W Books

Thought I cancelled this but the system didn't cancel it. I returned the book and am waiting on my refund. It toook an extra week to get to me. I no longer needed it then.

The Power of Acknowledgement is a direct, easy to read, and engaging book with a powerful and inspiring message. We rarely acknowledge what others do for us--but when we do--we all benefit. The act of acknowledgement is a powerful communicative tool, for the one who uses it and for the recipient. The author provides examples from everyday life that illustrate how the act of acknowledgement transforms our interactions with others and, in turn, transforms our relationship to ourselves. Simply inspiring!

The Power of Acknowledgment.

Thank you for providing the tool, in one tome, to improve lives -- mine, yours, and those around us.

I've learned that everyone needs recognition, and voicing appreciation -- of accomplishments, talents, wisdom and humanity -- is one positive step. This practice truly helps transform.

Written simply and directly, sharing valuable professional and personal experiences, the book provides easy access to inspirational wisdom.

Merilee Kaufman
Actress/Poet/Vocalist

An easy and pleasurable read. Such a simple concept that can change your life as well as those around you.

The Power of Acknowledgement will have you improving your business and personal relationships. The ideas in the book will take just minutes to implement and will make a difference in all of your personal and professional relationships.

the effects of inhibition and cellular localization of succinate dehydrogenase

I used it as I studied agromy and gave me a strong ground on this subject. I will probably buy it for my personal library, since I always borrowed it from University Of Chile Library.

Lehninger's book remains the best single text in biochemistry, at least in English. A fine book for undergraduates, it is also the one volume that you may keep on your shelf for years to come, and the best biochem text for those whose primary specialty is not biochemistry (e.g. medicine, p-chem, microbio). No text is ever a substitute for the journals if you work in the field, but this book gives a sense of the whole discipline that is beneficial for anyone who may become too narrowly fixed on one topic. Its clear writing is also a blessing, both for those using English as a second language, and for native speakers with some affection for their own language

This book is good, with many charts and diagrams. But it is also true that this book is a little bit difficult for a beginner in biochemistry.

I am student of Agronomy, Ljubljana - Slovenia. This subject is one of the most terrible in our 2nd year, but when I bought this book it was like I found a treasure. I passed the exam at first time and with a good mark. This is the best book I was ever studying from. I wish you to do more books like this one is. My best and kindest regards. All the best in the future, to everyone at the book and to all the readers.

Taking on such a controversial subject as John Brown and portraying his tumultuous life, times, deeds and death in any form let alone in an engaging and objective manner would seem an impossible task, but Olds succeeds brlliantly in this novel. I won't bog down this review with the story line - it's been told and reviewed many times. I will make a note on the "format" of the book - it's somewhat unique to say the least. There are multiple first person narratives, quotes from historical figures and short vignettes, as well as an imaginary court scene with Mr. Brown. Don't be dismayed. This doesn't detract from the book. To the contrary, when one finishes this novel it all makes perfect sense. If you have an interest in John Brown, his place in history, abolition, the Civil War or just want to read a fine novel you won't be disappointed with this book.

....

you will never forget this book after reading it. this book should never go out of print. because of the subject. and because of the style of writing. it is quite simply,

fantastic.

In Raising Holy Hell, his novel about John Brown, Bruce Olds makes the reader ask: How should a person act if directly faced with the inhuman system of slavery that brutalised and killed millions? And, more uncomfortably, could extreme individual violence as exemplified by John Brown's actions be justified in seeking to hasten the end of slavery years before the advent of the American civil war? While vividly imagining through diary entries and historical documents the personality of John Brown and his impact on those who knew him, as a reader who just happened to stumble on this remarkable book I am most grateful to Mr. Olds for bringing into focus and making real the myriad repercussions that slavery had on our society and the individuals it affected. He does justice to real people whom he lets speak to us through his novel (apart, perhaps, from his portrait of Abraham Lincoln), including, among others, Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. Perhaps most shocking are the inclusion of statements by judges and various "founding fathers" of the USA in support of slavery. Highly recommended for anyone interested in these human questions or this historical period. A remarkable book that also causes the reader to reevaluate their own response to present-day issues which are even now costing the lives of thousands.

Russell Banks's "Cloudsplitter" may have garnered higher sales, but Bruce Olds's Pulitzer Prize nominated debut novel, while unjustly neglected by readers, received more positive reviews, and deservedly so. Where Banks's wholly conventional treatment of the life of John Brown remains turgidly earthbound, Olds's more innovative take soars with incandescent energy. Where Banks's book plods, Olds's pulses with brute lyricism. Where Banks drones excessively, Olds incants extravagantly. At last, "Cloudsplitter" implodes of its own portentousness and gravity; "Raising Holy Hell" explodes with the raw power of its poetry. It is the difference between being sucked down a black hole, and riding the wave of a supernova. Which reading experience would you rather have?

An astonishing retelling of the life of John Brown. I selected this book for my book group after having listened to Banks' "Cloudsplitter" on BOT. I had read a few reviews of that book post hoc only to find that many critics cited this text as superior. I would say that the experience of listening, rather than reading, to Banks' book likely boosts my appraisal as I thought it was brilliant in its expanse, detail and imagination. As for Olds' work, it reads as though one is living through the time in a dream-like state. The wickedness and cruelty that is frequently attributed to "historical context" is brought to bear so that it is difficult to fathom how we look back at our American history as somehow noble and founded on justice. As for the man, John Brown, it was a serendipitous reading choice given the current state of world affairs. When resistance is linked to terrorism, the results are necessarily unpredicatable and frightening, regardless of the outcome.

This is another profound work by Ken Carey. Who are the bird tribes? Those who have lived fully conscious lives,(living in the spiritual and material world) before our time. Some lived as native American Indians in the present day United States, and some have lived elsewhere in the Americas, Africa, etc. We are all part of the original creative spirits who envisioned the creation of spirtualized matter. We have chosen to particiapte in matter's evolution into the idealized patterns that we envisioned. Because our world has lost its living connection to spiritualized consciousness, these tribes of spirits have until this time ceased incarnation. They are, however, still living together on a higher spiritual plane, and can be accessed when we attune ourselves to our original purpose of creation that is in accordance to God's plan. Those who struggle with reincarnation can rest at peace. The opening of the book describes an indian chief who willingly is shot by misguided European troops. Through this incident, he is given access to the thoughts and feelings of those who forged the steel for the bullets, created the bullets, and shot the bullets. He symbiotically ingests all the realities that these people possess. Through his death, however, his love and eventual plans of unity among the nations is passed on to the consciousness of all those who had any part in the bullet's creation and eventual use. As conscious spirits, we have access to all knowledge that has come before us and we can experience any wave of energy created by love that has occurred prior. Moderns have called this the "Akashic Records", and access to these files can explain the "reincarnation" dilemma. We all are interconnected on a subconscious level, and knowledge is indeed a universal pool that can be internally understood by all.
The Bird Tribes formed their "League of Nations" on this North American continent to create a spiritual pattern that would eventually form a similar pattern within the United States. Democracy is the pattern directly related to the pattern that these indian tribes first initialized. The indians knew that their time was limited, but they knew that if they radiated their own "League of Nations" built on love and respect for one another, the pattern would still continue since love patterns live on forever. Therfore, the warring European tribes that caused a virtual extinction of the native indians would begin to feel this pattern of love and respond accordingly. That has taken place with the founding of a democratic nation based on the freedoms of each indivdual, as long as the freedoms of the whole are not jeopardized. It was interesting to note the location of the first activities of this league of nations. Some of these activities took place on the very lands that I now dwell upon. I have a deeper sense of the meaning of my home I built to face the east, toward the sacred mountains. The guardians of the east are still prevalent, and usher in the "New" age already budding from the sacred seeds of that great tree.
This book will unite the truths in all sacred religions, Christian or otherwise that bring us closer to the workings of God and what we have been designed to accomplish as human beings. One will begin with earnest to begin living life to the fullest of their potential after reading this book. The seperation of the herds has begun, but none have to perish. This world is the beginning of many to come, and we must all relax into the pattern that our lives were designed to depict and show. This earth is the first creation that blends the life of a star and that of a stone to create biolgical life. We are the blending of spirit and matter. Our mission has just begun. Soon it will be time to "seed the stars"! Welcome aboard fellow travellers! Life has just begun!

This is the kind of book you read in front of a roaring fire when you're snowed in for days. It makes you feel warm inside and it takes you away into the spirit world that calls your name and tells you all this ain't all that.
This is an older title but it's message is timeless. If you're looking to buy a book that can change your mind about the stress of the everyday, this is it.
We're all spirits having a human experience. We are not Nations, we are not religious differences. We are not racial bias, sexual discrimination or hate. We are teachers. Showing each other who we are on the inside, after journeying to that place, in that moment in this life, where we meet together and live what we've learned and what we have to teach.

That's what this book says in so many words.
And in so many more you'll read for yourself.

Very enlightening information. A whole new way of seeing creation and the history and evolution of this planet. Inspiring, insightfull, with knowledge for our transformation.

i'm a critical reader, not gullible to new age babble, and i'm asking you, if you are drawn to this volume, to please read this shimmering book of hope. return of the bird tribes resonates so deeply. i've read and re-read it, given this book away, cited passages aloud to friends, and it never ceases to move me or those it touches. i wasn't prepared for its effect; it is sheer beauty, sheer poetry, a guide to transgressing our culture of fear and war into a world of peace and love. and that's not hippie hyperbole; it's a call to open your heart and surrender to recognize the truth of our unity, our moment in time, and fly with the bird tribes.

with all love to you,

namaste.

This is another profound work by Ken Carey. Who are the bird tribes? Those who have lived fully conscious lives,(living in the spiritual and material world) before our time. Some lived as native American Indians in the present day United States, and some have lived elsewhere in the Americas, Africa, etc. We are all part of the original creative spirits who envisioned the creation of spirtualized matter. We have chosen to particiapte in matter's evolution into the idealized patterns that we envisioned. Because our world has lost its living connection to spiritualized consciousness, these tribes of spirits have until this time ceased incarnation. They are, however, still living together on a higher spiritual plane, and can be accessed when we attune ourselves to our original purpose of creation that is in accordance to God's plan. Those who struggle with reincarnation can rest at peace. The opening of the book describes an indian chief who willingly is shot by misguided European troops. Through this incident, he is given access to the thoughts and feelings of those who forged the steel for the bullets, created the bullets, and shot the bullets. He symbiotically ingests all the realities that these people possess. Through his death, however, his love and eventual plans of unity among the nations is passed on to the consciousness of all those who had any part in the bullet's creation and eventual use. As conscious spirits, we have access to all knowledge that has come before us and we can experience any wave of energy created by love that has occurred prior. Moderns have called this the "Akashic Records", and access to these files can explain the "reincarnation" dilemma. We all are interconnected on a subconscious level, and knowledge is indeed a universal pool that can be internally understood by all.
The Bird Tribes formed their "League of Nations" on this North American continent to create a spiritual pattern that would eventually form a similar pattern within the United States. Democracy is the pattern directly related to the pattern that these indian tribes first initialized. The indians knew that their time was limited, but they knew that if they radiated their own "League of Nations" built on love and respect for one another, the pattern would still continue since love patterns live on forever. Therfore, the warring European tribes that caused a virtual extinction of the native indians would begin to feel this pattern of love and respond accordingly. That has taken place with the founding of a democratic nation based on the freedoms of each indivdual, as long as the freedoms of the whole are not jeopardized. It was interesting to note the location of the first activities of this league of nations. Some of these activities took place on the very lands that I now dwell upon. I have a deeper sense of the meaning of my home I built to face the east, toward the sacred mountains. The guardians of the east are still prevalent, and usher in the "New" age already budding from the sacred seeds of that great tree.
This book will unite the truths in all sacred religions, Christian or otherwise that bring us closer to the workings of God and what we have been designed to accomplish as human beings. One will begin with earnest to begin living life to the fullest of their potential after reading this book. The seperation of the herds has begun, but none have to perish. This world is the beginning of many to come, and we must all relax into the pattern that our lives were designed to depict and show. This earth is the first creation that blends the life of a star and that of a stone to create biolgical life. We are the blending of spirit and matter. Our mission has just begun. Soon it will be time to "seed the stars"! Welcome aboard fellow travellers! Life has just begun!

I have only lived in the US since 2001, and SNL rapidly became my favourite show. Hence I bought this book to have a peek behind the scenes of the Manhattan studio where it all takes place, and I was not disappointed. Some of the people in it I didn't recognise as they were before my time, but I recognised many faces. Even if I hadn't, it is great to see all the backstage shots. Particularly memorable are photos of a writer hunched over a laptop, with Norm McDonald smiling over his shoulder, and Chris Farley sitting at the head of the table in a crowded writers room. There are also lots of other great shots of people building sets, working on costumes, doing all the pre-show stills for the commercial break etc - all of this exactly what I was interested in.

What jumps off the page for me is the camraderie that obviously exists between everyone on the show - obviously there are rivalries and creative tensions, but you can tell there is a group mentality that connects everyone in the photos. There are some treasured memories in here for the lucky few that were there at the time.

This is the next best thing to actually being involved with the show yourself, and as such, I recommend it wholeheartedly. A flood of images! Lovely stuff to have on your coffee table or beside your bed.

A great book, really good if you only started watching SNL in the last few yaers and would like to know about the earlier years.

I'm sorry to say that this book was published a year too early. It went to press after the 1993-94 season which was SNL's 19th. Were the authors and publishers so anxious to get it out? I guess they were. Anyway,this book tells about the amazing history of Saturday Night Live. Every overall cast member,director,writer,producer and everyone else involved. We'll never forget October 11,1975,the day of its premiere. The premiere episode began with the late John Belushi and the late writer Michael O'Donoughue in a sketch called "The Wolverines". O'Donoughue played a psychiatrist and Belushi was the patient. At the end of that sketch and before the pre-taped opening montage played,Chevy Chase came out yelling "LIVE FROM NEW YORK,IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT!",which is said at the beginning of every show,even to this day. Chase didn't stay very long on the show. Before the end of 1976,Chase,the first Weekend Update anchorman,went to Hollywood. Jane Curtin,another original cast member succeeded Chase on Weekend Update. Shortly after Chase's departure,in came Bill Murray from Chicago. After 1978-79,Belushi and Dan Aykroyd left SNL to go Hollywood and concentrate on their Blues Brothers act,initiated on SNL. They filmed THE BLUES BROTHERS in '79,a year after Belushi's first starring film ANIMAL HOUSE. In 1979-80,Harry Shearer joined remaining original members Curtin,Garrett Morris,Laraine Newman and Gilda Radner. After that season,all five were gone. The 1980-81 season began unusually late due to the actors' strike and Presidential debate between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan(the SNL studio was used for the debate). That season brought an entirely new cast,one of them being Joe Piscopo who stayed thru 1983-84. Eddie Murphy,then age 19,joined the show and departed with Piscopo. Another member was Gilbert Gottfried who was then not-so-famous. Jean Doumanian succeeded original producer Lorne Michaels,who had left with the remainder of the original cast. Gottfried was let go after 1980-81. In 1981-82,Piscopo and Murphy had new castmates,some of them Canadians. Robin Duke and Tim Kazurinsky are Canadian like original member Dan Aykroyd. Later(1984-85) came Billy Crystal who almost became an original member,and James Belushi,John's brother. Also joining in 1984-85 was Martin Short,who'd go Hollywood himself later. The following season,things finally settled down in studio 8H. Lorne Michaels returned,triumphantly(Doumanian was fired after 1980-81 and succeeded by Dick Ebersol) to serve as producer like he did for SNL's first 5 seasons. The new cast members were Nora Dunn,Dana Carvey,Kevin Nealon,Victoria Jackson and Dennis Miller who'd become the next Weekend Update anchorman. Mike Myers joined in 1989. Myers and Carvey became Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar,two hard-rocking and babe-loving buddies on the sketch Wayne's World,later inspiring two films. Chris Farley and David Spade later came and also went Hollywood. Another big SNL star is Adam Sandler,another film star. Sandler previously worked for NBC,guest-starring on a few episodes of The Cosby Show. Every show had a guest host and musical guest(some shows had more than one of each). We will never forget the Coneheads,Emily Litella,the Festrunk Brothers,Ed Grimley and Wayne's World(sorry if I forgot anything). We also won't forget John Belushi,who died in 1982 of a drug overdose and Gilda Radner who died at 42 of ovarian cancer. Farley fatally overdosed on drugs in 1997. O'Donoughue succumbed to lung cancer in '94. Oh, by the way,Bill's brother Brian Doyle Murray was an SNL member from 1981 to '84. This book should have been updated in 2000 for the show's 25th anniversary. After nearly 29 years on the air,Saturday Night Live continues to pull in tens of viewers from 11:30 PM to 1 AM,EST.

Since its television debut in 1995 few will argue the fact that Saturday Night Live was a cultural, comedic, and TV phenomenon.

Here in one volume is a collection of the sketches, characters, performers and phrases that first appeared on the show that kept many of us up late.

It's also a visual reminder of some of the great comedians who were first showcased there and the once shocking catch phrases that became a part of our collective vocabulary.

This book is an awesome book! you can learn about every castmember in the show up until 94'. You can learn about all the hosts, all the years, all the musical guests, all the backstage info, all the famous songs(including Adam Sandler's Songs), and much much more. Not only will it let you know your facts, but you will enjoy it! Trust me, buy it!!!!!!

Just the chapter on Skin Care is worth the read.

Unlike other books, this one leads you into the recommended changes very gradually, so you don't come away after reading it thinking you cannot possible remember everything you are supposed to do and give up before even trying.

My recommendation is not to think about this process as a 10-week long program.

Just take it one day at a time, in week-long blocks. Mark the changes on your calendar. Don't look at the whole 10 weeks. Just look at what you will do during the first week. Then you look at what's on schedule for the following week when it starts. And so forth.

If you are consistent, you'll see dramatic changes.

I needed quickie proof that something in this book works, so I began the skin treatment first. Since you see your face every day when you wake up and before you go to bed, your face is a good place to start seeing changes. When your complexion shows improvement even after a couple of days, you'll think...."Wow...I ought to do those other things in the book."

Before you realize it, Voila! You'll have lost a few pounds, and the people at work will ask you what you've been doing with yourself.

I'm on week four. It must be working because my clothes don't fit as tightly and my skin looks GREAT.

Since the pig-out holiday season is starting up, don't punish yourself if you fall off the wagon. Pick up where you left off. One binge isn't going to result in total failure...just a little set-back from which you can quickly recover.

And if it takes you 12 weeks or 15 weeks, just keep doing this program. It worked for my husband, and it is working for me.

This book purports to assist you, O Baby Boomer, to remove 10 years of aging in only 10 weeks. This book has no schematics to build a time machine, instead it's a guide to vitamin supplements, health issues such as sexuality, diabetes and heart disease, how to preserve your mental accuity and much more. I was surprised to find some interesting nuggets of information that, taken together, form a good blueprint for healthful habits. Some of the habits (quitting smoking) are a given. Others, such as finding supplements like bilberry to ward off eye problems, are not so well-known.

This author is not on the low-carb bandwagon (recommends the more usual lower-fat, whole-grain diet) but this is in keeping with such books as "South Beach Diet."

What's valuable to me are lists of supplements and what degenerative processes they help deter, and a general plan for good health in your middle age and beyond. This is a readable, useful book.

Filled with practical, well researched information this book contains the distilled knowledge of the most recent studies on aging. The book is organized in a way that allows you to go to the areas that concern you most and read that section without having to read all the preceding chapters.
The chapters cover such topics as getting rid of fat, regaining lost muscle, boosting your brain power, getting rid of fine lines and wrinkles, recharging your immune system and others. Julian Whitaker and Carol Colman have created an interesting book that puts information you would normally have to search across many reference articles to find into one easy to read book.

I began reading this book after I quit smoking hoping for a healthy new beginning. It is absolutely a delightful understanding of how you can reverse past mistakes and embark on a fresh start to reverse aging. I have basically purchased many of the suggested items and have seen a remarkable change. Alot of the items were somehow difficult to find such as the high potency multi vitamins without iron which was suggested but I am searching vigorously. I think anyone who reads this will understand when I tell them to purchase this for friends and loved ones. Awesome reading!

When a dieter seeks to reclaim youth, health, and vigor, he or she would most likely turn to the newest trend: human growth hormone. Now there is nothing inherently wrong with that as there is a clear place for HGH as a tool for health, but before one goes that route, it might make more sense to go back to the basics of a balanced diet and food supplements. In SHED 10 YEARS IN 10 WEEKS, Dr. Julian Whitaker and Carol Colman urge the health conscious to reappraise their diet so as to eliminate harmful foods and increase beneficial ones. The approach of the authors is bedrock common sense mixed with the knowledge that each brings to the table, he with his years of expertise in diet and nutrition and she with her own contributions to Melatonin and hormone research. What separates these two from other more widely known authors is their ability to take complicated issues related to diet and supplements and make these issues ring with clarity. Whitaker and Colman divide their book into 10 steps or chapters, with each step focusing on one aspect of dietary advice. For example, in step 2, called "Lose A Decade's Worth of Fat," they outline a 10 week program that urges the reader to do all the right things: eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables; establish an optimum intake of carbohydrates, protein, and fat; cut down on red meat, add soy to the diet, recognize that some fats (like Omerga-3 fats) are necessary for cardiovascular health; choose which phytochemicals might help be useful; be aware of the importance of soluble and insoluble fibers. Now all this is what your Granny might have been telling you for years, but Whitaker and Colman manage to punctuate Granny's sage advice with the absolute need to listen to her and to them. The major focus of this book is on diet and supplements. It is interesting to note that if one were to follow their advice prior to adding human growth hormone to a health regimen, then the results of that HGH might likely deliver the fancy promises of the hype. SHED 10 YEARS IN 10 WEEKS is highly recommended in that it takes a complicated subject and breaks it down into easily manageable chunks.

... you just HAVE to check out Deb Butterfield's book "Showdown With Diabetes"! In her book she tells about her life with diabetes and her transplant! In the second part of her book, she talks about the progress over the years that pancreas and islet transplants have made! What impressed me is how she takes all the MANY researchers' information and discusses it all in an easy to understand and positive manner! I'm just so impressed and just had to share this book with you! It's the best thing I've read in a long time!

For anyone affected by diabetes, especially those of us with type 1 - this book should be a real fast and insightful read. Having personally lived with type 1 for the past 25 years, this is the first book I've seen which doesn't try to perpetuate the prevailing myth that the patient is ultimately responsible for his or her condition, or that this illness is nearly as "manageable" as the medical profession, the media or society in general would have us believe. I suspect that much of the first part of the book, which takes the reader through Deb's own struggle with diabetes, is so familiar that it could have been written by anyone who has lived with this illness. The second part closes on a positive note outlining the breakthoughs that will impact finding a cure. But it also serves as a message to the diabetic community that they must do better in advocating for a cure (including funding and policies) which are required to get there. A really good book.

Deb was looking back at me from my mirror! What an incredibly insightful, hopeful, powerful story of diabetes ... Showdown really tells it like it is ... unbelievable refreshing and cathartic! THANKS!

Before a few months ago I did not have a detailed knowledge of diabetes, although I have worked for academic medical centers for over twenty years.

I did a good deal of research when I was asked to consider the position of President and CEO of the Juvenile Diabetes Foudation. Of all my readings, none was as important as Showdown with Diabetes. Most important of all, it enabled me to understand the passion for a cure that has driven JDF's volunteers and staff for over 30 years.

Thankyou Deb for sharing your experiences. I hope that, in my new position, I can help to accomplish the goals you have so articulately described in Showdown with Diabetes.

... you just HAVE to check out Deb Butterfield's book "Showdown With Diabetes"! In her book she tells about her life with diabetes and her transplant! In the second part of her book, she talks about the progress over the years that pancreas and islet transplants have made! What impressed me is how she takes all the MANY researchers' information and discusses it all in an easy to understand and positive manner! I'm just so impressed and just had to share this book with you! It's the best thing I've read in a long time!

A rather nice over view of Tiger operations with an attempt to quantify the Tigers effectiveness in combat. Some questions remained unanswered. How many more Panthers/Jagdpanthers could have been built if Tiger production had never taken place or stopped after TigerI would have been one that I would have liked to have seen answered.

This book on Tigers does what so many others fail to do - it provides context and analysis on the success, or lack thereof, of the Tiger tank.

Most other books on the Tiger tend to emphasize the qualities of the tank when it fought at the very tactical tank-on-tank level. This book, while noting the positive aspects of the tank at that level, considers how the tank actually functioned at higher tactical and operational levels. The bottom line - it didn't do that well.

The reason the tank was mediocre is because of its limited operating range and especially its mechanical unreliability. Even on simple road marches of 20-30 miles a number of tanks would break down, which meant that few went into combat. At the same time, once engaged, even full strength battalions would be combat ineffective within days, not due to enemy fire but to breakdowns. This was especially true during defensive actions where, when their lines of communications were threatened and they had to retreat, more Tigers would be destroyed by their own crews than were destroyed by the enemy.

Whether destroyed by the enemy or their own crews the effect was the same. For example, the Tiger battalion with the best kill ratio (1:50) saw the ratio drop to 1:12.8 when the total number of Tigers lost to breakdowns, and then destroyed by their crews, and other causes is also considered. The next best battalion had a kill ratio of 1:19 which drops to 1:7.1 due to the Tigers being destroyed by their own crews and other causes. This meant, and what frequently happened, is that although the allies may have had to confront Tigers when they had no choice, they more frequently attacked weaker units on the Tigers' flanks, forcing them to withdraw and breakdown.

All-in-all an excellent book with great analysis. You cannot understand the Tiger without reading this book.

This book features operational analysis of Tiger battalions. I was surprised to find concise maps of each operation in this book. While I am still reading it, I felt a brief positive review was in order.

This book is a study of the German Tiger tanks. The writer starts with a brief summary of the early history of the tigers. Then goes on and discusses many battles that had the tigers. He then presents his conclusions that they were are great tank but the Germans never developed a proper military doctrinal guidance that could have used them. As such they were used mainly as tank killers. In this I think he makes a strong case.

However I am not sure that he has proven his case that the tigers were that much better tank killers compared to other German tanks. For example, I have read of some Panthers devastating Allied tanks too in figures equal to what he quotes of Tigers. Overall in both fronts for different reasons the Germans tanks tended to do better.

In the west the Allied tanks were deficient compared to German tanks in armour, mobility and armament. This can be seen as in August in Normandy the Germans had about 1,400 various tanks while the Allies had about 6,000. The Allies losses in tanks were about 3:1. Then put in all the allied air and artillery and you get a feel of the problem.

The Russian figures are disputed with wide range but its clear that overall the Germans lost far fewer tanks then the Russians. The Russian loss ratio is probably higher then the West.

Its an interesting question considering the high cost of the Tiger weapon system. Which the writer does discuss.

Overall the tiger, I wish had more description. The battles are well discussed. The maps are extremely good. I hope that other historians that use this book copy him in producing such maps. The book is certainly worth reading if you are interested in this subject.

great book, this is second one i got. first one i lost after barely reading it. love it. good stories about how individual units lived & fought

A well put view into the world of the serpent. It lays it out so even us laymans can understand it.

Though it is an old book (1997) it is still a really really good book, which I think is a MUST for everyone keeping snakes. Some things like the taxonomy and "rearfanged-anatimy" is outdated, but still there is a LOT of really good basic info on snakes to get in this book.

I have yet to find one book covering so many topics and give so much information in a easy-to-understand language.

It is also quite easy to read, though english is not your native language.

The book is made up of 3 parts, which again is divided in chapters.

Part one is "Lifestyle"
Some topics covered here is Classification, General biology, Feeding, Venomous snakes, Reproduction etc.

Part 2 is Diversity.
Here the different families like elapids, viperids, colubrids etc are covered.

Part 3 is Synthesis.
Here Greene write s about evolution and biogeography as well as a historic chaåter where he discuss snakes in the past, present and future.

Furthermore there are 16 "special Topics" in the book. These are a few pages coverings topics like "Deadly colubrids and famous herpetologists "The coral snake mimicry problem" etc.

I, for one, would love to see an updated version of this fantastic book, since much has happend since '97.

This was my first "serious" snakebook and i have read it several times. Sometimes i still take it down from the shelf nd read my favorite chapters.

I highly recommend this for people who wants to know a little more than cage temperatures and humidity ;)

Snakes: The Evolution Of Mystery In Nature, is one of the best books on snakes I have ever owned. It is a classic right up there with Ditmars, Klauffeld, and Conant. The illustrations are flawless, and include many rarely seen species. The text is extremely well edited, with virtually no typos or spell-check misuse of words. Factually, the book is spot on, with no misidentified species, no incorrect references, and no gaffes. All of the information presented is up to date, and based on state-of-the-art research.

The author relates his personal experiences to introduce each chapter, evoking at-the-scene imagery, and lyrically conveying his point of view. The chapters are packed with information, conveying many new and fascinating tidbits of information about well know and lesser know serpents. Additionally, the chapters have special topics, which go into detail concerning specific aspects of snakes, such as the rattlesnake's rattle, mimicry of coral snakes by harmless species, and the ability of some snakes to swallow proportionately huge food items, and how these specializations may have evolved. Both the introductory essays and the special topics are illuminated by appropriate photos.

If you like snakes, reptiles, are fascinated by nature, or simply interested in evolutionary theory, this is a book you must have.

Professor Greene does a beautiful job revealing the complexities of ophidian natural history. The text is, unlike most scientific works, engaging and a joy to read. The book is further improved by the addition of personal anecdotes that shed light on both snakes and the rewards of being a herpetologist with a particular fascination in snakes. Each chapter has a section devoted to a special topic that discusses some puzzling or interesting facet of snake evolution and natural history. Professor Greene's particular interest in venomnous snakes is evident at times but certainly not overwhelming. This is truly a text for both amateur and professional alike. A great read; it will never collect dust.

I am an amateur reptile enthusiast, with a special passion for snakes, and picked up this book hoping to use it as a sort-of reference and something to flip through when I was bored. Instead, I read it cover-to-cover. One of the most rewarding and interesting books that I have ever read, I recomend it to anyone with a passion for these beautiful creatures.

One of the better books in my collection, and I have many on acoustics and audio from the highly technical to hands-on.

I have collected and used books on sound system engineering for many years and this book has quickly become my favorite. Mine has been borrowed by other engineers so often that I have purchased a second copy. Don and Gene are among the most experienced in the field. They have also both tried to share thier knowledge with others throughout thier careers. This combination of knowledge and desire to share it has produced a book that explains complex ideas in a way that leaves the reader with few questions. It is clear and concise, and is supported by a great number of charts and diagrams. I can't imagine a better way to capture thier knowledge and share it with others. A great number of professionals are going to benefit from this book, and I expect it will be the industry standard for many years to come.

I owned 1st version before and the 3rd revision is a more complete version and gives more information on digital processing aspect.

Sound System Engineering, 3rd Edition contains a wealth of information on the design, implementation and testing of sound reinforcement systems. Don Davis' section on audio and acoustic measurements is a must read for anyone serious about performing such tasks. The concepts he discusses about signal delay/synchronization and room acoustics will help the reader to understand what is at the very basis of these topics.

Similarly, Eugene Patronis' section on loudspeakers and arrays is not to be missed. It will have you going back again and again to find that piece of information you need about horns, direct radiators, crossovers and arrays. His presentation of signal processing starts with basic sampling and progresses through system theory and digital audio.

Two of the latter chapters on equalization and "putting it all together" are true gems. They yield practical information that you'll be using the next time you're faced with the issues covered.

Sound System Engineering, 3rd Edition takes all of the knowledge contained in the 2nd edition and augments it with up-to-date interface methods and advances in the field of audio and acoustics since its last publication. This text is equally suited for both the novice and the veteran audio practitioner. It is written in such a manner that each time you read a portion of it, something new will come to light.


Charlie Hughes
President
Excelsior Audio Design & Services

Congratulations to Don Davis and Eugene Patronis, Jr. for writing the most informative book on sound system engineering ever. The book contains all of the elements of theory, design and practical installation. The book is an excellent reference for the sound system engineer.

Sound System Engineering, Third Edition is the most complete technical book on sound system engineering I have ever read. It is a concentrated capsule of knowledge that gives the theory as well as instructions of how to implement the theory. Don has recorded for us how to do the installation process. Dr. Patronis has given us the physics back of the theory and he added the mathematics so one can reporduce the results. There are places that Doc uses the "It is intuitively obvious..." leap of knowledge that some might have trouble working through but it can be done.

Thank you for such a great work

Don Eger, Owner, Don Eger & Associates