Conferences Books

The current book has no maps, only written mileage and commentary on the trails. the older review must of been earlier printing. You would be better off buying the Maps by DeLorme or Jim Witherell available at most grocery stores up here. I have a 1969 edition of the Katahdin section of the Appalachian Trail edited byJean Stephenson that is more useful than this current book for the hiker/camper.

This is an excellent hiking guide to Baxter State Park. It includes history and background of the park as well as a comprehensive guide to all the trails and peaks. It also comes with the best pocket map to the park. I only wish Mr. Clark had included a little more commentary and personality (some sneaks in). He is obviously a passionate expert and a little more depth would be welcome even though this is essentially a trail guide.

I purchased this book hoping to gain knowledge on the old order mennonites of new york, this was my first mistake. The mennonites referred to in the book are WEAVERLAND old order mennonites, I was looking for a book on the GROFDALE old order mennonites of the same area. Secondly, this book was seemingly written by someone in high school. I found the text confusing, and as someone who has mennonite and amish relatives, not everything was written from a "I understand it to be this way" point of view. I also found the author to not be totally understanding of the weaverland conference history, but was seemingly looking to find justification as to why members of that conference were joining other mennonite conference churches in the area. The book was very very disappointing. I can not recomment this book for anyone who is seriously interested in the old order mennonites, a good opportunity to explain the church and its stance on baptism, marriage, war, membership, belonging not only to a community but to a fellowship, was not examined.

This is a book about the traditions and history of Weaverland Conference Old Order Mennonites. It is a very good introduction to this extraordinary religious group, and, apparently, the only one available to readers. I would recommend it to those who wish to become more familiar with Anabaptism, Mennonites, and the social science of religion.
It is important to note that the book does not claim to be about all Old Order groups. It is also a book with a strong claim about the relationship between ritual, belief, and community life. People who want to know only about Groffdale Mennonites should not necessarily buy this book (I am thinking here of a previous reviewer), though Groffdales are mentioned, as is their common history with the Weaverlanders. People who cannot handle a philosophical discussion about religion will also not want to read the book (still thinking about the previous reviewer--why did he buy the book at all?).
The book has numerous photos which seem to convey the situation of Mennonite family farmers in New York. The author's style is simple and flowing, very easy to understand.

This book is so stupid, I mean the dude doesn't even do everything

This book is a collection of essays taken from a "free" conference that met in 1994, partially in response to the ELCA's debate over sexuality. The essays in this book offer keen observations on what it means to be a reforming church today, using insights from the gospel, Luther, and other sources, including theological, historical, and scientific.

The essays represent a number of different perspectives and personal backgrounds. Their variety and multifaceted approaches to the issues of church reform and sexuality are remarkable and refreshing. In fact, I believe that they are a testament to the reforming traditions of Jesus and Luther.

The ambience of the book is invigorating; I felt like I was in attendance at the conference. I recommend this book to Lutherans who want to feel and understand the dynamic nature of the Lutheran tradition and want to explore its possibilities. The book is easy enough for the layperson, yet contains enough substance for a theologian.

If you are a member of the ELCA and bored with the tradition (or frustrated with its gridlock), this book is highly recommended.

The Spirit of Breathwork. A collection of lectures from the International Breathwork Foundation 1994-1999 Editor Gunnel Minett.

Reviewed by Vivienne Silver-Leigh

This book is a unique collection of lectures on the subject of Breathwork, These were all given between 1994-1999 at the annual Global Inspiration conferences of the International Breathwork Foundation (I.B.F.). by practitioners of Yoga and Pranayama , Chi Kung, Tai Chi , Holotropic Breathwork, and Rebirthing.

Gunnel Minett, a founder member of the organization and Editor of Breath and Spirit, transcribed the lectures of this collection of scientists, psychologists, therapists, and others, who came from several different countries..Many of them came from non-English speaking backgrounds, but gave their talks in their own flavour of English. Whether they call themselves Breath Therapists, Rebirthers, Psychologists, or Psychotherapists, they are all passionately interested in the Breath and how it can be used to create change, both chemically and psychologically.

The aim of the IBF was stated at its formation "to provide an opportunity for people world-wide to learn from breathwork and to use it as a therapeutic and transformational tool to reach health in body, mind and spirit". This book is its first production and it reflects the vibrancy and growing strength of the organization.

The 28 contributions to the book are presented under various headings:Breathwork and Spirituality, Breathwork and Psychology, Breathwork for Business. If you want to to extend your knowledge of Breath as a powerful tool for change there is much useful information. Academic and scientific presentation sit beside challenging claims for the successes of Breathwork practice. I enjoyed the personal stories, of Breathworkers and how they work in medical or clinical settings in their own countries.

Dr. Wilfred Ehrmann, Psychotherapist/Breathworker from Vienna, contributed two very important talks:"Breath is your companion," and "Sharing the Breath". In the first he considered Breathwork as a therapeutic tool, and in the second what Breathwork can learn from Psychotherapy.

From Dr. Joy Manne, Buddhist Psychologist, of Switzerland came "What is Rebirthing?", and "Rebirthing - an orphan therapy or a part of the family of psychotherapies?" . In "Breathwork - Instant Charm and Hidden Dangers" Russian scientist Dr. Sergei Gorsky discusses altered states of consciousness and how Rebirthing brings these about. He describes the chemistry of the body, its changes and the need to establish balance between the conscious and unconscious parts of the psyche, and the unsuitability of Breathwork for people with immature personalities.. In "The Role of Carbon Dioxide in a Rebirthing Session" he challenges the idea that Rebirthing is about oxygenation of the blood and the brain because Russian research has proved otherwise..

From the US, Kylea Taylor, author and Holotropic Breathwork Trainer at the Grof Institute, spoke on Ethics of a Right Relationship between Breathworkers and their clients, and how to deal with the spiritual sides of the work. From Professor Arturo de Luca of the University of Jean Monet in Brussels and the University of Rome comes material linking Music Therapy and Breathwork. Tilke Plateel-Deur, Director of the Institute of Integrative Breath Therapy in Holland considers the inner qualities desirable for students training in this field.

This first creation from the International Breathwork Foundation survived various traumatic production problems over transatlantic co-operation, which has resulted in unfortunate printing and layout errors. Nevertheless it is a very useful reference resource which gives an overview of approaches to Breathwork today. Hopefully it will stimulate more research and more publications in this neglected field.

The Spirit of Breathwork: Lectures from Global Inspiration, editor Gunnel Minett
The International Breathwork Foundation, Holland, 2001

This book is a collection of lectures from the Global Inspiration Conferences 1994-99 which is sponsored annually by the International Breathwork Foundation (IBF). The conference brings together breathworkers from over 20 countries. It is a forum for leading breathworkers from around the world to share their skills, knowledge and research, thus supporting the development of breathwork professionally.

Breathwork as a therapy is relatively new in the realm of mental health in western society. Due to its experiential nature and the history of its development, it has (with the possible exception of Holotropic breathwork) suffered from a lack of theoretical development and a scarcity of good literature. A body of well presented literature grounded in clinical practice would help explain breathwork to the world in general as the incredibly effective psychotherapeutic technique that it is. It would also help the profession to grow and evolve. A part of the IBF's brief is to promote the development of breathwork, and this book is its first foray into publishing.

The book is divided into six sections which correspond to the six conferences covered by the volume. Each conference has a theme which heads each chapter and they make an interesting guide to the direction breathwork has taken over the past decade as well as illustrating the improving quality of literature in the field. The contributions vary widely in quality and style from the purely personal, through new age woolly headed, to well-written, well-researched essays that make a valuable contribution not just to the field of breathwork, but to psychotherapy in general.

The opening lecture is an attempt to liken the history of the world to the process of birth, something which makes no sense to anyone with a reasonable knowledge of history. However, the contributions move on fairly quickly from this. The author, Sergi Gorsky PhD, makes other more valuable contributions in his later lectures on subjects such as the role of carbon dioxide in making breathwork so effective, and on the limitations of breathwork and its unsuitability for certain people. The first lecture is followed by a purely personal account by a Swedish clinical psychologist, Ingrid Wallin, of how she uses breathwork with her clients. This is the first in a small number of personal accounts of how some breathworkers practice their craft. These essays are interesting because they give glimpses into the potential for breathwork in a variety of fields, including the invaluable part it could play in mainstream psychotherapy. It would be nice to see them expanded with a greater level of detail.

As the years progress, the contributions in general begin to focus more and more on psychotherapy, breathwork's relationship with mainstream psychotherapy, and the realistic contribution breathwork can make to social integration. These essays place breathwork within a context, bring it in from the lonely landscape that is the home of the maverick, the rebel, the outsider. Breathwork takes place within a social structure and within a long established system of mental health care (Dr. Joy Manne, Rebirthing: An Orphan Therapy or a Part of The Family of Psychotherapies?, Dr. Wilfried Ehrmann, Sharing the Breath). These essays acknowledge that fact and begin the examination of the place of breathwork in society. There are very interesting and well thought out contributions on ethics from Holotropic Breathworker, Kylea Taylor, on the relationship between breathwork and psychotherapy from Manné and Ehrmann as well as from Dr. Gerhard Stumm and Dr. Alfred Pritz from Austria. There are also valuable contributions on how breathwork relates to social and economic life; the role it can play in social integration (Bo Walstrom from Sweden) and as a model for a new kind of business structure (Dr. Steve Minett from the UK). There are also interesting contributions on meditation from Eirik Balvoine from Norway who explains meditation simply but not simplistically, and on aspects of psychology such as the psychology of sub-personalities from Tilke Patteel-Deur from Holland.

This book has its faults. It is replete with typographical errors, most notably on the cover itself. Many of the contributors were not writing in their native language. There are gaps in some of the theories put forward. Some ideas are either not adequately explained or not fully thought out. This could be caused by language difficulties and if so, more stringent editing could have helped. Or it could be the result of careless writing. Whatever the reason, the result is that, in parts, this book can be quite irritating.

The contributions are transcriptions of lectures. At the time of giving the lectures contributors were not asked to write them up in acceptable academic format with references and a bibliography. Very few of the contributors submitted references and bibliographies for inclusion in this book. It is a great pity. For a long time breathworkers have been making claims for their therapies without supporting their ideas with research or reference to documented clinical practice. This does not do justice to a wonderful and invaluable therapy, and in fact, it may have done harm. The inclusion of references would lend credibility to these often very valuable contributions, would support the development of the profession, and would allow readers whose interest has been stimulated by these very interesting lectures, to explore the literature further. If there is to be another volume of Global Inspiration Conference lectures, these flaws need to be rectified by both the contributors themselves and the editorial team.

It would be nice if this book could be reprinted paying attention to its weaknesses. However, it is worth reading. It is stimulating, thought provoking and an important step in documenting the contribution breathwork is making in the field of mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

...

The book was purchased in CD rom form. There is key word searches for specific items. Every builder needing a permit to start constuction should know this book well. Another company that puts out a similar book is called Boca. They supliment and overlap the UBC. Both are handy, but very over priced.

I FOUND SOME PROBLEM REGARDING UBC SEISMIC LOAD IN BUILDINGS'DESIGN TAKING TO ACOUNT 1994 UBC EDITION AND COMPARING THIS TWO WITH EACH OTHER MAKE CONFUSING THE REASONS ARE : 1- WHY THE SHEAR FACTOR HAS CHANGED THIS MUSH? IF YOU COMPARE UBC 1994 SEISMIC LOAD WITH 1997 IT CAN BE OBSERVED THAT FIGURS R,I ,.. HAVE SAME MEANINGS BUT CONCEPT OF SHEAR FACTOR CALCULATION IS TOTALLY REVAISED I WANT TO KNOW THE JUSTIFICATION FOR SUCH CHANGES 2-THE NEW FACTORS WHICH ARE CONSIDERED IN NEW FORMULA IS ANOTHER QUESTION ,WHY THE RESPECTIVE COMMITTEE RECENTLY HAS REALISED THAT THESE FACTOR ARE IMPOTANT AND VITAL IN CALCULATION OF SHEAR FORCES INDUSES BY EARTHQUACK.I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PAPERS OR EXPLANATIONS FROM SPECIALISTS ON THIS ISSUE 3-IS THERE ANY SIMILAR COMMENT ON THIS UBC FORMULA 4-IS THERE ANY AMENDMENT ON UBS SEISMIC LOAD(1997) WHICH HAS BEEN OFFICIALY APPROVED 5- IS THER ANY REVISION ON THE ABOVE MENTIONED UBC FORMULA (SEISMIC LOAD UBC 1997) RECENTLY ISSUED

I'd like to have a book which discribed for fabrication of photodiode. Is this book suitable to my needs. Otherwise, do you have other book of my needs?

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Missler & Eastman do a good job (using other people's resaearch) to introduce the Genesis 6 paradigm to "the masses" and of course deserve credit for this. But for someone looking for something besides a book to read, the Ancient of Days conference recorded in Roswell New Mexico is much more exhaustive, and available on DVD, rather than cassette tape, like this product. Ancient of Days.net

The first three chapters compare and contrast anxiety and depression, and briefly consider their relationship.

Then there's a section on Anxiety (4 chapters) and a section on Depression (3 chapters). Three of the book's chapters focus entirely on younger people, and the rest present information about adults or people of all ages.

It's a selective look at anxiety and depression according to these particular authors' research programs.

A good book for skimming and getting some ideas.

Bio-inspired computing has taken the world by storm in the last few decades, going by the names of neural networks, genetic algorithms, evolutionary programming, and swarm intelligence. Another one has arisen has appeared in the last 15 years or so, is inspired by the biology of the immune system, and is the subject of this book. The authors of the book are aware that the approach is novel, but do a good job of presenting the field to newcomers (like myself), who want to know what it is all about and if it indeed has useful applications. They discuss their own work in the area and that of others, and extensive references are given for further reading.

After a short introduction to the subject in chapter 1, the authors move on to a description of the biological immune system in chapter 2. They stress the need for understanding the mechanisms that regulate the adaptive immune response, so as to be able to control the transformation of an immune response from an "aggressive" to a "benign" state. The authors explain the difference between the "innate" immune system and the "adaptive" immune system. As the name implies, the adaptive immune response is a kind of "learning" ability that allows the immune system to improve itself as antigens are encountered. The innate immune response though remains constant along the lifetime of the organism. A short description of the T-cells and B-cells is given, some of which can differentiate into "memory cells" that remain circulating in the body and protect against a given antigen. Particularly interesting is the role of "pattern recognition receptors" that recognize molecular patterns associated with pathogens. The clonal selection theory of the adaptive immune system, along with the somewhat controversial immune network theory.

Chapter 3 is an overview of how to to actually create an artificial immune system (AIS). The emphasize that anything deemed controversial in the biological framework need not be when viewed from a computational perspective, such as the immune network theory. Biology is used for the inspiration of the computational models, and as such they need not reflect entirely what is true in the biological case. They also emphasize that the various attempts to simulate the immune system on computers are not examples of an AIS. Also, an AIS is more than just a pattern recognition algorithm, even though it must employ this in its use. To give a framework for an AIS, the authors employ a model of immune cells and molecules called a "shape-space". In this shape space one models the affinity of the "molecules" via a metric, which the authors eventually choose to be the Hamming metric. They then give an overview of various algorithms for modeling the immune system, such as bone marrow, thymus, and immune network models, in addition to clonal selection algorithms. For those readers familiar with dynamical systems, the immune network models are very interesting, due to the use of differential equations, and also the fact that such in immune network models the immune system is performing even in the absence of external stimuli.

Chapter 4 gives a survey of artificial immune systems, such as spectra recognition for chemical reactions, infectious disease surveillance, analysis of medical data, and computational security. The latter was of particular importance to me, so I read the discussion and the references with more attention than other parts of the book. The issue with the approaches for network intrusion detection and virus detection lie mostly in the performance of the network. Agents that are cleverly designed may form a very accurate way of detecting this malicious behavior, but their deployment on a network may degrade the its performance considerably.

I did not read chapters 5 and 6 so I will omit their review.

In chapter 7, the authors discuss various case studies in artificial immune systems that shed more light on the examples of Chapter 4. The computer network security application is discussed again, and a low number of false positives is shown to follow after the artificial immune system is simulated. However, the performance of the network is not pointed out by the authors. The authors also give more details on the application of artificial immune systems to data analysis and optimization. The discussion is interesting, but it is still an open question as to whether this approach is indeed better than other ones in optimization theory, i.e. how does the immune approach compare with the "free-lunch" theorems so often quoted in optimization theory? The authors do make a brief comparison of their optimization algorithm with evolution strategies, and this is somewhat helpful to those who are familiar with the latter.

The last chapter of the book looks to future applications of artificial immune systems, and in its connection with learning paradigms in artificial intelligence. The authors are open-minded about the future of AIS but also subject it to critical analysis.

The book motivated me to investigate the use of AIS more fully, and to begin thinking about possible applications, such as 1. Event correlation in networks. 2. Network routing: Routes that are inefficient are viewed as "antigens", and the network immune system will then cure the system of these routes, meaning that it will remember them as being antigens up to some practical time scale. The routing scheme in place will not implement these routes within this time frame. 3. The TCP/IP protocol in the context of the immune network theory where reliable connections are based on the epitope/paratope recognition capability. Any emergent properties of the network overlaid with the TCP/IP protocol such as learning, memory, and self-tolerance could be studied by viewing the packet network as an immune network. 4. Network QoS, with packets marked as low priority viewed as temporary antigens. 5. Using the function optimization capabilities of AIS do calculate the effective bandwidth of ATM networks. 6. Data analysis, particularly in the construction of algorithms to distinguish chaos from noise.