Arthur Yap opens worlds in deft ways of english anguish language plenitudes: he is an amazing poet of Singapore everydayness and wry wit under the capitalism of pragmatic streets and malls. Deft moments of religiosity and self dismantlement (not to mention the disfigurement of traditions and neighborhoods and traditions) figure in via a wry calculus of gain and loss, feeling and abandonment. He has much to reveal on writing and thinking in "the space of city trees," meaning Singapore and what is left to the poetic spirit. This book is a gift and prayer, from a poet and painter of stellar imagination, quiet intelligence, and abandoned wry wit. Three cheers to you Arthur Yap, from a kindred spirit in Honolulu who appreciates your book like a food.

First off, this is the guy who made the famous remark when he was asked "Is it true you are among the three people who understand relativity" and he responded, "I wonder who is the third!". The Astronomer Royal, Eddington was counted on as a very good mathematician by even mathematicians (Hardy for instance) and an even better physicist. He was embroiled (now legend) with Chandrasekhar in the thirties on the quantum mechanics of dying stars. Chandra worked extensively with Eddington and described his writing style in glowing terms.

When he writes, you don't get the feeling of pomp in his style, considering his stature. On the contrary his style is very engaging and leaves you impressed! His mathematical treatment to the relativity is even more accessible!

Fantastic Book!!!!

Henry Kamen's Spain 1469-1714, a Society in Conflict is a political history spanning the growth and length of Spain's Imperialism and colonial empire. It is also a study of how religious conflict created among Catholics, Jews and Muslims shaped the political agenda of the crown. At the same time there were internal conflicts, Spain both as an alliance of Argon and Castile and later as a part of the Habsburg empire, then the Bourbons, was thrust into a global role in the new world, the Netherlands and Italy. It is a narrative/exposition approach that uses religious and economic strands as well as politics to explore the conflicts that shaped Spain as it passed from individual kingdoms into a modern state. Kamen provides an extensive bibliography including many Spanish sources, none of which appears to include original source material.

Part one of the book focuses on the period from 1469 to 1516, which Kamen calls "The Catholic Kings." It is a time period that is often looked upon as Spain's golden age. The marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella united the kingdoms of Argon and Castile. Both kingdoms evolved in different ways which created potential sources of conflict. It was to Isabella and Ferdinand's credit that their major focus remained the pacification of Spain. Kamen investigates their pacification efforts through seven venues: hermandades, aristocracy, the municipalities, the Military Orders, the councils of state, justice and the Cortes. One of the contributing factors to conflict cited by Kamen throughout this period and all succeeding reigns was the crown's need to raise money. In spite of the wealth that came in from the America's, the Spanish treasury was always in need of money. Kamen, in effect, built as case for self-perpetuating conflict -conflict needs armies that needed money that created more conflict as the crown tried to raise it.

The kings that followed Isabella/Ferdinand set different agendas. Charles V and his descendants committed themselves to Castile and their center of government. They financed their activities by tapping four major sources: Argon, Castile, the church and the Americas. However, the Americas never became the cash cow that the kings and councilors had hoped because the trade business was dominated by foreigners with Spain functioning only as a conduit. Consequently, the government periodically declared bankruptcy to cancel its debts.

Religion was one of the other strands Kamen uses to develop his society in conflict themes. Phillip II, an extremely religious monarch, instituted the Inquisition. This required a nationalized church and its purpose was to reconvert the general population back to Catholicism. It coincided with the expelling of all the Moriscos which in itself created demographic problems and a lower tax base with its corresponding economic consequences.

Kamen continues with the economic, religious and political conflict themes through the reign of Philip V who finally unifies the country and ends the power of the old aristocracy. The empire also came to an end. The book concludes with Kamen arguing that the debate over the future is as uncertain today as it was in 1714.

The book is an outstanding portrait of Spain during the empire days. Although it had a colonial empire during this period and was recognized as a world power, Kamen's thorough analysis reveals the weakness inherent in all phases of society. It was truly a society in conflict.

This devotional is deep, real, and probing. it does not go by the date of each day and month but just by each section and topic. there have been several days that i felt it was just for me. it is amazing, it will bless your soul and move you, it is deep so be ready. each day gives ya a a journal entry and several verses to chew on. take time with it, it will deepen your walk and faith, sometimes, i would be having a hard day and the days topic would stick with me and to choose Him over every circumstance. just choose Him.

The Special Education Treatment Planner is a must-have reference book for anyone associated with special education. It is a comprehensive guide to planning education programs and interventions for all types of special needs children. Clearly written and easy to use, it should be a staple on the bookshelf of any educator or clinician who works with individuals with disabilities. Ideal for professionals new to the field who are looking for guidance on how to create an effective education plan, or for veterans just looking for new ideas. Don't write an IEP without it!

This is one of the best books I have ever read on this fuzzy topic. Well written in a clear and concise way it makes spirit user-friendly and allows the reader to apply the great wisdom of the material to everyday life.
One of the most undestimated books I have come across.

When someone becomes a disciple of Christ their most important concern in life becomes,"how may I please and honour the Lord who has saved me?" How can someone assess their spiritual progress and what means has God ordained for their spiritual maturation? As in all of his books,A.W.Pink has many keen insights on this Biblical subject. For example,on p.116,he writes perceptively,"It is strange that so many other writers on this subject have failed to place first among the means of spiritual growth this work of mortifying the flesh,for it should be quite obvious that it must take precedence over everything else,of what avail can it be to read and study the Word,to spend more time in prayer,to seek to develop my graces while I ignore and neglect that within me which will neutralize and mar all other efforts."Pink is extremely helpful in exhorting those who desire to grow spiritually to make diligent use of the means that God has provided for that end. Meditating on the Word of God is an important component of spiritual growth which has often been overlooked. Mr.Pink has this helpful comment on p.129,"If we would read the Scriptures to advantage,if our souls are to be nurtured by them,if we are to make true Christian progress,then it must be by earnest prayer and constant meditation. It is only by pondering the Words of God that they become fixed in our minds and exert a salutary influence upon our thoughts and actions. Things forgotten have no power to regulate us,and Scripture is soon forgotten unless it be turned over and over in the mind." The books that Pink has written on Christian living will be of enourmous help in producing holiness in the heart and life. I believe that a more helpful and comprehensive book on Christian growth would be very difficult to find.

I started the book at 9 PM and it was soon 4 AM and I was still reading. Here is great information on health and supplements that is up to date and backed by references to research. I use pills but the information still worked and I look forward to trying the sprays

I found this book quite entertaining and also I love the way it teaches diversity by exposing children to diferent cultures and diferent socio-economic levels. Highly recommend.

Chris Morley is largely forgotten now, so it might be difficult for modern readers to believe that he was once one of the best known men of letters in America. From the late 1920s to the 1940s, his columns, essays, novels and poems were widely read, and his appearances on radio were enthusiastically welcomed. Morley's most popular novel, Kitty Foyle, even made it to Hollywood. But if Morley had written nothing else than his tributes to Sherlock Holmes, it would have been enough. Indeed, it is not going to far to say that Morley is the man who single-handedly created a cult of Holmes worship (by founding the Baker Street Irregulars) which is alive and well today. While some of his Holmes work is easy to find (see his introduction to The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Doubleday), Morley's more obscure thoughts were scattered among obscure bibliographic relics. Steven Rothman has combed his considerable collection of Morley's writings and brought everything he ever wrote about Holmes into one place. This book is an excellent opportunity for anyone who knows a little about Sherlock Holmes to learn a lot about both Holmes and one of his most devout disciples. Rothman has also done an excellent job of drawing a biographical background for the reader. Morley might be forgotten, but his work about Sherlock HolmesÑÑlike the great detective himselfÑ-lives on.