J Books

The simplicity, yet thoroughness, which he uses to explain one of the more difficult topics in engineering and mathematics shows that Dr. Hershey is a true expert in the field. I highly recomend this book for both the novice and the advanced reader.

Cryptography Demystified is a great intro guide to cryptography, well worth its price.

If you can make sense of this then you'll be able to make sense of the rest of the book (From Module 4):

Prob[p(t)=1lc(t)={Prob[c(t)=1lp(t)=1]Prob[p(t)=1]}/{Prob[c(t)=1]}
Now,
Prob[c(t)=1lp(t)=1]=Prob[k(t)=0]
and
Prob[c(t)=1]=Prob[p(t)=1]Prob[k(t)=0]+Prob[p(t)=0]Prob[k(t)=1]
therefore,
Prob[p(t)=1lc(t)=1]={prob[k(t)=0]Prob[p(t)=1]}/{Prob[p(t)=1]Prob[k(t)=0}+Prob[p(t)=0]Prob[k(t)=1]}

This book is slanted towards more theory and math than others that deal in practicality, for instance "Cryptography for Dummies". But if you have a solid foundation in mathematics and have the temporal ability to "quantinize" then this is a fantastic book. I would speculate this book is meant for graduate comp. sci/eng coursework as it is broken down into 35 Modules with problem solving exercises at the end of each. At any rate, good luck!

This book was used in a course I took taught by the author, Dr. John Hershey. I have read and own several books in this category, am working to obtain two advanced degrees in the field of computer security, and feel that I have enough information to write an objective review. It is an excellent introduction book to the general area of cryptography, but suffers from several shortcomings.

If you do not know much about what cryptography and encryption are, this book should provide a decent introduction. The book provides the mathematical concepts needed to understand the chapters, but I felt it did not cover enough detail or provide enough examples to let me feel I had a solid understanding of everything.

There are three aspects to cryptography: authentication, integrity, and verification. This book only discusses integrity issues, i.e. encryption. DES, RSA, and Diffie-Hellman are discussed, but a detailed covering of AES is noticibly absent. It covers integrity rather well, breaking down the different methods of using block encryption into separate chapters. In other words, DES operation in electronic codebook, output feedback, and cipher feedback modes are three different chapters. This is something that isn't usually done and is a rather nice touch. It makes it much easier to learn the advantages and disadvantages for each mode of operation.

In terms of total mathematical theory, Hershey's book does not contain much theory. If you want theory, I recommend you find William Stallings book titled "Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice." Also, Hershey's book does not contain code to let you start programming a security system. If you want applications, I recommend you find Bruce Schneier's book titled "Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and Source Code in C." Those books are for advanced readers, however, and may be difficult to understand if you don't know the area.

Overall, it is a good read. I recommend it more for IT people than computer scientists or engineers simply because it touches upon the topic, instead of being very detailed. Look at the editorial review section criteria for who should read the book, it is right for the most part.

If you are looking to expand your mind, think about learning Cryptography. It is an excellent discipline to help you think in new ways. If you decide you want to learn Cryptography, this is the book for you. The book is written in modules, making it easy to digest. The book is equally suitable for a formal classroom or self-study environment. Using the book for self study is enhanced by the modular format, superb clarity of the teaching, the well-explained answers to the problems, and the appropriately injected humor. People that need to learn Cryptography will undoubtedly have this book on their shelf, whether they are an expert or beginner. I would like to speak to the people that don't need to learn Cryptography - this book is for you too, as you will enjoy learning the thought processes of Cryptography that will enhance your creativity in any field. This book is a gift.

There will always be one and only one Jacques Torres.I love this book actually made a few recipes from here.Its not everyday type of deserts but true masterpieces. Can you tell I am one of his biggest fans.I truly miss seeing him on food [...]

This book is autstanding. Although, the book that I was sent by your dealer is a black and white photocopy of Jacuqes original book since I've used his book before and I am great admirer of jacques.I love his book DESSERT CIRCUS BUT THE COPY THAT YOU SENT ME IS A CHIP COPY THAT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ANY PICTURE OF THE ACTUAL DESSERTS AS THE ORIGINAL COPY HAS. WHEN I PURCHASED THE BOOK TROUGH YOU OVER THE INTERNET IT WAS STATED THAT IT WAS A USED COPY OF DESSERT CIRCUS BY JACQUES TORRES BOOK. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE PHOTOCOPY THAT YOU SENT ME. IF YOU LIKE TO CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE DO SO @ HEBERESTRADA@HOTMAIL.COM

"Dessert Circus" is the companion cookbook to Jacques Torres' television series, filled with step-by-step instructions and photos to help you recreate all his delicacies at home. After flipping through the book, I had my doubts.

Every recipe I tried was delicious. My favorite recipe has to be his "Chocolate Cornflakes". Delicious and fun to make.

Things I noticed about these recipes: They seem designed for parties and less for home cooking. Yields were large, with servings for 8 seeming to be the magic number. If you want to impress, you'll love this book. There is a fair amount ingredients that may be hard to find.

To recreate many of the recipes listed will require: time, talent, and a little prayer to pull off. This is not to say that the results aren't worth it. Desserts like the impressive "Nougatine Basket with Fruit Sorbets" (three diamonds) can be accomplished, you simply have to take your time and be prepared.

If you've ever looked at an issue of "Chocolatier" or "Pastry: Art & Design" magazines, you have a good idea of what you'll be in for with this cookbook. Cooks looking for a challenge will find plenty of recipes to choose from.

The author clearly loves what he does. I love the fact that there is a picture along with each recipe. Very detailed. I would buy ANY book by this author!

Jacques is an excellent teacher who doesn't seem to try to omit an ingredient or a secret technique as some chefs do. He is eager to share his thoughts on how to make each recipe a success and even includes the decorative touches that make people ooh and ahh. I've tried, and with great success, the desserts involving Jacques' light puff pastry and the tender flaky tart shell recipes and they please both the eye as well as the palate. I entertain frequently, making twelve course Chinese meals and always ending with a French dessert, most of which now come from 'Dessert Circus' or is inspired by it. I especially enjoy watching my guests' delight over the desserts. Thank you, Jacques.

This book is a great book for children and adults who want a basic introduction to art mediums. DK always does a good job of describing and it is an enjoyable read.

I had to get this for school. It's not a bad book and certainly is useful. I flipped thorough it to get some ideas.

I've seen books like these on clearance at book stores, so I think paying full price for this was silly.

DK books are always a "best buy" when it comes to bringing clear, concise information on how to do almost anything.

The book is in wonderful shape! My daughter needed it for a college class so the price helped her out a lot. I am an art teacher and was very impressed with it. I told her when she is finished with it she needn't pay me back...just give ME the book.

We bought this for our 14-year-old nephew, who is just starting to exhibit an interest in art. It is truly a great introduction to drawing and perspective, painting (oil, watercolor, acrylics), and even mixed media. Don't expect great depth in any one area, but its easy to read and use, heavily illustrated to keep kids' attentions, has a nice glossary. All in all, a really really great value and a book that is exactly what its title says it is.

Great book to read! Mr Jorgenson had me laughing throughout the book. I really enjoyed his insights to traveling over in Europe, and his humor is just the best!

This book received an EVVY Award for humor and it is easy to see why. The author clearly loves to travel in Europe and clearly enjoys the people and places he visits and helps us enjoy them along with him. I love the line "Can I help? I speak a number of languages badly."

I read this book while traveling around Italy by train. I laughed out loud! Kregg, Thank you for sharing some of your travel experiences. I especially liked the Amsterdam rental-car-counter story. While waiting in line at the Uffizi Gallery, we witnessed someone with a similar "klein komommer" complaining to the entrance guards. Katherine plays a great straight-man!

Kregg has a great way of finding the humor in things that we might not catch otherwise. Makes a great read while sitting at the terminal waiting to depart on your next trip.

Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Passing Through, had me at "Hey! This looks cheap!" Couldn't put it down until I read the entire book. Funny (hilarious actually), witty, smart, and just enjoyable all around. I can't wait to go back to Europe with a whole fun, new perspective. GREAT BOOK!!!

Professor Urwin has contributed a priceless addition to the collection of great American historical letters. Perhaps one of the best compilations of Wake Island information that at no time reads like the encyclopedia it resembles.
This is a huge and potentially intimidating book that is worth every bit of its seemingly steep price tag. Invest in your brain, you get what you pay for and then some!

REVIEW EVERY BOOK YOU READ, AUTHORS DESERVE YOUR OPINIONS!

Author Gregory Urwin spent years researching the epic defense of Wake Island using uncovered documents, personal interviews of civilian and military survivors, diaries, library archives and just plan hard leg work. The author to this day still honors those that served at Wake by staying in touch with the survivors at their yearly reunions and was instrumental in making the documentary on The History Channel become a reality. 'Facing Fearful Odds' brings the battle to life again through the eyes of those that were there and gives a balanced view on the Devereux-Cunningham contravercy which showed beyond doubt the shabby treatment given to the Navy Commander. The book is a must read to anyone who wants to learn about dedication, friendship, survival and love of country.

Most people only know about wake Island from the William Bendix movie made in 1942 when very few facts of the battle were known. What was know was that in 1941, as most American outposts in the far east fell in hours, this small Island with a garrison of some 450 marines and a few airmen held out for weeks and became a symbol of hope for Americans in a world of otherwise bleak news. The papers called this unlovely rock "The Alamo of the Pacific" in rememberance of that other famous last stand.
What Dr Urwin goes into is the detail beyond these facts, having interviewed survivors from both sides of the battle and poured over navy records he takes Marines who were little more than faceless icons, and made them human, with fears and hopes and lives all their own, and in so doing makes their stand more iconic. He gives them lives and personalities with annecdotes and humor as remembered by their friends in later years that shows them as a uniquiely American force.
Is it a big book? yup. Is it easy to read? Oh Yeah! The early chapters are about the finding, losing and refinding the atoll known as "Wake," then going into how it was developed in an attempts for commercial air travel in the 1930's. These chapters were so easy to read I found myself wondering if there were books on this, A topic I'd previously had no knowledge of or desire in. The writing is that good.
"What better way for man to die, then facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers and the Temples of his gods." yup, sums it up well.

I am a student in one of Dr. Uwrin's classes and he assigned this book for us to read. Usually I get annoyed when this happens because it is usually a way for teachers to throw their ideas further onto students and make them pay (literally) for it. Urwin's is one of only two professor written books that I have enjoyed reading for class. Dr. Urwin's writing is extremely clear and easy to follow, and he grips the reader. The language is not the pompous scholarly language one usually finds in books like this. You don't have to be a student of WWII to read this, anyone could pick it up and read it without problems. And to answer someone's musing that if Dr. Urwin's lecturing is as good as his writing, it is and then some! READ THIS BOOK!

The title, Facing Fearful Odds, is taken from Macaulay's "Horatius at the Bridge" (a poem I lovingly remember reading as a schoolboy), and it's evocative of the dramatic siege of Wake Island in the immediate aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Gregory Urwin is a fine writer who vividly portrays the drama of a handful of Marines and civilian construction workers who repelled daily assaults by the Japanese navy and air force for 16 harrowing days before finally capitulating to overwhelming force. In stunning detail, the author depicts the frantic preparatory events leading up to the siege, the fierce resistance, and the bitter aftermath. It is sad that these heroic events are little known by today's generation.

What is compelling about Mr. Urwin's account of the Wake Island story is his depiction of ordinary men thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Although the Marines were volunteers, many of them joined the Corps to escape the Depression, and many of them never expected to find themselves in such a perilous position. Nonetheless, like Horatius at the Bridge, these men did more than their duty.

Facing Fearful Odds describes how the United States failed to marshal its considerable resources during the year and three months that Europe had been at war; we were dreadfully unprepared militarily, economically and psychologically for the sudden impact of the terrible defeats Japan dealt us. If we view the events of late 1941 in the context of the smug condescension most Americans felt toward Japan, and the fact that we woefully underestimated Japanese military prowess, we can begin to understand how shattering Pearl Harbor was. Americans were angry as hell and damned scared.

Then, a few gritty Marines and civilian construction workers - every one of them a regular "Joe Everyman" with whom any American could identify - held off the mighty Japanese navy and air force for more than two weeks and dealt them a stunning, crushing blow. That we ultimately lost Wake Island mattered little. That these brave men showed the world that Americans could - and would - fight back meant everything to the people at home and to those in the service. These few men lifted America from its fear and helped focus its anger in a powerful resolve to defeat the enemy.

The Marines of Wake Island were expendable, and they knew it. Mr. Urwin enables the reader to imagine why a man would willingly put himself in harm's way knowing - with near certainty - that he was unlikely to survive. One could argue that the man doesn't have a choice, but of course he has a choice - he can surrender. Urwin shows us that the willingness to fight and not surrender came from something more than patriotism. Though they fully expected to die, it was a matter of pride; though they believed no one would ever know it, they were determined to make the enemy pay dearly for American lives. They knew if they did that, someone else might live a little longer.

Facing Fearful Odds is about defiance in the face of certain death, of abject determination to make the enemy pay a terrible price for their arrogance. The men of Wake Island didn't save the world - that was for the men and women who came after them to do. But they saved America's face. Guam surrendered immediately. Wake Island did not.

Several weeks before the battle of the Alamo, Mexican troops marched into San Antonio demanding a siege cannon that the Texan rebels held. The Texans' reply was, "Come and take it." Implied were the words, "...if you can." Gregory Urwin gives the reader a rare opportunity to know how the men of Wake Island felt when they made the Japanese Navy "come and take it."

I'd highly recommend this book for people who already know something about Catholicism, but need a bit more depth in order to understand why Catholics believe what they do. I have used it as a resource for people who are Catholic but it has been a long time since they have had catechesis, or for non-Catholic Christians who want to understand more about Catholicism.

It may be a bit too detailed for someone just beginning the Inquiry or RCIA process unless they want a thorough resource book, but in this case I would definitely pair it with a simplified copy of the Catechism.

It makes a great gift book too!

My seminarian friend recommended it to me. At times Opus Dei can be too black-and-white with no gray in between, but this book is still a wonderful way to connect all of Catholicism. I go to Mass regularly and have gone to a Catholic HS, but I still didn't feel like I knew my faith. This book was able to show me how we do know a lot about our faith, but we just have a problem making sense of what we know. Also, his analogies are brilliant. I use them constantly in explaining Catholicism to others.

This is required reading for the Catholic, literally as many catechism classes require it. It is also very useful for those wanting to learn more about their faith or the Catholic faith in general. It is full of useful information laid out in an informative and well written manner. It is easy to find information and questions. That being said it is also very dry, but its hard to make a book like this a page turner.

I've owned this book now for about 3 years and have read it through all the way, once. I've gone back to sections for refresher information, many, many times. What I like the most about this book is, if you do not have the capacity (time, or stamina) to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) all the way through - this is an excellent way to get "more than the basics" of what is in the CCC in a very clear, concise manner.

From the very first page (just like all catechisms of the Catholic church) it starts with the three fundamental questions. Who made me? Who is God? Why did God make me? Just that first page will have you hooked and you will not want to put it down. I constantly recommend this book to anyone over the age of 13 because it is that clear in it's method of explaining the faith. I do not believe this book is for anyone looking for a "dumbed down" version of the faith, and by that I do not mean there is anything wrong with the book written by Fr. Tregilio called "Catholicism for Dummies." Quiet the contrary, these two books are just for different types of readers.

Another interesting observation on this book is the different kind of people that love it. I have met such different personalities and ages of people (13 to 79) who love this book that I think that fact is also a recommendation of the book.

Read it, it's good for answering all your questions AND will untangle any misconceptions you have developed along the way, or just remind you of what you may have forgotten.

I highly and unreservedly recommend this book.

I use this text frequently for inquirers into the Catholic Faith. Every one says it is witten in a very interesting style. Many can't put it down once begun. Well written and faithful to Catholic Church teaching.

This book is a must-have for new fathers.

It highlights the social, mental and emotional evolution of what it is like becoming a father which most anyone can relate to. The black and white pictures are incredibly tasteful and expressive.

I was transported to a higher level of consciousness as I viewed the exquisite photographs of fathers and their children, and read the tender, hopeful and caring words that accompany them. This book will not only lift your heart, it will inspire and encourage fathers to express their love and tenderness for their children in ways that fathers of past generations were often unable to do. I hope that many fathers (and mothers too!) of the current generation of children will enjoy this book and identify with the wonderful fathers who participated in its creation. We all need to celebrate and encourage good, loving parenting whenever we see it, and this book presents us with a perfect opportunity to do that.

This book deserves all of its rave reviews. In addition, it's a terrific teacher of portrait photography. I know that I have tried for years to take pictures of loved ones that could show even half of what I was feeling toward my subjects.

So how does he do it? Smith's portraits of beautiful dads and their delicious babies succeed magnificently for a variety of reasons. He uses light and shadow to make a point: for balance and harmony. If a dad's face is partially obscured in darkness, the beaning grim on his baby's face assures the viewer of the dad's (unseen-by-us) big smile.

Where a muscled fatherly arm is in view, there is the pudgy softness of the baby's arm. One feels the strength of dad, the vulnerability of baby, and is thrilled with the photo. Torsos, either trim or pudgy, are nearly always balanced and complemented by one another. A dad holds a baby in one hand, and the solidity of the dad's legs - and the calm face of the baby - assure us that the child is safe.

Another thing I loved about this book is that it reveals mature bodies - not for their conventional "perfectness," but as vessels of love and (in the dads' cases) protection. It's about bodies, but is never voyeuristic.

But it is the faces which are so arresting. Study this book, not only for its message of love, hope, and caring - but for the great advice it offers on how to begin to take much better, if not downright successful, pictures!

I found the photographs of fathers with their babies touched my heart. As a mother, I know how DEEPLY I feel for my two children. This book allowed me to see that men, too, are profoundly touched and forever changed when their child is born. I enjoyed reading each father's short narrative about how they cried, felt joy, enriched their relationships with the child's mother, and that they'd rather stay at home with their family than go out with "the guys". A GREAT Father's Day gift or Father-to-be gift!

when i saw the book cover, i immediately thought the book would be a great father's day gift for my daughter to give my husband. when the book arrived, i was surprised to see that on each page, there was a naked dad with a naked baby. i found it to be a little distasteful, and i was frustrated that nowhere in the amazon book description was it mentioned that the book contained nude dad/baby pictures. while some might find the book fascinating and sweet, i wish i'd had more information on the book before purchasing it. if i had, i wouldn't have bought it.

This book provides an insightful look into food, nutrition and health from a more holistic perspective. A modern expanded approach to the age old theory "you are what you eat". A must have for health conscious individuals.

This was one of the most informative books I have ever read! Easy to read and understand. It makes total sense and is easy to follow the advice given. Worth every penny and MORE! Thank You Corinne!

Feed Your Need is an excellent book for anyone who wishes to improve their health, and offers particularly useful information for diabetics. Some of the information seems to be the opposite of what we are told by many mainstream "experts". However, I was able to lower my blood sugar levels significantly by following some of the suggestions in this book. Although I still need to take an oral medication to control my diabetes( changes take time to implement and old habits die hard!) this book has made a big difference in my life.

A book well-worth reading! "Feed your Need" is a very readable book which opened my eyes to how food choices affect the physical body. Applying just a few of the suggestions has made me feel more energetic and healthy. For anyone wanting to understand WHY you should eat or not eat certain foods this book is invaluable.

Recently I am trying to be health concious and thank god I found this book by accident-actually I was looking for the food cure related books..I started to read the book and could not stop before I finished. Unlike the other sources in the market, this book explains what to do with your life/health in a easy to read way and understandable. It changes the way you look at the life and you will start to be observant about your life without realising. you should read and see the changes in your life. I strongly recommend you to give it a chance if you have any doubts. you will be thankful!!!!

I picked up this book because I realized that I knew next to nothing about the human genome--one of the most significant scientific accomplishments of the century. Shreeve's explanation of what it is and why it matters while describing the dramatic intellectual, technical and commercial competition between the academic community and private venture capitalists--most notably Craig Ventor-- is spellbinding. The most painless way to familiarize yourself with recent human genome research. An outstandiing read.

You don't need to be a scientist to be captivated by this book. This is a riveting story of the intersection of vision, ego, politics and the battle between commercial interests and publicly funded efforts to do nothing less than lay the foundation for the technology that will likely define this century.

This is not a dry chronicle of the scientific methods, technological and computational breakthroughs that made this great accomplishment possible. Rather, Shreeve manages to guide the layman through the intricacies of all of the above, while never loosing site of the more interesting story of the personalities and interactions among the key players in this story. There are lessons here for anyone - integrity, vision, politics, business, perception and the law of unintended consequences.

The best book I've read this year.

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the future of science, medicine, and technology. Though I have been intrigued with the human genome project and the mapping of other life forms, I had never understood the process or knew the key players in the epic search to do so. James Shreeves' masterful account of this landmark achievement brings the complex and compelling venture into sharp focus. His narrative includes not only colorful and insightful quotes from those involved on all levels, but also offers cogent explanations of the technical and scientific issues in breakthrough biological data-processing that will eventually change all our lives.

Firstly, I haven't even finished this book at the time of my writing this review, but I could no longer wait to comment on it.

The distinguished feature of this book is its style of writing. It is incredibly simple and straight forward, without any unncessary twist of language or logic. Although this is a depiction of the whole story behind the Human Genome Project, it reads like an epic tale of a breathtaking journey.

James Shreeve gives a close account of all the events that led up to sequencing of human genome, including politics, science, business, legal matters and personal relations. What's more, is that a lay reader who understands nothing about gene or molecular biology can learn a whole lot of things he didn't know before. While the book is not technical in biological and other scientific explanations, it is sufficient to explain to the lay reader about genes, their importance as well as their pharamaceutical value.

This book, like other reviewers have mentioned, is truly hard to put down. Highly recommended to everyone!!

I could not put this book down. This is an engrossingly written glimpse into the people, politics and science of the Human Genome project(s). Extraordinarily well done. Uplifting.
Exciting. At times depressing. Full of real people at war with real problems and real results.

The Great Books played a significant role in my early education process and I have always placed considerable value in what they represent. Over the many years I managed to get separated from my original set. I've recently replaced them and was quickly reminded of their importance. I'm truly looking forward to re-familiarizing myself with them during this stage of my life.

Henry W. Kappel

I had heard of the Great Books Project some time ago but had never actually had a chance to see these translations until this past semester at my school library. They were located on the top floor right next to the bathroom so I sort stumbled into them by accident one night. After sifting through a few of these I can't say that I was anything other than supremely disapointed. It was a noble attempt on Adler's part but it just didn't pan out for a number of reasons.

I'm not one of these diversity crackpots and I personally think schools that use this collection (albeit losely) as a foundation for their curriculum (St. John's in Annapolis particularly) are vastly more rigorous, comprehensive, and rewarding than those of practically every other American University. Four years of science, three of mathematics, three of intensive Greek and French, weekly seminars in Western Literature and Philosophy. It's no wonder that this environment produces among the highest acceptance rates into top professional and graduate programs in the country.

However, as I mentioned before these schools use Adler's collection as more of a suggestion than anything else mostly because this hodgepodge of some 37,000 poorly translated and at times even obsolete pages of loseleaf paper couldn't possibly offer the coherence required of a college program.

To be fair though this was not Adler's intention with this collection. Still, one is left wondering what exactly Adler's intention was with all of this. One would assume that the intention was to get these books into as many homes and minds as possible. That's a great idea in principle but if folks aren't interest in reading these books individually what would lead you to believe that assembling them in one giant mass makes them more intriguing? Certainly he couldn't have done this to make the books more affordable ($1000+)...oh dear God, I believe he did.

I found the translations to be cumbersome, utterly oblivious to the language of the author's time and location, and unnecessarily small in size. Oh and the paper is of extremely low quality as well at least in the series I read out of.

These are all problems but what I find most unfortunate is the lack of coherence to the whole thing. First off, WHERE are the history books? Aside from the two big Greeks there are absolutely none to be found in the entire collection. Tens of thousands of pages with no history whatsoever to put any of into context for the young reader who I'll assume is the target audience of this collection.

Secondly, I support the attempt to expose the general public to the beauty of mathematics and especially science. But seriously, is there any point in adding something like Newton's Principia to this collection other than to show off? Really, what percentage of the population can make sense of a book like that? Cambridge prints short introductory texts to dozens of subjects in the sciences that are more relavent to that 99.99% of the population that doesn't have an advanced degree in Physics of Mathematics. Next.

Third, if you're selecting works based on influence then how do people like Kierkegaard, Marx and Nietzsche only get one of work apeice included whereas folks like Chaucer, Pascal and Ibsen get numerous selections? How can it be that Pascal has had more influence than a man whose philosophy spawned worldwide panic, violence and revolution for most of the 20th Century?

Finally, if you're going to try and produce a comprehensive collection of the Greatest the Western World has produced why not select each authors most notable contributions to that legacy. Nobody remembers Thomas Mann for "Death and Venice." Nobody remembers Joyce for "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man."

But then again I could be wrong. Regardless, I am still going to give this book 4 stars for fighting the good fight against relativism, multiculturalism and the general degeneration of the human race.

Bid a new set from ebay and it arrived in two boxes. It has great contents, but:

1) The books are small in dimension, so print is small and not easy to read.

2) The paper is thin.

3) Need more pictures.

4) Some volumes are quite thin. It will be better either adding more contents, or combine volumes to make the whole set more manageable.

5) The set is listed at $1,195, which translates to about $20 per volume. Judging from the quality of the book, printing quality should be no more than $5 per volume. They should reduce price to make it more accessible.

When I was 16, my father bought me a set of the Great Books. They changed my life. Tocqueville, Aristotle, Shakespeare, Tolstoy, et al.

They teach compassion, reason, understanding, social responsibility, and every other conceivable virtue.

These books are worth their weight in Gold. You can find most, if not all, of these writings for free on the internet since there is no copyright anymore; however, if you are looking for physical books then this is the way to go. Very well made and if you go to the Britannica website you may a good deal or at least a payment plan for the hefty price.