Book Description
This practical handbook for Space Mission Engineering draws on leading aerospace experts to carry readers through mission design, from orbit selection to ground ops. SMAD III updates the technology, provides greater emphasis on small spacecraft design and the cost-reduction process, and includes more detail on multi-satellite manufacturing, space computers, payload design and autonomous systems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

space mission analysis and design
The third edition falls short of the information provided in the second edition. The third edition lacks the detail on thermal radiation and conditions that was included in the second edition . ( see chapter 11.5).It appears to me that the 3rd edition is more a generalization and discussion, rather than providing a detail method of analysis for a space mission. If possible , I would like to return my copy of the 3rd edition for a copy of the second edition.Thank you.L. Rosenman

a good introduction to space
this book was recommended by my professor and i received in about a week in standard shipping

space mission analysis
the book is grt and is highly recommended for all the people who wants to study space craft system .It is the bible for space mission studies

My Most-Used Astronautics Reference Book
Over 5 years as an aerospace engineer at Boeing and Lockheed Martin, I have used this book far more than any other for astronautics. This is not only an excellent reference, but a good textbook, in fact the only textbook required for my entire Master's degree. Many engineers simply say "look at Wertz" to find whatever answers you need.

A great book for understanding spacecraft systems.
This is essential reading for anyone who works in the field of spacecraft hardware regardless if it is at the component level or the spacecraft level.This book adequately presents an overview of each of the subsystems that comprise a spacecraft.Indeed much of these systems are similar for payloads as well just in a scaled down version. Information is provided in such a way as to efficiently teach how these subsystems interact with each other as well as how the requirements flow down from the top mission or science level requirements into the detailed functional and performance requirements.This book captures the interrelation of the programmatic requirements of budgets and schedules in helping define what technical solutions are implemented for the aforementioned mission or science requirements.

This book will help all spacecraft mangers get a top level view of various subsystems such that he or she can make adequate trade studies. This book will help the systems engineer communicate requirements across the subsystem interfaces. This book will help the subsystem and component level engineers understand how the interfaces of their work carry over throughout the spacecraft as well as to understand the inputs that go into their specific area. ... Read more

Book Description

From the author of the bestselling Anam Cara comes a beautiful collection of blessings to help readers through both the everyday and the extraordinary events of their lives.

John O’Donohue, Irish teacher and poet, has been widely praised for his gift of drawing on Celtic spiritual traditions to create words of inspiration and wisdom for today. In To Bless the Space Between Us, his compelling blend of elegant, poetic language and spiritual insight offers readers comfort and encouragement on their journeys through life. O’Donohue looks at life’s thresholds—getting married, having children, starting a new job—and offers invaluable guidelines for making the transition from a known, familiar world into a new, unmapped territory. Most profoundly, however, O’Donohue explains “blessing” as a way of life, as a lens through which the whole world is transformed.

O’Donohue awakens readers to timeless truths and shows the power they have to answer contemporary dilemmas and ease us through periods of change.

Book Description
Coast to Coast AM host George Noory has turned to Michael Coumatos, a former US Space Command Director in charge of war games and National Security Agency counter-terrorism advisor under Condeleeza Rice, and William Scott, Editor-in-Chief of Aviation Week and Space Technology and a nine-year Air Force veteran who served as aircrew on nuclear sampling missions, to imagine how the first six hours of World War III will play out. The authors take the reader deep inside the top secret facility that houses Americas Strategic Command in Omaha, where our nations military commanders are playing a nuclear war game. They dont know that the war they are gaming has already begun in space. Financed by Iran, a rogue Russian scientist destroys military surveillance and communications satellites with an intense particle beam. Soon the United States will be completely blind, allowing the Iranians to launch a nuclear tipped Sahab 4 missile into the soft underbelly of Europe. Its a race against time. Chock full of the actual technologies and strategies the US will have to use to protect its near-space assets, Space Wars describes a near future nuclear threat that puts us all in the terrorists nuclear sights. In a more quiet time, Space Wars would be an exciting work of fiction. But the United States is at war, and the most frightening thing about Space Wars is that its all too real. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Entertaining, plausible, but dated technology
The book was very entertaining and offered a possible future scenario which was quite possible.The author attempted to mimic Tom Clancy's early style of writing but wasn't quite there.There was an over-abundance of adjectives at times but it wasn't too bad. The story flowed well and was believable but there were some added twists to the story that didn't make sense.

SPOILER (Don't read if you don't want to spoil the story)

1) If 4 GPS satellites were messing up the whole GPS network, just blow them out of the sky, very easy.
2) If another Shahab4 was getting ready to launch in 48 hours, why not just send another SpcOps team in to neutralize it.Shooting down French Galileo sats was not a good idea.
3) Two F-15's on the runway at Eglin with ASAT missiles going out to shoot down a French satellite and the French testpilot taxiing out at Eglin doesn't recognize the missiles and put two and two together after the Galileos are destroyed... :(


Other than those issues, I enjoyed the story, the book was quite an interesting look at 1980's technologies.

Space Wars is a must read
Space Wars: The First Six Hours of World War III -- A Wargame Scenario

by Michael J. Coumatos, William B. Scott, and William J. Birnes, a Forge Book published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, 2007, 400 pp., $29.95


Near earth orbital space is the new military high ground in this techno-thriller novel by a trio ofauthors who bring a diverse set of skills and experience to bear on a tale that is disturbingly plausible.A hostile Middle East nation lures a disaffected Russian scientist away from his secret nuclear weapon design institute to a Southwest Asia site where he replicates a high energy anti-satellite system.Capable of blinding or disabling almost any U.S. military or civilian satellite critical to the American surveillance, communications and navigation networks, the Russian's crude but effective electronic weapon literally fires the first shots of World War III.

Farfrom being the shots heard around the world, the short bursts of high energy microwaves from the anti-satellite weapon stab silently through the earth's atmosphere to destroy the electronics on some of the U.S.'s most sophisticated satellites.Glitches occur in the military's Global Positioning System, skewing its otherwise precise navigation and guidance information with devastating results for a Special Operations Forces team directing a strike against a terrorist camp in North Africa.

Commercial communications satellites suddenly lapse into degraded operating modes or drop off line completely.At first, it seems the losses are due to onboard system failures, calling into question the design criteria and quality control standards of the manufacturers.Representatives of the major contractors are called upon to explain the failures, which do not fit any pattern -- at first.

Otherwise reliable military comsats, navsats and reconnaissance birds also begin to mysteriously fail.And the warning flags fly.What's happening here?The satellite failures exceed even the most pessimistic lifetime predictions.Obviously, someone, somewhere is zapping America's critical space assets.The question is who and why, and more importantly, could this indeed be the precursor of World War III?From a strategic perspective, the obvious first steps by anyone planning such an attack would be to blind the U.S. military's space based eyes, cut its global communications satellite network and cripple the constellations of navigation and positioning satellites.

Which brings the reader face to face with this book's central and highly disturbing theme.How vulnerable is the U.S., if not the world's, space infrastructure?With the rapid evolution of technology, fed by the demand for instantaneous transmission of information, the world has become highly dependent onspace based assets.Significant strides have been made in improving both the capacity and capabilities of satellite systems.But, can they survive the assaults of a determined attacker, even one using a relatively crude anti-satellite system?And, what would be the economic, political and military ramifications of such an attack?

The authors make an interesting comparison between the concept of freedom of the seas, which has been critical to world commerce and peace for centuries, to the freedom of space, which is equally critical to the 21st Century and beyond.How quickly would the global economy spiral into ruin if the myriad space based systems were hijacked or otherwise rendered inoperable?

Against this background, Space Wars takes us into the fascinating world of war gaming in 2010, as military leaders, politicians and industry specialists join forces to "round up the usual suspects" and finally finger the guilty parties."Gaming" is a misnomer. This is a far cry from sand tables, lead soldiers and models of tanks, artillery and other weapons.These are not games being played by adults still enamored with toys.These are sophisticated brain storming operations using a wide array of sophisticated data gathering sources, high-powered computers and some of the most talented analysts and theoreticians in the world.And, co-authors Michael J. Coumatos and William B. Scott are uniquely equipped to lead the reader through this process.

Coumatos (U.S. Navy retired) is the former U.S. Space Command Director of War Games.He also served as a National Security Agency Adviser to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.Scott, who retired as Aviation Week & Space Technology's Rocky Mountain Bureau Chief after a distinguished career with the world's leading aerospace news magazine, spent years covering the global aerospace scene.In the process, he developed a deep understanding of how valuable (and vulnerable) space assets are to U.S. security. The remaining member of Space War'sauthor trio, William J. Birnes, is the co-author of two New York Times best sellers, "The Day After Roswell" and "Worker in the Light".

It is significant that these three writers from diverse backgrounds could produce a lengthy narrative on a technologically sophisticated theme and have it flow smoothly from the opening sentence to its abrupt conclusion as war looms with Iran.Space Wars does not read as though it were compiled by a committee.The writing chores obviously were shared, but the three writers just as obviously melded their contributions into a cohesive final product.

Space Wars is an exciting read, even for the casual observer not familiar with the technical worlds of aerospace or war gaming.The text is liberally laced with acronyms, by necessity, but they are not overly intrusive on the book's story line.Major chapters are nicely sliced into readable sections that facilitate following the story as it whips around the world.

At the conclusion, the reader is left hanging by an abrupt ending, "Another horrible nightmare had begun".What's next?Space Wars -- Part Two, obviously.

A final comment; as was said in the beginning, the central theme of Space Wars is disturbingly plausible.

Donald E. Fink, Jr.
Former Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Director
Aviation Week & Space Technology

Fact Mixed with Fiction that Delivers a Message
This book is a real eye-opener that serves as a warning to our military and political leaders against complacency in the space and cyberspace arenas.The authors are very knowledgeable of existing military capabilities, threats, and vulnerabilities, and do an excellent job interweaving them and fictinal capabilities into a fictional war-gaming plot.

As the book identifies, the U.S. economy, society, and national security is heavily dependent on satellite and computer technology. It is our center of gravity, our Achilles heel, and a way for terrorist organizations and/or enemy states to attack us asymmetrically. The book does a solid job highlighting the devastating impact an attack on our space assets would have on military operations and our society in general.However, in my opinion, it doesn't go quite far enough.A space attack combined with a cyber attack like the real-world one suffered by Estonia in the spring of 2007 would deliver a significant blow to our nation.

The threats and vulnerabilities identified in the book are very realistic.One simply has to look at China's recently successful anti-satellite weapons test, or its "unconfirmed" attempts to blind surveillance satellites to see the vulnerability of our space assets.Additionally, it is well documented that al-Qaeda has been establishing ties with Latin American gangs, so the book's primary antagonists,an Iranian and Columbian drug cartel alliance, is not that far off-base.

Despite the quality of the book's content, there are a few weaknesses in the way the material is presented.The characters are very stereotypical...heroic fighter jocks and "Capt Americas" versus weak Washington bureaucrats and politicians.The story is also very one sided regarding how we became so vulnerable in space.The book primarily blames congress and the D.C. bureaucracy for cutbacks in funding.However, there is plenty of blame to go around.The Department of Defence space acquisition programs are notorious for enormous cost overruns and lengthy schedule delays.You can do a quick search on "SBIRS" for a good idea of a troubled USAF program, which has experienced billions of dollars in cost overruns and multi-year delays.
However, the book is fiction, and to me, having clear-cut heroes and villains makes it much easier and enjoyable to read.In my opinion, the one sided view of the issue doesn't detract from the overall purpose of the book.It does a great job getting its message accross by identifying a critical national security vulnerability.

TD
Gonzaga University

What happens in the next type of war?
This book very well represents the possible next war theatre. With the world's dependency on satellite communications for GPS, TV programming, cellular phone relays, this book shows many of the exposures.It is done in the fashion of the "Thriller" novel by bringing it into the 21st century.

Even with the three writers, the prose does flow fairly well.There are times when it does get bogged down in too many details.These are the times you know one writer has penned that section.

I do recommend to anyone interested in the next possible 10 years (or less) of war, this is a great introduction to the potential vulnerabilities in the US and allies' space capabilities.Like the preface states "...this is based on a 'real' wargame scenario..."

There is one story line that is not completed, at least in this novel. Probably the only reason that I did not rate it higher.

Tom Clancy of Space
This book is excellent. It is a real page turner that once you start you will not be able to put down. It is both entertaining and scary. The plot seems to be torn from the headlines. The characters seem like various people you read about in the newspaper. The credentials of the authors are incredibly impressive. They definitely at one time were in the "know". The references to some of the weapons in the novel seem sort of a mix between sci-fi stuff and real world stuff. They do make references to the mysterious Auroa plane and Area 53 in Groom Lake NV.

The book also shows in vivid detail how dependent this nation is on space. They also show how open we are to attack up there. The book did show how one event can lead to another event which then leads to something worse. That is how shooting wars start. This book makes those possibilities clear better than anything since the Guns of August. This is required readings for anyone serious about National Security student. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001
Alastair Reynolds's first novel is "hard" SF on an epic scale, crammed with technological marvels and immensities. Its events take place over a relatively short period, but have roots a billion years old--when the Dawn War ravaged our galaxy.

Sylveste is the only man ever to return alive and sane from a Shroud, an enclave in space protected by awesome gravity-warping defenses: "a folding a billion times less severe should have required more energy than was stored in the entire rest-mass of the galaxy." Now an intuition he doesn't understand makes him explore the dead world Resurgam, whose birdlike natives long ago tripped some booby trap that made their own sun erupt in a deadly flare.

Meanwhile, the vast, decaying lightship Nostalgia for Infinity is coming for Sylveste, whose dead father (in AI simulation) could perhaps help the Captain, frozen near absolute zero yet still suffering monstrous transformation by nanotech plague. Most of Infinity's tiny crew have hidden agendas--Khouri the reluctant contract assassin believes she must kill Sylveste to save humanity--and there are two bodiless stowaways, one no longer human and one never human. Shocking truths emerge from bluff, betrayal, and ingenious lies.

The trail leads to a neutron star where an orbiting alien construct has defenses to challenge the Infinity's planet-wrecking superweapons.

At the heart of this artifact, the final revelations detonate--most satisfyingly. Dense with information and incident, this longish novel has no surplus fat and seems almost too short. A sparkling SF debut. --David Langford, Amazon.co.uk Book Description
Dr Dan Sylveste, an archaeologist who has for years been fascinated with the long-dead alien race the Amarantin, is about to discover something that could change the course of mankind.But before he can act on anything his wife is killed and he is captured when a coup sweeps across the planet Resurgam.Meanwhile, an astonishing ship bearing a crew of militaristic cyborgs and a kidnapped Gunnery Officer is bearing down on Resurgam, crossing light years of space to enlist Sylveste's help to save their metamorphosing Captain. Only Sylveste, or, more accurately, the software programme containing his father's knowledge that he carries in his mind, can save the Captain.None of them can anticipate the cataclysm that will result when they meet, a cataclysm that will sweep through space and could determine the ultimate fate of humanity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (138)

A good read!
What can I say? I enjoyed this book enough that I bought some of his other books. I thought it was a little slow at times but overall still give it 5 stars.

Very creative buildup, mildly disappointed by ending
A friend recommended this to me as Reynolds is his favorite author. I was instantly hooked and the book held my attention well the whole way through. It was very creative and has a rich dialoge describing gadgets and weapons, branches of humanity, and a few alien cultures. Very intricate plot kept me guessing till the end. However, I was a bit shell shocked at the very end and caught myself saying "RRRRIIGHHT...". Kind of funny to start questioning a scifi novel on unrealistic course of events! But even with that minor annoyance of an ending a bit too perfect (one assumes because it is vaguely described at best), the book is extremely well thought out. I will go on to read some of his others.

Probably not the best Sci-fi to start the genre with
Very hard not to give Revelation Space a 5 star.

Like a few, I'm astounded at the amount of bad reviews that this book received. I just finished reading it today and had to put my opinion in.

As for the flaws: Revelation Space, like any other book, has a few flaws that can be easily overlooked. As many have stated, the characters are only modestly developed and don't hold a candle to the characters of Hyperion or Ender's Game. The same could be said about Dune, but it wasn't the characters that made that book.
There were also points in the story were Reynolds went crazy with the Deus Ex Machina, not to save the lives of his characters, but allow the characters to make a move against an antagonist when the situation reaches the coolest, most last-minute stage, not when the window presented itself earlier. In that aspect, this book is very 'Hollywood.'

Now for the good: O.k., I've read two different reviews about how Peter Hamilton's epic sci-fi beats the snot out of this book. Sorry, but if you want to talk about some completely lifeless and utterly unrealistic characters, not to mention a blatant overuse of good ol' Deus Ex, Hamilton takes it running. His stories are so weighed down with sex that you can't even pay attention to the plot. Hamilton writes about bad guys who are completely invincible throughout his story and then they are all of the sudden vulnerable at the end. What the Hell. Reynolds owns Hamilton with Revelations Space and I'm assuming with the sequels as well.

I actually think the last time I read a book of such far-sweeping ideas laid out so meticulously it was Dune. Many reviewers alluded to the idea that Reynolds basically plagiarzed this book. Of all the Sci-fi I've read, I've never read anything like it. The only thing that comes close to it is Stephen Baxter's Xeelee cycle, of which Revelation Space is wholly different.

Reynolds basically came up with a hypothetical scenario of why a galaxy such as the Milky Way, one that is more than adequately capable of supporting many forms of life, so devoid of life. I found his analysis, basically the history of the galaxy, thoroughly amazing. I can easily over look moderate character development when a plot is so imaginatively developed.

Many have said that the book has way too many plot threads. The book has three plot threads which are continuously developed as the book progresses. Dan Sylveste is attempting to solve the riddle of why the Amarantin race was obliterated right when they were about ascend to a spacefaring civilization. Ana Khouri is a professional assassin who lost her husband due to a mishap of relativistic space travel. Volyova is an "ultra" (modified humans basically) onboard the lighthugger 'Nostalgia For Infinity' who wants to hire Khouri to be the new Gunnery officer, though Khouri has plans of her own.

There are so many great things (Awe-inspiring things) about this book that I really don't have time to go into. The science, technology, and aliens are truly imaginitive and great additions to a story that is largely archeological, and it is great from cover to cover.

I read that many people complained about how Reynolds didn't bother describing his future. First of all, his description of Resurgam and Chasm City were more than adequate. Secondly, do we really need another Peter Hamilton to bore us with lengthy descriptions of the 10,000 worlds he created when they have nothing to do with the plot?

That said, I highly recommend picking this one up. I'll definitely continue this series and read anything Reynolds publishes.

Free SF Reader
Dan Sylveste is an archaeologist of sources investigating why a particular race of aliens became instinct.Sylveste is also the only man to encounter the strange region of space called the Shroud and survive.

Because of this, a ship full of transhumans, named the Nostalgia For Infinity, want to talk to him.

These people converge on the strange planet Yellowstone, and another character becomes involved, a martially skilled woman named Anna Khouri, who ends up being co-opted to join The Nostalgia For Infinity.

The mystery of the Amarantin is at the heart of this, and is the actual Revelation we are waiting for.

lose one star for unrealistic dialogue
Reynolds creates a wonderful universe in Revelation Space. It's a great book (as the whole series is) to get lost in. It's not easy to create such depth to the universe, but Reynolds has done so... he ought to have considering the word count of the bloody thing. So yes, it's a great book to get lost in.

However, the dialogue between characters is quite ridiculous and lengthy at times. Many, if not all, the characters were unlikable, which I enjoy a great deal. Creating characters which are easy to like to just an easy task to perform. But hating many aspects of lead and supporting characters takes dedication, to which Reynolds succeeds. Kudos to Reynolds for either his word usage or giant thesaurus, but as a crossword puzzle aficionado, his word usage stimulated me.

His plot jumping leaves one on ones heels quite often, awaiting for the story to story to the point at which it left. There are numerous cliffhangers throughout the book with mysteries that the reader can try to solve before the answers are revealed... and most the time I thought I had the answers nailed down but Reynolds always kept me on my toes and forced me to review my aspect on the scenarios. The entire plot has a significant amount of troughs and crests... like a wave function.
... Read more

Book Description
The fully updated edition of the definitive book on space planning

Completely revised to address changes in industry practice and new technologies, Space Planning Basics, Second Edition presents all the necessary tools and know-how to effectively create design programming for both small and large space planning projects.

The author's step-by-step space planning approach demonstrates how to use matrices and diagrams to fully visualize the space analysis process, including how to apply bubble diagrams and block plans for establishing a workable spatial organization. With a focus on existing structures, this comprehensive book presents material in a realistic context to create a hands-on guide that helps develop applicable skills and provides accessible information for solving day-to-day issues in the real world.

This new Second Edition features:

• Discussions of CAD options in the planning process
• A variety of new skill-developing exercises
• Illustrations that reflect current ADA compliance

Customer Reviews (4)

A thorough basic overview
The book is a very good reference to the importance of the space planning process with thoughtful exercises incorporated.It is best as a text book vs. trying to read and understand it on your own.
You must understand that it's not a code book, so some of the dimensions, etc. should be verified based on your own location.

reference book
reading it makes me feel pretty much miserable, though it is something i need, and the book is quite helpful. i just don't quite think it should be called "basics" because a lot of information there is advanced level. and it just brings the question of space planning on a sad level. there are ways to talk about there in a better perspective. but still, if you don't have any other references, this is something good to use.

Space Planning Basics
great condition and arrived very early!book is like brand new!

Good basics, flawed details
For very general understanding of Interior Design and as a study guide the NCIDQ exam this book is quite good.Be aware that as a tool for real world design solutions, it is lacking.The authors design philosophy andmethodology are terrific, but the design solutions have problems. (example:A door entering into a two stall toilet room swings into thesink area.Anyone standing at the sink will be hit by the door whenanother person enters the room.)Although, if the reader has enoughunderstanding of real world design conflicts and can spot the design errorsin this book's illustrations, then the reader has gained the skillnecessary to provide good workable design solutions.Many of theillustrtions do not comply with ADA guidlines, which is NOT necessary forpassing the NCIDQ, but essential for the workplace.North Carolina, thestate where I practice, has codified the ADA guidelines.Use this book asa study guide for NCIDQ.Be aware of design flaws.Use it at the officefor philosophy and methodlogy only.If you are studying for NCIDQ, goodluck, keep it simple, and parrot back everything that is required in yourdesign solution.Do your finished design in black ink and write notes foreverything. ... Read more

Book Description
This is an introductory text in astronautics. It contains historical background and a discussion of space missions, space environment, orbits, atmospheric entry, spacecraft design, spacecraft subsystems, and space operations. It features section reviews summarizing key concepts, terms, and equations, and is extensively illustrated with many photos, figures, and examplesSpace law, politics,and economics This is a truly user-friendly, full-color text focused on understanding concepts and practical applications but written in a down-to-earth, engaging manner that painlessly helps you understand complex topics. It is laid out with multi-color highlights for key terms and ideas, reinforced with detailed example problems, and supported by detailed section reviews summarizing key concepts, terms, and equations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Very interesting
I found this book to be very enjoyable. A great review of Calculus and linear Algebra, are available in the appendix. This book has easily understood orbital concepts and is easy to follow. Anyonewith and interest in Space technology should enjoy this book.

I had no problems reading this book.
This textbook was required for 2 of my Aeronautical Science courses in my pursuit for my Masters and I was more than happy to read it again. There is so much useful information in this text.

The author reveals the intricacies of the space environment as well as the hazards of going into space with great depth. If you are required to purchase this book; it's a keeper for reference purposes as well.

Happy reading.

Sam

On Time
It's a text book.I ordered it and it got here on time...what more could I ask for?

Excellent focus from basic to advanced Astronautics
For the course I'm taking, this text is an excellent resource.

Relating Space for the Masses!!
Mr. Jerry Jon Seller's book, "Understanding Space" is an amazing textbook about the technical aspects of space.The text is well written, the diagrams are easily understood, and the "tech-factor" for space geeks is acceptably high.It is no wonder that the United States Air Force has recommended "Understanding Space" as its baseline text concerning Technical aspects of space flight.

For those afraid of "rocket-science" level math, the book is written at a very easy level, using algebra, trigonometry, and bits of calculus covered with a whole BUNCH of physics.It is an excellent text for technical classes, and also easily readable for non-technical space classes.I've personally referenced this book in *EVERY* space-related class I've taken (4 undergrad and a *whole* bunch of graduate classes) - if you buy it, you will use it, I guarantee.

The only downside to this text lies in the fault of its users, not the author or publisher.This book was written to be the introduction to the Space Technology Library, a list covering more advanced topics in space.That said, the text is written at a high-school/undergraduate level for math and physics; yet the USAF has committed its "Certified Space Professionals" to using the text at their advanced level "Space 200" course.If you're taking (or teaching) space-related classes, understand the level of information you're needing - there *are* other space technical books (some by the same publisher) that will cover these topics in more depth (i.e. harder math and physics).
... Read more

Book Description
Mia Winchell seems to be a typical teenager, but shes keeping a huge secret from everyone who knows her: sounds, numbers, and words appear in color for her. Mia has synesthesia, the mingling of perceptions whereby a person can see sounds, smell colors, or taste shapes. When trouble in school forces Mia to reveal her condition, her friends and family cant relate to her, and she must look to herself to develop an understanding and appreciation for her gift. Spiced with wit and humor, A Mango-Shaped Space is a poignant coming-of-age novel that will intrigue readers long after theyve turned the last page. Praised by reviewers and award-winning authors alike, A Mango-Shaped Space has brought renewed attention to the fascinating world of synesthesia, which includes famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh and Serge Rachmaninoff. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (69)

Really great, really interesting
By making this a young adult/preteen book, Wendy Mass has almost written herself into a corner (but not really). Mia (the main character) has a voice that is simple and somewhat bland, which is to be expected of someone her age. That she says certain things she says, does others, and acts the way she does only works because she's an eighth grade girl. It makes the story both more realistic, but also a bit simpler and emptier, like it's been watered down. Basically, it makes the story younger and more appropriate for younger readers as well, who will relate to Mia with ease.

Other than that, though, this is an excellent book. Nobody can ignore the originality factor. In an age where many books have extremely similar subject matters, "A Mango-Shaped Space" is both intriguing and fresh. Few people know of synaesthesia's existence and while this will not be the greatest read for older readers (uninterested in the drama of fourteen year old girls), it will not only appeal to teens, but will get them interested and aware.

The characterization is also very good. I liked that everybody was really believable, from Mia's older sister and younger brother, to her parents, to her friends. It was refreshing to find that Mia was not a flawless person (she "cheats" (or, for her, cheats) on a math test). In general, the book is just so readable and the story so interesting, one can't help but get sucked in.

An intriguing story, a casual, easy read, and a really wonderful book for the aforementioned age group. Highly recommended!

Not just for kids!!!!!!!
This book is an amazing story from start to finish.I just couldn't put it down.And I'm far from a being a kid, at age 49!

Good book on a fascinating subject
Here's what I like about A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass: The plot is extremely interesting and really, for lack of a better word, new. Mass talks about a condition that most people have never even heard of and she just runs with it.

Here's what I don't like: Mass is at pains throughout the novel to make sure everyone knows her narrator is young. I also have mixed feelings about it winning an award (the Kaplan award I believe) for artistically representing life with a disability.

Here's some information so you can actually understand what I'm going on about: Okay, so the book follows thirteen-year-old Mia. Mia has synesthesia, a neurological condition that allows her to see letters and numbers in color. As the blurb on the back of the book states, Mia named her cat Mango because that is the color of his breathing. That is, you will agree, pretty cool. The action of the story starts when Mia realizes she can no longer keep her condition a secret from her friends and family because it's starting to interfere with her schoolwork. So Mia starts going to doctors and she finally meets people just like her.

So, on one level, this story is about dealing with synesthesia. But it also has a lot more going on. Mia's grandfather has recently died and, as readers will learn, Mango's place in the story is intricately tied to that of Mia's grandfather. At the end of the day, more than being about dealing with a disability (I'm not even sure I like calling synesthesia a disability) A Mango-Shaped Space is about accepting who you are and coping with the harder parts of life.

I read this book back-to-back with Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian so comparisons are inevitable. What I found really interesting is that Alexie's narrator is only a year older than Mia, but the story is clearly appropriate for teens--I'd never give it to a ten year old for instance. Mass' novel, on the other hand, could just as easily be cataloged as a Children's book rather than Young Adult (left to my own devices I think I would do just that). Why? Well, like I said, Mass makes sure we know how young Mia is. Revelations like Mia never previously sitting with a boy at lunch or attending a boy-girl party abound in the narrative--sometimes unnecessarily.

At the same time, the material is just less heavy. The tone is lighter and the characters are a little less developed so that their hurts never quite hit home. I'm not sure if this is a bad thing though--it just makes it clear, while reading, that the book could be appropriate for a younger audience.

I'd definitely give this book a look though. The prose is easy to digest and the story is really interesting. And, surprisingly, the story features a lot of characters who are just as interesting to meet as Mia (with her synesthesia)--Mia's little brother Zach is a particular favorite for this reviewer.

Awesome!
I decided to read this book when my brother talked about a friend who has this condition. It was also recommended by a good friend. I'm so glad I read it because it was awesome! It's sad and happy all at the same time.It makes me wish I could experience what she does just for one day. I highly reccommend you read it because you definately won't regret it!

Colors, colors, colors.
Mia has recently lost her grandfather.On the day of his funeral, she received a gift at the cemetery - an adorable "stray" kitten named Mango. No, he didn't have Mango colored fur, he exuded the color "Mango" from his little feline being. Mia, you see, has synesthesia, an unusual brain "abnormality" where she sees color in letters, in numbers, in names.

When we first meet Mia, she has kept her synesthesia hidden due to an unfortunate embarrassment in elementary school. Thankfully, she finally gets a name for what it is that makes her "different" and a new world begins to unfold for her.

Readers walk alongside Mia through stumbles with her closest friends, changes in her siblings, experimentation with what she learns about synesthesia.We are with Mia when she experiences yet another huge life loss... and survives.

What I gleaned, most of all, is how "normal" we all are, even in our "uniqueness".Wendy Mass writes cleanly and crisply and steers away from melodrama. She doesn't overwrite a word. I enjoyed reading this book possibly as much as my teen daughter, the owner of the book. ... Read more

Book Description
Office Space, the universally laugh-out-loud movie that pokes fun at the everyday monotony and pointlessness of modern office life, has become a cult classic among viewers. More than 5 million DVD and VHS copies of Office Space have shipped, and a new special DVD edition was just released in November of 2005. Now, for the first time ever, comes the official Office Space Kit that gives you everything you need to survive Mondays in the cubicle. The perfect gift for anyone and everyone who breaks into a sweat just thinking about their job, The Office Space Kit is for all the minions out there whose TPS reports just aren't cutting it. Includes the office accessories featured in the movie:

Milton's Red Stapler
Lumbergh's Initech Mug
"Is this Good for the Company?" Sign
Starter "Flair"
"PC Load Letter" Copy Machine Sticker
Your Very Own "Jump To Conclusions" Mat
A Humorous 32-Page Book (Complete with TPS Report Covers)
Office Space TM & c 1999, 2006 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Absolutely not worth it!
I bought this at a Barnes and Noble Book store.The box has no pictures of what's in it, or I wouldn't have gotten it.The box says it's Milton's red stapler.It is in NO WAY a full size Swingline brand stapler!It is a tot stapler, and not even Swingline brand.The mug looks like not even a second, more like a third.There's weird discolorations and bubbles all over it.The "flair" is nothing more than a black and white (cheaper to produce!) button that has the "case of the Mondays" line on it.I was terribly disappointed by the whole thing.

Lots of fun
This is meant just for laughs.If you or someone you know is a fan of the movie, this set is a whole lot of fun.Cult favorites of this movie will get a big kick out of it, my husband sure did!:-)

Brought Lots of Smiles
I had actually seen this set in Barnes & Noble once before, so I had a fairly good idea of what to expect when I ordered it.I would highly recommend this set for huge fans of "Office Space".

That being said, though, please realize that this is a Novelty gift.If you are looking for a stand-alone gift idea I don't quite think this would do it.However, if you know someone that is a big fan of the movie this would be an excellent addition to a present.My manager really liked it and laughed at every piece of the set as she took it out of the box.

If you can get this for $10 or so I would say go for it!If you are looking for a nice gift and this is your only option I would probably pass.

cheap
when i first opened the box, i was wondering where the hell the red stapler was. then i realized it was inside the mug.

yes, the red stapler is tiny. even smaller than your typical mini-stapler, i would say. and you only get one small piece of flair. the "pc load letter" sticker is also pretty small.

i like this kit for the mug, the "is this good for the company?" banner, and the "jump to conclusions" mat.

i was just looking forward to getting a cool red stapler...

Disappointing.....
I knew the red stapler was not "actual size" but wasn't concerned about it because the recipient of this gift already has the real thing.
I bought it mostly for the mug, which is cheaply made, and has an uncentered logo. The "jump to conclusions" mat arrived awkwardly folded in the box and the print is chipping off at all of the folds. The kit is also missing the starter flair.
Overall, I would skip the kit. You can probably take a photo of the logo to a specialty shop and have it printed on a quality mug.
... Read more

Book Description
The Smart Approach to Small-Space Living gives the small house or apartment dweller the design advantage with professional advice for creating a beautiful, comfortable environment. Hundreds of gorgeous photographs amply illustrate the designer tips and know-how that is explained with regard to the understanding of space and interior design. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Handy Lil' Helper
I'm a college student that struggles with trying to keep a neat and orderly apartment, and having furniture that seems to be too large for my small rooms makes it kind of hard to keep a clean and organized appearance. I didn't know they made books on the subject of decorating and organizing small houses and apartments, until my best friend passed along this awesome book. Remember how I mentioned I had big furniture? Well it seems to work right with my small rooms now just by some juxtapositions of the furniture and simple modifications of the room. I didn't fully understand how the color of the walls could really change the appearance of a room's size, along with the patterns, lighting, and accents. Well now that my apartment looks cool and is highly functional, all I have to do is find a way to STAY organized. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Who doesn't love a good argument? When physics heavyweights Stephen W. Hawking and Roger Penrose delivered three sets of back-and-forth lectures capped by a final debate at Cambridge's Isaac Newton Institute, the course of modern cosmological thinking was at stake. As it happens, The Nature of Space and Time, which collects these remarks, suggests that little has changed from the days when Einstein challenged Bohr by refusing to believe that God plays dice. The math is more abstruse, the arguments more refined, but the argument still hinges on whether our physical theories should be expected to model reality or merely predict measurements.

Hawking, clever and playful as usual, sides with Bohr and the Copenhagen interpretation and builds a strong case for quantum gravity. Penrose, inevitably a bit dry in comparison, shares Einstein's horror at such intuition-blasting thought experiments as Schrödinger's long-suffering cat--and scores just as many points for general relativity. The math is tough going for lay readers, but a few leaps of faith will carry them through to some deeply thought-provoking rhetoric. Though no questions find final answers in The Nature of Space and Time, the quality of discourse should be enough to satisfy the scientifically curious.--Rob LightnerBook Description

Einstein said that the most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible. But was he right? Can the quantum theory of fields and Einstein's general theory of relativity, the two most accurate and successful theories in all of physics, be united in a single quantum theory of gravity? Can quantum and cosmos ever be combined? On this issue, two of the world's most famous physicists--Stephen Hawking (A Brief History of Time) and Roger Penrose (The Emperor's New Mind and Shadows of the Mind)--disagree. Here they explain their positions in a work based on six lectures with a final debate, all originally presented at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences at the University of Cambridge.

How could quantum gravity, a theory that could explain the earlier moments of the big bang and the physics of the enigmatic objects known as black holes, be constructed? Why does our patch of the universe look just as Einstein predicted, with no hint of quantum effects in sight? What strange quantum processes can cause black holes to evaporate, and what happens to all the information that they swallow? Why does time go forward, not backward?

In this book, the two opponents touch on all these questions. Penrose, like Einstein, refuses to believe that quantum mechanics is a final theory. Hawking thinks otherwise, and argues that general relativity simply cannot account for how the universe began. Only a quantum theory of gravity, coupled with the no-boundary hypothesis, can ever hope to explain adequately what little we can observe about our universe. Penrose, playing the realist to Hawking's positivist, thinks that the universe is unbounded and will expand forever. The universe can be understood, he argues, in terms of the geometry of light cones, the compression and distortion of spacetime, and by the use of twistor theory. With the final debate, the reader will come to realize how much Hawking and Penrose diverge in their opinions of the ultimate quest to combine quantum mechanics and relativity, and how differently they have tried to comprehend the incomprehensible.

Customer Reviews (9)

Sweet
The complexity of space and time easily transcribed, though a more laymens terms kind of explaination would have been more interesting.

Fascinating, yet complex.
I found this to be a fascinating overview of some of the major issues in cosmology from both Hawking and Penroses point of view.What is amazing is the actual level of agreement between the two.Perhaps only the real physicists appreciate the nuances of their differences of opinion.

I would recommend this book for anyone who's gone to the trouble of picking up a basic understanding of relativity ( special and/or general ).

The math is not terrbily daunting in most places and you get a real overview for the big picture of the state of relativity and quantum gravity.

Requires understanding of physics
To really appreciate this book requires an understanding of physics.Not the superficial stuff where you still believe that Newton was right, but Quantum Mechanics, Topology, and General Relativity.

For some guys
The subject and the contents of this book is very interesting. However, you have to know quite a lot mathematics .....
Far above my level!

A debate between two strong personalities in physics
The current understanding of the physical structure of the universe is bipolar. There is Einstein's theory of relativity, which explains the macroscopic behavior of the universe to many places to the right of the decimal point. At the other end of the size spectrum, there is the quantum theory of fields, which explains the observed behavior of fundamental particles to many places to the right of the decimal point. Although one should always be very reluctant to state such a position, the resolution of this bipolar state into a unified one may be the last, great discovery of physics.
The purpose of this book is to present a debate between Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose concerning the possibility of the issue being resolved, and in what manner. It is a series of six short lectures, three from each man and ends with a brief debate between them. These lectures are not for the general audience, as each lecturer assumes a fundamental understanding of general relativity and quantum theory. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of explanation, including diagrams, in the lectures. Therefore, it is possible to understand the material if you have a basic understanding of the two main topics. Without that, don't bother opening the book.
Of course, the issue is not resolved, as that must wait for a later date. It is interesting that Hawking tends to emphasize the points of difference, while Penrose goes to some length to describe how similar their positions are. Penrose continues with the position of Albert Einstein, in that he argues that quantum mechanics is not a final theory, but only the "gross" appearance of much subtler events. Hawking believes otherwise, arguing that the probabilistic features of quantum mechanics is the way nature does things, and there is no underlying mechanism yet to be discovered that will remove them.
The arguments are strong, yet unconvincing. Not due to their lack of power, but because they are made by two equally strong and forceful personalities. When two such powers collide, there is rarely resolution. Nevertheless, the debate sheds a great deal of light on the current state of thinking in physics, and points out some ways in which it may be resolved. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Karen Kingston knew she was on to something when people began to invite her to their homes. She helped them with "Space Clearing," which is to say that she helped them clear bad energy from their homes and create space for good energy. Over the years, she has refined her techniques and enhanced them with borrowings from other cultures. In Creating Sacred Space with Feng Shui, Kingston shows you how to draw on the spirituality of Bali and Chinese Feng Shui. With the view that one's home is a "magical manifesting machine," she describes how to consecrate space, how to use Feng Shui cures and enhancements, how to eliminate clutter, and how to Space Clear for yourself by engaging physically with the energy of your home. If the personal transformations that Kingston describes are any indication, Space Clearing will create new vistas for the renewal and revitalization of any home.Book Description
Feng Shui is the ancient oriental art of enhancing and harmonizing the flow of energy in your surroundings.  Over the last twenty years, Karen Kingston has pioneered the study of a specialized branch of Feng Shui called Space Clearing. In this fascinating and easy-to-follow guide she shows how you can use Space Clearing and other principles of Feng Shui to enhance the flow of energy in your home or workplace and so create happiness and abundance in every area of your life.  

You will learn how to:
Clear "stuck" energy and create sacred space
Consecrate your home
Create a clutter-free environment and simplify your life
Safeguard yourself against electromagnetic and geopathic stress
Place furniture, mirrors, wind chimes, and other Feng Shui enhancements to create balance and harmony ... Read more

Customer Reviews (41)

Book was not focused
I was excited to read my new book and learn about the topic of Feng Shui; but I was disappointed in the extra information that was not central to the point of the book. I understand that it is important to give backround on some issues, but the book did not hold my attention, since it kept giving details that distracted from the focus of the topic.

Interesting Book
I'm not sure this is real feng shui, but it was really interesting to read. I like the author's new age mentality, but I also think she is trying to toot her own horn which is annoying.

Karen Kingston 1
I can't put it down. This book is a great guide to those who need help clearning the clutter and making your house a home!

great
Really liked this book on how to reduce the clutter! A great beginner book to feng shui and the basic principles of getting rid of clutter for better energy movement.

Great guidline into clearing your own spaces
Just wonderful, practical and easy to follow.
I did the practice and enjoyed it very much, and experienced some surprises
I recommend it ... Read more

Book Description
Journey Through Space takes young readers on a journey through the Star Wars Galaxy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The geography of Star Wars
The release of Star Wars books for young people has always been related to a theatrical promotion. In a world that has a seen all six films, a new wave of DK Readers is much appreciated. It gives us comfort that even though the movies are finished, the Star Wars experience isn't completely 'done.' "Journey Through Space" isn't actually about space travel. It's about the places one can travel to in the Star Wars universe. It offers a tour of the major planets of the saga. The tour includes visits to the most obvious planets like Corusant, Naboo, and Tatooine. In addition, the books takes the reader to Geonosis, Dagobah and Kashyyyk. The scope is actually broader than planets per se since it includes the forested moons of Endor and Yavin 4. Most locations include a text box that shares a tid-bit of Star Wars trivia. The scope includes the entire saga. The illustrations were mostly lifted from all six films with some additional stills from the Lucas archives. While the pictures are high quality, the writing is also good. This new series has books for most levels of elementary readers. Given that most destinations earn a two page spread with about three sentences, this title is best suited to readers on a second grade level. "Journey Through Space" offers an exciting bibilographic tour of the galaxy's most interesting places. ... Read more

Amazon.com
What's cooler than outer space? Kids and adults alike will enthusiastically assert that astronauts, space ships, and rocket science are some of the most fascinating subjects on (or rather, off) earth. Space Exploration, a stellar addition to Dorling Kindersley's Eyewitness Books series, does this immensely popular topic justice. Learn why astronauts take passports into space! Discover the perplexing mechanics of using a toilet while weightless! View a model of the first planned space station! Kids can also read up on subjects like the space race, moon landings, astronaut fashion, dangers and disasters, and science in space. Abundant full-color photos of everything from dogs in spacesuits to views from satellites complete this zero-gravity exploration, and ensure that if your children weren't already space-obsessed, there will be no turning back now. (Ages 9 to 12)Book Description
New Look! Relaunched with new jackets and 8 pages of new text!

Here is a spectacular and informative guide to the mysteries beyond Earth and its atmosphere. Original photography of spacecraft - both before and after traveling in space - and pictures of astronauts and their equipment offer a unique "eyewitness" view of the history of Space exploration and the daily life of astronauts.See an astronaut repairing an orbiting spacecraft from the outside, the first person on the Moon, fantastic photographs of Neptune, the farthest planet from Earth, and the satellite tracking device that shows how red deer live.Learn how satellites in Space help us to forecast the weather, about the first birth in Space, and how an astronaut's body is effected on reentering the Earth's atmosphere.Discover how a special sleeping bag helps astronauts to sleep in weightless conditions, how machines used on Earth were developed from material originally used in Space, the Large Space Simulator and how it is used to test spacecraft, and much, much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A mini-museum about space exploration in an illustrated book
Since President Bush declared his intention to have the United States go back to the Moon, establish a permanent base, and go to Mars, space exploration is in the news again.When I first started going to school my father was stationed in Florida and we would get out of class to go outside and watch the Mercury flights take off, so I remember when space exploration was an exciting idea and when the entire planet watched the first landing on the moon.But then I also remember when we stopped going to the moon and the only time we really paid attention to space missions was when a shuttle was destroyed.

This volume on "Space Exploration" for the Eyewitness Books series covers the entire history of these efforts, going back to the dreams of space from ancient sky watching to the speculative writings of science fiction.After explaining what is "space," Carole Stott establishes the idea of people from around the world being involved in the exploration of space, symbolized by Apollo 18 docked to Soyuz 19.The historical survey begins with the first rocket scientists, the idea of the reusable rocket, and the space race, with its early space travelers, and the landing of humans on the moon.The next major section talks about how to become an astronaut, what they wear, how they live and work in space.Sections are devoted to the danger and disasters of space exploration, space stations, and the various satellites and probes that have been sent off into space. The final units look at the future in space, how space technology has been used on Earth, and what lies ahead.Of course, that last bit needs to be updated now, but you have to expect new plans would pop up for the 21st century.

As always this is a book where the photographs are so impressive that you often forget there is some text for each of these two-page spreads.However, a lot of the information is to be found in the captions for all those photographs.The end result is a lot of breadth, which sacrifices depth, but that is the same effect you would get if you were at a museum getting to see all of these things in person. Of course, no museum on Earth (or in space) has all of these items, which range from the patch worn by the first Mongolian in space to toys from McDonalds that encourage youth interest in space.Do not be surprised when young readers get excited by seeing how astronauts sleep and drink Coke in space.

This book is full of information.
"Eyewitness Space Exploration" Tells about space and its many factors. I recommened this book for those who a really in to space (rockets, going to the moon, that kind of thing.)

Eyewitness Space Exploration
The Eyewitness Space Exploration is a good book.Did you ever wonder how it would be to be an astronaut?Or how long to train for the journey?To find out these answers, read this book.

A nice book.
This book was fine, and tells all the rockets and rocket launches, space shuttles, the landing on the moon and a whole lot more stuff. I would have gave this book 3 and a half stars if I could but since you can't use halfstars on Amazon.com I decided to use 4 stars. ... Read more

Book Description
Open Space Technology: A User's Guide is just what the name implies: a hands-on, detailed description of facilitating Open Space Technology (OST). Written by the originator of the method - an effective, economical, fast, and easily-repeatable strategy for organizing meetings of between 5 and 1,000 participants - this is the first book to document the rationale, procedures, and requirements of OST. OST enables self-organizing groups of all sizes to deal with hugely complex issues in a very short period of time. This practical, step-by-step user's guide details what needs to be done before, during, and after an Open Space event. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Useful handbook of a counterintuitive approach
Open Space Technology is nearly identical to the "unconference" approach to workshop and event planning that's currently fashionable (see "Foo Camp" or "Bar Camp" or many other geek-oriented "camps). Basically, abandon a traditional agenda and force the workshop participants to self-organize a schedule, goals, and work. It's profoundly counter-intuitive, everyone assumes that a strict plan is necessary...but it turns out to work. People really enjoy participating in an event where their opinions matter, and where everyone's responsible for raising issues they find important.

This book can come across as annoyingly new agey and dippy at times (I see someone's tagged it "embracing group genius" here on Amazon...your mileage may vary a bit from that). It's probably more helpful in getting you the facilitator into the right mindset, and encouraging you not to fall back on the crutches of detailed schedules or keynote speakers. It's pretty dated when it talks about using computers in your event, but that doesn't really matter.

Bible of Open Space
This is a very good hand-book for open space newcomers.Easy to understand and easy to read.I strongly suggest this book for anybody who want to start learning open space technology

One of the most valuable books in the world
As Brookings revealed in 2000, most of the world's 10000 biggest organisations don't yet have the measures to govern the vast majority of value now produced in services and knowledge businesses because as our networking age blossoms value dynamics are mainly intangible, deeply woven into the human relationships we self-organise, not for precise planning and overpowering command and control from the top. Value multiplication is a core gravity which should be embedded in everyone's right to work, learn , behave openly.

Whilst some of those of the transparency communities interlinking at http://www.valuetrue.com open source the simplest maths of intangible systems, others have much more fun voting on what are the safest methods to protect your system from doing an Andersen or a NASA self-destruction of its greatest purpose. Open Space is voted as the number 1 method uniting transparency communities, and because of its simplicity I predict it will always be the gateway to anyone who prizes self-organising, a term which actually means making the most of everyone's time, learning and passions to make a diffeernce to our overall purpose. A very valuable book, which in my dreams would start any MBA course or any professional's training.

Open Space is now 21 years young and over 100000 experiences mature and networked by people who are both most open with their knowlhow and conscious that you learn something subly more about human relationship trust from every Open Space you particpate in. It is as near as organisations (seen as human relationship infrastructures) can get to a modern day miracle, and long may Harrison light up the open world. See his latest deep concerns with conflict resolution applications at http://www.practiceofpeace.com

a "How to" book
I recommend using open space tehcnology and/or other large scale intervention techniques to mine the collective emotional intelligence of a group of people (this may be your company, or people from an acadamic field you belong to).

This book gives you the details on HOW to organize and facilitate an open space meeting - (what kind of location you need, how to organize the room, how to use break up rooms, how to facilitate, ...).You'll also get imporatnt rules and lessons for making this technology work.In short, it's pretty good at doing this "HOW TO" part.

WARNING: If you want to know WHY it works and if you want some examples, there are 2 other books to take a look at:

- tales from Open space (Harrison Owen, Editor, 1995)

- Expanding our now (Harrison Owen, 1997)

Good luck!

Patrick E.C. Merlevede, MSc-- author of "7 Steps to Emotional Intelligence"

A Good Read!
Harrison Owen presents a hands-on, step-by-step manual for putting on an open space technology workshop. In OST workshops, participants basically set and facilitate the agenda with some guidance from a facilitator. Here, the book's examples are particularly handy. Owen suggests conference duration, agenda and techniques including how to set up a meeting, invite participants, prepare the logistics and meeting site, facilitate activities and more. While these workshops generally involve hundreds of people, you can also put on an OST event with as few as five. If you want to read gripping business philosophy, look elsewhere - this is a practical how-to manual, a task it accomplishes quite well. We [...] recommend this informative guided tour of the OST process to those who want to know how, because they already know why
... Read more

Book Description
A comprehensive handbook of all the crucial information interior designersneed to know on a daily basis.

In the world of interior design, thousands of bits of crucial information are scattered across a wide array of sources. Color, Space, and Style collects the information essential to planning and executing interiors projects of all shapes and sizes, and distills it in a format that is as easy to use as it is to carry.

• Section 1, “Fundamentals,” provides a step-by-step overview of an interiors project, describing the scope of professional services, the project schedule, and the design and presentation tools used by designers.
• Section 2, “Space” examines ways of composing rooms as spatial environments while speaking to functional and life-safety concerns.
• Section 3, “Surface”, identifies options in color, material, texture, and pattern, while addressing maintenance and performance issues.
• Section 4, “Environments,” looks at aspects of interior design that help create a specific mood or character, such as natural and artificial lighting, sound and smell.
• Section 5, “Elements,” describes the selection and specification of furniture and fixtures, as well as other components essential to an interior environment, such as artwork and accessories.
• Lastly, section 6, “Resources,” gathers a wealth of useful data, from sustainability guidelines to online sources for interiors-related research.

Customer Reviews (1)

Brilliant and a must have for anyone in a design career
Color, Space and Style is a plethora of useful information, tips of the trade, ideas, and resources at your fingertips.

The content is easy to read and understand with well thought out categories.

Full color pages outline the design process from start to finish.

It is obvious a great deal of energy, time and effort went into its creation.A must read for anyone interested in interior design and design related fields, in fact would be an excellent tool in a teaching environment.

Bravo!

... Read more

Amaz