Z Books

A great, handy reference book, "The Address Book: How to Reach Anyone Who Is Anyone" by Michael Levine is a helpful book for anyone looking to write celebrities, politicians, businessmen, and other notable personalities.

Each contact is alphabetized by last name, and contains the address, person's occupation, and in some cases, birthdays (for celebrities only) and webpages (for companies). As an avid letter writer, I found this book helpful in providing me with addresses at demand instead of hunting them down through the Internet by doing searches or going to company webpages.

A great book many will find resourceful, "The Address Book: How to Reach Anyone Who Is Anyone" will help many find the contact information they seek without the need for a major Internet search or many telephone calls. It makes a great gift for students, business professionals, and for anyone who avidly writes letters.

A great, handy reference book, "The Address Book: How to Reach Anyone Who Is Anyone" by Michael Levine is a helpful book for anyone looking to write celebrities, politicians, businessmen, and other notable personalities.

Each contact is alphabetized by last name, and contains the address, person's occupation, and in some cases, birthdays (for celebrities only) and webpages (for companies). As an avid letter writer, I found this book helpful in providing me with addresses at demand instead of hunting them down through the Internet by doing searches or going to company webpages.

A great book many will find resourceful, "The Address Book: How to Reach Anyone Who Is Anyone" will help many find the contact information they seek without the need for a major Internet search or many telephone calls. It makes a great gift for students, business professionals, and for anyone who avidly writes letters.

This book is solid front to back. The book does what many other investment books miss tragically, how to actually build wealth. I have read books by many of the contemporary self-proclaimed experts but where those books are lacking this books actually describes the necessary steps. Great work!

In a sea of investment books, finally one that explains things in plain english! The book is divided into two subsections. The first is simple enough for a teenager to grasp. The second goes far enough in depth that even a seasoned financial professional can learn a thing or two.

Good quick read.

Few months earlier, CK Stead arrived to local book fair to promote his new book - title of which I cannot remember, but it was something about Juda. He read few lines from it, and it intrigued me quite a lot. So I went amognst the bookshelves but I couldn't find the copy of it in english language. Since I don't like reading in translation what I can read in original language, I decided to go with this book and see if I will like Stead at all.

First few pages knocked me off my feet. It wasn't much what they were saying as the way in which they said it. This language of his, you may call it artifical as you like, flows and breathes like a living being. Stead is skillful in playing with language and with it he can draw pictures of dry weather, barren wasteland of New Zeland, political struggle of union with goverment. He can make us see his characters, their longings and troubles, and yet in some way we are just voyeurs into the world that doesn't belong to us.

Time is someimes in the middle of the eighties and our protagonist remebers events that transpired in New Zeland in 1951. This is his youth that he is talking about, and one cannot escape being sentimental when talking about ones youth. And so the story of growin up, of individuals and country in similar way, starts to develop itself.

Stead never loses it. Every page for itself is almost a poem which draws on hidden strength which keeps you occupied with page turning and being into this world of his.

There is loss in this book, there is nostalgia and there is certain artistic beauty that is very hard to express by words itself.

I think of CK Stead as a new author that I discoverd and which I could like very much. It all depends what his other books are like.

This is one of my top five favourite New Zealand novels of all time. I think it would make a fantastic movie! If you interested in NZ's literary past circa the 1950's then this book is a must... see how many "characters" you can recognise... highlights are Sargeson, Frame, Baxter. Fantastic story, wonderful writing, a delicious read.

This is a fantastic resource! The updated version is 384 pages and is filled with ways to introduce the alphabet to PreK- and to Kindergarten children. Each letter has an animal tie in. There are activities for math, science, art, writing and reading. Children adore the characters. The lessons are very easy to do!

As a kindergarten teacher, I have gone through and searched many resources. This is by far, the best letter introduction system I have used. Each letter is introduced with an animal (Alligator Ann, Bobby Bear, etc...) that you can make as a classroom display. The students are introduced to the letter and sound by a rap or song. There are also worksheets for each letter to practice proper formation. There are science, math, social studies, art, and movement activities for each letter. The students love the characters and songs. This will be an invaluable resource for you!

Expertly compiled and deftly co-edited by Roger Z. George (a career analyst serving in the CIA, State Department, and Defense Department) and James B. Bruce (a retired career CIA intelligence analyst who served with the National Intelligence council, in the Directorates of Intelligence and Operations, as well as other intelligence community organizations), "Analyzing Intelligence: Origins, Obstacles, And Innovations" is a compilation of informed and informative essays and articles on the subject of intelligence analysis providing academia, professionals, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject with a comprehensive overview of the issues, tools, and resources that American intelligence services and departments have with respect to obtaining and understanding the information that they collect. Beginning with a basic introduction to intelligence analysis by James B. Bruce and Roger Z. George, the knowledgeable contributors cover analytic tradition and history, the role of the analyst, the challenges endemic to intelligence analysis, common problems and concerns associated with intelligence analysis, as well as trends and changes within the field of intelligence analysis. An impressively articulate and scholarly body of work, "Analyzing Intelligence" is especially recommended for academic, governmental, and community library reference collections, and the supplemental reading lists of students, journalists, and interested general readers with an interest in the subject.

This is not an Analysis 101 book. It is a serious, insightful look at the important aspects of intelligence analysis as it is practiced and should be practiced. The contributors include the elite of the intelligence analysis business - Heuer, Kerr, Davis, Gannon, and Lowenthal, among others. They are people who speak with authority based on their expertise and experience in all aspects of intelligence. The contributors had the agenda of elucidating for readers the heart and soul of intelligence analysis, and they succeeded.

Several chapters by themselves would be worth the price of the book: John McLaughlin's chapter on dealing with the policymaker customer; Dick Kerr's chapter on the CIA analysis history; or Jack Davis' chapter on analytic pitfalls, among others.

The book reflects the political and military analytic background of the contributors. Consequently, it gives less attention to the economic and S&T/weapons systems analysis perspective - not a serious flaw, since these are rather specialized fields of analysis having a distinct customer set. The only chapter that could be substantially improved is the one of military intelligence analysis, which spends too much space lamenting the lack of respect accorded to military intelligence analysis and insufficient space in discussing what it really is all about. Overall, this book is a major contribution to the intelligence literature and should be on every analyst's bookshelf.

People don't wake up one day and decide to be angry ... the seeds begin as thought clusters early in life ... as young as 3 or 4 years of age. The only way out of the beast that can devour you is reprogramming the negative thinking that fuels it. This is cognitive reconstruction and this book is brilliant with lots of excercises and suggestions. Change your mind change your life.

Other great anger tools: The Hoffman Process and The Sedona Method. Healing anger is a complex web of thought, emotion, and physical release in a constructive outlet.

Looking for help in managing my anger I found this book in the Library and found it to be so useful that I wanted to keep it permanently. Has lessons and techniques in recognizing and controlling anger, but, more importantly terrific insights in how we view and interact with others and how to live with life's reality not our childlike wishes. A very practical and insightful book that is helping me, at age 57, to grow up.

Gradations of Being was edited from the papers of Joseph Owens. Some fifty years after his groundbreaking book The Doctrine of Being in the Aristotelian Metaphysics, Owens turned again to consider the central themes in Aristotle's conception of a science of being or "first philosophy." Reflecting on a half-century of scholarship, and drawing on his own extensive publications in Greek and medieval philosophy, Owens sets forth in a step-by-step meticulous argument his own interpretation of Aristotle's account of substance, essence, and the gradations
of being. Owens writes extensively of the different but complementary approaches of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. He discusses the many facets of the Aristotelian notion of "form," including its role in a realistic epistemology.

This monograph, edited by Owens's colleague and former pupil, Lloyd P. Gerson, includes a complete bibliography of Owens's writings as well as works critical of Owens's readings of ancient and medieval philosophers. It will serves as an excellent introduction to one of the most influential interpretations of the Aristotelian metaphysical tradition of the past century.

Joseph Owens, C.Ss.R., was professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Toronto and professor emeritus at the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies. Among his many books are: The Doctrine of Being in the Aristotelian Metaphysics (Pontifical Institute, 1951), A History of Ancient Western Philosophy (Appleton-Century- Crofts, 1959), An Elementary Christian Metaphysics (Bruce, 1963, reprint Center for Thomistic Studies 1985), and An Interpretation of Existence (Bruce, 1968). Owens was also the author of numerous works on medieval philosophy, especially on the thought of Thomas Aquinas. He died in 2005.

Lloyd P. Gerson is professor of philosophy at the University of Toronto. He is the author of books and articles on ancient philosophy, most recently, Knowing Persons: A Study in Plato (Oxford, 2003), Neoplatonic Philosophy: Introductory Readings (with John Dillon) (Hackett, 2004), and Aristotle and Other Platonists (Cornell, 2004).

I read this book for a graduate seminar on Aristotle.
Topic of Metaphysics is Ousia=substance and being. What is the meaning of being? With respect to matter and form, it is primarily about form. Analytically both can be separate and distinct, but not in reality. One can analyze matter by potentiality and actuality. Matter can't answer the question of being without form. Some natural things are always a composite of matter and form, it is the answer to the question of what is ousia or being in nature. Matter by itself can't give us the answer to what a thing is.

Ousia=substance and being. Ousia= Being is the "this" spoken of in primary ousia. This is contrary to Plato. Categories vs. Metaphysics. We can talk of the "being" as quality as "not white." Being spoken of in many ways but only of one thing, i.e., "the focal being." Word being has flexibility. Other flexible words is essence. (the what it is to be). In Greek for Aristotle, a bed is not an Ousia because it is from techne=craft it can have an essence. Ousia is reserved for material things self manufactured in nature. All things are derived from a primary ousia.
This has to do with focal being, health is such a word. When we talk about different aspects of health, it is not a universal definition like Socrates looks for. Aristotle says you can't find it. Thus, the word "being" is just a word in a sense a focal point like the word health, i.e. healthy skin, healthy food, then there is health, for Socrates what is health. Aristotle says no, health is unity by analogy. Aristotle is OK with using examples. Math is not independent knowledge, it is dependent on things math is not a primary existence. Being is neither a universal nor a genus, (genus is animal in hierarchy). It is as though Aristotle wants to say that the primary meaning of being is the "this" the subject, i.e. Socrates not human all by itself, not animal all by itself.

Ousia= Being is the "this" spoken of in primary ousia. This is contrary to Plato. Categories vs. Metaphysics. "This" is ontologically primary. Ontological= the most general branch of metaphysics, concerned with the nature of being.

In the categories discussion, he doesn't talk about the distinction between matter and form, it comes later on in the Physics and then the Metaphysics. The "this" is ontologically primary in terms of what the "being" something, what something is. Why would it be wrong to say that primary ousia can't be primary from the standpoint of knowledge, it can't be the distinction between ontological and epistemological? Why would it be wrong to say that the "this" the perceptible encounter wouldn't be primary from the standpoint of knowledge? Because, whatever the categories are whatever the notions of say "horse" the "this" is a horse, the "this" is ontologically primary, but it can't be epistemologically primary because a "this" by itself is just a "this" the question "What is this" called a horse is to involve the categories of knowledge. Therefore, from a knowledge standpoint, secondary ousia, which is things like categories and context, they have primacy in knowledge. However, from the standpoint of "being" the perceptible "this" has primacy. This is just a technical way of distancing him from Plato. In the Metaphysics, the question of form is primary Ousia. Ousia =form in Metaphysics. In Metaphysics, the "this" is simply matter. Aristotle did not give up on Ousia as form. This matter and form is never separated for Aristotle, thus a composite of matter and form is in the Metaphysics. In realm of nature, form and matter can't be separated for Aristotle. If you only talk about matter, you have nothing definable. You never come across things without their form. God is only exception to form and matter together.

Ousia as form and essence. The essence of a thing is "what" it is, it gives us knowledge. Definition= essence. Bronze can't be essence of circle, the form is important, not the matter.
Can't use abstract math to explain a human. When it comes to knowledge, we must emphasize the ousia as form. It isn't that first you have material things, and then the mind adds form to it, whatever the particular thing is, it always was that form. Then when we learn about it, we actually just discover what the thing is. Therefore, it is a process of coming to understand the universal, the essence, but that was always there in the thing, it just needed to be done. So what he is emphasizing in the Metaphysics is the idea of ousia as form, as some kind of essence, but never separated from matter!

Ousia --1. Grammatically basic. 2. Ousia As Ontologically basic, something that exists in its own right. The 1st example is how humans speak, the 2nd example is how things really are, both are both side of the same coin.

Principle of Noncontradiction
Arche= principle, beginning and rule. Aristotle thought that this was the firmest of all principles. It is impossible for the same thing to both belong and not to belong to the same thing at the same time to the same thing in the same respect. An important governing thought in Western philosophy. A thing is what it is, it can't be equal to its opposite. Aristotle thought reality was organized this way. It has to do with both knowledge and being. Aristotle states that if this principle is true then it is the firmest of all principles both for knowledge and reality. In the same respect, what does it mean? It shifts depending on circumstances. From standpoint of knowledge and reality principle of noncontradiction is stable. The three factors of the principle are: the same thing, in the same time, in the same respect, is what Aristotle is calling the principle of noncontradiction. In order for knowledge to be reliable, these factors are in play. Can't be going up and down a hill at the same time. 1 of 3 factors has changed, time. A "hill" is both up and down but meaningless unless you think in relation of motion. Aristotle believes when it comes to knowledge and reality the principle of noncontradiction is most basic and most fundamental and evident principle, because without it we can't communicate or think about things. Aristotle explains well how we lead our life by the principle a very pragmatic explanation. This is a principle we live by as humans thus, no one can deny it!
If you talk about change as a potentiality, you have a way of solving the puzzle. This actually serves as a slap at Renee Descartes in the future wondering if he is conscious or in a dream state. All philosophy stems from wonder and puzzlement. Aristotle makes distinction between worthy puzzles or useless ones.

Emphasis between primary and secondary being, Ousia.
For Aristotle Ousia or being is not just a thing, many ways being can be understood. Primary Ousia is things perceptible in nature. Secondary Ousia or being is sometimes being is how we understand things, i.e., big or small, etc, this is how we talk about things. He stretches the way Ousia in many ways. Matter can't be primary being like atomists, nor form alone like Platonists. However, when we analyze beings, we can use secondary being. Idea of "is" or "being" will shift depending on what you are talking about. The term "being" has plurality to it, depending on how we regard it (like using a hammer as a paperweight). Even though Metaphysics emphasizes form, it is "this form." Primary thing is the "this."

He wants to move away from Plato's idea that we can separate matter from form. A things essence is going to be the ultimate answer to the question of what is being. However, a things essence can't be separated from its statement of thing, it is almost as though that this essence is going to mean the definition of a thing, "what it is." Then in some respects, it has the characteristics of a secondary being. If you want to know what is the big deal about the perceptible "this," the primary ousia? Again, and again, the best way you can get a handle on that is he is critiquing Plato! He wants to move away from Plato's idea that it is possible to understand beings apart from the material world. Aristotle does make certain commitments; he makes certain commitments to the idea that the primary sense of being must be used in nature that are evident to us.

The Platonist in Aristotle says if the mind desires and is naturally inclined to pursue knowledge and he gives us a map how does it acquire knowledge. The Platonist in Aristotle says in the Metaphysics that if all there is, is matter and form then there is always an element of elusiveness in things because matter cannot fully deliver how we know things. When he gets to the question of the Divine, he does so because he believes that the natural desire of the mind can know that it will not have a final resting place with respect to just composite things. Especially since these composite things are always changing because nature is the realm of movement and change and the idea of form will at least give us access to how we can know changing things and actuality and potentiality. Changing things will always have this element of excess, beyond the minds capacity to grasp.

His talk of the Divine is the idea that there is something in reality that will satisfy the minds' desire for the ultimate stable resting point. If change were the last word, the mind could never come to rest. This is what Heraclitus argued for, Aristotle didn't like it. He wants to grasp the final. For him the Divine is satisfaction for the mind to grasp reality.
Uber Ousia. Aristotle here is talking about 2 senses of eternity.

1. Endless time.
2. Timelessness. 1st is never begins, never ends this is eternity or infinity. 2nd is in order to understand whole world there has to be something, the unmoved mover.

Ideas of potentiality and actuality criticizes Platonic idea. Potentiality has idea of negation in it. Thus, a thing in nature always has actuality; we are always on the move. Divine is pure form and actuality without matter and potentiality. Ontology now moves to theology. This is his theological science. (Theology in the Metaphysics is speaking about God for Aristotle). In reality, composite of form and matter is always in motion until it ends. Any actualization has potentiality it is prior. Actuality is prior to potentiality; this is his ultimate metaphysical statement. Two ways Aristotle proves this idea. 1st is human reproduction brings us into being. Our parents actually reproduced us. 2nd is God the ultimate sense of actuality prior to potentiality.

Talking about other philosopher's ideas. Hesiod question of the Gods in poetry, night comes before day, thus we don't have access in the "dark" symbolic of precedence of something unknowable, and Aristotle doesn't like it. Thus, for him he has the unmoved mover.
The pure actuality of the Divine is Aristotle's nominee for the principal that explains why there is this movement in the first place. Limitation in nature is matter which is unstable but all things in nature strive to their potential. Thus, you have pure actuality of Divine. God is Prime mover or final cause not efficient cause for Aristotle.

Rational and non-rational potentiality. This is how Aristotle recognizes the phenomenology of human thought. What rational means here is human drama of seeking what might or not work out. Now rational is stable when you heat water it boils no other potentiality. Thus, non-rational movement is very regular. Human reason is precarious we may not use potentiality to reach actuality. When we practice medicine, it might not work out.

Theoria=contemplation. There are three kinds of ousia, all are a study of secondary ousia in some way.

1. Physics-study of material and moveable.
2. Mathematical-study of ousia that is non-moving, (1+1=2 always), but is derived from matter.
3. Theology is study of ousia that is non-moving and non-material.

This is scheme of understanding the nature of understanding something. 3rd level is big for Aristotle. 1st two levels have limitations to them. We begin from wonder (ignorance) philosophy is to illuminate wonder with answers. He doesn't deny Greek deities but the way poets depict them is deficient.

Movement is a way of understanding change we see this in the Physics. Movement is actualization of potential. Psuche=soul which is the word he uses for life. Things in nature that are alive. Soma=body. Plato separates soul from body, Aristotle doesn't. Aristotle's text De Anima is on "The Soul" is a philosophical biological treatise. We have three-part soul, plant, animal and human all are part of this.

I recommend Aristotle's works to anyone interested in obtaining a classical education, and those interested in philosophy. Aristotle is one of the most important philosophers and the standard that all others must be judged by.

This is a great book for anyone to read! It is very easy to understand, the medicines are explained in simple english. It would be an extremely useful tool for any student studying rheumatology because they would have quick reference to all of the arthritic medicines with brand names, symptoms, precautions, and general results. A person afflicted by arthritis would want to read this book because it helps you choose which medicines would be best for YOU by talking about many medicines and what they are used for...this is something that i did not see in many other books. It's simple, easy to read, can be used like a dictionary of medicine, and is reliable. I would reccomend it for anyone who needs information on arthritis.

This book is unique among the various types of medical textbooks in that it does not read like a medical textbook. Lay persons to specialists in the field can benefit from reading this book. It is especially helpful to people who have a rheumatic disease and who are taking any treatment therapies. A substantial number of people being treated with arthritis medications also have other health problems for which they are taking medication. Unfortunately, too little time is available to spend educating these patients about the mechanisms of drug actions, their potential for interaction with other drugs, proper dosing, and the risk/benefit ration of available treatments. Dr. Stein does a good job in this regard. The book is well organized into categories that allow the reader to easily find information about the specific drugs that are of interest. However, I recommend reading it from cover to cover for a comprehensive overview of the rheumatic diseases and current treatment options. This book will be helpful to patients, physicians, medical students and those allied health professionals who participate in the care and education of persons with arthritis.

...as I said in my June 2003 review for 'Carlton Frederick's New Low Blood Sugar and You,' anything Carlton does is a must-have.

The only areas he falls short in, are those of the psychology of health and healing. Sometimes the compant we keep, the people we know are wrong for us, and are helping to keep us ill. Lifestyle is a factor. Much modern ill-health stems from stress, as much as it does from bad eating, heredity, and other factors. Works on psychosomatic medicine may be useful for some, also. Even the realm of so-called spiritual healing may have much to offer.

I refer the interested, who are wisely trying to 'cover the ground, and leave no stone unturned,' to consult Joel Goldsmith's classic, 'Art of Spiritual Healing,' and Louise L. Hays' 'Heal Your Body,' for some other useful points of view. These may prove helpful in the search for health, in spite of some people's opinions that they are 'nut books.'

Of course, any books on relaxation and stress reduction may also prove useful. One other very useful, recent source is Thomas Cleary's excellent 'Taoist Meditation.' Don't be put off by the ancient oriental religion angle of this title. It is NOT just for fashionable, trendy New Age types, or what-not. You will find this volume quite useful with regards to relaxation and health, just by reading it. You don't have to be a Taoist or any kind of meditator to benefit.

I own 3 or 4 Carlton Fredericks books. Add Dr. Bieler's older, 'Food is your Best Medicine' to your shelf, also. I wouldn't want to do without my copy of that book, either.

See also my recent reviews for Eva Wong's books, and the older classic, 'Japanese Cult of Tranquillity' by Durckheim, for further, non-nutritional information useful for stress reduction, relaxation and lifestyle conduct issues.

Excellent discussion of arthritis and nutrition. Focuses on three possible causes of arthritis: hypoglycemia, food allergies and vitamin deficiencies. The appendix contains an excellent summary of the uses of various vitamins and minerals. Valuable text for any non dogmatic person who considers good nutrition to be the basis of good health.

If you have kids, you have to get this book! The whole book series are GREAT and certainly keeps the attention of a bunch of 3 - 5 year olds at storytime. I would recommend the whole series as they are great educational books. The graphics are very colorful and gets the messaged delivered. Remember Dr. Seuss? This is the next generation...

I have all of the AlphaKidz books. My kids love the stories and the pictures. For me, I love them as the stories deal with real problems children face. I checked out the web site and my kids and I listened to the new C book. Can't wait for it to come out!