First, this is not a sex book - it's a libertarian philosophy book. A compendium of history and attitudes on how to get the most from life. Frank R. Wallace, like other great thinkers before him (Freud and even Einstein come to mind) combines brilliant, unique insights with pure crap. I am 41 years old and have read thousands of books, and this one is, without exaggeration, the most powerful I have ever picked up. Wallace is an almost unbelievably charismatic writer, with ideas which nobody else has seemed to touch that ring true. It's hard to read it without ending up with at least some libertarian tendencies.

As to the brown matter, this book was first published in 1975 - 24 years ago - and there is simply no evidence or literature that suggests that "psychuous sex" as he explains it even exists. On the nature of homosexuality, and in some aspect of romantic attempts, he now seems less like a prophet than just badly dated. He also, in all his books, seems to write them in outline style, leaving it to the reader to devise nearly all specific methods of following his romantic, life, or poker tenets, sort of like a very high-level theory course. His latest forays into "Zonpower" and the like, available free on the Internet, take this to an extreme. The book crosses over into raving near the end, and he totally blew the review of Future Shock.

With that said, two-thirds of the book is material the likes of which you have simply never seen. If we can count just the good stuff, and it will be fairly easy for you to tell what that is, this book could be one of the best of the 20th century (!!!!).

As far as I can tell, this book has been pretty well ignored by history. He said it was "not a commercial success," and he reissued it in his Neo-Tech series, but I haven't even heard of any other serious writer quoting his work or even debunking it. Did anyone ever debate him? Did anyone say this book was garbage and why? Did anyone ever communicate an opinion between loving him (which I gather a lot of people do) and detesting everything he has ever written (likewise)? I would love to hear from anyone who has any comments about this book or the nature of his other non-poker writings.

Neo-Tech is the name given to a way of thinking, a way of life, committed to text by Frank R. Wallace over twenty years ago. Its fundamental concept is absolute freedom to do whatever you want, so long as you harm nobody else. It sounds like a utopian dream world but, unfortunately, it is flawed in a few basic concepts. Not that these few flaws are important insofar as they relate to Psychuous sex.

In its conception, Neo-Tech holds up the values of truth and honesty as opposed to lies and deceit (particularly as it relates to politics and big business). If you believe that politicians are basically good people and that 'they know best', then you owe it to yourself to read any Neo-Tech book and consider revising your opinions. Wallace's books will lead you to understand how we are all being cheated by our so-called leaders.

Neo-Tech also deals with the mysticism of religion (ANY religion). In its carefully though out arguments, it blows away any vestiges of religious belief that the average reader may still have. On the other hand, of course, if the reader is so blind and bigoted that his[her] religion may not be questioned or doubted, Neo-Tech will not improve the situation any, so delve into this philosophy only if you believe yourself to be open-minded.

And how does this Neo-Tech philosophy relate to sex?

Simply that, by removing society's (stifling) measures of what is acceptable or otherwise, we release ourselves to make the best of the joys of sex and the ultimate fulfilment that can be ours. Unfortunately, Wallace takes his theory over the top. His claim is that people will lose the need to hold to one partner, and will be free to indulge all physical and conceptual needs with any partner they choose. Sounds great in theory but, in practice, Wallace misses the fundamental point that most peopel WANT to be with a partner. Having said that, however, this book is still worth five stars for the insight into a philosophy of freedom and honesty.

This book integrates objective values with consistent romantic love values. It has terrific information as well as many books analysed in detail. The information about sex is very well researched and honest. In addition, it gives clear distinctions of what is morally right and wrong. The author is a great champion of individual rights, and holds them as the absolute law to be respected. He cites many examples where governments and religious organizations have restricted and deprived these rights, especially of women. Overall an extremely valuable book.

Great for the novice or expert. It really has something for everyone. There is even a short device driver section.

The biggest problem with this book is that it's softbound. It's not going to last at the rate I use it--and I'll have to order another one!

This book packages how to accomplish significant work using the QNX operating system. Including an annotated reading list, examples of how to use QNX utiliites, a discussion of programming philosophy and techniques, and footnoted code fragments, this book puts all the information you need between its covers.

Kolnick not only presents programming techniques and real-time strategies, but he also provides extensive documentation on how to *do* things with QNX. This is probably wasted on UNIX shell hackers, but it proved quite useful to me in my migration from the DOS world. My backup script and a script for creating module templates originally came straight out of these pages.

It's a nice package, crammed with 900 pages of info. Everything in one place. If you're wondering how to make sense out of QNX 4.x, this is *the* book for you.

QNX is a niche market and as a result there are few resources to choose from. In general, the vendor's own materials are adequate. This is the best on the market and by any standards an excellent reference tool. It is extremely well laid out and very well indexed.

I'm quite fond of Ruth Plumly Thompson's Oz books, and I think there's a definite sense of fun that prevails even in her weaker Oz books. Unfortunately, this is one of those weaker books. The plot revolves around the major characters from the first Oz book visiting a country in the stratosphere. The Tin Woodman angers their ruler, and he sets out to conquer Oz. By this point in her Oz-writing career, Thompson seems to fall back on the "some villain wants to conquer Oz" plot when she can't think of anything else, and King Strutoovious isn't really even that much of a threat. Despite being weak in terms of plot, however, this book is still a fun read. The descriptions of Stratovania are interesting, Ozma's maid Jellia Jamb finally receives a starring role, and the Wizard of Oz gets the chance to use some clever magical devices. While there are many better Oz books, this one is still pretty good.

1939 was a banner year for Oz: MGM studios released its classic film adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, and Royal Historian Ruth Plumly Thompson issued her last official Oz novel, Ozoplaning With The Wizard Of Oz, which, as serendipity would have it, was also one of her finest.

Probably due to the release of the film, Ozoplaning With The Wizard Of Oz opens on a crisp fall evening when the cast of the first book ' and thus the cast of the film - are celebrating the anniversary of Dorothy's arrival in Oz. Sparing no detail and demonstrating Oz's reality principle, an elaborate cake has been prepared with a model of Dorothy's Kansas house in its center, the house that fell to Oz in a cyclone and happily, accidentally, and conveniently crushed the Wicked Witch Of The West. The Little Wizard, who has grown quite stout, has another surprise: his latest invention, two airships that are equal part rocket, airplane, and hot air balloon. With Ozma temporarily away from the Emerald City, the group, accompanied by newly matured maid - in ' waiting Jellia Jamb ('Jelly and Jam') and the Soldier With The Green Whiskers, take to the skies adventuring.

After several weak and disposable titles, Thompson's Ozoplaning With The Wizard Of Oz has the distinction of being the fastest moving and most economic novel in the entire Oz chronicle. There is no superfluous padding whatsoever, and, looking ahead to illustrator John R. Neill's The Wonder City In Oz (1940), the novel has a loose, kooky, post ' romantic tone which perfectly suits Baum's utopist fairyland. No longer a 'sweet, darling little maid' perennially restricted to the background, Jellia Jamb is modern young lady ' not a little girl - with a feisty, determined spirit and a bright mind. Happily, it is Jellia, and not Dorothy (who, in defiance of the laws of the kingdom, also seems to have matured considerably), who is the book's protagonist. Thompson also allows the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman to stand center stage, utterly freeing the characters from the dreary limitations Baum often saddled them with in his later titles. Never has the Tin Woodman been this lively, decisive, vigorous, and comical. Thompson's characterization of the Cowardly Lion was the most realized of any of the Oz writers, a talent again demonstrated here. Thankfully, none of the lead characters are transformed into beasts, no overly sweet or obnoxious sidekick animals are introduced, and no one speaks in broken baby talk.

Though the narrative eventually falls back on the overused idea of the Emerald City being invaded by outside forces, the writing throughout is so rollicking and enthusiastic that the inevitable invasion seems almost fresh. In an unusual touch, Thompson has the only briefly seen Trot, Betsy, Tik ' Tok, and the Patchwork Girl fleeing the invasion rather than heroically standing their ground. In another refreshing twist, aggressive flying King Strut of The Strat decides to attack the Emerald City only after the Tin Woodman declares Strut's sky kingdom a new colony of Oz. Deeply offended when told that he and his people are now subjects of Ozma, Strut reasonably feels that it is his kingdom that has been invaded, and decides to take the offensive.

Ozoplaning With The Wizard Of Oz is one of the classic entries in the series, touching as it does on both established Oz history as well as Oz history to come. At the fireside party in the opening chapters, early Oz history is thoroughly and joyfully recounted by the attendees. Thompson's Jellia Jamb will remind readers of a kinder, less boisterous Jenny Jump, and the Wizard's cat - like "kit bag" of magic may have been the inspiration for Jenny Jump's "handbag of fairy gifts." For reasons unknown, Thompson changes the true name of the Soldier With The Green Whiskers from the established Omby Amby to Wantowin Battles ('Want To Win Battles'), but, regardless, the Soldier, who is far more of a coward than the Lion, adds excellent comic relief to the story.

Regarding Oz mythology, with its occasionally shifting laws, rules and regulations, Jellia states early in the novel, "If I live to be a million, I'll never forget the day she (Dorothy) came to the castle with the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman. Not if I live to be a million!" As Oz scholars know, Oz is not only a non ' earthly paradise but also an approximation of the Christian concept of the afterlife. Presuming she is genuinely alive in the earthly sense of the word, Jellia will live to be a million, and, in fact, will live forever, since no one dies in Oz and only the unlucky or unfavored ' like the Wicked Witch of the West ' can be destroyed. Not only does the opening chapter take the unusual step of informing the reader that it is autumn in Oz (one of the airships has been christened "the Oztober"), but, at the book's end, Dorothy mentions Halloween. Unfortunately the highly potent idea of celebrating Halloween in Oz is explored no further.

Reflecting the book's light, fun tone, John R. Neill's illustrations are among his most brazenly comic. Particularly interesting is Neill's drawing of Glinda the Good's castle in the red Quadling country, which is unexpectedly massive beyond belief. Highly recommended for both children and adults, as well as for established Oz fans and new readers.

This is Thompson's last official Oz book, but also one of her best! The Wizard has inventing flying airships---OZOPLANES and it's a high flying adventure above the skies of Oz as an Ozoplane takes off in hot pursuit of the other Ozoplane which went off accidently! Turns out, King Strutoovious wants to conquer the Land of Oz and Glinda and Ozma are away! This was a great book which is expected from Ruth Plumly Thompson's sense of humor!

Frank Harrell is a Professor who does a lot of consulting in medical research. This book covers a wide variety of topics in regression analysis including many advanced techniques including data reduction, smoothing techniques, variable selection, transformations, shrinkage methods, tree-based methods and resampling. But note the title "Regression Modeling Strategies". Unlike most advanced texts in regression this book emphasizes modeling strategies. So the focus is on things like variable selection and other techniques to avoid overfitting models and diagnostics to look for violations in assumptions such as variance homogeneity or normality and independence of residuals, or stability problems like colinearity.

The book covers an extensive collection of modern techniques for exploratory data analysis. Inferential methods are also considered and he deals appropriately with important issues (particularly for medical research) such as imputation of missing values. Many examples are considered and illustrated in S-PLUS.

Harrell also provides many rules of thumb based on his own experience building models. A lot of the techniques are illustrated using data from the Titanic where it is interesting to see which factors affected the probability of survival. My only disappointment was that there is perhaps too much emphasis on this one particular data set.

A standard regression text would be expected to include linear and nonlinear regression. Harrell goes much deeper including nonparametric regression, logistic regression and survival models (e.g. the Cox proportional hazards model).

This is clearly an advanced text that mathematicians and PhD students in statistics would find valuable. It is not for an engineer or novice statistican in industry (like myself) who has to come up with an accurate regression model with quantitative and qualitative data in a short period of time. My rating is four stars: buy this book only if you have the advanced statistical training to understand it, otherwise buy a simpler book if you want to get a basic understanding of the subject.

This text does a five star job of what the title advertises. The book could be used for a one year graduate course in applied linear models. The writing is excellent, and topics very up to date. This is for graduate students with a good foundation in mathematical statistics and applied statistics. Very good integration with modern statistical packages.