Customer Reviews (2)

Sophia, Sophia...
Florensky was one of Russia's greatest theologians, certainly of the past century. Prior to Russian Orthodoxy's 'frozen period' during the Soviet regime, Florensky thought was beginning to be known and studied, partly due to the twelve letters (reprinted here in English as 'The Pillar and Ground of the Truth') published first in 1914, as World War I threatened and the downfall of the Czarist regime was soon upon them.

Florensky was actually from the little republics south of Russia, having been born in Azerbaijan and growing up in Georgia. He studied mathematics and philosophy at the University of Moscow, and this mathematical and logical sensibility extends throughout his theological development. In the introduction, Gustafson shows the influence of the Russian Symbolist movement, with its appreciation of classical and medieval society, renewed interest and language, and mystical attributes upon Florensky.

The flow of this book, however, is not a systematic theological text as much as a series of letters written to a brother or friend (who can be understood most likely as Christ). It demonstrates artistic and poetic sensibilities. There is also a liturgical sense about it, given that Florensky had monastic leanings. 'The Pillar and Ground of the Truth' draws significantly on patristics and liturgical resources.

Gustafson identifies several controlling ideas for 'The Pillar and Ground of the Truth'. The first is epistemological, developed with Florensky's exacting and precise symbolic logic and mathematical skill. In particular, his idea of consubstantiality is very interesting. The second controlling idea is moral, looking at human interrelationships, and the relationship between God and humanity, which includes a fascinating idea of friendship. The third idea is ontological.

Florensky develops the idea of Sophia as being a fourth hypostasis, challenging traditional trinitarian views (of three hypostases). But for Forensky, the Sophia is more of an ontological reality than a person, more of a meaning and reason than an actual entity, so perhaps the orthodoxy recovers somewhat there.

This edition finds many mathematical, scholastic philosophical, and logical appendicies attached, including discourses on concepts of infinity and mathematical irrationality, Lewis Carroll, and even some bits on anatomy and physiology.

This is not light reading by any means, but for the dedicated theologian, it is worthwhile.

St Paul Florensky
St Paul's martydom might not quite vindicate all his speculative theology... but somehow, in spite of everything, he was still a man of the church, something which can't be said for most of his sophiological colleagues, or for any of his ideological descendants. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - General   2. General   3. Natural Theology   4. Religion   5. Religious   6. Theodicy   7. Theology - Academic   8. European History   9. Mind, Body, Spirit   10. Philosophy   11. Philosophy / Religious   

Customer Reviews (8)

Crucial Work Dealing With Soviet State Security Operations
Sudoplatov ran the NKVD's Administration for Special Tasks, which carried out some of the Soviet Union's darkest operations --- assassination, kidnapping, murder, and frequently, terrorism (the author's own words, no less). Sudoplatov also directed undercover and partisan operations behind German lines during WWII. Later he supervised all atomic espionage operations against the US and Britain after the war.
Still a Stalinist at heart, Sudoplatov offers few regrets for a career filled with death up close and personal. One of his first solo operations entailed infiltrating a Ukrainian nationalist group. After befriending one it's leaders for the better part of a year, he dispatched him in Rotterdam with a box of chocolates loaded with explosives. Later, he went on to supervise large roving killer squads himself, such as the team that assassinated Trotsky outside Mexico City in 1940.
The book is filled with surreal scenes, such as in the "Komandatura" in the Lyubianka, where prisoners were executed. One section was outfitted more as a hotel than a prison. But as prisoners were given a "routine" medical examination, they were administered a lethal injection, then quickly cremated. Sudoplatov, himself arrested on bogus charges after Beria'a arrest, describes receiving not one, but two spinal taps while pretending to be catatonic (so as to avoid interrogation). His simple, direct language in describing these kinds of sequences is chilling.
More than a few of the author's historical claims are either suspect or simply false based on information long available elswhere. For instance, his assertion that Stalin was not involved in the murder of Leningrad Party leader Sergei Kirov can't be taken seriously. He also offers suspect versions concerning the demise of various defectors and other Soviet "enemies" such as Agabekov and Krivitsky. In other cases he seems to want to have it both ways. He admits Alger Hiss was a paid Soviet agent -- but before WWII, not when he was actually accused.
Regardless, these sorts of flaws can be overlooked. This work is critical for an understanding of the mentality behind of some of the Soviet Union's most notorious policies, actions, and crimes.

Essential
This book is ESSENTIAL to understand Power in the former Soviet Union. It's almost the history of the first decades of the soviet intelligence services written in a reasonably detailled manner. It's revealing on the nature of Power under Stalin rule. I also recommend the Portuguese translation (if you happen to speak Portuguese) since it was very carefully done. If you study this subject in particular get every translation you are able to read! Great book!

Interesting Work
This book was an interesting look at the KGB during the first part of the cold war. I think we all have a view of the KGB, which was formed during the years of the cold war, a large, well run organization that many times was one step ahead of the U.S. This author does not go against that view. The author is relating his experiences in the arm of the KGB that was responsible for information gathering, primarily against the U.S. and NATO. There are some interesting bits and you get a good look that this authors insight to "the game". This book details what actually happened in the KGB during this time with an inside account of the methods of the KGB and a run down of some of the missions they took part in.

The author does a good job in providing the reader with many of the interesting tradecraft bit about the KGB. Overall this is an interesting book that gives the espionage junky an another look into the KGB. The book is well written and does not drag or stumble. It keeps the readers interest through out. If you are an armchair expert on the topic then this is another of the titles you will undoubtedly already have or will need to pick up. If you are the general reader then this is a good broad description of the KGB that is interesting, but not the definitive one volume work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century   2. Biography   3. Biography / Autobiography   4. Biography/Autobiography   5. Espionage, Soviet   6. Historical   7. History   8. Intelligence Agencies   9. Intelligence officers   10. Soviet Union   11. Spies   12. Sudoplatov, Pavel   

Customer Reviews (2)

EUROPEAN FAN LIKES IT
You know i really liked this book just because of that its nice to see great european players past and present in this book. unlike other books where it's just nhl players, this book has both nhl players and european players included. As a international hockey historian i really enjoyed it. gretzky-kharlamov-nedomansky-salming and many other great players are in this book. the price is my only problem with the book, it cost some bucks.

Do not waste your money
I read this book because I had to: I was reviewing it for The Edmonton Journal. My conclusion is simple and straightforward: while beautiful, this book is so filled with glaring mistakes, howlers and omissions, its authors and editors should be ashamed of themselves. In fact, if it were possible, I would give this volume no stars at all: the first thing a book on history must have is its facts right. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography   2. History   3. Hockey   4. Hockey - General   5. Hockey players   6. Sports   7. Sports & Recreation   

"The crunch belongs on the junk pile of history next to communism!"

Customer Reviews (12)

The best book on abs that I've read so far
Pavel does a good job of explaining the different factors that play in when you exercise your abs. Though I've been an ab exercise addict for years, I found a lot of new knowledge in this book, and not the least a host of exercises that can give me the stimulation crunches can't.

On the downside, he does have too many illustrations - and yet too few! The full contact twist, for instance, would have benefited from a series of small pictures showing the stages of the movement. But the pictures were too many in the sense that they crowded out the text. The Janda sit-up, for instance, deserved more of an explanation and technique description than Pavel gave it. It is a very difficult exercise to get right on your own, so a little list of 'signs that you do it wrong' and a how-to of correct technique would have been very welcome.

All in all, I recommend the book, despite a somewhat steep price. But I still wish for more.

Fantastic Book
This is an awesome book. There is a related video that makes many of the exercises even more clear.

I have found that combining many of these exercises with the overall program listed in The Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Fitness by Stewart Smith is a winning combination. Mr. Tsatsouline's exercises are more efficient and when worked into the overall program in Mr. Smiths book produce great results.

I have a better solution for you.
First, let me say that this is a good book, BUT, it is too expensive. A better solution is to buy the video version (same title)which costs only $29.95! I also recommend the video because some of the exercises are harder to visualize by reading the book where as the video does a better job at explaining the movements. Keep in mind the following points though; 1. These exercises are more advanced than many other regular abdominal exercises. 2. There is only about 30 minutes of info on the video... half of it spent on an exercise called the Junda situp. 3. I do not agree with the author slamming other conventional abdominal exercises such as the regular crunches: even though his exercises may have advanced benefits, many strong mid-sections were built with regular exercises.

My final point is... if you have to have this info, buy the video and skip the book... use the extra $5.00 (or so) to go to a nice movie. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness   2. Abdomen   3. Health & Fitness   4. Sports & Recreation   5. Muscles   

Customer Reviews (1)

Why can't I remember
This book is very informative and helpful, telling me things i never heard before about memory and how it is affected by stuff we use daily - not just medical/chemical but household stuff as well. Main problem in my opinion is the extremely technical language which is not geared to the average layperson who might not be involved in a medical setting. Overall, a very informative manual. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Memory   2. Memory disorders   3. Personal Growth - Memory Improvement   4. Popular works   5. Psychology   6. Self-Help   

Customer Reviews (3)

Highly detailed material
This is an amazing book about the history, design, strategies and current state of the Russian nuclear forces. There was not a single detail I didn't found in this fascinating material. The chapter about the process for veryfing an incoming attack and launching a response is really good.

Very technical, but a treasure trove of accurate information
This is not an easy-reading book, but if you desire to know the smaller details of the history, development, design, construction, and strategy of the Soviet and current Russian strategic forces, without conjecture and without fluff, this is your book. If you can or wish to coherently discourse on the design differences between the Soviet R-36 and R-36M2 second stage and other such details, this one's for you. Highly recommended.

Comprehensive and Absolutely Authoritative
Today, Russia's nuclear forces remain the single greatest danger to the security and survival of the United States. However, because of ten years of Russian economic difficulties, too many in Government and the Western public pay far too little attention.

This book represents the best understanding of Russia's strategic forces available outside the Russian military. You can be sure that the people who really want to understand Russia's nuclear complex and their strategic rocket forces have a copy of this book. This is particularly remarkable since the contributors, all Russians, to this comprehensive overview have based their solid analysis solely on publicly available information--publicly available but dispersed over a wide variety of sources--and then used their scientific understanding to present in a thoughtful, authoritative, and most of all useful account.

Open the book to almost any page and you will find useful and important information. For instance, chapter eight presents a table of Russian nuclear tests, including the test's primary goal. This is the only such compellation I have seen and far exceeds similar lists for the United States. Right away you can see that the Soviet Union used significantly fewer tests on making sure their nuclear weapons would not explode accidentally than did the United States. Does that mean their weapons represent a significantly greater risk of accidental nuclear detonation? An interesting question to ponder.

The story behind the book would, perhaps, make even more thrilling reading. While based on information that the Russian government itself made public, recent years have seen an unjustified persecution of the book's authors by the Russian Federal Security Bureau, the successor to the KGB. In fact, one of the contributors is in under arrest (for other work he did) and all the unsold Russian language editions of this book have been confiscated by the Russian government.

Readers in both Russia and the United States who are seriously concerned about nuclear war and peace should read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americas (North Central South West Indies)   2. General   3. International Relations - General   4. Military Science   5. Political Science   6. Politics - Current Events   7. Politics/International Relations   8. History / Americas (North, Central, South, West Indies)   

Customer Reviews (2)

looking
Cezanne's influence on Cubism and later abstract styles can make the viewer forget just how important looking at his native landscape was to the painter. This wonderful book helps us see the fascinating ways Cezanne succeeded in "realizing his sensations" in front of nature and landscape. A book to return to again and again.

A GREAT BOOK
This is by far one of the best books I have ever read and had. Machotka details Cezanne in a great way. I was never a great fan of Cezanne before purchasing this book, now I'm a devoted fan! Cezanne would be proud to have someone like Machotka writing about his work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1839-1906   2. 19th century   3. Art   4. Art & Art Instruction   5. Cezanne, Paul,   6. Collections Of Photographs   7. Criticism and interpretation   8. France   9. History - General   10. Impressionism (Art)   11. Individual Artist   12. Individual Painters - 19th Century   13. Landscape in art   14. Landscape painting, French   15. Cézanne, Paul   

Subjects:  1. Genres & Styles - Classical   2. Music   3. Musical Instruments - Piano   4. Reference   5. Songbooks - Orchestral   

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

Subjects:  1. Academic writing   2. Methodology   3. Reference   4. Research   5. Research & Methodology   6. Science   7. Social sciences   

Subjects:  1. (Pavel)   2. 1985-1991   3. Biography   4. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union   5. Foreign Relations   6. Historical - General   7. History   8. History: World   9. International Relations - General   10. Palazhchenko, P   11. Politics - Current Events   12. Soviet Union   13. Translators   14. Friends and associates   15. Gorbachev, Mikhail Sergeevich   16. Shevardnadze, Eduard Amvrosievich   

Customer Reviews (2)

Lots to learn...
These articles are great. Fills the ubiquitous need to retract the gap between then conceptual and rigorous framework of the subjects.

Physicists interested in the mathematical aspects of quantum field/string theory would do well to read these volumes as well.

Deserving, in my opinion, more than 5 stars -- many more!!

Definitely for mathematicians only
This book is an excellent compliation of articles written for mathematicians who want to understand quantum field theory. It is not surprising then that the articles are very formal and there is no attempt to give any physical intuition to the subject of quantum field theory. This does not mean however that aspiring physicists who want to specialize in quantum field theory should ont take a look at the contents. The two volumes are worth reading, even if every article cannot be read because of time constraints. All of the articles are written by the some of the major players in the mathematics of quantum field theory. Volume 1 starts off with a glossary of the terms used by physicists in quantum field theory and is nicely written. The next few hundred pages are devoted to supersymmetry and supermanifolds. A very abstract approach is given to these areas, with the emphasis not on computation but on the structure of supermanifolds as they would be studied mathematically. There is an article on classical field theory put in these pages, which is written by Pierre Deligne and Daniel Freed, and discussed in the framework of fiber bundles. The discussion of topological terms in the classical Lagrangian is especially well written. There is an introduction to smooth Deligne cohomology in this article, and this is nice because of the difficulty in finding understandable literature on this subject. Part Two of Volume 1 is devoted to the formal mathematical aspects of quantum field theory. After a short introduction to canonical quantization, the Wightman approach is discussed in an article by David Kazhdan. Most refreshing is that statement of Kazhdan that the Wightman approach does not work for gauge field theories. This article is packed with interesting insights, especially the section on scattering theory, wherein Kazdan explains how the constructions in scattering theory have no finite dimensional analogs. The article by Witten on the Dirac operator in finite dimensions is fascinating and a good introduction to how powerful concepts from quantum field theory can be used to prove important results in mathematics. A fairly large collection of problems (with solutions) ends Volume 1. The first part of Volume 2 is devoted entirely to the mathematics of string theory and conformal field theory. The article by D'Hoker stands out as one that is especially readable and informative. D. Gaitsgory has a well written article on vertex algebras and defines in a very rigorous manner the constructions that occur in the subject. The last part of Volume 2 discusses the dynamics of quantum field theory and uses as much mathematical rigor as possible. One gets the impression that it this is the area where it is most difficult to proceed in an entirely rigorous way. Path integrals, not yet defined mathematically and used throughout the discussion. The best article in Volume 2, indeed of the entire two volumes is the one on N = 2 Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions. It is here that the most fascinating constructions in all of mathematics find their place. These two volumes are definitely worth having on one's shelf, and the price is very reasonable considering the expertise of the authors and considering what one will take away after reading them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General   2. Mathematics   3. Science/Mathematics   4. Waves & Wave Mechanics   

Customer Reviews (1)

wonderful
This was a wonderful, spectacular book with beautiful illustrations and a wonderful message. with simplistic yet poetic words and a perfect theme, you cant go wrong with this book. Definitely one of the first books I will expose my children to. It depicts beauty, exposes the horrors of violence, and shows children how they can be leaders. Truly an amazing book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction   2. General   3. Human behavior   4. Interpersonal Relations   5. Kindness   6. Sociology   

Customer Reviews (17)

Historical, gripping, spine-chilling
I bought this book to get away from the normal stuff that I read. Good choice, as it is both historical gives one a glimpse of the days of German-occupied city of Prague during the twilight of World War II. The story opens with the gruesome murder of Baroness of Pomerania, the widow of a German Wehrmacht general, by a serial killer. The coroner's report determines that the victim did not resist and was not raped. Mysteriously, her heart was removed and vanished with the killer.

The mismatched pair of Jan Morava, a Czech detective, and Erwin Buback, a Gestapo agent who is questioning his loyalty to the Nazis, set out to track down the killer before he can strike again. But as Morava and Buback follow the killer's bloody trail through Prague, it becomes clear that he is not a political radical or a wartime dissident but a tormented psychopath.

In the final days of the Third Reich, as the war proceeds to its gruesome end, the narrative sinuously shifts perspectives, taking us deep into the emotional maelstrom of each of the characters: young Morava, struggling to find love and approval in a war-torn city; the disillusioned Buback, haunted by the ghosts of his beloved wife and daughter; and the tormented killer, sent on a bloody rampage to please "her whom he obeys."

As the story comes to the end, it grips you yearning the know what will happen next. A gripping tale of human struggle under a thrilling murder, Pavel Kohout creation of a memorable work of fiction, as one of the last important novels from one the war's direct eyewitnesses.

Highly recommeded, text refers to hardcover edition.

This is an engrossing, intelligent historical thriller.
Combining historical accuracy and vivid storytelling through the eyes of three disparate characters, THE WIDOW KILLER is an extraordinary read. Set during the final months of the Nazi occupation of Prague, THE WIDOW KILLER follows a naive Czech detective who must partner with an experienced Gestapo agent. Together, they track a serial killer as he butchers widows throughout the city. But as the Nazi regime crumbles and the Prague uprising begins in May 1945, the power hierarchy crumbles and both men are forced to carefully examine their own patriotism and courage ... and, in the case of the Gestapo agent, his willingness to accept moral responsibility for the actions of his fatherland, and for the Nazi Reich to which he once proudly pledged allegiance. Author Pavel Kohout has written a suspenseful mystery, an intriguing exploration of wartime morality, and a compelling historical account of Prague during the last months of the Second World War. Both main characters are flawed and complicated; they suffer not only for their own decisions but for the larger historical context in which they find themselves. The story's elements of nationalism, sexual passion, accountability and professional ambition remain universal and important. The translation, despite a clumsy word choice here and there, serves the story well; I was moved by Kohout's obvious passion for this era in Czechoslovakia's history, and by his skill in evoking both its widely-known events and the nuanced conflicts of the occupiers and the occupied. Highly recommended.

A very good read, with excitement and intelligence
Kohout's novel works on two levels. First, it's an excellent, gripping, historical murder mystery. The characters are well-rounded and interesting, the killer mysterious and frigtening, and the plot taught and fast-moving. Second, it's a thoughtful examination of issues of loyalty and personal morality, revolving primarily around the efforts of a Gestapo officer and a local, partisan Czech police detective to cooperate in capturing a sociopath while balancing their respective commitments to their own consciences, and their loyalties to their own countries, as the Reich falls around them.
A very good read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction   2. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller   3. Mystery & Detective - General   4. Mystery fiction   5. Prague (Czech Republic)   6. Serial murderers   7. Slavic Literature   8. Suspense   9. World War, 1939-1945   

Subjects:  1. Christianity - General   2. Christianity and art   3. Cult   4. Eastern Christian Churches   5. Iconography (Fine Arts)   6. Icons   7. Orthodox Eastern Church   8. Religion   9. Religion - Church History   10. Russkaia pravoslavnaia t   11. Florenskii, P. A   

Customer Reviews (1)

A great intro to quantum groups
This book is a very clear and self-contained introduction to quantum groups and related objects. The book begins with a very well-written introduction via quasiclassical objects, which makes the theory of quantum groups seem very natural from the outset. The book is especially useful in that it provides a solid explanation of the theorem on existence of quantizations of Lie bialgebras, by one of the discoverers of the result (Etingof)! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art   2. Art & Art Instruction   3. Exhibition Catalogs   4. Individual Artist   5. Jetelová, Magdalena   

Customer Reviews (3)

Magnetometer Reference
This book in including everything has no meat about anything. References are presented in lieu of in depth analysis. A good starting point and a wealth of references.

Magnetometer reference text
Ripka has written the best and most comprehensive book, to date, on Magnetic field sensing. We are a manufacturer of leading edge fluxgate magnetometers and I consider this required reading for our new engineers. A "must have" for the reference library of any engineer working in the field of magnetic instrumentation.

Bill Billingsley, Billingsley Magnetics Brookeville, Maryland

MagBible for MagMan
There are many books and publications on magnetometers and their applications. Each book is written about miracles of the one method of magnetic field measurement. The book about all for the first time has appeared! I think the experts will be convinced that his method is the best. The fans can compare and choose the best. This book will handbook for everyone who distinguishes Mag and Mag. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Detectors   2. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic   3. Engineering Instruments   4. Industrial Design - General   5. Magnetic instruments   6. Magnetometer   7. Mensuration   8. Optics   9. Science/Mathematics   10. Technology   11. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Subjects:  1. Aesthetics   2. Christianity - Theology - General   3. Philosophy   4. Religion