This text details nearly everything one need to know for a basic understanding of radiation effects on electronic components and systems. Lots of very useful tables and graphs that are needed nearly daily by the radiation experts as well as the beginners in the field. Andy & Len have done a great job putting all this information in a very understandable format. A must reference/test for everyone in the Space Radiation business. Dr. Michael K. Gauthier, ICS RADIATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

I love books, and this is one of the few I have read and re-read many times. I stumbled across "Happiness Without Death" at a seminar three years ago, drawn by its unusual title. Once I read two of Assad Ali's poems, I was hooked.

Each of the poems in this volume was inspired by a surah (book) of the Qur'an, and each poem gives a rare glance into the type of deep worship that many people crave these days, though they don't realize it. Ali blends his utter devotion to God with his finely honed intellect and his ability to listen so deeply that his heart transcends ordinary reality. The resulting prayers/poems calm me when I'm crabby, pep me up when I awaken still tired from not enough sleep, and have inspired many of my own poems and essays.

If you want contemporary freeform verse that captures the essence of the Essence, this is it. As an added gift, the last portion of this volume contains fresh translations of the first thirty chapters of the Qur'an as they were revealed to the prophet Muhammad, with brief commentaries that make them accessible to Western readers.

Buy this book for someone you love, for someone curious about the true heart of Islam beyond the politics that dominate the media, for an aspiring poet, or simply as a well deserved gift for yourself. Enjoy!

Through this book you will get to know Harold Lloyd, one of the 3 comedy stars of silent films (other than Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton). I saw "Safety Last", which was released in 1923, and enjoyed it so much that I wanted to read about Harold Lloyd. This book contains pictures from many of Lloyd's movies and makes you wish you could see them all. However, just the summaries and accompanying pictures are quite funny and make good reading. Lloyd was largely the same person offscreen as onscreen, lived a clean life with his wife and children and became one of the richest men in Hollywood at the time. The book also gives the modern reader an idea of what was involved in the production of the early silent films. Great book.

John R. Adams's "Harriet Beecher Stowe: Updated Edition," in the Twayne's United States Authors Series is a short and succinct biography of Harriet Beecher Stowe from A to Z in less than 131 pages. No small task considering her influence on 19th century America.

Adam's book includes a chronology of events that serves as an excellent outline of the major events in Stowe's life. The book also includes a section on research notes, a selected bibliography and it includes a detailed index.

The book in organized by major life periods, such as her moving to Cincinnati and her publication of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The book will serve those who require a significant understanding of Stowe without spending a lot of time reading larger biographies of her life. Therefore, it can be describe as an excellent introductory text. Well suitable for those studying American Civil War history, American literature, American religious history or women's history.

While John R. Adams is not an historian, he has clearly contributed to our understanding of Harriet Beecher Stowe and her writings. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Southern California.

LeBor's book reflects a true mark of a good journalist. It is honest, objective, and well-researched. He shows the whole picture, good as well as bad. He is careful to distinguish between genuine Islam and the personalized versions, which can be highly distorted through cultural influences or political agendas (Islam used as a guise). I highly recommend this book to everyone -- Muslims and non-Muslims.

The interest in the seemingly never-ending myths and legends about river trips through the Grand Canyon continues to grow. One of the enduring controversies that continues to surface among Colorado River historians is the question of who really was the first to travel the river through the Grand Canyon. Historically, the credit is given to John Wesley Powell for his amazing feat in 1869. However, there is, and always has been, a dispute about whether or not a Colorado prospector named James White may have actually made the first descent two years earlier than Powell, in 1867. If this is true the legend and accolades surrounding the Powell trip, while significant, will have to be revised to take into account White's accomplishment.
Eilean Adams is the granddaughter of James White and has written the first complete account of the controversy surrounding her grandfathers claim to have traversed the river through the Canyon in eleven days, two years prior to Powell's trip. It is an amazing story that was originally widely believed and publicized. White had been prospecting with another man near the San Juan River in Colorado when they encountered hostile Indians. His partner was killed and White claims to have fashioned a raft and began an eleven-day journey down the Colorado to eventually wash up on the shore at Callville, Nevada.
In a highly readable, absorbing manner Adams has written a compelling account of White's life and journey that is meticulously researched and provides a plausible and compelling case that White did in fact accomplish the unbelievable. The story will appeal to the reader favoring a good mystery as well as those hooked on historical events and legends. The book is well documented with chapter notes; references, sources, and other related documents that provide the reader with the first comprehensive account of a story that will not die. Was James White really the first person to traverse the Grand Canyon via the Colorado River? If so, why do historians insist on giving the credit to John Wesley Powell? The answers to these and other questions make this book a first rate addition to the literature of the West.

My 4-year-old is following along with this book/tape combination about 10 times a day!! It's positively addicting. The illustrations are engaging. The tape has wonderful narration on one side and just music on the other, so you can read the story along with the music.

If you have any interest in the bygone era of old showbiz and old comedy, you will love this book. There are so many great anectdotes that only an insider like Joey Adams would be privy to. You will wish that you could have been a part of it. On the other hand, this book wouldn't be for someone who doesn't recognize any of the names from this era, because you wouldn't appreciate the personalities if you're reading without any reference point.

Some quotations from Adam Starchild's wonderful afterword to this book are appropriate:

"Children today are starved for the image of real heroes. Celebrities are not the same thing as heroes. Heroes existed way before celebrities ever did, even though celebrities now outshine heroes in children's consciousness."

"Worshiping celebrities leaves children with a distinctly empty feeling -- it doesn't teach that they'll have to make sacrifices if they want to achieve anything worthwhile. No- talents become celebrities all the time. The result is that people don't seem to care about achievement or talent -- fame is the only objective."

"... Despite immense differences in cultures, heroes around the world generally share a number of traits that instruct and inspire people. A hero does something worth talking about, but a hero goes beyond mere fame or celebrity. The hero lives a life worthy of imitation. If they serve only their own fame, they may be celebrities but not heroes. Heroes are catalysts for change. They create new possibilities. They have a vision, and the skill and charm to implement their vision."

"Heroes may also be fictional. Children may identify with a character because of the values projected. People tend to grow to be like the people that they admire, but if a child never has any heroes what images will he copy? Adults need heroes too, but the need is even more urgent for children because they don't know how to think abstractly. But they can imagine what their hero would do in the circumstances, and it gives them a useful reference point to build abstract thinking skills."

Some quotations from Adam Starchild's wonderful afterword to this book are appropriate:

"Children today are starved for the image of real heroes. Celebrities are not the same thing as heroes. Heroes existed way before celebrities ever did, even though celebrities now outshine heroes in children's consciousness." "Worshiping celebrities leaves children with a distinctly empty feeling -- it doesn't teach that they'll have to make sacrifices if they want to achieve anything worthwhile. No- talents become celebrities all the time. The result is that people don't seem to care about achievement or talent -- fame is the only objective."

"... Despite immense differences in cultures, heroes around the world generally share a number of traits that instruct and inspire people. A hero does something worth talking about, but a hero goes beyond mere fame or celebrity. The hero lives a life worthy of imitation. If they serve only their own fame, they may be celebrities but not heroes. Heroes are catalysts for change. They create new possibilities. They have a vision, and the skill and charm to implement their vision."

"Heroes may also be fictional. Children may identify with a character because of the values projected. People tend to grow to be like the people that they admire, but if a child never has any heroes what images will he copy? Adults need heroes too, but the need is even more urgent for children because they don't know how to think abstractly. But they can imagine what their hero would do in the circumstances, and it gives them a useful reference point to build abstract thinking skills."