Publications Reviews

Trailblazer South East Asia: The Graphic Guide

Published in Paperback by Trailblazer Publications (2003-05-01)

Author: Mark Elliott

List price: $14.95

Average review score:

Interesting format

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-22

The information is this book is good, but focuses more on the budget traveler. If you want to make a tour of south east asia as cheap as possible, this book is probably a great resource.

What is really different about this book is the maps. There are tons of maps, all hand drawn in style and these maps have notes scribbled all over them. It isn't that great for finding something specific but it a very good idea for finding out what is near where you are. If you are not a planner, and just like to go and see what is going on once you are there, then this book may be great for you.

If you are a planner, and you don't arrive anywhere without a itinerary, then this book is likely to be a hindrance since so much information is organized ON the maps.

Perfect

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-31

This book seems to have all crucial information you will ever need when backpacking in SE Asia. Thin as a leaflet compared to many other traveller guides, but with at least as much information. Just be prepared to spend a smallish amount of time to learn how to use it and to remember the most important symbols.

Terrific

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-10

This book was awesome.
I used it in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
I had a lonely planet somewhere deep in my backpack, but it never saw daylight until I left it in my room in Hanoi. Pretty much every place I went, I just took a quick look at the map and had a reasonable idea of what to do next or where to go.

I met a lot of travelers who were impressed with it as well. I ended up giving it away as a gift on my way out.

If you like a little more adventure than something like a lonely planet and don't want to bury your head in a guidebook, go with this.

Also, the book emphasizes the philosophy that meeting people is what travelling is all about, more so than just seeing things. And I completely agree with that. So if that's your bag, then this book is certainly for you.

Lastly, it is slightly dated (like prices, specific bus timings, etc.). But the information is still very usable.

Best Travel Guidebook

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-24

This book became a close, guarded part of my experience in South East Asia. Mark Elliot has excellent insider tips and maps for things to see and do in every area of that part of the world!

The BEST guidebook for SE Asia

Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-24

This guidebook is indispensable. It's easy to use once you figure out the map key, lightweight, and had tons of very accurate useful information. I loved it!! I ended up having the most reliable guidebook of anyone else I met.

Training at the Speed of Life, Vol. 1: The Definitive Textbook for Police and Military Reality Based Training

Published in Paperback by Armiger Publications (2004-10-01)

Author: Kenneth R. Murray

List price: $34.95

New price: $32.95
Used price: $70.00

Average review score:

The Bible to Reality Based Training

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-31

This is a must read/own book for those invovled in reality based training (RBT). One of the best training components/tools for law enforcement/military is RBT, however, as "sexy" and as exciting as RBT seems, it is critical that training personnel understand the responsiblity for providing efficient, effective, SAFE!!! training. Kenneth Murray's book covers the major facets of RBT and how to execute safe and productive traininig.

Though I have not had the pleasure of attending Murray's training sessions via Armiger Police Training Institute, I did complete Simunition's training certification. There is no question that the fundamentals regarding SAFETY and goal oriented training detailed in Murray's book are universal.

If you are a firearms/defensive tactics instructor, you definitely need to read and own this book.

Excellent

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-28

Insightful book on combat and preparation for combat. Well written. Easy to read.
I've read Dave Grossman's On Combat and this is a great book for more on that topic.

great book - fun to read

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-06

This is a great book at RBT and also a lot of fun to read. Being a simulator engineer it gives me a good understanding of the customer (police, military) side. I am looking forward to the second volume.

On the downside the book lacks structure - not in the content but in the formatting. Shallow table of context (no numbering of titles, no visual hierarchy of titles, no Index).

one of the greatest

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-26

If I had to have only 5 books on police and military training this would be one of the five. well written, concise, very well thought out. this is a book you will return to over and over again. augments well with real live training.

RBT saftey and more

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-26

I can honestly say this is one of the most complete RBT books I have touched to date. Every aspect of saftey is covered. I'm actually reading it for the third time now and still collecting more information I missed the first 2 rounds. It is not the complete be all of a RBT program but it is a must as part of your RBT library.

The Variational Principles of Mechanics (Dover Books on Physics and Chemistry)

Published in Paperback by Dover Publications (1986-03-01)

Author: Cornelius Lanczos

List price: $19.95

New price: $12.53
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Average review score:

Delightful ... simply brilliant

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-01

From organization, to prose, to content, to price, this is the best book on the Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formulation of Classical Mechanics. I just wish this book treated more subjects! The numbered list organization with pithy summaries really works for me. The thought provoking and mathematically fluent prose style is a joy to experience. The author is clearly a master of Einsteinian Relativity, Classical Physics, Differential Geometry, and function analysis. In fact I seem to recall him writing some other books along those lines. Lanczos is a real treat to read. I have read parts of over a dozen different books on Intermediate/Advanced Classical Mechanics and the things the Lanczos covers are just supperb. As a standalone text, it may not be the best choice, but when accompanied by Arya or Hand and Finch it is very enriching. FLuent and cohesive are the words that come to mind when describing this work. This book is especially good for someone who knows a good deal of math and would like to be introduced to classical mathematical physics.

I heartily recommend Lanczos's masterpiece!

So beatiful that feels like art

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-30

Lanczos makes mechanics feels like art in this superb work. Analytical Mechanics is the foundation of physics and Lanczos has complete command of the theme. The purpose of this book is to make one understand mechanics "from inside" and not to stress methods of problem solving. Lanczos says that very clearly in the preface. The beauty of the book is that it's not in the same category as Goldstein, instead feelink more likely to Landau, so the bad criticism of the 2-star guy comes from someone that missed this.

a lot of unfamiliar variational tricks, sometimes lacks proofs or underexplains

Helpful Votes: 10 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-18

I've read this gem and done most of the evercises in about 3 months. Before that legendary book I'd had the usual crappy course in Classical Mechanics based on Goldstein. The bottom line is the book will show you a lot of advanced material and unfamiliar manipulations. On the other hand there are sometimes statements lacking proof or more detailed lucid explanation. The book is appropriate for readers that already know what action is, totall beginners will be too shocked by the new concepts and won't be able to pick up the important nuances revealed by Lanczos.

Lanczos work clarified some of the concepts in which my CM course failed:
- the important difference in treating holonomic and nonholonomic constraints
- exact constraints are mathematical idealization of infinitely rigid constraint forces
- Lagrange multipliers for functionals (actions) not only functions
- the logical thread virtual work -> d'Alembert -> Hamilton's principle
- the connection between the action in configuration space and in phase space

The book introduced me to topics not covered by the course, which was my initial goal:
- elimination of ignorable variables in L or H formulation
- canonical transformations, definition and importance
- generating function of canonical transformation
- test for canonicity of transformation using Poisson brackets
- integral invariants of canonical transformations
- Hamilton's principal function
- Hamilton-Jackobi equation and analogy with optical wave surfaces
- separation of variables in H-J equation
- action-angle variables for separable periodic systems
- evolution of the system as a sequence of canonical transformation
- introducing geometry and geodesics in phase space

The reading definitely increased my freedom in manipulating the variational problem into equivalent variational problem. Examples of the two most weird for me manipulations are in the appendices. In the first appendix the Hamiltonian formulation is derived from the Lagrangian by introducing new variables, constraints and corresponding Lagrange multipliers, and then eliminating the variables. In appendix II, the most popular cases of Noether's theorem are derived by introducing new field variables in the action - I had no idea that was allowed. Very interesting was the idea that the world line of the system in configuration space can be parametrized with arbitrary parameter and the time becomes a function of that parameter that is varied together with the other generalized coordinates. Such variation is normal for GR but I've never seen it done in non-relativistic mechanics. EDIT: Sept 2008. Recently I've found a textbook that clearly explains some of the fuzzy examples in Lanczos like varying the time: "Analytical Mechanics for Relativity and Quantum Mechanics" by Oliver Johns.

Some of the other reviews described the book as 'lucid'. I find that eggagerated - although the book shows lots of unfamiliar manipulations, sometimes proofs of validity or the necessary more detailed conceptual or calculational explanations are lacking. An example is the inclusion, all of a sudden, of the time as variable to be varied - where is the proof one is allowed to do that? In another case, the book tells you that by nullifying the boundary term when varying the action, one gets 'natural' boundary conditions for the Euler-Lagrange diff. equations. I failed to see how the physics of the problem would demand exactly those boundary conditions. Where the analogy between mechanics and optics was discussed, the book creates the impression it derived the Fermat's principle but in reality it simply proved that the path following the gradient of of constant surfaces is shortest between two points. So there is a certain gegree of fuzziness on calculational level (lacking proofs of validity) or conceptual level (underexplained concepts and relations).

I liked the the abundance of historical notes. You will learn that there are several formulations of the least action principle - Euler and Lagrange version, Jackobi version and Hamilton version. Each subsection has a small summary and there are a few problems per section to illustrate the main ideas but not enough for exercises.

There are two chapters that I think appeared in later editions and are too sketchy compared to the book core:

Chapter 9 discusses special relativity where you can see that guessing the relativistic Lagrangian on general grounds of Lorentz invariance gives almost effortlessly the relativistic dynamics without the usual gedanken experiments. At the end, Lanczos dives a little into GR using the Schwartzchild metric to derive orbits, bending of light rays and gravitational redshift around spherical body.

Chapter 11 gives a short presentation of fluid mechanics (a little unclear derivation, in Lagrange and Euler coordinates), elasticity, and electromagnetism. Noether's principle is used to derive the canonical and the symmetric energy momentum tensor. I haven't seen a crystal clear derivation of Noether anywhere and Lancsoz is not an exception. The problem is as usual ommiting what exactly is being transformed and why is that allowed.

OK, but old-fashioned, few examples, and not many diagrams

Helpful Votes: 13 out of 47 total.
Review Date: 2003-04-29

.
This was probably a good book in its day (1950-1970), but
it's really old-fashioned now. A lot has happened in the
field of mechanics since Lanczos wrote it. For example:

- Computers are now used extensively to analyze and
simulate mechanical systems.

- The modern language of mechanics is much more geometric
and independent of any particular choice of coordinates.
If readers stop at Lanczos, they will have trouble
understanding the modern literature. He doesn't even
distinguish between vectors and one forms.

- Dynamical systems theory / qualitative dynamics has
contributed a lot to the understanding of mechanics
in the past 30 years. You won't read anything about
stable/unstable manifolds or strange attractors in
Lanczos.

The "problems" are so easy that they border on the
ridiculous. And don't try finding them at the end
of each chapter --- this book predates modern textbook
format. Lanczos hides his problems like Easter eggs.

In conclusion, this book is of historical interest only.
If you want to learn about modern mechanics, read
something that was published recently.

(I should add that the book is well-written, but that
doesn't fix the fact that it is dated.)

Timeless classic, masterful ...

Helpful Votes: 16 out of 17 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-20

If you ask 10 PhD scientists: "Why is Schrodinger's Equation complex?" (contains the square-root of minus one), 9 out of 10 won't be able to give you the correct answer.

It has little to do with taking the root of negative numbers. After reading Lanczos you will know it has do with "space" and what is a proper physical law. (Now you have to read the book to parse this sentence. Good.)

This is one of many wonderful insights Lanczos provides; with humor, wonder and crystal clarity. This is not a 'text book' on mechanics, you will get more out of it if you are familiar with the subject. He gives you understanding, not technique.

It is as if you can hum a few tunes. Reading Lanczos is experiencing the entire opera for the first time. Now you know the full story, how each aria is a part of the fabric; how each fits in the situation, the motivation behind it. The tunes you liked become richer, more profound, they are connected. The next time you sing you fancy you are a Caruso, a Puccini.

It is so rare to encounter a master who is also a gifted writer.

Some reviewers compare Lanczos to Feynman's Lectures, I agree partly. Lanczos is more literate and much more humble. Feynman is so busy being the genius from Brooklyn that his exposition is choppy and uneven. Lanczos is a better organizer and writer.

Why Struggle?; Life is Too Short to Wear Tight Shoes

Published in Paperback by In Search of Publications (1999-07-31)

Author: Delphye Swint

List price: $9.95

New price: $9.95
Used price: $0.14

Average review score:

Incredible Realistic Reading! Something To Live By!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-06-11

Why Struggle? Life is too short to wear tight shoes, so true! As we go through our daily routine of life we must stop and ask the question WHY STRUGGLE! Barbara J. Faison has captured some of life's reason as to why we shouldn't struggle because we all should be grateful for each day GOD gives us! As a daily affirmation to yourself, I employ you to get and read WHY STRUGGLE? We don't have to struggle if we take that much needed step and excerise our minds, our hearts and our souls to become a better you....a healthier you.... a total you! Barbara, Why Struggle? is truly a blessing and we need more inspirationals and daily affirmations such as this one! If you are ever in doubt that you can't make it just pick up WHY STRUGGLE? and realize that you really don't have too STRUGGLE! Wishing the best in all that you do Barbara J. Faison. May God continue to BLESS YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY'S END!

A highly recommended compendium of life wisdom.

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-05-09

In Why Struggle?: Life Is Too Short To Wear Tight Shoes, Barbara Faison encourages her reader to accept their lives for the unpredictable journeys they are, to slow down, to watch a child, and to create an adventure of their own. Faison's insightful suggestions are food for thought to nourish the spirit and call our attention to life as a celebration. Why Struggle? is a "reader friendly" and highly recommended compendium of words of wisdom on self-discovery, acceptance, forgiveness, and other principles essential to leading a successful, rewarding, balanced life.

A warm and fuzzy read.

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-01-10

I met her and felt the warmth. The entire time I was reading this little book, I just kept saying, she's right! If you don't believe that you have it in you to be happy, buy this book.

Small but powerful

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-14

An extremely short read that packs a lot of punch. Why Struggle is a book that is small enough to keep in your purse or back pocket and carry around each and every day. The text is easy to read and easy to comprehend and forces you to take a critical look at yourself in bite sized pieces. Ms. Faison touches upon the most important parts of the human psyche: To Live, To Love, To Learn, To Grow and To Share. Each page has an exercise to perform that helps the reader reach further into themselves to discover more about what makes them a better person in society.
There were several "ah ha" moments in this books for me, things that I just hadn't thought about in that way the information is presented. Naturally curious as I am, this only makes me want to share this book with friends. I liken the discovery of the action filled book with a beautifully wrapped present that one can't wait to open. An Example that I found to be pertinent to my life is the affirmation "I speak with power and Purpose". Sometimes its necessary to be quiet. To quote from this book: There are many times no response is required. Be cautious with your words and save your comments for those who will value what you say. The exercise: Give your next conversation your undivided attention. Turn your body to the person, look them in the eyes and open your ears to their words. Pause for 3 seconds before responding. If a response in not required, say nothing. For a person who is always eager to share an opinion, whether solicited or not, this is pertinent to my life and something that I will carry forth with me. This book is filled with epitaphs that are compact enough to be retained indefinitely.
Take this book with you, in your mind or on your physical person, you can't go wrong with it. A perfect gift for those in your circle of friends.

President, Team 2 LEarn, inc

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-01-08

I heard her speak and bought her book. She lives what she has written. Barbara has captured in a simple and straight forward manner, the how to "BE" your own person. This book is a quick read, but once read, it becomes a constant source for those "..tight shoes moments" we all have. I keep my copy on my desk and when I feel hassled or stressed out. I open my book and have a reality check with Barbara's "right on target" comments. After that, I do one of Barbara's thinking and action exercises. I find my attitude shifts back to "being Me" and I get right out of those "tight shoes." Barbara, thanks for your help. When's your next book coming out?

After Baby ABS!

Published in Paperback by Generational Health Publications LLC (2008)

Author: Michelle Berger

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New price: $19.95

Average review score:

Love it!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-31

I love Michelle's After Baby Abs book! Her photos prove that she knows what she is talking about and that it IS possible to have awesome abs after pregnancy (or multiple) & even a C-section. The book is simple & straight-forward and the 7x7 abs is easy to fit into anyone's day, no matter how busy.

A wonderful book

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-31

I was so happy to read this book. Michelle knows what she is talking about. I joined her sight to get some ABS! I had a c-section and thought I was doomed. No way. Look at Michelle! She looks wonderful and so can you!
This book is so imformative and just sends out so much energy! A must buy!!!

A must have!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-11

Don't think you can have an awesome midsection after having children? Think again! Michelle proves that YOU can achieve this in her follow up book "After Baby Abs." The book is a quick read, easy to follow and includes detailed pictures to guide you on your way to awesome abs. Michelle shows you that YOU are in control of your abs and with YOUR hard work you can achieve them without resorting to pills, surgery, or temporary diet plans. Take control of your body and use this book (as well as "Hormal Timing") as tools to reach your fitness goals. The sky is the limit with these books.

Love this book!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-11

This book is packed full of information! Way more than just traditional ab crunches. Michelle breaks it down and explains how to target the different muscle groups to build a great set of abs. She sets up a easy to follow plan and gives great illustrations. This book is a the perfect partner to Buffmother's first book "Hormonal Timing: Female Fitness Evolved". Read this book also and you are on your way to a transformation!

So much info in such a little book!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-11

I loved every minute of this book! The author really gives away all her "secrets" and doesn't hold anything back! A must read for your bedside!

All of grace: An earnest word with those who are seeking salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ

Published in Unknown Binding by Pilgrim Publications (1978)

Author: C. H Spurgeon

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New price: $3.95
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Collectible price: $18.00

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Greatest Witnessing Tool

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-10

There are three great strengths of this book; 1)the ability to make the gospel so clear that even a child can understand, 2)it is written in modern english, and 3)the chapters are very short and to the point. Asking someone to read this is one of the easiest ways to introduce the subject of Christ. The book provides a basis of discussion and followup that many can not deny.

It is all of Grace

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-28

All of Grace was a wonderful book. It was rich with doctrinal truths that believers at any stage of their growth in Christ will appreciate. Spurgeon always humbly directs the focus on God and His word and brings the reader greater understanding into the riches of God's grace. He makes it very clear that God's mercy and grace is not earned, but given freely - Eph 2:8,9. The chapters dealing with Salvation and Faith are extremely helpful. The book is written in devotional form, so it is excellent for bible studies, or for your personal devotional time with the Lord.

Grace

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-05

Good book about the grace of God and salvation to everyone that believes in Christ Jesus.

We need to believe in the forgiveness of our sins. God gives us a new heart and a right Spirit through salvation.

Recommend to those that want to understand what salvation is all about.

Classic for All Time!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-24

As with all works done by Spurgeon, this is a timeless classic. First printing in 1894, it is still in print. Simple yet profoundly true, Spurgeon explains the true Grace of God with a heart desire that many will come to know Christ through this work. I actually bought a whole case of 120 of these in paperback to give away from Moody Press. The audio version is awesome. I loaded it onto my iPod to listen while on the go.

A true classic of Christian literature

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-12

Charles Haddon Spurgeon is considered by many to be the greatest preacher of the 19th century. This book, subtitled, "An Earnest Word with Those Who Are Seeking Salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ," is Spurgeon's great explanation of salvation and God's grace. He explains what God has done and why, and what we must do to be saved and to persevere in the faith.

This is a great book, showing the power and intelligence that form the bedrock of Spurgeon's reputation. But, even more, herein you really see his earnest concern for those who are unsaved and dying in their sins. I found this book to be enlightening and uplifting.

It's a truly wonderful book, a true classic of Christian literature - as much alive and relevant to today as it ever was. I highly recommend this book!

Arch of Triumph

Published in Paperback by Simon Publications (1945-12-19)

Author: Erich Maria Remarque

List price: $29.95

New price: $25.60
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Collectible price: $29.95

Average review score:

Wartime Love Story

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2001-10-29

"Arch of Triumph" by Erich Maria Remarque is a wartime love story. This is the classic love story and anyone who reads it, will never forget it for the rest of her or his life. Snip: (...)

Another good one by Remarque

Helpful Votes: 11 out of 15 total.
Review Date: 2002-03-25

This is one of many Remarque's books, I have read. A friend of mine recommended him as a writer years ago, and I have been hooked. Oddly enough in High school in the US, only recently have I heard of his books as required reading and then only "All Quiet on the Western Front". I consider his work superior to Hemingway. To me his books are a genuine recreation of that time. (No, I don't really know, but he makes you feel like you are there).

DRINKING AND SMOKING ARE MAJOR SYMBOLS IN THIS AND IN MOST OF REMARQUE'S BOOK
One thing that struck me in this book and many others of Remarque's is how much drinking and smoking plays a part of the symbolism. They are props for the characters, in much as they were in real life at the time; drinking and the requisite cigarette to think with. To most American's, born in the last 50 years, this is the major anachronism in the book, the incredible role drinking and smoking play in people's lives. To people I know from Europe, this would not be as much of a surprise. The US non-smoking and drinking in moderation have not yet reached Europe yet. The drinking and smoking by any means, do not detract from the main story. This is a mature romance that captures your imagination none-the-less. I wonder what the props for this century will be; Maybe our cell phones and laptops?

MAIN CHARACTERS ARE ALL REFUGEES IN FRANCE
The main character is a refugee from Germany, a former well-known surgeon, forbidden to operate in France due to his questionable residency status. He moonlights by doing another surgeon's work. He is a haunted man, by both his past persecution in Germany and his unstable status in France. Hardly is this a good basis for a romantic situation that leads beyond living for the day.

RELATIONSHIP WAS NOT SO MUCH PURSUED BUT ONE OF OPPORTUNITY
He meets and helps the woman he is to fall in love with, under peculiar circumstances. He helps her with no intention to see her again. Time passes and he runs into her again. They fall into a peculiar relationship that uses "Calvados" an apple brandy as its symbol. For some reason this drink is frequently mentioned in books of the time. If it were now, I would say it was paid advertising.

ONE ODD TWIST
Only one twist and it is a major one in the story makes no sense to me, why it is included. I might be missing something, but the discovery and fate of the German officer, seems tacked on, added as an afterthought. If you read this story, let me know what you think. I don't see it is so much as part of the same thread, unless it is one of relationships concluded.

BASIC STORY
So as not to ruin the story, I will allude to the fact that the relationship develops and the hostilities of the times, intrude, both outside France and within. These events affect the relationship and the way it changes illustrates the characters of the people involved. The main character you follow with his observation of the things and people around him. You see his girl friend through his eyes and his Russian friend's eyes only. This is enough they are shrewd observers. It is apparent from this observation from day one that the events that eventually unfold were bound to happen.

As usual Remarque weaves a compelling and complete story.

An old favorite of mine.

Helpful Votes: 19 out of 23 total.
Review Date: 2004-09-19

An old favorite of mine.

A friend asked me to recommend a Remarque novel. We discussed 'All Quiet...'. My reply follows: 'Sure, in fact one of my favorites of Remarque's books is a thinly veiled portrait of Marlene Dietrich; or rather the intertwining of her life with his in Paris at the eve the period up to war in Europe, the year before the WW2 broke out.---
The English title is 'Arch of Triumph'. Like with all Remarque's books, the title is full of irony, and undercurrents of double meanings. Naturally, the book is not officially about Marlene, but she is hard to miss. Rather the book is personal,and has a good amount of autobiographical flavor. Yet, it is a captivating and suspenseful novel.

Like the two protagonists in the novel, Remarque and Dietrich were themselves at a desparate point in their lives in 1939.

Side comment: I am afraid that a lot is lost in the translation of Remarque's books. He only wrote in German, even when he lived in the US.

In any case, Remarque is a master of a suspenseful openings, in his novels. This one does not disapoint! Lots of his books are about refugee life of sorts. Another of Remarque's novels I often return to is 'Night in Lisbon', and it is again about escape from a Europe at high noon, just as Europe is going up in flames before WW2.' Review by Palle Jorgensen, September 2004.

Good but not thrilling

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 19 total.
Review Date: 2002-09-19

I saw the movie with Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer, and found it incredibly dull. I thought maybe the book would be better. I was right, it was better, but it didn't thrill me or really move me the way All Quiet on the Western Front did. I am not sure if this is partly due to the fact that I read it when I was a bit tired.

I don't really have a lot to say. It's not a book that I can enthusiastically applaud, but I won't say it was horrible. I would advise you to just read it for yourself and decide whether you like it or not! : )

If there were such a mark as 6/5, I would gladly mark it.

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2002-05-12

A piercing sorrow that momentary happiness drags on to an individual, an experience that would make everyday boredom look happy and idle, a passion that would never be quenched, someone's tears...

"I'd pretend that I'm a normal housewife... and that you are not in exile, you have a good passport and don't need to hide... and that I cry if you are not home, if only one night, and that we are always madly love in and jealous of each other even when we are old..."

It pounds your heart, and the charm that each individual shines like a precious gem, is never, never to be found by browsing through the superficial plot line. READ READ READ!!! The best book ever. (Perhaps surpassed only by Bronte sisters and Hesse.)

Asterix the Legionary

Published in Hardcover by French & European Publications Inc (1990-06)

Authors: Rene Goscinny and Uderzo

List price: $29.95

Used price: $15.47

Average review score:

Uno de los mejores!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-13

He leido todos los titulos de la coleccion y puedo decir que este esta entre los mejores. Clasico estilo Goscinny-Uderzo que hizo la serie tan popular.

book purchase

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-20

As always with Amazon, I received the book I ordered very quickly, in perfect condition and reasonably priced.

Another great Asterix comic book!!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-14

Another fascinating adventure by Asterix and Obelix! Worth to have it in your collection!!

Clearly, my favorite pick of the series...

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-16

This is my favorite Asterix book! The best part in the book is when Asterix & Obelix get recruited into the Roman army and the ensuing scenes in bootcamp as they prepare for deployment. Those are laugh aloud artwork (and dialogue). This might sound discriminatory but the clever use of hieroglyphics whenever the Egyptian "recruit" is around remains unequalled in the rest of the series (except, of course, in maybe Asterix and Cleopatra).

Asterix and Obelix the rescuers

Helpful Votes: 7 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-10

Tip: out of stock does not mean you cannot find it in other bookstores.

As a child, I read all of the "classic" Asterix books in Swedish. As an adult and now living in the U.S., I am reading them again to my children, but this time in English. This is a good classic. In Swedish, this book was called Asterix in Africa, but I read this English version to my children. As others have pointed out, the Asterix books are not very popular in the U.S., but American kids (like mine) are not much different from European kids, so I think someone is missing a business opportunity here. American kids respond positively to these books.

Asterix and Obelix live in a village in Gaul that the Romans failed to conquer. The reason for this is that the village druid knows how to make a magic potion that endows the villagers with super human strength. In this book a villager, Tragicomix, is kidnapped, and later he and his girlfriend are sold as slaves in Rome. Asterix and Obelix set out to find him and rescue him (them), but to do that they have to join the Roman army. Their search leads them to North Africa. It is an interesting and entertaining story full of lighthearted good puns. Thanks to Obelix the Roman army finally got good food.

In general I find that, children the age 5-13 really enjoy these books, and so do my children. Adults can enjoy these books as well. The Asterix comic books are a great way to teach children ancient history. Naturally, the adult needs to help with the differentiation between fiction and history. From these books, my kids have learned about the Roman Empire, the ancient Greeks, the Vikings, the Goths, the Phoenicians, ancient Gaul, ancient Egypt, and the ancient Mediterranean world in general.

My ten year old started loving these books at the age of eight and he cannot get enough of them. My six year old started liking them at the age of five. Even though many Asterix puns may be a little bit above his head, my younger son still loves these stories.

In my opinion the best Asterix albums are: Asterix and the Normans; Asterix in Corsica; Obelix and company; Asterix the Gladiator; Asterix the Legionary; Asterix and Cleopatra; Asterix and the Goths; Asterix in Belgium; Asterix and the big fight; and Asterix all around Gaul. The last title is a translation from Swedish and might be wrong.

The Autobiography of Butch Jones Y.B.I. Youngs Boys Inc.

Published in Paperback by H Publications (1996-07)

Author: Raymond Canty

List price: $12.95

New price: $12.95

Average review score:

Wow what a great book

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-31

Om my i just loved this book, i will read it over and over again and will and have recomended this to many people, the price was ok and the shipping was faster then i had thought it would be..love it not second guess buying this book

Great Book

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-31

Gives you a real eye account of the Drug Dealing and Killing in the streets of inner city Detroit Great Read very easy to follow

A NON-fictional account of TRUE street"gangsta" life

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-23

Unlike,the fabricated,contrived tales of these so-called"gangsta rappers"(better known,as"STUDIO-gangstas,in the hoods of Detroit)this book tells of the REAL-deal of street hustlin' along with the not-so glamorous consequences'of life in the"game"...If you're looking for a bunch of gangsta "fairytales"like T.I. and a lot of other rappers' from the "Dirty South"(better known as the"Downy-Soft"by those in Detroit who KNOW,that Atlanta,Memphis and New Orleans are comparatively "SOFTER"than pharmacy cotton.and "SWEETER"than FOUR bake-sales!!)like to spit out then this book is not for you!!As a lifetime Detroiter,I personally knew about how "ruthless"the Young Boys were,and I also knew that wandering over into their hood was a SUICIDAL move to say the least!!These cats had MUCH respect,from one corner of "tha D"to the other!!Their status in Detroits' history is LEGENDARY,and this great book shows you why!!

wonderful

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-08

I have yet to read the book but i am planning on it very soon. I am 39 and i not only lived in detroit during that time, but i was indirectly associated with several members of the group. I am proud and glad to see butch turn things around and tell this story. I am hoping that so called "tough guys " read this book and learn from it, learn ! I am in a carrer where i try to help young people overcome mental health issues and problems in the streets and in the homes. Because of my past it;s easier to connect with these children. This book is another step in continuing to open the eyes of our kids. Thanks.

The Autobiography of Butch Jones Y.B.I. Young Boys Inc.

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-29

I enjoyed reading this book. I know some of the people that are mentioned in the book and I can recall when all of this was going on. I now have a vision of what happened from the inside out and why things went down the way they did,as was viewed by Butch himself. I reccommened parents of all urban youth to get a copy of this book and let their offspring read and educate them on the pitfalls of the BIG MONEY, DRUG SELLING LIFESTYLE.

Barbarians Inside the Gates: And Other Controversial Essays (Hoover Institution Press Publication, No. 450)

Published in Paperback by Hoover Institution Press (1999-02)

Author: Thomas Sowell

List price: $18.95

New price: $10.00
Used price: $8.00

Average review score:

Cuts the Mush

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-09-17

Thomas Sowell writes about the most important issues facing the United States today. He is a brillant and insightful thinker who cuts through all the crap and sloppy ideas that the counter-culture has been pushing on us over the past several decades.

Dr. Sowell gives a rational argument for common sense in major issues of society, economic, political, legal, racial and educational.

I love this guy and plan to read more of his books. I even begun writing my legislators. Thomas, I hope you don't mind me using your ideas when I do write them.

Thanks again for putting together these essays that cut through all the cerebral mush.

Classic Sowell

Helpful Votes: 29 out of 29 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-17

The book is a collection of his short articles, organized in the following categories; Social, Economic, Political, Legal, Racial, Education.

Sowell's logical and concise arguments hit like a hammer blow to those on the political left how tend to disagree with him.

The title of the book comes from the first essay in the book. The relevant line in the essay is:

"The Barbarians are not at the gates. They are inside the gates -and have academic tenure, judicial appointments, government grants and control of the movies, television and other media."

Rome didn't fall in a day. Events which caused the fall of the Roman Empire happened decades before Rome fell. Sowell gives us a warning on the future of the USA and some hope that society can improve.

Thomas Sowell provides tolerant insight.

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-26

If you have an open mind in religion and politics, or if you think you have, then Thomas Sowell is for you. He shows us how faith, spirituality, equality and social responsibility can fall into place. Sowell is not intimidated by the people in power. His shows us how tiny the difference is between education and brain-washing, between a capitalist democracy and fascism. My only criticism is that he asks us for the ultimate reason, for common sense and rationality. People are about love and relationships and not about reason. He asks the right questions, but we need to find the right answers.

Thomas Sowell=5 stars. No, make it 10

Helpful Votes: 42 out of 45 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-05

While I've read plenty of work by plenty of writers influencing my beliefs on one issue or another, Thomas Sowell's writing has had a much more profound influence on my thinking: it's changed the very way that I view the world around me. As America becomes more divided and less free, Thomas Sowell is one of the only places I can reliably turn for an interesting dissident voice. In this collection of remarkably succint and insightful essays, Sowell pokes at the foundations of the prevailing ideologies of the day until the whole house of cards comes tumbling down. Although he's typically assigned the simplistic label "conservative," Sowell's analyses go well beyond the tired, often irrelevant divide between the "left" and the "right." Sowell isn't trying to get elected or win any popularity contests, and he doesn't have an ideological axe to grind; he's just a guy with a great deal of respect for logic, truth, and the founding ideals of this country. Indeed, Sowell dispenses with the drivel spouted by politicians of both parties as he cuts through what he calls the "mush" that typically passes for informed debate these days. Sowell has written much about the self-satisfied "anointed" who hold so much power and shape so much of the debate in this country, and he launches a frontal assault in these essays against every bastion of their power. No one is spared from Sowell's disdain for our self-appointed betters: politicians, welfare statists, race hucksters, feminists, the media, the judiciary, and most of all the educational establishment that has sold generations of kids down the river in the name of feel-good "progressive" ideas. Although he typically writes with the utmost restraint, Sowell can be outrageous and sometimes even hilarious, as in this little nugget: "Liberals love to say things like, 'We're just asking everyone to pay their fair share'. But government is not about asking. It is about telling. The difference is fundamental. It is the difference between making love and being raped, between working for a living and being a slave." There are plenty more such penetrating insights to be found here, along with an avalanche of facts, to go along with Sowell's justified contempt at America's modern-day elites. If you read Thomas Sowell and you're not quickly converted to his way of thinking, well then, as someone once said, "You can't handle the truth!"

I am in agreement with the other reviewers

Helpful Votes: 51 out of 55 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-24

Thomas Sowell is more than just a critical thinker: he has a penchant for expressing his ideas with a clarity with which it is difficult to argue. He uses that uncommon commodity known, for some strange reason, as "common sense."

Sowell points out`the ludicrous incongruities of the liberal "philosophy" in terms so plain and unvarnished that only one attempting a proctological examination on themselves could miss it.

An example: "The point of being a superpower is so that no one will attack you and require the sacrifice of more and more young Americans like those buried in this cemetery. We were attacked at Pearl Harbor because we were sitting ducks who had allowed our military forces to dwindle away until we had an army smaller than Portugal's--and not enough equipment even for this small force." Page 7.

Or: "Multiculturism is one of those affectations that people can indulge in when they are enjoying all the fruits of modern technology and can grandly disdain the processes that produced them. None of this would be anything more than another of the many foibles of the human race, except that the cult of multiculturism has become the new religion of our schools and colleges, contributing to the mushing of America. It has become part of the unexamined assumptions underlying public policy and even decisions in courts of law." Page 19.

Or: "Much of the current uproar about IQ differences between blacks and whites does not get down to the rock-bottom question: What is there to explain? The average score of blacks in IQ tests in the United States is about 85, compared to a national averge of 100. Is that unusual? No. It is not." He goes on to explain that various groups of various ancestries have had IQs of 85 at various times and places, and he names some of them, and says that the phenomenon is not peculiar to the United States, and he admits that he doesn't know why. Even American aoldiers of the First World War had lower IQs than our soldiers of the Second World War. Page 176.

This is a man to be reckoned with, and these essays are valuable for their insights, most of which effectively puncture widely and emotionally held ideas, especially those that are deemed "politically correct," and institutionalized unquestioned dogma of the liberal anointed who think they are qualified to tell the rest of us how to think and act.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

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