This book was used as the text for a Construction Law case I took in law school. Overall I found the book to be very good. It was clear, concise, well written, and easy to understand. It also brought a pretty wide range of topics into the mix, and provided a fair amount of places to go for additional information (by way of case law). If I had to complain, and for the purposes of this review I will, I would make two comments: 1) There are areas where a little more depth would be nice. Frankly, I don't think the scope of this book really includes in-depth analysis on anything so this might be a non-issue for many folks. I just found that there were a few times (a very few) when I was looking for more information. 2. This book does a really nice job incorporating definitions for new terms into the text. However, there are a LOT of new terms and a glossary would have beeen a nice addition to the text.

An outstanding work -- easy to follow, yet powerful. It delivers in-depth coverage of current law on hot construction topics. As a General Contractor, I found the book very helpful. I strongly recommend it. The industry has become so litigious that you cannot afford to not know.

At first glance, Tech-Venture seems like a nostalgic flashback to early 2000. A quick skim through its pages reveals statements like: "Old economy valuation methods, such as discounted cash flows and comparable company multiples, are ineffective for New Economy companies." But don't be fooled, this book is more than just an obsolete relic of the bubble. Once you get past the sections devoted to high-tech start-ups, you'll find a thoughtful examination of technology's role in such critical 21st-century business mainstays as customer relationship management and supply-chain management. For this intelligent analysis, along with equally interesting chapters identifying technologies likely to spawn future revolutions, we from getAbstract recommend this book to managers in business development and technology.

TechVenture packs more insightful analysis into every chapter than any other book I've read recently. The chapters on Value and Wireless E-Business alone are worth the price of the book. It's good to see a realistic look toward profitability (at last!) and to have that realism temper a forward-looking work like this is a pleasure indeed. Bravo!

If you were to teach a graduate seminar in 'homeland defense,' you could make a strong case for using this book as your teaching text. It's an extremely comprehensive look at the topic, with sections on everything from risk analysis to the roles of various state and federal agencies. It also scores high on Buzzword Bingo -- featuring not only the title phrases 'weapons of mass destruction,' 'asymmetric,' and 'homeland' (who ever used that term prior to September 11?) but other current insider jargon like jointness, CBRN, proxies, and learning curve. Civil and military aspects of the 'homeland defense' question are all thoroughly covered.

If there is a deficiency, it's in discussing the larger context in which attacks are likely to occur. Cordesman posits a world in which threats exist, and the decision-maker has to prepare for, detect, counter, and respond to them. What's missing is an analysis of why threats exist in the first place -- in the plaintive wail of the headline writers, 'Why do they hate us?' Might not finding ways to get 'Them' to hate us less be an element of 'homeland defense' as well? Assessing HOW we're at risk without also figuring out WHY strikes me as akin to trying to fix a leaky bathtub without first turning off the faucet.

But within the narrower focus of Cordesman's book, he does a very thorough job. I can imagine this title showing up on a lot of desks in Washington, D.C., and that's probably a good thing.

Originally I bought this book looking for information concerning National Missile Defense. It did not hit the mark, but it IS an excellent source of information on international threats to the US. I recommend it to all in the new Homeland Defense Administration and all the National Guard Civil Support Teams. Mr. Cordesman covers risk assessments, threat assessment and prioritization, types of anticipated attacks and how to respond, Federal efforts (by department and agency) to establish homeland defense, lessons learned, and final recommendations.

Andy Granatelli, a real life icon of automobile racing gives his own story in his own words about the development of hot-rodding and indy car racing from the 1930's up into the 1970's. Ever wonder why those STP stickers were so popular with the car crowd back in the 1970's ? It's because of the incredible winning streak Mr. Granatelli enjoyed. This book is currently out of print, which is a shame... This is truely a resource for the racing and/or automobile enthusiast. Mr Granatelli, who is still alive and doing well, and who's son, Vince Granatelli, is very active as a team owner in the Indy car circuit, spent a lifetime rubbing elbows with the biggest names in the automotive world. From Mickey Thompson, to Mario Andretti, to Henry Ford, Mr Granatelli knew them all. And this book centers on the early years when these million dollar people were more like average joe kind of guys.

Based on real life wrench turning car nuts, the book is peppered with humor. Most noteably the rocket car out of control on a country road. I had to read that chapter over, it was so funny!

Very difficult to find today. I read this book more than a decade ago having borrowed it from a friend who has since passed on, The real life hot rod adventures left such an impression on my mind, that I can still remember most of the chapter names by heart!

If you can locate this book, BUY IT! Even if you dont like hot-rod cars, get it for that nephew that does. This book truely is a resource to our fathers and grandfathers days of automobilia, as well as a great, well written read.

This is a great look back at the behind the scenes of Indy racing and the exploits of the Granatelli brothers. I read this book as a kid in the 70's, and recently found it again. I had to have it and reread it. Mr. Granatelli adds humor to the situations which makes it difficult to put down. This is definate reading for the older gearhead. If you remember 'Mr. STP' growing up.......you'll love this!

Appiah maps out the basic terrain of philosophical inquiry for beginners. The book is readable and the terminology is accessible--highlighted terms are defined and indexed. Key themes include: Philosophy of Mind, Epistemology, Language, Science, Ethics, Political Theory, Legal Theory, and Metaphysics. If someone said, "So what do contemporary philosophers write about?" I would give them this book.

However, I wouldn't give them this book if they asked, "What makes philosophy interesting?" Appiah is circumspect and unimpassioned, careful to take few defined stands (which is appropriate to the book). But "Thinking It Through" reads like an automobile owner's manual rather than a guide to making key decisions about life. Furthermore, there are some ambiguous structural choices in the book: why are ethics and metaphysics separated? ...why does law now get its own chapter in an introduction to philosophy (previously subsumed under political philosophy)? ...why does political theory include indepth discussion of the two most recent contributions to political philosophy, but no mention of Marx, Locke, or Jefferson? ...why does the philosophy of mind not mention John Searle? ...why no discussion of aesthetics? ...why no existentialism?

Perhaps this is all too much to ask of one book. After all the subtitle is intentionally "An Introduction to Contemporary Philosophy," and Appiah really does go specifically through the who's who of living philosophers. This is an EXCELLENT book for someone who is thinking about majoring in philosophy at University. I wouldn't give it to the curious layreader who suspects philosophy might have to do with the meaning of life.

Philosophy is a subject that most people feel intrigued by but for many reasons most people never get involved with. I have been surrounded by philosophy students for many years and I have always wanted to learn more but was put off because I didn't know where to start, there is so much new language to learn and it just seems like an impenetrable academic subject into which would be foolish to venture unguided.

'Thinking it Through' manages to start at the very beginning of the process of philosophy without dumbing down. Each of the nine chapters (covering Mind, Knowledge, Science, Morality, Politics, Law, Metaphysics and a chapter on Philosophy as a subject) begin with the discussion of a premise on which the rest of the chapter is based. In the chapter on the Mind the discussion revolves around whether a computer could ever be considered to have a mind. This initial question is then slowly broken down into the major philosophical arguments. Each is dealt with in turn, in a clear rational manner that is easy to understand. Different arguments are compared and evaluated. By the end of each chapter you have learnt so much and gone through so many arguments and discussions that you have almost forgotten what you read, but the chapter summary springs to the rescue and tells you exactly what you just learnt.

Every new term used, and there are a lot of them, is highlighted in bold print, defined and can be found in the index for future reference. The author has the skill to explain all the ideas and arguments without losing track of the the fundemental purpose of the chapter.

It is layed out clearly and openly and is extremely informative. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I think I may have learned more from it than from almost any book I have ever read. The authors intent in writing this book was to give the reading all the skills and knowledge to enable them to read original philosophical text and I certainly feel well prepared.

A wonderful book for the beginner but a philosophy graduate friend of mine said that 'It covers all the main arguments that are discussed in a philosophy degree, and to be honest most philosphy graduates haven't taken away with them much more the the contents of this book'.

This book will help you find it, uncomplicate it and play better the next round.

He goes step by step through the grip, setup and swing, with great photos from all angles.

Useful drills as well, especially the one about finding your tempo by gripping the clubhead and taking some swings this way.

Tom Watson's book is an excellent place to seek help for the golfer who is not striking the ball well. There are a million things you could think about in a swing and I have tried hundreds of them. I decided that I would read the book of the man whose swing has stood the test of time and use his stuff. Last time I looked, Watson was leading the senior tour in GIR's at more than 72%.

In my case, one simple concept---forearm rotation---revolutionized my ball-striking! Watson also covered the basics that are in other golf instruction books, and used a well known pro to illustrate the concepts. But it seemed that the things I had not read about before (his "shaking hands" and "swing the clubhead in a circle" concepts) were ideas that radically improved the quality of my golf shots.

I also might add that I took pictures/movies of my swing with a digital camera and compared them to Watson's swing action photos in the book. Then, I taped a tournament he was near the lead in, and just played his swing over and over and absorbed the rhythm of the motion. I enjoy the game like never before ...

I read this book shortly after finishing Death of a Darklord, as I wished to read more on Azalin, whom supposedly makes a cameo in the novel. Indeed, he does, but not like I expected. The book is fantastic, anyway, and it had some of the greatest characters and plot twists I'd ever seen.

In the end, you pitied the protagonist, loathed the villain, and felt for the two female leads, whose different paths merged to put them both on the path to ruin. The most intriguing character (and the one who surprised me by NOT doing what I thought he'd do), though, would have to be the gnome, Pock, whose comic relief was welcome in some parts.

The book wasn't perfect (thus, only the 4 stars), but it was a rousing tale and a good read, if a bit cheesy at times.

This book was an over all fun read. The main character of the story (Wort) gets his revenge on the many people who treat him so badly, which made for some fun revenge hungry reading! This story has a very dark feel to it, and many of the characters are selfish and greedy (which added to the dark atmosphere). Some of the positives of the book would have to be

1. The characters
If you have not read this book yet look for Lady Jadis the WerePanther- SHE IS COOL!Also Azalin makes an appearance along with some other cool new charecters.Wort plays some what of a villain in the later half of the book, and you love him for it! I give the characters 5 stars.

2. The revenge
If you enjoy sweet revenge or if someone has ever made you feel bad about the way you look you'll love this!Theres Nothing better than good paybacks!

3. The author
I had not read any of Mark Anthony's work before reading "Tower of Doom". He is a talented writer, and I was very impressed by the way he fine tuned the book.
The only negative input on the book is the whole Hunchback in the Bell Tower thing. Its a little bit Notre Dameish. (But thats OK right?)

With Zombies,Hunchbacks,Gnomes, and Were Panthers and a Dark classic Ravenloft setting....Its hard to dislike this book. Give it a try.

I saw the movie before I read this screenplay, but I enjoyed both immensely. I"m a huge Alan Rickman fan, and recommend TMD wholeheartedly in whatever form you can get it.

If you're not familiar with the plot, the main character, Nina, is still unable to recover from the death of her lover, Jamie; the speculation is that it's been over a year. Then, after an unusually bad evening, he comes back, in the flesh, as if he were willed by Nina's pleas. Instead, Jamie helps her to grow, to open her eyes to the life around her, while making her unbelievably happy (at first). The book provides a lesson for everyone who needs their eyes opened. Anthony Minghella is a classic writer/director--he take any love story and turn it into something new.

This is just an excellent read! You'll laugh out loud at the imagery played out by Minghella's skills as a writer. The film is a joy to behold, but if you can't get the film, the screenplay is just as enjoyable. Maybe moreso in that the reader can conjure the characters in his imagination.

The author humorously and accurately portrays some of the personalities of modern Muscovites, both foreign and local. Many major categories are covered: the artist, the potential emigre, the emigre who has returned, the indebted businessman, the mafia thug, the hard-as-nails old woman who's survived so much, the heavy-drinking, English-teaching foreigner, and more. They're all a very odd bunch, but he somehow makes them believable, and likeable.

Everyone will enjoy the novel, but a small amount of Russian--at least the alphabet--and some time in Moscow itself will be needed in order to more fully understand all of the inside jokes.

Highly recommended. This foreign resident of Moscow will lend it enthusiastically to others in order to give them a better idea of what it's like here.

The brightest novel in the modern bilingual world. You can't just simply write such a book - easy, without suffering.

Author survived a culture shock. He met irrational Russian mentality face to face during the worst time of the modern Russian history. And he was able to understand things, which not each Russian understands.

I think this book is a masterpiece of the new culture, culture of multilingual people, citizens of the World - the powerful fusion of American, European and Asian cultures.

Author was an eye-witness of dramatic changes - the downfall of empire and the birth of a new country. And he shares his thrilling experience not only as a spectator, but also, as a participant. Could you imagine modern Marco Polo or Gulliver or even Indiana Jones? That's it! And also - unique alloy of Anglo-American and Russian humor.

It is easy to read but it is not easy reading. It is funny but it is not senseless. It has many layers and attentive reader could discover them without end.

Definitely, Anthony Perry has a great gift. He can talk to readers with optimistic smile and love, even when he talks about sad things. (Oh, those incorrigible Americans, they always SMILE!) And he can see amazing grace of life even when the life itself is cruel and unfair.

You can't just easy read this book. You gonna love it!

well researched book good biography. hope to see more detailed book on the same subject. craigavon should also be researched to see his important part in the crisus

A.T.Q. Stewart established his well deserved reputation as an objective, erudite scholar with this small book. Unlike many academic historians however,he also writes well. He treats his subject not as a sounding board for a trendy, modern "ism", but instead as an objective event in the past. He examines not only what happened, but why it happened. This volume examines the rise of Ulster Loyalist resistance to Irish Nationalist "Home Rule", which the Northern Irish Loyalists rightly saw as the short road to independence for Ireland from the Empire. Their threatened armed "rebellion" against the British government so as to (ironically) achieve their aim of remaining British, ultimately set in motion the events of 1916 and later 1968/69, which sadly continue up to this very evening. Stewart treats his subject dispassionatly and with great insight and detail. At the same time Stewart describes events almost as a jounalist would have done. One can almost see the gun runners unloading the rifles off the docks in the darkness from his narration. Ultimately, he also describes how the participants faired. The nascent U.V.F. marched off to meet their doom on the Somme. The peaceful Nationalists were ultimately politically outflanked by Sinn Fein who revolted in 1916, a mere six weeks before their counterparts went over the top in Flanders. The British Officers who threatened to resign at Curragh Barracks rather than enforce what they saw as an unpatriotic law, lost not only their lives but their world. In short, if you are interested in this aspect of British history, this is a book well worth having.