I bought this book intending to dislpay it near my vintage stereo system that features a pair of Klipsch La Scala speakers. That will not be happening. This book is amateurishly written and poorly edited. Stories are told and then repeated again at length only pages later. The authors set up each chapter by describing some virtuous attribute of this man they so obviously adore and then proceed to describe someone quite the opposite (for example, they report that the "extremely open minded" Mr. Klipsch impulsively ripped the radio out of his car to avoid listening to music that was not to his tastes). Remove the "filler" - pages of patent specifications, pictures, lists of awards - and there remains precious little content, far less than one would expect in summarizing the life of such a legendary personality.

If you want to read a biography about a great american hero and visionary this is it. Complete with his patents, original letters and humor. I never new the total story about this wonderful man but I do now. Does not bog down with alot of nothing information but rather keeps a good pace and has so much information in these 200 plus pages you have to read it like I have, 3 times already!!! I keep picking up new things all of the time. I especially liked the old vintage Klipsch ads which were so much a look-see into Paul's personality. A must read for anyone not just audiophiles.

I will assume you know who and what Klipsch is if you are reading this review. If you don't, Paul W. Klipsch is one on the pioneers of audio and so, so, so much more, the book will tell you everything. Klipsch is a large speaker company started over 50 years ago and is flourishing to this day. The most famous product is the $6,000 Klipschorn, and is still sold today, over 50 years after it was introduced by Paul W. Klipsch.

The book is great, it gives his life's story, like any biography would and is fascinating, this man is like a god in the way he lived his life and helped others. The rest of the book is a detailed look at his many patents and other technical information. Many pictures are included. Also, the many stories and quotes from Klipsch let you get inside his head.

If you are even slightly interested in audio, this book will be a treat. I have a feeling this book will end its printing life eventually (look at the sales rank...), so you might want to buy it while it is available.

More biographical like most of the series. As regards Greeks philosphers that isnt too bad... entertaining book... but dont expect to come out of it much more "enlightened".

This book will give anyone a better idea of Plato's life, time, ideas, and work. Although Strathern does not reflect on the concepts and work of Plato to an extent of understanding his actual Philosophy, but he rather briefly gives quotes and hints as to provide a basic overview of his outlook on the world in general. If Strathern was in fact to give a more comprehensive account of the ideas and work of Plato the whole point of compacting Plato's life into a "90 minute" book would be gone. I myself had a very minute understanding of the man Plato. But from reading this book I found a lot of useful information that broadened my knowledge of the life and times of Plato. In reading this book you will meet some people that changed Plato's life, aswell as the treasured wisdom Plato handed to many individuals and to the whole of society. So for the amount of time it takes to read the book in contrast with the valuable information accessible, I give this book four stars.

This book is not, and was not meant to be, an in-depth analysis of the philosophy of Plato. It is a very brief overview of his life and works. I really appreciated the subtle humour which made the book fun to read.

The book is a sequel to an earlier, very successful discussion of population pressures. Key to the Erlichs' approach here is the formula I=PAT, which stands for Impact equals Population times Affluence times Technology. The larger any one of these factors, the higher the product, i.e. the impact - all other factors remaining equal. By "technology" and "affluence", the authors presumably intend the environmentally destructive types of each, though how qualitative differences can be expressed qualitatively is left largely unexplained. Clearly the equation aims at a very generalized and imprecise level of abstraction, more suitable for detecting trends than setting policy. Whether such streamlining conceals more variability than it reveals is not really discussed and clouds the work as a whole.

Central to the book is the impact of one particular factor, namely P or population. Growth increases in this category alone, as I=PAT shows, can undo strides in all other categories combined. At bottom, the book represents an assessment of these far-reaching population impacts plus specific projections based on current figures in all categories. In that topical sense the work is not strictly theoretical and though certain Malthusian themes are sounded, the work is not a gloomy updating of unavoidable doom. Changes in growth patterns can make a lasting difference, the authors are anxious to inform.

Sheer numbers of people, however, do not tell the whole impact story, which is why the Erlich's have included the factor of "affluence" in one of their better sections. In the role of affluent consumers, not all people count the same. Because of their greater consuption level, citizens of richer nations, for example, have much greater impact on world resources than people in poorer countries. Thus, as their equation shows, population reductions among the industrialized have a disproportionately helpful effect on world resources. Promisingly, population growth rates in richer areas such as western Europe and the U.S. have slackened with increasing levels of affluence, which indicates an important correlation between birth-rate and material well-being. Thus economic class emerges as an important factor to gaining a sustainable environment and I wish the authors had spent more time emphasizing this.

The book has many good points, but unfortunately lacks impact and real analytic depth. Probably, as a work aimed at a mass audience, analytic depth was not intended. Moreover, being a sequel to a widely discussed first book creates a tough act to follow. Nevertheless, aside from some useful statistics, more questions are posed than answered.

The Population Explosion is the follow-up to The Population Bomb (written by the same author twenty years ago). In this book he examines the results of the issues he raised in the first book as well as some of the new dangers of overpopulation created by contemporary reproductive science and ecological damage.

Early in the book he explains why overpopulation is such a pressing, but invisible problem. Occasionally his frustration with the problems he describes comes through but despite this the book comes across as an even-handed and rational examination of the facts.

In an age when women are giving birth to seven or eight children at a time because they're taking fertility drugs in a mad effort to procreate there is no better time to learn about the consequences.

This book provides an excellent synopsis of the state of our environment. Using more than just apocalyptic rhetoric, Ehrlich presents the subject matter with a keen sense of humanity and provides suggestions as to how we must change our society to avoid the dire consequences of uninhibited growth.

A great introduction for those who are concerned about the pollution next door or the pesticides on the fruit we eat or in the environment in general.

READ...READ...READ..Then pass it on.

I'm sure Mr. Jordan did not have in mind to write a coffee table book -- he seems to have a specific thought in mind regarding some of the books that have been released over the past 30 to 40 years regarding the mysterious Sphinx. However, the photography and other illustrations make this book one that you would want visitors to see. I enjoyed the writing as well as the photographs, regardless of Mr. Jordan's obvious biases. (Actually, from a professional historian's view, Mr. Jordan's biases are not at all biases.)

Despite having a bad choice for a title, the twelve chapters of this book offer excellent information on the Ancient Egyptian sphinx. The author provides accurate description, dimensions, excavations and conditions of the monument. He discusses several theories regarding its construction dates and the reason for its construction. Chapters also present the history of Ancient Egypt from predynastic to Old Kingdom times. Accompanied by excellent black-and white illustrations and color photographs, it is a beautiful study of this monument, recommended to have in a personal library.

There are perhaps two ways in which Paul Jordan's "Riddles of the Sphinx" should be viewed. First and foremost, Jordan details everything we know about the Sphinx--its structure, its geology, its place in Egyptian history, the cultural context in which it was made, the place of the Sphinx in Egyptian society thereafter, etc. etc. In this sense, the book is especially valuable in explaining in a highly readable fashion the scientific and historical basis for placing the origin of the Sphinx at about 2500 BCE. You will not find a clearer account of how such scientific reasoning works. At the same time, Jordan is quite fair in admitting where scientists and historians are simply guessing, or where they know nothing at all.

Second, this book provides a fine counterpoint to the recent spate of speculations--carried on by the likes of Graham Hancock, Robert Bauval, John Anthony West, Robert Schoch, Zecharia Sitchin, et. al.--that the Sphinx dates from a far more ancient time and represents evidence of a long-lost civilization predating even ancient Egypt and Sumer. While Jordan argues persuasively against such wild theorizing, and is immeasurably helped by his careful summary of conventional Egyptology, I do wish he had been less offhand in his criticisms of the "alternative Sphinx." Only Schoch is ever mentioned by name or referenced, and then only because he is a trained geologist, and as such is deserving of being "taken seriously." While in some sense this might be correct, and certainly is in an academic context, in a work of popular nonfiction this is downright haughty. Someone, someday needs to address the Hancocks, the Bauvals and the Wests in the same way that, for example, Philip Klass and Robert Sheaffer deal with UFOlogists. In an academic context, it is perhaps appropriate to laugh Graham Hancock out of the room; in the popular arena, his claims need to be addressed specifically.

Nevertheless, as "Riddles of the Sphinx" is the only book I have yet found that does treat the most recent wave of early-Sphinx speculation directly, as of this writing it stands as the most valuable book on the subject for the general reader. It is written well and a surfeit of excellent photographs are included, though they undoubtedly contribute to its rather high price tag.

I too would have appreciated a glossary. Also illustrations would have been very helpful along with the explainations and descriptions of the various instruments used to attempt to detect gravity.

This book would have greatly benifited from the inclusion of a glossary. Any work covering a subject this complex needs definitions set out and collected together. The publisher's given web site was unavailable.

To the publisher I would appreciate it if the publisher could produce an audio adaptation of this book. I would love to listen to this while I drive to work and to let my 16 month old son listen to it as a bedtime story. Arnold D Veness

Paul Schullery is a fly fisherman, naturalist, conservationist, outdoorsman, and fortunately for us, a prolific writer. Salted among the how-to, where-to, why-to books that dominate any fisherman's library there needs to be a shelf dedicated to the knowledge that there is more to fly-fishing than just catching fish. Royal Coachman is one such book. Schullery mixes a dash of history with a quarter cup of lore and a splash of opinion to produce a nightcap that goes down smooth. While this little book would please any time of the year, it is especially enjoyable read in the evening, with the snow blowing outside and a fire crackling in the fireplace.

Schullery is kind to share the knowledge he accumulated as director of the American Museum of Fly Fishing. For those of us who want to know how we got where we are, this is a very valuable, readable collection of tales (lores and legends). The author is quick to relate his personal satisfactions with the sport to the legacy of past fishermen. I strongly recommend the book to fill the dead times when you are waiting for the water to be ready for your fly.

What a refreshing book! No cliched reminiscences of golden days afield here. Rather, Paul Schullery uses his training as a historian to examine the history of a classic fly, the authorship of classic trout literature and all manner of fly fishing icons. Throughout, his tone is genial but mildly cranky (he reminds me of Arnold Gingrich at his best). Go buy this book.

Throughout Erich Robert Paul's text is the permeating influence of his perception that religion and science are fundamentally noncombative. Many readers will find his commitment to this thesis overbearing, and often the source of error in his presentation and conclusions.

The promotional information claims Paul's book will become a standard reference. However, I found it incomplete and something of a disappointment. This is not a general book about Mormonism and science. There is no discussion about the historicity of the Book of Mormon, or its scientific validity. Neither is there any discussion about the historicity of the Book of Abraham, or the Book of Moses. You will not find within its pages any discussion of the Mormon doctrine of a universal flood. Neither will you find any mention of a literal confusion of tongues, or recent (thousands of years ago) separation of the continents. (See, for example, the January 1998 issue of _The Ensign_.)

Admittedly, the author explains that he has limited the scope narrowly to an examination of Mormon cosmology. Even within this scope, however, the text is incomplete. There is no mention, for example, of the Mormon doctrine that God created the earth in another part of the universe, and moved it to its present orbit only recently after Adam's fall. This omission is especially surprising since the Pearl of Great Price, from which Paul draws much of his discussion, teaches this doctrine. It was also preached by Brigham Young, and has been promoted of late by the Church's official magazine. (See, for example, the March 1997 issue of _The Ensign_.)

Paul limits his discussion of Mormon cosmology almost exclusively to the concept of "worlds without number," and intelligent extraterrestrial life. He paints a picture of early America with widespread public discussion about astronomical pluralism and its challenges for Christian orthodoxy. One can almost feel the excitement of the debates and imagine the young Joseph Smith's mind racing with! new ideas. Reading Paul's description, we see Joseph Smith's new religion incorporating solutions not only for theological debates about baptism by immersion, but also for the latest discussions about ancient Hebrews populating the Western Continent and extraterrestrials on planets orbiting other suns. It comes as a surprise that after describing such a clear picture of Mormonism borrowing from local debates, customs, and ideas that Paul ends the chapter by saying:

"The idea that Joseph Smith may have borrowed from cultural sources cannot, of course, be totally discounted -- or confirmed." (See page 92).

Although Paul tries to focus strictly on aspects of Mormon cosmology, he felt obligated to discuss the church's acrimonious relationship with evolution, devoting over 20 pages to the debate. In discussing Mormonism and evolution, however, he has provided a rather biased point of view. This may result from his obvious association with Mormon apologists, many of whom participated in reviewing Paul's book. It is particularly disappointing that Paul spends so little time actually examining the content of Mormon scriptures, what they mean, and how they relate to evolution. Instead, he focuses an inordinate amount of attention upon the opinions of Mormon apologists, often to the exclusion of the public preaching of Mormon priesthood leaders, leaving the reader with a skewed view of the relationship between Mormonism and evolution.

Paul devotes considerable volume to discussions of four Mormon intellectuals (Orson Pratt, B.H. Roberts, John A Widtsoe, and Joseph F. Merrill) and how they dealt with their religion and its relationship with science. However, he virtually ignores the work of Marvin and Garfield Cook, in their book "Science and Mormonism" (Salt Lake City, Deseret News Press, 1967). This book, widely read among Mormons, attempts to reconcile science with the mostly literal, creationist-style arguments used by most Mormons. It seems surprising that Paul mentions their views (which were! arguably as influential as those of Pratt, Roberts, Widtsoe, and Merrill) only briefly in a terse paragraph in the bibliography.

Repeatedly, Paul asserts a non-literal and often ambiguous interpretation whenever Mormonism collides with science. For example, he believes Mormonism is compatible with the idea of death before Adam's fall. However, he never explains how to bring his view into alignment with Mormon scriptures such as 2 Nephi 2: 15, 22, which clearly state that there was no death before Adam's fall (and has been interpreted that way by Mormon prophets). Paul does the reader a disservice by simply stating that Mormonism is compatible with evolution (something with which most Mormons would disagree) without offering a rational interpretation that brings Mormon scriptures and science into harmony.

Paul's apparent eagerness to accommodate Mormon theology sometimes leads him to make extreme and unsubstantiated statements. For example, on page 157 he says:

"There is no real conflict between the Mosaic account of the creation and the nebular theory which is the most widely accepted among the prominent scientists." (See page 157.)

In reality, Joseph Smith taught the earth was created before the sun from the leftover components of destroyed planets. This is in profound disagreement with modern astronomical theory which says that material thrown out by super nova, and not recycled planets, is the raw material that formed the earth.

The book's final chapter deals with extraterrestrials and their relationship with Mormon cosmology. This chapter has the most science, and also deals most honestly with ideas within Mormon theology. Although not clearly stated, Paul seems to lean toward a view of directed evolution. The chapter on extraterrestrial life uses several tautological arguments. For example, on page 209 Paul says:

"Therefore, the likelihood of other civilizations having already broadcast seems quite large, assuming both the existence of such civilizations and the possibility ! that they have been transmitting for long periods of time."

Unfortunately, arguments such as these represent the rule, rather than the exception. Overall, however, I found the book interesting and worth my while. Though if I had it to do over again, I probably would not have purchased the book unless it was available in paperback, and 1/2 the current price.

Duwayne Anderson

As an LDS (Mormon) evolutionary biologist I found this a valuable contribution to understanding the history of scientific thinking in the Mormon community. The book is well written, researched and complete. I especially enjoyed the chapters that put early Mormon thinking in the context of debates between religion and science occurring in Europe and America after the publication of Darwin's "Origin of Species". I was surprised that some of the other LDS reviewers of this book were not aware that the Church has no official stand on the theory of Evolution (See the Encyclopedia of Mormonism entry on Evolution). As Galileo put it best: The scriptures teach us how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go. Paul is to be congratulated on a fine work.

Erich Robert Paul's _Science, Religion and Mormon Cosmology_ is a scholarly history not meant for the feebleminded, nor for those unfamiliar with the history of science and extensive LDS theology. Paul's book is intentionally geared for the intellectual audience and is a difficult read for those only interested in scriptural debate and might therefore disappoint the reader who has an incomplete comprehension of scientific history or LDS theology. This is one book that cannot be taken lightly and may be too heavy for some to handle. A word of warning to those only interested in reading a scriptural explanation, for this book is a substantial contribution to the library of Mormon intellectual history and not a simple reiteration of scriptural quotes. Without even a basic understanding of the argument that science and religion are non-combative, the reader will not comprehend the author's conclusions. Likewise, if the reader intends to find Mormon interpretation of scrip! ture or any discussion about the historicity of the Book of Mormon or other scripture, s/he will be disappointed. This book belongs to a category not among LDS church books but rather to an intellectual elite often criticized by those hoping to find an academic basis for their religious assertions concerning science.

Paul analyzes the complex relationships between science and LDS theology in a historical perspective, which allows the reader to to understand the cultural settings in which the relationships of science and religion have formed. This approach is critical to understanding the perceived conflicts between science and LDS theology. This may also help in understanding that the actual dilemma is more of a construct than real, which has come from the incomplete comprehension of science and theology.

In the first section entitled "Issues in Science and Religion," Paul is successful in showing the tentative character of modern science. In the second sect! ion, "Mormonism and Cosmology," he has focused on the influ! ence of LDS thinkers and leaders. Because the book's subject matter is quite dense, one might easily become disenchanted with Paul's chosen course of argument. This is especially true for Latter-day Saints who believe that the end of science will reveal the 'end all be all' of what and how it all happened, and therefore they will become defensive at such comments as "there is no conflict between 'true science' and 'true religion'." It is necessary to understand that this is exactly Paul's thesis and he carries out a well-organized discussion of such.

The Latter-day Saint who is more focused on the linear argument of science and religion, specifically that encompassed in the Church Educational System, will find this book not to their liking. However, this is not to suggest that they might not find it interesting and despite any personal differences of opinion with the author, they may find it quite provocative. This book, since the time of its publication, has ended ! up on syllabi at many universities including Brigham Young University. Thus, Paul has succeeded in permeating the intellectual community with his comprehensive views exactly as he intended.

Christina Schreiber

Set in India, *Season of the Monsoon* is a police mystery filled with vivid imagery and wonderful descriptive language. Mann's ability to draw in his readers and keep them riveted is reminiscent of well-known mystery authors like Michael Connelly, and this is definitely high praise. Where writers like Connelly surpass Mann, however, is in their ability to construct a complex mystery that presents twists and turns that keep coming throughout the novel. Mann's story is intriguing, but ultimately, the resolution of the mystery (i.e., the identity of a serial killer) is (disappointingly) simple. The ending is a bit theatrical, which is also something of a flaw.

Overall, however, this novel is gorgeously written and once started is hard to put down. Maybe "gorgeously" is an inappropriate word here, since some of the book's descriptive vividness relates to horrifying imagery related to corpses and murders. This story is definitely NOT for the squeamish. Having greatly enjoyed *The Season of the Monsoon*, however, I definitely plan to read others in the Sansi mystery series.

this is a great book and a great series. terrific mystery in an exotic locale. Can't wait for more of Paul Mann's George Sansi novels. Have a cup of Chai and enjoy!

Extremely well-written mystery introducing George Sansi, the half-Indian, half-British inspector for a special divi- sion within the Bombay Police Department. It shows not only Sansi's frustration at having to deal with the system (and I should point out that Sansi's "system" makes ours look like a bunch of yes-men), but also provides a view of India that is somewhat different from any other fictional account I've read. A word of caution, however: some sections of Mann's novel get unnecessarily gory (in description, not in action; Sansi isn't a violent man), and while in hindsight these parts are vital to the plot, I do wish that Mann could have toned them down - I don't often get queasy reading a book, but I did with this one. Thankfully, descriptions like that are few and far between, and on the whole, this is an extremely well-written book.

I don't believe I've seen more than two of Mazursky's films but I enjoyed his book, especially the juicy chapter on his adventures with the increasingly more bizarre Peter Sellers. This is not a biography, but rather a series of essays about his involvement with different Hollywood people and some chapters about his current life and childhood. Recommended.

An interesting, light and witty Summer read that gives you insight into Mazursky's career and tales of movie production. Mazursky, born in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn started out as an actor (Blackboard Jungle), moved on to be a comedy writer (Danny Kaye, I Love You Alice B Toklas) when acting parts were infrequent, and made his directorial debut with Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice. My favorite scenes in the book? When a young Mazursky catches his zade eating his bubbe's herring on the afternoon of Yom Kippur; when Eisner and Katzenberg ask Mazursky if he thinks that the I.B. Singer story (Enemies, A Love Story) is too Jewish... maybe it can be about the Cambodian Holocaust instead of the WWII one; when Richard Dreyfus pulls out of the Enemies project; and the creation of Down&Out in Beverly Hills.

I loved reading this book, both from the standpoint of appreciating Paul Mazursky the director of many of my favorite films and reveling in Paul Mazursky the no-holds-barred storyteller. But--and, I'm sorry, there is a 'but'---why devote one sentence to the great Art Carney, who Mazursky calls the most pure actor he'd ever worked with, and then not tell the reader WHY he feels that way about Carney? There are no anecdotes to share about Jill Clayburgh or Robin Williams? Come on, Paul, give! This lapse is mostly compensated for by Mazursky's tales of traveling in the "then" Soviet Union and South America, his memories of working for Danny Kaye and his sharing the bitter and the sweet about his family, his friends and the ups and downs of his life. The chapter about Mazursky's relationship with his mother is especially powerful and a reminder that much of the pathos within even his funniest films came honestly to him. So, five stars for what's here---just would've liked to have seen more!

This is a collection of articles and essays from Gardner stretching over 30 years. Many of them are thought-provoking; all of them are interesting. There is a dearth of soccer writers in America capable of not only producing writing of this quality but also displaying such a love of the sport. The only problem I have with this book is that it isn't long enough . . .

This book is fun to read, it tells you all you would want to know about the serie B. If you are a soccer lover you will appreciate this book more than anyone else. But, even if you're not you can still apreciate his humorous writing and insights into the Italian way of life. A good read, if you like soccer read this book.

My first introduction to Paul Gardner's writing and I thoroughly enjoyed it - a wide-ranging catalogue of soccer, with sharp insight, obvious passion, and good-natured wit to boot. What it lacks in focus it makes up for in strong writing and a love of the game. I recommend it strongly.