This is an excellent book which combines the history, the
mathematics and the physics of radio. It is not a textbook
and you need to know calculus and physics to understand its
technical chapters. It has ten appendices, they explain the
"bottom" material or background needed in the book. However,
the all book is well written and it has an excellent presentation.
I think that the author's opinions about the
radio developers such as Marconi, DeForest and Tesla
are out of place in a book like this. So I gave three starts.

I have been a fan of Paul Nahin's writting since I came across his book an imaginary tale ... In this text he clearly describes the history as well as the EE of radio. It is an excellent book and I especially enjoyed the appendices and matlab and electronics workbench examples.

I've never met a technical book as well-written as this one. Imagine what if Maxwell's Treatise had been written by himself in collaboration with Martin Gardner and ... Bill Bryson! Paul Nahin is a great writer, and I can only imagine how great a teacher he must be. I will buy every single book he writes. Don't be misled: this is a very serious book, and the pleasure of its reading comes from a very sound teaching philosophy (called top-down by Nahin) combined with a knack for history, which gives context to every topic. Look at the table of contents, and you will see that the author means business.

I'm finding this little book to be be a useful synthesis of complex occult ideas. It appears to have been written in 1949 to set the record straight at a time when moneymaking Rosicrucian orders were warring amongst themselves.

I'm acutely aware that this book raises hackles among some Rosicrucians of particular orders. When I asked for opinions about it on one order's mail list, members talked about suing the writer. This hostility probably stems from the fact that the unknown Magus who penned it, obviously annoyed at commercial exploitation of the Rosicrucian philosophy, wrote his own version of information they'd paid hundreds of dollars for, and maybe hoped to make money from, and released it into the world so anyone could access it for $10. [It needs to be noted that Rosicrucian theories are not the property of any one order.]

On the other hand, other Rosicrucians have recommended this text to me.

However, buying this book and understanding its ideas are different things- the doctrines still are 'secret' to the extent that realising what they mean is no easy thing and is a matter for the soul rather than just the intellect.

The style of the writing is a tad dated, reflecting the time, but for all that it's pretty down-to-earth, and the better for it. A worthwhile book.

It's written in an earlier voice and with some rather outdated anthropological views but power is there none the less. Seeing behind the metaphors is the inherent key here. Pay particular attention to the diagrams and the books explanation. Integration is there if you're willing to let it come forward.

The other reviewer of the book states that this book is not valid because a former AMORC member dislikes it. Hopefully, those who read the top lines of publisher's review noticed the part about Rosicrucianism not having an official society. the AMORC used to come close, but this is not the case anymore.True Rosicrucianism is a philosophy, a state of mind, a way of living. It has nothing to do with who you are paying dues to, or if you are even paying dues. This book is an excellent introduction to a particular brand of Rosicrucian mysticism, and it shouldn't be left unread because it isn't endorsed by only one of three existing Rosicrucian fraternities.

This book definitely takes a religious perspective on the issue of abortion. As someone who is not a Christian, I found much of the advice to go contrary to my own religious beliefs about life and conception. If you are a Christian person who has been through an abortion, this book would probably be helpful to you as you recover. For me, many of the suggestions about thoughts and activities for healing just did not fit the situation. The book, like many others on this subject, also does not do much for women like me who needed a therapeutic abortion due to medical reasons. I am still waiting for someone to write a book that deals with the pain of having to abort a wanted pregnancy.

This book is a god-send to the post abortive woman. I have suffered from this "solitary sorrow" for 17 years. This book, along with the study, Forgiven and Set Free, has changed my life.

I was one of the ones who believed I could never be healed from this terrible "choice". Please buy this book if you have had an abortion - your life will change dramatically.

In this book, Teri Reisser, a marriage and family therapist and a pioneer in the field of abortion aftermath and healing, has presented an outline of the aftermath of abortion and its resolution in a "reader-friendly", gentle fashion. This is an excellent book for someone trying to make sense of an abortion experience. Working in the field of abortion healing myself, I know that many women have found this book most helpful to them.

The unresolved issues of the Vietnam War have marked a generation. Many are still haunted by the decisions they were forced to make when facing death at such a very young age. How we acted and treated each other still hurts, yet we don't know how to talk about it. Five Reno-bound guys, all with different experiences of the war, revisit their choices and deal with the aftermath of those decisions. Alex Paul spins a good yarn. The plot is lively and the characters believable, as they explore the gritty side of their Vietnam experiences. I think it would make a good movie(I'd like to see Gus Van Sant direct it). I would like to see the Suicide Wall erected.

Alex Paul puts it squarely - the war in Southeast Asia left none of us untouched. All our legends died over there...the men who were killed and go on killing themselves are testimony to that fact. In this poignanat story of buddies getting together - living 'normal' lives after the war - the author presents a mirror for all of us to reflect on our collective loss, and pershaps look at how each of us felt, or "didn't feel" about it. Suicide Wall is so homey and easy to read that the story's ultimate impact becomes even more profound...its about all of us.

This is a thought-provoking novel. I agree that we should erect a monument to honor EVERYONE who served in Viet Nam. Many have taken their lives since the war, many are struggling with the memories. The reader is drawn in to the story and can't put it down 'til the end. This book will be appreciated by anyone who is friends or family of Vet, and I think it will get people talking about this neglected but important subject.

The stories were entertaining, though a bit dated, and the acting was excellent; I was impressed by everyone who did the readings. However, I thought the production was poor--the sound quality was uneven, especially in A Bit of Rope. The background music was too loud and jarring. I was also annoyed by all the commercials they included in the recording. I suppose it was part of the broadcast being "unabridged", but I would rather have had the commercials cut out.

I enjoyed it enough to listen to the end, but I dont' think I'd recommend it.

Review of: Tales of Mystery and Suspense, Vol. 1:

This is a wonderful collection of eight half-hour 'Suspense' shows, unabridged! The acting was wonderful, and the stories themselves were - naturally - suspenseful and interesting. Below is a list of the eight shows complete with a review for each:

1. A Little Piece of Rope: This is one of the stories in which Lucille Ball proves her talent in drama. She plays a young criminal whose latest victim will turn out to be one she, herself, will be terified of. ***** - 5 stars.

2. Too Perfect Alibi: Danny Kaye stars in this one. It is a story in which one can say truthfully 'Not all "Prince Charming"s are innocent'. ***** - 5 stars.

3. The Earth is Made of Glass: Joseph Cotten stars in this thriller, with a surprise twist ending. ***** - 5 stars.

4. The Name of the Beast: Vincent Price stars as a painter who is determined to do anything to finish his painting 'The Name of the Beast'. Only his model Beast turns out to be quite ... murderous. ***** - 5 stars.

5. Deep into Darkness: This is a story, starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr., about a man who finds out he has suffered in the past for something he never actually did. And he wants revenge. ***** - 5 stars.

6. Death Has a Shadow: Hats off to Bob Hope! He stars in this episode as a business-man who is frightened of a blackmailer. ***** - 5 stars.

7. Ghost Hunt: This was a nice tale starring Ralph Edwards about a radio star who decides to spend the night in a haunted house, recording his every move. The only thing that bothers me is that the first act is a bit tedious, and has not really any suspense, until the second act, which is excellent and thrilling. ****1/2 - 4 stars-and-a-half.

8. Murder Through the Looking Glass: Gregory Peck stars in a tale of, shall we say, split personalities? ***** - 5 stars.

Over all, this collection is excellent, you can skip the commercials if you want, and I'd definitely recommend this to you.

Review for: Tales of Mystery and Suspense, Vol. 1:

This is my first review for Amazon.com, so I'll try to make it comprehensible.
Let me start by telling you that I thought this collection of eight half-hour Suspense episodes was wonderful! Very well acted out, and had very interesting storylines. Below, I made a list of the eight episodes complete with a review for each of them:

1. A Little Piece of Rope: This is one of the episodes Lucille Ball acts in, and this one is excellent. The suspense is great! The story in itself is wonderful: a young criminal's lastest victim turns out to be one she will end up being scared of. - 5 stars

2. Too Perfect Alibi: Also a quite interesting story, starring Danny Jaye, where basically one can say "Not all 'Prince Charming's are innocent!". - 5 stars

3. The Earth is Made of Glass: Excellent 'psychological' drama with a surprising twist ending, starring Joseph Cotten. - 5 stars

4. The Name of the Beast: This is the story starring Vincent Price in which a painter tries to finish his latest painting 'The Name of the Beast', and the model Beast turns out to be quite murderous. - 5 stars

5. Deep Into Darkness: Douglas Fairbanks Jr. stars in a story about a released convict who learns that he has suffered in the past for something he never did. - 5 stars.

6. Death Has a Shadow: Bob Hope stars in this Suspense episode as a business man being terrified by a blackmailer, and maybe more. - 5 stars

7. Ghost Hunt: Ralph Edwards stars in this one. It is the story of a radio star who decides to spend the night in a haunted house with a tape recorder recording everything. The only disapointment was that the first act seemed to be introducing everyone and nothing becomes really that suspenseful until the second act, which is very good. - 4-and-a-half stars

8. Murder Through the Looking Glass: A wonderful mystery episode starring Gregory Peck about a case of, shall we say, split personalities? - 5 stars.

In all, an excellent collection. I would definitely recommend this.

I am surprised to find out that Tasha Tudor's dollhouse is not pictured in the book, but the title leads us to believe we will see the "real" thing. My understanding was that the balnk pages were to have been drawings by Tasha Tudor. Did she refuse to do the drawings because she didn't approve of the book? So aside from the furnishings being from Tasha, the book is misleading. I would rather see Tasha Tudor's real dollhouse not a newly made replica. I was disappointed with this book, especially knowing that Tasha did not want it published.

This inspiring book provides readers a colorful look at the holiday season at the home of renowned artist Tasha Tudor. Accompanying Harry Davis' kaleidoscopic descriptions is illustrations and photographs by Jay Paul. The book is well designed and depicts a wide range of Christmas activities centering on how Ms. Tudor and friends celebrate the season of joy. This is a wonderful gift for individuals who enjoy the art of Tasha Tudor as Mr. Davis and Mr. Paul pay homage to the great artist.

Harriet Klausner

I saw this book in a store in Vermont while on vacation. I knew I wanted it. I have always been a fan of Tasha Tudor, even before I realized I grew up a couple of miles from her Vermont home. This book shows another side of her many talents and keeps alive the past for those to come.

Sanctuary is a political/social/sexual fable that almost succeeds. However, the author doesn't quite have the fable form down - the setting of the scene is too large a portion of the tale and the resolution inserts a new character into the table - a character that is out of place in the otherwise pastoral (more accurately arboreal) setting.

Why do I still give it a 3 stars? Because the text is well written and the kernel of the plot is interesting.

Sanctuary: A Tale of Life in the Woods, is a touching fable about a rabbit and a fox who fall in love at the wrong time. Not only does the woodland creatures think a fox and rabbit should not love each other, they also are repulsed by the fact the two animals are both female.

The sory itself was created from scraps of the author's works, since he died before it's completion. The selling point to this book lies in the gorgeous illustrations. I personally would like to have the cover blown up and framed to hang in my living room. The second selling point of this books is that it teaches children about matters of love that most of the population of North America have deemed as taboo. Overall this is a very decent and useful book in teaching children.

the most important aspect of a tale is its moral lesson: the point here is acceptance. as a gay author monette was interested in helping people in general to understand and accept those of alternative gender/sexuality/health status. he was excrutiatingly honest and allowed the world to know him deeply in his autobiographical texts. in this "lighter" work he brings his lessons of love to the young in the hopes that they might grow up to know compassion and empathy. the lessons are subtle but powerful, and the metaphors and analogies are intelligent: monette does not patronize. i would say the story is appropriate for children and adults, and that its inentions are courageous and focused.

Though Johnson does his homework in bringing Rochester and revivals to life, the book is too short. Nowhere do we get background on the Great Awakening; the role of women is glossed over hurriedly; and incredibly Johnson leaves out as an explantion for the interest in revivals one of the most basic assumptions: spirituality!

Paul Johnson's highly readable case study of Finney-inspired revivals in Rochester argues that these revivals were a response to the breakdown of social relationships involving work. His research finds that the revivals converted the relatively stable entrepreneurial class of Rochester who had recently abandoned former traditional employer-employee relationships where the employee boarded within the home of the employer. The revival legitimized this abandonment (and the resulting free labor system) by emphasizing the individual's moral freedom. Furthermore, the revival united the entrepreneurial class behind a mission-oriented Protestantism that enabled them to assert economic pressure, and a measure of social control, over the working class. While clearly sympathetic to the working class perspective, Johnson does not create a Protestant hegemonic conspiracy where none existed. Although one may dissent from his fundamental assumptions and approach, Johnson's argument is quite effective within the framework he has set for himself. I recommend this work to students of religion and society and antebellum reform.

New York State's construction of the Erie Canal transformed the tiny frontier town of Rochester into young America's first inland boom town, with an economy based on milling local grain and transporting the flour east to feed the older coastal cities. In this role, it became the prototype for all the thousands of commercial towns and cities that sprang up along railroads across the Midwest during the nineteenth century, as well as the crucible in which the Midwest's particular brand of evangelical protestant piety was first worked out. 'A Shopkeeper's Millenium' is by far the best examination of this important piece of American history I have found anywhere, and I recommend it highly.

This book is neither fish nor fowl! The stories are all short, predominantly silly & far from suspenseful. As far as writing whodunnits is concerned, Agatha Christie has nothing to worry about. History, it definitely is not! Whilst the authors do try to draw circumstances from true history, the links & threads in these stories are pathetically fanciful, bordering on the preposterous. There isn't a single story that gripped me or, in writing this review, is worthy of a positive mention. This book is neither history nor mystery. If you want either, or both, you can certainly do better than this.

This set of royalty-based mysteries also include a bit of alternate reality, notably in the deaths of the Princes in the Tower (Edward V and his brother Richard, Duke of York) and the Grand Duchess Anastasia. I found the stories that were based on earlier royalty (such as Macbeth and his wife Gruoch, a descendant of the older dynasty) rather more interesting. By comparison, the alternate-reality sketches of some famous royal crimes seemed rather iffy. I don't read historical mysteries to get "what-if" scenarios, but rather to get valid and soundly constructed mysteries. [I am rather interested in medieval royalty. Add to that the fact, that I don't like Edward IV nor Henry VII nor Henry VIII!]. I hoped that the less-known mysteries in the lives of some major and minor royal personages would have been discussed, such as "Did Anne of Austria really fall for Buckingham? And what exactly was her relationship with Richelieu?" or "Why did Mary Queen of Scots behave as she did at critical points in her life?" And so forth. Of course, stories using these as plots should also be based on solid historical evidence. That is what makes them historical, not alternate reality.

While there were several stories, some better than others, this anthology therefore failed to satisfy me on several levels. For one, some of the stories simply were not very interesting. Others offended my sense of history (as well as my sense of logic, whatever I posses). Still others struck me as rather unrealistic solutions. On the whole, I cannot recommend this collection; it was not a waste of my time, but I had expected a rather different style.

In his introduction to this collection, Paul Doherty writes that " a number of (the British) monarchs have met highly suspicious deaths, or disappeared under mysterious circumstances" and then proceeds to give some delectable morsels of royal intrigue, mayhem, and murder. In "Royal Whodunnits" Ashley has brought together 25 "tales" of this nature in an intriguing compendium, to say the least. Popular--and good--writers contribute, from Edward Marston to Peter Tremayne to Susanna Gregory to Margaret Frazer, to name but four. Of course, the collection is fiction--and should be read as so--but intriguing, exciting, and suspenseful nevertheless. The subjects range from Richard II, William the Conqueror, Richard the Lionheart, the Princes in the Tower, Edward II, and Henry VIII, again to name a few. Anglophiles--and even others, if there are any!--will find this a good read! (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

There are people who will start reading this book then about 100 pages into it realize that it's going nowhere fast. Take my advice and keep reading. It gets much better, and more interesting. The ending is really good, and might have even upped this review a star.

ac

This novel, contrary to some of the other comments, is a wonderful piece of literature. Although not the most uplifting, it is a great example of Hardy and Deterministic and Naturalistic fiction. Despite Tess' best efforts (like Jude in the other Hardy novel), she is unable to escape the poverty and misfourtune which she attempts to leave behind. Although somewhat lengthy, the novel is one of the better pieces of British fiction to come out of the period.

my language arts teacher had my class choose a book to read. I had no idea what I wanted, because she wouldn't allow me to read anything by Stephen King, and I had no other ideas for something worth reading. My friend suggested Tess of the D'bervilles, and so I took it from the school library.

Unfortunately, I started reading it a week before I was supposed, and finished it the next day, and so I must choose another book to read for class.

This is an excellent book that makes you think about what women had to go through a few hundred years ago. It makes you think about the complete lack of backbone shown in Tess untill the very end, when she finally realizes the injustices done to her were NOT her fault. You must remember that she had not been brought up to understand certain things, and could not have understood how to cope, or over come with problems that many women of her time had to face.
The ending was excellent, and rather sad.
If you enjoy learning about history, I suggest reading this book.