Butler Books

I got this book when it first came out, well over forty years ago, and it was the first time that I truly felt I was reading an astrobiology book. And I'm rather impressed with the five contributors. Of course, the field of astrobiology has progressed quite a bit in the past few decades, but that's no reason to overlook this excellent book!

The first section is by University of Sydney professors Stuart Thomas Butler and Harry Messel. It is on some useful fundamentals of astrobiology: atoms, molecules, nuclei, electromagnetic radiation, gravitational fields, the origin of the solar system, the evolution of the earth, and the primordial atmosphere.

Ronald Newbold Bracewell was born in Sydney, Australia and was at Stanford University when he wrote the second (and by far, the shortest) section of the book. It addresses the question of whether we humans are "alone" in the Galaxy. He starts by estimating the number of habitable planets in the Galaxy and then speculates on the distance to the nearest "more advanced community." What if it is 10 light years, or 100 light years, or 1000 light years?

Martynas Ycas was a professor at the State University of New York when he wrote the third section, on life and its origin. That means having to come up with some sort of definition of life, not an easy task! He says a living thing is "a material object which behaves in a purposive and intelligent manner" and expands this definition by adding "such other objects as are obviously related to the above through organic evolution."

Ycas admits that few scientists would wish to include words such as "purpose" and, worse, "intelligence" in such a definition, but he defends his use of them. Actually, I am more surprised by his failure to use a few more words, especially "growth" and "reproduction." In any case, his point is to avoid trying to "define a living organism in purely chemical terms." On the other hand, he does say that "from the chemical point of view the minimal characteristic of life is that it is a system of catalysts which form more catalysts." As he says, there are no "self-replicating" molecules, only "self-replicating" systems, and he tries to explain how the process of "reflexive catalysis" could have originated from simple molecules.

Ycas also discusses the importance of having large continents, not just a few small islands, to develop truly complex biological organisms, and says that the complex human brain "requires a constant internal environment which cannot develop in the ocean." Note that the ancestors of the whales and porpoises, which do indeed have complex brains, developed temperature regulation on land. And he even speculates on the question of whether any "superior civilizations" have long ago "ceased to interest themselves in science and technology" or become extinct.

Probably the best known of the authors, James Dewey Watson, was a professor at Harvard University when he wrote the concluding section, on the replication of living molecules. He discusses several key items on which the "ability of a cell to grow and divide depends." These include:

1) A highly organized surface membrane capable of maintaining, through selective permeability, a high concentration of internal molecules

2) Enzymes which catalyze the movement of atoms in food molecules into new cellular building blocks

3) Useful energy, derived from food molecules or the sun to ensure that the thermodynamic equilibrium favours biosynthetic rather than degredative reactions

4) The synthesis of the physiologically correct amount of specific proteins, something which requires a specific surface, the template, which attracts amino acids (or their activated derivatives) and lines them up in the correct order

Watson concludes by explaining why proteins can not be the templates for their own replication.

I highly recommend this book.

I borrowed this book from the library and my one year old son just loves it. He walks around the house with it asking us to read it over and over and over. He calls out each animal and makes their animal sound. So I must buy it for him.

Life couldn't be more perfect for Little Sibu, an orangutan. He scampers along treetops in the Indonesian rainforest daily, while his Mother, Hati, watches over him. However, when Little Sibu turns seven-years-old, Hati knows that it is time for him to get out on his own, and not rely on her so much, as soon he will have to live on his own, the way other male orangutans do. Soon, as Little Sibu sees that Hati will not always do things for him, he begins to build his own nests, and find his own food, proving that he, too, can live on his own.

I am a huge animal lover, and find orangutans to be gorgeous creatures, so I was ecstatic to find Sally Grindley's LITTLE SIBU. The story contained within the pages is lovely, and teaches a bit about orangutans, and their temperament, while John Butler's gorgeous illustrations truly bring the story to life. This is a fantastic book for anyone looking to teach their children about animals, as LITTLE SIBU contains a special fact page about orangutans in the back of the book.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

If you are purchasing the series book by book, this one is actually volumes 11 & 12 combined (November & December). I have several versions of Butler's Lives and it seems to me Kessinger's older edition is both more robust and edifiying than more recent editions.

First published in 1906, this book is a history of Northern Italy from the rise of the Communes in the major cities (XI Century) to the establishment of "tyrannies" by powerful families at the beginning of the XIV Century (first the cruel Ezzelino da Romano, then the Visconti in Milan, the Carrara in Padua, the Scaliger in Verona etc...). The author analyzes the balance of power and the struggles between Guelfes and Ghibellines in cities like Milan, Pavia, Cremona, Brescia, Verona, Padua, Mantua... There are very few studies in English about the wars between Guelfes and Ghibellines, which tore Italy between 1200 and 1350, so if you're interested in the subject it's necessary reading.

On the other hand, the illustrations are poor : the maps look like photocopies of hand drawings and the photographs are very dark. That's 1906 technology I guess.

"Lost Towers" is an insightful first person perspective from the inside and a layman's point of view. Gregory Butler has done the working folks in New York proud by his research and narrative as well as disclosing the illegal storage of diesel fuel in Tower 7 and the construction of; "less than building code compliant" Towers that surely contributed to their destruction. The revelation that the owner of Seven World Trade Center who had leases on the other Towers actually collected double his insurance claim coverage, because there were two planes is a despicable, deplorable act of greed that I haven't read of anywhere else. Mr. Butlers book exposes the awful truth about "workers comp" and why volunteers were removed because of "civil liability". For readers not familiar with mob influences and their associations with politicians, unions, and the construction industry, they will be enlightened. Curiously enough "The Donald" as in Trump is shown to be smarter than the mobsters he is forced to deal with, by making them compete for future work. Mr. Butlers conclusion albeit understandable doesn't seem to be pragmatic. Clearly the lives of the first responders and their future should be considered in any future calamity and attack against our country. That being said it's our duty as citizens to not be so apathetic when determining who the folks are in charge of a colossal debacle such as 911. All in all, "Lost Towers" was an invigorating, enlightening, sad commentary that I happened to read on 9/04/2006, Labor Day. How appropriate when remembering and celebrating Labors history.

Douglas Page Chapman Sr.
Retired Teamster
Monee, Illinois

This book is excellent. These photos and history are good. Some of them that I didn't know, but most of them I know because I grew up in Louisville.

Professor Butler's well written book is not just for African-Americans, it would be useful for all couples - married or not. The book emphasizes the need for communication and openness, trust and care. The book has wonderful pastoral or spiritual overtones. Each chapter ends with a section entitled "Considerations for Caring -questions and observations that apply to all in relationship. I highly recommend the book to those in the pastoral care area, to other professional counselors and to all who are in or entering relationship. In fact I plan to give it as a gift to friends who are in these fields and to all my friends who are contemplating marriage.

Professor Butler's "Von Mises" is an excellent introduction to the works and thought of Ludwig Von Mises. I am familiar with many of Von Mises' works, and was very impressed with the way that Professor Butler was able to capture the essence of Von Mises' thought in such a clear and concise manner. I strongly recommend "Von Mises" to anyone seeking an introduction to Ludwig Von Mises, or to anyone already familiar with him who is interested in a brief summary of his works and thought.

...to live or to visit. The artwork and accompanying paragraphsclearly define what Minnesota is all about. Written for young people,it's a great gift for grownups as well. No wonder it's popular at da U.