Francis Books

Very good introduction to wavelet analysis. Not for someone looking for casual reading but for someone who wants to be able to dig in and start doing actual analysis it will get you going.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of wavelet transform methodologies and applications. The emphasis is on practical applications which are illustrated with many detailed figures and examples from Science and Engineering. A particular interesting chapter on medical applications is provided. In the introductory chapters, Addison gives a clear account of the theory for both continuous and discrete wavelet transform and associated post-processing techniques. Unlike many of the other books in this area, Addison communicates the concepts with a level of detail, sufficient for the applied engineer and scientist, but without becoming bogged down in a fog of mathematical gymnastics (a feature of many of the books in this area). A welcome addition to the growing number of books on this important signal analysis technique.

In "The Immaterial Self" John Foster defends the substance dualist theory of the mind as an immaterial substance. I think that Foster is one of the most original and insightful analytic philosophers around, and the "Immaterial Self" may be his most significant work, though it is hard to judge against his gem, "The Divine Lawmaker".
Foster is engaged on two fronts. First, he rejects versions of physicalist reductionism, according to which the mind is not an immaterial substance. Eliminativism, behaviourism, functionalism, and type- and token-identity theories are each carefully explained, and attacked with numerous objections.
Secondly, Foster defends the substance dualist theory about the mind. He first responds to problems of mechanism, showing that substance dualism faces no special problem in accounting for psycho-physical causation. Next the argument for the dualist theory of the mind is presented. Foster argues that if there is a mental subject, then it is essentially immaterial; and against the Humean bundle theory and in favour of the Cartesian theory that there is a mental subject.
The final chapter of the book is devoted to the subjects of personal identity and embodiment, and a defence of a libertarian account of free will.
Foster's coverage of contemporary analytic philosophy of mind is comprehensive and detailed. His arguments are generally set forth clearly and are often original.
The book is often subtle, sophisticated and very difficult, though I think that it will appeal to upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in the philosophy of mind as well as professional philosophers.
In my opinion, Foster's book has not received the attention it deserves because it defends a position that is unpopular among contemporary analytic philosophers of mind. Nevertheless, in my opinion, it is one of the finest books ever written in the philosophy of mind. Whether or not one ultimately agrees with Foster, I think that there is a lot to learn from this book. I recommend it strongly.

Why is substance dualism seemingly out of business? Whatever the reasons are, the neglect of books like this might be a candidate. I agree with the other reviewer that this book is too little read and discussed. Foster is a deep thinker, but he writes clearly. Throughout the book, his excellent understanding of the issues and the precision and rigor of his arguments shine forth.

Foster starts off by defining the position which he means to defend - that the mental realm is both CONCEPTUALLY and METAPHYSICALLY fundamental. He then goes on the offensive against different versions of materialism/physicalism. While Foster offers sustained attacks against these views, his conclusions are well-reasoned, and he does not stoop to the use of rhetoric. Rather, these views are carefully analyzed and evaluated: eliminative materialism, analytical reductionism, analytical behaviorism, analytical functionalism, the type-identity thesis, the token-identity thesis and metaphysical reductionism. Against each of these views, Foster offers several objections, and upon considering whether the materialist has a comeback to these objections, also shows which objection or combination of objections is fatal to a particular view. This takes up the first half of the book.

Having dealt with the problems materialists face, Foster moves on to consider common objections to an interactionist view of dualism - particularly with regard to how, given that the mental and physical are fundamentally different substances, they could causally interact. These include a priori objections to causal interaction, problems related to casual pairings (briefly: 1. causal relationships between events are always constituted by certain non-causal properties of the situation, together with the relevant covering laws, and 2. only be taking mental events to be physical can we, in cases of duplication, envisage laws which cover the causal pairings in the way which 1. requires), Davidson's argument against strict psycho-physical laws, and the argument from science that the physical realm is casually closed. Foster ably deals with each of these objections and argues that the interactionist can successfully deflect them.

The next step Foster embarks on is to give a positive thesis about the mental subject. He considers the potential problems in defining what a mental subject is, and goes on to look at the contrasting views of Descartes and Hume on the subject. Foster ends up defending the Cartesian ontology of basic subjects, with mental items as elements in their biographies, as opposed to the Humean view of mental items as ontologically autonomous. Follow these are some deep investigations into the nature of the self, and here Foster develops his theory of the mental subject.

Finally, in the last chapter, Foster shows how his notion of the mental subject and dualism in general can deal with the problems of personal identity and free will. He argues that there are viable criteria of personal identity and coherent notions of libertarian freedom given a mental subject.

Overall, this book is an excellent piece of analytic philosophy. At times, the book does get rather technical, and these areas might be difficult for the layman or a novice with regards to philosophy. As such, it is not recommended as an entry-level introduction to substance dualism. However, the inclusion of more technical issues does not come across as redundant or excessive. Foster is dealing with a deep metaphysical problem here, and he is not afraid to plumb its depths. Rather than using vague terms to gloss over the inherent difficulties in the mind-body problem, he responds with incisive analysis that does justice to the issues involved. As a result, the whole work is imbued with original insights and powerful grounds that constitute reasons for embracing substance dualism. Together with Swinburne's "The Evolution of the Soul," this book is a testament to the fact that substance dualism can very much stand on its own rational basis. Given books like The Immaterial Self, the relative paucity of substance dualists speaks sadly of non-rational factors in motivating philosophical views. Anyone who is serious about philosophy of mind should give this book honest and serious consideration.

For those seriously seeking to grow in holiness and bring some order to their daily prayer life, I strongly recommend this series. Drawing upon Sacred Scripture, the writings of the saints, and his own life experiences, the author brings together three daily meditations (about five to ten minutes each) that center around the Scripture readings of the Mass that day.

Imparted in these meditations are knowledge of the faith, advice on how to pray more fervently, and a clear understanding of virtue and its importance. It also inspires us to serve God faithfully. A good Catholic answer to the latest Protestant craze over "The Purpose Driven Life".

This is an amazing Catholic meditation and daily reflection series. The seven volumes have daily readings for each day of the church year as well as volume 6 & 7 being special Feast Days. The readings draw heavily upon the writings of Josemaria Escriva the founder of Opus Dei, Pope John Paul II, and the daily readings from the common liturgy for that day. The Sundays have three sets of readings depending on if we are in year A, B, or C in the church readings. These devotions are all about 6 pages long and divided into 3 sections. They can be read all as a lump or part in the morning, midday and evening. I find that with every day there is so much meat in these devotions that I am already planning on reading them again next year.

"We have a duty to rest. Resting in order to serve God and other people better.
We should learn to rest. If we can avoid becoming totally exhausted we should not fail to do so. God wants us to look after our health, and to know how to recover our strength. It is part of the fifth commandment. We need to rest in order to be fit, to restore lost energy, and so that our work may be all the more effective. Above all, we need it so as to serve God and other people better."
Francis Fernandez
In Conversation With God Volume #3 p.217

"For this reason asking advice about reading is an important part of the virtue of prudence, very especially if it is a question of theological or philosophical books, which can radically affect our formation and even our faith itself. How important it is to be right about books! It is still more important to consult our spiritual director about books specifically destined to aid the formation of our soul."
Francis Fernandez
In Conversation With God - Volume #3 p.117

Are but two samplings of what I have already copied out into my journal this year. There is a complete subject, and biblical reference index in volume 7, unfortunately the earlier volumes indexes only go as far as that volume #. The indexes are subject, and reference quoted by church Fathers, Popes and Saints. These books will draw anyone deeper into a faith and a life of action based upon that faith.

In 1990, while working in the Missouri Historical Society, I came across an accession card referring to the flag of the Missouri Brigade. The flag apparently had not been well cared for and was nothing remained but tatters wrapped around a staff. But the description of a rampant tiger was thrilling.

In the years that followed, I became very interested in the accomplishments of this fabled Confederate Brigade. As many know, there are scarce books about the Missouri Brigade. Well Gottschalk's book redresses this more than adequately.

The volume covers the entire history of the Missouri Brigade from its inception as part of the Missouri Home Guard to it's bloody end at Franklin.

It is the definitive accounting of one of the "Orphan Brigades" of the Southern Confederacy. And truly, the Missouri Brigade fought with courage and competence throughtout the maelstrom of the American Civil War.

It remains one of the most cherished volumes in my Civil War Library. Add it to yours today!

An outstanding piece of work. Gottschak's effort is heavily researched, well written and very readible. This book covers the formation and combat history of the 1st Missouri Brigade (CSA) during the Civil War, and is richly detailed throughout. Highly reccomended for anyone interested in the often obscure and overlooked western battles of our Civil War.

[copy of my review for Amazon.co.uk]

Reviewer: Mr P J Stewart from Oxford United Kingdom
The best book on plants I've ever read (and I've been reading about them for more than 40 years). Here at last is a biologist who sees plants for the amazing things they are and not just as something like stationary green animals.
Of the living things that we can see, plants make up the overwhelmingly greater part. They create the grasslands and forests and wetlands and the surface ocean conditions in which most animals live, they stabilize the atmosphere of the whole planet, and they are the ultimate source of almost everything that animals feed on. Yet biology, until its recent lurch into molecular studies, has mostly derived from animal models. Hallé cites many examples, such as the fruitless search for plant hormones and the extension to plants of the doctrine that the lineage of reproductive cells is strictly separate from that of the cells that make up the body of the organism.

Hallé writes with clarity and gives plenty of concrete examples. He is someone who can decidedly 'see the wood for the trees' - not surprising perhaps in the man who pioneered the exploration of the rainforest canopy using 'rafts' suspended from balloons. He is also often very funny, and the translator has served him well. Hallé has illustrated the book with a large number of his own wonderful drawings. The work is beautifully produced - a gem from every point of view!

It's always a good sign to see that someone has bothered to translate a science book from another language into English. Publishers can usually get some English-language scientist to write a tome on the latest discoveries in a more commercially agreeable manner than putting together a translation. So when the translation appears you know the book is good and/or original in a distinctive way.

In Praise of Plants by botany Professor Emeritus Francis Hallé of the University of Montpellier, France is such a book. However it is by no means a popular treatise; indeed, if you want to get the look and feel of a botany article in a professional journal, this book provides an entire book's worth! The material is technical, detailed, and uncompromisingly professional.

So why has the Timber Press chosen this volume to bring to the English speaking world? Partly because of the international prestige of Hallé, who is an expert on tropical plants; partly because they were able to get a translation by David Lee who is Professor of Biological Sciences at Florida International University; and partly because of the striking nature of Hallé's presentation.

Hallé emphasizes the form of plants and how that form has developed evolutionarily from their need to secure the services of both sun and earth while remaining nearly immobile. There are dozens of line drawings in the book, most by Hallé himself, illustrating the differences between plants and animals with the text explaining why these differences occur. For example, because plants are sessile (attached to the ground) they are symmetrical on the horizontal plane, a tree looking pretty much the same from whatever spot on the ground you view it. However in a vertical sense a plant is very different since its crown is in the air looking at the sun while its roots are in the ground looking for water and minerals. In contrast, animals (I'll just quote Hallé so you'll get a feel for the technical language): "have dorsiventral polarity and anteroposterior and bilateral symmetry." (p. 70)

Fortunately the attractive and sometimes funny drawings help to penetrate the language for this amateur!

Here are some examples of the sort of things you can learn from this book:

At the microscopic level, where gravity is relatively "negligible compared to other forces" like "surface tension, viscosity, friction and Brownian motion," (p. 64) life forms tend toward the round and take on the symmetries we associate with astronomical objects like the sun and Saturn. Hallé gives examples of bacteria, amoebas, diatoms, etc. where "vertical polarity simply does not exist." (p. 64) Science fiction writers take note: creatures living in interstellar dust clouds will be more or less round.

One of the clear homologies (same form) assumed by plants and animals is in "the external (assimilating) surface of a plant and the internal (digestive) surface of an animal." (p. 51) The plant maximizes its surface area to expose as much of it as possible to the sun and the air, while the animal creates folds and such within its alimentary canal so as to provide a large surface area for effective digestion. Hallé notes that plants resemble fractals externally. (p. 52)

The waste products of animals bring forth (to our sensitivities) malodorous compounds as do their decomposing bodies. Hallé explains why this is so on pages 148-151, and why the waste products of plants and their decomposing bodies do not usually offend us; indeed the smell of new mown hay and forest humus or even a compost pile, can be very agreeable. On page 149 he favors us with a drawing of a tree which grows in part upon the waste products of its metabolism stored in its trunk. Next to the tree Hallé has a dog on top of a pile of its excrement, noting that "An animal that stored its excrement would also be capable of becoming very tall."

Hallé's love of plants and his deep respect for them, and his life-long experience in studying them comes through most wonderfully in this fine book. Although technical, it is accessible to amateur botanists and just plain old gardeners and lovers of plants with just a little effort.

If you like to cook and enjoy delicious food, you will love this easy-to-read, cookbook, "In the Kitchen with Papa Wiltz." The recipes are very easy to follow, and written in a very organized manner on each page. Every recipe in this cookbook is a favorite of mine, and there are many . My mouth watered upon reading about the Pork Chile Verde, the Shrimp Creole, the Bananas Foster, and the Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce, to name a few. Each recipe is tried and true, by the author himself, who learned how to prepare these dishes from his mom, while growing up in Louisiana. This cookbook is a treasure, and I am so thrilled with it. I plan on buying an additional copy or two, to give as gifts--especially to some newly-wed family members and friends!

This cookbook presents the classic recipes of Cajun/Creole and Mexican/American cultures. The recipes are easy to follow with several tips and helpful hints on how to prepare these recipes. Historical and humorous comments are sprinkled throughout the cookbook.

Hooray for Gordon McEwan and his fine book, "The Incas!" He tells us about the Inca and their cultural heritage in down-to-earth, easy-to-read language. McEwan covers the subject in 201 concise pages that provide a level of depth and breadth that should appeal to scholars, but contain enough background to orient someone new to the topic.

McEwan's extensive glossary is a terrific reference piece, and the index is very complete. Probably what I like the most about "The Incas," however, it its careful, scientific approach; the information is dependably well researched and devoid of speculation.

I would recommend "The Inca" to anyone interested in the Inca Empire, arm-chair travellers, and persons planning to travel to any part of the former Inca Empire, including Machu Picchu. The book will double your understanding, and consequently, your enjoyment, of the Inca culture.

Review of Gordon F. McEwan, The Incas, New Perspectives (ABC-CLIO, Inc, Santa Barbara 2006).

By Justice Greg Hobbs, Colorado Supreme Court, Denver.

Here's a book about the Incas written by a scholar who has spent twenty-six years working with Peruvian archeologists in the Cusco Valley to unearth the secrets of Pikillacta and Chokepukio.
The archeology of these two sites reveals a two-thousand year history of the Andean people's adaptation to a stunning and often harsh environment.
The Incas built their civilization on the cultural foundations of the Wari, Tiwanaku, and Pukara civilizations of the Lake Titcaca region, dating back as early as 200 B.C.
As McEwan documented in a 2002 National Geographic article, the Wari (500-1100 A.D.) operated Pikillacta as a ceremonial and administrative center. (Virginia Morell, "Empires Across The Andes," National Geographic at 123 (June 2002)).
At Pikillacta, you can see portions of the aqueduct the Wari built to convey water a great distance from the surrounding mountains. You can also see beehive-looking structures in which the Wari housed mummies of Andean ancestors. The nearby Chokepukio excavations have revealed a temple containing burials and artifacts documenting Inca religious rituals.
McEwan's important highly readable book about the Incas explains that the Andean people revered their ancestors. In life, the mummies had been political authorities. Their preservation was important to the continuation of land tenure and water rights in local communities. "Mummified ancestors were believed to bridge the gap between the natural and supernatural worlds . . . The mummy's most important function was to intervene in the spirit world in order to maintain the flow and abundance of water."
The Incas believed that springs and rivers harbored living spirits. They spread the ashes of fine-woven cloth and llamas upon the waters as a sacrifice. They built magnificent ceremonial and drinking water fountains at such places as Tipon (high above the Cusco Valley) and Machu Picchu (high above the Urubamba River). They harnessed stream and spring water for irrigation on ingeniously-constructed terraces that still hang in seemingly impossible ravines and mountain sides like Tipon, Moray, Pisac, and Machu Picchu.
The Incas built many granaries to feed the people in times of scarcity. These were carefully situated on slopes in dry areas with good drainage. They contained dried corn, quinoa, freeze-dried potatoes, beans, other vegetables, and seeds. The Incas also built large storehouses for holding cloth, tents, agricultural tools, and weapons. "The capacity of the storage system was staggering . . . Careful records were kept on the knotted cords of the quipu that could tell an Inca official at any time exactly how much of what commodity was stored in each of the storehouses."
When a new region was incorporated into the Inca empire, its lands were carefully surveyed and catalogued. The lands were divided into three sections, one part in service to the state religion, one part for the emperor, and the remaining part for sustenance of the local population. Herds of llamas and alpacas, and the pasturage for them, were also divided into thirds on the same basis.
The Incas exacted a labor tax for producing food and cloth and building the roads, agricultural terraces, water systems, palaces, temples, and administrative centers. Great care was taken to equally distribute the labor tax burden. Only a few men were taken out of each administrative unit for labor elsewhere. By keeping sufficient labor at home, the administrative units of the empire "could maintain agricultural output and not disrupt the economy. . . The underlying ideology was that of a reciprocal exchange. The state provided for the worker in exchange for the labor the worker gave the state."
McEwan explains that, when the ruling Inca died, his lands were reserved to him as a separate estate maintained by a cadre of attendants. This meant that the new Inca had to conquer more lands to obtain wealth for himself. As the empire expanded, those who were the greatest warriors among the ruling class became the Inca in succession. They often spent long periods of time on the frontier away from the capitol of Cusco. This led to unrest and rival factions that played directly into the Spanish conquest.
This book is highly readable because McEwan progresses from an overview of Inca civilization into chapters that deal with the environmental setting; historical setting; origins, growth and decline of Inca civilization; economic structure of the Inca state; social organization and structure; political structure; religion and ideology; material culture; and intellectual accomplishments.
The chapters contain many interesting subheadings, photographs, and illustrations. McEwan carefully cites the bibliography of Andean cultural research with endnotes to the chapters. He finishes the book with an assessment of major controversies and future directions in Inca studies.
McEwan knows from on-the-ground work what he writes about. In 2002, he was kind enough to lead me through the Pikillacta and Chokepukio sites. At the invitation of the Peruvian crew he hires from the local community, I witnessed a pago. On page 144 of his book, there's a photograph of a shaman preparing the about-to-be-burned offering to Pachamama (mother earth). The bundle I saw burned contained a lama fetus, an octopus tentacle, grain, candy, cookies, bits of yarn, coca leaves, and sea shells. I will never forget the sight and smell of smoke from this offering curling into the highlands.
As McEwan so aptly relates in this book, the Andean people still revere the earth, the mountains, the waters, and the sky.

The Indonesian Politics and Society Reader is the best collection of English translations of some of Indonesia's most formative documents, speeches, and essays written during and after the Soeharto years. It includes speeches and essays from Soeharto as well as from the opposition movement. The selection is well chosen and accessible. If you want to understand the philosophical underpinnings of the New Order, this book is essential.

This book provides excellent translations of key primary source materials relating to the New Order period. The book is divided thematically and has a good balance of political opinion. The translations are given excellent short introductions.
The book is newer than the 2001 date given by Amazon. It came out in 03, I think. And the cover is different.

Prof. Alger wrote this book some time in sixties - a classical work. As a life time student and sometimes a teacher of Electrical Engineering - with a special emphesis on Electrical Machines, I have referred to this book several times. It was originally published by GORDON AND BREACH. The two-page Appendix to Chapter 4 on "BEHREND AND TESLA" in that book IS WORTH IT WEIGHT IN GOLD! The book is worth it weight in silver. Itis a pleasant surprise that the new title is published either as a reprint or as a revised edition of the original book. I am gettig this new title!

I am not sure if anyone else would be wanting to read this book, but it is one of the classic induction motor design books out there. Phil Alger was one of the top practicioners of the electric machine design black art. This book lays out the basics of lumped parameter model and explains exactly what goes into the calculations. he then methodically explains the calculation methods and possible ramifications of all the variables. All this was done prior to the advent of the digital computer, which makes it all the more impressive. A true classic. I am glad to see it still in print.

The first edition of this book had won The American Medical Writer's Award for Best Multi-Authored Text. This is a Third Edition. There is now a 4th Edtion, published in 1999, also available.

Fourth Edition (4th) is available.