This is a peculiarly funny book. Funny because I found myself laughing at myself; peculiar because, after reading it, a strange awareness settled upon me. Was I, I wondered, an unhappy creationist who saw the world through grumbling eyes? "How to Be Totally Unhappy in a Peaceful World" is a self help book that, in spite of itself, really works!

This is a great book to have on your living room coffee table or bedside, so that you can pick it up often, open to any page, and laugh at how ludicrious we can be on a regular basis. I have taught social dance classes for over 20 years, and my goal is to provide an arena in which people have the freedom to laugh at themselves while learning about something new. Gil's book provides me and others with that freedom. I highly recommend it!

This is a great book to have on your living room coffee table or next to your bed. Pick it up, open to any page, and see how truly ludicrious we are at times, especially about taking life way too seriously. I'm a social dance instructor, and one of my goals in life is to get people to relax, laugh at themselves, and play more. Anyone interested in doing so would enjoy reading Gil's book.

A recent survey found that the death of a pet is one of the times when children most want to talk to clergy---rivalled only by divorce. This book asks some difficult questions (what is the church? how do we deal with death?) and offers, in return, God's love. Churches which celebrate the Feast of St. Francis could have someone read it out loud after the service and lead a discussion. This lovely story will appeal to all ages.

This book is wonderful for anyone who's ever had and loved a cat. It does deal with death, and is very sad at the end. A great way to help a child deal with the death of a pet.

My Grade three class thoroughly enjoyed the story of Leo. We were doing a unit on cats and Leo's story was one of the highlights. An excellent book.

This is one of the better graphic novels I've ever read, and one of the best werewolf novels (even though the main character is actually a werelion, not a werewolf). Each new plot development is suprising, and yet at the same time makes perfect sense- if people who turn into animals really existed in the modern world, how would they behave? This book gives some realistic, yet unexpected, answers. Nobody is a complete good guy or bad guy- every character is a complex figure, and even the bad guys have some very good reasons for what they do. Leo is an innocent caught in the midst of it all, but nothing like the "helpless killer" stereotype of American werewolf movies- he is a person in control of his own powers, trying to decide what to do with his life now that so much has changed. The only thing that struck me as weird was that werewolf/squirrel thing that was like a cross between a wolf and a flying squirrel- it just didn't seem possible that such a bulky thing should glide around like that. Also, the artist draws Leo's were-form in some odd ways sometimes- in certain scenes, he looks more like a tiger, in certain scenes he looks more wolfish, and in only a few scenes does he fully look like a lion, though the dialogue makes it clear that he is a lion. There is no graphic novel continuation, but there are more comic books continuing from the point where the graphic novel ended.

All I can say is GIVE ME MORE! This is one of the best examples of werewolf fiction, but I have to ask, where is the rest of the series? I mean this can't be it...Can it?

One of the greatest manga books I've read in a long time. Diverse characters, historic arcs and a real feeling of mytique. And even a naked chick for those who are shallow enough not to care about that.

But where's the rest? This can't be all, can it?

This is a necessary and inspiring addition to any coaches library. It made me want to send a fan letter to the author.

This book is outstanding and obviously written by someone who knows what he is talking about. My only comment is that it is not only for Little League baseball but any baseball program for youth such as Pony/Colt, Dixie league and others. Other than the rules that are unique to the Little League organization, the rest of the book is applicable to nearly any program. His recent update is even better. As a former Umpire in these programs I was particularly impressed in his comments about that part of the program. Strongly recommend this book to both coaches, parents and players.

I found this book reinforced some of the more successful things I'd been doing as a coach and gave me many other tips I intend to put into use this season. The author is methodical in his approach and it is easy to see why he never had a losing season in 15 years of coaching Little League. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to do a good job coaching youth baseball.

I had to write a term paper for my critical thinking class in college, and it was on Aristophanes. The topic, more specifically, explored how Socrates' fate would have been different, had Aristophanes not written the play "The Clouds." This book was helpful in explaining the play, Aristophanes, and his relationship with Socrates. If you're studying anyhting of this nature, or are just interested in the two men mentioned in the title, I strongly recommend that you read it.

While the introduction, conclusion and first essay (on "Clouds") is apparently anchored in an argument between philosophy and poetry, the further Strauss leaves "Clouds" behind, the more we see through his close reading of the plays, in a way we never do from the younger Plato, the cultural disintegration of Athens under the assault of the war. Euripides, not Socrates, emerges at the real opponent and comedy triumphs over both tragedy and philosophy as the best teacher. This brings us close to an historical experience so often lost in classical studies, particularly in political philosphy, the madness in the streets of Athens and the fully-formed, transcendent characters which emerge with the comic treatment. These are not the spoiled aristocratic youth clustered around Socrates or the sophists (Plato's real enemies - not the poets). These are the men and women at the corner bar. This book makes you wish Strauss had done a "Hobbes and Shakespeare." His evident enjoyment of his subject leaks through with increasing intensity the further he seems to drift from his dichotomy. Could it be Strauss wished to remind his followers, ever so gently, to, like, lighten up and read a good comedy, even in the Greek some labor so hard to acquire? The book at least raises two questions: how did the bold Aristophanes avoid capital punishment? why did the ironic, diplomatic Socrates accept his?

This book follows the typical Strauss pattern: In the first few pages he makes a blanket statement (in this case, Aristophanes is a reactionary; in Thoughts on Machiavelli it was, Machiavelli is evil), then follows it up will a torturous and nuanced analysis of the thinker's ideas until you begin to wonder: In what way is Aristophanes a reactionary or Machiavelli, evil. He tells you the picture is black and white, then he brings you in so close that it all turns gray. Be this as it may, Plato's Symposium and Republic (especially Republic X where Socrates bans the poets from his just city) tells only half the story (philosophy's side). In this book Strauss tells the other half (poetry's side). In essence, Symposium and Republic (and to a certain extent, Phaedo) make up Plato's case as to why philosophy should be the teacher of public morality instead of poetry. Strauss' book takes Aristophanes' eleven existing plays and presents his opposing arguments, his defence of poetry and attack on philosophy. Interesting read for we who sit the other side of Plato's Republic (i.e. Medieval Christendom, where there is no longer any contest between Thomas Aquinas and Dante Aligheri).

I picked up this book purely by chance and, in doing so, I did myself a great favor. I have not been as captivated by a book since "The Godfather." Author Leo Gutman has crafted a tale of boxing and the Mafia that ought to make a movie just as good as the Godfather saga. The plot is intricate, the characters are fascinating, the boxing bouts are riveting. I am fervently wishing there could be a sequel. Thank you, Leo Rutman, for a terrific read!!

WHAT A GREAT FIND. NEVER THOUGH I'D LIKE A BOOK ABOUT BOXING AND THE MOB BUT I JUST COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. I WAS UP UNTIL 2 AM. THE SUSPENSE WAS RIVETING. I RECOMMEND HIGHLY AND CANNOT WAIT FOR HIS NEXT RELEASE. PLEASE , WRITE AGAIN SOON RUTMAN!!

This impressive new novel is a well crafted blend of gritty NY gangster life, the sport of boxing, and an intriging, albeit semi-believable, love story. I felt that I was truly taken back to a time uncomplicated by 21st century technology. A great escape. This book is easy and fun to read, but has layers of complexity.

Dr. Kisamore wrote a masterpiece. A wonderful and tragic story that allows you to become part of it. The story begins with a brief history of the Kisamore legacy and ends with the sacrifice and glory of a young warrior and hero. Dr. Kisamore masterfully brings the reader into the story. After reading the book, I felt like I had lost a friend and Big Brother. Thank you Dr. "K" for allowing me to get to know " Leo, Your Big Brother".

This is an excellent book that contains the elements of both a great tragedy and comedy. It is strange that these two can exist in a work of non-fiction together. Dr. K's witty writing and sense of humor create a different light to his memories. This book gave me an excellent insight to the horrors of war, and I impaciently await any new releases Dr. K plans to release!

"Leo, My Big Brother" (A World War II Story,in which the author brings a loving tribute to his big brother)

Leo was a WWII hero. He flew off to war and never came home. He had the same dreams and aspirations as all American young men of that era as he bravely went off to fight for his country. He left a young war bride behind as well as a loving family. His life as a youngster, growing up in rural Western Maryland, brings back memories to those of us who lived there and shared those memories. We relive those happy times through the eyes of Dr. Kisamore (the "litttle brother"), and we remember with loving pride and gratitude those young heroes who eventually gave us back a peaceful world.

This book has clearly stood the test of time. It is now in its 11th edition. My professor uses the 9th edition, and most of our class has a later copy. The author provides step by step help for novice financiers who want to learn mortgages, internal rates of return, and net present value calculations.
I would offer a word of warning to people who consider buying older versions in order to save money. I have the 8th edition. The concepts have not changed (although the assumed interest rates certainly have!). However, the chapters have since been rearranged and the questions in the back of the book are different. If you are using this book for a class you may need to at least have access to a newer version.

Excellent book. Easy to follow, yet explores some complex topics.

This book is extremely insightful into the world of real estate. After having used it for two real estate classes at the MBA level, I decided to keep it for future reference, figuring most real estate books wouldn't come near this text. The problem sets at the end of each chapter are also very useful in giving the potential investor a good foundation in how real estate finances work. Overall, I highly recommend this book to the novice or experienced real estate investor.

This book is something you can easily read over the span of several sittings, as it is sectioned into several chapters that chronicle each era of Tolstoy's life, making it easy to read. An excellent source of both research and simple enjoyment.

Being a lover of Tolstoy's literature and philosophy, and having read brief snippets of Tolstoy's life in the preface of his novels, I was interested in learning more about the man himself. Wilson has produced a well researched biography that is informative and interesting to read. What I especially like is its clarity on what is fact and what are speculations based on his erratic diaries, using painstaking quotes, footnotes, literary excerpts, and bibliography to back up the author's and literary community's theories.

The result is a portrait of a man at odds with himself, who like Dostoevsky was a living representation of the duality of man. No wonder these writers were so profound at portaying the the human condition, mind, spirit, and soul. If only we could go back in time and walk with these men and speak with them personally, how rich we would be.

Tolstoy is one the greatest writers during what must be considered the heroic age of novel writing. He never makes a wrong move in his writing, but probably was one of the most unpleasant people ever to live. Wilson here gives us a view of both the sublime artist and the opinionated gad fly of his friends, family and country and presents a fairly complete picture of a divided man. This is a tell all book, but not in the usual sense. Wilson focuses on the inner life of Tolstoy rather than his day to day experiences which probably were not as meaningful to him as what went on inside. This probably is the best biogrpahy of Tolstoy in English. It is good for those who are familiar with Tolstoy's works and for those who are not.

Among it's more traditional strengths, Wilson's life of Tolstoy must be added to the exceedingly select list of laugh out loud biographies of Russian novelists. Throughout the book's considerable length and passionate examinations of Tolstoy's writing and the Russian history from which they grew, are superb jokes, asides, and sarcasm - in no way denigrating the tempestuous creator of War and Peace, but keeping a keen-eyed perspective on the many paradoxical facets of his long life.

Wilson's account is suffused with a deeply felt love of Tolstoy's writings, perfectly balanced by an appreciation for his absurdities. If you have read and loved War and Peace, Anna Karenina, or any of Tolstoy's works, this biography yields a rich and absorbing account of the life and history from which they sprung.

In 1984 Brieman, Olshen, Friedman and Stone published this book and produced a software product called CART that made tree classification popular. These algorithms were very useful in medical applications and the book illustrated some simple success stories particularly ones from Richard Olshen's experience working in the Medical School at UC San Diego. Olshen and Gordon did some of the work on the asymptotic theory of recursive partitioning that made the methodology credible to the statistical research community. The methods began to be applied to pattern recognition problems and also to the development of expert systems. Today data miners use these tools.

These ideas goes back a lot farther than these authors. However, previous attempts at recursive partitioning algorithms tended to grow trees with too many terminal nodes. These authors introduced two important ideas. One was to grow the trees overly long and then prune them back. The second was to continually use cross-validation to evaluate the trees.

This book is still very valuable 17 years after it was first published. It is also readible by general audiences for the most part. It now stands as a classic text on the subject of classification and regression trees.

This book is a must-have for all serious decision trees researchers. It explains the underlying algorithms of classification and regression trees methods in details. It's not for beginners though. It's a bit outdated by now as trees methodology has advanced much with the invention of boosting, bagging, and arcing.

The book was a very good introduction to Classification andRegression Trees, and coupled with the software ( ) make for apowerful approach to solving traditional classification problems.