Q Books

I would feel confident recommending any of Peterson's field guides including "Coral Reefs." Many field guides simply discuss a single group of animals or plants. However Kaplan has succeeded in producing a pocket book explaining the most diverse habitats on earth. He writes from a broad knowledge base covering many topics important to coral reef watchers or biologists. Frequently he injects wit and humor into what might have been a dry text. He manages to hit on most groups of animals and uses many types of illustrations to allow the reader to identify and sort out the great number and types of animals that they will see on any coral reef within the area discussed.

I am new to this book but have used quite a few field guides in my day. Now I can't wait to visit the reefs again, armed with my new education.

I like most peterson books, however this one is just as knowledgable, but I bought the book hopeing to see color plates of corals, which it did not have. It had mostly color plates of starfish, sponges, sea buscuits, other animal life. I was disappointed in that, but as most of their books have, a nice description on how to identify it. It does seperate out the different types of corals, such as brain coral, then different subspecies (depressed, common, sharp hilled) but NO good pictures. It tells depth circumferance and valley, color, nice descriptions. It does have some black & white photos of coral, but it really does not help much.

For the gamer enthusiast, this compilation of essays should serve to pique your interest. A collection of scholarly and semi-scholoarly essays, Williams, Hendricks, and Winkler (all contributors) focus on exploring three core aspects of the social gaming experience: Social Reality, Identity, and Experience. As there is currently not much Literature that attempts to qualitatively study the sociology of the gaming subculture (with the notable exception of Fine's: Shared Fantasy [1983], University of Chicago Press); the collection of essays published in this text serves to expand the range of studies on this subculture.
Having said that, 10 essays on the above mentioned three subject matters can be found here. Of those 10 essays, less than half significantly contribute to expanding on current gaming subculture theory. The ones that are most relivant to expanding the field of study take conventional Foucaultian, Marxist, and Psychoanalytic, and gender study theories and apply them to the gaming subculture (which they have done quite nicely)
In short, the compilation presents a smattering of well written and structured essays among a small majority of niche-filling (and somewhat non-relivant to the casual gamer) essays.

Gamers and role-playing, fantasy game fans are quite often serious, studious players interested in the complex and detailed play - so GAMING AS CULTURE: ESSAYS ON REALITY, IDENTITY AND EXPERIENCE IN FANTASY GAMES will make the perfect companion read both for players and those studying the sociology and culture of fantasy gaming. The latest research in fantasy games is presented, investing the social and psychological aspects of game participation and the impact of such games on individuals and society. There's even a section on virtual identities and their connection to and meaning for real-life identity. College-level courses will relish the studious and detailed nature of GAMING AS CULTURE.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This book was written by a professor and proves for me that the Gospel of Thomas was a separate tradition and not a gnostic corruption of the biblical gospels. Patterson goes into the linguistics of the Coptic Gospel of Thomas and the Greek biblical Gospels to show that Thomas stands alone in its own tradition.This book was intended more for the highly educated with Coptic and Greek interwoven with the text at the beginning of the book. I can read Koine Greek and I had a difficult time reading and understanding the first half of the book due to the Coptic. You are are curious about the Gospel of Thomas this book will educate you. I hope in the future Professor Patterson writes books more structured for the lay reader.

I have read most books in English written on the Gospel of Thomas, and I can say with condidence that Patterson's book The Gospel of Thomas and Jesus provides the best treatment of the critical issues surrounding the Gospel of Thomas. The first section of the book (about a hundred pages) provides the most comprehensive argument for the independence of the Gospel of Thomas from the canonical Four Gospels in a form accessible to the general reader. With this, Patterson refutes the claim that the Gospel of Thomas is a worthless second century Gnostic epitome that just put together a mish-mash of biblical quotes. Instead, Patterson argues, the Gospel of Thomas represents an autonomous tradition about Jesus, confirmatory and complementary of the synoptic tradition. The second part of the book deals with the setting of the Gospel of Thomas, which Patterson portrays as itinerant radicalism in Syria in the second half of the first century. The final chapter concerns the importance of the Gospel of Thomas for the historical Jesus. Patterson maintains that the Gospel of Thomas provides fresh evidence against the apocalyptic portrait of Jesus, because the Gospel of Thomas does not have any of the end-time speculation found in the synoptic Gospels. I recommend this book highly to any student of early Christianity.

This 300 page book is aimed at communicating ideas that consultants can implement to solve their everyday problems. In 15 chapters, the author follows a Question and Answer format to suggest these everyday solutions.

All the way from getting ready to start a consulting business and how to get good clients to charging the right price and getting clients to pay, this book leaves almost no stone unturned. I honestly can't think of anything else the author could have addressed for a book of this nature.

I found Chapter 11: Painless Paying, Chapter 13: Financing a Consulting Business, Chapter 7: Charge the Right Price, and Chapter 15: Hanging it Up the most beneficial for my particular situation and experience. My favorite chapter was Chapter 11: Painless Paying that addresses what to do to get your clients to pay.

Overall, this is a fantastic purchase for the price. If you are a new consultant don't hesitate and just get the book. Even if you have been a consultant for a few years, you will still find some ideas worth the investment. Good luck!

This 300 page book is aimed at communicating ideas that consultants can implement to solve their everyday problems. In 15 chapters, the author follows a Question and Answer format to suggest these everyday solutions.

All the way from getting ready to start a consulting business and how to get good clients to charging the right price and getting clients to pay, this book leaves almost no stone unturned. I honestly can't think of anything else the author could have addressed for a book of this nature.

I found Chapter 11: Painless Paying, Chapter 13: Financing a Consulting Business, Chapter 7: Charge the Right Price, and Chapter 15: Hanging it Up the most beneficial for my particular situation and experience. My favorite chapter was Chapter 11: Painless Paying that addresses what to do to get your clients to pay.

Overall, this is a fantastic purchase for the price. If you are a new consultant don't hesitate and just get the book. Even if you have been a consultant for a few years, you will still find some ideas worth the investment. Good luck!

I really enjoyed reading The Last Temptation. It was an erotic story but it wasn't just about sex. It takes a good look at relationships and the difficulty we sometimes have with severing ties. I really liked the way the story showed conflicts, personal struggles and ways to fight without actually "coming to blows". A touch of comedy is always a plus and there were parts in TLT that did make me laugh.

Can an unnerving temptation from her past undo almost two years of rebuilding?
With a new man in her life, Traci Johnson is in a mild state of euphoria. Jordan gives Traci the attention, tenderness and sex a woman looks for in a man, but trouble is lurking near; Jordan's secretary is a little too familiar with him for Traci's likes, and out of nowhere Traci's past interrupts her happiness.

Traci was head-over-heels in love with Solomon and the fact that he was a major playa did not nullify Traci's feelings. But after six years, and at an emotional cross-road in her life, Solomon disappeared without even a goodbye. Now Solomon is back, with an unsolicited explanation and an errant proposal. Traci says she is no longer in love with Solomon, that she just needs closure. But will her attempt at closure with Solomon close the door on her relationship with Jordan? Caught between a rock and a hard place Traci, who loves one man and is in love with another, is having a hard time separating the two feelings.

Gerald Malcolm skillfully shares the male perspective on relationship rules and, surprisingly, a very believable take on the woman's point of view. The testosterone is high as Malcolm presents analogies with a realism that holds reader's interest, and enough heat to singe several sets of sheets. THE LAST TEMPATION is an intense but candid look at truth, trust, commitment and closure. Malcolm delivers in a confident voice and allows his characters to speak honestly. This story literally does not end until the very last page.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

I like this book but, as I'm reading and studying it for my business law class, I'm perturbed to be running across too many misspelled words. The text itself is excellent, well presented and easy to comprehend. The typos, however, detract from the quality of the book, hence the three star review. Maybe an editor will make the necessary corrections before a new edition is published.

I am completely satisfied with the condition of the book and the length of time I received it.

French and Smith edit and contribute to this collection of recent research on Bayesian methods. The book is intended to advertise to the community of potential users the great advances and advantages of the Bayesian approach to decision making. Some articles emphasize applications and the specifics of computation. Each article contains its own references but an index for the entire volume is included in the back of the book. 23 authors contributed to this volume.

French and Smith edit and contribute to this collection of recent research on Bayesian methods. The book is intended to advertise to the community of potential users the great advances and advantages of the Bayesian approach to decision making. Some articles emphasize applications and the specifics of computation. Each article contains its own references but an index for the entire volume is included in the back of the book. 23 authors contributed to this volume.

I had the chance to read this book on a family vacation. We have tones of old books up at our cabin and I just happened to grab this one off the shelf, if I hadn't been on vacation I probably would have never read it. I have to admit that I enjoyed the story and character development. It's an odd story that takes place in Japan. It deals with the authenticity of Christ. If you have the time I recomend giving it a chance.

I first read this book a LONG time ago and have reread it several times since. It is outdated economically (the bid of millions was considered huge) and politically (Communist China was called "Communist China"). And the monolithic faith that supported the church against Marxist dictatorships is no more. But it is a palpable, emotional, can't-put-it-down story.

The novel is two stories: A man whose family was killed in a fire has lost faith and lives in Japan. He meets a female reporter and an orphan girl the same age as his dead daughter. The girl is held hostage by a Japanese mafia type and will be sent to a brothel if he does not authenticate cetain papers. The plan is for representatives from "Red China" and the Vatican to bid on the (in)famous "Q" document. Bibical scholars know that the Gospels are not first-hand sources but derive from a general outline and used a "Q" document (for "Quelle" meaning "source") containing the sayings of Jesus. The document is a revelation, though, and will shake Christianity to its core for it shows Jesus as a raving zealot and Paul as a murderer.

The other tale is of Martin Buber, the Jewish philosopher, who allegedly worked with the Nazis and then was suddenly murdered. He is the one who found these papers and translated them in order for Hitler to "prove" Christianity a fraud and for the German people to accept him as a Messiah. From Buber's diary they follow the story as he struggles then one day it is over. He is executed and no papers ever come forth. Why?

That is the powerful ending of this short but rich tale. A real winner for anyone who takes the time.

as with all winnie the pooh books, this was great. teaches about team work.

This Easter, Rabbit has to tend to his garden & can't play the easter bunny. Some of Pooh's friend's try on Rabbit's bunny suit to see if they could do it. Many pages go on to describe the ordeal. Pooh & friends decide to help Rabbit out in his garden so that he can play the easter bunny.

I have found that Winnie the Pooh stories usually, if not always, have some sort of life lesson tucked away in the pages. This one is on teamwork.

The book ( the edition I review) was written in 1977. The author has done M.A in philosphy and pursued the issue of truth of god as a personal quest. The book tries to address three different objectives : developement of a scientific criterion of true guru and apply it to study modern guru-based movements; a comparative study of indian religions movements and Christianity and a statement of personal testimony ( the author acceptance of Christ as the sat guru). Theologically it is quite likely wrong; ( somewhat it is risky to Chirstianity). One can say that Chirst can not be equated to guru; may be Holy Ghost; The author claims in his preface not to do a journalistic kind of work; but a seeker's kind of study. But in inner chapters, the author does poorer than a journalist. The author seems to be too much shaped by Peter Brnet's Godmen of India book. It is quite unfortunate. The way the author ends the chapter on ISKCON shows the confusion the author has. It quite likely the author has not read any one commentary on Gita systematically; ( then where the question of Srimad Bhagavatam). We invite readers of the book to read East-West Dialogues ( a publication of ISKCON where a Chiristian Father and a ISKCON devotee discusses these issues); and Paul Burton's books;

For a lover of books who wants to know more from a critical thinker about modern Indian religion, for me finding this book was like a fisherman finding the river where the steelhead go for conventions. Useful facts and ideas are packed head-to-tail here, so open the book with a pen handy, so you can mark where you want to cast your line on the next visit.

Mangalwadi begins by describing the historical background from which the modern concept of guruism developed. The next four parts, which make up the bulk of the book, describe eight or so gurus and the organizations they set up, including the Divine Light Mission, Hare Krishna, T.M., Sai Baba, Muktananda, and Rajneesh. He balances a succinct discussion of each school's philosophy with the personal and moral (or, often, immoral) practices of its gurus. There may be some troubling passages here for anyone who assumes that since monistic gurus rely upon "direct revelation" from a unified source of being, they therefore cannot conflict, and also for those who think that if you sense an aura of love around a person, he or she therefore has your best interests at heart. While Vishal did not engage in mere sniping, and looked for the good in the gurus he described, I appreciated his concern for social justice and for truth that did often reveal itself in honest criticism. I recommend this book to anyone who is attracted to the teachings of the Hindu gurus, and also to Christians who want to know more about the various schools of Hindu thought.

I also found his depiction of Jesus in the last chapter as the Sanatan Sadguru a fitting and suggestive finish. Unlike the Krishna devotee below, I did not find any problems with this book's understanding of Christian theology. His description of Jesus as the Sanatan Sadguru is in line with the "fulfillment" model of Christian philosophy as expounded by Paul, John, Augustine, and modern authors such as G.K.Chesterton, C.S.Lewis, and Don Richardson.

A book I just wrote, Jesus and the Religions of Man, takes a similar approach in regard to elements within Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Humanist and Marxist thought. I also previously wrote a book about "how Jesus fulfills the Chinese culture." Whether you agree with this approach or not, it is both orthodox and has empirical justification. I think Mangalwadi's approach is worth considering.

d.marshall@sun.ac.jp