I had the priviledge to see Pvt. Murphy when he was first shown in public, in the Ranger Rick books at the local PX. When The 1st edition came out on post, it was snapped up off the shelfs so fast, i was lucky to get myself a copy. If you have ever been in the modern military, you love this book with all the memories that came with your time in the service.. good and bad, and things you never forget. Mr. Baker follows Pvt. Murphy from the recruiters office, thru basic and airborne school, to his 1st assignment. If you have ever served, or are just an afictionado, i highly recomment Pvt. Murphy's Law to you, he's the Beatle Bailey of the modern Military.

Pvt. Murphy's Law is an outstanding glimpse at the lighter side of military life. As a member of the military for over 16 years I can appreciate the situations that Pvt. Murphy finds himself in. It's obvious that the author has found himself in many of these situations and has chosen to see the humor in many aspects of military life (especially the Letter to the Editor that a Lt. Col. wrote in response to a Pvt. Murphy cartoon.) Mr. Baker's art work is great and the cartoons themselves are extremely funny, but not disrepectful to the military. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an enjoyable read and a brief look at how funny and fun the military can actually be. I give Mr. Baker and his book five star's and hope that he continues putting Pvt. Murphy in these comical situations.

"Pvt. Murphy's Law," by Mark Baker, is a collection of cartoons that follow the career of the young soldier of the title. The cartoons in this book actually tell a continuous story: Baker follows Murphy from his interview with a recruiter, through Basic Training, and through other milestones in the life of a young soldier. Thus, the book could actually be read as a graphic novel.

I have served in the U.S. Army Reserve myself, and have been in a lot of the situations that are humorously depicted in this book. Baker's portrait of the Army is right on target, and very funny. Nearly half of the book is devoted to Murphy's experiences at Basic Training. It's especially entertaining to see new recruit Murphy responding to Army jargon as if it were a "foreign language" (as he calls it). Most of the key Basic Training elements are covered: first meeting with the drill sergeant, standing fire guard, going through the notorious gas chamber, etc.

Murphy himself is a likeable character. He looks a little like a young, thin Homer Simpson, and occasionally has "Calvin and Hobbes"-like flights of imagination. I especially like the fact that Baker makes Murphy on the whole a good, enthusiastic soldier. Baker generally goes for realistic humor, not ... unbelievable laughs.

The book is clearly geared towards an Army audience, and some non-veterans may be a little mystified at some of the Army jargon and abbreviations used throughout the book. But the overall charm of the book should overcome that potential cultural barrier. At any rate, "Pvt. Murphy's Law" would certainly make a great read for any veteran of the U.S. Army experience.

The accomplishments of Baker & Bellis, summarized nicely in this textbook treatment, are stunning and underappreciated. B&B present a strong case that our reproductive physiology and behavior evidence a degree of adaptive, strategic sophistication that should both thrill and embarass anyone who holds an evolutionary view of human behavior.

Thrill, because rarely in evolutionary literature have this many surprising details been assembled that argue so compellingly for an evolutionary view (and resist so completely the usual alternatives of random culture or passive socialization). Embarass, because this research plainly runs against the grain of the accepted gospel of American evolutionary psychology by showing that the unconsious processing of our evolved neural systems does not always consist of clucky, outdated, Pleistocene if-then routines, but can exhibit genuinely adaptive, environmentally contingent, creative, strategic intelligence -- even in the face of novel technological advances like modern birth control.

The only really unfortunate thing about B&B's work is that they themselves don't draw the psychological conclusions that seem to follow from their work. Here, as well as in Baker's popular books (Sperm Wars, Baby Wars, and the recent Sex in the Future), B&B are content to draw an odd distinction between the conscious agent and its body, and to assign our evolved strategies to the latter (leading to strange statements like "You may want to do this, but your body wants you to do that").

At any rate, mark my words: In 30 years those of us who are serious about evolutionary approaches to human behavior will list B&B's Human Sperm Competition among the most important works of the 20th century (and we will shake our heads the same way we do today about Mendel, wondering how in the world it took everyone so long to figure out that this stuff is a big deal). If you are engaged in research on mating or sexual strategies, do yourself a favor and get this book. And when you read it, keep one question is mind: What has to be true of human minds in order for B&B to have made these findings? It is a rare opportunity to glimpse the future of mind science.

An absoluting fascinating book. Although not all the conclusions and suggestions are entirely plausible (or at least not well explicated), the thrust of the book makes itself felt. So to speak.

Suddenly sociobiology comes to life! If you had any doubts about human sexual behaviour, or suffered from political correctness, this will set you to rights. It is indeed a seminal book.

This book is a great overview of construction - it covers building stages ranging from the foundation to framing to roof details to types of siding available. Some electrical basics discussed, tips and tricks to keep in mind -- overall a good, lucid, well-thought out book that can get you started with construction.

From tools to termites, this book is an excellent reference tool for the construction novice (the person who is a neophyte to the trade, yet yearns to build their own home). This is a fine jumping-off point to more trade-specific references. It has given me the confidence to build my own house, even though I can't swing a hammer without hitting my thumb. Detailed drawings and illustrations complement a text that works from the "ground floor" up (forgive the pun) to the finishing touches aimed at the asthetic level.

While Mary Ellen Mark and husband,Martin Bell,were filming
their haunting masterpiece,Streetwise,in 1983,Mary Ellen was
also busy taking snap-shots of the runaways...and what a worthwhile effort this was!
Anyone who viewed the film will recognize most of the photographs of the Seattle runaways found in the same-titled book.
The Streetwise kids lived in a sad world of uncertainty.Many had fled from abusive homes.
Mary Ellen developed a closeness with many of her young subjects,including Dewayne and Lulu.Dewayne hanged himself in 1984,and Lulu died in a fight with a man in 1985.Mary Ellen has dedicated her book in their memories.
Like every other work that she has ever created,this book is a keep-sake.I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the film documentary and in the author`s work.
Jeffrey Bryan,White Oak,NC

While Mary Ellen Mark and husband,Martin Bell,were filming
their haunting masterpiece,Streetwise,in 1983,Mary Ellen was
also busy taking their snap-shots...and what a worthwhile effort
this was!
Anyone who viewed the film will recognize each photograph of
the runaways of Seattle found in Mark`s same-titled book.
The Streetwise kids lived in a sad world of uncertainty,many
having fled from their abusive homes.They searched for love and
happiness in a place which offered neither.
Mary Ellen developed a kin-ship with many of her young subjects
including Dewayne and Lulu.Dewayne hanged himself in 1984,and
Lulu died in a fight with a man in 1985.Mary Ellen has dedicated
this book in their memories.
Like every other work that she has ever published,this book
is definitely a keep-sake.I highly recommend it to everyone
who is interested in the documentary film and in Mary Ellen Mark.
Jeffrey Bryan
White Oak,NC

Wallace and Gromit rock! They are the stars of some of the cleverest animation around. Great story to go with the film.

diabolically entertaining and cleverly humorous--this is my favorite "Wallace and Gromit". the penguin adds the much needed tension that seperates the mind set of the crafty dog Gromit from his simpleton owner, Wallace. it is an enjoyable narrative for all ages.

I found this book very useful for researchers in this field. it has rich information about cluster computing.

This book is a great reference for Mac programmers. A quick, easy way to find answers.

In 2002, I first noticed Edward Burtynsky's gorgeous 40 x 50-inch color prints at the AIPAD conference in New York. To me, Burtynsky's work stood out from all the rest in that immense exposition, which annually showcases international photography galleries. I hoped his gifts would receive appropriate recognition. I didn't realize the degree to which his reputation as a master photographer was already well established by museums, collectors and critics. Since 1985, the Charles Cowles Gallery has represented his work in New York and the Mira Godard Gallery, one of Canada's most prestigious galleries, represents him in Toronto where he is based. So I am now delighted to report that Yale University Press' handsome catalogue from his recent retrospective exhibition in Ottawa is a remarkable accomplishment in every respect. The National Gallery of Canada organized the show and co-published the book. Although the 64 color plates do not deliver what I love most about seeing his work in person - that is simply not possible to achieve in small-scale, half-tone reproduction. The fact is that this book's design and color plates are wonderful. Every aspect of this book is highly accomplished and carefully, thoughtfully considered. Assistant Curator of Photographs, Lori Pauli, deserves special recognition, firstly as editor for selecting top professionals and for coordinating their efforts seamlesslessly. Secondly, Pauli also wrote a scholarly, insightful essay that sets the tone for engaging inquiry and discourse that is maintained by a distinguished panel of co-authors, each with a different approach, including Mark Haworth-Booth, Kenneth Baker and an interview of the artist by Michael Torosian. Their different perspectives should satisfy many questions that might arise for the reader who wants a broad social context without losing a sense of personal connection concerning aesthetics or individuating details about Burtynsky himself. He grew up in southern Ontario, Canada's most populous and richest province. Much of Ontario's wealth comes out of the ground itself and even more significantly, comes out of manufacturing industries, particularly auto plants. Mining and heavy industry are major themes in his site selection both close to home and far away. He traveled half way around the world for some locations. Burtynsky's beautiful art of otherwise terribly distressed places is absolutely authentic, warmly human and almost always immediately engaging. The reader learns that there is neither pretense nor opportunism in Burtynsky's choice of site selection and content. His deliberate ideological detachment also distances him from the controversy and rancor that often accompanies polemical discourse. However, his personal connection with his sites is another matter. Burtynsky reveals his distinctly individual sense of place in almost all of these man-altered landscapes. Considerable skill, intelligence, time, and expense were devoted to every composition. He certainly did not need to work this hard to simply provide compelling evidence of the consequences of large-scale exploitation of natural resources. The color reproductions are only a small fraction of the size of the original photographs but they still illustrate his career-long attraction to detail and immense, complex space. He understands color, light and large-scale abstract composition like few others in his medium. In fact, I believe that he could make anything appear beautiful anywhere -- and yet he doesn't. At the exclusion of everything else Burtynsky chooses places transformed by human desires - including his own - for commerce and comfort. His pictures of mine sites, quarries, oil rigs and rusting steel can truly astonish the viewer for their visceral impact. They convincingly demonstrate decades of demanding study, persistence, experiment and high critical standards but his conflicted passion for his sites is a separate, far more complicated matter that for the most part remains undisclosed. As a fellow large format photographer and colorist, I can attest that there is nothing he takes on to photograph that is simple or easy. Tripod-mounted view cameras are cumbersome tools to use, especially outdoors at the mercy of ever changing natural light conditions as well as the unavoidable and unexpected shifts in weather. It is slow, complex, painfully deliberate work in conditions that are always unpredictable and often physically uncomfortable. Burtynsky makes it look easy - it isn't. Ian Hunt, the designer, also hides his craft. His design reveals wise William of Occham's razor, keen balance and restraint. It is what only the very best design can demonstrate. This is certainly a book worthy of collectors but it is accessible for us all. It showcases an artist about whom we shall hear many more richly deserved accolades in the years ahead. There will definitely be more books about Edward Burtynsky, but Manufactured Landscapes will be difficult to surpass.

Not for the faint of heart. This is a powerful collection of accounts from Vietnam veterans. They are arranged by the author in a mosaic rather than presented in their entirety, which I believe is the one real flaw to this book. Still, this is a book you will not be able to put down, and will be left shaken after reading.

Burkett's horridly one-sided revisionist book "Stolen Valor" has attempted to discredit this and many other eyewitness accounts of the Vietnam War. In the case of this book, he doesn't offer one shred of evidence other than his own opinion (i.e. "it couldn't have happened that way because that is not how things are done by the book"). As anyone who has ever been in the military can tell you, things are not done by the book, especially in wartime. Burkett's criticisms should not be taken seriously as anything other than his own opinion. Mark Baker's "Nam" rings true; how could any sane person make some of this stuff up? The accounts here are too gritty, too hardcore, and too grisly to be fiction.

War is hell. To this end, author Mark Baker collects a vast series of comments from many of the brave men and women who answered the nation's call to duty. In doing so, Baker captures the terrible bloodshed of the Vietnam war.

The only negative factor of this book is that Baker is not a veteran. He is a journalist who did not serve in Vietnam. Consequently, a few of his snapshots are open to question. They certainly make for good copy but as a two tour USMC Vietnam vet I offer with absolute certainty that some parts of this book do not ring true.

Nevertheless, this is an important book. Baker reaches out to vets and allows them to bare their soul. Some sections of this book are horrible. Others reflect well on the quality of the American fighting man. All in all, any young kid who foolishly thinks war is glorious and that the battlefield is a place of honor should read this book. It will probably save his or her life.

At some point in this book, all of the anecdotes become something larger than they were when they were read individually. The real life memories are troubling, humorous, horrific and inspiring, and their combined effect provides a unique and unforgettable insight into the soldiers' experiences in the Vietnam War.

This is an excellent book. There are many topics covered in a straightforward manner that you won't find anywhere else. Many clever solutions - I learned a lot from using this book and I've been programming in Java for a while. One of the few computer books worth the steep price.

You will not be sorry if you buy this book. The book uses a straightforward approach to some of the complicated as well as simple issues. The book is very well organized, and explanations are very clear. I would not recommend it for the beginners, but even if you are just getting comfortable with Java, this book would be an excellent value. CD that comes with this book is also very helpful.

I really liked this book. It deals with very important topics from basic to quite advanced in a very straightforward manner. I use it all the time.