Tools Books

In tracing the evolution of the most important agrarian, architectural, military, and naval technologies, "Technology in the Ancient World" is of interest to the historian or lay reader.
Following a chronological timeline, the book's chapters are dedicated to broad periods corresponding to man's evolution from primitive beings through the complex Greco and Roman civilizations. While Hodges' focus is on the Middle East and Mediterranean areas, for purposes of comparison, his final chapter briefly summarizes technologies in ancient India, Europe, China and the New World.

Hodges is careful to note that the record from the earliest time is incomplete and open to interpretation. A completely objective account of the development of early technology is therefore difficult, if not impossible. In addition, to more fully understand the evolution of technological processes, he argues that something of the environment in which man was living at each stage must be known in order to understand the step by step evolution of technologies. Because the Near East and eastern Mediterranean combined favorable topography, a moderate climate, with a diversity of natural resources, this most likely explains why the region was the locus of major technological innovations.

Early man, before 5000 B.C., learned to manipulate the environment to his advantage and evolved from savage hunter to primitive farmer. At this stage, naturally occurring materials were altered mechanically, but not chemically. From 5000-3000 B. C., farming spread and cities emerged. As farming spread to the river valleys, systems of agriculture developed in the Nile and Euphrates valleys. Most importantly, the plow was responsible for the rise in population of Mesopotamian and Egyptian cities. The need for record keeping in city affairs led to cuneiform writing on clay tablets in the Near East, while Egypt developed pictograms, later hieroglyphs, recorded on papyrus.

The period from 3000-2000 B.C. is apparently a period of great technological change. Comprehensible written records found in Mesopotamia, in the Kingdoms of Sumer and Akkadia, and complex tomb paintings in Egypt provided the basis for this interpretation. Improved building materials led to the arch and pyramid. Other advances in boats, plows, furniture, and brewing materialized. Measuring, mathematics, and a system of weights were also devised.

From 2000-1000 B.C. the horse drawn chariot revolutionized warfare but did not become a means of more rapid communication. Neither Mesopotamia nor Egypt placed any emphasis on building roads or bridges. For transportation new more seaworthy vessels, propelled by oars or sails, increased their usefulness. The knowledge of iron working was slow to spread, possibly due to the monopoly of the Hittites. Glass technology improved with the addition of lead which permitted glazing. The lost wax casting method allowed more intricate designs.

After 1000 B.C. Assyria and Babylon assimilated older technologies from their neighbors and Assyria devised siege towers on wheels that incorporated battering rams to break down walls. Assyrian chariots were made more rugged with larger wheels and more spokes. By about 800 B.C., the Greeks emerged as merchants and colonizers, but their most obvious technological advancement came in pottery. The potter's wheel was larger, thus more steady, raised in height, and turned by an assistant. The clay surface was shaved; a techniques which produced a much finer surface. Navigation (Thales), maps and the sundial (Anaximander), the lathe (Theodorus of Samos), welding (Glaukos), all were advanced by the Greeks. The conflict between the Greeks and Persians led to the development of Greek triremes which they used to defeat the Persians at sea.

The period of 300 B.C. to 500 A.D. represents the end of technological development in Hodges' treatise. He argues, "virtually no new material was to be exploited for the next thousand years and that no really novel method of production was to be introduced."(208) Late Grecian and Romans accomplishments were in the field of engineering. Historians attribute this falling off of the rate of technological innovation to the use of slaves. Intelligent men spent their time inventing machines, but did not apply them to provide new sources of power or to make industry more efficient. The Romans adopted ideas from elsewhere and provided an administrative framework with which to use them. Whether this technological failure was ultimately the reason for the fall of the Roman Empire is an open question.

In conclusion, the availability of an abundance of raw materials and ease of communication were reasons for technological innovation, but technology did not advance steadily. It proceeded with sudden bursts followed by long periods of stagnation. Indeed some societies stagnated, sometime indefinitely. Man himself may have been self limiting. Authoritarian governments restrict technological advancement by stifling open communication and preventing ideas from being loaned or borrowed. So communication, both within societies and between them,is a key factor of development.

This book does exactly what a good book should do. It is a well written and stimulating introduction to a different aspect of history. Most books on ancient history deal with kings, states and priests with the common people lurking some where in the background. Hodges makes the ancients more intesting by giving us a documented, detailed account of how technology changed through the ages. He deals with the facts and hypothesis in a clear, concise manner that is never boring and dry. It is intriguing to be able to follow the development of the wheel and cart, the making of metals and numerous other facits of technology through the milleniums. A book that should be of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about the dynamics of human history.

Tim has a wonderful talent for helping even the most technologically challenged understand use many forms of technology in a beneficial way. his personality comes out in his writing.
I recommend this book for any one interested in using technology in Church ministry.

This is a really good book and I am very pleased that I purchased it.

I am not a home-schooling mom but I do have family members who have selected this option. I read the book to get a better understanding as to the advantages and more importantly, how they handle the negative responses that they often hear. I found this book fun to read and very enlightening. Mr. Sherman has a witty writing style and gives very compelling reasons for home schooling. I found myself longing to have made that choice but as my son is now in high school, it's a moot point. I just learned from my step-daughter that she has decided to home school her 4th and 5th graders because the school they attend in North Las Vegas is very rough. I visited Amazon.com to order a copy of the book for her but when I discovered that it's on backorder, I decided to send her my copy.

I would highly recommend this book for parents who home school, for relatives of home school parents and for those who are considering this option.

As the non-homeschooling, but supportive sibling of a sister who homeschools, I have often been asked by friends, acquaintences and other family members why my sister and her husband homeschool. This book provides some of the answers. It is well-written, succinct, thoughtful and has an accessible easy-read format. This is not an in-depth exploration of homeschooling, but a relatively brief explanation of some of the very valid reasons some parents choose to teach their children at home. It would be a great resource for people thinking about homeschooling, to help clarify their own thinking about the issue. It would also be a great gift for their parents or other concerned relatives to start a positive discussion about the topic.

With the approaching holidays, I certainly didn't want to think about terrorism or its potential for destruction in my life on a personal level. Yet it is this vague threat, on an individual, it-could-happen-to-my-family level, that actually creates the capability for terrorism to impact my and my family's lives so profoundly.

The new book, "Terror-Proof Your Mind and Money" by Jonathan Robinson and Michael McGowan, provides a way to look at this topic in as comforting a way as possible. The information the authors present can help you and your loved ones survive the unthinkable, emotionally, physically, and financially.

The part that struck me the most was how to be prepared financially. I never put much attention on what would happen to my family's finances in the event of a terrorist attack. Well, after reading this insightful book, I realized we could be devastated financially. All the years of hard work and savings could be wiped out in one fell swoop! So I implemented their suggestions. Heaven help us all if something does happen. But if it does, at least I can take some comfort in knowing that I have done what I can to protect my family's future.

This book is full of practical, actionable steps you can take to protect yourself before, during and after a disaster. It is a quick, easy read, and very clear. The authors even clearly list the steps needed to be prepared, so you don't feel overwhelmed with what needs to be done to safeguard your life. There are many simple things we can all do to make outselves safer.

I give this book my highest recommendation. It will make a great stocking stuffer for anyone you care about.

In fact, it's the one gift you should probably give early. Like right Now!

There are many things to fear in life, including how alien beings from outer space are beaming thought-control rays into my brain, or that my wife is a CIA robot sent to spy on me.

But the threat of inevitable terrorist mayhem eclipses both of those horrors.
Running around in a screaming panic and hiding under the bed and refusing to come out, which is how I usually handle any crisis, is not enough anymore.

So what to do? Easy Question!

This one book, "Terror-Proof Your Mind and Money", handily anticipates and solves the physical, financial and mental problems in fine fashion! And not only that, and I hope you are as excited as I am, but the authors generously give you immortal gems of real economic wisdom as it really works in real life, which is the true reality from which dreams and fortunes are made.

This book is very handy with quick, easy, and useful ideas for therapy sessions and class presentations.[ASIN:0761922644 The Therapist's Toolbox: 26 Tools and an Assortment of Implements for the Busy Therapist]]ons.

This book has been a god send for me. There are many unique techniques in this book that have been very useful. I recommend this book espically for the beginner but also for the experienced therapist who wants to expand their horizons.

Thank you for writing this!

Collaboratively compiled and written by Barbara A. Cleary and Sally J. Duncan, Thinking Tools For Kids is an impressively accessible educational resource written especially for educators working with grade school kids. Thinking Tools For Kinds presents a compendium of stories depicting real-life problems, and mental tools that can be used logically solve the problems, as well as illustrations by Linda P. Kretzler, glossary aids, a "home connection" for applying what has been learned to problems at home, and a great deal more. Removable exercises that teachers have blanket permission to copy and distribute to students enhance this quality instructional reference and resource book.

This book is an absolute delight; the stories (I particularly enjoyed the fun story about Michael and his ancestry and the story about Charlie and Emma) are well told and perfectly introduce each thinking tool. My fourth-graders will undoubtedly enjoy this text. Thank you, Barbara Cleary, Sandy Duncan, and Linda Kretzler, for a wonderful resource!

WHOLE BEING EXPERIENCE. TOTALLY LOVED THE NEW CONCEPTS AND VISIONS OF THE CHAKRAS. VERY ENLIGHTENING, NATURAL.

After I read this book, I recognized it had information that I could pass on to my children. They wait to ask me for advise until the situation is critical, so, I waited.
It wasn't too long before one of them had stress beyond their desire and mom was called for support. I explained how this book helped me find my own answers and I believed that it would give them "tools" to find their own answers. If everytime my children or my friends for that matter, decide to ask me what to do, I realize that I do not help them by giving them an answer that would work for me. Maybe they should find an answer that is unique for them.

This is the best book I have ever found to help individuals answer their own questions about their inner-self as well as relationships we have. It provides the tools in such an easy to do relaxing manner - anyone can do it - everyone has this opportunity.
Thank you for this book

1000words are not sufficient to write about that type of book

1000words are not sufficient to write about that type of book

Growing up, I always believed in the existence of spirits and guiding forces. Knowing the author personally, I can tell you that everything she writes is true. I have never known her to be dishonest or misleading. Not until now, though, have I been able to understand her remarkable gift. If you choose to read this book, as I recommend anyone to do, please read without prejudice. Keep an open mind, and you will see that there are truly very special people out there. Especially a lady in Gulfport who I am blessed to be able to say IS my other mother.

I've always wondered why various "feelings", either of forboding or of anticipation occurs at certain points in one's life.
For instance, one time while driving home one night, I felt a strong 3 taps on the back of my right shoulder that really had me thinking if someone was in the back seat. I ignored the occurrence but continued on about one quarter mile to the nearest store. When I arrived, I immediately exited the car. Expecting to find an friend playing some prank, there was no one there. Suddenly I felt the familiar tingle on the back of my neck and proceeded home.
I'd say that within one tenth of mile in front of me, pick-up truck followed by a police cruiser appeared from a side street; thankfully going away from me.
This is one example of "odd" happenings that I have witnessed in my lifetime and always have wondered, WHY?
Since I have found this book, I've discovered explanations of how God sends angels to help in times of need. The author tells the story of her discovery of her gift from her childhood to present day, and how our Lord has guided her to help solve problems incuding murders- The latter being from the victims themselves giving her the clues through "clairaudience."
I rate this book high because it helps all of us to understand the "gift" we all share, and how to use it.

I rec'd this book as part of a 5-day course that I took for my job in new product development. The book and course are excellent. They make the problem solving process understandable by giving you a common language and set of tools. The book/course also gives you criteria to select what tools to use for the outcome that you need. The book/course provides templates for doing various types of generating activities and various types of focusing activities depending on whether you need an adaptive or innovative solution. It was definitely one of the best creativity/problem solving sessions I've ever taken part in.

The toolbox for Creative Problem Solving is a well-crafted, and nicely presented set of idea generating and idea focusing tools and techniques that have earned their way into my toolbox. These handy templates help me avoid costly mistakes and obtain the highest quality results every time I use them"

Robert J.Firenze Director - ILMC, Center for Manufacturing & Service Excellence