Cables Books

I have liked deadpool ever since i read his own series and when I saw this i was like Sweet !!!!!!! So i bought it and now own volumes 1-6 and it is the best comic series ever !!!!!

I just read volume 1 of "Cable & Deadpool" it was amazing... it is tied for my personal number 1 Marvel series. Tied with "Amazing Spiderman" Volume 1 and "Wolverine: Enemy of the State." FYI check those out if you have not.

Story - 4.5/5 - very few flaws
Artwork - 5/5 - perfect
Dialogue - 5/5 - Cable is now my favorite marvel character.

This is a really good book featuring Cable, and Deadpool.
this books plays out on the Odd couple theme and it works nicely. The art is really great and fits the story and charcters well. The cover on the other hand is truly horrible. Dont worry its not the same artist thats does the inside. the cover has nothing to do with the story, and Cable looks as if he is going camping.

The story is great. its about an organization stealing this thing that changes appearences. Cable and Deadpool both are trying to get it back. Deadpool as usual is making a joke a minute and Cable is no where near boring. They star pretty well together and i highly recomend this book.

Deadpool and Cable star together (ironically) in this collection of the comic series cable and Deadpool. I, being a MAJOR fan of Deadpool, couldn't resist the temptation to pool out the money to buy this book, and I wasn't disappointed. From panel to panel, through all the witty banter and sarcastic remarks and one-liners, I was engrossed. Deadpool was brought back with great precision and Cable as well. Happily, this is not just a touch-and-go-let's-kick-some-[...]-and-finish-this-story-to-give-to-the-publishers. Nope, the plot was great (a tad ridiculous at times, but, hey, that's what makes it great!) and followed through the entire course of the book. The artwork doesn't leave much to be desired, if anything at all. Beautiful scenes were put together, wheteher it is a fight, or a quiet contemplation moment. There are couple times where the talk becomes a bit suggestive, but we have a new invention called maturity that takes care of that. All in all, I would recommend this for anyone who is a fan of Deadpool, Cable, the X-Men in general, or just looking for a good read. And honestly, anyone who finds fault with this book obviously doesn't know what they're reviewing and doesn't appreciate good kick-[...]literature.

This was great fun with some genuine laugh out loud moments. I'm not either a Cable or a Deadpool fan, but I didn't have to be to figure out who these guys are and what they do.

A big part of what the author has them do is lampoon the excesses of the 90s comic books scene (especially those of Rob Liefeld). There's a good story underneath, though, about Cable taking decisive action toward his goal of uplifting humanity (and Deadpool taking decisive action without any real goal except to take action).

One word of warning: Cable is undeniably the star of the show here. Deadpool's appearances are mostly for comic relief rather than because he's a true protagonist. Not a problem to me, but for those considering this because they love Deadpool, do bear this in mind.

This book is probably the best book on communications cabling I have seen. It covers copper cabling and fiber in different sections which makes it less confusing. It has lots of good pictures on how to actually install the cables.

Very dissappointing. The video cabling section didn't discuss splitters, taps, attenuators, modulators,signal loss and many other areas of video installation. The other sections were somewhat better but also lacking in depth. I've learned more from reading the appendixes in the Leviton Catalog.

I found this book to be written in a way that can be understood easily by the common "Joe". I've read many books on this subject and found that I wish I would have started with this one to begin with. It lays out the foundations of the infrastructure field in a descriptive and understandable way. Excellent choice.

This book is easy to read and covers most topics in a logical easy to follow format. I am a architect and needed a good starting point for understanding cabling installation and various types of low voltage wiring systems (voice, data, CCTV, security). The author emphasizes that this book is meant for practical application, but he does provides good coverage of basic theories without being like an engineering textbook. The discussion of how fiber-optics are transmitted was very helpful. If one already knows the basics, this book may not be useful but I found it a good overview of the subject.

I have been teaching fibre optics (Canadian Spelling for fiber) and communications for a number of years now, and I have read and used most every book available on the subject. I have been able to get something pertinent out of all of them. I have been using "Data, Voice and Video Cabling for some time now. The majority of the time my students are offered these books, not as a requirement of the course, but as a an option. (They are supplied during the course free of charge.)

Recently a class involved in an extensive training course asked about Homework. I suggested reading the issued text books by the next morning. (Big mistake) The next AM, I was inundated with questions and ideas about communications cabling. Further, I sold 12 of the VD&V books immediately. Most of my people had spent many hours reading over and reveiwing all required reading. These students were all eminently qualified instructors in a Communications, train-the-trainer course.

Many people assume that they can learn everything from books without the benifit of formal instruction. An unfortunate mistake. I have to deal with this attitude on a daily basis. However if you want to be close to this assumption, try this book. Always keep an open mind and try to refrain from the negativity.

Erich Hartmann was so much more than the world's highest scoring fighter pilot. He was a man of great strength and character who was not in the least afraid to stand up for what he believed was right. This excellent book is filled with pictures and commentary from fellow pilots and a loving wife about an amazing individual. A must-read for any WW II aviation enthusiast. I couldn't put it down, so read it cover to cover in a day. This was easy due to the many high quality photographs with captions.

If you are wanting to read about the life of Erich Hartmann, then this book isn't for your. If you want to SEE an intimate, historic look into his life presented by the one person who knew him best, then this book definitely is for you. "The Blonde Knife of Germany" remains the best history of the World's Top Ace, so this is where to learn more of Hartmann's life. However, I think Ursula's book is a must have and fantastic companion book with "The Blonde Knight". The two belong together on your bookshelf, and you won't be disappointed. Hey, another fine product of Schiffer Publishing!

For those familiar with Erich Hartmann and would rather see him than read about his life, this is your book. Text is limited.

Erich Alfred Hartmann (1922-1993) is the top-scoring fighter pilot in the annals of aerial combat. He flew for Germany during the Second World War and scored the vast majority of his astounding 352 aerial victories against the Soviets on the Eastern Front. Nicknamed "Bubi" (German for 'boy') because of his youthful countenance, Hartmann was a member of Jagdgeschwader (Fighter Wing) 52 from Novemeber 1942 until the end of the war in May of 1945. On one spectacular mission, Erich shot down four American P-51 Mustangs over the oil fields at Ploesti, Rumania. After the war, Hartmann, who won the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Crossed Swords, and Diamonds, was unceremoniously handed over to the USSR by his American captors. From May 1945 until October of 1955, Erich Hartmann was confined in Soviet prisons and branded a "war criminal" by the vengeful Stalin and his henchmen. While in the gulags, Erich's father and his infant son, whom he had never held, died in Germany. Released in 1955 after the death of Stalin, Hartmann returned to active duty in the new Luftwaffe and was key in training the next generation of German flyers in the ways of aerial combat. Erich retired from active service in 1970 and enjoyed a peaceful life until his passing in September of 1993.

This gorgeous photo album, composed by his loving wife Ursula and introduced by Manfred Jager, chronicles Hartmann's life from his childhood in pre-war Germany, his military training and combat, his inspiring and enduring romance with Ursula Paetsch, and ends with his rebirth in Richthofen Geschwader 71.

I simply cannot recommend this book enough. It is an excellent companion to Toliver & Constable's "The Blonde Knight of Germany", an in-depth biography of Hartmann's life. One does not have to necessarily be an aviation buff to enjoy these titles as Hartmann's story is much, much more than just his accomplishments in the air. His was a life of courage, love, dedication, honor, and perseverance that can serve as an inspiration for all.

I readed it the same way I can look at a family album. The illustrations Ursula choosed to represent her husband, are surprisingly intimate.Throught out the book, I felt very close to Erich Hartmann. I can only admire that man who fought all is life for Germany against the Soviet Union. It's also amasing to think that just before he died, he saw the downfall of the soviet regime and the reunification of Germany. So until the end, he is a true winner! There is only one edition of that book and it's getting hard to find. I strongly advise anibody who's passionate about history and the german military aviation to purchase this precious and unique book.

In the beginning when Nancy began working with Michael they found it impossible to work with each other but the ending of this novel keeps you wondering about what will happen next...

I feel that Nancy and Micheal make a very good pair. There is so much chemistry between them. Bess has a secret admirer in this one.she desparetly needs a diversion anyways after all she has gone through.. Bess's admirer turns out to be a singer.

I'm a big Nancy Drew fan and I've read books about her going through highschool, and when I found out that there was a new series about her in college, I bought every single book that the store had. The series is great, but "In the Spotlight" is my absolute favorite. Poor Bess. I feel so sorry for her. First her boyfriend is killed, then she gets bulimia, then she's the target of a mad bomber. She's a very strong-willed woman and I'm sure she'll pull through safely. Also, Micheal Gianelli is an arogant snob in my eyes, but he can also be very sweet. He's also totally hot. I bet he and Nancy will get together in the next book. If you haven't read this book, go to your local bookstore and buy it soon. It's a great book and every one who has read it (I hope) will agree with me.

In the spotlight is one of my favorite books out of all the Nancy Drew on campus books that I have read.If you would have to pick one of the on Campus books it would be Nancy Drew in the spotlight and if you ever do read it I hope you enjoy it because I sure did. I do wish that Nancy and Ned would get back togegher. But Nancy and Micheal are a pretty good pair.

Of all the Nancy Drew on Campus books, this is one of my favorites. I really wish Nancy and Ned would get back together, but, her co-star on the new newspaper is just as good. Though at first Nancy thinks she hates him, by the end you'll find that she begins to like him. I really enjoyes this book and would reccemend it to anyone who loves Nancy Drew!

"Planet Broadband" is not a Star Trek episode or another Sci-Fi title. It is the answer to the question: Of where the term "broadband" originated and why is it used when discussing cable internet services? This question is the base for the book "Planet Broadband" by Rouzbeh Yassini. When I first received the book, my initial thoughts where focused on the Cable Internet environment, but the book also presents the DSL side as well. This small book of 140 pages, including index, not only explains how the concept of Broadband communication evolved, but the possible directions it can go.

This book is clearly more of a history of how the concept of broadband was developed and the growth of the Internet that it leads too. I can foresee future generations of children reading this book in a college course on Information Technology. When one considers that only three to five percent of the American public use any form of broadband services, the growth potential presented is unbelievable.

Personally for me, a detail-oriented reader this took me about a total of 8 hours to complete. That may seem slow, but considering the topic and the events occurring within the world of telecommunications, that is better than I expected. As I read this book, I would pause from time to time and comment to myself on how Yassini's points are either already occurring or how I can see them occurring or already being implemented. Additionally, I found enlightenment in the knowledge that both DSL and cable Internet are actually considered broadband. While the Cable companies have a tendency to advertise themselves as a broadband service, in reality they are only one of several broadband services. Some of the concepts presented include virtual training like many universities are now offering and virtual meetings with individuals all around the world. While he does point out that everything is not immediately on demand in this day and age, within time we can witness more and more services becoming that way.

Within the book, Yassini points out the concept of being able to check the items in the refrigerator from work or have the washing machine place a service call to the manufacture before you know there is a problem. These are features of a broadband planet and within time our children and their children will not know a world where we had modems connecting to the internet or downloads that took hours. But as you read you realize that while today is the birth of broadband, this book is more the introduction to tomorrows internet and a must read. To prove the point that "Planet Broadband" is an introduction, my baby boomer mother who works in the cable industry as a customer service person, took the book from me and read it cover to cover one day and told me "This is where we are going and everything." So if a 50+ year old parent can see it we know that the world will be there some day.

Near the end of the book, Yassini focuses on telecommuting and a comparison of that to working at the office. While he clearly points out that telecommuting is not for everyone or all the time, it has productivity advantages and will only grow with time. I think one of his best examples is in Chapter 6, where he remembers the MCI commercial of a woman working at home and changing a presentation on the fly for clients and co-workers half way across the country. That image is an example of how the world has changed thanks to the advances of broadband and the ability to telecommute without being in the dark room or bound to the long commutes all the time.

As I hold the book and consider my final thoughts on the subject of "Planet broadband", this book is not designed for the IT world, but for the general public. I would recommend this as an excellent addition to anyone's library and especially to individuals in the information technology community. For management or others it is an excellent resource to justify a telecommuting policy or practice, or a good reason why they should upgrade from the modem and narrow band to the world of high speed Internet.

Planet Broadband
Rouzbeh Yassini
Cisco Press
ISBN 1-58720-090-2

No this is not the next episode of the starship .... It probably is a place where no man has gone before though.

When I saw the title I imagined a world in the future where everything is automated, computerized, and far different from our current condition.

Reading this book helped me realize that the dream of such a society with technology such as broadband underpinning it is not as far off as it might seem, and yet a good ways away. The book looks at trends in consumer adoption of major technological products over time, and interestingly the rate of adoption seems to be increasing more rapidly than it used to, meaning there is greater market penetration faster as time moves on. You will find out some statistics on the degree to which different countries have broadband infrastructure and subscribers and how government policy has helped or hindered that.
For instance you will learn that in South Korea the average broadband user gets 8Mbps.You will also find the explanation both technically and from a business and societal standpoint of how broadband evolved and the two major forms of it, dsl and cable modem.

Finally you will get your walk in the future to see how the author envisions a society where technologies in the home and office are fused and made into one. Your appliances your electrical consumer items, your computers are all on one network in this future time.
Teleworking will seem normal and we will move more information than we move goods and people. Television will consist of on demand catalogs of shows and films that are started by the customer and driven by demand, not the networks timetables.

These are all things you will get out of this book. I come from a perspective of someone who usually reads computer books to find out how to do a specific task, learn details about a new product I will be using at work, or to understand a new concept. This is the first time I have read a book by computer publishers that actually let me look at the very big picture, namely how technology (broadband in this case) impacts and changes our daily lives. It actually took me outside of my usual little technical shell into a very limitless arena where my imagination took hold of the authors visions and fashioned my own ideas of what the future in this sense might bring. For a computer book to do this is rare indeed. For that reason alone I would highly recommend this book. I am an MCSE and am pursuing a ccna. Will this help me pass the ccna or mcp exams? NO. Will it give me a better ability to see the very big picture and not just the computer or server in front of me? Absolutely!!

How would I improve this book? I am probably spoiled by having read so many computer books- I really love to see drawings, pictures, etc. There are no drawings or pictures, only tables. Since that author went into some considerable detail about the subject, some drawings would not have gone amiss. A common terms or glossary section would probably have been more useful than the index.

Readability- very good, read it in one day in about three sittings of 3 hours in total. It is not a long book at 143 pages. I found it hard to put it down, as each chapter seemed to lead well into the next and there was a buildup of interest.

Overall the writer leads us into a brave vision of future technological innovation and consolidation driven by the miracle of broadband technology. I heartily recommend it for anyone interested in future societal trends in the sense of tecno innovation. I would give this book 4 stars- would have been 5 if it had illustrations.

Planet Broadband is a small book, 136 pages, that covers the history, present, and future of broadband technology. The author, Rouzbeh Yassini, writes with a style that is easy for the non-technical reader. This is not a book that will help you trouble shoot your network, not even your broadband home network. However, it would be helpful to the person who has to sell broadband either to the public or investors. Through out the book the technical reader will sense that Yassini actually has a deep understanding of this subject: he has, after all, been called "the father of the cable modem". Yet he manages to make it simple, keeping the chapters short, with a summary at the end. The art of finding words to describe a networking concept that took a IT person a 100 hours of reading to understand to accountants and investors, is probably why Yassini has enjoyed great success as an entrepreneur in broadband.
One of the key objectives of Planet Broadband is defining broadband and how it will change so much about how we live. Yassini defines broadband as "a means for communicating in the language of digital media, over very fast networks, with something we call always-on connectivity." For Yassini, this means Cable or DS. So this popular meaning of the term has evolved from the original baseband/broadband differentiation in classic networking. Although people initially buy broadband for the speed, the fact that it is so readily available with just a click, compared to the several minutes connecting through dialup is often what keeps users paying for the service. This makes for a phenomenon know as "information snacking". The Internet PC has moved from the study, to the living room and kitchen counter top. Any time we have a question or need information, it is immediately there.
In chapter 3, Broadband Bazaar, the author gives a good summary of the history how broadband got to where it is today. He covers some of the obstacles that originally stopped the Internet from working over television cable. Some of these problems are still not overcome, such as the fact that the infrastructure is far more superior at transferring data downstream than upstream. This chapter probably would be the most interesting to the technical student. Although basic, there is likely some detail here that you didn't already know, and it is has a historical interest. For example, he discusses how some of the first implementations for cable data were municipalities. Cable companies did this at a loss at the time for the sake of goodwill with the communities, while they getting there lines stretched across right-of-ways. Yassini focuses more on the cable modem vs. DSL. He makes no apologies for this, as it is his specialty. He seems to feel that the more players there are in this, the greater the value for the consumer.
Analogies are made throughout the book to electricity, telephones, and television to broadband Internet. The author points out how long it took for these technologies to become popular from their first inception. Many statistics are put forth to show how broadband has grown even more rapidly than any of these. Not only in the U.S. but also worldwide. Indeed, it is pointed out that in Korea "more than half of the nation's 15 million households are now connected to high-speed networks that allow them to attend school, watch soap operas, and play games..."
If you are a technician who is weary of all the complicated reading you must do, Planet Broadband might be an alternative to refresh your brain. If you are not technical, you will enjoy it perhaps even more. Stewart Schley, Roger Brown, and Leslie Ellis are given credit as "Contributing Authors". In my opinion this book is much better written than most information technology books.

One of the most often heard terms in computing these days is "broadband". Although it's often discussed and just as often dismissed as hype, many people may not know what broadband fully means or signifies. In "Planet Broadband", author Rouzbeh Yassini provides an easy to understand introduction to describe what broadband is and why it matters to us.

"Planet Broadband" looks at the potential of this fast growing communications technology. It explains why broadband is more than just a faster connection to the Internet - in fact, broadband can unlock the power of the information age and holds the promise to improve nearly every aspect of modern life.

The author is considered the "Father of the Cable Modem", having founded LANcity in 1990, and having introduced the first high-speed residential communications modem designed to integrate with television cable networks. His excitement about broadband is infectious and he successfully describes the many features and benefits of this technology. As he points out, in 2002 over 42 million people worldwide had some form of broadband connection to the Internet, and in the U.S., more than 50,000 new households connect to broadband every week. He predicts that broadband will be in a majority of U.S. homes within 5 years. By comparison, it took 70 years for the telephone to makes its way into a majority of homes, and 90 years for the majority of U.S. residents to have their own car.

Yassini provides an excellent background to the explosive growth of broadband by providing a very-readable history of analog and digital technologies. He describes the advent of DSL and the history of the cable modem, and makes the technologies accessible to readers of all levels and technology experience. For example, Yassini describes how someone using a cable modem sends an e-mail to his boss in another state. The description is lucid, easy to understand, and engaging. The author also describes the process that takes place when a user has DSL or a cable modem installed at home.

The book also provides an overview of some of the many applications of broadband. For example, Major League Baseball games are now available for a fee over the Internet to users with a suitable fast broadband connection. Businesses are quickly adopting video conferencing as the method of choice for conducting meetings when travel costs are a factor. Organizations buy goods, manage inventories, streamline processes, all thanks to the integration of broadband into their daily processes. The author provides detailed description sof broadband's impact in government, health-care, education, and entertainment.

In the home, broadband is also creating a revolution, and Yassini shows us how. From creating their own content, to using always-on connections for queries, to finding new forms of entertainment, home users are benefiting in countless ways from the broadband revolution. And the broadband benefits are not just limited to the PC, but are becoming incorporated into the entire home. Users are seeing broadband applications in home entertainment systems, telephone communication, and even how the home is run.

"Planet Broadband" takes the mystery out of a very fast growing technology that is affecting more us every day. Whether you are new to the world of broadband or a seasoned ILEC engineer, "Planet Broadband" is a fresh read and will be a welcome addition to your library.

Although the books compact look and feel should have indicated otherwise, I expected yet another technical book that would require a fair amount of commitment and concentration on my part. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this was not the case.

Unlike most books I read, I found this book read more like a story than a technical book. Although technical content is kept to a minimum, the different technologies are well explained and the concepts are easy to understand.

I didn't see any direct coloration between this book and any specific certification track. However, this book would serve well as a preparatory book for anybody coming into the broadband spectrum or even for those pursuing Cisco's Cable specialization or CCIP certifications.

I found the historical references and usage statistics both interesting and surprising. Like most, I am aware of broadband and use it on a daily basis. However, until reading this book I was oblivious to its usage and far reaching possibilities.

The author's knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject is apparent, sometimes so much so the book does tend to become a little repetitive. Despite this, you can't help but be excited by what broadband has and will have to offer in the future.

If the author's predictions are correct and I believe they are, broadband will become as prominent as the television or telephone. In fact if broadband has its way, both will become applications on a broadband network.

If you're looking for detailed technical information or configuration help, this book is not for you. If you desire an overview of broadband and a glimpse into its history and future possibilities, start reading

I'm new to Cable TV and work mainly on the software side. Two years of hearing the plant guys use decibels to describe coax runs led me to this book. This book is a great intro to the RF side of things. Note that while it isn't an EE level e-mag book it is not for the mathematically faint at heart.

I ran across this book while on vacation and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's been almost 20 years since my undergrad and masters in Electrical Engineering, and this book brought back a lot of great knowledge and memories. Covers emag, optics, circuits and much more.

The book was very useful, however I orginally bought the book in 1989 or 90 and used the information exstensively, however I beleive it to be somewhat outdated now. I know Eugene was writing an updated version at that time however I have not read any further books by Eugene. I didn't actually enter here to review this book. I was really hope to find an email address for Eugene. He and I work together as staff engineers at Tele-Media co. years ago and i was hoping to find him well and drop him a line.

Excellent information at a detailed level on how to build a cable TV system from scratch, but because this book was published in 1990, it is dated. Sadly, even though the tag line in Amazon specifically mentions HDTV (so does the cover of the book), there are only 2 pages on that subject, mainly to let the reader know that no standards had been published as of the book's writing. Copious diagrams and examples are this book's main strengths, making it a useful resource in gaining a fundamental knowledge of CATV systems.

This is the bible of audio interfacing. I truly could not get along without this book. It is written in a clear and concise manner and is well indexed. It truly covers just about every scenario. The only source that is required beyond this book for information on the studio interconnect jungle is a copy of the local Electrical Code. This due to the reality that what is best for the interconnecting and powering of an audio production facility is sometimes frowned upon by local codes. If you check most other reference materials on this subject this text will be in the bibliography. It is somewhat technical in nature so it is not for the laymen. Though don't let that put you off it will make you stronger for the effort. It is truly in my estimation the best source for the right way if you will.

What's interesting about this book is that it covers aspects related to audio installations that is not normally covered in audio related books.

It deals practical installation issues such as AC power (e.g. regulation), grounding, earthing, interconnection, connectors, cable, wire termination and racking.

It is really a reference book for installers, not a book that you would read from start to finish.

The information is a bit obscure so the book is not all that useful for those without a strong engineering background.

I just love this book! This book is so complete and helpful. I use it every day in my job. I love it and I think you will to

I found this book to be very interesting and fairly approachable for someone who is not overly knowledgeable about this period. Some parts were a little dry; but how else is a discussion of the legal procedures pertaining to the legal issues surrounding ownership of the mutinous slaves, salvage rights and legal jurisdiction, etc.? Have to disagree with the previous reviewer: the whole missionary aspect of the story is quite relevant, as it shows in the end how the Amistad slaves were manipulated and exploited, how essentially the goodwill of their abolitionist supporters was conditional.

This book is great!It's very detailed and is very entertaining,it feels like puts you on the Amistad itself and you are watching everything happen, like a movie.I liked the slave ship because it was true in some ways Africans were captured and brought to places around the world. If you read this book you'll know how it must have been for them with a new land and they maybe even lost some family members.

I read this book for a summer reading assignment; not until my history teacher returned the reviews we had written did I learn that the book assigned was actually a different book of the same title! I took MY Black Odyssey out of a library in Pennsylvania (I live in New England), and as it is listed on Amazon as "rare/out of print" I suppose I was fairly lucky (if you could call it that) to find it. Anyway on to the book itself...
Black Odyssey is about the landing of the Spanish slave ship Amistad (bound for Cuba) on American soil, and more importantly, the events and controversies which this precipitated. The(black) slaves on the ship rebelled against their white masters and crew, killing all but a few of the free men on board, and to make a long story short the Amistad landed off the coast of long island sound and caused a major controversy, leading to multiple highly-publicized court cases. The surviving Spaniards who had been on the ship, as well as the Spanish government and most American politicians, obviously held the opinion that the blacks were a)of course still slaves, and b)had committed a crime and should be deported to Cuba. Abolitionist groups and politicians, however, held the conviction that since the slaves had come to America and were on free soil (this was Connecticut in the 1840s), they were no longer slaves; furthermore, allowing the Spanish government to force deportation of people on American soil violated the principles of republican solidarity and statehood on which the US was founded. It was this last point which drove the argument of ex-President John Quincy Adams, who agreed to represent the Amistad Africans in court (an entire chapter is devoted to his opening statement; its really boring but the themes in it are interesting in my opinion). In the end, the Africans who had taken over the Amistad were, after much trial and tribulation, set free (some of them later assisted in setting up Christian missions in their native Sierra Leone; the last section of the book deals with this).
A lot of Black Odyssey is somewhat boring or overly detailed, and some sections, for instance the last section about African missionaries, seem superfluous. However I thought it was impressive how the book used the Amistad-related court cases to demonstrate some very BIG ideas about government and statehood. The Amistad case becomes an example of the fundamental differences between two different types of government which existed in the West in the early 19th century. The author talks about the Spanish ambassadors' conviction that the American President should order the slaves' deported to Cuba, and their ignorance to the fact that the American President was NOT royalty and could not make such an order. The country must decide instead through legal and democratic process what to do about the Amistad slaves, and the Spaniards could not interfere with the processes of American politics. This distinction is put forth in John Q. Adams court arguments where he equates deporting the slaves on command of the Spanish government to giving up the country's democracy and sovereignty.

Smith explains networking hardware and software components in plain English. He gives a broad overview of networking: IP addressing, DHCP, how a router works, the difference between a private home network (192.168.xxx.xxx) and public networks. When he is finished with the broad picture, he moves on to specifics. The chapter on troubleshooting connection problems is excellent.

This is an excellent book for a novice to intermediate user with little or no knowledge of networks. If you are trying to fit all the networking pieces together and gain hands on practical skills, this is the book for you.

This is an excellent book especially to get server software, such as a web server, ftp server, etc on your broadband connection. There is quite a lot of detail, for mac, PC and Linux, on setting up and configuring various types of servers. There is also a lot of good introductory and background material as well to build your understanding of the concepts and the issues.

However, you will need more than just this book, if you want to get a mail server or something more complex up and running. you can find that on the Net or as part of the software you download.

There are examples for each operating system on setting up and configuring a mail server, ftp server and web server. Game servers are covered as well.

The material on NAT, routers, firewalls, etc, i think should have all been at the begining of the book, since it is the most basic task almost everyone will need to acomplish. And I feel that NAT and networking using a computer as a router, rather than buying a hardware router, should have been near the back of the books as an advanced topic.

Pretty good book. It covers a lot more then what the average broadband user wants to know about the technology, configuration, running servers and security. The book is very easy to understand, yet almost 100% correct in all the details. Not the a book for the high technical level, but a very good book for the advanced or maybe just curious users.

This book is an excellent introduction to broadband. It manages the most difficult of tasks for a technical book: it is simple and clear enough for the beginner, while supplying enough detail to satisfy the needs (and curiosity) of advanced users. Not only is there ample theoretical detail, the author goes through the pratctical details of accomplishing different tasks in Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

It is a particularly good book when compared to the atrocious "DSL for Dummies", which takes some basic information and repeats it over and over until it achieves book length. For the same price (as of this writing), "Broadband Internet Connections", at 600 pages, covers the same basic information (in a much more clear and concise fashion) and supplements it with enough additional material to satisfy almost any broadband need.