Sherman Books

The author, Mr. Irwin W. Sherman, truly loves his little bugs. However, after reading a large chunk of his book, I find that he believes plagues are the most powerful force on earth. He lists many events in history, including Joshua and Israel's defeat of Jericho, the rise of Christianity, and George Washington's fight against the British, hinting that these events could not have happened had not disease broken the other side. Frankly, disease is a powerful force but not the ultimate force this author makes it out to be. A reader would be better served by studying a different title that lays out a more realistic view of history of plagues and their effect on the world and history.

This book languishes in some obscurity, published at a high price by a rather arcane scientific society. I hope some mass publisher has the sense to buy the rights and bring it out in paperback. It deserves the widest circulation.
The book is a survey of major diseases, their biology, their transmission, and their major historic effects. Irwin Sherman talks about disease in general, then about such famous historic crises as the Black Death in medieval Europe, then about major diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. Much of the book covers fairly familiar ground, if you have read such well-known disease histories as William McNeill's PLAGUES AND PEOPLES. However, several things set this book apart. First, it's extremely accurate. Few know the biology better. The history has been carefully researched and updated. Controversial statements are flagged as such. Second, Sherman covers all the new plagues that have afflicted us in recent years. I think this is the first such general history to deal with hantavirus, mad cow disease, bird flu, and the rest. Third, the book is well written and reasonably well illustrated (I wish there had been more pictures).
Some minor limitations: Sherman is too quick to assume the Black Death was largely bubonic plague. This has been challenged, and the debate could have used more coverage. I wish, also, that a bit more had been done with some of the great recent disease-fighters. Sherman covers Koch, Pasteur, Semmelweisz, and the other classic names, but I wish he had mentioned some of the modern ones not covered in other books. Some are appealing characters, such Maurice Hillebrant, the would-be hog farmer and hog veterinarian who (fortunately for humans but unfortunately for hogs) got interested in people and developed the MMR and several other standard shots, thus saving tens of millions of lives. There is also James Grant, who as head of UNICEF in the 1980s got those shots actually out to the world; at the start of his tenure only a quarter of the world's children got all their shots, but when he retired some three-quarters did. Again, tens of millions of children saved. We all know the names of mass murderers from Hitler to Pol Pot; why don't we know the names of people who saved so many lives?
There are very few outright errors in Sherman's book, and those few are pretty trivial. One concerns the Chinese medical text "Huangdi Neijing" or "Nei Ching." It is misspelled "Nei Chang" here, and given two different dates, both wrong (2700 BC on p. 136 and ca 250 BC on p. 304; some of the book does date as early as the latter date, but the actual date of the final product is around 100 A.D., and there was some subsequent updating).
In short, anyone looking for a fascinating, authoritative, up-to-date book about disease should check this out.
Full disclosure: I have to admit bias. For years and years, at the University of California, Riverside, Sherman taught a basic introduction to the biology of disease while I taught a basic introduction to the social and cultural side of medicine. We loosely coordinated these courses--at least we didn't step on each other's toes. Now we are retired, and he has turned his course into book form. So have I, but it sits in first-draft state and probably always will (I'm busy with other projects), so if you want it, email me and I'll send you it to download (it's pretty long). It complements Sherm's book pretty neatly.
Anyway, congratulations to Dr. Sherman for great work all the way through.

Osprey Publishing has sent me a copy of one of their latest releases, this one on the Sherman Firefly tank. The British army took delivery on hundreds of U.S.-built Sherman tanks and outfitted them with a massive 17-pound gun. This innovation finally allowed British forces to match up with the imposing german firepower that had dominated the Western European Theater of Operations for so long. Veteran author David Fletcher, the historian at the Tank Museum in Bovington, UK, had penned an interesting and detailed account of the history of this conversion, exploring the people and methodology behind the development of the Firefly.


Fletcher's writing style is perhaps unusual and a bit too folksy for my American taste, but his content is outstanding. He offers a thorough look at the history of the Firefly. As with all Osprey books, this one is profusely illistrated with period photographs (from the collection of the museum the author works for) and lavish full-color (colour for my British friends!) drawings and sketches.

Number 141 of the New Vanguard collection, this newly released book is certainly an authoritative look at this powerful weapon of war. At only 48 pages, it is a short and easy read, but is chock full of interesting information of value to the wargamer, WWII buff, or tank enthusiast. Fletcher examines the successes (and failures) of this tank destroyer, which was in high demand and short supply. They were allocated among various units, usually no more than 1 or 2 per unit.

I purchased this book right away when it became available, a couple of months after buying Stephen Hart's book "Sherman Firefly vs. Tiger" (Normandy 1944).

The chapters are as follows:

Introduction
The 17-Pounder
Developments at Lulworth
Designing the Firefly
The Conversion Programme
Ammunition
Concrete Busters
The Firefly in Action
The American Angle
Supply and Demand
What's in a Name?
Index

The strengths of this book by David Fletcher are the detailed information on the development, design, and conversion of the Sherman Firefly. If you like detailed specifications on the Firefly, Fletcher does a good job of providing this info. All the different variants of the Firefly are briefly described. Tony Bryan does an excellent job in his colored illustrations.

However, the main deficiency in this book is the sparse info provided about the combat performance of the Firely in the European theatre. Fletcher does not even mention the pivotal battle in St. - Aignan (Aug. 8, 1944) where the British Fireflies destroy the Tiger tank and the legendary career of notable Tiger tank ace Michael Wittman. I can't believe the author would make no mention of some of these pivotal battles.

Therefore, I liked Stephen Hart's book much more. It provides the essential development and design info on the Firefly but it describes the combat performance in much more satisfying detail. Hart describes briefly each pivotal battle against the Germans, and gives the reader a detailed synopsis of how the tankers on each side operated in battle. Hart even describes the notable tank aces on both the Axis and Allied sides.

If I were to pick one "Sherman Firefly" book, I would pick Hart's book instead of this one. Hart's book has the added bonus in providing the design, development, and combat info on the legendary Tiger Tank. It's like getting two books for the price of one. Hart's book contains 79 pages of script while this book only contains 48 pages.

If you buy this book, consider purchasing the Hart book as well, to augment the section on the combat performance.

The amphibious DD tanks was one of the more interesting weapons to be used in World War II. Tanks are interently heavy and dense objects, so making one float is clearly a major engineering project. The British response to the need for floating tanks to support amphibious invasions was an interesting if clumsy technological solution.

This book is a standard Osprey New Vanguard treatment of the subject: background, technical description and operational overview, with excellent color plates. After reading the book, I had a good understanding of how the DD tanks worked, how it was used in combat, and what were its limitations.

WW2 marked the first use of tanks being used to support a force attacking from the sea. The Allies had to develop ways to get tanks ashore to support their troops, especially in Europe where the threat of a counter a attack by German tanks was always present. This book is not one of my favorite of the Osprey Vanguard series. This book is flawed by too narrow a focus and too much extraneous material. The proper title should have been "British Swimming Shermans in Europe". All the material is about the British attempt to develop and use the Duplex Drive version of the "Sherman" tank. This book goes into detail about the process of developing and training British tank crews on the DD tanks - starting with the developments based on a British "Valentine" tank. Later there are accounts of several British units use of the DD "Sherman", but very little on the US Army's use of the same equipment, and no mention of the fact that the US built 350 DD tanks using plans provided by the British. There is NO mention of the US use of DD tanks in Southern France or the Rhine crossing. There is also not even passing mention of the US developments in floating tanks ashore. There is a lot more to the DD story, from both nations, that was omitted. This book does provide information on the original engineering of the project, but little else in the way of new material.

I found this to be one of the better Trek books in quite awhile and certainly MUCH better than Vulcan's Forge. Tim Russ does an excellent job with the reading and really gives distinction to the various characters.
My couple of complaints with the book aren't so much with the story as the format. For one, this book REALLY, REALLY points out how uncohesive the world of Trek books is. For instance, didn't T'Pau (sp?) die in "Spock's World", a novel that this one is supposed to be "in the tradition" of? Yet, here she is again. And since this story takes place about a year after Generations, doesn't that make her older than God? I know it's nitpicky, but she just seemed terribly out of place. Especially since she IS later replaced by T'Lar whom I expected to see in the first place.
Also, this reading is an EXCELLENT example of how the trimming for an audio book can go horribly wrong. Not to spoil the plot, but in a major point of interest to me was the revelation that the Enterprise C picks up Saavik just prior to it's destruction at Nerendra (sp?) III. She is adamant that the Enterprise NOT divert to drop her off but go immediately to the rescue of the Klingons on the outpost. And they do. Leaving the reader to assume that Saavik is on the Enterprise when it is destroyed (or captured, depending on who's story you believe). However, she turns up at the end of the book having evidently been dropped off at a starbase prior to the battle. This scene is omitted (I presume) and really throws the reader for a loop since you assume she was lost (or captured) with the Enterprise and that this is a major revelation in the story of the end of the Enterprise C. I even "re-listened" to the relevant parts to make sure I hadn't missed it, but no I hadn't. She's aboard the Enterprise right up through to the battle and later on Vulcan having been dropped off prior to the battle. It's jarring and annoying to say the least.
Other than that, not a bad book. Certainly worth a listen.

A good listen. Some boring chapters and some points are repeated too often. It could've used multiple readers to liven it up.

Robert A. Athearn spins an amazingly good yarn quite out of step with both the Hollywood version of Native American / Military relationships during the settlement of the American West as well as today's apologetic view of Native American / white relationships during that time. Sourced almost entirely from Sherman's and others official correspondence, Athearn drives home the important points that the settlement of the West revolved around four key issues: the railroads, continued Congressional reduction of Army personnel, the complete failure of the Interior Department in developing effective Indian policies and the polar opposite attitudes of frontier whites and their more civilized (safer) East and West coast fellow citizens.

This is a very well done review of one of the key participants who directly set a good portion of the Military policy that was pursued in dealing with Native Americans during this era. From Sherman's own writings we see an Army commander who was pragmatic, yet very evenhanded.

Very well written, this is an easy read that accurately reports Military policy in the West from 1865 - 1885. You will not be disappointed.

There are literally dozens of biographies on General William T. Sherman. But this is the only one, at least of which I am aware, that deals with the eighteen years of Sherman's military career AFTER the Civil War in any amount of detail. It is sad that such an important work as Sherman's in the West should be overlooked, but Robert G. Athearn attempts to correct this oversight with this work. Athearn's treatment of Sherman commences right after the Civil War, when Sherman became commander of the Division of the Missouri, and ends with Sherman's retirement. The book deals with Sherman's relations with the railroad, with his dealings with the press, and with how he treated the Indian question.

As stated, this book is not a biography of Sherman's whole life. Instead, it is a concise and detailed study of what Athearn considers the most important years of Sherman's professional life. It is Athearn's contention that, though he had been the hero of Atlanta and the march to the sea, Sherman's most important military contributions took place East of the Mississippi River. His argument, while perhaps not totally convincing, is nevertheless worthy of consideration. Sherman saw the importance of the intercontinental railroad and, as Athearn points out at some length, did all he could to help push that project along. He also devotes considerable space to Sherman's relations with the Indians.

This is a very good book. Sherman's part in the Indian Wars is often overlooked, but Athearn narrates the problems with the Native Americans through Sherman's eyes, and looks, in a sense, at a larger view of the problem. Throughout the book Athearn maintains objectivity, though it does seem his sympathies lie with the general. The only problem I have with this book is when Athearn tries to get inside his subject's head. Though it happens fairly often, this does not really detract from the book. Still, such statements as "Sherman must have felt that..." or "Sherman longed to be..." are annoying, and detract from the overall quality of the book.

This book is unique, and as such is a very valuable resource. I consider this book to be essential to any study of the life of Sherman, as well as essential to any student of the postwar Army or the Plains Indian Wars.

TIMING: During Season Three. Angel is back and he's coherent, but Buffy and him aren't being overtly romantic yet; Giles is still Buffy's watcher.

STORY: The other reviews have it right. This book goes absolutely no where. It spends over one-hundred pages setting up a plot and then does nothing to pay off ANY of the side stories and resolves the main conflict (Buffy vs. a korred) with a very quick and very lame fight. The student teachers that suddenly appear at Sunnydale High, who were set-up to be mysterious, are just plot devices and largely wastes of page space. Ethan Rayne appears in this story and isn't used at ALL. There are scenes of him observing the korred and even a scene where he calls Giles to let him know that he's in town... but that's it. Why even include the character if you're not going to do anything with him? I'm really let down with how this book turned out. Nothing, absolutely nothing, that is set-up in this book has any pay-off at all.

CHARACTERS: Pretty good. None of the characters really jump out at me as being consistently written, but Gillman and Sherman definitely made a conscious effort to make the characters consistent with the show. Characterization is probably the strongest part of this novel.

CONTINUITY: No complaints at all in this area. The story could take place at any time during mid-season three without going against the story.

COVER: This is one of the older Buffy books, and uses the layout that looks like the logo is cut into a brown stone. Buffy and Giles are the characters featured here, and both of them look like they did during the time in which this episode is supposed to be set.

OVERALL: It was an interesting read, and didn't appear to be badly written from page to page, but when a book turns out to be 99% build-up and 1% lame pay-off, the overall effect isn't that good. It's not a bad read, but it will leave you frustrated and wanting way more than it gives.

4/10

Buffy not only contends with the usual stresses of her life but also needs to deal with student teachers, a Watcher's watcher, Ethan Raynes and a thing that giggles in the night. Not as deep as Obsidian Fate but a very good read. The depth of character is excellent.

This book is quite below average for a Buffy book, but not terrible. The problem is that the plot really doesn't go anywhere and it is a bit boring. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen and it never did. I wouldn't really recommend reading it.

As always, Sunnydale is a magnet for demonic activity, and in Visitors that activity comes in the form of the korred, a demon that dances its victims to death. Keep in mind that this book was released long before the original airing of the musical episode, "Once More, With Feeling," featuring a demon with a similar modus operandi. The korred wants Buffy as a victim, thanks to her super Slayer energy, but it spends a lot of time stalking her and giggling before it gets up the nerve to try anything. Side plots involve a band of student teachers taking up residence in the library ("Does this look like a Barnes & Noble?") and everyone's favorite guest character, Ethan Rayne, dropping in for a visit.

Visitors is a flawed book, and I am going to enumerate those flaws. But before I do, I want to establish that it is by no means a bad book. It sets out to provide some quick entertainment for Buffy fans, and it succeeds at that. The character voices, while not spot on, are close enough to satisfy the reader needing a Buffy fix. The plot adheres to all the show's conventions. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It is far from bad.

Visitors suffers primarily from the biggest problem with any TV tie-in: the characters are safe. I knew the korred wasn't going to make Buffy dance to death and then eat her. I knew, because I knew the show went on well past 1999. I knew, because authors of tie-ins aren't allowed to kill major characters. The absence of real danger hurts every tie-in, not just this one, but it stayed especially present in my mind with this book for some reason. Because of this, I never got very invested in the story.

Visitors also makes poor use of Ethan Rayne. I don't know that I've read a Buffy tie-in that didn't involve Ethan Rayne randomly showing up for a bit of chaotic fun. He's always tragically underused and the resolution of his story is always murky. If you've got trouble, you've just got to have Ethan, haven't you? He makes things so much more fun. His presence in Visitors was absolutely unnecessary. He followed the korred around and not much came of it. He didn't even interact with the Scooby Gang much.

In sum: Visitors is good if you're looking for a quick, fun read with some good Buffy-style one-liners and a typical Monster of the Week plot. If you're looking for a deeper examination of the show's themes or Whedon-quality writing, however, I suggest you pick up one of the other tie-in novels. Perhaps something by Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder. Just a suggestion.

Visitors really isn't that bad of a book. True, some parts were dragged out more than they should've been, but that doesn't make this book horrible. Also, I couldn't figure out why Ethan Rayne or Gerald Panner were put in this story. But again, that doesn't make this a bad book. There are many good things about Visitors. I liked that the korred isn't just another average demon, but instead it's a creature of the earth (earth as in one of the four primal elements). I also liked that all the characters acted just like they do in the show. Another good thing about this book is that instead of having a ton of action always going on, it takes time to really look at the characters personalities and their normal lives. Over all this is a nice addition to the Buffy universe and I recommend it to everyone who likes the Buffy novels.

Sheriff Joe may be the bravest sheriff too. He sought out danger and adventure all his adult life, and he has some entertaining tales to tell. The book ended too soon for me. I enjoyed every bit of it.

He gained the undying affection of the taxpayers of Maricopa County with the tax savings from his Tent City Jail. Most of those who demonize him are newcomers to the county who don't know him. He has a soft heart as well as fierce determination to do what is right.

I've only read ten pages so far, and already am loving this book. Sheriff Joe gives me hope that not all politicians are in it for themselves, and that it is still possible for our law enforcement to carry out the people's wishes, rather than focusing on special interest and big business.

We gave this book as a birthday gift. My brother lives in Montana and has heard about sheriff Joe and admires what he has achieved here in Arizona. So.......we felt it would be the perfect gift. He loves it and has shared it with friends to read. We, too admire Sheriff Joe and just wish there were more like him!

Ann Mesa, Az

I have been following the Joe Arpaio/Maracopa County Jail story for several years, and have been a big fan of his common-sense approach to law enforcement. The tales of the drug war, border enforcement, and fighting the bureaucracy were extremely entertaining. I was frustrated that he never got to put Paris Hilton in one of his chain-gangs, but my guess is she will stay out of southern Arizona until Joe retires.

And then we got to chapter eleven...politics. The sheriff and Senator John McCain do not like each other, I get it. But was the timing of the book just coincidentally in the final stretch of the presidential campaign? Maybe, but the suspicion casts a negative shadow on an otherwise fascinating story. Joe, I wish you'd left politics out of your book just as you've tried to keep them out of your job.

Joe's Law: America's Toughest Sheriff Takes on Illegal Immigration, Drugs and Everything Else That Threatens America

I truly enjoyed this book. Of course, Joe is one of my idols. With him we can get this county back in order, He is the most courageous person that has been in this office as Sheriff since I have been in Phoenix (Maricopa County) Arizona. (1979). Keep up the good work.

This book is well written.

I really, really did. But I just couldn't, despite the fact that Methos is my favorite character from the Highlander series.

In this book, a madman is killing people in New York City by beheading and disemboweling them. As it turns out, Methos knew this immortal, a Hyksos Prince, in 1500 BC. In flashbacks, we see Methos in Egypt and the Hyksos territory thousands of years ago and how he came to meet and do battle with this insane immortal. Eventually, McLeod and Methos set up a trap to catch this evil immortal on top of a Manhattan museum in the middle of a rainstorm.

I was hoping for more insight into what makes Methos tick, but this book did not deliver. The other characters were flat stereotypes, and the plot predictable. A Quickening on top of a building in the middle of a thunderstorm - gee, I haven't seen that one before.

This is a tie-in novel to the HIGHLANDER TV series and focuses on Methos the oldest Immortal. If you are not a fan of, or at least familiar with this series you will probably not enjoy this book.

As the story opens Methos and MacLeod are in present day New York City. There has been a series of killings around the riverfront. An exhibit from an ancient civilization, the Hyksos, who had briefly conquered Egypt has opened. Since this is a Highlander story these two seemingly random facts are related and of course, one of the characters has some past link that now surfaces.

This time it is Methos who has a past history intruding on his present life. Most of the novel is a flashback to his previous life in Egypt under the Hyksos rule, including a lost love, a bit of intrigue, a few battles and an insane immortal. For Highlander fans the pattern is familiar but well loved. This is a very enjoyable tale for Highlander fans and an absolute delight for anyone particularly into the Methos character. It is a bit unusual in that the flashback aspect dominates rather than the present day, and that there is very little MacLeod, Methos is most definitely the main character.

The ancient Egyptian storyline gets a bit tedious at times but overall this is a fun read and a great addition to the Highlander universe.

I at one time was able to read this book I thuroughly enjoyed every page to the point I couldn't put it down if ever given the chance I would pick it up again and read for hours the whole delving into Methos' past in ancient egypt was so much wished for after all a 5,000 year old immortal just doesn't sit around and drink tea and eat crumpets for all those years.

Finally, a Methos book! As a fan of the ROG, I was thrilled to find a book that was mostly about Methos. However, I was rather dismayed... The characterizations, especially Methos and MacLeod, were very flat--more like stock heroes rather than the two unique ones we've come to enjoy. While it was very, very cool to see Methos taking center stage (where he belongs!) I, like several other reviewers here, was rather dismayed to see his special personality, a hard shell of "look out for number one" concealing a care and respect for other people. The way he was portrayed, he could have been a hero from any number of fantasy/sci-fi books out there.

That said, it's a neat adventure, and as a history fan, I enjoyed reading about the Egyptian/Hyksos conflict. If nothing else, Ms. Sherman really did her homework!

A random trip to a museum leads Methos down memory lane to a time in ancient Egypt. In 1500's B.C. Methos travels to Egypt only to discover it is being occupied by a brutal race known as the Hyksos. Methos decides to get the hell out of dodge but he's unwittingly drawn into the fight to rid Egypt of Hyksos rule. His task becomes even more perilous because a Hyksos prince turns out to be an immortal, and a completely insane one at that. Meanwhile, back in present day New York, Methos and Duncan suspect that a killing spree is tied to Methos' past.

This really is a three star book but since I lust after Methos it gets four. The plot isn't really anything special but is interesting enough to keep you reading, even though it's pretty predictable. Methos and Duncan were well written and in character but many of the secondary characters were one dimensional. The writing overall is adequate but the author's tendency to repeat herself and state the obvious got on my nerves after a while. Methos fans will enjoy this book but if you aren't that interested in him, skip it.

Interesting set of short stories based around the Lammas Night premise. Anchored by Mercedes Lackey and with contributions from many people

This book is amazing. The reviewer above who was disappointed in an anthology obviously never looked at the contents to see what she was buying. This is one of the best pieces of fantasy I have ever read. Each author puts their own spin on a basic premise designed by Mercedes Lackey. Some of the authors I recognized, some I didn't. A brief introduction of each author would have been helpful, but didn't detract from the story. If anyone figures out why the pig story is in there, please let me know. Also,the last entry could have been left out and the book would have had a better ending. I hope this comes out in a collector's edition someday because it's going on the shelf next to Shakespear, Homer, and Chaucer as a commentary on the human condition. This is a must-have for anyone who likes to read through the ancient seasons of the year!

THe local high school had a "tribute to Elvis" which wasn't bad as school concerts go - but I would be unhappy had I bought the tape believing it was bonafide Presley.

I felt the same about this book. Big type saying MERCEDES LACKEY and obvious fantasy - great, picked it up for airplane reading, and was annoyed to find Lackey had written only the verses it was based on. ANd I have never been an admirer of her verses.

It was a bit like being a high school teacher and having to read the efforts of a whole class told to write an essay on one topic. I would want to get paid to do that!

I think that as a short story, Lackey could have done this very,very well. The story of Lammas Night is interesting, but an entire BOOK based simply on retellings of the original story with so-called "twists"? No, thank you. A wiser idea would have been to write a book of short stories of the "and-THEN-what-happened" of other ballads.

Mercedes Lackey wrote a poem (a not-very-good one) about a wizard who settles in a village where the previous wizard has died. She begins to sense his presence in the house where he lived (and she lives now). In the end, she is faced with a choice of laying his soul, or bringing him back to life.

The conceit of this book is to have several authors use this theme as a jumping off point for their stories. It's an intriguing idea, but it doesn't work. The primary reason for this is, I think, that rather than use the story as inspiration, the authors simply put flesh on its bones. They don't use their own creative powers (assuming they have any) to make something unique and different of it. As a result, it's all much of a muchness and ultimately boring.

The other difficulty I had with it is the same difficulty that I have with much current fantasy writing. Many writers of this kind think that putting together a hash of various mythologies along with invented names that have no linguistic similarities are all you need. It's all very unsatisfying.

Having been introduced to fantasy via masters such as Lord Dunsany and Arthur Machen, I have no patience for this sort of thing.

I would not have purchased this book if I had been able to preview it at our library. It is more of a pamphlet than a book. If Precor included it with the purchase of it's treadmills OK, but don't pay for it.

90 % of this book is an infomercial for Precor. Don't waste your money. You'll get more information on using treadmills properly from any walking and/or running book that has a chapter on treadmills.

The book contains VERY basic instruction for beginning runners. It has absolutely NO information on how to train on the treadmill. It does have some information about how to buy a treadmill. It's a total waste of money. I'm very disappointing and upset that I was mislead...

This is a well written book that is intended for the person who plans to take treadmill workouts very seriously. It's not aimed at the ordinary person who wants a workout program to acheive good health and cariovascular fitness. It is also heavy handed in it's message selling Precor fitness products. It's irritating and distracting. If you plan to run in a marathon, there are some good workout schedules. But a beginner or someone with little workout experience should keep looking in other places.

Though the word Precor is used throughout this text, the ideas are relevant to other manufacturers equipment. I have used the book's suggestions on LifeFitness Equipment and have reduced my times. The use of an elliptical trainer as suggested has also been most beneficial. The book's workouts help reduce the inhert boredom of a treadmill run. For ideas on interesting workouts with treadmills this book is a must