Wang Books

Holding On is a delightful book. These people are so much more of what America is all about than all of "the Donalds", the Bill Gates' and the Britney Spears' in the headlines. David Isay and Harvey Wang treat these characters (and some really are characters!) with a tenderness that is deserved. I would bet that every reader either knows someone like someone in the book or knows someone who should be in the book! It is an easy read and it will leave you wanting more.

"Holding On" is an alternately delightful and thought-provoking homage to the spirit and people that make our nation so unique. This is a rare book that will please any reader until the last page...because you will be left eager to meet more of these proud real-life characters.

It collects state-of-the-art computational algorithms that are amenable to multidisciplinary applications.

A website containing its chapter examples in Java applet can be found at,

http://socioecono.phys.sinica.edu.tw/icomputing/

Look at the lively demonstrations there to convince yourself.

The book covers a great number of algorithms some of which, such as the Metropolis algorithm, are embedded within a chapter. Applicability of the algorithms are amazingly broad as evidenced from the topics of the written examples in each chapter. Encyclopedic, this book is a must-have for any serious computational researcher.

The first 3 chapters of the book introduce Java language. Topics include Java basics, graphics, threads and distributed computing via RMI. The level is intermediate to advanced. Each chapter contains a working example: chapter 1 lists a matrix class; chapter 2 a Java GUI; and chapter 3 an RMI implementation.

The 2nd part of the book is focused on various computational algorithms. Chapter 4 is on Simulated Annealing which is powerful for optimization. The example application is minimizing the free energy of a 3-dimensional Ising lattice.

Chapter 5 is on artificial neural network which is useful for classification. The text includes some tips on stock index prediction using neural network. The example application of this chapter is a Kohonen self-organizing feature map for clustering.

Chapter 6 is on Genetic Algorithm that is inspired from Darwinian evolution. The example application is the canonical "Traveling Salesman problem" in optimization.

Chapter 7 is the cellular automata that have been used to simulate natural as well as social phenomena. The example application of this chapter is a 2-dimensional fluid flow through obstructions.

Chapter 8 is Monte Carlo method that is used in all kinds of simulations The example application is modeling the drift-diffusion behavior of a stock price.

Chapter 9 is Molecular Dynamics which is widely used in chemistry and molecular biology for simulations such as protein folding. The example code of this chapter is evaporation of a 3-dimensional gas.

Chapter 10 is Feynman's path integral. This chapter is a bit technical, requiring background in quantum mechanics. The example application is the pricing of financial options.

Chapter 11 is chi-square fits which is a chore in any data-analysis. The author rewrites a legacy Fortran chi-square fitting routine into a Java class.

Chapter 12 is Bayesian analysis which has recently gained popularity because of advances in computing power. The application code of this chapter is Pixon algorithm in imagine restoration.

Chapter 13 is about Graph which is related to Bayesian method. The example class of this chapter is Kalman algorithm that has been used in real-time projectile (such as missile) tracking.

Appendix is about web-computing, achieved by converting standalone applications in previous chapters into Java applets.

A first class book worth reading over and over again because it is filled with information and is very, very informative concerning relationships. This is one of the best books I have ever read about the subject and I have read many.

I've never written a review for a book before, so not sure quite how it goes. I wanted to say that this is an excellent book - it was used as a "text" book for my college class "Psychology of Love" and it was one of the best books I ever read. Although it does have a "text-book" style, it is easy reading and the information is interesting and informative. Erber and Erber discuss several different theories associated with love, and begin the book with what attracts one another, all the way to dissolution of love. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge and thoughts on love. In addition I'd recommend reading it in conjunction with Robert Sternberg's Love is a Story book, isbn 0195131029.

This book has a website with a rich
collection of supplemental materials:
sofpower.com/java

Java books nowadays tend to be mammoths. You nearly break your arm lifting them off the shelf. But Paul Wang's rather slender book still packs a wallop and delivers excellent content in tons of very readable examples. You'll learn about neat, arcane topics like using Java to write CGI server programs and all sorts of things about network sockets. There are very few errors and the typefonts are especially large and readable. The only detraction, which isn't Dr. Wang's fault, is that the cover is too thin and flexible. This wonderful book deserves a hardcover!

For me, this one would be a red hot candidate!
Very well written in clear, concise language, not too hard to understand (I think) for anybody, with exquisite drawings and photographs of many of the fossilised early life forms, including vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. With a particular interest in ornithology, the reason I settled on this book is that it features the feathered dinosaur fossils.

If you are just a tiny bit interested in fossils and early life, this book is pretty well guaranteed to fire up that interest. The more you read of this book, the more you are dragged into this revelation of life past.
The authors are mostly Chinese (and one Swedish) scientists, and their enthusiasm and delight in sharing their findings and knowledge permeate every chapter.
And at $56, - money very well spent! (Might even get your mind off the present (Oct '08) stock market disasters).

The dust jacket of this book states: "This is a first class scientific and pictorial compendium of the most important fossil locality to be found in generations - supassing the Mongolian Flaming Cliffs and rivaling Messel and Solnhofen." This is not excessive hyperbole for the thousands of fossils in excellent preservation have revealed this area to be probably the most notable and famous discovery since Archaeopteryx in 1861. The discoveries include not only birds just a little more derived than Archaeopteryx and the very earliest birds with beaks, but also a variety of dinosaurs with an array of feathers not used for flight but probably for display and thermal regulation. This is the first finding of true feathers in animals other than birds. In addition there are fossils of several early flowering plants that show some advanced characters of specialization seen in later evolved families. This book covers these varied findings giving some historical background, brief description and characterization and an indication of its importance in relation to other discoveries in the same taxonomic group. The value of the book is further enhanced by lavish color illustrations, drawings, diagrams and paintings.
"Jehol" is an old Wade-Giles romanization of what now in Pinyon romanization would be "Rehe". However since the American geologist A.W. Grabau published the name Jehol Fauna in 1926 the name Jehol remains as the area name. The book is about the spectacular discoveries made from 1996 onward in one small part of the "Jehol" region. The whole area is almost the size of continental Europe and covers northeastern China (Manchuria), parts of Mongolia, Korea, Russia and the Sea of Japan. Most of the recent discoveries are concentrated in western Liaoning, Hebei, Jilin in China and some adjacent areas. The time of formation is somewhere in Early Cretaceous, the area was near the Tethys Ocean and had a warm, wet equable climate. The dating of the Jehol biota has been debated for many years (an still is) but most workers accept Early Cretaceous - about 139 Mya for some beds and 125 Mya for many others. The beds are gray lacustrine layers intercalated with volcanic tuffa. A picture emerges of large lakes teeming with fish and other animals surrounded by lush forests filled with birds, animals and feathered dinosaurs of all sizes and hordes of insects and other invertebrates. This lasts until all is covered in volcanic ash and the whole thing starts all over again.
The several chapters take each biologic group separately so that among the animals are chapters on Gastropods, Bivalves, Conchostrachians, Ostracods, Shrimps, Insects and Spiders, Fishes, Amphibians, Turtles, Squamates, Pterosaurs, Dinosaurs, Birds, Mammals etc. and plant groups Charophytes, Land Plants, Angiosperms, Spores and Pollen. The findings of greatest general interest is in the many types of dinosaurs adorned with feathers. The first of these was Sinosauropteryx in 1996. It had many tufts of thin hair-like structures all over it's body. Some said they were primitive feathers and others disagreed. About a thousand specimens have been discovered. The following year two dinosaurs with indisputable feathers were found: Protoarchaeopteryx and Caudipteryx. Both were unable to fly. This finding was followed by many other feathered species including the smallest known dinosaur, Microrapter(about 16 inches in length). A secong species, Microrapter gui, discovered in 2003 had long feathers on it's arms and also on it's legs so that it had "four wings" but was probably a glider and a tree dweller.
By now about a dozen "feathered" dinosaurs have been found; some with several individual specimens and some with hundreds. Among the fossil birds, Confuciusornis, is notable as it appears to be the oldest beaked bird known to date. It is built to fly and the male had a bird-like tail with long feathers for display. A contemporary was Jeholornis with teeth, long wings and a long, feathered, reptilian bony tail and was little advanced from Archaeopteryx. Among the mammals are several Trichodonts, a few Multituberculates, Symmetrodonts and one Eutherian, Eomia; the earliest placental animal so far known. It is also the first such with specialized limbs for a scansorial habit.
The plant life was abundant and is well representedin in the fossil lake bottoms. Bryophtes, Lycopods, Shenopsids, Filicopsids, Ginkos, Czekanowskialeans (early seed plants), Conifers, Bennettites, Gnetales, and Angiosperms. Some of the latter were specialized aquatics such as Archefructus, and the advanced Sinocarpus with features of eudicots.
This is a grand book, grandly written and illustrated; a true gem that will be read and reread often.

'Jumping Out of Bed' is a collection of poems by Robert Bly. It also is an unusually attractive collaboration of verbal and visual images. Wang Hui-Ming's splendid woodcuts illustrate the poems with his own bestiary of avian and marine life.

The joys of solitude, the discovery of correspondences among all forms of life and matter, the delights of being -- rather than striving -- are themes which run through the book.

Bly has also included several exquisite translations from the Chinese. Each translation is appropriately accompanied by the original text, in calligraphy by Wang Hui-Ming.

Robert Bly won the National Book Award for poetry in 1968. He is the publisher of the poetry magazine, 'The Seventies,' and author of a number of critically-acclaimed books. He has tranlated many poets, among them Tomas Transtromer and Pablo Neruda.

Wang Hui-Ming is a painter and a wood cutter. He selected and engraved on wood the poems in 'The Land on the Tip of a Hair' and translated from Chinese the poetry collection 'The Boat Untied and other Poems.'

Barre Publishers, 1973.

"Jumping Out Of Bed" is some of the most comfortable, yet biting poetry I have ever read. It is a collection of simple but no less meaningful poems inspired by Bly's interest in Toaism. If you have tried to read some of the popular Toaist texts, such as the writings of Loa-Tzu, and felt as if it went over your head, this is the book for you.

But These poems are not restricted to an exploration of Toaism, they also redefine solitude. Bly transforms solitude into a glorious, desirable experience, rather than the miserable affliction that the word has come to represent today in the minds of most people. The truth is that solitude is an essential food for poets, and "Jumping Out of Bed" could not have been written unless Bly had tasted solitude.

The subtlty and depth with which he explores the simple (often overlooked) pleasures of being is well appreciated. Also, the "woodcuts" by Wang Hui-Ming not only make the book beautiful, they offer a freshness not found in most books of poetry. Too often, a book of poems is just a boring display of black words on white page after white page. Wang Hui-Ming takes this book to a different level. If you enjoy Bly's poetry and do not have this book, get it. If you want a book of poetry free of confessional or self-congratulatory muck and full of importance, this is for you.

By the way, if you ever have the opportunity of seeing Robert Bly read in person, DO IT! He's fantastic.

A beautiful book full of nature poems by the chinese poet Wang Wei, this book contains over 170 wonderful poems, including the complete Wang River sequence. One of the best translations of Wang Wei's poems. If you want a more detailed history of this poets life, get the book 'Wang Wei' by Marsha L Wagner. I highly recommend both books.

The publisher hit all the key points, so I'll just say a quick few words. Wang Wei is one of my favorite poets, he paints like DaVinci and moves you like Mozart. Reading his work takes you to a whole new world.

A great escape, and a great way to spend an afternoon. Get this book! You will be pleased, guranteed!

the characters are all very fractured and dysfunctional, but L. Wilson writes in such a way that the audience can identify with them, even if it's just a tiny bit. this is an awesome play!

This is the most amazing play I have ever had the opportunity to read and work with. It follows the character of Alan over about a 6 month period in his life where more happens to him than happens to most people in a lifetime. He learns that his relationship with his father will never be what he wants and these experiences help to shape his future, which is where he is telling the story from. This is basically an autobiography and has some of the most amazing visual images. It is comedy and tragedy all rolled into an amazing piece.

I have always thought herbs more effective than acupuncture before my exposure to Ling Shu Acupuncture and Dr. Wang's seminars. Before applying this ancient wisdom, my clinical results for Acupuncture treatments were more or less unpredictable. I became doubtful of Acupunture and much less enthusiastic about it. And then I heard about Dr. Wang and came to see for myself how logical and sensible this medicine really is. After getting to know Ling Shu Acupuncture I am not only more confident and effective in my treatments but also a better healer. I am delighted that my needling techniques are now based on the primary source for Traditional Chinese Medicine; Ling Shu (Huangdi Neijing). It is nice to see that what is true is also time proven. This book, Ling Shu Acupuncture explains the importance of the original principles from the Yellow Emperor's Inner Cannon and how to apply them in practice.

Since graduating from Bastyr University, I would have to say I have been most confused as to which style of Acupuncture is most effective. In school every professor had different methods of diagnosis, point selection, and techniques. In clinic I have learned a variety of techniques ranging from auricular acupuncture, ion pumping cords, Richard Tan's balance method, extraordinary points, etc. The problem is that we learn so many techniques without any indication of which technique shall be applied resulting in the most effective treatments. In fact, many of my colleagues do not practice TCM acupuncture in their clinics but have resorted to the techniques of Master Tong or Richard Tan especially in the treatment of pain syndromes. Even Dr. Tan instructs us to stop practicing every other form of Acupuncture, the balance method is all you need. To complicate things even more, there is Korean Acupuncture, Japanese Acupuncture, 5 Element Acupuncture and even within Richard Tan's Balance Method there are the 5 systems of balance, global balance, seasonal balance. More systems are being created because something is not working. If this is the case, then it means that there is something wrong with the theory of Acupuncture. If people do not practice TCM acupuncture in a clinical setting but have resorted to other methods then what does that say about the theory of acupuncture we have painstakingly learned during school. If Acupuncture is a real medicine based on a real theory then what are the principles that can guide us into giving effective treatments?

In Ling Shu Acupuncture Dr. Zhao Wang and Dr. Jun Wang answers this question and many more. They have translated related chapters from both Suwen and Ling Shu in order to have a solid understanding of particular topics in Acupuncture Theory. For example, how many acupuncturists know what it means to balance yin and yang in acupuncture? How many understand how to diagnose the patient based upon pulse alone? How many know the ideal frequency of treatments to obtain maximum medical benefit, duration of needle retention, and needle depth? How many understand the difference in pain due to meridian and zang-fu dysfunctions vs. muscle meridian dysfunction? These issues have not been made clear to me until I read Ling Shu Acupuncture. Ling Shu Acupuncture provides a solid foundation for both students and experienced practitioners.

This book provides both the classical Chinese from the original Nei Jing with the translation and commentary in English, so those who read Chinese can see how the author has translated the original text. After reading the first section, I could not believe what I was reading. Ling Shu Acupuncture had made acupuncture sound so simple I was skeptical. I was curious if this is what the original Nei Jing was really trying to communicate or if it was an interpretation error. As a result, I have bought other versions of the Nei Jing and have found that the referenced chapters were communicating the same thing! I then realized that I could not ignore what the Ling Shu was communicating and I don't know how anyone else could if we truly believe Ling Shu forms the basis of Acupuncture practice. If you want to really understand Acupuncture and bring your practice to the highest level this book is for you. I believe it marks the beginning of restoring Acupuncture to its former glory!

I got to flip through this book thanks to my art teacher, who brought it to my seminar on traditional Chinese art, and had it passed around among the students. When my turn came, I simply sat spellbound for about 20 minutes, forgotten about the class, forgotten about everything excelt the amazing paintings that unveiled themselves before me. Unquestionably, Bada Shanren is one of the greatest artists that ever lived; moreover, his paintings simply do not age - I've asked many people, and most of them, even those who were familiar with Asian art, put Bada's paintings in the 20th century, in this way he's even superior to the great masters of the Renaissance.

This book is an excellent catalogue of Bada Shanren's works, one that does the godlike skill of the artist justice. The reproduction quality is uniformly excellent, and the accompanying text is a very informed and interesting analysis of the works.

If you're going to buy one art book, this should be it... if you can find or afford it, that is!

Exhibit catalog with brilliant and interesting text about an enigmatic artist, of noble lineage with a style which appears contempoary but of it's time. A wonderful experience.