Open Books

Live a Praying Life is one of the best small group study books I've done. I highly recommend it for every Christian seeking a spiritually transformed life.

This is a study that I refer to constantly! I have given it to many people and the result is always the same....."this is one of the most awesome studies I have ever done....."! I bought it for my 4 sisters and mother and we started it together at Christmas, which has resulted in several group Bible Studies and a weekend seminar on Prayer!

MORE THAN JUST A HOW TO BOOK. LESSON S IN PREPARATION, DISCPLINE, OBEDIENCE, PATIENCE, FAITHFULNESS, & GAINING A NEW LEVEL TO ONE'S SPIRITUAL LIFE AND GROWTH. MUCH NEEDED MATERIAL WHEN THERE'S SO MUCH CONTROVERSY REGARDING HEARING FROM GOD AND ACTING ON HIS PROMISES. INTERCESSORS SHOULD NOT MISS THIS ONE!

This book isn't just a book. It's a 3-month journey through what prayer is. Jennifer walks you through the deep truths about prayer so that you will know them AND apply them. It also brings out the freshest and truest views on what prayer really is. You will not leave this book unchanged.

P.S. And I live with her oldest son. He's tall.

This is the best book on prayer, that I've read. I will confess, even after reading this book, I still don't understand all the mysteries of prayer, but I understand a lot more. This book tackles hard questions such as 'can we really change God's mind with prayer?', 'why does prayer seem not to work', 'how to pray', 'what is the purpose of prayer', etc. It gives concrete steps on how to develope a praying life and is heartily, biblically, referenced.

This is an absolutely fantastic book. It is a series of essays from very well known industry professionals and will help anyone to better understand the perspective of the other people you're working with on the set.

My wife and I are movie fans...though not like those hard core guys who hang out at independent film festivals...and we love this book.

It's a wonderful introduction to all the ins and outs of the movie business. The writers talk about film as a business and how the business side of film influences their creative choices. Revenue streams, copywrite issues, and how to "make it in Hollywood" are all discussed thoroughly in this book.

The authors were obviously choosen because of their expertise, but most of them are surprisingly good at conveying information in a way non-industry people can understand. I was expecting that each chapter in this book would be filled with Hollywood jargon...like when you read an article in Variety, but that is not the case.

If you love movies and REALLY want to understand how they work, this book is a must. Other books are great at explaining the artistic side (for example, How to Read a Film is a great title), but The Movie Business Book is wonderful since all of its contributors understand that modern film cannot be fully understood as a work of art unless you understand how the economics of Hollywood influence how the art is shaped.

Lots of straight speak from people who really know the industry. For a newbie who wants to understand the mechanics and terminology of the business, this book is perfect. I haven't found a page yet that I wanted to skim over; there is no fluff. A wonderful bargain even at the ... list price.

Don't overlook this book despite the fact that it is ten years old. Sure, you'll need another source for DVD, new media and internet delivery. But this book covers everything up to home video very well.

I have recently bought over ten movie business making books, all starting with this one. I would have to say that out of all of the books I have read thought, this would have to be the best out of them all. Not only do they have chapters written by different people, they are all people that are in the business. They break down hollywood lingo and include a basic pay structure. This book is the most informative of the film books I have read. This is the book you buy if you want a break down of movie careers, but not for how to personally make it yourself into the business.

This is a great book on the business of movies written by people who actually are in the business. Each section is tackled by someone specializing in that aspect of the industry, from writing and production to distribution and marketing. They discuss where the money goes and how they try to get it back, the risks, the rewards, for big studios and independents, and for distribution channels domestic and international. It details mostly the process and structure of the business and leaves out most of the name-dropping common in most other books about the industry. As such, it is somewhat lacking in case studies. But I found this omission to be helpful because it did not cloud the structures and processes the book was trying to illustrate. (For a more recent book that discusses implications and outcomes of these structures, look into "The Gross" by Peter Bart.)

The text is a bit old now (last revision 1992), but most of the contributors seemed to have hit on trends that have continued to this day. In terms of the industry's structure and process, the book seems very current. Inflate the cited figures and it could have been written yesterday.

I searched high and low for a decent book about the business and I finally found it in this text.

This is inarguably the best book on straight ODBC API. Very lucid in its presentation and full of practical examples, every page is packed with all the essential information. This is really a serious book for the serious ODBC programmers and every tool and technique to get the job done can be found in this book. My only wish is that the authors would update this book from ODBC v2.0 to v3.0, perhaps also include a few chapters on OLEDB.

Buy it, this book contains many recommendations how to write programs using ODBC. Great book even for an experienced professional.

I had a situation come up where I needed to access an Oracle 7 stored procedure that returned output parameters and no results set. The Microsoft Visual C++ CRecordset classes don't handle that situation very well. The only solution was to drop down into ODBC API calls. I struggled until I found this book. It takes a lot of the mystery out of an extremely complex API. It pretty much rides around in my backpack everywhere I go now!

This hardback text is one of the best database API books that I have in my collection. It is well laid-out and it has examples.

This book is laid out in the order statements are used, with the necessary create and destroy statements together. It starts with connecting to the database, moves to statement execution, and rounds out with retrieving your results. There are of course necessary chapters on creating tables and dealing with transactions.

Each ODBC API call is accompanied with a list of appropriate parameters, return values, and errors.

ODBC Database API's are used in layers:

To Setup: Allocate Environment, Allocate Connection, Connect, ...

To Shutdown, reverse everything: ... Disconnect, Deallocate Connection, Deallocate Environment.

With the ODBC API you are given a whole lot of notes? But how do you combine those notes to write a symphony? This is the only book on the market which really shows you how. It consists of a detailed ODBC reference and highly useful sample code that shows how to take the API calls and make an application out of them.

The calls are grouped in logical sequences, each call is thoroughly described, and then an example of a program that uses that call (and other calls) is given.

The writing is extremely clear. The presentation is excellent. The book is extremely well organized.

It does not assume any prior knowledge of ODBC though it assumes you know how to program C.

C is the only language used in the book. The use of ODBC in other languages such as Visual Basic is not discussed.

Though this book is old; I cannot recommend it too highly. I've used it before and I'll use it again.

I am the author of "On Jim Street" and I want to comment on the age group rating that has been given the book by Amazon.com. Though the book has been placed in the 9-12 year category, make no mistake; the book is meant for any age. Though the language in "On Jim Street" is simple enough for most children to understand, the book was not written as a book for children, but for those who would like to teach their children about the age when life was simple and sweet, or to merely reminisce about their own childhood. It is my hope that many different age groups will read and enjoy my work.

I loved this book for taking me back to my childhood and remembering the games my cousins and I played. Even though this book is set in a time period 50 years ago, the reader will recognize himself. For the younger generation, it is a great history lesson about what kids did for fun in the 1950s. I also loved the relationship between Janey Lynn and her brother. A well-written book and a must read!

On Jim Street is a wonderful read. I laughed; I cried, and felt like a child again. It was so refreshing to read a book that didn't need cursing or adult situations in order to be entertaining. I recommend the book for young and old alike. I can't wait for a sequel so that I can continue following the life of Janey and her friends and family.

I really enjoyed reading this book; it brought back some wonderful memories of my own childhood. The description of Janie's first encounter with a television is priceless. While the whole book was a really good read, the last two chapters are especially well written and exciting. I am looking forward to a sequel.

For baby boomers, who grew up when the author did, this is a great way to reminisce. It recalls days of innocence, security, and a whole way of playing that has long since been
forgotten. It has warmth and charm, as well as a light-hearted look back in time. Young readers will learn about the good old days, how children enjoyed entertaining themselves without electronics, and what it was like to feel safe in your own neighborhood.

No wonder Mr. Greene won Japan's highest award for Haiku written in English. He is a most original thinker.

The pages of this original book are filled with very simple, yet very profound insights. You will want to read and reread The Open Gate.
It is a valuable road map to life's many ups and downs. A very thoughtful gift for people going through different stages of life -- from graduation to retirement.

Wonderful, inspiring book, which you'll want to read and reread. I bought it at San Francisco's Japanese Tea Gardens and am recommending it to friends of all ages and backgrounds.

If you're interested in philosophy, poetry, history and revealing insights into culture, The Open Gate is for you. This gem of simplicity contains some of the deepest observations into life and death, war and peace that you'll ever read. Everyone with a loved one in the army, and every veteran should read it.

The smallest literary form--haiku -- is at its best in this powerful book. If you've ever wanted to improve your writing or understanding of life, read The Open Gate. This haiku journal presents amazing imagery drawn from intensely careful observations. The poems evoke an enormous range of moods and emotions -- from compassion to awareness of temporality. Some reveal a sense of mystery, others reflect a Zen Buddhist influence. Some are witty or sarcastic, others, achingly sad. Haiku of this quality in English are very rare. J. C. Greene is a modern master. Reading his poems is like Basho's famous leaping frog, plunging into water, each brief poem expanding in ever-widening ripples.

The haiku in this wonderful book are profound. They made me think, cry, laugh and above all, feel. They go right to the heart. it is packed with brilliant, original observations about life.

The author is a wise philosopher. He sees and thinks clearly and feels a lot. Just 3 lines of his haiku contain observations that could take a 300 page book.

I'm going give The Open Gate to my friends and relatives. I haven't felt so touched by words since I first read Walden Pond or poems of Frost and Emily Dickinson.

Whether or not you've heard of haiku -- this witty little book is loaded with wisdom. It's spiritual, uplifting and timeless. Should be on every bookshelf.

I read this haiku to my yoga teacher:

"While each mind
Hosts a universe
Each soul waits alone."

When I answer my rebellious teenager, I think of this haiku:

"Saying no
By describing the limitations
On Yes."

Whenever I visit my ill friend, I remember this:

"Pain is the screen
Through which truth
Can be seen."

I enjoyed "The Open Plot" very much. I have always been intrigued by Matthew 27:52,53 myself and wondered what happened next. The fictional premise described in "The Open Plot" made me think. I enjoyed the very real characterizations and "getting to know" Lucas Newman as a person. Beyond that, there was a real challenge to unity among the various expressions of the Church. I look forward expectantly to future novels by Caz Taylor.

Fascinating subject! The text from scripture on which this book is based has always intrigued me - Matthew 27:52. The story line captivates ones imagination and challenges their spirit. The fictional description of how church COULD be is nothing short of visionary and inspiring.

I enjoyed reading The Open Plot very much; in fact, I could not put it down. I found the characters intriguing and the story quite fascinating. This book was well written, easy to follow and kept my interest throughout. I highly recommend The Open Plot and am looking forward to more books from this author.

"Trully brilliant! Absolutely a level above Clancy and Grisham and all the others. What a page turner. I've had to employ extreme discipline to be able to slow down as I wanted to really savor it and make it last."

Excellent book, especially considering it's based on the Good Book. I particularly liked the way the author picked up on unexplained Biblical miracles, like Ellis walking through walls as Jesus did after His resurrection, or Ellis and Theo moving around the world, like Stephen was whisked out of the eunuch's presence to anotherlocation. Also, I enjoyed the way Mr. Taylor portrayed the Anitchrist as a most popullar minister and the True Church as the underground church, allways in existlance since the early days of IXOTE. And then there is the tracking of current events, as they coincide with Scripture. I praise God for the author's ability to create an exciting and timely 21st century story from the timeless Word of God. Bring on the sequel!

If you've come from the Oracle mainstream like me, you're probably not even aware of the breadth of open source apps and tools that can be used with the database. You may have had an inkling from the porting of Oracle to Linux, and Oracle's adoption of Apache and modules such as mod_perl, but that's only the surface.

When I first spied "Oracle and Open Source" by Andy Duncan and Sean Hull, I was so intrigued that I had to buy it. I couldn't believe that there was enough out there to write a book on. How wrong I was.

The two authors have done an excellent job of collecting information on:

* Programming environments, tools, languages (Python, Perl, Tcl, Tk)
* Database maintenance tools - including Orac, Oddis (Tk);
* Web-based monitoring tools for Oracle (such as Karma, Oracletool) and the network too (Big Brother)
* Plus Open Source Java apps (even the Java isn't open source itself), Gnome/GTK+ and more.

The book's aim is to introduce you to the rich range of technologies rather than being the definitive reference. It provides enough to get the tools installed and to set you on your way. And once you're up and running, the authors list the web pages and books that will take you to the next level. I never knew so much was available, but with the groundswell of support from the Open Source community as evidenced on the Internet and in this excellent book, I'm learning fast.

I find the content exciting and very educational. I am a developer in the corporate enviroenment and mainly use mainstreem software. But this book opens a new world of knowledge and experties. The URL's are up to date and you can learn and explore what ever you like in the book extensively. It is useful stuff and can bring new skills to your CV.

Found this book very useful and a real eye opener for those who like myself believed that all your Oracle goodies coming from Oracle Corp. A set of Open Source tools and applications described in this book is amazing. In particular, DB Prism/Cocoon is something that I jumped in right away. Whether you are DBA, developer or just a plain user of Oracle databases, you will find something that will benefit you/your business. Money well spent.

Oracle for quite some time now has embraced Open Source technology and as a result there are a number of Open Source tools that can be used with Oracle databases. This book takes a look at all of them. Starting off with a brief "history" of how Oracle and Open Source software have combined to build a number of Oracle applications, how Tcl, Perl, and Python have played a part and how to install them, building web-based Oracle apps, how Java, GNOME, and GTK+ also are involved with Oracle software, even a brief mention of how Linux & Oracle work together.

There is a wealth of good open source programs around for use with Oracle and this book gives a detailed explanation of how to install and use all of them to your advantage.

Hardly, and after taking a look at this book you will agree.

This book is perfect for anyone that wants to investigate the use of Open Source tools with their Oracle databases.

Finding out what is available, what is useful, what is available, where to get it and how to install it can take a great deal of time.

There is a lot of useful Open Source software available for use with your Oracle database, and though I am a proponent of Open Source software, I will readily admit that it is not all good.

I've given up in exasperation with more than one Open Source tool that would not compile, promised more than it delivered, or simply did not work.

There is though a large collection of Open Source tools that do work, and work well.

What Andy Duncan and Sean Hull have done is compiled an encyclopedia of Open Source tools that do work, and work with the Oracle database.

This book is much more than just a list of Open Source software. Sean and Andy tell you where to find each application, how to install and configure it, and how to use it.

Need to know the different connection methods for Oracle and JDBC? You'll find it here.

How about using Oracle, Apache and JServ? It's in this book.

I thought myself fairly well versed in what Open Source tools were available for Oracle, that is prior to seeing this book.

Some excellent Oracle specific tools are here that I was not aware of previously. In fairness to me though, I know of at least one not in the book. :)

Oracle & Open Source is a well thought out and well executed guide that belongs on the desk of every Oracle DBA, Architect and developer that wants to get a jump start on using Open Source software with Oracle.

Bill Mason and son Paul really get down to basics in canoe and paddling technique in this revised soft-cover paddling manual. This book is geared to those who want to learn everything there is about flat-water and white-water travelling. It's the most definitive guidebook on the market.

This is an almost perfect book - Bill Mason's love of the craft shines through homey but well-written prose, while his descriptions of canoe technique and rivercraft are generally clear and easy to follow. He obviously writes from a wealth of experience, which translates into solid advice without becoming needlessly dogmatic. As a technique book, I much prefer this to Jacobson's series of canoe texts (although those are reasonable in their own right); I especially appreciated his series of river scenarios and discussions of how to handle them.

I would really liked to have rated this 5-stars. However, the production could have been much improved. The b/w pictures accompanying the text are often poorly reproduced, with insufficient greyscale to allow them to be clearly interpretted. Additionally, a bit more editting might have spotted some inconsistent terms as well as other undefined terms. But all in all, this is one of my favorite canoe books. It certainly should have a place on the shelf of every serious paddler.

Path of the Paddle provides more than an instructional text, it introduces the reader to the art of canoeing. Mason infuses the practicality of the subject with a respectful dose of philosophic underpinnings that anyone who has ever slid a canoe onto the water's surface and experienced the joyful dance of boat, paddle and water will appreciate. There are many "how to" canoe books, covering the basic stokes and safety concerns, but this book conveys that information in a form that demonstrates the author's love for his craft.
If you want to become a canoeist, not only do I recommend this book, I recommend finding and getting the video of the same title.

Best canoeing book on the market. Not only is it a great how to guide on canoe handling, it is an excellent read for those long winter nights for the canoe enthusiast. The book imparts Bill Mason's love of the canoe. Written by a true legend in canoeing and wilderness film making.

I own both "Path of the Paddle" and "Song of the Paddle". These are the best books I have seen on canoeing, written by one of the best canoeists ever. They cover all facets of the canoe and how to use them properly. The "step-by-step" photos and the diagrams help teach proper techniques and the text is both informative and entertaining without becoming confusing or boring. Bill Mason and his son Paul have done a splendid piece of work and these books are a cherished addition to my personal library.

The required statistics class in the biology major at my university was confusing and practically useless. This book, which I purchased a year or two afterwards, provided a nice review of the very basics.

The book moves slowly, and the information:examples ratio seems a little low at first; on the other hand, it's good to see some of the actual math of what goes on behind a stats program and be reminded of fundamental concepts. Provides some nice suggestions on data transformation and other topics.

Not perfect, but easy to read, unintimidating, and well organized - a must-read for those who are completely confused by their current statistics training.

This books is a handy little helper for basic statistics, especially if you don't work on the topic on a day-by-day basis. Every approach is exemplified; the same examples are often used for different cases, making it clear how the various tests are connected. I highly recommend this book.

I am a grad student working on the data analysis for my thesis and this book helped me enormously! The problem with other statistics books is that they give data sets and examples that don't relate to types of data that field biologists half to deal with. My biggest problem was figuring out what kind of statistical tests I needed to use for the kind of data that I had collected, and this book answered many of my questions in that area.

When I found myself among seniors in one experiments in ecology class in university (I am a sophomore), I found to my dismay that others knew statistics way better than me. Although I learned probability and statistics in 10th grade, it's been 4 years since then. Therefore, I was in a despate need of a good book. I got this book along with Experimental Design for Data Analysis for Biologists, but I liked this book way better. It's more easy to read (perfect for busy students), has a couple of useful examples, and it's helping me a lot!

As a graduate student doing field biology, I found this book to be very usefull. It is a great refresher for those who have had a biometrics course before, and I will be using it as quick reference for a long time. It is much easier to read then other biometrics books. Great buy!

It has been a few weeks since I have recieved this book and I believe that this will be a great tool for anyone looking to start a business. The books has many hints and tips that, im sure will make you business profitable. This is a must have for anyone wanting to open a resturant, bar or nightclub. Very impressive.

Bought this book, very detailed info for operating you bar. The only down side is the size of the font. The font is huge compared to most other books and that makes it a little difficult to read.

The Professional Bar and Beverage Manager's Handbook is a hefty hardback, and serves as a comprehensive guide to the successful management of bars, pubs, and night clubs. This volume comprises nineteen chapters that cover diverse topics such as how to make a gin and tonic, hiring and firing employees, to tips on how to recognize fake IDs.

A unique and useful feature of this book is the clear state-specific legislation that regulates bar operation in each area. For instance, in Arizona, Happy Hour Laws dictate that no free drinks may be given to patrons, and that bartenders must be age 19 or over in order to pour, sell, and serve alcohol.

Easy to reproduce sample forms include the most common forms used in restaurant management, such as a Receiving Checklist to a Pour Cost Chart form, but also include unique and useful forms such as a robbery description form. A handy companion CD-ROM is included in the volume, and provides forms critical to any successful bar operation, including a sample business plan.

Other useful features of this book include a glossary of bar and management terms, as well as a reference list of manufacturers and service providers. The Professional Bar and Beverage Manager's Handbook is highly recommended for anyone involved in bar and night club operations.

The Professional Bar and Beverage Managers Handbook has the look and feel of an encyclopedia on the outside, and the contents of a detail oriented bar entrepreneur on the inside. It's a large book, with large print, which leaves plenty of room for margin notes. The book is quite comprehensive and covers end to end, everything to consider when opening and running a bar or nightclub.

The opening chapter provides an extensive overview of opening a bar. It suggests several questions to ask yourself, offers how to conduct market research and analyze your competition and tips on financial planning. This chapter also goes into creating a business plan and provides a 50-page sample business plan to model on the accompanying CD-ROM.

The depth and breadth of detail covered is quite impressive. Topics covered include laws of various states, how to properly prepare and serve drinks, controls, finances, and so much more. An example of the detail can be found in chapter 7, where a section goes into the process of properly pouring a beer. Additionally there are several web links sprinkled throughout the pages pointing the reader to a variety of suppliers and vendors.

Some information may seem over simplified, or common sense, such as the section on "The Qualities of a Good Employee," however this is offset by the overall thoroughness of each section and truly contains the level of information one would expect in a bar manager's handbook.

The CD-ROM is chalk full of forms and charts. The same documents that are contained in chapter 19 are conveniently stored as PDF files for ease of printing. These documents range from alcohol awareness charts inventory control reports and more. My only qualm with the CD-ROM is that the forms are not stored in a format easily edited by end users.

The book is a little pricey, but considering all that's packed into it, there is no question that you'll get more than you pay for, and something you'll want on your shelf. You'll find it at Amazon.com. Bottom line, if you're already a bar or nightclub owner, you could gain some new information, and if you're thinking about opening a bar, you'll have a better idea of what it takes.

This is no casual companion, but a professional bar manager's handbook which was over two years in the making: as such, it goes far beyond the usual focus on recipes to cover all the basics on how to set up, operate and manage a successful beverage operation. All kinds of bar operators receive tips on trends, marketing, equipment and products, and more. Professionals seeking a comprehensive manual to the business can't go wrong here. And yes, it does include recipes - lots of 'em. And a companion cd-rom packed with information.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch