I teach a philosophy of Mind and Body course and my students will use this as the text for the Tai Chi class they must take as a co-requisite for my philosophy course. The author, a Ph.D. in physics, offers clear examples of what Tai Chi looks like but wisely refraines from trying to teach a full course in Tai Chi. He offers a sustained discussion of the philosophy behind Tai Chi, what it is and what it is not. It is not exciting reading but purposeful and organized. It will prove helpful for my students and anyone wishing an introduction to Tai Chi.

This is THE book. It's absolutely fantastic. I have read many books on Tai Chi, and own quite a few, but this is the one I am always coming back to, again and again. When practicing Tai Chi, when reading other books on the subject, and sometimes even in the shower after a day's practice, Robert Chuckrow's words come back into my mind, broadening and deepening my understanding of this great art. Many books claim to present Tai Chi Chuan in a manner "accessible to Westerners", but only this one truly delivers. Dr. Chuckrow's presentation is sober, encompassing, and respectful of the philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan. He is open-minded and fair, despite the fact that some of his experience are beyond his ability to explain. A Doctor of Physics and a Tai Chi instructor, Robert Chuckrow truly finds new ways to elucidate stances, double-weighting, and alignment, and never in all the book does he cease to be a person one can relate to, just another Tai Chi player sharing his (vast) experiences for the reader's benefit. The chapter on being a student is the jewel of the book. It really gives the reader pointers and references for actual, everyday relating to a teacher. It helps the reader understand his/her own practice from a broader, more realistic perspective. I strongly recommend this book to everyone who already practices Tai Chi and to all who are wondering if Tai Chi is for them. It is a rare pleasure to find, among the many books on this subject, one which is so well-balanced, down-to-earth, and complete.

Detailed descriptions of concepts and terms and explanations of difficult concepts are what set this book apart from other T'ai Chi books. The author has researched thoroughly and writes well and clearly. Covers among other subjects, breathing, stances, eating, alignment, ch'i, warm ups, stretching, how to be a good student as well as push hands and the CMC form. This is not an all inclusive list. I would place this near the top of the list of internal martial arts books. This could easily function as a textbook for a college course on T'ai Chi. I don't agree with everything in it, but I could always be wrong. :) Buy it, you won't be sorry.

This is a great book for anyone seriously studying Taiji as a martial art. It's a collection of articles on the history, various styles, principles and weapons of Taijiquan. There is information on some lesser known facets as well, such as the 2-man fighting set, free fighting, and Taiji whip, and there are articles by William CC Chen, Doc Fai Wong, Chen Xiao Wang, Jane Hallander and others. My only complaint is that they waste ~75 pages showing the Yang long form--as the rest of this book covers some very advanced subjects, and is NOT a "how to" guide for beginners. If they had filled those pages with more articles of the same quality as those in the rest of the book, I'd give it five stars.

This volume is a compilation of the various article in the aforementioned magazine. The variety of authours creates a wide viewpoint of the physical and metaphysical theories. The history is thurough and informative, the philisophical theory is highly accesible while still being vivid and accurate, and the still photos of the Yang style set are a gift to readers interested in the practice. Being a follower of the Taoist philosophy and a student of the higher martial disiplines this book remains a favorite of mine second only to Bruce Lee's legendary work "The Tao of Jeet Kune Do".

This is one of the most concise, and complete histories, and "how to do it" books on Tai Chi that I have ever read! The photos of the person performing the different moves in the Yang form of Tai Chi are excellent! Any Tai Chi student should have this one in his library!

I wasn't sure whether to give this a 3 or a 4, but I gave it a 4 because it really was interesting enough that I got through it quickly (if something takes me a while to read, it's either very long or not very interesting). Yota is still dealing with relationship problems, only now his problems don't involve the word "dateless". In fact, he's got way too many women in his life. There's Moemi, Nobuko, and Ai. Yota's dating Nobuko, but he still loves Ai, and he's still got feelings for Moemi. It makes his life pretty complicated. The reason I was wondering if I should give it a 3 was because I'm getting to the point in this series where I think every one of these characters just needs a break from each other - or maybe just from Yota. It's hard to believe that he could go from being the guy with the nickname "Dateless" to the guy that every girl wants to have. This book still was a pretty good read, but I don't think I'm going to be continuing with this series anytime soon.

Video Girl Ai Vol. 4: Off-Line continues Katsura's romantical triangle/square/pentagon saga with a hint of cyber sci-fi and a thoughtful, serious undertone concerning the fragility of human hearts and emotions. Certain mature themes about human sexuality briefly appear in this graphic novel, which is intended for a wide age range but not for very young children. The formerly "Dateless" protagonist Yota has met a flesh-and-blood young woman who is very interested in him - yet Ai Amano is still around, attending his school, with nearly all her memories of being a "video girl" seemingly erased. The unknowing Ai may have only another month of life left to her, but Yota's human girlfriend doesn't know that! A new rival in love appears, plus Moemi suddenly returns... but neither of these two are as dangerous as Ai's creator, who is most displeased about the "flaws" appearing in his work! Those followers of Katsura's humanistic saga who have watched the animated adaptation of Video Girl Ai should not pass up Video Girl Ai Vol. 4: Off-Line, because the original manga takes the story into a much different and deeper direction than the anime, which roughly corresponds to volumes 1-3 only. Video Girl Ai is enthusiastically recommended.

Video Girl Ai is by far the most tender love story I've read ... even outside of anime! The characters are so true to life and the story is excellent! I've read manga over and over, and each time it seems more poignant. I also own the DVD and I can never seem to get enough of that, either. I really can identify with Yota's pain. I would highly recommend this manga, especially if you are "dateless" and pure of heart.

It would be a good idea to have read the other two volumes before reading this one. However, there is a "the story thus far" section at the beginning, plus a few brief character summaries, so if you do end up starting with this one, at least you get a little help. When this volume starts, Yota is trying to keep Ai from disappearing forever. Things go wrong, of course, but Ai isn't destroyed (did you really think she would be, what with the title and all?). She doesn't seem to remember Yota, though, and there are some more complications. Although he loves Ai, Yota still cares for Moemi, and now there's someone else who likes him.

The story was interesting, and the art was still lovely. That's why this book still gets such a high rating. However, all the further romantic complications kind of got on my nerves. Aren't two women enough?! With Ai's amnesia to drive him crazy, I don't think it was really necessary to add another girl (Nobuko) to the list of people Yota loves/likes too much to want to hurt. I suppose I'm just glad that Masakazu Katsura changed Nobuko's hairstyle so that it wasn't so much like Moemi's - they looked so alike that I kept confusing them. Anyway, it's still a good series, but I hope that there aren't too many more characters added to the mix.

Volume 3 of the serialized story of the relationship between Yota and Ai is *not* the place to start. Go to the beginning, Preproduction, it'll be well worth the money. People who *have* read the first two volumes should need little encouragement to pick up this one, as it starts right with the cliffhanger that ended the second volume.

Without spoiling the second volume, the resolution of the cliffhanger takes up the first quarter of the book, and is the confrontation that provides the climax to the anime OAV series. The rest of the volume is brand-new ground. Ai is rescued from her creator, or perhaps not, as she soon disappears. Yota has the barest of evidence that she existed at all, as he carries on through the rest of winter.

A new school year starts (in spring in Japan), and Yota is held back a year. Neither of his friends, Takashi and Moemi, know what to make of the changes in Yota. A girl named Nobuko met Yota a couple years back and has gotten transferred to his school in hopes of meeting him again, and then there is Ai. Ai shows up as a fellow student in his class, but she has no memory of Yota.

Yota is torn, he still loves Moemi, whose relationship with Takashi is still not working out, Nobuko reminds him a bit of Ai, and she definitely likes him, and Ai is still Ai, even if she is disturbed by how much Yota seems to know about her. Yota's nobility gets the best of him again as he tries to keep from hurting Nobuko even as he tries to figure out what is going on with Ai.

Katsura pulls off a great turning point in the story in vol3. We are introduced to a new love interest, Ai is eventually returned but has amnesia, and more angst and suffering is experience. the art work is fantastic and by the end you'll be jumping to get vol 4.

Any student of aviation or U.S. history will enjoy this flight through sixty years of presidential transport. In an attractive package crammed with beautiful portraits of the world's most-recognized airplane, author Robert Dorr turns his encyclopedic knowledge of civil and military aviation to chronicling the evolution of this American flagship of the skies. From the converted military cargo planes used by FDR during World War II, to the gleaming prop-driven Constellation favored by Ike, to the historic Boeing 707 that carried JFK in life and death, Dorr shows how these airplanes came to embody American power and prestige in their global travels. While he covers the technical details of each aircraft and shows how the President's plane evolved with civil and military aviation advances, the book also provides glimpses into presidential character. Nixon, for example, was polite but reserved on his jet, and almost never ventured up to the cockpit. LBJ treated his fleet of aircraft like flying offices, wheeling and dealing with congressmen and politicians as he corralled them into flights to their districts or to his Texas ranch. President Reagan was a favorite of his flight crews, and returned their respect with casual visits to their communications and flight stations. Jimmy Carter, uncomfortable with the imperial aura of Air Force One, removed the "V" (for VIP) prefix from its official VC-137 designation. He also exasperated his radio operators on occasion by discussing classified information "in the clear" (as was his prerogative, of course). The changes in Air Force One parallel many of the advances in air transport technology since the late 1930's, and reflect the changing role of the presidency over six decades. Air Force One has served as private jet and potential doomsday command post. Today it's a global ambassador of American power. Robert Dorr does justice to his subject with clear writing and the behind-the-scenes access that take readers inside this fascinating aircraft. His book is almost as good as a ride on the 747 that now carries President George W. Bush.

There are a lot of words between these two covers, but I was especially taken by the photos --- especially those which show the special area at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, where AIR FORCE ONE, the president's plane, lives.

This is really two books in one. It's partly what's going on today, including some inner secrets. It's also partly a history of presidential air travel. The author tells what happened to AIR FORCE ONE on September 11, 2001, and he also recounts the past experiences of presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was the first to fly while in office.

I was honored to have been able to assist Bob Dorr in the creation of this book with photographs from my Presidential collection. With superb text in all aspects, the selected photos certainly aid in providing a reader the clearest look yet at the aviation fleet devoted to serving the President as he conducts national and international business.

AIR FORCE ONE by Robert F. Dorr is by far is the best review yet of the history, types of aircraft and logistics essential to the safe and timely travel by our Chief Executive and an impressive display of American prestige.

Man, I read these books a while ago. I loved them! I wouldsujest them for any young reader that's into Sci-fi!

I LOVED this book. I've reread it millions of times. Bruce Coville has these genius children explore the abstract ideas of intelligence and existence. Each child is talented and shows kids can do ANYTHING! It makes computer science interesting, fun, and creative while including mystery galore. So read this book and meet Ray, Trip, Wendy, Roger and Rachel as they attempt to create an Artificial Intelligence of their own.

This light-weight handbook is a clearly illustrated and concisely written guide to the 24-movement Tai Chi Short Form. Recommended as an easy-to-understand workbook for those learning, or wishing to learn, this popular form of taijiquan.

The illustrations help show the flow of energy. The illustrations, together with the text, helps a beginning t'ai chi student proper form.

An excellent text for a solid foundation.

I have read this book and it is a fascinating book to read. I first read it when i was learning tai chi and it help me improve my practice alot. I gave this book only four stars becasue it didnt have more pages to read. But is was very insiteful.

This is a wonderful summary of Tai Chi Classics by the same author. My Sifu spoke very highly of Waysun Liao as well as Marshall Ho'o, who's works are also available through Amazon. This book, exactly as it's title says, is the essence of the internal martial art of Tai Chi. As a beginner, I have found it a great companion to the physical aspect of the form. If you are serious about the art/philosophy of Tai Chi, then this is a perfect travel version of an even greater book.

the book are many free papers on internet.

There are very theory technologies but no new contents about DEVS.

These articles originated as papers from a recent meeting so that some may be found on the web. However,the articles are extended and stringently reviewed revisions of the original papers the collection itself is of great value since it amounts to a whole more than the sum. The introductory article is not just a precis of the contents, it does an excellent job of placing discrete event modeling and simulation technology within the context of AI, software engineering, and systems engineering.

Contrary to one reviewer, the book cannot be derived in any way from what's available on the web. If you are interested in new paradigms for technology, it belongs on your bookshelf.

This book offers a view of the potential of the discrete event paradigm to enhance not only modeling and simulation but many new technologies involving design, management and control. Many of the papers take the DEVS theory as presented in "Theory of Modeling and Simulation" (Zeigler, Praehofer,and Kim, Academic Press, 2000, 2nd Ed.) one step further into new application domains. Serves as a great companion to TMS2000.

"Philoctetes" takes place near the climax of the Trojan War. The title character has the great bow of Hercules, given by the demi-god on his pyre to Philoctetes's father. A member of the Achaean expedition that sailed to Troy, Philoctetes was making an altar on an island along the way when he was bitten by a snake. His cries of pain were so great that he was abandoned by his shipments, under the orders of Odysseus, and marooned on the deserted island of Lemnos. Alone and crippled, Philoctetes used the great bow to survive for the ten years the Achaeans have been fighting against Troy. During that time his hatred against the Achaeans in general, and Odysseus in particular, has grown.

Meanwhile, back at Troy, Odysseus and the other Achaean chieftains have learned from an oracle that Troy will fall only with the help of Philoctetes and his bow (a juicy tidbit it certainly would have been nice to have known eight or nine years earlier). Odysseus and Neoptolemus, son of Achilles, are sent to bring Philoctetes and his bow back to the war. Of course, Odysseus dare not show himself to Philoctetes and sends Neoptolemus to do the dirty work. Neoptolemus gains the confidences of the crippled man by lying about taking him home. During one of his agonizing spasms of pain, Philoctetes gives his bow to Neoptolemus. Regretting having lied to this helpless cripple, Philoctetes returns the bow and admits all, begging him to come to Troy of his own free will. Philoctetes refuses and when Odysseus shows his face and threatens to use force to achieve their goal, he finds himself facing a very angry archer.

In "Philoctetes" Sophocles clearly deals with the balance between the rights of the individual and the needs of society. But this is also a play about citizenship and the need for the idealism of youth to be give way to the responsibilities of adulthood. In fact, this lesson is learned both by Philoctetes, who is taught by the shade of Hercules who appears to resolve the tenses conclusion, and Neoptolemus, who finds his duties at odds with his idealized conception of heroism based upon his father. Although this is a lesser known myth and play, "Philoctetes" does raise some issues worth considering in the classroom by contemporary students.

"Philoctetes" is similar to other plays by Sophocles, which deal with the conflict between the individual and society, although this is a rare instance where Odysseus appears in good light in one of his plays; usually he is presented as a corrupter of innocence (remember, the Greeks considered the hero of Homer's epic poem to be more of a pirate than a true hero), but here he is but a spokesperson for the interests of the state. Final Note: We know of lost plays about "Philoctetes" written by both Aeschylus and Euripides. Certainly it would have been interesting to have these to compare and contrast with this play by Sophocles, just as we have with the "Electra" tragedies.

Good Greek tragedy. I especially find interesting the controversy behind the happy ending.

A group of plays, of which this was a member, won first prize in Athens. Philoctetes had been left marooned on an island several years earlier (because of his disease) under orders of Agamemnon and Menelaus. But, the two kings later discover that Troy cannot be conquered without Philoctetes and his bow, a bow given to him by Heracles. Odysseus and Neoptolemus (the son of the late Achilles) arrive at the island to persuade or trick Philoctetes to return with them. Neoptolemus wants to be noble in his actions; yet, his commander, Odysseus, wants to use guile. At the end, a deus-ex-machina device is used to resolve the conflict. The play has excellent characterization, a good plot, and steady movement.