History Books

The Munsters was one of the greatest shows on television. It brought together fans of both the old Universal Monsters and situational comedy. Why it only lasted two seasons is anyone's guess (even the author questions this perplexion).

This book brings together the history of The Munsters. From concept to filming to cancellation. It even features the continuing history such as the theatrical and TV movies, along with the reinvention of "The Munsters Today." It contains biographies of each actor, an episode guide/summary, and a brief biography of its arch nemesis, The Addams Family. Not to mention great photos too...

If you are a Munsters fan, then this is the holy grail. If you are a passing fan, then I still recommend this book.

P.S.-Pushing all debates aside as to which series was better (although the Munsters take the prize), I would like to see an Addams family book of this nature.

This was a terrific book and provided detailed information about the show that took a lot of research. It was equally as entertaining. I would highly recommend that Munster fans (young and old). Illustrations are wonderful.

WOW, what an incredible book. This is just everything you need and want to know about the Munsters TV show. It has it all and doesn't skip a beat. The things you will learn about the tv show is just awesome. Wanna know about the makeup? It's there. Wanna know about the cars? It's there. What the cast has and is doing? It's there. Get the point.

Let me also say what a fabulous job of how the book was designed. Color photos and behind the scene shots thru out the book. These are just some of the most spectacular photos on the tv show I have seen. Nice Rare stuff. You will love it.

What a remarkable update to Mr. Cox original book. This is definately a whole new book. Get one before you can never find one like this again.

A TRIP DOWN MOCKINGBIRD LANE is exactly that: a compilation of recollections from cast and crew that more or less leave a good feeling about the show and is akin to an album a family might collect in time for a reunion. There are no major revelations in this publication; stories are repeated throughout and must be fan favorites that folks enjoy being told again and again.

There are hints about Patrick Lily (better known as Butch Patrick) and his behavior on the set. There is mention of Fred and Al's constant bickering with the powers-that-were, but nothing concrete. Someday I would like to read a biography that would focus on Patrick's experience as a child actor. I do not believe he was born in 1953, he looks nine (at oldest) when the show first premiers. I think his age was lied about so he could get into makeup and be on the set longer than a younger child would have been allowed (I surmise this because he still looks no older than 12 in 1968 when he does "The Phantom Tollbooth"). Although I love "The Munsters" television series, and generally believe a good experience was had by all, I would be interested in reading Lily's story; I think we would find that his grandmother used acting as some use modern-day foster care.

As for this work, it is rare that a television series receive such a loving treatment: the color photos are vivid, the black and whites are brillaint, there are several trivia features that are fun, but would not have been thought of by a lesser biographer. It is a terrific keepsake for Munsters' fans and television adhearants in general.

Having recently acquired this wonderful book by author Stephen Cox titled "The Munsters: A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane", as well as the recently released Two Seasons of the classic series on DVD, I once again never fail to marvel at this brilliant and totally original series that ran from 1964-66. Part domestic sitcom, part tribute to the Universal Monsters of old, and part satire on the "then", state of society as we perhaps knew it, "The Munsters" were really one of a kind, a sort of ghoul's version of "Father Knows Best". Produced in what I still firmly believe was the most creative decade on television, the swinging 1960's, "The Munsters", entry into the television schedule was perfectly timed and this most unusual of families slotted right in with the fantastic and totally "out of this world", programming of the time that featured beautiful suburban witches, talking horses, multi-millionaire hillbillies, bumbling spies, and sexy Genies.

Stephen Cox's loving tribute to this classic series makes first rate reading, chock full of terrific and highly informative information and dozens of truly stunning photos never before seen that will delight the heart of any reader. It truly is essential in the book collection of any devoted "Munster", fan like myself. In a similar vein to his other writing efforts that explored such much loved series from the 1960's as "The Beverly Hillbillies", and "Green Acres", Mr. Cox here explores everything to do with the show in a easily read format. Everything "Munster" is here from the original ideas that formed the basis for the eventual series, to information on the series' incredible cast and production crew, to a detailed look at the show's lavish attention to detail in terms of sets, costumes and makeup. Discussion is also given by Mr. Cox on the still mysterious reasons for the show's cancellation after only two years and then examines the amazing after life of "The Munsters", that continues on as strong as ever after 40 years when many of the more "realistic", sitcoms that replaced it are now only hazy memories. In short it's the perfect book for "Munster", lovers and anyone who has a real interest in how television was produced in that golden decade of the 1960's.

Mustang Moon is really good.
I'm interested in photographing
horses so I can relate to Sam in
alot of these books. I can perfectly
visoualize the picture Sam takes of
Hammer at Gold Dust Ranch. Exciting and
interesting.

I AM AN AVID READER AND HORSE LOVER! I STUMBLED UPON THIS SERIES LOOKING FOR A BOOK FOR MY NIECE. THIS SERIES IS PERFECT FOR ALL AGE'S!! I AM 27 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS CAPTIVATING BOOK FOR ME TO READ AS WELL AS MY NIECE!!!! A PERFECT SERIES TO COMPLETE YOUR FAMILY LIBRARY!!!

This is one of many Phantom Stallion books. I would say it's my favorite one so far. The reason this is my favorite book is because I like action books, and horse books. This story has both.
This story is about a girl named Sam and her old horse the phantom(Blackie). Mr. Solcum was accusing the phantom of stealing his new filly. Sam knew that the phantom had nothing to do with it because a blue roan had come and stole her gram's horse, Sweetheart. Can Sam find Sweetheart and the other horses that are missing.
I would recommend this book to people who like horses and adventures. I wouldn't recommend this book to boy because it has a lot of girl things in it like crushes and some stuff like that.

Mustang Moon is probably one of my favorite PS books. It's got such a great and different story line then the others. Linc Slocum is out to get the Phantom-anyway he can. He buys this fancy appaloosa named Hotspot and then this stallion comes and starts stealing all these mares, Hotspot to name one and Sweetheart too. Sam knows it's not the Phantom but Linc tries to prove it-even posting an award for the capture of him! Sam has to prove that the Phantom is not stealing the mares!

I love all of the books except #3 because she lets a bratty girl train her horse. This book is awsome. Every book has an adventure especially number 1 "The Wild One". I love these books and I recommend them to anybody who loves horses. I recommend them to 11 and up becauseyounger children won't understand the amazingness of this book. Do not read this if you don't like horses. You don't have to love them but don't hate them or you won't understand the girl's deep love for the horses. I love horses and would have done everything she did to save them. I'm currently on number 7 and I just bought number 8. I have yet to read it.

I am an avid reader of the paranormal. I head a paranormal book of the month club due to my ever-expanding library. When I started reading this book, I found I couldn't put it down. It's very captivating and well written. It's not just about the Salem Witch Trials at all, which is scarcely talked about in this book. This book goes indepth about stories and tales you have never heard about before. I loved it! I highly recommend this book to any lover of the paranormal.

You can tell that this book is something special just by looking at the quirky artwork on the front cover. I must admit that I've never visited that part of the world before, but was surprised to find out that New England has such a rich history of folklore and creepy tales. I love the informative way in which all the stories are presented. They have depth and the author usually always offers a theory as to why the (mostly) supernatural events have occurred. My most favourite story in the collection was "Beyond the Dark Entry". It discusses the demise of a small hamlet by the name of Dudleytown. This story was genuinely creepy. I also loved "From the Mountains of Madness" which details some of the eerie experiences various people have had on the top of Mount Washington. Another thing I liked about this book was that even though some of the subject matter or folklore may have stretched the truth a little over the years, they never fall into the trap of being so far-fetched that you feel like you're being taken for a ride. This was a thoroughly entertaining book and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in this genre. I consider this to be one of my most favourite reads ever!!

From the title of this book, I was expecting mostly ghost stories. However, this book is unique in its genre, and I was very pleasantly surprised! Although this book has much legend and lore, of which I am not usually a fan, this author's ability as a raconteur quickly overcomes the boundaries of time. These tales are superbly told by a master at his game. Joseph Citro, in his own words, claims to be an "anthologizer." That is exactly what he does here, and he does it well.

The author's ability to narrate a captivating tale is the epitome of the classic New England story-teller, wry humor included. His prose breathes invigorating life into these stories, most of which are "off the beaten path." He will at times make you shiver, and at other times scratch your head. Gathered for your inspection are some of the most creepy, bizarre, and, in some cases, well-documented strange happenings from across the region. Joseph Citro has set himself apart as a top-notch investigator of odd history and unsolved mysteries, a true "Bard of the Bizarre." I am especially a fan of the stories about the sightings of the "Yankee Bigfoot." There were some pages I couldn't turn fast enough.

This collection peeks into lots of New England's nooks and crannies, and should be included in any ghost story, folklore, or mystery-filled library. These strange tales are engrossing, well varied, and unique. I would love to sit down with the author over a roaring campfire, late at night, with only the forest winds howling . . .

Another collection of the incredibly bizarre and truly creepifying true tales of New England from Joe Citro. Not only are these tales so weird, so full of the Yankee spirit, so very scary, but Citro imbues them with the clever, dry-wit of the twinkle-eyed New England storyteller. This book was fantastic. Part of it might be that these places are very familiar to me and it isn't hard to imagine these weird, magical, creepy things occurring in the depths of old New England. Also, these tales are so absolutely bizarre that not even New England's best storytellers (from Nathaniel Hawthorne to Steven King) could have imagined them. I couldn't put this book down, and yet, I couldn't read it at night. Wonderful, scary, and fascinating collection. Grade: A+

What you'll love about this book is that Citro spins a good yarn. His storytelling style reads well, and your eyes effotlessly flow over the words. As for whether these stories are true, he includes some fantastically compelling reasons why they could possible be more than simple legend or folklore. Documentation, methodical investigations by qualified skeptics, law enforcement sightings, journalists, and witness-upon-witnesses, all shared in a non-overbearing fashion. He's not trying to prove anything, he's just tickling our thoughts -- and it works!

The stories themselves are either interesting, quirky, terrifying (or all of the above), and all of them -- I mean all of them -- are utterly unique. Just stuff you couldn't have made up on your own even if you were using hallucinogens!

If you're a skeptic it will challenge you. If you're a person of faith it will make you rethink your pre-assumed theologies. But ultimately this book succeeds because at its heart they're just well-told stories that will chill you to the bone and make you think at the same time.

When I bought this book, I hope to discover some facts about piano making and I am happy with the purchase. This is a good book for everyone because is the point of view of a writer and is the general view just like everyone who isn't in the piano world just piano technicians, piano teachers, buyers,dealers; is great for pianists, musicians and all the people who wants to know how is the making of a piano for one of the greatest piano makers, isn't a technical book, have historical facts in the way of anecdotic, humorous, and some factory language.

Steinway pianos are my favorite. Being that I am a professional country/blues pianist, if I can't play a Steinway, I would rather not play! James Barron wrote an historical account of the making of a Steinway. The piano is still made the way they started since the 1800's. No assembly line, no plastic parts, and no artificial wood. They are constructed by hand and skilled craftsmanship.

Why buy a $400.00 piano made in China? That is an insult not only to beginning and professional pianists, but an insult to the piano itself. In 2000, the piano celebrated it's 300th anniversary. Piano is the most famous house hold instrument.

This book is enjoyable, and educational even to those who do not play, but love to hear the glorious 88 keys hitting the strings. The harpsichord was a for runner of the piano. The difference was, you may beat the keys as hard as you can, but you still only received one level of sound. Strings were plucked, and the piano was made for the hammers to hit the strings. The harder you played, the louder a piano sounded. The piano changed the history of the world. I think two of the greatest pianist is Floyd Cramer, and Roger Williams.

Steinway takes you deep into the heart of their factory, and shows you how a piano is meant to be built and played. The history is fascinating.

K-0862 became a living...feeling...emotional entity by the end of this book........A very very original idea (to breath life into this piano) and well written. Actually EXTREMELY WELL WRITTEN book...My NEW favorite among all books...right up there with OVER THE EDGE OF THE WORLD......... The two most enjoyable....... educational........ books I have ever read!!!!!! KUDOS!!!!!!! I hated when i got to the end of this one!!!!!!

I took my copy of "Piano: The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand" to the beach with me. I read it in 4 days! Mr. Barron infuses a wealth of information into a wonderful story about this piano,and oh so much more. Before you know it K-0862 is a character you care about. I cannot imagine anyone not finding something to love about this book!!! Masterfully written!

Excellently and diligently written, this little book tells the story of one Steinway concert grand piano from conception to adolescence. Barron loves the piano, respects the Company, and is dilgent in showing the evolution of Steinway, as well as the creation of one, new opus - a 9 foot concert piano. Barron introduces us to the barons of Steinway and the individual craftsmen who hand make these excellent instruments. To me, the quality and individual character of each Steinway piano are no longer a mystery.

Each time I play my own small grand piano (a quality A B Chase, close replica of the Steinway model S), I think of the efforts that went into it. Unlike Yamahas and such, the Steinway is an almost hand-built piano from a Company which has never relented in its determination to produce the best.

The book also explains why age is not all that becoming in the tonal life of a piano. The instrument has a birth, a development, and an aging process which are measured in tonal character progress, not just years. The aged Steiway seems a time integral of all that has come before - including hundred year old designs and techniques, and all the way up to its last tuning.

If you think a piano is a piano, is a piano, Barron's book will change your outlook.

A friend maintains that "very few conspiracies don't get found out".. this is definitely true in this case, but how many other experiments have been done on children, perhaps wards of the state in numerous states using private agencies subcontracting with state child care agencies that we might never hear about?

Of particular interest is the Fernald school chapter, where MIT researchers befriended vulnerable kids and traded "friendship" and "caring" for doses of irradiated milk the kids were made to drink without their knowledge or consent in Massachusetts.

The release of Eileen Welsome's book "THE PLUTONIUM FILES- America's Secret Medical Experiments in the Cold War" in paperback will hopefully make this important book more accessible to the general public.

Detailing the effort of the US government to test the effects of Plutonium and other radioactive substances on people, the book outlines first the creation and evolution of the nuclear program that created the need for such testing, and then the US government's attempt to conduct such testing on its own citizens without their knowledge or informed consent. On strictly a superficial level there is much here which will attract the "x-files" crowd: Super-secret installations, eccentric scientists and far-fetched experiments on unsuspecting citizens. The kind of information that makes conspiracy theorists sit back from their computers in darkened little rooms, pump their fist in the air and utter that now-hackneyed phrase: "The truth is out there"

Fortunately for the reader, Welsome assiduously avoids such sensationalism and instead draws a largely compassionate picture of the US government's program and of the people who perpetrated it and who participated in it. Welsome's well structured and organized account of the growth of the plutonium testing programs involving critically ill persons across America during the Cold War years teems with information and insight, yet it manages to treat victim and perpetrator alike with a measure of respect and empathy that places this book well above the level of the standard "Shocking Expose". To her great credit Welsome goes beyond merely packaging the results of her extensive research and alarming discoveries in a "tell-all" book.

Certainly, THE PLUTONIUM FILES introduces information which, by its nature is bound to shock and disturb many, but the book also addresses the too-often forgotten issue of context: Was what happened acceptable by the standards of the time in which it occurred? In addressing this question Welsome probes more deeply into her subject, examining the duality, the moral dichotomy, inherent in the decision to implement this program. In a time when the world was still dealing with the results of a devastating world war and the possibility of another seemed likely the need for answers had an immediacy which could be ignored only at the world's peril. Hard decisions had to be made and extraordinary measures taken; Welsome is clearly cognizant of this as she assess each program and as she examines and balances the need against the action and its end result, the author treats the reader to some of her best analysis.

The Plutonium Files- America's Secret Medical Experiments in the Cold War is certainly an important book; one which adds a significant chapter to the recorded history of the growth of atomic science. Despite its scientific topic and exhaustive sourcing the books narrative is direct and engaging, its organization straightforward and its conclusions informed and objective. A book that is well worth its price, Welsome's book would be a great Christmas present for everyone from an avid historian to the omni-present x-files fan; who will find much in here to confirm their most exotic fears. Overall an excellent book for which the author has received two much deserved awards.

This book was completely amazing.

First, you want to be appalled {as well you should} with the amount and type of experiments that were carried out {radioactive cocktails for pregnant women!!}. How could anyone do this to another person??

Then, you think of the people in your own life who have gotten bone marrow transplants, or radiation treatment for cancer. It gets harder to hold the original doctors as evil monsters. Don't misunderstand me - informed consent is a must. How do you inform them of outcomes that are absolutely unknown - how do you start to know?

I thought a lot about this book as I read it, and continue to think about it now that I'm done. I'm sure there must be a middle ground between what they did, and what needed to be done. It is riveting and amazing.

This book has been haunting me since I finished it almost a year ago. How could we justify human experimentation? In the name of national security in the time of war? In the name of national pride in the age of nuclear arm race? Or, simply for the sake of personal career advancement? The answer is: WE CANNOT. What strikes me is that some of the scientists in question were building their career and reputation by conducting these secret experimentation. They were enjoying their fame and success while their victims and many generations after (if the victims still managed to have children) continued to suffer. What disgusts me the most is that even in the final moment of their life some of these scientists still denied any wrong-doing. When I read to that part, my heart ached and I could not hold back my tears, for I was a scientist too. Now a year later, I am still haunted by those stories. But more so I have come to realize a new question: If those experiments were done on other animals instead of human, would the book still raised the same controversy and interest?

This book is scary to say the least. It is well researched and details what is a practice probably still going on today in experiements we do not know about. I was particularly troubled by the Fernald school, where unwanted kids were befriended by MIT researchers who took them on trips and gave them presents in return for the kids drinking radioactive milkshakes. Was some of this done to generate data for use in bringing the first commercial microwave to market by Raytheon?

I was a guinea pig of sorts growing up in state child care and years later was confronted in an interview with what i suspect was a NSA employee as to whether i knew what " a controlled experiment is". As a young child, a former Pentagon official befriended me and tracked me,keeping files for research purposes over a 20+ year period.

Whitey Bulger is alleged to have been a participant in the MK Ultra experiments involving LSD.

I strongly recommend this and Jonathan Harr's "A Civil Action" to anyone!

That's what Helen Thayer said when the natives told her she needed a dog team for protection against polar bears. They said you won't hear the bears when they sneak up on your tent at night. She said she'd take just one and that one was Charlie. And, wow what a dog...not used to humans...not a pet, but a bear dog. Luckily they bonded quickly and he not only saved her life more than once, he also became her beloved friend.

All of her books are great reads and this one is at the top of the list.

I have not actually read this book, but today I listened to the author present the story in person while showing some of the pictures that she took during the journey. It is nothing short of remarkable to witness the sheer determination that made her success possible.

Of course, determination was less than half the battle. Thayer explained that it took her two years of meticulous planning and rigorous training to prepare for every possible contingency she might encounter on the journey. Clearly she could not have hoped to succeed without such detailed and thoughtful preparation.

This story certainly inspired my respect and admiration, not only for the power of the mind to carry us beyond perceived limitations, but also in response to the human-canine connection which was pivotal to the successful completion of the journey. It is heartwarming to hear of the bond that developed between Thayer and Charlie as one sustained the other through the various hardships they encountered.

A great book! It is so exciting that it is very difficult to put it down! After reading it, I ordered a total of 10 copies as presents for relatives and friends.

Great book. Helen Thayer set off in her 50s to walk to the magnetic North Pole. She did it only with Charlie, the polar bear wonder dog, given (sold) to her by the Inuit who were sure she wouldn't survive without a dog team who knew how to fend off polar bears. She finally agreed to taking one dog, who became her true partner in the journey (and afterward). The story is an outstanding tale of what she learned about herself and how she and Charlie so totally bonded, mutually dependent on each other. Helen prepared well and clearly fully respects Nature in all senses. It is also a wonderful tale about Charlie--about the intelligence of dogs we people would see more often if we just give them a chance to be themselves. This is an outstanding book for anyone of any age and hopefully will help more people understand the criticality and fragility of Nature, and the importance of treating animals (in this case, dogs) with true respect, care, compassion, and love. The book clearly shows the intelligence not just of Charlie, but also of the various polar bears Helena encountered (and successfully avoided attack from, without killing them). It also is an excellent book to get people thinking about themselves and their thoughts. Some of the lessons Helen learned, for example, included early on learning to say "no" as well as the importance of remaining positive and in control even when Nature seemed to be in control via a strong storm whirling around her for several days at a time. She includes photos from her journey, which also are amazing. An exciting, excellent book. I highly recommend this for everyone.

I am a big fan of stories of artic adventure, and this is one of the best. In this day of snow mobiles and ATVs, we have a woman at 50 -- author Helen Thayer -- setting out to walk to the magnectic north pole, pulling her own sled and accompanied by an Inuit dog she had only known for a couple of days. On her first day out, she suffers such terrible frostbite of her fingers they become almost useless. (I would have called it quits right there.) Then come polar bears -- one the world's most deadliest creatures. And they keep on coming. Some curious, some life-threatening. But, she continues on her amazing journey, not for fame or fortune, but for scientific information for her program Adventure Classroom. There are some fantastic photos included and very helpful maps. Her writing style is breezy and compelling. It's trimph of the human spirit and the bonding of a dog and companion. What a terrific book.

I'm a high school math teacher. I love this book. IT STAYS IN MY OFFICE AT HOME because BC calculus students, as gifted as they may be, are nevertheless ill prepared to conquer this.

The student who failed to test out of Calc I and II is a lot like a lawyer who represents himself (he has a fool for a client). Students, take the risk and ASK A FEW PEOPLE WHO KNOW! We want you to succeed--especially those of us who aren't in lock-step with the dumbing down proces.

Here's the good news for this student, if (s)he actually managed to grasp just 20% of "The Principia" (s)he will absolutely fly through calc and may well walk away with a better, deeper grasp of the material than his/her teacher.

I think I read it at the right time, after I began teaching. Had I tried to read it before answering the same questions I might not have understood it enough to continue. This is THE EPOCHAL MATHEMATICAL WORK of it's century and perhaps of a few nearby ones as well! It is on par with Euclid (another amazing book that is NOT for children).

All that being said, I have no problem with highly motivated youths and super-geniuses making a go of it. I grew up in Palo Alto and went to school with all sorts of super-smart people (such Bobby Fisher's family and the children of many Stanford Professors for instance). I know that some kids can handle anything and exist WAY above their teachers. What I also know is that discovering things that are totally beyond their comprehension can be profoundly unsettling to significantly bright children (120
Instead, I advocate assigning controversial literature reports (as extra credit) and letting that drive their lit. and social studies teachers crazy! It's much more fun and we can always find tie ins to math.

Tschuss

I FINALLY UNDERSTAND CALCULUS.I RECOMMEND PEOPLE TO TAKE THEIR TIME READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE PHILOSPHY OF ISAAC NEWTON.

At least if you read this book, you will know where it all started. Nothing more than basic calculus and mechanics is required, but the book is still tough going for those of us who aren't physics studs. The style is archaic, and Newton even includes the occasional theological comment (for example, in one of the Lemma's he refers to God as "an infinite and elastic spirit)." But for those with the patience, determination, and discipline to make it to the end, you can pride yourself on having read one of the most important founding works of modern science, and perhaps the most important and revolutionary single science book ever written.

My edition of this book was part of the famous Great Books of the Western World set, and it was one of my favorites. The only work in the set to require any higher math, there is no doubt it had to be included in the set because of it's importance. But unfortunately I suspect it's the most neglected work in the entire set of 54 volumes and over 300 works because of the level of technical difficulty.

"I hope that, decades from now, when I and my other books have been forgotten, this will still be useful to scholars and students". So spoke Harvard University Professor I. Bernard Cohen some years before his death in 2003. His co-translator Anne Whitman had died in 1984. The translation and the extraordinary commentary is 974 pages long and took 15 years to complete. I have had this edition for many years and in reading it again I decided to write this review. I feel grateful to Cohen and Whitman for what they accomplished.

This particular edition by Cohen and Whitman of The Principia stands alone (as far as I know) in making one feel that a teacher, guide, and historian are holding your hand while exploring and understanding one of the most dramatic and powerful scientific and mathematical treatise ever written. I am surprised at some of the reviews here in that they seem to discuss the applicability or utilization of The Principia as a Physics or Math textbook. This is certainly not a textbook in the modern sense in any respect. This is not a book you would use to prepare for any normal Physics or Math examination. It must be kept in mind that this book by Newton was a human accomplishment and this particular edition with its extensive commentary by Cohen lets one be exposed to both the scientific rigor and social aspects of the world of Isaac Newton. And due to the fact of Newton's extraordinary scientific and mathematical accomplishment it caused historical alteration in the course of human events as does each great expansion of human knowledge. Sometimes when mathematical expressions and concepts of Physics are portrayed we forget that the ideas are first and foremost a human experience, it is not some distant and inscrutable theory but part of our most intimate life. We try to understand what we are and where we are. In the days of Isaac Newton Natural Philosophy was thought of as an expression and search for the truth and mathematics was sometimes able to be the handmaiden of this exploration. Unfortunately, from my point of view, philosophy has become detached from much of mathematics and this has done a disservice to both Physics, Math and what is currently thought of as Philosophy. I see no advantage in this current day separation and when immersing yourself in this edition of The Principia, there is a longing for those days now past when there was a unification of science and philosophy.
There is little reason in this review to explain the significance both mathematically and historically of the writing of Isaac Newton. Whether a student is using a conventional Physics textbook to master the understanding, laws and calculations described in The Principia or is exercising physics problems to show facility and prepare for an examination, each and every aspiring learner is obligated to master the ideas and knowledge as expressed in The Principia one way or another. Certainly our current day Physics textbooks do not teach as Isaac Newton taught and wrote. The Principia is not a book normally used to prepare for any Physics examination whether in High School or University. But the law of science and math as expressed in The Principia is as valid in general application today as it was in 1729. Our understanding of the laws of Newton as they relate to later discovered equations and expressions, including Relativity, does alters our knowledge of applicability of Newtonian physics. It does show the limitations of our belief in the immutable Laws of Nature, including those mathematical laws. In some respects radically so. So, it really depends upon the demands you put upon the math and knowledge as expressed in The Principia. Do not read Isaac Newton in the light of Albert Einstein and others. First read Newton in the light of his age, then step back and remember how we have continued along this amazing path to knowledge. So The Principia is another place in our human endeavor. This is not just a book for mathematicians. As related on pages 297 and 298 that wonderful contemporary of Newton, John Locke, without benefit of full mathematical understanding was still able to comprehend the ideas within. So will you. This is by far the best edition of The Principia I have ever read. Kenneth Ellman. ke@kennethellman.com

I am writing my dissertation on Newton and have found this translation incredibly helpful and surprisingly readable.

The Principia is one of the most difficult and inaccessible books ever written -- so much so, in fact that even John Locke (himself a pretty smart guy) had to ask Christian Huygens to explain much of it to him. This difficulty was intentional, because Newton did not want people who only understood math a little to try and undermine his arguments. For this reason, he rewrote book three so that only those who had read and understood book 1 could understand its concepts.

People laugh when I tell then that I own a book with a three hundred page introduction, but it's a book that needs a three hundred page intro. In their intro, Cohen and whitman describe the history of the principia, its structure, an explanation of where prior translations have fallen short, and -- most importantly -- note which of the Principia's sections have been most significant during and after Newton's time. This is helpful so that when you get to each section, you are more likely to notice which elements may have seemed most controversial, where he is taking down Descartes' vortices, etc. I'm not saying I agree 100% with cohen and whitman on all of their points, but they have produced a work that does not simply translate the book; it also shares the writers' substantial knowledge about the principia.

This is an essential and monumental translation. If you are at all interested in early modern science, you must own it.

This book is great for beginners being introduced to philosophy and consciousness ideas, as well as seasoned readers of the genre. There is quite a bit of history of Panpsychism (and other world views) given, which the author says could be skipped if you are already familiar with the subject.

The author's writing style is easy to read, and he gives samples of upcoming ideas that keep you motivated to keep on reading. I got the sense that Mr. de Quincey is a talented teacher - I felt like he was giving me a personal lecture (in a good way!) as I was reading.

Although the book is definitely focused and has a point that he is trying to convey, I got the impression that Mr. de Quincey didn't have an agenda that he was trying to push on the reader. While reading the book, I got the impression that the author was taking the reader through the research and thought processes that lead him to his conclusion. It seemed like he came up with this conclusion naturally and rationally, rather than having a the conclusion in mind before starting his own research and gearing his studies towards his opinion.

Because of this, I think this book will appeal to open-minded materialists as well, since Mr. de Quincey presents himself in a very non-New Age manner. He keeps any farther reaching speculation (afterlife ideas, notion of a soul, etc.) to a minimum, which I thought was a refreshing change from the norm in books that propose a more Panpsychic view of the world.

This is the first part of a trilogy, so if you like this one be sure to read the rest.

Christian de Quincey's book "Radical Nature" fell into my hands at just about the right time to heighten that curious sense of synchronicity when things seem to have an underlying harmony and purpose, and I thoroughly enjoyed his body of thought.

Perhaps this book arrives at the right time for many people who want to liberate themselves from the clutches of the old materialistic paradigm. It will help them in this endeavor, because Dr. de Quincey respects and appreciates the achievements of all the great thinkers who have come before whether they would have agreed with him or not.

As the great P. Feyerabend has pointed out, philosophers of science often tend to overlook that science itself is a story and not a problem of logic. Dr. de Quincey does not make this mistake. He takes his ideas further and talks of the unfolding story of the cosmos, how it is intelligible to us precisely because we are inseparably connected to it, part and parcel of its essence and its being. We can make sense of it all, because it is sensible; everything, the whole cosmos including its very last spec of matter, is "intrinsically sentient" he declares. Matter and psyche coexist as an inseparable whole.

Dr. de Quincey has labored hard to pull together all the different strands of human knowledge from the fields of science, philosophy and psychology, and he presents them in his beautifully clear understanding. His well argued and carefully outlined thoughts on the nature of matter and consciousness especially the mind/body split are designed to put Humpty Dumpty back together again when nobody thought this could be done. I actually feel liberated and, in some sense vindicated after finishing this book, since it strengthens and validates in strong ways feelings and thoughts I had for quite some time. I learned a lot reading this work, and the best thing is, it actually made me a happier person.

In this book, de Quincey's knowledge, experience, passion and scholarship catapults our understanding of consciousness into a view which dissolves boundries between matter and mind. His clarity and eloquence of expression helps to bridge the gap between pure feeling and the written word.

My favorite quote from the book: "Stories Matter, Matter Stories" (also a chapter heading) says a lot about this book which is chuck-full of wisdom. His ideas are well supported and come across with the simplicity of "common sense."

When I read this book, I rushed over to Amazon and bought Christian de Quincey's other book Radical Knowing.

I totally agree with his witty critique of "physics envy" . . . Consciousness is not a sub-atomic virtual energy field although, as he correctly points out, it is the experiencer of energy, of vibrations, of fields, and waves. His slogan "Consciousness knows. Energy flows" says it all.

His thought and writing are so fine and so beautifully intelligent, and I responded with feeling. I particularly want to compliment de Quincey on his amazing explanation of the great philosopher Whitehead. I have heard that he is the hardest philosopher to understand. But Radical Nature does a great job untangling difficult ideas. After reading this, I find Whitehead the easiest philosopher to understand now--particularly the mind-body connection. People should come to this book with a feeling sense . . . reading while listening to our bodies. Dr. de Quincey's teaching has more than a touch of real alchemy. The more I read his books, the more I know I am calibrating a great mind who can communicate in an exciting and profound way. I kept having to put the book down because it inspired cascades of ideas and contexts that made complexity unravel in a life affirming, powerful way. This book, and Radical Knowing perhaps even more, is positively juicy, a term not usually used for top scholarship in consciousness exploration. Dr. de Quincey is particularly adept bringing a grounded, welcoming order to complex, abstract philosophical language. In the end, I landed right where he wanted me to...wanting and able to read and know more. Both books added so much value and richness to my life and merit every bit of attention.

This book was a valuable addition to my ongoing search to make sense out of my world. I owned it for some time before I read it. Then I bought Radical Knowing and liked it even better. (I reviewed it in July)

De Quincey puts into words deep feelings I have had all my life about my connection to nature. His research seems to be impeccable. I can only read so much and it really helps to read an author who does so much of it for me.

I am not a scientist or a philosopher so some of the arguments between different schools of opinions don't mean a lot to me. What I enjoy are new ideas put in language that is readable and enjoyable. This book fulfilled those requirements.

I was thoroughly disgusted to read the baseless criticisms of this superb cookbook. It is precisely to obtain an accurate account of the cookery of this region along with first-rate recipes that one needs to own "Recipes and Remembrances." Although Claudia Roden's "A New Book of Middle Eastern Food" is better than Paula Wolfert's "The Cooking of the Eastern Mediterranean," when it comes to recipes and text neither can approach "Recipes and Remembrances" in quality. I have cooked extensively from many Middle Eastern cookbooks, including these three, and I can honestly say that Uvezian's book upholds the highest standards of eastern Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cooking and is in a class by itself.

This is an absolutely wonderful cookbook that provides a wide range of authentic, workable recipes that make use of healthful and readily available ingredients. Both the text and illustrations are fascinating, the glossary alone is worth the purchase price, and there are also valuable menu and serving suggestions. Highly recommended!

A gastronomic find, especially for those who evaluate the quality of their lives in terms of what they eat. Uvezian's dedication to excellence is apparent on every page. Impressively authentic recipes and outstanding culinary background information make this richly illustrated volume enormously useful to both professional chefs and home cooks.

Another great cookbook by this author is "The Cuisine of Armenia."

`Recipes and Remembrances from an Eastern Mediterranean Kitchen' by Sonia Uvezian, a native of Beirut, Lebanon, and a leading culinary journalist on Middle Eastern cuisines, is both a personal and scholarly account of food history and modern practice from the Arab (and other) traditions of Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.

The very best thing about the book is the mix of scholarly history, personal observations, and culinary content. While the scholarly aspect is firmly grounded in copious footnotes and a five page bibliography, mostly of 19th and early 20th century travelogues and histories, it is neatly tucked away, below the level of our stream of consciousness read of the excellent prose. The personal observations have all the richness of an upper class native, whose family could afford a country house up in the mountains east of Beirut, and also afford all of the best ingredients, and were familiar with the full range of the cuisine of the Levant.

All this makes the book very different from the long-standing authority on cooking of the Levant, Paula Wolfert's celebrated `The Cooking of the Eastern Mediterranean'. Not only is the approach different, but Ms. Uvezian does not even cite Ms. Wolfert, even though Wolfert's well-known book was published five years before Ms. Uvezian's volume. Ms. Uvezian also does not cite the other great writer on eastern Mediterranean cooking, Claudia Roden, with her `The New Book of Middle Eastern Food'. I point this out not as a criticism, but as an indication that Ms. Uvezian has much of her own thing to say and does not need references to other modern culinary writers. I compared Ms. Uvezian's recipes with those from Mme. Wolfert, and was surprised to find little overlap there, even in the very well defined realm of breads. All this adds up to the conclusion that if you have an interest in Arab cooking of the Levant, you would do well to get both books (although if your interest is strictly culinary, Ms. Wolfert has a slight edge, as she is the better writer, and has an extremely good eye for describing recipes, even if they were not learned at her mother's knee.)

Ms. Uvezian gives us a lucid description of the history the culinary history and landscape of Arab, Turkish, Druse, Persian, and French influences on the cooking of the Levant. It should be no surprise that in spite of the presence of Israel smack dab in the middle of this region, ancient Hebrew and modern Jewish food traditions are not covered, although there are shelves of other books dedicated to this subject.

This cuisine is part of the greater Mediterranean world of food, with some very important differences from the western (European) Mediterranean of Spain, France, and Italy. First, there is no charcuterie to speak of, since there is the prohibition against eating pork. Thus, there is also no cooking with lard; however, the rich sources of olive oil and nut oils make this absence virtually unnoticed. And, butter is more important than in pig-rich Spain and southern Italy. Next, there is no cooking with wine, due to the Muslim prohibition against alcoholic beverages. And, cheese (especially hard aged cheese) is largely replaced by yoghurt (The primary hard cheeses mentioned are kashkawan, imported from Turkey or Rumania and the famous Italian Parmesan). On the positive side, there is far more cooking with sugar and other sweet products such as dried fruit. While the Italians give little thought to sweet desserts, the Arabs of the Levant love sweet desserts and pastries. They also make much heavier use of spice mixtures, based on their being closer to the source, and somewhat under the influence of the great Indian tradition of spice mixtures. Where the great French cuisine can muster but two named spice mixtures, the Levant has a dozen or more.

While the book is subtitled `A culinary journey through Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan', the direction of the text is oriented more toward a historical rather than a geographical perspective, with each chapter giving an historical overview of how various food lines evolved.

One of the great surprises, given the absence of a tradition of bars, taverns, or other alcoholic dispensers, is the tradition of Mazza, virtually identical in social and culinary function as the tapas of Spain, the merende of Italy, and the mezze of Greece and Turkey. The typical mazza spread looks remarkably like all those other traditions, with ample portions of olives, spiced nuts, fresh fruits and bread-based bites, but without the salamis and hams and wide variety of cheeses. In the place of cheese there is the rich variety of seed and eggplant-based dips plus yoghurt preparations.

Like the very best studies of Italian, Spanish, and French regional cooking, the book includes chapters on virtually every corner of the culinary landscape, including chapters on Appetizers; Salads; Soups; Dairy Products and Dishes; Egg Dishes; Fish and Shellfish; Poultry and Game Birds; Meat; Kibbeh; Stuffed Vegetables and Fruits; Grains and Pasta; Vegetables and Fruits; Sauces Marinades, Garnishes, and Stuffings; Pickles and Preserves; Breads and Savory Pastries; Desserts; and Beverages.

The book includes a list of middle-Eastern food markets from practically every state; however, these are only in major cities, and there are no Internet sources. If your family is from this region, this book is satisfying oasis of great culinary history, lore, and recipes. For all others, it's a great supplement to Ms. Wolfert's famous volume.

While I haven't cooked a tremedous amount of food out of this book yet, it is probably the first cookbook that I have read more than once. It is some wonderful information on the people, history and food of the Levant. It goes through how the different groups in the Middle East serve and prepare food. Talks about the influence of foreign powers on the food and culture. I really enjoyed this book. It's only flaw if that it is long and difficult to wade through if you just in the mood to cook a simple Middle Eastern dish. One of the strengths is the spice mixes. I keep the prepared spice mixes in my cupbard within easy reach and use them a lot.

this kind of book is right up my alley, time period is the most enchanting.

I will keep this short and simple Mrs. Wolf is one of the best writers around. I loved this book it was worth every penny and I plan to keep it and read again one day.

This was a great read -- I could not put it down. It was wonderful to start with the young Arthur and the experiences that made him the man - king -- that he was. The love story between Arthur and Morgan is truly heartbreaking and will bring tears to your eyes. The scene where Arthur comes face to face with the son he didn't know he had is gut wrenching.

I highly recommend this book, as well as the other two that follow in this trilogy, Born of the Sun and The Edge of Light. I wish the author would return to this style and quality of writing as opposed to the light fluffy regencies she is currently writing.

The Road to Avalon is the story of King Arthur written as pure historical fiction with very elements of fantasy. This makes it quite a different story from the one that is normally told. There is no magic, no dragons, no quest for the Holy Grail and such things as are normally incorporated into the story.

Uther Pendragon and Igrane married and three months later had a son. Because Igrane was married to another man when the son was conceived (though it was Uther's child) they thought it best that the child not be Uther's heir. So he was sent away to be raised with peasants. Fast forward nine years and Igrane has had no other living children, so Uther sends his father in law, Merlin, to fetch young Arthur and raise him to be a king. Only when Merlin finds him he discovers the boy has endured years of abuse. He takes him home to his villa, Avalon, and raises him along side his eight year old daughter Morgan. But he never tells Arthur who he is.

Morgan and Arthur grow up together and are in love. But Arthur is reveled to be the next High King when he is 16 and he learns Morgan is his half-aunt and he can never marry her. They end their relationship. Arthur doesn't want to live without Morgan but she knows the country needs him and sends him away.

You can guess the rest. This is a lovely version of the classic Camelot tale and is very romantic and sweet. My only complaint is that Morgan doesn't have much of a personality-she's basically a reflection of Arthur, who is a lovely portrayal of a tortured soul who only exists because of love. And the choice she made about not marrying Arthur because they couldn't have children after her son Mordred was born seems stupid. I don't think that she did it purely so Mordred could have a happy childhood-she could have made him happy with her and Arthur. But other than that she's a great charecter. And it is nice how no one is really evil in this book or wholly unlikable-everyone is portrayed very fairly.

Anyway, good book. Four point five stars.

An incredible version of King Arthur sans Lancelot. This is the story of Arthur, and his more than humble beginnings, until Merlin tells him years after he "adopted" him that he is the heir to the British throne after Uther. He is Uther and Igraine's legitimate son. While Merlin is preparing him to be a leader whilst living in Avalon with his daughter Morgan, the two children develop a lasting friendship that turns into love. He doesn't know for years that Uther is his father, Igraine his mother, Merlin his grandfather and Morgan his aunt until he is to be king. By then it is too late to stop the love between Morgan and Arthur.

He becomes king but he still wants to marry Morgan. Merlin & Morgan warn him that the threat of incest will impede his reign and tell him it's impossible to marry her. He does eventually marry Gwenhwyfar in a loveless marriage to produce an heir while continuing his relationship with Morgan. Meanwhile, Gwenhwyfar finds comfort with Bedwyr with Arthur's knowledge and unspoken permission. Morgan has been keeping a secret from Arthur for 15 years that also comes out.

Read this book! It's a refreshing storyline that I haven't encountered before. Bedwyr is Gwenhwyfar's lover and there is no Lancelot to fuddle things up as usual. Mordred is portrayed as a very unwordly teen and unsure of himself and others. Agravaine is as obnoxious and cunning as he usually is in other novels. Gwenhwyfar is in love with two men. Finally, the relationship between Arthur and Morgan is not a simple one but a lasting one.