Hoffman Books

(This review refers to the book which contains three of Hoffman's many tales.) If you enjoy European fantasy, Hoffman invites you to enter his dark realm where the distinctions between the Real and the Impossible are blurred. Allow yourself to be lead into a parallel universe, where nightmares take on frightenting intensity; where the solid world melts into obsessions, doppelgangers and the scent of brimstone. Where men sell their souls (or their reflections) for passion, fame or talent. Such is the literary milieu created by ETA Hoffman, which inspired Jacques Offenback to compose an opera on three of these chiaroscuro vignettes.

Each tale features a different protagonist--a passionate but morbid young man ensnared by insidious evil or a warped mindset. Still we empathize their their various predicaments as they inevitably fall prey to the schemes of devious men, or even worse--their own propensity for paranoia. It is left to the reader to judge each case for himself. Certain elements are common to all three tales; the importance of Music, superfluous references to artists, scientists and writers of the day, and the quaint contrivance of protecting the identity of the cities by merely giving their first initial. Hoffman's themes are depressing but fascinating; so often the love of good women can not avail the heroes, who simply refuse salvation. Permit the mists of confusion and tempatation to swirl through your brain until you are gradually released from your stifling bondage to the
Normal with its limitations of the senses. Surrender to the dark side--from the safety of your armchair!

This book bills itself as "a documentary of courtroom confrontations from the most incredible trial in American history." I'm not sure that the famous Chicago 7 trial stands up to that description, but it is indeed an interesting case, tracking the trial of Abbie Hoffman, Bobby Seale, and other activists who defended themselves against charges of conspiracy.

Unfortunately, with the exception of an introduction, the book consists entirely of transcripts of courtroom proceedings. The transcripts have been edited down to be more accessible to the layman, which I think is a poor compromise between authenticity and accessibility. If you're going to publish the transcripts, I think you should publish the transcripts. If you're going to make something that's accessible to the layman, I think it should be written as a narrative, with a healthy dose of quoted material so that the reader knows that the truth is being printed. This compromise is authentic enough, but not entertaining enough for any reader who's not passionate about the subject matter.

But even though this isn't the most flowing read in the world, it's still an important document, and I'm glad that it's out there to be referenced. Anyone involved with the prosecution would have to be ashamed by this public record of their actions.

Readers familiar with the history of United Telecom and its growth from a sleepy affiliation of rural telephone properties into a global telecommunications company will enjoy John Hoffman/s perspectives. Hoffman supported the growth and consolidation of the company, from his assignments doing regulatory work with local legislatures, to lobbying at the federal level. Hoffman has unique perspectives on the formation of Sprint, and shares inside knowledge of some of the events and personalities involved in the explosive history of the company since 1985. Hoffman's perspectives may seem to some to be colored by his personal involvement, but he tells it like he sees it regarding controversial personalities and actions. Hoffman's book went to press right before Sprint's failed marriage into the WorldCom family, it would be interesting to see how he would have reacted to that reckless initiative and the subsequent financial ruin of the company.

This particular workbook is good because it does help develop thinking skills in young children. It is too easy for the 4 and 5 year olds that I purchased it for, however.

Vote Hoffman, Rubin, Sanders
I found this dusty book and really did not read it through because I think it's Socialist but here are a few first pages excerpts for your reading pleasure:

As long as the system is flexible we must try to use it. Blur the in and outside; we've nothing to hide.

Our opportunity is to transform.

New Goals: Understanding, communication, contact and organization; humans helping solve rather than create problems.

We must attempt Unity

Seemed somewhat relevant to me.

This book is basically a list with numbers and measurments. There are no anecdotes and the pictures are black and white and unexceptional. It was listed as "being taken on a tour" of Wisconsin's big trees but that really is not accurate. It is simply a tree by tree listing and the same info can be found on the Wisconsin DNR website for free.

Having enjoyed his first book, "The Art And Science Of Dumpster Diving", I really looked forward to this second book when I ordered it from Paladin Press. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. Hoffman seems to be more focused on telling us about how his first book made him a "cult hero" and all the fame and fortune it brought him. While his first work was organized and concise, his second book is borderline personality disorder rambling, that only contains practical advice toward the end, when he has two chapters on industrial dumpster diving. While his first work had much practical advice about how the unemployed or underemployed could improve their standard of living, and described how he found items to help himself and his family, in the second book he rambles on about his political activism, only mentioning in passing that his wife left him, although he did move nearby her to keep in contact with his young son.

I think that little fact explains Hoffman's downfall. If you read the second book between the lines, the story is pretty sad. In the nine years between the first and second books, Hoffman let minor celebrity status go to his head, became involved in pointless nihilism he calls "activism", turned his back on his wife and son, and judging by the rambling of the second book, lost his mind. The man started out diving the dumpsters, finding useful items and saving money for his wife and son. Then he received some media exposure, became involved in lunatic politics, and began attending pointless and violent demonstrations, leaving his wife behind. At the end of this book, he is pining for "Heather, the Lesbian Avenger." How pathetic. John, go back to Tina, who loved you once. Remember what the whole point of scavenging was originally about; it is clear that you have forgotten it.

Don't be read this "Advanced Course" and think that you're going to learn anything technical. This book is creative non-fiction, a hint at a broader field of inquiry... a ... chant of a "No World Order" and a first draft of a Doctrine of Discards worthy of Foucault, as interpreted by Henry Miller.

I know because I was there. I'm Biker Bill (introduced on page 9).

Hoffman sent me the book in the mail today and I've underlined the sections where I'm mentioned, then I tried to reconcile my feelings of those days of Seattle's cultural rise and materialistic fall. Myself, I left in early '99 and gave it all up as a lost cause.

This is Fear and Loathing time! A real Hunter S. Hoffman treatment. He's not delusional or a liar... a bit manic, perhaps, but he's honest.

The best thing the reader can do is set aside all preconceptions about what the book "should be." Hoffman's trying to explain what we found in the back alleys of the U-district in the 90's. You want Grunge? It's deeper...

Dig a little. There's a cosmology to be discovered this ... heap of a book and it's not pretty.... this is a primal, raw, transcendental leap into America's Vomitorium of Unabashed Excess: the discards of society in the mental wards, linked loosely to his father's maybe encounter with Thomas Pynchon and the odd entropic chill of a hopeless task... to bring existential meaning to a life lived at the edge of a society hell-bent on devouring itself to death.

There's a Solid Waste Sutra in this collection of essays, and it may be different to each one who reads it. While I've never really agreed with Hoffman's politics, I still admired his brash ability to shake things up, keep ideas moving forward... shaking loose the cobwebs...

I still have the key he gave me. It's an arrowhead trophy of that time and place... Hoffman's rendering make it sound like we were among the Beat poets in '50s San Francisco. Perhaps we were.

So read the book and start a Enlighted Diver's Cult, maybe... DumpsterFest Weekend is the last weekend of school in the U-district each May. You meet a lot of nice folks there! Maybe get your church youth group or girl scout troop to join in!

But you must dive for your own wisdom. It's better than Yoga for stimulating the bloodflow to your brain.

Find that diamond for yourself.

Rambling and has very little useful information to warrant the title. The layout of the information is terrible and makes tummy hurt. The section on industrial diving, however, is decent. One can find much better information on the Net.

This book is pure garbage. It is no more than the asinine ramblings of a deranged mind trying to further capitalize on past success.

Don't waste your money!

This book was not as well-written or as useful as the first. I consider it to have been a waste of money because there was little in the way of practical advice.

Compared to the original, with its no-nonsense prose, clearly-organized chapters, sprinkled with philosophy, this book was a rambling diatribe that went nowhere. It did have some good tips for the EXPERIENCED diver who wants to make money faster by diving behind electronics stores, etc. but if you are not sure whether diving is your cup of tea, I would buy the first book and try those tips first.

If you are looking for skilled and original art of this nature, then I would suggest Spectrum Presents: Frank Frazetta: Rough Work. Hoffman's style is merely a crude caricature of the master's work. He would better serve himself as an artist by developing something original of his own. To do that, he would need to look at a broad spectrum of other artists and attempt to learn from them. It's doubtful that this will ever happen though. Hoffman, though a very minor figure in the fantasy art market, is known primarily as a malcontent who spends his time tearing down the work of others and spewing personal attacks against successful contemporary illustrators. It's unfortunate, because he has alienated the very people who could have helped him develop a successful career in the genre.

But why are the rear ends on his depictions of women so huge?

Some even appear to have cellulite on them.

Hoffman's work is just a pale imitation of Frazetta's talent. Being myself an artist I cannot understand why people that is already established in the art field keep trying to copy somebody else's work. It is probably fine when you star your career but after a while the logical path is to follow your own style. As an artist doesn't he fell ashamed? I certainly would. I recommend you to get a Frazetta's books first.

I bought this book realizing that Mr. Hoffman was imitating Frank Frazetta. Such imitation is not a bad thing in and of itself; some fine illustrators began their careers by putting their personal spin on Frazetta. Jeff Jones to name one. Mr. Hoffman has no personal spin; he's just a copyist. Again, not necassarily a bad thing if the imitator has sufficient talent to bring it off. Hoffman doesn't possess such talent. To call these drawings derivative ennobles them because they are blatant, pale simulacra of Frazetta. I compared Hoffman's drawings to those in "Illustrations Arcanum" a book of Frazetta's drawings and here's how Hoffman stands up: Mr. Frazetta's drawings of buxom women, brawny men, battle scenes and monstrous creatures are sure handed, confident, dynamic and well rendered; Hoffman's drawings of similar subjects are anemic, hesitant, dull and mediocre. Where Frazetta's line work is vigorous and varied, Hoffman's is limp and monotonous; where Frazetta employs a large range of values and punches the darks effectively in his modeling to give a high contrast effect, Hoffman's value range is limited and lacks any darks and possesses negligible contrast; Frazetta's figures look as if they've been caught in movement, Hoffman's figures are stiff as mannequins; finally, Frazetta's depictions of women exude sensuality, Hoffman's women are, at best, timid and completely devoid of any erotic appeal. Hoffman may be well schooled in Frazetta's subject, but he sadly misses the master's skill and spirit. An illustrator at the beginning of his career might be forgiven for this, but Hoffman has been working in the this field for a long time. He's not a second rate Frazetta, he's tenth rate joke. His biographical sketch boasts that he has many commissions for his work, proving H. L. Mencken's dictum that no one ever went broke underestimating the intellegence (or taste) of the American public. Purchasing this book makes me wonder if I'm not as smart as I thought. Don't repeat my mistake by buying this book. If you appreciate Frank Frazetta's work, this book will be a disappointment.

I have just a couple of quick notes to add to the criticisms below. Under no circumstances buy the work of Hoffman unless you are fully equipped with the work of Frank Frazetta. The price differential between this collection of mostly black and white pencil studies and the stunning pen and ink, watercolor, and oil work of Frazetta is insignificant compared to the vastness of the talent differential!

Hoffman captures Frazetta's anatomy (including the occasional mistakes!) without capturing the spirit of the work - but it's more than that. Frazetta himself was influenced by other artists, including Al Capp. Some of Frazetta's equipment and vehicles have a silver-age corniness to them. Hoffman's weapons, terrain, even monsters! - are cheesy fill-ins - just enough to act as props for his bare-naked ladies.

After seeing Frazetta, I found it hard to accept even 'imitators' like Jeff Jones, Boris Vallejo, Barry Winsor-Smith et al. However those artists may have started with Frazetta - but they found their own way forward. Once you've exhausted their work, and classic illustrators like Allen St John, Virgil Finlay, and Joseph Clement Coll, try Hoffman - for contrast!

Good for last minutes studying before AP exam, and for reviewing details that are not taught in the classroom.

This book does just about nothing for you. At first I was amazed to see that they could do an AP US Review in so few pages. Now I know why. It merely gives you a list of "things to know." Each chapter literally consists of a header and a list of terms, such as "election of 1800" or "Articles of Confederation," and it suggests that you look it up in another book. I personally suggest the REA AP US book which provides full and simple explanations of everything.

This A.P. preparation book is not the best book I've ever seen. Unfortunately, I only purchased this book as a sole review shortly before the test and was disappointed. The practice tests in the back are great and there are four full example tests, therefore, I must give them some credit. Overall, would not recommend this book as a primary resource for studying.

Although this book lacked depth of information when reviewing history, the tips on the multiple choice section and how to write the essays was fabulous. The practice tests were very helpful to me because I used this book to skim through the material, to look at the terms and to make sure I knew what those terms were (even though they were not defined). The tests will help you know how to deal with the real test. I used this review book with the one by REA and the Princeton Review, and found it very helpful.

Being a cliffs study guide, I thought this book would be helpful, but it is NOT. I had to get another book that would actually help. The book just lists important names and places, and rarely explains them, resulting in you having to look up in the textbook all of the answers. It was worthless. The end multiple choice part was fine though.

I can see many people getting stuck like I did on the first chapter and I can see many people giving up there. Which is a shame but they really should have given the book to a test audience first, and that "Flash" contents screen looks good but does not really help. What makes things worse is that the publisher/author have not got a help page up. (If you find one please let us know).

The actual idea and mini-project in the book are very good its just the struggle that "newbies" will have getting it up and running. ( I have spent 4 hours so far ). I think if you are very familiar with .NET and IIS etc you will be OK but then these probably are not the people that would want to buy this book.

I would have given the book a 4 but I give it a 3 for lake of care in the user installation "experience".

There seem to be 2 schools of thought on this book! The difference being whether you can get past Chapter 1. I can NOT! and it is not without a lot of time and effort both wasted. Forget the cost. Just value your time.

The text does not match the file names on the CD and make sure you have IIS and SQL server in and working before you even think about buying this book.

You may be able to download chapter 1, if so try it and see how far you get then please let me know. I bought this book because of what it was supposed to do and I am so dissappointed, what is worse is that SAMS completely ignore any eMails.

Ah well, good luck to others.

Alan

from the very first example. How frustrating is that?? this book cost me 40 bucks and bam!! Wish I would have saved the receipt.

The only eseeence of this book is to be able to make the code work and learn from it. I spent hours configuring it and still cannot compile the code. There are errors everywhere. Author has given many steps to configuring the code and database and it is more complicated than it should be. I have downloaded many large examples in past and made them to work in short time. In this case it is never ending. I am still trying but am pretty sure I will not be able to run this application without wasting days which defeats the purpose. In my opinion download free samples from asp.net and other sources. This buy is waste of money and more importantly waste of time.

You can consider this book as a case study, where Hoffman has chosen to show how to develop an example application. This constitutes the backbone of the book. The application touches upon many real life development issues. Like building in security, or hooking the application to a back end database. (Microsoft's SQL Server is used in the book, unsurprisingly.) Enough code is shown for you to use as a jumping off template for your actual needs. Realistically, if you do this with any of the sample code, your code may/will end up far longer and more intricate. For pedagogic clarity, Hoffman introduces just enough complexity in his code to show nontrivial capabilities. But not too much that it obscures the essence. However, you must expect that, for example, your SQL queries will be more involved, and so too your parsing of the returned ResultSets. But, as a programmer, you should know that often with a new, unfamiliar language, all you need is a few functional examples. Like what Hoffman provides.

Plus, if you come from a Java or C++ background, the book should be easy sailing. C# is not that different from Java in syntax. And the use of interfaces, like Java but unlike C++, should be appreciated from the examples.