Stevens Books

This seems to be a very good series for Designers who see design as a way of life and not just a paycheck. There are a lot of conceptual motifs discussed as it examines all of the intellectual considerations a designer must address when working on a job that demands more than aesthetic alone. It delves into the very essence of communication at the visual level as it reviews typography, semiotics and a host of other immediately pertinent subject matter. Well worth the price of admission. An indispensable publication that will maintain it's relevance for decades to come.

If you're a designer or visual communicator, this book is a must have for research, history, and critical insight. Throughful, provocative, and daring, Looking Closer gauges the role of design across social and cultural divides. Its articles are collected from magazines such as Graphis, Eye, Communication Arts, and the AIGA Journal. Furthermore, the book is cheaper than getting a subscription to those magazines!

A collection of essays from various magazines, designers and typographers provides the student with an unmissable reference guide. Excellent as it is not only an enjoyable, interesting read, but also fantastic for essay writing as it condenses a library of books into one small paperback. No student should be without this book!

This is the first volume in a collection of books on design criticism. The articles are pulled from sources like the Journal of the AIGA, Print, and EYE magazine. The topics range the "ugly aesthetic" to the state of design education. The articles are all decent none really stick out as undeserving of a place in this collection. Paul (IBM logo) Rand Contributes an interesting essay on what purpose logos really serve and Paula Scher talks about the way she runs her classes at SVA. The essays all provide some food for thought(even it the thought is " I'd like to smack this guy.")Buy it and keep it with you It's a good thing to have around while your waiting for a bus, a haircut, or a class to begin.

When a life partner dies, the widow or widower is faced with a multitude of decisions at once, at a time of emotional depletion when even one decision is experienced as overwhelming. This book is a handy and well-thought-out compendium of ideas and insights and suggestions that can make the early months of loss more manageable.

The first chapter tackles the psychological: several compassionate stories are offered that make the complexities of mourning seem more "normal." These men and women got through it, and thus, so can you. The rest of the chapters cover financial issues, taxes, social security, and so on, including some thoughts about funeral arrangements.

Written by experts in their fields, these chapters offer up-to-date information and provide an excellent starting point for getting back on one's feet. An extensive Directory of Resources is valuable in itself.

This book helped guide me through a difficult time. It reads easy and follows like a recipe book. I would recommend it to any friend who has experience the loss of a spouse. The Author takes a very difficult subject and makes it understandable. Furthermore, I was able to get back to the business of taking care of business.

I loved the book. I got it for my mother after my father died. It helped her with the tough decisons she was faced with. Its worth the money

I loved the clear concise coverage of a difficult topic. I found this book well written and easy to follow. After the loss of my husband, I didn't know where to turn. Fortunately, a friend recommended reading this book. It saved me. Thank you

I bought this book because I like adventure stories and the summary review sounded really good. I also liked the cover. That old hand reaching in toward the piles of coins tickled my curiosity. I am in high school, and although the characters in this book are in sixth grade and eighth grade, they reminded me of people I know at my school. Everything in this book seemed so real. I would like to explore caves like the ones in this book. Super Great! As I read it, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat. I found the author's website and wrote him an e-mail telling him how much I liked his book. I didn't really think he'd write back, but he did. It was really cool.

This book would make a great movie. I would recommend it to all my friends.

This is my new favorite book. I couldn't put it down and when I finished it, I wanted it to go on. It was very excititing.

When I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. Now that I finished, I wish it could go on. It was very exciting.

Whatever you do, don't rush through this book. The waka poems (or tanka, as they're called today) in this collection by the Buddhist nun Rengetsu are wonderful, filled with a strong spirituality alloyed with a refined sensitivity...along with brief shimmers of gentle wit. But these qualities are extremely subtle and subdued, and I nearly missed them. Read each poem with care and let it sink in slowly, and the poem will gradually unfold in your mind's eye. This is Buddhist literature at its best, not only fostering a meditative attitude through its content but requiring it through its form.

John Stevens' introduction at the beginning is concise and to the point, explaining Rengetsu's poetics and introducing us to a marvelously self-determined religious woman who made it through an incredibly tough life full of sadness and hardship and supported herself though her artistic pursuits in ceramics and calligraphy. Much can be gleaned in these few pages on the vibrancy of the Buddhist tradition in late Tokugawa Japan (vs. theories that it was moribund and decadent) and of its empowering potential for women (vs. recent overarching charges that Buddhism is misogynistic and sexist), not that such issues are overly emphasized here per se. More to the point is the interaction of Buddhist ideals and aesthetics, of which the whole book is an invaluable showcase. I still can't decide whether it appealed more to the side of me fascinated with Buddhism or the side of me moved deeply by Japanese literature, but why quibble? The total effect transcends such limiting discriminations.

Another reviewer called the translations of these waka "pure" and John Stevens truly collaborates with the Buddhist nun poet, Rengetsu ("lotus moon") in this collection. Each poem has crystalline clarity and shines like a full moon. One that stays in my head and my heart is:

Looking out over the bay,
I see clouds of cold rain
Summoning winter,
And hear the wind in the pines
Whisper its name.

Ah!

I have been reading the poems of this woman for some time, and enjoyed this book of her poems so much. She saw so much tragedy in her life, yet saw the true nature of existance in all things. Highly recommended.

This is it the, the real thing. Start with the afterword by Zen master, Myotai Treace,it provides a special insight into the poems,the practice and the nature of reality.You might begin with "Heart" on page 97 to enter into the depths which beckon.

This novel made me remember some very dear moments of my childhood.

I wake up inside William Bell to find myself reliving the dreams and adventures of my own childhood. All the fears and joys of life come alive in the hot Texas summer that feels your toes and soul with sand. SWC

Lovesong for the Giant Contessa is a beautifully scripted novel, set in a strange and wonderous place: Texas. This thought provoking work is sure to become a classic. I have read, even studied, many author's work. Few have compared in their ability to capture their reader's imagination like Steven Tye Culbert.

Lovesong for the Giant Contessa is a lovely novel, full of melodic, tightly packed prose that reminds me of good poetry, striking characters, and a story as delightfully complex as the patterns of a seashell. In that strange Texas country, the novel rings deadly true

My 8 year old son was a reluctant reader. It was this book that finally got him "hooked." He could not wait to read the next chapter. He has since read several more of the A to Z books and loves them all. I highly recommend this book and series for Second and Third Graders!

The book Lucky Lottery is a good book because it is interesting to read about the mystery. The book is kind of hard to read, but it is fun to see what happens next. We recommend this book.

We really liked this book (Mom included). Josh, Dink and Ruth Rose worked well together to solve this mystery and catch the thief. We were all surprised about the ending. We wish we could cross-country ski all over our town! Ron Roy's stories always entertain us and we can't wait to get the next in the series - The Missing Mummy.

I wish I could win a seven million dollar lottery ticket for my very own. If you would like to win a lottery ticket, you will sure like this book, because the three best detectives in the whole wide world are in this book and they catch a real lottery ticket thief! The book is also set in winter, many kids favorite time of the year. Although my favorite A to Z Mystery book is The Absent Author, I think this one is pretty good, and I think you'll like it too.

The Maltese Dog has brought smiles and laughs to my 8-year-old. He loves the book and looks forward to reading it every day.

I really enjoyed this book. I had to do a book report on a book and chose this one. The story of Joe Talbot getting wrongly accused and the entire story of him, with the help of his dog, presuming his innocence, is very captivating. It reminds me of the story "The Maltese Falcon" but for kids. I rated it 4 stars out of 5, only because of the little side story between Wishbone and his lady dog friend. That part of the story to me had nothing to do with the plot in the book and to me was just a waste of time reading.

Joe Talbot's basketball team, the Bulldogs, is on a winning streak until somebody starts pulling pranks. Strange enough, the evidence points to Joe. Joe and Wishbone try to find out who is joking with the team.

I think this book was really exciting. It is one of my favorite Wishbone Books. Joe and Wishbone are trying to find out who is prankstering their court. You've got to read this book, because it's great!

Joseph Steven tells an interesting tale in thIs crime drama... produces a multi-layer story with a fast-paced plot. The characters are enjoyable... the investigation team is both realistic and entertaining. An engaging read.

When you pick up Joseph Steven's new book "Manhatten Serenade," make sure that your life is cleared out for the next few hours because you won't be able to put it down until you've finished. The fast-moving mystery gives you the authentic feeling of being in the middle of a New York crime scene. The character development is excellent, making you feel like you know the people in this book. There are so many surprising twists and turns that you are compelled to keep reading until you finally unravel the mystery. This is writing at its best. Hats off to Joseph Steven for his best book to date. I hope more are coming soon--I'm waiting!

Manhattan Serenade: A Novel
Things were not going very well for NYPD Lieutenant James Moran. He had been through a failed marriage when his wife decided to "redefine" herself in California. For the next four years he lived a very lonely life. He thought his career was over when his knee was shattered by an assailant's bullet. However, his life was now making a turn around when he received a new knee and an exciting job as head of the Cold Case Task Force. He also met a new love, Sandra Mazzetti, in the gym he attended as part of his physical therapy. Sandra's husband was killed in a motorcycle accident. Sandra and James got married.

Sandra was now very ill and needed a bone marrow transplant in order to have a fighting chance. There were only two choices - she had a half-brother who could possibly be a match or maybe she could be moved up the list. James was informed by the doctor that this was only done in extreme cases. This answer really annoyed James because how much more "extreme" can you get when you have been given a death sentence without the transplant?

While on the way home from the doctor's appointment, James received a call on his cell phone. He was informed that a floater had been found in the East River. The dead man was identified as Paul Myer. James could not understand what this had to do with the cold case unit. Myer was released six months ago after serving one year of a life sentence for the murder of Lacy Wooden. He had been cleared by DNA evidence. Moran was informed that Lacy Wooden's murder is a cold case with top priority. Due to the connection between Lacy and Paul Myer, Moran was ordered to investigate both cases at once.

As Moran and his team start to follow the clues, they come in contact with some of the cities most powerful individuals. They also discover secrets and connections to the dead woman.

James Moran knows this is not going to be an easy case with all the obstacles in the way plus he had the additional stress of dealing with his wife's illness.

Will James Moran and his team be successful in solving this case?

After reading the first couple of pages of this book, I knew I was in for a treat. The author has a writing style that reminds me of James Patterson because of the short chapters and a "tease" at the end of each one that makes you want to go on and continue reading no matter how late it might be. Joseph Steven does an excellent job with his character creation. They are strong and well defined. I really liked the lead character because he really lets the reader know exactly what is on his mind. You just have the feeling with him on the case, it is a "very good thing". What really impressed me is the flair this author has with descriptive writing. No matter what the author is talking about, whether you are being introduced to a new character or he is telling you about a certain place, you are given detailed descriptions. Joseph Steven makes you feel like you are right there in the room or at the scene of the crime. Joseph Steven has the talent needed be a good writer and one day I expect to see his name at the top of the bestseller lists. Manhattan Serenade never gets boring. In fact, it just keeps getting better and better with the turn of each page. If you are looking for a novel that is full of suspense, has great characters and has an intriguing plot, be sure to add "Manhattan Serenade" to your reading list. I highly recommend this novel.

THE LONDON LITERARY REVIEWS-

In this, his third novel, Joseph Steven has written a wonderful suspenseful mystery with an intriguing plot and well-defined characters that are reminiscent of Raymond Chandler's memorable novels. It is a page turner and will keep the reader riveted to the very end.

I used this book in a manufacturing engineering course at SUNY Stonybrook. Since graduating I now work as a process engineer, and I have found the book's content to be highly relevant to the field and I still use it as a reference guide to this day.

I like this book and think it should be in the hands of every manufacturing engineer. Most of the classical manufacturing subjects for example materials technology is treated, but also modern subjects like computer integrated manufacturning systems and automation. As far as I can see it is updated with the latest research and engineering practice.

This is one of 2 books that captures the essence of a manufacturing management (or industrial engineering) engineering undergraduate degree- the other being an operations management text from Ray Wild, Nigel Slack, or Laurie Mullins. To help get an idea of what being a manufacturing engineer involves, prospective students should envision a dose of intense team & individual industry-based change projects, and striving globally competitive companies to add "seasoning" to these books. The broad `technology' contents are useful for industry veterans, consultants, and undergraduate students alike, as well as being a good starting point for researchers.

Over 1000 pages of richly detailed and illustrated yet concise contents span:

* materials properties- metals, behaviour & testing, properties, alloys, production of steels, non-ferrous production, plastics, ceramics, and composites.

* metal casting processes and equipment- fundamentals, processes, and design & economics.

*forming and shaping processes and equipment- rolling, forging, extrusion and drawing, sheet-metal forming, powder metallurgy, forming & shaping plastic & composites, forming & shaping ceramics & glass.

* material removal processes and machines- cutting, tolls & fluids, round-shape processes, various-shape processes, machine tools and economics, abrasive processes & operations, and non-traditional processes.

* joining processes and equipment- oxyfuel & arc & resistance welding, solid-state welding, metallurgy, brazing/soldering & mechanical joining processes.

* surface technology- characteristics & measurement, tribology, surface treatment, fabrication of microelectronics,

* common aspects of manufacturing- metrology, testing and quality assurance, human factors and safety.

* manufacturing in a competitive environment- automation, integrated systems, competition and economics.

The strengths include the vast amount of detail, illustrations, references and exercises to embed learning; broadness yet correctness of content; and many examples of industrial application and usefulness for industry. An updated version, with further additions on latest technologies, process control, and systems analysis/simulation & change management, would address the only weakness of the text (the section on competitive environment manufacturing). Thoroughly recommended as a reference and how-to book in manufacturing (suspect latest version even better!)

[Refers to first edition 1989 ISBN 0201128497]

this book contains all the information ever needed by a mechanical production engineer. it is a usful addition to all libararies.

As an experienced C++ programmer, I wanted to try C# out of curiosity. Obviously, I didn't want to read long-winded explanations of the most basic programming constructs -- I just wanted syntax and effective ways to use it. This book fulfills this purpose well. Within a few days, I was able to start writing real, useful C# applications. And, since I'm a game developer, I was able to find Managed DirectX tutorials and I've already written the fundamentals of a C# game engine!

So, if you know how to code, this book will show you how to do it in C#. Thanks, Steven Holzner!

This a a very good book for someone who has programming experience. Fundamental concepts are in the book, but they are not belabored. The book quickly gets on with C# and what it takes to create real applications that do something more than say "Hello World".

If this is your first experience with programming, then this book is not for you. If you have done some programming and are moving to C# for the first time, then this book is a great addition to your library.

For any programmer coming over from another language, I really think this book offers the most bang for the buck (and for your time). I'm a VB6 programmer who wasted a lot of time and money on other books that either offer too much hand-holding (next to no code, everything through forms designer) and wasted time on extensive examples building software I'll never use or focused only on console C# applications with no explanation of topics like ADO.NET, winforms, etc. I need to use C# at work and like many programmers, I'm busy and have little time to waste. Yet, I also needed a comprehensive book because the real world of business programming requires the use of data-access technologies (ADO.NET), security, network technologies, etc. This book succeeds on all counts. The coverage is surprisingly comprehensive and details are well fleshed out. Even using ADO.NET in code is covered while many other books only cover using it through form controls in Visual Studio (anyone who writes database-connected applications knows that you really need a high level of control of shaping the data before you can present it). Nothing is dwelled upon for long so be warned that the book does move fast and info is densely packed into each page.

This is a very solid book. It assumes you know the basics of programming like loops, modules and the likes... If you are familiar with any regular programming language (like C, C++, Java, PERL, python, ruby, even shell scripting) then this books is probably your best bet to learn C# quickly.

There is no whole chapters made to get you to write a "for" loop here, you must have programming concepts to really benefit from this book.

As a programmer, I really enjoyed it and was able to get to work quickly on C# programs. If you are totaly new to programming, get another book to get your feet wet before jumping on this one.