O Books

This is not one of the regular "health books" which flood the current book market. It is the first practical, authoritative manual on proven and effective drugless treatments for our most common ailments. Never before has such an incredible amount of vital, reliable and useful information on the drugless approach to health and disease been assembled in one volume. A complete program of treatment for all the major diseases and ailments is outlined in detail - including diets, specific vitamins and supplements.

Leading experts on nutritional and biological medicine, notably Alan H. Nittler, M.D., H. Rudolph Alsleben, M.D., and Barnet G. Meltzer, M.D., have collaborated with the author in reviewing and determining the most effective nutrional and biological treatments for each ailment.

Her's what Dr. H. Rudolph Alsleben, M.D., writes about this book:

"Your book is sensational! I'm impressed with the way in which you conceived and constructed it, with your fabulous and expert presentation of the philosophy of biological medicine, and with the common and academic sense it makes... There are but few informed and courageous leaders who have not only dedicated their lives to helping their fellow men, but who have the sufficient knowledge and qualifications to accomplish this. I am proud to tell you that I feel you to be one of those few. By writing this book, you rendered a great service to a disease-ridden mankind."

How To Get Well is destined to become the most treasured and used reference manual not only for doctors, nutritionists and researchers, but for all those who are earnestly seeking information leading to better health.
--- from book's dustjacket

This is an excellent book that is required reading for a Naturopathic Medicine course that would lead to the N.D. designation, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

This easy to read book has got an amazing amount of very practical information. It's written in such a manner that you can easily find an ailment with it's corresponding therapeutic program (specific foods, supplements, herbs etc.) Dr. Airola also gives in my opinion the best lacto-vegetarian diet around. I've never been ill and feel great every single day since implementing this diet and his other health-boosting recommendations in my life. Bluntly said, this book covers everything you need to know to get healthy or get healing - the natural way.

I found many answers to what occurred in my body from this wonderful, simple yet direct book. I love the juice and soup recommendations and the formula for facial skin care. Everything I have tried from the book worked, so it's a keeper that I highly recommend to other people!

In a time when one mostly sees the popular books written by armchair herbalists and sycophantic ND's, I found seeing Dr. Airola's book still in print a distinct pleasure. Dr. Airola not only writes and presents the material well, but he also transmits a charm and a positiveness that is healing in and of its own self. Dr. Airola practiced what he preached--what is in his books are the results of his clinical experience. No Bravo Sierra here.

I'll offer my testimomial here. What is in his book worked for me and worked in three weeks. The M.D.'s failed after three years. The experience moved me enough to study natural medicine in depth to the practitioner level. Dr. Airola's book were the first textbooks. Despite being layman's books, they are chocked full of knowledge.

Should you use this book, be prepared to juice. You need to either grow your own herbs or find good sources since the capsuled stuff in healthfood stores is garbage.

In this book, you will see a diet that is the progenitor of the some of the more recent popular diets, except that Airola's worked and has stood the test of time. The treatments for specific disease are complete, comprehensible, and usually on one or two pages.

One of the beauties of this book is that one who knows nothing of natural healing can take this book and get started right away to heal themselves, gain a strong backbone into natural healing, and turn their live's around.

To the negative, there is no information given on how to make herbal preparations. There is more to herbalism than eating a weed and Dr. Airola just gave the principle herbs for a specific treatment. In most cases, that would fine, however I suggest a good herbal or a practicing herbalist who makes their own brews to help in the preparation.

This book is an excellent first book for the prospective student of natural medicine (or biological medicine as Dr. Airola called it). It would be my first choice if one asked me for a guide to curing themselves, and it should be found to be an indespensible addition to one's library. It is the only book I loan to people and I have been through 3 copies as it gets worn out and stained over time.

Become a more educated investor and read this book about the kind of things that can go wrong when using a broker. Although the topic sounds deadly dull, I happened to pick the book up, started skimming, and ended up reading half of it non-stop: it's that readable. After reading it, I feel more comfortable about using brokers, being armed with information about what to watch out for. It almost (but not quite) made me wish I had a complaint so I could try the arbitration process explained so well in the book!

This is by far the best "Do-It-Yourself" guide I have ever read. It is clear, to-the-point, and comprehensive. All necessary documents, forms and samples are included in the appendices. After completing the book, the reader will have everything needed, including self-confidence, to deal with a dispute with a stockbroker. And, he or she will have had a surprisingly entertaining reading experience!

Although it's a step by step instruction it works like you are the lawyer. We read this and wrote a letter to our broker. The letter was reviewed and we got 22K in returned for our stock that was lost by unexperienced broker.

If you are an honest person who has lost money by the dishonest practices of a stockbroker, you should get this book and follow the steps it will show you.

The book is well-written in clear language for the ordinary reader. I liked the way the authors explain the deceptive practices of some people in the investment business. You may not even have realized what was being done to you at the time; in fact this book may save you more grief (and money) just by alerting you to some of the tricks of the trade. The authors help you see whether or not you have a realistic chance of getting some or all of your money back through the arbitration process (or even through the threat of the arbitration process). They are pretty frank about what does not make a good case and want you to be honest with yourself.

Once you decide that you have a good case, the book gives very practical directions for trying to get your money back. It explains the arbitration process and shows you how it can work for you.It will take a little effort, but should not involve much time or expense. The book gives you a good of idea of how the brokerage firm might reply to your claim so you won't get intimidated or overwhelmed by their answer. The authors remind you of the basic points you want to make: you are an honest and credible person, you tried to prevent the loss, but you were treated unfairly.

One of the chapters in the book is entitled "Time is not on your side". The authors tell you that if you want to get you money back, you should get started right away. I would add that if you lost money because of a dishonest broker, get this book right away!

I'm new to investing in the stock market. I read this book for insight on what to look out for in my dealings. I no longer feel so nieve. EZ to read and understand.

We are missionaries, so this book inspired me very much! If you have small children, take into account that it uses a lot of old English and could be difficult (but recommended still). This book is FULL of testimonies of God's faithfulness to Hudson Taylor's persistent faith. A Great Read!

Hudson Taylor's short autobiography ought to be required reading in any study of missions.

Catholic. Protestant. Evangelical. Charismatic. Everyone who is Christian and desires to serve God either through overseas missions, or in their own hometown will be inspiried to read of Taylor's humble heart and gracious service.

This could be considered a case study in prayer. Taylor did not send scores of appeal letters, newsletters, refridgerator photos. His practice was to not solicit funds, but to ask God for providence.

He endured blisters, lack of medicine, thievery, poverty on every level. He'd wait for months for resources, but the miracle of God was always there.

Written with ample selections from his personal journal, we gain insight to a man hailed as one of the greatest missionaries ever, and the foremost in China. That insight is not of a powerful speaker, dynamic personality, or shining star in the pulpit. Instead, we see an ordinary man, not so different than you or I, pressing on in faith, moving forward as God led him. God prevailed to supply him every need, though often in the last moment.

Beyond learning about Taylor, we also learn the intimate history of the founding of the China Inland Mission in 1856, and its influential growth in China. We gain a sense of the culture and interpersonal dynamics which existed in China, London, and mission leadership in general.

Because of the foundational evangelism by Taylor, China now boasts extraordinary amounts of believers despite China's present oppressive government.

I fully recommend "Hudson Taylor" by Hudson Taylor. See also the longer, two-volume Taylor biography by Howard Taylor.

Anthony Trendl

This book is an excellent book to read. You are time and again, encouraged by answers to prayer in Hudson Taylor's life. He was one who gave up much in worldly things, yet gained an eternal weight of glory! I would definitely recommend this to all serious minded Christians.

If you are in earnest about walking with God, you will love this book immensely. It will give you a hunger for excellence and a vision of the greatness of self denial. It will increase your love for God and you will find yourself wanting to travel the pathway of purity that Hudson Taylor lived. I can't recommend this book highly enough, it's probably one of the greatest books I've ever read. It inspired, lifted, and encouraged me greatly. It took my heart on a journey that I pray I never forget. This book has been out of print for many years, and to have these copies available is priceless. I refer back to my copy year after year and it continues to refresh and feed my soul in many ways. You will find a treasure and a friend in Hudson Taylor. Then you will gratefully appreciate the anointing that was on his son as he wrote down the account of his father's life. The benefits you reap as you travel through the pages of the this book will bless your life for years to come.

I asked a respected leader in America, "What do you recommend I do, so my life would be spent having the greatest impact for helping people?" He told me to read the two volume book on Hudson Taylor by Dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor. He was right. Wow, what a book--what a life!

This book has given me A LOT to think about and apply. I highly recommend this book to anybody who has a heart to serve people. Don't hesitate to read such a long book, it probably is better than the last five you read put together!

Kudos to all of the teens who wrote their "real" stories in this book. This is a great tool for all teens to read as they go through such an important time of their lives. And congrats to the authors for pulling all of this together!

We all know bullying is a problem, we see references to this in the news on a regular basis. The bigger issue is to find ways to communicate with teens about ways to deal with bullying. This book successfully does that by providing advice and insight from teens to their peers. Excellent book!

This book is full of grerat stories by kids involved in bullying situations. There's not better way to get insight into this important subject than to read actual real-world examples. I'm particularly impressed by the solutions and suggestions the kids came up with. This is a great read for students, parents or anyone who has an interest in this pervasive subject.

From the mouths of babes! Bullies are a fact of life. Any kid who has ever experienced being the victim of bullying knows that there has to be a way to survive. This book is written by the kids who have dealt with the bully experience. Bullys strike fear in the hearts of victims and this is how they build their power. There are multiple experiences to help students feel the confidence to lessen or eliminate the effects of bullying. Congratulations to the authors for sharing these important experiences for the benefit of students and parents.

I Wish I Knew What to Do challenges notions that bullying is a natural rite of passage about which kids and adults can do nothing. The eloquent essays written by children ages 11-17 who had been bullied, been a bully, or seen bullying suggest ways to alleviate, if not eliminate, this childhood burden.
If the book seems an obvious choice for kids, it is also an excellent primer for adults. We often say to a child who has been a victim of bullying, "Ignore it" or "You're better than that person" or "Speak up for yourself" without understanding the dynamics that keep those children silent and suffering. Through the children's voices, adults can hear the kind of practical intervention kids really want.
My 11-year old happened to pick up this book from our coffee table and read through several accounts. Without my saying anything, over the course of a week, she began to reveal a bit more about the day to day life of a middle-schooler. It's as tough as it was when I was that age, but these honest essays give children and adults the beginnings of a sensible road map out of the quandary that is childhood bullying.
The MindOh! Foundation has done children, parents, teachers, and other caregivers a great service by collecting these essays to show us a way to a better society.

This book explains and illustrates the algorithms used by symbolic math packages such as Mathematica, Maple, CoCoA, MatLab, MuPAD,... to solve problems involving polynomials in many variables, and along the way teaches the elements of real algebraic geometry-- most mathematics texts concentrate on the complex-variable version. It is not just for undergraduates; electrical engineers, for instance, should see it. Lots of pictures!

I don't have the second edition of this book but did read the first, and the authors do a fine job of introducing the reader to the computational side of algebraic geometry. I will forego a chapter by chapter review therefore, but no doubt the second edition (which I do not own) is as well-written as the first. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the many applications of algebraic geometry and to those who need to understand how to compute things in algebraic geometry. The good thing about this book is that it gives a concrete flavor to a highly abstract subject. Algebraic geometry, through its applications to coding theory, cryptography, and computer graphics, is fast becoming the subject to learn. It is no longer just an esoteric, high-brow subject but one that is taking on major importance in the information age. Even without applications though it is a fascinating subject, and readers will get a taste of this in this book.

I learned the basics of Groebner bases from this book and its the best introductory book on this topic. Authors have explained all concepts with the help of examples which makes it readable for people from other fields also. It also talks about applications of Groebner bases to other fields. The book gives lot of exercises which help in understanding the contents more. I recommend that if you wish to learn Algebraic Geometry and Groebner bases then this is the book to start with.

This is the easiest introduction to algebraic geometry and commutative algebra, the authors had done a great job in writing a book that assume very little from the readers. To learn some algebraic geometry, you can either start with this book, or you can spend a year to read a lot of background materials in algebra and then go to a Graduate Text like Harris' book. Of course, if you want to be an expert in algebra, you eventually need a lot of background, what this book can help you is to offer you a quick start, much quicker than you would ever imagine.

Having just finished using this text in the course of an undergraduate seminar, I can attest to the fact that the authors' style is outstanding - they are able to synthesize an enormous amount of material in this volume and present it in a manner that is highly accessible to almost all students of mathematics. The presentation of important theorems (for example, Hilbert's Nullstellensatz and Basis Theorem) along with just the right amount of copncrete examples makes for a book of superb quality. All-around, I highly recommend this volume to anyone who has an interest in learning about Algebraic Geometry.

This is one of the best books written by Dr. Igor Ansoff, known worldwide as the "Father of Strategic Management". This book, in addition to its theoritical content, provides managers with a step-by-step guide to pilot their firms through the turbulent environments in the 21st century. This is one of the best books available on the topic of strategic management.

Implanting Strategic Management is a compilation of a life-timework that organizes the major contributions in the field under oneumbrella, as Ansoff ingeniously develops a model that divides the competitive environment into five levels of turbulence: 1) repetitive, 2) expanding, 3) changing, 4) discontinuous and 5) unforeseen. His strategic success theorem states: For optimal success of an organization, the strategic aggressiveness (both technological and marketing) and the components of capability (both managers and organizational climate, competence and capacity) must match the level of environmental turbulence in which the organization competes. Ansoff uses a five-point integral scale to also measure the corresponding five levels of strategy: 1) stable, 2) reactive, 3) anticipatory, 4) entrepreneurial and 5) creative and the corresponding five levels of capability: 1) custodial, 2) production, 3) marketing, 4) strategic and 5) flexible, as he develops a strategic diagnostic questionnaire to obtain the perceptions of the general managers of an any organization. When there is alignment or minimal gap between the average level of competitive environment and each of the components of strategy and capability, then the organization should have optimal success, which has been validated by several doctoral dissertations under Ansoff. This book is a comprehensive integration of several of Ansoff's scholarly articles, enhanced with each edition. Well thought out concepts involving strategic segmentation, resistance to change, optimizing strategic portfolio, strategic dimensions of technology, societal strategy issues, real-time strategic response to managing surprising changes, strategic issue management,and environmental surveillance for strong signals and weak signals in anticipating environmental change. Ansoff's theory says that at levels 1 to 3, a firm can extrapolate the future from the past. However, at level 4 (discontinuous) and level 5 (surpriseful), strategic management must be used by an organization to realistically plan for future successes in a highly turbulent competitive environment. Ansoff's theory applies to all types of organizations, and he explains how industries can have unexpected shifts from one level of turbulence to another, as in the case of Apple Computer Corp. When Apple created the personal computer, it also created a whole new marketplace with new customers at an initial turbulence level of 5, which shifted to a level 3 of marketing mentality, which seemed to be why Steve Jobs, a creative visionary, was replaced by Scully, a marketing guru, as the Board wanted to milk their "cash cow" and not be continuously creating new dimensions. However, when the envirnoment shifted up to level 4, Apple almost went out of business when they did not respond fast enough. Level 4 is discontinuous, where the future is only partially predictable from the past, and it requires 4) entrepreneurial strategy and 4) strategic capability of the firm for optimal success. Steve Jobs was brought back in as interim CEO, and he was able make Apple once again competitive by enhancing the company's technological and marketing strategy, as well as its organizational capability, by bringing the firm's strategy and capability components up to level 4, so as to be successful. (Note: The above scenario is used by the reviewer as a realistic example of Ansoff's theory being applied in the real world.) In summary, Ansoff's work is far beyond anything published in the field, and one of the most comprehensive empirical studies that validates his complete theory is called "The Financial Performance of Technology-Driven Firms Aligning Strategy, Capability and Environment" by Richardson, John F. 1996. (Ann Arbor, MI: UMI No. 9623859), 564 pp. or URL: www.ilarsystems.com. This reviewer recommends Ansoff's book Implanting Strategic Management to any individual who desires to learn from the top scholar in the field, considered by many world authorities as the "Father of Strategic Management." This reviewer has read numerous works by the leading scholars in the field, and nobody has integrated the various contributions under one umbrella or into one paradigm, as Ansoff has done. Scholars come from all corners of the world to study under Ansoff and his disciples at United States International University, San Diego, California, USA. When is America going to wake up and learn from this "latter-day saint" of strategic management, while he is still with us? We ignored Demming, considered the "father of quality management," for years until he became infamous in Japan, teaching the Japanese firms how to dominate world markets with quality management. Some of the best minds in the world come every year to study under Ansoff, but few Americans are in their numbers.

Implanting Strategic Management is a compilation of a life-timework that organizes the major contributions in the field under oneumbrella, as Ansoff ingeniously develops a model that divides the competitive environment into five levels of turbulence: 1) repetitive, 2) expanding, 3) changing, 4) discontinuous and 5) unforeseen. His strategic success theorem states: For optimal success of an organization, the strategic aggressiveness (both technological and marketing) and the components of capability (both managers and organizational climate, competence and capacity) must match the level of environmental turbulence in which the organization competes. Ansoff uses a five-point integral scale to also measure the corresponding five levels of strategy: 1) stable, 2) reactive, 3) anticipatory, 4) entrepreneurial and 5) creative and the corresponding five levels of capability: 1) custodial, 2) production, 3) marketing, 4) strategic and 5) flexible, as he develops a strategic diagnostic questionnaire to obtain the perceptions of the general managers of any organization. When there is alignment or minimal gap between the average level of competitive environment and each of the components of strategy and capability, then the organization should have optimal success, which has been validated by several doctoral dissertations under Ansoff. This book is a comprehensive integration of several of Ansoff's scholarly articles, enhanced with each edition. Well thought out concepts involving strategic segmentation, resistance to change, optimizing strategic portfolio, strategic dimensions of technology, societal strategy issues, real-time strategic response to managing surprising changes, strategic issue management,and environmental surveillance for strong signals and weak signals in anticipating environmental change. Ansoff's theory says that at levels 1 to 3, a firm can extrapolate the future from the past. However, at level 4 (discontinuous) and level 5 (surpriseful), strategic management must be used by an organization to realistically plan for future successes in a highly turbulent competitive environment. Ansoff's theory applies to all types of organizations, and he explains how industries can have unexpected shifts from one level of turbulence to another, as in the case of Apple Computer Corp. When Apple created the personal computer, it also created a whole new marketplace with new customers at an initial turbulence level of 5, which shifted to a level 3 of marketing mentality, which seemed to be why Steve Jobs, a creative visionary, was replaced by Scully, a marketing guru, as the Board wanted to milk their "cash cow" and not be continuously creating new dimensions. However, when the environment shifted up to level 4, Apple almost went out of business when they did not respond fast enough. Level 4 is discontinuous, where the future is only partially predictable from the past, and it requires 4) entrepreneurial strategy and 4) strategic capability of the firm for optimal success. Steve Jobs was brought back in as interim CEO, and he was able make Apple once again competitive by enhancing the company's technological and marketing strategy, as well as its organizational capability, by bringing the firm's strategy and capability components up to level 4, so as to be successful. (Note: The above scenario is used by the reviewer as a realistic example of Ansoff's theory being applied in the real world.) In summary, Ansoff's work is far beyond anything published in the field, and one of the most comprehensive empirical studies that validates his complete theory is called "The Financial Performance of Technology-Driven Firms Aligning Strategy, Capability and Environment" by Richardson, John F. 1996. (Ann Arbor, MI: UMI No. 9623859), 564 pp. This reviewer recommends Ansoff's book Implanting Strategic Management to any individual who desires to learn from the top scholar in the field, considered by many world authorities as the "Father of Strategic Management." This reviewer has read numerous works by the leading scholars in the field, and nobody has integrated the various contributions under one umbrella or into one paradigm, as Ansoff has done. Scholars come from all corners of the world to study under Ansoff and his disciples at United States International University, San Diego, California, USA. When is America going to wake up and learn from this "latter-day saint" of strategic management, while he is still with us? We ignored Demming, considered the "father of quality management," for years until he became infamous in Japan, teaching the Japanese firms how to dominate world markets with quality management. Some of the best minds in the world come every year to study under Ansoff, but few Americans are in their numbers. END

I'm doing my MBA in Strategic Management and I have found this book to have ideas that helps me tremendously. I have also found another book written by Igor titled Corporate Strategy published by Penguin. I think it is equally a must read!

This is one of the best books written by Dr. Igor Ansoff, known worldwide as the "Father of Strategic Management". This book, in addition to its theoritical content, provides managers with a step-by-step guide to pilot their firms through the turbulent environments in the 21st century. This is one of the best books available on the topic of strategic management.

As a 3rd year medical student, I found this book very helpful to have in my pocket for studying dense information in short breaks. It helped me score very well on the Shelf exam.

This book offers an impressive amount of info in just 2 pages per syndrome/disease. Love it for boards & reading up on topics you'll find on the office, however it lacks some acute issues you may find in the hospital. For instance, Electrolyte imbalances...a book like Inpatient Pediatrics sheds a great deal of light on that subject, but the book itself is physically larger.

This book has the essentials of over 220 topics in Peds - in a single page it gives you etiology, epidemiology, differential, signs and symptoms, treatment, and prognosis. What more can you ask for? Excellent as a quick reference and for studying.

This is a fantastic reference for residents and medical students. I especially found it useful in preparing for attending rounds, but it's also great for exam review. I'm very happy with this purchase.

As a practicing pediatrician, I use this book to review a few items that I have long since forgotten. I also recommend it to the medical students and pediatric residents that rotate through my office. I love the fact that the material is written in an easy to understand format. It virtually jumps off the page at you. I also think its organization into to etiology, epidemiology, differential diagnosis etc. makes it idea for the medical student. Its format reflects how you will be "pimped" on rounds and the key stats and concepts that you will see on the USMLE. A great read!!!

I loved this story. Not the kind of thing I usually read, but once I'd begun I couldn't put it down. The story is fast-paced and held enough action to keep even the most impatient reader reading. All day I found myself thinking about the story, the characters and what was going to happen, and I couldn't wait to get back to the tale.

Stopmouth is an endearing character among a book full of memorable ones. Can't wait for the second installment in this series to appear! Write faster, Mr. O'Guilin!

Stopmouth is the younger brother in a family that faces daily struggles to survive. They are living in a tumbledown city on a world where the only thing to eat is their fellow sentient inhabitants - who can in turn, only eat their fellow sentinents (including humans). The life of Stopmouth and his tribe revolve around meat - obtaining it, trading their fellow humans to get it, and not becoming someone else's meal. This struggle means that some humans must volunteer themselves as food in the meat trade - and others must be volunteered.

The stuttering Stopmouth is a young hunter for his tribe, and because of his speech difficulties is generally considered stupid, and as a potential volunteer. He is, of course, anything but dumb!

His whole life - and that of his tribe changes the day that his elder brother betrays him - the same day that a lovely warrior woman falls down from the sky...

This well written book - reportedly the first in a science fiction trilogy - features an action packed plot (and some of the featured aliens are nightmare inducing!) as well as some very well developed characters in Stopmouth, his brother Wallbreaker, and the endearing human hunter Rockface with his love for children.

It also features mystery (who and what is Indrani, the woman from the sky? why are the people in the sky fighting with each other? how did Stopmouth's ancestors come to this brutal world and way of life? how did all of these aliens get there?) and quite a lot of ethical questions about the ways and means of survival.

While this book is being marketed as a YA, it features some pretty intense scenes of humans hunting and combat with aliens (as well as the other way around) - and some human cannibalism scenes. I think if I had read it as a tween or young teen, it would have bothered me quite a bit.

You can read a sample at the author's website at:
www.frozenstories.com

I cannot wait for the second book!!!!

Run, Stopmouth, run! Stopmouth's stammer makes his tribe think he's dim-witted, but he compensates by being a very fast runner. In his kill-or-be-killed world, speed is at least as valuable as intelligence. But Stopmouth's no dummy, as he gradually comes to realize when his familiar world, terrible as it is, begins to crumble.

Stopmouth has always idolized his brother Wallbreaker, a great hunter. Things begin to fall apart when Wallbreaker is captured on a hunting trip. Stopmouth's fleetness serves him well, and he escapes capture, but then, against all reason--by the standards of his tribe--he goes back to save Wallbreaker. In the process he kills three Armourbacks, an impressive feat. But Wallbreaker runs off, leaving Stopmouth to fend for himself, tells the tribe that Stopmouth is dead, and claims the kills for himself. Their relationship deteriorates from there. We watch Wallbreaker becoming increasingly erratic in his behavior, thwarting his brother at every turn, until finally Stopmouth finds it necessary to leave the tribe.

There's plenty of action here, and lots of gory killing, as the various species in this strange place follow the dictates of "eat or be eaten." But over and above the fighting, the killing, the cannibalism, is the mystery. What is this strange place, with its ruined buildings housed under what is obviously some sort of artificial dome? Who built it, and why? How did all these different species, all apparently intelligent although unable to communicate with each other, come to be in a situation where their only food is each other, where there is no edible vegetation, and no domesticated animals? What are the lights in the "sky" and who are the people in the sky ships?

As O Guilin alternately tantalizes and doles out tidbits of information, we come to realize that the title refers not only to Stopmouth's supposed standing compared to his brother, but encompasses all the warring beings of this place in comparison to the sky people. And perhaps the label is mis-applied there as well.

It's a fascinating riddle. I'm anxiously awaiting further revelations.

Survival of the fittest is understood by Stopmouth and his tribe; either kill or be someone else's meal; although his people expect him to be fodder because his stupidity makes them believe Stopmouth is inferior to them. Expediting his demise is his brother who betrays Stopmouth.

In this dangerous environs of the law of eat or be eaten, Indrani falls from the sky landing in the midst of Stopmouth's tribe. They debate what to do with the intruder as some want to trade her to those who relish fresh human meat. Stopmouth is attracted to her and wants to keep the beautiful intelligent woman who fell from the glowing Roof as his even though that violates the one commandment of eat or be eaten. Meanwhile she hides from her protector the truth of what she knows about the origins of her benefactor and his tribe and their prime reason for existence.

Avoiding a spoiler makes the review difficult to write as the key to the story line and the relationship between the lead pair is the knowledge that Indrani possesses although that takes quite a while before the obviously not so stupid Stopmouth figures it out. The action is fast-paced but not enough of it especially for the intended young teen audience as much of the plot is used to describe in too much detail the surface world. Still this homage to Tarzan in the Twilight Zone will engage the reader who will be appalled to learn the truth behind the connection between the Roof top intellects and the INFERIOR surface dwellers.

Harriet Klausner

"And ten heartbeats past, you grabbed a piece of flesh out of my hands. Didn't you like the taste? Because if you can be a savage, maybe I could be civilized? It's possible, isn't it?"


Stopmouth is a young man in a world where humans live solely by hunting and consuming flesh. He is a hunter blessed with incredible speed, which is the only thing that saves him on a daily basis. Stopmouth, considered stupid by his tribe due to a stutter that impedes his speech, must prove himself constantly in order to survive. In his world when people outlive there usefulness they volunteer for flesh trades between the other beasts, because some beasts prefer their flesh still living. Stopmouth will be encouraged to volunteer if he ever fails.

One day Stopmouth's older brother, Wallbreaker, betrays him on a hunt. Thinking him dead Wallbreaker leaves Stopmouth behind to save his own neck. This cowardly act forms a gap between the two brothers that is only widened further when Wallbreaker takes all the credit for himself and uses that to buy himself a bride; a young woman named Mossheart, who Stopmouth has always had feelings for.

There are other things going on in this world. For one thing, there are people who watch over the tribes. Not gods, surely, but real people, as evidenced when a woman named Indrani falls from the sky. This strange and beautiful woman fuels desires in Stopmouth's heart that Mossheart never did. When Stopmouth breaks his legs and knows that he is on the volunteer list Indrani saves his life by splinting his legs and preventing the elders from taking him. Thus begins a friendship that will blossom throughout the course of the book, even though Stopmouth knows nothing of this strange woman who fell from the sky, or what that even means in the grand scheme of things. And even though his brother has designs to make her his in an endeavor to become the greatest warrior the ancestors have ever boasted.




"Are you truly human?" Stopmouth asked. He hoped she'd open her eyes and look at him. Another part of him wanted her to keep them closed so he could watch her without making her angry.

They stayed closed.

"I'm human," she muttered. "As human as you are, anyway."

"What do you mean?" he asked, puzzled.

She lifted her head. "None of your men have hair on their faces. You live on a diet of pure meat, most of it non-human. Your women never die in childbirth. You rarely get sick, any of you. And all of a sudden I'm the one who's not human?"





O'Guilin's first installment in the trilogy is a marvel. A... Marvel... plain and simple. It's one of those rare books that comes along that has such depth to it that the reader gets instantly overwhelmed and transported. It reminds me of many things that I love... "Watership Down", "Lord of the Flies", "Tarzan"... it echoes many things I adore. It also speaks to me of Frank Frazetta paintings and of a world that blends complicated Ethical dilemmas with a sensuous carnality. Do not belittle O'Guilin's own originality though, because trust me this book oozes original thought and raw, unadulterated talent. O'Guilin has such skill at creating a believable and real world that draws you in. Added to this is O'Guilin's wonderful ability to write such dynamic and interesting characters that the reader actually gives a damn about. This is a rare thing as many writer's don't really seem to be able to pull all of these elements together, particularly with such a concept as O'Guilin has established. This world, in all of it's brutality, is complex and surreal. Watching the humans go out again and again to face their doom inspires the reader and leaves them with an intense empty-stomach feeling with every campaign. I would love to say that it's jaw dropping, but in honour of O'Guilin I would prefer to call it eye popping, and you will just have to trust me on that. Fans of action novels will thrill in the details that O'Guilin shares, because there's enough bloodshed to make any gore enthusiast squirm. But there is a lot of heart and soul to be found in the relationships between the characters that any softhearted reader will find themselves tearing up, as I did. Boys will love it, girls (like me) will love it... It is not for the faint of heart. But it's for readers who like having their hearts stopped.

Brilliant. Utterly. I await the next book in the series with heightened enthusiasm.



"Your blood has come back to me," He whispered, "and so will you."



Bring me more blood, O'Guilin. My soul demands it.

Everyone, at some time or another, looks for a magic wand, for that perfect solution to a problem. In the last few years, since the end of the cold war and of our comfortable belief that conflict was something that happened between two superpowers, by proxy in far, distant lands, we have had to wake up to the reality of a transnational insurgency that has the power to affect us wherever we are, be it in a commercial building in New York, a hotel in Jakarta, a train station in Madrid or a bus in London.

Since Francis Fukuyama's optimistic "The end of history" (as premature a title as ever has been written), a number of books have been published that analyze small wars, as these are now at the forefront of the news. Reading these books one hopes to find an answer to the new phenomenon of an apparently religiously driven discontent that is spanning two continents (Africa and Asia) and has actively engaged proponents in another two (America and Europe).

Bard O'Neill's "Insurgency and Terrorism", published by Potomac Books in 2005, is a well-written analysis of how and why insurgencies develop. Does it give readers an immediate understanding of how to deal with the Al Qaeda's new threat of an international Islamic insurgency? Does it give us the magic wand we are seeking in a flash of inspiration? Unfortunately no. But the problem is that there are no easy solutions to the incidents of terrorism we are facing today. It is disingenuous and fallacious of Governments to propose and believe in easy solutions to this problem, as "Mission Accomplished" all to painfully has shown.

It does however pay to analyze carefully the situation we are dealing with in it proper (and several) contexts. And this O'Neill does reasonably well. Insurgencies have been fought against invading armies, or against unpopular regimes that use established armies to impose their governance. In the first seven chapters of the book, O'Neill offers a structured analysis of the socio-economical motivations for insurgencies, the environments in they are fought and the strategies used to fight them, the importance of gaining and using popular support (through conviction, propaganda and coercion) as well as manipulating external support (outside the areas directly affected by conflict), and the organization and hierarchy of an insurgent operation. Through this structured categorization O'Neill examines how insurgencies develop and succeed. Also through this analysis we discover how different Al Qaeda's operations are today from past guerilla engagements.

Indeed, in this revised second edition of the book, O'Neill does keep the discussion current with references to how he believes the insurgency Al Qaeda is leading fits (or otherwise) in to his analyses. One would assume that Al Qaeda might deserve a chapter of its own but that is unfortunately missing; as O'Neill observes, the group's strategies and objectives don't fit particularly well in to any past or present insurgency. For instance, Mao's strategies are reasonable well described, particularly the requirement of support from the masses, and their mobilization in support a protracted popular war strategy, that seems to be one of Al Qaeda's aims. But, as the author points out, the closed cell organizational structure, loosely independent of a central authority, "is not conducive to mass mobilization." It is interesting to contrast Mao's doctrines on insurgency with Al Qaeda's today. O'Neill might have juxtaposed the two types of insurgency more strongly; in the section describing Mao's approach to coercion (as one of the tools used by insurgents to gain popular support) the author recalls Mao's "Eight Points of Attention" used to ensure his troops did the following:

* Speak politely.
* Pay fairly for what you buy.
* Return everything you borrow.
* Pay for anything you damage.
* Do not hit or swear at people.
* Do not damage crops.
* Do not take liberties with women.
* Do not ill-treat captives.

How different from the tactics being used by Al Qaeda today! Particularly the last two points! Mao led what arguably must be history's most successful insurgency and his tactics and strategies were successfully used in another war that began as an insurrection: the conflict that Vo Nguyen Giap conducted first against the French and then against the Americans. However Al Qaeda's protracted war doesn't seem to be modeled on any previous engagement.

Indeed O'Neill doesn't specify any example in history on which the Al Qaeda led insurgency is based. But it is in evaluating historical context that the book is quite weak. The approach O'Neill takes is structural rather than historical. He defines categories, and then finds insurgencies that fit them. The historical background of each insurgency is barely sketched out in most cases. And this leads to some omissions. For instance, there are references to the 1948-1960 Malayan Emergency throughout the text. But the context within which the British were eventually successful has been completely ignored: Gerald Templer's plan to set the country on the path to Independence, thereby voiding the political appeal of the insurgents, is not mentioned. Indeed neither there is a mention of Templer himself, who arguably was the architect of the most successful counterinsurgency effort ever staged by Britain. Of even more relevance today, and even though Afghanistan is mentioned throughout the book, no reference is made to the failed colonizing efforts made by the British in three disastrous wars conducted by them against Pashtun warriors, whose descendants also routed the Russians, and, in spite of all the recent American, Coalition and NATO efforts, are still causing seemingly endless trouble today. One might reasonably assume that a more detailed analysis of these two events would have been useful in the final chapter in which O'Neill evaluates possible Government responses to the threats presented by insurgencies. A far more detailed historical perspective of insurgencies, beginning with how the Romans fought successfully against insurgents in the lands they conquered, can be found in Walter Laqueur's "Guerrilla Warfare" published by transaction in 1998.

Even though the historical contexts of the various insurgencies O'Neill describes aren't presented as thoroughly as one might expect, the structured categorization of insurgents' operations allows the author to define a number of possible counterinsurgency strategies in the final chapter of the book. It is in this chapter that we find out that there are no easy solutions to be expected. Indeed a single definition of "victory" is not given. O'Neill observes that one of the most important factors in the success of a response is to be able to anticipate insurgents' plans and counter them effectively. However anticipation can only come from an administration that has a clear understanding of the opposing forces' strategies, tactics and goals. Without a clear comprehension of these, responses can be misdirected at best or play directly in to the goals of the insurgents at worse. In limited, national engagements, insurgent forces' strategies can be understood, but historically there has been a steep learning curve Government have had to face, and the learning has been (and obviously still is) faulty. This learning curve is much steeper for insurgencies that span beyond a single country's borders, as international cooperation is needed in the fight against them, and politics provide a huge barrier against this.

In conclusion, the book gives the reader some very good insights on how recent past insurgencies have developed and been handled. In today's context what the book misses out on is a strong thread that might give more specific insights in to how we might tackle the problem of a transnational insurgency that is driven through the very modern tools of communication (such as the Internet) by a group of people whose ideals are very firmly rooted in the medieval past. This lack of a thread is probably due to the fact that O'Neill wrote the first edition of the book in 1990, well before the rise of Islamic extremism. In keeping with the original structure of the book, the second revision shows that the Al Qaeda revolution is in a category of its own. It become implicit that we will need to develop new tools to fight it, and not much of our previous knowledge and experience on insurgencies can be called upon successfully.

This book give types of Insurgencies that history has show us and the definitions that make them different to each other.

This is an excellent book. The author is a well known and respected expert of the field. The book begins with an introduction that attempts to level set and baseline definitions and meanings. Although this may appear to be semantics, the differences both subtle and great is important. The book is well organized it is easy to refer to a specific chapter or section in the event you need a quick refresher and or reference. The book is well written, concise and offers a large quantity of foot notes at the end of each chapter. This book is for both the expert and the novice.

Terry Tucker, Adjunct Professor, Military Studies/History University of Maryland and Senior Doctrine Developer SANGMP, Vinnell Arabia

I have read the first edition of this book and I found it very useful to understand insurgency and terrorism. Moreover I wish I had read this book when I was in Colombia or in Haiti where we had to deal with insurgencies. In my opinion the book is an important tool for the intelligence analyst because it shows a framework to analyze the complex phenomenon of guerilla and insurgency. It was very valuable for me to learn about the four strategic approaches (conspiratorial - military focus - protracted popular war - and urban warfare)

As I wrote above, I read the first edition, so I don't know if the ideas that I'm going to write about are been included or not. The first one is about the "Legal Warfare" that was developed by the Insurgencies in Colombia and Argentina. It consists in accused soldiers of violations of human's rights. On almost every occasion they were false accusations. Therefore, they were judged and condemned by the civil authorities. However, nobody accused the terrorists of human right violations. The last one is about the insurgency that is developed from a defeated army. This is the case of what Col Volckmann said in his book "We remained" about the resistance in Philippines in World War II.

In conclusion, the book is brilliantly written and is very useful to understand and defeat insurgencies.

Terrorism and Insurgency by Bard E. O'Neill, is an invaluable resource for those interested in understanding insurgency and the relevant factors that lead to its success or failure.

This book appears to be written for a classroom audience (the author in fact provides a proposed semester-length class schedule complete with lesson plans and assigned reading). However, O'Neill also has government analysts and policy makers in mind. Throughout the book, and especially in chapters covering government response and the conclusion, he stresses the value of providing as complete a picture as possible while keeping in mind objectivity and maintaining an unbiased approach to analysis.

O'Neill begins his book by looking at insurgencies and the related fields of terrorism and guerilla warfare. His framework for analysis includes understanding the nature of the insurgency, insurgent strategies, both political and military, understanding the physical as well as human environment, organization, and the role of external support.

In the final chapter, O'Neill lays out a comprehensive lense through which a government analyst could view its adversary and policy makers can create successful counterinsurgency operations. Urging the avoidance of polemics and shortsightedness, O'Neill provides a credible and realistic lense through which to create effective countermeasures.

O'Neill helps to settle many unhelpful arguments and issues for analysts. For example, he rejects the false dichotomy of freedom fighter versus terrorist, as one deals with ends (freedom fighter) and one is a means to get their (terrorism). As such, a freedom fighter can use terrorist tactics to achieve his ends.

Also, a driving factor that many insurgencies use to determine their strategies are the physical and human environment around them and the perceived and real government response. Understanding this is invaluable both for insurgents and counterinsurgency operations.

The ideology, or political campaign, the insurgent group promotes, serves the valuable function of differentiating friend from foe. Providing an alternative to this ideology is integral to separating insurgents from the majority population (assuming the insurgents are a minority).

Many insurgencies survive through external support from other states or insurgent groups. One method students and analysts can use to find weaknesses to exploit is by knowing which insurgent groups do and do not receive external support and the motives for the disparity.

Finally, many responses to insurgency fail because of inflexibility, sloppiness, ignorance, bias, anger, bureaucratic imperative or psychological aversion. These failings create often flawed and fatally mistaken counterinsurgency strategies. Avoiding this should be of primary concern.

Drawning on a depth of learning in Biblical Hebrew, Brown demonstrates how the key Hebrew terms for healing have been systematically and almost universally mistranslated and misunderstood by Biblical scholars and most existing Bibles. From this linguistic evidence, Brown reinterprets Biblical healing in a radical fashion. Absolutely essential for anyone studying healing in the Bible. (Some serious students and scholars may be surprised at the portrait of Jesus on the cover of a book labelled as an "Old Testament" study, but not to worry. Brown is a meticulous scholar. The footnotes alone--more than a hundred pages--are worth the price of the book.)

I have just written a brief article on "faith" for the benefit of those in AA who want to be healed of alcoholism. I cite this book and seven others as resource books that state positively just what the Creator of the heavens and the earth can do for alcoholics and anyone else who needs healing. Others have reviewed this Michael Brown book quite well. So I will just stamp it as an important, recent, scholarly affirmation of the healing power of "Yahweh that healeth thee." Its citations and resources alone warrant this as a key book on healing alcoholism--particularly because its author was delivered from that very scourge.

I just now finished reading this book. I have been reading it very, very carefully - writing notes from time to time - for close to three months!

From the cultural background of the Hebrew Scriptures to the etymological study of the Hebrew (and Greek) word translated "to heal" (and the convincing suggestion that it should be translated "to restore, make whole") to a rather full study of significant Biblical texts on the subject of healing to the discussion of healing in the NT to his "Conclusion and Reflections", Dr. Brown gives believers the necessary tools to build up faith in God's desire to miraculously heal today like Jesus did and poses a serious challange to those in the Body of Christ who hold to a cessationist view or have a distaste for the teachings, which they may have heard or read, on the subject.

This book is so important, I would suggest a careful reading of end-notes and, even though Dr. Brown suggests in his preface that the "nontechnical reader may want to skip" the sections on the root meanings of the Hebrew word "rapa", I think it is important that the nontechnical (like me) read it anyway; you may not get all of it but you will gain some basic but vital understanding (along with a section that discusses healing deities), that I believe undergirds and is foundational to all else that is said. If you do not get a satisfactory and firm grasp of what he writes in the Introduction and first chapter, I think you will miss the central significance of everything else fail to achieve the necessary firmness of understanding to strenghten any area where your faith may waver concerning God as Healer.

I cannot over emphasize that those in the Church who do not believe God is healing today should read this book. It is a challanging read and his arguments are logical and persuasive. If you are adamant and serious about what you believe, let me suggest that you gather up all your books on the cessationist view and read them alongside Israel's Divine Healer and see where it all takes you.

The book, as a whole, is not technical but it is packed with information that would be hard for any Biblical scholar or theologian to refute. If anyone knows of a book that challanges Dr. Brown, please let me know.

Brown makes it clear that the Old Testament root concept of healing was that of being restored from a broken or unhealthy state. This is a key concept and one that present (and often past) philosophers and theologians have not considered carefully. The mindset today is to contain an illness, to splice new genes into the old (new patches on old cloth?) with the conviction that the new will satisfactorily replace the old. However, there has to be, as Brown notes, restoration to God and ultimately our resurrection bodies will be like Adam and Eve's before sin overtook the world. In one sense restoration is figurative because we can't go back to Adam and Eve, but it is also literal because our "new" bodies will be recognizable when at the resurrection we are restored with God and taken out of a sinful world.

Israel's Divine Healer is the most scholarly book that I have ever read on the subject of divine healing from a Pentecostal perspective. Many books that I have read tend to focus on the individual or positive confession but Dr. Brown does neither and focuses rather on building a case that God is indeed a healer based on His revelations to Israel.

Dr. Brown further argues that God is immutable and therefore His promise of healing is the same for today. Dr. Brown's book has thousands of footnotes and is full of Scripture. For those not use to reading a book on divine healing from a theological viewpoint then you will want to skip this book. It is quite technical and deep. However, don't let that scare you. Read this book and be filled with faith that Jesus is a healing God.