Simmons Books

I bought this book as something to pass the the time with.
From page one until the end I was hooked.
The characters are well thought out and there uses are unique to this type of book.
In short this is a new take on some old monsters and is a must read for ant fan.

This is a great start to a series. It's kinda in the vein of Buffy/charmed if the main character was a guy that gets turned into a half vampire/human/werewolf hybrid. There is a lot of humor, action, and memorbable characters. Hopefully the next book continues the the trend.

m.a.c

I almost didn't buy this because of the cover art. I am not a sci-fi fantasy guy and this cover gave me the impression I wouldn't like it. Thank goodness I stuck with following other reader's advice. Fast story, with humor, and great twists. I am already on the 3rd book in the series after two weeks. If you want a fresh vampire story with action, suspence, and a bite I mean bit of humor this is for you.

I bought this book thinking to read a gay-themed vampire novel which unfortunately is not the case.

Luckily enough though, this story is quite good. Christopher, the likeable main character, very well rounded, witty, deep, finds himself thrown into a new world populated by every possible mythical creatures, many of which not exactly friendly.

While the book is undoubtedly fun there are still some flaws: from time to time Mr Simmons loses his compass: his writing gets confused, hurried, most of all during action scenes; his sentences are clumsy and disconnected, whole paragraphs in need of a thourough editing.
Some minor inconsistencies are to be found here and there; literary references are not always to the point while pop culture ones are hard to grasp for a foreigner.

Because of gore this book is not suitable for children.

I'll be frank. The best reason to read this book is to read the sequel "Dead on my Feet". Chris is more brooding and angry in this book and Simmons doesn't hit his stride with the character until the next one.

That being said this is an original take on the vampire series. It's a parody of the entire horror Genre and Chris never misses an opportunity to mock it.

I purchased this book because I thought the templates could be useful. I already have a pile of books on CSS and Web Development, but the templates made this book stick out.

The templates and designs that come with the CD are laughably bad. I can not imagine a single instance where a professional would ever consider using a template from this book.
If you dig really hard through the templates (several hundred) you might find a couple that could be useful. Other than that they are defintely good for a chuckle.

This book was well written. Even though I have been a graphic web designer for several years, I still have some knowledge that I don't know. I am happy to read new thoughts and study new technology from this book.

The title is misleading; it is not a professional approach to web page design because it relies on tables for page style. Using tables for design was deprecated by W3C when they developed CSS. A professional, "web standards" page uses CSS for layout and design. Tables are used to make TABLES.

This style of design makes it VERY difficult to change or modify a web page later. This is not something professional designers are willing to accept. Tables are easy to learn and this style of web page design is suitable for someone (with some knowledge of HTML) who wants to make their own site.

It will help you make a good looking site, save you money and get you up and running faster than you could otherwise. But there is a price to pay for that. It will give you grief if you decide to make significant design changes or want to hire someone to change it for you (they will charge you an arm and a leg to do it).

If you might want to design sites for extra money later on, you must make a serious effort to learn CSS. This is not an easy task but has significant rewards.

Over ten years ago, W3C realized that HTML had serious limitations and they developed CSS to solve the problem. CSS divides web page design into two parts. HTML deals with the content (the writing, images and stuff like that). CSS deals with design and style (what the stuff looks like, where it goes on the page, color and things like that).

The two are VERY different and when you use TABLES as a substitute for CSS, you are creating major problems for those who follow in your footsteps (including you). I hope this makes things clear and helps you decide if this book is for you.

One last thing. There are a huge number of resources, free, on the web to help learn CSS web page design. Just do a search for 'web page css: (design - tutorials - templates). Do a search and learn a little about CSS design to see what you want to do before you decide to buy this. Good luck. Designing web sites is fun, if you have gobs of patience and a very low frustration level.

This book has a handful of useful things to say regarding the use of graphics, planning as well as a plethora of ready-made web site templates. It is also spotted through with handy advice and clear writing as well as good examples and discussion. There is a huge "if" though.

The book has become clearly dated in regards to current web site design practice. This book uses tables for layout and to be honest, xhtml/css is the industry preferred method separating content (provided by html/xhtml) from presentation (CSS). As such, I think those looking for a complete and professional introduction and presentation of current (mid-2007) methodologies would be better served by the following suite of books:

Usability Issues
- Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 2nd Edition by Steve Krug

Clear Presentation and Introduction to XHTML and CSS
- HTML Dog: The Best-Practice Guide to XHTML and CSS by Patrick Griffiths

Advanced CSS Design
- CSS Mastery: Advanced Web Standards Solutions by Andy Budd, Simon Collison, and Cameron Moll

Different Designs demonstrating what can be achieved using CSS
- The Zen of CSS Design: Visual Enlightenment for the Web (Voices That Matter) by Dave Shea and Molly E. Holzschlag

While there are other great books about current best practice, these are the ones that I believe best encapsulate what "Professional Web Design: Techniques and Templates" tries to do. I think a 3rd edition of this book is needed to truly update it to current practice.

The title of this book should be "Professional LOOKING Web Design." The numerous template sites provided look great, and are useful for running by clients and asking "which of these do you like?" However, under the hood, the implementation of these pages is anything but professional, at least not by modern standards of using CSS for layout, and tables only for content that is truly tabular.

Instead, the templates rely heavily on tables, and tables within tables, for dividing up the layout of the pages. This can make it hard to customize them (particularly all the chopped-up graphics), and gives you a headache when trying to figure out which cell-inside-a-cell you're editing. This is exacerbated by the poor layout of the HTML code, with tag pairs that don't line up, indents that don't reflect the document structure, and so on.

CSS is mostly relegated to providing styling for text. On page 42 of the 2nd edition, the author does briefly address the table-v-CSS issue, and concludes that CSS is more difficult than using tables (I'd disagree) and that not all browsers support CSS exactly the same way (true enough for some features, but in general a small amount of tweaking and testing will let your designs work in all major browsers).

There are some useful tips and tricks in this book, and the templates do provide some great *ideas* for design and layout, but not good *implementations*. When you come to designing your own pages, the best approach is throw out the book's HTML and CSS and start from scratch. Because this book is most likely to be used by beginning developers, it's unfortunate that it provides so many inadvisable lessons in implementing its templates.

Right now I don't have a good modern (CSS) design book in my library to recommend - I've found that many great resources are available on the Web, such as w3.org and the CSS Zen Garden.

This is about the 7th copy of this book that I have purchased. I keep giving them away because the message is so poignant. It is a wonderful story of courage and acceptance in the face of death at too young an age. But - the story is not sad - the author finds the joys in life and the ability to face each day with a positive outlook.

I have read this book once a year at the end of winter since its publication because reading it is a great way to herald in the spring given its life-affirming message. As a disabled person, I find it particularly helpful, but I first started reading it a few years before I was disabled. I purchase at least one copy a year because I not only loan it out, I give it away. Such a gift it is.

I also want to say to the people who are disappointed that Simmons doesn't let us into his pathos and pain: perhaps Simmons did not spend a very long time in pathos and pain, let alone want to write about it (living it may have been enough for him). I am disabled and my disability has left me with little social contact (in fact even my spouse left me because of my disability), and yet I am a happy person. It's not that I don't accept or honor my grief, but I spend more time loving life back rather than standing in the crashing waves shaking my fist at God. I suspect this was Simmons way as well.

No doubt he could have written that other book and even made us laugh at his pain, but that was not the focus of his life. Research shows that happy people do not necessarily have more happy experiences--they just focus on those experiences more and are grateful just for the chance to be alive no matter the suffering. That's a lesson in and of itself.

Just a quick note to add my voice to others who love this book by the late Philip Simmons. As moving and beautiful and wise as any creative nonfiction ever written. As a professor of writing, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about life (and the death that makes life possible).

My brother was diagnosed with ALS this last October. I bought this book for everyone in my family...it has allowed us to cherish life and the moments we have with him. This is a great book and I recommend it 100%!!!

I didn't enjoy this book at all - its just not my type of book. I was expecting a biography of his life - but this book is a series of short stories about life in general, not necessarily the authors life.

I guess I just didn't read the back cover properly.

OK, I have a problems with experts. I'm 28 years old and have been blessed to advance quickly in the agency business. Therefore, I have a unique view of people talking about Ys (I'm between X and Y).

The great thing this does is open the eyes of the masses that it's different nowadays. However, I truly believe that there is formulaic science behind all marketing. If it's chaos, then I'm out of a job (and lots of others).

Buy this and give (anonymously) to senior marketing professionals who are stuck in a rut.

This book rocks! The whole idea behind it is that marketing has changed for good, and what used to work doesn't anymore.

What does work is what Punk Marketing talks about. Be irreverent? Yes, if that's your style, and that's the way you deal with customers. Let your personality show? Yes (and what a concept) so your customers and prospects actually feel like there are real people in the business world.

And that's the way Punk Marketing has been written too. It not only gives great ideas and examples of ways to apply new marketing to the new realities of business today. It builds a relationship with the reader. Richard and Mark let their style and personality shine right through their writing. Not only do they have great stuff to say. But they say it in a way that makes you feel you're having a discussion about this stuff on your deck, talking with friends.

Like new marketing, they build a relationship with the reader that makes this book "work" like most other ones don't.

A very inspirational, new way of thinking for my generation and the next wanna be marketer. I loved the summation of what is next to come in the future of marketing. It sheds light on a new way of thinking that can open up a can of worms for those old innovators. Not everything is black and white (or red) since those are the only colors in the book.

I loved the out of the box, heck out of the store the box is in kind of thinking that finally allows people to express themselves and defines the next generation of marketing in this country. Yes, sex sells and people are sheep but this book can tell you why and can tell you how to get around that and create your own following. I find a chapter a day will keep your sanity when watching TV or being assaulted with pop-ups.

A great, inspirational read for any wanna be marketer or thinking of getting in this crazy business. Add it to your library today.

- One content consumer/wanna be marketer.

There is really nothing worse than claiming you are taking a radical, new, "punk" break-all-the-rules approach....it is another thing altogether to actually accomplish such a challenge. This book does not deliver what it promises. There is nothing new here - lots of good, basic, marketing 101 information here, but not much else. The authors throw in the occasional swear word to demonstrate how "edgy" this work is - and in so doing this and only this they really show their ignorance and complete lack of anything new, radical, or "punk". Decent enough review of basic principles so that you have not wasted your money if you bought this - but if you are looking for what they claim they have delivered in their own marketing - go somewhere else - you won't find it here.

This book is SPOT ON! It's one of the best reads on what good marketing should be. Highly recommended.

i could get through this book in a few weeks and it made calculus a bit easier. focus on the problems and you should fly through any good calculus book.

If you job or hobby requires occasional math, or you have kids in middle school or high school, this book is a must have. It contains all those formulas you were forced to learn as a kid, that you probably still have memorized, but maybe not.

For some reason, searching for math online is still difficult. Probably because that Greek guy who came up with the formulas name is so hard to spell. I typically reach for google when I need something, but when it is math, I grab this book.

This short book seems like it is meant for high school students, but it is more suited for Ph.D's. The author perhaps has the right approach of removing the fluff and presenting the essentials, but it is executed horribly. It's biggest problem is it has little to no examples that help us understand what the author meant or that extend the material. The hand drawings are nice, but they are just window dressing. The problems at the end seem like they come out of a PhD dissertation. I.M. Gelfand's books might be better.

The structure and focus of this book can be summed up by the author's comments on page 92. Simmons laments the size of trigonometry books, noting that they contain "hundreds of pages of unnecessary padding, consisting mostly of obscure formalities and irrelevant digressions. This padding is like smog, or dust in the eyes - it makes it impossible for even bright students to gain any clear view of what the subject is about or what it is for." He then states, "This chapter is a slightly expanded version of my standard 50-minute lecture."
The idea that one can impart all of trigonometry in one 50-minute lecture is absurd. Furthermore, the chapter on geometry is only thirty pages long and the chapter on algebra is sixty pages in length. This demonstrates that the emphasis should be on the nutshell in the title, because all that you get from this book is a small kernel of the broad expanse that is precalculus.
For example, the topics covered in the algebra chapter are:

*) The real line
*) Integral and fractional exponents
*) Polynomials and factoring
*) Linear and quadratic equations
*) Inequalities and absolute value
*) The concept of a function
*) Lines, circles and parabolas
*) Logarithms
*) Polynomial division
*) Determinants and systems of linear equations
*) Arithmetic and geometric progressions
*) Permutations and combinations
*) The binomial theorem
*) Mathematical induction

As you can see, this comes out to approximately four pages per topic. It is impossible to present anything other than the simplest of examples and explanations in so short a time. Such brevity is counterproductive, which is why I rank the book so low.

It is easy to appreciate the high praise that Simmons's book receives from most reviewers, and, it is also easy to understand some reviewers' displeasure with the fast pace and brevity of the author's treatment of the curriculum. Simmons says [Preface to my copy of the 1997 hardcover edition], "I have eliminated most of the repetitious and unnecessary material often included in precalculus mathematics textbooks. I have also tried to achieve the utmost brevity that will still permit students who are willing to work at it to understand the material. If I overstep the bounds here and there, and provide explanations that are too concentrated for clarity, I welcome suggestions from teachers and students for improvements that can be included in future editions."

This is conceived as a 'brush up' for readers who have some years between themselves and their last math classes. A modest history and/or aptitude with mathematics is assumed, but not all notation or terminologies are explained when they first appear in the text; if you find this to be a problem, a decent dictionary should quickly resolve any questions.

Simmons takes full advantage of the "picture's worth a thousand words" principle, providing many excellent drawings to help explain concepts presented in the sections on geometry and trigonometry. The reader can spend abundant time in this rather small book, if he/she wants to work through all of the problems in the exercises and appendices, or they can move through it a bit more quickly by proceeding selectively, jumping past problems that look less challenging and/or concepts that are already understood (there'll be plenty of work here even for those who skip many problems!). The book can also serve as a reference for those of us who do some kinds of calculations too infrequently to recall the formulae. The book may be maddening, it may be fun (it will probably be both), it adroitly fills an important niche (or two).

Guilty of love by Pat Simmons is an inspiring tail of lust, love and lies all with a redemptive spin.
It starts with the main character, Cheney Reynolds, trying to rebuild her life after suffering alone with decisions she made while in college; decisions that kept her family at a distance.
The author uses the metaphor of a rehabbed house as the center of her healing. Instead of working on, and forgiving, herself completely and wholly; the house is her main focus.
She finds herself amongst rich and multi-dimensional characters that add more depth and insight into her life due to her family's absence. There is Grandma BB, her nosy and sassy next door neighbor who seems to be more trouble than Cheney can handle, but ultimately becomes her closes ally. Then there is the man that she never saw coming,Parke Kokumuno VI, a man on a mission to keep his African lineage going with the perfect woman. Though Cheney's talk, physique and handywomen know-how doesn't
quite fit, he can't stay away from her. Thus, he hounds her until she starts to realize that she may feel something for him after all. Along with Parke comes his fun loving family that supports him regardless of his vast love affair with "this" woman. She becomes the glue for all of these people and learns about love, life, God and ultimately the gift of
forgiveness.
This book chronicles the life of a woman that scorned God because of a decision that she made as a young girl. Realizing that with God's grace redemption is possible; she not only discovers the real meaning of family and friendship but also the true meaning of unconditional love. The different themes such as abortion, adoption and the African
American heritage is so well woven throughout the novel, that you don't realize you have actually learned anything until the end of the book. All in all, you get a bird's eye view on the consequences of abortion, insight on being a foster parent as well as an education on genealogy.

I really enjoyed Guilty of Love. It is such a beautiful story line. So many times in the Christian community, young people are at a loss for "How to date." This is a great illustration on how couples can get to you know each other intimately while dating with lower their standards.
There are a lot of biblical principles introduced. The other part that is interesting and refreshing is the cultural and geneaology the author weaves in the story. I can't wait for her next two books to be released. Great book. I would recommend for all readers.

Cheney Reynolds made one decision that changed the course of her entire life. Years after having her heart broken, losing a part of soul, severing contact with her family, Cheney moves back to Durham. She lives her days much like a recluse until meeting Grandma BB (the nosy next door neighbor) and Parke (the handsome Good Samaritan). The two of them have a way of bringing out her deepest emotions - both good and bad. At the same time, God turns her heart towards forgiveness and fills her spirit with love.

Simmons produces a TKO with her debut novel. She takes the reader through several rounds with strong right hooks - the intense character development will keep you totally engrossed in the novel. Simmons delivers a couple of stomach punches - the powerful plot line will remind you of the love that God has for you. While the constant head shots - Black history, Christian principles and forgiveness - make for an outstanding read that you will knock out in one setting.

Deltareviewer
Reviewing for Real Page Turners

Cheney Reynolds did what a lot of young women do: fell in love and became pregnant by the wrong guy. The way in which Cheney handled this troublesome time in her life is what leads to her ultimate rebirth in this novel. Aborting her baby against her will and having to live with those torturous memories has kept Cheney locked in an emotional prison to which only God holds the key.

Parke Jamison and his royal African heritage has his own standards and criteria for the woman he shall marry. He is successful and handsome and close to his family, but sadly out of touch with God and the things that truly matter in life.

Neither Parke nor Cheney have easy roads to travel but each are joined by their eventual acceptance of Christ. It is through timely scriptural references and members of a local church that these two characters are able to claim salvation.

I love Ms. Simmons' writing style. Her tone and delivery are always on point. The ease in which she delves into Cheney and Parke's lives is remarkable and left me with a lasting impression of these characters. Grandma BeBe was in a class all by herself.

The core themes of this book were forgiveness and salvation, issues that I believe many of us struggle with on a daily basis. Ms. Simmons has given but a glimpse into the souls of two people who knew enough to seek Him when nothing else would help. I applaud her efforts and anxiously await the sequel.

Reviewed by: A.C. Arthur, Black Butterfly Review

While in college, Cheney Reynolds made a life-altering choice that caused her to lose faith in herself and in her religion. During this time of great misery and because she was so ashamed of her decision, Cheney cut all ties with her family. The only person who knew what happened was her best friend Imani. But after five years of solitude and being haunted by her nightmares, Cheney wanted, no needed, to reconnect with her family, so she decided to move back to her hometown. She knew that it was not going to be easy; but she was willing to try. Now, if she could only keep her elderly noisy neighbor, Grandma BB and the handsome, pesky Parke Jamison "whatever his number is" out of her business she will be able to focus all her attention on reuniting with her family.

Parke Jamison VI was on a mission to find and marry his African Queen. She had to meet certain qualifications in order to become his wife because he was a direct descendent of a royal African Tribe. Parke refused to deviate from his requirements. So he couldn't understand why he continued to seek Cheney Reynolds out. She was totally opposite of what his queen was supposed to be - she was too tall and more importantly, too opinionated and smart mouthed for his taste. Yet, he couldn't stop butting heads with her. The more time he spent in Cheney's company, the more Parke wanted her to be his wife. Will Parke be able to break down the painful wall that Cheney has built around her heart?

Guilty of Love by Pat Simmons was my first experience with Christian fiction and I must admit that I truly enjoyed reading this novel. I thought that Ms. Simmons did an excellent job of inserting the character's spirituality into the dialog in such a natural manner that didn't come across as being preachy and she was also able to interlace a multitude of rich African American history in the process. I felt each and every emotion of the heroine and it touched me deeply within. This story centered on a very difficult, heartbreaking issue and how Cheney dealt with it came across so incredibly real to me. It was astonishing to find such strong characters in a novel, even with the weaknesses evolved from their past experiences. I advise the reader to keep a big box of tissues handy because you will need them on numerous occasions. Thanks go to Ms. Simmons for a truly inspirational story.

Nikita
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

An excellent first novel. A mother abducted and held for ransom develops a bond with her abductor. A bit of the Stockholm Sydrome yes, but at the same time, the characters are well-developed and you can understand this happening. A truly good story which was hard to put down. I look forward to more from this author.

The story gets a check on all key points, but I really had to think about the ending. Was it good or bad? I still have no clue. It left me with a taste in my mouth and I'm still smacking my lips trying to decide if I like it.

I've heard that a story can either be plot driven or character driven. Simmons has me wondering if she did both as she flipped back and forth from past events to the character's present day dilemma. Whatever the book is or was, it's left a strong impression on my senses.

A powerful first novel. Real characters and situations. Curious about the capitalization of pronoun's use for one main character but after reading the novel, it took only two days, I can understand why the author did it. Exciting, thrilling, suspenseful. Wonderful read.

STANDING STILL is a riveted novel, from first word to last. It flows so well from the chilling opening to the gripping conclusion that it's hard to believe that this is a debut novel. I highly recommend it!

The first thing that should be said about this book is that it is the most impressive debut novel I have read in a long time. Kelly Simmons' writing is riveting, the prose and the story captivating. In the opening pages, Claire Cooper, alone in the house while her husband is away on one of his constant business trips, hears sounds she cannot identify coming from the one of the upstairs bedrooms where her three children, four, five and seven years old, lie sleeping. When she enters one of the bedrooms, she is horrified to see an intruder with her daughter in his arms. Her instinct is what nearly any mother's would be: she tells him "Take me. Take me instead." And he does exactly that. The reader feels her anguish during the ensuing days, as her nightmare plays out. She spends the following week tied to a bed in a motel, her abductor her only companion. She refers to him throughout as simply "Him."

Claire is now a reporter for a local station, having worked all over the globe before her marriage to Sam, who co-owns a successful p.r./marketing business. Her history is, as she describes it, one of leaving without saying goodbye, whether it is a string of lovers or therapists. She suffers from an acute panic disorder, frequently all but disabling, and her Xanax bottle is never far away. Reflecting on her past before her marriage, she says: "I believed I was in control. I didn't see that I was wasting my youth and grace, doling it out as if it would regenerate. I didn't know at twenty what I knew at forty: that powers of seduction slow to a trickle. Until one day you go into the city in a perfect-fitting pair of jeans, get your hair highlighted, and when you walk back to your car no one's head turns. No, I didn't know I was perishable. But once I figured it out, the world conspired to move up my expiration date. It swatted at me daily with small swords--floods and heights and confined spaces and shadows and creaking floors. Things no one else saw. The pathetic world according to Claire."

Interspersed between scenes before and after the kidnapping are reflections of past days, going back to Claire's childhood, as captured in photos she remembers. But Sam and Claire, it appears, both have secrets. The book is all about, to quote the author again, "the things you don't see coming." Kelly Simmons has a completely fresh voice, and has written a novel of breathtaking originality. Highly recommended.

After reading the Blanche Barrow book, the James R. Knight and the E.R. Milner book I have to admit I was a little disapponinted in this one. I found it to be very self-serving. After all, these people were common criminals who chose to make a life of robbery and violence. Mr. Fults wanted to project the idea that it was solely the corruption of the Texas penal sytem that was most to blame for the lives of the badmen of the era. Also, he constantly surrounded himself with vicious violent men; yet he wants us to beleive that even though he was willing to kill and came close several times, he was basically innocent and an honorable man.
One last point that confused me. In all the other books, Ray Hamilton was portrayed as afraid of, and loathed by, Joe Palmer. In this books, supposedly they are best of pals and are comforted in the fact that they are executed at the same time. There just seems to be more than a few inconsistancies in thsi book.

A must read for anyone interested in Bonnie and Clyde, Ray Hamilton, Joe Palmer or about American crime in the 1930's. A well written review of an amazing life, offering a new angle on the story of the infamous Barrow Gang and the long term results of the 1934 Eastham Camp 1 breakout. A great book that takes you on a journey that you can see being played out before you. Buy it, you won't regret it!

A very thorough book on Bonnie and Clyde. More in-depth than others I've read.

Mr. Phillips is currently considered the foremost authority on Bonnie and Clyde, and for good reason. He is also the editor of Blanche Barrow's recently published memoirs (GREAT). I enjoyed the detail included in this book. His premise is that Clyde was driven in his life of crime by his desire to raid Eastham Prison - one of the worst prisons in Texas. As an historian myself and huge Bonnie and Clyde fan, I would have to say that the raid on Eastham was certainly a part of Clyde Barrow's larger plan (if indeed he had one), but not the sole driving factor. I also appreciate the fact that Mr. Phillips was able to interview Ralph Fults face-to-face, but Mr. Fults seemed to be a bit-part player in the story of Bonnie and Clyde. All in all this book was worth the read - the research is incredible and many former publications' myths and mistakes are straightened out.

I know this for a fact by the author. My dad, Ralph Fults is who the book is about. John Neal Phillips did not just take my dad's word on the events in the book, he interviewed many people to back up the details of each story. If you want to encourage a young person, who thinks they cannot turn their life around, please give this book to them. It will be a great encouragement to them. If my dad can turn his life around, anyone can.

This book virtually made me love mathemathics. It's a book with an unique set of features in it's appendix, and the writing style of the author is almost like you are actually reading a great novel about calculus.

This book is perfect if you are looking for a book that has a nice balance between theory and application. Theory is presented on an as-needed basis and there is more in the appendix if the reader is so inclined. This was an excellent book for me my freshman year and it has been a good reference for me throughout my math career. It is a nice stepping stone on the way to spivak.

Another MIT student here... unfortunately not all calc. classes at MIT has stopped using this book. As a result the majority of our class is hopelessly lost... and this is at MIT!!!... now that's a testament to how bad the book is... Things aren't explained well, the examples have nothing to do with the actual problems, and without the "space wasting" graphics that so many other books have it's difficult to visualize what Simmons is talking about, and despite popular opinion visualizing what you are doing is very important to calculus. I'm relying on my HS calc book to get me through the course.

It definitly helps one who want to master Calculus or join the Calculus competiton of any kinds.

It better than "Calculus With Analytic Geometry, Seventh Edition" for it give you some useful appendixs and very simplify than it. It does not includ differential equation for as the author said that it is not useful when there is a full course on differential equation!!!

I have a big, dirty secret: I needed three tries to get through calculus. Needless to say, I went through (or at least started) three calculus books. The third of these was Simmons' first edition of the current volume. Dr. Simmons takes a historical approach to the material, following discovery after discovery. While today we define the derivative in terms of the limit, this definition (and the delta-epsilon proof machinery beneath the limit concept) came after the geometric notion of the tangent of a curve. I found it enormously helpful to know where I was going before I started. And why not? The great mathematicians that built the rigorous foundations beneath the calculus all knew where they had to end up.

One other topic that Dr. Simmons enjoys is arithmetic series. This topic unfolded like a flower during its presentation. As I moved into computer science, this provided valuable background to some of the iterative methods of calculation I was exposed to.

I might have a different perspective, though; George Simmons was my Calc 2 prof :-)

With years of experience in training working dogs, I have decided to try Agility for a break in the routine! I thought this book would be good, but, alas, it is way behind in training techniques. I was quite put off by the mis-information, and in some cases, harmful information given. Very dissapointing. The author probably does have great depth of knowledge on the subject, but needs to attend a few up to date classes in dog communication, Operant Conditioning, or training in drive (all quite simular in application) and then re-write the book.

This book certainly offers a good jump start for beginners but if you're beyond the introductory level there's not much you can learn here. The focus is very much on teaching your dog how to navigate obstacles but there's little on advanced handling techniques and how to practice them.

The section on building your own equipment looks quite good but for people like me who can hardly handle a hammer it's probably better (and less nerve wrecking) to simply shell out the money and order ready-to-use equipment.

As a beginner I found this book VERY helpful. It is excellently written in a down-to-earth manner, with tips and hints for the greenest of dog/handler teams. It covers all of the basics such as what your dog should know BEFORE you train agility, how to train obstacles, basic right/left-hand turns, and even goes on into obstacle "proofing" and a few more intermediate level topics. As always, Jane Simmons-Moake made sure that you can't fail by putting in tips on "what to do if your dog..." and a very helpful obstacle-building section which is especially nice for those who have high goals. It is an essential book for any agility lover, especially those looking for an introduction to the most fun thing you can do with your canine pal!

I wanted to get my dog into agility (an unfortunate accident prevented that). But, this was a good book for both reference and training in the sport. I'm still hoping to get a dog involved in agility. When I do, I'll use this book

This book contains good information for both the beginner and the experienced competitor. It explains the obstacles well (it even shows you how to make professional obstacle yourself!) and covers everything from the organizations to the competitions. It also included (which I found fun) some examples of courses and sequences to practice with. The only flaw I found was that it was a bit dated, like using wood instead of PVC and street addresses to the organizations, but no emails or web sites. Awesome book overall, though.