Conferences Books

Brad Efron wrote this monograph shortly after the publication of his groundbreaking early papers on bootstrapping. It was the first and for many years the only major reference on bootstrapping. It is written in an intuitive style and provides the connection between the bootstrap and many of the other earlier resampling methods, especially the jackknife. Geometric arguments are often used to explain concepts. Today it is still a useful reference but is very much outdated as there have been many advances. There are now also several excellent reference books and texts on the bootstrap including the introductory text by Efron and Tibshirani published in 1993 and the text by Davison and Hinkley published in 1997. My book published by Wiley in 1999 is intended for practitioners and has over 1600 references.

Brad Efron wrote this monograph shortly after the publication of his groundbreaking early papers on bootstrapping. It was the first and for many years the only major reference on bootstrapping. It is written in an intuitive style and provides the connection between the bootstrap and many of the other earlier resampling methods, especially the jackknife. Geometric arguments are often used to explain concepts. Today it is still a useful reference but is very much outdated as there have been many advances. There are now also several excellent reference books and texts on the bootstrap including the introductory text by Efron and Tibshirani published in 1993 and the text by Davison and Hinkley published in 1997. My book published by Wiley in 1999 is intended for practitioners and has over 1600 references.

When I was first looking into the method I read many unsatisfying discussions of the bootstrap method before I came across Efron's concise text. It is as mathematically advanced as it needs to be, and no more. There is no introductory material, he gets right to the point and sticks with it. Very satisfying.

There is nothing to add to the previous Reviews here on Amazon. Anyone who hikes seriously in New York State must have a copy of this book.

It's not clear exactly what Amazon is offering here. Be sure you get the current edition, the 7th, which was released in 2005. There are many revised trail descriptions in the 7th edition, especially trail head information. The chapters for Storm King, Black Rock Forest, and Sterling Forest are completely revised.

It is worthwhile checking the New York New Jersey Trail Conference website before undertaking any major hike in the region. The trails and access points don't stop changing just because a guidebook has been published.

The "Walk Book" was originally published in 1923 by the National Geographic Society; the next four editions were published by Doubleday; and the sixth and later editions have been published by the NYNJTC. The first five editions included trails in both New York and New Jersey. In 1988, the "Walk Book" was published by the NYNJTC and split in two, the New York version was called the 6th edition, and the New Jersey version, the 1st edition.

"The New York Times" published an interesting article on May 19, 1998 by Glenn Collins on the history of the Trail Conference and the "Walk Book". It extracted several passages from the 1923 "Walk Book" (which now sells for around $200 if you can find a copy):

"For protection against rain, pure rubber clothing is about the only reliable material; but in warm weather or after exertion it is uncomfortably hot. . . ."

"Boots or stout leggings will save many a bruised shin or ankle or torn stocking and trouser leg. Breeches for women, long worn in the Western outing clubs, are becoming more in vogue in the East and sensibly so. There are combinations of breeches with detachable skirts which are convenient for travel to and from the country or where city or country yokels may stare. . . ."

"A pack on the back is bound to cause heavy perspiration and wetting between the shoulder blades. Reed frames have been devised to hold the pack off the back and give circulation or air. . . ."

"Paper is as effective a protection against wind as leather, and many trampers regard a paper waistcoat, costing 50 cents, as indispensable for blustery weather. . . ."

"If you are ever out with Malcomson he will introduce his big Bermuda onion. You will crave a thick slice and you will never go tramping again without one. It adds horse power to one's legs after luncheon. . . ."

Things have changed a bit since 1923, but the trails are still a major benefit of living in this area.

Robert C. Ross 2008

This book is for anyone who has any intention of hiking anywhere in NY. From Long Island to Harriman to the Catskills to the Adirondacks, this book gives detailed descriptions on walks throughout all sorts of terrain. Each chapter has a brief history of the area so you really feel as though you are experiencing surroundings to the fullest. Plus, it is published by the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference which is apparently the premier source for information and maintainers of trails in the area. They also take suggestions so if you find some important detail missing from one of the trail reviews, you can write to the conference and give them your input. To make a long story short, I wouldn't go hiking anywhere in NY without this book.

I do a lot of hiking and mainly kept to the Appalachian Trail. I've recently started venturing off onto other trails and found this book invaluable for planning when used in conjunction with full size topo maps. I think every trail (just about) in New York state is in here.

Since Wesley wrote in a different era, his style requires some adjustment but once one gets past that there is a lot of edifying content in this book. The key point of this book is the issue of "perfection." He sees it as living what Jesus said was the greatest commandment and its accompanying commandment, i.e., to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Wesley's life demonstrates that he reached the goal. He traveled extensively, read widely, wrote inspiringly, and influenced many people to believe in Jesus as their Savior. Thank God for his legacy in words and deeds. He truly practiced and preached.

Wesley's brief treatise on the important yet overlooked Christian doctrine of perfection is a "must read" for all Christians interested in growing in Christ. The fact that this book is not mandatory reading in every seminary and Bible school is a travesty, making a mockery contemporary Christian education. This book is excellent for anyone serious about their spiritual journey.

John Wesley (1703-1791) firmly believed that God continued to work in the life of the believer subsequent to justification. In A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, Wesley provides an account of the development of his understanding of the doctrine of Christian Perfection. This short work contains a lucid explanation of the doctrine with special attention not only to the Biblical promises and commands that are the basis of the doctrine but also the practical way that "perfect love" works in the life of the believer. While this work was certainly intended to instruct those who were seeking "perfect love," it also attempts to answer those who would deny the doctrine.

The essence of Christian Perfection, for Wesley, was clearly defined by Christ when an expert in the law asked him, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "`You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 23.36-40 NRSV)

Here one sees that, for Wesley, the main point of Christian Perfection is "perfect love." "Perfect love" thus defines our relationship to God and others.

This book is essential for those in the Wesleyan tradition and a worthwhile read for those from other Christian perspectives that wish to understand what Wesley thinks Christian Perfection is and is not.

Kenneth Conn's book "Settlement Conference" is a brilliant and succinct guide for anyone from law students to laymen facing litigation. Conn is clearly a pioneer of the settlement court movement, and he shares his knowledge of the courthouse maze in such common sense fashion that even the most intimidated reader will feel comfortable. There's also plenty here for sharp pros who are tired of seeing their cases languish, and perhaps can be most highly recommended as a great "reality check" for anyone about to enter the treacherous realm of civil litigation. Conn's twenty+ years on the bench come shining through as he quietly establishes himself as a master of the subject. Highly recommended!

Superior Court Judge Kenneth E. Conn takes a complex legal situation and reduces it to a level that the layman can understand. A masterful book from a pioneer in the field of settlement conferences. As someone who has seen his share of settlements, I highly recommend this book. Great for any attorney or person headed to a settlement conference. Five stars and two thumbs up!

Superior Court Judge Kenneth E. Conn takes a complex legal situation and reduces to a level that the layman can understand. A masterful book from a pioneer in the field of settlement conferences. As someone who has seen his share of settlements, I highly recommend this book. FOUR STARS and TWO THUMBS UP!

Reporter Harris Smear Job of Jimmy Massey?

An Iraq vet responds to charges he lied about American war crimes

"Apparently, it is more important to Ron Harris to promote fiction than tell the truth."

"Major newspapers and media outlets published my story. Neither the Marine Corps nor any of my platoon members filed any charges against me as a result of my claims in over 20 months. Nor did they attempt any defamation campaign to counteract my allegations that the large numbers of civilians killed in the invasion, as a result of failed strategies, fomented anti-American sentiment, and fueled the insurgency..........."

Full Article Fallows:

http://www.guerrillanews.com/articles/1876/Smear_Job

I think it's a very powerful account and about the controversy this is a helpful artcile written by Jimmy Massey himself.

By Jimmy Massey
An Iraq vet responds to charges he lied about American war crimes
Editor's note: Jimmy Massey is a 12-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps who served as a Staff Sergeant in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, Weapons Company, during the invasion of Iraq. Shortly after returning, Massey began speaking out about atrocities he says he commited and witnessed in Iraq. He recently released a downloadable book entitled Kill, Kill, Kill: A Soldier's Remorse (written with Claire Schaeffer-Duffy) that chronicles his time in Iraq. Earlier this month, Ron Harris, a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch who was embedded in a unit near Massey's, charged Massey with lying about the alleged war crimes in an article entitled "Is Jimmy Massey Telling the Truth About Iraq?" Harris then appeared on CNN on Nov. 6th where he repeated the charges. The following is Massey's response to Harris' article:

When I'm on my death bed and I have to face God with all the sins I committed throughout my life, when I come to the sin of killing innocent people in Iraq, I know I will only be able to meet my maker if I tell the truth now.

My story has been widely published in mainstream American and international press, as well as widely circulated on right-wing pro-war websites, for more than 1 year and 8 months. In December, 2004, MSNBC interviewed Pentagon Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Douglas Powell about me saying, "We're not saying he's lying, but his perception of what the situation was in relation to the rules of engagement, and what was justified, is different than ours." In a letter written to the editor of the Mountaineer, which was the first newspaper to publish my story in February 2004, Major Dan Schmitt, my former Commanding officer said, "There is no profit for anyone in discrediting his story in any way."

Prior to the Marine Corps' briefing my unit to refuse to make any comment regarding me, my claims were corroborated in interviews with my fellow platoon members conducted by Natasha Saulnier, the co-author of my autobiography "Kill, Kill, Kill." One of my platoon members, speaking from Camp Pendleton, CA, last winter, admitted that "Civilians get in the way Yes, there were civilian casualties, women and children as well we didn't check them up to see if they had weapons yes, that was at the checkpoint where all the stuff happened." Another said, "We were all pissed off [at shooting women and children]. Nobody was doing it on purpose," and another corroborated the incident in which our platoon had fired on and killed unarmed protestors.

Beverley Ann Dexter,the Navy psychiatrist whoperformed my exit examination back home, wrote on record that "the patient initially presented to the mental health dept on 30, May 03 after he was medivaced back from the Iraq war with the diagnosis of major depressive disorder and PTSD, recurrent. He reports that he had become extremely distressed over seeing many dead bodies of individuals in civilian clothes. A particularly disturbing event was an occasion when a man questioned him about why troops had killed his brother whom the man said was a civilian."

Major newspapers and media outlets published my story. Neither the Marine Corps nor any of my platoon members filed any charges against me as a result of my claims in over 20 months. Nor did they attempt any defamation campaign to counteract my allegations that the large numbers of civilians killed in the invasion, as a result of failed strategies, fomented anti-American sentiment, and fueled the insurgency.

Until Saturday.

Quantico Marine Base Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Richard Long, former director of Public Affairs and the embedded reporter program in Iraq, began circulating an article Monday published in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Saturday, November 5, by former embedded reporter Ron Harris, accusing me of lying. Harris not only was not assigned to my Weapon's Company, (he was with Lima), and was not present for any of the incidents he disputes, but before last week, had not spoken with me once since my return.

On Monday, Harris appeared on CNN's "American Morning," in an unrebutted interview stating, "not only did I not see any protesters, nobody saw any protesters," and "nobody ever interviewed the marines, which I did all of. Nobody ever checked his story. They don't even have another source that says on background or another source who didn't want to be quoted." Apparently, it is more important to Ron Harris to promote fiction than tell the truth. When he finally did call me and my co author two week's ago to prepare his article, I told him I didn't know how he could live with himself by concealing the truth, and told him "he would have to answer to a higher power."

Harris' apparent contempt for me seems to stem from the fact that one and a half years ago, I exposed him for having greatly embellished an incident at Rasheed Military complex in his April 9, 2003, article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch. (Note the caption confirming Harris' assignment to Lima Company). In the article, Harris described a dramatic, daylong battle glorifying heroic deeds and describing guerillas "hiding behind civilians." Speaking at the Boston Veterans for Peace Convention in 2004, I said Harris had greatly exaggerated the combat in what was subsequently hailed as an example of American military prowess. I confessed publicly that"contact that day was thin and sporadic," and that "as my unit entered Iraq it came upon empty Iraqi military bases with weapons lying on the road." I noted that We shot it up with everything we had, and we were laughing and having a good time. The Iraqis let us in the country; we didn't take it.'

It is ironic that Ron Harris should accuse others of bad reporting. It was Ron Harris himself that misquoted me as having mentioned a 4 year old with a bullet in her head, and then conveniently used his own misquote to accuse me of lying. Simply doing a web search for "Jimmy Massey" and "4 year old," you will find that the only source even suggesting that I knew of an incident when Marines had killed the child is Harris' own story. My only related quote had been "Lima Company was involved in a shooting at a checkpoint. My platoon was ordered to another area before the victims were removed from the car. The other Marines told me that a 4-year-old girl had been killed."

Most importantly, this incident is not even mentioned by me and my co-author in "Kill, Kill, Kill" because it relied on a second hand account. Harris would know this if he had read the book that he denounced so virulently on CNN and in his article, but he has not and cannot read it because it is only out in French, a language he openly admits he cannot speak. After nearly 2 years of remaining silent despite knowledge of my confessions, why has Harris saved his charade for the publication of a book of which he has absolutely no knowledge?

Fumbling for incriminating evidence, Harris reports that "while touring with Sheehan in Montgomery, Ala., [I] told of seeing the girl's body." Cindy Sheehan and I were never together in Montgomery. In a similar confusion, Harris goes on to claim that I have said I personally killed a 6-year-old.Before numerous interviews and reports frayed its edges, my original statement had been "I brought these series of events up through the chain of command. Each time I was told they were terrorists, or they were insurgents. My question to the marine corps at that point became, how was a 6 year old child with a bullet hole in its head a terrorist or insurgent?"

In the aforementioned April 9, 2003, article, Harris refers to a makeshift morgue and quotes Lt. Col. Belcher, Commander of 3rd Battalion, 7tth Marines without deeming it relevant to make further investigation, "These are apparently Iraqi soldiers that were killed in the attacks. Some people had leg wounds, chest wounds, tears, cuts, shrapnel holes." Why did Ron Harris swallow the command's stories?

Apparently, Harris didn't read any more of the articles in USA Today or Vanity Fair that he cites in his article than he did of "Kill, Kill, Kill." USA Today and Vanity Fair never published my accounts of mounting civilian casualties in Iraq. Both of their stories were about military recruiting practices, and not concerned with Iraq.

If Ron Harris or the Marine Corps Public Affairs office want to mount a smear campaign against me and those who published my story, they could begin by buying a couple copies of the book and reading it. They will be pleased to know that a portion of the profits will go to establishing PTSD treatment centers for U.S. veterans.

Jimmy Massey is a 12-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps who served as a Staff Sergeant in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, Weapons Company, during the invasion of Iraq. He can be reached at: [...]

Jimmy Massey has said initially that HE killed civilians in Iraq. He then goes on to say that he himself didn't do the actual killing. If this makes him a "fraud" then so be it. What is striking to me is his assertion that civilians WERE (and are) killed in Iraq, the "fraudulent" part being his saying he himself did it.
What does it matter whether he himself did it or someone else did? The point remains that civilians were killed in Iraq, a violation of the Geneva Accords. Especially when it is done deliberately which any Iraq vet will tell you. It is more important to me that someone who was there is telling what has happened there; and it's not just Jimmy Massey, it's hundreds of Iraq war vets and imbedded reporters. This war was based on lies as we all now know. More and more will come out and has; the "ghost detainess" the "renditions" and the torture camps in Poland and elsewhere in Eastern Europe; The outing of a CIA agent's identity in retaliation for the finding of NO yellow cake uranium purchased from Niger. The stench of the lies and evil reaches to the heavens.
What difference does it make whether Mr. Massey says he did it himself or not? I admire him for saying it happened AT ALL.
Calling him a fraud may be missing the forest for the trees as so many in this country are wont to do in justifying this disgusting war on a country that did nothing to us; who had no WMD's, had (emphasis on the HAD) no connections with Al Qaeda (now they do, thank you Mr. Bush) and had no connection AT ALL with September 11.
I'm actually thankful that Mr. Massey didn't do these things himself, he probably sleeps better at night than the ones who did and lie about it.

This is an excellent resource in federal Indian law. It is updated annually via cumulative pocket-parts and is a thorough review of the subject. It is a great place to begin research in Indian law because it lays out the blackletter and has copious citations to the major (and sometimes less major) cases on the subject. For me, if I could have only one book on the subject, this would be it.

Federal Indian law is a quagmire that demands useful navigational tools. In the past, Felix Cohen's "Handbook of Federal Indian Law" (particularly the 1942 ed.) was used by everyone - including Supreme Court Justices - to better understand this jurisprudence. This field of law, however, has evolved in many ways in the intervening twenty years and the "American Indian Law Deskbook" permits readers to learn about these changes in the responsibilities and exposures of the states, tribes, and federal government. Indeed, this is the second edition, and the foreword indicates that even the five-year period between editions had been eventful. The overall intent of this publication is to present relevant legal history to sustain an understanding of Indian law today.

The editors have included Tables of Cases (32 pp.), and of Statutes and Codes (9 pp.), as well as a bibliography (10 pp.). One important note must be added. Yearly supplements are a crucial part of the business of legal research, and the editors of the "American Indian Law Deskbook" realized this when they published the first edition in 1993. This practice has continued, and stand-alone yearly supplements are available for both 1999 and 2000 that update the current edition.

"American Indian Law Deskbook" augments Cohen's "Handbook." It should be considered as a core holding for those with a desire and/or a need to learn more about current federal Indian law.

This book is translated from "conferences" (talks) given to novices in recent years at a Carthusian monastery in France. It is an introduction to living the Carthusian monastic life: the theology of the monastic vocation, goals and attitudes a monk should have, and the discernment and psycho-spiritual skills he will need in order to thrive in the monastery. It incorporates wisdom from scripture, early Christian sources such as the Desert Fathers, the monastic tradition, and modern psychology (and one quote from "The Little Prince"). I especially like the section of practical guidance in "discernment of spirits" and remedying various monastic vices (or "demons" as they were characterized in the desert tradition)--for instance avarice, anger, sadness, acedia (boredom/discouragement), pride, etc. In my opinion it is quite good. Psychological maturity in the modern sense is also discussed in a way that relates to monastics.

The book is substantive and very well done and I believe I will refer back to it. I loaned it to a friend who also loves the Carthusians and he seemed to relish it and be edified. I think this book can give a more balanced and realistic idea of Carthusian life to those attracted to the extreme aspects, as well as give some wise guidance for spiritual and emotional balance, especially for those in a relatively solitary lifestyle.

A delicious journey through the monastic cloister that conduces to heaven is what can be said of this work. It gives a complete idea of what vocation discernment should be, by this spiritual conferences to novices. It shows how the reality of monasticism is not being away of the flesh or the earthly realities, but a complete use of body and heart, will and spirit in the desert of Chartreuse. But this complete use of body and soul has a goal: God, the sense and plenitude of life, making a life to have ilimited form. Monasticism descripted in The Call of Silent Love has the character of renouncement to obtain a bigger goal: union with God alone in Christ. Here, God, take us to the desert, in solitude to hear His voice only, in fact this solitude is apparent because His love is always full of something new, of crosses, of tribulation, an image of His Passion, a reflexion of His Love, a prefiguration of our eternal beatitude.

Harmon-Jones & Mills thoroughly take the reader from the beginning of CDT through those major revisions that have received empirical support all the way to today. The sampling of authors is wonderful and Harmon-Jones doesn't push his revision and instead he & Mills fairly offer all of the relevant alternatives. Importantly, Mills is particularly respectful to Festinger which is often missing in much of the newer writing. Get this one- it's a steal & you'll find all that you need re CDT within! My dissertation is on CDT and this is one source that I continually return to.

The book provides the most up-to-date consideration of Leon Festinger's Theory of Cognitive Dissonance (1957). It contains chapters written by an international group of well-established scientists who study cognitive dissonance processes. It is a must read for anyone interested in the relationship between cognition, emotion, attitudes, and behavior.

This wonderful little book is a highly readable explanation of the Mennonite faith. Prepared by theologians from two North American Mennonite groups (the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church), it is a work of thought that is practically a work of art. The book contains twenty-three chapters on the key articles of Mennonite faith; each article contains a statement of faith (e.g. "We believe that..."), Bible references, and a clear and concise commentary.

Overall, I found this book to be a wonderful resource. The people who prepared it have done an excellent job of presenting the Mennonite faith in a way that is understandable to everyone, regardless of their knowledge of who the Mennonites are. So, if you are a non-Mennonite who is interested in the Mennonite faith, or are a Mennonite who wishes to have a short but succinct statement of their faith, then I highly recommend this book to you.

This book provides the reader with the core values that Mennonites confess prior to becoming members of a Mennonite congregation. The book includes commentary and biblical references. Essential for any Mennonite or person who wants to know what Mennonites believe.

Anthony De Mello pulls no punches with his theology or his belief that we are all weak creatures that could be making a hell of a lot more with our lives. This book is a wonderful introduction to the Retreat experience and helps guide the reader through the process of settling into the mediatative state a religious retreat requires. De Mello is tough on the reader (not with his prose, but with his tone) and expects action - spiritual, mental and physical - and won't settle for complacency or laziness. Thank you for the wake up call!

Don't do what I did - I read this during my retreat; I should have read it before. Nonetheless, it was an eye-opener - a finger pointing the way (don't concentrate on the finger, focus on the way).

Anthony de Mello is loved and respected the world over; he was a Jesuit spiritual director and retreat leader from India who held numerous conferences, retreats, and workshops for those looking to further their spiritual lives. His Christianity was the mystical variety, a position which has placed his writings under the skeptic's scope since his death. But anyone who has read his splendid works knows firsthand the wonderfully kind and open heart he had; there is not doubt in this mind that Anthony was teaching the true spiritual roots of all Christianity.

De Mello had an uncanny ability to draw those attending workshops and the like completely in with his masterful charm and charisma. He aimed at helping the participants break down their stress packed minds in order to have a more simplistic and beneficial experience in cultivating a relationship with God. His exercises were always intended to open the virtually unlimited capacity of the human heart.

This text focuses on a number of retreats de Mello led throughout his teaching years which he always meticulously edited, yet never published. He was not the type to shy away from controversial subjects, and in this work he made some criticisms about the catholic Church's hierarchy, calling for a fresher and more inspired outlook. In here he gives practical advice on how to practice a life of prayer for fellow Christians, some chapters include "How to Pray" and the Jesus Prayer, the social implications of sin, and on and on. This book is a no-brainer for those interested in the spiritual life, filled with timeless advice and practice suggestions to further each and every one of our aspirations in coming closer to that Ultimate Mystery: God. Enjoy.