I'm not a professional actress, mostly because I was too unsure of the particulars of film acting. It is easy enough to get overwhelmed making a major career choice. On top of that, Hollywood has long held a mysterious and intimidating reputation that shifts from good to terrible. Mr. Carlson's book supplies invaluable advice on how to make it in the industry. Perhaps the most useful thing about the book is his own personal experiences that help the reader feel comfortable on a film set without even having been on one yet! This book clears up all the confusion, the lights, the cables, and the lenses by helping you understand what each noisy, flashing, moving object (and person) does. No advice is given on HOW to act, it is a technical manual. For auditioning tips I recommend Margie Haber's How To Get The Part...Without Falling Apart! It is also a must read!

I was completely spellbound when I first read this book-I did not think such a thing existed! I recommend it for anyone breaking into the film acting field or people who have already been introduced to film acting. The book is valuable to all. There are so few places to learn the fundamentals of acting on a film set, yet it is so important to learn these things before actually...acting on a film set. Hitting Your Mark delivered solid information and Steve Carlson should be greatly commended for his contribution to the world of acting.

My hat is off to Steve Carlson for sharing with fellow actors and aspiring actors the 1 thing that is most effective: experience. Every lesson, every helpful hint is backed by a story or an example. This is by far the most pracical and inspired instructive tool to come out in a while. It suprasses every "acting for camera" book on the market, because not only does the reader share in Mr. Carlson's lifetime of experiences, but also the author's passion for acting, and dedication to his craft. Unlike so many discouraging and pragmatic "handbooks" out there, this has an undercurrent of excitement along with the realism. The actor finishes the book feeling energized, not dejected. Practicality, experience, and encouragement. Steve Carlson's book is invaluable!

Megalodon: Hunting The Hunter by paleontologist Mark Renzis the amazing saga of the evolutionary rise and fall of the Megalodon, a gigantic and deadly shark. From the hunt for Megalodon fossils, to the ecology of an efficient and successful predator, Megalodon is packed from cover to cover with a wealth of fascinating information, 390 illustrations and photos, and an accurate portrait of what these ancient eating machines were really like in the high seas. A superb and eye-opening paleontology account that is an enthusiastically recommended addition to paleontology reference collections and supplemental reading lists, Megalodon is enhanced for the readers with fifty international sites where they can search for Meg teeth, a color identification section of Meg and her ancestors, and more!

This is one of the best books I have ever seen on the megalodon. The information in this book is impressive. Everything you would ever want to know about this giant creature and much, much more. Wonderful photographs and easy-to-understand text. ALL subjects are covered on this mind-boggling shark and its massive teeth.

Beautiful, large format, high quality book. In 160 pages, "MEGALODON: Hunting the Hunter" covers the evolution of C. megalodon with expert discussions of it's lineage, size, age, diet, competitors, and the environment in which it lived. Basically, if it can be associated with "Meg", it's in this book. Renz has called on the people considered experts in this field. Steve Alter, David Ward, Gordon Hubbell, Bretton Kent, Robert Purdy, and many others have contributed specimens, pictures, and text to all chapters. Despite the technical sound of all this, the book is a very easy read without the usual scientific mumbo-jumbo. Concepts are well described and conflicting theories are clearly explained.

The 390 photos, including illustrations by Renz's wife Marisa, are the high point of this book for me. The quality of the pictures, many of which are in color, are first rate. Mostly due to the collections of Dr. Gordon Hubbell and Steve Alter, this book contains pictures of some of the rarest and most beautiful Meg teeth you will ever see. I had a hard time getting past the dentition pages to get to the actual size, 7.25" Megalodon, which begins the color section. I'm sure that the listings and pictures of the 50 Meg collecting sites around the world, and the pathological chapters will be of great interest to all members. Renz has certainly outdone himself and created a book that has appeal for new and experienced collectors alike.

I am a member of Pastor Mark Scott's congregation and am happy to report he brings the same insight and humor to this collection of meditations which we enjoy every week. I very much enjoyed the comments and observations which Pastor Scott has put forth in his book, "Flights of Faith". This is an easy read in bite-size pieces that will be great for relaxing in the waiting area or on the plane with. I found myself nodding in agreement often because many of the situations and thoughts he verbalizes each of us have probably had. I appreciate the way Pastor Scott connects these everyday life things to our spiritual life. Yet, he does this in a way which does not attempt to hammer you over the head with religion. His meditations provide a new and positive take to the ordinary and sometimes dreary task of air travel. There are many interesting observations on the airport and airline travel life here. I know I'll not look at the complimentary soft drink and peanuts the same way again!

This book is meant to probide travelers with inspirations while flying the sometimes not-so-friendly skies. The messages contained within the book are meant to provide readers with a sense of meaning, purpose and direction in life. The book is not meant to be read in one sitting, although at 140 pages it can be read on a short flight.

Mark Scott's Flights of Faith is the kind of traveling companion we'd all love to sit with on those long business trips away from home. Flights of Faith offers comfort, grace, and perhaps most welcome of all, genuine humor -- just what we need in the fast-paced, often disquieting world we make our way along. And while its appeal to travelers is obvious, that is merely the point of departure for a book that offers every reader on life's journey substantially more to think about. Thanks, Mark!

Mark Kimbell's, The Hod Carrier, is one of the most straight-forward, business-applicable books I've read in years. The story about leadership lessons learned on a ladder conjures visions of difficult challenges each of us face. It also provides easy to remember lessons and simple tools such as "Bricks are twice as heavy when you're behind", and "Never forget whose bricks you are laying."

Mark's writing style is a Ken Blanchard-esque story style. The story itself is compelling, descriptive and so intriguing that you won't want it to end.

Carl Koetter
President
Koetter Training Resources, LLC

If you manage people in a business or organization I highly recommend assigning this book to your employees / co-workers. It only takes a few hours to read, yet leaves the reader with a lifetime of experiences.

Written by business consultant and trainer Mark Kimbell, The Hod Carrier: Leadership Lessons Learned on a Ladder is the deftly written, attention riveting story of Allen Hollings, a 19-year-old college student who decides to get himself a summer job on a construction site -- and finds that this decision will change his life forever. Allen is pushed and driven to the limits of his physical ability and emotional stamina as he struggles to meet the demands of the construction foreman. While learning and practicing the skills of carrying brick and mortar, Allen finds himself learning lessons about discipline, motivation, and time management that will serve him long after his summer job is over and the rest of his life begins. Indeed, Allen applies those hard learned summer job lesson to inspire a powerful work ethic in the lives and attitudes of the men and women he comes to manage in the competitive and hard working world of business. The Hod Carrier draws upon real world conditions laid out in a narrative storytelling which illustrates basic leadership principles that readers will find themselves absorbing interwoven with the genuinely interesting story so adroitly written by gifted communicator Mark Kimbell. The Hod Carrier is not just an another entertaining story, but does what the finest literary fiction has always sought to accomplish -- affecting and influencing the reader long after the novel is read and placed back upon the shelf.

Kaffir Boy

Mark Matherbane has had many up's and down's throughout his young childhood. He went through beatings and fights, up to schools and scholarships. There are many African black people being mistreated every day of there life in the South African city, Alexandria.
In South Africa, black people are being treated very poorly every day of there life's by white people in the story, "Kaffir Boy." There are many young boys in South Africa. But Mark Matherbane was a very unique kid who had a dream, and set his mind and heart to accomplish it. His world was very tuff and treated him very unfairly. He took care of his family the best of his ability at such a young age.
There was a family of five who lived in the deep heart of Alexandria. There family was starving and poor. They had no money. Mark was so young and almost hitting death of starvation, he pulled out of it. This shows that if you set a dream or a goal, and you try hard enough to reach it, it will always come true.
There are many things that have happened to Mark throughout his life. Mark fought with his father every day when he was growing up. I also get in a lot of arguments with my parents. He wanted to kill his father he was so mad. I would never go that far. Mark had two things that he was good at that brought him through life. It was his tennis career, that he was so good at, and his education. His talent mad him become friends with many different whites. In the end Mark did overcome all of his obstacles and reach his goal. He got his scholarship and went to America.
I would recommend it to young adults over 15 years of age. Only people who want to know the truth about how black people where treated in South Africa by whites and all others. Ignoring all of the gross stuff, the book was very good and I would give it four stars. I don't read many books, but this one was excellent.

Great words. Wonderful plot. Awesome characterization. All of these things can be found in Mark Mathabanes exciting autobiography, Kaffir Boy. This autobiography combines the vileness of South African apartheid and one young lad's struggle for freedom with astonishing results. Kaffir Boy takes an aggressive look into the wickedness of apartheid and the ravishing affects it can take on the future in an engaging manner that lures the reader into the plot.

Within Kaffir Boy, the plot blossoms through magnificent character development, guided by Mark. The story is encapsulated within an autobiography format- as the characters grow, so does the plot- as shown when Mark first realizes apartheid, and the detrimental effect it has on black society. By showing this truth, the reader has the opportunity to look into the world of a black South African drowning in the havoc of apartheid. The honest viewpoint shared an unbiased hope of life that kept the reader hooked. Along with this, Mark and his family build on to the story with details from daily life and family tradition. It really opened up a new viewpoint of world cultures as I felt myself being drawn into the characters lives, struggles and achievements. The character development in Kaffir Boy was a flawless, exciting addition to this book.

Along with character development, Mark's true life story unfurls through the plot a wicked twist on your feelings, emotions and beliefs that will make your morals shout out from the sidelines. The events in this book that I liked the least were the racism shown to the blacks in South Africa. The ways blacks were treated throughout this work really gave me a culture shock. Although the white's actions were horrible, Mark's actions and the persistent drive behind them shone like a candle in the night, as a hero in a sorrow filled world. The event that I liked the best was when Mark was freed of the bonds of apartheid through his talents and hard work, the theme was shown strongly through his actions and I admire his die-hard attitude. Also, the motif was very encouraging and kept me hooked. The plot of Kaffir Boy was exciting and will keep any reader thirsting for more.

Bright work or boring bummer? I encourage you to read this fabulous book and decide for yourself. Kaffir Boy astonished me with new viewpoints and aspects within the menacing world of apartheid. Make sure you add this five- star choice to your bookshelf- Kaffir Boy.

This book is really good. I only finished part one. It is an autobiography by Mark Mathabane. This part was talking about his stormy youth and described the discrimination for black people.

Johannes Mathabane was born in Alexandra, one of South Africa's black towns. He was raised with fear and hunger. He had a passion to love his family. This was a time when his family was poor. They couldn't even celebrate at Christmas. His parents had a pass book which the black people had to carry. But, that pass book was not in order so the policemen took Johannes's parents away.

I really liked reading this book, because it gave me a lot of information so I can image each scene very easily. I can't wait to read the rest of this book. I think it is a great book to know what was going on in South Africa and of the discrimination for the black people. If you are interested in the difficulties experienced by black people, you'll like this book.

This is a "So far" rating. "So Far" I've read the W2K Professional Book and about 1/4 through W2K Server. Like ctboone said "These books are MASSIVE". If I recall the introduction says that these books are NOT intended for study for MCSE exams, however some people used these as a tool for MCSE, and "so far" I strongly agree. I wanted to get some spoon-fed type info, since my NT4.0 background is very limited. And that's what this is, I think. I find myself almost in a "conversation" with the text, like Mark Minasi and the other authors are standing there talking to me. There have been helpful comparisons of W2K topics to every-day life scenarios. There are many print screens of install/config processes. I think the books are ideal for getting familiar with W2K and or using as a "how to" resource. Sometimes while reading I find I get a little lost when the books says "click on Start, then programs, then click on accessories, then click on ...and so on". That type of info would be more valuable if I were actually doing it at the PC. Which is why I wish the info in these books were setup with a self-study system with actual training demo's on CD. I plan to purchase Alan R. Carter’s Windows 2000 MCSE Study Guide System to maybe get more of a "classroom approach" in pursuit of my MCSE/all around knowledge quest and use these books (Minasi's) to explain what other self-study books may not cover or explain very well. And "So Far", Minasi's Resource Kit may be matched but definitely NOT beat for this. No Certs, 1/2 A+ , Master's in "Wanna Be". ...

Mark does it again. This guy made me cancel my windows 2000 training classes. I have read his articles in Windows 2000/NT magazine for a few years now.

This set takes you inside the innerworkings of windows 2000. Mark shows you how to get things done in win2k, but also gives you a peak at how the simple tasks are performed.

This kit is best read by those familiar with windows 2000 and is perfect if you want to become an expert.

This Resource Kit is the Resource Kit of resource kits. Don't bother with the Microsoft kit. Mark has a way with disseminating information to humans in a way that most authors can't. The four volumes are packed with tips, hints and solutions for anyone who administers a Windows 2000 network. It's an excellent reference kit as well. Highly recommended! Thanks Mark for your humorous, witty way of teaching!

It was said of Paul that he wrote some things difficult to understand which some "twisted" to their own distruction. Well, I wouldn't say Mark Nanos twisted anything, but it sure was a difficult book for me to read. Mark did an excellent job of documenting his research and supporting his conclusions which I thoroughly enjoyed when I finally figured them out. Furthermore, I think his controversial positions deserve serious consideration & adjustment in the thinking of many , if not most, conservative Christians & evangelicals. My only suggestion is to shorten the sentences & organize the thoughts that have been penned a bit more concisely. Again, I was awed by the research & insight but distracted & sometimes left wondering where he started in a sentence (or thought) soley because of his writing style. Sometimes less is more. Is it just me?

Paul's letter to the Romans has turned out to be one of the most misunderstood books in the Bible. His words have been interpreted in such diverse ways as to launch various religious movements and spawn new theologies that are completely contradictory to the message that Paul intended. One such example would be "Replacement Theology." Such ideas are based in part on anti-Semitism, which in turn, is based in part on a misunderstanding of Paul's words.

The author notes that Paul is not well liked. "Jews often perceive him as a traitor, or worse. Christians often consider him arrogant and manipulative, at the very least, and among scholars and those sensitive to the integrity of the Jews and Judaism his perceived disregard for and betrayal of his Jewish heritage and the Jewish people is justifiable cause for suspicion."

Mark Nanos "locates in the author of Romans a very different Paul: a thoroughly Jewish Paul, functioning entirely within the context of Judaism, giving priority to Israel..." With this mindset, "The Mystery of Romans" starts to reveal a message different from what history and Christianity has perhaps taught us.

"The Mystery of Romans" is a fascinating book based on brilliant scholarship. There are extensive footnotes throughout. One of the most rewarding chapters, Chapter Three, asks and answers the question: "Who were the 'weak' and the 'strong' in Rome?" It was this chapter alone that opened up a new understanding of Romans for me personally.

Every once in a while you come across a book that you wish every Christian would read. This is such a book. - Ronni

Finally! This is simply a great book. Contextually sound, theologically based, and historically appropriate, this book peels back the layers of Romans and breaks it down into its simplest terms. The LCD (Least Common Denominator) is the focus of this study (The Shema) and if your eyes remain focused, the contradictions simply dissolve. If every Christian was to read this book and act according to the understanding that comprises these pages we would be united and the internal strife would end (1 Cor. 1:10-13). At the same time if the Hebrew people would read this text, they might not have the animosity they do toward Christianity, provided we live up to our end of the bargain. If you read this book and don't come away with appreciating the Hebraic roots of Christianity and a thirst for more, then your heart is hard. I don't give many 5 star ratings!

Don't believe those reviews that describe this book as suitable for advanced players only. I could enjoy this book without a board and pieces. The prose is somewhat limited.

All players deserve to be encouraged to look at his games.

Please read the other reviews carefully. Like the man said, this book is NOT for beginners. Its NOT an instructional book. (Maybe an advanced manual for GM Tactics?) It is a book for the very discriminating connoisseur of the Royal Game. And you should be a fairly good chess-player with an above average grasp of chess tactics to "really get" whats in this book!

I found a few errors in this book. I also found one instance of the same line being analyzed twice with a different conclusion in each case! (Transposition.)

But for the most part this is an incredible chess book, crafted with great loving care by the authors. While it is probably over the head of the average chess player, the earnest student of the game will find much pure Gold here to mine!! Another warning: if you are the lazy type of chess player, you probably won't get much out of this book. Buy it ONLY if you are looking for a real challenge!!!(Understand: I am a Master, and many times the variations left me just scratching my head!!) This is the one chess book that, "Is looking for a few Good..." (To borrow a phrase.)

Fantastic games and a good chess writer. I learned (and am learning) a lot about sacrifices and tactics from this book.

If your going to Fairleigh Dickinson University you will need this book if your taking Digital Design and Graphics Price is GOOD

When I bought this book, I was totally uninformed about printing, period. I needed to learn about printing to complete a project. This is really an excellent book. It explains the different types of printing and their applications, use of color, planning your print job, cutting costs, etc. Everything you want to know, it's here.

My only complaint (and this is my own fault) is that after buying it, I realized it is mostly about offset printing processes, and for my particular project, I need to use digital printing because the quantities I need are too small to make offset printing cost effective. I wish I had understood that before I bought the book. But I'm giving it a "5" anyway because that is not the author's fault.

Having said that, I may eventually need larger quantities; if I do, this is a wonderful reference to have on hand.

As it states in the intro, "this guide helps everyone who plans, designs or pays for printing." It is one of the most complete, well explained and understandable books I have seen on printing. It explains not only the printing process but steps that you can take to make sure a print job meets the needs of the project as well as some ways to save money on your printing costs. This is another one of those must haves for any designer and in most cases any business that wants to understand a little more about the printing process and how they might be able to cut costs in ways that their designer or printer may not have mentioned.

For 25 years Industrial Light and Magic has woven magic into countless films, either subtle images through 'invisible' effects such as matte paintings or through eye-popping visuals that stand out vividly against the film backdrop. ILM has made it's mark on history, for not only have they been and still are the premiere effects house in Hollywood, they have innovated and invented more technology than any other studio, additionally they have won awards for the processing and compositing technology they have created. ILM had to be the best at special effects, because their flagship title - STAR WARS - demanded the best, because that's what Lucas wanted.

'Into the Digital Realm' isn't so much an abandonment of ILM of the traditional methods of special effects, rather a point of departure for the new technology and all of things that led up to it. Indeed, ILM's work on 'The Hunt For Red October' submarine work involved flying the submerged vessels from wires in a smoky room - effects do not get any more traditional than that. Released in 96, the book doesn't mention that Phantom Menace or even that the film is in production. It does have some revised images from the Star Wars special edition. As with the previous tome, this one is packed with hundreds of color photos, plus the same beautiful gate fold images.

If the center piece for the previous book was Star Wars, Digital Realms' focus is obviously Jurassic Park, because it was the first film to use CG on so large a scale, even more than Terminator 2, which ILM also did. Jurassic Park was also the test bed and showcase piece that convinced Lucas that computers had finally matured enough to bring what he had in mind to the screen for the new Star Wars films. More is the pity, because I came to loathe most of the aliens in the Phantom Menace. Digital Realm clearly explains in easy to understand terms how effects - both new and old - are accomplished, be it something as simple as making it appear as if buildings are actually much taller than they or having a velociraptor walk _behind_ a plant situated in the foreground. I have both of these wonderful books, and I strongly recommend them to anyone who is curious about ILM's history and the process of how effects are made.

An extraordinary book about an extraordinary company. You will know all you want to know about special effects wizardry. The book is well published, even watching its pictures is joyful.

If you want to know about special effects, this is the book. Simple as that.