Equipment Books

This is a required college textbook for my daughter. I'll try and remember to let you know if she passes the class.

When I first started work in a lab as an undergrad, I would often learn of crucial tricks after I had already messed up a procedure and lost an hour or more of work. It's ironic how dependent molecular biologists are on that most ancient means of communication: oral tradition.

When I took a biochem lab, I was introduced to the Seidman and Moore text, which is a fantastic teaching source. For the beginner, this book has chapters on basic units of measurement and mathematics, laboratory organization and regulation (including the government bodies which oversee lab safety), writing standards, and web etiquette. No stone is unturned! Even after one gets the basics mastered, this book has tables on plastics and buffers, showing how they react to heat, light, and other critical data--my biochemistry instructor was even suprised by some of the information on plasticware! This is a companion for one's career in the lab.

This book is very important to me. It is very good and it has some informations that I need to do my post-graduate course in Brazil. I only find this book in this site (Amazon). Thanks

An excellent Plant Pathology handbook, very practical and helpful in research and experiments that require microbiological methods, sampling, isolation of pathogen, preparation of inoculum, microscopy techniques and staining, fungicide testing and many other.

This is a great first book on the Battle of Britain. I have enjoyed many Max Hastings and Len Deighton history books because of their ability to make these subjects very readable. The book includes sections on the equipment of both sides of the Battle and keeps the book personal and interesting. The die hard history buffs will probably not care for this book as much as some because it lacks the thoroughness of an in-depth account. This book is excellent as an introduction to the Battle or military history in general.

This book provides an excellent overview of the the Battle of Britain. One gets the impression that this book was intended to be the pictorial compliment to the author's more in depth account of the battle 'Fighter'. Included are many photographs, drawings, charts and maps which help explain the battle on a day by day basis. The book also looks at air power and technology from 1918-1939, the rise of the Luftwaffe, aircraft designs and radar and some of the personalities involved with the battle. Included are many personal accounts from the combatants themselves that along with the pictorial content bring the battle to life. Some brief analysis is provided on where the RAF got it right and where the Luftwaffe got it wrong. Overall a delightful book which is an easy read and an excellent starting point of reference.

The Battle of Britain will always be an emotive event in UK history given it represented the tipping point for Churchill and the UK in surviving to fight on and for Hitler in attacking Russia after failing to extract a negotiated peace out of the UK.

This well researched book is not about the battle per se but instead its leading figure Hugh Dowding, C in C of Fighter Command and the issue of command and leadership in the RAF that saw the personal style of the architect of the fighter strategy that had won the battle by September 1940 also lead to his dismissal in November 1940 for failing to respond to changed circumstances.

The book's approach is chronological taking the key events from July to November 1940 but because of the sheer volumes of data and records to be covered, which can make for pretty dense reading at times, follows within each chapter an approach of interlocking sub chapters on the key issues and events in play in that specific period. Details of the actual fighting become largely peripheral with the emphasis being on how the RAF command structure including the Air Ministry and the War Cabinet under Churchill interacted.

What makes the book so effective is its explanation and understanding of the different forces at play. As Dowding entered the Summer of 1940 he was facing constant attempts because of his age and period in position to be moved on, plus a reputation for being aloof as shown by his nickname "Stuffy". Yet despite this personal pressure together with his loyal No 2 Keith Park, in charge of No. 11 Group that took the main brunt of the battle, he was following a strategy he had developed and implemented over many years of the defensive use of limited fighter resources and an emphasis on stopping the bombers getting through. This caused unacceptable losses on a poorly executed German air offensive where the disconnection with ground forces that had existed under the prior successful blitzkriegs proved fatal. However this also replayed a long standing internal RAF conflict on differing views over bombers that had existed since pre-WWII, when Dowding had developed his views.

This leads into the much debated Big Wing theory proposed in the summer by Douglas Bader and his No. 12 Group commander Leigh Mallory and never accepted as practically feasible at the time by Dowding or Park. The author shows how it has been both misunderstood and misinterpreted (plus relied on questionable data as to its potential success) but had in fact become largely irrelevant by Autumn 1940 with the move towards night bombing by the Luftwaffe. Alongside this Dowding's lack of effective leadership over the tension between Park and Leigh Mallory (who felt his resources were not being adequately used during the summer conflict) simply prepared the ground for others to attack his subsequent failure to understand and react in a convincing and pragmatic way as the levels of night bombing and high civilian casualties across the UK increased as the Blitz commenced. The simple fact that at the time most German bombers could only carry a light tonnage of bombs can now be seen as an unappreciated blessing.

It seems clear that the long held Air Ministry view that Dowding would never listen to alternative viewpoints was fully reinforced as they with older RAF leadership who actively worked to remove Dowding, took ownership of this issue and under the ambitious but very able Douglas isolated Dowding as he lost the support by the end of October of his two biggest supporters Churchill and Beaverbrook, but only after his intransigent approach had been seen firsthand by Churchill.

However what transforms this book from being good to great is that its detailed analysis of why certain actions were needed, in turn demystifies the various conspiracy theories that have developed since 1940. Dowding's subsequent incorrect recollection of events and a defensive biography on him written by Robert Wright a former PA to Dowding, plus Len Deighton's popular book and the late 1960s UK movie on the subject offset by the official subsequent treatment of Dowding until after his death, are all shown to have been accepted uncritically by too many.

If this book goes to a reprint one simple plea is that a simple chart of the RAF command structure so that the relative positions of the characters can be better understood by a non-RAF reader would assist greatly what is despite that a very thoughtful and provoking read!

John Ray's book is in keeping with the excitement and suspense of other accounts of this fascinating battle (the only one in history to be fought completely in the air), but he takes the point of view of Britain's Sir Hugh Dowding, Commander-in-chief of RAF Fighter Command. Ray tells of the inner workings of the RAF, the political battles and clashes of personality that were happening as the battle was being fought and eventually won. It isn't a hagiography of Dowding, but defends his positions and points out his weaknesses. The details on the battle are given as they relate to Dowding's story, without a rigid historical chronology, but containing some terrific anecdotes (such as Dowding's visit to the French Armie de L'Aire headquarters in March of 1940, which helped him make up his mind not to send any more of his fighters to be destroyed in what was obviously a lost cause.

This is a book for those who already know the Battle of Britain and wish to delve deeper into the personalities involed, rather than a complete record of events during the Summer of 1940. It is an intellectual and entertaining look at the Battle from behind the desk of its most tenacious leader.

This book was given to me by someone who knows that we have a vintage sailboat that responds well to TLC and who also knows that I like knots. It is an excellent book: beautiful enough for the coffee-table, and funny enough to read just for the author's anecdotes.

But this is a craft book. It describes 47 projects that can turn a ship into a gallery of engaging personalized details. It also turns those inevitable hours spent on boat maintenance into time that is creative, fun and even rewarding (though I confess, my boat doesn't seem to come out looking quite like the author's).

The best part is the knots - all those complex decorative rope puzzles that so many of us have struggled to recreate are here, and the diagrams and instructions are so clear they actually work!!

This is definitely not a book a yachting family will stow and forget, it earns its keep year `round. Great resource, great gift. Strong recommendation -- to give, to get, or to put on your list for Christmas.

I have just finished reading Linda Buckingham's wonderful new book on ideas and projects for on board boat folks. What a great book! I found not only several great ideas that I can hardly wait to do on board for our own boat but also many, many slick craft ideas for gifts appropriate for anyone living on or near the water. These ideas (not limited to us seafarers) are not the usual crafty dust collectors but are professional looking, useful projects, easy to do with readily available materials. Even if you live nowhere near the water this book is a must if you like to craft quality items. Congratulations to Linda Buckingham on what I'm sure will be a very successful book.

In histories of animation there is usually a very small amount of time devoted to animation that was released before "Steamboat Willie". This book fills this hole quite nicely. The book goes into exhaustive detail on James Stuart Blackton, Winsor McCay, Emile Cohl, Otto Messmer, the Bray Studio, and animation shops that emerged from the Bray Studio. There is one chapter devoted to commercial animation in Europe from this time period. But if you're looking for a more in depth study of early European animators like Ladislas Starewicz and Lotte Reiniger, you might want to check some place else (I'm not sure where). Though one entire chapter IS devoted to Emile Cohl, this mostly deals with American animation. Those looking for information about animation outside of Western society are looking in the wrong place. As its title suggests, this book is basically a history of events leading up to Mickey Mouse.

There was once a time when the utterance "Mickey Mouse" had no meaning and conjured up no images of vast tracts of decadent land saturated with sugary amusement. The word "Felix", however, would probably send a jolt through most living in this lost time. Just how popular Felix was is evident in a 1926 photograph of Ligget's Drug Store in Grand Central Station that Crafton included in "Before Mickey." The window is nearly filled to the brim with Felix paraphenalia, much like we've seen recently with the Powerpuff Girls, Spongebob Squarepants and Harry Potter. Felix was once just as ubiquitous and just as unavoidable.

The events that led up to this incredible success are laid out in "Before Mickey." The saga of animation is an interesting and much neglected part of cinema history. The book covers something that is almost never discussed: animation's origins in stop-motion. Everyone should read Crafton's account of "The Haunted Hotel" - a stop-motion film where objects "float" through the air and objects move on their own. It terrified audiences and gave impendance to animation with its success. From this it was almost a natural progression to drawings that moved and funny characters in funny situations.

Silent animation had its own life and own method of communicating. Everything was in the pictures, and early animation artists made the most of this. It remains, and will probably sadly remain, a very underappreciated art form. We're just too drunk with sound these days.

Luckily, you can read this book and get a taste of what those days must have been like, the stories of the pioneers that made it all possible (those in America, at least) and how far we've come in some respects and what we've lost in others.

Anyone interested in the early history of animation should read this(after all, there isn't much else out there right now). Also, if you can, buy the tape (is it available on DVD now?) that accompanies the book. It's filled with great animation but sadly missing "The Haunted Hotel." It does, however, include a GREAT Felix the Cat cartoon.

This is a fantastic book for the beginner, or even the intermediate. It covers the basics of firearms and ammunition types, their respective mechanics, the nomenclature, and safety. It's not preachy and I feel is very comfortable to read, even if you're not planning on 'getting into the hobby'. If you don't know much about firearms, regardless of whether you're planning to own any, this book is fantastic for its basic introductory information.

The first portion of the book even starts out with historic information on earlier firearms and how they evolved into the solid and reliable tools we have today. It talks about some broadly key features, such as barrel rifling, as well teaching specifics about the mechanical parts and controls and switches on various common types firearms. In addition to a specific section on safety, there is very good coverage of safety throughout, but it is not overbearing. In the later sections some more detailed topics are covered including cleaning and even reloading. And of course, there is lots of excellent guidance on how to actually shoot the different types of firearms, properly, safely.

Unless I missed it, this book is very much non-political. It's a very good no-stress teaching tool for beginners. Although the glossary offers a definition of "Assault Rifle", this book is focused on being generally informative on the basics of guns. And considering that assault rifles differ little or not at all from many other rifles, the lack of focus on these does no detract from the coverage of the basics.

The copyright on this book is 1988, but the content has not aged a day! I cannot recommend this book enough for everyone of all ages, sexes, and political views. If you love 'em or hate 'em, they're ubiquitous tools, and this introduction to them and their proper care and handling is an absolute must-read!

This book was given to me when I was 12. It helped form a strong base of gun safety for me when I was young. A must have for beginning marksmen and hunters.
Over 200 pages of information on use, safety, cleaning, different styles of guns, and much more.

This beautifully crafted book, "Being in Pictures," is an outstanding monograph to grace the library of any fine artist, photographer, feminist, or historian. Through the text and images in this personal memoir, the reader might increase her or his understanding of a broad range of areas and issues that range from being a daughter to motherhood, from personal to collective history, from types of politics to the nature of both collective and personal memory.
A true accomplishment.

Library Journal Review

Leonard, Joanne. Being in Pictures: An Intimate Photo Memoir. Univ. of
Michigan. May 2008. 252p. photogs. ISBN 978-0-472-11402-3. $35. FINE
ARTS
Leonard's (art history & women's studies, Univ. of Michigan)
autobiographical photographs and photo collages, evocatively and
eloquently reproduced here, explore the themes of family, childhood,
life stages, and woman as nurturer. This photographic and textual
journal covers 40 years of Leonard's life, from early photos she took in
West Oakland, CA, in the 1960s to her family and friends, relationships
and separations, a chance encounter with Diane Arbus, the 1972 Sapporo
Olympics, motherhood, feminist influences and tendencies, and the 9/11
terrorist attacks. Imagery ranges from cozy familial scenes to harrowing
and violent series on sex, male domination, and miscarriage. The text
carries Leonard's story along and helpfully comments on the images. An
artist's chronology, with exhibitions and publications, concludes the
work. Leonard is a leading artist, scholar, and educator, and this first
book-length examination of her life and work resonates both poignantly
and artistically. Recommended for contemporary photography and women's
studies collections; at $35, a real bargain.-Russell T. Clement,
Northwestern Univ. Lib., Evanston, IL

One of the best references showing controversies concerning the analysis and presentation of scientific data. From Pilttown man to Millikan case a wide variety of topics related to scientific fraud and deceit. The best introductory survey on the subject of scientific dishonesty.The main point is that we need more precise descriptions of the moral failings involved in cases of fabrication and falsification if we are to understand the causes of these defections and betrayals. The book is carefully researched and contains a wealth of material about fraud and deceit in science.

Not a great book, but a very important one. I first read _Betrayers_ in graduate school, when I was still innocent and naive, believing that no scientist would ever compromise her reputation by any form of intellectual dishonesty. Further, I believed that anyone who did would inevitably be found out--that's how the scientific method works, right? Reading this book has made me much more skeptical of claims that seem to be revolutionary, a change in my attitude toward science that has proven valuable more than once. This is a book that should be required reading for graduate students (and possibly undergraduates) in science fields. Every scientist has been tempted to write things down the way they should be instead of the way they really are, to "fudge" data or present results in the best light. The pressure of a professor, granting agency or tenure committee breathing down your neck may make the temptation to produce results at any cost much worse. Knowing the stories presented in _Betrayers of the Truth_ has made it easier for me to be scrupulously honest in my records of my work and to avoid even the most innocent forms of scientific dishonesty.

I'd like to see a new edition of this, with coherent beginning-to-end coverage of some of the high-profile cases that have surfaced in the years since its original publication. Younger scientists may have a hard time piecing together a complete story from the fragments of coverage in the news and in trade magazines.

Women can do anything, but in some fields such as science and engineering, there are still relatively few role models for women. You could point to woman astronauts like Eileen Collins and Peggy Whitson, but there are very few astronaut jobs for men or women. There are many women in non-astronaut space and astronomy roles, as Emily Lakdawalla pointed out in a recent Planetary Society blog post about an all-female team of NASA Mars Rover scientists, engineers, planners, and operators. Women are doing all these things and more in science and engineering, but how can girls find out about these possibilities?

There's a new series of books and a web site from the National Academy of Sciences, iwaswondering.org, that addresses this issue. The book series is Women's Adventures in Science, and I just bought and read one of them, Beyond Jupiter: The Story of Planetary Astronomer Heidi Hammel by Fred Bortz. Dr. Hammel has specialized mainly in the outer planets, especially Uranus and Neptune, though she also was the team leader for Hubble observations of Jupiter for the "Great Comet Crash" in 1994. The nice thing about this book is that it is not only about her science accomplishments, but it also talks about Heidi Hammel as a regular person. She was a smart girl who didn't really know what she wanted to do, was encouraged to apply to MIT, got accepted, struggled with physics classes there, got interested in astronomy, and went on to get a Ph.D. in astronomy. She has done breakthrough work and has received many awards. But she has also been a musician and a Grateful Dead fan and later a wife and mother of three children. The book includes quite a bit of information on planetary astronomy to help explain the work she has done.

This is a really good book, and I strongly recommend it to parents or teachers to share with their daughters and students.

This is a moving, intimate biography of an important scientist. Very
inspirational.