Nova Books

This is a lovely set of 35 non-fiction stories, for the young adult set, about Nova Scotia, Canada, and various interesting characters who hail from that province.

I was especially taken with the 12-page chapter entitled "Klondike Kings," about the most unlikely-sounding Klondiker of them all--geologist, author, teacher, civil servant, anthropologist, palaeontologist, poet, artist and Pictou, Nova Scotia-native, George Dawson--for whom Dawson City is named, at the foot of the Klondike trail.

Dawson was a childhood victim of Pott's Disease (spinal tuberculosis), which stunted and malformed his stature, but not his intellectual ability.

There's also "Hickory Dickory Dock," on Dennis Gil, the man who lived in the Halifax Town Clock in the 1960s.

This is a delightful collection, sure to interest even the most reluctant of young middle school readers.

An excellent book for anyone involved in designing sensor systems, and for those interested in the philosophy or physiology of sense perception. "The Image as Information" provides a very practical and informative theory of sensors. The proposed theory is quite comprehensive, encompassing both the simplest mechanical sensor-actuator system (a thermostat) and the most complex sensory apparatus of all (how people receive and process information from the natural world and from man-made sources).

In proposing his general sensor theory, Dr. Blilie creates a specialized vocabulary appropriate to any practical or theoretical discussion of sensors. His down-to-earth use of examples ranges from sensation in the animal kingdom to artificial intelligence and virtual reality, illustrating the importance of being able to think and speak about sensors uniformly across a broad spectrum of applications. Blilie also includes a concise and meaningful history of how we have understood human sense perception from Aristotle to the present day.

"The Image as Information" blends history, physics, epistemology and philosophy into a rich discussion of sensors and sensory perception. In addition to its obvious value to engineers and other practitioners, this book would be a fine addition to the reading list for many college courses. All students of engineering (computer, electrical, human factors) and philosophy would certainly benefit, and fields like the rhetoric of science would find the basis for new lines of research into scientific endeavor and human understanding.

Dr. Wong spent five years writing this book. He was a one time police inspector in Hong Kong, managing legal aid lawyer in Michigan, and now a professor of law (Hong Kong) and policing (U.S.). The author has seen road side bombing and back room torturing as a riot platoon commander during a domestic insurgency in the colony in the 60s and have mounted class action law suits to defend the civil rights of the poor and oppressed in U.S. courts in the 80s. He has researched in Cambridge, taught for Harvard, mentored for Yale, published with Columbia and consulted with Canadian/Chinese/Hong Kong governments.

One more thing: He is also a black belt karate instructor and was awarded the Hong Kong Police Commissioner's High Commendation!

I know what you think, Prof. Wong reminds you of another scholar action hero most of us know: Professor Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr., a BB; mixing brain with beef, with humor to match, in search of the Holy Grail (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989).

THIS IS AN EYE OPENNING BOOK. With this set of background, Prof. Wong is ready to challenge our conventional wisdom about what terrorist is and how to fight them. What he has to say in this lengthy (404 pages) and beefy book (lots of data) challenges us mentally (should we trade freedom for uncertain security), emotionally (after 9/11 the whole world morn our loss), and morally (does end ever justifies the mean).

THIS IS A FAIR AND BALANCE BOOK. It is based on and driven by evidence. In writing this book Dr. Wong subscribes to four simple principles:

"Everyone is entitled to his opinion but not everyone is entitled to his facts"

"The facts speak of themselves"

"Knowledge is power"

"Knowledge set you free"

THIS IS A HOPEFUL BOOK. The book renewed our faith in America - the Constitution and the people. It was the selfless local librarians (ALA) and pride filled grass-roots public (Bill of Rights Defense) who were to keep the FBI at bay and keep the USA PATRIOT ACT in check.

Book Description:
Much has been written about the USA Patriot Act, and the controversy that surrounds this far-reaching legislation has also generated a great deal of confusion and uncertainty about its impact and importance in the war on terrorism. As Professor Kam C. Wong notes in this important contribution to the literature: "There is little scholarly research on the legislation, implementation and impact of the Act."

Undoubtedly, few Americans are actually aware of most of the details in the Act, or its implications in a free society. The events of September 11, 2001 in attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon prompted a unique response by Congress in passing a series of wide reaching laws, expanding the powers of law enforcement and the judiciary. Of particular concern to many are the requirements of public and private organizations to provide information in connection with homeland security that is considered intrusive and in violation of privacy rights. Ultimately, it will be many years before the actual impact of the Patriot Act can be assessed. In this new and important book, Professor Wong provides a critical analysis of the legislation and its capacity for abuse.


Table of Contents:
Preface

Chapter 1 - Introduction; pp. 1-45

Chapter 2 - Legislative Process; pp. 47-83

Chapter 3 - Legislative Climate; pp. 85-126

Chapter 4 - Implementation of USAPA; pp. 127-187

Chapter 5 - Impact on the Muslim Community; pp. 189-218

Chapter 6 - Impact on library; pp. 219-274

Chapter 7 - Grassroots Resistance; pp. 275-346

Chapter 8 - A Preliminary Assessment; pp. 347-384.

This is an outstanding story of triumph in the life and death struggle with the disease of cancer. The author discribes how to move beyond fear to action, the power of hope and faith, and the importance of being an equal partner in one's own treatment. This should be required reading for every medical student. I strongly believe anybody diagnosed with cancer or loves someone with cancer should read this book.

Margaret Sams has done it again. This wonderfully inspiring book tells the tale of women and their struggles during WWII. I highly recomend this touching book and Forbidden Family by Margaret Sams.

mechanism of reperfusion injury in patients with thallasemia

I picked this book up a few years ago after seeing an exhibition of Joe Norris's work. This book is a really great tribute to Joe Norris and you get beautiful reproductions of quite a lot of his art. If you can't go to an exhibition to see his work in person then this is definitely the book to buy.

However, like all great art, you really have to see his work in person to appreciate it fully. The colours are so bright and the images wonderful but, for me, Joe Norris's art is definitely not just a visual experience. The wood panel paintings he made, the furniture he painted, they all have such a great smell to them and all of the colours seem that much more vibrant in person. It may sound really odd but the smell of his work alone makes me feel very comfortable & cozy (reminds me of my family's cabin).

Looking at Joe Norris's artwork in this book reminds me of that & makes me feel happy & content.
Highly recommended.

This has been one of the best romance books I've read. When you reed it you feel you're actually there. You can read for hours and hours. This book really touches your heart and you feel what the characters are feeling. Good book. I would recommed it to everyone.

Johnny Miles set a new Boston course record in 1926 in his first ever marathon. Now, at the age of 93 he is by far the oldest living winner of the Beantown classic.

I visited with Johnny Miles in October 1998, at his home in Hamilton, Ontario and took photographs of him wearing his prized possession-the jacket he received at the 100th running of the Boston in 1996. He has slowed down a bit but is still sharp enough to sign his autograph for the Johnny Miles Foundation in the few remaining copies of his biography: Johnny Miles, Nova Scotia's Marathon King. The Foundation is in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada, c/o Dr. John Miles Williston/902-752-7470).

For many Canadian runners, in particular those from Atlantic Canada, the Johnny Miles book continues to serve as an inspiration. As the author, I frequently receive phone calls and e-mail (footless@escape.ca) from those who've been inspired by the story of Johnny Miles. Recently copies of it were taken to South Korea by a Winnipeg, Manitoba runner to be presented to the two Korean runners who won the Boston.

This year is the 70th anniversary of Johnny Miles' second Boston record breaking victory and more than one runner from Canada, and perhaps even Bill Rodgers himself, was wearing a T-shirt in the 1999 Boston, from the Johnny Miles 10K classic in Pictou County, Nova Scotia.

Will Cloney of Boston who was BAA race director for more than 40 years said:"There hasn't been a Johnny Miles in Boston since Johnny Miles. He was really the first and the last surprise winner."

You can still find this book in your library as well as in used bookstores. Ask Amazon to find it for you.

This book is an excellent introduction to the AP exam. The literary term section was especially helpful, as was the new synthesis practice section.