I agree with some of the comments of the other reviewers: the book seems comprehensive and is very attractively laid out. However I am attempting to read the book on my own, not as the textbook to a course, and I am finding that it is quite badly organized. For instance, the first chapter rushes through a whole lot of stuff which is presumably covered in more detail later in the book, but they don't really tell you that, nor do they simplify it as they should if it's just an overview. In later chapters, several terms are used without being defined, and often it's impossible to tell what's going on in the figures from the captions and the text. I can imagine the book being good if you're taking a genetics course, but if you're just trying to read it and teach yourself, be prepared to be often confused...

I've used this book quite extensively in my introductory Genetics class, and I'm sure I'll be using it often as a reference in the future. It is superbly written, with clear explanations of the material.

There are many, many diagrams and photographs which help to solidify understanding, and they are all in full color. It is organized very well, although this organization has changed from edition to edition and any teacher or student using it in their courses should be aware that chapters and problems in this newer version do not always coincide with those in previous editions. The questions are excellent as well, although purchasing the solutions manual is a wise idea (it is also very well done, with long, detailed explanations of the answers to the problems).

Overall, of the 3 or 4 genetics textbooks I've looked at, this is by far the best one. In fact, it's one of the best textbooks I've ever used for any class. This one's a keeper.

I work in a Mammalian Genetics lab, I have referenced this book numerous times and I have only had it a little over a month. It is those little things we forget, but now that information is at my fingertips. Excellent, would recommend it to anyone in the field.

While the pictures are, for the most part, fantastic, the author does tend to make outlandish claims about some of them...The ONLY picture of JFK holding one of his kids, or the ONLY picture of him with Dr. Max Jacobson. Simply not the case! A little more care with details like that would have been nice!

And PS RED Fay did not serve aboard PT 100, as is claimed in the book.

What a classy book that one is! The White House as it was at the time of the Kennedys... and looking at some of those never seen before pictures, we can relive the elegance, charm and grace of that unique period. Two thumbs up Mr. Sferrazza!!

This one has it all. It has the best photos ever seen of the Kennedys. Lots of them are revealing and more personal than ever seen. There is a closeness that the pictures have that the same old ones somehow miss. Also it summarizes the story of this famous family compactly. The writing has depth and understanding.

After savoring de Mello's "Song of the Bird" (q. v.)for many years, it was tremendous to come across this volume. The 'pearls' here tend to be a bit longer, but nevertheless very provocative. Get the above one first, but don't hesitate to select this one immediately thereafter.

"Paradoxical as it seemed, the Master always insisted that the true reformer was one who was able to see that everything is perfect as it is - and able to leave it alone"

(...taken from a page at random, I guess any further review is unnecesary...)

Anthony de Mello's books generally fall into three groups - guided meditations; cross-cultural, interreligious, traditional teaching tales; and sayings of the Master in context. One Minute Wisdom falls into this latter category using a style related to the saying of the rabbis in the talmudic writings or certain collections of Hindu avatar sayings.

The purpose of the sayings is to provoke a response, to help one to break out of the habitual patterns of thought and action that substitute for rather than express religious beliefs.

An example: "To everyone's surprise the Master seemed unenthusiastic about religious education for the young. When asked why, he said, "Innoculate them when they are young and you prevent them from catching the real thing when they grow up."

The book can be read for amusement or to change one's life. It is only as good as the reader is willing to allow it to be.

Anthony's treatise has several outstanding merits, not the least of which is its impressive scope. No other First Ladies scholar (known to the general public) has succeeded in furnishing so rich and abundant a collection of anecdotes and insights on the topic of the Presidents' wives, many of whom -- such as Rachel Jackson and Jane Appleton Pierce -- would have descended into utter obscurity. Anthony gives short shrift to no one [First Lady] and that is a rare, fair feature -- much to be commended!
Over the years, authors / publishers of of First Ladies anthologies have shortchanged readers. All-inclusive Anthony must be credited with tastefully -- rather than sensationally -- putting forth the lesser known faces and facts, and despite his tendency to digress, presenting all sides of the picture.

In each First Lady installment, the author's massive (and occasionally frustrating) tendency is to weave, albeit expertly, in and out of character, like one making a tapestry, ending ultimately where he started; naturally, that is scant consolation for the researcher with little or no time to waste. Said another way, whereas the the stated focus (if we go by chapter index) is a particular First Lady, the pattern is to be discursive within that chapter by taking divers detours into the lives of prior or subsequent First Ladies. For instance, what does a lengthy paragraph on the youthful Rosalyn Carter have to do with a chapter supposedly on Bess the Boss (Truman)? Why does Anthony ramble on about deployment of the Atomic Bomb if the topic was Edith Wilson's admiration of Bess's ladylike restraint? When dialogue segues into other First Ladies' opinions of the decision to drop the bomb (all because Bess allegedly influenced Harry in this regard), better, one thinks, if Anthony had not been so tempted to veer off course. The result is that decades seemingly overlap! But for all its overlapping, Anthony's style (storybook format) is plainly mesmerizing, utterly enticing despite the researcher's initial frustration. His motive, we would wager, is to convey a perpetual sense of the present by giving readers concurrent glimpses into a whole handful of highly personal lives -- in short, to pinpoint the whereabouts of any to-be or former First Lady whilst the other other actually occupied her station; hence, an aging Edith Wilson on the subject of the A Bomb. Ah, yes -- a second source of frustration for the researcher: the photos Anthony incorporates bear no -- at the very least, visible or readily accessible -- captions. But in this case, the eager researcher need not be the only serious reader. Furthermore, that we should care so much to read a caption hints at the caliber of these First Lady photos, so historically rare and captivating, even in the absence of certain identifying features.

This first in a two-volume series on our nation's First Ladies is by far no cut and paste job (rather, a masterwork) for all its artful sculpturing, magnificent and painstaking authenticity. It is not simply the historian's job to neatly or conventionally classify, but to spark in his readers a genuine enthusiasm for his own beloved subject matter, and this is doubtless what Anthony achieves.

This is an extrmeley interesting, well-researched look at American politics and society through the history of America's first ladies. The author does an excellent job of having the women he chronicles truly become individuals, sometimes very different from their husbands. He finds ways to bring the early life of future first ladies into his narrative, and he provides clues to the roots of some American icons that I certainly didn't know about--like the reason for the name of the Baby Ruth candy bar, named after Frances and Grover Cleveland's first daughter.

This is not a book that reads quickly. It is comprehensive and careful, and is meant to be savored as a work of history. I'm looking forward to reading the second volume of this.

This is an excellent, well-researched book. The author paints a dense, richly detailed portrait of each first lady and the social and political background of her time. I learned a lot--not just about the historical women, but about American cultural and social development. This is not a fast book to read, but it is a book to savor and learn from. It is also truly history--no attempt to sensationalize issues--and I appreciated that.

We all have days on which we are down in the dumps and need a little glamor. Gabors ARE glamor. Beautiful, colorful book. Buy it for the makeup tips alone!

This is a great little book when you need a little glamourous inspiration in your life! The Gabors (all of them) were every inch stars: glamourous dresses, giant jewels, and witty quotes, such as "I ask myself more questions than Hamlet as I ponder which shoes to wear" (Eva) or "How many husbands have I had - you mean apart from my own?" (Zsa Zsa). I love it! This book celebrates the Gabors and their larger than life presence from the Hungarian beginning through their celebrity in Hollywood. In short, it is simply vonderful, dahling!

It would have been a sad world indeed without the fabulous Gabors, their wit, wisdom, beauty and charisma and above all their glamour has kept us spellbound for decades. This book is a celebration of their lives and acheivements, I only wish it was twice as big. Filled with photos movie posters and memorabilia, it lists the Gabor sisters various appearances in Las Vegas, in stage shows and on the big and small screen. People forget Zsa Zsa starred in many memorable movies like 'Lovely to Look At', 'Moulin Rouge', 'Lili', 'Death of a Scoundrel','Queen of Outer Space', 'Arriverderci Baby' & 'Naked Gun 2 1/2' and Eva's films included 'The Mad Magician', 'The Last Time I Saw Paris', 'Artists and Models', 'Gigi' and 'The Aristocats', as well as having a cult following on the 60's T.V classic Green Acres. These women never stopped working and supporting themselves, making legendary guest appearances on countless T.V shows and having everything they said and did reported in the columns. They never stopped partying either, or changing husbands. In glorious gowns they adorned the covers of countless magazines and tabloids and have themselves written tell-all books on their lives. This coffee table book celebrates their journey from El Morocco to Studio 54, it showcases their style as true Hollywood celebrities and legends. "A wry and sumptuous look into the world of celebrity" Robert Rechter.

The best hair care book I've come across yet! This book is comprehensive but simplistic. It is the first book I've seen that teaches me, as a black woman, how to take care of my curly/frizzy hair. He includes hair grooming for natural hair styles. There's also an incredibly helpful section that teaches you how to shop for products and how to use them, no matter if you wear natural or relaxed styles. He also gives guidance on the "taboo" subjects of wigs, weaves, and hairpieces. He doesn't push any products--unlike other books--and his only interest is in sharing his wealth of knowledge. I love this book!

This a wonderful book for black women w/ kinky hair. For every black, white, latino woman in the world this book is for you. If you don't have it, go buy it.

I found this book to be extremely helpful. I learned about natural oils to use on my hair and scalp among other things and there was a nice long chapter at the end in which Dickey speaks with a dermatologist.

After reading this book I became more adventurous with my hair. I tried using different hair pieces and conditioners and I can honestly say my hair feels and looks better after reading this book.

OK...I am a huge fan of Anthony and have 90% of his novels. This is a collection of disjointed musings. Man falls for bad sales pitch, loses fortune, fails at multiple jobs, adopts a Daughter (some kind of fascination from the author here) novel ends. The last 30 pages are a prelude to another book......

These aren't Anthony's most vibrant, three-dimensional characters (Okay, we get it, Fisk has trouble reconciling his basic decency with his career. Move on). It's funny, but that's it. This isn't helping SF's reputation any.

It isn't really a novel, but a short story collection with connecting material. If you're new to Anthony, by all means go for it. But if you're any kind of SF fan, you'll have read at least a few of these in their original forms.

I have to admit that when i started this book i had my doubts about it.But after I read the opening sales pitch,made by the mars salesmen,I was hooked!I've read alot of his other books,but this was one of the best!!

I have to say, this is a very sad book. Massimini's approach is very immature. The best way to explain his philosophy is that of "the absorption of the self". His view seems to be that we, that is the layperson, knows best. That we can find our own salvtation in our understanding of ourselves. The traditions of two millenium is patriarchial.... His obsession of knowledge as being the "salvation" of the human race is just arogance. This book is not for the seriious minded.... spend your money somewhere else.

Dr. Massimini has beautifully developed a book of hope. In the midst of much despair in the Catholic community stemming from the recent scandals in the Church, Massimini has taken a scholarly approach peppered with humanism to support radical change badly needed in the structure and culture of the Church and each of us as individuals. This change he suggests can only occur when we become spiritually mature and act upon the very gifts we already possess. He calls us passionately to that realization. A loyal and devout Catholic, Massimini challenges the faithful in an innovative manner. His regular quotations from Scripture and poetry demonstrate how imbedded his thought is into taking old thought and contexts and making them new to fit the times. He cites world views, science and cosmological findings to demonstrate how rapidly the world is changing...evolving and how we must step up to the challenge and Dance with Christ and one another. Brilliant and reflective book creating new sparks in thinking that will optimally lead to action! Cannot recommend it more highly.

This book was for me, the most inspirational and freeing book that I have every read. Not only did it excite me and make me realize that God gave me a mind and a voice, but it also was the commencement of my journey to unlocking the divine within myself.

I have grown more in the past year-and-a-half since I read this book than I did in my entire life! The reason for that is due to the light that went off in my head while reading this wonderful book. God gave us all a brain and logic and the way to the creator is open to all people, not just priests, nuns, pastors, popes or anyone else who claims to have more of a connection to God than the rest of us.

The person from Landing NJ who gave an unfavorable review to this book suggests that it is preposterous to question the traditions of the past 2 thousand years. I wonder what sect (assuming he/she is speaking of Christianity) this person is referring to? After all, there are many customs and traditions that have taken place and many different religions, some longer than others. Does this person suggest that the longevity of a religion or philosophy makes it truth or divine? I for one certainly DO question all religions and traditions. For within many of those traditions, people have been accused of being heretics and witches and were tortured and burned at the stake. Galileo Galilei was accused of being a heretic for using his God-given, genius of a mind and was confined to his home for the remainder of his life! Too many people have been persecuted in the name of God, whilst during the course of a two thousand year old institution.

This book is the key to unlocking those binding psychological shackles that have been controlling many, many people for much too long a time now. Unlike what the person from Landing NJ would have us believe, one must be mature and open-minded to grasp the very eloquently written words of Dr. Massimini. But make no mistake about it; one does not have to be a genius to unlock the discernment of spirituality that lays within each and every single person, children of the Supreme Being.

Even if one does not agree with every theory of Massimini, one cannot deny the basic core truth of this beautiful book. Each and every one of us possesses a light that is God. I thank Dr. Massamini from the bottom of my heart for providing the tools to help me see my light.

This book is basically based on the story of President Kennedy who lived and died so tragically. Why did he die? He was murdered by people. Summers clearly explains with words and many pictures that many people are wondering who did it? Or will we know. In our lifetime? The average lifetime for me is 80 years. Longer for Asians who are sadly killed in wars. Its part of this book that people wanted to kill Kennedy over Vietnam War which was started by Kennedy. Perhaps overlooked is Kennedy himself. Maybe he wasnt sure. Mr. Bojangles. A song written about KEnnedy cant come up with my answer. Lets just forget about what Summers said anyway. Why does he know how Kennedy did anything. Come off it Casper.

A good book for passing the time in a vacation with your best girl. Like it could happen Frank. Kennedy, my lifetime is all about The true story. I suppose this really could happen to anybody/

This work is certainly one of the best investigations into the murder of President Kennedy.
It is a new version of his former book 'Conspiracy'.

Although the author admits that he could not find the ultimate truth, he believes that Lee Harvey Oswald was framed by an alliance of anti-Castro militants, the Mafia and members of the CIA. He could not find out if or not Oswald was a low level CIA agent himself. The author believes however that Oswald was used by U.S. intelligence without his knowledge.

The author also proves convincingly that the version of the killing proclaimed by the Warren Commission is untenable.

This book is a real thriller about a diabolic masterstroke. The real protagonists behind the curtain could load all the suspicions on one person, whom they then ordered to be killed. The whole plot was buried by the Warren Commission.

A masterly investigation.

Basically, I enjoyed reading this book but it did not hold my interest or spark new thoughts as many of Piers Anthony's books do when I read them. The author apparently likes to explore sexual subjects (see his book Firefly) and explore taboos (see some of his other series other than Xanth). Nothing wrong with that but I would never want someone who loves the Xanth series to get the wrong idea. The basic story of a man placing too much emphasis on the size of his genitalia is easy to catch hold to and most of the book is easy enough to follow but it does not leave you wanting more. Although it is sexually graphic, and has some odd scenes, it is not overly pornographic, like a letter to a men's magazine. If you need a book to soak up a little time and something without much weight or thought needed, this is good. If you want to be intellectually challenged, you may want to look elsewhere (like Piers Anthony excellent Incarnations of Immortality series). Because this book is usually out of print, it can be a collector's item.

I'm not certain a wilder fantasy can be had. An incubus/succubus, magical smegma, a set of detachable, interchangable penises of various sizes & functions, demons, & a woman scientist who doesn't know the meaning of the word "No" nor how a man values his own penis. This is Piers Anthony boldly rushing in where Mrs. Grundy fears to tread.

I enjoy his novels, and this one was no exception. I read it long before I had discovered Xanth, Tarot, or the Incarnations of Immortality. I don't think I had yet read the first Phaze trilogy. What an introduction! This book stood alone in it's own right--one doesn't have to be an Anthony fan to enjoy it.

I was attracted to the taboo-violating nature of the basic plot device: Evil scientist removes man's stubby little penis & gives him a wide range of accessories (with full sensate functioning) to replace it. Man goes on quest to obtain techno-magical item to exchange for his original organ. The theme of "a quest to obtain something magical so the wizard will return what is rightfully yours" is a tired old theme. Applying it to a man's =PENIS= returns it to novelty!

Once you get past the creative audacity, this reads like any other Anthony novel. The characters don't have a lot of depth (the hero seems to occupy a fractal dimension larger than two but fails to achieve a full three dimensions). Who cares? His creativity is legendary--and this book showcases it well. Lots of challenges, action & even the odd pun, all played out in a sci-fi-magico-phantasy-sexual arena.

Yes, there are some very interesting forms of coupling portrayed in this book. I would hesitate to label it erotica, and certainly =NOT= consider it pornography. It's not a one-handed read. Think of it more as a Xanth novel you'd hate to explain to a pre-pubescent! This is as violent as any quest novel, but the sexual arena for the quest makes the violence less palatable.

Three stars for characterization. Four stars for plot. Five stars for shear audacity. If you've got an open & adventurous mind, don't miss this unique book.

(If you liked this review, please read my other reviews at Amazon.com. Thanks, Elderbear)

DO *NOT* buy this book if you're expecting Xanth style fun. This is a very adult book, and quite fun as one.