Well organized and written. I'm counting on this book to get me a passing score. I have read other CCNA books but fell short of a passing score by just a few points. When I heard the CCNA 1.0 was no longer going to be offered, I rushed to study and take the test. Big mistake #1. I didn't think there was much of a difference between 1.0 and 2.0 so I rescheduled (since I do have industry experience with switches and plus I was so close). Big mistake #2 (totally different test, I felt "green" like a MCSE in a CCIE's world). Out of $200 I was like...BUMMER. I invested in Exam Prep to fill in what I was missing. Now that I have finished this book I feel confident that I am equipped with the real deal. I am eager to take the test, it will be a great way to bring in the New Year. The review questions and hands-on projects are great (providing you have access to equipment). The coverage in WAN Protocols is awsome which happend to be one of my weak points. I understand ISDN now. EXAM PREP is the tool to put me over the top. Buy it, read it, and welcome aboard the fantastic world of "real" networking.

I thought after finishing my MCSE last year I knew all about computer networks. This book sure opened my eyes. It's a smooth path from that curriculum to the Cisco networking world. It starts with the OSI model and moves into network structure then has a real good chapter on the different Cisco products: switches, routers, modular devices, DSL, ATM etc. Then it explains the Cisco IOS, how to program the router copy and transfer images, NVRAM, Flash etc. This was all well explained so I could move on with confidence. Next came the protocols, IP, IPX and routing protocols which I never knew existed, but learned well. The book finishes with lots of coverage on WANs particularly Frame Relay which was heavily covered on the exam. Then came access lists which were well explained and also covered on the exam. Simply put, this book had all the coverage for the exam and only having unrelated A+ and Microsoft training I was able to pass the CCNA on the first try. Word of warning though, don't take it lightly, study hard, the test is hard but the material is all in here. The CD is great to determine if your ready too.

This book has a ton of good information about Cisco devices, the IOS and the many routed and routing protocols. Most of it is covered in real detail and is not really for those (who are) new to computer networking. I'd say this is a little of the advanced course although it does start with the beginning Cisco information you do need to have some decent backround in computer networking to be able to read this and pass the exam. All the different protocols which are on the exam were covered in detail here. It covered the IOS real well, the different parts of Cisco switches and routers and troubleshooting. The chapter on Access Lists covered the exam questions real well. I felt real comfortable and passed with a 92%. Warning though: The test is not easy and if you don't understand the material in the book, you won't pass. If you know the book and do the questions and exercises you'll pass. It's all in there.

The book is fun to read. No question. The stories are great, especially if you like basketball and sports. Jon Spoelstra certainly came up with some outrageous ideas, and my oh my, didn't they all work great! Isn't he a genius? This book certainly made me think that Jon Spoelstra thinks a lot of himself.

Unless you're running a sports franchise, I'm not sure there's actually much useful information to glean from the book, and that's the reason you buy business books, isn't it. For all it's quizzes, which are really "precious" (in the worst sense of the word), the only real idea from the book is "go crazy...risk something." That's great if you've got deep pockets. People will do a lot of crazy things to link themselves with major sporting teams (sponsorships, wacky promotions, giveaways, etc.). But what if you own a plumbing supply store? A shoe repair store? A used CD shop? Yes, you too can do crazy, wacky things, but if you do the wrong crazy thing, just because Spoelstra thinks you should, will you have the cash flow left to try another one? Unless you've got a big organization and deep pockets (or access to deep financing) his urging to be outrageous seems a bit pat and obvious.

Yes, be outrageous, sure. But how do you temper it? How do you give yourself an "escape route" if things go wrong? How do you pay for it?

So, I finished the book very entertained by the anecdotes, and impressed at the contributions the author has made to the ways in which we all enjoy professional sports events and team. But I had not one truly practical, useful, actionable idea to put to work.

It's hard to believe anyone wrote this book, Marketing Outrageously. To me, it felt as if me and Jon Spoelstra sat in a room and talked about crazy ideas. Jon tells you to take a quiz at the end of EVERY chapter. He even tells you to write notes to yourself and carry them around with you. This book is more interactive than the Internet. But don't take it from me, read the book. And read it twice. Four days after I received it, I finished it. You won't want to put this book down. Too bad Amazon's rating system doesn't go beyond 5 stars.

This book should be read by every single person that has anything to do with business. I have been told by many people that if you want to increase revenue you call Jon Spoelstra, now I know why. Jon's ideas have not only revitalized my attitude towards my company, but his creative thinking has also caused my employees to feel energized to think way outside the box and not be afraid to think OUTRAGEOUSLY. One of our young interns who was sitting in on our idea session threw out an idea that he had been afraid to voice because he thought it was too out there. Well this idea has turned into an actual business plan that my staff is excitedly starting to put into action. Buy this book by the gross and give a copy to everybody in your company and anyone you care for. The excitement in our company has been revitalized after having only a small number of my employees read this book. I can't wait until Wednesday when our new shipment of books arrive.

The real story of our global environmental crisis that holds one like a great novel. Bravo! Mark Hertsgaard. For your daring, and your insight, and for taking us all on your travels around the world that we might all see what our consumer oblivion is doing to our precious planet earth. This book is a great read, friends. More than a nudge that it's time to wake up - it inspires one to do so, and to tap our neighbor on the head too.

Hertsgaard's book, while sounding the alarm about global environmental degredation, for the most part avoids the dogmatic rhetoric of the environmental movement. His method is simple but effective. He travelled around the world and witnessed environmental disasters first hand. Particularly chilling is the chapter on China. He is also realistic, acknowledging that the biggest environmental crisis consists of billions of third world citizens who aspire to a first world lifestyle and the environmental damage this would cause. Hertsgaard also offers solutions, however unlikely that they might be implemented any time soon. A very worthwhile book.

Earth Odyssey is a powerful story of the earth's prospects. I loved this book because it is beautifully written, fair and balanced. It does not give simple answers -- it provides textured answers that reflect human needs, motivations and aspirations. It covers a journey that was both personal and professional, reflecting the author's obvious concern for the environment and the human species, yet objective and meticulous in reporting of environmental events and their causes. The best books make you think; Earth Odyssey makes you reflect upon your own relationship with the planet.

Desert Sons is a notable achievement for first-time author, Mark Kendrick. The story details the accidental meeting of two teen age boys, Ryan and Scott, and their eventual romance. The story takes place in the desert of southern California over the course of a summer. I particularly enjoyed the author's ability to describe in fascinating detail the smallest, relatively insignificant items which make up the fabric of the story. The scenes which include the sexual escapades of the two teenagers are tastefully depicted, with enough graphic description to keep the reader at "full attention", shall we say...

The story is long, and drags a bit in the middle, but the final couple of chapters are quite emotionally powerful and very much worth getting to. The book, while seemingly written for a younger audience, should be enjoyable for any gay man who can certainly see parts of his younger self in the thoughts and feelings of the two teenagers.

This novel about two gay teens and their start-up relationship is tenderly written. It brings the reader back to his/her own awkward dating days, when one look or incorrectly chosen word could change the course of one's life. Minute details are of paramount importance, and the author accurately portrays the angst universal to all teens as they try and impress (or at least survive) their peers. The uncertainties in these boys' lives made me cringe at times and laugh out loud at times, and I frequently feared a tragic ending as they grappled with who they were and who they wanted to be. It really is a tender love story (with some steamy sex scenes -- gripping reading for even heterosexuals) and the evidence of familial support is heartening. Also, the wonderful settings (desert and coastline) make this read like a mini-vacation. This, Mark Kendrick's first effort, is impressive, his attention to detail is remarkable, and his memory of his own youth (I'll assume) is impeccable. A job well done.

It's a real pleasure to read about a level-headed, likeable gay teen like Scott Faraday in DESERT SONS, who celebrates being gay and expects others in his world to celebrate with him. When he meets a troubled teen by the name of Ryan St. Charles, Scott is challenged, not only to like the guy, but eventually to bring him out. This first novel by Mark Kendrick hints at a maturity of style rare in many first novels. The characters are well conceived and presented in depth. The story seems simple at first, but always in the background is the depth of the problems that Ryan must work through as his friendship with Scott grows. There is real growth of character, here, presented in unabashedly erotic and emotional scenes. Kendrick has a real gift of description of the desert and the forests of northern California, as well, which plays an important role in making the story vibrant and sensuous. Simply a good read. --Ronald L. Donaghe, author of THE BLIND SEASON

Michael Craft's fourth Mark Manning novel, once again, mixes a stellar plot with an amazing cast of characters. However, his tendency to tell not show hinders the first twenty-five pages of the novel. The previous reviews give an accurate description of the story, so I will reiterate their points. The plots of Craft's novels have become more believable and solid as his career has advanced, and the plot here is his best work. While some readers may guess the killer half-way through the novel, the untangling of side twists makes for a most enjoyable read.

More and more I appreciate the moments between Mark and Neil because they reveal the tenderness of a relationship many of us lack. With the next novel I hope Craft will expand on the domestic scenes, possibly giving Neil a more active role in unwinding the mystery.

Craft's story-telling may not rank him as a classic writer, but his attention to detail in the plot certainly does. His place among the pantheon of classic mystery writers is not set just yet, but with continued novels and some minor progress he will certainly interest all readers. However, if he wants to write for an audience with a more refined taste, he will have to cut down on the sex scenes. The eroticism adds to the novels' commercial value, but otherwise is unnecessary.

My biggest hope for these novels is that they will remain a financial success and Craft can afford to put more of them on the market. I'm eagerly awaiting his next publication.

In Name Games, author Michael Craft offers us the fourth entry into the Mark Manning series of mysteries. With Name Games, Craft has certainly hit full stride. Manning is a well-developed, familiar protagonist and Craft seems to have fully taken hold of Manning's character development. Although this publication marks a switch in publisher from Kensington to St. Martin's Press, absolutely nothing suffers by the change. Manning's latest adventures find him well settled into his new home in Dumont, Wisconsin, where he is editor and publisher of the Dumont Register. His partner Neil is present throughout the story as he is on an extended work assignment for Quatro Press in Dumont. (Neil was more intermittant in the last story because of Mark's move from Chicago. Neil remained in Chicago and commuted to Dumont on weekends). This is an extremely postive development as we can witness Mark and Neil grow more settled as a couple. In addition, the character of Doug Pierce (country sheriff) continues and he is a welcome face in the Manning series. Mark's ward Thad Quattrain has developed from a total brat (as we met him in the last installment) to a decent and loving sixteen year old who has formed an excellent relationship with Mark and Neil; Thad appears quite proud to have two gay surrogate parents.The story revolves around a "miniatures" exhibiton to be held in Dumont. The celebrity judge is murdered and Sheriff Doug Pierce is implicated. Mark takes hold of the murder and works diligently at solving it. There are plenty of suspects and each is well portrayed in Craft's development. While there is a bit of foreshadowing, the reader is urged not to jump to conclusions. I managed to wrongly solve the mystery about four times through the book!Craft provides an engaging read from start to finish. His writing has improved and in addition to the action of the story, he cleverly manages to bring us into some of his more reflective thinking on a number of issues throughout the story. The conclusion is somewhat surprising and yet satisfying. Manning is well entrenched on my must read list. The only unfortunatel thing about finding a new author or series at the start is the wait for the next one. For those not familiar with Michael Craft's "Mark Manning" series, there are four waiting to be read. By the time you're finished, they'll probably be a fifth. At least this reader hopes so!Great work Michael! Keep them coming ... a little faster perhaps!

While it isn't required to read them in sequence, you get a better appreciation of Mark's and Neil's relationship if you do. I enjoy the way their relationship is fleshed out a little more with each book. That's not meant to detract from the main plotlines. Michael Craft has not failed to deliver believable, logical scenarios.

There was one thing I particularly loved about this book. The reader has all the clues needed to make his/her own theories, theories the characters haven't mentioned yet. Craft doesn't hide clues. The conclusion of his stories doesn't introduce new people/facts as a convenient way to tie up loose ends.

I've enjoyed all the Mark Manning books, but this one in particular was very hard to put down.

Once the fifth book is available, I'll be getting it as well!

This book is funny. Sometimes, this is funny/cruel, as in his attempt to pay the Egyptian kid to climb pyramids until it kills him. Pretty much every nationality in Europe is attacked. Maybe this jumps out at you when he gets to the Holy Land, but it's there all along.

I found Twain's discussion of Lake Como to be the most troubling. Here, in comparing it to Lake Tahoe, he gets diverted into what can only be called a racist tirade against the Washoe Indians of Nevada.

Melville (in The Confidence Man) has a long chapter on Indian-hating, but he writes as an observer, not a practitioner. Twain is more partisan. There is an anti-Catholic tinge as well; but then, anti-Catholic political parties (such as the 'Know Nothings') were also a feature of pre-civil war America.

I do believe that this is one of the finest books on tourism one can read. Twain is a keen observer of Old World culture, which he opposes to our American adaptation. Admiration can lead to whitewashing if some of Twain's social pathologies are left unexamined.

The book is as anti-Indian as anti-Arab, as anti-Mormon as anti-Catholic. It remains a very funny book; but I wouldn't give it to a teenager to read without a precautionary warning.

Ok, maybe that is a minor overstatement, but this is one hilarous book, to be read by people who have travelled, who plan to travel, and generally, people who want to laugh. A lot.

The book is also surprising for its timeless points about the journeying of certain upper white, middle class people going on a grand tour of Europe. I frequently had to remind myself that it was written in 1869 because his observations and the behavior of his shipmates is so close to the way people I studied abroad with acted-only a few years ago.

Twain also puts those "cosmopolitan" people who claim to have traveled, but don't know anything about any place they have been but and just like to lord it over everyone else that they have "travelled" and you have not.

Reading this book is like listening to a very wise, old man tell you about his adventures. Its not like a book, more like one long conversation. Twain takes nothing seriously-not himself, his fellow travelers or the places they visit. The words are another adventure-sometimes, you know he is setting you up for something, other times he is serious for a while, then you end up in the middle of a joke.

I know this is against the rules, but the other posters who don't like this book-don't be so serious and p.c. all the time. Twain is making humorous observations, at a time when a different standard was acceptable. Not to mention, he does manage to get a few zingers in there about what people are willing to accept and what they do not.

You will laugh yourself silly and want to book a trip-not to Europe, just to anywhere, after reading this book.

This book, along with Twain's 'Roughing It,' is often considered to be some of the best travel narrative ever put to paper. Certainly it deserves its acclaim. Twain, the irreverent All-American writer, took a trip halfway around the world in a steamer and visited many of the great sites of Europe and the Middle East. This is his account of his experiences, and the experiences of the group of 'Pilgrims' which accompanied him on this 'pleasure excursion.'

One of the best things about Twain is his refusal to romanticize, even in the cases of the greatest places in the world. He does not hesitate to verbally abuse Paris, Florence, Damascus, even Jerusalem. He tells it how it is, refusing to admire the work of the great painters (Raphael, Michael Angelo, and co.) and asserting that everyone who ever wrote of the beauty of the Sea of Galilee was a downright liar. He has some good things to say, too (he seems to have approved of Athens), but mostly he spends his time dispelling the romantic images of the great places of the world. The result is hilarious, and certainly makes one realize that, despite the perfect images that Paris, Pisa, and Rome sometimes have in our minds, they are a far cry from paradise.

Twain's wit, as always, is very sharp, and this book is an excellent example of it. His antics (and descriptions of them) are very funny, and his way of putting things a joy to read. Along the way, he pokes fun of the American "Pilgrims," who deface the sacred relics they visit and call every guide they have 'Ferguson.' This is certainly a classic in American Literature. Anyone interested in travel writing will profit greatly from this book, as will anyone who enjoys Twain's humor or just a good laugh.

I'm quite certain that after all the attention received by the previous book "Ella Enchanted", this story would have no choice but to be compared to it. Sadly, if that is done, all the reader will find is a silly, shallow novel void of all the depth and plot of Ella.

So the obvious thing to do is not compare "The Princess Test". "The Princess Test" is just not Ella Enchanted. If the reader is expecting another Ella and obstinatly refuses to settle for anything else, he/she will be very disappointed, as compared to if the reader will just sit down with this book and read it for its own sake.

Now on to the actual review.

Again, Ms. Levine takes a familiar fairy tale and gives it her own unique twist. In this case it is "The Princess and the Pea." Levine gives a quick-yet-delightful retelling of an extremely sensitive blacksmith's daughter who becomes a princess.

The story is done in third person, giving it the sense of an actual fairy tale. I believe that is entirely what Levine was trying to do: write a fairy tale, not a novel. Instead of a spunky heroine, we have a carbon-copy of the average fairy tale princess. Instead of a normally-evolving relationship, we have love-at-first-sight. I found that even though I wanted to smack Lorelei at times for being such a ditz, she was just as charming as Ella in her own way. The total lack of depth simply makes the story light-hearted. And even though the reader might roll her eyes at the romance, she'll no doubt do it with a smile on her face.

Delightfully picture-book characters, a fairy tale setting, and humor. Who cares if it's not Ella? Pick it up and enjoy a quick read!

The Princess Test, by Gail Carson Levine, was a well thought-out and carefully expounded version of Hans Christian Anderson's The Princess and the Pea. It made a good read, but was rather short, giving slight room for those important 'little' details such as character development. Levine told her tale in true Anderson style, much like the original story, but with Levine's humor and clever twists to the plot. Those who have enjoyed Levine's previous book Ella Enchanted will finish The Princess Test and clamor for more, but if you are not familiar with Levine, you may wonder what all the fuss is about.

Wonderful version of the classic The Princess and the Pea. It is a story about a young girl whose name is Lorelei. She is the daughter of a local blacksmith. The only problem is, is that she is so spoiled that she is the only child in in the village to have satin sheets and so on. Also she can not wash dishes without getting a rash and when she tried spinning she pricked her finger and could have bled to death. In fact the only house chores Lorelei is good at is making beds and hanging clothes. But there is one thing Lorelei is very good at it is embroidery, she embroiders the clothes and the linen. One day she meets a prince and they fall in love. That would have been perfect for each other except there is one problem. The prince has to marry a real princess. The queen makes a test for the princesses that come and Lorelei gets wound up in it by mistake. Will the pince get to marry her or not? Read the book to find out. It is a totally thrilling book although I found it was too short. Also I would recommend the book The Fairy's Mistake.

"Hush" was a book I grabbed off the bargain pyramid, and as such, I wasn't expecting a whole lot from it: just a thriller to keep me going when I was moving house and had nothing hooked up or working right yet. On that level, the book succeeded wonderfully: the tension is high, the villain stalks the heroine and a child mercilessly, and you twitch and jump and get skittish.

The basic premise is this: A sociopathic pedophile has killed a childs mother and taken the child in order to prey on him better. The child withdraws, becoming a voluntary mute, and a biter. A woman who is an "Art Therapist" (a psychologist who uses the artwork of children to 'decode' their stress/troubles) then gets the boy's case, and ensuing thriller begins.

The heroine, Celia, is very well crafted, with depth and a personality that lines nicely with her career. Moreover, she's not perfect - her marriage is on the rocks, she has doubts sometimes in her conclusions, and her job is unstable since the head of the hospital thinks what she does is a fraud and has no real psychological validity. Likewise, Davy, the child, has a very rich character - he is surviving a level of awful abuse (and sometimes even the hints of what is happening to him are very painful to read), and his mind is as complex as it would be given the condition.

It's the villain where the complexity dies a little. The pedophile character is cardboard and 1-dimensional, and you only get a random hint or two as to his background, motivation, or the like. In most thrillers I've read, you get a detailed past from the villain, as he or she tries to validate what they're doing (an impossible task, but a quirk of most major sociopaths or the like).

Still, on the basis of making you jump and being a solid thriller, this is a good read: you'll twitch and gasp and hold the book white-knuckled. Just don't expect literary depth from anyone in the book except the heroine and the child.

'Nathan

In Bentman, Oregon, art therapist Celia Griswold watches her personal life collapse at a time when her biological clock is ticking forward. Her marriage to Jack, a womanizer, is crumbling even though she desperately wants a child of her own. Instead of Jack, Celia finds herself attracted to a married man, who also works at the Bentman Children Center. Her latest client is seven year old Davy Boyce, who was referred to the clinic by his father, Chet. Davy has become mute, bites people and things, and draws pictures of a horrendous scene. Celia begins to wonder if Davy has not witnessed a terrible crime and, through his drawings, is trying to tell everyone what he witnessed. Chet realizinng that his son might expose his heinous life, begins to stalk the art therapist to insure, like his own son, she remains silent.

Any reader who wants an action per page story line needs to skip HUSH. However, fans of deep rooted psychological drama that digs into the essence of the mind and even deeper than that, will find this the ideal book. HUSH is a unique, tremendous characterization study that dives into the guts of a psychopath and the fearful relationships he causes with the people he directly and indirectly effects. Though the villain's actions seem a bit stretched, Mark Nykanem delivers a first class character study that will be devoured by fans of the sub-genre, who don't need their novels to be an adrenaline pumping thriller.

Harriet Klausner

I read Hush about a year ago and was facinated from start to finish. Last month I picked it up again wondering if I would
be just as excited. Yes I was! I had forgotten how captivating the story and characters were. The feelings of fear and anger twards the characters were remembered. I found myself yelling advise and many times laughing out loud,
feeling guilty later about the dark humor that amused me.

I love this book. I recommend it to anyone who likes to be thrilled and wants to feel fear from the prespective of an
twisted killer.

The insight into Art Therapy as a means of uncovering child abuse was refreshing and original.

I can't wait to read Hush again nexr year. Unless of course there is a sequel!!

White Wolf has captured the mysticism and uniqueness of the Orient in KotE, and describe an imaginative race of vampires that in no way are a copy of western vampires. In fact, after reading KotE, I think western vampires are quite boring and without purpose. Together with the rest of WW's Asia-oriented books, like Hengeyokai, KotE is a masterpiece. The only downside is that maybe it's not very easy to play KotE compared to Vampire, and it's definitely harder to find the right Asian atmosphere. But other than that, it's perfect.

Well Well. This has got to be one of the best books That Ive ever read. This is ranked up there with the traditions gathered Volume 2 and the Clan Novel Series. White Wolf Produces a new breed of Vampire, and, oddly enough, a Breed who's origin is more beleiveable then the Original Vampire's. A slew of new ( and very cool ) Powers, and Dharmas. You should Pick up the Companion too, its fullof more minority Dharma's and powers.

This book is simply amazing.
Even if you don't like vampires or the entire White Wolf line of monster rpg's this is a very interesting book. The subject matter is unique and it isn't just European vampires transplanted to Asia.
Before this book came out I was skeptical that W.W. would do Asian "vampires" justice but they exceeded my wildest expectations.
It mostly focuses on N-E cultures (China/Japan/Korea) but there is even a bit on Malaysian "vampires".
W.W. has even done an excellent job of putting out supplements for the game.

This book has a much better layout then the previous book: C++ Builder 5 developers guide. Smaller print and better scaling means that all the book is on print.
It covers all the basic of using C++ Builder, + writing custom components. All of it well written. Most of the book is talking about SOAP/.NET/BizTalk/Datasnap and so on, all stuff that is only relevant for people that has the enterprise version of Builder. That does take one star from the rating, it is simply not relevant for me, since I only do engineering calculations + nice 3D plots.
People looking for a book on Builder should get this one (the documentations that comes with Builder is full of misprints) so the book fills a huge gap, even if they have the previous version. The layout + the low prize + the previous book is included, makes it a bargin!

I have been looking around for C++ Builder 5 books and only managed to find this book. It is well-written but certain chapters are on the CD-ROM instead of being printed which I find very inconvenient.

This is the only C++ Builder 5 book available in book stores. Fortunately, it is a GREAT book. It covers the topics (see Table of Contents by clicking on the hyperlink) well.

As pointed out, the PDF file could be improved. Certainly if hyperlinks are included would make it easier and more practical for the reader.

As for some chapters being available only on the CD-ROM, I would say that it is a matter of personal preference. Would you mind buying another book or just leave it as chapters on the CD-ROM? But it is great stuff and I personally find it easily to look for stuff printed in book form rather on CD-ROM.

If you are using C++ Builder 5, you will find this book useful.