Holmes' essay is fantastic and would be a great read prior to or following any trip to Egypt. The similarities 100 years since is amazing. The changes are intriguing. I read a library version of this book but decided to buy it for myself for reference and for the great collection of photos. The introductory essays were helpful to understand the Holmes' role in American history.

I knew nothing about wiring or electricity before I read this book. It was very easy to understand and covered everything very well. The wording is not too difficult to comprehend. I reccomend this book for expirienced as well as inexpirienced electricians.

If you are teaching a course that bridges the older and newer technologies in post-production, ie linear and non-linear technology this book will give your students an opportunity to develop a working vocabulary in the linear environment.

I have the Dover 3rd edition of this classic, the one with the bilious, bright purple cover. I've been through half a dozen books on this fascinating subject and this is absolutely my favorite book on metallurgy. Very clear explanations of the properties of the various metals and alloy groups, especially steel and steel alloys, copper and copper alloys, alluminum, and zinc, with especially good treatments of the effects of the many alloying elements. Some of these properties are quite paradoxical and still difficult to predict and understand their effects even today, but it makes for fascinating reading nevertheless.

For example, it's understandable why adding such metals as tungsten, vanadium, titanium, or cobalt, and so on, would increase the temperature resistance and toughness of steel, since these are very tough elements with high melting points themselves. But why does adding aluminum produce a very fine, austenitic (i.e., non-magnetic) grain structure, thereby increasing the overall strength of the alloy? Or why does silicon, a non-metal, greatly increase the fatigue resistence of steel, which is why it's often used in car and truck springs and other similar applications? Even stranger, why does nickel, a magnetic, ferrous element itself, when added in large enough percentages to steel, produce alloys that are non-magnetic or austenitic themselves? All of this made for fascinating reading and discussion.

In addition to the above interesting sections, there are also very good discussions on such topics as the different types of furnace operations, annealing, hardening, and tempering, casting and finishing processes, heat treatment, defect analysis, and a nice section on thermodynamics and crystallography, as well as some special topics like powder metallurgy.

Overall, this is still a great classic and introduction that has yet to be exceeded.

In the course of drafting complaints, Florida attorney Arthur L. Berger found himself researching the elements of various causes of action and saving the results in a file marked "Elements." He noticed that he kept referring to the file over and over, making him wonder if the material ought to be compiled into a book and made available to other Florida litigators. The result of that compilation is "Elements of Florida Civil Causes of Action and Defenses," now in its second edition.
The book lists, in alphabetical order, well over 100 causes of action recognized in Florida. Under each cause of action, the elements are enumerated for each DCA [District Court of Appeal] with citations to case law from that DCA. Also listed are defenses to the cause of action, related issues, and references. The book is the result of over 3,000 hours of research and the pay-off is enormous.
The author claims that he uses the book himself in preparing complaints and in considering what alternative causes of action can be asserted in a complaint. "The various causes of action are the arsenal of the litigator," Berger claims. "With a list of the elements of the cause of action, a skilled attorney can efficiently prepare a complaint that will withstand a motion to dismiss." From a librarian's perspective, the book provides the perfect answer to so many types of reference questions we hear from litigators: "What are the elements of fraudulent misrepresentation?" "What are the defenses to an action for tortious interference with a contractual relationship?" "Are the elements for negligent hiring the same in all DCA's?" The answers are all here, in a format so convient and so organized that it warms a librarian's heart.
The book is published by the author and is an excellent investment. If your library does not have a copy, run don't walk and buy one. If you already have it, by another--one to circulate and one to keep in your office under lock and key.
[Reprinted from the SFALL Newsletter, Winter 2002, a quarterly publication of the South Florida Association of Law Libraries; NOTE: The SFALL Newsletter did not rate the book 1 to 5 stars. The "5 star rating" was added, and was necessary to post this review since all blanks in the book review form must be filled in to post a review.]

This book raly has all means offocus as in covers the whole content of literature, Hamlet the tragic revelutionary on such certain principls of good and devil on earth. The first happenning of such personality - let us say personality as an alive - that studies the human values , bad or good, under his interesting sololquy as a magic virtue tries to take a stronge place in the life of cnflicts. Mr. Arthur, the author, could by a good command , to reach into the most points of investigation that could draw the large atraction of the reader who find himself introduced to a spring of success on a plate of confedence led led to, and findhimself (the reader) having silent live discussions against Mr. Arthur's flexiblity and leadership to the such exact points on the depth of Eizabithean Hamlet of literature. The most delightfull atraction has been firmly generaed in his introduction as first step that takes reader's hand obying in full concience and serious awareness of the importance to do so - to do so is fully reading of the book. This acually the first step that all authers and writers have to take in such case of producing Humanitarian Literary Historically Awareness. This as few words from the appreciation sea to this book , covering your suggestion with no coming into any certain points or concepts. I am a student studying the English Literature in general , have obtained full programme of courses after university as preparation to MA programme to my thesis on Hamlet Personality and values in general in relation to English literature , practical life of and iequivalents.

As a medical student, I thought this book covered everything you would ever want to know about the emergency medicine clinic and beyond. Great information that applies some of the most recent medical research to the world of clinical medicine. Very up to date.

I cannot think of a greater challenge to organizations today than to find, hire, and then keep peak performers. This is one of two books which I have just read. Both suggest excellent strategies and tactics to meet this challenge. (The other is authored by Harry E. Chambers.) But what if an organization now has few -- if -- any peak performers? Obviously, it must develop them. How? In Hidden Value, O'Reilly and Pfeffer explain how great companies achieve extraordinary results with ordinary people.

You can also hire them. In my opinion, one with which Arthur may agree, organizations must be constantly, indeed aggressively involved in recruiting all the time. That is to say, at least decision-makers must be identifying "the best and the brightest" workers employed elsewhere. Perhaps there is no need for them now. Even so, it is important to know who they are, to establish contact with them, and then stay in touch. One CEO I know has a simple but very effective strategy. Whenever she encounters someone who makes a highly favorable impression on her, she offers her business card. "I know you are very happy where you are now. That's great. And frankly, we do not have a suitable position available at the moment anyway. However, if you ever think about making a change, please give me a call. I'd really like to hear from you." Perhaps 18-24 months later, that person calls her.

Arthur organizes her material within 11 chapters, ending each with a summary of key points. She then provides two especially informative appendices: "Employee Benefits Glossary" and "Legal Issues." Her advice on using an outside source (e.g. an executive recruitment firm) to help generate and screen candidates will be most beneficial to larger organizations. However, almost all of the other material will be of substantial assistance to any organization, regardless of its size or nature. All by itself, Chapter 6 is worth the cost of the book. In it, Arthur offers a wealth of suggestions concerning competency-based recruiting and interviewing, correctly stressing the importance of first establishing a solid pre-recruitment foundation, one which takes into account questions such as these which anyone involved in the interview process should be prepared to answer fully:

1. Am I thoroughly familiar with the qualities being sought in an applicant?

2. Are these qualities both job-related and realistic?

3. Can I clearly communicate the duties and responsibilities of this position to applicants?

4. Am I prepared to provide additional relevant information about the job and the company to the applicant?

In other words, whenever a position becomes available, take full advantage that opportunity (a) to determine whether or not it should be filled and (b) if it must be filled, to identify job-specific competencies (prior to recruitment) and other factors which are necessary for success. In Chapter 7, Arthur includes Exhibit 8-1 which lists and briefly discusses "Reasons for High Turnover." For those organizations which have a problem with employee attrition, Arthur suggests a number of probable causes. In fact, I think all of the "exhibits" are informative, as with chapter summaries helping the reader to focus on key points which can easily be reviewed later. I also highly recommend Exhibit 11-1 in the final chapter which lists and briefly discusses 20 "Future Job Projections"; Arthur also includes Web sites which offer additional information about each, such as "workplace concierge" and "corporate anthropologist." Good stuff indeed.

Arthur's expert guidance can help any organization to formulate or refine a cohesive, comprehensive, and cost-effective system by which to recruit and then retain the people it needs. Obviously, I think highly of her book. However, given the importance of the issues it addresses as well as the serious implications of decisions which must be made, I strongly recommend that several different sources (including hers) be consulted. Amazon.com identifies a number of possibilities; those who review them can assist the selection process.

Thirteen years ago, when I was trying to learn about compassionate conservatives of the late 19th century, Arthur Bonner's book on rescue mission pioneer Jerry McAuley came to my attention. In an unspectacular but convincing fashion, Mr. Bonner told of how God's grace changed an ordinary human being -- sub-human, the Social Darwinists would say, pointing at McAuley's criminal record -- into a rough-cut evangelist who helped to save thousands from the gutters he knew well.
Now Mr. Bonner has extended that story to the present, with straigthforward decriptions of McAuley Mission descendants in Grand Rapids, Syracuse, St. Paul, and other unspectatacular cities which writers looking for the trendy would be likely to disdain ... Tens of thousands of self-sacrificing men and woemn are at work in those rescue missions across the country that are among the best. Rescuers who want to do the job right can learn from the account in this book of ordinary folks who did and do the extraordinary by helping to mend the lives of addicts, offer new oportunities for released prisoners, and give hope to abandoned mothers and children.

Geared to the young and people wanting to know more about the black heritage. A fascinating survey of the contributions of blacks to American society.Excellent book for the kids and adults alike.