Languages Books

All right, this was written by a cat named Francis (Gustav is his owner and is a jerk like Garfield's Jon). There seems to be a vogue now for detective stories with cat heros, but I have resisted reading any of them up to now, even though I love and admire cats. Read this one because of its beautiful cover picture, and the fact that the author is a German Turk who writes very well even in translation to English (kudos to Ralph Noble in that role). This book is about a mass murderer of cats, by a cat, who has some mad-scientist dream of breeding a super race of felines who will come to dominate the world and eradicate or enslave human beings. A very cynical version of Animal Farm which also reminds me of that appalling book Perfume and also of Jorge Luis Borges. No Englishman could have written this, but the Englishness of it is pervasive --i.e. the morality (in spite of the political incorrectness of defending Anglo-Saxon ethos these days). The gimmick here is of course that cats are just as smart as we are, and spend the time while we are asleep at night reading our books and playing on our computers, and discussing Kierkegaardian philosophy when they are not driven crazy by the pheremones of females in heat (smelly stuff to us humans, but what do we know about the powers and subtleties of smells?)

Hi. I've been a long time fan of Felidae, a detective story starring cats, and for mature audiences(Think Disney, but with teeth). I'm really only writing this to tell American Amazon customers that there IS AN ANIMATED FILM, also for adults. It was released in Germany in the mid-90's. Sadly, we can't see it, as it hasn't been published in NTSC format. (In case you don't know, Europe uses PAL format; a different VHS and DVD coding than the US, Canada, and Japan use.) Personally, I think that's BS, as I believe that technology should unite, not devide...but...

Anyway, that said, if you like murder mysteries, cats, sarcasm, humor, and violence/gore, READ THIS BOOK. I haven't checked out the sequel yet, but I'm about to order it.

Peace.

Cats are superior to humans; just ask any dog. But does that necessarily make them better creatures? Not necessarily, as Francis, this story's feline hero, discovers soon after having moved to a new home with his human pal Gustav. Equally annoyed by the laboratory smells of their new house and eager to get to know the rest of his new neighborhood, Francis decides to take a walk - and walks right into the discovery of a dead cat and, by virtue of that discovery, also into the guy who instantaneously becomes his new best friend. And as gruff old Bluebeard, Francis's new side kick explains to him, this is not the only dead cat he has recently seen. In fact, "cold bags" (cat corpses) have turned up in the neighborhood with an alarming frequency, all killed expertly and quickly by a bite to their necks. And their appearance somehow seems to coincide with the arrival of an exotic, wild, self-described "very ancient but very new" breed of cats whose females are, Francis is soon to discover, as seductive as they are angels of death to any male cat mating with them.

Chased by the local bully, King Kong, and his two brainless minions Hermann 1 and Hermann 2, and haunted by nightmares of being jerked around by puppet master Gregor Mendel (the Austrian monk who, in the late 19th century, first came up with the basic biological principles on breeding and inheritance of genes), Francis almost stumbles into the reunion of a secret sect honoring a certain Claudandus, mysterious savior of all cats' misery on earth who alone escaped a cruel series of experiments performed in the very house Francis now calls his home. But while sect members pay tribute to Claudandus's memory by the macabre practice of jumping into the electric current produced by two open wires, this is not the cause of the feline population's demise; although the figure of Claudandus undeniably has something to do with it. With his human buddy and (in Bluebeard's lingo) "tin opener" Gustav completely oblivious to the horrors Francis must witness and investigate, our feline sleuth is left to his own wits - at least until Bluebeard introduces him to Pascal, the neighborhood's other "smart [cat]."

Never mind the format of an animated movie: this is an intelligently crafted thriller and, at the same time, a story that every cat lover will relish. Author Akif Pirincci, who wrote the book on which this movie is based, says that it was inspired by his own cats; and he certainly brings to it as much talent as a writer as understanding for our four-pawed friends. "Felidae," both the book and the movie, easily stands its ground not only next to other (and, in the States, better-known) cat detective stories such as those by Lillian Jackson Braun, but next to the great thrillers involving human detectives as well.

The animated movie brings Pirincci's story of, as his hero Francis once says, "horrors east of Aristocats" to life with the help of a number of actors well-chosen to portray the book's characters; among them in the original German version, Ulrich Tukur as Francis and Mario Adorf as Bluebeard (although the casting of others, particularly of Klaus-Maria Brandauer, is such a reinforcement of their cliché roles that it is almost a dead give-away... so unless you have to rely on the English language track in the first place, it may be a wise choice to watch the movie only after having read the book; I promise you'll still enjoy it). And who knows... with the book itself, which is the first of a series, still immensely popular in Europe, and the series's most recent installment released there only a few months ago, maybe there will be another chance for a U.S. print edition of "Felidae" and its sequels some time in the future, too. My cats and I would certainly hope so!

Also recommended:
Felidae
Felidae on the Road
Cat Sense

You can see the animated movie of the book on DVD. If you look on ebay or some video stores you might find a copy. The DVD has the english dub too! As long as your computer or DVD player can play multi region discs then you can watch it. I saw it and say it is so like the book! The animation has a Don Bluth style to it. Very well done.

Excellent book but will appeal to a niche market. Nevertheless, I wish they would publish his other novels in English and get them out of the rare/collectibles market. I hate to pay high prices for an unopened first edition that I have every intention of reading-more than once.

In some ways, the concepts are similar to Gabriel King's "The Wild Road". I enjoyed the concept of a cat detective tracking down a murderer of cats-or perhaps, a cat murderer.

This is the most helpful and comprehensive book on how to market a book. I learned so much from Penny and recommend her book to all my writing students who are seeking publication. These days the author is responsible for marketing her book and it is worthwhile to know what you are doing in order to get the most from your publicity dollars.

I've marked, highlighted and dog-earred this book and I continually come back to it as a reference manual as I am publicizing my book RIGHT TO RECOVER: Winning the Political and Religious Wars Over Stem Cell Research in America. With the advice in this book I was able to put together a marketing plan for pre-publication that my publisher is very pleased with.

Yvonne Perry
yvonneperry.net

From Book to Bestseller by Penny Sansevieri is the book you need if you intend to self publish and also if you are published by a major publisher. The author, who has seven other titles to her credit, is an expert in how to promote yourself and your book on Television, radio, book signings and other ways. She discusses the secrets of writing books that sell, creating unique marketing campaigns, budgeting, and more. This is THE book that authors need! Excellent!

This book solved my problem. It empowered me.

I have started, built and run several successful industry-specific brick & mortar and internet businesses. I knew I had a story to tell with my first book project. Indeed, the book was picked up by a very reputable New York publisher pretty quickly.

My problem was, what road to take next. I could find bits and pieces of marketing information here and there, but no map. I was anxious and uncomfortable outside my knowledge base... That was, until my publisher gave me a copy of Penny's book to read!

From Book to Bestseller is a complete roadmap. It guides you through the valleys of despair into the world of public relations and marketing in easy-to-understand steps. It will empower you too.

Janyce

From Book to Bestseller is the full meal, from appetizer to dessert, on the art of marketing a book. Penny Sansevieri has written the definitive guide to the process of self promotion. If she does not cover it, you don't need to know it.

With so many books being published every day (statistic used in the book is 195,000 a year) it is up to the author to find a way to make his book standout from the rest. It is especially true for authors that so not have paid media specialists working for them. This resource guide gives both debut and experienced authors the tools and information to be able to get the word out about their books. The lay out of the book is conducive to easily accessing and processing the information. Large type lets the reader focus on understanding the suggestions, well thought out, complete chapters and sections form a logical progression through all the different stages of promotion. It is extremely thorough in addressing the many facets of book marketing from creating a successful media and press kits, It includes the addresses and contact names for many for radio stations, associated press, reviewers, and tv (even Oprah). Web addresses that cover a wide assortment of needs are also listed throughout the book and under Helpful Web Sites.

Her hints include such interesting information as the best time of year to pitch an idea, the best time of the week to have your book arrive at the reviewer's office and why mass emails are not a good idea. it is the strength of the book that it does cover such ideas that most authors will not have considered. It is truly specialized knowledge. For the simple cost of a book authors receive in depth information they can only get from a professional in the business of marketing and self promotion. Not a bad deal at all.

Although this book was written with authors as the target audience it could also be helpful for anyone beginning to market a new product or or even a new business. Sansevieri has an insiders knowledge about the business of promotion that can be translated into PR for authors or entrepreneurs.

(It is ironic that, with all her expertise, Ms Sanseviei would get her book to a review site she does not include in her book. Oh well- we can assume she will rectify that and add Front Street Reviews in future editions.)

I admit, most of the contents of _From Book to Bestseller_ were not new to me because I've already read other books on marketing for self-publishers, which contained much of the same advice. I found this book to be rather breezy and fluffy in comparison. I also admit that I'm an editor as well as an author, and this book is in need of editorial work. To get my pet peeves out of the way, it's time for the copyeditor and layout artist to discover:

* Curved quotation marks
* That reviewers will not respect a publisher who calls an ARC an " advanced" reading copy (it should be "advance")
* A better use of white space in the layout--especially, using less of it
* And, that certain tips don't have to be repeated in multiple chapters, because this is a book, not a series of independently published reports

Having gotten all that off my chest: _From Book to Bestseller_ consists of a series of very short, bite-sized chapters, like little reports. Its real strength is its advice on radio and TV appearances, rather than on some other and often very successful marketing methods. There is little information on mailings to consumers, bookstores, and libraries; on the mechanics of writing catalog copy, ad copy, and press releases; or on the use of wholesalers and distributors.

This book makes little attempt to discuss the comparative values of different marketing methods, or on how to analyze whether a given method is working for your particular book. Because an infinite amount of time and money can be spent on marketing, but much of it will not bring results for a given book, this is a significant weakness. _From Book to Bestseller_ sometimes implies that just "getting exposure" automatically sells books. That is not in fact the case.

For example, there is an upbeat chapter on starting a syndicated column. A syndicated column can be a useful revenue stream for a professional journalist. But since it takes substantial time and effort to not only get syndication, but to write column after column after column, it's an exceedingly time-consuming way to just publicize a book. An author can hardly mention his or her book in every column. It is much easier, and just as effective, to do a one-time press release mailing to journalists already writing columns.

I would recommend _From Book to Bestseller_ only to authors and self-publishers who want to market their books primarily through TV, radio, and personal appearances--and who have already done research to determine whether these very time-consuming methods are likely to market their particular book well.

Every so often I would go through several NT books in Greek as a discipline and this volume will be my constant guide. If you don't have it get it. It is worth the buy.

A very helpful and handy companion to the Greek New Testament. Not only it locates the conjugations of every verb in the Greek NT, it also serves as a grammatical commentary where applicable. You must own one if you are serious in studying the New Testament.

This book is a great tool for intermediate Greek students. It parses and defines unfamiliar forms and words and provides helpful syntactical comments.

This is simply a must for the student of intermediate Greek (i.e., one who has just completed his introductory grammar). Here's why I say this:

This is the ideal tool for learning NT Greek through induction. I love studying grammar deductively, that is, studying the principles and rules (a priori), but the average person will find that deductive study isn't quite enough. Even with examples, the rules tend to get lost in the heap. One needs also to gather up particular instances of the manifestations of those Greek rules of grammar as he goes in a real text (a posteriori) in order for the principles and rules to really take root (IMHO). Here's where 'the Jesuit' comes in.

As you read the NT you will encounter--invariably--forms you can't parse and words whose definitions you have not yet memorized. While having a lexicon handy, and consulting it liberally, also consult Zerwick's Grammatical Analysis and you will identify the word and its parsing. He will then possibly refer you to a section from his companion book (which you must get) called Biblical Greek (ISBN 8876535543), and it will tell you what the deductive intermediate grammars have also told you, but quickly and succinctly. By studying an intermediate grammar plus this book you wind up with a double whammy of inductive/deductive study!!

I have, in fact, only one criticism of this publication: it is not physically user-friendly. One cannot open it up and lay it out next to one's Greek NT. It's kind of laborious, putting down, picking up, putting down, picking up, when you're basically just doing the same one or two pages of text in a sitting. And it is just a little guy. When you get it you'll be like, "Oh, it's dinky!" It's real thick, though--like a little red brick of goodness. It's covered in thin red plastic for a cover, which may reduce its longevity if you're not careful. But, whatever. Get it!

Yes, in case you're asking yourself, this and the "Biblical Greek" mentioned above are indeed two of those things that are 'must-buys' for the student of Greek, imo. These, plus the BDAG lexicon (3d ed.) and Wallace's "Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics" are the bare minimum for the Greek student. Everything else is just gravy. But what do I know.

Note- Don't fret (if you are so inclined) about the fact that this is issued by Rome and that the scholar is a Jesuit. As a Roman Catholic turned Calvinist, I can tell you that it is my impression that Zerwick goes where he believes the Greek points, period. He's a true scholar, rip.

This book provides a verse by verse analysis of the Greek NT. Greek words are printed in Greek letters throughout, flowed by a short (one word) definition and partial parsings. There is also coding to Biblical Greek's . So if you get one book, it would be best to get the other as well.

The information is helpful but hard to follow. There is just too much information packed in, with lots of abbreviations and notations that have to be remembered. And as with Zerwick's "Biblical Greek," this is an advanced exposition. Beginners will get lost in it. A similar but easier to follow resource is Fritz Rienecker' s New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament, The.

I only rarely referred to either of these volumes as I was working on my Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament: Third Edition (ALT). So I cannot really recommend either. I just think there are easier to use resources available. I present a full list of all of the resources I consulted in working on the ALT in my Companion Volume to the Analytical-Literal Translation: Third Edition, with asterisks indicating the ones I found most helpful.

It should also be noted that Zerwick's theological orientation is Catholic. This can be seen in his attempt to get around the clear meaning of Matt 1:25, where it says of Joseph and Mary, "and he was not knowing her [fig., was not having sexual relations with her] until she gave birth to her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus" (ALT3). The natural reading of this is that after Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary began having sex like any normal married couple. This is then confirmed by Jesus having four brothers and at least two sisters (Matt 13:55,56).

But Zerwick comments, "... until (the time when) but not excluding the continuation of action beyond the time indicated; author only concerned here to indicate virginal conception."

Notice that Zerwick does not give any examples of when "until" (Gr., eos ou) does not exclude the continuation of the action. But compare the other places where this Greek phrase occurs in Matthew: 13:33; 14:22; 17:9; 18:30,34; 26:36. In all six of these verses this phrase does exclude the continuation of the action after the time period indicated.

To be clear, this means the phrase indicates a change in behavior after the time period indicated. So in Matt 13:33, the woman mixes yeast into flour; but once it is thoroughly mixed, she stops mixing. Here, Joseph was not having sex with Mary; but once Jesus was born, he began having sex with her.

The meaning of the Greek phraseology is clear, but Zerwick is allowing his pre-conceived theology, not Greek word studies, to color his comments. This is yet another reason I cannot recommend this book.

I read this book years ago when I was a freelancer. One of the most helpful things to me then was Appelbaum saying that acquisitions editors WANT to find work to publish. I had always thought of editors as fussy people who want to find any excuse to turn you down. Appelbaum gave me hope.

Now that I actually am an editor, I know that what she says is true. Editors and publishers really do want to find good materials for their company to publish. They are not the enemy.

Really, this is a very helpful and encouraging book for writers.

This is the best book I've ever read on getting published. It's instructive, no-nonsense, and remarkably wide-ranging. Plus it doesn't waste time making digressions and idiotic "jokes." It sticks to the point, is witty and straight-talking. Ms. Appelbaum is knowledgeable and sympathetic to the business of writing. This is a book worth studying, not merely reading once. Thank you.

Then you MUST buy this book.

Judith really knows her stuff. This is an excellent place to start brainstorming, even if you think that you have "seen it all". Kudos to Judith for sharing her knowledge. As a published author of several books I KNOW the challenge of marketing to the public - and publishers - that each book brings. Keep a copy of this close by and reread it often. You won't be disappointed.

Dusty White
Author of How to Get ANY MAN to do ANYTHING You Want!

I am still reading the how to self publish section. I am a complete novice writer attempting to write a first non-fiction book. The book has opened my eyes to the pitfalls and made me aware of many details I would otherwise miss. Marketing being one of the details I needed to be more aware of.
I recommend the book highly.

I earn extra money as a contract reviewer for a number of publishers, periodicals, etc. It's always a pleasure to review a piece written by someone that has educated themselves on the process of publication. This book has it all!

Of particular note, Judith writes in her introduction (Initiation, p.7) "There's only one kind of help you shouldn't hire: A vanity press" -- and further explains this on page 88 under the title "Danger: Dead Ends".

This book is also a great resource for reviewers like myself. You will find many prospective clients.

Dr. Mardy Grothe has written yet another book that will delight linguaphiles. In fact in his introduction Grothe says, " This book is aimed at readers who have a deep interest in seeing language used in creative ways." This latest volume, _I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like: A Comprehensive Compilation of History's Greatest Analogies, Metaphors, and Similes_, includes nearly 2,000 quotations.

Since Grothe became a voracious reader more than four decades ago, he has collected hundreds of thousands of quotations, some of which appeared in his earlier works: _Viva la Repartee_, _Oxymoronica_, and _Never Let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You_.

_I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like_ follows the same format as Grothe's previous books. The introduction acquaints readers with the figures of speech included in the book. Grothe clearly explains the similarities and differences between analogies, similes, and metaphors, and he recounts their earliest known appearance in history. His explanation is perfectly seasoned with illustrative quotations.

The body of the book is divided into fifteen chapters, each of which includes analogies, similes, and metaphors on a particular theme, such as definitions, relationships, stages of life, stage and screen, politics, sports, and -- of course -- the literary life. Again in the format of his earlier books, quotations included in the first part of each chapter are enhanced by discussion and historical anecdotes. It is interesting to see nearly identical quotations from widely separated contemporaries or to see various ways that a similar idea is expressed -- the idea, for example, that love is mental illness. Equally fascinating is to see the wide range of things to which one other thing can be compared. Love, for example, is compared to a cigar, a snowmobile, measles, a game of poker, and dozens of other things. The latter part of each chapter presents additional quotations, usually without explanation. The book concludes with an author index.

Grothe advises readers to read the book slowly, as one would amble through an art museum, "taking the time to savor the observations and to admire the skill that was required to create them." Once we have tasted these morsels, it's nearly impossible to resist the desire to share them. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. --Victor Borge

Modern English is the Wal-Mart of languages: convenient, huge, hard to avoid, superficially friendly, and devouring all rivals in its eagerness to expand. --Mark Abley

Grothe's explanations and quotations would serve to instruct and inspire writers; however, parents and teachers might want to monitor young people's use of the book since -- especially in the "sex" chapter -- some body parts and functions are named and described.

I am glad that Dr. Grothe has found such an effective way to share his collection of quotations with the world!

Yes, relationships seem dangerous or at least irritating at times. And our choices often appear murky. Want a surprisingly quick and satisfying exercise for making wiser decisions next time? Try it by opening to any page in this witty new book by Dr. Mardy Grothe. (Relationship Is Like a Shark is one of his chapter titles.)

Once a Big Man on Campus (BMOC) Dr. Mardy Grothe took a dramatic approach to self-discovery. Seeking deeper meaning for his life, he abruptly resigned as president of his fraternity, vice-president of the student-senate and from several social clubs. He even moved off campus and spent all his spare moments, not in dating or with friends but in reading Emerson, Thoreau, Camus and more.

"Life is like a ten-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use."
- Charles M. Schulz, writing for Charlie Brown

To reinforce his self-discovery, Grothe thumb-tacked to the wall of his room his favorite quotations. That practice morphed into typing them onto his computer and continues to this day, a habit for which thousands of us are grateful. His newsletter of quotations and the remarkable stories of the people behind them is the mental candy break for many of us.

"Life is like a cobweb, not an organization chart."
- H. Ross Perot

After devouring Grothe's first three books, Never Let a Fool Kiss You or Let a Kiss Fool You, Oxymoronica and Viva la Repartee, I dove into his fourth "intellectual smorgasbord" I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like, and you will too.

"Assumptions are the termites of relationships."
- Henry Winkler

With chapters on wit, sex, stages of life, humor and the human condition, this may become the book you open to try my college professor's suggested exercise - figuring out what you really want to do. Or, more deeply, what you are about in this life you are living. His droll chapter titles include The Lights May Be on, But Nobody's Home (Insults & Criticism), An Actor is a God in Captivity (Stage & Screen).

"Luck is the residue of design"
- Branch Rickey

"Love is a kind of dementia with very precise and oft-repeated clinical symptoms."
- Louis de Bernieres, Corelli's Mandolin

By the way, my favorite story in his book begins the chapter, Humor Is the Shock Absorber of Life.

"Gratitude, like love, is never a dependable international emotion"
- Joseph W. Alsop, Jr.

The quotes in this post are culled from over 2,000 gems in his book. For those much-needed mental vacations, keep this book within easy reach on your bed stand or in your bathroom, study or kitchen.

Mardy Grothe's new book, I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like, is a first class meal in the back row of the plane. It's a waterfall after three weeks in the Sahara. It's a brand new Beatles album at an estate sale. It's....it's....you see why I like this book? I need help with my metaphors!

Seriously, this book is a gem. The historical and literary references make it more than a book of great quotes. It's fascinating reading and a terrific tool for would-be writers. Pick it up and start reading anywhere. It's harder to let go of than a hot date at the prom.

-- Greg Tamblyn, Motivational Humorist, recording artist, author of "Atilla The Gate Agent." [...]

Atilla The Gate Agent (Travel Tales and Life Lessons from a Musical Laf-ologist

Saving the World from Whiny Victim Love Songs

I could peruse this latest book by Dr. Mardy for hours and never tire of it. As a writer who enjoys quotations of all sorts I have long been a big fan of Dr. Mardy Grothe's weekly column. With i never metaphor i didn't like, he has so won my heart that it is now and always the first place I will ever look to discover helpful quotations to illustrate or embellish my thoughts. So long Bartlett's, you've been replaced. Simply reading the pages of this book is a vastly entertaining experience. Like many who enjoy cooking, I appreciate perusing cookbooks. For a writer, a book of quotations is not unlike a compilation of recipes, and just as worth reading for the stimulation it provides. I especially appreciate the further explanations he appends to the quotations as they do much to help me to learn more about a variety of interesting things. All hail the Master Chef of Cordon Blue wordsmithery: Dr. Mardy Grothe and his wonderful i never metaphor i didn't like.
Tasha Halpert author of Heartwings: Love Notes for a Joyous Life.

I enjoyed every metaphor, simile and analogy in this book-- but why, pray tell, did he have to ruin them by explaining what they mean? Anyone literate enough to buy and read this book should able to understand them without having them explained. But he overloads on the explanations. The pleasure of a metaphor, etc, comes from thinking about the meaning. He gives them, then right away tell what they mean like he's teaching a bunch of school children. He talks down to his readers. On page 181 we read " Courtship to marriage; as a very witty prologue to a very dull play." Then he proceeds to tell us dummies what a prologue is. Same all thru the book. I guess he thinks the people who read this book are stupid. If he had left out the explanations it would have been so much better.

I use this lexicon over any Bible dictionary or other lexicon I've found, as it's the most historically accurate and un-indoctrinated version to date. Provides an excess of great information about the use of many words, their historical significance, and has a very wide coverage for such a small book. If you're looking for a portable lexicon, this is your baby.

I cannot do without the intermediate Liddle&Scott in my Greek studies: it is so useful: clear and comprehensive explanations, examples provided, verb forms presented in their different forms as separate dictionary items, which greatly facilitates finding the exact verb, in short, I recommend this dictionary to anyone studying the ancient Greek (I have used other dictionaries, like Benseler's Greek-German, or Veisman's Greek-Russian, but I like the Liddle&Scott the most.

Liddell and Scott's lexicon is available in three versions, the complete large set ("Great Scott)", this intermediate sized volume ("Middle Liddell"), and an abridged version ("Little Liddell"). I use the version of Liddell-Scott that is found on BibleWorks 7. And it looks to be this "Middle Liddell" that is the version on BibleWorks. And I would say this size provides sufficient material without being overwhelming.

Liddell-Scott gives the basic definition using one word or a short phrase. Shades of meanings are represented by giving more than one word or phrase for the basic meaning. When a word has more than one basic meaning, these are numbered using Roman numerals and listed individually. Reference to classical Greek authors is given for each of the various meanings or shades of meanings.

Being based more on classical Greek than NT Greek enables this lexicon to give definitions for words that might not fit with pre-conceived theological ideas. And that is good. Sometimes, a word has been traditionally translated in manner that does not reflect the original meaning of the word. So this lexicon takes one out of preconceived notions and back to how the word was actually used. And that was very helpful in finding exact definitions of words for my Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament: Third Edition (ALT). It was in part because of this lexicon that I rendered "ekklesia" as "assembly" rather than "church" and "hagios" as "holy ones" rather than "saints."

So I would highly recommend this lexicon.

Twenty years ago I earned a bachelor's in Greek. This was the only lexicon I needed (aside from using Autenreith's for a couple Homer classes). I still use this to this day. For a time I even had a copy of the "Great Scott" but it sat there unused...so I sold it and don't miss it. This one, the "Middle Liddell" all, and probably more than, you'll ever need.

This is an excellent work. It is unfortunate that in some fields, the tendency is to always prefer the latest and greatest, simply *because* it's the latest and greatest. This lexicon was produced in the late 19th Century, but is still the best single resource one can get. The Intermediate Lexicon of Liddell and Scott has just the right balance between portability and coverage.

The massive LSJ is updated and covers everything, but you'll tear your rotator cuff trying to lug it around. Bauer, et al, has everything you want for the New Testament, but not Classics. I am a fan of the Oxford pocket dictionary for different reasons, but for serious work, come on, do you really want to try using a pocket lexicon in a language whose development (covered here, anyway) spanned close to a millennium? This one volume covers Homer through the Hellenistic Period.

Speaking of which, it is a great resource, but not perfect. Depending on your field, there are some specialized lexicons I would recommend. Lust/Eynikel/Hauspie's _Lexicon of the Septuagint_, Bauer's _Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament_, and Abbott-Smith's _Manual Lexicon of the New Testament_ all incorporate early 20th C. papyri discoveries. They also have references to location within the literature they serve, and can act as a poor man's concordance. These other resources are useful because assigning existing Greek words to Hebrew/Christian religious concepts sometimes changed the meaning of those words in those communities. While the Middle Liddell has brief but sound definitions, I think these others are needed if you're working in Biblical Studies.

The quality of this Oxford University Press volume is outstanding. It will withstand many years of hard use. While the font is small, it is quite legible, and the printing and paper quality are very high. It's even reasonably priced! Once you have all the other specialized lexicons, you may not reach for the Middle Liddell as often, but if I was restricted to one Lexicon for all-round use (and thank goodness, I'm not), this would undoubtedly be it.

This book is the very best for some one who plans to start programming in Java.

I am not a programmer nor do I wish to become one. My interest in computers is driven by what they can and cannot do. My interest in Java springs from the many books based on Java that teach interesting things such as artificial intellenge, problem solving etc. So my view is based on what I learned how to do, not on if this is the best book for a coder.

Perhaps it would be best to state what this book is not first. It is not a complete guide to Java. There are many topics this book does not address at all such as swing. The Dietel book is denser and has many more details than does this one and might be more appropriate for a pure coder.

This is a book for beginners to Java. It does a great job of giving one a feeling for the language without bogging one's mind in all the gory details. It also did a good job of capturing my imagination as how to use the language to model things I am interested in. For me, this is superior to the Dietel book.

Another point worth mentioning is the speed this book can be read. I had no problem working through 1 to 2 chapters each evening. This ease of reading is do to three factors; good organization, good writing ability, and the focus on the main themes of the language.

Someone looking for a solid overview of Java would do well to buy this book. A hard core coder that is beginning with Java could use this book as a quick suppliment to the more detailed manual they are using.

As a knowledge of C would also be useful to me, I plan to purchase the author's book on that subject as well.

Let me start of by saying, if you want to learn Java to add it to your resume, do not use this book. This book is very very weak on Java graphics programming, which you will need to know. I would suggest a book that would help you pass the Sun programmer, or developer test. This book is intended as a textbook for an intorductory college class in computer science.

This book is great for learning Java as a college, or high-school student. I am using this book for AP Computer science. This book covers all of the topics, except for recursion. The author starts out with talking about what most people need to know about computers. He gets into programming by chapter two, and classes by chapter three. He explains classes very well, but you might need some help. Classes are much more well explained than in Java 2 for Dummies.

All in all this book is very good, even though I couln't get to know that much about GUI, or graphics programming. If you want to know about applets(this book focuses on applications) just read Appendix A. If you want a good approach to Java, than buy this book.

I've read this book cover to cover, and I think it is an excellent way to start programming in java. I think it is a wonderful introduction, my only gripes are that the new GUI interface, Swing, is not covered, only the older AWT. Also, this book is very weak on graphics programming, he never even explains how to incorperate java graphics into programs! He basically writes it off by saying its too complicated.

I came to this book with almost no programming experience but good analytical abilities. I wanted to learn the equivalent of what is covered by a CS1 course, and this book fit my needs exactly. This book is an interesting read, clearly introduces topics, and avoids unnecessary wordiness. The exercises and programming projects are thorough. There are always one or two more lengthy projects included in each chapter for those who want the challenge. I used this book to learn Java on my own, and I found myself eager to open it each day. I agree that there is no coverage of Swing, but there are other books devoted to that topic which one could move on to. I highly recommend this for those who are new to object-oriented programming and want their first taste of what this field is about.

I have been in business for many years as a literary publicist, but I am constantly
on the lookout for good reference books for publicity for myself and my staff.
This book is one of them. I highly recommend it.
Sherri Rosen
sherri Rosen Publicity LLC
NYC

As if the process of completing a literary work were not enough, Mr. Marich clearly illuminates the most treacherous path of promoting that work once it is complete. Having tried unsuccessfully to navigate this path on my own in the past, this book became a true beacon in my career. His insightful, witty comments make this book both a great read as well as an invaluable tool for anyone who ever had the courage to take the bull by the horns and promote themselves with the same energy as a PR firm. I know that on all subsequent endeavors I will gladly return to the core lessons found within to ensure my ongoing success.

I own a small PR agency in Chicago and am always looking for tools to help our junior staff be more effective and efficient. This book is great! Everyone of my employees now has their own copy of Literary Publicity: The Final Chapter. It's got everything a professional needs to know -- and, even better, what a non-pro needs to know to help make their book successful. I also like how Marich uses humor to make his points. I recommend this for any writer or any beginning publicist.

Mr. Marich has cured my writer's block. I realized after reading this incredible "BIBLE" that the root of my writer's anxiety was my fear that I would never be able to get my work to the public, press or broadcast media. I know now that there are tried and true ways to get my work noticed. After finishing Mr. Marich's book, I went right back to my P.C. with new inspiration. How very unselfish of Mr. Marich to share his experience and know-how with other writers. Anyone who is even thinking about writing for public consumption should read this book. No agent in the world could do in one year what Mr. Marich has done in one incredible book.

As an author, I am quite familiar with the search for publicity. This book was an enormous help, very clearly organized, and, most surprisingly, fun to read. The author obviously has a lot of experience in the field, and shares his trade secrets. It should be very helpful for beginning authors as well as more established ones looking to further their literary careers. Highyl recommended.

The beginning of the book held my interest, but then it waned. Somehow I just lost interest and still have not finished it. But I will try.

This is a staggeringly powerful and important book. Our relationship with the earth and all of its inhabitants is crucial to our continued biological, psychological and spiritual health and our survival as a species. Why we continue to ignore and deride this very real fact is a devastating mystery to me - this book, however, not only illuminates, in poignant and heart-breaking ways, our continued ignorance, but offers the reader the opportunity to begin learning how to reestablish this most fundamental of relationships. Liberally sprinkled with some truly excellent quotations from various authors, activists and thinkers, and full of some terrifying information about the pharmaceutical industry, this book is a captivating read. It is an incredibly useful text for anyone, most especially for those practicing a plant-based system of healing, as it gives a philosophical groundwork that every holistic herbalist can incorporate into their practice and their lifestyle.

I won't go into what the other reviewers have already said about the beauty and sensitivity of this book. (I have had experiences in the garden with certain "weeds" seeming to beckon to me to eat them, and that is why I bought this book, to see if there might be something to this.) I was blown away by how incredibly SMART plants are!

But I just have to say that I am literally trembling now after having read the sections on the preponderance and endurance of pharmaceutical drugs, medical wastes, and antibiotics in the environment.

I am one of those who must take several of the top ten drugs "for life," but I tend to have extremely bad reactions to drugs of all types. I am disabled now, I'm convinced, in large part due to pharmaceutical drugs and ubiquitous chemicals that have seriously undermined my health. I know that it takes a very long time (a) to get over the damaging side effects of drugs that don't agree with me and (b) to find drugs that will work for me. I would not take any drugs if I could find a workable alternative, so bad have my experiences with pharmaceuticals been.

Now I am concerned like I never have been before about the effect of all these drugs polluting our environment. I have tended to think in terms of those pills ending with me, even if it might take years to get over the terrible effects on my body and brain. Now I know that every single living thing on this planet is affected by these drugs...and not just one of them, ALL of them mixed together! Any pharmacist will tell you that the more drugs you combine, the more likely you're going to get seriously bad reactions.

And then I think of all the people I've known personally who have been addicted to benzodiazepines, Ambien, Xanax, and the like who were stark raving bezonkers half the time from withdrawal effects and didn't even know it. My sister and I were at the point of strangling our other sister until she went through several years of very difficult work to withdraw from the very small dose of Xanax she was taking each night.

It is seriously worrisome how really messed up these drugs can make people, and yet they are advertised on TV and prescribed (and upped and upped) like they are candy.

And the weight. I look around at all these obese people (I am one of them), and I am reminded of what several doctors have said to me: "As long as you are taking X drug, you aren't going to be able to lose any weight." When the author of "The Lost Language of Plants" mentioned that many drugs are designed to work only in the presence of fat, and that they concentrate in fatty tissues all up the food chain, I couldn't help wondering what's going on with the human species (not to mention every other living thing) that we are growing larger and larger. It can't be just exercise plus calories or levels of sugars and fats; I know, I've counted them all religiously.

I have to ask: Are our bodies adaptively packing on weight to allow ourselves to better handle and store the huge levels of bioactive chemicals we've doused our whole planet with? Could it be that gaining weight, like forming granulomas, is a mechanism the body uses to isolate and render as harmless as possible a dangerous foreign agent (all these chemicals and drugs that are being dumped into our environment by the billions of pounds)? Is anyone thinking about this, and are they looking into the possibility? Dying of "fat-related diseases" may be the lesser of the evils.

It scares the begeezus out of me to think about all this. But get this book. It may have just the solutions we need--if it's not too late. I just hope, if this planet has to choose between us and the plants, that the plants win out. Read this book and you'll understand why I say that.

This book is a change of pace. It is a book that makes you ponder about life itself.

This book is absolutely wonderful and exquisitely written. I loved the author's writing style, but especially appreciated his much-needed message. I can only hope that more people will continue to read this book and take away its powerful statement and do something with it! I plan on buying some of this author's other works, and couldn't suggest this book more! It's a true gem!

I have actually used this reference for years as needed for ActionScript. I still had a good use for this text in ensuring compatibility with Flash MX until the lack of features became too overwhelming. This is in the face of newer versions of Flash such as CS3 (9.0) that use ActionScript 2.0/3.0. All in all, this book was wonderful until the release of Flash 8.

Because of the new Filters that have come out with Flash 8.0 and the features of ActionScript 2.0 to support these and other enhancements, I would instead recommend Flash 8 ActionScript Bible if one is concerned with cross-compatibility in their ActionScript code and wishes to still be able to use AS with newer features such as Filters (but not as new as Transitions or other CS3 exclusive features - for that, I'd recommend ActionScript 3.0 Bible or something similar).

As far as who I could possibly recommend this book for: It's good for somebody who is still working with Flash MX 2004 and below to Flash 5 (much of the text is compatible with Flash 5), however, I don't know that there are many of those sorts of individuals.

This book is a great resource for when you're looking for that specific line of code. Its terrible to read from front to back, but its an excellent way to find exactly what you're looking for. Its so much code, it'll make your eyes bleed.

One of the few comprehensive actionsctipt titles on the market. The first half of the book boasts a large variety of tutorials and examples that skillfully lead the reader through both the syntax and use of actionscript. Personally I found the text clear and practical. The chapters on OOP were of particular value as they went beyond actionscript basics into application, bordering on philosophical.

The second half is an invaluable reference of the entire actionscript dictionary with a comprehensive CD full of .fla example files and bonus chapters on the XML Object. As a qualified teacher I found it hard to fault the methodology employed by the various authors.

Well worth the purchase.

I am a former programming teacher and I have a style to teach my students the most UNDERSTANDABLE way to do something not just how to do it. This text/reference achieves that purpose. If you have an understanding of Flash (which you should have before getting into scripting see Weinman books) then this book will serve you well. There are other books on scripting - great books - such as Moock's books but they are more so for the programmer. This book is for the novelist programmer that desires to learn about action scripting.

5 stars if you know Flash well.
1 star if you haven't had any experience with it at all.

I was a beginner once, who couldn't figure out Flash at all. I'd like to help you build a bridge between where you may be now, as a beginner, to where you may find yourself aspiring to go.

If your only experience with Flash is to have seen the many wonderful and breathtaking Flash movies on the Internet and just had a look at the authoring tool, I strongly recommend that you leave this book until much later. It has its place in the learning curve but it isn't, in my opinion, the first book to see.

There are understandings to possess that this book doesn't cover sufficiently well enough for those whose minds work in particular ways. This is a programming book, for using the phenomenon of programming to create great design and animations. Whilst the focus is on design, you aren't using the design tools on the interface. With this book, you are using the Actionscript language and you have to have a logical mind for this activity (as well as keeping your strong creative one).

I began my steep learning curve with Flash by watching others and watching video tutorials, especially those by George Pierson. In this way, I can ask questions that are tailored for me and I get tailored responses. Books aren't always able to do so well here.

What is great about this book is the MX Actionscript reference in it and the seemingly well designed theory tutorials. I can't find a fault with the reference. The theory is quite good. In the reference, all Flash MX commands are covered. There are examples of how to use them, but the coverage may not be enough for some. Brill. Just BRILL. I can be excited but because I can follow Actionscript.

Approach this book when you are successfully making Flash movies on your own. Yes, on your own. For me, this book is an aid for when I am going to where I haven't gone to before. It helps me make judgements on ideas I get.