Products Books

JD Dragan is one of the most preeminent fine art photographers working today. Focusing on the African American male nude, Dragan's passion for documenting his truth is what makes his work so important today. He's one of the few American based photographers whose willing to focus on an often overlooked segment of society. I had the pleasure of speaking with the artist in depth about his passion for photography and the development of his recent calendar Black. [...].

A few years ago I visited the web site and was somewhat impressed. The web site do not do the photographs justice. Luckily at the time his works were being shown at an art gallery in downtown Phila. PA. After seeing his works up close and personal I purchased three (3) 22' x 28" photos. Later I purchased three (3) 16" x 20" photos and another 22" x 28" photo. Needless to say I am a Big fan. What I most appreciated was the fact that Mr. Dragan actually came to my house to help me mount the photographs to be shown in the best possible light. I also like the way he does not objectify the men, nor does he exploit them. He takes time to get to know them before the first shot is taken.

Superb collection from this brilliant "speculative fiction" writer, author of the delightful CORRUPTING DR. NICE. Too bad amazon.com used the Kirkus review, which was the ONLY negative review I read of Kessel's work.

This volume was originally intended to be a reprint of Kessel's Arkham House collection "Meeting in Infinity". In its final form, however, it includes only nine stories from that earlier volume. Instead, The Pure Product, in Kessel's words, "is a collection of stories that do not exist as portions of either Freedom Beach or Good News from Outer Space." Thus we are presented with seven previously uncollected tales, one dramatic adaptation, one new story, and two poems.

The most intriguing stories in The Pure Product here are those which deal with alternate realities. Readers are first treated to a short biography of 1930s science fiction writer Herman Melville ("Herman Melville: Space Opera Virtuoso"). In "The Franchise", Fidel Castro and George Bush play baseball, not politics, but nevertheless find themselves engaged in battle. Finally, Kessel presents a bittersweet meeting between his own father and H. G. Wells in "Buffalo".

Of course, The Pure Product contains examples of Kessel's trademark humor and wit. Entries such as "The Einstein Express" (wherein the protagonist learns about relativity firsthand), and "Man" (a story about a homeowner with a unique "pest" in his basement) will raise smiles. Also included is the hilarious "Faustfeathers", a play in two acts which can be described, as the title suggests, as Dr. Faustus meets the Marx Brothers.

These lighthearted pieces are balanced by some with darker premises. Thus, we have the philosophical "Buddha Nostril Bird" and "Animals", as well as the Bradbury-like "The Lecturer". "Not responsible! Park it and Lock it!" posits a bleak future where the American love affair with the automobile has been taken to a ridiculous extreme. "A Clean Escape" reflects on responsibility and culpability. "Invaders", contrasts Pizarro's conquest of the Incas with a bona fide alien invasion. Finally, "Hearts Do Not in Eyes Shine", a poignant tale of memory, trust, and betrayal, and "Gulliver at Home", which tells what the neighbors REALLY thought about the tales Lemuel Gulliver brought home, are revealing tales of married love.

The collection also features three of Kessel's unique brand of time travel stories. "The Pure Product" feels like a science fiction version of Natural Born Killers (published in 1986, it actually preceded that movie). The other two appear to be companion pieces to his recent novel Corrupting Dr. Nice. "Some Like it Cold" features a disconsolate Marilyn Monroe, saved from suicide and brought to the future, only to be returned to the lifestyle that destroyed her. "The Miracle of Ivar Avenue" tells a tale of murder and deceit featuring Preston Sturges, the film director who influenced much of Kessel's work.

If The Pure Product demonstrates anything, it is that Kessel is unclassifiable. There's a little bit of everything here, from time travel to alternate realities, comedy to tragedy. Kessel has said that, as a boy, he read science fiction both for escape and for its ability to inspire "the proverbial sense of wonder." The stories in The Pure Product will afford many other readers that same opportunity.

As someone who buys literally dozens of resource books for each hobby, trust me when I say this one is priceless -- especially for the more than reasonable cost. It's not as flashy as a Fons and Porter book, but it's packed with all the basics and some great fundamentals that most books skip over. It's like having your own very experienced quilter there to helps whenever you need. I find myself still grabbing it whenever I get a little stuck or doubt myself or get a little confused by something from another book. Whatever style of quilting you do, this book is essential to your collection.

If you are new at quilting this book gives very good instructions on how to make a quilt with little or no experience. Everything is step by step with an example to show you what to do step by step. I believe you will just enjoy it no end.

If you want to read a book full of double dealing, skullduggery, back stabbing this is your book. From the time the Bank of California decided to open a branch in Virginia, to the time, they closed the branch, it is really interesting, and spell binding.

Don't let the title fool you, this is a wonderful place to start learning about Virginia City and the Comstock Lode! I have the cheep paper back and I loan it to everyone. Thay all say its GREAT. I think every school kid in this state should read it. My faverate book on gold, and its about Silver!

Ready, Set, Green: Eight weeks to Modern Eco-Living by two experts at Treehugger.com, Graham Hill and Meaghan O'Neill is an easy to read--and digest--primer on green living.

Citing the industrial revolution at the turn of the 20th century as the beginning of the heavy use of non-renewable resources and pollution, the authors are equally optimistic that when the masses turn green, we will have a new, eco-friendly revolution.

Unlike some green books that have been published lately, Meaghan and O'Neill really care about the environment. They get that we need a "critical mass" to institute real change for the environment.

The authors deliver sensible and easy to implement ways to become eco-friendly. Drive less, switch bulbs from incandescent to CFL's--stuff anyone can do.

I recommend Go Green, Live Rich: 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth and Get Rich Trying to supplement Red, Set, Green and to psyche you on how going green save money. I also recommend Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet for even more easy, eco-friendly and stylish ideas for your home.

Found the book easy to pick up and blast through on a couple plane rides and immediately thought differently about the amount I fly, drive, eat, drink and everything else. Its not a guilt trip, its about insight and doing things smarter (and cheaper). That's really the secret gem of this book, living greener has the side effect of saving you money. Which is nice.

This CD is somehow both relaxing and invigorating at the same time. The melodies are gentle and beautiful. I listen to it in the morning and it helps me wake up an become alert without coffee.

Remembrance by J.S.Epperson is a special Cd, one of his best! While playing Remembrance, I experienced and became much more aware of a greater whole brain state of learning. I have Learning issues with Math and listening to Remembrance is the pathway of my success. A must have CD for those of us with ADD.

Excellent book, it describes the management principles for the whole new product development (NPD) process. The graphical frameworks provide a valuable synthesis of knowledge. The practical examples are the right complement to their conceptual postulates. The book is highly advisable for all actors involved in the NPD process. However, it must be a "compulsory" reading for general managers and executives within manufacturing plants, because of its strategic orientation.
Specially delicious are the chapters about aggregate project plans (Ch. 4) and Structuring the Development funnel (Ch.5). They contain the basic principles to halt those managers that want to tackle all the projects with the same limited resources.
The only gap in the book is the unclear link between the "pre-project" stages of the development (Development goals and objectives, and Aggregate project plan), and the project management phase. The authors fail to clearly establish where the project leader and teams joint into the development. More specifically, project definition is missed on exhibit 2-11.

This book, written in 1992, started a whole revolution in looking at the management of product development. Concepts like: the funnel to focus the organization on the right projects, an aggregate project plan, and the best two pages on project management that I have ever read are in this book. If you are planning to change your new product processes, this book is a necessity. Steven Wheelwright is a genius and you can read his brillance in this book.

Mr. Yockey is brilliant. His approach to money management is easy and effective. I wish I would have read this book years ago.

Road Map concentrates on the most meaningful issues surrounding money. "Money is not magic, it is what you do with money that is magic." While Wall Street tries to cloak investment techniques and information in complexity, Road Map to Wealth simplifies the whole process. From setting financial objectives, to picking stocks or planning your retirement this book makes it all easy.

Written in an easy, humorous style, Road Map gives you a real chance to meet your long term goals with intelligent choices. You can find out how to select the right mutual fund, stocks or bonds. Four information loaded chapters on mutual funds, including the Hype and Hazards of Funds. And if you need a financial advisor, how to pick one and the book explains how they get paid. You must have Road Map to Wealth.

This book is a very excellent if not the best reference that any engineering geologist should have in rock stability analisys

This is the premier reference book for rock slope stability analysis and construction. Even though the book is more than 25 years old the, guidelines are relevant and useful for modern-day rock engineering.

This book should be in every home. It covers safety hazards of every nature. It applies to families with children, seniors, and everyone who might not be aware that dangers lurk just about everywhere in our environment. I would say that it is a "cookbook" for safer living.

I enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be very informative on consumer issues and safety. Would recommend this book to a friend.