Science Books

Fifty years ago I had psych classes at the UW, and I helped tend the rats in 600 N. Park. I learned about Harry Harlow, Carl Rogers, and schools of thought in Psychology. Now, finally, I understand and see the importance of what was going on here.

Deborah Blum has clarified the conflicts in behavioral science during the first half of the 20th century as my instructors never could. She has given human faces to the names that were listed in the semester timetables, but whom most students never saw. And Harry Harlow's flaws are not whitewashed, but they are understandable.

Younger readers will be aghast at the parenting style that was advocated by child health professionals over 50 years ago. Many of us, although we were not neglected or abandoned, were not cuddled and made to feel cherished. Harlow, among others, was able to disprove the validity of a sterile upbringing in creating a human adult.

And it is truly a page-turner, well written and captivating.

This book was in great shape and is an excellent read for those who want to understand

When Harry Harlow started exploring the science of affection it was in the face of disregard and opposition in the world of medicine and psychology. But he was able to show that affection is vital to the proper development of the newly born, as too is the measured rejection of the newly born's parents when the time is right. Consequently we now encourage the bonding of parents and children through physical handling. (Perhaps more affectionate and supportive friendships outside the family have developed as a result also.)

These were great insights for society and yet Harlow did face opposition. Just when he was saying the role of the mother (and father - but he was less vocal about that) was vital to the upbringing of the baby, the womens liberation movement was trying to get women more freedom - more equality on the basis of being the same as men. How could this new emphasis on the importance of the role of parents (principally women as men were traditionally the 'bread winners') be tolerated? To me, however, there is a mistake in this. We should not be treated equally because we are the same - but for the very opposite reason - because we are all unique. If we are to get the best from each unique individual then each individual must have equal rights and opportunity. Unfortunately Harlow's approach to opposition was often rude and confronting.

After his death Harlow's research faced another challenge - this time from the animal liberation activists. Harlow had done his experiments on monkeys principally, and these experiments necessarily had damaging (and surprising) results for the animals experimented on. Harlow did care for the animals and provided for them as well as he could in difficult circumstances - for example, he always tried to 'restore' emotionally damaged animals. Although we may now regret the methods he and his students used, and certainly not want to repeat them for the sake of student exercises, we should not lose sight of the vital information that was uncovered.

Deborah Blum's book is engaging and revealing - especially concerning the history of human behaviour with regard to affection and love. It is surprising how recent (1950s) some attitudes were that are now totally overthrown, at least in part because of Harlow's work.

But does psychology have more lessons to learn from Harlow? It is my belief that this is so. I recently had a workplace experience where I was confronted by a workplace bully. But immediately I knew this bully was not picking on me - this was just characteristic behaviour that was applied to everyone they worked with. All the stories and rumours I had heard - and continued to hear with more clarity - suddenly had greater presence for me. To overcome my distress at this situation I used the free staff counselling service offered by my employer. Perhaps in doing that I was already demonstrating my capacity to manage, to cope. What, however, of my colleagues who I now had insight to the terrible behaviour of the bully for them? Harlow would not have been surprised that I had bonded with these people - to some more closely than others. But the psychologist/counsellor understood nothing of this - as long as I was dealt with (the immediate client) nothing else could be done. But the only thing that could really be done for me was to smash all the bonds I had built with my colleagues so that I was no longer concerned for them. Was that reasonable?

And what of psychology offered to one of a married couple privately from the bond that links them. What is the risk that this will actually prise apart the bond that needs to be strengthened or at least maintained? I'm not sure how psychology should handle these matters but it continues to alarm me that the insights of Harlow are still being overlooked in areas where they should not be. Is it the impact of the womens liberation and animal liberation movements that have denigrated the research sufficiently to block its use in other areas?

other recommendations:
'Workplace Monsters' John Clarke (Random House Australia)
'Conditions of Love' John Armstrong
'A Crystal Age' W H Hudson

This is one of the most interesting and well written books I've ever read on this or any similar topic. To anyone who studies or has studied attachment, Blum offers an amazing look at how this early research changed the face of psychology. To anyone who has read countless poorly written descriptions of boring research studies, this book is an oasis.

I don't believe Blum has portrayed Harlow through rose-colored glasses. On the contrary, anyone reading this book might even wonder whether Harlow's neglect of his own children was a good thing, given his lack of compassion and indifference toward the suffering he caused. My copy is well-worn and has been loaned out many times. I highly recommend this book.

This is an extremely interesting book in terms of underlining how damaging scientific fads can be. The early twentieth century fad of data and cleanliness may well have led to the deaths many children as cleanliness was preferred over attention.

Unfortunately, Harry Harlow is less interesting, and provides an abominable contrast to the subject. Harlow ignores both wives and his children in search for - as he wrote in his school's yearbook - 'fame'. He becomes a chain-smoking alcoholic. Bizarrely, Blum emphasises Harlow's visionary understanding of love with, at times, an almost 'here comes superman' manner. She appears incapable of reconciling her argument that Harlow is the scientist of love with the fact that he ignored his wives and all his children!

If anything, I read the book as reflecting one man's selfish, desperate desire for achievement and fame. Thanks to his interest in monkeys, he and his students seemed to fall over the answer. Not exactly visionary.

A good read though, reflecting the pitfalls of faddish thinking, and also how scientific discoveries (if the fact that a child needs its mother is a discovery) occur. The book also reflects how difficult it can be to refute incorrect arguments.

This book is a little gem. It is one of a kind. There is no other book like this on the market, not that I know of, anyway. Although the author is a bit older than I am and some of the clothes are outdated, I could still relate to her. She related her life experiences by detailing what she wore during those experiences. We all can recall at least one event by remembering what we were wearing!! At times, she appears kind of catty, which just gives quite a human element to the book. I myself have so many clothes I cannot get rid of due to sentimental reasons. However, after reading this book, I may do the same thing she did and draw them or take a picture of them and then give them away. This is a GREAT book!!

Delightfully wacky little book deliciously decorated. Even though I'm a male I loved the book and its many drawing/paintings of clothing and other things. It is interesting to know how the book came about and how its author was writing about her life for her children and using her creative ability to show them how her life was growing up.

I learned of the book when reading Jane Smiley's book: "13 Ways of Looking at the Novel" and thought her comments interesting enough to buy the book and read it. And I enjoyed it very much. I recommend "Love, Loss and what I Wore" to everyone regardless of gender.

If I could, I would give this book more than 5 stars. What a clever idea to recall onel's life by remembering the outfits worn. Loved the delightful illustrations. Beckerman is a unqiue and talented writer/illustrator. Thanks for the memories!

I had picked this book up and put it back down several times when I saw it at the book store. I am glad I finally bought it! It is an interesting idea, and one that I am sure many of us can identify with: a memoir built on memories of certain beloved items of clothing. Ilene Beckerman had an interesting childhood and has had a varied life as an adult. Obviously, her talents lie more in writing than in drawing--the sketches of the clothing are rather simple,but she does manage to convey what she felt like wearing each outfit. It doesn't take very long to read, and if read in one sitting you get quite a sense of her life. Sometimes funny, sometimes quite bittersweet, but always entertaining.

I, like most of my women friends I've talked to, including my mother and my sisters, shape memories and moments based on the clothes we were wearing at the time.

I bought this book in 1995 when it was first published and have referred to it several times over the years for inspiration and support. I found it in the "Self-Help" section of the bookstore.

This little book does as good a job as anything I've read, at getting in a woman's head. Clothes are how we remember. Wearing our favorite clothes or shoes or carrying our favorite handbag gives us confidence and helps us cope.

For a while, I kept a diary of drawings of outfits whenever I'd want to remember an important event. Ask me what I was wearing when I held my niece for the first time (navy blue A-line Liz Claiborne dress) or when I went to my first job interview out of college (a polka-dot suit I called The Stewardess) or the night I was first kissed by the love of my life (a shirt that said "Keep On Truckin" in glitter... heh).

A good friend's mother passed away a few months ago, and I bought a copy for her, since Ms. Beckerman mentions the death of her own mother. She also mentions marriages, divorces, babies, and career successes, and most importantly, what she wore.

It makes a great gift for any woman. Or for yourself.

I liked the first installment of this series but boy, this second book really got me hooked. I like Miach before but now I am totally obsessed with him. Please tell me a more perfect hero...handsome, intelligent, strong, loyal, powerful, resourceful, magical(in more ways than one), sensitive, will do anything for his love...but then again, somehow LK makes him believable and human too.

Morgan was kind of a cry-baby in this book, but all things considered, it was still acceptable. Even in book one she didn't strike me as the hardened mercenary sword-maiden she wanted to be. She was still tender and sensitive inside. In book II, after learning her parentage, one can understand why. What I like is that she didn't play hard-to-get, or hold on to misunderstanding. She was honest with her feelings towards Miach. Together, their tender moments make my heart melt...

I love this trilogy. Bravo to LK and can't wait for the next book.

I cannot say enough about how much I enjoy this book and this series. It is number 2 in the Nine Kingdoms series by Lynn Kurland. I have always loved her books because of her creativity, dynamic characters and romantic stories; stories that are truly romantic, not trash. I bought this book a month ago and already have read it twice. I guess I'll just have to keep re-reading the first two until the third book comes out! I can't wait!!! I always loved her other books, but I am now a life-long fan. Kurland is without a doubt my FAVORITE author. If you like fantasy-historical-romantic-ish books YOU HAVE TO READ THESE BOOKS!!!!

Enough said.

This is an AWSOME book!!! My congrats Ms. Kurand on a job well done. The first book is one of my most favorite fantasies. This book was no let down. As good as or better than the first book it has me eagerly awaiting more!!! READ this book!!! It is wonderful!!!

I love this book! The story line is so original and refreshing. I am looking forward to the next book.

Lynn Kurland delivers her usual fantastic read with this new trilogy. I loved this second installment and am looking forward to the last book. It has just the right touch of adventure, romance, and fantasy. She left me hanging again with the end, but I don't mind as I know she will tie up all the threads into a fantastic package. This series is not predictable in the least and I found it very refreshing and enjoyable.

When I was a kid I loved reading Piers Anthony's Xanth novels. I was a young tyke when I read his initial Xanth entry, A SPELL FOR CHAMELEON, when it was first published. I then read the next eleven installments as they came out, culminating with MAN FROM MUNDANIA. These twelve Xanth novels are the best this series has to offer, and I firmly believe the books that followed them lack a little something. Offhand, I say, part of the reason the earlier books are better is because they seemed to be a bit more serious minded, even with all the puns, whereas the later books just seemed to wallow in ever sillier and unfunny puns. Whatever, maybe I'm old-schooled. I prefer the classic Xanth books. I just re-read the first three books and MAN FROM MUNDANIA a few days ago and I must say that they again instilled in me the same kind of enchantment I felt when I read them all those years ago. In contrasting these excellent entries with the later, more drab Xanth offerings, well, it's really not even a contest.

My favorite Xanth books are A SPELL FOR CHAMELEON, THE SOURCE OF MAGIC, CREWEL LYE, and MAN FROM MUNDANIA. I like MAN FROM MUNDANIA mostly because, for the first time, Piers chose to have a character from our side of the fence (Earth, or Mundania - as Xanth folks call it) become the main protagonist. (SPOILERS begin) Grey Murphy is a normal 18 year old guy drudging thru city college and toiling thru a tepid course in Freshman English. Grey is as average as you can get. His driver's license indicates his hair as "hair-colored" and his eyes as "neutral." The weirdness begins for him when his computer seems to gain sentience and begins to affect Grey's personal life. It offers to set him up with odd young women with dubious names such as Agenda, Euphoria, and Salmonella. The computer eventually arranges a meeting between Grey and a girl named Ivy. Grey is intrigued with Ivy, who is pretty, quaint, and charming, despite her assertions that she hails from a fantasyland called Xanth and is a princess. According to her, Ivy had used the Heaven Cent, a fantastic penny device which sends the user to where he or she is needed the most. But now, Ivy wants to go home and Grey agrees to help her.

This begins Grey Murphy's magical adventures in Xanth. Grey, as skeptical and logical-minded as they come, takes a long while to believe in Xanth's magical reality as he insists on finding logical, scientific explanations for every wondrous sight he beholds, much to Ivy's frustration. The story goes on to chronicle Grey's eventual belief in magic and Grey's coming into his own, as he strives to defeat the nefarious Com-Pewter and woo the Princess Ivy, despite the disapproval of her regal parents (you see, only someone on a Magician level can marry Xanth royalty and Grey, of course, doesn't have any magic talent).

Although this is a fine stand-alone novel in its own right, Piers Anthony, as usual, throws in waves of characters from his prior Xanth novels (Stanley Steamer, Grundy Golem and Rapunzel, King Dor and Queen Irene, etc). It also somewhat continues the story of Prince Dolph and his two fiancees, Nada and Electra (which finally gets resolved in the next book ISLE OF VIEW). A sequence I enjoyed was Grey and Ivy's trip to Mount Parnassus and the Muse of History, wherein we get to sneak a peek at future Xanth book titles. MAN FROM MUNDANIA is loosely considered to be the third in a trilogy, the previous two being VALE OF THE VOLE and HEAVEN CENT. Again, the ridiculous fantasy elements and groan-inducing puns (several contributed by fans) abound and benefit the tale. The storyline seems to offer a more mature content, delving more into the Adult Conspiracy, no doubt brought about by Grey's earthbound sensibilities. The Magician of Information is still missing (this plotline has gone on for several books now), but there is somewhat of a resolution offered here. I particularly admire the neat way Grey's dilemma is resolved (involving a reluctant promise he had made to the evil Com-Pewter).

Years ago, after MAN FROM MUNDANIA, I continued to read the following Xanth installments, but found that these had lost the luster. After YON ILL WIND, I finally gave up. But I very strongly recommend MAN FROM MUNDANIA and the eleven Xanth books before it. After that, you're on your own.

The novel Man From Mundania, by Piers Anthony, follows the journey of an unlikely couple on their quest to find the Good Magician and to save the magical world of Xanth. The Good Magician, also known as Humphrey, has the magical talent of knowing the answer to any question. He mysteriously dissappeared and the land of Xanth is going into chaos without his knowledge. The journeying couple consists of Ivy and Grey. Ivy is a princess and sorceress in the magical land of Xanth and is the one that is originally journeying to find the Good Magician. Grey is a seemingly ordinary human being who comes from the dull land of Mundania. He meets Ivy on her quest and ends up joining her. The couple continue their journey to find Humphrey and instead discover an evil machine's plot to take over Xanth using Grey and Ivy as pawns. I really liked how this story is written and the outcome of the novel is great. I also enjoyed the little puns that can be found throughout the story. All in all, this is a spectacular book and I recomend it to anyone who enjoys a funny, well written novel.

Anthony's description of Grey at the beginning is a perfect physical/emotional representation of what many people view the world we live in as. He's not handsome, intelligent or witty, and his driver's license lists his eyes as "neutral" and his hair color as "hair-colored". Perfect. I know people like this. I was chuckling through the whole book, not so much at its absurdity (which is in abundance), but at its truth. Who wouldn't want to step away from our workaday world into a magical land with a beautiful and (admittedly) oddball woman who thinks you're everything you know you're not? I enjoyed all the books in this series up to this point (although I gave up after Question Quest. There is too much of a good thing.), but this one I keep coming back to when I want some fun, irreverent fun. Definately worth your time to kick back and relax with this book.

I have to hand one thing to Piers Anthony: He managed to take a single plot element, the disappearance of Good Magician Humphrey, and make it last for five novels, barely advancing the search for the Good Magician in each book.

After her brother Dolph looked for the Good Magician Humphrey in the previous book and came back with two fiancees, Princess Ivy decides its her turn to go look for the Answer-providing Magician. After stealing back a magical mirror from a magical Com-Pewter, she invokes the Heaven Cent and ....

Enter Grey Murphy, stage left. Residing in magicless Mundania, he has managed to obtain a computer program that procures girlfriends for him. And its latest procurement? No prize if you guess Ivy. Following the by-now standard Xanth formula, they undertake a journey (back to Xanth) and fall in love along the way.

But it's a good journey. Piers Anthony made two very, very good decisions with this novel. First, he abandoned the juvenile tone that infested earlier and later entries in the Xanth series. Second, after umpty-ump Xanth novels made tangle trees, ladies-slipper bushes, and other magical marvels seem mundane, Anthony chose to approach much of novel through an outsider -- Grey Murphy.

Even as he confronts wonder after wonder, Grey Murphy refuses to believe in magic. A sailing mountain? Special effects. Invisible giant spouting a river of blood? Food coloring. A half-human, half-equine centaur? A robot. A hate spring? Ordinary water, backed by a strong superstition that it will make people hate each other.

Despite his disbelief in magic, Grey Murphy is nonetheless the typical Anthony protagonist, with a code of ethics that uniformly matches every other protagonist we've seen out there. Not that I mind ethical characters, mind you; it just gets tiresome when, after a dozen books, all the good guys display identical codes of ethics. Kind of ruins diversity of characters.

The plot continues, with Grey having to meet a certain challenge to successfully assert a claim to Ivy's hand in marriage, journey all over Mount Parnassus, and overcome a rather nasty oath that's been forced on him ... but things might just turn out well for this happy couple, right? Right??

If you would like to inflict the remainder of this series on yourself, this book is a very good jumping-on point. Grey Murphy's unfamiliarity with the land of magic makes him a good proxy for an unfamiliar reader, but the book's other flaws (uniform characters, linear plotting) keep it from a perfect rating.

"Man from Mundania" is number 12 in Piers Anthony's ever-growing Xanth series, which makes it the third volume of what I think of as the 'next generation' of Xanth novels (the first um, 'trilogy' ended with number 9, "Golem in the Gears"). In a way, it also marks one of the last of the old style Xanth books: although the series continues to be entertaining and amusing, I am less often enraptured by the characters of recent times. Perhaps I'm just getting old. Regardless, "Man from Mundania" remains one of my favourite Xanth novels that I have returned to many times to read and savour.

Our heroine for this episode is Princess Ivy, now eighteen and of marriageable age. Being a Sorceress, she must marry a man of similar calibre magic, which presents a slightly awkward situation, since no suitable candidates currently exist in Xanth. Ivy isn't too worried, though- she's in no hurry to get married. Instead, she decides to set off on a Quest: to find the missing Good Magician Humfrey, who has mysteriously disappeared (since volume 10, "Vale of the Vole"). Her quest sends her to that most terrible of blah and boring places, Mundania. Here she meets Grey Murphy, a seemingly ordinary mundane Mundane with hair-coloured hair, eye-coloured eyes and no apparent distinguishing features at all. Grey teaches Ivy about Mundania, while she attempts to convince him about the existence of Xanth, finally taking him back home with her. Along the way, of course (this being a Xanth novel, after all!) they fall in love. And this presents yet another problem, since Ivy must marry a Magician, and Grey is a Mundane who has no magic talent at all- or does he?

Ivy and Grey's adventures in the lands of Mundania and Xanth are inventive and entertaining, filled with the sunny good humour of the Xanth series. Characters with a satisfying amount of depth and a well-constructed plot add to the mix to make this one of the best novels in the Xanth series.

8.5 stars out of 10

This book is as wonderful today as it was years ago! I agree about the missing Burpers - I want them back! But still a wonderful and fun way to instill principles of courtesy in the reader. A wonderful reminder of years gone by and if we are lucky a promise of what we can be in the years ahead. Just be nice to one another! Ann Clarke, author of People Are So Different! based on tolerance and understanding.

Two boys, 5 & 7 can often forget the importance of manners. Being tired of preaching and threatening, I saw this book and thought I'd try it. While they sipped hot chocolate, I read this to them. Neither of them said a word, but were paying complete attention! I couldn't believe it! I wasn't sure my kids would be able to enjoy and/or process this. They did, and I am very pleased with this book. Looking forward to buying all the other editions.

I wish this book had been around for my children when they were little. Their great grandmother had told them about it, but it was no longer in print. I bought six copies... so they could read it to their chilren when the time comes AND one for my class of kindergartners. My K kids LOVE it!

I had Munro Leaf books when I was achild (I am 61 now) and loved them. This is a fabulous book. All kindergarten and first grade classrooms should have this book. It explains why manners are important in a way that children will understand that their life will be better if they use good manners.

I picked up my copy of this book at a yard sale. Many of the line drawings have been colored in, and in a few places someone is practicing her letters. It's that sort of ownership this book invites, with its childlike drawings and simple lessons on getting along with others, table manners, sharing, and cleaning up. Halfway through we also meet the Whiny, the Noisie, the Me First, the Bragger, the Sulker, the Bathroom Wrecker and many other undesirables. A great book for 3-7s.

Although this was a school requirement, I find it to be extremely useful and detailed.

I own many, many books on medical imaging, specifically MRI. This book encompassess the physics, sequences, imaging parameters, artifacts, contrast, and clinical application of these in very simple language with great illustrations. The authors have succeeded in publishing the best-written and most thorough of study/review books out there today.

This book helped me alot. I used it to pass my MRI registry and thought it was a hugh help.

I took the MRI Registry in October and passed. This is the only textbook you need. You do not have to buy any other. You really have to look through, dig deep, and study -- but the material and explainations are there. Good Luck

This is a fantastic book for an overview of MRI. It is easy to understand and well organized.

I didn't get to read all of this book because it was a gift for someone but what I did read was very good. It's very informative in all aspects of mushrooms. The book includes the science behind mushrooms, how they can be used for ecological benefits, and best of all how to grow and harvest them yourself. The index of mushrooms, their uses and other information was short but very good. I highly recommend this book and will probably get it for myself soon.

Stamets' Mycelium Running has way more mushroom lore than I'll ever remember - or even want to know - yet it's a fascinating read and inspiring too!

This book is the premier source for a critical knowledge of the mechanics of the only environment we have in which we live

Stamets is to be commended for some of his discoveries (even if done in conjunction with the US War Department & other unsavory institutions), but the fact is that even investing hundreds of millions of dollars, top scientists failed, in recent years (1990s), to recreate a self-sustaining life support eco-system for only 8 people (so-called "Biosphere 2" near Tucson, Arizona).
We simply do not fully understand the enormous complexity of our ecosystem and interactions of countless different chemicals and life forms; so while some of Stamet's discoveries could be used to improve the environment to some degree, his silver bullet approach appears rather dubious even if we had the luxury to ignore --as he does-- the deeper societal issues underlying environmental destruction. Stamets concentrates on superficial issues like mushrooms and green consumerism and ignores the pursuit of an ecological society based on non-hierarchical relationships, decentralised communities, eco-technologies like solar power, organic agriculture, and humanly scaled industries -- in short, by face-to-face democratic forms of settlement economically and structurally tailored to the ecosystems in which they were located.

I purchased this book as a gift for a fellow graduate student who is studying the relationship between vascular plant roots and fungi. He and our professor/advisor oohhed and aahhed over it. I should have gotten one for our advisor too!

A quality book with great photos through-out and it is very readable! I have come to the conclusion that mycologists aren't pretentious wordy folks! They enjoy their work, enjoy spreading their knowledge and it is obvious in this book! I agree with the previous reviews - this book should be recommended, if not required reading for any botany or mycology course.

A real eye opener for anyone interested in the future of our country (and the world). This book clearly illustrates how the United States has become the least democratic country in the western world. It is the responsibility of every U.S. Citizen to read this book, something the Democratic and Republican parties do not want you to do. After reading this book, you will know how to make your vote really count!

I don't think the founding fathers had an iron-clad 2 party monopoly based government in mind when this country was founded. In fact in was thought that the most intelligent and creative citizens would volunteer their time and energy to run the government and then return to their real vocation. What a distance we have traveled since those ideas. Robert Roth really tells it like it is, not like we hear it from the political parties. Our government is way out of control, when it cost $40 million to run for a primary in California's gubernatoral race and when big business can buy legislation almost on demand. It's time for change, and Roth's book sheds all the light we need to see how crucial and timely that change is needed. What an extraordinary book he has written and what a must it is for all of us to read it.

For anyone interested in third party politics, this book offers a good snapshot of the Natural Law Party, which, along with the Libertarian, Reform, and Constitution parties stands as one of the "major minors" -- often on the ballot, with a fairly professional operation. That said, much of the book drags, as Roth preaches about NLP views on several issues at great length, and gives short shrift to the party's actual plans for future electoral action. Perhaps silliest -- though most telling about what a minor party must face -- is a lengthy section about the creation and publicity of just one press release.

This is a very humorous and readable indictment of our political process. It manages to clearly present the ways in which our democracy is not in the least democratic, without whining or complaining. It also presents the startling and surprisingly realistic proposals of the Natural Law Party.

Bob Roth has done us all a great service with his highly readable, timely book that offers us a vision of a simple, practical way out of political gridlock and incoherence and into a more harmonious age. The new millennium is upon us. It is time we thought in new millennium terms, not in an obsolete paradigm that is bringing us down. Bravo for this book and the courage and promise it holds.

This is a recommended book to read for people who would like to read about statistics and maths. People with few knowledge about these sciences will find it a bit difficult to read.

This is the best book I have found for a general study of the of neural networks. I found this particularly useful when looking at how to write my own NN frameworks. The depth of the mathematics allowed me to easily answer questions like: 'what if I replaced function abc with xyz'. I have found other texts failed to show key mathematical derivations, or to explore the subtleties of what the maths imply.

The book covers a plethora of topics from simple gradient descent through second order techniques and conjugate gradient, through to the use of 'bayesian techniques' (basically confidence intervals on network outputs), monte carlo techniques etc. Similarly error functions, non-linearities (sigmoids, softmax etc.) and data preparation are all treated.

The extensive bibliography also provides excellent references for further study, (a whos who of the field, as well as actual titles). My copy is now dog earred from frequent reading.

The theories of NN and PR are quite difficult to understand. But this book makes them much easier. The author can explain the concepts without using too much formula. If other authors could follow his step then the life is much easier!

If you want a very good, intermediate introduction to pattern classification this book must be on your bookshelf. It even does a very nice job explaining the EM algorithm in a few pages! Basic calculus is all you need to understand the book. A must read.

Mr Bishop's book is very well written and contains a lot of useful information on neural networks. It is outlined well and progresses in a logical form. If, however, you are looking for a book that gives discussions with concrete examples of neural networks applications or set ups, you will be sorely disappointed. The mathematical treatment is universally generalized with very few specific concrete examples shown. Even the exercises will not serve you well. The term 'graded' is used; however, that simply referes to the description of difficulty. There are no answers to these exercises, so unless you have a teacher or are already firmly familiar with the material, you will not know if you have completed them correctly or not. Even worse, the exercises are in general not written to reinforce concepts in the chapter, but in most cases extend the chapter material into new regions.

In summary, this book should only be purchased by someone already familiar with neural networks and their mathematical basis. Anyone else will be wasting their money.

The concept of this book intrigued me and so I was anxious to read it when it came in. I started and finished it in the same day because I just couldn't put it down. I was impressed with the subject matter (the supernatural has always fascinated me, but it is very difficult to find supernatural writing from a Christian perspective). The characters are well written and believable and I must say that the settings are pretty amazing as well. It starts in one part of the world and ends in America and I felt like I took the trip with them. I did figure out one of the mystery parts in advance but that didn't take away from the rest of the story.

I am really looking forward to the next book in the series which is supposed to come out this year. If you like the supernatural or have teens that do, then you would love this book!

"Never Ceese" is the tale of a vampire and a werewolf who seek what we all seek deep down in our souls...redemption. Both were cursed unwillingly, and both have fought all their VERY long lives to never pass on that curse to another, but to cling to their beliefs that were ingrained in them as children.

Ceese finds herself lured to the castle of Penelope and Richard against her will, not certain what she will find once she arrives there. Richard isn't fond of visitors of any kind, and especially not visitors of Ceese's nature.

But Penelope persuades them both to accept one another and that they can help the other break the curse that binds them, thus giving them the ability to choose their own final destiny.

I know it sounds so far fetched that two of the most unimaginable creatures and most make-believe beings could have such strong desire for the things of God...but believe me, IT WORKS! And it makes the lure of God's redemption all the more powerful to see it played out in a work such as "Never Ceese".

This book will stretch your imagination to its farthest reaches, and almost make you believe...but not quite, because believing in something Sue writes so well is just, well, not something I find myself wanting to do!!

I'm giving "Never Ceese" five out of five bookmarks, with a tiny cross as a charm...because that is where our destiny changes, no matter who we are or where we're from. It all starts and ends at Calvary.

Happy Reading!

Deena

Richard has been cursed so long he can't even remember his life before he became a vampire. He spends his days with his long time friend, Penny, in his luxurious castle in Britain. Richard's world is forever changed when a young werewolf named Ceese arrives at his door claiming to be old friends with Penny. Ceese has also carried her curse for ages and she wants nothing more to be rid of it once and for all. Richard has long ago given up hope of ever being free from his curse and Ceese must convince him to hope again. Now vampire and werewolf must work together to discover a cure for the immortal curse that binds them both.

Sue Dent has done what few have dared to try, mixing elements of vampire and werewolf lore with themes of faith and spirituality. The result is an intriguing and exciting piece of fiction that is obsessively readable and entertaining on every level. Richard and Ceese are cleverly crafted characters who face insurmountable odds in their quest for redemption. Dent adds to the richness of the story by giving equal balance to both werewolf and vampire mythology. Many of these elements were familiar to me, with a few surprises that only added to the mystique of each character. The incorporation of faith is never forced and fits seamlessly into the storyline, making the messages of sacrifice and redemption that much more powerful in the end.

Never Ceese was a pleasant surprise to me and if it wasn't for Eric Wilson's Amazon review, I never would have picked it up. It's a shame that major CBA publishers aren't willing to pursue more "outside the box" fiction like Never Ceese. I'm glad to know there are publishers out there (like Writers' Cafe Press) who are willing to give these types of stories the recognition they deserve. I can't wait to sink my teeth into the sequel, Forever Richard.

I just finished reading Sue Dent's tale of Never Ceese. I think the other reviews have already covered just about everything that can be revealed without giving too much away, so I will have to be satisfied in saying I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Normally, I am not one to read about vampires and werewolves; not my cup of tea. Other people, however, gave rave reviews that had me very curious. I was suspicious, but Ms. Dent has successfully blended the creatures of horror stories with sound Biblical principles. It teaches about faith and love without being preachy. Much of the subject matter is dead serious (forgive the pun), but Ms. Dent has included plenty of comic relief. Really, I love her offbeat sense of humor. I read it rather quickly since I couldn't put it down for long.

At first? Reluctant. Next? Intrigued. By the second page? Thoroughly engaged. Sue has brought the urban mythos of vampires and werewolves to the spiritual plane. She causes her readers to delve into tragedy while hoping for redemption. Bravo! I eagerly await the promised sequel.