V Books

This is one of the best books ever written on skepticism. The author takes the position that dogmatists are sick and in need of a cure. This cure is skepticism. He then attacks beliefs in dogmatic positions such as belief in God, the certainty of knowledge and so forth. This is the one true book for the skeptical position. Skepticism as presented in this book is as skepticism should be, that is, a double edged sword. Empiricus attacks everything, including other skeptics. This is as skepticism should be, not the watered down version practiced by most skeptics nowadays. For instance, most skeptics believe in atheism and evolution, wheras their are major objections against these positions, that clearly refute them. A true skeptic looks at both sides of the issue. An excellent book.

This work is a classic; it largely is a recording of the otherwise unavailable teachings attributed to a Greek philosopher of the 4th c. BC named Pyrrho of Elis. The reason I wrote this, however, is that the "synopsis" presented by Amazon summarizing the book is seriously faulty. First of all, I can't imagine why it says that this book considers "th[e] theory as set forth" by Sextus that "certain knowledge is possible--that the physical world and ideas formulated about it could be given solid foundations unaffected by the varieties of mere opinion." Sextus, and Pyrrho, the man of whose teachings Sextus is mostly just a scribe, believed precisely the opposite. I think the synopsis may just have been poorly written, but in any case it gives an incorrect impression.

Second, it is deeply false to call Sextus the "founder of the 'skeptic' school of thought." Though no one is sure when Sextus lived, it was several centuries after Pyrrho, and even Pyrrho couldn't be called the founder of Skepticism. His teacher Anaxarchus taught a reasoned and systematized series of arguments that explained his epistemological doubts. Moreover, Plato's work "Theatetus" also sets forth detailed epistemological skepticism, and that work predates even the lifetime of Anaxarchus. "[S]keptic school[s] of thought" had flourished for centuries in Greece and Rome before Sextus was even born.

The synopsis is misleading and inaccurate.

This book explains a very thoughtful, rigorously worked out consideration of the following perplexing observation, which is one I think we all share: "I do not seem to know anything for certain." By having so carefully considered this issue, I believe that this ancient book represents a coherent and complete answer to the predicaments that modern skeptics so worry and strain themselves over; for example, it achieves Sartre's own goal, which was to "work out a coherent atheism," and did so 2000 years before Sartre was born.

The Outlines, like the other extant works of Sextus Empiricus, is largely a recording of teachings attributed to a Greek philosopher of the 4th c. B.C. named Pyrrho of Elis. Pyrrho is a shadowy figure and himself left no extant writings, but is believed by longstanding rumor (preserved most quote-ably by the Roman historian Diogenes Laertius) to have been influenced by Buddhism during his travels with Alexander the Great to India.

Pyrrho's thought influenced middle and later phases of Plato's Academy and flourished there for some centuries, where it was intensely worked and re-worked. Indeed, Pyrrho's thought ultimately exerted such great influence in classical civilization that his name became synonomous with the modern technical meaning of the word "skepticism" (in fact, the title of this work, which in Greek is "Pyrrhoniae Hypothesi," is sometimes translated as "Outlines of Skepticism").

Ancient skepticism fell into obscurity following the fall of Rome and languished in obscurity for nearly a millennium. Fortunatley, however, the works of Sextus were rediscovered during the Italian Renaissance and from there enjoyed wide attention in Europe for some centuries, impacting the works of such notable figures as Montaigne and Walter Raleigh.

Nevertheless, ancient skepticism again fell out of academic view in more recent times. This is peculiar and unfortunate; this body of thought was no less influential than Platonic, Aristotelian, and other classical movements now effectively canonized in Western culture and was kept well in the forefront of academic thought for many centuries, but is now largely a curiosity seriously studied only by specialist philosophers and classics scholars.

What is most interesting to me about ancient skepticism is that I think everything that could possibly be said by modern doubters -- the phenomenologists, the existentialists, the mass of usually unthinking and poorly educated oafs who call themselves postmodernists -- was already said by the ancients. Indeed, the absolutely key points that a doubter must make in order to render his doubts even coherent all appear in the Outlines, in my opinion, and I see nothing in the supposedly radical works of modern day doubters that is really more radical than what is contained in Sextus.

Finally, there is no better introduction to ancient skepticism than the Outlines. Sextus is unbelievably straightforward and easy to understand, especially if you have any experience reading other works of skepticism.

Personally, I think the Barnes & Annas translation, available in an in-print Cambridge University edition, is better because it is better suited to modern readers and is copiously annotated. However, this or any other edition will do for a non-specialist looking for an understanding ancient skepticism.

This is one of the best books ever written on skepticism. The author takes the position that dogmatists are sick and in need of a cure. This cure is skepticism. He then attacks beliefs in dogmatic positions such as belief in God, the certainty of knowledge and so forth. This is the one true book for the skeptical position. Skepticism as presented in this book is as skepticism should be, that is, a double edged sword. Empiricus attacks everything, including other skeptics. This is as skepticism should be, not the watered down version practiced by most skeptics nowadays. For instance, most skeptics believe in atheism and evolution, wheras their are major objections against these positions, that clearly refute them. A true skeptic looks at both sides of the issue. An excellent book.

This is "without a doubt" the best book ever written for those who sincerely want the truth. Empiricus does an outstanding and brilliant job on describing skepticism. He shows that a true skeptic doubts everything, and not just the paranormal and "fringe beliefs". The book is a how to manual for being a skeptic. The author shows why doubt is necessary to establish truth. He shows why we can never know something for certain,and that all beliefs are only probabilities. After reading this book, one will get a better understanding of unorthodox beliefs. One will see that people who believe in unusual things may not be irrational at all but hardened skeptics who may in fact be wise. This book should be required reading at all schools including doctoral levels of learning. If people were more skeptical of everything including the orthodox teachings of science and established "knowledge", we may come closer to truth and wisdom instead of believing things that are not true.

I was surprised as to how good this book was. I really enjoyed it. It gave two different views of Lone Star: From the loyal cop viewpoint and the jaded shadowrunners viewpoint. Highly recommended. I also liked how the did skillwires and the chipping of skills.

The title says it all.
I'm a man of little words. All I can say its a really really great book! Buy it and try it!

As a vivid Shadowrun I have read all the novels and play the game. Nigel Finley pefectly captures the essence of the awakened world of Shadowrun. He is a great a writer who will be missed

I've been a Shadowrun fan for years. Always surprised at the high quality of the world & the novels. Unfortunate that the rule-books always have a tendency to be dififcult to use.

The worst thing about this book is the cover. The writing style is quite nice, as is the solid main character.

ENJOY!

REkz

I was surprised as to how good this book was. I really enjoyed it. It gave two different views of Lone Star: From the loyal cop viewpoint and the jaded shadowrunners viewpoint. Highly recommended.

Pat Riley is one of the most successful basketball coaches the sport has known. In this book he tells the story of how he made it happen for the Lakers during the 86-87 season.The book is filled with anecdotal material showing how a coach motivates his players. Fans will also enjoy his stories of the big stars, and the inside insights of the relations in a team fighting for the championship.
However I thought I would enjoy this book more than I did. It is choppily written. The supposed humor is not really there. Perhaps this is because the world of sports no longer fascinates me as it did when I was a child, but I found a lot of this slow- going indeed.

The 1987 Lakers IMO were without a doubt the greatest nba team ever assembled. Yes better than the 96 Bulls, 67 Sixers, or the 86 Celtics. The book describes the teams journey to the nba finals. And it states some intresting facts of how James Worthy almost got traded to Dallas. The Lakers finished the season with a 65-17 record. The went 15-3 in thr playoffs. Defeating the Nuggetes 3-0, the Warriors 4-1, the Sonics 4-0, and finally defeating the Boston Celtics 4-2.

Must Have book for Showtime Laker Fans!!!!!

Other reviews miss the point. This is my most recommended book on the art of Management. How do you manage such a diverse group of world class atheletes! That is the problem! Look at what happened with Phil Jackson and Kobe and Shaq. Disaster. Pat Riley's book is a clear set of instructions on how to manage a small group of high-power folks - like a high-power software team. This belongs well dog-eared on the shelves of the quality manager along with the Foundation Trilogy and Harold Geneen's Managing. IMHO.

Pat Riley is the legendary NBA coach who lead the Los angeles Lakers to four NBA titles in the 80's. In 1984-85, the Lakers won their third title of the decade (second under Riley) over their hated rivals the Boston Celtics. There were high expectations for the 85-86 season, but they were knocked out of the playoffs by the underdog Houston Rockets and failed to defend their title. The book takes us through the 86-87 season in which Mr. Riley strives to get his team back on top. We get to see how an NBA season underfolds from the point of view of arguably the best coach in history. He gives an insider's thoughts on all-time greats like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy. Mr. Riley has a wry sense of humor and his take on things makes this book a highly entertaining and insightful read.

Coach Riley provides basketball fans of all ages with a game-by-game chronicle of the Los Angeles Lakers' glorious 1986-87 season. Riles explains why complacency drove the previous year's team to an early exit in the Western Conference Finals and tells how he reversed their attitudes. He takes you inside the locker rooms and profiles the club's stars. Peter May's book, The Last Banner, claims that the 1985-86 Boston Celtics are the best team ever. Even though I haven't read this publication, I'd have to disagree with that statement. The Lakers were a very special team in '86-'87 that were on a mission. I would highly recommend for anyone to obtain a copy of this book. It certainly is a collector's item that I will forever treasure.

This book was a delightful find. I bought it based on the glowing recommendations on the cover by Fritz Leiber, Piers Anthony, and Andrew Offutt, among others. It's not often that you see such a collection of authors raving about a book and they sure were right! This book is a brilliant piece of high adventure, fantasy at its best. Despite the "Red Sonja-ish" cover art, "Silverglass" is not really just a stale old "barbarian" novel. No, it is much more along the lines of Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser series-- mercurial, witty, and delightfully character-based. Corson and Nyctasia are two of fantasy's most unforgettable women characters, so much fun that they just win your hearts and make you want to read more and more about them. **Warning** The series is currently out of print. Get it and the rest of the series used through Amazon's used book service. That's what I did to get the next three books after Silverglass, and it was a snap. Thanks Amazon!

I read this book back in the late 80s when it was published. I never could find the sequels even though I knew there had to be some. Now I came across it again and it's out of print. Argh.

Silverglass is an excellent book that offers it's readers a true fantasy trip filled with lovable characters! The four book series (Silverglass, Web of Wind, Witch of Rhostshyl, and Mistress of Ambiguities) all fit together like a snug fitting glove. They are truly great books that hold the readers attention and keep moving forward in a fast action paced enviroment. Loose ends are tied up and have kept me wishing for a new sequel!!! Where are you Mrs. Rivkin?!?

(cheating here and repeating, but since no one is reviewing the three books that make this series, i dont want anyone to miss the fact that it was both interesting and funny and thought provoking. buy all three)

I'm so bummed that the triology of 'mistress of ambiguities, silverglass, and web of wind' wasnt carried on. ok sure, its the old warrior and sorceress, but it was so well done. the character interaction and development was great, it was like looking in on their lives. the playful arguing and sometimes real disagreements between partners brings to life a relationship that is so mundane in other books. to some extent the adventure was almost superflous, just a vehicle for 'spending time' with them. on the other hands, the adventures were so well done, not predictable endings, complex enough to hold interest but without becoming overwhelming... i can only say, write me another one please!

SilverGlass is the first book in a series of four books of the same name. It is the story of the noblewoman/sorceress Nyctasia and her swordswoman/companion Corson. Nyctasia is forced into exile from her city of Rhostshyl for trying to make peace between the ruling families. She hires Corson as a bodygaurd while she travels to mystical forest in the search of her lost lover. A good book that is a good start to an intriguing series. While short(186 pages) it packs in more story than many 300+ page books.

Dr. Haring's book is a great collection of quotes, short stories and anecdotes on the important things in life. There are inspirational uplifting success stories and ideas showing that the smallest ideas can make big differences in the World and your life. I gave a copy of this book to everyone on my Christmas mailing list this year and have received many heartfelt thanks. I keep a copy by my bedside for those late night times when I need to get back to what really matters in life.

This book comes off as so simple, but it's really profound. Each of the short stories and quotes shares powerful thoughts and concepts that can change your life, and they are presented in short segments that you can read while on the go. A great gift.

This book reminds the reader of the little things in life that we all so easily forget. The book is uplifting and well written. A great collection of small stories and articles. A must read book!

"The Smallest Things Make the Biggest Difference is a little gem. Dr. Haring collects a gallery of profound thoughts and insights into the human character, creating a collage of very compelling stories and quotes. This book is worth your time to sit and read."

"A wonderful collection of positive and refreshing observations of life... An uplifting read for anyone searching for an oasis amidst life's many distractions."

My husband, Ron, is an excellent carver and has been doing songbirds for about ten years. He brings life to his carvings by burning the feathers in with such detail nearly everyone reaches out to "pet" his birds. This past year he decided to go beyond the "natural" look and asked me to paint a robin so that the gift to our grandson would be from both of us.
I had only worked with watercolors previously and so, having had no experience with acrylic painting, I was still able to follow the instructions in this wonderful book and came out with a robin that looked very real. In fact, when painting one day, I had to answer the door and the guest flinched, thinking I was holding a real robin. Now if I can only come up with her instructions for painting a blue bird and/or a blue herron I would be grateful beyond words.

It just arrived in the mail and I can hardly wait to carve another bird. This book gives the carver just what he needs--patterns from the front and side plus top and bottom views! Lots of black and white photos, but then you get color photos just when you need them--which is when you begin to paint the bird. Plus, I really like the way the birds look. If I can't produce a fine looking bird from this book it will not be from lack of direction. This beats just about any other bird carving book I have, and believe me I have bought a lot of them!

Rosalyn Daisey's book is a suberb example of how to author a "how to" book. It's top notch in patterns, instructions, and illistrations. You can't go wrong with any of her books. I'm impressed enough to own them all.

My husband, Ron, is an excellent carver and has been doing songbirds for about ten years. He brings life to his carvings by burning the feathers in with such detail nearly everyone reaches out to "pet" his birds. This past year he decided to go beyond the "natural" look and asked me to paint a robin so that the gift to our grandson would be from both of us.
I had only worked with watercolors previously and so, having had no experience with acrylic painting, I was still able to follow the instructions in this wonderful book and came out with a robin that looked very real. In fact, when painting one day, I had to answer the door and the guest flinched, thinking I was holding a real robin. Now if I can only come up with her instructions for painting a blue bird and/or a blue herron I would be grateful beyond words.

Excellent step by step guide for both beginning and advanced woodcarvers. Provides detailed patterns and instructions for five different common songbirds.

A collection of essays about such thing as self-esteem, family, and faith. The essays are from everyday people as well as famous people. The essays were really helpful.

I really enjoyed these marvelous and uplifting stories. A lot of them had definite messages to be used in your everyday life. Queen Latifah's contributions were extremely powerful. This would be a great book just to keep around and open to any story to meditate upon.

The stories in this book warm your hearts. You see popular figures in a new light when you read their inspirational stories. I'm glad we've got a book that's ours. Soul Food is ours anyway. Looking forward to the continuation of the series.

A collection of essays about such thing as self-esteem, family, and faith. The essays are from everyday people as well as famous people. The essays were really helpful.

Once again Eric Copage has done it again. His new inspirational collection feeds the souls of black people everywhere. There are wonderful, powerful stories that soothes, and feeds your spirits. This collection is broken down into 7 elements: Love, Self-Esteem, Family, Creativity, Tenacity, Wisdom, and Faith. These stories are heartwarming and include such writers as Nikki Giovanni, Barry White, Queen Latifah, Les Brown and new writers on the scene as well. My favorite poem is called Dark Skinded Girl by Akiba Jama. I love reading the stories in this colleciton. This is a black soup and it feeds your soul. You can read a couple of stories, or all of the stories, but know that you will be inspired and enriched by the experiences of the writers, cause it's your experience. The beautiful, black experience! Feed yo' soul.

Deux is one of the new yaoi publishers who have a flare for translating. I bought my copy of Spring Fever on a whim while browsing for some yaoi novels. At first a little hesitant about the art because I'm not so used to this type of author's work, I bought it and read it. I was amazed at the complex plots the art was fine as well and didn't come off as simplistic as I had originally thought in fact I really liked it. Spring Fever has two stories and these stories were absolutely amazing. It's one of the few manga out there where the art is there just to guide and the story actually stands out! I recommend this to everyone, both stories are unlike any I have ever read and I pride myself on having read mostly everything involving m/m scenarios it's one manga you'll proudly set on top of your bookshelf with pride and care.

When I first held this manga, I wasn't sure as to whether I would really enjoy it or not. However, after the first few pages, I just couldn't put the manga down until I was finished! The quirky main character that seems to love whatever is in the now and has such an open and animated personality that brings a great comedic theme to the manga. I really like the bonding between the characters and the way that the typical "seme=older and uke=younger" role is discarded with. A great read that I have recommended to all my manga-loving friends.

As a long-time yaoi fan, I have the Japanese version which I love even though I can only half read it. It's even better being able to read every word; Yamada Yugi has a gift for creating interesting, "everyday" type stories and believable characters.
The first story is a classic reserved older uke/hot blooded younger seme story with some family drama thrown in. I also liked the glimpse into traditional Japanese life with the hero going to take his bath at the local bath house and working in a calligraphy school as well as a noodle shop.
The second story is about one of Yamada-san's favorite characters, the gay Naoki. He's appeared in two other of Yamada-san's books: Laugh Under the Sun & Glass Sky (BTW, Amazon currently has these two incorrectly listed under Yamada YuJi). He's a refreshing yaoi character who is unabashedly gay; though things are changing, most yaoi features "straight" guys overcome with their passion for another guy.
If you're interested in Japanese "slice of life" stories and realistic characters, I highly recommend this and all of Yamada-san's other books.

Spring Fever about an 18 year old man falling for a widower with a kid is excellent It is Yaoi done right. Emotional, angst filled, comical, heartwarming and sweet, it is an absorbing story from the beginning. Twenty years separate the 2 men but their love is convincing and the last few pages are so well done. The ending could have gone either way and I am just glad the mangaka decides to satisfy the sappy reader like me.

Wildman Blues about 2 childhood friends, one gay while the other straight, eventually becoming lovers sound familiar. But this mangaka tells it so well that the story is distinct and very enjoyable. Naoki the flamboyant gay is such an endearing uke and he certainly deserves a break in life.

Wonderful main and side characters in both stories by this talented mangaka. An excellent addition to my collection indeed.

For all those Yugi Yamada fans out there, you will definitely love "Spring Fever." There is the usual trademark slap-stick comedy, emotional depth, and intense physical action! All within a forbidden or unconventional setting--in this case, the relationship between a younger man and a much older partner ^_^ I especially love the comedic scenes, which does not deter any of the emotional depth and social consciousness that I find so endearing and interesting in Yamada's works.

The second story was equally enjoyable and has to do with childhood romance (between guys) as well as the social hurdles one has to go through when "coming out" so to speak. Yaoi fans will definitely not be disappointed with this one-shot manga!

Very Scholarly done after considerable research into the life of a great devotee of the Lord. Extremely readable, entertaining, enlightening, knowledgeable book, opens a window to the spitirual world and the pure devotees who live there.

This is the most Amazing book for it is about the life of a person who changed the lifes of millions!

More than what his preachings attracted me, his biography did! I really would follow His way of striving to achieve the desired goals. This book was much more than a mere biography. I have been to many iskcon temples, but now after reading this biography, I understand much more about the processes going on, in these temples....

this is the best book i have ever gone through and thoroughly enjoyed. this book can bring tears to a pure devotee. hari bol ! sirila prabhupada ki jai

Prabhupada Lilamrta by Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami is a masterpiece. It is carefully written and full of details about the modern day saint His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. The authors writing style makes it seem that the reader was actually there participating in history in the making. Most important of all is the message of this work. It provides the reader insight to a tradition that was practiced for millenia by devoted vaisnavas and also the summit of religious performances, bhakti yoga-devotion to god. By relating the extraordinary life of His Divine Grace, the author has given a great jewel to the world, a jewel that has glimered in the hearts of all who read the book. This book will certainly change the world for the better.

This book really delivers on the mysterious and wonderful character Jango Fett. He is a legendary Mandalorian warrior who witnessed his whole mercenary army being wiped out by the Jedi. Beautiful illistrations. The best illustrator who could draw "Mandalorian armor" to date. A great story line, and really stresses the fact that Jango is a neutral, fearless warrior.

I do know what to say about the art work. I own every Darkhorse TPB comic and this one has the best inks and coloring of them all, getting a 6 on a 5 scale. The drawing itself is a 4 on a 5 scale, and the story is also a 4.

the story missed some oportunity here, but it does address what you are probably curious about with regard to jango.

Darkhorse be warned, I'll expect this kind of quality in the future. I have suffered through lazy editioning from you guys, most disappointingly in UNION and others.

I've read most of the Star Wars comics, and this one is among the best. Open Seasons interweaves the story of Jaster and Concord Dawn (known to Fett fans) with the events prior to Geonosis.

The story is very involving, although I wish it had been longer. A few things were glossed over pretty quickly. But it was a refreshing change from Kevin Anderson's usual soulless SW tales. I had a few "goose-bump" moments.

What can I say about the art? Like Jedi vs. Sith, some will think that it is too cartoony. I disagree. The artist captured action and emotion, and that's what this is about...telling a story through art. Personally, I adored it. I hope Dark Horse uses this guy, and fires the Sith Empire folks. Kudos also for the colors. (The lightsabers really seemed to glow!)

All in all Open Seasons is gorgeous. Buy it.

Possibly one of the best graphic novels I've ever read. Shows the story of how Jango's family is killed and how he joined the Mandalorians. Excellent story (but it felt a little short) that explains alot about why Jango is who he is. Great pictures, dialogue, everything. A great read for Fett fans.

Open Seasons is one of those comics that is highly recommended reading. This is where you'll find Jango Fett's backstory, which seamlessly ties into what little is known of his cloned son Boba Fett, and his Jaster Mereel alto ego. The comic derives its name from the four issues subtitled after the four seasons of winter, spring, summer, fall, and provides reason for Montross's animosity in the Bounty Hunter console game.

The artwork here is just superb. Colours shine off the page, illustrations are depthful, more 3Dish than the standard fare you get, what more could you want? I strongly believe that comics, being the visual material they are, must have the best artwork possible, to show what a standard novel can only express in words. If that's the case, Open Seasons is gold.

The dialogue is up to par. Could have benefited with more humour, but the cast worked well for given characters. Then again, given the nature of the plot, too much would have detracted from the persona of Jango Fett.

The storyline is your typical coming of age: peaceful youth avenging the death of parents and a shattered childhood, forged into one of the galaxy's finest bounty hunters. The setting is soon after Phantom Menace, Dooku recounting to his master Sidious why Fett makes the ideal prime clone for their clandestine operations. It even provides some explanation for why Dooku himself--if you can believe the old man--broke from the Jedi Order.

You see what Jango is made of here in the Galidraan debacle, where the Jedi and Mandalorians have it out. You'd get the impression the Jedi really are dependant on their saber sticks to be dangerous, as though that made any difference to the Fett. Does leaving you wondering in AOTC if script limitations hadn't necessitated Mace Windu to survive Fett.

Just a few trivialties here. Jango looks more lighter complexioned than he did on the screen. Without enough names in dialogue, it does make it challenging to identify your Mandalorian in near-identical uniforms. Most annoying, why do these people always have to be farmboys (Luke, Baron Fel, Jango, etc)? And the biggest one of all: at the end, when Jango flies across space to crash through a ship's bridge viewports, in a vacuum without breathing or decompression?!

Overall, with art quality and storyline this good, Open Seasons is one fine gift to get, and definitely worth getting.