GREAT!!!!!

I have just reviewed the ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND SANITATION 1994 SUPPLEMENT, by Joseph A. Salvato and Joe E. Beck. It's a great resource for professionals seeking a broader vision of environmental health practice areas and where we are heading. Prof. Beck obviously put a lot of work into conceptualizing this volume and working with the distinguished contributors. It shows. In particular, I found the first chapter, Stakeholder Focused Interactive Planning (SFIP)by Joe Beck and Steven Ison to be a brilliant piece on the desirability of (indeed, the imperative for our profession to) include the public in problem-solving and planning. I have used this process and mediated disputes ranging from siting controversies (haz. waste facility siting in Massachusetts) to determining future land use options at Hanford in the nuclear weapons complex. I commend both Beck and Ison for their clear portrayal of the paradigm as well as the steps one undertakes in conducting such planning. Federal government engineers and planners have been learning the hard way about what happens when decisions are made without public input and without regard to the values, interests, and expectations of so-called stakeholders. At Hanford, more than $20 billion in appropriations has yielded preciously little in terms of actual cleanup: one may wonder if Congress will continue to appropriate the substantial $6 billion a year for the Dept. of Energy's Environmental Management Program without consensus of the public on #1) the benefits or #2) the ameliorated risks from present expenditures. Current stakeholders come from a wide range of public interest groups and they do not get along particularly well. They do not have current programs or projects that reflect the use of the SFIP and researchers should be asking themselves, "Why not?" (Resources for the Future [RFF] has an on-going research project that tackles public participation in environmental decision making).

I would also like to comment on Ch. 6 "The Institutional Environment: Biosafety" by Darly Rowe. The importance of Dr. Rowe's conclusion that we must rely on consultation and working with the client on biosafety issues cannot be overstated. I also like the typology which places biosafety issues in proper perspective. We seem to be deluged with risks and risk information, and his approach is clear, concise and elegant. In sum, I believe that environmental health professionals can apply the insights in this series of articles in a way that will help supplant the "command-and-control" mentatlity that has battered so many of our colleagues and public health/environment inspectors, and baffled decision makers in the past two decades. Asst. Prof. R. Steven Konkel, Ph.D., EKU

This text is one of the most definitive AND USEFUL shelf references for the environmental health sciences. Detailed, accurate, wide-ranging on topics of immediate interest to the practicing sanitarian, engineer or the very interested non-practitioner. Support from the publisher has been poor. For two years after the announcement of the current addendum, the publisher "disavowed knowledge" of an addendum. When published, the addendum had the same ISBN number as the complete text -- creating the unture appearance of a "reduced" price complete addition. Salvato, could for the price of this text, be on a more current update of information contained in some chapters (2-3 year cycle). The scope of this work would justify numerous consulting authors. While it is one of the best shelf references and "learning texts" it could still be improved and be better supported by a publisher that sometimes seems to have insulated itself from the buying public.

A Fading Rainbow captures life's ultimate meaning through the colourful life of Annabelle Castello Johnson Reed. She grew up in an impoverished hamlet in Trinidad, then circumstances take her to the affluent, urban life. She finds what she had dreamed of - fame, wealth and power. However, she never found truth, love and unconditional happiness which she once knew back in her old hometown. When she grew old and her beauty faded, she adandoned her affluent life and went in search of the life she left in a hamlet called Bristol village. The story is filled with intrigue and excitement and profound messages.

A great book !! It's one of those that you can't put down till you've reached the end ! A tale set in the post-war days of Trinidad with focus on the rural areas of Rio claro and Mayaro. An intriguing web unfolds to readers as the author let the characters recall the past and then bring them back to the present. Each scene is captured vividly and great empathy felt as you ride through the emotions of trying to please others and do things against your will, heartbreaks, grief and being forever plagued by the 'what if' scenarios. The realisation that money did not bring Annabelle happiness but only the simple things in life such as love, truth and family - a worthy lesson to us all.

It's a wonderful story about life and its ironies. It says quite profoundly that the grass isn't always greener on the other side, and, wealth and status are not the attributes that make one happy. Annabelle found true happiness in the same mundane hamlet she had left some forty years before in favour of the imminent life. She lived her childhood dream, but it didn't bring her truth and love. She found the true meaning of life only after she returned to her old village. There a sad/sweet ending that will bring a tear to your eyes. It's a story that will leave you contemplating on life's ultimate goal.

Tony Blair says that his programme of making New Labour a "party of business" is the modern form of socialism, or, at least, "social-ism". The Chinese Communist Party says that fierce repression of workers' rights, together with fast and furious cutting of deals with capitalist multinationals and the open and avid pursuit of individual profit for the privileged, is socialism in a form suitable to China today. For others, socialism is what used to exist in the USSR and is now - to the sorrow of some, the joy of others - off the agenda. What is socialism? Even 150 years ago, in the Communist Manifesto, Marx and Engels marked off their working-class socialism sharply from a wide range of other socialisms, which they called reactionary socialism, bourgeois socialism, petty-bourgeois socialism, and utopian socialism. They had already criticised what they called the "crude communism" of levelling-down to equally shared poverty. Early radical socialists in Britain, people like William Morris, argued against anarchists but also saw a huge gulf between their own working-class politics and "state socialism", which they regarded as no better, or worse, than capitalism. Yet the accomplished fact often weighs heavier than a thousand good theories. The fact that state-owned industry gave the Stalinist USSR something approximately socialist in common with the heroic years of the revolutionary Russian workers' state after 1917 convinced many that there must be some real continuity. The USSR must, at the very least, be a distorted version of a system moving towards socialism, if not actually reaching it, and therefore deserved the loyalty of the labour movement. The events of 1989-91 put an end to all such hopes, and compelled many socialists to rethink. This book will be an immensely valuable contribution to that rethinking. It presents, with clear and informative commentary, the key "lost texts of critical Marxism" from a long-dispersed, long-marginalised, but brilliant, group of radical thinkers who demonstrated the fundamental conflict between working-class socialism and bureaucratic statism in the era when the USSR was at the peak of its political influence.

Well I've read this book and quite frankly, I wasn't particulary impressed. But you have to hand it to Mr Matgamna, he sure does know how to write an introduction! In many ways, the intro is more useful, though I would wholeheartedly disagree with many of the points made, than much of the "critical texts" included thereafter.

The fact is, Shachtman went over to the right wing at the end of his life afterleading the SWP for many years. I blame his views on the USSR and one notices how many ex-trots do this. Obviously their views on the USSR have a lot of factual basis to them , but it was the best we had and therefore worth defending to the hilt and fighting for. Stalinism was "actually exisiting socialism" and anyone who denys this, contradicts the actually existing state of play at the time up until the end of the Cold War, and in particular, up to the mid 1960s.

Any socialist who wants to be educated should read this book, and then argue with it!

The Fate of the Russian Revolution Lost Texts of Critical Marxism Vol.1 Edited by Sean Matgamna. Published by Phoenix Press London ISBN 0-9531864-0-7

This book opens with a quotation from Albert Einstein, stating the case for socialism. Einstein, like almost every great mind of the 20th century who concerned himself or herself with the welfare of the working people, wanted common ownership and a democratic planned economy. But Einstein was stumped by the enigma of the USSR. He saw that there "the planned economy" was "accompanied by the complete enslavement of the individual" and so was "not yet socialism". It seemed to represent, on the one hand, a step in the right direction, because of the planned economy, but on the other hand, not a step that Einstein wanted to take.

Very few thinkers got anywhere near resolving the paradox. The greatest was Leon Trotsky. But Trotsky got no further than assessments of the USSR which he himself described as provisional and needing review if the system proved to have some solidity and viability, rather than being only a freak concatenation of counter posed forces.

When the Stalinist USSR showed that it did have that viability - by becoming the world's second superpower, in the 1940s - the task of reworking Trotsky's analysis had to be undertaken, not by well-provided professors in famous research institutes, but by tiny groups of Marxists harassed by the exigencies of day-to-day political activity in hostile circumstances. They have not become as famous as Einstein, or Trotsky. Their names - Max Shachtman, Joseph Carter, Hal Draper, C L R James - are largely unknown.

But the "lost texts" of those "critical Marxists" - here unearthed for the first time from dusty archives, and well-presented with a substantial introduction - are a central part of the intellectual history of the 20th century. Every educated person needs to know about them, just as much as he or she needs to know about Einstein's theory of relativity.

We couldn't have asked for better help when it came to finding my son a science project. The help that was given to my son on the web, e-mail, and especially through this book was a big part of him winning the Grand Champion Trophy at his elementary school science fair. We appreciated the information and help. Thanks Fingerprint Discoveries!!!!! S. Campbell

I found this book very easy to read and understand. It is perfect for someone who is just learning to identify and classify fingerprints. The illustrations of the various fingerprint patterns were extremely helpful.

We discovered this book and project kit during the annual Science Fair at our school. While looking for something unique and interesting for our 7 year old to submit to the judges we came across Fingerprint Discoveries. The kit included everything we needed to submit a Science Fair project we have also donated a kit to our school for the 4 - 6th grades to use every year.

Are you disenchanted with buidling the volcano project....?spaced out on models of the solar system....? This is the book and project kit you have been looking for. Originally, we thought it would be too detailed for our first grader but we found that we could modify the project to her level and then use the book and project kit in full for the upper grade levels.

I would give this book 5 stars ***** and make sure every elementary and science teacher had one on the desk.

Deana Leach Raeford, North Carolina

Pacheco's poems are nothing short of amazing. Uniquely rich in their description, his poems range from hysterically funny to utterly touching. Each poem beautifully integrates meaning, depth, and rhythm, allowing any reader the most compelling experience. It's an unpretentious, beautiful work that I would recommend most highly to any lover of poetry or prose.

When I finished this book of poetry, I felt as though I personally knew Mr. Pacheco and his family, especially his abuelita.
It is a funny, sad, poignant, painful and personal account of his life. I am not Latina; yet I could appreciate his feelings of pride and love and enjoyed his sharp sense of humor.
As an educator, I would highly recommend this book for use in high school or college classes.

This is a wonderful book of poetry with very vivid images. Pacheco talks about his early life, in New York City, as a Nuyorican: how he got his name, his first haircut, his grandmother and more. The Sailing to Sanibel section contrasts his life in retirement on Sanibel Island.

I enjoyed this book immensely...more the second time than
the first. I do suggest that Amazon.com categorize this book correctly. It is NO-WAY science fiction or fantasy!

This book is excellent reading for the Christian,an excellent study book guaranteed to lift your spirits and teach you to follow Christ as He instructed us to do.Indepth. This book touches your heart, soul & mind & will bring you to your knees...

After working at a Christian bookstore for over two years I have read a large amount of evangelical literature. Rarely have I read a book twice, but with this book I have read it over 6 times! I have bought over 20 copies to give as presents, and continue to recomend it to friends. Stowell has hit the heart of the issue of what it means to be a "Christian", and how we need to re-focus ourselves to be Followers of Christ rather than leaders of a church, etc. Highly recomended to everyone from a non-believer to the veteran, well read, mature believer.

Wow! Joseph Stowell challenges you to explore what it means to be a follower of Christ. This is not an easy book to read if you like your comfort zone, but it contains a spectacular and thrilling call to put your life on the line, take up your cross and follow Christ. This is one of those books that challenges your preconcieved ideas of Christianity and life with Christ. I don't think I will ever think of following Christ in the same way again. I highly recommend this book.

Joseph M. Faria's From a Distance reflects the unique landscape of the Portuguese island of San Miguel in the Azores alive with the sins and virtues of its people, their fears and hopes.

In the book's engaging format Jim, an American writer of island ancestry, observes the vivid dramas which play out in a small-town bar. Some of these scenes arise from the presence of tourists, others are strictly a local product: "A girl sitting at the end of the bar, covered her face covered with an elegant, thought-provoking hand. She worked for the IRS and the short creepy guy sitting next to her was her boss. He had fired the girl for pilfering. He was trying, unsuccessfully, to comfort the guilty party."

Alternating with these short chapters, are a dozen exemplary short stories. Among them: teen-aged Gil searches for his sister Celia, whose dream of becoming a movie star has led her astray. "Papa was burning mad when she didn't show for supper, and as usual mama sat at the kitchen table wilting in silence." Jorge, a taxi driver, takes Manuel to see a prospective buyer for his four acres of corn. "A feast for any cow." Isabell inquires of the fishermen for news of her husband. "The fishermen ignored her, fearing the sea's wrath." Maria, long-married but enamored of her visiting American cousin, tells him good-by. "She saw her body drift toward the edge of his arms. "

Faria's elegant landscape descriptions tie it all together. "Beyond the trees and beyond the walls, a series of low rolling hills of tea, where women with bright blue handkerchiefs tied around their heads, were harvesting the tiny green leaves into aprons tied around their waists. The women looked pregnant, from a distance." His clear-eyed, yet tender, gaze illuminates the islanders and brings them close, as close as next-door neighbors. The end is reached too soon.

I never wanted the book to end. Every story, every person is throbbing with life and passion. Every event and every heartbreak is as real as your own. If you do nothing else this summer but read this book, then you will have enriched and deepened your own existence. I look forward to reading every word this wonderful author writes. I know you will treasure From A Distance just as I do.

Each story is a glimpse of a foreing land, sprinkled with the common thread of what can only be described as the human condition. I was startled by the similarities in feelings like love, loss, attaining or not attaining status quo in a backdrop so starkly different from what I'm used to. A glimpse of the unknown and a surprising glint of the recognizable! The stories are gems, gleaming with fresh visions and turns of phrase, and a gamut of emotions. Fools for love, foolish Americans, superstitious matriarchs, naive little sisters... The stories of these people and this land have been presented honestly and without a trace of either condescension or favoritism. The reader is able to experience the snippets of lives as they occur, to marvel at the similarities, and to appreciate the differences.

A fast-moving novel on a very timely subject, by two Washington insiders. Written with deft, subtle humor and irony, Gambit involves a cast of well developed, highly original and colorful characters. These are skilfully interwoven in a globe-spanning and suspense-filled plot that moves along briskly with startling events at every turn. Gambit would make a great screen play, not only because of its fascinating characters but because of its magnificent settings. I can foresee it as a Hollywood production starring some of our well-known action movie stars. The reader will be tempted, as was I, to fantasize as to the actors best suited for each character. One hopes that Falquier and Harned will continue with their very impressive literary efforts.

Gambit, co-written by Falquier and Harned, delivers savvy intrigue and insight into the Nuclear Gulag. In 247 tightly written pages, the authors display easy familiarity with sabotage and the Russian military and political structure, Soviet KGB and GRU, and a Cook's tour of exotic locations in detail. It reminded me of Robert Ludlum's work, and I love Ludlum. Someone better option this for a film, quick.

In addition to being a fascinating read, "Gambit" has all the ingredients for a blockbuster movie epic. The authors combine a riveting story line of international intrique and nulclear weapon theft, with a fascinating assortment of colorful characters. These include a unique "Frenchman", a Chinese majordomo, an outspoken British priest, a beautiful Puerto Rican doctor, a Russian Admiral, and the prerequiste KGB among those emeshed in this tale's web of subterfuge. The plot centers on the theft of strategic nuclear weapons from a GRU arsenal in the Ukraine. This gets the full attention of the Russian and United States governments, but the motives and the identities of the perpetrators baffles their intelligence agencies. Rogue nations, terrorist and fanatical groups are among the suspects- perhaps the GRU itself. Who has the the nuclear weapons, and why? Who will be targeted, and when? These are the major questions which generate an international chess game of intrigue, espionage and deception against the most unlikely opposition. The complexity of the action, and the ongoing suspense, made it difficult for this reader to find a place to pause before finishing the book. Although the authors make the required disclaimer that none of the characters depicted "bears any resemblence whatsoever...etc.", this is not entirely true as most knowledgeable readers will note. Those of us who are fans of the Tom Clancy style story telling genre, will easily sense that that much of the story is fictionalized truth, and that the autors know their facts in far greater detail than they reveal. In fact, their credentials make it most likely. However, as much as I enjoy relaxing with a good mystery of this type, the thought that this scenario might be possible is sobering. The disorder and the corruption among the former statea of the U.S.S.R., and Russia itself, is more evident each day. The Chernobyl disaster was one example of poor nuclear engineering and controls that the Russian government could not hide from the world. Perhaps it's not too far fetched to speculate that the Russian submarine Kursk, recently sunk in Norwegian waters, was destroyed by it's own government while it's crew was trying to hi-jack and sell it's nuclear weapons!?! "Gambit" will make you stop and think about it, as I did, while thoroughly enjoying the story. In my estimation, this book deserves 5-stars.

All the math in the world would be useless in any applied subject without physical intuition about the phenomena and a clear passage between the intuition and the math. Pedlosky's book has it all - intuition and math. I have loved studying it as my first step in the direction of geophysics from a career in pure mathematics. The book is clear, easy to read, interesting, fascinating. Thank you Pedlosky for a magnificent textbook.

If you trully want to understand geophysical fluid dynamics (ocean/atmosphere) you can not avoid this great book. I strongly suggest it, specially if you are a graduate student going through a GFD course. Years from now you will still go back to Pedlosky to clarify your doubts.

Boy, I wish this book had been out when I was in grad school! (Physical oceanography). This is an essential work for the shelf of anyone interested in dynamic meteorology or oceanography. Well organized, thorough, and easy to follow (at least for the intended audience.)

In moving, concise words, Gustafson has captured the spirits of those who fought in the drama of the Civil War. This dramatic, compelling little book moves the reader from an abstract high school concept of the war which shaped our nation into looking at the slaughter of over 600,000 American men (2% of the population) through their own eyes. An excellent read!

The gun-smoke souls of the dead from the Civil War spirit on in the empathetic penning of poet Joseph Gustafson. In Gettysburg Voices: Civil War Poems, Gustafson brings stinging emotions and thoughts into the reader who in turn is afforded spiritual haunt, the Whitmanesque, soft and hard pain, message, and love for language in expressing poetic reaction to the actions of man in time.

- Michael Hood

Gettysburg Voices is a unique book that describes, with passion and compassion, battles of Gettysburg, as well as spiritual moments in the lives of individual soldiers who fought in that war. This is a wonderful gift for anyone interested in the Civil War or interested in history. These are historical poems, in a sense, and very moving. Gettysburg Voices reminds us of our roots to this great country of America.