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Customer Reviews (3)

An Old Adage Proves True
When Kamby Bolongo Mean River arrived, I was very excited. Just look at the cover of this book! It's a nice color, and the picture is pretty swell. Feel the cover of this book! It's textured and rather silky.

But you can't judge a book by its cover, can you?

Can you judge a book by Amazon reviews?

If I answer that second question the way that I would like to (a resounding NO -- in the case of this stinkbomb), then my review would be rendered useless and self-deprecating. So, let me tell you what I think about Kamby Bolongo Mean River. The idea behind it is truly novel. As a seven-sentence synopsis, this book can't be beat. But when you read the whole thing... Ugghhh.

Let me ask you a third question: Is purposely poor writing a clever and unique style? Or just a painful gimmick?

Painful gimmick. The stupidly written prose of this book certainly did help paint our hero, the narrator, as a mentally inept moron. The author did a splendid job of this. But it got old after the first few paragraphs.

And too bad you never find out who the heck the narrator is. Or why in the world he's in that little room being observed by scientists or doctors or terrorists. Or why that phone is there. Maybe I'm just not smart enough to deduce the answers to these questions from the narrator's moronic 200-page rambling.

A writer to watch...
I really liked this one and the ejoyment becomes cumulative as you go along and progressively more information is revealed by the very disturbed and unreliable narrator.

I liked it a bit less than Lopez's first book, "Part of the World", however because the earlier work seems more original while the newer one shows maybe too much indebtedness to Gordon Lish.

Can't wait to see what Lopez comes up with next time around.

Another great book!!!!
100% original novel from Rob Lopez.All I can say is go out, get it and read it.You will not be disappointed.Rob is writing incredible stuff with a completely unique style that no other author is coming remotely close to matching. ... Read more

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Professor Robert Lopez provides an incisive analysis of the economic structure of the Middle Ages. He makes use of modern economic concepts to explain how an underdeveloped economic system gave birth to the commercial revolution through which Europe succeeded in developing itself. The book goes far beyond the familiar picture of medieval European society, with its magnificent cathedrals and imposing castles, to concentrate instead on the walled cities and open countryside, for it was here that the revolution was born. Deftly and concisely, Professor Lopez traces the history of this remarkable economic upheaval which saw the rise of merchants and craftsmen and the decline of agricultural dependence by the society. ... Read more

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Comprehensive review of a misjudged era
This book reveals that the middle ages were not dead time as most think but the beginning of a transition from self sufficiency to taking advantage of comparative advantage by trading with others.Lopez starts out with areview of the Roman world and its commerce, transitions to the impact ofthe barbarian invasions, and only then turns to the takeoff of commercialgrowth.He describes key factors in the takeoff as creation of anagricultural surplus, the business acumen of the Jews, the adventurousnessof the Italians, the role of coins and credit, the value of contracts, anddevelopments in transportation.Of particular interest to me were hiscomments on the objects and patterns of trade, the pre-Columbus Italianexplorations for trade, and the role of guilds in furthering and hinderingeconomic growth.The book is well written and easy to read.Readersof this book might also want to look at The Medieval Machine by Gimpel;Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel by the Gies as well as Life in a MedievalCity.Sacred Trust by Ekelund et al economically analyzes the medievalchurch as a business firm which also illustrates the commercial flavor ofthe times.See also N J G Pounds An Economic History of Medieval Europe,and also Gold and Spices. ... Read more

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This innovative text was written for the one or two-semester, sophomore/junior level advanced math course for engineers. It was built from the ground up using a Computer Algebra System, offering the student opportunities to visualize and experience the math at every turn. The text has been designed to accommodate a variety of teaching styles, and varying levels on technology integration. It has a logical arrangement with many short self-contained sections, and many real-world applications of interest to engineering students. Chapter Introductions and Chapter Summaries help to make the material more accessible, and Chapter Review Exercises provides constant checks along the way. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Best Way to Learn Maple Mathematics
Perhaps this is the most accessible Mathematics application text in existence. It is made so through the use of Maple worksheets which dissect each of the many topics. The contents include:
UNIT I. Ordinary Differential Equations-Part One
UNIT II. Infinite Series
UNIT III. Ordinary Differential Equations-Part Two
UNIT IV. Vector Calculus
UNIT V. Boundary Value Problems for PDEs
UNIT VI. Matrix Algebra
UNIT VII. Complex Variables
UNIT VIII. Numerical Methods
UNIT IX. Calculus of Variations
Each unit is broken down intofour to 10 sections. Maple worksheets (CD)parallel the book completely. Each Maple worksheet explains the topic, and then provides practice examples. The typical mathematical abstractions of a text are peeled away when you dissect the equivalent work in Maple. In the process, the learner develops a skill with Maple as an applications tool. For those like to look at more worked examples Maplesoft's "AEM Student Workbook" is very useful
In summary, I found Dr. Lopez' text & worksheets to be an accessible tutorial source of advanced engineering mathematics plus a modern tutorial on a useful mathematics program..

A Beautiful AEM Book
I give this book 5 stars. This is a beautiful AEM book that I own. The format is neat and explanation well-done by the authhor. After you have finished courses in Calculus and Linear Algebra, if you think of taking advanced science, applied math or engineering, this book suits you well. If your instructor doesn't adopt this as a class text, then buy this as an excellent reference. Its worth the price. I have read of teachers at many websites who highly recommend this AEM book.

A good approach to classic topics
A very well written text. A good integration of analytical and numerical methods. Each chapter is designed toward being able to understand a particular class of problems. This approach sets this book aside from the traditional "Advanced EGR Mathematics" texts. That is, if your looking for a book of examples ("long chapters") then buy one of the traditional texts. If your looking to learn mathematics, buy this one.

learning the easy way
Great book. It explains concepts from scratch and it is easy to read. The best part is the maple exercises. Without doubt, this is going to be the best way to learn math in the future. It makes everything look simple. If you like maple, you'll love this book. Also the book is huge (+1200 pages and 7000 exercises) and heavy. It is worth the money. The CD comes with 273 lessons for maple (they are excellent). ... Read more

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"One of the most original and enlightening one-volume accounts of medieval Europe ever published."--The Virginia Quarterly Review ... Read more

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Good companion, but don't start here
Robert Lopez was one of the best medieval historians ever.In his specialization, economic history, he was responsible for much ground-breaking and revolutionary work.Like all historians who master their field, Lopez set out, at the end of his career, to write his own survey work on medieval history.This is it.

He wrote this for himself, and the pleasure he got from doing so shows clearly.The problem, though, is that he did not really write the book for the uninitiated.If you are not intimately familiar with the medieval period, this is not the survey book for you (try Strayer or Cantor).If you are already familiar, this book will not offer anything new, but will provide you with many pleasurable hours.Lopez's style is impressionistic and full of imagery.He frequently takes an economic prespective on social change, which is unique in surveys, and has many excellent maps and illustrations.Overall, this is nice book to read leisurely, but should not be used as reference book.

Good choice!
Yes, good choice if you like history told with clear and simply concepts. Medieval history is always fascinating and culturally interesting. This is the book you are looking for. ... Read more

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Whenever Jule Ann goes outside, a Mud Puddle jumps on her and gets her muddy all over. But she defeats it with cheerful ingenuity and two bars of smelly yellow soap. As in all Munsch stories, kids are the heroes! ... Read more

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This substantially illustrated manual describes how to use Maple as an investigative tool to explore calculus concepts numerically, graphically, symbolically and verbally. Every chapter begins with Maple commands employed in the chapter, an introduction to the mathematical concepts being covered, worked examples in Maple worksheet format, followed by thought-provoking exercises and extensive discovery projects to encourage readers to investigate ideas on their own. ... Read more

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The 1994 Maple Summer Workshop brought together a group of mathematicians and applied scientists who demonstrated a selection of applications of Maple to problem solving as well as teaching. The topics discussed are presented here, and include maths, chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering, physical chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, statistics, neural networks, and physics. Many of the refinements of Maple V Release 3 were revealed at the conference for the first time. ... Read more

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January 2015 – Another Chinese military satellite is launched from Jiuquan Space Center deep in the Gobi Desert. China has emerged a powerful nation. Her growing constellation of military satellites and expanding nuclear missile sites cause concern around the world, but especially in Washington. The CIA is directed to increase its surveillance of China. A CIA agent recruits an American-born Beijing University student. Little do they know how much danger awaits them.

General Jiang Liu, Chief Commander of China’s space program, is a relentless modern-day Genghis Khan who is driven by his hatred of America and his desire to make China the most powerful country in the world. He claims that the American Apollo Moon landings were a hoax produced by the CIA to overshadow Russia’s space program, and he is determined to prove it. If he does, China’s moon mission would become the first to land on the moon and lay claim to her territory.

A Chinese spacecraft lands on the Moon and reports no evidence of the Apollo 11 landing. America is discredited and the world is divided. Will General Jiang Liu be stopped in time, or is this the end of America’s reign as the most powerful nation in the world?

Customer Reviews (1)

Red Moon Rising
Found this book to be fascinating. The flow of the story is professional and well done. I especially like the way the antagonist is described and developed. Also, I like that the story has many exciting events that kept me interested throughout the read. This writer has the potential for being the next Clancy. ... Read more

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Both the content and direction of this book are so unique and such a refreshing departure from the run-of-the-mill "How to Beat the Slots" books. Forget about loose slot machines that are placed near the entrances to casinos or close to restaurant waiting lines. How do you suppose that rumor got started? Forget about the slot machine that has been played continuously for the past several hours and is now ready to pay. This is not a systems book and it is not a how-to book. Instead it is more of a why you can't beat the slots book, describing how slot machines are really programmed and thus controlled to function. This book goes against everything that has been written about slot machines. Playing slot machines is a very expensive form of entertainment and the bottom line is that there is no system that will beat a slot machine. ... Read more

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A MUSt READbook for all slot players
I always wondered why the third 7 would always slip down below the payline. After reading THE RNG SPIN it now makes perfect sense. There is a method to all this slot machine madness and it is all in favor of the casino. This book should have been published years ago. The RNG SPIN is a MUST READ for all slot players who think they can actually beat a slot machine.

Can't trust a slot machine
After reading the RNG SPIN, I will never trust another slot machine again. I was one who kept feeding a slot machine because I was sure it had to pay me. A very informative book that actually explains the true workings of a slot machine.



... Read more

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"Modern software tools such as Maple have the potential to alter radically the way mathematics is taught, learned, and done." With this principle firmly in mind, the author of Maple via Calculus brings to teachers and students a fresh look at the standard calculus curriculum, colored by the existence of technology like Maple - a tool that can be used in class during lectures and exams and at home while working assignments, a tool whose universal access will eventually make a software-based approach to mathematics the norm.

Whether one uses this book primarily to learn Maple or to learn calculus, the student who works through the exercises will learn a great deal about both. Drill exercises and rote manipulation are replaced here with conceptual learning activities and an exploratory interaction with mathematics not seen in traditional courses. A surprising feature is that fewer than 90 Maple commands are necessary to do all the calculus activities in the book, thus making it an ideal text for learning Maple basics. By implementing this powerful computer algebra system in their courses, teachers can clearly delineate the fundamental ideas of calculus while demonstrating the efficient use of Maple.

The techniques illustrated in this text have passed the test of student acceptance. The author has used them with great success in his own courses and demonstrated them in workshops and presentations in many locations in North America and Europe. Everyone interested in bringing the computer into the calculus classroom will find the book to be a valuable resource. ... Read more

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This collection of merchant documents is essential reading for any student of economic developments in the Middle Ages who wishes to go beyond the level of textbook summaries. Different aspects of economic life in the Mediterranean world are delineated in the light of a rich variety of articles and other contemporary writings, drawn from Muslim and Christian sources. From commercial contracts, promissory notes, and judicial acts to working manuals of practical geography and philology, this volume of documents provides an unparalleled portrait of the world of medieval commerce. ... Read more

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Documents on Mediterranean trade, 900-1500 AD
This is a very good collection of letters, contracts and other historical documents relating to trade in the Med. between 900 and 1500 AD. The editors are well informed and provide a brief yet solid analysis of each document.

For those who want to know more about trade in the region (mainly Venice, Genoa, Constantinople, etc.) this is an excellent selection ... Read more

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Originally published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1953 under title: The Renaissance: a Symposium. Contents: Toward the Modern State (Ferguson).- Hard Times and the Investment in Culture (Lopez).- The Quest for Truth (Sarton).- Man, God, and Church in the Age of the Renaissance (Bainton).- From Petrarch to Shakespeare (Bradner).- Artist, Scientist, Genius: Notes on the "Renaissance-Dammerung" (Panofsky). 27 illustrations. ... Read more