Projects Books

I would recommend all of Crosswinds placemats. They really help you learn the must knows to pass the exam. They are a great compliment to the other Crosswind materials.

Aside from the book by the same author this may be the single most helpful thing I used to study for the PMP exam. There is so much on this placemat in a clear and concise presentation that is key to passing the PMP exam I can't imagine taking the test without using this tool. All the proccesses with the major ITTOs in a clear flow chart to help you memorize it. Formulas, definitions, it's all hear. Just this alone should add points to your score. Combine it with the book and you've got a formula for success.

I had learned about mindmaps in a class at work. This placemat has the processes for the entire PMBOK mindmapped out graphically with the inputs, tools and outputs. It's color coordinated as well for clarity. This was great to walk through the processes in my mind to see how much I understood them. The results speak for themselves.....169/200 PMP!

I checked this anthology out at the library and decided I needed my own copy. I had been out of practice at reading good poetry and really loved so many of the poems in this book. It is a good middle ground for people who enjoy good poetry but are sometimes overwhelmed by denser, more complicated poems. I would recommend "Good Poems" for the starter and "An Invitation to Poetry" for the more advanced reader.

Even more than the many fine poems cited in this wonderful anthology, I enjoyed the eloquent responses by everyday Americans as to why they responded in certain ways to their favorite poems. These stories are almost as moving as the actual poems and there are dozens of terrific poems, both the familiar and the unexpectedly novel. If you only read the comments, you'd be a richer person, but to read the comments along with the poems, now that's an experience. If this book were required in English classes around the country, maybe kids wouldn't resent poetry units so much!

I am absolutely blown away by the quality of this anthology! Absolutely blown away. Organized by the people behind the Favorite Poem Project ... this beautiful book strikes the perfect poetic balance; the poems here have depth and meaning, but they are never impenetrable and are always a joy to read aloud.

The mainstays are all here: Shakespeare, Dickinson, Whitman, Keats, Frost, etc., but the book often presents their lesser-known works (such as a terrific Langston Hughes piece called "Life is Fine" that I'd somehow missed). There are also more obscure poets; May Swenson, Derek Walcott, and many international writers. But what makes this book truly unique is the commentary printed above most of the poems sent in by people of all ages and professions.

Students, teachers, doctors, writers; they talk about their favorite poems with great love and a sense of awe. Their passion is infectious. I plan to buy this book, but instead of sitting on my bookshelf like my other poetry books it will go in my backpack to be with me wherever I go, for anytime I need a breath of fresh air. Highly recommended.
GRADE: A

This is a great ruby book for those new to the language, or for those who already know a good deal of ruby but wouldn't mind learning how to do some cool quirky things with ruby, like programmatically compose and play midi. This book will not walk you through how to use ruby if you are new to the language -- but their are plenty of other books (and online references) that can do the real introductory teaching. Working through some of the projects in this book *will* help you really get comfortable with ruby, by putting it to practice in non-boilerplate ways.

If you have more experience with Ruby, this book is still compelling. It walks through some nonstandard projects -- interesting projects on their own, and certainly the sort of projects that will get your mind working, and have you looking at the problem and the language in a new light.

Throughout, care is taken with the writing -- the text isn't a boring technical manual, but is compelling and interesting, while packing in a lot of technical detail!

The past few years have seen the English-language Ruby book market explode. Before the phenomenal success of Rails it was perfectly possible to own every available title (and not use much storage space), but now that would be quite a challenge and lead to considerable redundancy. Having worked my way through quite a few Rails books of late, reading Practical Ruby Projects--a Ruby book that doesn't even mention web frameworks--was both a pleasant diversion and a highly illuminating experience.

Like the last volume I reviewed (Pro JavaScript Design Patterns), this book is unabashedly aimed at experienced programmers. There's a brief paragraph on "getting set up", but no detailed guide to obtaining the tools. Instead we dive right in to a sequence of projects that includes: making music (dipping into calling C code from ruby), animation, simulation, building a strategy game (and adding a RubyCocoa frontend), genetic algorithms, and even implementing lisp and parsers. Once again the "apress roadmap," a diagram intended to show how the skillsets in their different volumes build on one another, is misleading pitching this between "Beginning Ruby" and other volumes I've reviewed like Practical Ruby for System Administration and Pro Active Record. Don't believe it. Though there's little overlap in the material, this is a more advanced volume than either of those and readers should be prepared.

The pace of the book is measured and Topher Cyll does a good job of gradually building up the projects a step at a time. Along the way a variety of practices are demonstrated with many methods stubbed out for demonstration purposes before being filled in when they are needed, and considerable time spent on decoupling code. That latter piece is particularly in evidence in the chapters on building a turn-based strategy game and then developing a RubyCocoa front-end. Despite careful design early on further refactoring is needed to make it easy to apply the front-end and that process is carefully worked through.

Most of the book makes some use of existing libraries. The initial lisp chapter uses the sexp library and the subsequent section on writing a parse relies on rparsec. For the most part, however, use of the libraries is kept to a minimum, allowing for fairly self-contained code. Unit testing is largely ignored until the last chapter, where the need for tests when constructing a grammar/parser is explained and a test-first development model is encouraged. That works well to demonstrate the power of tests for complex (and often brittle) code.

This is not a book designed for public transport reading. Working through chapters on the bus I frequently found myself wanting to reach for my laptop to get a better grasp of how a piece of code worked. While the explanation is generally very good, with material of this complexity there is nothing like running the code and tweaking it to make sure you've understood exactly what each transformation does. It's a book to take your time over, so be prepared!

A few editorial errors have crept in, suggesting a re-organisation of the contents late in the day. In particular an early reference to s-expressions seemed to presume that the lisp and/or parsing chapters were featured early. That's not a big deal and will hopefully be corrected in later printings; the author does encourage skipping around within the book, but there is value in working through it roughly in order, and not just for the two "paired" chapters that explicitly build on one another.

Perhaps the most striking thing about this book is the reminder that even for those of us whose primary programming activity is web development, studying other areas can be extremely helpful. Not only is it helpful to see how other developers structure their code, but tools like genetic algorithms and parsers are likely to be very helpful where web applications require sophisticated processing and/or backend systems. And it never hurts to learn a little lisp. For the ruby developer who's comfortable with the language and wants to stretch out a little, this book would be an excellent investment.

Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of this book for review by the publisher.

Most Ruby books milk newbies jumping on the bandwagon for cash. This is a book for experienced Ruby programmers who want to be awesome Ruby programmers. The book of the book is all about parsing and shows you how to implement Lisp in Ruby; the first project is a compact, simple, powerful system for creating music in real time in Ruby. I'm using it to drive Propellerhead Reason from the command line and I'm on page 25. This is an absolutely excellent book. The best Ruby book I've seen in years. The only Ruby book I'd recommend to experts. This is the bomb book.

From Front Flap:

"This outstanding book offers a broad and indepth coverage of all important construction management topics, paying particular attention to professional construction management (PCM) as a contractual alternatives. This emphasis reflects the growing importance of this newly emerging area. The first nine chapters discuss administrative aspects of construction, while the last nine cover project control tools such as procurement, quality assurance, safety, and labor relations. The book assembles all the information needed to successfully manage a construction project. A general overview chapter is included on computer concepts and applications related to construction. The book is easy to understand because it features a wide range of worked examples, a detailed case study (the Mountain Town warehouse project) discussed throughout the book, and summaries concluding every chapter."


Sample Topics Covered:

* Types of Construction Projects, Organizations and Contracts; The Life Cycle of a Construction Project; Organization for Professional Construction Management; Preconstruction Site Investigation, Planning, Scheduling, Estimating, and Design; Value-Engineering Program, Work Packages, Summary Schedules, Developing Construction Packages; Preparation of Bidding Documents; Contractor Qualifications; Safety Responsibilities; Legal Considerations; Management-Level Reporting; Schedule and Progress Controls; Selecting a Professional Construction Manager; Estimating Project Costs; Cost Codes; Control Budges; The Procurement Cycle; Control of Materials Procurement; Inventory Theory; Value Engineering; Industrial Relations; Safety and Health & Construction; and a sample Bid Package & Contract Forms. (1984)

I got the book's info from my college professor. He strongly recommends this book for me as a junior engineer. I found many useful tables and info from book that mostly I also get from job. Mr Barrie is a consulting engineer and he shared his experiences with us, I felt happy what he did. In the Cve field, most of the things are gathered from experiences. It is quite diffirence from the IT or EE field, it need much time to do it. Mr Barrie give us what he did in recent decades, and I hope we will done better.

I used this book in my CM class as a senior in college. The book is pretty comprehensive and a lot of the info didn't make sense until I actually started in the field of general contracting and construction management. Now the info in the book is understandable. I would recommend the book.

Absolutely inspiring. The author brings to light a crucial issue while he eloquently motivates. Readers have lauded his efforts:

"One of the most poignant and on-target books I have read in a long time. I found "Project 2019" to be an easy read, yet most compelling and thought provoking", Linda Ellington, Child Protection Investigator.

I found it a wonderfully inspiring and deeply challenging commitment to the future of all americans", Beverly J. Moore, Auburn University.

This should be on your must read list.

"Two Thumbs Up"

'Only Black America Can Save Black America'

Before you purchase a copy of 'Project 2019: Socioeconomic Equality Through Formal Education' by Charles E. Sanford, be warned. It's one of those books that will keep you turning the pages through an entire weekend (1998, Hundred School Publishing, USA, 219 Pages).

Sanford does a skillful job of stating his case for true Black progress in the United States. The historical references and statistical information provided by him are easy to digest, and, if need be, easier to teach in a classroom setting. In fact, I would recommend this book be at the top of the Black History Month list for anyone serious about solutions, instead of excuses, when it comes to Black Pride and our success as a people.

Have you ever picked up a book, and from the opening pages found that YOU had actually spoken these items to yourself or your family? One can't help but to identify with this work at that level. This 'twenty-year plan' for our success as a people, according to Sanford's preface, was birthed during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

The book is composed of some 24 separate issues, ranging from slavery, racism, and our winning the Civil Rights struggle, coming up to our need to re-emphasize the value of an education to our youth. Sanford is bold enough to mention the types of critics he will likely find as the clock continues to tick towards 2019, as well as the pluses and minuses of what could happen to our people if the plan is put into motion into EVERY Black home.

Sanford's work should be in a second edition as public interest continues to grow. It is the first work of its type in this still new millennium that is not shrill, nor condemning. It states the facts, and puts down the challenge. Either WE, as a people, are going to have to get back to demanding that our youth stay in school, or we will not achieve as a people.

I would recommend this book for anyone with children of middle-school age and higher. This book would also find a home with some of our 'at risk' youth, who may be either incarcerated, or on probation or parole. It will give them something more than they can find on television and the movies. It will give them hope that they can turn their lives around, and become productive citizens. I especially like how Sanford handled the voting and Affirmative Action issues. Some great food for thought'and traction for real community action. ... You won't be sorry to make the inquiry'or investment in the book.

This book is on the cutting edge of how to solve the problems in Black America. I only wish all would read it.

Great book!Here's what it say's on the back:

"It's hungry!" Betsy exclaims,as the thin little cat runs to them, mewing.If only they could take the cat upstairs!But cats aren't allowed in the housing project.

Soon it will be winter and the little cat will freeze-unless Betsy and her friends think of somthing quickly.

This book is hard to find(I found it in my class library and all the kids want to read it) Anyway, this book is about a girl called Betsy. She finds a cat in the the bushes, but can't keep him because her apartment doesn't allow pets.She tries to fight city hall,but can she keep him ? Find out in this great book!

The book starts out when Betsy and her friends discover that there is a cat hiding in the bushes. Betsy wants to take the cat inside, but she knows this is wishful thinking.It's impossible--for she lives in a housing project that doesn't allow any pets. Betsy starts using her allowance to buy the cat food and milk. But the poor cat scratches her when she gives him her food. Soon the cat stops scratching Betsy, but her and her best friend, Ellen get into a fight and they stop being friends for a while.
They get back together, and Ellen finds out that the cat is going to have kittens. The cat will have to be inside then because soon it will be winter.
This was before the night of the hurricane.
Betsy knew someone would have to take the cat inside, so she convinced her mother to keep the cat inside for the night. The next day, she regretfully took the cat back.
How could she ever get to keep her cat?
Then Betsy remembers. She could get all the people of the housing project to sign a petition to allow pets. She got over 87 people to sign the petition.
The next day, Betsy and all of her friends went to city hall to see if the mayor will accept the petition. The mayor says he can't accept, but the City Council can. But do they accept it? Find out in this great book!

This book helped me to understand my role as the project manager and distinguished the difference between leading and managing my project team. I really liked the section on building and sustaining the project team. This book will be a great reference to me in the future as I progress in my career as a project manager.

I've found this book to be a very useful, practical guide to delivery of successful projects. The reader is introduced to more than just theory, but also to step-by-step approaches to implement from the very beginning of a project to its successful conclusion. Highly recommended for any project management professional.

Many books on project management include a lot of theory. I liked this book because it offers some solid, practical guidance to project managers and project teams to improve their effectiveness at delivering projects successfully. I also like how it covers the role of the project manager and the difference between leading and managing a project team. It also does a great job of describing how to charter, build and sustain a project team and the dynamics that teams go through. This has helped me be a better project manager by understanding these team dynamics.

T.Byron is my brother, and I can honestly say he's "the real thing." I can't seem to keep a copy of this book at my house. Guests leaf through it and want to borrow it. I know I'm biased, but I have to say from my heart that Byron has written some really truly beautiful poetry.

Every poem in this book has depth. The many layers come to life with each new reading. It's a sensitive, insightful peek into the human condition. When I read it, I easily get lost in the lush heavenly imagery, and ultimately feel transformed by the revelation offered so freely from his dear, loving (forgiving) soul.

Byron is and always will be one of the most influential and beloved teachers in my life. Through this book of poetry, our daily spiritual conversations, and his many other artistic creations, he leads me toward God. For this, I am eternally grateful.

I can't wait for his next volume. I'll have to order some extras for company...

Byron's poems range from beautiful clarity in his early works to the mystical, almost eerie in his later ones. I have seen his paintings online and find them well matched by the poems, symbolically. Images stand out: dark birds, angels' wings, rain at night. The other-worldly quality of the collection is a challenge and a pleasure to the reader.

This a a cycle of poems which resists summary or quotation
of a few lines as they are whole and irreducible and if
reducible to anything perhaps to a season, let it be an
Autumn of inwardness and an Autumn pervaded by the presence
of ghosts and 'ghost' is a key word for the author but the
ghosts are not threatening--rather they are shadows of things
past ,present and to come ,of seasons just beyond Autumn of
realities felt but not at hand. We feel the ghostly as promising
a season coming in which the overlapping visionary and factual
realities merge into a newly unified vision and that a
season beyond Autumn but neither Winter nor Spring nor
Summer. Kelly loves Blake and Li Po but it is more as
presence or ghost that they are here than as influence
for the poems are deeply personal and I give them the full
five stars to point up that they are real poetry
important in aspiration and in acheivment and worth anyone's
attention.

I was introduced to English by this series in Hungary. A few years later, I used this material to teach kids and adults (!) with great success and I just purchased it for my nephew for his birthday-he LOVED it! I am quite familiar with language books and I speak several different languages now, but I've yet to find another publication with such an effective way of making people interested, love and master a language! It was fun, quick-learning without struggling. The material is so entertaining, mainly brief colorful comics, you get to learn about exciting topics and can't help wanting to read through the next page! The grammar is very well structured. I never had to try to memorize words or forms of verbs and still managed to start the process of becoming interested and then soaking knowledge in like a sponge.
The series consists of three books guiding you through the world of this wonderful language, making you feel like learning is more of a pleasant walk in an exciting, adventurous land with joyful friends holding your hand. Each book is accompanied by a work- and a test book and two tapes with all the material included. A teacher's book is also available. It makes comprehending the language easier that the different projects in the books are presented by different nationalities speaking British, American or Australian English.

(I can only hope that the first version will still be available in the future. Unfortunately they did a complete make-over )o: .)

Thank you, Tom Hutchinson, for enriching my life so greatly and enabling me to take part in doing the same for others! ((((o:

I was introduced to English by this series in Hungary. A few years later, I used this material to teach kids and adults (!) with great success and I just purchased it for my nephew for his birthday-he LOVED it! I am quite familiar with language books and I speak several different languages now, but I've yet to find another publication with such an effective way of making people interested, love and master a language! It was fun, quick-learning without struggling. The material is so entertaining, mainly brief colorful comics, you get to learn about exciting topics and can't help wanting to read through the next page! The grammar is very well structured. I never had to try to memorize words or forms of verbs and still managed to start the process of becoming interested and then soaking knowledge in like a sponge.
The series consists of three books guiding you through the world of this wonderful language, making you feel like learning is more of a pleasant walk in an exciting, adventurous land with joyful friends holding your hand. Each book is accompanied by a work- and a test book and two tapes with all the material included. A teacher's book is also available. It makes comprehending the language easier that the different projects in the books are presented by different nationalities speaking British, American or Australian English.
(I can only hope that the first version will still be available in the future. Unfortunately they did a complete make-over )o: .)

Thank you, Tom Hutchinson, for enriching my life so greatly and enabling me to take part in doing the same for others! ((((o:

I was introduced to English by this series in Hungary. A few years later, I used this material to teach kids and adults (!) with great success and I just purchased it for my nephew for his birthday-he LOVED it! I am quite familiar with language books and I speak several different languages now, but I've yet to find another publication with such an effective way of making people interested, love and master a language! It was fun, quick-learning without struggling. The material is so entertaining, mainly brief colorful comics, you get to learn about exciting topics and can't help wanting to read through the next page! The grammar is very well structured. I never had to try to memorize words or forms of verbs and still managed to start the process of becoming interested and then soaking knowledge in like a sponge.
The series consists of three books guiding you through the world of this wonderful language, making you feel like learning is more of a pleasant walk in an exciting, adventurous land with joyful friends holding your hand. Each book is accompanied by a work- and a test book and two tapes with all the material included. A teacher's book is also available. It makes comprehending the language easier that the different projects in the books are presented by different nationalities speaking British, American or Australian English.
(I can only hope that the first version will still be available in the future. Unfortunately they did a complete make-over )o: .)

Thank you, Tom Hutchinson, for enriching my life so greatly and enabling me to take part in doing the same for others! ((((o:

A quick monthly review of the "Project Guide" and our notes kept our confidence high and our stress level low. This book has paid for itself several times over!

The knowledge that is in this book is a must have for anyone building, or thinking about building a new home. I found this book answered all the questions I had thought of, and many that I had not have considered. It gave a great deal of information and presented it in a way that did not overwhelm you.

Thank you Mr. Fosse. I believe your book will save me thousands of dollars on the site selection and construction of my new home. Your book was very user friendly and self guided. I really liked the fact that you kept white space for the reader to add their own notes and thoughts. This becomes a very active and fluid working document.

This book is a MUST for anyone that is even thinking about building a new house. This book shows that it is never to early to start planning. This book can save you money on site selection and financing. A GREAT RESOURCE.