J Books

This is a great resource for individuals looking for some leadership pointers.

Since I became a civilian a few years ago, I've struggled somewhat with explaining to my team how to adapt what I "know" about Army leadership into terms they can understand.

This book does a great job of putting the fundamentals of Army leadership into terms civilians can understand, and better yet, implement or integrate into their leadership experience.

The fundamentals apply to every organization, and I highly recommend it to any student of leadership!

I recently re-read this book, curious to know to what extent its content remains relevant. My conclusion? It is even more relevant today than it was when first published in 2004. In Richard E. Cavanagh's Foreword, he recalls a discussion during dinner with Peter Drucker and Jack Welch who shared the same opinion that the United States military services do the best job developing leaders. What we have in this volume is an adaptation by Frances Hesselbein and General Eric K. Shinseki (USA Ret.) of Field Manual 22-100, Army Leadership, with assistance from Alan Shrader. Hesselbein and Shinseki also wrote the Introduction. The material is carefully organized within seven chapters, followed by a Conclusion that reviews the most important points, correctly noting the unique and compelling role that the U.S. Army has played since June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized enlistment of riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year.

With regard to the book's title, "Army leadership begins with what the leader must Be, the values and attributes that shape a leader's character...People want leaders who are honest, competent, forward-looking, and inspiring...People willingly follow only those who know what they are doing. One of the quickest ways for a leader to lose trust and commitment of followers is to demonstrate incompetence...Character and competence, the Be and the Know, underlie everything a leader does. But character and knowledge - while absolutely necessary - are not enough. Leaders act; they Do...They solve problems, overcome obstacles, strengthen teamwork, and achieve objectives. They use leadership to produce results."

I realize that these concepts seem simple. In one sense they are. However, in this context, I am reminded of what Oliver Wendell Holmes once said: "I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity." The challenge to any organization when developing leaders is to guide those involved to the other side of complexity." The composite of excerpts from Be-Know-Do identifies core concepts, to be sure, but it also describes the character, competence, knowledge, and results-driven initiative that the U.S. Army seeks to develop within every one of its soldiers, regardless of rank. "No one is only a leader; each person in an organization is also a follower and part of a team. In fact, the old distinction between leaders and followers has blurred; complex twenty-first-century organizations require individuals to move seamlessly from one role to another in an organization, from leadership to `followership,' and back again."

Hesselbein and Shinseki are to be commended for their skillful adaptation of Field Manual 22-100, Army Leadership, but also for the inclusion within the narrative of relevant material from sources outside the U.S. Army organization. For example, they quote prominent business thinkers throughout the narrative: James Kouzes and Barry Posner on leadership by example (page 24), John Gardner on the importance of a shared vision (page 30), Patrick Lencioni on teamwork (page 86), and John Kotter on a leader's "quest for learning" (page 132). Readers will also appreciate the provision of various "Exhibits" such as 5.1 that provides a brilliant illustration of Team-Building Stages.

Those who share my high regard for this volume are urged to check out Frances Hesselbein's other works that include The Leader of the Future 2: Visions, Strategies, and Practices for the New Era co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith, On Leading Change: A Leader to Leader Guide co-authored with Rob Johnston, and Leading for Innovation: and Organizing for Results co-edited with Goldsmith and Iain Somerville. Also, I highly recommend the wealth of resources available at the Leader to Leader Institute (http://www.leadertoleader.org/), a non-profit and tax exempt organization that includes a subscription to its magazine among several membership benefits.

Although this book is required reading, not only for ARMY OCS, but also for other applications, it is quite possibly the most BORING read ever.

While the information is quite valid *and* genius, basically the ARMY's system on leadership, it is just plain boring... Sorry, it's the truth.

For the price, the information is golden. In fact, even if the price were higher it would still be worth what you pay. But even still, this was a painful 171 pages to read!!

BUY IT. READ IT. GET IT OVER WITH...! :)

The world's benchmark with respect to leadership is the market driven capitalist company, however it seems they have lost their way when compared to the US Army. After you read this book you will be shocked to find out how far ahead of private business the US Army is in the area of Leadership.

Ultimately the US Army has determined that in some fashion everyone that reports to you is also a leader and needs to be trained and respected as such. The US Army's leaders are actively developed at all levels so that they can lead and develop others - no lip service here.

This is the best book about music that I have read, and my recent (fourth in 35 years) reading solidified this opinion.
The reviews here offer many insights, so I just want to emphasize that this is unlike any other music biography you will read. It is not a linear life history, nor does it focus primarily on musical quotations. It digs deeply into Beethoven's spirit and tries to grasp what made him so special. That is a fundamental bias of the book, so if you find Beethoven less a genius than Bach or Mozart or Mahler or Wagner, then you probably won't agree with Sullivan's conclusions. But, as a mathematician, he approached his subject without the standard musicologist biases, and that shines through in a work that is accessible to anyone who wants to think deeply about the ultimate meaning of great music, and how one person could create what Beethoven poured forth in his life.

This is not going to get many postive feedbacks.. HOWEVER.. this is just a note to say THIS REALLY and truly is a BRILLIANT BOOK.... and for anyone wanting to dive straight into the deep end as to what Beethoven and ART and Classical Music par se is and the mind of a composer and the struggle of a life between Art, creativity, God and love and genius is all about this is the one book to get. Yet, surprisingly not only all made very understandable but then clarity and inspiration and feel good factor was never made so good in a book on a composer, also made so enjoyable. A true and real learning journey in this book.Priceless. I felt myself on tour with the writer and the works and mind of life of Beethoven as though the man was his art and his work. Out of MUCH self taught reading on classical music. This book truly remains my ALL TIME FAVOURITE book about any single composer. Supremely well written and written with clarity and passages I underlined endlessly. It is one of those books. Just well researched, well written and written about from angles and insights that you really DID want to know and not written anywhere else and never realised you did want to know and it is a real journey. If you feel a journey with Beethoven`s music this is the best book ever written to get into his mind , and his art and the music and his life as one.... A real cherished classic. I hate the phrase. This book is one of 20-30 that I look back really does come under the heading "life changer" and can give a truer real insight into the mind of genius and ART in capital letters and an artist`s intention and the working of a mind and spirit..and it explains the music so well in relation to his life and genius. A seriously great gem , where every page is a page turning inspiration and delight. Seriously 5+ Not a normal book. Exceedingly well done... This book is special. Class of it`s own and essential reading on Beethoven. Trust me. And write your own review. I challenge anyone not to adore this book and give it a 5 having read it. I`m serious. Think about it compared to all the others on Beethoven and dull ill written biographies and over detailed stuff. This book really hits the spot and is very very well writen in style and content and theme and insight....and is concise. : ) I.e not only readable but also exciting and a a book to learn from not just factually but with real thinking and a journey and highly enjoyable read. The world it takes one too to the mind of the composer and the music and the journey it takes one too is first class. A really enjoyable mind expanding insight. Seriously good. i.e Great.

This book profoundly deepened my experience of music. It opened doors of appreciation for both listening to music and expressing myself musically. It inspires one to put the whole of themselves with ever increasing passion into their creative endeavors and by extension their lives. As Beethoven said, "There is no loftier mission than to approach the Godhead nearer than other people, and to disseminate the divine rays among humanity." Read this book. You will not regret it.

Why has Beethoven reached this special place in the music world?
First at all his music is fundamentally human . The organic feature of his works shows the timeless conflict between the will and the fate ; the horizontality of the destiny and the verticality of the irrevocable and untamed human character .
Ernest Newman has said : " The peculiarity of Beethoven imagination is that it raises over and over to heights since we can do a new appraisement , not only of all the music but the life , the emotions and the ideas".
Think in the Final of the last variation of his Third Symphony and will understand the message ; you have to fight always without expecting anything in change ; because the hero attitude is to make not to think . And you know this wisdom statement of Goethe: "We are what we do".
This book is admirably compelling and reveals unknown facets , interesting letters and even I do not agree with the value of the last stage of his life in which the transfiguration and the evasion would seem derivate making a simple analysis of the endings of his last three Piano Sonatas , the text is a must for any reader really interested in the life and work of this icon beacon of the mankind : Ludwig van Beethoven.

Sullivan's book has remained in print for over 70 years, despite not being a definitive source book for facts about Beethoven's life and work. Sullivan's achievement is different. Sullivan wrote one of the very few biographies, about Beethoven or anybody else, that captures and understands the level of "depth of life" that results from identifying one's life with the search for the meaning of life and of the universe, if there is any such meaning. Beethoven lived on this level and the particular path Beethoveen pursued and expressed in his music is uniquely understood by Sullivan. This biography is a masterpiece in its own right.

I just started reviewing books this month, but this book is one of my favorites among those that I've read. I am an above average webmaster and found this book extremely useful. You know the saying "someone always knows more"? Well this book is a prime example of that saying. This Adsense book is one of the most up to date on the Internet today!

DAMN RIGHT! This is The Best Damn Google Adsense Book. As other reviewers have stated, this might be the best google adsense book on Amazon, and that's saying something because there are more then a few really good ones here.

This is the best Google Adsense book available on amazon, plain and simple. This is the most up to dat Google Adsense book available on amazon at this time in my opinion. I like a few of the others also but this is by far my #1 Adsense pick.

Well worth the $39.99 I paid for it, my sites are now making more the that each month solely because of this book. Thanks so much!

I never knew you could earn money in so many different ways online. It just amazes me that everyone doesn't start a website who has a computer. It's like there's free money out there for those who have knowledge of it. This book is great!

I just started reviewing books this month, but this book is one of my favorites among those that I've read. I am an above average webmaster and found this book extremely useful. You know the saying "someone always knows more"? Well this book is a prime example of that saying. This Adsense book is one of the most up to date on the Internet today!

DAMN RIGHT! This is The Best Damn Google Adsense Book. As other reviewers have stated, this might be the best google adsense book on Amazon, and that's saying something because there are more then a few really good ones here.

This is the best Google Adsense book available on amazon, plain and simple. This is the most up to dat Google Adsense book available on amazon at this time in my opinion. I like a few of the others also but this is by far my #1 Adsense pick.

Well worth the $39.99 I paid for it, my sites are now making more the that each month solely because of this book. Thanks so much!

I never knew you could earn money in so many different ways online. It just amazes me that everyone doesn't start a website who has a computer. It's like there's free money out there for those who have knowledge of it. This book is great!

I'm reading this book now, i'm when Roger is crossing the Taurus to Jerusalem, and i make to myself the same question that, surely, makes a lot of people: Is this HI/story truth? or just a simple novell of a brilliant man like Stephen? cause, i been reading "Cabayo de Troya", from J.J. Benítez (spain) that tells a story about Jesus, that he say is true, but i have some doubts about it! . Please, i really wanna know... Thanks a lot. Deus le Volt!

the book is great!very good really!Ni!
of course i had some doubts if the book was true..(eustace part) but
anyway...i really thought it was true..this means just one thing...that his research and work are brilliant!Ni!
(could also mean I'm a little idiot to believe in that..)
its a very good story and i recomend anyone to read it!

So be it!

-Foge cão, que te fazem barão!
-Para onde, se me fazem Visconde?

The critics do this novel an injustice by stating that it is a slow read and more of a documentary than a epic novel. True, there are many historical points and notes which root the story in actual history, but these only help to show the richness of the history and help to express the story's fine details. I could not put this novel down, and I have gained a seemingly firsthand knowledge of the tragedies and glories of the crusades. I recommend this book to all interested in the crusades as well as those wanting to learn more of military camp life and history without the trials of textbooks.

The Booke of Days is the story of a minor lord from Southern France who joins the first Crusade. His name is Roger of Lunel. Roger joins the Crusade because the Pope has promised absolution for any who fight, and kill, for Christianity. The irony of this is not lost on Roger who keeps a diary of his journey. At first Roger examines the ideas of the crusade even as he compares them to the reality. Knights who ravish women in southern France, wear body parts cut off from their enemies, and murder other Christians who don't follow the proper pope. These are the people who will save Christianity?

With this start, I was concerned that his book might become an anti-Christian or anti-West book. It is not. It is a realistic look at the Crusades which describes the good and ill, of all sides. A Booke of Days also describes the people, the customs, and the times, better then any book about this period I have encountered. Some of the twists of the personal story seem stretched, but I liked the story so much I will was willing to believe. In the end, rather then being a book about the Crusades, it is a book about Roger of Lunel, set in the Crusades.
I liked Roger, so I loved this book. I also loved the hundreds of small touches which show the effort and the artistry of the author. If this book really isn't true, it could be. And anyone who has even a passing interest in History or Romance should read it.

The Booke of Days is the story of a minor lord from Southern France who joins the first Crusade. His name is Roger of Lunel. Roger joins the Crusade because the Pope has promised absolution for any who fight, and kill, for Christianity. The irony of this is not lost on Roger who keeps a diary of his journey. At first Roger examines the ideas of the crusade even as he compares them to the reality. Knights who ravish women in southern France, wear body parts cut off from their enemies, and murder other Christians who don't follow the proper pope. These are the people who will save Christianity?

With this start, I was concerned that his book might become an anti-Christian or anti-West book. It is not. It is a realistic look at the Crusades which describes the good and ill, of all sides. A Booke of Days also describes the people, the customs, and the times, better then any book about this period I have encountered. Some of the twists of the personal story seem stretched, but I liked the story so much I will was willing to believe. In the end, rather then being a book about the Crusades, it is a book about Roger of Lunel, set in the Crusades.
I liked Roger, so I loved this book. I also loved the hundreds of small touches which show the effort and the artistry of the author. If this book really isn't true, it could be. And anyone who has even a passing interest in History or Romance should read it.

excellent book--lists nearly every green space in the boston area, checks locations with animal authorities to verify leash laws, provides excellent synopsis of each area and suggestions for trails, paths to take. Fun to read--my lab and I have found countless new spots to run and day trips to take thanks to this book. Probably the most read book in my house.

As the owner of 3 dogs this is the best book I've ever bought. My copy gets so much use that the pages are starting to fall out. The ratings of the different parks/areas a perfect. It is a wonderful reference for finding places where dogs can run leash free.

Invaluable Information. My dog and I have been to so many of the places listed in this book that we otherwise never would have known about. Each park has a very descriptive summary. They even mention places to lodge or eat with your pet. Getting out with your pet is a great way to explore nature, get some excerise and bond ever so closely with your best friend and this book shows you where to do it. I can't wait until a central and western MA area guide is released :)

If you're a dog parent, you tend to know the green spaces around where you live, but when you go afield, you need a guide. This book is invaluable for telling you where to take your dog in Boston and the surrounding towns. If you have a dog and you are looking for an apartment or for real estate in the Boston area, you absolutely need this book.

The only criticism I have is that the book is retriever-centric, meaning it favors parks with bodies of water and ball-throwing possibilities. Different types of dogs need different types of parks; some need good squirrel-chasing capabilities, some need a large fenced area so they can run, some need to be able to swim, some need puppy play-groups, and some need to go where other dogs don't go. The book's ratings favor swimming possibilities, but if you read the descriptions, you can get a sense of whether or not your dog will like a given park.

I live by this book. My dog and I try to visit at least 3 new places a month, besides our old favorites, and this book is what we use. One note: Lynn Woods is now an on-leash spot, as of the summer of 2000. But don't worry, there are many other great spots you can go offleash, even close to Boston, the city that never met a leash law it didn't like. I only wish this book covered all of Massachusetts, or even southern New Hampshire! Maybe the authors will sleuth out a few more places to enjoy, hint, hint. One note: you may want to bring a road atlas with you, because sometimes street signs are down and not replaced, etc., especially in smaller towns. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough. My dog is so happy, visiting these great places, and so am I. And the scenery at some of these places is just beautiful. You and your dog will love it.

I loved this book and I highly recommend getting the other three books in the series. The books are hard to find right now but hopefully the publisher (Imajinn) will be printing more copies. The characters are strong and well defined. Once I started it, I didn't want to put it down.

Darcy Kincaid is half-English and half-Egyptian, which makes her a pariah in Victorian England where bloodlines are most important. Her grandmother wants Darcy to marry an Englishman, produce heirs, and ignore her tainted Egyptian heritage. Rather then take the easy way out, Darcy is determined to earn enough money to pay for her passage to Egypt. She is working on writing a collection of Egyptian stories that she hopes will get published and she accepts the position of secretary to Dr. Simon Garrett, writing a book on the derivation of words.

When she first arrives at Rosewood Hall, Simon wants to dismiss her because he expected a male but Darcy's typing skills persuades him to give her a chance. From the very beginning Simon and Darcy are attracted to one another as if they knew each other in another lifetime. Both try to fight the attraction but neither are successful yet if they are to find any happiness, they must fight the evil that dwells within their midst.

J.A. Ferguson has written a beautiful reincarnation romance starring two lovers who must fight and win against an old enemy if they are to have a second chance at life and love. Set against a mid-Victorian English background, Call BACK YESTERDAY is a gothic ghost tale that will appeal to lovers of romance that have a strong dose of the paranormal in the plot.

Harriet Klausner

This book is very interresting. I would recommend the Image series to people who love: action, fighting, romance & suspense. Afterimage is about Drago, a vampire enforcer who must make sure that the other vampires obey the rules set forth by the Directorate (The vampire council.) Drago finds out that someone is trying to destroy him & that someone is named Marya Jaks. However, Marya is just a pawn used by Drago's real foe. Will Drago, now teamed up w/ Marya; discover who the real enemy is before it is too late & will his new teammate (Marya) give him something that he has been longing for, a companion.

Buy the book & find out. You WILL NOT be disappointed.

Sincerely,
JenJayLynn

Marya Jaks hates vampires. Her grandfather was one and her father was a vampire slayer killed by a vampire. Because she is part vampire, the Vampire Council, has reviewed her case every few years since she reached adulthood. So, with a potential death sentence over her head, Marya leads a rather lonely life, not wanting to get too involved with anyone. She hates the vampires even more for this, even though she doesn't have her father's need to kill any of them. The council sends L'Enforcier, Drago to give her her final evaluation. Drago, is tired of running errands and just to be contrary, grants her life. Marya is relieved and starts her life anew. Until another Enforcer arrives to tell her that Drago has reversed her decision. Furious and with nothing to lose, she sets out to kill Drago. The only problem is, Drago didn't reverse his decision, and has to keep her with him to protect he while he finds out who really gave the erroneous orders.

This was a fast moving novel, with almost no break in the action. I read it in one sitting.

AFTERIMAGE is second in the Image Series created by Jaye Roycraft. First introduced in DOUBLE IMAGE, it is primarily the story of Alek Dragovich, l'enforcier, the sometimes hated primary Enforcer of the Directorate, a vampire hierarchy beset by betrayal, corruption and jealousy. Dragovich is not especially loved by his comrades, nor by the beings he polices in the underworld. Only Nikolena, la directrice of Drago's particular branch of the Directorate, seems able to tolerate his insolence and his desire to do things "The Drago Way." But his relationship with Nikolena is a rocky one. When she sends Drago to pass judgment on Marya Jaks, a dhampir, or half-vampire, whose father was a renowned hunter of the undead, Drago purposely grants the beautiful--and herself insolent--Marya life, despite her danger to vampirekind. The decision sets into motion a conspiracy to remove Drago from his seat of power. But who is behind this sudden desire to tear Drago down in the ranks?

At first, Drago believes it is Marya herself who is out to destroy him--Marya who is embittered by her life and treated as an enemy both to humankind as well as the Directorate. Marya who belongs to both worlds and to neither of them. But Marya soon shows her true intention: she wants to live free, nothing more, and she forges a hesitant relationship with Drago for just that purpose. In a strange twist of fate, a member of her hated half-kin has now become her protector as a twining of events leads Drago and Marya all over the map in search of clues as to the identity of the being responsible for wanting Marya dead and Drago unseated. Can Drago uncover his secret nemesis before the clock runs out? And can Marya accept the fact that she has feelings for the rogue vampire who saved her life? An interesting array of emotional fireworks ensures.

AFTERIMAGE is a fast-paced story coupled with romantic suspense, action and drama. The characters are real and believable, from the sultry Drago to the bittersweet Marya and even Revelin Scott, Drago's assistant (Or is he more?) who added a wonderful flair of humor and tongue-in-cheek to the story. I have to admit that before I was done I began to hope the author would deem Scott worthy of his own story someday as his hip, charming and mysterious character stepped easily off the page. Jaye Roycraft is a definite force behind the next generation of paranormal romance and June 2002 will see the release of her newest in the Image Series, SHADOW IMAGE.

Karen Koehler,
Author of Slayer and Scarabus

The most amazing thing that about this book is that Arrian somehow managed to rescue the man from the legend, the god from the myth and the story from the soothsayers. He intended to write a factual history of the great leader but by necessity was forced to rely on word of mouth, old stories, past recollections and hardly any authoritative manuscripts.

Considering what he had to work with, the outcome is simply amazing. Like Thucydides, Herodotus and Livy, his goal was to write a factual work that was to have been definitive...and it was. The campaigns are given much attention as well as the character of Alexander. For a more scholarly and literary work I recommend Robin Lane Fox and his biography of Alexander - just stupendous.

This book is a PRIMARY SOURCE that is great for any student. An ancient work that has great deatails. It is actually interesting to read, even if you just use it for school. If you want more information on this book, feel free to e-mail me at Silvermouse51@aol.com. I will try to respond to your e-mail as soon as possible. Again, buy this book if you're doing a project on Alexander the Great! It's the absolute best you can ever buy!

Of all the books that I read of Alexander the Great, this book is my favourite in explaining the famous battles.It also explaines how he conquered the tribes from Persia up to Sogdiana.The battles of the Granicus,Issus,Gaugamela,and above all Tyre are incredibly narrated.The names are all there, who did what,and who did not.In the battle of Tyre, how much he had destroyed and how much he had to rebuild,never giving up.It explains all the problems that Alexander encountered with the Tyrians.
The death of Hephastion that made him lose his sanity,make you really feel what friendship meant to him. What this young man accomplished,and what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Conquer as long as there were places to conquer.
It also writes about the honest side of Alexander,and those who
were traitors how he treated them.All the spoils of war he gave away,only eternal fame was his.How he created cities,and how he was ahead of his time, in many ways.
Read it is a great book indeed.

The wierdest part of this history was the account in Indika of the island of cavemen that Nearchos ran into, and battled with his fleet...

"There was a lagoon at the mouths of the river, and the depressions near the bank were inhabited by natives in stifling cabins. These seeing the convoy sailing up were astounded, and lining along the shore stood ready to repel any who should attempt a landing. They carried thick spears, about six cubits long; these had no iron tip, but the same result was obtained by hardening the point with fire. They were in number about six hundred. Nearchus observed these evidently standing firm and drawn up in order, and ordered the ships to hold back within range, so that their missiles might reach the shore; for the natives' spears, which looked stalwart, were good for close fighting, but had no terrors against a volley. Then Nearchus took the lightest and lightest-armed troops, such as were also the best swimmers, and bade them swim off as soon as the word was given. Their orders were that, as soon as any swimmer found bottom, he should await his mate, and not attack the natives till they had their formation three deep; but then they were to raise their battle cry and charge at the double. On the word, those detailed for this service dived from the ships into the sea, and swam smartly, and took up their formation in orderly manner, and having made a phalanx, charged, raising, for their part, their battle cry to the God of War, and those on shipboard raised the cry along with them; and arrows and missiles from the engines were hurled against the natives. They, astounded at the flash of the armour, and the swiftness of the charge, and attacked by showers of arrows and missiles, half naked as they were, never stopped to resist but gave way. Some were killed in flight; others were captured; but some escaped into the hills. Those captured were hairy, not only their heads but the rest of their bodies; their nails were rather like beasts' claws; they used their nails (according to report) as if they were iron tools; with these they tore asunder their fishes, and even the less solid kinds of wood; everything else they cleft with sharp stones; for iron they did not possess. For clothing they wore skins of animals, some even the thick skins of the larger fishes."

Cavemen who dont at all use metal, but only stones and fingernails...they wear animal skins...but most importantly, bodies COVERED in hair? What?! I want to go search for this island.

I want to go look for this island, i know how wierd it is, but THIS paragraph caught my eye more than any other in this work.

PS:
Arrian's account of Alexander is the best ancient source, though he is a bit of an apologist for the actions of Alexander, so dont believe ALL that Arrian says. The guy though was an actual general, and he had fought and conquered, he was someone who had been through many of the same situations as Alexander as a governor and general, so he DOES know what he is talking about.
Great work...

Alexander the Great was already a historical figure and "larger than life" character by the time Arrian wrote his CAMPAIGNS OF ALEXANDER. More than 400 years had passed since Alexander's death and, while there was doubtless plenty of popular lore about him, there also was a considerable mass of written source material in existence. Much of this material came from contemporaries who had campaigned with Alexander, but these accounts apparently often conflicted. Forced to pick and choose from all this information, Arrian appears to have relied largely on Ptolemy and Aristobulus. Ptolemy was experienced in military matters and, as one of Alexander's generals, had participated in many of the operations he described. Arrian brings his own knowledge and experience of military and administrative matters to bear on this information with generally good results. The rap on Arrian is that he displays a sound grasp of Alexander's military exploits and of his character, but is too forgiving when it comes to Alexander's faults and glosses over other issues.

Arrian brought a wealth of experience to his task. His own personal accomplishments were considerable. A Greek by descent, he was born in the city of Nicomedia, capital of the Roman province of Bithynia, sometime prior to A.D. 90. His family was prosperous and had attained Roman citizenship, giving young Arrian the possibility of a career in the imperial service. Before he was done, he attained the Roman consulship and was subsequently entrusted by Emperor Hadrian with the governorship of Cappadocia, a border province on the eastern frontier that entailed the command of two Roman legions plus auxiliary troops. During this period he led a successful campaign to drive an invading tribe out of Armenia, sailed all the way around the Black Sea, and wrote accounts of these events as well as manuals on military tactics. After Hadrian's death, Arrian retired to Athens, where he rose to become chief magistrate and, later, a Member of the Council of the city. He also continued to write until his death sometime between A.D. 173 and A.D. 180.

Besides THE CAMPAIGNS OF ALEXANDER, Arrian authored many other works. A few survive, but most are now lost, as are the many sources available to Arrian from Ptolemy, Aristobulus, Nearchus and others. All that remains from those who actually knew Alexander is in the form of quotes and citations in the works of later historians like Arrian. It's a sad fact that, while a few histories written by ancient scholars such as Livy, Plutarch, Arrian and others have survived, the great bulk of ancient literature and source material is gone. In an age when scribes had to copy books by hand, there could never be more than a few dozen copies of any book in existence. Under such conditions, it is hard to exaggerate the magnitude of historical disasters ranging from the destruction of the great library at Alexandria to the sack of Constantinople. A survivor like this is a rare opportunity to share the observations of an intelligent and accomplished person from a very different age.

THE CAMPAIGNS OF ALEXANDER is an important piece of the modern world's understanding of Alexander the Great. We're extremely fortunate it has survived. More than that, though, this is a lively and fascinating book that any reader can enjoy. If you have any interest in Alexander, or in ancient history in general, read this book.

Mr. Crawford has done us all a great service by crafting a wonderfully readable book that beautifully blends vision and practicality. The reference model for Carfree Cities proposed in this meticulously considered work could quite possibly be the blueprint for reviving not only the art of building but the art of living itself.

There is no better time to consider the building of a car free city than now, and this is one of the best books out there on the topic. Many people believe that a high density living environment translates into a loss of freedome and personal space. We think of tall sky scrapers thousands of feet high to accomodate high density living and we associate that with stress and other negative factors. The author shows how by living in a little more dense environment, and building better public transit systems we can actually experience more freedom, not less freedom in a high density environment. Comparisons between LA and Venice, Italy help tell the story. A must read if you are interested in this topic.

Crawford does an excellent job of opening up your mind to the possibilities of a world without cars. He takes a very close examination of two polar opposites Los Angeles, CA and Venice, Italy. He explores the ways cities have been built, and how they could be built. I particularly like that he draws up what a model car free city coul look like,even suggestions on where the first carfree city could be built. Many books out there talk about the destruction that has come along with an automobile dependent world. Crawford tells us how we could possibly escape it. Down Low Glow Lighting Kit - Two Tubes-Envy(green)Down Low Glow Lighting Kit - Two Tubes - Plush(red)

There is a very desirable lifestyle possible between that of urban tenement slum and suburban car slum, and this book charts the way. The future lies in high-density habitation surrounded by very low-density green space. Walking, biking,a nd public transport will be the prime movers, not cars.

More than half of the world's petrol sources have already been exhausted, and now, with rapidly industrializing countries with huge populations like China and India, demand and competition for petrol will skyrocket and accordingly prices will too. This is one of the three bases that Crawford sets for the radical revisioning of global city planning to abandon autocentric tendencies, and perhaps the most persuasive. The two others, that auto-use is destroying the Earth and that car-free developments, like Venice and very old sectors of European cities, are intrinsically more beautiful and livable areas, are both valid and convincing. But recent economic realities, as is currently being evidenced in global oil prices, perhaps serve to allow the reader to actually consider the feasability and necessity of abandonining continued suburbanization, rather than just relegating the thought as a utopian but impractical solution.

This book was written in 2000, but the predictions made regarding economic necesities are still valid and the book does not feel dated in the slightest bit. It was a joy to read - the author quite clearly wasn't an English major but the style he utilized - straight-forward and casual, in conjunction with many visual examples - is consistent with his overall vision of the carfree city: efficient, user-friendly, and pretty. At some parts the book is a little dry, but these stem from the specific topic of discussion (like freight transportation, which is very thoroughly conceieved) and are not indicative of the greater whole of the book. One of the more memorable sections of this book compares the strip malls and highways of Los Angeles against the vendors, stores, canals, and alleys of Venice - it perfectly demonstrates the ridiculous and sadistically-hilarious sacrifices we have made to live in our "car-dependent jungle." A little history of how we got to where we are is also included. Things don't have to be the way they are - and with new and pressing economic realities, they're not going to be able to for long either. Here's a fabulous concept for revisioning our cities.

As a helicopter crew chief in Viet Nam, and having seen the A-1's in action, I can say without a doubt that the pilots of these big, slow targets are my heroes! Flying into the teeth of enemy fire, they could and did take a lot of lead. But keep in mind that all it took was one single golden round to knock them out of the sky. At the slow speeds, these guys were able to pinpoint their bombs and strafing runs right where they were needed. While reading "Cheating Death" (three times) I could hear the gunfire, smell the cordite, and feel the adrenaline rush. I want more! You won't put this one down before you read the last page. William E. Peterson

My Uncle Robby (Robert Franklin Coady) was a Skyraider pilot, mentioned in this book, in fact. George Marrett's book brought to life for me the bravery and sacrifice of my uncle, the author and the men they served with.

I am humbled and appreciate the sacrifice of these men who flew the sandys and jollys made during the secret war in Laos in the 60's. These men put their lives on the line every time they went out to rescue downed fliers in Laos. I first learned about the rescue mission of the A-1 from Stephen Count's book "Flight of the Intruder." And I am glad that someone who actually flew these planes wrote an account of their experiences in these strike and rescue missions.

Captain G.J. Marrett writes an informative and readable account of his experiences during the Vietnam conflict. I was surprised to read about the number of planes shot down. I guess this is a compliment to the tenacity of the NVA and the danger of flying these missions. Capt. Marrett flew 187 missions and throughout the book you learn of his dedication to his fellow warriors and his love for aviation and the A-1.

I have come to love the A-1 and the appreciate the amazing capability of this warplane. I would love to get a ride in a A-1E or A-1G but better yet to fly a A-1J. How about it, Captain?

Sock It to 'Em!

While I was aware that the A-1 Skyraider participated in rescues of downed pilots, I had never read of the use of the A-1 indepth until I read "Cheating Death". Since the A-1 was an old, piston-engine aircraft, it is often overlooked, especially when compared to the F-4, F-105 and B-52 and other jets. George Marrett gives long overdue recognition to the crucial role played by the A-1 and the rescue forces in what is often an overlooked, yet important, role during the Vietnam War.

I flew in the same squadron and on the same ship as one of the Navy pilots George and his fellow warriors risked their lives to rescue. It happened on our first day of combat in 1968 and we were all overwhelmed by seeing their dedication to getting him out over three long days. It was like a bad dream. Now, 37 years later, I get to read a gripping, first-person account of this rescue mission and others like it. I am awed and humbled by reading this book. This is the "real deal" folks! No laser-guided, standoff weapons here. Be warned, you will lose sleep for a few nights as you turn these pages well past the time normal people go to bed.