Research Books

This CD is a complete compotation of all of Ayn Rand's published works, her writing courses, as well as excerpts from her private journals and letters. In addition, it includes Dr. Leonard Peikoff's groundbreaking "Objectivism, The Philosophy of Ayn Rand."

The interface is solid, although I would prefer a more Google-like approach to advanced searches, which this interface lacks. In addition, cut and paste functions are limited. In contrast the print function allows one to print whole chapters, or "topics" as they are called. My understanding that limited cut and paste was a condition in the publication of this CD, hardly a concession compared to the value of being able to search though all of Ayn Rand's works in one easy package.

Clearly, this CD is solid value for those interested in studying Ayn Rand's philosophy.

Excellent product, research involving the works of Ayn Rand are simplified with the cross source search capabilities, one can search a single book or all the works at once. This CD is a valuable addition to any library which contains Rands works.

The work of Rand is brilliant, as we all know.
Most of the work is out there already. Often freely. Legally or not.
But the makers of the CDrom have taken the protection of the authors work as the most important feature it seems. One needs printing to PDF queues and exporting it to Word, to snap meaningful amounts of information out of it. It feels like smuggling... The entire interface reeks of 1994. In fact, one is tempted to export everything to OpenOffice, and work from here.

Nevertheless, the work itself is masterful, and now digitially available.

Anyone trying to learn from Ayn Rand's books will find that after one has read six or more, it may be difficult to remember where you read what. Of course that is somewhat due to Ayn Rand's philosophy being consistent across her works. This tool allows you to find memorable passages quickly. This is particularly helpful when one finds a similar passage when reading one book and wants to compare it to what was said in another.

I have found this very useful for locating quotes and references. The interface is a little clunky for reading, but this was not the intention of the product, so that's okay. The magnification feature is useful. I wish it were possible to cut and paste more than a couple of lines at a time when using quotes in my research, but I can understand why they would be worried about large scale copying. Definitely worth the money.

This is one of the excellent industrial engineering books. From deterministic and simple linear programming to stochastic systems such as queueing models or dynamic programming, you may read and "learn" lots of things about OR. However, for stochastic cases you will need extra help for its matematics. But if you want to learn something about industrial engineering or something related with it, that is the book you must buy.

A wonderful compendium of Ops algorythms. It has everything from linear programming to queing theory.

I think this book is the best up to date reference on Operations Research. The book is very well written, very didactic and addresses mainly the practical use of OR. That is, the book isnt so good for algorithm details but it is superb on modeling, interpretation and examples.

I am in my first semester of an MBA program. The required text for my OR/MS class (An Introduction to Management Science, 10th ed., by Anderson, Sweeney, Williams) left something to be desired. I work with the SAS programming language, and happened to be discussing the SAS/OR product with a SAS technical support rep. He recommended this Winston text. I think it explains concepts much better than my Anderson text and has helped me a lot in my OR/MS class.

I have used this book for five years in my Operation Research classes. Its emphasis is in the mathematical modeling. The explanations are complete and clean. But, the exercises are the best part: a lot of examples and modeling exercises. A very good book for engineering students.

A disabled person suffers from an information asymmetry when dealing with the insurance company the doctor and Social Security when on claim. The people they deal with know all about disability and they know nothing. This book teaches much of what you need to know. Tells you what files to keep, what clauses mean and how to minimize problems when dealing with your disability.

I reluctantly purchased this book at the suggestion of a disability claims examiner on a web forum. The last thing in the world I wanted to do after becoming disabled was to read a book about it. However I am very glad that I did just that. The book is written by a woman who herself became disabled and discovered the hard way - as most do - just how much of your privacy and rights you give up when you are disabled and submit a related insurance claim. No one is there to stand up for you when you need it the most. Quite the contrary; almost every organization that is involved in your disability claim seems to have rejecting your claim at the top of their list. This book explains in great detail just what steps you need to take, along with the documentation you must gather, and how to best protect your own interests if and when you become disabled. This book jump-started me out of what was most likely a depression-induced inertia and got me working to protect my own best interests. Because no one else will, believe me!

"This is much more than a how-to or do-it-yourself book. It is a plain English road map through the thicket of the entire disability process. It is so well written, accurate, and thorough, attorneys and judges will use it as an important desk reference. All organizations, agencies, and individuals involved in the disability benefits decision process, take note: This book now levels the playing field for the newly disabled." - Thomas P. Dovidio, Esquire

This is an excellent resource for my patients that have become disabled from a medical condition. It is a useful tool as 'Persistence is Power' prepares patients to organize medical visits, workplace modifcations, restrictions, and daily life with actual worksheets and guideposts (websites and other resources), so that they can learn how to manage their new role in life.
I find that most patients who have not had a previous work-related injury do not know what to expect or know who to contact when they have different medical, finacncial, or work-related issues. This book allows a peek into those expectations and gives guidance for newly injured workers.
An easy read, and a useful one.

Julie A. Muche', MD
Physical Medicine & Rehabiliation Physician

Having been employed for 30 years by the same aerospace firm, I have personally found that employee benefits has been out-sourced which leaves very little information & assistance to those in need. Sometimes the idea of filing a lawsuit doesn't help TODAY's needs. I have read Jeanne's book and wish I had known many of those resources and how to go about getting results. I surely would not have had to go down so many dead-end streets. I highly recommend this informative book to anyone who needs to know what, how, and where to go in getting the medical assistance that just seems to be no longer there.

As an AP United States History teacher, I had this "Pocket Guide" recommended to me by a colleague. The colleague said that I would want to use it in my class. The Pocket Guide to Writing History met all of my expectations. Its format and size makes this work particularly useful for the AP classroom.

The organization of this guide is one of the strongest assets. The index is also broken down into a topical list as well as the usual alphabetical index.

The appendix is excellent resource in and of itself. I found the Guide to Resources in History to be especially helpful. The resources are from a wide variety of locations and exceptional historians.

I found the section on plagiarism espcially helpful to students who often struggle to understand the finer distinctions of the concept.

If you are looking for tools that will help students learn the art of writing this pocket guide is for you.

A Pocket Guide to Writing in History is slim, but between its covers lies more style and finesse than the Chicago Manual of Style.

Highly recommend for those wishing to raise their history grade or for those looking to improve their writing into a more concise form in general usage.

Rampolla is the diffinitive text on historical citation using the Chicago Manual of Style. They should be using this in high school history classes!

Dr. Rampolla is one of my favorite teachers, but i'm not biased at all when it comes to this book. It is really good! It isn't too complicated but it doesn't leave things out. A good investment for any history class.

I've been in college for six years and have written too many history papers. I bought this book this semester (my last semester) and it made writing so much easier. I finally had something concrete to start with. It definately boosted my grades too.

I have known the author since pre-school. When I heard of this work it all made sense. Simple Genius!

Spinraid is a genius and his guide to bodily fluids is totally brilliant. He deals with countless taboo subjects with a sanity and clarity that many 'mainstream' publishers would be proud of. Anyone with any vague interest in how their body secretes and excretes and the sociological aspects of bodily functions (think about it - that must be everyone in the whole world) should buy two copies of this book, because one copy of this magnificent tome will be stolen.

"No matter how ready your minds and souls are to live in an eternal abstract world of language, reason, truth, beauty, and card games, you're still trapped inside an aging meat machine," says author Paul Spinrad. While the book covers mucus, saliva, sweat, vomit, urine, pooting, poo, earwax, toe-cheese, and others, its main focus remains on poo.

How were things "handled" before toilet paper? Ever contemplate the history of the enema? Did you know that loose bowels were once treated with opium? Learn the story of Joseph Pujol, "The Fartiste", famous for his flatulence. Is vomit an "involuntary food review"? Drinking urine is a cure? An antiseptic? (the ammonia in unine) Did you know there's much more to mucus than just a few boogies?

How about bodily functions in literature (Shakespeare, The Marquis de Sade, Dante, Picasso, James Joyce, Mark Twain, Burroughs, Selby, and adding one of my own, modern writer Edward Lee), or in classic cinema? What is Cockle Bread? What about Freud's connection between poo and $exuality?

There are poo quotes from famous people from Shakespeare to Tiny Tim, an extensive look into the invention of the toilet, a glance at toilets across the world, poo in religion and folklore, and even poo in art. The world of poo is amazingly artistic and intellectual world. There's even a brief mention to the hilarious cartoon 'Ren & Stimpy' in the 'Art, Music, & Criticism' chapter, showing an elaborate research from ancient to modern references.

This book includes Spinrad's Survey Methodology, a copy of the survey itself, a detailed 'Recommended Reading' section, an extensive Bibliography, and a full Index. Unfortunately, there are no pictures, and I felt that a few pictures would have spiced up the book a little bit. At only 121 pages, the book is large sized but slim, making reading easy and enjoyable. So ... Enjoy!

The perfect mixture of scholarship and humor, this book, with its "icky" topic, is worthy of serious attention. But I'd be lying if I didn't say that the reason I love it most is that it makes me laugh-- on several occasions I laughed so hard that I woke up my wife, who was trying vainly to sleep next to me. As Spinrad's sources tell about their own habits regarding their precious bodily fluids, it's impossible not to recognize how much we share in regards to these daily substances-- and impossible not to laugh at how we treat these taboos.

Being a person who has a morbid curiosity about the less-than-pleasant things in life, taking a look at this book was inevitable. Interestingly enough, the book was much more informative than I anticipated. It took a somewhat clinical approach to the subject, but also had it's moments of humorous and less-than scholarly observations and anecdotes.

Sure enough, the book discusses those wonderful things we excrete, (sweat, sebum) cast out (feces, urine), reject outright (vomitus) and circulate within us (blood and bile)- and gives some interesting (for me, quite compelling) information concerning these fluids. The author covers the recorded history of such materials or things relating to them, like the story of Thomas Crapper's modern flush toilet.

The author also did surveys of peoples' bathroom habits (how much TP they use, whether they look after they're done, etc.). Also included are moments of human excretion in literature and the arts, as well as TV and film- remember the Barf-O-Rama scene in `Stand By Me'? Or eating beans by the campfire in `Blazing Saddles'?.- but only up to the book's publication date of 1993, before bodily relief became the big thing on the tube & silver screen. If a new edition is ever to be released, covering the `potty-time' moments of trendy favorites `Beavis and Butt-Head' and `South Park' alone would add more than a few pages...

There's some strange moments too, like methods of proper urination when genital piercings get in the way, the advent of urine therapy as a treatment for certain ills, and other off-the-wall practices and notions concerning one's bodily castings.

But probably the most interesting part of the book, at least for me, was the glossary of slang terms for the various types of bodily expulsion... half of which I never even seen or heard of before! Now I have a whole new arsenal to study and learn... heh.

`Late!

REA's Handbook of English Grammar, Style, and Writing (Reference) This is a very good book for anyone needing a brush up on English grammar and writing, or someone in school needing a reference manual. It breaks the sentences down and helps you through with exercises in each chapter. I really enjoyed studying with it and will keep it by my computer when I am doing medical transcription for proper usage of punctuation marks.

This book is very comprehensive..... I highly recommend it for those who are studying English.

I found this book to be the perfect reference guide for basic English grammar, style, and writing skills. Its concise presentation and well organized approach to the rules of English grammar make this book a pleasure to use. The numerous written examples used in the book to illustrate the various grammatical and stylistic rules were very straightforward and clear, allowing readers to immediately incorporate these rules into their own writing. I recommend this handbook to anyone seeking to learn the important fundamentals or refresh their knowledge of English grammar and writing style.

This book was very informative and helpful.

I liked the book, all of the lessons were easy and acceptable including exams - I'm very happy to have found this book - thank you for the refresher course!

William Badke has written an excellent and extremely useful reference book on how to start research projects. As he aptly describes, getting started is probably the most difficult part of a research project; especially for those of us who are new to the art of researching.

The book is well written and referenced, with the author writing with a sense of humour and this also makes the book appealing since it could otherwise be a dry, boring book without the author's humour creeping into the pages.

While the new-to-the-art-of-researching student will find this book very interesting and helpful; many experienced researchers will find the book helpful also. The author describes how to use various resources, such as internet, periodicals and catalogues to assist the researcher realise his/her project goals.

In summary, a very well written and laid out book by a person very experienced in the the field of research. Definitely recommended for the novice researcher, however would also be useful for the advanced researcher. Well done, William Badke!

This book, now in its third edition, is a great introduction to library research for undergraduates and upper division high school students who are heading off to college soon. I'm planning on using it in for high school advanced library research course.
The author, a college librarian in British Columbia, gives a step-by-step introduction to the "information fog" and deals with such topics as defining the need for research and refining a topic, using keyword searching and metadata and controlled vocabularies, library catalogs and online databases, general internet research and other research sources.
A strength of the book is the humorous approach which tones down what most other authors seem to take too seriously. In his preface, for example, Badke states: "This book is definitely for you if you are: a university student whose term papers have been patented as a cure for insomnia; a Dilbert of industry who's been told to do a feasibility study on the expansion potential of ice cream bar sales in Nome, Alaska; a simple honest citizen trying to find the truth behind the advertising so that the next car you buy won't be like your last disaster-mobile, the car that made you persona non grata at the automobile association."
I had an earlier edition of this title which I liked also and so when I discovered the 3rd edition had been published I immediately ordered it. The way that the world of research changes continually means that what was once cutting edge is no longer so and having the latest is really important. I was impressed that the book mentions the Amazon Kindle which was only made available last (2007) November.
I reviewed several other similar recently published texts on information literacy but this one definitely is heads and shoulder above them all in terms of usefulness, cost and a light touch to a rather dry subject.

We live in the "information age". Communication on the information highway is fast pace. However, the problem is most of us don't have the map needed to travel that highway and so we have great challenges finding the destination. The material in Dr. Badke's book is the road map to the information highway. This book is the "GPS" to the information highway.

If readers follow this guide, they should be able to access the information needed much quicker and easier. It will save students valuable time as they learn research skills and strategies needed (needed for college and universities assignments). It will also make the research more accurate, as the student learns how to access information written by the best scholars in the field. A small price to pay for a resource is worth so much.

The author writes in an easy to read style. Hint: to get the most benefit out of this resource, take the time to do the practice exercises before getting involved in your actual research. If you do this, it should take you less time to do the actual research for your assignments. Try it. It works.

This book serves as a useful introduction to research techniques and options for the late high school or early-to-mid-level college student beginning research. Badke's writing focuses on finding sources and writing research papers. The writing assumes no current knowledge of conducting research of any kind, so parts may be simplistic for many, but there is a wealth of great research strategies within.

He begins with a look at paper design, and the place from which to begin your research. He then moves to database, periodical and internet searches. He then discusses how to formulate your research into a working topic, and organizing your data.

He writes for people who have never really used a library effectively or used a computer for research. Overall, this is a superb introduction to research that should be read by anyone attempting research.

This update to Badke's previous work on library research is excellent. I teach Language and Research at a Bible college and used to use his first book as required reading for my students. I was so disappointed when it went out of print. Now, this updated version is my new requirement. This book is written with the same humor and simplicity as the first, but with updated information that is a must. Dealing with electronic research is now the norm and Badke explains it very, very well. This is a must have resource for anyone taking on research.

If you are like me and had to use a Scanning Electron Microscope or SEM, you want to start with the basics that everyone goes by. This book is a safe bet that most everyone knows about. Plus, it is written with very little background in the world of electron microscopy. Too many authors to list but it's wonderful that alot of experts got together to present this material in clear, concise manner. Before you grab your solid-state physics book or check Wikipedia, just relax and page through it since this book pretty much makes it easy for you.

Chapters are arranged by the following: What is SEM?, How SEM works?, and Why are we interested with SEM? That's the easiest way to explain rather than list all the chapters. If you have a specific question, you don't even have to read through the previous chapters (if you have rough understanding). The size of this book is a BIG PLUS. It's compact compared to the monsterous Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) book by Barry Carter which is another great reference. For this price, you would be lucky to find another good reference book under $100 with such relevant information.

This book is a comprehensible review of principles and methods of SEM and X-ray microanalysis write in a single and elegant language. The authors avoid using mathematical formulas in the description and demonstration which turn it an atractive book to all scientists and even the beginners.

This ought to be the dream book of those who do SEM imaging. The first half or say first five/six chapters are solely devoted to fundamentals of SEMs and the rest of the chapters are dealing generation of X-rays and concentrate on EDS. I have not yet finished reading this book. But certainly recommend to other SEM users to possess this book and read it as and when required.

The book is very good. I can learn a lot about the SEM from this book. The cd has also some interesting pictures, additional information.

This book is a great book for learning the Basics about Electron Microscopy and X-ray Analysis. You get a good overview!

Lilienfield does a bang-up job debunking some of the long-held myths in Clinical Psychology. Don't allow that to lead you to conclusion that this book is about bashing the Science of Psychology, however! Clinical Psychology is something quite different from the evidence-based side of the field, and this book illustrated that it is infested with more pseudo-science than science. That's partly because such a large percentage of the public has no critical thinking skills, and cannot see the difference between self-help nonsense and real science. Lilienfield does a good job helping us start on the road toward discerning the snake oil from the medicine.

It's almost laughable that one reviewer showers this book with accolades while also touting herself as a top expert in yet another pseudo-scientific "therapy," Thought Field Therapy. Lilienfield et al. actually cover that idiocy in this marvelous book, pointing out that there's no such thing as "thought fields," and no validity to the notion that TFT has any effect on mental or physical health! Like the great Investigator of the Supernatural, James Randi, Scott O. Lilienfield will be very busy writing new editions of this useful book.

In the preface, the editors noted that this book will make a lot of people angry, especially proponents of the therapies being critiqued in this book. While this is undoubtedly true for many such proponents, I think it would be a serious mistake for such people to dismiss what is being said in this book. I am one of the top practitioners of Thought Field Therapy and found this book to be of tremendous value and feel gratitude, not anger towards its authors. Having explored many of the controversial, new therapies, I know better than anyone the pitfalls and hazards of drifting into pseudoscience and quite frankly, have repeatedly been dismayed at what I have seen in terms of a complete inability to engage in critical thinking on the part of many people involved in the endless array of "alternative" therapies. Much of the problem, I believe, comes from ignorance of the principles outlined in this book. The list of features of pseudosciences is especially helpful and should be read and carefully considered by all proponents of unconventional approaches. In this way, as Carl Sagan puts it, "deep truths can be winnowed from deep nonsense". This book should be required reading in graduate schools, as well as courses that train people in any of these controversial, new approaches and I intend to incorporate this into what I teach.

Why do clinicians keep practicing forms of therapy that lack scientific support?

This edited book explores the widening gap between scientists and practitioners in the field of clinical psychology. It covers many of the most pressing controversies surrounding diagnosis, treatment methods, specific disorders, and the self-help movement.

It is well written and exceptionally balanced. I recommend it highly to my clinical psychology graduate students, but I think it is also valuable for practicing clinicians and for other people who are interested in the specific topics covered, including recovered memory therapy, autism treatment, ADHD, new age therapies, multiple personality disorder (aka dissociative identity disorder), trauma treatment, herbal antidepressants, and - one of my favorite chapters - substance abuse recovery.

Although largely aware of the plethora of pseudoscientific nonsence that besets the field of mental health, it is very refreshing to have this collation of information brought together in one volume. As a clinical psycholgist I am confronted daily by people who have been referred to purveyors of unscientific, and often damaging, "interventions". All too frequently, these people have been referred to such snake-oil sellers by mental health professionals - psychologists, psychaitrists, medical doctors etc. This book, and hopefully further editions of it, should be compulsory reading for everyone seeking to work in the mental health and forensic fields. Only by truly embracing scientific methodology and an unremitting scepticism can we hope to move forward in understanding mental health and criminal problems. Our patients, their families, and the public deserve no less.

Alex Montgomery
Clinical Psychologist
Victoria, Australia

As a psychologist who is aware of some of the questionable research and clinical practices in psychology I read this book with interest. Many of the chapters were interesting and the criticisms valid. I was disappointed, however, that a book that claims to debunk pseudoscience seemed to have a major blindspot. For example Waschbusch and Hill's chapter examines treatments for ADHD without reference to the controversy that exists about the validity of ADHD as a neurobiological syndrome. There is debate about the unscientific manner in which groups of nonspecifc behaviours are named as syndromes, in the absence of any physical evidence. Discussing treatments for these "disorders" without mentioning this at all seems a glaring oversight in a book that devotes so much attention to issues of diagnosis and assessment and claims to expose pseudosicence. It hardly takes courage or insight to criticise the fringe elements, but what about blatant pseudoscientific practices carried out by mainstream psychologists?

Its a great book, very usefull. The product arrived in time and in proper conditions.

Everything we use everyday comes from somewhere. Getting that product from point A to point B in a timely, cost-effective way is important to everyone in the transportation industry. But the attacks against America both domestically and abroad have shown that we are as vulnerable as ever, and one way to secure our business interests is to secure our transportation networks.
That is the subject of this excellent book, written by three veterans of the industry and featuring a foreward by Tom Ridge, the first Secretary of Homeland Security. Using their years of experience, the authors develop in the book the concept of Total Security Management, and use compelling case studies to illustrate their point that a secure business is a successful business. The book breaks down the global transportation process, shows where value is added along the way, and how to maximize that value while minimizing risk, not only from terrorism but from other less malicious but equally damaging impacts. The book further demonstrates the financial benefits of investing in security, and also how to protect physical corporate assets, whether they be fixed or goods in transit. A "Book of the Month" of the American Society for Industrial Security in December 2006, this book is a must for anyone working in or around global transportation industries.

America's transportation networks are vulnerable. The nation's "wake up," on September 11th is now amplified by government and media clarion calls to protect our ports. Securing Global Transportation Networks answers with an ingenious foundation using Demming's Total Quality Management as its blueprint. Anyone in the public, private, or academic sectors who is serious about transportation will mark themselves ahead of the curve with a first edition of SGTN on their bookshelf.

The authors make a very compelling case that organizations should adopt security as a core business concern.

The book empowers its readers by showing how organizations can avoid disruptive events through planning to protect people, facilities, supply chains, and business reputation. It also outlines how to plan for recovery from those inevitable catastrophes. The book includes many real world examples.

Another benefit of the book is that those in the technology sector can gain insights into how to be part of the security solution.

This book is both well written and comprehensive. The authors have described the multiple facets so clearly that you do not need an MBA to read it.

Total Security Management is a wake up call for global executives. Today's companies are no longer in control of their own fate unless they become proactive. Securing Global Transportation Networks provides an innovative approach to supply chain security and the relationship to value creation. I strongly recommend this book to anyone with responsibility for protecting any part of the supply chain or operating in the business of trade.