A book that is what it says it is. This is mostly a compilation of standards, in the format of a reference book. I was looking for specific implementation details for MPEG, and this was not the book for me. Still, I am keeping it as a reference and anyone looking for the same will not be disappointed.

Digital Compression for Multimedia by Jerry D. Gibson, et al presents data compression types and techniques in eleven chapters. Each chapter describes in a simple way about different types of coding, including lossy and lossless. The material covered in this book ranges from the classical Huffman Coding to the most recent MPEG standards. It covers JPEG, multimedia/video conferencing, and MPEG. This book covers the basic principles and standards and their applications in great detail. Also presents mathematical foundation and algorithmic details in appendices/special sections. However, some mathematical background is required to understand the mathematical equations or the proofs. It includes a wealth of figures and tables as well as a list of acronyms with definitions. It's very easy to understand and follow the compression algorithms. This is a very informative book and can be used as a textbook for advanced undergraduate/graduate courses.

This book was very useful to me in my research. My research is in the area of data compression and its applications to communication networks. The title of my dissertation is Data Compression Techniques in Modern Communication Networks.

C.S. Rani, Ph.D.

In the grand scheme of things the majority of researchers will most probably overlook this book. It stands as a small island in a sea of indifference. This is a great shame, as the contents of David Berger's book deal with issues that are affecting Jewish communities all over the world. Berger provides the reader with a detailed record of his involvement in his crusade to enlighten the greater Jewish community of the disturbing trend exhibited by some representatives of Lubavitch. Specifically, Berger puts forward his concerns with regards to the Lubavitch movement and its incessant preoccupation with Messianism.

In the last year or so, Berger has received considerable criticism. Some say that he is following an agenda with the objective to defame and ridicule the Lubavitch movement. However by his own admission, Berger once admired and supported the movement that he is accused of vilifying. Berger explains that his admiration changed to horror after the death of the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe (leader of the Lubavitch movement) in 1994. Berger mentions that the grief felt by many of the Rebbe's disciples turned to an obsessive belief that he would return as the definite Messiah. This belief was heavily criticised by Berger as it resembles the "second coming" doctrine espoused by Christianity. Berger argues that the traditional Jewish retort against the Messiahship of Jesus is the fact that he never completed the redemptive process before he died. Hence the belief that the Rebbe will return alters the entire Jewish tradition of the Messianic age.

Berger is also labelled by some critics as being a poor researcher and a sub-standard scholar. Particularly, some of his opponents have mocked his research methodology and doubted his sources. It must however be pointed out that obtaining the facts and striving for the truth is a difficult enterprise when dealing with the Lubavitch. It is a powerful movement and the version of 'truth' championed by its members concerning its leaders and practices is questionable at the best of times. As an example, members of the Lubavitch movement are not so keen to advertise the Rebbe's involvement in secular studies in his youth. In fact, the book that responds to Berger's: "Attack on Lubavitch: A response" by Chaim Dalfin, omits any reference to the Rebbe's years in Berlin and Paris when he studied various secular subjects at university. Aside from omitting important facts, the Lubavitch are notorious for embellishing others. The Rebbe and previous leaders of the movement are always portrayed as perfect beings that do not err in any shape or form. In particular, the Rebbe is considered an authority not only in matters of Jewish law but is also considered to be a genius in areas pertaining to science. In a letter to one of his disciples (reproduced in the book "Challenge: Torah views on science and its problems" edited by Carmell and Domb), the Rebbe had the following to say about the scientific theory of evolution: "...I can tell you without fear of contradiction that it has not a shred of evidence to support it". Those familiar with evolutionary biology would find this statement very surprising. It seems that with one foul swoop, the Rebbe has discredited over 140 years of legitimate scientific research that has culminated in the most robust theory of our time. This, unfortunately, is a clear error on the Rebbe's behalf and hence discredits the authority bestowed upon him by his disciples concerning his expertise in the area of science. Hence, keeping the above information in mind, is it not surprising that researching an elusive movement may result in the dependence on secondary sources and anonymous personalities to uncover the truth?

Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely. Berger's experiences with the Lubavitch movement and Messianism in particular were fascinating. Although I believe that his attitude towards the Messianist threat is alarmist and on the verge of over-reaction, all his points relating to the problem in question are valid and should not be ignored. It is the indifference of the Jewish establishment that may be its undoing if Lubavitch Messianism is not taken seriously.

An exhilarating book, well-argued, eye-opening, and compelling. Although it reads as a thrilling narrative, it in fact comprises a comprehensive set of arguments, countering both the specific defenses of the Chabad Messianic belief, as well as the various defenses of the myriad silent Orthodox bystanders.
Despite the gravity of the subject matter, the author's extraordinary wit keeps us smiling in amusement right up to the end of the book, where the epilogue is replaced by an epitaph (for the authentic messianic faith of the Jewish people).
For the record, the book does not center around the wild minority belief that the Rebbe maintains properties of a deity. Only towards the end of the book (chapter 8), does the author consider this position, carefully documenting the fascinating Chabad sources which reflect it, but at the same time relegating it to the status of a fringe position.
Rather, the focus of the book's criticism regards the single claim that the "Rebbe", a deceased Rabbinic figure, is in fact the Messiah. The book's mission is to demonstrate:
a] that such a proposition is untenable according to Jewish tradition (the myriad traditional and modern sources examined includes a careful treatment of the sources often quoted by Chabad proponents).
b] that this proposition, that the Rebbe is the Messiah, does in fact dominate the mainstream of the movement (among much other data, the author gathers and identifies a list of several hundred prominent Chabad rabbis who have signed public advertisements attesting to the Rebbe's Messiahship.)
c] that Rabbis from all other Orthodox sectors have, in one context or another, expressed their opposition to the Chabad Messianic position (including Rav Aharon Soloveichik zt"l - for the full story, see pages 70-72).
d] and finally, that, despite the previous item, the overall public outcry has been minimal, and as a result, the belief that the Messiah is a deceased Rabbi who will rise again to save us is de facto a tolerated Jewish belief, as striking as this belief may be.
This is a thrilling book, intensely disturbing in content, exceptionally pleasing in form, and wonderfully effective in its mission.

Dr. Berger's book is a carefully researched and reasoned investigation of a most disturbing phenomenon that has evidenced itself within the past 7 or 8 years amongst certain members of the Lubavitcher community. Thankfully, it is only amongst some members of Chabad, and there are those within Chabad who are strongly opposed to the idea that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn is (1) the Messiah, (2) still alive, but hidden for some reason, or (3) "G-D incarnate".

Unfortunately, there are those within Lubavitch who believe either some or all of 1-3 above. I know personally of instances of Lubavitchers who have refused to answer the question, "Is the Lubavitcher Rebbe dead?" A friend of mine told me that last summer he was in Crown Heights and saw pictures of the Lubavitcher Rebbe with the word G-D underneath them.

Dr. Berger is a scholar with impeccable academic credentials who also is an ordained rabbi. Any claims by those who say he is unqualified to write this book are simply false. The book is carefully written in an unbiased manner and is based on solid research supported by copious documentation.

What is also disturbing about this book is the fact that the author has been subject to all sorts of name calling and derogatory remarks by Lubavitchers who simply do not like what he writes. Indeed, some of these remarks that have been published in the Jewish press are downright mean-spirited.

No one knows for sure what percentage of Lubavitchers subscribe to the incorrect view that the Lubavitcher Rebbe is the Messiah or still alive or "G-D incarnate." However, from all indications it is a substantial percentage. Those who hold such views have placed themselves outside of the pale of authentic Judaism. Those within Lubavitch who do not agree with such views should speak up and be supported by the rest of the Orthodox community.

It is indeed ironic that some who have put great effort into attempting to bring Jews who are estranged from Judaism have removed themselves from the fold of authentic Judaism.