I learned so much from this book. It's like 5 textbooks wrapped into one!

I HAVE HAD THIS BOOK AT MY BEDSIDE FOR TWENTY YEARS ..EXCEPT IT IS NOW SUPERCEDED BY A COPY OF THE MERZBACH UPDATE. i USED IT FIRST FOR AN OPEN UNIVERSITY MATH DEGREE. iT WAS FASCINATING AND USEFUL THEN. sINCE THAT TIME i HAVE DIPPED INTO IT REGULARLY AND ENJOYED THE CLARITY AND DEPTH OF ITS IDEAS. i,VE NOW BOUGHT THREE MORE COPIES FOR MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY.

In this book the historian of mathematics Carl Boyer exposes the development of mathematics from the pre-history to modern times in a wide view, covering all the important mathematics and mathematicians from ancient times to our modern times. This reviewed version by Uta Merzbach is easier to read than the first edition by Boyer and its updated. I disagree that you need to be a mathematician or so to read this, all you need is the interest. In fact when I read this book I was entering high school and I found it easy and enjoyable to read. The author will not spent any time with hard mathematics, rather he is just going to cite (so all you need to know is what thouse technical names means superficially, but you don't need to know the math undergoing). This book is very nice if you want to have a deep and wide view on the history of math, so don't think this is an ultimate guide or something. Actually I think this book can be considered as a general introduction to the history of mathematics and to mathematics itself, it will make you get used to many technical terms and their intuitive meaning before getting deep in the formal math.

It was my lucky day when I walked into a local used-book store and found both volumes of Isaac Asimov's autobiography. You might think that reading about the life of a man who spent most of his time in a windowless room pounding a typewriter would be a tedious chore, but you would be wrong in this case. I'm a great fan of detective fiction, and I found "In Memory Yet Green" and its sequel every bit as absorbing and unputdownable as any whodunit. These volumes cover the years 1920 to 1978. Be sure to also read the 1990 memoir, "I.Asimov."

Undertaking merely one of the two volumes of Asimov's autobiography seems a daunting task, but as Orson Scott Card said at a signing I recently attended, "Asimov's style is so liquid. He led a boring life and yet I found myself turning the pages eagerly." This is exactly the position I found myself in reading this and the next tome of Asimov's life story: enthralled. This comes in part from a keen interest in the man, his work, and life, and also in part from the simple fact that he was such a damn good writer. I wouldn't recommend the book as light reading, but for anyone who is interested in the genius and his life, don't hesitate.

Asimov hesitated to undertake an autobiography. He steadfastly maintained that nothing of interest ever happened to him. He determined that, if he were to write such an autobiography, he'd have to call on all his skill as a writer to disguise the fact. You'll have to decide for yourself whether his life was indeed as dull as he claimed, but you won't question his skill as a writer.

In Memory Yet Green (and its companion volume, In Joy Still Felt) makes us participants in the life of one of the greatest minds in 20th century America. You feel you know his parents and siblings. You'll feel you'd recognize his father's candy store, their apartment, his schools, his neighborhood if you saw them. You'll share in his academic successes and travails and in the loves of his life. You'll meet his friends, the list of which reads like a who's who of the Golden Age of Science Fiction.

Asimov was a masterful writer and a genius at making science understandable to the average reader. But he also wrote about the Bible, about literary criticism, he wrote some of the best-loved science fiction ever, he wrote limericks, essays, and the list goes on and on. I like to joke that he could make a phone book an interesting read. He certainly makes reading about his life a delight.

A somewhat useful book I must say. To go over details is useless here because the book is good only for the right reader and I think it's not intended for someone very young (not that it will hurt a young reader ) but one has to have accumulated a bit of life experience to relate to what the author talks about. However, there are imperfections: as any analyst's book it's too watery to my taste (though I gotta say, unlike the rest of similar literature he doesn't bash the reader with a profusion of citations from other authors, nor does he use creative fiction as a source of examples (the latter is the most inane habit of analytical authors.) Also, the author either needs to get him a Chicago (or any other) Manual of Style, or somehow inveigle his editors into doing more careful editing--the book is full of annoying writing mishaps that, while not really destroying the overall value of it, do impede reading and irritate. Things like saying "mitigate against" obviously instead of "militate againt", and the like; awkward passages leave a bad taste in the reader's mouth--you'd think that a medical doctor, in addition to professional competence, ought to be a literate person in general. But again, the book's not bad at all, especially if you consider that most of books falling under the self-improvement rubric is mind-bogglingly dishonest commercial junk.

Compassion and Self Hate allowed me to consciously admit and put into perspective many self hating aspects of my life which have kept me from being consistantly confident, assertive, and having the life and professional experiences for which I yearn.

I discoved the book "Compassion and Self Hate" at a time when I really needed it. After having accepted a job that I was afraid to apply for, because it pushed me beyond my comfort zone, I was feeling pretty unhappy one evening on the subway ride home from work. A women next to me was reading the book on the train. As I read a couple paragraphs of her book, it immediately related to how I was mentally beating myself up at that moment. I apolozied for having read over her shoulder and asked for the name and author of the book.

The book has helped me to separate my fear of failure (because I usually think that most people are smarter than myself), from my need to analyze how I contributed to the job and the job contributes to my self growth. After deciding that the job is just my current challenge for which there was not failure, and a stepping stone to my next challenge, I stop try to find reasons why I should quit or be fired.

I am now taking classes in web development, thinking about graduate school, and working to fulfill a dream of taking a trip to Africa to meet family members on my father's side.

While it may be comforting or discomforting to know that most/many people experience some form of self hating tendancies, it is more comforting to know that there is a book (also available in paperback) that I and my sisters and brothers can read to help us deal with unspoken inner pain and self doubt.

I have searched for the book on Amazon.com in hope that it is still in print, and it is, so that I can return this library copy for which I have been checking out for the last eight months. I plan to buy a paperback copy for myself and everyone in my immediate family.

i've read this 2 or 3 times..lost my copy..so, getting another..with wisdom, acceptance, intelligence and love Dr. Rubin lays it right on the line..tremedously insightful and makes a perfect 'bible' for confidence and trudging with trust through self-put downs...john

While I've enjoyed reading other Idiot's Guides over the years, I was very disappointed with this particular Idiot's Guide. The authors seemed to be out of touch with the concerns of pregnant women, skimming over important topics like what drugs are safe to take during pregnancy; how to cope with infertility, pregnancy loss, or a high-risk pregnancy; and the emotional highs and lows of pregnancy for both a pregnant woman and her partner.

Instead of picking up this particular book, I'd suggest that you pick up the pregnancy books that I recommend to the parents who sign up for my parenting courses: The Unofficial Guide to Having A Baby by John Sussman and Ann Douglas (for parents who want a highly comprehensive and yet very readable guide to pregnancy); The Pregnancy Journal by A. Christine Harris (for parents who want a journal that's packed with interesting facts about pregnancy); and A Child Is Born by Leonnart Nillson (for parents who want an illustrated guide to fetal development).

I agree with you, James! Dr. Gliksman is the best doctor I've ever had! She delivered both of my daughters by c-section (for different reasons). You can't ask for a kinder, more understanding OB. If you live in Bergen County, NJ and are not her patient, than you're nuts. Her book is wonderful, too!

This book tells you all - from insurance to first weeks of your baby.
I and my husband both are very happy with this book.
It provides summaries, key points etc. which makes it easier to get to the core of the issue/problem in mind.

This novel is based on the historical occurrence of the appearance of the false messiah Sabbath Zevi and the mass following he generated .While the bare facts of the delusion may be true , I believe that the fleshing out of the characters, their thoughts and behaviour are a misrepresentation .
'Satan in Goray' is set in the mid Seventeenth Century , and yet strongly reflects the Twentieth , especially drawing on I.B. Singer's life and milieu .
It would be useful to read his autobiographical 'Love in Exile' together with the novel
to see that Isaac Bashevis Singer had an axe to grind .
Singer's parents were pious , learned Jews , and young Isaac defected from the
essence of his forbears' religion , as did many of his peers , while retaining
the peripheral cultural artifacts and images which preoccupied his writings.
This loss of faith prejudiced him and thus in 'Satan in Goray' he depicts his
ancestors as superstitious , foolish to the degree of lunacy , cruel and violent , filthy and uncouth, as well as emotionally and sexually out of control . The wisdom , kindness and beauty of his heritage are not shown in the novel which is a caricature of the worst character traits in man .I refuse to believe the people of the shtetl were anything like that ! The few wise scholars in the book are just mentioned as such but do not flourish nor triumph .They appear as absolutely impotent and irrelevant .
In the battle between good and evil , the evil is not defeated , it just collapses .The sect self destructs when Shabbatai converts to Islam .
Singer plugs his vegetarianism in a bloody depiction of ritual slaughter as a filthy orgy of violence . He depicts Jewish parenting as ruthlessly cruel beyond plain child abuse . Rechele's upbringing is just unbelievably nightmarishly cruel ! Jewish parenting is not like that !
Some may take pride in the award of a Nobel prize to Singer , but perhaps the Nobel
committee was being ideological, by rewarding and promoting the denigration of Jewry as well as the rejection of core Jewish values .

The novel is definitely not realistic fiction but grotesque fantasy and I suppose that , if
it is written as a work of art in that genre of horror fiction then as a work of art , whatever art is , it might be acceptable to some. The Shabbetai Tzvi phenomenon in the novel may also be read as metaphor for modern "messianic" movements e.g. Bolshevism or Stalinism which were part of Singer's milieu as described in his autobiography , and these certainly did take hold in a violent excessive fashion .

When times are desperate as they have been in many eras and many places, people tend to resort to desperate measures. They cast their lot with prophets, dreamers, and seers who foretell a bright future--the coming of the millenium, it is often called----when all problems shall be solved, the rough made plain, the poor made rich, and sick shall be healed. Movements develop. They may die away in time or they may thrive and create great civilizations. Western civilization, after all, is based on one such movement. We generally refer to these movements as "cults", unless of course they are successful. In many, but not all, millenial movements, people anticipate the immanent arrival of the New Age so strongly that they throw away their possessions and engage in dissolute behavior: singing, dancing, drinking, engaging in previously-forbidden sex, and so on. Sometimes the "pure" remove themselves to isolated spots to await the end of the world or the Great Change, in extreme cases, they may even commit suicide. Anthropologists have studied many such groups or religions; others are found in history books or newspapers. Our times are not devoid of such groups: remember Jonestown, remember the Branch Davidians, remember that group that committed suicide in California. China (the Taiping), Brazil (Antonio Conselheiro),, Papua New Guinea (the cargo cults), Africa (many studies), Burma, Europe---the list is nearly endless. The Jews have not been immune either. In the 1660s the famous "false Messiah" arose in Turkey, claiming to be ready to lead the Jews to Judgement Day and a new era. Throughout eastern Europe hope sprang up, especially in the Polish-Ukrainian regions devasted by the murderous Bogdan Chmielnitski not long before.

Written as a novel, with lively, colorful characters, Singer describes perfectly the course of such a millenial movement in Goray, an isolated Polish village. Whether you are interested in literature or anthropology, this is a description you cannot afford to miss. We follow the rise and fall of a local cult leader, a prophetess, and the feverish hopes of the Jews, longing for deliverance from "singing King Alpha's song in a strange land". Amidst strange marriages, the breaking of all the strict laws of kashrut, and the wild visions of prophecy, Goray's hopes soar and crash. If you think that the rise of post-Holocaust, post-pogrom Israel is just politics and has nothing to do with any sort of millenarianism, then you should read this wonderful book and reconsider. Powerful language, dark, dreadful images full of demons and damnation only possible from a master like Singer show the strength of the ancient dream of Israel. The tragedy is, of course, that in modern times the dream was realized at somebody else's expense. Reading Abdelrahman Munif's "Cities of Salt", in conjunction with Singer's book would not be a bad idea. It illustrates the world on which such dreams impacted. SATAN IN GORAY is a wonderful book of literature, anthropology, and history from which great understanding may flow. The world needs this understanding.

Consider that I.B. Singer wrote Satan in Goray at the age of 26 or so, and the impressiveness of this work becomes all the more clear. Few people of that age, or any age could evoke an historical era with such force or create a fractured narrative of such power. The world of religious conflict, superstition, and messianiac hysteria is Singer's main interest, subjects he would pursue for the rest of his life. Satan in Goray is a strong beginning, a prophetic book (written in the early 1930's) of a trapped people on the edge of a disaster.

The book takes place as the Jews of Gory attempt to recover from the Chelmelnicki massacres of the 1640's (the worst disaster for the Jews between the Crusades and the Holocaust). The Jews of Poland believe that, as Christian would say, the End Times are here, and expect the messiah to arrive. Shabbati Shevi appears on the scene, claiming to be the messiah. Many Jews fall under his sway, but the Rabbi of Goray resists and this further wracks the town. As these political and social disasters are played out, a young orphan, Rechele, who is insane, becomes the center of interest of the town, as she is unmarried. When a holy man, Itche Mates, arrives in Goray, he marries the unfortuate Rechele, who proceeds to be posessed by Satan and do things that make Linda Blair in the Excorsist look amateur.

The novel itself has some problems; it's birth as a serial leaves it episodic. One has the sense of threads stopping and starting without reason, and there really is not what could be called a plot. However, Singer's rich language, his pinpoint descriptions of people, places, and religious factions are stunning. Reading his work is an education.

Satan in Goray is a look into the hearts of Polish Jews right before World War II. The sense of helpless claustrophobia is appalling, the whiff of death overwhelming here. Satan was not just in Goray, and Singer knew it.

There are no coincidences. That is the basis for Isaac E. Nwokogba's new memoir, America, Here I Come. The book recounts Nwokogba's journey to America from Nigeria to America based on spirituality rather than any other form of why people come to America.

Nwokogba asserts that God/the Infinite Source/Cosmic Law, or whatever you want to call it, controls our lives. We're set on a path, placed in a certain place, doing a certain job for a reason. God has given us all a job to do and directs us in doing that job.

A believer in reincarnation, Nwokogba stresses that each individual is on this planet for a purpose and that we return time and time again until we reach a spiritual level that coincides with the Infinite Source. Whatever lessons, whatever wrongdoings we did in a previous life, must be atoned for in this life, or the next, or the next. I'm not sure where I stand on reincarnation, but Nwokogba points out that the soul never dies...interesting, thought-provoking ideas that each individual must resolve in their own minds. Pro-choicer's will have a field day in that Nwokogba states that life doesn't begin until birth...another issue I'm not exactly sure where I stand.

Another fascinating aspect of the book is the issue of racism. Looking at this issue from a different set of eyes, it's interesting to see how this man was treated when he came to the United States. I wish that he had given the year(s)when he immigrated to America. I would be interested to know if that was a more recent experience, or something that happened, say ten, fifteen, twenty years ago.

America, Here I Come is a thought-provoking, interesting work, regardless of your point of view. It is well written and flows very well. There is no extraneous information that gives distracts the reader nor is it preachy, with Nwokogba trying to convince the reader of his point of view. It is a true memoir in that that is what he believes, what he saw, and what he felt.

Issac Nwokogba has arrived as the next spiritual voice of literature. Nwokogba's, "America, Here I Come" is a text about both a physical and spiritual journey. Nwokogba is successful in capturing how nature, the human mind and man's experience shape our souls. Written in a language for all to understand, Nwokogba demonstrates how life, death an beyond should be celebrated. This is a text that every spiritually conscious person should add to their library

America, Here I Come: A Spiritual Journey is one of those rare books that takes you into a totally different set of experiences and mindset, and gives you a new perspective on life. Building on his own experiences growing up in West Africa and later as an immigrant to the United States, he helps the reader to see meaning in coincidences, feelings of familiarity, and the achievement of strong desires. Those who like this book will benefit from the practical advice in Seeds of Luck (which he also wrote) for how to apply the lessons Mr. Nwokogba has learned about the unconscious mind.

Mr. Nwokogba's life is filled with experiences that are new to most readers. He is a native of Nigeria, in the section that is known as Biafra to its residents. His early life relates to being in a traditional African family, and his exposure to both African tribal religion and to Christianity. Later, he served in the Biafran military during the civil war. The death of his father meant that his educational plans were at risk. Soon, he began relying on strong intuition to forge his own path, and wonderful things happened. In each case, he has a brief mini-lesson on what this means for your life. In many ways, this material will remind readers of Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

Coming to the United States to continue his education, you then run into the shock of his first experiences with racism. This included being shunned by many whites, put down by professors, and being sought out by white women who wanted to feel superior by dating a black man. His despair is deep, and he considers suicide. Eventually, he finds meaning in his experience by coming to appreciate that reincarnation exists and he is simply working off an old karmic debt for having been a brutal white slaveowner in a prior life.

The book blends many disparate elements in a new way, and provides much food for thought.

I thought that the parts in the book about using the unconscious mind were the best. For example, Mr. Nwokogba had a strong sense that he should not visit a certain town one day. He almost followed his intuition, but went to visit the two women who had invited him after all. While there, the women robbed him and threatened to kill him. With a gun at his head, he called on the resources of his unconscious mind and was saved.

The book raises fundamental questions for those with traditional Wetern beliefs. Will we be reincarnated? Do we have karmic debts? What is our purpose in life? How do we find that purpose? How can we tap into our unconscious minds in constructive ways? What do coincidences mean? If you enjoy these questions, you will find Mr. Nwokogba a good guide for helping you with your own spiritual journey.

After you finish the book, I suggest that you think about the spiritual lessons of your life. How can you build on what you have learned to lead a more harmonious and constructive life?

Keep your mind open to all that you notice and experience!

This was the first book I ever read by Susan Isaacs, and it's a great example of her really unique style-- beautifully written, often hysterically funny, and always "a ripping good yarn." Having now read and re-read her entire oeuvre, settling down with Magic Hour reminds me of sitting down to a hot toddy and a meatloaf-and-mashed-potatoes dinner on a cold and rainy night -- anticipated with pleasure, full of comfort, and leaving one with a nice feeling of satisfaction when it's over. Isaacs' characterizations are full and real, the often witty and/or self-deprecating inner monologues of the characters will have you either sympathizing or snorting with laughter, and the story is an interesting murder mystery. Buy it, read it, and then get Shining Through. The only thing disappointing about Isaacs is that she hasn't written about twice as many books!

Steve Brady, the narrator is a Long Island cop and recovering alcoholic with the perfect, twenty-something fiance. Why, then, can't he stop thinking about Bonnie Spencer, the ex-wife of the victim and the prime murder suspect? The description of this plot on the cover sounded shmaltzy and stupid, but being an Isaacs fan, I read it, and highly recommend it.

Before long, you forget the author is a female, because the male narrator is so believable. The characters are well-drawn, even the minor "supporting" characters. My only quibble is that I figured out the "shocking" actual murderer looonnnggg before the last few pages when it is revealed. Still, the book keeps you wanting to turn pages long past Midnight, and I felt sorry when it ended. You can't ask much more from a book.

I first read 'After All These Years' and thought that was good, but 'Magic Hour' makes it seem slow in comparison. This book is extremely witty and intelligent, and even though it moves quickly, it seems as if nearly every line contains some humorous or perceptive observation. The narrator, Steve Brady, is instantly likeable, despite how flawed he is. Similarly, Bonnie is far from a 'perfect' person, yet Isaacs manages to make her a very appealing character. If I had one complaint, I would've preferred Isaacs had made BOTH Steve and Bonnie less promiscuous in their past (not a gender thing, it's just a question of safety!). Anyway, I would highly recommend this book. I don't think the mystery is obvious at all, but regardless, the puzzle is only one aspect of this story...which is definitely an example of talented writing. Don't miss this one!

As someone who's interested in fashion history (and who runs awebsite dedicated to the role of opera gloves in the history offashion and the movies, I found this book an excellent visual introduction to the importance of fashion in Hollywood. The writing is snappy and breezy, and the pictures (which, after all, *is* why you're buying this book - isn't it?) are gorgeous. Truth in packaging compels me to reveal that I read this book at my local library, but it's definitely on my wish list! END

I AM A HOLLYWOOD NUT. . .I love everything about the movies. At last, here is a new twist, by an author who seems to love the movies as much as I do. Thanks, Sandy.

I purchased a copy of this book because so many of my favorite actors were shown in great photos. I started reading the captions and chuckled at the quick quips and short anecdotes. I ended up buying more copies as gifts. This book has turned out to be one of the best books I have ever given. I hope others will get it for their library. It's not only for movie buffs, but the great photos and stories make a fun afternoon read.

I like Asimov generally, but Susan Calvin has got to be his worst protagonist -- she's arch, acerbic, narrow-minded, and rarely bearable in any form. Its a shame she figures in so much of his work. Even so, there are some good stories in this book, particularly 'The Bicentennial Man,' which manages to have scope and sustain a gentle, forlorn quality throughout.

This book is a great collection of Asimov's robot stories. Robot Visions was intended to be a companion to Robot Dreams. Both collections have older stories with a few new ones written for the book. You can really tell how Asimov thought about his beloved creation, the robots. The various stories show every point of view possible, from a robot's view or a man's. In the back of the novel, Asimov wrote several essays explaining his views on robotics. Definately a pleasurable read, whether you are a sci-fi fan or not.

Wonderful book! It is my most favorite book. His visions of the future are neither disparaging nor overly glossy. The robots seem like actually people instead of being cold metallic objects. It is a must read for anyone who wants to read about robots!

The novel was excellent, the plot and the conflicts that aroused in Aaron Greidinger's life were well written and very interesting. Only fault i found was after around page 200 or so after his marriage, the book begins to get closer and closer to being encapsulated by boredom. I found it hard to read after page 200, i kept having to read in intervals, because the book would lose my attention so quickly. Unfortunately minutely too lengthy, the overall perspective of the novel was excellent.

"Shosha" is the story of a young writer's (Aaron Greidinger) committed love for a girl by the name of Shosha, from whom he falls in love at the age of seven. Althoug Shosha is a backward girl, intellectually below the level of the writer, he is unable to disregard her and although pursued by a number of other women, Greindinger returns to Shosha. It parallels his struggle to uproot himself from a society that is disrupted and doomed to die. To a great extent it is autobiographical, reflecting the conflict between communist political ideas and the laws of the Torah, Poland's ghetto life in the 30's, and the author's early struggle as a writer. Despite its simplicity in narration, the story is powerful, with a number of strong characters, with reversal of plots, reminding the fact that the story was developed to be published as journalist serial. As characteristic in all of Singer's writing deep philosophical questions are brought up, adding spice to a turbulent plot by itself reflecting an era of dramatic changes.

In Shosha Singer reminds us to focus on the journey as human beings rather than on any specific destination. Shosha, as a love story, asks us to look at what it means to be a living, thinking, feeling being even as the world falls inexorably into a chaos where definitions of normalcy no longer make sense. Even as Hitler, the Nazis, the Communists and, indeed, much of an uncaring western world threatened the continued existence of Eastern European Jews our cast of characters persisted in their exploration of the nature of God and man. While emmeshed in their rituals of relationship and love, they seek to make sense of the perils of day to day existence in an anti-Semetic world.

This is a book that allows the reader to look at the world as it was in the late thirties and forties, looking outward from the hearts and minds of a thriving Jewish community soon to be destroyed. We see what the consequences were for people who chose for centuries to not lift up the sword. Past, present and future seem to exist simultaneously. Spiritual and intellectual exploration thrive even in the face of personal and cultural annihalation. There is a somwhat distant and dreamlike quality to the life, loves and adventures of Singer's characters, but it fits the events as they unfold. And, while the story ends with the birth of Israel and new beginnings for survivors of the holocaust, we are reminded that what was continues to live only as long as those who were there are alive to relate the facts, to tell their stories. We are cautioned that when individual and collective realities that surround evil, suffering and loss are lost the universe becomes ever more flawed. This is a tale of evil and catastrophe, as well as a tale of hopefulness and wonder and resiliance of the human spirit.

This book sat on my shelf unread for twenty years. I am glad that I read it now, given the almost surreal times in which we are living. Singer's tale of love and survival of the human spirt is as relevant now as it was when it was written. It is not an easy book to read, but one well worth reading.