Research Books

During a recent flight, included with my carry on luggage was a copy of "Fun With GPS", a relatively new publication from ESRI press by Don Cooke. The author is the founder of GDT, recently acquired by Tele Atlas, and has an extensive resume, including having played a key role in the creation of TIGER.
Jumping right in, the book provides the reader with an introduction to GPS along with a useful primer on mapping and the proper use of a GPS. The "meat" of the book is really from Chapters 3 onward. This is where Cooke provides numerous informative, educational, and interesting examples of real-life uses and applications of GPS. Even better, each example explains (in detail) a fun use, detailed instructions, photos/images, useful web links, and interesting commentary.

Particularly useful (and educational) small sections devoted to mapping, GIS, accuracy, and GPS concepts & terminology are included. After all, simply capturing and storing GPS coordinates is hardly of use, particularly to the layman. It's the understanding of the data, along with integration of maps and/or GIS that really makes GPS fun! A particularly interesting and "bang on" quote from the book that really struck a cord with me... "GIS really does put the fun into GPS". My take... indeed it does!

So who should buy or read Fun With GPS? If you happen to be one of millions of users of a GPS or a GPS-enabled mobile device then you'll no doubt find this book to be a valuable addition to your library. Can the book provide specific examples that apply to your lifestyle? Likely so since numerous specific examples and applications of GPS uses have been provided. These include:
Geocaching
Degree confluence chasing
GIS/mapping
Ice skating
Hockey
Skiing
Racing (auto)
Hiking
Sailing
Polo
Camping
Golf
Rowing
Sky diving

If you happen to have a hobby included above then Don has provided a detailed example application of how you will find GPS to be useful and fun.

Finally, the heart of the book comes in chapters 2 and 8. Chapter 2 offers an awesome primer on mapping. Cooke uses the free ArcExplorer GIS data viewer from ESRI and the complimentary (and free) DNR Garmin program from the Minnesota DNR as the focus of a tutorial on using your GPS data with a GIS without spending a dime. Both programs are totally free and detailed instructions for use have been provided to get you up and running and help get your GPS data off the device and used within a real application.

Chapter 8 is devoted to the use of GPS in schools and in the community. Interesting sample uses focus on the use of GPS by a museum to track visitors, mapping of a restored cemetery by grade school students, and even how to write your name with a GPS track log. Students attempting any of these sample projects will no doubt get a great introductory education to mapping and geospatial concepts, but will still have some addictive fun with their GPS as well... they may also even solve a community problem or address a local conservation issue.

Fun with GPS is truly a fun read. I admit, I have a dusty, 2 year old Garmin somewhere on my desk, however, it wasn't until I read this book that I had much interest in turning it on! I plan on locating a geocache in the near future and I also plan on capturing a degree confluence or two!

[...]

Do you remember when a GPS device was expensive and heavy and only to be used for serious work? The inexorable progress of Moore's Law has laid that low. So along comes ESRI Press with this lighthearted book by Cooke. Outreach to the young masses. He talks about fun and cool things you can do with a GPS transponder. All the things we never had.

You might wish to thumb through his suggestions. See if any catch your fancy. Or, if you like these ideas, try also looking up the magazine "Make" published by O'Reilly. It has the same freewheeling spirit seen here.

Think 'GPS' and what comes to mind? Usually in-car navigation systems - but there's much more to GPS and ordinary users may find these devices can be attached to about anything to be use for interesting results. Maps and photos come with each outlined project for hobbyists, athletes, drivers, teachers and more. Use GPS devices to track and map activities, or in a treasure hunt, or to GPS a model airplane's abilities: there's a lot a GPS device can accomplish, and Fun With GPS covers it all.

This is a spectacular book that treats GPS with a light (and fun) touch without any sacrifice of technical substance. Though aimed at beginners, GPS savants will find it equally useful, both for elegant insights as well as ideas on how to teach others about GPS. I teach land navigation and regularly consult this book for inspiration regarding new ways to keep the material fresh in my classes.

This is great for its intended use. Has all the info one needs to complete the class associated with it.

I received my book from R Cohen in good conditions, with the best price and very soon (actually before than I expected). I strongly recommend him.

Amazingly boring subject for me. Only got it because I had to. It is written well.

ye

I read this book about 1982. I used to work the night shift at a hospital and on Sunday mornings, I recall listening to a Sunday Morning NPR talk show. One morning, Howard Cosel interviewed the author of Righteous Gentile. I was completely fascinated by this story that I had never heard. Howard was masterful in his interview and I was so taken that I immediately purchased the book and read it. It is riveting and I could not put it down until I had consumed it all. I am always in amazed wonderment at ordinary people who perform extraordinary acts under dire conditions. Wallenberg was such a man. The story is, of course, a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions, as Wallenberg disappears into the Russian Gulag. I irony of his imprisonment in the Gulag after having saved so many Jews from their fate in the Holocost. It is one of those books that is uplifting because it reminds us of both the good and evil that humans are capable of.

John Bierman's terrifically tragic Wallenberg biography,'Righteous Gentile' is divided into two parts;the first 119 pages lead up to his kidnapping by the Russians on
January 17,1945.The last 97 pages deal with the world's apathy in securing his release from the Gulag.Thousands of Jews and some non-Jews owe their lives to Wallenberg's intervention on
"behalf of the Swedish government"-which dealt with the Wallenberg kidnapping issue as buroucracies tend to do.Bierman's Wallenberg book was published in 1981-and there were credible reports that Wallenberg was still vegetating in the Soviet prison system.The sin of allowing this to happen-is beyond unforgivable.

Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish aristocrat who managed to save thousands of Hungarian Jews from the gas chambers in the closing months of 1944. His relief agency in Budapest issued bogus Swedish passports to as many Jews as possible. By dint of his commanding personality, his ingenuity, and his talent for pulling the wool over the eyes of dimwitted Nazi functionaries, he contrived to convince the German and Hungarian authorities to respect these entirely extralegal documents. In mid-January 1945, he was summoned to the Soviet embassy in newly-"liberated" Budapest, and he was never seen again.

This is a great and inspiring story, and "Righteous Gentile" does justice to it. Bierman doesn't really succeed in explaining the origins of the idealism that led Wallenberg to volunteer for this job in the first place, but probably nobody could. What he does show is the skill and energy with which Wallenberg executed the task assigned to him. Actually "skill and energy" are ludicrously inadequate terms. Wallenberg not only distributed his passports, he tirelessly roamed around pulling Jews out of death marches and off trains bound for Auschwitz, he bossed Nazi thugs around in impeccable Hochdeutsch (and they listened), and he confronted Adolf Eichmann himself, all the while taking the most extraordinary risks. I can't say that Wallenberg was the greatest hero in recorded history, since I'm not familiar with all of it; suffice to say that he is by a very large margin the greatest hero I've ever read of, in fiction or history, and it is an inspiring and hopeful fact that someone like him ever existed. I am grateful to John Bierman for bringing this figure to such luminous and memorable life.

The only problem I have with the book is that half of it consists of speculations and rumor-cataloguing to the effect that Wallenberg was alive in the Gulag until about 1980. I believe that most authorities now think he was murdered by the Soviets long before this, perhaps after they failed to recruit him for espionage. This part of the book is therefore something of an anachronism. However, it doesn't detract from the general value of the book, which should be required reading for everybody, period.

A five star book about a five star hero.

The second world war threw-up some gigantic figures but ironically Raoul Wallenberg from neutral Sweden towers over all the rest.

Like the Good Samaritan he didn't pass on by but instead left his safe homeland to assist others by putting himself in danger day after day in the inferno that was Hungary during the dreadful days of 1944-45.

The man who saved a 100,000 jews from the clutches of Adolf Eichmann, the SS, and the Hungarian facists, the Arrow Cross ultimately fell foul of the Russian 'liberators.' He was never seen again as a free man after being taken into 'protective custody' by the Reds on 17 January 1945.

I read John Bierman's excellent book some 20 years ago and he charts the extraordinary crusade of his subject with a deft touch.

This is a book that will both inspire you, with Wallenberg's humanity and courage, and anger you that such a man could lose his liberty after fighting so hard for the freedom and safety of others.

In the pantheon of heroes Raoul Wallenberg-the righteous gentile-would have to be at the very top

Now in a new revised and reformatted edition, Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore is an in-depth examination of the supposed mystic and magical qualities humanity has attributed to forty-six different gems throughout history. Written by jeweler, gemologist and educator Bruce G. Knuth, Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore covers writings on gems throughout history, birthstones, literature concerning gems, the entire translated text of Marbode's eleventh century gem treatise, and much more. A cross-culture treasury of legends, and a first-rate addition to mythology and folklore reference shelves.

This book was worth every penny. It discussed myths and legends throughout history associated with a great variety of precious and semi-precious gemstones from different cultures. Very easy and interesting to read. The pictures were not as clear as I expected from a library bound book, but it doesn't really distract from the quality of information. The best book that I have found so far on the subject of gemstone lore. If you are gemologist, this is worth including in your library, as it is a welcome deviation from the science that most gemstone books cover.

Written by a gemologist/jeweler, Gems in Myth, Magic and Lore, combines minerological information with a comprehensive review of gemstone lore. Knuth begins the book with a succinct, but comprehensive, review of the history of gemstone lore as it coincides with the rise of gemology as a field of scientific study.

The second part of the book details 46 of the most common gemstones. Each gemstone entry includes a large photograph of the stone, minerological information and the gemstone lore. The lore is presented very respectfully with an acknowledgment that we do not know everything and that there are factual bases to many of these beliefs. As a bonus, there are numerous, well referenced footnotes for each of the stones.

In the third part of the book, he includes information that I have not found elsewhere such mythological gems and gems in literature. There is even a compete copy of a famous Lapidarium writen in the Middle Ages. This section also has some very useful and well done charts detailing things like birthstones through the ages and the significance of gemstone shape.

In my work as a jewelry designer, many of my customers ask my advice about which stones they should use for different forms of protection or as an aid to achieve their goals. In order to help them, I began researching gemstone history and lore. I have now read about 15 books on the subject and I have found that many of them offer contradictory explanations and/or information that is too general or too vague to be of much use. For my purposes, Knuth's book has been the most helpful.

Fantastic book. Full of gemstone lore that will dazzle, and impress. Great selling tool for anyone in the jewelry or gem trade.

A long-lost, terrific insight - from a respected scientist no less - of the ways in which so-called "objective" science really works. Which, I have to point out, doesn't make it any less effective. This is a great way to explore the inner workings of laboratories, science journals, and the worlds of research and academia. Warning: the language is a bit puffed up and can be hard to slog through at times. The guy WAS a scientist, after all, and it was translated from the German.

I first read Genesis & Development of A Scientific Fact while I was a graduate student at New York University. While the work was admittedly a challenging one, it was, without doubt, one of the most truly original, thought-changing works I've ever read. Fleck was, in my opinion, a true visionary who forwarded an extremely provactive thesis about the origin of scientific "facts." Fleck's monograph is high on my short list of "must read" intellectual works. Other similar works worth reading include: Julian Jaynes, The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, and Giambattista Vico, The New Science.

I first encountered Fleck's work while I was a doctoral student at NYU. The clarity and orginality of his thoughts completely captivated me. This work is truly one which has changed my life and my way of thinking. Fleck was indeed a pioneer and prophet--I continually re-read "Genesis & Development of A Scientific Fact," each time gaining greater insight and appreciation for its depth and scope. Fleck's monograph is truly an original and groundbreaking tour de force--mandatory reading from a true (but sadly overlooked) genious.

If you thought scientific knowledge was clear, objective, and unbiased, but fortunately became enlightened by your readings of Kuhn, think again!! Rediscovered by Kuhn himself, Fleck exposes in a brief, very-well illustrated monogrpah, how facts -such as the apparently objective Wassermann reaction for syphilis- are constructed, not passively discovered. From medieval magic to modern medicine, the concept of syphilis has been transformed. I urge you to read Fleck's work and evaluate for yourself why he anticipated his time. Enjoy!

Heavily researched and well written personal finance book. Very good for those who dont have a clue about the subliminal ads and other money traps. I supose many people are tricked into all that stuff due to the broken financial aspects of many lives. Recommended for those who dont have a clue about the subject. Well written.

Going Broke is a excellent book on why Americans cannot hold on to their money and stay out of debt. Author Stuart Vyse does a good job of explaining why 1) Americans are bankrupt due to over extending themselves.2)Instant gratification has replaced delaying the need of things.3)How modern inventions such as computers and credit cards have made the availability of buying things quicker and more convenient.4)How advertising influences us on a daily bases from tv to movies, to cell phones to junk mail.5)How society's view of needs are really more of wants and luxuries. The final chapter offers some help for those trapped in debt and addiction of spending. At the end of each chapter are real life examples of people caught in this deadlly trap.[[ASIN:0684859386 Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes And How To Correct Them: Lessons From The New Science Of Behavioral Economics] is another good book on this subject. Well done.

There are many things this book does well. (In fact, everything this book does, it does well.) First, and most remarkably, it tells stories. Not only is the author brave enough to reveal his own financial foibles, he includes interviews with individuals who have suffered financial ruin and lived to tell the tale. The stories are striking in their variety and poignancy, and they are made all the more salient by Vyse's beautifully written prose. The author paints a clear picture of his subjects' various crises, so that each story--no matter how different it may be from our own--has a sense of familiarity. We understand that these are fellow Americans who for the most part have worked hard and played by the rules, and we can't help recognizing their humanity and vulnerability as our own.

Moving beyond the stories that open each chapter, Vyse looks not only at the internal, "psychological" processes associated with financial difficulty--such as the seemingly inexplicable tendency to overpay for items on eBay--but he also uses a broad lens to examine the social and political forces that conspire against our best efforts to stay ahead in the financial game. Rather than simply attributing the bankruptcy epidemic to "shopaholism" or endemic self-indulgence (as many others blithely do), Vyse weaves together hard science, cultural criticism, and macroeconomic analysis to create a disturbing image of our personal--and national--economic landscape.

Finally, the majority of Vyse's suggestions for not going broke are practical, common-sense solutions that almost every American can employ. But even in presenting his suggestions, Vyse acknowledges that there are larger forces which need to be addressed before a majority of Americans can enjoy financial security. Far from being a panacea, Vyse presents his suggestions as something of a self-defense strategy in a world where our senses and sensibilities are constantly bombarded, and our financial futures are bought and sold by corporations without hesitation or regulation.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in human behavior, American culture, economics, politics, or public policy--and to anyone who just wants a good, thought-provoking read.

I completely agree with the reviewer above. I found Vyse's sociological take on Americans and spending fascinating. He poses the same questions to his readers that he has posed to his university students and I found that my kids (teenagers) were interested in these questions and that they encouraged conversation. It was playful and energizing to take a look at the irrational ways that we relate to money and spending, and to choose ways to "trick" ourselves into spending less, rather than simply berating ourselves. An example of irrationality is the concept of "sunk" money. If we've already spent money on something, and we consider that money "sunk" or gone, we don't have as much motivation to recoup that money than we would have to "make" that much money. This helped me force myself go through the irritating process of trying to recover money from a travel insurance company when my son was too ill to go on a class trip to Costa Rica. I had already paid for the trip, so my motivation was lacking. When I posed the question to myself "would you spend an entire day dealing with an insurance company for $2500?" I decided that it WAS worth the aggravation of dealing with the paperwork.
I also appreciated Vyse's compassion toward modern Americans and the trouble he took to detail the kinds of necessary expenses that our parents did not have. For just one example, he points out that there are thousands of medications that did not exist in 1970. Even with good insurance, these medications can cost hundreds of dollars a month.
If you enjoy reading about money, this book is very different from all of the other cookie-cutter money books out there.

Shirley second book that literally dropped into my lap, her first one was "The Camino", I got them for $2 at library sale. A version of her 'fall from heaven story' is on p.13:

"Just before (my) seminars began, my father passed on. He had been a teacher all his life. I considered cancelling the first few dates but I knew he would have wanted me to carry on.
So I found myself, by no small coincidence, in Virginia Beach, staying in the same hotel in which my father had brought us on vacation during a summer that provided a self-conscious twelve-year-old with a traumatic experience. It had to do with public humiliation.
I was swimming in the Atlantic, having developed a crush on the lifeguard, when a surging wave knocked me over and the top of my two-piece bathing suit came apart and was washed away. I climbed to my knees sputtering but glad to be alive, until I looked dawn and saw that I was exposed to the lifeguard in all my teenage splendor. I was so embarrassed I wanted to die. He smiled, which made it even worse. I ran back to the hotel. For years, Virginia Beach and a pounding surf were a combination that made me inwardly cringe.
As I stood looking out at the same beach, the same surf, from the same hotel, I realized I would, as an adult, be dealing with the same issue - potential public humiliation."

Her "higher-self seminar" and this book all happened in the 1980's. Shirley was resurrecting her seminar in August 2000, when she was 66, according to her interview by Rochelle. In answer to Rochelle's question "Are there subjects that you won't discuss?" Shirley answered:

"Oh, sure. I don't talk about the personal relations of my family or my love life. People think I'm wearing my heart on my sleeve and I'm basically just an open book. No, I have my limits that I don't think I should share because it would be exposing the people who are closest to me to the kind of exposure they probably don't want."

Fabricating excuses is lying to the soul or higher-self and not be one's authentic self. Shirley didn't make that excuse when she dealt with Neale Walsch in his "Friendship with God" pp.340-341:

"'So,' she said as I slid into the booth next to her, `did you really talk to God?'
`I think so,' I replied modestly.
`You think so?' She was incredulous, `You think so?'
`Well', I stammered, `that was my experience.'
`Then don't you think you should say that? Isn't that what happened?'
`That is what happened. It's just that some people have a hard time accepting that if I just pop right out with it.'
`Oh, you care what other people think?' Shirley probed, her face now very close, her eyes searching mine. "Why?'"

In Neale's FwG and Conversation with God 2, the 5 levels of truth telling were mentioned, the 5th or last level is "tell the truth to everyone about everything".

So I will again lead by example and demonstrate what that 'last level of truth telling' means. All the authors in `all my reviews' chose so far to hide behind the mask of not hurting their `close relationships or relatives'. As the word `close' means `not open', thus not free from fear. The only truth worth presenting to others is one's own experience with nothing hidden. To limit the transparency of one's experience is to lie about who one is. BTW Bush will pass away by March 7 2006 of a stroke & something bad will happen on China's second manned space mission.

I nurtured Kite & Happy for 2 years together with up to 35 other people in our unconditional environment, where I spent $500k of my stock profit for three and half-year from Shanghai to Beijing. It was an environment where I even provided a self-trained young chief to cook wonderful meal. 2 examples of unconditional love:

On our move from Shanghai to Beijing, 4 young guys chose to move. Once in Beijing I asked if there is any problem? A fellow answered that washing the dishes is now a problem. They had a schedule of who is going to do the dishes in-turn over the kitchen sink. Things happen and they can't stick to it and can't keep track of who owed whom. A fellow volunteered to wash all the dishes from now on. I left it at that. I later found on the next day the other 3 didn't feel good letting one person do all the dishes. From then on dish washing became voluntary with no schedule. They all realized that in order to eat, dishes have to be washed. It's Zen or natural common sense.

Some weeks later, I asked the same question. 2 fellows declared that they want regular working hours instead of unconditional hours. I asked the other 2 what they felt. They said unconditional is fine. This time I brought my feet down and said: "You 2 that want regular hours please choose your hours. The other 2 please continue with your undefined hours."

15 were college graduates and around 18 ranged from elementary school graduates to high school graduates. I had a Professor for PhD from the Chinese Academy of Science and his favorite post-graduate student and a Chief Engineer of a major corporation to help them self-train in either Computer Programming or English, or both.

The post-college elders were paid 5000rmb per month. The college graduates were paid 2500rmb and the others 500rmb, including the chief, which I called living stipend. Once the college graduates self-declared that they passed the self-training and can start design and coding, they immediately self-promote to founder instead of trainee. I gave them 60,000rmb or a full year salary, unconditionally. When I first proposed it, the Chief Engineer asked what will I do if they take the money and left. I said let them follow their own conscience or good heart. Just 2 college graduates took it with their own consequence and ran away with the money. Most of the others asked for an additional 100,000rmb loan which they lend to others to pursue their dreams. I unconditionally gave them that too. From unconditional love, I don't give loans, I only give away money unconditionally. In the end when I was running low on money and decided to close shop, they couldn't return the 100,000rmb. All who left earlier for other opportunity returned part of their yearly salary.

The exception is one fellow, who was attending college part-time, took upon himself to take the 100,000rmb & the yearly salary & chose not to depart but to live with his girl-friend in the dorm, which were 3 bedroom apts., so was our central computer office. His `fall from heaven story' was he refused to go to kindergarten and cried his way out and when he finally went he found that kindergarten was fun. His self-definition is `stubborn'. I would say he did work hard and played a hard game with me. I simply put my feet down and told him to leave our shore with the money which he had no intention to return. I told every one I will not sue them for the money and I will at most tell their parents what they have done, which I never did either. The reason is that unconditional love does not choose to bring human law into matter of relationships or any matter.

I was gratified that almost all the college graduates fellow got their next job paying more than my stipend of 5000rmb. Which in Beijing put them at the 1% income level while the median is around 2000rmb now.

To be continued in `all my reviews' of Shirley's "The Camino".

This sixth entry into the collection of Shirley MacLaine's spiritual odyssey, strays from the roots of the rest of the books. This guide is a guide to be in tune and in harmony with your self. Let me tell you, it helped me. She discusses the Chakras, Chanting, Sexuality, and the New Age Movement in general. An insightful and very informative read!!!

After reading this book and listening to the audio tape as well...I must say I was transformed. I used her tape to guide my meditations, during which I had a vision of my sister in the hospital. I called home and found out my sister was in emergency surgery and had almost died. If we just open our mind, it's amazing what we can see.

I have enjoyed all of the books by Shirley MacLaine, but these tapes have touched me and assisted me in so many ways. I recommend them to everyone in my metaphysical group who asks for a nice guided-meditation tape. The meditations are superb! I use the meditation that helps you find and balance your chakras all the time! In fact, I just had to order a new one because my old one finally wore out from such frequent use! These are great tapes for both beginners and long-time meditators.

This book was a blast! It reminded me so much of the adventures my friends and I would go on...military brats = always in trouble! It's funny and hits home if you can get your hands on this book DO IT!

This book is essential for anyone who thoroughly enjoys a deep, hearty belly-laugh. This is truly enjoyable - even if you have no military experience or background. The author takes you on an amusing, eventful journey through his life and gives plenty of ideas for mischievous souls.

The secret behind authentic German Dorfenburgs, eaten in mass quantities by American troops, is revealed, along with why coconut-milk toasts in your underwear is a wonderful way to pass the time on a train ride. The adventures of owning a DKW car and the never-ending excitement in Thule, Greenland is wittingly uncovered - and makes you glad you didn't have the experience! Of course, this is only a portion of the journeys you encounter, and plenty more await, with laughter guaranteed.

There is, at least, a good belly laugh on every page! Easily the funniest book I've read in years, and one which I began to savor the experience by purposely slowing down so as not to end the ride too soon. This one has found a permanent spot in my bookcase, and one which I plan to periodically re-read.

Reading "Growing Up In Khaki" was a delightful, but fraught experience. Delightful because Allingham's comedic reportage hits the spot from the first pages. His tales have the same rare ability as Bill Bryson's to invoke paroxysms of laughter from this stern Brit. countenance. The military life merely provides the author with a powerful opportunity to express his wit, and Allingham seizes the chance and provides an account with universal appeal. Fraught, because living in a household of six, and being unable to hide my obvious amusement after reading a few pages, I found, the book kept mysteriously disappearing only to be tracked down later by listening for the self-incriminating culprit.

I have worked with the NIH for quite some time. I also worked at the University of Pittsburgh for more than 4 years doing research with the NIH. This is an indispensible book. It goes very well paired with "Government Funding and You". I'd highly suggest both books.


Kelli

Leave it to a guy at UCLA to write the perfect "how to" write a grant. Dr Yang's book was recommended by colleagues at UCLA, and they were right on the money. Very helpful for those of us not altogether familiar with the process. Unless you are an expert (in which case you would be writing your own book), this should be in your library.

This is a great, quick read that is clear and can help you focus on key topics in preparing an NIH grant. I particularly like the emphasis on clarity of writing and making an interesting story, instead of the usual drudgery. It is short enough that you can read it in one sitting, before sitting down to write. It is much less detailed than the Ogden book, "Research Proposals", with a different emphasis, on clarity of writing. If you are looking for a book for a class, I'd suggest Ogden. But if looking for a quick read for the novice to get them started the Yang book is great, due to its brevity and clarity.

This book is full of tips and hints how maximizing the impact of your ideas in a grant application. Examples of effective writing and lists of common pitfalls give concrete guidance on writing a grant that conveys your ideas in their best light. The author also explains the perspective of the grant reviewers who read and score your grant.

Excellent reference-good guide for the dissertation process- covers all applicable topics in sufficient depth. A worthwhile reference for any student working on their thesis or dissertation

This book is designed for both students and faculty, so it spends a lot of time giving advice to both sides. That is the primary reason for the length.

Coverage is very thorough for the political and social aspects of dissertation writing, probably more so than in any other book. Choosing a topic is also well covered. The main weakness is in specifics of producing the document, e.g. how to write the literature review or present the methodology.

This book should definitely be on the shelf of any faculty, but a student may do better to look it over in the library. A good, concise treatment of the disseration process is Davis & Parker.

As someone who works privately with students, helping them with theses and dissertations, I highly recommend this book. When students call me in regard to assistance with their thesis or dissertation, I recommend that they buy this book and use it as a reference. As the title states, this book offers practical guidelines for success, enabling students to get through the thesis or dissertation process as smoothly as possible. It is one of the most practical guideline for writing a thesis or dissertation that I have come across.

James E. Mauch and Jack W. Burch have put together a guide that breaks down the process step by step. The questions they list, the time tables they suggest, and tips provide the reader with insight as to what can be expected and how to avoid some of the most common pitfalls. This book is a must for students who must complete either a Thesis or Dissertation. It will become a valuable part of your personal reference library. Expensive, but worth the investment!!!