Z Books

This is a great collection of IMO problems, but I am disappointed by the authors' command of English and sloppiness, especially since they have rewritten the problem statements to save space, often leading to unclear or even incorrect statements. For example, problem 4, IMO 1965 is incorrectly stated as: "Find four real numbers x1,x2,x3,x4 such that the sum of any of the numbers and the product of other three is equal to 2." The statement is not as clear as the original one found on the IMO website, the last four words can be replaced with the two words "equals 2" to save space, and the article "the" is missing (a typical native Slavic language speaker grammar error in English). Much more serious is that this formulation has the trivial answer 1,1,1,1 while the original question was to find all solutions, not just a single one. An error in problem statement is the worst mistake possible in a problem book, even worse than a solution error, and it is even worse here as it is for an original IMO problem, not the long or shortlisted one where this could have been understandable due to the large number of problems and the lesser attention given to them over the years. I just got the book yesterday, so have not checked it out thoroughly, but I expect to find many more inaccuracies and mistakes. For me this is not such a problem and I even find it motivating to look for errors, but it can be a serious problem for students using the book to learn about doing IMO problems.

Update, November 17, 2008. I have found more errors in IMO contest statements 1981.4, 1987.4, 1971.3, 1979.1, 1978.3, 1978.5, 1985.4, 1989.1, 1991.2. This includes errors in English (some of which make the statement longer than the original) as well as changing the problem statement for 1987.4 and 1989.1. The case 1989.1 is particularly serious. The original problem asked to partition the numbers 1,...,1989 into 117 sets each with equal sum, while the book asks for 17 sets instead. It seems that the book formulation avoids the subtleties of this problem by considering a less complicated formulation, the general case seems much harder when the number of sets in the partition is greater than the number of elements in each set (in particular I give a solution when this is not the case). Here is an outline of my analysis:

Consider the general problem of partitioning {1,...,n} into d sets of equal size and equal element sum, so n = c*d. Clearly, the problem is the same for the set {0,...,n-1}, and write these numbers as a cxd array whose jth row is 117j + i, i=0,...,d-1. Each permutation of {0,...,d-1} induces a permutation on a row. One then considers permutations x |-> x + a mod d (cyclical shift by a) and x |-> d-1-x (reverse a row). If c is even, then one changes the array by reversing c/2 rows and leaving c/2 rows unchanged. If c is odd and d <= c, then one changes the array by cyclically shifting d rows (row j shifted by j), and then, since c-d is even, one can reverse (c-d)/2 rows and leave (c-d)/2 rows unchanged. It is clear that the columns of the resulting array give a solution. This gives a solution for n = c*d with c even or n = c*d odd and d <=c. In particular, this solves the book version with d = 17, c = 117.

For n = c*d, odd and d > c, I could not find a simple analysis in this case. For example if n = 15, d = 5, I found an ad hoc solution using Sudoku style trial and error, but I don't see a pattern:

{1,10,13}, {2,8,14},{3,9,12},{4,5,15},{6,7,11}.

However, I did find a general solution when d = r*s and r <= s <= c. This solves the IMO problem since r = 9 < s = 13 < c = 17. Once again, consider the cxd array with jth row jd + i, i = 0,...,d-1. By the first part above, since r <= s, one can partition {0,...,d-1} into r sets B1,...,Br each of size s and all with equal sum. There is a permutation sigma of {0,...,d-1} in which each Bk is shifted cyclically by 1, note that sigma has order s. One repeatedly applies this permutation to rows 1,...,s of the array (that is, apply sigma^j to row j, j =0,...,s-1) and on the remaining c-s rows, half will be left the same and the other half reversed. The columns of the resulting array give the required partition of {0,...,n-1}.

This is the most comprehensive book on the IMO that I know. It includes all the problems suggested for the IMO from 1959 to 2004. What is more, it has solutions for the so-called 864 shortlist problems. Another 1036 longlist problems (without solutions) are also included. It also includes a detailed listing of definitions, concepts and theorems of analysis, algebra, geometry, combinatorics and number theory needed for solving the problems. Browsing through this book is like taking a journey back in time whereby you can compare and contrast the types of problems of recent vintage to the earlier era where the East Bloc was dominant. If you are a mathematics aficionado, then this book should be in your collection.

A problem book written for the not so ordinary mortal mathematicians. A problem book for the above ordinary students and teachers as well. I like this book and I would treasure this book in my lectures. Similar books like this is what I like to pass on to my wards. Many thanks and more power to you! Do email me on books of similar content. An extra-ordinary book containing jewels of mathematical thoughts for students and teachers alike. I love this book.

This book contains roughly 1900 problems in 45 years of IMO history. Most of the problems are accompanied with a solution. This is an excellent resource for anyone preparing for a high calibre math contest such as olympiads or the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition.

This book also has an extremely comprehensive collection of definitions and theorems which span from analysis to algebra to combinatorics in the first part of the book, which is a nice summary of tools useable on math contests and in math courses.

46-year compendium of all the IMO shortlist and longlist problems. This is a rare book as none of the other IMO problem books so far covers both long and short-list problems.

The book has a complete listing of all long and short list problems but only provides solutions to shortlist problems as the book is already thick enough as it is. Would be great if the authors could expand the book or have a sequel to cover the other equally interesting longlist problems.

As expected, this is a very expensive Springer-Verlag book. Highly recommended though.

I first read this outstanding book when it was first published in 1984. I am still recommending it to my patients and students 23 years later. Laborde takes a complex subject and breaks it down into easy to digest bits that you can begin using in your daily life almost immediately. If you want to enhance your communication skills with your companions, your family, your boss, your employees, or your customers this is the book to get.

Be aware that this is not New Age mystical book. Rather it is a down-to-earth foundation for establishing mutual benefit between you and the people you interact with daily. I have introduced this book to other therapists, university professors, policemen, housewives and personal trainers. They have all raved about their increased capacity to get their message across and to understand their communication partners better.

Having been a psychotherapist for over fifteen years and having struggled understanding sooooo many books on Neuro-Linguistic Programing, Dr. Laborde's book is a breath of fresh air. The topics are clear, powerful and practical in understanding and applying elements of NLP in improving communication. I can't believe the book has apparently been in and out of print as I consider it a "Classic".

One of the best things about this book is that, as the title suggests, it effectively answers that old chestnut about NLP being manipulative. Genie has simplified the Meta Model down to five types of "Pointers" which you can anchor to your fingers so you can remember them easily! She also has useful exercises for developing sensory acuity.

As a UK NLP trainer I can wholeheartedly recommend this very clear, readable and useful book which anyone in business, or in fact anyone, will benefit from. Of course, being an NLP book, it's "enlivened" by a lot of crap illustrations, but don't let that put you off.

Although this book is 10 years old, it remains very "current" and powerful. Communicating is the essence of what people do, and so often failure of good communications inhibits and injures. The book offers a great insight and practical approaches to improving communications and negotiating for positive outcomes. A "must" for anyone, but especially for people whose work involves communicating with others (most of us).

Having been in sales for 20+ years no book has been as influential in my development of Negotiation,Conflict Resolution and Communication Skills as "Influencing with Integrity".
Establishing "Rapport" is the first step in any relationship and Genie Z. Laborde shows you the way!
It takes you into a whole new world of "awareness" by developing both verbal and nonverbal commication skills that you can utilize "in and out" of the office.

I love Boston. I really do. This beautiful, progressive city known for being an academic, cultural and historical mecca is brilliantly presented in this delightful book.

This book will take readers alphabetically through the city that has long established itself as the Cradle of Amerian History. The alphabet format is good and effective as readers will more easily remember the sites in and around Boston. The map of the Boston area is also a good idea and an excellent added touch.

Using alliterative sentences is another good mnemonic device; readers will readily make associations with the places they are reading about in this delightful book about Boston. Readers also get text with chronicled detailed history about the places and historical events that took place in the Boston area. The lovely illustrations and rich history will delight readers of all ages. I highly recommend this one.

A wonderful book to see Boston and find out about Boston. I would recommend this to anyone (adults and children) about to visit Boston. I am looking forward to buying more books by this author and illustrator.

I discovered this book while doing a search for travel guides
to Boston. I was surprised when this book popped up 2nd in the
list, but since I collect children's illustrated books, I had to
take a look, and found it to be absolutely wonderful. I do have
to admit that it certainly would be for the very top end of the
picture book gang, not those just learning their ABC's. But so
what. It is wonderfully informative with beautiful illustrations.

Whenever I run into an ABC book, I first look to the X's to see
how the author handles that. I am pleased that this author
did not feel compelled to use X's in the beginning of the words.
Her X's became "Extraordinary Exhibits excite viewers." That is
so much better than yet another xylophone.

Perhaps my favorite page was "Y": Yarns have been spun at Ye Olde Union Oyster House for Years". The page was so compelling, I made special effort to get to the Oyster House though it wasn't
on my original agenda.

Besides a very attractive architectural illustration of the Oyster House, there is an insert that shows some of regional foods such as Boston Baked Beans and Boston Cream Pie. Below the
pictures is a short paragraph about the pictures. In this case
there is information about baked beans and why they were so popular with the Pilgrims. Below that is a wavy line (as there is on each page) with another bit of information, this time about
lobster which is usually available in the waters close by.

In September I am going to Cape Code and her A to Z book on
Cape Cod will be part of my planning. I hope she keeps this
wonderful series going, and if she branches out into Europe -
so much the better! If you are reading this, Martha, I am going
to London in the Spring next year and Venice in the fall, just
in case you are looking for your next subject.

Highly recommended.

It seems a bit strange to use an alphabet book format for middle schoolers, but the idea is well-executed in this nicely illustrated guide to Boston. The book begins with an undetailed map of the Boston vicinity, continues with a paragraph of introduction, and then moves on to the alphabet. Each letter gets a full page and has an alliterative title with a few explanatory sentences and some related factoids. For example, "M" is entitled "Minutemen made ready at a moment's notice"; text describes the events in Lexington and Concord on April 18, 1775; watercolor pictures show the Minuteman statue in Lexington and the Old North Bridge in Concord; factoids tell us that British soldiers were called "regulars" and that the midnight riders (Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott) called out "The regulars are out! The regulars are out!" as they rode through the night. End pages depict an alphabet of objects other than those seen in the book, such as Magnolia for "M".

With nice art and layout, this book imparts quite a few interesting facts about Boston, though one thinks it might have benefitted from an overarching coherence with which to motivate the more sophisticated young readers at which it is purportedly aimed.

JOURNEY AROUND BOSTON is another title in the series created by author, artist and one time teacher Martha Zschock. Zschock was a third grade teacher at the time she wrote the book. As a teacher she has the respects both the natural curiosity and intelligence of children. A mallard, a duck often associated with the city thanks to Robert McCloskey's immortal MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, leads visitors on a tour of Boston and the vicinity. Her book includes the familiar tourist attractions as well as lesser known and perhaps even ignored places in Boston. It serves as a wonderful introduction to Boston and its illustrious history.

This book is a must for any family with young visitors coming to the city of Boston. It will also be of interest to the children of Boston who wish to learn a bit about the city and its history.

As we know, there 's a popular film showing in US named' The

Lizzie McGuire Movie'. Unluckly, I'm not in US, so I can't

watch the film.I've watch the preview and I like it very

much.This book is full of imagination, it's a bit similar to the

book' The Princess Dairies'. It's the best book for all the

girls who liked to dream(including me) ------being a famous pop

star, having all the clothes and food you want. I like the

ending best, because it is unexpected. I think that it will be

one of the favourtes of the girls who liked to dream !!!

- Lucia Lee, one of the readers of this wonderful book

This book was really great. I would reccomend it for ages 11 or 12 and up because it has a bad word in it and it has the word sexiest in it. So if you know any 11 or 12 or older person get it for them if they are a Lizzie McGuire.

This is the best book around! It tells the exact same story as the movie. There aren't differences in this book as the movie. I read the first two pages of the book when I first bought it

i'm a big fan of lizzie, i think this book was very cute, it's very funny. i hope the movie turns out the same way.

The Lizzie McGuire Movie by Susan Estelle Jansen is an awesome story about one girl that is to clumsy to do anything and then she goes on a trip to Rome and finds out otherwise.

Lizzie is just about to graduate from junior high and she messes up real bad! Her brother tape records it and sends it to Good Morning America. Then she goes on a class trip to Rome and she tells her best friend Gordo that they need to find adventures. Then Lizzie bumps into pop superstar Paolo and she does find adventures. He tells her that she looks just like Isabella the girl he sings with. He tells her his story and she agrees to help him. She becomes Isabella for a couple of days dodging her new principal while doing so. Gordo covers for her and gets himself in tuns of trouble. Read this wonderful story and find out what happens with Lizzie and her singing career and Gordo and Isabella.

The characters really jump out at you. Lizzie is so clumsy and she seems to always fall down. The characters were really believable and the story seemed to be real to me. This book is really hard to put down you always want to know what is going to happen to Lizzie and her friends. You have to pay attention very closely so you aren't lost or confused. The plot is so interesting and the ending will blow you away. I really believe any girl who reads this would want this to happen to them.

I loved this book. It is every teenagers dream. This is such an exciting book it really lets you feel like you are leaving the `dream'. I would recommend this book to teenage girls looking for a good read because they would enjoy it and keep it as one of there favorites. The book will be enjoyed by all whom read.So read this book and please with all means `enjoy'!!
-Patricia Harnish 13

La importante información y experiencias que Emily y Barbara comparten en su libro es algo enriquecedor, muy funcional y cercano para mi práctica docente como maestra de Educación especial, ya que realmente cubrió y superó mis expectativas. Las felicito por sus aportaciones, el esfuerzo por compilar toda la información presentándola de una manera tan formal y funcional al explicar y discipar nuestras dudas. Aprecio mucho la información y trabajo que Emily y Barbara comparten con nosotros y sus deseos de servir y compartir con los demás.

Es un libro que explica como su título indica los diferentes diagnósticos que entran dentro del espectro de autismo. Cada capítulo viene encabezado a su vez con el tópico que será tratado con meridiana claridad y está muy bien organizado. Los padres castellano parlantes (o dicho de otra manera, hispano hablantes) que residan en Estados Unidos encontrarán este libro de gran ayuda para averiguar los tratamientos disponibles en este país y cómo tener acceso a ellos. Hay capítulos que explican cómo tienen que comunicarse los profesores y los padres para todos unidos y en colaboración poder trabajar juntos en el bien común de la educación del niño con ASD (por sus siglas en inglés: Trastornos del Espectro de Autismo). El libro da todo lujo de detalles sobre páginas web dedicadas también al ASD.
Incluso padres y profesores de niños con ASD de cualquier pais de lengua hispana se verán beneficiados por la extensa y concisa infomación detallada en este libro escrito primero en inglés para una audiencia estadounidense y luego traducido al castellano (o español) por una de las autoras, Emily Iland, cuyo cariño y dedicación al mundo del autismo es reconocido por todos, habiendo recibido varios premios precisamente por este libro del que estamos hablando. Ella tiene un hijo con ASD, Tom. La otra autora es su hermana, Barbara Doyle, tía de Tom. Nadie mejor que ellas dos podría haber escrito un libro como éste. Muchas gracias.

Felicidades a las hnas. Doyle por esta gran produccion. Me inspira profundamente la dedicacion de Emily, sobre todo, por aportar esta obra a la comunidad hispana, especialmente a los que residen en los E.U.

Muchos padres de familia (de habla hispana) con hijos que padecen de autismo, encuentran poca o ninguna informacion en espanol relacionada con el autismo en los estantes de las librerias. Este es un libro basico de cabecera o de consulta que resulta imprescindible.

La informacion contenida es de gran relevancia para todos aquellos que buscan respuestas a un sinnumero de interrogantes que se presentan al descubrir que un miembro de su familia padece de autismo. Dicha informacion es clara y sencilla de comprender. Me encanta la idea que se plasma de compartir la informacion acerca del hijo que padece autismo con familiares, amigos y miembros de la comunidad y hacerlos participes de sus esperanzas y ambiciones.

El libro da esperanza a muchos padres de familia que consideran que su hijo(a) no tiene cura o habilidades. Las palabras de aliento son muy fuertes y hacen sentir las ganas de crear un futuro brillante para cada nino en el espectro.

En verdad, como ellas dicen: "la esperanza conduce a la accion, y la accion a la realizacion de metas que ayudaran al individuo con TEA. Nadie tiene derecho a tratar a un padre como si fuese tonto o poco realista"; por lo tanto se debe luchar por demostrar lo contrario, educandose y aprendiendo cada dia sobre el padecimiento y las maneras que existen para tratarlo. Hay que recordar que el conocimiento es poder, y se requiere de ese poder para ayudar al hijo en el trastorno.

Infinitas gracias a Emily, por su generosidad hacia la comunidad hispana. Su esfuerzo ayudara a muchas familias a educarse, comprender y a tomar accion para el beneficio de sus hijos.

Sinceramente:
Dra. Lorena Smalley, de California del norte.

grupo de apoyo:
el_autismo_en_los_estados_unidos@yahoogroups.com

Este libro a sido de muy gran ayuda, para comprender mas el autismo,y te saca muchas dudas.

En este excelente libro las autoras han volcado muchos años de experiencia personal y profesional sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento del Autismo (en todo el espectro) El libro tiene toneladas de informacion que resulta muy útil. Pero cuando tuve el honor de conocer personalmente a Emily D.Iland pude comprobar la profunda calidad humana de una de sus autoras. Toda esa sabiduría y toda esa experiencia no le impiden ser una mujer muy acogedora, sensata y humana. Tanto el libro como sus autoras presentan de manera muy equilibrada una importante herramienta para las familias de habla hispana en el tratamiento de sus hijos.

My early reader wasn't interested in reading any more for the day when we started this book, but each page is so funny that she just had to keep going to find out what happened on the next! The story is amusing for adults, too, and as a read-aloud for pre-readers. As a parent, I appreciate the fact that the humor is not rude humor, which appears so often in contemporary fiction.

My mother in law checked this book out at the local library for our 2 year old daughter. It is absolutely her favorite book and she cannot part without it. We went back to the library today to renew it for the last time and she was on the verge of tears, so I'm buying it now. It's a great story and we read it to her every night.

This is a fascinating book. I hope she writes more stories about the monster. I can see all kinds of possibilities.

I do think it can be classified as a story to read as well as an easy reader. My grandchildren who cannot read think it is wonderful.

This book has become a new favorite in our house. It is witty, funny (to adults and children) and beautifully touching. My daughters love giving copies of the book to friends as gifts. Everyone we've bought it for has loved it!

This is a definite "must-have" for the bookshelf! The story's delightful premise will engage even the youngest reader. Children will giggle at the monster's antics and Annie's dilemna.

The author has done a wonderful job creating fun read-aloud story with sentences that lend themselves beautifully to the eager ears and eyes of children ready to gobble up a love for reading.

I was watching James Robison one day and Janet Maccaro was his guest. She gave an extremely intelligent review of her book, Natural Health Remedies, along with examples of its contents. I picked up her book and found the most widespread uses of herbs and natural foods with cures for almost any condition. Dr. Maccaro has spent hours of time researching and testing different natural remedies and has written a book so easy to follow anyone can improve their health.
The book is so well designed, you can turn to any condition or any section and get results without reading the entire book first. I would recommend this book to anyone having health problems, or just wanting to stay healthy. Thank you for bringing God's remedies to light in such an easy to read format !

With so many possible side effects possible from traditional drugs and remedies, I believe the best answers come from nature itself. I found this book to be very helpful and I will use it as a resource for years to come. Why treat the symptom when God gave us natural answers to treat the root of the problem.

I saw Dr. Maccaro on a talk show on the TV and found here to be very personable. Her book is a great resource for information and redmedies. I have been looking for an natural healing book but so many of them have so much New Age spirituality I could not bring myself to buy them. This book will give you down to earth remedies and uplifiting Christian veiwpoints. I found it very refreshing and informative.

I think this is an excellent resource to have in the home for continual review of different health conditions and natural(herbs and vitamins)ways
of treatment. As a Christian, I appreciated the references to prayer and
the Bible.

This book contains quite a bit of health information that you don't get from your traditional doctors, although it should be that they read these books. Janet Maccaro's book is written in a simplistic way. A way in which it is easy to read and to understand. She also writes in such a way that you can feel free and safe to incorporate her remedies in your everyday living. They are natural and safe remedies. Of course, some of them you might want to discuss with your physician just to let them know you are considering, or are doing, a certian remedy that you read from her book. I would suggest this book to anyone who is interested in learing more about natural health remedies.

Our Theology Professor recommended two books as must-haves for our collection, this title and the other was New International Dictionary of the Christian Church, The (Hardcover) by Earle E. Cairns (Editor), J.D. Douglas.

A good reference work, a ton of articles of all kinds (supposed to be over 600)lots of excellent authors/contributors, should help me a lot with vague phrases and definitions. I like the fact that it is a one volume rather complete reference.

By way of introduction, Christians will sometimes confuse a Dictionary of Theology with a Bible Dictionary. A Dictionary of Theology describes how theologians have thought about Biblical themes during the past 2,000 years. A Bible Dictionary merely describes such themes (and names and places) as they appear in the Bible. So, for instance, "Benedict" would not appear in a Bible Dictionary, while "Rome" might not appear in a Dictionary of Theology.

I found that there was, generally speaking, great clarity of writing, a healthy avoidance of overly technical language, and little if any sacrifice of content in the process. The Dictionary is encouragingly up to date, while not overlooking older subjects, such as Arianism. Yet there are some puzzling omissions, such as Postmodern Theology. However, the book clearly needed to make choices, and, by and large, they would seem to have been the right ones. The Dictionary often includes characteristic quotations of theologians through the ages. It also contains vital bibliographies at the end of each entry, and it is cross-referenced throughout. It can rarely be said to favour a particular point of view, although there are a few amusing exceptions by seemingly irritated contributors, such as a reference to "much faddishness" in Contemporary Theological Trends.

Upon opening the book, it is immediately obvious that the publishers have decided to give a thorough treatment to just a few select topics. By "a few", I mean between six and seven hundred. Thus the range of topics is inevitably limited, and there surely would be no perfect selection. What I did miss was an index at the back. For instance, Gustavo Gutierrez appears in the book, but only under Liberation Theology. If one did not have a reasonably good idea of where to look, one might be thoroughly stuck for certain information. Sometimes (but not always), the Dictionary smoothed over major distinctives in the Church, which is precisely where one might wish to see some detail. So, for instance, the seven sacraments of Roman Catholic theology are referred to vaguely as "sources of truth". With language like this, it may be hard to discern what is meant at all.

In its definition of theology, the New Dictionary of Theology quotes Thomas Aquinas: "Theology is taught by God, teaches of God, and leads to God." That, too, would seem to be the general understanding and emphasis of the book. All in all, it is readable and useful, and not least, it has been reprinted nine times in the past seventeen years, which surely cannot be a bad recommendation.

I am a former graduate from a Christian University. Throughout my tenure there I took several theology courses, a half dozen bible courses and even more ministry courses as my degree was in Church Education. There are so many theological terms and research one would be forced to do at college, that are often absent from a hands on position in a local church. This all depends on the church and denomination. Fundemantalists generally value theology, while some of the mainline charismatic churches value practice over theology.

I can say that this theological reference as been a great asset to me to aid in my online debates with Atheists, cults and the like [...]. It also has been a great asset to my website where I am creating a bible curriculum (http://johnw.freeshell.org/bible/published_works.htm).

Previously to owning this book I only had a Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. Such a reference was useful only for simple definitions of huge terms. But know since owning the New Dictionary of Theology I can gain far more depth on these and many more terms, that are absent from bible dictionaries and the simple pocket theological dictionaries.

Sabellianism
Systematic Theology
Pantheism
Transubstantiation
The theological views of some of the mainline denominations

The New Dictionary of Theology is an excellent resourse for the broad and timely expanse of theology. From Abelard to Zwingli, this edition covers with precision the vissicitudes of theological movements and of the erudite artificers who commenced with fervour such oblate campaigns. This Dictionary, however, is evangelicaly biased, but yet equally partial to the immense scope of Christian doctrine and thought. I have thoroughly enjoyed opening this Dictionary, and will continue to do so as it knowlegeably inhances my erudition towards theology. This book has been a blessing on my shelf, and it would be wise to purchase such a masterwork for yourself.

"Pack of Thieves" is a riveting account of man's greed coupled with a recounting of the worst crime in modern history - the Holocaust. I commend Richard Chesnoff for an insightful and beautifully written book. A must for every family library!

Chilling, captivating, terrifying express some of the emotional responses one will feel when one reads this book. The author has thoroughly researched his topic. In addition he has presented his findings in a very organized and readable fashion. The writing style makes for easy reading. The author has transformed what could have been a very mundane presentation of facts and figures into a captivating story that is impossible to put down once started. A must read for students of the Holocaust.

I literally shuddered from a combination of amazement, disgust, and anger after reading this well-written and quite readable overview of the plundering of the European Jews by Hitler and others starting in the 1930s and continuing to the present day. This book by Richard Chesnoff carefully details the scope and depth of the continuing final financial insult to those who suffered the "Final Solution" at Hitler's hand in the Second World War. Even after fifty years, the lies, dissembling, vile deceptions and equivocations continue, for literally tens of billions of dollars of gold, valuables, and money plundered as a result of the so-called "Final Solution" are still unaccounted for. For anyone old enough to have fifty such years of conscious experience in the world, it's difficult to actually be moved to disgust, to be amazed by anything people do, but the bold, shameless ways in which Europe's thugs, slugs and other lowlife cowards came slithering out of their damp and furtive hiding places to take full and open advantage of the Jews' persecution before, during and even after WWII is enough to wrench the most strong-stomached among us.

Although this line of investigation is by its very nature disturbing stuff, it is well handled by the author, and his even, professional journalistic tone is solid, seldom bitter or vengeful. Instead, his forte is his ability to systematically describe, detail, and document the multifarious ways in which the Jews were ritually stripped of anything of value by their friends, neighbors, and countrymen, and how so many of those of whom so much better should have been expected used their positions of relative advantage to exploit, extort, and even help to exterminate them. From outright expropriation of rugs, art, and valuables by the Nazis to a plethora of scams, false promises, and ultimate betrayals, the bottom line in case after case is personal enrichment at the extraordinary expense of the victims. Were I not also aware of countless stories of so many others who risked and often sacrificed themselves to save Jews, I would be ashamed to be a human being. It is difficult to understand how so many fellows human beings could continue be so cravenly covetous and so heartless as to perpetrate such a campaign of dispossession against those who were so helpless, impotent, and so needing of compassion.

The number of ways in which the Jews were exploited and extorted is numbing; from life insurance scams to funds transfer to numbered Swiss accounts to offers to help individual Jews escape to offers to hide them and spirit them to safety, the various permutations seem endless, and often quite ingenious. Yet one cannot help but be appalled by neighbors calmly expropriating clothing, cars, furniture, apartments, homes, and farms from Jews who were being systematically displaced. There are accounts of individuals coming home from the camps to find neighbors firmly ensconced in the homes, using their home goods, and totally oblivious to the possibility they would have to give it all up to the returning survivors. Many Jews returning to their former homes were threatened, scared away, beaten, or even murdered upon their return.

Of course, the most systematic exploitation was by social institutions; governments, banks, insurance companies, art museums. The degree to which these organized interests have systematically delayed, stonewalled, and denied any access to their records for all these decades is scandalous and disheartening to learn about. While the original impetus was to "Aryanize" the wealth of Germany's Jews to help finance the goals of the Third Reich, the explosion of avarice and greed soon spread throughout the Reich and beyond. What is truly disheartening is the widespread degree to which economic, social and political institutions we would otherwise consider respectable and honorable have participated in the plunder taking. This book is a most provocative reading experience, and one anyone interested in the curiosities and unintended ironies of history can play out their games should read. I highly recommend it, and hope it will be widely read and appreciated.

Pack of thieves is probably the most detailed book I have ever read about the plundering of the Jews in Europe. Throughout the book the crimes committed against the Jews is explained in horrifying detail. In my opinion, I would not suggest this book to the weak hearted as it has many awful pictures and stories of people being destroyed by the Nazis. Although it is a horrible subject to read about, the holocaust is not talked about enough. I think that people should be educated about world history so that atrocities like the mass murder of the Jews never happen again.

Chilling, captivating, terrifying express some of the emotional responses one will feel when one reads this book. The author has thoroughly researched his topic. In addition he has presented his findings in a very organized and readable fashion. The writing style makes for easy reading. The author has transformed what could have been a very mundane presentation of facts and figures into a captivating story that is impossible to put down once started. A must read for students of the Holocaust.

This text has a good balance of information and brevity. It is highly usable, and perfect for any massage office or facility to educate the staff. I wish this text had been used in my massage school.

This is the perfect book for Massage Therapists, it covers everything the therapist needs to know and how to treat client complaints through the gentle art of massage therapy.

I was disappointed to receive what I feel is a rather expensive book and find that in flipping through the pages, that some of them were upside-down. I expect perfection when buying a new item!

Excellent reference material...easy to find Pathology. As a praactitioner I do not work on medical cases at this time but find this manual a must...it is informative.

This is a great book for learning pathology. I'm a massage therapist and this helped me to learn certain conditions such as fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis for school exams and for the national boards. If you really want to know the kind of questions asked on the National Certification Examination get the following on amazon: "The Ulimate Study Guide for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork: Key Review Questions and Answers" (Volume 1), (Volume 2), and (Volume 3). Each volume covers each section of the National Certification Examination so thoroughly and the questions really help you know which areas you are weak or strong in.