Australia Books

This is a great book to learn the basics of College Physics I and II, based on Algebra, and not on Calculus. The book is divided up into 30 chapters, ranging from Vectors to Nuclear Physics. It is formatted in outline form, and is really written with the reader in mind.

At the beginning of each chapter, there is a little box that states in large, bold font "this chapter is about," and lists the topics covered in the chapter. Each topic is then quickly explained in clear terms (summaries for one topic are between half a page to a page long). As the summary progresses, there are some fully solved, relatively simple, example problems interspersed in the text that help you solidify your understanding of a concept as you review it. I found that the explanations were short, but that they were really helpful, and more clear than other review books I have come across, such as the Schaum's Outline for College Physics. And the example problems, while simple, really helped me build a solid foundation, so I could tackle more advanced problems later.

At the end of each chapter, there is a table that lists all of the formulas covered in the chapter, and a quick summary of what each formula means. What is even better is that this is followed by a second table called "Raise Your Grades," which makes sure you understand key terms, concepts, and problem solving techniques covered in the chapter. It will ask, for example, if you can define "kinetic energy," and whether you can "calculate the kinetic energy of a moving object," etc. If it was in the charts, it was usually on my test, and so these charts have been of infinite help to me, and have helped me raise my grades.

These table are then followed by some solved problems, and unsolved supplementary exercises with the answers listed at the bottom of the page. The thing that must be said though, is that the problems in themselves are not very difficult. They aren't meant to trick the student, but to just make him or her understand the material. If you are looking for a book with difficult problems, I suggest looking at the Schaum's Outline for College Physics or at one of those books with 3000 Physics Problems. Personally, I found that the problems in this book have really helped me approach my own teacher's problems with greater ease and confidence because I had a good grounding in the basic concept.

This book also has 2 "midsemester" and 2 "final" exams printed in the text, with complete solutions. They are formatted in a manner similar to the example and practice problems from the pertaining chapters. They are, once again, not worded in a way to trick you, but to make sure that you can approach basic problems with confidence and ease.

In the beginning of the book the authors tell you to "use" the outline instead of "reading" it. And I have to agree. Passive skimming generally won't help you in Physics, but if you are actively involved in the text, in doing, and analyzing problems, in planning the steps to solve the problems, etc. you will be better off. This book really tries to give you simple problems that solidify your understanding of the material, so you will be better prepared for anything more difficult that may come up down the road.

Also, it is really important to understand that this book isn't a substitute for your regular textbook and your teacher. While it is a good resource, it's intended as a supplement (you could say it's like a study guide), and can gloss over some points that your teacher may choose to emphasize. When used in conjunction with your textbook and teacher, it will really help you learn Physics. This book can actually be read before you attend lecture, or before you read your own textbook, as a quick way to introduce yourself to the material.

All in all, I can see this book helping almost anyone, whether or not you are a first time Physics student, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks for reading my review! Please rate or comment to let me know if it was of any help to you.

This book will help you who want to study physics by yourselves so much. You can be familiar with physics as you answer many questions in the book. As the author said, to understand physics well, you should not just read the book but use it(that is, answer questions many times!).

I found the methods of explaining problems in this book to be clear, concise and very helpful. Though this is more or less the basics of physics, it would be useful to any senior in an advanced level physics class.

It does not surprise me that Satyajit Ray has a double volume of detective mysteries, The Adventures of Feluda. One of the greatest filmmakers, Ray, a remarkable man, died in 1992 and within his many talents, he was a short story writer. These stories average 75 pages in length and were published from 65-95. Ray has said the stories were written with the young teen in mind, but parents enjoyed reading the stories too. Therefore, Satyajit Ray kept the stories clean, with minimal violence and no illicit love.

Feluda is a young, 30ish bright amateur detective, who travels and partners with his cousin Tapesh, a young teenage boy. Tapesh remains in the background and is in awe of detective Feluda. Tapesh usually knows what makes Feluda tick and he is well aware of his mentor's moods and motives.

Feluda is into yoga, jujitsu, karate and he reads photography, space travel, geometry, etc. He is an expert in aim with rifle shooting. He remains open to anything that can further his knowledge.

The stories involve mysteries in India, with titles as The Golden Fortress, Annubis Mystery, Curse of the Goddess, Emperor's Ring, Trouble in Gangtok, Locked Chest, etc. This is Volume I, with 16 stories. There is a Volume II. .....Rizzo

This is a tremendous book. The transalation is brilliant, no doubt, but the real credit undoubtedly has to go to the great Satyajit Ray for writing such brilliant stories.

The move in Feluda from an amateur detective in the first few stories to a serious, successful and reputed investigator can be seen as this book rolls along. Some of the stories like the Royal Bengal Tiger and Trouble in the Graveyard are just absolute classics. The style of writing, the suspense, and the depiction of Calcutta is just amazing.

This is a must-have book. If you're reading this, do yourself a favor and buy this book!

Satyajit Ray the famous Indian moviemaker was also a writer of great repute. The stories in this book introduce Feluda, the stylish detective who investigates problems all over India. The stories are part from the series published in a Children's Magazine founded many many years ago by Ray's father (maybe by his grandfather). Of course Satyajit Ray is known for his luminous films but that he was a man of numerous talents is amply proven by these racy stories - that remain very absorbing. The translation is ASTOUNDING! And Bengalis living abroad or in India must read this great classic by this multi talented master craftsman! Or anyone interested in Indian films! Excellent effort! Brilliant!

I loved this book. It is very funny, and hard to put down. It reminded me a bit of Bridget Jones Diary. The ideas in the book about changing your life are well thought out can be applied to many areas besides just becoming more healthy. Her story is inspirational and definitely makes you feel as if she can do it so can you.

Funny, inspirational, and right on the money. AJ describes all of the things that go into losing weight. You don't have to be obese to want to lose a few kilos and her description of cravings and working out are something everyone can relate to. She breaks down losing weight into something that not only seems plausible but fun and energizing.

I laughed and laughed and then took her advice to the gym. Truly an inspiration.

'Confessions of a Reformed Dieter' isn't a book that only overweight women should consider reading. It is a book that anyone who has ever faced the excrutiating challenge of trying desperately to reach a personal goal, while fighting the self descructive part in us that holds us back, will find inspirational and touching. AJ Rochester documents her daily, even hourly, struggles to lose weight, and shed the demons of her childhood which are so inherently tied to her obsession with fat-filled, unhealthy food and over eating. Humorous, uplifting, and oh-so human, the real woman in the pages takes shape (a progressively thinner shape..) before our eyes as she takes charge of her life and her eating.
NOTE - Look up AJ on her website to see the AMAZING before and after pictures of her 8 size weighloss! Truly inspirational.

This marvellous book is a must-read for anyone interested in this subject.

This book is a story of comradeship and fighting spirit among ordinary people in the face of tyranny and the most acute evil. The Summer of 1944, when Allied forces were sweeping towards Paris, was the beginning of the end for Hitler's Third Reich. However for a group of downed airmen evacuated from Fresnes Prison ahead of the advancing troops, the worst of the war was about to begin. 168 Allied airmen (including several from Australia and New Zealand) were transported illegally to the infamous Buchenwald concentration camp where they experienced first-hand the black heart of Nazism. Miraculously they survived the order for their mass execution, but not before members of their group had died through starvation, brutality and neglect. The author, Colin Burgess, has interviewed many of the survivors and carried out extensive research to create this gripping account of the full story - from tense days in the care of the French Underground through to the only recently resolved fight for proper compensation.

This book is a story of comradeship and fighting spirit among ordinary people in the face of tyranny and the most acute evil. The Summer of 1944, when Allied forces were sweeping towards Paris, was the beginning of the end for Hitler's Third Reich. However for a group of downed airmen evacuated from Fresnes Prison ahead of the advancing troops, the worst of the war was about to begin. 168 Allied airmen (including several from Australia and New Zealand) were transported illegally to the infamous Buchenwald concentration camp where they experienced first-hand the black heart of Nazism. Miraculously they survived the order for their mass execution, but not before members of their group had died through starvation, brutality and neglect. The author, Colin Burgess, has interviewed many of the survivors and carried out extensive research to create this gripping account of the full story.

It isn't too often that you find a book covering Australia and New Zealand primeval life, and especially a Harvard publication, for that matter. Some excellent visuals and examples of fauna, with a chart of genus.

As specified in the book title, it focuses on dinosaurs, so no flora representation, nor elaborate info on geologic time. It really is a book aimed at curious individuals, perhaps early to late teens, and something that is uncommon to find now days in subject matter. This was published following the time period of Jurassic park, where curiosity about genetic involvement with amber were all the rage. Such things are relegated to sci-fi, though it doesn't mean such intrigue about the dinosaurs must end in the 1990s. It's an excellent book, and one that I wish I knew of earlier on. Perhaps supplement this book alongside the first Dinotopia book? :)

RMP

DINOSAURS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZELAND (ISBN 0-674-20767-X) by John A. Long, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Western Australian Museum, Perth, may at first glance seem primarily a beautiful picture book, because of the many fine photos and illustrations. BUT EXAMINE THE TEXT! The book is imbued with reader-friendly scientific insight and description. Not just dinophiles, but all lovers of ancient vertebrates will find a book to celebrate, one beautifully filling a hitherto serious void. Here is an admirable synthesis of quality information, technical data, and easily comprehended explanations that will prove a joy to both amateur and professional paleontologists. Furthermore, magnificent color photos of Australian dinosaur tracks, along with detailed descriptions, and photos of opalized dinosaur bones add a welcome dimension to this exciting 'journey' around the Land of Oz (as Australia is often called)during Mesozoic times. John A. Long, the well-known author of The Rise of Fishes: 500 Million Years of Evolution, can add one more feather to his hat. Meanwhile, we dinophiles should tip ours to him!

DINOSAURS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZELAND (ISBN 0-674-20767-X) by John A. Long, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Western Australian Museum, Perth, may at first glance seem primarily a beautiful picture book, because of the many fine photos and illustrations. BUT EXAMINE THE TEXT! The book is imbued with reader-friendly scientific insight and description. Not just dinophiles, but all lovers of ancient vertebrates will find a book to celebrate, one beautifully filling a hitherto serious void. Here is an admirable synthesis of quality information, technical data, and easily comprehended explanations that will prove a joy to both amateur and professional paleontologists. Furthermore, magnificent color photos of Australian dinosaur tracks, along with detailed descriptions, and photos of opalized dinosaur bones add a welcome dimension to this exciting 'journey' around the Land of Oz (as Australia is often called)during Mesozoic times. John A. Long, the well-known author of The Rise of Fishes: 500 Million Years of Evolution, can add one more feather to his hat. Meanwhile, we dinophiles should tip ours to him!

My preschool students adore this book. The picture viewer gets them hooked from the very beginning.

My son loves to look at the viewfinder and has learned a lot from this book.

My son is 2 and loves Little Einstein. Thought the book might be a little young for him but he knows exactly what to do with the spinning circle. He just loves it

A very entertaining read about two young dare-devils. Interesting,informative and the author's dry wit is reminiscent of Bill Bryson

An amusing collage of adventures through New Zealand and Australia.

Drive-About is an attention engaging travelogue by Jeff Green of a road trip he took that introduced him to the sights, wonders, and cultures of New Zealand and Australia. From "crazy kiwis"; to lush rainforests; to meeting Aboriginals and sampling their "witchetty grub" (the larval stage of a large moth) as a snack, Drive-About is colorful, adventurous, exotic, which is especially recommended for armchair travelers -- and would well serve as a trip-planning template for anyone contemplating vacations in Australia or New Zealand.

A wonderfully entertaining memoir written by an unabashed free spirit. Popp recounts his romps through equatorial Australia in a delightfully playful narrative saturated with stories of friendships formed and loves lost. It is a great beach read!

this guy here, this popp character, someone every person should meet. at least thats how i feel after reading his book. its a great, easy read that'll keep you laughing throughout. this guy tells of his experiences while in australia for college credit, funniest thing about that: he didnt mention studying more than twice in the whole book! he is obviously a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants guy, which makes for hilarious antics and truly great guy book. this is totally for guys in college, guys recently graduated (i'm 26) or guys who just like being guys. and the girls will have a blast too...learning what guys actually say and do, to and about them!! i literally laughed out loud about 15 times. i couldnt put it down. it reminded me of my years in college, the things i did, the things i didnt do, and the things i should have done...in fact, i may go back to school just to have some crazy experiences like this guy!!

I recently purchased this book as something to flip through on the john. As a 26 year old male I figured if I can't drink and party in Australia why not read about someone who has and maybe I will one day venture to the land down under. Little did I know how much I would actually enjoy this book. I felt like I was right there with "Dooza" tipping back pints and sharing laughs with the locals. A truly laugh out loud book. The chapter on wingman and "D.U.F.F.S is probably the funniest thing ever printed ever. Enjoy

I have done a lot of research and must say that this book is an excellent source to refer to on eating healthy. You can lose weight and feel great all at the same time.

For the past few decades Americans have been told that eating less of everything containing fat is the requisite for losing weight. And yet, over this same period, literally millions of Americans have gone through life eating low-fat diets and being perpetually hungry, but more Americans are overweight now than before this dogma was foisted upon them. Fortunately, Dr. Earl Mindell -- who gave us the best-selling Earl Mindell's Vitamin Bible and related other health books -- has written a book which explains the defects in the conventional avoid-fat/go-hungry dogma of weight loss and tells in easily-understandable language how to lose weight without going hungry. A major factor which Dr. Mindell points out is that excess consumption of carbohydrates -- especially sugar -- not excess consumption of fat, is the major cause of excess weight. Currently the average American eats a staggering 133 lbs of sugar each year, generally without realizing how much sugar they are consuming. Partly this is because in order to make low-fat foods taste appetizing the food industry has loaded our food with sugar. Another reason we eat so much sugar is because the majority of American are deficient in the mineral chromium and chromium deficiency causes sugar cravings. Eating foods rich in chromium, or taking an appropriate chromium supplement, can significantly reduce, or even eliminate, sugar cravings. And decreased consumption of sugar and other carbohydrates is a major factor in losing weight without going hungry. The huge amount of sugar and other carbohydrates currently being eaten by many American is also the major cause of the current increase in type II diabetes. All of these matters are discussed in easily understandable terms in this invaluable book. If you want to lose weight without starving yourself and avoid type II diabetes, this book is a good place to start.

I loved this book, it was not your typical weight loss book. This was not about restricting calories, not eating and did not require starvation to lose weight. Just about how to eat healthy and to lose weight sensibly. The products recommended in the book have helped me to not even want to eat. I now crave less sugar and starches and actually crave healthy food. I recommend this book all the time. Thanks for another great book Dr. Mindell

I bought this book to read with my daughter before we went on vacation to China and actually saw the Terra Cotta Warriors. I doesn't come close to showing how phenomenal they really are but the history is wonderful and now it's a great reminder of a wonderful trip.

Rich with exciting historical details, The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China by Jane O'Connor offers a well-researched book that tantalizes the reader with tales of a poisoned King, a camouflaged dead body, and a booby-trapped tomb. The targeted audience of ages 9-12 will thrill with the adventure while simultaneously profiting from their newfound knowledge of China's first Emperor, Qin Shihuang, and his war and burial customs. Heavily strewn with color photographs, computer images, maps, drawings, and charts, the book easily captures interest and successfully holds attention with its succinct wording and short chapters that directly complement the images.
Jane O'Connor's career spanning roles as editor-at-large, president of mass market children's books at Penguin, and prolific author is crowned by her most recent gem, The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China. Realizing that no children's books had thoroughly documented the world wonder discovered in China, O'Connor successfully fills the void. This book is a must for any library!
The only negative aspect is that the book fails to be part of a larger history series since once the book is read, the reader will want to read more. The detailed bibliography and author's note provide a scope for further reading on the Terracotta Warriors, but readers will long to learn the same concise and tantalizing information on other subjects as well! Hopefully, Jane O'Connor will follow with more books to engage children and adults since The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China masterfully explores its subject.

While on vacation in China, Jane O'Connor visited the thousands of life-sized terracotta warrior statues discovered near the tomb on an emperor in northern China. She was inspired to find out more about both the army of ghostly gray warriors and the man who had ordered their creation. But as O'Connor read everything available about the first emperor and his buried army she discovered that a book on the subject had not yet been written for children. "The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China" rectifies that mistake.

In March 1974 three farmers digging a well near the city of Xian in Lintong County of the People's Republic of China, discovered the clay head of a "pottery man." Neither the farmers nor the archaeologists who arrived to investigate the figure had ever seen anything similar to the life-like figure, and where astounded to discover dozens, and then hundreds and finally thousands of these terracotta figures. When the excavation was done, an army of 7,500 soldiers and horses has been uncovered (so far), after being buried for more than 2,200 years. The life-size figures weighed as much as four hundred pounds each and wore knee-length robes, armor made from small iron "fish scales," and elaborate topknot hairdos (the low-ranking infantrymen did not wear armor). The figures stand at attention and archaeologists also found the hundreds of real bronze swords, daggers, battle-axes, and arrowheads, these silent warriors were carrying.

After sharing the story of the discovery of the figures, O'Connor tells the story of Qin Shihuang, the divine Son of Heaven, who was the first emperor or China. Qin was a paranoid tyrant, and fearing that grave robbers would loot the treasures in his tomb after he died. O'Connor talks about the measures Qin took to protect his final resting place, which included the terracotta figures, stationed in underground trenches, less than a mile from the tomb. The details about the figures, as to why they do not wear helmets or shields and why they are facing east, are quite interesting. There is logic to their arrangement that O'Connor is able to explain, a well as the difference between the 350 chariot horses and the more than 100 cavalry horses. There are more than forty full-color photographs in the book, which help to distinguish between the different types of warriors. The only disappointment here is that there are not more such photographs.

One of the most amazing things about the figures is that of the two thousand unearthed at the time O'Connor's book was published, no two had been discovered to be the same. The figures represent different ages, different parts of China, and even different temperaments. A colored computer image shows how one of the figures would have looked originally when it was painted. Another fascinating section has to do with modern artisans making replicas, following the techniques of 2,200 years ago, to help archeologists understand how the original figures were created. The final chapters of the book are devoted to what it was like inside the Emperor's tomb, where the body may be wearing a jade funeral suit (the government has no intention of actually opening the tomb and looking, but other tombs have been opened in the past to five us some ideas), and Qin's legacy, which is mainly the first Great Wall of China that he had made with a workforce of half a million slave laborers working for a dozen years. However, it would be Qin's silent army that is probably most responsible for what immortality the first emperor possesses today. Seeing them in person would be an unforgettable experience, and O'Connor's book does an excellent job of making that impression on her readers, young and old alike.