K Books

I could definitely identify with some of the essays, but others bored me and I didn't finish them. The variety of emotions, situations, and life experiences were entertaining and did lead to some introspection. I wouldn't say this is a "must read," but it's an enjoyable book that was perfect to read in bits, as the 42 essays are short.

My book discussion group read Guilty Pleasures this month. It was the first non-fiction book we ever selected. The book is a lot of fun, but it has serious parts, too, so it made for a good discussion.

I love to read in the same way that some people love eating chocolates. Just as they disregard warnings as to caloric intake in making their selections and opt for the largest, darkest,or prettiest piece in the box, so, too, I disregard the admonition not to judge a book by its cover and often select a book by its size, heft, and cover. Guilty Pleasures meets all of my superficial criteria: it has a pleasing fit to the hand, a weight perfect for horizontally-inclined literati such as I, and an eye-catching cover filled with colorful shoes such that one's eye is drawn to the authorship on the suspicion (unfounded) that this is Immelda Marcos' work. Of course, as my chocoholic friends might say, "the proof is in the pudding" and the quality of a book is in the reading. Just as a square of fudge delights as it melts and clings to the palate, Guilty Pleasures delights the mind. Eight women writers unrepentantly share the joys they find in ordinary and not so ordinary pleasures running a quixotic gamut from taking antidepressants to applying toenail polish, from crossword fanaticism to extorting money from one's parents. The writing is refreshingly witty, wicked, and wise. Although these small gems of essays are assembled of necessity in an order, I recommend reading them haphazardly. After all, what chocolate lover would adhere to the map on the candy box, eating all the creams first before proceeding to the nuts? There are enough strictures in life! Just open the book and enjoy at random. And, yes, the next time you need to tote a small gift somewhere, you might forego the candy and bring along a copy of Guilty Pleasures. Think of it as a book lover's fudge!

These authors have tapped into a huge vein (keg?) of human experience. Each essay details a different furtive joy, and I could feel their pleasure even in the ones I couldn't identify with myself.
There are no morals given; no helpfull hints; just honest enjoyment of many things that may not fit our public personas or enhance our professional images. Before I even finished the book, I found myself mentally starting to examine my own guilty pleasures. It's so nice to know that I'm not alone in admitting that I do get a thrill out of a few somewhat dubious activities.
My daughter keeps dipping into this book, too. Obviously, it's appeal is multi-generational.

All the confessions in this book are deliciously guilty and are expressed in the picturesque language of poets and the best of literary writers.

"This book is intended for researchers, practicing engineers, and students who wish to understand and / or develop fingerprint-based recognition systems." So the introduction, and right they are. The authors have chosen a more informal style, but still give some of the Mathematics necessary. The references are extensive and ultimately the reader will have to go to them to make a contribution.

I would recommend buying this book with "Automatic Fingerprint Recognition Systems" by Ratha and Bolle (ed.) It would be hard for me to make a decision between these two books.

Lo recomiendo si desean implementar nuevos algoritmos para reconocimiento de huellas dactilares y/o una revision a profundidad de como funcionan los metodos existentes.

Imprescindible concimiento de gradientes y algoritmos digitales en el tratamiento de imagenes.. para comprender el contenido.

This book first describes the different biometric systems that exist. It describes different methods of acquiring the fingerprints and the advantages and drawbacks from each method. Then it handles the different analysis methods for fingerprints in depth. The matching algorithms that are known with their evaluation is handled throughly with their indexing and classification methods. It discusses methods for fingerprint evaluation with the databases of NIST on DVD and the software sfinge for artificially making the fingerprints.

The part that is really new is the multimodal biometric system and performance measures of these systems. It also handles the individuality of fingerprints themselves and finally it gives an overview of methods for attacking fingerprints systems (denial of service, fake fingers, trojan horses, replay but also the electronic storage systems behind them). If you are in biometrics and also in forensic science, you certainly should consider reading this book.

This book is a "must". Very useful for my research on Biometrics and Multibiometrics Systems. No wonder this book received the 2003 PSP Award (Computer Science) from the Association of American Publishers.

The applications of Biometrics technology range from federated identity management to digital rights management, time and attendance, background checking, and homeland security. None of the biometric characteristics has received more attention till date than fingerprints. Fingerprint recognition is the most cost effective and accurate biometrics, which is evident from its rapid deployment in the widest range of security applications.

This book contains a plethora of information on every aspect of fingerprint recognition technology - introduction to biometrics and fingerprints, fingerprint sensing devices, feature extraction, matching, classification, synthetic fingerprint generation, multimodal systems, secure design, fingerprint individuality - you name it. The DVD accompanying this book will save you a lot of money and trouble of collecting your own data to test your algorithms.

The authors of this book - Davide Maltoni, Dario Maio, Salil Prabhakar, and Anil K. Jain - are undoubtedly some of the most well known and respected experts in the world on the topic of fingerprint recognition. It is no surprise that such extraordinary researchers have produced such an exceptional masterpiece.

Whether you are an inventor, developer, practitioner, forensic specialist, or system manager in this field looking for an excellent reference or just a novice looking for basic information on biometrics and fingerprint recognition technology, you must read this outstanding book.

I discovered this series orignally via a loan [yes, all were returned] over 10 years ago. Over the next 5 years I painstakingly collected them, all long-since out of print, for myself from used bookstores across California. Having read and reread them to the point of needing "new" copies yet again [thanks to Amazon this time], I cannot recommend the enire trilogy enough.

This end piece wavers not at all with regard to the charaters, story, plot and tone as begun and carried through Sword of the Lamb and Shadow of the Swan. Alexand, Adrien, the Concord, the Phoenix, the Outside... you cannot help but be caught up in the personal, political and global struggles of the society which MK Wren has created. The technology developed as part of this post-Disasters environment makes their world only that much more appealing.

Intensely detailed, the historian in me was just as delighted with the "archive lectures" as with the "current" story line. The lectures are also very much a necessary part of the first read-through.

Within the character's lives and the attendant system-wide events they are a part of, there are enough challenges and setbacks to keep what is going right from feeling over sappy and preordained. I only wish that, like the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings [the only series I've gone through more copies of], there were more books to go with these three.

Have I been vague enough in my praise? May I also say that I liked the original cover art better?

I read the first of these books when I was in 7th grade. It took me two years to locate a copy of the 2nd book and two more to find the 3rd. It was well worth the wait and I stayed up all night to read the final book. The characters are wonderfully crafted, the story line is multilevel. The only books I have read more times are "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "The Lord of the Rings". If you can locate a copy of these in a used book store, buy them! Don't let the romance novel apperance keep you from enjoying these great books.

When I first read this trilogy, I found it very deeply flawed. The drama was so over-the-top, the posturing of the characters so ludicrous, the general space-operaish feeling so unashamed. It was laughable.

And still. I have come back again and again to the trilogy. It has everything: the appeal of the peek into aristocratic life, dashing princes (and even pirates!), beautiful princesses about to be ravished by depraved cowards, tyranny, slavery, a secret society to overthrow them... wow.

If M.K. Wren had had a sense of humor and a sense of the ridicolous, she could easily have become Lois McMaster Bujold. Even as it is, this _is_, despite all, a good, engrossing read. There is no denying it: I shook my head a lot, but I was greatly entertained. The moment when archvillain Ussher dies bravely, owing his heroic resistance much more to madness than to greatness, was really, really great.

All in all, I'm a bit disappointed that Wren has not written any more SF.

Why does every book I like go out of print! Clearly my mother was cursed. That said, this is an excellent trilogy (containing very plausible character development). It also has swords and spaceships! Whoopee! However, I must admit I skipped the sociological chapters (and I'm a lecturer).

I found the 2nd book (Shadow of the Swan) of the trilogy first and was immediately hooked. I found the first book (Sword of the Lamb) next in a used book store in Dallas ( this was years before Amazon.com) and searched for the third (House of the Wolf) for 3 years. It is the most engrossing and enthralling set of books I have found since the Lord of the Rings. I've worn out two sets and am now wearing out the 3rd. It has adventure, action, romance, morality (and immorality), philosophy, religion and can still be classified as hard sci-fi. Character development is superb and the historical progression into the time of the trilogy is frightingly believable and, given current events, terrifyingly possible. This is a trilogy that needs to be re-printed in hard cover and is appropriate for all but the youngest of readers, both male and female.

I am a parent, and chair of a group that is the process of starting an elementary charter school in my community. Mary Lang's book, How to Choose the Perfect School, was written for parents choosing a school, but that same information is valuable to me creating one. I agree with the author that the first thing a parent needs to do when choosing a school is to create a definition of an educated individual in the 21st century. In our charter process we were required to create our definition of an educated person, and we focused on what Lang calls "deep" education--the ability to apply knowledge in real settings to solve problems. I like its approach to technology, it talks about computers as tools children program in order to learn, not machines to program our children.

I think this book will be helpful to you. The book has a section on research into learning and how that research should be applied to school design. Its school report cards distill that research in ways that can help you attend to the important features that contribute to a successful school environment. I recommend this book to parents who are actively involved in their child's education and want to understand the choices and options that are available to them.

As the parent of a teenager, I have come to understand the importance of choosing a school that will help my child fulfill her potential. The information in How to Choose the Perfect School, assisted me in choosing a successful elementary school for my child. Later, when there were no school choices in our community at the junior high and high school level, the summary of educational research contained in the book provided me with a foundation for me to evaluate the educational issues she faced and be more aware of the alternatives to the traditional school setting. This is an excellent book for parents who need to evaluate a school they are considering sending their child to or who are attempting to evaluate the school that their child is currently attending. The specific information contained in the book, is comprehensive and easy to use. I highly recommend it to parents with children in the K-12 educational system.

Choosing the right school for our daughter has always been a top priority for my husband and myself. "How to Choose the Perfect School" provides parents with a guide that includes specific features to look for when they are evaluating schools. This is an easy to read, informative book for parents who are in a position to choose between alternative K-12 programs. Besides the handy detailed checklist to take on a school visit, the book has helpful questions if parents choose to interview school administrators during their visit to potential schools. The information from this book has been helpful to us in understanding the general programming of the school that our daughter currently attends. I highly recommend it to all parents who are interested in understanding more about their child's current school, as well as alternative school programs, when they are faced with school choice.

I am a parent of a middle school student and my husband and I are choosing a school for our daughter for the third time in five years. I have found, How to Choose the Perfect School, to be a very useful book for parents like me faced with school choice during our child's very important formative years. Before reading this book, I had a feeling about what I was looking for but I was unable to verbalize it. Now when I visit a school I have a clear notion of what I am looking for based on the authors encouragement to define what I consider to be a quality education prior to starting my school search. The school report card, containing the many things a parent should look for in a school, has been especially helpful as I review school materials and visit schools. I would highly recommend this book to other parents who are feeling confused about finding the right school for their child.

Sincerely,
Maria O.

As a parent of two young children I have found the process of searching for schools in large city to be a daunting task. There are so many choices, and it's hard to know where to start. Fortunately, this book has provided me with detailed information about school features that enhance the learning ability of the students. I have learned how to identify a school that contains a curriculum that is based on research findings about what makes a high quality learning environment. The checklists and sample interview questions are especially helpful when visiting schools and comparing choices. I recommend this book to anyone who is searching for the right school for their child.

Sincerely,

Jean Powers

As a hunter I've always marveled at how joy and sadness can dwell in the same moment, that moment when you reach out - with gun or bow or spear - and take the life of a wild creature. But there are many hunters who don't notice or care, and who treat this most awesome and mysterious thing as a sport like golf or car racing. The best part of "A Hunter's Heart" was spending time, so to speak, with others who see more and deeper things in hunting, and who can express it more vividly and truthfully than I have been able to. Each story is beautiful and eloquent and impactful in its own way. I reread the book often, enjoying it more each time, which is the best compliment I can give.

As a woman, and one who does not hunt, I found the essays in A Hunter's Heart intelligent, thought-provoking, and often moving. They suggest a complexity and ethic which underlie a sport often seen as cruel and mindless. They make a convincing case that those who hunt are more likely to respect nature than are those who buy their meat neatly packaged in plastic. The writers voice a genuine regard, even love, for the environment and for their prey. The authors may be more articulate and philospohical than those many of us think of as "typical" hunters, but if we admit that one may subscribe to an ethic without being able to articulate it, may live out a philosophy rather than expound it, the essays may make us rethink the motives and morality of those who take to the woods during hunting season.

This is an excellent collection of essays. The essays are honest, forthcoming, and thoughtful. I enjoy hunting not as a "sport" but as an activity that simply transcends sport. I love the environment, and perhaps this is why hunting is not merely sport to me. This work by Mr. Petersen is rare because it reflects the fact that many hunters do, in fact, love the environment and wildlife more than they love the hunt.

A few of the hunter-authors featured in Mr. Petersen's work don't hunt anymore, because they (like many sportsmen and sportswomen) have reached the "limiting out" phase of hunting, when a hunter no longer cares so much about bagging game, but cares mostly about the teaching of ethics and conservation to a younger generation of hunters. But when you read their essays, you can feel how much they loved the hunt and how much hunting taught them about the need for healthy ecosystems. On the other hand, some of these essays were written by active hunters. If you are a hunter, these essays will make your heart swell with anticipation for your next hunt.

Contrary to the review posted earlier by Mr. Seshadri, this book directly confronts irresponsible hunters. Admittedly, a few hunters do not love the environment and wildlife. Several of the essays confront unethical hunting practices head-on, including the use of overwhelming modern technology in the pursuit of trophy animals. Likewise, one essay condemns the use of live animals merely for target practice, undoutedly refering to the hunting of predators such as coyotes and wolves. Yes, this work is very honest. You get the good and the bad.

I am a 4th generation deer and elk hunter from the Rocky Mountains, and I think this book is a must-read for all hunters. My hope is that our wild lands, and our wild animals will be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. We will need more conservation-minded hunters like Mr. Petersen if we are to be successful. Why? Because the golfers and couch potatoes don't care if another valley is buldozed for commercial developement. Habitat destruction is the threat to wildlife and wild land. The hunting community must stand up and make its voice heard, and this book is a good start.

This book is a collection of essays on hunting by some excellent outdoor writers, including former President Jimmy Carter. The writers talk about why they hunt. This book examines that question and finds that there are many reasons different people give to that same question. You may agree with some or disagree, but you'll definitely think long and hard about the answers given.

This book's thought provoking essays also force all of us to think about our own carnivorous instincts. Since almost all of us eat meat from the supermarket the book takes cows as an example and asks non hunters if the castration of bulls, the branding, the feeding of them in outdoor, closed in, excrement filled pens and the eventual slaughter of them is really somehow better than the hunter who shoots and kills a deer in the wild? It seems we all live with blood on our hands. But not to let you think this book is simply cut and pasted from the pages of American Hunter. The book also questions trophy hunting and whether hunting should even be considered a sport.

Since many hunters spend a good deal of time defending what they love to do, I would recommend that they pick up a copy of this book in order to be able to answer the question "why do I hunt?"

I am not a hunter. I bought this book out of an intellectual curiousity of what it is that drives some people to kill and enjoy the pursuit of killing. The essays within - while plain spoken, well written and introspective - tend to be repetitive around some common themes:

1) It is no less ethical to hunt your own food than to buy meat in a supermarket
2) In nature, very few animals die of old age anyway
3) Humans are genetically programmed to hunt; hunters are just following their inner, atavistic calling
4) City folk who disdain any type of hunting are hypocritical and should pay a visit to their local slaughterhouse
5) Hunters actually love the animals they kill

I am compelled to agree with most of the above reasoning, although #5 is a tough act to follow. That said, where the essays fail is in their inability to confront the irresponsible hunters who kill just for the thrill of it. There is no mention of the moral deficiency of those "hunters" who kill not for the meat, but for the bragging rights of having shot a (mostly tame) lion or (farm raised) trophy ungulate. Likewise, the authors carefully avoid taking on the barbarism of "sports" like fox hunting. It's almost like these good hunters are ashamed of all those black sheep lurking within their fraternity, although not without good reason. All that said, this is nonetheless a good read that can be enjoyed by all thinking people - hunters and non-hunters alike.

These are a great tool for students grades 1-3! I love that my students create their own Star of the Week posters without going overboard. These are perfect!

I really like using this in my classroom. It's a great way to get to know each student throughout the year. I allow for them to share their poster, and have a mini share with their favorite things that they bring from home.

GREAT for a beginning of the year project with kids... let them use their imagination and their markers!!

I plan to use these personal posters with each student of the week. After the poster is completed and returned, it will be laminated and displayed. The students can take them home at the end of the week to display at home or give as a gift to a relative.

I have my students fill out there poster whenever they are chosen as the Star Student of the week. Each student can present their poster, take a few questions, and then bask in the glory of having their poster hanging in the hall for the week. Also, after the poster has been presented, I have every student write a friendly letter to the Star Student. All letters are made into a booklet that the Star Student receives at the end of their week.

this book is down-to-earth and fun to read. I gave it to my two daughters and they enjoyed reading it. Linda Chandler makes personal finance a snap. Her examples are easy to emulate. This book should be required reading for every girl in high school and college. Often, no one teaches them how to deal with money and the principles of managing their spending, savings and investments.

LINDA CHANDLER HAS WRITTEN THE BOOK THAT OFFERS THE BEST FINANCIAL ADVICE FOR WOMEN OF ALL SEASONS! Author/Speaker/Financial consultant Linda Chandler has penned a remarkable book that will be of immense help to all women of all ages. Get this book today . . . it will assist you in grasping the main issues of personal finance facing women in the new millenium. --A retired banker in Miami

Author Linda Chandler has done a great service to women of all generations. She has broken down financial concepts and principles in terms we can all understand. I especially liked her advice on questions to ask you attorney, accountant, banker, insurance agent, securities broker, and financial planner. Three big cheers and a big hug to Linda from this granny. Who said you can't teach old dogs?

What a fun and delightful read! I was surprised how down-to-earth, witty and entertaining this book was. From hearing about Chandler's background, being a high-powered financial executive and former Senior Vice President of the pretigious securities firm Sutro & Company--I thought maybe this book would be technical, complex and full of financial jargon. But it was the opposite. Linda broke down financial principles into everyday examples we can all relate to. I'm giving this book to all my women friends and my daughter. --Project Manager of major U.S. software firm, Atlanta.

In my opinion, IT'S JUST A KISS AWAY: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO WINNING THE MONEY GAME written by Linda Chandler is the most delightful personal finance book I have ever read. I loved the chapter "SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP" . . . cuz I saw so much of me in those lines. Linda has a way of making a very serious subject fun, while she educates you on a new approach that is practical and really works! I have given this book to my daughters, my granddaughters, and many of my lady friends.

I enjoyed Stewart Welch's first book on Estate Planning so much that I ordered 10 copies to give to clients and friends. I plan on doing the same for his second book, which is even more comprehensive and should be part of any investors' reference library.

In guiding my clientele through the ever-changing maze of estate tax planning law, I have found JK Lasser's New Rules for Estate Planning and Tax to be an invaluable body of knowledge that I have referenced again and again. The easy-to-read layout allows quick focus on particular issues and topics that are presented in clear and concise laymen's terms.

What a great book! Everything you need to know about estate and tax planning in one easy to read book. This book is all you need! You can find what your looking for right away!

I would encourage every taxpayer in America to read this book. It examines what the new tax law means, not just what it says. Stewart Welch III and Harold Apolinsky have addressed the questions all of us are asking, and a few we may not have thought of yet. Who would have ever thought a book on tax law would be so enjoyable to read and easy to understand? I am grateful for these two experts' wonderful resource and guide. Read it!

An excellent resource for those who want objective advice and guidance on very complicated subjects. The authors take very technical concepts and explain them in plain language. The worksheets, checklists and diagrams are very helpful.

If you're not interested in taxes, you're not really in business...Mike Stokes

Reverting back to my comments on Mr. Daily's( Tax Savvy For Small Businesses) and Mr. Kamoroff's(A Small time Operator)reviews, this book coupled with the two previously mentioned books, should provide an outstanding foundation to start off with, as far as what you should and must do to operate a small business when it concerns your tax liability.

This books concentration is based more on past precedents passed down by both the Appeals Courts and the Tax Courts, and what procedures can and cannot be implemented. Gives specific instruction in accordance with the IRC code, to follow and to determine what can be done to legally lower your tax liability.

This book is more legally technical than both books I mentioned above. While Daily's book gives you general examples of accounting procedures and legalities, Kamoroff book gets into the nuts and bolts of accounting procedures, along with a step by step guide to implement those procedures. These 3 books should be on every entrepenuer's shelf, for future reference and procedures.

This is an excellent guide if you have questions regarding your own home-based business. You can find out what you can deduct and what you can not deduct all from this book.

Reverting back to my comments on Mr. Daily's( Tax Savvy For Small Businesses) and Mr. Kamoroff's(A Small time Operator)reviews, this book coupled with the two previously mentioned books, should provide an outstanding foundation to start off with, as far as what you should and must do to operate a small business when it concerns your tax liability.

This book concentrates more on past precedents passed down by both the Appeals Courts and the Tax Courts, and what procedures can and cannot be implemented. Gives specific instruction in accordance with the IRC code, to follow and to determine what can be done to legally lower your tax liability.

This book is more legally technical than both books I mentioned above. While Daily's book gives you general examples of accounting procedures and legalities, Kamoroff book gets into the nuts and bolts of accounting procedures, along with a step by step guide to implement those procedures. These 3 books should be on every entrepenuer's shelf, for future reference and procedures.

This book was OUTSTANDING. It completely and simply explained everything that I needed to know about taxes, expenses, etc. before I started my business. Most HIGHLY recommend that anyone considering starting a business purchase this book.

In this book Garzooka, Odious, Starlena, Abnermal, and Compooky find them selves in another adventure to save the universe. This is the third book in the seris and the best. I liked the Pet Force books because they are exciting and funny. Vetvix, the pet force's archenemy creats a brain boosting device and increeses a dovermen's intellagence and strength. Then went around the universe increeseing dogs intellagence and strength. K-Niner gives the dogs collars to put on their owners. The colars make the owners act like dogs. If you liked this book you should read other Garfield books by Jim Davis

if you read this book youl probley enjoy it. Garzooka: It's just Garfield only more mussle then fat. Odious: It's just Odie only more mussl less brain. Starlena: chill out it's just Arlene who sings more. Abnermal: Be afaid Be verry afaid it's nermal. Compooky: relax it's just your every day teddy bear. If you take my advice this is a funny book.This book is about jon a dimwited emporor the evial Vetvixs, whois odie and garfield,s veterinarian, has created a diabolical scheme. then she created k niner for her scheme.

I think kniner dog of doom is by, far the best book in the series. In this book Vetvix creates a brain bosting machine and increeses a dovermen's intellagence. I really liked this book because it's exciting and funny. K-niner went to kennel (a planet with a lot of dogs), used the brain bosting machine and bosted all the dogs intelagence so they could walk and talk. Then he starts going to other planets and bosting dogs brains. If you liked this book you should read other books by Jim Davis.

I really liked this book. It is without a doubt the best book of the series. In this book Vetvix has created K-niner and tries to brainwash all dogs everywhere. This book was very funny as well as action packed. I would highly recommend it for any Garfield fan or for anyone who likes an adventure with a little bit of humor as well.

I'm in 5th grade and I liked this book because it makes me laugh. When I read Garfield's PET FORCE, Garfield and his friends had super powers. They transformed into big masled dogs. This made them stronger. Then they go fight K-niner and the other villans. They fought K-niner,a big dog,because K-niner put collors on humans to make them act like dogs. I would recommend this book to people of all ages,especially if they like Garfield and PET FORCE books. In the real world there would not be animals that have super powers and can fly. Also, there is no such thing as dogs that can think,talk and walk on two feet,like Garfield and the other super heros. The PET FORCE real names are Garzooka,a cat,Odious,a dog,Starlena,a cat,Abnermal,a cat, and compooky is a teddy bear. There's a bad person and his name is K-niner: Dog of Boom.His master is Vetvix's. There's also a wizard who has very strong powers;evil powers that can destroy people. I liked this book because there were animals with super powers who could go in space. Animals are qreat,like Rosco and Soloman,my cats. I wonder what it would be like if my cats had super powers.