Doctors don't always know medication either. While vacationing in Annapolis a doctor over medicated me and I slept for hours. I hope he buys this book!

I think both patients and doctors should buy this book. I was once over medicated by a doctor while vacationing in Annapolis and slept for hours! I sure hope he buys this book!

why is the editor of this book listed as Andrew j. Buda in the search and Brenda Adderly in the link?

It's a great book, although I don't think it's something for the average sailer. A vast knowledge of science will help you understanding this book much better. The book is devided into four parts, of which I especially found the first two parts, named wind and water, very usefull. Wind is not just the story about high and low pressures, it's also translated to the effects you see on the water and the action that needs to be taken for maximum benefit. The water part is a good explanation about wave paterns and how to sail it. Parts three and four, called The Boat and Handeling, I found less usefull. It's better to buy a book who's specific on your type of yacht than reading a general story about this.

I was a hot shot dinghy sailor from the 1960's, read most of the books at the time. Reintroduced to this by my sons and the recent purchaser of a 29'er (Julian Bethwaite design) and as a somewhat hapless and occasional 50+ year old skipper of the same boat I decided to read up on the skills necessary for this skiff. Sometimes you are born too early. I could have used this information 30 years ago (but so could most of us if it had been known and available). Better late than never. The book covers slow (traditional keel, old style dinghys) boats, medium speed (high performance, laser 2's) boats and fast boats(skiffs). It is well written in a conversational tone. As in most scientific works you may need to reread some of the more analytical parts depending on your prior educational training. There are some interesting experiments that you can perform simply in your sink, bath tub, hot tub or pool to demonstrate the hydro/aero dynamic principles. I've got 30 or 40 sailing books in my library but this encompasses the most information on how to sail fast of the whole lot.

I thought I knew about meteorology, waves, boatbuilding and sailing. I have a first class Cambridge degree in physics, have sailed and raced various boats (dinghies and sailboards) for 30 years and designed one fast dinghy. I thought I was one smart dude. Words begin to fail me. Wow! I wish I had known this lot 30 years ago. It turns out that I was pig ignorant. The book is the best I have ever seen on what the wind does. It's the best ever on how to handle it. It's extremely good on rigs and how to adjust them. It's not just the best ever, it's streets ahead. Don't expect to read it quickly. There is a vast amount to take in. If you really know your stuff you might get through it in a few weeks. Better to plan on a whole winter.

I liked this book simply because it's gonna answer many questions and give much help to anyone with a 70's or '80's z-car or truck. I have a 720 pickup with the Z24 motor. It is in the list, however it is not touched upon as much as the L-series inline 6 and 4 cylinders.

This book is great for the serious do-it-yourselfer. If you know how rebuild your engine, you'll have no problems. It gives recommendations from the experts and simplifies it for you, and eliminates the hassle and expense of experimenting. Get it, it's an excellent reference if you're already in the business.

My friend has this book, and I've looked it over a few times. It is an excellent guide, a must for the performance engine builder! It shows everything from heads, how to weld them, straighten them, even port and polish them, to bottom end work such as balancing, which rods to use, what pistons you should use for a particular application, even shows how to use a welder and a milling machine to match the top of the piston to the combustion chamber for high compression! If you want to performance-build your Datsun/Nissan engine, this is the book for you!

I'm especially affectionate about this book because some sweet person gave it to me when I was recovering from having my tonsils out (a common operation, long ago). My sister and I read it to shreds and can still quote bits from the poems. I am delighted it is available; it's going to be my Christmas gift to my sister. The Elegant Elephant is a splendid animal. The ending is perhaps predictable in a satisfactorily classic way. Oh, my purple wool socks! give it to the kids and maybe some big kids.

This is Ruth Plumly Thompson's second Oz book, and it is a definite improvement over her first effort, THE ROYAL BOOK OF OZ. This is the book that introduces Thompson's best character, Kabumpo, the Elegant Elephant of Oz. Here, he helps Prince Pompadore of Pumperdink to find the Proper Princess and save the kingdom. The story is a lot of fun, and contains such interesting creations as the Curious Cottabus, who lives on questions, and a runaway country so intent on being settled that it kidnaps the heroes. It also features the return of Ruggedo, the former Nome King. Although Thompson makes a mistake involving Ruggedo's size (which she doesn't make in future books), she does a good job with the character. Wag, a giant rabbit who talks in spoonerisms, is a good addition to the ranks of Oz characters. While Thompson still makes some mistakes, including some involving the timing of the story, this book shows that she can write just as well as Baum, and was an excellent choice to continue the Oz series.

The story begins when Prince Pompadore of the Kingdom of Pumperdink stes off with his elegant elepaht Kabumpo to seek the 'proper' princess for him to marry, or his kingdom will dissapear forever. Meanwhile, Ruggedo finds a box of mixed magic, grows to the size of a giant and carries Ozma's palace away from the Emerald City on his head. Its upto Prince Pompadore to rescue Princess Ozma, whom he thinks to be his 'proper' princess, but only Wag the Giant Rabbit and Peg Amy the live wooden doll have teh secret to rescue Ozma and save Prince Pompadore's kingdom from dissapapearing. This is one of Ruth Thompson's best books, for that matter, one of the best Oz stories ever, The characters are very 'ozzy', especially Kabumpo and so are the plot-lines and teh adventures.....A must for all Oz fans!

The Land of Oz is..well..WOW. It definately is not just a sappy children's book, it's funny, and truly amusing. Don't call it a child's book, call it a book for all audiences.

When I bought The Land of Oz, I opened up a new world of adventure. Little did I know, The Wizard of Oz's author, L. Frank Baum, had written 13 other books after The Wizard of Oz.

The Land of Oz is about a young boy named Tip, who lived with a witch named Mombi. Mombi was a very evil witch and one day she journeyed to an old wizard to get some magical ingredients. While she was gone, Tip constructed a man out of wood and carved a pumpkin and placed it on its head. Then, he set the "pumpkin man" standing out in the street so it would scare old Mombi. When she returned, she wasn't scared but mad at Tip. She decided to try the Powder of Life, an ingredient she had gotten at the wizard's house that would make anything come to life, on the "pumpkin man" to see if it worked. It did and brought the "pumpkin man" to life. Mombi was going to turn Tip into a marble statue in the morning for trying to scare her, so Tip and the newly called Jack Pumpkinhead left to journey to The Emerald City. Jack Pumpkinhead was the first of many new characters to come into the Oz stories.

The reason I would suggest this book is because it is fun. There are adventures and new characters and a surprise close to the end. Also, characters like The Scarecrow, and The Tin Man appear in this book. Dorothy is not in this book because it is kind of a prologue to the next book, Ozma of Oz.

After I finished this book, I realized that I really liked it and would like to read more of the series. As I continued to read the rest of the books, I liked them more and more. As of 7/3/02, I am on Tik-Tok of Oz, which is book 8. As you can see, I'm far in the series and still reading. If you liked The Wizard of Oz, then you will probably like The Land of Oz.

I suppose some would consider it sacrilege and those who only know "The Wizard of Oz" the movie wouldn't believe it, but "The Land of Oz," the second book in L. Frank Baum's 14-book series, is clearly superior to "The Wizard of Oz." No Dorothy, no Toto, no Lion: no problem. This book is sensationally entertaining. Whereas the first book seemed more interested in presenting marvelous characters and creatures scene by quick scene (which it does well) than in delighting us with what they say and do, "The Land of Oz" is a tour de force that will keep a smile permanently affixed to your face (like Jack Pumpkinhead!). Baum's style is enormously improved; he supplies more detail, more endearing dialog, more fun, more edge, more sides to everything. The characters and creatures are marvelous: the aforermentioned Jack Pumpkinhead (my favorite), the Highly Magnified Woggle-Bug, the gump (two sofas, an antlered animal head, palm leaves and broom brought to life as a flying "thing"), the Saw Horse, the army of girls who take over the Emerald City and make servants of the men (in 1904!), Mombi the witch (far more interesting than the Wicked Witch of the West), and on and on, including more vivid portrayals of the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman. Overall, considerably better than the first book, which is good in its own right, and simply one of my favorite books, one which can be loved by adults (as I am) or children. If you read only one Oz book (OK, you have to read the first one, but if you read only two) include "The Land of Oz".

Yerby sets this entertaining novel in the remote time of early medieval Spain, and blends a colorful tapestry of the clash of cultures: the ruling class of sophisticated and educated Moors, the cruder Christian Goths, themselves only less recent invaders, and the Jewish middle class wary of both.For color and excitement, Yerby is undeniably a skilled talespinner, but his usual weakness of shallow characterization and wooden dialogue ("we women are curious little beasts, Aizun") is evident here. I was troubled by the continuing thread of misogyny and homophobia that runs throughout all of Yerby's work, but for light entertainment, Yerby certainly delivers. The adventures of the young Goth noble Alaric, who is drawn into the worldly and sensuous Moorish culture as he battles his lifelong attraction to asceticism and mysticism, will keep you turning the pages. This is one of Yerby's better efforts.

I Have lived though the adventures and have been reluctant to put the book away even at three in the morning.I know nothing about writing but this book has taken me through a wide range of emotions from actual tears to great joy. This for me is Frank yearby's best work. My copy is old and the pages are brown now. Where can I get a new copy - beg borrow or steal

I have read this book so many times that my paper back copy is old and brown.

The first time I read this book was some 7 years ago, and I have re-read it at least three time since then. It is one of these novels that leave a sharp clear image. A rich experience of life in that time. A very well researched novel, and a very informative source, beyond history facts and deep into human sympathy. Capturing, interesting, educative and exciting.

For any historian, there is a constant struggle between what to include in any writing and what to leave out. Michael Smith has attempted to solve this problem by keeping his focus relatively discrete; he doesn't try to bite off too much.

The Battle of Bloody Ridge, Sept. 13-15, 1942 was indeed crucial to winning Guadalcanal and Smith does an excellent job of showing the reader why. What is more compelling is his description of what a close-run victory it was. There were many opportunities for the Japanese forces to defeat the US. How those chances were lost makes the overall story more enthralling.

For the most part, Smith is a good writer but he falls into the manner for writing for the professional military man. This style hurts his narrative as might be read by the general public. Those of you who have read the historical journals published by the three services will understand. He is hampered by a tendency to name all the officers leading particular units prior to telling what happened. Frequently, it's the only time the names appear and, hence, begs the question of why mention them at all.

Quibbles aside, this is an excellent book and tells an important story which more people should read.

After reading Frank's work "Guadalcanal", this book should be next on your list in describing the most important battle in the Solomon's campaign. Done with great detail, and vivid first hand accounts (including the Japanese, bravo Mr. Smith), this book is to the history about Guadalcanal that "The Thin Red Line" is to the fiction of it. Mr. Smith has a keen eye for the naval movements that shaped the battle (as a Naval officer their is no doubt he is an expert), as well as the role of (or lack of) airpower played in the battle. Very quick and enjoyable.

Just finished reading this book -- it is quite good. My father fought at Guadalcanal, so it is something I have grown up with. Having read several descriptions of the battle for Bloody Ridge -- the most important battle in the six month's long campaign for Guadalcanal -- I consider this the most lucid account. The new, detailed maps and description of movements by both sides paint a clear picture (for the first time) of what went on; they show how the three day drama unfolded as "Red Mike" Edson held his tiny force together against the onslaught of more than three times his number.

This book combines the detail of Richard B. Frank's "Guadalcanal: The Definitive Account" and the personal narrative style of Eric Hammel's "Starvation Island" to make a very readable version of the battle. The wide diversity of sources which have been used adds a lot to the perspective and context; much of this information has never been pulled together to my knowledge into a single coherent account. "Bloody Ridge: The Battle that Saved Guadalcanal" is rich in particulars, with plenty of detailed appendices and footnotes. Nor is the opponent's side of the battle neglected; the author's research includes many Japanese sources to tell what was going on at the other end of the island.

I would love to see Mr. Smith's wonderful scholarship and clean narrative style applied to the closing months of 1942 and the final battle of the Matanikou in October which put the lid on any future Japanese offensive effort. Maybe Mr. Smith will write another book about that (hint, hint)!

Thank goodness for Vandegrift, Edson and the USMC! They were tough, smart jungle fighters who were in just the right place at just the right time. The nation owes much to these largely forgotten heroes of the Pacific. Thank you Michael Smith for reminding us of the debt we owe to their memory.

Gangrene and Glory is a great book covering just about every aspect of medical related issues in the Civil War. It covers key players in the development of medical affairs while bringing forth quite a bit of information to many subject matters. For example, some of the subject matters consist of Confederate/Union healthcare,development,training,medicine,supply,diseases and surgical procedures on and off of the battlefield. Interesting stories are added to certain areas which enhance the book, plus there is mathematical data to back up the chapters. This book is a must read for those interested in medicine and medical operations during the Civil War. It is a somewhat fast read, though gets to the point and has many pictures and is thoughtfully easy to read.

This exciting work reads like a novel. It is full of pictures and graphs, but if you read the book from the first page you find that your are engrossed in a story full of vivid descriptions and action.

This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in the subject of Civil War medicine.

Taking place along the shores and outer reaches of Long Island, NY, Russell Drumm smartly lets the sea stories of Frank Mundus, purported to be Benchley's model for the shark hunter Quint,be the center of this short book. Joining Mundus on one of his last trips out before retirement, Drumm let's Mundus' voice do most of the talking and a fine story teller Mundus turns out to be. When sticking with Mundus and the journey at hand, the book is successful, but when Drumm explores the metaphysical with his take on the nature of fishing and the spiritual presence of a deck hand that committed suicide; the book veers off into places that just waste time and don't further the narrative. Read it for Mundus, and make your way through the rest.

Just when you thought it was safe to ..... read a book... "Cricket" offers an insight to the man that inspired the role of "Quint" in the movie "Jaws".

Frank Mundus is a unique character...honest, poetic, funny, intelligent, old school. Too bad there are not more fisherman like him....

I give it 4 fins.

I loved this book. You don't find a lot of books about Sharkin around. I swear that I could almost taste the salt air of the Atlantic Ocean while reading this. Hats off to the author and thanks for the wonderful bio of Frank Mundus.

Maybe the only book that attempts to compare (rather...state) the big 3. However I think that it degenerates to being a history book that just states facts that are already available in any monograph on each. There is less commentary and more facts. I guess it is a biggeners book to understand who these men were and what projects they did in their lifetime. The only good thing is that this seems to be the only place where you can read about them as a kind of a time-line.....realizing how each one affected the other.

I wish there was a more discussion and comparison/differentiation of the kind of space that these 3 were talking about and a more indepth analysis of their ideologies. Guess we have to wait for someone else to take that risky venture.

This book by Peter Blake is very good if you are just beginning to know about these three iconic architects. It has everything someone who is not an architect could need to know who Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright were. If you want to go deep into the career of these architects, study their lives and works, this is a first step, and a very good one, but only that.

It is well written, entertaining and true. As a teacher, I would recommend it to architecture students as mandatory reading, best if read in the second or third year of their college years.

Even as it is a basic book, I have it on my night table.

This book provides the reader not only with deep insight into these three great pillars of the 20th century, but also helps one understand their influence on art as well. One can see the bridge between their buildings and artists like Braque, Rothko, and those associated with De Stijl. I think it is a fine book for those who may not be familiar with these three men. It is highly readable and recommended!