Publications and Media Books

There were things I did like about this book. I like the little knitting instructions at the beginning of each chapter. I also agree with the author on the spiritual, meditative benefits of knitting. What I didn't like was the the way she talked about who she knows, what celebrities are knitting. Worst of all, how many educated, professional people are now knitting!! Do we need all these people's approval?
I am a proud blue collar, working class knitter!! I was disapointed that the author did not seem to interview any of us!! Yes, many of us have knitted for years. I am 50 and I learned to knit when I was 10, long before it was a hip, cool thing to do!!! I work at a local Super Walmart and many of us DO knit, crochet and needlework as a way to relieve stress. A church nearby has a knitting group that prays while they knit prayer shawls. All that said, I just wish she'd interviewed working class people as well as the professionals. It was more about "who" than "zen". I wish she had stuck with the spiritual and meditative aspects of knitting.

I read this book at just the right time in my life. It beautifully describes various ways in which knitting can bring spirituality into our lives. For many knitters, we already know this, consciously or subconsciously, but this is a beautiful reflection on the spiritual side of knitting that many of us have grown to love.

I read this book, picking through, to explore the spiritual side of how I was spending my time during the dark winter evenings... I enjoyed the stories; they were well written.

The book provides inspiration and sparks the creative side. The book explores the common link between knitting and meditation and how knitting can break many 'holds on daily life', such as bridging the generation gaps in family, unlocking your inner creativity in writing and other forms of expression. Also, the importance of making a handmade gift of admiration and love for someone. The connection with spirituality was a little on the light side (for me), but none the less I enjoyed reading this little book.

It's the perfect size to stash in your bag and take with you, for those moments when you can not knit!

3.5 to 4 stars

Bernadette Murphy gives true moments of insight and grace in this book, especially in her discussion of knitting in the Waldorf School curriculum. Unfortunately there seemed to be too many moments that felt like she was bragging to the reader, "I live in LA and see what FABULOUS the people I know!" Overall I liked the book, but I could have done without the detailed resumes of many of the interviewees. I didn't care what TV show or movie someone worked on. It didn't seem to have anything to do with spirituality (in fact, quite the opposite.) It really took away from the theme of the book.

This book, Zen and the Art of Knitting, was an enjoyable, quick read, but I felt a little deceived by the title. The book is mostly stories about knitting that come from interviews with knitters, but there is little in way of serious spiritual content. For those wishing to explore integrating knitting into a spiritual practice, looking elsewhere would be advisable. For those looking for a book of enjoyable stories about knitters, this one might be worth picking up.

This book focuses on the basics, leaving theory, history and more advanced topics to Steve's first book, Data Modeler's Workbench. Steve writes in a very easy to read style. Throughout the text, he provides exercises designed to get the reader thinking, with references to his Web site for insight into his own thoughts about the questions he has posed. In 12 chapters, the book progresses logically from defining what a data model represents to explaining entities, data elements and relationships, to the types of models, normalization and the physical data model. He then goes further to discuss approaches to building a model and validation techniques. All in all providing a comprehensive first look at data models for those who are not modelers and a quick reference for less experienced modelers. This quick read will be appreciated by any audience - from students to IT management to the business users of the final database design.

Upon taking on the role of Data Architect, I needed to get up to speed on data modelling, beyond the simple ERD (Entity Relationship Diagram) that is the staple of the trade. This is a small book, and even though it was clearly superficial, I actually took the time to read word for word, because I was hungry for something I didn't already know. Specifically examples of other types of models. This was the VERY basics, only useful to someone who knows nothing at all about data, databases, and data entities. If you are absolutely clueless, this might provide some basic foundation for further study, and I was unable to find anything better on Amazon. This is a topic that is not well documented, as best I've been able to tell.

If you study UML, you will get a better understanding of the mechanics (not the reasoning) in their data modelling chapters. I have yet to see a good model discussion that explains the difference between logical and physical modelling (this book's explanation was very light and zero examples), the role of the data owner, retention, security, how it's used in the applications, any of those architecture issues that should affect a model.

As the "new kid on the block" in my data architecture group, I attended my first DAMA conference in March. One of the sessions I sat in on was given by an IT manager for the Department of State in Washington. The speaker ended her talk with five things they did to make their project a success, and one of them was giving Data Modeling Made Simple to everyone in their department, even the business folks.

I made a note of this title and did not buy the book until recently, but I'm glad I did and wish I bought it sooner. I was able to read the book cover to cover during my lunch break in less than a week and picked up some great messages. Here are the techniques that make this book five stars:

1. The business card example - explaining data modeling with something so simple like a business card is a great method, and I should have bought this book back in March just for this example. A business card is chock full of data and is used to tie all of the data modeling concepts in the book together.

2. Normalization - this is a topic I used to struggle with before reading this book. Steve's simple steps in Chapter 8 are easy to follow and remember.

3. Data Model Scorecard - this is how Steve reviews a model. A template is provided that my company is using and so far the feedback is positive.

The one thing I think Steve should have included in the book is a comparison to other modeling notations. Steve uses information engineering (IE) notation and I would like to see a short side-by-side comparison with IDEFIX (which we use here).

Data Modeling Made Simple is easy to read and understand, and I think it is true that someone that does not have a technical background can also benefit from reading this book.

The word "pain" comes to mind when reading this book. I was
looking forward to find out what a "master" data modeler might have
to say and the knowledge imparted. I was disappointed within the first
couple of pages. The second huge word that comes to mind right
from the start is "confusion". Unless you are a database guru
you will find the explanations in the book utterly confusing.
To give an example: the concepts for candidate key, primary
key, alternate key, surrogate key and foreign key are all
explained within the length of 1 page! You tell me you've
mastered those concepts by reading only 1 page (page 30)?
Are you kidding me? What is the author thinking? Is this a
dictionary or a book to learn from?
Data modeling can be quite complex especially when it borrows from
data base concepts. When data modeling is made "Simple"
(as the book's cover states) then it becomes useless.
As useless as this book is.
Seriously! I'm not trying to knock it. I'm just being straight forward.
This book does not explain anything that a person can pick up
and say: "oh I understand that", "it's clear to me". Surprisingly
disappointed. Sad book. Is there something less than 1 star?
(And I actually read the reviews by the other people who gave it
5 stars before I bought it).

Mislead by other reviews. Covers only basics of ERD style modeling. Not current with any UML approaches. If you only do Oracle and have never modeled, this might be a good start. Would have returned it if I could.

basic and factual, tables of frequencies for contact, can't imagine having a shortwave radio without one... recommended

The information in each edition is updated from previous editions, however I would recommend saving them as part of a library for the vast amount of reference material covered. The radio reviews are quite helpful in choosing a new and or different type of receiver. Tom MI

This books' got it all, LW , MW , SW, FM, TV listings. What got me hooked on this book is the LW/MW radio listings. Shortwave guide is a great listeners data source. There is also better reviews on popular high end equipment. I have owned this book title since 1993. This is a great book if you
do all band DXing. The greatest addition is the FM US listings, for major cities , great for the road travellers, and
serious DXers. If you DX or chew the rag with the world, get
this book, you'll thank yourself. It may be in the library,
but you can't put it down once you pick it up. I have had this
book with me, and seriously the 2002 edition is a little worn
out, and I am really ready for the 2003 edition, and so forth!

I travel North America in a recreational vehicle, acquiring a new front yard every week, typically 250 miles from the preceding one. Each location brings a new set of domestic AM stations, many of which were not heard at the prior location. In the 1999 WRTH, most of the stations are not mentioned by frequency and/or call. None, that I'm aware of, commenced operation less than 12 months ago. All the requisite data is available free at the FCC web site, in easily converted text file format, updated daily. When WRTH has made its U.S. BCB lists current, I'll buy one.

The WRTH is the best reference book you can probably buy for a serious shortwave listener (SWL-er) or DX-er. The frequency listings and the broadcasters' information is the most complete one available in a book format. Two watch-outs:

1.- Information on local AM and TV broadcasters is incomplete and sometimes outdated. But anyway, this book's primary intention is not to give you details about your local TV or radio stations - for that purpose better buy "TV-guide".

2.- The SW frequency listings in the WRTH 2000 edition are missining information about tropical band (local) stations. The missing information is available via Internet on the WRTH site. The stations are correctly listed in the country sections, but omitted in the frequency summary.

The section about receiver reviews and propagation data are very complete and professional, much metter than Passport to Worldband Radio. The only missing part is information in which past editions of WRTH specific receivers have been reviewed or how to obtain a re-print of these reviews. I tried to contact WRTH by e-mail in numerous ocassions to get this info, without success.

In summary, WRTH is the best reference book for a serious SWL-er or DX-er, but it is more speciallized and limited in broad SW subject coverage than, for example, the Passport to Worlband Radio (also available on Amazon).

In my quest to obtain and read on the story of Atlantis, I learned that only Plato ever actually wrote about it. That being the case, I went in search of the writings that would allow me to see the original story, and not the convoluted versions handled by the Atlanian Conspiritors. That said, I have learned that it was the Timaeus and Critias which it was described.

I am glad I did get this book, I also obtained the Penguin Classics Timaeus and Critias, because I learned a lot. For example: The orininal tale of Atlantis was not about Atlantis only. It was really a tale of Athena and the war Athens had to fight against the Atlanean invaders.

Further, it increased my belief that such places did exist and that Atlantis is probably under the Atlantic ocean due to the wide spread influence Atlantis had, and the further reference to how Athens freed all the other nations, including Lybia and Egypt, from the domination of the Atlanteans.

If you want to simply read about the Athens-Atlantis war and cultures, then this is the book for you. If you want more on the Myth part of the tale, then go for the Penguin Classic, Timaeus and Critias (Warning, Timaeus and Critias removes from the historic reference of Ancient Greece as a polytheistic society and puts it into a duplex theology of a Single God, who made the other

It is really interesting to read the old good Plato. He lived so many ages before ours but the story he writes about is much older. According to Plato Atlantis has been destroyed as a result of violent earthquake that was brought by gods upon the city as a punishment for their greed and corruption. Whether the story is true or not, the message is universal and timeless... The reading was truly enjoyable. I truly recommend it. For those interested in more facts about Atlantis I suggest Atlantis Encyclopedia

I understand all things in a book must be questioned.
I found this book very interesting and enlightening.
I recommend an objective mind to review this book and enjoy it.

I enjoyed the dialogues immensely, however, one who is looking for a more in depth look into Plato's philosopies on this "Utopic Society, Atlantis", this is not the book. From a theatrical perspective it is great fun and the imagination takes over.

The first best thing to do when seriously curious about a legend like Atlantis is to become familiar with the source materials from which it sprang, in order to expose later embellishments. Enhancements added over time commonly render otherwise believable original accounts into fanciful yarns, believable only as myths. (Sorting out the embellishments from legitimate research findings is another task.) This book presents that source account; the whole and nothing but. It is much like an archaeological find; a genuine relic dug up. A bit pricey for its size; its main sellig point is convenience: Quick, easy, portable reference, without the bulk of the full dialogues; and its slim enough to fit into a notebook. The editor seems to hint of bias in the introduction; but, the text itself is plain and free of italics, paraphrasing, and other editors' devices, and is not a new translation. To me, this oldest version reads like a new one. I found no mention of lasers, energy vortices, or power crystals. I did find an eerily familiar description of a civilization whose construction and archetectural achievements and innovations were no more astounding, and certainly no less, than those of the Egyptians, Chinese, Romans, Maya, or Inca, most of which remain equally mystifying. I was far more intrigued by the plausibility of this story than by the modern myth it has become. Atlantis must remain a myth until someone finds it. On the other hand; the city Ilios of Troy was also another myth invented by another ancient author for another work of fiction, until it was discovered in 1871 by Heinrich Schliemann, using Homer's Iliad as his guide. If Atlantis can be found, the lead clues are in this work.

Acrylic Painting Techniques
This book is an excellent source of ideas and inspiration for artists looking to expand their understanding of acrylics and mixed media. It is thoughtfully and thoroughly written by someone with great reverence for the nature from which he takes his inspiration.

This book is a must for all acrylic painters who want to explore different techniques. It contains many different ideas that can be used with acrylic paints together with other mediums. I highly recommend it.

This is a great book by Stephen Quiller who is a master artist in acrylic. His books explains all about how he accomplishes that with ease. For me, the impressionistic paintings are a beauty to behold and I've admired Quiller's work for years and now I know how he does it.

I found this book to be very helpful in experimenting with new ideas for my paintings. However, it is not for the beginning artist. This book shows various techniques but it won't show you how to paint a picture step by step

I should have read the reviews more carefully. The author does mostly introduce its own style. Yes, the colorwheel is useful. But most of the techniques are kind of special and in my opinion it is a matter of taste if you like to use them. As much as you might like the authors paintings - or not. What I found very nice about the book is the introduction and the thorough coverage of the media and all its 'helpers'.

Anyhow, if you are looking for an introduction to acrylic painting with some step-by-step examples and useful hints, this is most likely not the right book for you.

The audio book is a great addition to my listening collection. It provided multiple techniques to use in the agile environment. It also contained excellent supporting material. I definitely recommend this selection.

I thought this was a good presentation and follow up questions on agile requirements gathering especially for a systems engineer who just wants to get a flavor of agile development or if they are thinking of running an agile project.

Interesting format. I thought I was getting a book. Maybe it would help if I read a bit farther. This is an audio CD. The presentation is interesting enough, although there are some distractions (you can here the orator writing on the overhead and some of the questions are very faint in the background).

There is better material out there but this is a nice supplement to have.

That's pretty much it. It wasn't a very long lecture. Hard to hear some of the questions being asked. Ok overall.

Reviewed by Regan Windsor for Reader Views (08/06)

In this faced paced "Internet world" access to information, along with most everything else, is required to occur at the speed of light in order to keep pace with change. Therefore, it is only natural that organizations are finding great success in the move toward Agile methods in providing faster, more effective software/systems development schedules. "Agile Requirements & User Stories", part of the Project Management Audio Series, is a live recording of a presentation by Louis Molnar focusing on the analysis section of the Extreme Programming (XP) development cycle.

XP's driving methodology is the focus on individuals and interactions as opposed to documentation. By breaking down the traditional waterfall development cycle and utilizing incremental coding and testing with continuous user involvement, 60-90-120 day product releases become a reality. The key, however, is to maximize benefit from the right kind of analysis. Through the use of Extreme Analysis (XA) the project manager and/or Business Analyst can quickly identify consistently defined User Stories, determine which User Stories are required with each release, and provide input into the acceptance test. Through an overview of the XP Development Cycle, as well as Guidelines and Best Practices, Louis Molnar is successful in convincing the listener of the vast improvement a small amount of planning analysis (2-4% of total project time) can make on the success of the project.

While this is a recording of a live presentation with references made to the slides being discussed, a web link provides a copy of the slide presentation, glossary of terms outlining the 12 Xtreme Programming Best Practices, the document "Principles Behind the Agile Manifesto", and the article "Xtreme Programming requires Xtreme Analysis".

"Agile Requirements and User Stories" provides the listener with a strong appreciation of Extreme Programming, highlighting the effectiveness of Extreme Analysis (XA) through the utilization of effective User Stories. Whether you are a Project Manager or Business Analyst already familiar with Agile methods, are currently new to the field of Agile programming, or are interested in new developments within the field of Project Management this CD is definitely worth the listen. Also a great tool for reference libraries!

i don't know why the other reviewers were so (ahem) HISSY over this truy remarkable book...like all the Mann books.

anyways, 5 stars. highly recommended.

esp check out his DARK GOD...very open masculinity isn't afraid of itself...or the GODDESS...you really can't have one w/o the Other...

This book by Nicholas Mann is simply brilliant. It really states things the way they are. Patriarchy as a system doesn't work for women or for men. In this book, the author has the courage to say it out loud. There is also some very useful information on various Gods and Goddesses throughout history that helps to shed some light on our heritage. I highly recommend this book!

If you are interested in masculine spirituality at all you will never, ever, ever buy the book "His Story" by Nicholas R. Mann.... it was absolutely the worst book I have ever read on anything dealing with masculinity.

The first major problem with the book was the fact that the author was full of himself. There are a couple of passages in the prologue that points this out. Secondly it was unprofessional, and heavily opinionated, and wrongly so. It was almost reading a radical feminist's perspective on male mysteries and sexuality. Which would be kind of like a guy talking about what giving birth is like.

None of his opinions are scientifically backed up, nor does he refer to any sources to show its validity either. And I loved the fact that he talked about great sources of information, but didn't really idolize them, or incorporate them into the book. All in all, it is a bad book. Do not buy it. Save it and buy HB Harris' book Emasculation of the Unicorn.

This book puts into words what many men have felt for many years: Just about everything that men use to judge their worth is based on an artificial, unnatural ideal that puts one gender, one class, one society, one religion as the supreme power and all others are inferior or dangerous. It also helps answer the question, "Just how can a man BE a man in a world that is increasingly hostile towards masculinity?" Nicholas R. Mann exposes how men have, for millennia, been forced to believe that the only way men can BE men is to dominate others. He further shows how hierarchical structures, in religion, in politics, in business, and even in families, were designed to keep men believing they had to be in control in order to be favored by the ultimate authority, The Deity. The concept that few must have power over many is the root of the problem modern men face. This book provides new criteria that feel satisfying and natural.

I liked this book very much for the mere fact that Mann does not put on airs in this book, but is instead looking at modern ailments within the masculine psyche from a perennial earth-centered perspective. Unlike DRUID MAGIC, which I feel is partially a valiant attempt to explore Druidism but also one that has some glaring inaccurate representations, I thought HIS STORY was just the kind of writing we need to see getting turned out in the modern milieu--namely, the kind of writing that truly addresses the imbalances, wounds, habitual patterns, and fallacies of paradigms that have taken root in our contemporary society as a result of leaving an earth-centered spiritual cosmology behind. Mann approaches a number of positive male archetypes, as well as ways of revisioning a modern masculinity that is rooted in gentleness, strength, a sense of honoring the feminine within and without, and an overall spirit of alignment of the male soul with the soul of earth. I applaud this investigation, its general thesis, and its conclusions. Where Pagan, neo-Pagan, Druid, and neo-Druid writings interface with a deep-seated look at the psychology that shapes our world we have potential tools for addressing authentic change and this is one book that aspires to this.

I need to know more about your wristmobile from Do Co Mo Japanese company please answer me because Im planning to buy it ....
Thank you .

By far is the book that goes better into the critical factors at the base of the Japanese mobile services revolution and is a must-read for everyone interested in the mobile contents and services market.

Jeffrey Lee Funk deconstructs and explain all the elements at the base of Mobile Services Japanese market:

- operator strategy
- content providers
- new business models
- user behaviours
- services billing models
- mobile payment systems
- mobile portals
- technology factors
- social factors
- multi channel strategy
- evolution of the services

By reading this book you understand that the majority of the Telco providers are adopting Ntt DoCoMo's business model.

Jeffrey has based his book on case studies based on the analysis of interviews with Japanese firms of different sectors:

- service providers
- manufacturers
- Content providers
- Technology providers

This book was not exactly what I expected, and perhaps I was disappointed in that regard--It did not have any technical description of i-mode or the Japanese mobile web. It was a bit thin and weak in the sense of giving a reader a clear picture of i-mode.
It's 'I know Japan so well that I don't need to write very well' attitude rather grated on me, and after a couple hundred pages actually had the effect of making stop read the book.

My motive for reading this book was to check my understanding of the issues and factors involved with mobile communications for PDAs and digital phones. As a recent member of a product development project for extending SAP R/3 and PeopleSoft to mobile phones and PalmOS PDAs I thought I had a grasp of the technology and associated issues. How wrong I was. This book provided me with a basic framework that would have proven invaluable during my project, and some key insights about mobile internet devices as opposed to landline-based devices.

The framework uses primary and secondary feedback loops between and among services to be offered, user populations, content, device type, business models and portals and search engines. This framework allows an analyst (or marketing specialist) to classify the elements based on ranges (simple to complex, single-to-multifunctional, etc.) and to examine cause and effect, and significance.

There are many levels to this book and more than one audience. My comments are from the viewpoint of an IT consultant whose goals are to understand mobile internet requirements, how content can be effectively displayed on small screens and the future of mobile computing with phones and PDAs. This book will also prove invaluable to marketing specialists, business strategists and infrastructure capacity management folks; however, none of these areas are covered in this review. Within this context I gleaned the following knowledge and insights from this book: (1) attempting to based mobile services on scaled down landline internet services is a mistake because the devices for each are vastly different, (2) a common mistake is to start with complex services and systems - the wild success of Japan is based on starting simple, and the abysmal failure of the US and Europe is based on providers attempting the opposite. Both of these basic principles are directly tied to the trade-offs between reach (services available to a mobile device have greater reach than a landline device) and richness (limitations of a mobile display restricts the 'glitz' that can be presented on that display). The foregoing should be carefully studied by anyone who is concerned with usability, and is also must reading for content developers and architects. In addition, the research performed by the author provides some insights about what people likely to embrace mobile internet access seek. There are some surprises here because two of the most popular consumers of bandwidth are downloading screen savers and ring tones. Another surprise is the usage patterns, which are typically restricted to 10-minute spurts, and the difference between mobile and fixed internet peak use patterns. All of the facts presented are backed with statistics and cited references. The author's research methods will prove interesting to requirements analysts and marketing analysts.

The book ends with an objective view of what Japan is doing right and what the rest of the world is doing wrong with respect to mobile internet usage, which is balanced by weaknesses and threats to Japan's early success and opportunities available to the US and Europe for cashing in on the mobile internet. Even if you have no specific learning objectives this book makes for an interesting read and would make an excellent text for a college course in marketing.

On one level this book is an examination of how mobile internet services were successfully developed and deployed in Japan. At this level the author goes into how the right mix of attractive services were developed, customers identified and then successfully marketed. The author provides ample supporting data and insightful analysis. He also demonstrates a thorough understanding of the key players who brought the success about, and their tactics. In this respect this book is a blueprint for American, European and Middle Eastern providers. After carefully reading the book for this level of knowledge I was surprised at how small the role of culture; instead the demographics and data indicate that success depends on understanding a generation (age group) that shares common characteristics regardless of nationality or cultural bias.

There is a second level to this book and one that I hope readers don't miss: the concept of primary and secondary feedback loops in an ecology-based model that technologies, demographics, content/information, business models and delivery. This model would serve any industry segment, and it is one of the most elegant approaches to market analysis and strategy to which I've been exposed.

If you're in the telecom provider industry this book is, without a doubt, a treasure for anyone involved in marketing and strategic planning. Not only does it describe in detail what NTT DoCoMo did right, leading to its success as a powerhouse mobile internet service provider, but it also highlights mistakes made along the way and some of the challenges that they are now facing (and some that they will have to face). The value of this is you learn from the experience of others.

If you're in another industry there is still much this book has to offer: effective techniques, a case study in innovative marketing, and a reminder that identifying target customers and understanding their usage and buying habits are keys to success.

The copious data, cited sources and each chapter's summary make this a complete and thorough work. If you're looking for technology-related information this is not the book. If you're looking for innovation in marketing this book is essential.

On a personal note to Mr. Carroll, and in response to Mike Swickey's negative review above, this is a good book that new writers would find helpful in spite of the fact that there are glaring copy editing mistakes throughout. Since it contains no advice on working with an editor, my guess is Mr. Carroll perhaps doesn't believe in them, and assumes the self-publisher is up to the task of editing his own work. My advice: "Good editors make good books better". Find one.

Not to be too rough, but this book is horribly written. One of numerous examples: "If you need something to do, while making the Stop/Go decision, and on the premise that you may proceed, we're going out for preliminary printing bids on a book you have yet to begin or complete." Or, try to decipher this one - "With "Adequate is Enough" our manta (instead of mantra), the obligation is to make a reader capable while recognizing there's no way you can make him or her proficient." I hate to be so tough, but this is a book about publishing and writing advice! I am sure the author is a very nice man, but there is a reason this book was self-published - the writing is nothing short of terrible. A waste of money.

I believe this book would be very helpful for someone who is just beginning to consider printing a book. It is simple and very detailed, and points out the time and effort it takes to get something written and printed. There is lots of practical advice.

In my opinion, for those of us who have already ventured into the field, the book is a little simplistic. I hoped to get some helpful hints, but am finding mostly what I already know. So if you are new or just thinking about self-publishing, check it out!

All reviews, critical and supportive, are this author's most significant reward for effort expended. An unsatisfactory spell-check, noted by a serious reader, does not in any way diminish overall values of SELF PUBLSIHING MADE EASY. This fine book is a focused approach to making the thoughtful reader capable of entering into the complicated business of book publishing. As my distillation of more than 50 years in the field, it is a very carefully designed handbook for emerging publishers. It supports this objective with clarity and is fairly described as "...an excelent roadmap...for getting your book in print..." Adequate references are provided for those publishers prepared to initiate exploration of additional resources within the same specialty. My hands have been involved in the publication of more than 100 books with about 35 of my company's books continuing in print. Book publishing has been a rewarding vocation that I continue with great satisfaction. As the author of SELF PUBLISHING MADE EASY my appreciation is extended to each person who has given of his or her time to review this book. I wish all of them, and you my reader, the greatest possible success in every publishing venture. [William Carroll]

From accountants to Zamboni operators, "regular" people everywhere seem to be writing books these days. Few realize their chances of getting published through one of the major houses are nil to none, even if they are the new Hemingway or Steinbeck. As a freelance editor, it has been my harsh duty to break this news to every new writer I meet. I can now soften that blow by recommending they buy and read this book. On page 12, there is an anecdote about a woman who received only eighty-five cents of the $19.95 cover price of her book going through trade channels. After self-publishing, in two years she sold $800,000 worth on her own and pocketed half! Even if a new writer isn't "in it for the money", Carroll offers ways to attract readers and the "References" section lists some of the best sources available. Whether you have a completed manuscript or merely dream of writing a book some day, William Carroll provides an excellent road map, not only for getting your book into print, but for optimizing the likelihood of making money during the process as well.

I could not finish reading the book, because I could not take the authors seriously. The many misspellings and mechanical errors were far to distracting. This text is a worthy example of how NOT to write a book.

As the media becomes one of the most dominant means by which we frame our social reality, it becomes crucial for each of us to understand how media can become a mean to someone's own end. An excellent treatment of hegemony and dominant/ prefered readings. This should be a required text in all communication/ social science programs. But it ain't bad readin' for anyone else who consumes media either, namely you!

An excellent reader explaining the media's role in perpetrating common stereotypes of historically marginalized people. Includes analysis of advertising, sexual representation, TV and music. An excellent textbook for cultural studies.

broad and complete view point on the issues that face college critics in media fields. Most comprehensive text I have been required to buy with my major. Would highly recommend to other prof.s

First, let me say that the premise of each article was great for a 400- or 500-level college course and prompted many heated discussions.

But, along the lines of the other reviewer... how are we to take it seriously when we come across dozens of grammatical errors, missing words (the most prevalent error) and punctuation disasters? It read as though the articles were submitted, read by a third-grader and then stuffed hurriedly into the book for publication. A quick read by the "editors" would have found the vast majority of errors.

This is not something isolated, for 3 out of the 4 textbooks I have been assigned this summer session have dozens (yes, "dozens") of grammatical, typographical and punctuation disasters -- books well into their 2nd, 4th and 7th editions. No wonder kids graduating college habitually spell "too" as "to."

Fix the errors before you print the third edition!