Product Description
The Matrix trilogy is unique among recent popular films in that it is constructed around important philosophical questions--classic questions which have fascinated philosophers and other thinkers for thousands of years. Editor Christopher Grau here presents a collection of new, intriguing essays about some of the powerful and ancient questions broached by The Matrix and its sequels, written by some of the most prominent and reputable philosophers working today. They provide intelligent, accessible, and thought-provoking examinations of the philosophical issues that support the films.

Philosophers Explore The Matrix includes an introduction that surveys the use of philosophical ideas in the film. Topics that the contributors tackle include: how a collaborative dream could differ from hallucination, the difference between the Matrix and the "real" world; why living in the Matrix would be considered "bad"; the similarities between the Matrix and Plato's Cave; the moral status of artificially created beings, whether one can behave immorally in illusory circumstances, and the true nature of free will and responsibility. This volume also includes an appendix of classic philosophical writing on these issues by Plato, Berkeley, Descartes, Putnam, and Nozick.

Philosophers Explore The Matrix will fascinate any fan of the films who wants to delve deeper into their themes, as well as any student of philosophy who desires an accessible entry into this challenging and profoundly vital world of ideas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

It makes you think....
I am a big fan of the Matrix trilogy, and I bought this book on a whim just to see what schooled philosophers had to say about the Matrix.I was really surprised by the quality of the writings in this book.You don't really even need to be a fan of the Matrix to appreciate the thought provoking material contained in this book.

Welcome to the Matrix
Very few of these books based on popular series have something truly useful and witty to say. This book by OUP is undoubtly one of these. Differently from others, it's not another greedy and shallow explorer of an audience intrigued by the colateral meanings of the trilogy.

The essays are easily read, philosophical thoughts are rendered legible (but not simplified to the point of getting innocuous). It's a very good intro to the most pressing questions of western philosophy, such as knowledge, cognition and even ethics -the very same questions that have been "bothering" men throughout history and have come to a delicate point in post-modern times.

I highly recommend it.

Absolutely one of the best volumes on the Matrix Trilogy
This book is undoubtedly one of the best volumes on the philosophical ideas underlying the three Matrix movies.

The book is what was to be expected from Oxford University Press: high quality. Not only are the articles written by well-known philosophers such as James Pryor, Colin McGinn, Hubert Dreyfus, David Chalmers, Andy Clark, and Kevin Warwick (to name just a few), but they are also of outstanding quality. (Besides, unlike many other books, this book deals with all three Matrix films!)

Every article touches on many delicate philosophical (and sometimes religious) aspects of the three Matrix films, but though the philosophy is deep and sometimes counterintuitive, the authors are able to explain the philosophical intricacies with a minimal use of jargon - thus making this a highly accessible volume for a wide audience.

The book also offers (in the Appendix) a selection from the classic philosophical texts that inspired the makers of the Matrix trilogy.

It is a book that makes you really wonder: what if it all were true...? What if the review you are now reading is not really there? What if... If you read this book, you will never watch The Matrix again in the same way. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
Clinicians who read this volume will be richly awarded by an expanded understanding of their patients and the therapeutic process. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Thomas Ogden
Thomas Ogden performs scanning of development of British Object Relations School of Psychoanalysis. He starts with Freud basis and deepens the discussion while talking about phantasies and inner structures as defined by Klein.Another deep discussion of contribution of Winnicot. For each theoretician Ogden offers fresh look and review of concepts ,after that he deepens and enriches each of them by looking back and drawing the discussion into depths of true psychoanalysis. ... Read more

Product Description
Undergraduate-level introduction to linear algebra and matrix theory deals with matrices and linear systems, vector spaces, determinants, linear transformations, similarity, polynomials, and polynomial matrices. Also spectral decomposition, Jordan canonical form, solution of the matrix equation AX=XB, and over 375 problems, many with answers.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Matrices Made Plain
Charles Cullen's original goal was to "provide a text, requiring a minimum number of prerequisites, which would enable me, in a one-term course, to cover...linear algebra and matrix theory." This volume does so in the first five chapters and continues with four additional chapters designed to support a second term.He suggests as background "only" an introductory course in calculus and analytic geometry.

The first chapter introduces basic matrix operations such as addition, multiplication, transposition and inversion.Chapter 2 covers vector spaces and the concepts of linear independence and rank.Chapters 3 and 4 introduce and elaborate matrix determinants and linear transformations.Chapter 5 develops the Jordan canonical form using invariant subspaces and direct sum decompositions.Chapters 6 and 7 take an alternative path to explaining the Jordan canonical form.Chapters 8 and 9 use concepts and tools from previous chapters to introduce matrix analysis and numerical analysis.

I bought this book for an online matrix algebra course when I found the required text, Matrix Algebra: An Introduction, less than helpful.Even though the course text was targeted toward social scientists like myself, its explanations and formula derivations were less helpful than its examples.I found Cullen's book and it got me through the course.In addition to clear explanations, practice exercises with answers, and helpful organization, it was also less expensive and covered more material.

I recommend this book to those needing a refresher in matrix methods or approaching them for the first time.

Clear and concise
Matrices and Linear Transformations goes right to the point.
The text is clear and concise and is illustrated by a limited number but very helpful set of examples.
The proof are easy to follow but are rigorous.
This is without a doubt my favorite book about matrices.

An excellent linear algebra book
This book is concise and possesses a great deal of information on matrices. I had to buy $100+ book for a upper division linear algebra class and it sucked; it contained in 300 very cluttered and long winded pages what this book accomplishes in a little over a hundred pages with far greater depth. It's a highly affordable book and quite well written, which, I guess, is why they don't use this book to teach linear algebra in a 'modern' classroom.

Advanced undergraduate reference
This book is in its second edition.But it was copyrighted 1972, not 1990.Its original price was $8.95.Perhaps Dover increased its price to $14.95 in the latest printing.But I still think Amazon was a bit misleading there.

In any case, this is an undergraduate level reference book with proofs on Laplace Expansion, Cramer's Rule, Jordan Canonical Form, Cayley-Hamilton Theorem, and other stuff that you see it proved once and never want to see it again.The last section even covers numerical methods on matrices.All in all, it got a good mix of rigor and practicality for a book of its kind.

Linear algebra is fun
So many math books take a relatively simple topic and with the use of horrible notation and confused english, convert it to something esoteric and complicated. This book, however, is anything but that. It involves mathematical rigor, covers a broad range of topics and has answers to selected problems at the back which for a math book,works real well for me. Besides you can't argue with the price.
This book never leaves my desk, recommended strongly. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (9)

An enjoyable slice
I liked this book and learned a good deal from it. It is intended as a look at only some aspects of QM -- a slice -- not the subject as a whole. It has some problems: he never defines quite why or how the given matrices are chosen for ecample.It seems like a good "add on" to whatever other introduction to QM you are reading.

Not a casual read.
A preview of this book has motivated me to take a Linear Algebra class at a local college. The author has tried hard to make the subject approachable by readers without a strong math background, however, I want to feel comfortable with the material and not be just hanging on lightly.

A great book for the beginner
I have quite a few books on Quantum Mechanics. This book does what the others do not. The first half is about simple math. Understanding that QP - PQ = ih/2pi is the matrix form of an equation and the QP - PQ is not zero because the matrices do not commute is critical. This is basic stuff that a lot of books just skip. The second half uses the math to explain some of the features of Quantum Mechanics. For me I needed the detailed first half even though the math was not too hard. Now I can read my other books with a new understanding and finally I am starting to understand Quantum Mechanics.

Quantum Disaster
I bought this book hoping it would simplify Quantum Mechanics; it starts out simple with some good stories; but I learned one thing from other quantum books at least philosophically, you can't get around the math, and even though Jordan even states that its not the books intended overall purpose to do classic quantum math in the summary at the start of the book, there should be some reference to it to keep in touch with other books. I like the style of the book with short staccato chapters but it gets shady around Chapter 10 about 1/2 way through the book, and he loses his focus, if you don't understand Chapter 10, then 11 and 12 will be the same and there should be more emphasis on the totality of probabilities equaling 1 and making sure the reader understands Chapter 10 dealing with mean values and real values. In order to do Quantum Physics, one must gradually learn vectors and tensors, calculus, matrix theory and probability and statistics, and to think outside the box abstractly; and you can't simplify that; if one wants a simple overview, then go and watch Leonard Susskind's video on YouTube!

Jordan half-strikes again
This is very good as far as it goes but large chunks of important quantum theory have been deliberately omitted thus devaluing the book's ultimate usefulness. It is not up to the standard I expected from the author's book on Linear Operators ... Read more

Product Description
Yoga, as it is traditionally taught in India, encompasses an entire way of life and philosophy, far beyond the postures and stretches we normally associate with it in this country. On The Yoga Matrix, renowned teacher Richard Freeman immerses us in the rich texts and sutras that inform all schools of yoga, revealing a 5,000-year-old view of ultimate reality with tremendous implications for anyone serious about their personal and spiritual growth. Carefully distilled from dozens of hours of teaching sessions, The Yoga Matrix brings to all students the traditional chants, moral precepts, and cosmic philosophy that unite the many "limbs" of this ancient science of life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Into investigation
These talks are great introduction to Yoga philosophy as well as being a supplementary for those who are studying the Yoga Philosophy texts.In his talks, Richard Freeman gives a clear view of how yoga takes shape in life and what the investigation is about...Richard Freeman obviously has more than basic understanding of Sanskrit and Yoga. He does not claim that his teachings are the single truth but he encourages his students to investigate and study themselves to deepen their understanding. He gives a perspective to people who are after understanding of yoga.

The honeymoon is over and the YOGA is somehow missing
The Yoga Matrix attempts to offer a complete overview of the system of yoga.While it does address many key points, the information is often inaccurate and in some instances completely wrong.

This CD is an extension of the American spiritual marketplace version of yoga as sold by Kripalu, Gaiam and many other fitness-oriented teachers.If a person were to visit India, the home of yoga, or even speak to a genuine yogi from India he/she would find that physical fitness and beauty are blockages on the yogic path and not goals.In America, yoga has lost nearly all of it's spiritual roots and become a glorified version of stretching and aerobics, anti-aging and beauty contests.

Richard Freeman tries to offer a branch to the spiritual yoga of India in "The Yoga Matrix", however he falls short due to lack of knowledge, clear misinformation, and an idealistc romance about what yoga means to him.

The entire first CD is dedicated to Richard's own romance with yoga as he paints an emotionally-vivid picture, projecting his own fantasy onto an ancient practice of rigorous self-purification.On many occassion I wanted to turn off the CD.However I resisted, hoping that once the honey moon was over, some real information would be presented.

On CD 2, the tone did change as actual information about yoga began.Nothing new or extraordinary; only very basic information.Missing however was the goal of yoga - spiritual union, removal of ego, self purification.How could teachings on a spiritual discipline like yoga not be focused on spirituality?Google the word yoga or visit Barnes and Noble and you'll see the same problem.In India the word 'yoga' means union with the Divine or enlightenment.In America 'yoga' means stretching.

As the CD set continued, the core of yoga did peak out here and there, but the large majority of the information was very superficial.This is not unexpected considering that Richard Freeman's audience is the American fitness yoga crowd.So I do give him credit for trying to awaken the American public to more yoga.

The most shocking parts of this CD set came when Richard, an "authority on yoga", gave completely wrong definitions and descriptions of spiritual terms.Never have I heard some of the definitions he came up with.So I wonder who he studied with.It is apparent to me that Richard did not study with a genuine spiritual yogi or if he did, he misunderstood what he was being taught.

I can understand if someone is unlearned of the deeper yogic practices and terminology.However when someone attempts to speak using traditional yogic terminology and even markets himself as an authority, he simply should know what the words mean.Calling prana "an imaginary energy" is appalling - especially considering the large amounts of science on chi, orgone, prana or whatever word it is called by.And devoting only 2 sentences to prana is shocking.Prana is the core of yoga; it should be emphasized, not minimized.Saying that "amrita" is an emotional attitude is simply wrong.Misinformation like this should not happen, especially in the digital age when someone can Goggle these terms and in 60 seconds have a more accurate understanding than taught on this CD.

So for everyone wanting to learn REAL YOGA (not stretching), I recommend studying those yogis who were famous in the 60s and 70s - those long-haired, wooly-bearded men who beamed light and love from their eyes.Look even further and you'll find monumental yogis like Ramana Maharshi, Ramankrishna, Dhyanyogi and Vivekananda.These men taught authentic yoga.They may not be well-sculpted Rodney Yee's or hyperactive Shiva Rea's, but they understood yoga and taught spiritual practices.

In my studies of spirituality, I focused myself on the masters.I purposefully avoided reading books from those who reinterpreted the master teachers due to the unintentional but unavoidable misunderstandings and inaccuracies of secondary sources of information.Listening to The Yoga Matrix reminded of my decision.

So for your next "authentic yoga CD" Sounds True, please find a real yogi and not someone famous for touching his toes.And please spare us the fantastical romance.It may sell books in America, but it is not yoga.

Namaste.

Slow down and let this remarkable work settle in
This is an outstanding purchase, without artifice and jargon. Highly recommended for the ever-expanding Yoga community and other seekers as well.

Excellent
The Yoga Matrix is an excellent and in depth study of yoga from many different angles.It is an invaluable aid for serious students of yoga of all traditions.I will listen to it again and again as each time one discovers more subtle aspects of this fascinating discipline.

Get a complete Overview of Yoga
3 Years ago a yoga teacher told me to buy the Yogamatrix and listen to it. Because Richard Freemann teaches Ashtange Vinyasa Yoga I didn't buy the item. Now that I bought the item I can only applaude and bow in deep respect to Richard Freemann. During the whole audio book he does not mention Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga once or for that matter any other specific Hatha Yoga system. He has a beautiful voice and I listen to his different chapters over and over again. I'm a Yogateacher and have practised Yoga for 10 years and tought it for 3 years now. I've been to India many times. This audio book is abundant with truth and knowledge about Yoga in a simple, compact way. If every teacher of yoga and ever student of yoga would listen to this book the Yogaworld would be an even better place. ... Read more

Product Description
Solid, mathematically rigorous introduction covers diagonalizations and triangularizations of Hermitian and non-Hermitian matices, the matrix theorem of Jordan, variational principles and perturbation theory of matrices, matrix numerical analysis, in-depth analysis of linear computations, more. Only elementary algebra and calculus. Problem-solving exercises. 1968 ed.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

You can't get better for 10 bucks
This book is a little, wonderful gem. Assuming that you know some basic stuff (that you have taken a linear algebra course and know how to deal with matrices), this will help you a lot to have a feeling of "matrix analysis".(but not linear algebra).

Matrices are widespread in all aspects of science (and especially in computer science) and if your research or work is about processing and analysing large amount of data, you cannot avoid dealing with them. I'm a graduate student in computer scince and my advisor told me that, having read that book carefully I would be equipped with basic necessary skills of matrix theory. (Yep, still reading) By the way, my suggestion is that you may skip the third chapter about differential equations and the last chapter about numerical analysis if you are not interested in these topics. But, chapters 1, 2 and especially 4, 5 and 6 are crucial.

This book is good as self study material for math, computer science, electrical engineering and decision science students who has taken suitable undergrad courses. If you are talented in math though, you may want to see the material even in undergrad or in high school. The book presents the material in a theorem-proof style which is quite nice and solid. And if you want to pursue more advanced matrix theory, you may go for a bigger book like Van Golub's book, after digesting the material in this one.

And, the best thing is that it's small and cheap. Definitely 5 stars. ... Read more

Product Description
The Art of The Matrix goes beyond the film. But you cannot be told what this book is...you have to see it for yourself! The most unusual one-of-a-kind giftbook of the season, and the first and only book licensed by the creators of this awesome film--this is the complete pre-production archive of artwork and conceptual drawings, along with the script and commentary in the artists' own voices, in a beautifully printed, large format book, four-color throughout--long awaited by Matrix fans worldwide. Grossing more than $400 million worldwide, ranked as one of the all-time top-selling home video releases with over 2,000,000 DVDs sold, and winner of four Academy Awards--Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing--The Matrix has proven to be nothing short of a phenomenon. The tale of Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves), a computer hacker forced to confront his special destiny in the salvation of mankind, challenged our perceptions of reality and expanded our expectations of what a movie could be. Spencer Lamm writes in his introduction: "This book was created to express some sense of the massive planning that went into the film. It showcases the bulk of the artwork, presenting a close approximation of what was shown to the studio...Combining all the art, the Wachowskis were able to walk people through the script [219 scenes] producing, essentially, a 400-page giant comic book. Initially a tool to sell the picture, it became a detailed map for production."

Exclusive to this volume are:
* The complete shooting script by writers/directors Larry & Andy Wachowski
* The complete B&W storyboards (700+) by Steve Skroce (Spider-Man, Wolverine)
* The complete color storyboards by Tani Kunitake (Armageddon, 12 Monkeys)
* The complete and intensely intricate conceptual illustrations by Geof Darrow (Hard Boiled, Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot), presented in four double-sided gatefolds
* Introduction by Zach Staenberg, Oscar-winning Film Editor
* Afterword by William Gibson, author of Neuromancer, Mona Lisa Overdrive, and All Tomorrow's Parties
* 32-page color photo album of memorable stills and posters
* Commentary by all the artists about their work on the film, interviewed especially for this book
* Also: Thumbnail sketches by the Wachowski Brothers, deleted script excerpts, scene notes by Phil Oosterhouse (assistant to the Wachowski Brothers), three cut storyboard sequences, film credits.
* 488 pages (including 4 double-sided gatefolds and 32 page photo section). 8 38" x 10 78". Over 1000 illustrations. Complete storyboards and conceptual drawings, screenplay, more than 30 movie photos, posters, credits. Four-color printing throughout.

"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself." --Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), from the shooting script of The Matrix

The Matrix motion picture artwork and photography copyright (c) 2000 Warner Bros. All rights reserved. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

good stuff!
If you are a fan of the first Matrix movie, or you enjoy general cinematography books, this is a sure-fire winner.

Whare are the rest of the sketches?
I have read some of the glowing reviews so I felt I had to write.If you don't own the ultimate matrix movie set and you haven't seen the glorious full color illustrations and sketches that brought these amazing movies to light, then you might love this book.It felt more like the story board or comic book Matrix but NOT the art. Many of the production illustrations, certainly the costume illustrations are left out of this book.Rarely have I seen a movie or movies have so much artwork created so I am baffled by this oversight.When I watched the making of disc dedicated to the illustrators and artists, I was shocked that the Brothers Wachowski would slight so much of their immensely talented team.And as much as I appreciated the script in the book, I would have traded it without hestitation for all the beautiful illustrations and sketches that were missing.

Irresistible
This book is a piece of art by all means. It is also very tempting; you can't look at it without picking it up.
The contents are great and so is the making of the book.

I am really pleased to own such a book.

... and I will show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.
Indeed this book gives very deep insight and should be of interest to anyone who looks for an answer to the question what the matrix is.

Excellent.
The perfect Matrix book !
I wonder why they don't publish the same book for Reloaded and Revolutions... :-( ... Read more

Product Description
The Matrix conveys the horror of a false world made of nothing but perceptions. Based on the premise that reality is a dream controlled by malevolent forces, it is one of the most overtly philosophical movies ever to come out of Hollywood. These thought-provoking essays by the same team of young philosophers who created The Simpsons and Philosophy discuss different facets of the primary philosophical puzzle of The Matrix: Can we be sure the world is really there, and if not, what should we do about it? Other chapters address issues of religion, lifestyle, pop culture, the Zeitgeist, the nature of mind and matter, and the reality of fiction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

Deep Philosophy Within a Deep Movie
Read into it what you will: "The Matrix and Philosophy" turns to a gimmicky form by offering a volume on philosophy by employing themes from a blockbuster movie. Is this an effective way to educate the philosophically-anemic culture in the study of ideas? An attempt to disguise boring topics or distract the reader from the fact that they are partaking of deep philosophical notions? Yes and no. For the Matrix films embedded various philosophical and religious themes from a wide range of sources that is both appealing and educational.

This engaging volume discusses philosophical themes within the Matrix movies including:

- Rationalism V empiricism
- Realism V anti-realism
- Materialism
- Buddhism
- Holists
- Christianity.

This is a fabulous tool to bring the non-philosopher in touch with many of the most important ideas in history. This compilation delivers an easy-to-understand volume that will promote the pondering of life's most important issues.

Chapters include:
- Neo and Socrates
- Seeing and believing
- The metaphysics of The Matrix
- Philosophy of the Mind
- Fate, freedom, and foreknowledge
- and numerous other fascinating topics.

I enjoyed the movies and this book was a great delight. Today this book can be purchased at a very low cost, yet I'm still glad I bought it and I paid the listing price.
The Necessary Existence of God: The Proof of Christianity Through Presuppositional Apologetics

Not bad, but not as good as other titles in the series
As a rookie to philosophy who thoroughly enjoyed the Batman and Watchmen entries in this Pop Culture and Philosophy series, I found this particular book to be a less enjoyable read, though not so bad that I stopped reading it.

The book is a collection of essays, some of which - such as an early one that explores the Matrix and how it relates to Plato's cave - are very good reads, but these are interspersed with essays that are overly technical, boring or that take a tangent and run with it, leaving the movie in the dust.

Lovers of philosophy will love this book. Lovers of the movie that aren't philosophy buffs will fall into two camps - they will either hate it or think it's just okay. You can enjoy the movie without thinking too hard about it - not so with this book, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but not necessarily a good thing either.

Thought-provoking, Motivating, Entertaining
"The Matrix and Philosophy" as edited by William Irwin is a comprehensive, detailed and thought-provoking look at philosophy in the digital age, drawing parallels between the "Matrix" motion picture and older schools of thought, religious dogmas and pragmatic approaches to the way we think and feel.There is far too much information spread out over the 276 pages and 18 chapters to absorb at one time; on the contrary, this book will be with me for many years, as every time I open to a given page, I find something I didn't see before.

Based strictly on its technical merit, it is of outstanding literary quality.Who cares if the the reader agrees or disagrees with the arguments and premises.The real genius behind "The Matrix and Philosophy" is its uncanny ability to get the reader to think beyond the ordinary, to explore deeper regions of consciousness and how the subconscious self is more conscious than we know.

delivery horror
I ordered the book for a friend, another professor, but Amazon shipped it UPS with signature required.UPS left two stickers on my door while I was at work and I never got the book.

Why not USP--the US Post?A paperback book with value of $17 does not need to be shipped and handled like opium or gold.If UPS, why signature?

Bottom line, it was returned to Amazon, I ate the shipping charges, and bought the book at my local Barnes & Noble.End of review.

Great book, BTW.I'm teaching it next term.But the university will do a brokered order through Bowker and students will pay a 40% mark-up, I suppose.Who's getting rich on this racket?

--Dan Bentley-Baker

not worth bother
This book is not philosophy. It is a bunch of esays that could never have been published even in a mediocre journal. But put the word "matrix" with the word "philosophy" and som epeople will by anything. ... Read more

Product Description
Ross and Rachel had a baby, Britney and Justin broke up, and Time magazine asked if Bono could save the world. From the glittering tinsel of Hollywood to the advertising slogan you can't get out of your head, we are surrounded by popular culture. In A Matrix of Meanings Craig Detweiler and Barry Taylor analyze aspects of popular culture and ask, What are they doing? What do they represent? and What do they say about the world in which we live? Rather than deciding whether Bono deserves our admiration, the authors examine the phenomenon of celebrity idolization. Instead of deciding whether Nike's "Just do it" campaign is morally questionable, they ask what its success reflects about our society. A Matrix of Meanings is a hip, entertaining guide to the maze of popular culture. Plentiful photos, artwork, and humorous sidebars make for delightful reading. Readers who distrust popular culture as well as those who love it will find useful insight into developing a Christian worldview in a secular culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Informative Guide to Popular Culture from a Christian Perspective
Detweiler and Taylor has written a resourceful book. It is informative on the development and social effects of popular culture. While sensitive to some contemporary critique of the role of media in late capitalism, these authors focus more on exploring the content of poplar culture and the spirituality it conveys. In doing so, the authors recognize the effects of consumerism, individualism, etc., and reflects on the need, for instance, of communal integration and a healthy theology of sexuality.

This book is helpful in bringing different strands of popular into a historical context. Such things as reviewing the invention of the sewing machine to the beginning of department stores, for instance, or the formation of punk culture, I found informative and interesting.

The overall approach is sympathetic to contemporary evangelical Christianity, valuing culture from a missional and dialogical standpoint, and its use of social-critical resources (especially from a Marxist tradition) is very limited. The authors affirm the importance of engaging popular culture as a conscious effort to understand and appreciate it. They affirm the notion of common grace, affirming that God present in popular and that Christians can learn through it.In engaging popluar culture, the authors attempt to make space for alternative visions of how to rethink and re-organize alternative theologies and ideas.

Great Resource for Understanding Post-Modern Pop Culture and Christianity
"A Matrix of Meanings," although somewhat outdated, did a fair job at breaking down the common aspects of pop culture and analyzing them a post-modern secular and Christian world view.

The book, although skips over some areas that I personally would have liked to discuss, clearly describes what "post-modern" means and how this current mindset is reflected in movies, art, music, fashion, etc.

Overall, it challenges the Evangelical Christian to rethink methods and opinions about "the world" and how to go forward with Christ without devaluing culture and things that may not be "Christian."It also does a great job at promoting the mindset that everyone in culture is seeking answers and doing so through many media and pop culture outlets, and not necessarily through the institution of church as before.

If you would like to know more about post-modern thinking and recent trends in pop culture media, read this book!

Matrix of Meaning
This is one of my favorite books. Fuller Seminary Professors Craig Detweiler and Barry Taylor (who both also happen to be involved in the Hollywood world) approach popular cultural with anthropology, sociology, philosophy, and theology to discover the questions of culture, what God is doing in the world today and how Christians can join Him in this work.They inspect advertising, celebrities, music, movies, television, fashion, sports, and art from the perspective of being both artist and pastor. Detweiler and Taylor see a Jesus who walked the streets, of whose ministry we read more of his interaction with marketplace people than synagogue teachings, who was accused of spending his time with "sinners," with the rejects of the church, a Jesus that lived in a specific culture at a specific time, a characteristic sometimes forgotten in our almost docetic approach to Christianity. In the introduction, the authors write, "We embrace pop culture because we believe it offers a refreshing, alternative route to a Jesus who for many has been domesticated, declawed, and kept under wraps" (p. 9). The book introduces a new aspect to hermeneutic and suggest ways to open the church doors to "that bright, passionate audience of young people whom advertisers covet and the church is in danger of losing" (p. 8). Some of their ideas may feel dangerous to the shepherds of the flock and the guardians of truth that want to protect their people from the threatening ideas and philosophies of the world, but they dive in to play with the dolphins and the whales and the coral. More than deconstructing the modern method, they seek to reconfigure and recontextualize. They remythologize the gospels, not in order to create a story devoid of truth, but in order to recapture and embodied heroism and life that invites us to find our community in God's metanarrative of creation, fall, and recreation.
I found this book a refreshing challenge to engage with culture, rather than standing outside of culture waving our parental fingers with a "tsk, tsk." While not losing the integrity of their Christian heritage, Detweiler and Taylor walk the streets to dialogue, to learn, and to share wisdom, to find God in pop culture.
I have put this book on my must-read list and have become a self-designated publicist. My only regret is not being able to give this over 5 stars.

Not just looking, but FINDING God in Pop Culture
Craig Detweiler and Barry Taylor have bettered and deepened their theology, their knowledge of the Creator of life, and have shared insights from their discovery in their recent book, A Matrix of Meanings: Finding God in Pop Culture.Their methodology is rather simple; they immersed themselves in pop culture and allowed it to inform and transform their theology.Having done so, they are pretty adamant that this is the only way to ascertain theological significance in pop culture.Viewing pop culture from the inside out enables one to find patterns of meaning within, a matrix, which further allows one to comprehend the theological contribution of a pop cultural event.Bernard Lonergan, a Catholic theologian who is quoted in the first chapter of A Matrix of Meanings, believes a shift from the modern empirical approach to theology to a postmodern approach "requires that theology be conceived, not as a permanent achievement, but as an ongoing process of mediation between...a cultural matrix of meanings and values and a religion within that matrix."Detweiler and Taylor stress "only after careful inspection and reflection do we dare to locate values and religion within that matrix" (31).

The postmodern shift happening in contemporary culture is addressed at the beginning of this text.In postmodernity, the ancient serves as the foundation for the present.And due to globalization, borders are blurred, which creates a global village that enables the everyday individual to have access to new ideas, interaction with new perspectives, and expansion into new values.As such, a consciousness of pluralisms is expressed in society, in everyday relationships, and, more specific to the aims of A Matrix of Meanings, in theologizing.

Consequently, recognizing the importance of engaging pop culture on its own terms in an ongoing relationship, Detweiler and Taylor have responded by creating a rather ingenious matrix to aid in making and discovering meaning and theological significance.Included are various artistic forms (TV, movies, music, fashion, art, and sports), a study of the marketplace (driven by consumerism, fueled by advertising, attained by celebrity), and ten trends that invite serious, theological reflection, which sum up postmodernity as being post-national, post-rational, post-literal, post-scientific/technological, post-sexual, post-racial, post-human, post-traumatic/therapeutic, post-ethical/institutional, post-Christian.Basically, assumptions and understandings across many fronts need to be shifted in light of the current cultural climate.

I am completely open to each of the post categories because I have been undergoing a major life-shift for several years now, redefining and rediscovering faith and its lived reality in my life.Bastions of society are still gripping tightly to conservative, fundamentalist values and approaches to life, theology, and the discovery of meaningfulness.Most notable to me are the many who buy into the nationalist fervor of President Bush, who views America as the savior of the rest of the supposed uncivilized, non-democratic world.That behavior is deeply misguided and dehumanizing, arrogant and destructive, to say the least.We are living in a post-national world!Wake up, Mr. President.Global boundaries are increasingly indistinct, and it is more important to recognize people for their humanity, celebrating their culture and differences, seeking similarities as points of connection.Another trend I easily agree with is the post-sexual shift; no longer is sex defined as being between a man and a woman, not even just as two people physically together (cyber sex).Sexuality is increasingly being explored, spiritualized, done, overdone, explicitly shown in films, not even included, and so on.So much contradiction is apparent, for example, teens saying they are not interested in sex and yet dressing skimpily.In this post-sexual world, much room is made for exploration and redefining, and the new trend/rebellion could very well be abstinence.Suffice to say new thoughts and attitudes towards sex are developing.I most identify with the post-Christian trend.I nearly despise anything labeled "Christian" because of the connections attributed to that label, not to mention it being merely an economic label to sell more unnecessary "Christian" products.And for me the typical Christian rituals have lost their meaningfulness because they are disconnected from the rest of pop culture, which is deeply meaningful to me.Yet, I am still not swayed from my fervor for knowing Jesus.Pop culture rather greatly fuels my desire as I continue to see glimpses of Jesus within films and music mostly.(...)

Great book!Excellent matrix!Sound guidance for engaging pop culture, increasing one's awareness and relationships, and doing serious theologizing!

Flipping the Script
(Note: This review not only attempts to review the book, but also engage some previous reviews.)

What Detweiler and Taylor have done here is what Detweiler calls "reversing the hermeneutical flow" (a.k.a. "flip the script", to quote "8 Mile").In other words, rather than taking the Bible and looking at (a.k.a. criticizing) Pop Culture through what we think the Bible says, they take a thorough look at pop culture and use than as a method of viewing - or at least presenting - the God of the Bible.For any who have a hard time with that, read on.

As one reviewer has already stated, from the outset this book states that it's primarily for people that already like Pop Culture and have wondered how to reconcile that with their Christian worldview.Furthermore, the authors ask tough questions of the Church.If the majority of the world connects with Pop Culture way better than they do with the Church, then why is that and what are we to do about it?Sorry, but the "they're fallen beings" excuse isn't gonna cut it anymore.Detweiler and Taylor take us beyond the "seeker-sensitive" approach and genuinely challenge the Church to engage Pop Culture in a respectful, dynamic way.Even in the profane, God is talking and it's time we recognized holy ground when we saw it.It's a different and (I think) more accurate version of things than we typically hear from the evangelical pulpit.God is talking through culture with or without the Church's approval!

For those who have "reservations" about whether Christians should be as comfortable with culture as the book suggests, I offer this thought.The Bible was not written in a cultural vacuum, nor was Jesus born into one.Inspired?Sure.Absolutely devoid of any cultural influence?I think not.Read John 1 to those who haven't grown up in the church (or even those who have) and most would have a blank expression on their face because it was written to appeal to those influenced by the contemporary hot worldview: Stoicism.Parables were the movies of the day.There are four different Gospels in order to present Jesus slightly diffently to four different cultures.Paul understood culture enough to address it in Athens at the tribute to the "unknown god" (note that he didn't try to disprove their other gods before making the connection for them).These guys presented God (and, I would argue, understood God) through the lens of their culture.Why are we so affronted by others suggesting we do the same?

"There's nothing new under the sun", and God is still looking for those who will help meet Pop Culture where it's at and make those connections.This book does it in a whole different sort of way.Rather than giving easy examples ("this movie means this") that you can use in your next Bible study, they attempt to form a worldview that takes in all of culture and finds where God is working ("teach a man to fish", etc).Bottom line: most of us still need to have our "scipt flipped".For me, this book, and the thought behind it, was the best place to do that. ... Read more

Product Description
By studying the work of hundreds of the most original and effective business minds, the authors present a common architecture that illuminates exceptional analysis and creative performance. 2 x 2 Thinking is characterized by a fundamental appreciation for the dynamic and complex nature of business. The best strategists go out of their way to tackle dilemmas rather than merely solve problems. They use opposition, creative tension, iteration and transcendence to get to the heart of issues and involve critical others in finding the best solutions. The authors demonstrate how to apply the 2 x 2 approach to a wide range of important business challenges. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great book.Can be applied to any business.
When I got this book, at first I was a little disappointed, because of the price.It had a book cover, it's not hard cover, its pages are not full color, as you would expect to see in a text book, and it's a bit on the slim side in size.

I got it at about 60 USD at the time.It was about 80 USD when it came out, and now I see why it's worth every penny even at 80.

The main focus of the book is to both teach and illustrate how to apply the 2x2 thinking matrix for problem solving.They illustrate several examples of real companies which have succeeded and failed in the past and present.

It's worth more than its weight in gold, if you have the intellectual hunger and ambition to see what it offers.At first they illustrate the theory of how to set up the 2x2 matrices.It's a little on the, what-do-I-need-this-for side, but when you get to the applied scenarios, you really start to see the great power in this kind of thinking and realize we use this every day, just not in an ordered way, as they aim to teach in this work.

I own a couple of small businesses, and almost every scenario in the book can be applied to their scale.Furthermore, each scenario gives you the steps to apply the matrix yourself with your own variables aiming to illustrate a particular matrix for decision making.

It all boils down to DECISION MAKING.It's important to make that note, because the aim, as they themselves explain in the back of the hard copy is to consider not just the either/or but the both/and (sorry if I got that last part wrong, I don't have the copy in front of me, but I'm sure you get my point) scenario.

With applied calculus and your math software of choice, excel and access work great, you can take this work a step further, as it deserves, and draw scenarios at a professional level.

Rebutting the negative review of 2 stars; yes, I understand it's a basic level for consulting firms.It's still a great book and a way to if not altogether suspend the use of consulting firms services, a way perhaps to understand what to expect from them, how they work, and what to ask from them.

In these matters, it's common sense and a very particular scenario, your environment, you must know to succeed.I believe the 2 star review was precisely because it challanges a consulting firm in not using their services, as the saying goes, "Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day; teach him how to fish, and he'll eat forever."Well, again, you get my point.

The book goes as far as illustrating personal scenarios of mind vs heart and the like.So, this is very POWERFUL stuff.I recommend this for anybody who wants to hone their skills at critical thinking and optimization scenarios.

The only thing I regret, why haven't they written another book like this or the second part of this piece.Thank you Lowy and Hood.

Not that useful. No insight.
I did not find the book very useful. The explanation are not insightful. If you are a management consultant already, then the content would be too light for you. The only thing i like is that they have collected a nice list of 2x2 matrix, some of which is a relaxing and fun matrix to know.

A great book !
A great book !

I really enjoy the book.This is a great book for person who looks for way to improve his/her problem solving approach.It will help your problem solving method more structure.It contains proven 2x2 Matrix ranging from Strategic framework, Organization framework and Individual framework.

I strongly recommend for everybody who are preparing for the case interview with big consulting firms. Also, this is the great book for all managers.

A must buy...
If you want to learn about how to go deep in strategy this is a really good book. The authors propose a method to help you define core dilemmas facing your business and then use that as a starting point for developing strategy. They say that dynamic tension and conflict are the starting point for change and growth, both in the firm and as managers.
The second half of the book is devoted to 55 classic and not-so classic 2 x 2 matrices. The typical business student may be aware of many of these such as BCG portfolio grid and Stephen Covey's urgency and importance. However, the best value is the 2 x 2 models and cases in areas such as marketing, risk, and organizational processes. I think every organization will see itself in these examples. The authors include a method for each 2 x 2. You can literally begin to apply the thinking right away. I think anyone in business or a business strategy course would benefit.

Makes Einstein look like a chump
For years, people have thought that complex thought was the best way to address complex problems.What utter fools!Complex problems are just simple problems if you ignore enough variables. Alex Lowy and Phil Hood throw the idea of "Thinking outside the box" outside of the window! Or the Walls! ... Read more

Product Description
For the first time in the acclaimed Newmarket Shooting Script® series format, the screenplay for one of the most successful films in history. A surprise box-office hit when it opened in theaters in the spring of 1999, The Matrix has proven to be nothing short of a phenomenon, setting records for DVD sales, winning four Oscars®—Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing—and spawning two sequels for release in 2002 and 2003. The extraordinary vision of writers/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski is captured in its purest form with the film's shooting script. The tale of Thomas Anderson, aka Neo (Keanu Reeves), a computer hacker forced to confront his special destiny in the salvation of mankind, challenges our perceptions of reality and expands our expectations of what a movie can be. The 122 pages of the script are presented in facsimile form. Also included are scene notes about the script written by Phil Oosterhouse, assistant to the Wachowskis throughout the making of the film; 20 b/w film still photos; and full credits. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Trimmed down from THE ART OF THE MATRIX
A word for anyone tempted to buy anything/everything related to THE MATRIX: the complete contents of THE MATRIX: THE SHOOTING SCRIPT (including the scene notes) can be found in THE ART OF THE MATRIX, which contains additional material, both written and pictorial. I enjoy the material in THE SHOOTING SCRIPT version, but prefer the more detailed treatment in the bigger book.

Even the text of William Gibson's introduction appears in THE ART OF THE MATRIX, as an afterword. The author of NEUROMANCER and JOHNNY MNEMONIC was slow to see THE MATRIX when it first came out, knowing that it was in his own genre - although he'd been exposed to the screenplay, he hadn't anticipated how well the story would translate to film. Not only did he enjoy it when first persuaded to see it in theatrical release, he promptly turned around and dragged others out to see it. :)

The scene notes following the body of the script aren't written by the Wachowski brothers, but by their assistant Phil Oosterhouse - the brothers being busy at the time with making the sequels. The notes accompanying THE SHOOTING SCRIPT omit discussion of some deleted scenes, but otherwise tally with the more complete version in THE ART OF THE MATRIX.

Essentially, this book is for anyone who's interested only in the no-frills text of the script, without the storyboards that were essential to the Wachowskis' campaign to persuade Warner Brothers to actually make the film, and without any extra discussion of scenes that were cut before the movie was actually shot. As far as it goes, it's fine.

AN EXCELLENT REFERENCE GUIDE
I highly recommend the Matrix Shooting script.It not only covers the scenes that were in the movie, but also bits that had to be excluded.

The Forward is written by none other than Willaim Gibson [how's that for a seal of approval].He says that 'Keanu's Neo is my favourite-ever science fiction hero, absolutely!'.You can't ask for anything more.

I also love the commentary by Phil Oosterhouse, who was Assistant Director on the movie.He gives wonderful insights into little nuances of the scenes and the commitment of the actors and directors to produce the very best movie they could.

The book also has stills from the movie in cool black and white.It's a book any true Matrix fan should be without.

Enjoy! ... Read more

Product Description
WILEY-INTERSCIENCE PAPERBACK SERIES

The Wiley-Interscience Paperback Series consists of selected books that have been made more accessible to consumers in an effort to increase global appeal and general circulation. With these new unabridged softcover volumes, Wiley hopes to extend the lives of these works by making them available to future generations of statisticians, mathematicians, and scientists.

"This book is intended to teach useful matrix algebra to 'students, teachers, consultants, researchers, and practitioners' in 'statistics and other quantitative methods'.The author concentrates on practical matters, and writes in a friendly and informal style . . . this is a useful and enjoyable book to have at hand."
-Biometrics

This book is an easy-to-understand guide to matrix algebra and its uses in statistical analysis. The material is presented in an explanatory style rather than the formal theorem-proof format. This self-contained text includes numerous applied illustrations, numerical examples, and exercises. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The very best for statistician!
Being a student of Health Economics, Statistics and Mathematical Epidemiology modeling, i have fumbled enough to understand matrix algebra.
But its until i got this book; "Matrix Algebra Useful for Statistics" is when i stopped buying more books.
Simply said, THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN to help you form a foundational understanding of Matrix Algebra that will make you understand ANY OTHER BOOK on matrix algebra. period

Well-organized presentation of matrix algebra
I'm methodically working through ALL the example problems in this textbook with the goal of firming up my understanding of matrix algebra and -ultimately- statistics.Currently on chapter 3 but I've been impressed thus far with the clarity of explanations and organization of the material. As a statistician myself, I'm certain this will be a valuable reference and resource for me in my work.

A very useful book
This book covers a lot of materials that will contribute to a solid understanding of matrix algebra. I would, by all means, recommend this book, but would still like to point out some weaknesses:

1. Unattractive page layout. Page after page of dull looks. Need more visuals; I don't mean colorful graphics but black-and-white diagrams and geometric interpretations.

2. From time to time, I felt like the author would give examples only on easy-to-understand topics, but avoid giving examples on difficult-to-understand ones. That didn't make sense to me.

3. Proofs should be more clearly presented. It seems like the author is always in a hurry to just get the job done. I guess it was designed for uninterested readers to simply skip the proofs without making them feel they have skipped over a lot of materials. However, for an interested reader like me, who isn't particularly strong in proofs, it was a disfavor.

4. Illustration topics could be more diverse. For instance, there are too many illustrations dealing with genetics. I would appreciate more everyday examples, like the taxi one.

Again, I would strongly recommend this book, despite what I think are its weaknesses.

Definitively a classic
This is an excellent introductory book, although mostly oriented to people with a reasonably good mathematical background. Searle covers most, if not all, the matrix algebra that you may need to fully understand applications of mixed linear models. Chapters one to eight cover the essential operations (addition, multiplication, determinants, etc) as well as more advanced concepts (rank, canonical forms, inverse, etc). The rest of the book (chapters nine to fifteen) covers applications to statistics as well as advanced topics that can help you to understand how do some of the statistical packages work inside. The only mathematics book that I have read from cover to cover. Definitively a classic. ... Read more

Product Description
Concise, masterly survey of a substantial part of modern matrix theory introduces broad range of ideas involving both matrix theory and matrix inequalities. Also, convexity and matrices, localization of characteristic roots, proofs of classical theorems and results in contemporary research literature, more. Undergraduate-level. 1969 edition. Bibliography.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Very thorough for most practicing scientists and students
Although the text is not up-to-date, most classical results in matrix theory and analysis is presented in an unpretentious style and with due credit to the original contributions.Proofs are given with only a modicum of rigor for the more important and general theorems and some exemples (but not many) are worked out to illustrate the possibilities and limitations of the techniques.

On the downside, the book is typeset in a small type that makes it difficult to discern sub-subscripts and superscripts in some expressions. I am not nitpicking here: sometimes you cannot affirm if that index is an "i" or a "t", and if it is an "i_t" or a "t_i" it only gets worse.Given its enduring value, a new printing in a slightly larger font, say, 1pt up, would be a good service to its readership.

I prefer this title to the much more expensive (and not that much up-to-date) book by Horn & Johnson.If you cannot afford both, go with Marcus & Minc. I am not rating it 5 stars because of (i) its age, (ii) its annoying typeset (a minor issue, actually), and (iii) the typos, of the confusing kind.Otherwise, for the practicing scientist and engineer and for students looking for a cheap reference, I can only recommend this book.

Excellent gem
Each section starts with a set of necessary definitions. Then, theorems are stated without proof---therefore, the it can also be used as an exercise book. One can go to a section of interest and try to prove some of the theorems listed there.

Excellent
I have just read part I of the book (table of contents below), and I like it very much. So many information, on so few pages. Everything is threated in FULL generality, and proves are included for the main theorems. This book has also an excellent encyclopedia function, as it contains the main properties of anything that one can think of.

Beware: I have some mathematical background, and if you fully want to appreciate this book you will need this. (don't buy this book if this would be your first confrontation with matrices).

Table of contents:

I Survey of matrix theory
1 Introductory concepts
2 Numbers associated with matrices
3 Linear equations and canonical forms
4 Special classes of matrices, commutativity
5 Congruence

II Convexity and matrices
1 Convex sets
2 Convex functions
3 Classical Inequalities
4 Convex functions and matrix inequalities.
5 Nonnegative matrices

III Localization of characteristic roots
1 Bounds for characteristic roots
2 Regions containing characteristic roots of a general matrix
3 Characterstic roots of a general matrix
4 The spread of a matrix
5 The field of values of a matrix

A classic compilation of results in this field.
This book is not really a review of matrix theory; the focus is on inequalities, mainly for PD matrices, convex functions and eigenvalue problems. The book tries to present a general framework, a-la Hardy, but isnot quite as successful. Nevertheless, if you need to find that elusiveinequality that you saw in undergraduate, this book will likely contain it.This book should be on every mathematical researcher's shelf. ... Read more

Product Description
One of the four elements of classical antiquity, water is central to the environment of our planet. In Life's Matrix, Philip Ball writes of water's origins, history, and unique physical character. As a geological agent, water shapes mountains, canyons, and coastlines, and when unleashed in hurricanes and floods its destructive power is awesome. Ball's provocative exploration of water on other planets highlights the possibilities of life beyond Earth. Life's Matrix also examines the grim realities of depletion of natural resources and its effects on the availability of water in the twenty-first century.Amazon.com Review
Billed as "A Biography of Water," Life's Matrix wouldseem to have taken on a nearly insurmountable challenge. Yet authorPhilip Ball, science writer and consulting editor for Nature,covers the very interesting chemistry and physics of the substance andour species' long relationship with it without losing thereader--after all, each of us is mostly made of the wet stuff. Fromthe ancients' conception of water as an element, recognizing itsimportance and primacy among terrestrial matter, to our currentunderstanding of the intricate dance of hydrogen bonds that give waterits unique, life-giving properties, Ball always finds the right angleto keep the story compelling. Chapters covering the nuts and bolts ofwater, which the reader might reasonably expect to be a bit dry,consistently remind us of its crucial role in so many aspects of ourlives, from ocean currents to irrigation to tears. Some of thecutting-edge scientific reports are weirdly fascinating--the discoveryof several different conformations of liquid and solid water and theirodd behavior will provoke plenty of brow-furrowing, even if none of uswill ever find ice-nine cubes in our cocktails at happy hour. The bookcloses with the now-obligatory look at what a mess we've made of thebook's subject when seen as a natural resource, and offers potentialshort- and long-term solutions. Facing these issues is vital if wewant to remember "Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink" asgreat poetry rather than apocalyptic prophecy. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Dive into the magical world of water: a strange and fantastic substance
I could not imagine how a biography of something inanimate could be written, but surprisingly the "life" of water is quite amazing. The book starts by explaining how the constituents of water were formed shortly after the Big Bang; first helium and by combining to itself, other light elements like hydrogen were formed. Later under more extreme conditions of heat and pressure heavier elements like oxygen were created: water could now see the light. Then the book goes on to explain how water could have reached the Earth and how it is present in other parts of our solar system. Water is or has been present on all planets and moons, (there is some small amount even in the sun); some have lost it through evaporation others keep it frozen on their surfaces, so that most of the sun's energy is reflected back from its white surface, making the frozen state perpetual.

The special conditions that make our planet a blue planet sparkled with some white areas (clouds and ice) are explained, as well as the hydrological cycle and the greenhouse effect together with their implications on global climate, warming and glaciations. Some space is devoted to the discovery of water's constituents and their names (oxygen and hydrogen) as well as to the decomposition of water by electrolysis and to the formation of water by ignition of hydrogen.

Special physical and chemical properties of water are explained like the fact that water is heavier than ice, meaning that ice has a lower density (the molecules are more separated than in water), because of water's hydrogen bonds. A better explanation of phase transitions can be found in Critical Mass: How One Thing Leads to Another. The polarity of water (which accounts for hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules that help shape proteins and therefore cells - for more on this I strongly recommend Life Itself: Exploring the Realm of the Living Cell), its dissolution capacity (which makes water the universal solvent) and its calorific capacity make water the "matrix of life". Learn how life could have emerged and also how organisms cope with dehydration (freezing means ultimately also dehydration). Microcosmos: Four Billion Years of Microbial Evolution is an excellent complement to this book and Investigations deals with the chemistry of the formation of life but in an extremely difficult way.

The biography would not be complete if it would not mention the present day threats to our magic liquid (salinization and contamination) as well as its uneven distribution on the globe. Another five star hit from Mr. Ball!

Perfect condition.
it was exactly what I expected. The book was just like new. Very pleased with the transaction.

A good accurate science book
It's amazing what you can find on the internet. In contrast to what an earlier review suggests this is a very interesting, well written and scientifically accurate book. If you want to read a book about the importance and uniqueness of water then this is the one for you.

I stressed its accuracy as despite the claims nuclear fusion at room temperature is not a reality (why don't we all have palladium teacups powering our laptops) and the memory of water is far from proven (primarily because the proponents can't work out how it forgets)! The New Scientist is not a peer-reviewed journal (and nor should it be as speculation and opinion are important parts of what it does) so quoting an article is no proof at all.

The only query I have is why this book was renamed "Life's matrix" for the American audience. Has no one heard of H20 (its UK title) over there?

Fascinating, but error prone
Full of quotations of classics and poetry, written as literature with wonderful similes and metaphors, this "Biography of Water" roams from ancient civilizations to outer planets. The middle third was the most satisfactory, with details of the various forms of ice, how organisms cope with freezing, and what makes water so unusual. Explanations of its hydrogen bonding patterns and how they might change to make ice less dense than liquid water, and the funny shrinkage of water above its melting point and are all interesting. The many functions of water in biological systems, right down to the molecular level are given, and there are a number of cleverly done diagrams.
Ball's major blunder in this middle part was his complete failure to explain what holds normal liquids together, that is, what are the van der Waals forces (p165)? This leads to an absurd reason for the cohesion cell membranes, where the hydrocarbon tails of lipid bilayers are said to be held together merely by their repulsion of water (p253). Most college chemistry texts do better on both counts (including Linus Pauling, "General Chemistry", 3rd ed., 1965). The UV light from the sun is presented as detrimental only (p235). Ball seems unaware that vitamin D is formed from the action of UVB on cholesterol in the skin, and that there is less cancer the closer humans live to the equator. In recounting all the effects on the development of life (atmospheric composition, heat, cold, nutrients), Ball ignores the contribution of 10 times the radioactivity the Earth now has in promoting chemical reactions and mutations long ago (see T. D. Luckey, "Radiation Hormesis", 1991).
More minor problems are speaking of a vacuum "sucking" (p240), the pH of stomach acid as 1 rather than 1-3 (p247), missing the true function of the Glomar Challenger as a submarine salvage vessel (p47), a confusion of the effect of pressure on a melting point by comparing with the effect of pressure on the the boiling point of water (p51), implying that the reaction of sulfur dioxide with water gives sulfuric acid (p101) rather than sulfurous acid, and that paraffin wax has a viscosity anywhere near as low as 15 centipoises (p282).
It is when Ball enters the realm of politicized science that serious misinformation flows. Water vapor is by far the most important greenhouse gas and human activities add plenty of it to the atmosphere by irrigation, burning methane which puts 2 molecules of water into the air with just 1 of carbon dioxide, of burning gasoline, jet and diesel fuel, unlike p66. See "Hot Talk, Cold Science" by S. Fred Singer.Cold fusion has been replicated in half a dozen laboratories; the reality of the effect cannot be dismissed by ignoring the publications and merely listing ones that do not show the effect) (p307). See "Excess Heat" by Charles G. Beaudette, 2001.Memory effects in water at really high dilutions are real (see Lionel Milgrom, New Scientist, 11 Jun 03). Homeopathy effects were demonstrated against placebo in trials (BMJ 1991;302:316-323), all contrary to p334.
Read this "chocolate and cherry syrup coated" book at your own risk.

--Joel M. Kauffman 20 May 04

Thorough, interesting and multifaceted
Wow.At first having noted the author's vita on the cover, I wasn't certain that an individual trained "only" in chemistry and physics could adequately write a book that was "obviously" about geology.As I read on, however, I realized that Phillip Ball's intention really was to write a "biography of water" as the subtitle suggested.The book in fact contains information about water from almost every perspective: from the origins of its constituent elements oxygen and hydrogen in cosmological processes to it's social and political effects in the modern world.The book covers it all.Because I have almost a complete degree in geology, I enjoyed most particularly the geological effects of water including its effects on geomorphology, its impact on glacial formation, its effect on climate and ocean physics, etc.The author lost me a little in his discussion of the chemistry and physics of the substance, but I still found what I understood of it very instructive.Water's function in the evolution of life and in the biochemistry of cellular metabolism was also interesting to me since I enjoy studying evolution-paleontolgoy and earth history were my major focus in studying geology--and I also am a nurse caring for patients whose fluid and electrolyte status arises from the cellular effects of water.

Probably the most important messages in the book, however, are those regarding conservation and utilization of water resources.Certainly the information about the disparity of water availability and quality between the western and 3rd world countries, between urban and rural use, and between countries and states that have competing interests in a particular watershed were very enlightening.It was surprising to learn that part of the problems of the Middle East revolve around water availability and use.These issues certainly provide previews to future problems that will almost certainly arise globally in the not too distant future!

A very thorough, interesting and multifaceted book. ... Read more

Product Description
The New matrix Management differs in almost every way from the matrix management that some people might be familiar with from the 70’s and 80’s. In this Quick Guide, we explore all the essentials you need to know about the new matrix management including: Horizontal Structures Governance, accountability, goal setting, managerial outputs, collaborative leaderships, business process management, relationship management, tips for project leaders and tips for individuals working within a matrix. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The New Matrix Management
Quick and very easy to read and understand.It made so much sense.It's great tool. ... Read more

Product Description
Entire book and illustrative examples have been edited extensively, and several chapters repositioned.
* Imperial units are used instead of SI units in many of the examples and problems, particularly those of a nonlinear nature that have strong implications for design, since the SI system has not been fully assimilated in practice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not a good introductory book for matrix structural analysis
This textbook is more of reference textbook for someone who has already learned the fundamentals of matrix structural analysis.If you have never taken a course on matrix structural analysis and you are looking to learn the fundamentals, do not get this book.The authors wrote the book assuming the reader already has a background in the subject; most of the examples skip a lot of steps and are presented with little explanation.If you are looking for a good book on the fundamentals of matrix structural analysis, I highly recommend "Matrix Analysis of Framed Structures, by Weaver and Gere, 3rd edition."

Excellent source for nonlinear frame analysis
I only ever use this book for nonlinear frame analysis. One of the few texts that explains the topic in full detail. Implementation will require knowledge of numerical methods gained elsewhere.

Best Frame Analysis book I've seen
This is a well written and easy to understand book on structural analysis.More advanced than a typical undergraduate book, yet it presents the more advanced material so clearly that it could easily be used for an undergraduate course or a refernce for a practicing engineer.

Don't expect much on plate or solid elements as this is primarily a reference for frame analysis.But, for that topic, it's the best book I've seen and I've seen a lot of them.

Great Book!
I had Ziemian's Course on this book at Bucknell as an undergrad. It is a great prelude to advanced CE design, and a great intro to finite element analysis!!! ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Basic textbook covers theory of matrices and its applications to systems of linear equations and related topics such as determinants, eigenvalues and differential equations. Numerous exercises, both true-false and multiple choice, with each chapter. Answer section.
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Customer Reviews (8)

Terrible
this book is terrible, it's confusing and lack of explaination, i recommand u to get the Linear Algebra and it's application by Davie C. Lay

Worst Math book ever run away!
This is the text book for a linear Algebra class and I really wish I dropped the class because of the book. It's not student friendly because of poor and incomplete discussion of the subject and slim to no examples in the book wit few exercises and even less answers in the back. The book is cheap at around 16.00 but that is to high of a price for poor presentation of the material.

Cheap, formal, well written
On my desk right now, books by: David C. Lay, Terry Lawson, Sheldon Axler, Klaus Jänich, Robert Valenza, and this one by Schneider and Barker. I tend to go back again and again here.
I'm using this book as a supplement for the textbook in my class. Some of the books cited above don't quite fit the bill because they're so different from the linear algebra for engineering you so often see in classes. But this one is excellent for a matrix-heavy approach.
This book is "bare bones", indeed, but it is very well written. Some might not be used to definitions, propositions, theorems and lemmas but in this case this makes it a whole lot easier for finding (and referencing) the important results. The notation is careful and formal, but the explanations are crystal clear. On the back cover it says it's geared towards students "outside the field of mathematics" but I think they say that because it avoids a purely algebraic approach (like in Valenza where e.g. Ker is defined in the context of group homomorphism). The approach is the one of matrixes, matrixes everywhere (row echelon algorithm, etc.) There are, however, no "modern" applications (such as networks, or ecology) as examples.
Another reviewer complained about the difficulty in exercises. While you have "drill" ones, you do have more conceptual ones, but I think they're on par with the text. There are no pretty illustrations here, and you will see that you don't need them.
In some other books, material might be presented in a wordy manner, but in this book, you just say "ah, so what so-and-so is saying is just Theorem number X.X.X in S&B."
On the whole, this is an excellent acquisition for your undergraduate library. It is cheap and good. What more do you want?

Surf the web instead.
For about three years, I haven't thought about linear algebra at all.But recently, I've been interested in it again, and went to this book for reference.

I'm lucky if I can find one nice clear example of anything in this book.This is a proof book all the way, and it's not for your general type of audience.This is bare bones stuff.That's probably why the price is 14 bucks instead of 140.

Instead of getting a book like this, I recommend getting a more expensive book that's easier to understand, or just surf the internet for information.I have had some success with the latter option.

Supplemental Superiority
As a physics major, i've been told by my E & M teacher that Linear Algebra is one of the two games to be played in physics. (The other naturally being calculus). So, what happens when it comes time to take Linear Algebra and the teacher only serves to confuse the material, and the college textbook is a normal college math book? (a.k.a. not well written or useful). Get Dover books. And this book delivers for me. Everything i'm supposed to learn in Shifrin's text is presented here with much clearer writing. (Especially in drawing your eye to the thereoms, any one who wants to Linear Algebra without knowing the thereoms or applying them to the homework should probably stop now and go back to Trig.) It seems this book would make a good stand alone text, provided you are willing to not expect calculus cookbookness, because it's my side text that trumps my main textbook for 1/10th the price. And in closing, thank God for Dover for making life as a physics major that much cheaper. ... Read more

Product Description
The subject of Nature’s Matrix is conservation of biodiversity, but it differs from other books by proposing a radically new approach based on recent advances in the science of ecology plus certain political realities.

The analysis in Nature's Matrix is based on the linking of three key political issues that are intimately related, yet often treated in isolation. The first is the crisis of biodiversity loss, universally acknowledged as a major contemporary problem. The second has to do with food and agriculture, a crisis issue for the past two decades. The third is the political unrest in rural areas, engendered most recently by a collapse in rural product markets, resulting in massive rural-urban and international migration. This book shows how these three issues are interrelated in complex ways, focusing on the need to understand that interrelationship for the generation of effective conservation programs.

These ideas challenge some in the conservation community since they are at odds with the major trends of some of the large conservation organizations that emphasize targeted land purchases of protected areas. They argue that recent advances in ecological research make such a general approach anachronistic and call, rather, for solidarity with the small farmers around the world who are currently struggling to attain food sovereignty. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Small Farmers are the Future
The park system is the prevailing model for biodiversity protection in the world - think Teddy R. and the US National Park Service; think Tanzania's Selous National Park, the biggest in the world.Armed guards, strict rules, "nature here, humans there". Biologists have long recognized that local extinctions were common, even in these big, dynamic parks, so "corridors" were the rage a few years ago, little pathways that would connect two "natural" areas to each other to allow migration (the solution to local extinction) - bridges over busy highways, for example.Most ecologists have found this approach hasn't worked.

Using a dazzling array of different disciplinary perspectives (biology, history, politics, anthropology), Perfecto et al. propose a "matrix" model of biodiversity protection that recognizes humans as potential stewards of the environment right where they live and work.Conservationists, they argue, have been blind to the political realities that drive extinction in the most sensitive regions, regions that happen to be in the poorest areas of the world.They focus their attention on agriculture, which has been such a destructive force in places like Brazilian Amazon.But they draw an important distinction between the Green Revolution-style industrial system usually encouraged by the global economic powers and the farming practiced by smallholders around the world.The latter, they argue, actually contribute to this matrix of biodiversity by showing more care for the land and thus conservationists should support and work closely with rural social movements that advocate for them.

The book cites two large case studies from Latin America from coffee farms in Central America and cocoa farms in Brazil.In both cases, the authors found a rich diversity of species living in and migrating through the farms.These farms practiced traditional and/or sustainable methods that involved the use of naturally occurring shade trees. Examples of maize farming in Mexico and wetland protection via rice fields in Southeast Asia are also provided. The authors make a well-developed argument that supporting such farms should be central to any conservation plan, especially in the developing world.

One minor criticism I have is the authors' somewhat incongruous choice of cash crop farms as a case study in arguing for food sovereignty. The methods practiced by these farmers is admirable, but they're still at the whim of global markets to a large extent. Farms provisioning food for local markets should play a bigger role in any discussion of food sovereignty.Nevertheless, the findings are hopeful and paradigm-rattling and will likely make conservationists and rural development practitioners rethink their methods.

A strong addition to environmental history collections
People go where there is food. "Nature's Matrix: Linking Agriculture, Conservation, and Food Sovereignty", the collaborative work of Ivette Perfecto, John Vandermeer, and Angus Wright, is an intriguing history that discusses humanity, and how agriculture drives development through ecological effects on earth. Calling upon modern research on the subject, Ivette Perfecto and his associates, professors on the subject, enlighten and intrigue readers about nature's invisible mathematical hand and its impact on human society. "Nature's Matrix" is a strong addition to environmental history collections. ... Read more

Product Description
In this book the authors reduce a wide variety of problems arising in system and control theory to a handful of convex and quasiconvex optimization problems that involve linear matrix inequalities. These optimization problems can be solved using recently developed numerical algorithms that not only are polynomial-time but also work very well in practice; the reduction therefore can be considered a solution to the original problems. This book opens up an important new research area in which convex optimization is combined with system and control theory, resulting in the solution of a large number of previously unsolved problems.

Special Features
- The book identifies a handful of standard optimization problems that are general (a wide variety of problems from system and control theory can be reduced to them) as well as specific (specialized numerical algorithms can be devised for them).

- The book catalogs a diverse list of problems in system and control theory that can be reduced to the standard optimization problems. Problems considered are analysis and state-feedback design for uncertain systems, matrix analysis problems, and many others.

- Most of the the book is accessible to anyone with a basic mathematics background, e.g., linear algebra and differential equations.

Partial Contents
Preface; Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Some Standard Problems Involving LMIs; Chapter 3: Some Matrix Problems; Chapter 4: Linear Differential Inclusions; Chapter 5: Analysis of LDIs: State Properties; Chapter 6: Analysis of LDIs: Input/Output Properties; Chapter 7: State-Feedback Synthesis for LDIs; Chapter 8: Lur'e and Multiplier Methods; Chapter 9: Systems with Multiplicative Noise; Chapter 10: Miscellaneous Problems; Notation; List of Acronyms; Bibliography; Index.

Audience
This book is primarily intended for researchers in system and control theory; both the beginner and the advanced researcher will find the book useful. Researchers in convex optimization will find this book a source of optimization problems for which algorithms need to be devised. A background in linear algebra, elementary analysis, and exposure to differential equations and system and control theory is recommended. ... Read more