Customer Reviews (2)

Reviewed by an astronomy student
As an astronomy student at the University of Colorado, I have used "The Cosmic Perspective" as a text book for two of my classes (one on stars and galaxies, and one on the solar system). This book is perfect for both: the text is clear and full of insight; the illustrations and photographs are abundant and extremely professional, and they complement the text superbly; the sections called "Mathematical Insight" give the reader a clear understanding of the science involved, and the sections called "Common Misconceptions" are as fun to read as they are informative.

I have read this book cover-to-cover, and although it is intended as a text book, it reads like many of the very popular science books I have read. If you enjoyed reading Sagan's "Cosmos", Gribbin's "In Search of the Big Bang", Feynman's "The Character of Physical Law", Lederman's "The God Particle" or Hawking's "A Brief History of Time", you will enjoy this very well-conceived and well-written book.

"The Cosmic Perspective" is very comprehensive. Besides covering the fundamental concepts of astronomy (such as light as the cosmic messenger; universal motion; celestial timekeeping; and telescopes), this book details how stars are born, evolve and die; the fundamentals of relativity; how the galaxies were formed, as well as how our solar system was formed; how vast space really is; how we know the distances to various objects in our universe; and how we know what happened at the early moments of the Big Bang. Since this book is new (published in 1999), it contains the latest facts and the latest thinking of modern astronomy. This book captured my interest and my enthusiasm the moment I began reading it.

Most comprehensive astronomy book with clearest explanations
For beginner or intermediate astronomy students, this book not only has all topics covered, but touches on many other branches of science that are essential to the understanding of astronomy. Clear, concise explanations with very careful attention to units in sample problems make many basic science concepts understandable. The depth of current knowledge covered on a wide variety of astronomical topics is remarkable for inclusiion in just one book. The graphic diagrams, drawings, charts, illustrations, and photographs are also outstanding in what they add to one's ability to visualize the material presented. Overall, this is by far the best astronomy book I've seen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy (General)   2. Astronomy - General   3. Science   4. Science/Mathematics   

Customer Reviews (88)

Learn by losing or buy this book
I love this book. It has helped me understand myself in both the market and in life.

I sold a stock that wasn't acting right this week because of the way I've changed my mindset from reading this book. I know I did the right thing and I fully expect it to go down in the near future. This is something I wouldn't have admitted to myself before. I feel like a chain has been broken.

I really like the way he describes things. He tends to give a lot of examples and "in other words" type descriptions.

CANSLIM

Should be three chapters long
An OK book, but very repetitive. The last chapter is the most useful. There are better books, such as Trading for a Living.

Thank you Mr. Douglas
Anyone noticed that Mr. Douglas's detractors are NOT experienced traders? All I have to say is: THANK YOU 1000 TIMES MR DOUGLAS. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attitudes   2. Business & Economics   3. Business / Economics / Finance   4. Business/Economics   5. Commodities   6. Futures And Options Trading   7. Investments & Securities - General   8. Stock exchanges   9. Stockbrokers   10. Stocks & shares   

Customer Reviews (7)

Inspirational Reading
I bought this book because my brother Robert Faiella contributed 2 stories to it ("Go to a race" and "Think before you boo"). However, after reading his two stories and then flipping through the other stories I realized that this truly is a wonderful book. It was great to see the personal sides of the drivers and learn how their generosity, talents and skills have touched so many lives. If you enjoyed the other Chicken Soup for the Soul series, you'll enjoy this book too - even if you never did watch a race!! Try it or like my brother says...Go to a race!

Wonderful Book
This book is a MUST for any NASCAR fan or anyone who enjoys inspirational stories. There are stories from present drivers to yesterday's drivers, from sports writers to fans whose lives have been touched by the sport of NASCAR. The book will make you laugh and could make you cry. I would recommend this book to everyone! You will not be disappointed with your purchase.

NASCAR Soul revs it up!
I just finished this wondefully touching book. It's filled with stories from the drivers themselves,that you won't hear about anywhere else. There are stories from fans like you and me. I highly recommend it to any true fan of the great sport of racing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobile racing drivers   2. Conduct of life   3. General   4. Inspirational   5. Inspirational - General   6. Miscellanea   7. Motor Sports   8. Reference   9. Stock car racing   10. United States   11. Sports & Recreation / Motor Sports   

Customer Reviews (71)

not all conservatives are fans of Israel...
The one mistake in Smith's book is his assumption that all members of the "vast-right wing conspiracy" support the state of Israel or support America getting involved on Israel's side. That is DEFINITELY not the case. Many conservatives (probably more than half) are either undecided about the Middle East conflict OR are decided, arguing that we should not stop playing favorites in the Israel/Palestinian struggle and stop giving Israel our usual $10 billion per year in military weapons and cash. Smith surprisingly assumes that if someone is a conservative, he/she supports Israel simply because Israel is a democracy. I don't think he's talked to many conservatives lately...

Other than that, I highly recommend the book. It lays out liberals' main arguments in a fun, easy-to-read format and then provides the reader with the conservative (and correct!) counter-argument, point by point. It's even got quick "talking points" at the end of each section so that you can remember the most important facts.

Smashing Leftist Lunacy
This book shows that defeating the Loony Left is not only easy, it's fun. In just two hundred easy-to-read pages, Smith throws one verbal jab after the other (always leading with his right, of course) at the liberal wackos, exposing their left side and shattering their glass jaw. This book is filled with fun and interesting facts that will enable conservatives to best their liberal friends and colleagues at cocktail parties and around the water cooler (my favorite--did you know that most of the "animals" on the Endangered Species Act list are insects and invertabrates?). It's also scrupulously footnoted. The writing style of the book is light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek, but the underlying arguments are cogent and clear. Armed with actual facts, smashing liberal myths is as easy as ABCs and 123s. Smith's common sense approach to today's hot button issues makes one wonder why there was even a debate in the first place. If everyone buys a copy of this book for their friends and family, the question is, will there be a Loony Left left?

Good, but not great
The offical handbook of the vast right wing conspiracy is more of a primer on today's current political topics than anything else. It provides the reader with the information they need to hold a conversation on one of the issues addressed. While it is a good introductory piece it does not go into full detail on its topics. Overall it is a good book that I would recommend as an introduction to today's political issues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conservatism   2. General   3. Political Science   4. Politics - Current Events   5. Politics/International Relations   6. Right and left (Political scie   7. Right and left (Political science)   8. United States   9. Political Science / General   

Customer Reviews (62)

Succinct Yet Thorough Intro To Python For Programmers
Mark Lutz and David Ascher deliver precisely the needed information to meet the objective stated on the cover of the O'Reilly text, "Learning Python" (Help for Programmers).

A succinct, yet thorough treatment of the Python programming language is presented in some 350-plus written pages that are well organized and facilitate the development of Python programs in a "Read and Code as You Go" fashion.

After spot reading the Chapters on "Getting Started", "Types And

Operators", "Basic Statements", "Functions", "Modules" and "Common Tasks In Python", I was coding and running my first text file I/O Python programs within the first half of a day. The authors concise presentation of the concepts definitely facilitated the "learning curve", which so often is an obstacle when learning a new programming language. The material was also indexed very well with clear index descriptions to easily determine what the topic was and where to find it.

What I found to be the strongest point of the book were the "Gotchas" sections, in which the authors discussed topics such as Python Language Constructs, Program Class Usage and Coding Practices to be aware of. I found the "Common Coding Gotchas" section at the end of Chapter 3 of great benefit in coding and debugging my first self-authored Python programs (As I learned, Python is definitely a language where you want to indent consistently, avoid the mixing of blank spaces with tabs and not forget the use of colons to denote decision logic). The application of these concepts alone were a great asset in reducing the "Learning Curve" for me.

The program examples provided reinforced the clear, concise concepts presented by the authors. The programs that I studied were suited to running in both a Linux environment (using Linux Python Version 1.5.2 for SuSE(tm) Linux 7.0 and Red Hat(tm) Linux 6.1) and MS Windows(tm) NT/98 (using Active State's Active Python(tm) Version 2.1).

Exercises presented at the end of the chapter were effective at reinforcing the programming concepts presented. With some supplemental tutorial material for non-programmers, this book could be used as an educational text for a Python programming class, particularly one geared for programmers with scripting language experience.

The authors did a good job of covering a number of topics important to application programmers. Object-oriented Constructs, Manipulation of String Objects, Operating System Module Use, GUI Programming Component Frameworks and Applications such as Tkinter and JPython are discussed to provide the reader a good exposure to the extent of the Python language implementation and its strenght as a robust, object-oriented scripting language.

The book is definitely an invaluable resource for providing the essential material necessary to construct your first Python programs, especially if you've had prior programming experience with other scripting languages, such as REXX, Javascript or Perl.

Definitely one of the best O'Reilly publications I've read to date. Kudos to Mr. Lutz and Mr. Ascher for their contribution to making the experience of "Learning Python" a fun and productive pursuit. Five Stars!

Probably the best Python textbook
After a brief encounter with the on-line documentation from Python community, I decided to learn this powerful language with the help of Python library from O'Reilly. I started with a "Python in a Nutshell" which is a good reference guide for experienced (Python) programmers, however it's too heavy for the Python newbie like me. Since, I'm not a professional, full-time programmer, I knew that I needed something more comprehensible, so I waited for the second edition of the "Learning Python" to be published. At the end, the wait paid off.
This book is excellent study guide for any kind of programmers, from absolute beginners to veterans in other languages. The book clearly shows that the both authors are experienced teachers. Topics are presented in a clear fashion with plenty of code samples and useful exercises at the end of each part. This book should be read as a textbook in front of the terminal, trying out all examples as they're explained.
Now, I'm comfortably looking forward to read some more specific and advanced Python books. Highly recommended!

Learning Python - Teachers and Beginners Beware
I can readily subscribe to almost all of the nice things already said about Python. I've been programming Perl for 10 plus years and also C, C++, Java and lots more. In short, I'm a very experienced programmer. I've also had a lot of teaching experience at the college Computer Science level and within companies that I've worked at. My idea of a great Learning XXX book is the Learning Perl book by R. Schwartz and T. Phoenix (O'Reilly). Learning Python is definitely not in the same league as a teaching and self-instruction book. I need a Python book for an upcoming course that I will be teaching. The course will cover both Perl and Python. I have used and will use Learning Perl. My Python book needs to be, oh say about the same size as Learning Perl and will take the user to about the same level of proficiency. This book is not it. The book is way too heavy in bulk and presentation. Just compare for yourself, the Table of Contents for the two books, available on the Amazon.com page. Way too much for a Learning Python course. Teachers and Students - "Caveat Emptor" (=Let the buyer beware) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Languages / Programming   2. Computer Books: Internet General   3. Computers   4. Programming - General   5. Programming Languages - General   6. Python (Computer language)   7. Python (Computer program langu   8. Python (Computer program language)   9. Internet languages   

Customer Reviews (34)

Salt as focus of world history
The book tells the story of salt throughout world history: how it was made, how it was traded, how it was used, and the effect the salt industry has had on villages, cities, and regions.

The book starts and ends in China, first describing the brine wells and the advanced drilling techniques the Chinese invented centuries ago. The text then moves to how salt was used in Roman times describing a sauce called garum made from pickled and fermented fish parts. Kurlansky then continues with Mediteranean fish industry. Salt's main use was in preserving fish. The next big change came when cod was found off the coast of Newfoundland. Cod's low fat meant more salt was needed.

Eventually, the American colonies developed their own salt and cod industries. Kurlansky describes the importance of salt in the American Civil War, how salt works led to the marketing of Tabasco sauce, how canals were dug through New York state to take salt from the Great Lakes to the coast.

After a quick recounting of how salt was used by Ghandi to spark India's revolution, the book ends back in China and how the salt industry there has moved into the modern age. The old traditional derricks are gone; no one wanted to pay to preserve even the most important ones as historical landmarks.

Kurlanski gives a good outline of how salt was taxed in various parts of the world. His description of how the salt tax was an important factor in both the French and Indian revolutions deserves special mention.

As he describes how salt was traded and produced, Kurlanky peppers his narrative (sorry...) with short recipes that illustrate how salt was used in different parts of the world and at different times of our history.

If you love food and history, you'll love this book. If you love one and only moderately like the other, you'll find the book bogs down a bit.

Taking a love of Salt to its logical extreme
Salt is one of those things that turned up all over the place in my high school studies. It turned up in chemisty (sodium chloride), in biology (the amount of salt in our bodies and what we do with it), in history and English (check out the root of the word: "salary"). So sure, salt's important. But does it merit its own entire book about its history? Turns out the answer is both yes and no...

I like these small, focused histories (as you've probably guessed if you've read any of the other reviews I've written). I've read many of them, including another one by Mark Kurlansky, Cod (which I rather enjoyed). So when I ran across Salt, I was certain I wanted to read it. I liked Kurlansky's style, and I already knew that the subject matter would be interesting.

And it was. In Salt, Kurlansky walks through both the history of salt and the influence of salt on history, presenting a wide and varied picture of one of the [now] most common elements in our modern world. And he does this in the same engaging fashion that he used in Cod; although, with fewer recipes. So why not give it five stars? Well, it has a couple of noticable flaws that tended to detract a bit from the overall presentation.

The first flaw was in the sheer number of historical snippets that were included. While I'm certain that salt has been important in the broad span of human history, there are a number of these historical anecdotes where he was clearly reaching to demonstrate the influence of salt. Salt may have been involved in these incidents, but it was peripheral at best, and the overall tone sounds too much like cheerleading. Cutting a few of these out would have shortened the book without detracting from the presentation at all.

The second flaw was the meandering path that he takes through the history of salt. He generally starts early in history, and his discussion moves along roughly as history does as well; however, he has a tendency to wander a bit both forward and backward without effectively tying all of this together. I'd have preferred to either walk straight through history while skipping around the world (effectively comparing the use and influence of salt around the world) or to have taken more time to discuss why we were rewinding (effectively following one thread to its conclusion and then picking up another parallel one). To me it made the presentation a little too choppy.

There have been other criticisms as well; for example, the chemistry is incorrect in a number of places, but if you're using this as a chemical reference, then you've got serious issues with your ability to library research. Of course, that begs the question of what errors are in there that we didn't catch. And it does tend to be a bit repetitive in parts; although, this could have been used to good effect if historical threads had been followed a bit more completely.

While I had a few dings on the book, overall I liked it. The fact that I read it end-to-end and enjoyed the last chapter as much as the first is a testament to my general enjoyment of it. It wasn't the best book I read last year, but I'll certainly keep it on my bookshelf. So, back to my original question: does salt merit its own book? Yes, it does, but perhaps in a somewhat shorter form.

A gem of a book
This is a gem of a book. It discusses and intertwines the history and importance of salt from prehistoric times until now in the context of the various types of salt, preserving and brining meat, fish and other foods, cooking, cheese making, health, geology, geography, place names, world trade, world history, warfare, art and investments, to name a few topics.

The descriptions of the role of salt in the American Civil War and the Caribbean islands were fascinating. Then there were the Romans, the Mayans, The Aztecs, the Chinese, the French, the Germans, the English, the Dutch, the Russians, the Scandinavians and others and their involvement with salt.

The recipes for cooking with salt are aptly chosen from about 4000 years of recorded history and are remarkably similar to those in use today. The colorful view and history of the San Francisco salt ponds from an airplane were always a bit of mystery to me, but no longer. The origin of towns and cities whose name ends in "wich" was enlightening, to say nothing of Salzburg and the many salt mines in the world.

In short, this book is a grand, well-written, informative and often amusing world panorama of salt filled with a host of pearls of learning. It is hard to put down and makes 449 pages pleasantly fly by, leaving you with a taste for more. If you have ever used salt, you really should read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Geology   2. Economic Geology   3. History   4. History - General History   5. Mineralogy (Specific Aspects)   6. Rocks & Minerals   7. Salt   8. Salt industry and trade   9. Science   10. Science/Mathematics   11. World - General   

Customer Reviews (2)

The Handbook of Alternative Assets
The Definitive 4-in-1 Reference Guide to Alternative Assets Many books cover individual alternative asset classes, but none offers a comprehensive examination of the four major classes as presented in the Handbook of Alternative Assets. This complete handbook merges data and strategies scattered in numerous volumes into one handy guide for the serious investor. The four major classes discussed are: Hedge funds Commodity and managed futures Private equity Credit derivatives Organized by sections-one for each alternative asset class-the Handbook of Alternative Assets demonstrates the benefits and risks of each alternative asset and reveals how these asset classes can be incorporated into a diversified portfolio. Through expert advice, the Handbook of Alternative Assets details each of four major alternative asset classes and breaks down their quantitative statistical value as well. With this comprehensive handbook on your desk, you'll begin to use alternative asset classes to both hedge and expand any portfolio.
The Handbook of Alternative Assets discusses and describes four types of alternative assets: hedge funds, private equity, credit derivatives and commodity futures.

Truely a Handbook
.
I used this book for my preparations towards CAIA Level 1 exam. And I am impressed. Mr. Anson is an authority and this is truely a great book for Alternative Investment aspirants.

If you want to have a very solid grasp of any of the following alternative investment approaches then this is the book you should turn to -

Hedge funds
Commodity and managed futures
Private equity (5 catagories)
....Venture Capital
....LBOs
....Mezzannine Financing
....Distressed Debt

....CrossOver/Interval/PIPE and PEPE funds
Credit derivatives
Corporate Governance

Mr. Anson helps you build strong fundamentals. Actually he clearly explains what constitutes Alternative Assets(Aha !!!) as against fundamental and/or capital assets and what is meant by alternative investment strategies.

This is followed by a rigorous analysis of the topics listed above in that order.

I particularly enjoyed his coverage of Hedge Funds. He explains each of the 10 Hedge Fund strategies in a systematic fashion. From a variety of angles including Market(S&P500), Risk, Regulatory, Due Diligence/Operational/Administrative perspective.

The coverage of Commodity Derivatives is also superb. Although confined to 4 chapters this coverage is sufficient to gain an intermediate level insight into the Commodities.

The coverage for Private Equity is less comprehensive(but good) compared to it's actual scope in real world. I particularly expected a more rigorous coverage for LBOs.

Although I did not touch credit derivatives and CorpGov I could tell you for sure that these topics must have been covered well.
As I read 19 out of 22 chapters.

To put it in a nutshell - This is a very good book for Hedge fund aspirants and prospective Alternative investment professionals.

For more info about CAIA please visit www.caia.org. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accounting - General   2. Business & Economics   3. Business / Economics / Finance   4. Business/Economics   5. Commodity futures   6. Credit derivatives   7. Finance   8. Hedge funds   9. Investments & Securities - Futures   10. Business & Economics / Finance   11. Investment & securities   

Customer Reviews (5)

Kick Butt Book
This is a great work of literature that we enjoyed a lot. Though it is an especially good book for younger ages, we think it could also be good reading for adults. The southern dialect may be hard to read sometimes but it is still enjoyable. It is a great adventure story that was worderfully written by Mark Twain. There is much suspense that will keep your eyes glued to the pages. We hope you will read this book and enjoy it.

Cool for Kids!
THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER would receive four stars instead of three--IF Mark Twain didn't put romance in it. Tom skips school and has some incredible times with his friends Huck Finn and Joe Harper.
Some of these adventures are re-enacted fantasy (such as playing pirates) and some are real (such as witnessing a murder). Kids of all ages will therefore like how they head to an island for their piracy. Of course they have so long a fun-time there that they are presumed dead--only to return in time for their own funeral!
The murder is bad news but discovering treasure is good news--beyond their wildest dreams. Twain was quite the dreamer himself so I recommend this book for ages 8 & up. Younger kids can "fast-forward" past Tom's engagement at age 13!

Complete and unabridged
I recently learned that there are some "sanitized" versions of "Tom Sawyer" out there and almost blew a gasket. YOO-HOO, SOMEBODY!! ONE DOES NOT "SANITIZE" MARK TWAIN! Putting out a bowdlerized version of Tom Sawyer is an abomination on the level of "colorizing" vintage films. "Tom Sawyer" is a classic that should be read uncut and uncontaminated. Twain is an American legend, who created in his eponymous hero an American icon, and as if Tom himself were not enough, Twain went even further and introduced us in these pages to the incomparable Huckleberry Finn. Is there anyone who has read "Tom Sawyer" who hasn't on some level identified with its hero? Tom is a lovable rogue, an incurable romantic who has to deal with his loving and nagging Aunt Polly, chafes under the constraints of school and its tyrannical headmaster, cons his friends into whitewashing Aunt Polly's fence (probably the best loved chapter in the book), runs away with Huck and turns up safe and sound at his own funeral, saves a condemned man's life, and like every other red-blooded American boy, searches for buried treasure (and unlike any other red-blooded American boy, actually finds it.) Twain created some unforgettable secondary characters; Tom's Aunt Polly, his smarmy little cousin Sid, Becky Thatcher who loves/loathes Tom by turns, and the wicked Injun Joe all stand out, but in Tom and Huck, Twain created two of the best loved figures in American literature, of their own time, our time and all time. The book deserves to be appreciated in all its unsanitized glory; this is the version to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's All Ages - Fiction - General   2. Children: Grades 2-3   3. Classics   4. Fiction   5. History   6. Juvenile Fiction   7. Mississippi River   8. Missouri   9. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   10. Sale Books   

Subjects:  1. General   2. History   3. Nature   4. Nature / Field Guide Books   5. Nature/Ecology   6. Reference   7. Nature / General   

Customer Reviews (7)

It's ok.
I'm a frequent visitor to the Weird NJ site, and I love their descriptions of the paranormal locations they have. The site doesn't have -that- much information about everything, but what it has is great. When I read about The Gates of Hell, I was hooked and wanted to learn more. So recently, I saw the book at a store and bought it, hoping that I'd learn everything New Jersey has to offer.

Well, it was a mistake, and it wasn't.

The book is well put together. I'll give it that. You can really tell they took their time making sure it had a good layout that was easy to follow. The photos and drawings all give it a nice, depressing tone in some cases, and there are even actual newspaper clippings which some of the stories came from. Heck, I'd tell you to get the book if only for the cool pictures. Even the cover has a nice design/print. This is a very pretty book. But, looks don't matter than much when it comes to books obviously. Immediately, I flipped to the index to look for The Gates of Hell. When I made my way to its page, I was disappointed. It was just re-hash of what they said on the site more or less. They cover it in 4 pages. But huge pictures take up most of the space. I'm looking at it right now as I type this, and really, there's a total of 1 3/4 of a page, if that, of text. You get a synopsis of what it is, then 3 whole short stories from people that've been there. They don't even say anything that interesting. I learned more from someone I met in a NJ Yahoo Group than I did from this book. And that guy had pictures from when he went there. If you want to see them, click on my name here and go to the link to my Yahoo profile, then follow the links on the left toolbar to view my photo gallery.

The book does cover a lot of other things that the site doesn't though. But since I haven't read any issues of the Weird NJ magazine, I don't know if they're just re-wording things from that in here. It goes very in-depth about historical and scientific events, which is a plus. I was actually impressed with the research they did for some of the stories.

The cover reads "Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets". I guess it's just that- a travel guide. Something to take along if you live there or are planning a trip, and have it on hand to find the locations of the abnormalities.

Oh and I have to warn you about something- the guy who helped write this, and I'm assuming did most of the introductionss to each legend really needs to think of some new words. I lost count of how many times he used "the stuff legends are made of". Every time I got to that phrase, I just closed the book and put it down for a while. It got annoying to read that every few pages. C'mon, "the STUFF legends are made of"? Give me a break. I'd be happy to re-write most of the book for free. At least I wouldn't use things like "there is a dark tower in a dark shadow in the dark side of New Jersey. Duh huh poridge". Most of the time, you're better off just reading the stories from other people about their experiences with x subject.

All in all, this is an average book. It's nothing you couldn't get from the site or get from other people, but it's fun to have around for whenever you want to look something up real fast. And the price is pretty fair too. Just know what you're getting first.

Even if you're not from NJ...
this book is worth a look. While I can't add anything to what has already been said about the interesting contents, I'd like to comment on how beautifully designed the book is. I was really impressed with the look of it. And I wish somebody would do a book like this about my neck of the woods!

Love It
If you like reading the Weird N.J. magazines you'll love this over 200 page book. It covers ufo sightings and local legends like the Jersey devil. There's also sections devoted to unique properties in the state, cemeteries, local heros and villains, spooky abandoned places, and more. There's lots of photos and drawings in here too. I was a little dissapointed that south Jersey isn't covered much in here. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel   2. Travel - United States   3. United States - Mid Atlantic - New Jersey   4. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)   

Customer Reviews (137)

Excellent Tome
Being a new systems engineer in a large-scale mixed-mode environment, I have already discovered how useful the information contained in this book actually is. I didn't purchase this book for 'exam cram' purposes but to thoroughly understand the hows and whys of Windows 2000 Server. Perhaps Minasi's name helps sell the books but who cares? It's not important to me who wrote the book as long as the information contained therein is accurate and useful. The included CD-ROM with the entire book in searcheable .pdf format is great - I just toss it into my laptop bag and it's a handy reference on the go. I especially appreciate the fact that the book also provides a brief history of NT to help us understand how we got to where we are today with Windows 2000. From what I've seen so far, there is no doubt that this book will help me become a far better systems engineer. Thanks Sybex!

Worth its weight in gold
This is the book that made me wonder how come all those other technical books make learning Windows 2000 such a difficult and confusing task. I was lucky though since this was my first book on Windows 2000 and I got it at a time when I really needed to get to grips with it fast.

With absolutely no experience in Windows NT 4, networking or administration, I had to learn Windows 2000 Server and the theory at the same time, including DNS, WINS, DHCP, TCP/IP, Active Directory, scalability and security. I literally read the whole thing over a weekend and went ahead the following week to single handedly set up a Windows 2000 based LAN for a small company, and was able to easily cope with all their demands. The network was soon up and running with the Active Directory, DNS, WINS, DHCP and TCP/IP in perfect working order. It is no exaggeration to say I owe the project's success to this book alone.

Mark and his team's writing style make reading it a pleasure. Depth of content gives you a deep feeling of satisfaction that you've covered the subject thoroughly and gained a very clear picture. This is the book by which I judge the quality of other books on Windows 2000 topics, and I have yet to find one that contained something this book didn't tell you and nowhere near as clearly or comprehensively. I have not yet needed to look at another book on Windows 2000 Server, and nor do I think I will.

The book starts out with an introduction to Active Directory, installation (local and remote), the MMC, the Registry, Hardware installation and Storage Management, followed by Managing User and Computer Accounts, File Sharing, Software Installation, Network Printing, Connecting PC Clients and Macintoshes, Terminal Services, How Running a Big Windows 2000 network is different, Novell Netware Integration, a massive 250 pages on TCP/IP in Windows 2000, Internet Information Services, Tuning and Monitoring, Backup and Disaster Recovery, the Remote Access Service and ends with a handy appendix explaining over 30 of the most useful Performance Objects that can be used in the Performance Monitor.

Mark Minasi has deep insider's knowledge of the product and you can sense his enthusiasm as he shares his knowledge with you, leaving nothing out and all with a light touch of humour and very well organised. This is the best book on Windows 2000 Server and I would especially recommmend it to those just starting out, although I'm sure it's every serious administrator's essential Windows 2000 companion too.

Simply outstanding...a wealth of knowledge
First I should say that I've read quite a few tech books, as I'm in the business, and I've purchased quite a few from amazon. Some books have been good and others not so good. This is the first one that has ever prompted me to write a review.

Mr. Minasi has achieved quite an accomplishment with Mastering Windows 2000 Server. I am in the process of reading cover-to-cover (and there's a lot of space in between those covers!), currently about half way through, and this is honestly the only computer book I've read thus far that has not left me with one question. As you read through this massive tome, it's as if Mr. Minasi is reading your mind and the answer to the very question you've been conjuring is no farther away than the next page. His writing style is also a delight, keeping your interest from one page to the next (that's not an easy thing to do when your explaining such topics as group policy or creating the proper DNS infrastructure).

Near the beginning of the book the authot explains that the book is not meant for MCSA/MCSE preparation. However, I'll be going for these exams very soon, and I already feel like my knowledge on the topics contained in this text have increased exponentially. I wouldn't think of becoming 2K certified without consulting the high points of Mastering first.

In short...the $50 you drop on this monster will repay you tenfold in the knowledge that you'll get out of it. You won't be dissapointed!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Client-Server Computing - Windows   2. Computer Bks - Operating Systems   3. Computer Books: Operating Systems   4. Computers   5. Interactive & Multimedia   6. Microcomputer Operating Environments   7. Microsoft Windows server   8. Operating Systems - General   9. Operating Systems - Windows   10. Operating systems (Computers)   

Customer Reviews (2)

What a fun look at TV history!
I got this book for my TV buff husband for Christmas... he has been reading it ever since. The whole family has enjoyed reading it. This book is a must for any true TV buff... and what man isn't one! Looking for a great gift for a man in your life... this is a must, especially if he's a babyboomer or prior. Highly recommended for the money!

Nostalgic
Be prepared for a flood of memories from your youth. Great look back at what's kept us entertained from the most powerful cultural medium of the last 50 years.
Also recommended - "No One's Even Bleeding" & "Delano" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History   2. Performing Arts   3. Performing Arts/Dance   4. Pop Arts / Pop Culture   5. Television - General   6. Television broadcasting   7. United States   8. Performing Arts / Television / General   

Customer Reviews (39)

Finding God In Unexpected Places
In THE GOSPEL ACCORDING THE THE SIMPSONS, Mark Pinsky shows us that it's possible to find God in some of the most unexpected places. Originally, The Simpsons was largely eschewed by the evangelical Christian community, because of Bart's rebellious ways. But as the show grew older, and the focus turned more towards Homer, Pinsky shows that people of faith who weren't watching were missing out on some of the most "Christian" television around. Seriously.

The Simpsons not only contains blatantly Christian characters but it explores issues of faith that other shows would never touch with a 50 foot pole. Ned Flanders, though ragged on by Homer a lot, is perhaps the best depiction of an evangelical-type Christian in mainstream television history. Lisa Simpson seems to present the side of the social Gospel. Marge's real faith in God also shines through. Though characters with faith are often made fun of, in the end the show always seems to prove that the joke is on the joker, not the jokee. The Simpsons isn't trying to evangelize, but it is surprisingly fair and evenhanded in its presentations, and with how it deals out the humor. In its history the show has dealt with subjects like cults, hypocricy, why God allows evil, hell, and forgiveness.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE SIMPSONS surprised me, made me laugh out loud multiple times each chapter, and was just an all-around enjoyable read. The picture of Christianity that is presented isn't perfect. The writers stumble on theological points many times (such as grace vs. works). This will happen when you're not a theologian and, in most cases, not even a Christian. But in spite of that, Pinsky shows that the Springfield world of Homer is one that is rich in faith and religious devotion. For Christians who can let their hair down and roll with a few jokes, The Simpsons proves that even in the midst of our post-Christian culture, in Hollywood, and even on the Fox Network, God can be found if you dare to look for Him. As Homer might say, "Mmmmm.... a FIVE STAR book..."

This book is better than okily-dokily!!
As a lover of God and a lover of "The Simpsons", I couldn't resist picking up this book. It's a very entertaining look at a show that deals with religion more blatantly than any other show this side of "Touched by an Angel". But does the show uphold Christianity and other religions, or does it attempt to subvert them? Probably both, but even by trying to be subversive it inevitably affirms the important part religious beliefs and activities play in the life of America.

The character most evangelical Christians like myself identify with the most is the Simpsons' next-door neighbor Ned Flanders. While the show often pokes fun at the evangelical subculture at Ned's expense, it ultimately presents Ned in a very positive light, as a sincere lover of God who is portrayed as possessing human foibles at times without being a hypocrite. Lisa Simpson is less obviously religious, seeming to be the most "liberal" of the cast, but in her questioning of faith and championing of causes such as animal rights and environmentalism fits in with the thinking of the more liberal, mainline denominations. Homer is more like a typical churchgoer than many would like to admit: basically a believer who is often wishy-washy, gullible, and theologically clueless but is basically honest and moral when all is said and done. Marge is the most religious and upright of the Simpson family. Other faiths are also portrayed in the characters of Krusty (Judaism) and Apu (Hinduism).

Rather than a true evangelical faith of salvation by grace, however, the show displays a religion of works. Of course, works are easier to deal with in a TV show than grace. The author also discusses the place of God, the Bible, Jesus (who is usually alluded to in a more indirect manner than God), and Satan in the Simpsons' universe. God, more than once, has himself interacted directly in the lives of the Springfield inhabitants.

This book give a very thorough, entertaining analysis of the role of religion on what has been, in my opinion, the best show on TV over the last ten-plus years. I highly recommend "The Gospel According to the Simpsons" to anyone interested in religion and culture studies, and to all fans of the show.

Better than a box of D'ohnuts!
I am a Christian and I really enjoy watching The Simpsons. There are millions of others who can say the same, but there are just as many who would find my confession to be self-contradictory or maybe even sacrilegious. And most viewers probably have no opinion, one way or the other, about the Simpsons moral agenda. But no matter who you are, you will be enlightened by this book about the "good news" according to the Simpsons.
Love it or hate it, the fact is that The Simpsons is definitely one of the most theologically relevant programs in prime time today. Pinsky points out that the unique thing about the show is that it does not shy away from exposing the religious underpinnings or "convictions" of its characters. Each chapter of his book focuses on a different theme or character, and surveys how they react to their many moral dilemnas. How is that theme presented by the show's writers? It's very interesting. Most of us know that the Bible asks, "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Well, then there's Homer, who says in one episode "I'd sell my soul for a donut." What are we to make of this guy? Or Bart, for that matter? A lot of people turn the show off or avoid it entirely because of the irreligious worldview of these (and other) characters. But Pinsky shows us that the writers do not leave anyone in a favorable light until the moral dilemnas are resolved, usually in a way that is consistent with values we would all like to emulate. In other words, the show does not glorify sloth, irresponsibility, laziness, disobedience, gluttony, hypocrisy, or all-around "sin" as much as it appears to on the surface. There actually IS some "good news" to be found in The Simpsons.
Pinsky proves this with a simple question at one point. He asks, "Who would you rather have as a neighbor? Homer or Ned Flanders?"
Exactly! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Topical Studies   2. Christianity - Christian Life - Pop Culture Issues   3. Religion   4. Religion - Christian Living   5. Religious aspects   6. Simpsons (Television program)   7. Spirituality - General   8. Television - General   9. Television broadcasting   

Subjects:  1. American - General   2. International Relations - General   3. Journalism   4. Journalistic Writing   5. Language   6. Language Arts & Disciplines   7. Media Studies   8. Politics - Current Events   9. Political Science / International Relations   

Subjects:  1. Animated films   2. Cinema/Film: Book   3. Film & Video - Animation   4. Film & Video - General   5. Illustrations   6. Performing Arts   7. Polar Express (Motion picture)   8. Pop Arts / Pop Culture   9. United States   10. Warner Bros. Entertainment   

Customer Reviews (9)

Five stars
The stories in this collection are gems that every mother can relate to. If you're a mother or a daughter this book is a must read! The stories will make you laugh and cry and, best of all, you'll recognize yourself in many of the pages. Debbie Farmer, parenting author of 'Don't Put Lipstick on the Cat'

CHICKEN SOUP FOR MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS SOUL IS #1
My daughter & I enjoy Chicken Soup For The Mothers And Daughters Soul.It not only touch our souls it touch our hearts.It is very hard to stop reading it.I would like to Thanks the Authors of this book for bringing back an older favorite of my daughter & I ,That was to sit down & read together.Chicken Soup For The Mothers And Daughter will not only touch your Soul it will touch your Heart.I I pray that God continues to bless you.Please write more books soon.I would love to have an complete series of all your Best Seller Book,This book is a treasure that All Mothers & Daughters will enjoy for years to come.Many,Many Thanks,Again***** Frances,You are a hero.You touch so many people near you & very far,That is what makes you a hero to me.Your book will not only warm & touch the hearts & Soul of Mothers & Daughters,It warms up every one that has a heart.Hugs,

Congratulations on a job well done
Above average writing sets this book apart from others of its genre. Stories are engrossing without seeming contrived. All in all, a well put together collection of stories, quotes and cartoons that ACTUALLY is inspiring. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conduct of life   2. Family & Relationships   3. Family Relationships   4. Family/Marriage   5. Inspirational   6. Mother-daughter relationship   7. Mothers and daughters   8. Motivational & Inspirational   9. Parent & Adult Child   10. Self-Help / General   

Customer Reviews (2)

A classis Christmas story
I collect Christmas stories and purchase only one or two each year. My criteria are excellent storyline as well as beautiful illustrations. This book hits the mark on both counts. The storyline is both "real" and touching. It emphesizes the important things about Christmas including being together as a family and serving others. Truely, the best gifts, as this story illustrates, do not come from the store.

The gift of love is the best gift of all.
This book truly exemplifies the true meaning of christmas, to love one another. When Rob, the 15 year old boy of a modest farm family, overhears his parents talking, he comes to realize the love his father has for him and the love he also holds for his father. Not having the money to purchase a gift that he feels expresses this love, he chooses to surprise his father by doing the morning milking and chores before the usual 4AM. He sneaks out to the barn and his heart bursts with love as he waits for his father to discover the surprise. The illustrations are beautiful, dark and dusky like the time of day before surnrise, and the clouds in the sky take the shape of the Holy Family on the first Christmas. A valuable lesson for all. The gift of love is the most precious gift of all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General   2. Children: Kindergarten   3. Christmas   4. Farm life   5. Fiction   6. Holidays & Festivals - Christmas   7. Juvenile Fiction   8. Lifestyles - Farm Life & Ranch Life   9. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Christmas   

Subjects:  1. African Americans   2. Anecdotes   3. Biography   4. Blacks In The U.S.   5. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General   6. History   7. Inspirational   8. Inspirational - General   9. Motivational & Inspirational   10. Personal Growth - General   11. Personal Growth - Happiness   12. Self-Help   13. Social conditions   14. Spiritual Healing   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)   2. Girls & Women   3. Interpersonal Relations   4. Juvenile Nonfiction   5. Psychology   6. Teenage boys   7. Teenage girls   8. Typology (Psychology)   9. United States   10. Family & Relationships / Interpersonal Relations