Poirier and McKee present a wealth of information on the history of human evolution. They outline the methods of dating, identifying and assembling hominid fossils. Dating is shown to be, within the ranges of accuracy, nearly an absolute with today's technology. With the age of the fossil[s] established and the parts identified, the fossil may then be placed in its proper location on the human family tree. Poirier and McKee spend the remainder of the book describing the concepts, controversies and resolutions associated with that final step. The material requires attentive perusal, but the interested reader will be richly rewarded.

Early hominid fossils were chronologically located by stratigraphy - the position of the fossil in the rocks in relation to other, known, remnants. The early finds were often located in poorly identified areas, or mistakenly dated for a variety of reasons. Paleoanthropologists of an earlier day lacked the technology available today. Worse, they were often unaware of the need to examine the likely environment of the time the fossil was laid down. As the authors point out, this misunderstanding led to misinterpretation of how evolutionary relationships were structured. Today's "digs" are the subject of multi-discipline effort, with botanists, geologists and other fields represented. The more comprehensive picture laid out by these environment associated with the find allow a firmer footing on our ancestral lineage.

While that assertion sounds promising and our heritage is now viewed with confidence, nothing could be further from the truth. Where the human evolutionary tree once looked rather simple, with but a few offshoots extending from the central trunk, the improved accuracy of dating shows many branches. How many of these truly belong on the main branch and how many led to the dead end of extinction is what gives this book its real value.

Paleoanthropology has been among the liveliest of sciences. The debates and controversies have left academic halls and achieved public exposure. Poirier and McKee present the contentions of most of the major figures in the field with circumspection and clarity. With each new find, various interpretations arose, researchers attacking and defending positions from various foundations. The authors give each assertion its due, with resolution occasionally based on their own assessment. They have no hesitation in stating their own position, but it's given with justifications. Counter arguments are made with confirming data. Evidence is shown, but not nearly as strongly as the need for new results. This book, in many respects, reads like an academic work, but that in no small part is due to the authors'
call for more work in the field.

It would be unfair to say that every hominid fossil is given the authors' personal scrutiny, but the impression is proximate. Nearly every major site, with many of the associated prime fossils are described, sometimes with maps and photographs. The illustrative material, maps, diagrams and photographs are invaluable. About the only missing element is a single skeleton and skull with the bones frequently discussed in the book labeled. While many are, they must be examined out of context in many cases. If you have the anatomy, you won't need the information, but the rest of us require the crutch.

For anyone wishing to keep abreast of the research in determining where humanity comes from, this book is a treasure. Given the amount of information the authors had to cope with, the work is clear, unequivocal and immensely valuable. While not a light read, there's little to obstruct even the novice reader. The material is well organized and presented with a clear, straightforward style. Since the authors' aim is to explain [and recruit!] without perplexing the reader or seeking adherence to positions, they have produced a book that will endure.

After picking up Dr. Parsons book, Understanding Salvation Faith in Christ, I was left with a strong feeling of calm. His words were very heartfelt, genuine, and informative. Sometimes it is easy to rely on an emotional response when reading Christian books, however Dr. Parsons' book also caters to the intellectual. There are questions, answers, and guidance to aid in a great bible study as well.

For those Christians, new or otherwise, that need to illumniate their faith, this book provides insight, answers, and guidance in our walk with Christ. I enjoyed the read and would encourage all Christians to pick up the book with an open heart and know that Christ is the great I AM!

As a teacher of adolescents, I often find myself unable to answer their "Why?" questions about the state of world affairs. This book gave me a deeper understanding of the history and issues underlying the events of September 11. Mr. Frank presents the information concisely and unsentimentally -- a difficult feat given the emotional import of the subject matter. I found it immensely informative and will undoubtedly refer to it during this school year as the first anniversary approaches and passes.

I'm also the mother of a two-year-old girl, and I've felt at a loss as to how to explain the attacks to her when the time comes. By the time she is of grade-school age, her social studies texts will definitely contain references to September 11. I now plan to read Mr. Frank's book with her to give her all the background information she could possibly need, and to share with her my husband's and my memories of that terrible day.

This book details the history of a folk-school that was purposed to teach people how to identify issues of conflict and how to address those issues. It was well written and informative. From these issues sprang up other issues, including civil rights. The author does a good job of tracing the history of this school and explaining the changes that took place as a result of many of these issues being addressed by the people.

Unity Temple is a National Treasure and it is treated as such by Mr. Siry. His research is unrivlaed in Wright circles and his writing is clear and concise. All aspects of the design and execution are included and discussed in a complete manner.

One only wishes that there were more, large color photographs to parallel the excellent writing. Would there be a second eiition with them? If one is really interested in the subject and not just the images, this is the book for you.

Frank Lloyd Wright was mostly a home designer. One of his most important public commissions was for Unity Temple in his then home town of Oak Park, Illinois. The Unitarian-Universalist congregation there had just had its church burn down. As a result, the budget was right. Yet the site was right in the middle of several other large, impressive churchs Mr. Wright had also observed this faith. What could be done?

Mr. Wright first thought that the steeple could be eliminated. Those of the Unitarian-Universalist faith believe that works on earth are important, so this could fit doctrinally. Also, it would save a lot of money. Instead, the church has a large skylight covering art glass that gives a feeling of looking up into the vault of heaven.

Second, he realized that concrete was a really cheap material. So he made the church from concrete, and chose a design that would make good use of the material.

Third, he made the design so that the church would appear as massive as possible while keeping it small. Today, the church is complemented by a similar design of the U.S. Post Office on the adjacent southwest corner done by one of Mr. Wright's students.

Fourth, he made the inside of the church very intimate, with all pews quite close to the dais, with great sight lines. This also permits a secondary use of the sanctuary for theatrical and musical performances.

Extensive art glass also gives the inside a soft glow from external light while keeping attention focused internally. You have a quiet, meditative sense inside the church, which I visited yesterday.

Although the book claims that Unity Temple is in terrific shape, and the photographs reveal that, my experience was different. It is undergoing major rehabilitation to fix chunks of concrete having fallen off, leaks, and areas that need repainting. If you like Mr. Wright's work, I hope you will consider contributing to the congregation's efforts.

Many of the plans of Unity Temple disappeared when Mr. Wright moved to Taliesin. He did have a chapter in his autobiography about designing the church, so we have much material from that source. The book has many nice photographs (mostly in black and white) of the overall design, the lighting elements, and the window treatments. The appendix has extensive architectural drawings which allow you to see the scale and interplay of elements.

Although you can take photographs in Unity Temple, I think the ones in this book will be more rewarding than those that most people could take for themselves.

After you finish enjoying this fine example of Mr. Wright's Prairie style, I suggest that you think about the elements you prefer in a place of worship. What's essential and what's not? What examples of houses of worship do you find most spiritual? Why?

Find God wherever you are!

I have read the book and I have personally studied under Frank. The book was quite helpful in learning basic techniques, blocks, punches, and kicks.

Invaluable to the astronomy student with little or no scientific background. Each topic (with a catchy title) is covered on the open two pages, with lots of photos, diagrams, and visual analogies (see the push broom on page 134). Excellent topical cross references on each right-hand page. The most difficult concepts for a non-physics major made simple, such as "hyperbola" demonstrated by a golfer on a putting green. I logged on Amazon to order this book since I've renewed it from the state library as many times as they will allow. I wish it was in print!

FORTRESS MENTALITY CONSENTRATES UPON THE CHURCH BUILDING AND ALL OF ITS INTERNAL PROGRAMS INTENDED TO GET PEOPLE TO COME TO CHURCH. MOST PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH DO NOT FEEL CAPEABLE OF MINISTRING TO ANOTHER, AND THEY DEPEND UPON THE PASTOR TO DO ALL THE WORK OF MINISTRY. RURAL VALUES CLASH WITH URBAN. RURAL ATTITUDE IS STATUS QUO PREVAILS,AND NOT MUCH CHANGES FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION. IN THE URBAN AREAS. MANY CHANGES OCCUR,AND USUALLY THE POWER STRUCTURE AND MONEY IN CHURCHES ARE CONTROLLED BY THE FEW. THE FORTRESS MENTALITY, RESISTS DIVERSITY,THUS ONLY A CHOICE FEW GET TO MINISTER. THE UNLEASHED CHURCH MINISTERS TO ALL ELEMENTS OF SOCIETY. NEED FOR INTEGRATION OF PARA-CHURCH MINISTRIES INTO THE CHURCH TO WORK AS A TEAM FOR SAKE OF THOSE WHO ARE LOST AND NEEDING CHRIST'S MINISTRY. ALSO, THE UNLEASHED CHURCH NEEDS TO HELP THOSE IN VALUE VACUUMS. THE FORTRESS CHURCH HAS BEEN ON THE DEFENSIVE FOR TOO LONG. THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY ARE GREAT, AND THERE IS A NEED WITHIN THE CHURCH TO KEEP THE STRUCTURE SIMPLE,SO THAT REAL NEEDS DO NOT GET SWAMPED BY RED TAPE. PASTORS AND TEACHERS ARE TO TRAIN THE LAITY TO DO THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY(EPH.4:11--12) SPIRIT AND STRUCTURE MUST BE BALANCED. THE SPIRIT OF GOD MUST LEAD THE WAY,WITH STRUCTURE ENABLING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MINISTRY. THE FORTRESS CHURCH WANTS TO KEEP ITS MINISTRY WITHIN THE CHURCH BUILDING,WHEREAS THE UNLEASHED CHURCH IS EAGER TO RELEASE ITS MINISTRY WHEREVER POSSIBLE SUCH AS RESTAURANTS ,HOMES, THEATRES ETC. THEY ARE GOOD VENUES FOR TARGET MINISTRY TO TEENS, ELDERLY OR SINGLES,OR STREETPEOPLE..MOST OF ALL,LOVE MUST PREVAIL,AND A SINCERE DESIRE TO MINISTER TO ALL LEVELS OF SOCIETY,AND BRING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE TO ALL.THE UNLEASHED CHURCH AND ITS PASTORATE MUST ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO LEAD,AND THEY MUST ALWAYS STAY UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES.THE BODY OF CHRIST IS MADE UP OF BLOODWASHED INDIVIDUALS,WITH EACH PERSON HAVING A MINISTRY GIFT. I'M GLAD PEOPLE ARE STILL TURNING TO THE CHURCH FOR HEALING. THE UNLEASHED CHURCH IS ONE IN WHICH ALL PEOPLE OF WHATEVER CATEGORY,WHETHER RICH OR POOR, YOUNG OR OLD, SINGLE OR MARRIED, HEALTHY OR UNHEALTHY ,CAN DISCOVER WARMTH OF ACCEPTANCE,AND A LISTENING EAR.TO RECEIVE WISE COUNSEL BASED UPON THE PRINCIPLES THAT CHRIST TAUGHT. I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK,HOWEVER THE CHANGES HE ESPOUSES ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE,AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE FORCED UPON CONGREGATIONS. PEOPLE NEED TO CAPTURE THIS VISION FOR THEMSELVES. OH THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO INSTITUTE FRANK TILLAPAUGH'S IDEAS EVERYWHERE.

I am buying this book for my husband because he asked me to. He read part of this book at a friends house and asked me go online and give it to him for Christmas. Thank you Mr. Wilson for writing a book that teaches men what it really means to walk with Christ.