I bought this book hoping that it would provide a decent overview of current work on anti-aging medicine. I was sorely disappointed. Benecke spends much of his time on popular culture, philosophical musings, and general health tips like vitamins and the effect of alcohol on heart disease.

He does not cover the advances of the last 10 years in genetically engineering animals to live much much longer than the norm, using caloric restriction to extend life, the success of synthetic anti-oxidants in extending the lives of nematodes and fruit flies, or any other current scientific topic in anti-aging medicine.

I have not read this book, but I did read some of the reviews of it here. The refusal of people in this society to face up to death is amazing. It is the root cause of the entire asinine culture that we enjoy. You mean that the fashionably dressed and perfectly coiffed young superstar is going to die? How uncool to suggest such a thing. And to look to science for eternal life is hilarious. The great joke of this society is that people lavish infinite care on themselves, exercising and dieting with religious devotion, but not one of them will get out alive. They can either look into the wisdom traditions for eternal life, or they can go on trying to diet and exercise enough to live forever.

Mark Benecke has immortalised himself in this most witty of forays into the popular biology of life and death. All the concepts in this book are well-clarified, and easily accessible to scientists and non-scientists alike. Dazzling in its detail while remaining true to the 'big picture' all the while, the narrative is almost like a cameraman zooming in and out to capture a panoramic landscape, looking at each issue from many angles. This is one of the many strengths of the book, making it well-rounded and non-biased on every level. The progression through basic cell and molecular biology to the concepts of life, death and immortality leads the reader in a satisfyingly logical order. From Dracula to Darwin, Gaia to genome, climate change to cryopreservation, this book is comprehensive enough to have it all. If you are human, and have an interest in life or death - read this book now!!

I'm stuck using this book in a class. There are some mistakes in this book. Mistake on 3.4.5 on page 64. Solution shown for Xk is incorrect. It should only be for positive values of k and a single sided spectrum not the positive and negative values of Xk and the double sided spectrum as it is shown. Along those lines, Figure 3.12 shows amplitudes at twice their correct value. The double sided spectrun is shown with the amplitudes for a single sided spectrum. If you use this example to do homework problems you will derive the wrong solution. Problem solutions on CD ROM are scans of someone's handwriting. In some cases these are blurry and hard to read. Some of the animations are jerky making them difficult to grasp the concept they are attempting to get across. Some of the examples jump critical steps in the solution leaving the reader scratching their head trying to figure out how the author jumped to the solution shown.

Maybe this book is great after the fact of struggling with the concepts. In my opinion, it needs work.

This book is a great introductory book on analog and digital signals. It doesn't require any previous knowledge on signals and systems. It is student friendly, and can help alot in understanding the basics of the topic. I recommend this book to all those who would like to take an idea about signals.

This is by far the best introductory DSP book - forget the rest and get this one. The authors take you by the hand and with their years of teaching and research experience, lead you step by step into the strange and unique world of DSP. The CD examples, animations, and audio summaries are extremely valuable. Make sure that you look at them, only then will you really "get it", instead of being just an equation manipulator. This book is also very well suited for self-study professional engineer. Bravo! The standard has been set, let's see if other authors can follow.

I must say that I really enjoyed this book. I started reading it with skepticism. I was judging a book by it's cover. I was expecting a lack of original style, which in actuality, I was probably right. Nonetheless, the book was written beautifully and wouldn't let me put it down. I never read the copyright when I had it, so I thought it was an older book. I was looking everywhere for the sequel to this book, but then I finally discovered that it hasn't been published yet. I'm relieved somewhat to hear this, because I was afraid that they weren't going to print the sequel due to lack of sales or something of that nature. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequels and will most definitely read them.

I absolutly loved this book! the different trails of storys make it seem more like a world with it's own culture than just another story with no back ground to it. The tales of the horned one hircomet and tobar just make the book richer. in the book kalaquinn needs a mentor like the hordanu and when the hordanu dies it gives kal a chance to understand the role of the hordanu (to put it bluntly) I know that m. sebanc sounds like he is copying from tolkien with calling his world middle earth but . . . The norse word midgard (refering to i think the god's home) means middle earth (closely) and the chinese called their kingdom the middle kingdom to all people their world or their gods world is the center of the universe so that is why it is called that. this book was an awesome book i recomend (if you can aford it)that you read it if you like cs lewis and tolkein

I absolutely loved this book. It grabbed my attention and ran with it. I couldn't put it down. It has much the same style as C.S. Lewis and Tolkein. The wonderful use of foreshadowing kept me anxious to find out what happened next. I cannot wait until the next one is out.

instead you should search for the handbook of kana and kanji written and published by the same company. I did the mistake of buying this one and it have got less useful in learning then the handbook have gotten to me. As this book is in 2 parts and doesn't contain the same amount of kanji(obvoiusly as it's 2 volumes) and doesn't explain in ca 30 pages about kanji as the handbook does this is a bad chooise. This book doesn't include the jinmei-yo kanji that are used for name either but the handbook does. The handbook have a better register.

And the best thing about the Handbook is that it: COST LESS I say it again "THE HANDBOOK COST LESS" then this book

This book is a bad buy belive me. the only the book does have is some small aquares to practice in as you can do the same thing on a colleige block you will not need the squares provided by this book and the squares is to few in number anyway.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS BOOK!

This book is wonderful for the student who is learning on his/her own. My sensei also recommended it during my first college class. I started using it a year before I started any formal education in Japanese. Be sure to pick up the Handbook too! It provides 3 different dictionaries, two of which train you how to look up kanji in kanji dictionaries. Using the book will help the serious self-tought student and the ambitious classroom student to excell at writing. The only flaw is that it isn't that useful for learning to read, but there are other good texts out there for learning to read Japanese.

A very good book, and I found it very useful!

We have to bear in mind that a book like this was written only with the intention of teaching one how to write the characters and not to read them, so there's really nothing much to complain about. But if it is true that the "jinmei-yo kanji" was not included as one reader pointed out, then that's a minus.

I strongly recommend this book as well as any other Tom and Scott mystery. Mark Richard Zubro always weaves a web of mystery that will keep you guessing right up until the end. And you would be hard pressed to find a more perfect example of gay heros.

Well, you always knew that when high school teacher, Tom Mason and baseball ace pitcher, Scott Carpenter ever decided to officially tie the knot, you should get ready for the media event of the century. And that's what happens in this the ninth book in the ever-popular Tom and Scott mystery series.

The grandest ballroom in Chicago has been rented for the ceremony with a multi-denominational band of clergymen and women set to officiate and all the family, friends, political and sports elite and a multitude of irate and uninvited protesters in attendance. Unfortunately, one of the unexpected guests is Tom's first gay lover, Ethan Gahain, who says he has to talk with Tom. Their affair had taken place when they were both seventeen, and before Ethan dumped him two years later.

The ceremony itself went without a hitch other than the intended one. But before Tom can talk to Ethan and the planned indoor fireworks can take place, fireworks of another sort go off in the men's room when Ethan is found brutally murdered. As you night expect, Tom is the one to discover the body and in the process he get properly bloodied. Everyone knows Tom couldn't be the murderer, and Ethan's parents ask Tom and Scott to investigate the murder.

Along way Scott's teenaged delinquent nephew gets involved, as well as hidden camera pornography and blackmail. Tangled webs have been woven and Tom and Scott have to unravel them.

Though the series is growing a little old and the book is lacking in the surprises of the earlier episodes, Zubro still has a great way with words and his wit and realistic style get you through the book in a totally interesting manner. But it might be time to put more emphasis on his Paul Turner series, or to explore possibilities of a new series.

One of the features of this book is a trip Tom and Scott make to Saint Louis. I always enjoy rating authors on their ability to plot their action through the local streets and landmarks. Zubro scored a 9.8 with only two minor errors. Hey, that's better than what a local mystery writer scored on his last book.

This book is a story of two brave gay men uniting in love and life. Unfortunately, many people are still intolerant of the rights of others who do not behave as they think people should and will cause trouble for them any way they can.

I love the books that I have read by Mark R. Zubro. Anything he writes is entertaining, interesting, and a GREAT READ!

Insensitive, thoughtless, cruel, non-ending harrassment and deliberate blindness to the misery these two photographers caused Diana runs rampant through every page of this excellently photographed book. Stalking a woman who finally bursts into tears just goads them on to call her a "loon", whereas when she ignores them, they pout and sulk and pretend she secretly "wants the atention". With no thought at all of "do unto others" ,Mark and Glenn intrude onto every private waking moment. It is not enough for them that Diana is on public display as she carries out her duties or charity work. They must catch her sorrow at her father's death, her sipping coffee in her bathrobe in the mroning in her room at Disneyland when she has taken the boys on a visit. What is the purpose of following her everywhere she goes ? It seeme to me that stalkers get arrested in the United States, and yet these men get paid for doing the same thing -- making someone's life miserable -- and then getting paid for it, to add insult to psychological injury. It is a shame that more of the goodness of the Princess is not revealed here, that the evalustion of Diana is not more fair, more generous, more accurate. She was a fabulous Princess, a good Mother, and would have made a good wife to aman not bent from day one on belittling her while he kept up a relationship with his past girlfriend. A sad book because it repreatedly reveals the most despicable aspects of tabloid journalism.

It was an interesting book that was candid and well written. I enjoyed reading it and will treasure owning a copy.

This book shows just how terribly Diana was harrassed. You only think you know untill you read this book. The photographers called her crazy yet they did not see how PETTY they were or that they drove her to the brink! This book will make you very ANGRY!

I wish this was the first book I read when I first picked up reading. It stresses trading off simple price patterns without all the indicators. Fairly easy to read with some good points, this book seemed more directed to the beginner to intermediate level trader. I wouldn't label this a 'must-own' book, but more of a highly recommend to read/borrow.

i highly recommend this book as the methods illustrated in here work quite well. however you need to study the book and learn the concepts here. if you put in the time, you will be rewarded ...a winner

Expensive, but cheap compared to 95% of most trading books out there. Full of practial things not found in other books. Gives a good foundation. Do yourself a favor and study this book before throwing money away in the market. Many eye opening truths and common sense.

This book is based on the murderous actions of Mark Hoffman, and in this regard is fairly accurate. However, when it comes to the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons), the Church's founding prophet Joseph Smith, and current Church leaders and doctrine, this book is slanted, twisted and just plain wrong. Its inaccuracies cause the book to end up being more fiction than fact. If you are really interested in learning the truth about the Mormon religion you should read The Book of Mormon, visit with some missionaries, and pray to know the truth. Reading this book is not the answer unless you wish to be misinformed.

I am a lover of suspense books but I don't read them because when I do, I feel guilty, like it's a waste of time. I also love to study religion. When you mix the 2 together, you have an excellent book.
Have you ever read a book that you speed read because it's so exciting yet at the same time, you try to read it as slow as possible because you don't want the book to end. This is that kind of book.
Have you ever read a book that immediatly after you read it, you know for a fact that you will read it a few more times...this is that kind of book.
Anyone interested in mormonism, or religion in general will love this book. (well maybe not mormons). Anyone who just loves a good page turner, will love this book.
If the author of this book is reading this review, please turn this book intoa movie. I have read probably close to a thousand books, I'm sure. A book has to be real good to get on my top ten list.
religion enthusiasts, this is the most exciting religious lesson you will get. take advantage of it. Oh by the way, another good book about mormonism is housewife to heretic by sonia johnson.

A real page-turner. Not just for the story of murder and forgery in the modern day...but for the history of the Mormon church. Joseph Smith originally intended THE BOOK OF MORMON to be a novel, that he hoped would make him some money. When people mistook it for real scripture, he was shocked, then thought he could make even more money this way, starting a religion. After the religion got going, he had dissenters assassinated. I had no idea the Mormon Church was based on such a flimsy, corrupt, foundation. As flimsy and corrupt as Scientology. Give the Church of Scientolgy 150 more years, and it will be as respectable as Mormonism. It's as like if the readers of THE CELESTINE PROPHECY believed that was truth, and its author as a result started a religion. The truth of Joseph Smith is almost as riveting as the truth of Mike Hofmann, the forger and murderer in the modern day, who is the main focus of this book. Hofmann said he and Josepth Smith were very much alike. He may be more right than we'd like to think. Not just a page-turner, but an eye-opener.

Tanith Lee displays her usual inventiveness in Gold Unicorn; the result is a very satisfactory sequel to Black Unicorn.

While not, in my mind, quite as enjoyable as the first one, Gold Unicorn nonetheless remains a well-crafted fantasy in a creative and unusual world. Darker than its predecessor, Gold Unicorn explores Tanaquil's struggles between loyalty to her half-sister Lizra, now the dreaded conquerer, and her own belief that the ideal world her sister strives for cannot be achieved by war. Added are several complications-- a massive mechanical gold unicorn Lizra has ordered Tanaquil to fix for her war campaign, the mischievous peeve, stinging mousps (a magician's creation formed of mice and wasps), Honj, the enigmatic consort of Lizra...and a hell world to parallel the perfect world Tanaquil saw in the last book.

Obviously some people won't appreciate this book, but to those who enjoy Tanith Lee's particular style, Gold Unicorn is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Really, the sequel is very, very good. There are still more interesting, complex characters, a strong plotline, and all kinds of surprises, twists, and magic, magic, magic. Tanaquil is her old complex self, as wonderful and strong and clever and dry as she was in the first book, Black Unicorn. Her familiar, the peeve, is also going strong, and I particularly liked it in the sequel.

At first, it may look to some readers like the book is just another formulatic epic-battle-type fantasy, but Tanith Lee takes all the old, used-up cliches of this sort of fantasy and reweaves them, turns them upside-down, completley rejeuvenates them.

This is a wonderful book, and a worthy sequel. I would have liked it perhaps if Tanaquil had just gone on adventures by herself (and the peeve) and there had been no war element, but this sequel is still good the way it is.

Altogether, I wasn't disappointed. Fun book! Well worth reading!

Great light read! Though not as good as the black unicorn, the gold unicorn is still a enchanting read.

Given the spectacular corporate finance shenanigans of Enron, Worldcom, American Tissue, and others, it is inconceivable this book doesn't cover off-balance sheet products in the detail they deserve.

Corporate finance tools such as total return swaps aren't covered. These are disguised financing used as hedge funds and corporations for leverage. When corporations use their own equity as collateral, they create a toxic convertible. For more on this and other off-balance sheet products including an explanation of off-shore bankruptcy remote corporations, read "Credit Derivatives" (Second Edition) by Tavakoli.

I bought this book as a recommended supplemental text for a course in Corporate Finance in the MBA program at the U of Michigan Business School. I can say I am very glad that I bought and am reading this book. There is a great deal of information here so I hate to say that I have already read it.

But I can recommend it to you strongly by praising it for these reasons:

1) It puts practical flesh on the financial model bones you learned in your first course on finance. There are very good discussions of the basic and well-known fundamental theories and models, but the authors also share with us what tends to happen in the real world. And isn't that what each of us need to add to our theoretical thinking?

2) Each chapter has effective summarizing Key Concepts and Key Terms with plenty of problems to work through and a list of References and Additional Readings that enable the reader to dive deeper into the topic of the chapter just read.

3) The book is helpfully organized into six Parts that provide the framework for the discussion. Parts 1-3 are a review of "Financial Markets and Instruments", "Valuing Financial Assets", and "Valuing Real Assets". This foundation gives the student a good grounding in order to see how these principles are used in the work of managing the capital structure of a corporation. Parts 4-6 discuss the "Corporate Financial Structure", "Incentives, Information and Corporate Control", and "Risk Management". These last three sections are the real meat of the book and where a great deal of its value to the business student lies.

4) Each of the Parts has an effective and brief introduction that sets the tone for what is to be studied. Even better, at the end of each the six Parts there are two very helpful summary sections: "Practical Insights" and "Executive Perspective".

This is a specialized topic. But it is an important topic. This is a very good book that can help a serious student get grounded in some very important principals necessary to managing the financial issues facing every corporation. I recommend it.

The most valuable part of this book is in its ability to integrate financial decision making with strategy. This is rare especially for a book this good.

Another valuable point is that its approach of balancing theories and practicality. If student finds it a little confusing or non-conclusive on many issues, it is precisely so in reality.

A book this good is more than a gift.