This book is beyond words to review it properly. MFR treatment with the John Barnes, PT system, and the wisdom in this book have literally given me a new life, taken me from being almost wheelchair bound, to being mobile, no longer housebound, and to now live with what pain has not YET been eliminated. I would not have believed the book, but I really DO, it has happened to me. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It will help you find peace, comfort and the path to a new life.

This is the most profound book that I have ever read. It will "over and beyond" meet the needs of medical professionals, as well as the needs of their patients, regarding fascia constrictions and the affects those constrictions have on the body. Also, it goes into great depth regarding the correlation of how all wounds encountered in life affect our bodies and not just our minds...an extension of fixing the complete self in gains of becoming a whole self. You will not be able to lay this book down if you truly have a fascia problem, as story after story illustrate the healing powers of Myofascial Release. I contacted the John Barnes facilities for information on healing for myself before I even finished reading the book. I look forward to meeting this outstanding Physical Therapist and author and hopefully becoming a part of his next book...but most of all becoming pain free.

I bought this book, intending to read it slowly and digest all the wisdom it encompassed. Instead, I found myself voractiously attacking the book, unable to slow down. I'm in my second reading now. But if you've taken any of John Barnes' seminars, you'll feel like you've come home, and if you've never taken any seminars or experienced being a patient of MFR, its a wonderful introduction to the heart and soul of myofasical release. I can't recommend it highly enough!

I saw the television movie prior to reading the book and was blown away by the superb acting done by Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith. Never would I have believed that the Sheriff of Mayberry could be so cruel and brutal. Upon reading the book, I was struck by the closeness with which the movie tracked with the book. My list of heroes was growing rather short but Sheriff Potts became a permanent addition. His dedication, perseverance and honesty represent the best of those qualities we seek in a public servant. It's a pity he can't be cloned. Buy the book, see the movie and be impressed.

This is one of the most gripping true crime stories I have ever read and I have read many,many of these. This wonderful story relates actual incidents during a horrendous, brutal murder, undeluted arrogance of power, sheer stupidy on the part of the perpetrator and a brave sheriff whose singular determination to arrest and prosecute the offender will warm the heart of anyone with a sense of justice and equality for those of us with a lesser standing in a community.

This is a great story with great characters and like all good true stories, its better than fiction. For those who would read it, understand it is NOT, as some reviewers suggest, a commentary on Southern oppression. It is instead a great account of good actually winning over evil. The sort of corruption represented by the land baron in this story could be found in every State of Union during the period discussed. This book is not about racism (the victim was white) but was instead about the abuse of power on one hand and the contrast of honor on the other. It is NOT about the South, though the incident occurred in Georgia. It is about right vs. wrong. That even applies in the historically corrupt, post-depression Northern regions of the U.S. It is a great read about a honorable law man standing against criminal behavior and political corruption. Don't miss it if you enjoy true crime and great characters and you like to admire honorable Southern Sheriffs who will stop at nothing to do what is right.

I've enjoyed John Barnes's novels for a while now. This novel takes place in the future laid out in the previous novels Kaleidoscope Century and Candle. In this future, the concept of Memes that can control the human mind are central to the story. They aren't memes like an idea that spreads across the internet and becomes part of the culture. We are talking about the concept of a method by which a Meme can take over and control a human mind.

In Barnes's future, the Earth is completely taken over by the Meme called One True. The rest of humanity, spread out in space on the Moon and on Mars try to make do without the Earth.

This story takes place on Mars with a group of ecospectors, ecological prospectors. Rather than hunting for valuable minerals, they hunt for ways to terraform Mars by releasing water or identifying other organic resources.

Mars is cast in the light of the seminal Heinlein Libertarian society. Few laws, much personable responsibility, and a huge focus on trust and reputation. It very much harks back to ideas from Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.

Without giving out any spoilers, the Martians face a tragedy are must make choices between their lifestyle and dealing with One True for help. Barnes looks at how the libertarian world (Mars) and the socialist world (Earth) can interact and what price are the libertarians willing to pay to keep their way of life.

I recommend the book. It's a fast read and has plenty of neat technical ideas interspersed with the storyline.

The Sky So Big and Black is a first-rate novel, clearly a Hugo contender in my view. It's scary at times, sweet at times, it presents a fascinating social structure, and some excellent SFnal speculation about terraforming Mars. And it features one of the scariest SFnal ideas since Vernor Vinge's "Focus" (in A Deepness in the Sky).

It is very well structured, presented as a psychologist listening to a series of interviews he did with Teri-Mel Murray, a young woman on Mars who was working with her father as an "ecospector". It's clear from the start that something terrible happened, and indeed that the psychologist was forced to erase Teri-Mel's memory. It's also clear that he likes her a lot, and is really torn up by what has happened, and worried that he may have to treat her again, for some mysterious reason that takes a long time to become clear. The interviews tell of Teri and her father travelling across the lightly terraformed planet to a "Gather" of the "rounditachis", people who live more or less in the open on Mars, working to help advance the terraforming. Teri is hoping that she will be certified a "Full Adult" at the Gather, and be free to marry her boyfriend. Her father wants her to go back to school for one more year, because he's not convinced that ecospecting will remain a good living. As they travel, they plan to make one more attempt at a big "scorehole". And Teri is starting to worry about her boyfriend.

All the above is cute stuff, and interleaved with neat SFnal details about the terraforming of Mars. In the background lurk details about the future history up to this point, especially the takeover of ecologically ravaged Earth by a "meme" called "One True", or "Resuna", which more or less has turned Earth's population into a hive mind. Also we learn bits and pieces about the psychologist's feelings, which give us hints about the disaster which has clearly occurred. So it's a scary book, as we learn to like Teri more and more, while we just know that she's going to get hurt real real bad. And when the crisis comes, it's exciting, and terribly sad, and even scarier than I had first expected. The resolution is moving, real, and and open-ended.

Barnes' future is on the one hand full of hope, and of cool SFnal stuff, and on the other had it is very very scary, and much of it dominated by something purely evil, yet not sneeringly evil. I should note that this is a sequel to three earlier novels: Orbital Resonance, Kaleidoscope Century, and Candle. But it reads just fine alone.

With earth controlled by the One True meme (an engineered computer virus that infects and controls human minds), Mars and the planets struggle to survive. Distance prevents a direct takeover, but Mars defense forces must constantly resist earth-sent attacks. Meanwhile, the continuing terraforming of Mars continues. Rounders like Teri Murray search for water, carbon dioxide, and methane hidden beneath Mars's surface in the battle to make Mars habitable without all the equipment that keeps Teri alive.

THE SKY SO BIG AND BLACK follows Teri and her father during the last days before 'Sunburst' as they discover a methane dome so large that it makes them rich, then deal with teen angst about Teri's fiance, and the complexities of a Rounder gather. The story is told largely in Teri's words as she details her recent history to a police psychologist.

Although this method of narration normally distances the reader from the story, author John Barnes makes Teri's story completely compelling. Like Heinlein at his strongest, Barnes develops a complete and logical society, language, and way of life. As Teri 'roos' her way across Mars, the reader is drawn into the story, the endangered planet, and the people who are battling to make it habitable--and to keep it free of Earth's disease.

In itself, the concept of a computer-style virus that attacks the human mind is interesting but not the center of this story. Rather, it is Barnes's powerful writing, his world/society-building, and his believable characters that make THE SKY SO BIG AND BLACK completely compelling.

Herbie Krueger must find out why Gus Keene was killed. Along the way, he finds out that his friend was a master magician and member of the Magic Circle. Why did he keep this hidden from all, and why did he take on another identity to perform? Herbie finds out that these answers directly tie in to Gus' death.

John Gardner is an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle and this book shows it. It gives incredibly detailed descriptions of some historical magic events, routines, and even an excerpt from the "Ceremony of the Broken Wand" from a magician's funeral. It's as informative as it is entertaining and I guarantee you'll find yourself bitten by the magic bug when you get through!

Gus Keene is the British Secret Service's best confessor (interrogator). When his car is blown up, Herbie Kruger (the King of malapropisms)is brought out of retirement to find out whodunnit. He finds, instead, that Gus was one of the world's greatest magicians, and that he (Herbie) is in grave danger. Herbie moves through a maze of magic, I.R.A. plots, and Iraqi terrorism to find out what happened to poor old Gus. The answer is worth the read

This is a book of some of the BEST Sci-Fi stories ever. With such authors as Poul Anderson, James P. Hogan, Ray Bradbury, Gregory Benford, L. Neil Smith and Dafydd ab Hugh you can't lose. The stories don't just focus on freedoms and rights, but also deal with time travel, murder and some are in the form of poems. So, come, visit Free Space and enjoy the future of mankind. Just make sure to leave your hang-ups behind and bring lots of money!

This book combines two things I really love: short stories and science fiction...with an added bonus - libertarian themes! Stephen King once said that if novels are like long romances, then short stories are like a brief kiss. 'Free Space' gives you tongue.

I loved reading this very funny book. There are alot of jokes and puns, it is about Ronnie who wakes up one morning with flashing spots on his face, which turn out to be illuminated measles. He is pursued by a Russian spy, meet the band who played on the Titanic and his mum is in outer space in an elevator! I am reading it to my 7 year old niece and she enjoys the story. It was pretty hard to get a hold of, but worth it. Look for the other books involving Ronnie.

I cannot say that I have a book 'cause I don't have it. But working in a Centre for Poultry I had a chance to read and learn from this book. I was so impressed with the way that author of this book aproach to diseases of poultry and acctually made so easily understanding and comprehensing this important matter. I acctually started to learn the whole subject from the beginning 'cause it was the best way to get the whole picture. I attend to buy a book for myself as soon as possible so that I can read it again and again. And I know that every time I will certanly learn something more. My best regards to the author where ever he can be. Yours,

Marijana Sokolovic.

Back before anyone had ever thought or heard of Cavallino, there was John W. Barnes, Jr. Publishing. Now, Cavallino, Inc. includes both the highly collectible Cavallino Magazine and the annual Palm Beach Cavallino Classic. But it all started with John W. Barnes, Jr. Publishing, back in the 1970s, with several automotive classics bearing this imprint.

This book in particular is an absolute must-have for any Ferrari or automotive enthusiast - it includes illustrations by Mr. Barnes himself. Not many copies are in circulation anymore!

If you are in the business of creating serious software that is safety critical or security related then this book is essential reading, it is also an excellent guide if you have an interest in how such software is created. Focusing on how the SPARK language assures correctness throughout the construction of the software and how the supporting tools allow analysis of the resulting program, the book forms an essential reference work for users of the SPARK approach to developing software.

This book consists of three main parts plus an appendix.
The first part consists of an overview of why SPARK was created and the background to the language and tools.
Part two looks in detail at the SPARK language.
Part three considers the tools available; various code analysis techniques and design issues that can help in the development of high integrity software. Three small case studies are included, together with some examples of real projects where SPARK has been used in large scale industrial projects.
The Appendix covers the syntax of SPARK, how to use the CD-ROM and some notes on the continuing developments of the evolution of SPARK.
The included CD-ROM allows you to try out some of what the book teaches and includes limited versions of the SPARK Examiner toolset.

In this book John Barnes writes in a style similar to his other texts; this is rather like a guiding teacher leaning over your shoulder as you work at the computer, pointing out things to observe and illustrating with snippets of code or background information. It is a style that has been criticised by some, but I find it rather reassuring as you are guided along the path to understanding. The inclusion of a CD-ROM also allows you to understand by doing, and although the tool is limited in capability, it is possible to get a good flavour of the capabilities of its parent product.

This book replaces the previous SPARK book: "High Integrity Ada : The SPARK Approach". Barnes covers the revisions and enhancements of the SPARK language described in his original book, if you are an existing user of SPARK, you need this issue to stay up-to-date with the important revisions of the language and tools. This book tries to distance itself somewhat from Ada95, possibly because of the image that language has with less well-informed programmers, but since you need an Ada compiler to produce executables from SPARK programs it would be fair to point out that SPARK is firmly rooted in Ada95.

Creating high integrity software is a disciplined process, and the book is very much based in the practical application of SPARK in building high integrity software. The SPARK language is based solid mathematical foundations, but there is no detailed descriptions at this level, the book rightly points out that they are there and then moves on towards giving you the practical information you need to write SPARK programs. Mastering SPARK gives you unprecedented skills in the highly desirable field of producing high integrity software.

Thus spake the Master programmer:
"A well written program is its own heaven; a poorly written program is its own hell."
- - from The Tao of Programming