This is a major work on the redesign of the human/computer interface. It is well written but very deep. Excellent academic research is clearly demonstrated throughout. I would not say, however, that it is an easy read.

Engineering research does not generally have to be as strongly academically founded as scientific research. The controlling factor is "does it work," not how does it relate to previous work. This tendency leads to problems when it is necessary to do multidisciplinary work involving both engineering and science. The redesign of the human/computer interface is just such a problem.

As an engineer working independently in this field, I have often wished for the time and resources to do proper academic studies. Paul Dourish has now done them for me. All my future publications will have to show consistency with this book, show they are clearly outside the area covered by this book, or show the book is wrong. The last alternative is most unlikely. I think I can show my work, based on Darwinism and ontology, complies with the first option. I am certain that my work will be stronger for this effort.
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Why is the human/computer interface now so important?

It is quite possible that the events of 9/11 are just the first in a series of major shocks that will mark the first quarter of the twenty-first century. Others that may follow within a few years include the end of cheap oil (Hubbert's Peak) and environmental deterioration from human activities (Greenhouse Effect).

The first lesson learned from 9/11 is that resources in place at the start of a major event are the only ones you can use to address it. You may have the time and money for research later but in the hour of need only those things that are already developed are of use. The research and development must be done before hand.

The second lesson is that we can address great problems by uniting in our strengths. Some strengths will be called forth when needed but others are best studied and understood. Two such strengths are the number of good people available to work problems and the available computational power. Both these have undergone exponential growth and are at historic levels.

These two strengths multiply when used together and this is exactly what the current redesign of the human/computer interface proposes to do. With this book, Paul Dourish has laid an excellent interdisciplinary foundation for this effort.

This is a major work on the redesign of the human/computer interface. It is well written but very deep. Excellent academic research is clearly demonstrate throughout. I would not say, however, that it is an easy read.

Engineering research does not generally have to be as strongly academically founded as scientific research. The controlling factor is "does it work," not how does it relate to previous work. This tendency leads to problems when it is necessary to do multidisciplinary work involving both engineering and science. The redesign of the human/computer interface is just such a problem.

As an engineer working independently in this field, I have often wished for the time and resources to do proper academic studies. Paul Dourish has now done them for me. All my future publications will have to show consistency with this book, show they are clearly outside the area covered by this book, or show the book is wrong. The last alternative is most unlikely. I think I can show my work, based on Darwinism and ontology, complies with the first option. I am certain that my work will be stronger for this effort.

I would recommend this book to anyone,especially to those who know little or nothing about World War I. The Forward of the this book is excellent!! The history, causes, and effects of World War I are interesting and informative. At no time, in any history class I have taken have the facts of this War been explained and I certainly appreciated knowing more. Thank you for your insight and for writing a book from the perspective of an actual soldier and a Commanding Officer. I had tears in my eyes-of joy and sorrow- while reading these diary entries. Not until one reads actual words written by someone directly involed in any war do we really understand the heartaches of war.

I have always been a WW I buff but this is different than any historical work on the subject. You see the Great War from a personal view. By combining the accounts of a foot soldier and his commanding officer, Eisenstein has produced a work of astonishing impact. The meticulous research of all references made in the respective memoirs is an education in itself. The authors insightful commentary really helps the reader appreciate the insanity of this war. The means of mass destruction and death were available for the first time, but the ability to communicate by wireless radio and therefore control this power was absent. I highly recommend this powerful book for both the avid historian and the casual reader alike.

In the Aftermath of September 11th, Who We Are is an important book which will help us set aside time in today's uncertain world, to share our stories with those we care about the most. Bret Nicholaus & Paul Lowrie ask questions designed to bring family members closer together, through sharing of stories, memories & dreams.

Pull out Who We Are when your relatives start arriving &, when you're all sitting around after that crazy flurry of greetings, ask the questions so all can listen & remember.

This colorful little book is worth a place right up there beside your photo albums & religious books - because it can be your own family's story!

The purpose of this book is to bring "family members closer together, through the mutual sharing of stories, memories, and dreams." What could be nicer than that?

The book is designed to help you "set aside time occasionally to share who . . . [you] really are with those . . . [you] care about most."

The method used is a series of autobiographical questions about you and biographical questions about others in your family. These questions are designed to be "insightful and entertaining."

The authors suggest three possible ways to use the book. The first is to get a group of family members together, ask one of the questions, and listen to what each person has to say. The second approach is to read the questions and reflect on them by yourself. The third is to write out answers and to make them available to family members now and in the future . . . as a sort of generational gift. Although the book has plenty of room to write answers in, you may want to write them on separate sheets so someone else can use the book without being conscious of your answers. Then, you could find some clever way to attach different sets of peoples' answers with the book. As the authors point out, the main thing is that you use the book, not how you use it.

The first 80 questions or so focus on childhood, teenage years, dating, getting engaged and married, your marriage, and child rearing. The next questions look at work and career, life experiences, dreams and accomplishments, spirituality, and personality. The final set of questions examine your family's history and how you would like your own passing away to be experienced by others.

Here are some of my favorite questions from the book:

"What was your favorite family tradition as a child?"

"When you were growing up, what was the most memorable vacation your family ever took?"

What was your favorite book as a child?"

"What house did you always look forward to visiting as a child?"

"What wsa the most enjoyable date you ever shared with the person who became your spouse?"

"What was the funniest thing that happened on your wedding day?"

"What is the greatest lesson your children ever taught you?"

"How do you measure a person's success in life?"

"Which of life's mysteries are you most curious about?"

At your funeral or memorial service, what three songs would you want sung or played?"

"If you died tomorrow, what would be your greatest satisfaction in life?"

I have another suggestion for you, which is to give this book as a gift to older members of your family and ask them to answer the questions on tape for themselves and anyone else who they knew well who is no longer living. In this way, you can cross the generational divide in a more powerful way.

I also suggest that you add other questions to this book, that have special meaning to you. Here's mine: What does each person in your family do that makes you happiest?

Let questions lead you to add more meaning to your life.

As a Catholic I once had my doubts about the Church's teaching on contraception. Later I came to oppose contraception for practical reasons and out of obedience. Then one day I stumbled accross WHY HUMANAE VITAE WAS RIGHT and once I started reading there was no putting it down. The beauty of this work is that it is a collection of writings from a variety of authors each with a unique perspective and each with his own unique style. So then, there is something for everyone. Whether the reader preferrs to hear personal experiences or wants to see it all in a syllogism, this book delivers. This is a must read for anyone who is feeling pressured to disregard the Church's teaching for it shows the wisdom, beauty, and bottom line common sense of the Church's stance.

...my husband decided to not use any method of artificial birth control. It was a struggle for both of us, but this book really put the moral law into perspective. Janet Smith does a wonderful (and very non-preachy job) of explaining what contraception does to a marriage. In particular, the "testimony" chapter in this book was a thump on the head as we read about couples whose marriages improved when they started embracing their fertility as a gift, not a disease. Janet Smith believes contraception makes couples fight each other, and forces a woman to become constantly infertile to accomadate the constant fertility of a man. Thats one of the best reasons given in the book for the use of Natural Family Planning, so that the man must acclimate himself to his WIFE'S cyclical fertility.

This book is a must read no matter what you believe about the Catholic position on artificial birth control. Get the facts.

This book, or the video by the same title, is excellent for elementary school aged children confronting cancer in themselves or their families. I have donated multiple copies of the book and video to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago for their use with young cancer patients and their families. The story is especially good for siblings of children with cancer, since it shows how they sometimes feel that they are being ignored, and their sister or brother is getting all of the attention. It also teaches a child how to defend a classmate against bullying, when the girl with cancer is made fun of for having lost her hair. My only reservation would be not to use this book with a child who has extremely advanced cancer, since of course the story has a happy ending, and it might cause the child to wonder why they don't seem to be recovering. Overall: well done, Charles Schulz!

This is such a wonderful book. Compassionate and educational, a must have book for every child.

As a field geologist, Gulf War veteran and former EMT, I can say that this book is the most comprehensive text I have ever seen regarding outdoor dangers, survival and wilderness medicine. If you work outdoors or spend a lot of time recreating outside, this is a MUST HAVE book!

As an RN,Trauma Nurse Specialist, I found this book to be well written and highly informative. With the speed of modern travel it's also a great reference to have for injuries and illnesses that can occur in far away places that one doesn't see often, or ever in your "home" ED.

To find a man like William Law in 17th century England is as unexpected as finding a violet blooming in the Arctic. It's almost beyond anyone's powers to fully describe the beauty, benevolence, and wisdom--and good solid sense--of his spiritual advice. Consider instead the character of those who have praised him: there's Samuel Johnson, who took up Law in a frivolous mood in his youth and found himself nearly bowled over; or closer to our own age, C. S. Lewis and Aldous Huxley. The most memorable parts of the _Serious_Call_ are those where Law (following the model of Theophrastus's _Characters_) describes several spiritual types and how their natures relate to the pursuit of the devout life. The _Spirit_of_Love_ is a later work, written after Law had been influenced by the German mystic Behmen; if you're not acquainted with Christian mysticism, it might be hard to follow. But do not miss Law's account of the Atonement, particularly if you're one who has always felt scandalized by the "blood sacrifice" theology emphasized in traditional Protestantism.

This is the most challenging book I have ever read on following the teachings of Christ practically in every day living. The conviction was so fierce that it was hard to get through the first chapter. His words bear so much truth it motivates you to want to be more like Christ himself.

Gipe has put together a wonderful wind energy reference. I'm currently doing an independent study on wind energy and this book has greatly helped my research to date. Highly recommended!! If you're in to renewable energy in general, I also recommend "Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future" edited by Godfrey Boyle I believe. I've never found a better resource for renewable energy!

Wind Energy Products are available for : lighting, water pumping, refrigerating, communication... This book is a necessary reading for all persons wishing to give the alternative energies a chance. Complete with many addresses and inside knowledge. A must for the alternative energy enthusiast...

Once again another worthless book. This is what one can expect when they buy a book unseen. I didn't find much of anything very useful.

This book I believe is primarily aimed for those new to sys admin. Even experienced professionals would benifit though because of quite a many tidbits of valuable insight. This mainly though walks you through the many wizards providing usually more explanation that that is given by default with the OS. A new admin under my wing, has been using it and he finds that it provides confidence as he works his way through many of the tasks. Well written book with lots of pictures.

If you are a birder or a photographer, Tom Vezo's photographs will make you say "WOW!". The images have great lighting, are artistically pleasing, are very close-up, and are extremely sharp, while the text is succinct and highly informative. If you buy this book, you will NOT be disappointed!

Tom Vezo has to be the finest bird photographer in the USA. He captures the essence of each bird portrayed in this book. Highly recommended.