Frank Defors is arguably one of the most gifted sports writers and commentators of our times. He is able to stand back and see the big picture. this compilation of Deford's NPR spots and columns spans a wide array of sports and sports figures. I think he is best when he profiles the people in sports. There are pieces on Pete Rose, Bobby Knight, Bill Russell, Keith VanHorn and those we may not know as well. What I like best is his obvious affection for and knowledge of the history of sports. The pieces in this book ars short enough that you can skip the ones which don't grab you immediately. His outlook is wry and affectionate. Some of these pieces are Deford at his best. The majority are merely good.

Frank Deford is a most articulate, persuasive, engaging writer---perhaps the finest sports journalist writing today.

The collection of articles and commentaries contained in "I'm Just Getting Started" are from 1980 to 1999 and touch on every aspect of sports.

You get insight, irony, humor, commentary, entertainment, nostalgia and optimism as you turn the pages---all delivered in a most literate manner.

The essay on Bill Russell alone is worth the price of admission. "Frank Deford Goes Bowling" is an intriguing take on a subject seldom written up in sports pages.

Enjoyable for more than sports fans.

Frank Deford is a brilliant writer, not to mention, probably the single greatest sports' writer on the planet. He just takes sports' writing to a higher level. The Best of Frank Deford will prove this.

This book showcases some of Deford's best work as a journalist. Although some of the articles are a little dated, his style and amazing use of language still shines. The pieces included in this book are easily some of the best writng available. Any inspiring journalist could learn a great deal from this collection of writings.

Deford never holds anything back, and he is never afraid to speak his mind. I personally enjoyed the in-depth look at Bobby Knight. But, there are many other treasures in this candid book.

Overall, this is an excellent book and quite a fast read. Deford's witty and extremely articulate writing style allows you to flow right through the book. This is a masterpiece of writing, and a true pleasure for any sports' fan. The Best of Frank Deford is simply the best.

This excellent book on learning reemphasizes the mistakes that are being made as far as teaching children (and actually adults). In educational departments in universities, too often more importance is placed on rote learning and not on helping learning to be an enjoyable experience. I am afraid too many teachers are being churned out that feel the pressure to produce for standardized testing, without realizing that learning this same information can happen in such a way as to make it enjoyable, make sense, and be remembered for a lifetime. At this time, too many times students remember for only short-term recall, and then promptly lose the knowledge after the test. Learning is a continual and lifetime process, and Frank Smith reiterates the mistakes that teaching in the U.S. is making in emphasizing the wrong way to learn.

The information Smith gives is vitally important, and he makes several very quotable statements concerning learning and memory which I have used (citing him) in papers. The book is almost too short, and not as readable as I would have liked it. Nevertheless this is an absolute must read for educators, and for would-be teachers prior to entering their teaching jobs. It is also important for those going into educational research and educational testing to be aware of. We can and should expect children to learn, but we definitely are not approaching it the right way. This book can provide plenty of topics for discussions in education departments across the country. Testing should not be the ends, but rather the ability to learn over a lifetime and the ability to continue this process from indirect sources once out of the school system. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh

Frank Smith has given educators substantial arguments for resurrecting the need for change debate. Smith goes underneath the surface and exposes the governing ideas that shaped western learning environments. He nicely explains how the influence of the triple whammy of military, behaviorism, and testing all contributed to making the monolithic educational machine more blind and resistant to natural learning. I love the way he ties the forgetting into the equation, and forces us to reflect on our methodologies and goals. In essence, learning according to the "official" system simply is a matter of compliance for the students, and control for the teachers. This is good material for those teaching overseas.

I like the way he addressed how teachers may focus on measuring what is not learned and may fail to see what is actually learned. Instead of finding fault with the student, he comments on the deficiency of the institutionalized "official" policy that goes unquestioned. Simply marvelous. Smith includes objections to his ideas and answers them in a fair manner. The book is easy to read, nicely dotted with interesting educational insights, and does a superb job in contrasting the official view with the classical view of learning. His ideas are no nonsense and resonate with any teacher and student. While his analysis is quite helpful, his simple three step solution was too simple for me. Smith proposes we be more understanding, honest, and I wish he would have given more examples or data that demonstrate how the changes have affected other teachers and systems. I also wish he would have said more about rewarding the self-directed learner.

I found chapter 10 on online education to be a bit alarmist as he portrays the popular notion that technology may end up replacing teachers. I believe, however, that good teachers will always be needed and that good teachers know how to incorporate technology into their learning plans and not be threatened by it. Still, he has a valid point about cognitive science or educational programmers being the new gatekeepers of information. Definitely worth the money. I am recommending it to all of my colleagues as a professional reading group discussion book. Thank you, Dr. Smith.

I read this book as part of a graduate teaching class assignment. It was my first introduction to the works of Frank Smith and I must admit it is quite stimulating and thought-provoking. For those of us who have been trained that "memorization" is the key to academic success, this book will open your eyes to a different world of learning power. I would highly recommend it to all students, teachers, parents and coaches...anyone who wants to understand how they can improve their learning skills and teach others to do the same.

A compendium of chapters by different academics in the field of network theory and its application in Asia. The chapters are strong in describing the dynamics of Asian business networks. The authors avoid the tendancy among many analysts and academics to denigrate the merits of Asian management practices in general and of networks in particular.

The hidden organizational agenda of Japanese success. ... Recommended Why have Japanese companies become successful? This book offers a new explanation. It is argued that success of Japanese companies is not due to manufacturing prowess; access to cheap capital; or lifetime employment and other human resources management practices - although all of these factors are important. Instead the claim is made that Japanese companies have been successful because of their skills and expertise at creating knowledge in strategic networks. This book is highly recommended.

This is a serious book, yet written for a general audience. Without jargon, it brings social science analysis to bear on the Asian business trend that is changing competition in global markets. A must-read.

NO PRICE GUIDE AND NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION ON THE PURSES-OVER PRICED AS AN OUT OF PRINT BOOK..NOT WORTH THE MONEY...NEW BOOK OUT ON LUCITE PURSES..PLASTIC HANDBAGS: SCULPTURE TO WEAR IS MUCH MORE ENLIGHTENING AND HELPFUL

A fantastic collection of the most spectacular and unusal vintage handbags ever made. Interesting story about the collector, too - a man, believe it or not! A previous reviewer criticized this book because there are no price values. As a collector of lucite and other vintage handbags, I can only say that prices in the books are never accurate anyway and as far as I'm concerned are useless. Also, two identical looking lucite bags can be hundreds of dollars apart in value simply because of some flaw, maybe only minor, in the condition. Only experience can teach you how to accurately value these bags. The prices given in the "other book" by Kate Dooner (which is a great book, too) are only guesses and sometimes far afield. Buy this book to learn about the styles and manufacturer's, but mostly buy it for the knockout photographs of these little works of art!

If you have a copy of this book for sale, please contact me at kmrust@earthlink.net

If you're a fan of the works of Wright, and have experience with detail oriented hobbies, you will likely find this a challenging but "do-able" project. For example, I've built plastic model kits for over thirty years, and it took me about three and a half months to complete the house, working on the standard hobbyist schedule (i.e. nights and weekends when I felt like it). Be aware that even with careful assembly, the finished product reflects the limitations of card stock - the long, thin pieces (notably, the wall around the front of the house) tend to become a bit wavy when folded and glued. Still, if you have the patience, and are comfortable with the investment of time involved, you'll end up with a nice replica of an architecturally significant home.

I worked diligently according to the instructions but when I reached piece 57 (of 130+ total pieces), I found that the instructions for assembly were wrong, or that the piece was printed incorrectly -- very frustrating experience!

Agree with other reviews. Emphasize that this is for an advanced modeler with modeling patience. Card stock is difficult when use to other material. Some of the referenced difficulties may be avoided by careful and thorough scoring. No idea as to the modeling accuracy, but the presentation looks real good. Especially when presented with the book, FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S ROBIE HOUSE.

This book has dozens of errors, but in its defense, I must say that every introductory textbook I've used or reviewed has similar errors. For example, thermal expansion due to daily temperature fluctuations does NOT fracture rocks. Fire fractures rocks, and local fires can occur in many deserts. The photo of a rock split is actually due to ice (not frost) wedging. Deserts can be freezing. The book does not address the importance of past climates. Most of North America's landforms were formed under wet, warm climates, not today's. The hydrologic cycle should be expanded to the geohydrologic cycle, which incorporates plate tectonics. Plate tectonics, as presented, is rather primitive. We're in, I'd say, 3rd generation plate tectonics, but it is not being taught. Mountain glacial landscapes are entirely misinterpreted, based on a false paradigm originating in the 1840s. Yosemite Valley is far more a relict tropical landscape than a glaciated one, and Bridalveil Falls has existed for 10s of millions of years before glaciation. Evolution of desert landscapes is equally as bad. The authors don't understand pediments, which are exhumed weathering fronts (as in Joshua Tree National Park) or exhumed detachments (as in the Mojave Desert). Etc., etc.

I bought this study guide to help me in my geology class. It isn't the same edition as my textbook but it is still the same. The chapters are the same and it has really helped me remember the material. The pages have fill in the blank and multiple choice and practice quizzes. All the answers are at the end of the book. I recomend this for anyone who is taking geology and is using the "Earth" book.

Despite the proliferation of introductory physical geology textbooks in recent years, none have surpassed the quality of Tarbuck and Lutgens' "Earth". The text is accurate, up-to-date, well-organized, and exceptionally lucid. The writing flows nicely and presents complex topics and ideas in a way that is easy for non-scientists to understand, while at the same time resisting the trend toward "dumbing-down" that has recently affected many introductory textbooks in Earth sciences. The book is also illustrated wonderfully with diagrams that are effectively designed, beautifully executed, and perfectly matched to the accompanying text. The photographs are likewise outstanding in subject and quality, with great efforts obviously having been made to find excellent pictures that complement the text and clearly illustrate the features and processes being described. The overall quality of the photographs is far better than in most other textbooks of this kind. Substantial improvements have been made for the sixth edition, including the addition of helpful illustrations to the glossary and the addition of many new photographs throughout the book (for example, compare the 5th and 6th edition pictures of drumlins, moraines, igneous rock textures, tsunamis, sinkholes, etc.). After examining many textbooks, I have decided to use this one in the undergraduate course I will teach next year.

This is an historical books about this house but all the pictures are in B & W. And it's so sad for such a masterpiece of frank Lloyd Wright.

This book is one of the best I have seen for describing in detail the challenges of creating one of America's architectural landmarks. Anyone who reads this book will be reminded of Thomas Edison's comment about genius being 99 percent perspiration and 1 percent inspiration.

Fallingwater came as a commission after one of the longest dry spells of Frank Lloyd Wright's career. Despite having no work to do, no money, and few prospects, Mr. Wright dawdled with the project while trying to sell his client, Edgar Kaufmann, as many other projects as possible. Contemporary accounts suggest that Wright only began sketching something on paper when Mr. Kaufmann was about to arrive at Taliesin in Wisconsin, where Wright did his work.

Mr. Kaufman was not an easy client. He was the head of a major department store, and was used to getting his own way. Client and architect often clashed, with bent feelings on both sides. Independent "experts" got involved who also added to the controversy, mistakes, and misunderstandings. Mr. Kaufmann deserves credit, though, for sticking with Wright as the costs soared way above the original budget for this most unique house.

Interestingly, the two were brought together by Mr. Kaufmann's son who had come to study with Wright in Taliesin. The book contains a brief introduction by Edgar Kaufmann, Jr. who ultimately gave the home to a local nature conservancy.

Even without the challenges of the human relationships, Fallingwater was a most ambitious commission. In a remote part of the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania, Fallingwater is sited on top of a waterfall. The potential for the water to undermine the house is enormous. Mr. Wright also wanted to keep as many of the original rocks and trees as possible. The site survey was often wrong, and the designs had to be adjusted to reflect the reality. The design also provided other unusual problems, and the first cantilever was built incorrectly due to changes made under Mr. Kaufmann's direction.

The book contains a wealth of maps, letters, summaries of interviews with those who worked on the project, drawings, plans, and photographs of the work in progress in black and white. This detail brings the challenges to life in a very real way.

The fascinating part of this book to me is that Fallingwater's final effects are the opposite of its creation. The home seems to float above the water, like a mirage. It seems to exude tranquility and peace. Yet, its every stage of movement toward becoming a reality was like a Sumo wrestling match with enormous heavyweight egos and ideas colliding at high speed and with little regard for the impact on the other fellow.

As much as I love Fallingwater, I love understanding more about how it was created even more. Anyone who wants to leave a mark of greatness behind should read this book.

After you finish thinking through the implications of Mr. Wright's vision and ways of implementing it, I suggest that you think about your own personal life and work. Where are you lacking in vision? Where are you lacking in the processes to implement worthwhile visions?

Turn your dreams into beautiful realities . . . for everyone!

Of all the books on Fallingwater, this is the best when you want to know about how the house came into being. I have 2 copies of the book, one that accompanies me on all my travelling, and one to keep in my library. I have at least read it 8 to 10 times, and already look forward to the next time. The black and white photography is quite good, although the book would even be better with some color takes. Hoffman did a great job researching on the subject, and reading the book, it occurs that this was no easy task to get everything in order, chronoligically.

After some preliminaries about the main character's childhood, the novel covers a time period from roughly 1805 to 1816. This corresponds to the time period when the author was a midshipman and lieutenant in the Royal Navy. The story is told in a narrative fashion by the main character, Frank Mildmay, and draws on the author's own experiences.

Readers looking for lots of naval action will be disappointed. Much of the story is on land and deals with Mildmay's romantic involvements. A large part of the "at sea" portion of the story concerns relationships between Mildmay and other individuals. The story often digresses into philosophical thoughts. It is apparent that the author was from an upper class family, and that he looked down on people from the "lower classes" who he considered poorly educated and not up to par, i.e., his social inferiors. The rapid rise of Mildmay from lieutenant to commander was due to influence, which undoubtedly accounted for the author's own rapid promotion.

There is little naval action in the latter part of the novel as Mildmay becomes involved in a triangle between himself, his former mistress, and his future bride. He heads downhill towards self-destruction, and the story becomes a tragedy, but Mildmay is redeemed at the end.

A fascinating book that is hard to set down. Even though written almost 200 years ago, Marryat sets a standard for nautical fiction which others can only attempt to emulate and never surpass.

If you loved the Aubrey/Maturin novels, the Hornblower novels, and the Flashman books, you should read Frederick Marryat. He wrote his seafaring adventure boooks in the 1830's and they are as readable and enjoyable and understandable as if they were written in the 1990's.

Marryat who actually was a hero in the Royal Navy in the Napoleonic Wars spins a great yarn. Great adventures and funny as hell.

I recommend them highly.

Martín Fierro is, in some way, a national hero for Argentinian people, even for those who haven't read the book. And it seems pretty difficult to analyse this poem knowing that, because Fierro is basically a dirty, filthy, lazy and bane gaucho. Anyway, being Fierro for Argentinian people as Cid for Spanish or Achilles for Greek, the reader should know that this book defends a savage way of life with reasonable ideas, and that is what makes it unique. Martín Fierro belongs to a special time in Argentinian history, and because of this fact the reader should take over this book in a special way and try to understand it by entering the soul of the typical gaucho poetry. This book, written 120 years ago is still very very recommendable in this age of Grishams and Sheldons.

Martin Fierro was written by Jose Hernandez in an era of gauchos and caudillos, not very different as what it its today with unjustice and segregation. Gives a plain message of values, courage and validates the ability of the people to survive under the worst conditions and succeed. A very actual approach at very current problems. The advise he gives to his kids could be the same we today give to our kids "sibbling be united , ..."
Agreat book, with a wonderfull content, some historic points of view and a nice look to lthe 1800 argentinean society from a gaucho's side .

Martin Fierro is a work of art. While describing in poetry the life of Martin Fierro (a Gaucho in the Pampas in the mid to late 1800's), this poem was also a political complaint and a message of unification against the modern world for the gauchos. Herandez's greatest achievement was to unite, in one poem, a message for all the social and cultural classes. Hernandez was a self made man, ruled by simple principles based on honesty and dignity. These principles are well reflected in his book. When Martin Fierro meets his sons, and counsels them, it is Hernandez speaking to all of us.

A charming story of some very believable second graders and a trip to a theme park with a scary ride. When harry is afraid to ride it, Song Lee and Doug, the narrator, help to give their friend some courage. Meanwhile, another boy is making fun of him and a little girl wants nothing to do with him. The story shows how we all have fears that the support of our friends can help us to overcome. The characters do not have much time to develop, but are very real. Song Lee and her mother are Korean. Their dialogue is written with their accent to show diversity. This is a good book for middle second-graders and above to get used to the style of chapter books. Chapters are less than ten pages, with large type and always an illustration.

Why 4 stars?:
The bully character can get a little out of hand. I would have expected someone to step in and not let him torment Harry as much. Still, this is a good book that will serve as a good introduction to chapter books. The nice part about this series is a reader can start anywhere without missing too much.

Horrible Harry and the Drop of Doom by Suzy Kline is a good book. The main characters are Harry and Song Lee. It starts out when Sidney dares Harry to try the Drop of Doom, an amusement park ride. Harry realizes that it's an elevator ride and Harry hates elevators! Next the children go to Song Lee's house for a party. They go to an amusement park for fun. First they went to the haunted house. The ride stopped and a ghost popped out in their face. Then it blacked out, the ride turned on and they got out safely. The next ride was the Drop of Doom! Finally, Harry gets on with Song Lee. It starts going up and up. The elevator door opened up to show the whole amusement park. Then the door closed! Song Lee squeezed Harry's hand, and then AHHHH the Drop of Doom dropped fast down. Harry made it. I highly recommend Horrible Harry and the Drop of Doom by Suzy Kline. By reading this book Harry will teach you two valuable lessons. First, always face your fears no matter how scary they are. Second, never forget that your friends are there to help you.

Horrible Harry and the Drop of Doom

A Book Report By ...

I am writing a review of the book Horrible Harry and the Drop of Doom. This book is one in a series of 'horrible Harry' books. This one happens to be an adventure of sorts. It is also filled with action and funny at times too.

Horrible Harry and the Drop of Doom is a book that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, but it is written to be read by kids from ages seven to eleven. People who like action and adventure are sure the like this book. I will tell you a little about this book.

Harry, the main character, and his friends finish their second grade year by going to an amusement Park. Harry is dared by his enemy, Sidney, to ride a new ride called 'The Drop of Doom'. This story tells about Harry' s struggle to overcome his fears. It talks about the importance of friendship and the power of peer pressure. It certainly discusses many issues kids this age face now.

I give this book a high recommendation. It is sure to hold your attention until the very end. I give Horrible Harry and the Drop of Doom 'two thumbs up'