California Books

Like the reviewer (below) from 1999, I read this in grade school back in the 1960's. A friend recently asked me why I became a writer and reader. I cited this book. Then I ordered a used copy and read it again a week ago. My 15-year-old daughter read it too -- pretty much in one sitting. This is a captivating story. The main character is very resourceful and a tremendous relationship develops between "Steve" and a coyote on the island. The writing isn't spectacular; it's a little bit of "Steve did this and then Steve did that." But the story is an inexorable tug of survival and man versus nature in all forms. Highly recommended for pre-teens and young teens looking for a bit of adventure.

I first read this book when I was ten or eleven years old, about 25 years ago. It made quite an impression on me, and I clearly remember checking it out of the library again and again so that I could re-read it. I wanted to fly planes more than anything at that time, so this story of a young pilot stranded alone on a desert island hooked me from the start, and there were times that I actually wished that I would find myself in the same situation, just to see if I could match his ingenuity. That never did happen - well, it hasn't yet - which is probably for the best, but this book still ranks as one of my all-time favorites. I'm now looking for it for my son, and I'm certain I'll read it again myself as well.

i thought this was the best book ever and i dont like to read much but i couldnt put this book down the author did a wonderful job. this is sorta like your tipical book about someone who is stranded on an island but then again it is so greatkind boring in the begining but after that its great.

This book is just like any other survival story you see out there. There is always a guy who crashes on an island, finds a friend, and then somehow gets off the island. For it to be a good book, it has to have some type of twist to it.

I also read the book in elementary school and now 6 years later, it is still amazing. It is one of my favorite books. It is a great story and I would recommend this to someone looking for a good book.

This book brought to mind the words of our Savior "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." The power to forgive comes not only in not holding a grudge but in also loving and wanting the best for those who have wronged us. With raw honesty, Evangelist Young shows that the true power to forgive comes from a loving relationship with God through the power of His Holy Spirit. More than that, however, it is a poignant revelation that God's desire is for all of us to love as He loves and to live victoriously through Him. This is an honest, reflective look at a victorious life in the Spirit. It is a balm for those who have been hurt. This is not about an incident but a journey to the release that comes through loving and forgiving through the power of the Holy Spirit. Evangelist Young has given a powerful testimony filled with insight into the Word. This inspirational work points to the purpose God has for each of us and the confidence we can have in the power to overcome anything through the Him. I couldn't put it down and wait anxiously for the next work.

The Power of Forgiveness demonstrates that using forgiveness and putting other's needs above your own can provide self-growth. John gives no illusion that forgiving someone is an easy task, but lets the reader know that it can be done. He shows that with God's help, we can be subjected to horrible things and yet live through them with dignity and a greater sense of wisdom and maturity. This book has a unique approach in the fact that by forgiving his wife, John gave his children a chance for a more confident future without being burdened by having to choose one parent over the other. This book speaks of using one's strengths and inward capabilities to overcome obstacles in life.

This book was written with much careful thought and planning. It shows that even a man of God can go through trials and tribulations and come out as pure gold. I wish that everyone would read this book so that we can have power from God to forgive. Roman 12:21 says "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." I'm glad that I read the book. It showed me that no matter what I go through, I should forgive. It helped me to learn that the person you love the most can hurt you, but to forgive them and move on. God has ordered John's steps with His Word. He will be blessed abundantly.

This is one book I could not put down. For many of us who
do not know how to forgive, cease to forgive, will not or have
not forgiven or has ask or never ask for forgiveness, forgave, and was forgiven- please read. With impact on the heart, mind, and soul- it introduces knowledge of self and self awareness from a individual to a "wholistic" perspective.

This is one book I could not put down. For people who cannot forgive, ceases to forgive, never ask for forgiveness, willing to forgive, has forgave, wants to forgive- please read. With an impact on your heart, mind and soul, it introduces knowledge of self and self awareness from a individual and wholistic perspective to forgive foe or friend.

I just read book 2, Bayou Savage, "The Ghost Wars" and picked up and finished this first book becasue I love these characters. I throughly enjoyed both books!!!! My opinion is that if Jeff Foxworthy wrote a ghost fighting action hero series, they would read like these book. The Razor character is my favorite....

I can safely say this is one of the coolest books I've ever read. Russell takes guitar playing to a new level in this thriller about a "Guitar Ghost Hunter" who battles ghosts with an Old Fender Guitar, and the legend and circumstances surrounding his life and death. If you like science-fiction that won't take you 6 years to finish reading, you'll love this book. Perfect for readers of all ages, and musicians in particular.

Imagination! The author can hardly harness all of the ideas that flow through this work. So innovative and creative that one never knows exactly what's going to happen. Once you think you have it figured out...bingo! - another plot twist. A marvelous new, fresh take on the "200-year-old man" concept. Musicians will love this book!! It's a page burner!

What a cool idea to have a ghost slaying guitar! The futuristic setting and the flashbacks to the 20th and early 21st Centuries are right on. I found myself trying to be a part of the whole story. The Savages are such real characters. Bayou trying to please his father and Razor, the ghost ass kicker, always ready for the challenge. The song references brought back many great memories and the humor throughout the book had me reading with a smile on my face. Hopefully, there will be more of the Savage family coming!

I loved this book. An original story that was fun to read. My imagination soared to new heights, stretching my mind. Intellectually and spiritually stimulating.

As readers, we expect many things from a good piece of historical fiction. "River of Souls" by Ivon Blum delivers on most of those expectations.

The subtitle, "A Novel of the American Myth", refers us to that subgenre that deals with the same 19th century West that Horace Greeley had in mind. The novel tells the story of a number of men (and one woman) seeking their fortune and/or deliverance in a rumored or dreamt new environment further west from wherever they began. Blum's selection of his main characters runs just slightly askew of the predictable: a Spanish-American cowboy, two mountain men (one American, the other French-Canadian), an escaped slave, and a coming-of-age girl cast out by her father. All of course have 24-karat hearts.

The author provides just enough nuance to keep these characters from becoming stereotypical. Less successfully drawn are subsidiary characters such as the manipulative banker and the evil sheriff. And don't look here (after a half-hearted attempt in the early chapters) for a sophisticated depiction of American Indians. But in this type of novel we expect history to play the major supporting roles, and in this respect Blum doesn't disappoint. The California Gold Rush, the progression of the Santa Fe Trail, and the nature of the New Mexico territory are prominently cast.

Blum doesn't necessarily deliver historical accuracy. What he does provide is its cousin -- a sense of believability. He has created a fictional universe that seems internally consistent and artfully rendered. It doesn't completely coincide with the myths of the West on which many of us were raised; instead and more importantly, he gives us a world which seems slightly more complicated and therefore considerably more convincing.

But he doesn't do this effortlessly. In his determination to create a novel voice of his own and unique dialects for his characters, the sweat sometimes shows through. Yet, instead of being annoyed, I found myself appreciative of the attempt.

As for the plot itself, it struck me as well-paced and adequately complex. Covering the years 1846 to 1853 and locales from Santa Fe to San Francisco, the chapters are short and forceful, advancing the story-line in mostly unexpected ways. Blum does not always seem in full control of his chronology, but he always manages to steer things back on course before losing the reader. A few story lines are left dangling and the book could use a map or two. But these are minor quibbles, and I'm confident most readers will finish "River of Souls" with satisfaction.

River of Souls transports the reader into the real southwest and uses this as a backdrop for exploring coming of age issues in a turbulent time. None of the western stereotypes exist, so when the reader connects with tangential facts and events, it seems all the more real and satisfying. The historical reality combined with the interpersonal intensity of the characters make this a surprisingly enjoyable read.

Ivon Blum did extensive research for this book, which shows, even while it's an entertaining read. The reason I titled my review as I did is that this book is about love. There's a lot of family love before we get into a romantic interest for Pedro (Pete) Cortez. When we do meet up with Becky, she has been brutalized and is almost dead. Once she regains consciousness, under Pete's care, she's a real little spitfire. Adventure abounds, with Black Hess being the most evil of all characters. Pete searches for and finds gold. A good read and a painless history lesson, take it from a woman and a retired librarian.

When I came across River of Souls, I thought, sure, another shoot 'em up instead of car crashes. Blum proved me wrong. His characters came alive in my mind and I began to care about each one. Of course, that Black Demon character felt more like a rattle snake slithering through the open door making me want to pick up my feet. The shifting scenes reminded me of what I knew of the gold fields but gave me so much more of the drama. If only the history text books could be so intense, I wouldn't be learning afresh now at my age. A robust romp through the Southwest that kept me turning the pages.

This is a man's type of story about very real men living raw outdoor life without apology. The author's vivid desciptions including all five senses made me miss the outdoors and tell us that the author has spent time there and understands the environment as well as the times.

This is for anyone who has ever fallen in love with this wonderful city, that is any who has ever, however briefly, been there.

The format is, as it is for all the "Then and Now" series to show vintage photographs paired with modern shots of the same view. The captions describe the scenes, giving short historical backgrounds. Anyone who has ever spent any time in the city will recognize some of the modern views and will probably find themselves interested in the vintage shots giving the history of the scene. Those who are planning a return visit just might want to slip this slim book into their luggage to take sightseeing. It also just might make a welcome reference for anyone reading about the old days in the City or watching an old film set there.

Lovely to look at and reasonably informative. Will be most enjoyed by fans of San Francisco. I can't see midwesterners enjoying this book. But if you live in or have visited the city by the bay this may be the book for you.

I received the book as a gift vut I would gladly paid for it.

This book is wonderful. A must have whether you live in the Bay Area or have visited here. Worth every penny.

These are a great series of books, I own each of my Favorite cities in the US. Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. It is really cool to see old pictures of the cities compared to current pictures.

I'm not using "conservative" in the current political sense, obviously. Everybody knows that John McCain has less than a snowball's chance in Gomorrah of winning in SF. I using the term conservative in its root meaning, something like "saving what was valued in the past." Preservation and conservation have the same Latin root. San Francisco has conserved more of its past than any western American city, and I could make a case, I think, for its preservation of more old-fashioned city life even than Boston or Savannah.

Except for the tiny downtown financial district, San Francisco "looks" old. The vast majority of houses, churches, and schools were built in late Victorian styles and have been lovingly restored in the same styles. Even the relatively "new" streets of the Sunset are old-fashioned now, predominantly in modest Art Deco style of the 30s and 40s. And it should be no surprise that ATT baseball park is a booking success, since it's strikingly old-style brick in construction, with a street car stop at the front gate.

San Francisco is a bastion of old-fashioned independent mom 'n pop businesses. There are thriving corner groceries and open-air once-a-week markets: independent restaurants ranging from very cheap to ultra expensive, but hardly any chain restaurants in the neighborhoods. The big chain grocery stores like Albertson's struggle to stay open in competition with locally owned stores like Andronico's, which has six stores around the whole Bay Area. There are more independent fitness centers and gyms in the neighborhoods; 24-hour fat farms are not the norm in SF. There are no malls that would be recognizable to most Americans in downtown or neighborhood San Francisco. The only malls - and very small they are by US norms - are on the suburban fringes.

Even Boston is cut up by freeways today, though the traffic is no better managed than when I lived there in the early '60s. Seattle is sliced in half by its ineeffective central freeway. San Francisco is the place that blocked freeway construction in the late '60s. Several freeways have been demolished in SF in the last ten years! Streets in SF are narrow and parking is tough, but a measure to build more parking lots was recently defeated at the polls, and any attempt to chop wider streets through SF would meet with armed resistance.

Baseball is the number one sport in SF. The fans of the football team pour in from the 'burbs to the hideous modernistic but crumbling stadium just at the edge of the city. The basketball team plays in Oakland. Any town where baseball rules has got to be considered conservative!

People in SF are conservative dressers, especially by California standards. I know women who live in LA, who carry clothes they consider drab to SF when they visit, so that they will not stick out like the inflamed rear view of a peacock's tail. One never sees "his and hers" outfits on the streets, especially not pastels. Men wear less bling per capita in SF than in Omaha. A neck chain and an open shirt would get you sneered out of polite society in SF.

Sweet old-fashioned window boxes are everywhere in SF. Street tree plantings are lovingly maintained. Open space is all-important to San Franciscans, and it's by stubborn resistance to development than SF has preserved more open space (finangling the take-over of decommissioned army, coast guard, and navy bases) than any comparably populated region of the USA. Nature is inherently conservative.

The half-mile strip of upper Haight Street, which gets the attention of the "screaming heads" on TV and radio, is not populated by San Franciscans. It's the runaway and stumble-away refuge of the discontented - the "poor abused confused missused" - of all the dysfunctional "conservative" families and communities from Modesto to Miami. They come to SF to enjoy the true conservative values of privacy, tolerance, and neighborhood friendliness.

Benerson Little, a former Navy SEAL, has written an excellent reference work on how piracy actually worked. In short, it's not anything like the mythical descriptions we get from cinema or novels.

The depth and breadth of his scholarship, as evidenced by this work, is highly commendable. He ranges from detailed descriptions/explorations of weapons and tactics to the dynamics of contracts, leadership, and organization. It was an excellent read and I particularly liked it since it provided me more insight into how warfare, outside the confines of most forms of legality or convention, is waged in a modern context.

For example: He details how a pirate crew is put together, from financing to recruitment to employment contracts (the articles) to financial compensation. To me, this was valuable since many of the financial dynamics he details are present in modern criminal economies, from the cyber crime of the Russian Business Network to the IED cell operating in Iraq.

Another example: Very precise examination of the armaments and ships used by pirates to ply their trade. Everything from the advantages of multi-shot and flintlocks to the efficacy of oars and canoes. For me, it was a very illuminating exploration of how weaponry can be altered to provide tactical advantages to an outnumbered and outgunned attacker.

So, if you are interested in finding out how pirates truly operated - or - you want to gain a more insight into 21st Century guerrilla warfare, this is the book for you. Buy it today, read it, and pass it on to a friend.

Final note: Benerson should be giving classes on this subject at Annapolis and West Point (I am sure he would be oversubscribed).

Hope this helps,

John Robb
Author of: Brave New War: The Next Stage of Terrorism and the End of Globalization

An excellent resource to understand the how-to of piracy. From firing a broadside to boarding, it gives the reader a handle on how the pirates were able to outfight and outsail their prey with smaller ships and sometimes fewer guns.

This book is not an easy read, but it's not intended to be. If you like histories of pirates or Colonial America, this is a vital reference.
The author details every aspect of the sea rover's life - ships, weapons, gear, even their compensation system.

Mr. Little is a retired US Navy SEAL officer and his experience shows, especially when discussing strategy and tactics.

The numerous appendices make this a work I'll refer to many times in the future.

If you want to know how pirates in the America's worked then this book is for you. If like me you have seen too many Hollywood movies this book is an eye-opener.

Piracy was a business. A pirate was a businessman and so any attack would be measured by a commercial cost/benefit analysis first. So it was done as cheaply as possible using commando methods. That is why it is good the writer having been a naval seal knows and understands these methods. Which he discusses well.

One doubt on this book I have is it discusses how a professional pirate would have done it, I am sure that many pirates were amateurish. A few people decide to go pirate take over a ship and learn on-the-job. This book only discusses the ideal tactics. Not how it was often done but how it was suppose to be done.

I also found it fascinating the discussions of the social structure of the ship. The pirate leader does not have a formal chain of command like the military caption have. He is in charge ultimately because the crew want him to be in charge. If he does not match up to the crews expectations he is out.

I hope the writer does a sequel on Muslim and Chinese pirates.

PS I even like the recipes at the end and am keen to try them out. I wonder if one of them the rum punch with lime was popular as it would stop scurvy. The medical benefits of citrus foods was known about this time although not proven till the late 1700s.

I would like to offer a little more balanced review of this book, which otherwise seems to only get rave endorsements.

First, the good part. This book indeed seems to be a scholarly study of all things related to sea rovers. It is funny at times and can be a good read.

However, being a novice in the area of sea faring and sailing I found it hard to understand and less of a satisfying or interesting read than it potentially could have been. It also is dry and heavy on factual statements, like a boring academic course, and low on anecdotes and entertainment. Other reviewers seem to imply that the book is based on personal pirate stories but references to these in the book are rarely more than passing half sentences. The book also lacks maps and illustrations, wich makes the material all the harder to understand, for anyone but sea rovers. Maybe I am not part of the intended audience, so this review is intended for the folks like me who don't have the required background, sea roving 101, or didn't intend to take a course on the subject.

I really enjoyed this book. The photo foldouts are really great-they feature reenactors in full dress. This book provides for a great reference to anyone interested in a Grunt or special operations uniform.

The text is also good, although alittle too technical at times.

Overall, a great reference book for any WWII reenactor.

This book is a fine companion for someone who is already familiar with the overall story of D-Day. It has a larger than usual section on amphibious landing craft, and on the function of specific battalions and units too often overlooked in most discussions of D-Day. It has one to five quality pictures or diagrams on every page (not the ones you usually see). Focuses on the equipment used and apparel worn and gives lots of detail on each.

Just when you think that this is another re-hashing off all the often-copied stuff that's in every D-Day book you've ever seen...
Guess again, Skippy. This isn't your Daddy's D-Day book!
Gawne thankfully dusted off UNPUBLISHED information on largely ignored subjects regarding the Normandy landings, and I for one am glad to have this book in my collection.
Amphibious forces, Engineers and even Navy Beach Masters were all there, but you never see them in other books. Gawne takes previously unknown information, couples it with outstanding graphics and puts them together in THE BEST book on the subject to come out since.... well, I can't say when another such book was ever written!
And even though I'm a huge Airborne fan, I have to say this:
"Thanks, Jon, for not having half the book on Airborne forces! We needed another book on the subject like we needed more holes in our heads!"

My father was a D-Day medical officer June 6, 1944. Historians who write definitive books about Americans at D-Day and fail to mention the Army/Navy gap assault teams, LCI sailors, Army Engineer Special Brigades and attached Naval Beach Battalions, have left out the "backbone" of the Normandy invasion. Jonathan Gawne's Spearheading D-Day: American Special Units in Normandy set the record straight in 1998. Military authors should not feel bad if their books were published before Spearheading D-Day. Up to 1992, when Gawne first wrote about the "forgotten sailors of the invasion beaches," most naval historians were unaware that their own were some of the first ashore on D-Day. Spearheading D-Day, covering American forces in France, is simply the best invasion book published since Cornelius Ryan's The Longest Day.

didn't buy this book earlier!!! Absolutely top notch history of the special sea-bourne American units at Normandy. Maps & photos and narrative all combine into an informative and captivating tale. Even if you are a D-Day buff with a large reference library, you will learn much from this excellent edition. It seems pricey, but it is worth all of it & more. You will not regret getting this one!
I hope this sets a pattern for books about the British & Canadian units and their efforts and successes that day. When you realise the scope of just the American beach landings, you will see the huge, multi-volume collection that would be needed to address *all* the units involved. Buy it and and spend some time with it.

I took "Why I'd Rather Date My Dog" to the park this morning and sat near the dog run reading. After seeing the cover, seven women stopped to tell me of their experiences dating men. As they recalled their dates in detail, I would flip through the book and show them where the author had that situation covered. Much unexpected fun was had this morning praising our dogs (one woman had a cat) as wonderful dates. This may be the book you need for your next party as an ice breaker.

I thought this book was really cute and I read it in a short period of time. If you have dogs or have had dogs (and not much luck in the dating world) you will enjoy this and find it humorous. I also loved the fact that Nancy encourages people to rescue unwanted pets from rescues and shelters. I thought that was just super!

All the reviews here are right on the money. The book is fun, funny and written by someone who can make you smile with just a few pages of delightful insights. And as someone who knows Nancy, let me share with you that she is a true animal lover and rescuer of dogs and rabbits. She not only writes well, she lives her life for the betterment of animal treatment. So read her book, enjoy the fabulous illustrations and buy a copy or two for your friends. You won't regret it!

Read this book if you like dogs as much as you like people. This "tongue in jowl" book if full of enjoyable quips about the beauty of dogs.

In this dog-eat-dog world, it is nice to have a light, quick read, which is very funny. Wonderful for the coffee table or bedroom. I find myself continually flipping it open to read about something a dog will do to charm and amuse you.

The author has rescued many animals from awful conditions and has given them a wonderful home. Pleae support someone who supports animals.

This book is a real delight! The humor is charming and entertains with most-of-us-have 'been there!' truth. It will put a smile on your face and love in your heart in appreciating and encouraging happy hours and 'unconditional' love shared with one's own companion animal(s). The illustrations are wonderful, too. I highly recommend spending some time with one of your furry best friends by your side for a perfectly fun-filled read.

I first heard of this book in 1967 while undergoing Air Force cryptologic training; unfortunately, it was out of print at that time. In 1975, I found a copy in an Air Force secure-area library and was able to read it there, but only during my lunch hours. Since it was a rare, out-of-print book, the librarian wouldn't let it leave the library, and I can't say that I blame her.

Because of security restrictions, Maj Yardley wasn't able to publish his book in the US legally, so his work-around was to have it published in the United Kingdom in 1931. When I learned that it had been republished and was available through Amazon, I immediately ordered a copy and read it again 30 years later.

This book gives insight into the fledgling cryptologic effort, referred to as the American Black Chamber, begun by the US in World War I. The effort literally started from scratch and existed on a shoestring budget, with Maj Yardley and a handful of others usually working very long hours. By 1929, after years of hard work, the "Chamber" had developed into a relatively sophisticated, successful operation.

Regrettably, naivete ruled the day when President Hoover's new Secretary of State, Henry L. Stimson (This effort was a State Department function back then.), upon learning of the existence of the Chamber, was horrified that we would even think of "spying" on someone else ("Gentlemen do not read each other's mail."). He summarily had the Chamber abolished, so all that work went down the tubes until later on when it had to be rebuilt for the effort of World War II.

It is an ironic footnote in history that by the time Mr. Secretary Stimson became Secretary of War during World War II, his views of the importance of cryptologics had changed--as did those of others in the military and diplomatic spheres of influence.

Read all about it. This is excellent reading, and it brings to life the difficulties and accomplishments of the American Black Chamber.

This is an exciting look into the arcane world of espionage, secret writing and the life and death struggles of spies to remain undetected. It is balanced by the equally intense technical struggle to detect them and interpret what they are sending. It is one of the classics of cryptography, and serves as a wonderful introduction to that all time classic "The Code Breakers" by David Kahn.

This book is a true tell all book. Written by the head of MI-8 (the US Army signals intelligence agency in WWI) and later the Black Chamber from 1918-1929, this book gives a glimpse of what goes on behind the scene and shapes the actions and re-actions of governments that don't make it to the newspaper headlines. A must read.

Aside from the subject of codes and ciphers, which this book does very well, The American Black Chamber also discusses how U.S. codebreaking affected the post-WWI naval disarmament conference which led to the famous 5-5-3 ratio of heavy warships amongst the British, American and Japanese navies. American negotiators knew in advance what the Japanese and British were willing to settle for and managed to get the best deal possible for the U.S.

Very much an eye-opener.

Yardley could sight-read the encrypted messages of the time. This and "Education of a Poker Player" are informative and entertaining.

I took the course offered by Udwadia last semester because of the rave reviews I saw on the web. I thought they were too good to be true. So I was 'cool' to him at the start. But I was wrong, dead wrong! This guy is in fact even better than what the reviews say about him. He is SIMPLY SUPERB.

His book is awesome! What I enjoyed most was the simplicity with which things are put. Each idea is presented as a simple, near-obvious idea, but the sum total of all these thoughts is amazing. What was most impressive was that Udwadia thinks in just the way he writes. He thinks along simple patterns. But there have been so many reviews of his book that there is little I can add to them, except that it truly, truly is an OUTSTANDING book. Those working in dynamics who have not read it are missing something, for sure.

So let me tell you about the guy, a bit. He is the first Professor that I have met who had a welcoming look on his face when a student went to see him. Most of them can't wait for students to leave their offices! He has a tremendous sense of humor, in class he often took us from humor, to history, to philosophy, to math, to dynamics, along one continuous thread of thought. The guy is a genius, I think. I was continually bowled over by the breadth and depth of his knowledge, so unlike an Engineering Prof.

I realized as the course progressed that the guy is deeply dedicated to teaching and helping students. He gave each student/student-group a 'semester project,' suggested the topic to most of us, and actually worked with each group of students on their projects. He even debugged my computer program. It took me quite a while to get over that because I have never had a Professor do that for me. I eventually wrote a manuscript with his constant help that I planned to send out for publication, and I naturally put his name on it. He removed his name, saying that it was I who did the work. What a shocker, from a guy who I know must survive in a 'publish or perish' environment.

As I got to know him during our meetings I realized that this was an unusual person of the most unusual kind: exceedingly well-read, unusually helpful, a superb listener, and a person with enormous grace and dignity. He has standards of integrity that far exceed mine, and I suspect, most others I know. I always felt a sort of comforting presence when I was around him, and, as several others have said, I learned more from him, far more, than just analytical dynamics. He opened my eyes to the way we all should be. And for that, I will always be grateful.

I just wish USC could clone a few more guys like Prof. Udwadia. One last thought: I wonder if he is religious. What religion? Does anybody know? I'd be interested to find out.

I just took the course taught by Professor Udwadia on Analytical Dynamics at USC this semmester. Wow! This guy is not just good, he is TOPS! From the very first lecture I was in amazement with the facility he has in teaching this subject.

I can now see why the book he has written is fantastic. He used it as a text, and then went well beyond it.

He is definitely the best teacher I have ever had. He is a delight to listen to, and was an inspiration to every student in the class. His lectures sparkle, they concentrate on ideas not algebra, and he seemed to have something to say in every lecture that touched me and went well beyond dynamics. The thing that impressed me most is that despite his enormous knowledge of the subject, he is a really humble fellow, a superb listener, a great guy.

For those of you who think the book is superb, you haven't seen nothin' yet until you get to hear this guy speak. Take a ride on his course, he takes you on an incredible journey. It was more than worth my time; and I assure you, you will also find it so.

I recommend that everyone dealing with mechanics get a copy of this gem, and read it! It is the most amazing technical book I have read! I don't want to repeat what others have said in their reviews, and so there is not much more for me to say other than that this book has got to be a classic.

This is the best Professor I have ever had in my entire college education. He is just a wonderful person, extremely erudite, a superb mathematician, physicist, and a man steeped in the liberal arts. His teaching style is unforgettable. He is very clear in what he says, and he knows how to emphasize the key aspects in any given material.

He struck me as an unusually humble person, always willing to learn from his students, which is something very refreshing to see. It is only when he starts to speak that you realize that this guy is a completely different type of person from the average university professor. His knowledge is amazing: philosophy, history, art, science, literature, it is simply baffling. I don't think I have ever met a man like him.

What impressed me most were his human qualities: integrity, humility, and kindness. I think transferring these qualities to students is what education should be most about.

USC's School of Engineering is one lucky place to have a guy like him on its faculty. His book is a mild reflection of him; his course is something more than that, because I am certain he puts in a lot of effort in preparing every lecture, and this results in 'teaching at its best.'

There is a lot said about this book already in the comments given by others, so I won't waste your time saying the same thing: THE BOOK IS A MASTERPIECE. GET IT, READ IT, AND ENJOY!

What I want to say is that Udwadia's course is a million times better than his book. He is about the most well-read man I know. As a person he is just awesome! He is an excellent listener, unusually humble, ready to acknowledge a mistake (catch a Prof. doing that!), and has a spontaneous sense of humor that is difficult to match. His facility with the English language left most of us in the class just dumbfounded! He can weave words together like I haven't seen before. He is a mathematician, a scientists, a historian, a philosopher, and indeed an artist in the way he teaches. USC sure is lucky to have a guy like him on their teaching faculty.