Subjects:  1. Ancient - Rome   2. Language   3. Language Arts & Disciplines   4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy   5. Linguistics   6. Ancient Rome   7. Historical & comparative linguistics   8. Latin   

Subjects:  1. Orthopedics   2. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation   3. Software - Medical / Nursing - CDROM / Universal   4. Surgery - General   

Customer Reviews (1)

This book is well written, but outdated
I'm a novice Finale user, composer and guitar player. Hoping to solidify my Finale skills, (absolutely love the software), I quickly found this book is full of OUTDATED material (I've got Fianle 2004/Win). All of the document/program options have been restructured, guitar notation/TAB has been overhauled, expressions are handled differently, and tools have even been renamed since this book was written. Sure the basics are there, but the Installation and Tutorials manual already provides basic instruction. Some material takes you through steps no longer necessary. If you want to dig into a newer Finale version, you will find this book very confusing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Data processing   2. Finale (Computer file)   3. Music   4. Musical notation   5. Reference   6. Songbooks - General   7. Music / Reference   

Customer Reviews (4)

A great book for the summer
Fun and light, this is a perfect beach read. Marion Meade is a terrific writer and brings the four women back to life. Learn all about the parties, the gossip, and their outlandish lifestyles...

Intelligent, Juicy and Thoroughly Entertaining
Sex. Drugs. Booze. Wild parties. No, it's not another rock-and-roll band tell-all. It's Marion Meade's intelligent, juicy and thoroughly entertaining BOBBED HAIR AND BATHTUB GIN.

Meade's latest effort recounts in luscious detail the lives, loves, closeted skeletons and tormented souls of Zelda Fitzgerald, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Dorothy Parker and Edna Ferber --- literary figures whose stars burned brightly and whose legends took form in the period in American history bracketed by the end of World War One and the beginning of the Great Depression.

BOBBED HAIR AND BATHTUB GIN is divided into eleven chapters, each covering a single year from 1920 to 1930. The four women form the core of the narrative, which spirals outward as it advances through the decade of the Roaring Twenties to include a host of figures that swarmed around New York City's journalism, theater and publishing hives. Variously entwined and entangled with the women at the center of the giddy gin- and hormone-fueled maelstrom are dozens of familiar names, including Robert Benchley, Alexander Woollcott, and other members of the notorious Algonquin Roundtable; H. L. Mencken; and of course, F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Meade's exhaustive research and crisp writing have produced a work that is at once a fascinating history of the American literary scene in the Twenties and a sensational beach read, a thinking-person's soap opera. A welcome antidote to the assorted dullards and contrived situations of reality television, BOBBED HAIR AND BATHTUB GIN delivers smart, extraordinarily talented real people, human beings with the obsessions, neurosis and psychological baggage that are part of the requisite chemistry of artistic genius, literary or otherwise.

In their twenties during the Twenties, Zelda Fitzgerald, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Dorothy Parker and Edna Ferber were, like their contemporaries, people who gleefully ignored inconvenient laws and problematic social conventions. They were at various times heartbreakers and heartbroken. The men in their lives acted either as the hero/protector, or like navigationally challenged birds that fly into windowpanes.

As a kind of who's who of American writers of the era, BOBBED HAIR AND BATHTUB GIN offers a compelling portrait of a unique period in American cultural history. While many of the real-life characters in this wonderful book ultimately found something less than happy endings, one feels perhaps a greater sense of loss for the passing of an era when print was king and writers were revered as stars in their own right. (It must also be observed, however, that they were also the subjects of a level of public interest and scrutiny that made Scott and Zelda the Ben and J-Lo of their day.)

H. G. Wells, who makes a brief appearance at a party in BOBBED HAIR AND BATHTUB GIN, was, of course, the author of THE TIME MACHINE. In a profound and thoroughly engaging way, author Marion Meade has provided readers with the means to travel back to 1920 and witness the lives of four women whose voices, vices and literary virtues added to the roar. It is a journey well worth the effort.

--- (...)

Thoroughly entertaining
This is a delightful read to be sure. With prose that sparkles and mirrors the era, the four talented and eccentric ladies are brought into full relief. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century   2. Authors, American   3. Biography   4. Biography / Autobiography   5. History   6. Literary   7. Literary Criticism   8. Millay, Edna St. Vincent, 1892-1950   9. United States   10. Women   11. Women Authors   12. Women and literature   13. Women authors, American   14. Literary Criticism & Collections / Women Authors   

Customer Reviews (42)

A book as intoxicating as its subject
A phenomenon when she burst onto the literary scene in the Twenties, Edna Millay, I believe, would herself be pleased with this phenomenal biography. I discovered Millay's poetry when I was in high school in Kansas in the Fifties, the Beatnik era, but in Kansas, I certainly knew no Beatniks. Millay became my muse, the poetic string connecting me to another world beyond the endless fields of corn and wheat. I visited her home in Greenwich Village, read all of her poetry, and can still quote long passages from memory.
Savage Beauty, a large book, does ample justice to the large personality of Millay, chronicling her life and lifestyle, both of which were 'unconventional,' in every sense of the word. Such was the impact of this genius, this 'force of nature,' that she willfully created her persona, in the process lifting herself and her dependent family out of poverty and onto the front pages.
The intensity of her poetic works is mirrored in the intensity with which she lived her life. Her short signature poem 'I burn my candle at both ends; it will not last the night. But ah my foes and oh my friends, it gives a lovely light' became a slogan for an era - and even more, a definition of her own life, at the end of which she did, indeed, flame out in an excess of living.

Renascence woman
"Renascence" has always been one of my favorite poems. Did you know Millay wrote it when she was only twenty? Milford includes other interesting little tidbits, as well as a detailed analysis of the woman who burned her candle at both ends. Yes, she died young, a drug addict and an alcoholic. Milford also includes her affairs with men and women, her problems with money, and her health problems, but I found the family relationships most interesting (Lots of pictures).
Millay's mother kicked her feckless husband out of the house, as did her grandmother (who was killed by a runaway horse)hers; all three of the Millay sisters were poets (Norma, the least ambitious of the three, writes a sonnet to rival Edna's best towards the end of the book). The youngest sister, Kathleen, was a sad case. Although she published a couple of novels and several books of poetry, she was jealous of Edna, hounded her for money, and did her level best to embarrass her in print. Millay's mother was the true inspiration for Edna. She read the girls poetry, wrote some of her own (publishing toward the end of her life). She validates B.F. Skinner's theory on parental inspiration and Edna gave her credit.
We also see the writer as performance artist. Edna wins a contest and is invited to read for literary societies in her home town, during which time she wins the support of a woman who sponsors her application to Vassar. According to Milford, Millay was an electrifying reader and became famous largely because of her book tours. She even did radio during a time when poetry was given its due.
Millay also wrote plays and even a book for an opera, all of which did well. She was a true Renascence woman.

A fantastic read!
This is one of the best books I have read in several years. It is magical, provocative,and educational - a true treasure. I've never been interested in reading biographies, but after reading this, I've realized what I've been missing.

I also disagree with one reviewer that Edna St. Vincent Millay is "obscure" to most living Americans. I think many easily recognize her name - and even if they don't, this book is a fabulous way to learn about an otherwise unfamiliar individual. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century   2. American - General   3. Biography   4. Biography & Autobiography   5. Biography / Autobiography   6. Biography/Autobiography   7. History   8. Literary   9. Poets, American   10. United States   11. Women   12. Women Authors   13. Women and literature   14. Biography & Autobiography / Literary   

Customer Reviews (5)

Not For Everyone
This book is probably very good for a student studying war, but it's by no means an interesting coffee table type of conversational piece. It's more like a textbook , not not for me, and not for you either, I suspect.

Excellent Book About War
If you are looking for a coffee table book about war, stop here. There is no need for you to continue. This one is as good as they come. However, this is not a book on West Point. (for that, I recommend "West Point", by Norman Thomas Remick). The title is somewhat confusing in that respect. But, don't let that stop you from looking at this great job done by the Dept. of Military Art and Engineering.

Confused by Reviews
Look I'm not actually reviewing this book - but I do have some comments about the reviews:

If the date is 1900-1918 in the title, how does this cover Bismarck's Germany, which would be before 1900? Similarly how serious is the league of nations coverage (which I would guess would be 1918-1939 approximately)

One of the reviews mentions WWII - but again, how does this fit in the 1900-1918 range? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases - U.S.   2. Historical Atlases   3. History   4. History - Military / War   5. Military - United States   6. Military - World War I   7. Military History - World War I   8. Reference   

Customer Reviews (2)

Encounter all Kahn's master pieces.
In one book, you can see through Kahn's famous works, like Salk Institute of Biography Reaserch and Yale Center for British Art. Nice photos and descriptions. This book can be the beginning step for approaching Kahn's philosophy of architecture. He say, "Existence will determines the every nature of things". He used the simple forms to establish a fine-art-class architecture style. Kahn's works could be said as "Simple in FORM, but not simple in MIND."

A great overview of Kahn's career.
A beautiful book...It's filled with so much information about Kahn's major projects. Interesting, well-written text and dozens of sketches and model photos accompany each major project. I'd never heard of Grant Mudford, but his big, color photos are beautiful. There's a list of all of Kahn's projects and buildings from the 1920s until his death in 1974, and a section of Kahn's travel sketches and artwork. The pages are large, the print quality is impressive, and the impeccable graphic design, by Massimo Vignelli with Abigail Sturges, suits Kahn's style perfectly. And it's a good buy, too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1901-1974   2. 20th century   3. Architecture   4. Art   5. Criticism and interpretation   6. Design - General   7. Individual Architect   8. Kahn, Louis I.,   9. United States   10. Architecture / Individual Architect   

Subjects:  1. Fantasy Games   2. Games   3. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords   4. Games/Puzzles   5. Role Playing & Fantasy - General   6. Fiction, Graphic Novels, General   

Customer Reviews (1)

Variety is the spice of life
This is a fantastic compendium of many of the best chefs in America and some of their finest preparations. You've got Romano, Vongerichten, Boulud, Keller, O'Connell...even relative newcomers like Patricia Yeo and Wylie Dufresne. It is an outstanding resource for getting a taste of the various styles and approaches...including multiple no-stir risotto recipes and other kitchen hints. Preparation times and a recipe index are provided to make this a very well done production, including a photo for one of each chef's preparations (each chef gets about half a dozen recipes included).

The meals are mostly accessible to the home cook and very clearly presented. They were obviously kitchen-tested in order to get into the New York Times from where these recipes are drawn, so no bogus preparations. Plus these chefs didn't hold anything back seeing as the New York Times is read by their target demographic and it's a competitive arena.

Anyone who wants to kick their culinary skills up a few thousand notches over Emeril & the food TV gang ought to invest wisely in this delectable tome. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery   2. Cooking   3. Cooking / Wine   4. Cooks   5. General   6. Regional & Ethnic - American - General   7. United States   

Customer Reviews (209)

The truth is out there... and here it is!
This book packs...a punch. If you followed the Florida election fiasco and the ensuing battle in the Supreme Court and were anyone other than a biased Republican, this book will get you mad...if you weren't already. This book puts into organized and concise form every...legal tactic...and highlights several reasons [for]... this crime against democracy. Bugliosi says it all... this book knocks all the...incorrect arguments of Bush supporters square on their heads and reveals conservatives in the government for exactly what so many of them are... win at all costs...

Read this book! Regardless of your personal political leaning, it will open your eyes to the...bare-knuckle partisanship...on the Supreme Court...What are you waiting for?

Nothing but the truth!
As one who is neither a Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, I must admit I was surprised at how compelling Bugliosi makes his case. No one can doubt his legal credentials. He's proven that as a prosecutor. And in this book he uses hard to refute facts (which is why the negative reviews I've read here don't even try) to show the Supreme Court abused their power to give the election to their boy. And as an aside, it is not true that all the recounts gave Bush the presidency. In fact, the most complete one gave Bush the presidency if the votes were counted as Gore's team wanted, and gave Gore the presidency if the votes were counted as Bush's team wanted. Ironic, isn't it?

A Must Read for Americans: From H.S. Seniors to All Voters
The intricate details of Mr. Bugliosi's book provide an insight to the 2000 stolen election like no other. He exposes the rancid infection of the "felonious five" Supreme Court Justices with wit, humor and a legal mind heretofore unknown in American Jurisprudence. For those planning to vote, it's an eyeopener which will lead them to the right check in the voter's box; and for those just beginning the privilege of voting, it enlightens them to take the path which will protect America's future -- a book which should be REQUIRED reading in high school government classes, and government classes across America's Universities. Mr. Bugliosi provides knowledge of the Bush/Cheney abuses of the Rule of Law and demonstrates the opinion that Bush/Cheney are above it -- and none dare questions it. This review of the 2000 election prepares one for this year's election with the hope of escaping the 2000 election fiasco. It makes one aware, prepared and on guard for any tactics in the 2004 election. We should all be thankful for Bugliosi's insight and courage to expose the betrayal. Absolutely a MUST READ, page turner and can't put down book!!! He makes understanding the law all the easier for those not familiar with its intricacies, and shows how down and dirty Bush/Cheney were in abusing the laws their swore to uphold. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (George Walker),   2. 1946-   3. 1948-   4. 2000   5. American   6. Bush, George W   7. Courts - Supreme Court   8. Current Affairs   9. Election   10. Gore, Albert,   11. Legal System   12. Political   13. Political History   14. Politics - Current Events   15. Politics/International Relations   16. Presidents   17. United States   18. Gore, Albert   19. Trials, litigation, etc   

Customer Reviews (94)

Riveting and Brilliantly Argued
Put simply, this book makes me wish that Mr. Bugliosi had been arguing in place of Clark and Darden. Mr. Bugliosi's analysis of the case should convince even the most narrow-minded person of O.J. Simpson's guilt. The book is filled with insightful commentary as well as biting indictments of incompetence, when appropriate (and indeed, such indictments are appropriate all too often). At the same time, the book remains engaging and very enjoyable to read. The Final Summation section, with the arguments that Mr. Bugliosi would have given the jury in his final summation had he prosecuted the case in bold, is particularly powerful. The arguments condemn Simpson with the power of pure, straight-forward logic and a superlative command of the written word.

People in the reviews below have said that Mr. Bugliosi "demeans" people and that in being a defense attorney he is doing the same thing he condemns Johnny Cochrane for. These reviews are ridiculous for several reasons. First of all, Bugliosi does not have the intention of "demeaning" people such as the prosecutors or the LAPD when he criticizes their respective performances; he is simply analyzing their individual performances, which frankly were quite poor, and saying what he considers to be the truth. He is certainly not euphemistic in his criticism; but he is rather just being objective (he has nothing against the people he is critiquing on a personal level, for sure), and anyone who says he is being too harsh had better have a good reason, because his comments sure seemed to be dead-on accurate. Regarding Mr. Bugliosi's criticism of Johnny Cochrane in light of his own turn as a defense attorney: every criminal who stands trial has the right to an attorney, and defense attorneys are generally respectable people who attempt to advise their clients in a way in keeping with justice. Johnny Cochrane's showy, preachy, over-the-top, and, most importantly, vehement defense of a man he must have known to be guilty was disgraceful. Defending an accused criminal is one thing; pulling out every possible stop and every ludicrous argument so that vicious murderer goes free is entirely another.

Regarding people's complaints about Mr. Bugliosi's ego: I think you mistake his expertise for ego. I didn't sense any self-consciousness on the author's part, only a firm handle on the subject at issue.

As for Mr. Bugliosi's words on God: instead of having a gut reaction of "How dare he!," why don't you actually think about what he says? The man is clearly one of the most clear-headed and intelligent people around, and it might do you good to think about religion from a different perspective than your own with an open mind, particularly when the source is one so distinguished. Mr. Bugliosi uses the powers of analysis that enabled him to demonstrate Simpson's guilt so decisively to grapple with contemporary organized religion--if his logic was good enough in the former instance, why is it all of a sudden called into question and, indeed, struck down by certain reviewers in the latter instance? Read with an open mind, people--you just might learn something. Don't accept everything you're given--examine and scrutinize the universe that surrounds you instead. And by the way, just because you don't believe in God doesn't mean you can't distinguish right from wrong--the idea that morality has to spring from religion is a conceit that some religious people tell themselves to make themselves feel noble. A sense of right and wrong can certainly come from a belief in God, but it can also come from respecting your fellow human beings.

In more general terms, though, I think it can be agreed that this is an immensely intelligent and revealing look into the mockery of justice that was the O.J. Simpson case. I would invite anyone who cheered Simpson's acquittal to read this book and see if they regret having rejoiced in the freeing of a murderer. As for the rest of us, it gives us an opportunity to sit back and read all of the points that we have made time and again about the case plus some we haven't thought of thrown in for good measure, all articulated in the most eloquent fashion.

Extremely Insightful Book on the Trial of the Century
Vincent Bugliosi has written one of the most insightful books on not only on the OJ Simpson case, but the issue of the rule of law, our court system, what constitutes effective and competent counsel, outrageous conduct on the part of the defense.

Bugliosi first outlines the basic facts of the case: first, OJ is obviously guilty. His blood is found at the crime scene, in his Bronco, and at his estate. Nicole and Ron Goldman's blood are also found in all three locations. OJ created a suicide note, got a mask, and ran away from the cops. He told the police he "didn't know" why he was bleeding at the night of the murders -- at the exact same time the crime was being committed. He told Nicole he would kill her one day. The murder was not a burglary -- because nothing was taken. And the crime was definitely one of passion -- notice the knife. All the signs point to Simpson.

This book is an extremely useful one for myself because I do intend to be an attorney one day. Bugliosi provided many very simple tips on how best to argue one's case and to destroy one's opponents arguments. This is certainly a book I would recommend. There is no nonsense or hodgepodge in this book. A+!

-- Michael Gordon
Los Angeles

Justifiable "Outrage" .....Gratuitous Criticism
In the first week of October 1995, only one person on the planet was angrier than I was - and that person was none other than Vincent Bugliosi - star prosecutor of the Manson gang. Thus, I was drawn to his account of the debacle known as the O.J. trial as if it contained the secrets of Tutankhamen. There are many attributes to this seething indictment of our legal system, the brain-dead jury who rendered the laughable verdict, and the bunglings of the prosecutors (and the eunuch-like judge) involved in this case. However......

Bugliosi gives an "F" grade to Marcia Clark, Chris Darden, et. al. A failing grade? Really now, Mr. Bugliosi. The same evidence that convinced you, me and millions of other non-retarded individuals was presented by the very prosecutors you excoriate in this book. Yes, they were clumsy. Yes, they made critical errors. But let's face some salient facts here. Forrest Gump could have presented the overwhelming (and irrefutable) evidence in this case - merely by calling in the DNA experts, who proved beyond ANY doubt that Simpson's blood was dropped at the crime scene. Virginia Woolf, in the midst of a lithium overdose, could have been convinced of the disgraced NFL star's guilt.

Mr. Bugliosi states, with the supreme confidence of someone supremely confident, that "he could have convinced the O.J. juty to convict O.J." Come again? Let's be reasonable here. The genius prosecutor of Manson and his trogledyte terrorists did not have a jury inflamed by Rodney King, nor were Manson and his co-defendants sports icons. The Manson jurors were reasonable, compassionate people who listened to the evidence, maintained a healthy respect for justice, and saw through the sophomoric antics of the defense team. (Anyone remember Irving Kanarek? If you don't, count your lucky stars.)

"Outrage" marked the first and only time I've ever been somewhat annoyed with Vince Bugliosi. He can't expect every prosecutor, especially someone with a mountain-sized chip on their shoulder (C. Darden) to perform to his standards. Lightning doesn't strike twice - and neither will Bugliosi's genius of the early seventies.

Bugliosi is absolutely correct in disdaining the woeful verdict that exonerated O.J. for his despicable behavior. His meticulous examination of the mistakes that pervaded the trial is beyond reproach. However, I believe he fails to recognize another irrefutable fact: His own staggering brilliance would not have swayed O.J.'s jury; rather, it would have worked against him. It's fairly obvious that this jury would not have convicted the wife-battering O.J. - not even if they had witnessed the crime first-hand. (Two words: "Brenda" and "Moran" come to mind. As Dominick Dunne so succinctly said, "Never underestimate the power of stupidity.")

Yes, there was plenty of blame to go around in one of the bleakest events in the history of American justice. Bugliosi is justifiably bitter; I too shall be saddened until the day I leave this earth. Like Bugliosi, I cannot regard the lives of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman as any less sacred than those of Emmett Till or Medgar Evers. I regret that I was not old enough to vote on those juries so many years ago, because I despise the mockery of justice and virulent racism that pervaded those proceedings. Like O.J.'s jury, those panels were populated by ignorant persons possessed of personal animus, limited intelligence and misdirected rage.

"We've got to protect our own," Carrie Bess allegedly belched to one her fellow jurors. Let's put the blame where it belongs, Mr. Bugliosi: on a defense attorney whose insipid blatherings shouldn't have scared a two-year-old; on a jury who refused to see the truth - and who deliberated for an appallingly short time - and a flaccidly foolish judge who couldn't control his own courtroom. It is Bugliosi's heavy-handed condemnation of the prosecution that detracts from an otherwise excellent presentation. Yet, I shall always admire and respect Mr. Bugliosi for his years of dedication to the cause of justice, and my loyalty is unwavering - now and for always. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminology   2. General   3. Murder - General   4. Nonfiction - True Crime / Espionage   5. Social Science   6. Sociology   7. Current Events / Law   

Customer Reviews (9)

A fire starter
These letters speak the truth of van Gogh. This book opens a window of knowledge on a man so misunderstood to the world. At 14, I absolutely am in love with this book. "Dear Theo" has ignited a fire in my soul, a burning desire to study art and the men behind the works.

Interesting and revealing
Vincent Van Gogh was a great painter, but not a writer. So these letters are of interest in terms of history and painting. The life of Van Gogh is better exposed here than it would have been in a "real" autobiography, because Theo, his younger brother, was the only real friend Vincent ever had. He was his supporter, admirer and listener, and in fact Vincent had an emotional dependence on his brother. People interested in the process of artistic creation and creativity will find this book of enormous value and interest, since Van Gogh speaks a lot about that process in himself, one of the greatest painters of all time. But it is true, as one reviewer said, that these letters include, each and every one, eternal whining and begging from Vincent to his brother. He was, of course, always out of money and, as a genius really disconnected from the common world, unable to make a living by conventional activities. So he depended almost entirely on Theo. I would like to insist in that, although by no means a literary accomplishment, these letters are worth reading, since they expose naked the soul of a great artist and an extremely sensitive man, certainly a tortured and twisted soul.

here's your unadulterated chance to see just how screwed...
here's your unadulterated chance to see just how screwed up van gogh was. letter after letter after letter sitting on the pity pot writing to his younger brother whining for money, crying for assistance, guilting his brother into supporting his art...his art habit...his art addiction. ya know, after reading this book my perspective on van gogh changed. he struck me as an ultra-martyr (in the icky sense of the word), so big into self-pity. now, having since read a little more of his history - screwy parents, etc. - i have some more compassion for the guy and for why he was so screwed up, but these letters are honestly nothing short of tedious. one after the other, whining for money, then waxing eloquent about his art, which actually struck me often as quite manipulative - like he was justifying his existence and his productivity to theo.

anyway, i still think van gogh is a wonderful artist, but what a messed up life - can't miss that from these letters. but god, i wish they'd been even more edited. and one other thing - irving stone (the editor) thinks van gogh is one of the world's greatest writers and philosophers of all times, in addition to being the honcho primo artist. well, as for philosopher, sorry irving, no. the guy was miserable and depressed and lonely, and seemed to philosophize in his letters to just keep contact with the world, but his philosophy gets under my skin. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1853-1890   2. Artists   3. Artists, Architects, Photographers   4. Biography / Autobiography   5. Biography/Autobiography   6. Correspondence   7. Gogh, Vincent van,   8. Individual Painters - 19th Century   9. Netherlands   10. Gogh, Vincent van   

Customer Reviews (6)

Long overdue
I agree with Dr. Ralph L. Holloway, Professor of Anthropology, at Columbia University. He states that "Miele is exactly that antidote to the pernicious loss of respect for our own evolutionarily-derived biological diversity, and it will hopefully reach all who are ready and willing to think more clearly and empirically about our diversity and celebrate it. This reader has been very favorably struck by the careful and non-sarcastic exposure of some of our most common chestnuts regarding racial diversity, and in particular some of the sillier pronouncements regarding within- and between-group differences in genetic frequencies that have abounded in all of the media, academic and non.

As more genetic research, particularly at the molecular level comes to our attention, it seems clear to this writer that this book will represent an important milestone in reducing the millstone of the myths that have accumulated denigrating and/or ignoring our genetic diversity. This book will certainly be a must for my students, and it is surely long overdue!"

Doubtful races
This book has the advantage that it is by a serious human geneticist and anthropologist(Sarich--Miele seems to be purely a journalist, helping Sarich write the prose and adding some minor points). Sarich knows about human evolution and explains it well, though professionals will have various quibbles. Previous racist books have been rendered worthless by ignorance of the simplest human genetic truths. Sarich is aware that "race" is only 15% of the variance between any two distant-origin individuals, and, more important, that one can recognize any number of "races" by making finer and finer distinctions--there could be thousands of "races" in Europe alone. (Anthropologists abandoned "race" not because they don't believe in human differences, but because the number of different populations they could recognize got unmanageably large--we work with thousands now.) Sarich reasonably critiques the claims that "race does not exist," but seems not to realize that this claim, when seriously made, refers to the ridiculous "races" of American folk speech--Mexican, Latino, Asian-Pacific, Irish, Arab, and other non-biological categories. (Even "African-American" refers not to a biological population, but to a gradient from basically African to almost pure white--remember, "one drop of African blood" makes you African-American in the US.)
The book points out that human races differ enough biochemically to necessitate some differences in medical treatment. True enough (though the differences are very minor and merely statistical). But Sarich and Miele don't emphasize enough the point that this is true only of actual biological populations (Europeans vs Sub-Saharan Africans, for instance), not of folk or social races. American doctors treating African-Americans who are 98% White as if they were "Africans" are doing no one a favor.
The serious problem with this book concerns IQ differences. Here, Sarich does not control the relevant psychological and behavioral-genetic literature so well. Intelligence is now known to be affected by countless genes and environmental factors, and they do not work together in some neat, harmonious system. If local populations differ in innate intellectual gifts, this could well involve a bunch of verbally superior people next to some not-so-verbal math geniuses, or a bunch of spatial-perception hotshots next to some who are weak in that area. Sarich buys the claims of a "g factor" that underlies intelligence; this "g" shakes out of factor analyses of IQ test performance, but remains impossible to ground in genetics or brain physiology, both of which indicate a much more complex reality. It is not demonstrated in psychological performance other than standard IQ tests, either; again the evidence is for more complexity. For instance, a unique gene found among certain Amish makes them more prone to bipolar disorder, which would surely screw up their performance on at least some tests. In any case, IQ testing has avoided like poison any attempts to control for malnutrition, illness, lead poisoning, lack of knowledge of tester's language (monolingual Spanish speakers are still tested in English in my area), etc.
The worst thing in the book is that Sarich accepts the guesstimate of 70 as the IQ of Sub-Saharan Africans, which is ridiculous in view of the high levels of education and performance seen in those African cities and regions that have anything like a functioning educational system (to say nothing of adequate nutrition). An adult with a 70 IQ can barely walk or talk; African nations now produce physicists and biologists and poets. To their credit, Sarich and Miele present a lot of evidence that Africans are perfectly sharp people, but don't really know what to do with it and wind up unconvincingly trying to explain it away. (And, just to prove that African-American IQ testing problems aren't genetic, those 98% White "African-Americans" test the same as the 100% African ones.)
The other really silly thing in the book is comparing human races with breeds of dogs. Dog breeds have been artificially selected for differences in behavior and ability. Human groups have not. They are more comparable to wild subspecies of animals. If there are any demonstrated differences in intelligence and behavior between naturally evolved subspecies of any species of animal, I don't know about it.
I think this book will be valuable in that it will teach racists something about actual human evolution and variability. Above all, it will teach them that real races are, as Sarich says, "fuzzy sets"--loosely defined regional populations--not ironclad and utterly different creatures, and not the ridiculous "races" of American folk speech. It will teach them something about actual human evolution and genetics. However, psychologists and psychological anthropologists will cut it to pieces when it trespasses on their turf. (See e.g. U. Neisser, ed., THE RISING CURVE; Jencks and Phillips, ed., THE BLACK-WHITE TEST SCORE GAP.)

Excellent, but goes on too long...
This book should be must reading for everyone, especially for those who have been telling us (for many years) that "there is no such thing as race."

Well, some salient facts to consider, as Sarich presents them: first, race is a real concept directly related to DNA. You can send a DNA sample to the lab and the lab can tell you that the DNA came from a person who is 85 percent African-American and 15% Native American. Really! This sort of information can be invaluable to police trying to find a dangerous murderer.

Next up is the fact that collies cannot be given heartworm vaccine. So what? Well, reactions to medicine vary with the genes, and we are now learning that the different races sometimes tolerate various medicines differently. Life and death decisions may hinge on your race, and your doctor's awareness of such issues. It is hard to imagine how a medicial instuction such as "Xaprofill is poorly tolerated by some Japanese and Chinese" could be regarded as racism.

I won't go any further than that. Sarich upset the whole world of paleontology with his discovery of the molecular clock, and now he's doing his very best to upset the whole world of chat-show "intellectuals," and their silly idea that race is just a figment of our imagination.

By the way, there is one other very startling number in this book! Sarich estimates that modern man (homo sap sap) arose just 50,000 years ago -- not 150,000 or 250,000!! When this man talks about prehistoric dates, it's probably a good idea to listen! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Physical   2. Ethnic Studies - General   3. Human Genetics   4. Human population genetics   5. Life Sciences - Biology - Molecular Biology   6. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics   7. Physical Anthropology   8. Race   9. Science   10. Science/Mathematics   11. Sociology   

Subjects:  1. Aging   2. DNA   3. Diet / Health / Fitness   4. Health   5. Health & Fitness   6. Health/Fitness   7. Healthy Living   8. Longevity   9. Physiological aspects   10. Alternative Therapies   

Customer Reviews (1)

Pleased
This book was the text in my first course in mass spectrometry. The book is a good introduction to MS for advanced undergrads and graduate students. I felt the book was very helpful, it covers the multitude of ionization sources, mass analyzers, and even tandem MS. I give it a thumbs up. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chemistry - Analytic   2. Chemistry - Industrial & Technical   3. Mass spectrometry   4. Science   5. Science/Mathematics   6. Spectroscopy & Spectrum Analysis   7. Science / Chemistry / Technical & Industrial   

Customer Reviews (1)

Great for homeschoolers!
As with the whole "Complete Book of..." series by American Education Publishing, it is completely wonderful. I have also used their Complete Book of Phonics, Maps & Geography, Arts & Crafts, Math, Time & Money, and both Complete Book of Science books. I look forward to trying their Complete Book of World History too. The book is in story-telling style, has full-color photos and illustrations, maps, charts, timelines and a great reference section. Each section has a great "Show What You Know" at the end to ensure your child has learned what they've just read. Thank you American Education Publishing. I hope you continue to provide books of this nature. My kids love them!!! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (48)

Very well-written and intensely intriguing. A must-read!
The Discovery of Heaven is indeed one of the best works of fiction I have ever read, with an intricately fashioned plot, and characters that come to life, making you wish that you could share in the friendship that exists between Max Delius and Onno Quist. The story guides you on a quest throughout Europe, eventually leading you to one of the greatest treasures mankind will ever know. It presents scenarios that inspire love, hate, sorrow, joy, and a multitude of others that draw you in from page one! Being a theologian, it was difficult, if not angersome, to come to terms with several of the religious aspects of the novel, but that's what great literature does--it inspires emotion. This book exceeds that goal. After reading this novel--and I hope you do lest you miss out on one of the greatest masterpieces of the century--you will have found that The Discovery of Heaven is truly the discovery of a lifetime.

Makes you look at the world in the different way!!!
This is one of the most extraordinary books I have ever read. Though I don't necessarily agree with all the views expressed in this philosophical novel, it must be said that Mulisch has a wide variety of interests, ranging from the development of the arts over the centuries to the changes the Enlightment and Scientific Revolution brang. Mulisch scetches a epic tale of two young men, destined to be pieces on God's chessboard in His plan for mankind. Though the actual setting of the story is not highly likely, credit must be given to the way in which Mulisch develops his plot; he goes out of his way to illuminate multiple coincedents (that in the end don't seem like coincedents anymore) and their part in God's plan. A lot of these things seemed so unlikely in the book itself, until I recognized that a lot in the world does indeed work that way. Though I don't agree with the way Mulisch portrays God, I sure found it a fascinating approach to how God implements His plans in the world!

The Discovery of Heaven
The Discovery of Heaven by Harry Mulisch is the story of how a supreme being completes a heavenly task.

The book begins, in the prologue, with dialogue between two higher beings about a mission that has been completed. One being is telling the other that his task has been competed and the other wishes to know how it was done. Therefore the book is the story of how this secretive mission was completed.

I found this story to be very interesting and suspenseful while at the same time quite complex. It deals with many philosophical points of view mainly revolving around reality and perception of the world.

I did find that this book was somewhat slow going, it took me nearly a month to complete the 730 pages. Also I did fail to grasp some of the book simply because of it's heavy ties to the dutch culture. Still a very wonderful book, and well worth the read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction   2. Fiction - General   3. General   

Subjects:  1. Art   2. Art & Art Instruction   3. Comic books, strips, etc   4. Comic books, strips, etc.   5. Drawing   6. Technique   7. Techniques - Cartooning   8. Techniques - General   

Subjects:  1. Administration   2. Emergency Medical Services   3. Emergency Medicine   4. Emergency Service, Hospital   5. Emergency service   6. Health Care Delivery   7. Hospital Administration   8. Hospital Services Management   9. Hospitals   10. Medical   11. Medical / Nursing   12. United States   13. organization & administration