Educational Books

The Hunting of the Snark is a whacky piece of poetical silliness by Lewis Caroll. Complete nonsense, no-one knows what a Snark is, or why Snark hunters hunt it, or why anyone would want to become a Snark hunter to start with. Anyway, the poem is definitely amusing at times with some of the humour he slips in.

The Hunting of the Snark seems to be a very, very short imitation of The Canterbury Tales. The first chapter (titled a fit) introduces all of the occupations of all the different people going on a journey. However, instead of going on a general pilgrimage and telling tales along the way, their trip is very specific to hunting.

The Baker actually attempts to tell a story, but the Bellman (who leads the group) says there's no time for storytelling. They have to catch the Snark before nightfall.

Along with the Bellman and Baker, a Banker, a Bonnet-maker, a Butcher, a Boots, a Billiard-maker, a Barrister, a Broker, and a Beaver tag along to hunt for the Snark. The Beaver is afraid of getting cut by the Butcher, so he puts on a dagger-proof coat and talks to the Banker about buying an insurance policy.

The Beaver is involved in a hilarious scene with the Butcher later, when the two attempt to compute sums. But perhaps the funniest scene of the entire book is in the Barrister's dream when the Snark declares sentence on a pig, only to find out the pig has been dead long before the trial even began.

I'd highly recommend this short poem for Carroll fans, even though it's not big enough to contain but a small portion of what's to be found in the Alice books.

I have read a great deal of nonsense in the past, but this was by far the best nonsense that I have ever read. There is no point, no meaning, no sense, and no boringness. It is a delightful poem (which is well written and very fun to read aloud) about a crew on a ship hunting a snark. The crew includes a captain who only rings a bell, a beaver, a cook who only cooks beavers (the beaver and the cook did not get along well), a man afraid that the snark would turn into a boojum and make him disappear, etc. As you can tell, this makes for an insanely silly poem. The subtitle is rather fitting, as my sides were definitely hurting from laughter when I was done. Well done Mr. Carroll.

Overall grade: A+

Nonsense poems can easily miss the mark
Yet, this masterpiece has that spark.

"How do you kill a _____?", you ask
To find the answer was the hunters' task.

"What was their fate?", you wonder
Did they ever catch their elusive plunder?

A paragon of haunting Carollian lore
Be in no doubt that you'll finish wanting more.

This poem is just great!

First, this one of the most delightful pieces of writing that ever appeared in (more or less) English. It succeeds as a sustained exercise in illogic. I am sure that only a mathematical logician like Dodgson could possibly have pulled it off - only someone with such deep understanding of reason could master unreason so completely.

Second, Martin Gardner's commentary adds depth and background to the reading. Gardner explains terms that are now obsolete, but also adds his own analysis and a rich history of the Snark phenomenon. It should be no surprise that Gardner is still best known as the long-time editor of Scientific American's column on Mathematical Games, a mathematician himself.

I can't add much to the scholarship or praise that already surrounds this incredible poem. I would like to point out, however, that most non-native English speakers are unfamiliar with this poem. Many of them have only ever seen the serious side of the English language, and have never seen English at play. I consider this short work to be the ideal introduction to the very best of English-language nonsense.

//wiredweird

My 22-month-old grandchild loves this book so much that she MUST take it everywhere, even to bed. We had to order another board book since the first one is worn out!! The reasons why she is so attracted to this book are, I believe, the illustrations. They are vivid, realistic, and not too busy. She also can identify with the baby emotions expressed, and last but not least, she loves the rhyming text. If you stop reading for a minute, she will come up with the easy-to-remember rhyme word. This is the first children's book I had to repurchase due to (happily) excessive use.

My granddaughter's favorite book; she especially loves the pictures! I've ordered more for friends' babies as well. Highly recommended!!!

My daughter loved this book when younger than two years old, as I would sing it to her. Now that she is almost three years old, she can understand the humor of some of the illustrations. I expect that as she gets older, she will further understand and appreciate the story that is independently told in the pictures. A sturdy, lovely, enjoyable book.

This is a marvelous bedtime book! The minimalistic verse (that we all know!) matches the lovely and detailed drawings. Perfect for reading aloud and for poring over slowly as well.

Hush, Little Baby is an excellent children's boardbook. The illustrations are wonderful and detailed enough so even reading it many, (many, many!) times to my child, we find interesting new things to look at. Thank you Marla Frazee!

In general this is a very good book to learn Italian. Other reviewers have commented on how it is organized and layed out, so I won't repeat that here. Comments to add though are that it does build nicely upon itself, so in Unit 10 for instance, it will re-emphasize something important that you may have forgotten from Unit 7.
I really like the crossword puzzles as I find that a very effective use of really testing my comprehension. Unfortunately there are the occasional errors in the answers, or the crossword puzzle will spell a word wrong in the cross so that there is 1 fewer box than actual letters for the word. These errors are very few though.

The book has an Italian-English and English-Italian translation in the back. I think it could be improved by adding the page number, or at least Unit number where it is discussed. For instance, I can look up "parlare" (to speak), but it doesn't say how to conjugate it. So I have to flip through the book to the unit that it is discussed it to find out. And there is no index either.

But I still think it is a very useful and comprehensive book.

Well I just began to study Italian by myself at home and I bought this textbook. Its a very good starting point to learning Italian. Learn basic expressions, pronunciation, and grammar. I recommend anyone who wants to start learning Italian to buy this textbook.

I started learning Italian by myself using the Pimsleur (listen only) method and reached a point where I needed to learn how to read and write Italian and also grammar, etc. I tried a few books, but Italian Now! is the only one that I stuck to. It is fun, the lessons are organized in a very effective way; it makes it easy to memorize new information and understand the grammar, without seeming overbearing.

I'm currently half way through this book, I hack away at it bit by bit in 1hr or 1 1/2hr segments everyday day or so. I'm an Italian destination specialist that is moving to Italia in one year. So of course I must learn the language. I do agree with another poster that on its own you can't learn the language with this guide. I started learning Italian August 2006, with the Rosetta Stone level 1&2, that took me 9 months to complete. It took me so long because I hand wrote and translated each and every lesson in addition to the audio learning software. I finished that in May 2007, I then started re reviewing Rosetta Stone little by little. But I found I couldn't get all the grammer correct. Rosetta Stone dosn't teach grammer all that much. Rosetta Stone has me speaking Italian but getting alot of grammer wrong. After returning from Italia again this August, I decided to futher my studies. I picked up this book along with the complete big yellow grammer book about a month ago or so. This book has really helped me grasp grammer and past/present/future/plural tenses so well and I'm only half way through it! My boss speaks Italian, so we together work over everything I don't understand on my own. But this lesson book is great. I'm so glad on a whim I just bought it! Cause I'm glued to it just about every evening for a little bit. Overall and excellent additional learning source

I was looking for an Italian language resource that was both introductory in nature, but not so rudimentary that it could not serve as a building block for future mastery.

Italian Now! is an entry level/college-high school first semester course designed to give the Italian student a solid foundation/introduction and a springboard to intermediate study.

I was impressed by the facility with which the dialogues utilize the vocabulary and the applicablity for daily life. I'm about a 1/4th through this book; I feel that I will be ready to speak this beautiful language when my wife and I travel to Tuscany late next year.

For me this book is a little too heavy- too scientific - I'm teaching children most of the time - This book will enrich our knowledge beyond instructions - I like this book but I think I need to read and read again to catch the idea and use it in my class.

I recently had the opportunity to read one of Lawrence A. Kane's books entitled, "Martial Arts Instruction: Applying Educational Theory and Communication Techniques in the Dojo" and found it to be a fantastic book for anyone involved in the teaching of students and not just those involved in the martial arts. This book is a fantastic source for reference material concerning the art of teaching, and yes, I do feel that teaching is an art form.

The approach Lawrence takes in this book is simple, yet loaded with an abundance of information that shows you various methods that you can easily incorporate into your own particular style of teaching regardless of what the particular subject is. I can almost guarantee you that if you purchase this book and study it for a few weeks, and then start applying the information that you have learned, that you will see a notable improvement in your own teaching ability, while at the same time see a marked improvement in your students.

When I first read this book, I identified with a lot of the mistakes that Lawrence mentioned concerning my own teaching style especially when I first started teaching students a little over 20 years ago. Although it is imperative that we as individuals make our own mistakes, it is not that easy or desirable to make mistakes when you are responsible for the development of another individual. Although Lawrence's focus is on teaching the martial arts, a lot of what he tells you could also be used when teaching your own children. However, you would have to modify your teaching method a bit.

The following is a brief review of each of the six chapters in this book and what there main focus is on.

Chapter One: Understanding Learning Style Differences

In this chapter, Lawrence delves into the different types of personalities that an instructor will undoubtedly find in his students, as well as, how to tailor your teaching style to best suit each individual personality type. He also delves into the use of the five senses in order to enhance your teaching ability so that your students not only retain more information, but also enjoy the lessons being taught.

The five senses are; seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling, and smelling. Although it isn't practical to employ the use of all five in every lesson plan, you should try and devise a few that you could use once every month or so. I used a similar approach once teaching a group of law enforcement officers and the response I received was very encouraging. It works so use it.

Chapter Two: Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Tool to Understand Student Predilections

This particular chapter is quite complex, yet Lawrence makes is all seem rather simple with his easy to understand explanation of the various personality types and how they are best suited to learn and retain information. In this section, Lawrence supplies you with some very good resource material to have your own personality tested in order to determine what type of personality you have and what method of teaching is more conducive to your ability to learn.

Chapter 3: Applications of the Six Teaching Styles to Martial Arts

The six teaching styles discussed in this section are; modeling, lecturing, cooperative performance, independent performance, knowledge capture, and role reversal.

Lawrence describes in detail each one of these teaching styles and provides good examples of when to teach that particular method and how to apply it to the teaching of the martial arts.

Chapter 4: Fostering a Positive Learning Environment

In my humble opinion there is one section in this chapter that perhaps says it all when it comes to the ability to teach another person, and that is the attitude of the teacher.

This was the single most important thing that jumped out at me when I read this book. Although there is tons of useful information provided within the pages of this book, none of it is going to be worth the proverbial hill of beans without the proper attitude being displayed by the teacher.

Etiquette or respect for oneself and others is so vitally important not only to the learning environment, but also the living environment where we have to co-exist with so many different people from a vast array of backgrounds and cultures.

Another great subject that Lawrence brings up in this section is the importance of a solid emotional and physical environment in which to teach your students. The one undeniable single factor that is prevalent in everything that Lawrence discusses is the teacher. He or she is the one who will make or break a class and/or the students in it. You can have the most exciting subject and something that you are hugely passionate about become the most boring and painful experience if the teacher is horrible. Or you can take the most boring subject and make it interesting if the teacher is passionate and knowledgeable about how to get his/her information across to the students.

Along with a lot more information on the role of the teacher, Lawrence also spends some time going over some very solid information on how to find the martial art and martial arts school that is best suited for you.

Chapter 5: Developing and Implementing Lesson Plans for the Dojo

This section covers not only how to devise, refine and implement a lesson plan, but also how to adapt when the plan you have is not working. It also covers a lot of really solid information on the martial arts itself and the various nuances that are prevalent within it.
Lawrence also has a lot of really solid useful information concerning the martial arts and their use in a self-defense situation. He gives a couple of really good examples from his own personal experience that shows what may be a preferable way to handle a situation rather than resorting to physical means. Although one must always keep in mind that no two situations are going to be identical and what may work well in one situation may not work well in another.

Chapter 6: Conclusion/Stages of Teaching

This section is rather brief as I am sure the author intended and merely goes over that which he has discussed in the previous chapters. However, there are some very good tidbits of information included here and in the next 40+ pages.

This book, like all of Lawrence's books, is filled with solid useful information concerning whatever subject he has written about. There is much that can be learned from them and I highly recommend that you purchase them and study the information contained in each one of his books.

Shawn Kovacich, martial artist/author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Excellent, Excellent Book. Great insights for using proven teaching methods and applying it to Martial Arts.
Also other cool stuff!!

A good teacher should also be a good student, if they hope to convey and assist the development of correct principles in others. I believe that pertains not only Martial Arts, but to any aspect of life. The challenge, is understanding that not all students learn, process, or retain information the same way (regardless of age).

Lawrence Kane has created a tool for those serious about imparting knowledge to their students in ways they can understand...and excel. The valuable information in this book is essential to those of us who truly care about what (and who) we teach.

A highly recommended book.

Their are many martial arts books outlining the basics of about any martial art you could wish to learn, but Lawrence A. Kane's Martial Arts Instruction: Applying Educational Theory And Communication Techniques In The Dojo is different from the rest. Lawrence A. Kane is a man who has taught and created martial arts classes and business seminars, and who focuses on the teacher of martial arts as much as the technique. Readers will lern just how to motivate and retain students, optimize time, and adjust to individual learning styles and talents using Martial Arts Instruction: is an informatively instructive and very strongly recomended manual.

As an educator with a primary school child, I've read many books on numeracy. This is one of the very best. It's lively, engaging, grounded in theory and practice and clearly reflects a lifetime of reflection. MacNeal weaves in many examples from real life, together with instructive and sometimes humorous and touching anecdotes about his own childhood.

Edward MacNeal (1994) an airline business consultant, introduces Mathsemantics (Science of Mathematical semantics) as an extensional (factual evaluating) language for proper evaluating. Showing via job application tests taht maths incompetence often results from semantic mis-understandings; like any language, requiring familiarity.
What Jean Piaget (1926) found in children. Alfred Korzybski (1933) showed persisted via an education in Aristotle's (c. 350 B.C.) 'intensional' ('subject-predicate', false-to-facts 'universalizing') linguistic structure ('logic'), reversing the empirical evaluating order (event-perceiving-insight-formulating), consequently allowing 'identifying' 'meanings' (words) with perceivings, etc.
Whilst our mathematical education mostly fails to solve these semantic problems, involved in applying numbers to events. For example, we may expect that calculations have only one answer, despite measuring involves approximating (rounding-up, etc) involving estimates (probabilities). Further Greeks like Parmenides (c. 480 B.C.) did not accept zero as a number, 'reasoning': "non-being could not be, because it was a logical impossibility". Thus unsurprisingly, many tend to round-up to 1 rather than 0!
Infact Kurt Godel (1940) found no mathematical system can be complete-nor-consistent. As Korzybski (1933, 1936) asserted: "map is not the territory...is not all the territory...is self-reflexive (speak of map of map, etc)".
Korzybski (1933) asserted that by extensionalizing to events, we find context. However MacNeal continues that units (unity) entail convenient 'categories' representing events despite that a name tells us nothing-about-nor-is-the-thing. MacNeal argues that we cannot do without 'addition', suggesting that we can 'add' different changing things under combined units: "2 apples + 5 oranges = 7 fruit".
Yet MacNeal the General Semanticist (Korzybski (1933), Science of values, hence evaluating), avoids the fact that events, abstracting processes, etc., are not 'additive', involving Korzybski's (1933) non-elementalistic, functional (non-linear-asymmetry-non-additive), more-or-less emergent wholes. As Korzybski (1933) argued water, having new emergent characteristics, is not the 'sum' of an oxygen atom 'plus' two hydrogen atoms.
Therefore,

C = A + B

becomes,

C = f (A, B)

Let alone that 'classifying' entails 'identifying'.

As a fan of general semantics, I enjoyed this. What is 2 apples plus 3 oranges? The author uses simple questions like this to illustrate use and misuse of numbers. Most maths teaching ignores the meaning of numbers, but this short book shows lucidly how an understanding of the process of abstraction can help us avoid using numbers irrationally. Recommended, though I suggest reading in conjunction with Hayakawa's Language in Thought and Reality (the most readable book on general semantics).

I teach British literature and love Scott, Austen, Wodehouse, and Hardy. I thouroughly enjoy the murders mysteries of Rex Stout and Dorothy Sayers. So why am I reviewing a book about math? Because it is one of the finest books I have ever read.

This book bridges the gap between the right and left brains. While its subject matter includes some advanced concepts, they are expressed so articulately that they are accessible to virtually everyone.

This is not a book for educators or students alone. Everyone should read it.

The author is "an expert" - someone who knows something and can explain it to and/or use it for those who can't - or just don't - on their own.

I am a high school math teacher and community college and high school computer teacher. MacNeal THRILLED me with his insight into something that may be part of the problem with education the way we do it. Look for his connection of Piaget's work on the development of children's and adults' abilities through necessary stages with the Chinese language and with the teaching of math.

I have had more successes with some of my students because of MacNeal and his book.

When my son was three, he made me read this book to him so many times that even now, 22 years later, I know the entire thing by heart.

Kids love this book. Parents do, too, at least the first 10 or 12 thousand times they read it to the kids!

I adored this book as a kid (I'm in my 30s now). I haven't gotten my new copy yet, but I think there is a lesson about temperance at the end, but that's not what I recall: I just remember the sheer joy of more, more, more. With books that use so few and such simple words, it's often hard for an adult to distinguish the adequate from the great. Speaking for my very young self, I can tell you that this book is great.

This is my favorite children's book - it is especially fun to read out loud. It has a cute level of humor and I've even had a class of 3-year-olds laughing at it. A good learn to read book - but also a good story in general.

I love reading this book to my daughter (2 1/2). I got it when i was a small child and have held onto it as one of my favorites. It is quickly becoming her favorite as well...the story flows so well its really fun to read...my daughter likes to see how fast I can read it without messing up.

I love this book. It lends itself to many activities with monkeys or spaghetti.

G.R. Kearney did a terrific job on researching this book, and not just the technical stuff. The human element of the story comes alive under the watchful eye of Kearney's storytelling. The students, teachers, staff & administrators at Cristo Rey owe a great debt to Kearney for his bringing light to the innovative systems put in place there.

If you have heard one too many depressing statistics about how education in the US is on a serious decline- read this book to lift your spirits. Creativity & hard work brought this project to life & gives hope to an ailing system.

My hat goes off to Kearney & I recommend this book to everyone.

What started as an idea in the early 1990s has grown to become a growing national network of high schools in many of America's toughest urban environments. GR Kearney tells the story of the Cristo Rey Network which started as the small Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago in 1994 and has grown to include nearly 2 dozen schools nationwide. Kearney tells the story from several perspectives, interviewing founding members of the faculty, staff and board of the school as well as weaving tales of students throughout the pages. Kearney himself volunteered at the original Cristo Rey school and lends a perspective that is critical to understanding the Cristo Rey story.

More Than a Dream is a must read for those looking to make a difference, or at least want to read about some people who have, in the lives of thousands of innercity youth in America's urban battlefields.

Building a school, building a future - it's what Chicago Jesuits sought to do when they built a new college prep school for the children of Hispanic working poor. "More Than a Dream: The Cristo Rey Story" is an inspiring tale of an improbable success story of keeping ones faith to keep going despite the innumerable barriers one faces in such an a situation. Author G. R. Kearney should know, as he works as a teacher and a coach at the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School as part of their Jesuit Alumni Volunteer program which Kearney himself helped found. "It's a story that needed to be told," says Kearney. "More Than a Dream: The Cristo Rey Story" would be a grand addition to both Christian and Educational community library collections and for any reader who would seek to learn how exactly this school rose up almost nothing, and how it seeks to help others do the same.

I was given a copy of this book by a colleague whose company employs Cristo Rey students. Frankly didn't think I'd ever open the book until I was stuck waiting for a delayed plane. However, once I did open it, I found I couldn't put it down. The book is about a group of priests who want to start a school for poor kids in Chicago, but it's much more than that. It's the story of an entrepreneurial triumph that will inspire anyone in business or struggling with adversity. It's also a great story of young people working for a better future. I highly recommend this book.

This is an excellent book that outlines the foundation of the first Cristo Rey school in Chicago. The Jesuits created Cristo Rey Chicago in the late 1990's, and now the Cristo Rey Network includes over 20 schools. The Jesuits started the program to provide a college prep high school experience for economically challenged students in the inner city. I teach at the Cristo Rey school in Kansas City, and found this book an invaluable resource to my own teaching / administrative roles. It was great to read about the Jesuit's initial desire that drove them to found the school, and also to read about the logistic struggles they faced in those tough first years. Since it is such an inspiring story, I'd recommend to anyone outside of education as well.

This is the be all end all of information as far as wines are concerned. We keep a copy in the shop at all times for new employees, and when they encounter a question on a certain varietal or terminology, it answers all the customers questions. Highly recommended.

If you love food and wine, this book is the perfect companion to the Food Lover's Companion. It's the ultimate dictionary for wine terminology.

This book was my favorite dealing with wine. It contains much of the same info as the Oxford Companion, but you can hold it in your hands and carry it about. It contains very useful information if you are learning about wine. Also has a great pronunciation guide for wine terms.

Whether you are new to wine or are a Cork-dork, this book, written in an easy to understand manner, is an excellent resource. The New Wine Lover's Companion is a must-have for any kitchen or wine library.

I purchased this book as a gift and my husband loved it. Yes, It is a dictionary so no pictures just words! It is a great addition to the "Complete Wine Course" by Kevin Zraly. Its small format is great to take along to diners or wine tasting party.
Great value for the price.

This is a great story written in 1933. So it has views of that time. As you know Liberalism and poilitical corectness is paramount today. I think most people can accept that a term like "half-breed" was ok back then. However as this is a childrens story and the way lawsuits are filed left and right...i think thats why a great book like this all of a sudden finds itself off the shelves in schools. wouldn't Obama be a "half breed" for right or wrong? Too bad...I just love the book.

I read this book several times when I was young. I loved it then and my son has read this a couple times in recent years. I have all four books in the series. The description of his life on the trail, taking care of the sled dogs, and even the food he ate while on the trail were all exciting to me. The book starts out about Silver Chief's mother, before the Chief was born. I had forgotten about that part. This is a great book. Another book I liked regarding the outdoors, which also had great detail, was My Side of the Mountain.

I read this book as a young girl and now at the age of 60 I enjoyed it just as much. I read it to my four kids when they were in the 5th grade and they loved it as well. Now my daughter who is a high school teacher is using a copy of the book in her classroom for her students to read.

My dad read this book as a boy in the 1950s. He introduced the Silver Chief books to me and I read and reread them as a young preteen. I have since read them to several children who also couldn't get enough of them. Silver Chief is a beautiful silver animal part dog and part wolf. A Royal Candian Mounted Policeman named Sar. Thornton heads north to track a murderer. While waiting to track down the murderer, Thornton captures and tames Silver Chief training him into a loving companion and loyal friend. When the Murderer wounds Thornton in the leg, it is up to Silver Chief to see that they arrive safely back to civilization.

I read this book in elementary school, after stumbling across it while browsing through the school library. It's such a great story and even though it's for youngsters, I wouldn't mind re-reading it now as an adult, just for the memories of the brave wild dog's adventures.

I've been reading a fair number of these over the past few months. Maybe it"s because I'm finally beginning to understand, but this most recent read is definitely the most complete, straightforward and readable analysis of the application of Lean to Supply Chain Management that I have come across.

And this is a European speaking!!

This book is concise in dealing with the basics and the advanced materials in the subject. Author's language is discernible even for those who are not familiar with this concept.

I am the Corporate Lean Champion for a global manufacturing company. I had heard of the bullwhip effect but did not thoroughly understand it before reading "the book" as I refer to it when recommending it to my Lean students. Streamlined helped me to put a plan together utilizing rate based planning, Lean variation reduction tools, and pull protocols to Crack the Bullwhip effect and drive it out of our organization!

Streamlined is a "must read" for any Lean practitioner, operations Leader, supply chain leader ot MBA student.

I actually got the opportunity to study under Srini and can verify his expertise in this field. I picked up more than a few great ideas in this book that I hadn't seen in the many books I have read on the subject. I would recommend this book to students, managers, and specialist at all experience levels.

I have adopted "streamlined" for an advanced topics in management course on lean supply chains. The challenge of finding a book that goes beyond the abstract concepts to more detailed and parctical steps for implementation has been greatly alleviated by "streamlined." Dr. Srinivasan provides the reader and the student in particular with a very well thought out and written text. My students' initial worries about the rigor and difficulty of the subject matter were quickly mitigated after reading the first few chapters.
The 14 principles provided me, the professor, an organizing framework for the delivery of the course, the assignments and the term project. The students and myself found "streamlined" to be very interesting, thought proviking, and useful.
This book is a must-read for any faculty member regardless of their discipline as the topics covered cut across all functional areas of business and provide a much-needed integrative approach.