This book had the makings of being great, but turned into a fragmented disassociative bit of nonsense. It is a shame too, because if anyone should have been able to pull off "magic", Mark Childress should have. A real disappointment.

After reading Crazy in Alabama, I discovered this book and was looking forward to another fun read by Mark Childress. It is a quirky stretch of fantasy and imagination and you get into it pretty fast. I enjoyed the discovery of new celebrity residents of the mysterious island, and seeing some of the theories about the death and disappearance of these people put down on paper in an almost believable form, but about 2/3 of the way through I found myself skipping pages. You could say it's a page turner, but not for the right reasons. I just wanted to get ON with it. The only character I really cared about much at all was Ben Junior. I wanted him to find his dad.

It got fragmented, a bit garbled and almost too crazy for me toward the end. It was almost a feeling that Childress had laid out this wide expanse of story but didn't quite know what to do with it after awhile. It was good to see Ben Willis discover his soul, so to speak, finding what was really important in life after all the craziness. But bottom line, I got a little tired of the whole thing before it was over and was a bit disappointed.

It was funny, shocking, and fun to read. Then it took what was supposed to be a serious turn and the book went down hill from there. Mark Childress is great at quirky humor. I wish he would stick to it.

I bought this book soon after its release in preparation for the Support 2.0 exam. While I expect editing errors in any technical book, this one seemed to have many more than the average. I enjoy a few errors as they tend to keep me on my toes, but this book just had too many as they became a nuisance.

As for the technical content, the book did a decent job. There are a few areas, such as ISDN (a large portion of the Support 2.0 exam), which were not covered in-depth enough. Being such an important study area, I expected better coverage here. As a result, I needed to bolster my studies from my BCRAN materials.

My last gripe is the CD. While I love to get a CD with my book, this one was entirely too frustrating to use. The book had numerous errors but the CD had a substantially higher percentage. The questions on the CD are the same as those included at the end of each chapter, so I preferred to use the paper form rather than the CD.

Overall, the book was decent. I felt reasonably well prepared with the exception of a couple of areas. I would have given this book 4 stars had it not been for the high number of errors and the very poor quality of the CD.

Rik

Okay so you passed the CCNA exam and you're very excited, now what? You want to pursue the CCNP certification but are unsure of what to study. You want to make sure you get the best possible book for the greatest chance of passing first time around. Well CIT published by McGraw-Hill may be the choice.

The book is detailed in every topic. The authors have taken their expertise and put in a book that will have you troubleshooting Cisco networks in no time flat. Over 650 pages of examples to learn from along with questions, case studies and helpful hints are roiled neatly into one book.

The topics of methodology, tools and commands, diagnostic commands, LAN troubleshooting, Cisco Switches, WAN and WAN protocols, extensive coverage of TCP/IP, IPX, SPX and routing protocols along with ISDN and advanced trouble techniques makes this a great exam companion as well as a great desk reference.

Also there is a 30-page appendix covering the OSI model, which is great for other exams as well. The book has a cd-rom with over 200 practice questions as a companion for test taking. Overall the book exceeded my every expectation and is surely one for the technical library.

I got this when it first came out on amazon, around the first of June, 2000. I started studying it & finally took the Support exam today. This book is all you need for the exam. Foreget Lammle's book - it is about 100 pages with 600 pages of filler. The longest router dump I saw in this was 6 pages - Lammle's had a lot of 15 page dumps. The book is filled with facts & examples that directly relate to the exam. It was obvious that the writers knew what they were talking about, had taken the exam, and knew exactly what was needed to pass the exam. In the middle of the test (very hard) I started to get [angry] because I swore that subjects werew not covered. When I went back & looked at the book after the test, I saw that they were covered. I also saw that if I had paid closer attention, the answer to the questions would have been obvious. It also has lots of tips for troubleshooting in my daily routine. Another benefit of the book is that it covers switching better than the Cisco switching book.

I am a full time equity & futures trader. I have read a lot of trading books. The Guts and Glory of Day Trading, has NOTHING to do with day trading. It's just story telling. No *exact* programming code revealed, no statistical analysis either. Overall, it tells you nothing at all about day trading.

Ever since completing the Guts and the Glory of Day Trading: True Stories of Day Traders Who Made (or Lost) $1,000,000 by Mark Ingebretsen, I've been pondering the question, "How is it that after reading the following, I've been thinking about becoming a day trader?" "I danced through a minefield for a whole year." "I became obsessed with watching the market." "This was truly an example of addiction..." I got hooked by this book and found myself eyeing my computer and visualized myself trading aggressively in flannels while my daughter packed her school lunch. This represents the perfect read for an aging member of Bowie's coffee generation. Despite our collective caffeine rush, we'd generally rather watch other individuals take risks. Simply put, it was exciting living vicariously through the stories of these twelve day traders. Voyeuristically inclined anyway, I turned the pages as if plowing through a best selling thriller. It's a testimony to the author's interviewing that he was able to get such diverse individuals to openly share the "guts and glory" of their experiences both personal and financial. With an even-handed style, he serves as a steady, dependable and trustworthy guide regarding the effective trading strategies gleaned from the biographical vignettes. Perhaps the question best asked of Ingebretsen is "Why is it that addiction appears to be so much fun?" For now, I'll stick with drinking coffee and clipping coupons at the kitchen table.

Dear Mark,

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your book. Of course I am trying to make a living as a daytrader, but what I find interesting is that your book has the mistakes the various traders have made as well as their success
stories. It is very inspirational to know that other people have setbacks too. I am living in Japan; I teach in the evenings then come home and trade from 11:30pm (Japan time) through to early morning, then sleep, then new day begins.......so I am a "night-trader"......... Anyway I just wanted to say I read and appreciated your book very much! Write another!

This storyline had TOO much hype behind it to begin with and it didn't deliever everything the fans were promised. I mean first of all the title World War 3 doesn't fit the story! They should've just called it Mageddon it would've made more sense. Second, they had A LOT of old super hero's that you don't normally see in the DC universe in the comic but they bearly used them at all. Like Captain Marvel (Shazam) for example he didn't do ANYTHING! The only reason why I gave this book a 3 is because of the fight between Batman and Prometheus! THIS WAS THE HIGHLIGHT of the comic and one of the best action scenes! To tell the truth its the only reason why I got it. However, I wouldn't exactly recommend this graphic novel to someone instead I recommend you go get "Rock of Ages", "Tower of Babel", or "Strength in Numbers".

Like I said before the only thing good about this storyline is the fight between Batman and Prometheus. So if you have no other reason to get this graphic novel at least get it for that fight!

This book contains the final chapters of Grant Morrison's JLA, and it is the final that everybody wanted. With the most powerful heroes of DC Universe, Morrison had constructed a mighty League, a team made to confront Apocalipsys once and another time. "World War III" keeps that line, but this time the JLA fights the definitive menace. The story is full of emotion, epics and imagination, as Morrison had been doing till here, and Howard Porter's art is as spectacular and surprising as ever. Obligatory for JLA's fans, and a good choice if you are seeking a good superheroes story (but first, make a friend tell you what happens in JLA: Rock of Ages).

I can't understand the low rating for this one. WORLD WAR 3 was everything that was great about Morrison's JLA tenfold. Great character dynamics and awsome "widescren" action right up there with the best Authority story. Don't forget that it was Morrison who made popular the whole widescreen, cinematic style of storytelling that can now be found in just about every other comic book today. I remember loving this story when I read each individual issue and it's only better collected into one book that you can sit down, relax, and read in one sitting.

WORLD WAR THREE ROCKS!!!

I've known people like Mark Jenkins and his buddy Mike Moe my whole life - so many in fact that I sometimes wondered what was wrong with me that kept me from "adventuring". For me, the beauty of the book was the ability of the author to articulate the basis for his choices, adventures, out-look on life. The conflict between the two sets of paddlers was the defining element of this book for me - many people ostensibly are headed in the same direction, but they do so with different goals in mind. If you have a friend that shares those goals, so much the better. Jenkins does a good job of explaining his motivations and goals and I never got the sense that he would second-guess mine. Hence, this is one adventure tale that I could read and not feel bad admitting to myself that it was something I would never do.

To Timbuktu combines the three things necessary for a great travel book: adventure, history, and humor. The central theme of the book is Jenkins search for the source of the Niger River, but that is merely the rack from which Jenkins explores issues such as friendship, humanity, and cultural differences. That said this book is not dense or slow. In fact it is an extremely quick read. Jenkins writing is sometimes boastful and sometimes self-effacing, but always efficient and entertaining.

Some people here have criticized the "machoism" in this book. Maybe I fail to understand, but if they have problems with him carrying a gun or dancing with "100 naked women", I submit that their criticisms are quibblesome. Carrying a gun may or may not be necessary, but it is beyond a minor part in the book. As for the naked women, my question is: Is it true? If so, why not write it. At heart though, these criticisms miss the greater part of the book which is the interaction between people (Jenkins w/ his fellow travelers, the travelers w/ their guide, previous explorers w/ the indigenous population). It is here where To Timbuktu shines.

If their criticism goes deeper then I believe that they fail to understand what travel literature is all about. It is about the quest. The quest to do something you are not quite sure that you can accomplish. The quest to learn about those different than you. If this is "machoism" I hope it lives in us all. To criticize it is to deny the validity of all grasps for greater knowledge about ourself and others. Maybe these people would rather read about my travels from refrigerator to couch to restroom to bed, but I don't think that would make a very interesting travelogue and, while it may be revealing about me, I doubt that it would tell us much about the diverse peoples of the world.

Getting off my soapbox, I can sum up, in short, by saying that this book turned me into a connoisseur of travel literature and I am thankful for the experience.

I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria, 1963-65. Jenkin's adventure along the Niger (before it reaches Nigeria) reminds me very much of those two years. I was never as adventurous as Mr. Jenkins and friends, but the highs and lows of his trip echo my modest African travel. Nigeria is now a dangerous place to visit, and Jenkins fleetingly encounters similar West African threats. He finds a formerly prosperous town in decay, also a Nigeria problem. He also meets wonderful, helpful Africans, as I did. The book interleaves three stories: the struggles of early Europeans to reach Timbuktu; post-high-school adventures of Jenkins and friend Mike in Europe and North Africa; their recent trek to the Niger's headwaters and kayak trip along some of it. I would never attempt the trip Jenkins took, but I'm glad he did and told me about it. The color photos are great; I'd like more. I enjoyed To Timbuktu so much I re-read it immediately, something I've not done before. I recommended it to all my Peace Corps cronies and bought copies for friends. It may appeal most to "guys," because it is about our occasional need for adventure, and to people who've visited West Africa.

I picked this book up off the shelf at my local book store because the cover and title caught my eye. The story, however, was not so great. Jackson Tate, the main character, lost his wife and two children in a terrible accident. The story starts with them already gone and goes on to tell about his life the during the following year. They do flash back a few times to talk about the accident and funeral so you know what how it all happened. Overall, the story is a little bland and you don't feel like you really get to know any of the characters. I finished the book but it definitely wasn't a page-turner.

I'm a little bit embarrassed at how much I enjoyed this book. The plot is predictable and more than a little bit sappy. But something about the development of the mood and of the characters pulled me in. I read it a week or two ago, and keep thinking about it. Anybody who loves a highly emotional story will surely enjoy this book.

I guess I'm the odd (wo)man out here, because I believed Mr. Mark's book to be quite intriguing. Having always had an acute interest in the sciences (an avocation rather than occupation, lending to the fact that I'm not keen on all the technical facts..), I found the author's use of scientific quotes, theories, and terminology relatable, interesting, and magical. Yes, maybe the plot is lacking in originality, but considering the odd-numbered "basic" plots rumored to be the only thing is use, a writer has to make up for the "used" plot in an appealing story. I think this was done. This is the only book I have read of Andrew Mark's (and the only he's written, to my knowledge) but I wonder if he wrote again that it might be better than the Nicholas Sparks' used used used plot I keep seeing? I'm probably the odd man out there, too.

This book is superb. Although it is ostensibly a satire on black culture, it achieves a warmth and humanity that is usually alien to that genre. The characters are deeply engaging, so much so, that their failings are not to be sneered at, but rather lamented. It is as if the author has taken us behind the often grim exterior of "blackness" and revealed the humor, the humanity, and most importantly, the squandered potential that lies behind. And we owe that insight to the fact that this writer has great compassion for his characters. The novel is satire at its most educative, and most humane.
The book also moves at an incredible pace. Part of that is derived from the gripping storyline as it is advanced by the protagonist in his monologues. It is also due to Goldblatt's adept handling of black speech. The editorial blurb on the book jacket asserting that Goldblatt "has an ear for idiom" is an understatement, indeed. I highly recommend this novel.

I found this book compelling and convincing. Its stark portrayal of the logical consequences of the rap ethos, its bleak humor, and its engaging characters take this beyond the question of idiom or stereotype. Whether posturing for the interviewer or puzzling out the mystery of racism, Africa Ali and his cohorts seem desperate to tell their stories, and it seems to me that those stories -- authentic or not -- deserve to be told. If the stories frighten the whites and frustrate the blacks, so much the better.

Novels may be the ideal space in which to consider and encounter otherness. Africa's life and language are alien to me, and so is urban black culture in general. Reading this novel, knowing it was written by a white man, forced me to decide where my own sympathies (and pathologies) might be located. If rap were turned into narrative, would it be like this? If I find these characters sympathetic, does that make me a racist because, as some reviewers have said, they are stereotypes? Or does it mean that I have broken through the stereotypes to their humanity? Maybe the important thing is to be asking the question. This novel startled and challenged me, and that's a good thing.

Unfortunately, the controversy over whether a white man can legitimately write a novel about black culture speaks volumes about the strangle-hold identity politics has taken on America: perhaps our desire for authenticity, and our wish that the oppressed might speak for themselves, has closed doors to creativity that ought to be left open. In any case, I plan to teach this book in my class on Contemporary American Literature, and let the students debate the question.

So how does a mature Jewish professor dare to write a novel in street dialect about a young black man, and how could it be done well? Well, the first question doesn't require an answer. He did it. And the second is answered by the book. It's fine.

But what is its value? What does fiction do, at its best? It allows us to inhabit a person that we could hardly understand otherwise. Here we have white America's worst nightmare depicted: a young tough smart black man who doesn't give a damn.

Now black writers may feel that Goldblatt is poaching on their reservation. But foreignness can give a writer an advantage. And there's another advantage here to not being black. A black writer has a complex reaction to this character too. He or she is as likely to be afraid of such guys as a white; plus there's some group solidarity - don't expose this side of our people in front of the outsiders. Or there's irritation at someone who is squandering his opportunities ; or there's a desire to use this character to beat up on white readers, scare them or make them feel guilty. The white author is free of those possible hang-ups.

An author may love his characters or hate them, or he may take sides. Love some, hate others. Dickens and Tolstoy I consider to be obvious examples of writers who love their characters; they love even their villains. For hatred it's hard to match Evelyn Waugh. (A Handful of Dust would be the absolute indicator.)

Here's the amazing thing about Africa Speaks. Goldblatt loves his character. He gives so much detail of the life so quickly. Violent crime, wasted educational opportunities, intolerable attitudes toward women and sex, nonsensical racist rant, these are unfortunate details in a man who may not be lovable, but is loved anyway. But how do I know Goldblatt loves Africa Ali? Chuang Tzu and the fishes. The Chinese philosopher walking along the stream comments on the joy of the fishes. His companion complains that he couldn't possibly know that. He responds that he knows by the joy he feels watching them.

So here's what this book does. It lets urban middle class white readers enter into a relationship of love with a character that they see every day, but will never be close to. This is not the relationship they will have with the pathetic Bigger Thomas, for sure. Easy Rawlins, Mosley's detective hero, may be enjoyable, and likable but no more real than a TV cop. And not BAD. Black male figures in literature are either not the man we fear, or not a man we can love. Africa Ali is both. Isn't that something.

The unobtrusive frame of the story is that Africa has volunteered to state his view of life to a sociology prof with a tape recorder who buys him Chinese lunch. Africa isn't the only character. On days when he can't make it he sends friends. A promiscuous black woman who loves him, an ambitious young man working a menial job to start a normal life, and a pompous young Afrocentric university student. They are all presented lovingly. In the background is another friend, a real violent gangster. He never appears. Goldblatt's benevolence, perhaps, could not stretch so far.

The street attitude toward sex, and the nonsensical prating of Afrocentrist rant should be funny, but the urban pathology is simply too painful for these vivid raps to be really hilarious. Guys like Africa, however, are eloquent performers in a style that is constructed to be amusing, and the author puts it down wonderfully well. So it's amusing even if not funny(?) Still, for a piece of sociology combined with linguistics and rolled into a fictional package, it's great.

The fact that this significant book is not widely reviewed in periodicals is a scandal.

Garraty's book The American Nation was informative and interesting. It provided information needed to help the student's in my AP History class. Granted, it was not perfect and was confusing at times, but all in all, it provided a good, detailed description of our history. Here are the pros and cons of Garraty's book. PROS: 1). Garraty is knowledgeable in his assessment of history 2). The book is very helpful with its timelines at the end of each chapter 3). Garraty explains the gist of every major event and sometimes non-major event 4). It's the only book where our class actually worshipped :) 5). IT WILL BE HELPFUL FOR AP HISTORY AND THE NATIONAL EXAM. I (personally) felt confident with the outcome of my exam, but that could also be due in part to my teacher who really complemented with Garraty. 6). It could be a GREAT paperweight! CONS: 1). It's not a good book to keep in your backpack all day long 2). Sometimes Garraty likes to force his opinions on certain historical figures ( he likes Hamilton, but not Jefferson) 3). There ARE events he doesn't cover that many might think was important or he might undercover events that many might think was important.

That's about it for the pros and cons, but remember these are just my opinions! Hope they helped! Good luck in AP History or whatever you're doing in regards to this book!!

Kudos to Garraty for his newest edition. I was a student in AP US History and thoroughly enjoyed the book. I received a 5 on the AP exam (highest possible score ranked 1-5). I wholeheartedly recommend the text to anyone serious about succeeding in AP US History or if you just want to refresh your knowledge of US History. Within the American Nation, you will find all sorts of ancedotes told by a preeminent raconteur. If you can not remember the "Sumner-Brooks" affair, you will enjoy reading Garraty's skilled account of that affair to remember.

This text is absolutely unsurpassed in terms of clarity, conciseness and general usefulness. I first used Garraty's book in 8th grade, then again as a supplement to some other texts in a U.S. A.P. class in high school (I got a 5 on the test, which I am confident is owed entirely to Garraty) and still use it for general reference in college. In a little over 1000 pages, Garraty covers just about every major event in United States history in interesting and extremely clear prose. I have yet to find any book that communicates such an enormous amount of information in such a small amount of space with such an enormous degree of clarity. I promise that this book will not only improve your understanding of U.S. history, but will also serve as a lifelong reference source.

It is hard to concentrate so much information in a single book, covering all of South America from Colombia to Chile. Lonely Planet have tried and have done a good job, but the target was too ambitious... If you are literally running through South America with little time, and perhaps you don't want to carry the weight of too many guides, then do get this book. It is of some use, and offers interesting reading. Yet, if you plan to get to know each country more thoroughfully, you are much better off with Lonely Planet's (or other publishers') single guides on each individual country, and there are lots to choose from.

I have just returned to Norway after a year backpacking around in Latin America (of course accompanied by the Lonely Planet books). I do not claim to be an expert, but I know what I look for in a travel guide!

This edition of the LP South America did not disappoint me. (Please note that I used it only for Colombia, Ecuador and Perú). It is up to date on the information, and as with all the other LP books it is easy to find your way around with it. It includes maps over the big cities, good information about the hotels, restaurants, places worth visiting, and time schedules for bus, train etc.

You have to take into account that this is a guide that is meant to cover the whole South America so naturally it is not as detailed as the guides for each country separate. It is good as an overall guide if you plan to go to more than one or two countries, as you would try to cut down on the baggage you would have to carry around.

As for the prices for hotels and food, the book is not accurate.. But you cannot expect that. It is hard to keep up with all the changes, especially in the Latin American economy, where the inflation is "somewhat" higher than in the rest of the world. So, for prices, do your own research, or at least be prepared for changes! (We usually doubled the prices in the book and that gave us a good indicator of what to expect).

You will find that if you are walking around with the LP book under your arm, many of the local people will approach you and ask you if you need help. Say yes - even if you don't need help! It is a great opportunity to get in contact with the local people!

This book is a must on your travel!

This book is an absolute must for the budget,adventurous,willing-to-stay-in-a-funky-hotel-with-lumpy-beds traveler. In a writing style as colorful as the cover, Lonely Planet helps you plan your trip with concise information on: restaurants (with many references to vegetarian places), lodging, festival dates, nightclubs, local language and customs, safety information and more. Lonely Planet South America can also lead you to out of the way villages and towns where you are thrilled at the sight of a real toilet after a five-hour bus ride which left you covered in dust. Nothing comes more in handy after starving on the long bumpy ride than grabbing your guidebook out of your backpack to find out the best fried plantain stand and cheap posada (inn) in this block-long town. And I was very grateful for those tips the book gave on where to ask for that guy "Juan" who is the only person who sells stamps within miles! From the Amazon to the Andes to the Caribbean, Lonely Planet was there for me. Seeing other tourists leafing through the same guidebook, brimming with over 1000 pages of invaluable information in a small book you can cram in a purse, was always a comforting sight in such different-from-home lands.

The illustrations are lovely, but the agenda of Mr. (I will not refer to him as Dr. since his degree comes from a diploma mill) Hovind is quite clear in this book. This book claims to base it's "facts" upon science which is patently dishonest. If you want a good laugh, pick up the book, but you can achieve similar mirth by simply doing a search on Kent Hovind and reading the miriad of sites exposing him for what he is.

C.S. Lewis once pointed out that there are certain issues in which reasonable men may honestly disagree. Among American Christians, the "Creation vs. Evolution" debate falls into this category, with many persons of good will -- AND strong, personal faith -- on both sides.

Sadly, this does not come through in the work of Hovind. His work has been hammered -- even by other creationists -- for its lack of accuracy. Even more troubling is his theological insistance that it's "his way or the highway" -- EVEN with regard to other strong, Bible-believing Christians. It is this tendency to equate Hovind's interpretation with actual inspiration that I find very off-putting.

A more reasoned, more irenic approach would facilite the discussion much more readily than what is presented here.

I found this book to reinforce what seems to make sense to anyone who is willing to look deeper into the subject of cryptozoology than the Discovery Channel. The subjects of Nessie, other pleziasaurs, giant snakes, and other legendary creatures are discussed and illustrated in this excellent book for young people and adults.

I gave it to my 8 year old son and he and I discussed the contents of it for hours. He finished it that night and could not put it down.

It is important for open-minded people to see the possibilty (or probability) that the earth and all of creation is not ancient and that science has never proven that. This book shows evidence of that from the field of cryptozoology.

Great stuff for the whole family!