From the derivative trader's point of view, there are three main ways to characterize this book :

1. On the technical side, the book explains new and refreshing aspects of options that every risk manager, who never actually traded exotic options, should read to understand the trader's "situation" when it comes to hedge a portfolio. Part II clearly describes the core aspects of plain vanilla options. Chapter 9, on Vega and volatility surface is well written, but could have been more precise on examples. Part III correctly outlines binary and barrier options and one feelt that Taleb was a currency option trader ! Some "wizards" are very true (p.60, on the Burnout of traders) and some, like the "risk management rules", are pure conceptions of the author without bringing anything new.

2. The editor could have been more careful with the reader's comfort, the charts are often two pages away from the written descriptions, the notes refer to pages at the back of the book, etc...

3. The author is sometimes so pretentious that it becomes very irritating and actually damages the quality of the book. It seems very obvious that Taleb has a wrong understanding of modern risk management. Today's (good) risk managers are sometimes ancient derivatives traders, they are mathematically and financially skilled people, they are part of the financial landscapes taking part actively in the management of positions. This book contains some good real life analogies, but the others are regrettably offensive.

This books stays a good book to read and to recommend

Taleb's book successfully bridges the gap between well-posited but academic accounts of options theory and the practical knowledge and vernacular that are privy to the best traders. It is thoughtful and interesting, scholarly yet intuitive - and written in such picturesque prose that will at once charm and provoke you! The author makes the point well that market reality at times can be grim and much less forgiving - and certainly much richer - than current theoretical modeling make it out to be and shows how the trader can stack the odds in his or her favor. This book is an invaluable source of ideas for anyone who wants to monetize their empirical research on markets.

Taleb's writing style is unique, to say the least. If you can get past it, though, his material is solid gold!

The structure of the book is very disjointed and information dense. I typically read 4-5 pages, spent a day or two figuring out what nuance he was trying to communicate, and then was absolutely floored by the insight. I've read the book several times over and expect re-read it several more.

Taleb's risk management perspective is at odds with "pricing" but right-on for "risk management". He would willingly trade a small certain loss for a possibly large gain rather than vice versa. This perspective is probably consistent with most dynamic hedgers; you expect the hedge to be a drain on income but also to save you from catastrophic events.

As a non-trader implementing dynamic hedging programs, Taleb's perspective and insights have proven invaluable. I have avoided countless pitfalls into which I would otherwise have fallen. I look forward to future editions of this book!

I have to say this book caught my interest right off, especially after paging through it and seeing the difference in so many faces, in so short a period of time. Could this be true? There had to be a catch and I was going to find it, or so I thought.

Dr Perricone reveals his theory that aging is caused by inflammation at the cellular level and is speeded along with our life styles, such as poor nutrition, pollution and stress, to name a few.
He explains how we can change our dietary habits, take in the proper vitamins, exercise
correctly and totally rejuvenate our body.
This was worth reading.
He shares with you case studies, shows you before and after pictures, gives you names of vitamins and tells you what they are good for and what the symptoms are if you are lacking these. He even shows you how to exercise properly, all bringing you to a new and healthier body. Very good!

The only problem I had with the entire regiment was the diet. I do not like fish, cannot eat it, and that is one of the main
staples in his food chain. I need an alternative Dr. Perricone, any suggestions?
If that stronghold is overcome I would gladly give his system a whirl. I believe he is really on to something and I'd like to give it a try.

All in all this was a great read, informative
from page one on. I highly recommend this book, I believe it will help many people live a happier and healthier life.

One final thought, if you were to receive this book as a gift for Mother's Day as I did, just what would your reaction be?
Was my child trying to tell me I was turning into an old hag and this book might help?;or,was he truly concerned for my future and my health? Perhaps I will never know that answer, but one thing is for sure, I did enjoy the knowledge this book gave to me, and for that I say, "Thank you!"

All of my life I have been the poster boy for bad skin. Itchy, scaly, irritable, inflamed.... Very frustrating. At times maddening. My local dermatologist told me that I had an unusual combination of skin problems that would be a life long maintenance problem for me. He gave me some perscriptions but warned me that there was only so much that could be done. The drugs & creams were only marginally successful and were expensive and a hassle. So the battle continued.

Recently I saw Dr. Perricone doing some fund raising program on a PBS station while visiting Washington DC. He said a lot of things that seemed to make sense (of course they always do), so I looked him up on Amazon and read the reviews. Then in desperation and hope for improvement of my life long skin problems I decided to buy the book and give it a try. I read it carefully and then set out to implement his program. It took a while to gather up all the necessary suppliments at the Vitamin Shoppe. There are a lot of them. I did the three day crash program to see what would happen. Let me tell you, the change was DRAMATIC!!!! I really could not believe it.

Now, I don't know if I look like I have had a face lift or any younger, but I don't care (Although some have said they notice a difference in my face). Much of the frustrating skin problem I have suffered with all of my life has improved greatly. This Program has changed my life and removed one of the great burdens I have carried all these years. I only wish I would have discovered this guy earlier.

Now for the criticisms. Is it expensive? Whoa nelly. It is. There are a lot of expensive foods and suppliments to buy. Is it a pain? Well, you do have to take an awful lot of suppliment pills but I actually find this more convenient than dealing with the perscriptions I used to use, and it is all over the counter. Fewer doctor visits. Is the diet restrictive? Yes it is, but no pain, no gain. Besides, better to eat to live than live to eat. I find that the diet works for me and I only fall off of it rarely. Is my skin now perfect? No. I still fight with some issues, but they are minor compared to the way it was before. My skin has improved a thousand fold and my frustration levels have dropped precipitously.

All I can say is that I am sold. I guess in this case I really do get what I pay for. Sure, I would like it to be cheaper and less complicated, but I would rather spend the money and effort than go back to the way my skin was before. So I will suck up the cost and stick with this. As long as I have a life long maintenance problem with my skin, at least I can be happy knowing that the maintenance is working and the money well spent. If I could I would give Dr. Perricone 1000 stars. He has made that much of a difference for me!

The thing I loved so much about this book was that, even if you don't do everything the book recommends (I just take 5 of the vitamens mentioned, and I cut down a little on the bad foods ^_^), you will still see results.

I used to have horrible scared oily skin. After 2 and a half months of just doing a few of the things mentioned in this book, I have dropped 10 pounds, my skin is practically oil-free, I no longer break out terribly the way I use to, my acne scaring is almost gone, my pores have shrunk, my face is more toned, smoother, and I have MUCH more color in my face than before (I was real pale and sick looking). I am never letting this book go.

I make the suggested meals (in the book) once or twice a week. I don't eat fish (which the book really promotes), so I substitude it with chicken or turkey. No biggy. All the meals the Doctor mentiones are simple to make, even my 12 year old sister can make them. Nothing exotic or strange. Like I said before, you don't have to eat the meals all the time.

You really begin to notice a difference after a week and a half.

Though, you have to remember: This takes EFFORT on YOUR part. Don't be lazy. Reading the book will not make you healthier or give you better skin; actually DOING WHAT IS RECOMMENDED in the book is what will get you to your goal.

It's an easy read (unless you're a part of the large number of adults that read at a fourth grade level).

I recommend it for to anyone that wants to improve their looks and health. This book should get a 10 star rating.
**********

...
Genesis Of The Grail Kings examines the historical fact that is NOT in question: the Bible has been written, rewritten, translated, and edited numerous times by numerous groups and individuals over the last two millenia. Why? How? What did the earlier versions say? What's the story behind The Greatest Story? Many reasons, both sacred and profane, and you'll find them and the supporting research in this book. Laurence Gardner illustartes this clearly and with considerable documentation. He shows the paper trail all the way back. In the places where he makes a speculative foray, he says so. His material is better written than Zecharia Sitchin's. The book is tighter, with more clarity, and despite being non-fiction, moves along with the taught feel of a well-written mystery novel. If you are a fan of the "ancient astronaut genre" you will really enjoy this as well as his other two books, Bloodline Of The Holy Grail and Realm Of The Ring Lords. For this kind of material, it's just about the best of it's kind.

Sir Laurence Gardiner's 2 works "Genesis of the Grail Kings" and "Bloodline of the Holy Grail" were two of the most interesting, well researched and thouroughly engrossing works I've read in a long long time. Although each works well as a stand-alone book, I thouroughly recommend readers read BOTH works.

Drawing upon ancient Sumerian and Mesopotamian records, in the case of "Genesis of the Grail Kings", and drawing on priveleged genealogical information protected by the various European Royal Houses and the Scots Royal House of Stewart, in the case of "Bloodline"; Sir Laurence backs up his topics with detailed, fascinating research.

I wholeheartedly recommend both books for readers interested in learning true facts concerning such topics as the following:

-An ancient bloodline dating from before Sumerian times was preserved from ancient times, up to Jesus' time, and the present day. This bloodline had been genetically enhanced, firstly thru the ingestion of Annunaki "Star Fire", and later thru the ingestion of alchemically altered monatomic white gold powder. -Gravitational and time/space anomalies presented by alchemically altered monatomic white gold powder, and how modern science is now just beginning to rediscover these ancient secrets. -The nature of Sumerian Kingship. -How the first few books of the Old Testament were recombinations and retellings from far older and more complete Sumerian and Mesopotamian records and legends. -The facts about many of the parables in the New Testament, in that they were coded references to political situations, and not depictions or descriptions of supernatural phenomena. -The true facts concerning Jesus' heritage, birth, upbringing and training, familial relations, and marriage to Mary Magdalene. -The true facts concerning Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. -The role, and original importance, of women such as Mary Magdalene in the Church. -How the Roman Catholic Church was able to usurp unearned, power wealth and authority, and how the Church sought to maintain that hold on wealth power and authority by: preventing the true facts concerning Jesus to be brought to light; suppressing, distorting, and then denying the role and importance of women in the Church; controlling the roles and options open to women in society; suppressing intellectual and individual, and artistic freedoms thru such instruments as the Inquisition.

-The rise of the European Royal Houses, and in particular, the suppression of the Scots Royal House of Stewart, by England. -The role that enlightened, properly instituted, and properly managed government plays in securing the freest expression of individual liberties.

And many more points too numerous to mention.

In short, I hope that readers will take these two books to heart and will find them as beneficial as I have.

This is one of the best books, I've read. The Bible is such a pile of non sense, and finally, Gardner has put all the pieces together, and explained why. This book is fascinating! It reveals the truth about where the stories of the Bible came from, and how they have been so twisted to the point that they are nothing but gibberish. It's a MUST read for anyone that wants THE TRUTH alas!

After a decade's research, the graceful prose stylist NicholasLemann has finally published his expose of the SAT, "The BigTest: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy." His conclusion: It's just not fair. How can you, he asks, "create a classless society by establishing a system that relentlessly classifies people"? But the bigger question is one Lemann relentlessly dodges: Can you create a classless society at all? The Khmer Rouge came closest, but to enforce classlessness, they still had to have two classes: the killers and the killees.

In the endless debate over mental tests, there's one sure-fire test of how morally serious an author is. Does he honestly grapple with the raw, hulking fact of human intellectual inequality? Lemann flunks his personal Big Test badly, as he spends 343 pages sidestepping this central reality.

The problem is that some people are simply smarter than other people. Yes, it helps to go to good schools and have parents who read to you and all that. Still, siblings raised in the same home routinely turn out highly different in intelligence. Even fraternal twins raised side by side aren't very similar. Only identical twins, who share the same DNA, tend to come out alike in IQ.

Is it fair that winners in this genetic lottery tend to be better able to provide for themselves? Of course not. But the relevant question for us is: What we do about it? Do we try to equalize mental ability? (Whacking smart kids on the head with a ball-peen hammer would be the most effective way.) Or do we treat brainpower as a precious natural resource that can benefit all of society?

Paradoxically, by focusing on usefulness rather than fairness, IQ tests like the SAT have helped eliminate much blatant unfairness. They've shown that discrimination is expensive. For example, everyone assumed men were smarter than women until pioneering IQ researcher Cyril Burt announced they were equal way back in 1912. After WWII when colleges began competing on their students' average SAT scores, they found that the easiest way to get more bright students was to stop discriminating against women. Similarly, this competition for brains also induced Ivy League colleges to finally stop mistreating Jews, the highest scoring ethnic group.

The Math portion of the SAT has been a huge boon to Asian immigrants. Software engineer and journalist Arthur Hu responds to Lemann's snide history of the SAT: "My father and mother from China sent 7 kids to MIT and Stanford on the basis of high SAT scores. Six of us are now in high tech and the other is a doctor. Isn't this exactly what the people who invented the SAT had in mind?"

Although Lemann shows no interest in technologists, we should note that the Math SAT has been a huge boon to American prosperity. It liberated a group so dispersed and downtrodden that it didn't even have a name until about 30 years ago: nerds. By identifying nerdy geniuses in high schools across the world, many of whom were too bored to make good grades, the Math SAT enabled them to form critical masses of computer geeks in nerd havens like Stanford and MIT. Out of these colleges grew the great high-tech incubators such as Silicon Valley and Route 128, which are the engines of the current American boom.

The effects of the Verbal SAT are more troublesome, though. Certainly it has bestowed upon America more clever lawyers, but that is, shall we say, a mixed blessing.

The Verbal SAT has also allowed America's future elite of journalists, academics, and policy wonks to cluster together at Ivy League universities at an early age. There they form career-boosting friendships with like-minded young verbalists.

That the SAT jumpstarts the careers of brilliant young scientists and engineers is an unmixed blessing because their precocious creativity is tested against unforgiving reality: If their Hot New Idea turns out to be wrong, their bridge falls down or their computer program bombs. Verbal SAT elitism, however, brings together at an early age the young people with the most dazzling rhetorical talents who can thus mesmerize each other with their soaring theories of how the world ought to work ... long before they have a clue about how the world actually works.

For example, for 20 years Lemann's neoliberal friends have been publicly attacking IQ testing and the SAT. Lemann's big book was to be their coup de grace. Year after year he searched for flaws in the numbers and logic of the IQ realists like Arthur Jensen and Charles Murray. And then ... Lemann punted. Those hoping for a refutation of The Bell Curve in The Big Test will be disappointed. In fact, in this purported history of testing, there are almost no numbers and not much more logic. Left with apparently nothing analytical to say about intelligence that wouldn't embarrass either his friends or the truth, Lemann padded his book with endless personal details about some excruciatingly boring people. Fortunately for Lemann, since his natural audience of liberal verbalists aren't too comfortable with either numbers or logic, they'll no doubt appreciate having neither their mental skills nor their prejudices challenged. In summary, the best example of the nefarious impact of the SAT is Lemann's own book.

Read the first fifteen pages and set it aside. This was a purchase I made a year ago, and it is on a subject that highly interests me. But it is really just a rather droll take on the evolution of the SAT test from job-interest tests. Thumbs down.

Having looked over the other reader reviews for this book, I am surprised by what the reviewers expected this book to be about. It is not an expose on the SAT. It is, rather, a look at the Test (capital letter intended). It is a look into the people and philosophies that shaped Educational testing and, to be frank, America itself.
Lemann portrays the key players involved in the testing movement, its propagation, and its continuation to the present day. He also gives to us a look into the Meritocratic (or rulers determined by their merit rather than money) society envisoned by Jefferson.
This is an extremely interesting book. This book will leave you thinking. You will challenge your own ideologies.

Patriarch's Hope is book # 6 in the 'Seafort Saga'. After the 5th and disastrous outing in "Voice's Of Hope", I was a little skittish in picking up "Patriarch's Hope". Next time I should listen to my intuition. This is an exhaustive book with very little care towards the supporting characters.

The story is set in futuristic version of 19th century British Navy. The Earth is collapsing environmentally under the heavy industry that the Navy is putting forth to beef up their fleet. Seafort, now Secretary General, leads his wife, friend, joeys, and middies alike to certain and uncertain doom and demise.

I had alot of problems with the book in the way the author has his supporting characters fawn over Seafort and his every move and whim. We're constantly treated to Seafort's unbearable temper and devotion to the Navy and Lord God above. It is with constant goading of "Level it out middie!" or "2 demerits! No! 4 demerits! " at anyone beneath him that crosses him that racks on your nerves. I can't understand why this guy has friends, or why midshipmen would want to look up to this overbearing ogre.

I agree with the previous reviewer's comments about how Feintuch treats the female characters in his books. The females in his stories are either deranged villains, insane wives, or helpless damsels in distress. The universe in Seafort's reality holds little in regards to a strong female or independent woman. The pacing of "Patriarch's Hope" is also off. There is alot of flying around on Earth and discussion on the effects of the military on the environment along with "Belay that!", "Report to Mr. Tammarov for a canning" to all the sniveling unfortunate middies that cross this guy's path.

It is only in the last 75 or so pages of the book that the action commences in such a pace that you wonder if Seafort is ever going to catch his breath. The novel ends with the possibility of another sequel, which in all intents and purposes I wish Feintuch would drop in favor of some other tale he could tell.

The sixth and last book of the Seafort saga is another masterpiece. After storming through the first four books and partially storming and struggling through the fifth book, this was super.

To be able to tell a broken mans feelings and conflicts with such precision is something that I have never found before. Nichk Seafort is the person we all somewhat struggle to become but yet not. The beauty of this book and the entire series is that it keeps your mind racing for hours everytime you finished a chapter. Did Nick do what I should have done? Would I have done the same?

I recommend everyone to read this book and I truly hope youwill like it as much as me.

David Feintuch's Seafort saga is my favorite series (I've read it about 5 times) and this installment (final chapter?) does not disappoint. Patriarch's Hope reads much easier than Voices of Hope did and left me feeling that perhaps Nick Seafort may have some peace at last - doing what he was destined to do. If you're not a fan of the series this is probably not the place to start, but if you're a fan - enjoy and hope for more!

This is a pretty good book for it's price. Please be advised that it is very specific and it is only on picking up chicks. After you get her number or whatever, what are you going to do? Good luck, this book doesn't tell you! I must say, I followed the advice in this book very religiously and it works like a charm. It is so easy to get numbers, but guess what? Most of the time, the girl is just being courteous or don't have the heart to tell you the truth. Only 1% of the numbers turn out to be dates. And I still have no clue on what to do during the date because I have yet to find a good book on that topic! The book doesn't cost that much, but if you want to save a few bucks, here is the secret to picking up chicks. Ready? (Drumroll)....confidence. One of the points the book makes is that the idea of girls liking jerks is partially true. The fact is, most of the nice guys are weak and not confident enough, that is why they lose out. In case you don't know, girls do like jerks because most jerks are also very attractive guys. But if you act tough and confident, you have a better chance. The other thing the book says is when girls say they want someone more mature, they really mean someone more confident. Once again, it is all about confidence. For those who do not know what this is, it is doing something based on your own free will without any validation from anyone. It is sticking to and hanging to your own judgement when the whole world seems to be against you. I've lost a really special girl because I did not understand this.

This is by far the best book of its kind. I am very happy that I bought it. It is an excellent reference book that I often pick up and read through if I feel a little rusty at talking to girls.

The authors definitely know their stuff. With more than 40 different topics and sub-headings, the book has plenty of information. It is written in a casual, relaxed tone which makes for a fun read.

I am a little disturbed by anyone who would give it a bad review on this Amazon site. It is not an expensive book and you certainly get your $6.95 worth. It appears that some anonymous guy from Chicago keeps putting up a negative review after someone puts up a good one. He mostly likely didn't even read the book since he talks about things that aren't even in it. For example, there is no reference to picking up girls at a sporting event in the book. Did he write a competing book? Why would he keep checking the book's site to make sure that his negative review is the last one? Very strange.

Oh well, Amazon is what it is. Anyway, this book is the real deal. No disappointment for me. Happy hunting all!

This is the perfect Guide I was looking for on how to pick up girls. It is not preachy or didactic. Rather, it is straight to the point, extremely informative and very funny. Hide this book in your house because every one who comes over to visit tries to borrow it. Tell them to buy their own copy.

I'd been anticipating reading this book for some time, but getting through it was a chore. Dawidoff's writing and research are thorough. Berg left behind a wealth of personal material and many who knew him were still alive and available by phone or personal interview to Dawidoff. Hundreds of anecdotes and details about Berg's life emerge from these resources, and Dawidoff marches them all past the reader. The question is "Why?" Berg never becomes very interesting. It is well-known that he was a mediocre major league catcher. He was not much better as a spy, excelling mostly at running up large expense accounts. His tradecraft was abysmal; making and keeping notes to himself about briefings he received is such a fundamental error as to be ludicrous. After more than 300 pages it remained hard for me to take Berg seriously in any of his endeavors. In the end this is the biography of a moderately interesting obsessive dilettante, whose avoidance of normal human contact except on his own often strange terms seems almost pathological. Dawidoff tries valiantly but a New Yorker profile of about one-tenth this length would have been a sufficient account of Moe Berg's mildly curious life.

Moe Berg was one of those people who could never conform to conventional life. He decided early on in his adult life to march to the beat of his own drummer, letting very few people know the true man. Nicholas Dawidoff in his book "The Catcher was a Spy" explores this strange individual.
Berg started out as a professional baseball player, who was a Princeton and Columbia Law School graduate. A star in high school and college but a medicore one in the pros. Berg was a man who liked being on a team but did not mind not playing very often, the antithesis of most athletes. Baseball gave him the opportunity to travel, meet people and do the things that interested him such as prowling old bookstores, reading tomes on linguistics and scientific topics. When Berg played all games were played in the afternoon giving him plenty of time to indulge in his solitary persuits. For the most part his teammates tended to be country boys or young men with limited educations, although it would be wrong to say there were no players in the 1920's or 1930's who went to college like Berg.
Berg got into the espionage business during World WarII working for "Wild Bill" Donovan's OSS. Moe was a skilled linguist familiar with six or seven different languages, he was also gifted enough to learn a great deal about atomic physics while trying to ferret out information about Germany's attempt to create an atomic bomb. His four years in the OSS were his salad days and he would live off these exploits the rest of his life. Donovan ran a very loose ship and Berg many times ignored his superiors orders, but because Donovan liked him he was able to avoid the rules and regulations.
This inability to conform to bureaucratic rules was his undoing after the war. Berg desparately wanted to join the CIA but those running the agency during peace-time expected field agents to account for their time and expenses something Moe could not or would not do.
The last 25 years of his life he became a total vagabond living on the charity of friends and family. He was a personable man and a spinner of yarns, but his stories always put himself in the best light. Berg floated from place to place never leeting anyone know him well or wearing out his welcome.
Dawidoff does a very good job describing Berg's life in baseball and the OSS, but the book bogs down in the chapters depicting his life when the CIA would not hire him except for several brief stints. Essentially, everyone who knew him said basically the same thing about him. A nice guy but aloof never going beyond a certain point in a relationship that he did not want you to know.
Considering the banalities that most athletes today spout the book is worth the read just to reminisce about a bygone era. Berg was an enigmatic individual and the jury is still out on how much he contributed to the war effort. Dawidoff believes he did both to the OSS and to the teams he played for during his career. Moe Berg's failing was not utilizing his intellectual talents beyond living the life of a total free spirit without any responsibility.

Many previous writers here appear to have preconceived notions of Moe Berg and his biographer. I do not. Moe Berg may have inflated his own importance to the war effort, but he was still a man of some importance, a true patriot, and possessed of great intelligence. To call someone who lasted all those years in the major leagues a second rate catcher is mean spirited. He may not have ever been the best catcher on any team, but he was still in the rarified air of the majors for more than a decade. Not many people can put that on their resume. To call him a second rate spy diminishes the bravery and patriotism it took for him to do what he did. And to call him a second rate human being is only to call attention to oneself. Moe Berg was not perfect, and that is precisely what makes this book interesting. Berg's ego and boastfulness and his secretive nature and the silence he felt he owed the OSS make for a remarkable character. The author does a fine job of separating the boasts from the facts, gives Berg his due, and creates an interesting tale from the details.

I started reading ASP from Scratch to supplement my reading of "Beginning Active Server Pages 3.0" by Wrox (which is a great starting point, highly recommend). I was lucky to have some background of ASP. Chase goes right into code, and you better read every word or you are apt to miss something that is integral to the program. If you are the type that likes to learn the basics, stay away form this book. Chase seems to be able to dive right in and hope that you can pick it right up with out much of an explanation. It's not a bad book for some one with an understanding of what is going on in developing a web site. All in all it is not a bad book, but not my first recommendations for a beginners guide.

Active Server Pages 3.0 from Scratch sets itself apart from a myriad of other ASP books by assuming very little about the readers previous experience or knowledge. When I picked up the book, I was a complete novice who had never even hand coded a page in HTML. One month later, I have a good understanding of the applications introduced in the book, and a basic understanding of ASP that is enabling me to develop my own ASP applications. There are and handful of errors in the book that have to be worked out, but the process of doing so cemented my understanding of the whole process.

Speaking as an IT professional of 20 years, this is the best value I've received in a computer book ever, and I've bought hundreds (it seems like). The book teaches the concepts of ASP in the process of building an actual real-world type project. As one builds the project, the book supplies the information behind the concepts, do and don'ts, and provides an excellent model for code construction as well as good strategies for design. I've gotten more out of this book than the ASP class my company paid a hefty fee to send me to.

My only recommendation to the authors is that as the project relies on components from the IIS 4.0 Resource Kit that this information should be supplied if the components themselves cannot be (since Microsoft sells these components as part of the book by the same title).

Based on my experience with this book I've bought three more in this series on XML, Java2, and Visual Basic 6.

I picked this up hoping for a light, fun read -- some sort of Bridget Jones-type novel by a male writer. But I couldn't even finish it. The characters might as well be cardboard and the humor can barely be defined as such but those aren't the worst offenses. Does this author know anything about the type of people his book is about? In New York City, a woman as wealthy and successful as Dawn would hire one of the major party planners to do her wedding -- even if the wedding was on the sly. Even if she wasn't going to spring for the super-famous and expensive Robert Isabell, there have got to be thousands of other wedding and party planners in New York. Why would she leave this in the hands of her half-competent assistant? This author is either totally unfamiliar with the mileau about which he writes -- or he was too lazy to come up with a better plot device and is counting on the reader's ignorance. Coming up with a completely artificial situation in order to create a story just doesn't cut it, even for casual amusement.

I picked this book up looking for a light read, and certainly found it. Sometimes this was a good thing, sometimes not.

The writing style primarily consists of witticisms and "clever" observations about people and life in general. Some of these are pretty amusing. However, I couldn't help but feel at times that the writer was so focused on being clever that he forgot to develop many of his characters. I never *really* cared about Oscar's demanding boss, much less his somewhat pathetic love interest. (She's written a wedding column for years..but, surprise, surprise, had no romance in her own life.)

That said, I did finish the book. The plot is amusing and Oscar is a sympathetic character. I would recommend the book to anyone looking for something on the lighter side, or anyone interested in humor having to do with weddings.

This book is a delight to read. Weinstock has crafted an engaging story, populated with vivid characters, and punctuated with clever insights into human nature reminiscent of TV's Sex and the City at its best. This book is a must read for those of us who have planned a wedding, been as assistant, or worked in publishing. Although I have never set foot in a publishing house, I would love to know who his characters are based on.