This book is unnecessarily hard to rea

People who complain that this book is uneccessarily hard to read probably have bought it for the wrong reasons, guided by its deceptive title. This is NOT a standard book on quantum mechanics via path integrals, as is the marvellous book by Feynman and Hibbs, among others. This is the bible on Constructive QFT (CQFT), the most recent of all attempts to put QFT on a sound mathematical basis, written by two of its founders. This IS hard physics AND hard math (Wiener integrals, unbounded operators, etc.).

The book is remarkable because it collects the basics and most of the memorable results on CQFT: renormalizability of two and three-dimensional models, constructive gauge theory (indispensable for lattice gauge theories), relatioships with statistical mechanics, consistency of non-linear models, etc., associated with the insight that only the pioneers can give.

Although the book is reasonably self-contained, it is strongly recommended to have a fair grounding on analysis, quantum mechanics and basic quantum field theory. The last part of the book (chapters 13-23) is meant for pros, requiring more maturity.

Anyway, it's tough to find similar texts on this subject. The reader who is interested in this field of research and have some guts for tough mathematical physics certainly will be rewarded. This tome surely stands on its subject in the same footing that Haag's "Local Quantum Physics" on Algebraic QFT (another deceptive title).

It seems that every Presidential biographer strives to make his subject out to be the next Washington of Lincoln, implicitly or explicitly. The same is true for this book about Hayes. While Hayes has usually fallen well short of that lofty mark in many assessments, he seems almost to acheive greatness in Trefousse's book. I found myself repeatedly asking if this man could be this good and insightful why isn't he considered one of our best leaders. In short, Hayes seems too good to be true in this slim volume. I was particularly disappointed in the chapter on the 1876 election. The book is a good overview of the issues Hayes faced but it has little depth or analysis. It also has piqued my curiosity to read more and determine if Hayes was, in fact, this good.

A quick read, "Rutherford B. Hayes" touches all the highlights of Hayes's interesting and varied career. The book draws from the usual sources: Ari Hoogenboom's and Harry Barnard's 20th century biographies, Watt Marchman's work and Hayes's own extensive diaries and correspondence. It draws to a lesser extent from newspaper accounts and editorials of Hayes's day, particularly those concerning his political campaigns.
What the book doesn't do is provide new insight into Hayes himself: arguably the best-educated man ever elected to the presidency, someone who successfully navigated the treacherous political seas of the four decades that began just before the Civil War and ended with the election of McKinley a few years after Hayes's death in 1893. Hayes's interests in civil-service reform, literacy, equal rights for blacks, education, technology, penal reform and the establishment of facilities for the insane are all mentioned, but we get little more. His Civil War career (Hayes was in the thick of several battles, was wounded and eventually received a battlefield commission as a major general) merits somewhat more attention, but even that tends to go by in the writer's apparent rush to finish his story.
Hayes's post-White House service to the Slater Fund, a 19th century foundation that did much to advance the education of freed slaves, merits a only few lines.
At two points in his narrative the author points out the similarities between Hayes's situation in the disputed 1877 election and the election of 2000, but he does so in such brief fashion as to suggest he added them at the last minute, perhaps at the urging of an editor. Again, what we don't get at these points is any insight into the significance of these elections and their outcome, either constitutionally or in terms of the workings of the political system.
Repeatedly, I found myself thinking I was reading a term paper, based on secondary sources. It's not in a class with three other biographies I've read recently: David McCulloch's "John Adams," David Michaelis's "N.C. Wyeth," and Edmund Morris's "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt." Interestingly, each of these books chronicles the life of a compulsive diarist and letter-writer who became prominent in his own lifetime. Hayes had a similar compulsion, keeping a diary from his college days at Kenyon in the late 1830s until his death in 1893. Thousands of published and un-published letters he wrote are still in existence as well. They are available to scholars and could provide the basis for a thorough examination of Hayes's life.

I bought this book looking for a concrete gameplan on increasing brain efficieny for studying, etc. Based on the title and back cover, it appeared to be a good fit. Instead, the book focuses on science and offers very little in the way of practical application. I didn't complete the book - reading 3 chapters and scanning the rest was enough wasted time.

This is a useful book about a crucial topic, what you eat and how it impacts on you, by a well-qualified writing team -- neurosurgeon Dr. Arthur Winter and health columnist Ruth Winter. Especially useful is the section, "Will the Real Diet Food Plase Stand Up?" (pages 220-221), specific food suggestions that will do just what the subtitle says, "Diet and Nutrition for Maxmimum Brain Power." This book is a refreshing change from the typical diet books that focus just on losing weight. This comprehensive, excellent book covers foods that may cause headaches, carbohydrate craving in obesity, moods and foods, rules of a healthy diet for children, and so much more! Readers will want to refer back to this book again and again; a welcome addition to every school, public, and home library on this essential topic. An excellent resource and a "smart book" on smart food. Highly recommended.

In the Introduction, Arthur Benavie tries very hard to make the case that this book offers a fair and balanced analysis of Social Security reform. It does not.

Chapters 1 and 2 are designed to present the cases for and against privatization of Social Security. In Chapter 1 (Fixing Social Security) he presents the case for saving the system through a long list of tax increases and benefit reductions. The opposing side of the argument is not presented at all.

In Chapter 2 (Should We Privatize Social Security?), he starts out by presenting as many cons as he does pros for the privatization point of view. For every item he describes that the suppporters of privatization espouse, he provides a rapid response in attempt to discredit the idea. By dedicating one chapter each to the "higher taxes/lower benefits" and the "privatization" viewpoints, he must think he is being "balanced".

Bottom line...this book is advertised as a balanced analysis of Social Security reform. But it comes down clearly on the side of being against any reform designed to privatize a portion of Social Security.

This may be a good book for you if you want to read an author make the case against privatization of Social Security. If you want to truely understand the trade-offs associated with privatization, this book will be a big letdown.

If you want to understand how social security works, what its problems are, and the major proposals for fixing it, read this book. It is rare to find such a clear and concise analysis of an important public policy issue.
The author explains objectively the alternative proposals for social security reform and their consequences, so readers can decide for themselves. He clarifies issues often muddied by political rhetoric and superficial media converage.
The main text is only 102 pages, with 40 pages of notes, references and index for those who wish to explore further.

This book really stinks big time. Its a load of cyberwanking buzzword hauling. The accompanying record though has some underground low tech garage studio charm to it.

'All that is solid melts into air'... description of advanced capitalism by Marx. These words are a good description of how our media landscape transforms the meaning of anything... Arthur Kroker in his book and CD 'Spasm' give us the sound and insight into this 'meltdown' taking place all around us. Like Marshall McLuhan, Kroker asks "What haven't you noticed lately?" Kroker goes ahead and tells you, from biotechnology to music sampling, he hangs on a point of view - before it melts...

Bruce Sterling's introduction to Kroker's 'Spasm' is worth the price of admission alone, it's short, but sets the tone.

You will not always agree, but you will think, not many books or CDs that do that these days. Give Kroker a spin.

Yes, I'm glad Mrs. Arthur has at least attempted to explain Lutheran worship practices. Explaining/catechesis is an important aspect of our witness. However, I regret that Mrs. Arthur left out the key aspect of Lutheran worship -- that worship is primarily about what God does in forgiving, strengthening, and creating new life. Her opening words are "Worship is WHAT WE DO any time that we are praising God." Obviously our praise of God is an important part of our life of faith, but it is a response to what God does first. Another Lutheran hymnal (Lutheran Worship) spells this out very clearly: "Our Lord speaks and we listen. His Word bestows what it says. Faith that is born from what is heard acknowledges the gifts received with eager thankfulness and praise." Reducing worship to what we do turns the liturgy into yet another 'work'. Plus, the section on the Bible regrettably makes no mention of the Lutheran position that the Bible does more than simply contain the message that God loves us; the Bible IS the very Word of God. There is much that is helpful in Mrs. Arthur's book, but unfortunately misses the genius of Lutheran/Biblical worship.

This is such a great book! It is simple enough for small children,but informative enough for adults wanting to learn more about the Lutheran worship service. Lots of colorful pictures and large print text that hits all the basics of Lutheran worship. I took this book to my church and donated it to our church library. So that anyone who is new to our church will have a better understanding of the worship service.

This book is a journal of Donald Kirk of the war in vietnam. He went to vietam in 1965. He writes this very graphically. In the book he talks about the different battlefields. He goes around to all the military bases and interviews soldiers and rights down notes own what they say and how they act. One time he went in to one of the bathroom stalls and wrote down some of the stuff the soldiers have written. He feels that the soldiers are already feeling guilt for what they have done. There are some good inciteful quotes from soldiers at war.

A reporter who believed in getting his boots muddy, Donald Kirk visited various line units of the Americal Division and 101st Airborne during the withdrawal phase of the Vietnam War. His accounts of brave but unmotivated grunts ring true. Kirk also conducted extensive interviews with support troops at major bases like Chu Lai and Da Nang, where morale was even worse than in the field, and his accounts of the drug and racial problems that beset the US Army during the latter years of the war are also fair and accurate.

This is a weak survey of African-American "vernacular art". There are a few pieces of artwork shown for the various artists covered and a short bio. Nothing in depth in terms of the artwork shown or the information given. This is basically your standard collection of the usual suspects in folk art today. A little bit of Dial, Tolliver, Young, Burnside, Light, etc. And the pieces shown aren't that special. It's great they've got a couple of Mose Tolliver's, but they aren't that special in the overall spectrum of Mose's work. Since nothing is in-depth, I'm not really sure what the point of this book is as it adds nothing new to the field. It's great Ronald and June Shelp own all these pieces, but so what? Good for them, but the book adds nothing for the reader. A much better survey is Souls Grown Deep. Much more expensive, but well worth it.

Not your everyday book on Outsider Art. While most art books on this subject just showcase collectors' investments, Testimony includes critical studies on the ways collections have been organized and new historical information about the relationship between African American vernacular art and the Outsider movement. All of the essays address hard questions and give you something to think about. In a field noted for its ugly politics, collectors Ronald and June Shelp have been brave and responsible in supporting this kind of writing.

The original short stories are wonderful, and this edition is woefully edited. These are stories which should not be altered.

These are classics. Character building, interesting true stories that captivate our boys ages 12 and 7. A MUST for your library. These have been around since first written in 1896! Makes an excellent gift to any family.

Absolutely hilarious. Propaganda that may as well have come straight from Saddam himself. Complete nonsense brought to you by those guilty white liberals who, for reasons I will never understand, seem only comfortable and happy protesting on the behalf of totalitarian governments.

A capturing of the true nature of U.S. imperialism's bloody massacre of 100's of thousands of Iraqi people (mostly children). A necessary analysis for even the most rudimentary understanding of the current situation in the Middle East. What is made especially clear is that the U.S. assault was no more than an attempt to cripple Iraq's blossoming status as the only military and economic power in the Mid-East that could rival Isreal (a permanent U.S. aircraft carrier and military base at the beckon call of international imperialism). This piece makes clear the need not only for a national opposition movement to the war but for a united defense of the right to self-determination for all nations of the world