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Book reviews for "Bilbrough,_Norman" sorted by average review score:

Topology of Fibre Bundles (Princeton Mathematical Series)
Published in Hardcover by Princeton Univ Pr (December, 1951)
Author: Norman Steenrod
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This is where it started
For those individuals who want an in-depth, insightful, and solid understanding of fiber bundles this book must be read. In spite of its date of publication, it still is of considerable value in this regard. Modern treatments of fiber bundles are very formal and the underlying motivation gets swept away in the thirst for rigor. Fiber bundles are now ubiquitous in differential topology, algebraic topology, differential geometry, and algebraic geometry, and have also found a place in theoretical physics, thanks to the success of gauge field theories. Therefore a mastery of fiber bundles is essential for entering any of these fields. But fiber bundles are fascinating objects in and of themselves, and studying them for their own sake needs no apology.

The author does use some antiquated notation, but that is not really a hindrance to the study of the book. The reader will no doubt have some background in differential geometry and topology before attempting this book, so the appropriate translation to more modern notation should be straightforward. Once started, and with a little thought adjustment to the idiosyncracies of the author's writing style, the reader will find a plethora of neat examples and insights into the subject. In particular, part 3 on the cohomology theory of bundles is exceptionally valuable in that it gives the reader a detailed overview of the origin of what are not called Stiefel-Whitney classes. The theory of characteristic classes has of course advanced and matured extensively since this book first appeared, but all of the modern treatments are lacking in that they do not give the reader an appreciation of the fundamentals of the subject. Indeed, the construction of the obstruction to the construction of a cross-section to a bundle is the starting point for many of the ideas in obstruction theory that one finds in differential topology. And yes, the procedures the author uses can be "cleaned-up" and made more concise, but the price one pays in such an endeavor is the loss of an appreciation of the concepts behind the scene.

Since the book is a monograph, there are no exercises, and this is probably the only minus to the book. Also, some knowledge of the German language would be useful to a reader who has it, since the author makes references to papers written in German and much of the terminology in the book shows its roots in the German language. One good example of this is the Reidemeister theory of cohomology groups based on a bundle of coefficients, called Uberdeckung by Reidemeister.

There is no question as to why this book remains in print, and it will no doubt continue to be well into the 21st century. IT is a good example of the idea that something new may not be something better. After finishing it, the reader will be amply prepared to enter into the continually-evolving theory of fiber bundles and their applications, all of which are interesting and important.

Excellent introduction to fiber bundles
This book supplies a lot of intuition and background that more modern texts seem to assume of the reader. Steenrod's writing is meticulous and extremely clear. My opinion is that one can learn just as much out of this seemingly outdated text and probably even more than from the modern texts.

... True, more slick machinery has been developed since Steenrod's time, but those big machines are hardly transparent. Steenrod assumes very little of the reader; he even has a quick course in homotopy groups, although he assumes the reader knows the basics of homology/cohomology. Perhaps most importantly, since many of the ideas in the book were new at the time, he doesn't assume that the reader is already comfortable with those ideas. All together this makes a very accessible book indeed.

Still attractive.
A nostalgic but still attractive book on (homotoy theory of) fiber bundles. This book is not very accessible as it predates the development of modern machinery of algebraic topology, but is worth reading.


Tubby Time for Little Ernie (Board Books)
Published in Hardcover by Random House (Merchandising) (October, 1997)
Authors: Norman Gorbaty, Sesame Street, and Random House
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Big fun in a little book!
My 18-month-old twins love this book. We had been having problems getting them to take a bath when we decided to pick up a few books that might help them get over their fear. Sure enough, this book did the trick. Now, whenever we get ready for bathtime, one of the kids will bring me this book to read to them while the other one looks for their rubber ducky for the bath. It's a great book and perfect for little hands.

Great book for babies
This is a wonderful book for babies. It's something my nine month old can really relate to. Like the other reviewer, he loves the rubber duckie page and kicks in delight when we get there. It's just the right length too. It keeps his attention and has simple words and clear pictures. He wants me to read it over and over! This is THE best book we have so far!

My absolutely favorite book!
I am one year old and Tubby Time for Little Ernie is my very favorite book. I don't know why. I just want my mommy and daddy to read it again and again all day long. I love the colorful, fun pictures and simple words. I even try to say the words along with Mommy and Daddy. I especially love it when they sing the Rubber Duckie song on that special page. My book is so worn out that I have to get another one.


Vocabulary for the College Bound Student
Published in Paperback by Amsco School Pubns (August, 1992)
Authors: Harold Levine, Norman Levine, and Robert T. Levine
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Best resource for improving SAT scores!
I remembered having this book in High School. Even then I recognized it's value in helping to build a large vocabulary. None of the other vocbulary books even come close. Words are grouped by type, such as words related to "sobriety". Words are also split into groups with either Latin or Greek roots. No other book does this.
I have searched in vain for a resource to buy this book for my own children until finally ordering it from Amazon. Buy this book for your High School student BEFORE he or she takes the SAT. Thanks Amazon.com for being such a great source of hard-to-find books!

A Student's POV
As a student studying this book, the advanced vocabulary within it contains valuable information in order to succeed on achievement tests, essays, and even daily spoken language. I proudly say that this book has changed how I think, read, and feel these words. The format of this book is very laudable (I got that from the book!). Hopefully others will increase there vocabulary for the sake of knowledge and understading.

An appreciation for this book
In searching for a vocabulary workbook to help my son studying for SSAT test, I stumbled into a very old edition of this book at a second-handed book store. I immediately recognized the value of this book. As you can see, English is not my mother tongue language, so studying English for me is a science. I like the way the book builds up blocks of knowledge and goes up from there. I studied it along with my son for six weeks, his SSAT test score jumped from 20 to 70 percentile. We still have a way to go, but I am happy that I found the right tool for our goal. I am looking forward to have my son taking SAT test. I know he will do well, and my English will improve at the same time. Double pleasure! Thank you Mr. Levine.


Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty
Published in Hardcover by Disney Press (May, 2000)
Authors: Norman McGary, Norm McGary, Monique Peterson, Walt Disney Company, and Disney Studios
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A Nostalgic Classic
This is a beautiful book. It is reminiscent of the images and style of children's books published at the time when Disney originally released SLEEPING BEAUTY. This is a real tribute and a cherished edition to have from one of Disney's best and often overlooked fairy tale classics. It has a real place in my heart.

Walk by faith, not by sight
This is a beautiful book. With Amazon not carrying a picture of it, I was a little afraid to order it, fearing what I might get. I am so pleased with it. The illustrations are very stylized, very 1950's era. The colors are brilliant, even to the endpaper. I love the angles of the characters' faces and shoulders. To get a general idea what the book looks like, check out "Walt Disney's Classic Storybook" and imagine a ten times more beautiful version. Enjoy!

Sleeping Beauty is a Beauty
This book is a real treasure. Based on Walt Disney's widescreen animated fairytale epic "Sleeping Beauty," this is a nostalgic exact reprint of the storybook created for the film in 1959. It is illustrated with original artwork created especially for storybooks. It is a shame that more people have not discovered this wonderful book. It's one of those books that you can read to your children at bedtime and they can be captivated by the illustrations. It is one of those books that you keep in your bookcase after the children have gown up and you can pull it out from time to time and just reminisce.


Winners in Christ
Published in Paperback by Norman Robertson Media (01 December, 1995)
Author: Norman Robertson
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Winners in Christ
This excellent book is for anybody and everybody. It is a winner itself and is sure to be a favorite with you. It is an exciting and positive manual for victory, and its foundational truths will fill you with faith and power for living.

Find out who you really are.
I found this book to be very unique. Unlike many books I've read by Christian authors, this book is an incredible encouragement to both Christian and non-Christian alike. It should cause both groups to get a better picture of the character and nature of God as well as what we've been created to be. It is scripturally based from beginning to end and yet will cause many Christians to question some of the unscriptural things they've heard out of the pulpit for years. I gave a copy to my sister and one to her son. Both were moved to joyful tears. They felt like the lights had just been turned on. It's changed their thinking and brought them to a level of joy and peace they've never known before.

The book uses concrete examples of ordinary people doing extraordinary things by realizing who they really are, and what incredible resources God has placed within us or within our grasp After you read it I wouldn't be surprised if you don't want to buy several copies to pass out to your friends!

Everyone deserves to win
This is the kind of book that should find it's way into any home. All of us want those who are nearest and dearest to us to be winners even if we don't admit we would like to as well. This is the book that can guide you into it. Not just positive thinking but good solid Bible and good solid sence. Buy it. Brian


A World Between
Published in Paperback by Pocket Books (October, 1979)
Authors: Norman Spinard and Norman Spinrad
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A real page-turner
A fun and gripping story about global politics and the "war between the sexes," 'A World Between' does an excellent job of showing how fanaticism can warp perception and thus alter reality. When the peaceful world of Pacifica is subjected to 'missions' from the rabid Femocrats of Earth and the male-dominated Transcendental Scientists, both intent upon converting Pacifica to their own viewpoints, it's a real challenge to the citizens and the government. Public opinion is moulded through the media, and Pacifica prides itself on being the most media-savvy and sophisticated world in the human Galaxy. Only now the Pacificans' own 'First Amendment' type laws are being used against them..

Frequently graphic, occasionally disturbing, and always enjoyable.

Warning: This book contains some explicit passages that are definitely adult in nature. Despite my immense liking for it, I have to rate this title 'R' because of the language and sexual explicitness.

Excellent: great fun with some solid underlying ideas
The male/female war is fun, but the Technocrat/Femocrat war is even better.

The Technocrat/Femocrat war is the best SF description of the USA/USSR ideological cold war, as seen from the perspective of "neutral" Pacificans aka Europeans.

But I'm not sure that Spinrad intended this comparison!

Anyway, the book's great fun!

A Fun Romp Through The Pink and Blue Wars
There are three main themes in this book: Tension between the sexes, Media Influence, and Politicking. These three are melded into a fun and readable novel that keeps you turning pages. While some the characters would be considered slightly stereotypical today if you read this book in the context of its copyright date 1979 I think it was doing all right. Some of the issues it brings up, pertaining to tension between the sexes, still remain. It is interesting to contrast the issues the book deals with to what we is happening, or not happening in this area today. The media twisting that goes on was fun and effective, I got the impression that a debate with Norman Spinrad would be fun to watch as well as hard on his opponent. The policing in the book is the weakest written of the three themes but still enjoyable to read and twisty enough to keep your attention.


25 Bicycle Tours in the Texas Hill Country & West Texas: Adventure Rides for Road and Mountain Bikes
Published in Paperback by Countryman Pr (January, 2003)
Author: Norman D. Ford
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Beautiful Country, Great Book
Our Texas Hill Country is indeed a little-known source of beauty to outsiders. Because of its depressed condition for decades in the past it was overlook even by Texans. Today, however, we are able to see this area for what it is: rolling hills, tumbling streams and rivers, and a great view around so many curves in its small secondary roads. Though West Texas is well-known for Big Bend, the sheer area of this part of our State, combined with sparse population, means all of us can enjoy peace and solitude--this is where the South turns into the Southwest.

Mr. Ford's book reflects a love of the area, combined with excellent directions and documentation of sights. The book is divided into geographic areas, and within those areas, into tours of a day or longer. He has also done an excellent job of rating the difficulty of the tours, and why he has come to those conclusions.

Though I have only cycled a small amount of this area, I would also recommend this book for those who would like to tour by car. I've traveled almost this entire area by car and wish I'd had this guide then. Additionally, I found the photography very well-done--particularly in view of the price of the book.

This book is a valuable resource, and a terrific buy for the price!

These are great rides
I have cycled only a few of the book's listed road rides in the Hill Country but I am familiar with portions of several other roads in the Hill Country and West Texas via automobile. These are truly great rides with well-thought directions and information. It's so good that when Mr. Ford says you will have to "shoo" sheep and livestock from the road, it really must be done! I eagerly await even more rides with the next edition of the book.


Against All Odds: A Tale of Two Survivors
Published in Paperback by U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Shop Memorial Council (July, 1991)
Authors: Norman Salsitz, Amalie Petranker Salsitz, Amalie Petranker Salsiyz, and Richard Skolnik
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amazing journey
The book is quite moving. It is written from a different perspective. Amalie masqueraded as a Christian Pole. Norman fought in the partisan movement (the underground). Their first meeting was most unusual. Norman had come to kill her (he thought she was the enemy); instead he ended up marrying her. A very fresh look at a dark side of this century.

It's a factual, & extremely intriguing story of 2 survivors.
This book is an amazingly interesting and intriguing book which i strongly recommend to those people who enjoy love stories with a sad story behind it. Also i recommend this book to anyone who enjoys holocaust novels. The sad memoir touched my heart and i know it will to yours as well.


U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History
Published in Hardcover by United States Naval Inst. (April, 1995)
Author: Norman Friedman
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7th Avenue
Published in Paperback by Forge (October, 1998)
Author: Norman Bogner
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