposedly have received from readers of past editions, although I suspect most are made up.

I was looking for a book with a week-by-week description of the baby's development. You won't find that here. They have a vague, generalized "month-by-month" guide of what you "may" look like, what you "may" be feeling, and a couple of points regarding the baby's development.

Take my advice and skip this book altogether. It does not even deserve one star. In regards to your diet, don't force yourself to eat. When you CAN eat, eat. When you can't, don't. Be sensible about what you eat, but don't feel guilty about the occasional fast food, cake or ice cream. Don't smoke, don't drink. If you have any questions, ask your doctor. Above all, use common sense, and you and your baby will be fine.

After reading this book I felt very disappointed as I really did not learn anything on how to be an effective trainer. I would not recommend this book to anyone not wanting to waste their time.

For new trainers, experienced trainers and managers of training, this book is invaluable. As a full-time adult training specialist for almost twenty years, I have read many books on the subject, and this is the one I always recommend. The authors have managed to include the important theory on how adults learn best, without getting boring, and then use this theory to support many practical techniques for trainers to use, so you know what will work, and why. Occasional trainers and new full-time trainers will find all the basics, experienced trainers will find ways of improving or varying techniques, managers will find ways of supporting the training process. Topics include Learning Principles, Training Needs Analysis, Leading Discussions, Questions, Case Studies, Training Aids, Computer-Based Training, Marketing Training and many more.

The book shown an information concerning the process occurs in coal combustion and coal gasification. The stage consists of the ignition of coal particle and its devolatilization, volatile combustion and heterogeneous char reaction. The book also describe the modelling of coal process in various way i.e. fixed bed, fluidized bed and in the practical flames of pulverized coal. The book also concerns with the pollutant formation in turbulent coal systems.

I guess I expected more in the way of creative techniques. It does have some good material, but the price is pretty high for this book, and it was not as helpful as some of the other books in this J-B series.

The footnotes are numbered strangely and they don't elaborate on the footnoted item very well.

This was the textbook used in my American Literature I class last semester. Volume Two is being used in the second half that I am taking this semester. The book offers a good collection of American Literature from the earliest European Explorers to the late 1800's. The additional information offered in the introductions to each author and literary time period adds to the student's understanding of the works.