Time holds no reality for Jen Sullivan. Past, present and future intertwine inside her mind as she struggles to come to grips with life. Her problem lies, not with insanity, but with the knowledge that she is not what she appears to be. She is, in fact, a Chosen One. As the plot unfolds, it becomes more and more obvious that Jen's life is linked to angels... Real live angels that we meet every day of our lives without even knowing it.
This is a story of relationships and self-discovery. The informal approach to narration with its attention to detail contributes to the credibility of the various unfolding scenarios. Intelligently compiled to give each character a voice, this is very much an enveloping text. Vivid descriptions and outward thinking draws the reader into the action. The text takes something of a twist and the details that unfold should come as a considerable surprise to the reader.

The authors have experience conducting clinical trials in the pharmaceutical industry and this shows in their approach. All the issues that arise in an NDA submission to the FDA are covered. In the introduction the authors describe the regulatory process and the role of the FDA. They even provide organizational charts for the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. I have been working as a senior biostatistician for medical device companies for the last 5 years. Most of the trials I have worked on were regulated by the FDA and a number of issues that have been important to the FDA include (1) multiple comparisons, (2) intention-to-treat versus per protocol analysis, (3) pooling centers, (4) baseline data and demographics, (5) data monitoring and (6) safety. They are all covered in chapters 11 and 12 of this book.

Chapter 10 emphasizes sample size determination and interim analyses are covered in chapter 9. Randomization and blinding are covered in chapter 4. These topics are emphasized because of their importance in regulated clinical trials. One does not find them covered very much in other statistics texts on survival analysis or clinical trials.

The mathematics level is intermediate. The authors write well and incorporate the important practical interplay between the statistician, the clinician and the physician.

They provide many good references. The book is a good reference for anyone interested in clinical trials. Points are illustrated through the use of real trials.

Recent advances in Bayesian methods, resampling and meta analysis are not covered but most important topics are covered including group sequential methods.

A great collection of original work by women science fiction authors. Here is encountered the expected stories focused on women as well as those told from a male point of view. Likewise not all the endings will please the reading but most are expected from the characters and situations. A good gift for women who like to read other women's work or for those just interested in new voices in science fiction.

"Inquiry" is surprisingly easy reading on the difficult subject of Hua-yen Buddhism. Gregory shows lots of care in spreading out the details. Also a fine job of explaining the historical context of Tsung-mi's writing of the "Inquiry". Excellent preparation for Gregory's "Tsung-mi and the Sinification of Buddhism" or Cleary's "Flower Ornament Sutra".

While the constant sobbing on Jen's part gets annoying and the ending is too sudden without a clear picture of the future or if the mystery is totally cleared up, it is still an book that kept my attention. I would have liked a more flowing plot with less choppiness, but am interested in reading her other work.

This book first caught my eye because of the title (my son's name is Jonathan),then I opened it and started to read, Jonathan's parents are loving and encouraging, but then the story hints that there is something about Jonathan that is different from the other children on Gull Mountain.Albom's detailed illustrations entertained my son while I read the story. Jonathan discovers he is different and becomes isolated from his peers. The story takes an honest approach about life's disappointments and how to handle them. Jonathan becomes the hero of the story by listening to a wise old friend and by not being afraid to turn his 'deffect' into his greatest strength. Through his experience he feels the desire to change the way things are done on Gull Mountain. You see the beginnings of what is to come because of one person's willingness to look beyond himself to those who are different!!!

Jens Bjorneboe, the Norwegian author who is the subject of Keeper of the Protocols, has unfortunately not yet crossed "the English barrier". There is a need, however, for the English-speaking world to be aware of his radical critiques of society and man's inhumanity to man. Martin's book chronicles Bjorneboe's entire writing career as well as introducing the biographical context of the works. Martin convincingly argues that Bjorneboe is not simply an intersting specimen of local color, but rather that "he was internationalist in almost every sense of the word. It might even be said that he was a writer without a language." Bjorneboe grew up under the spectre of Nazism, and one of the re-occuring themes in his works is the problem of evil. Even more important is one's personal response to that evil. One can face the evil and try to change things to a better way, or one can deny both the existence of the evil and the capacity for change. Bjorneboe's works often chronicle the latter response, and ironically force the reader into the position of the former. Even in Bjorneboe's depiction of cruelty there is at least some comic relief, and a sense of hope that comes from turning the spotlight of truth onto even the darkest corners of the human condition. Bjorneboe's entire oeuvre is being reprinted in Norway, where he continues to hold an almost cult-like status. The Sharks, his award-winning swan-song, is currently available in English, as are two of his plays. Keeper of the Protocols can serve as a welcome introduction and guide to Bjorneboe and his works for those not yet familiar with him. Not overly academic, it is accessible to the average educated reader and will open up an important new facet of world literature.

This book is a facinating assembly of condensed stories about disasters at sea - yacht disasters. If you think that you are immune when at sea this book will wake you up. My family and I are considering some long range cruising and this book has impacted our thinking. You must be well prepared and vigilant in your efforts to plan well and this book really puts many things into perspective. A great read for boaters!

This Famous Artist book by Antony Mason serves as an introduction to the life and work of Claude Monet. These books are organized in a particular way for each two-page spread: On the left page there is an illustration of the artist's home or environment and the story of the artist's life, along with a painting and a small symbol used to indicate the size of the paintings relative to a person. On the right page there are more paintings (usually with a key section enlarged) with text about the artist's work at the time, along with a feature on the artist's technique (e.g., perspective, using color, painting water) with practical projects to try.

Of the several books look at the life and art of Monet this particular volume probably has the best balance between the two. However, if you are looking for a more detailed treatment of Monet's impressionist techniques you can check out the books by Mike Venezia and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This book will certainly give you the basics and in the back you will find a brief history of art that puts the Impressionist movement in perspective and a list of museums and galleries at which you can see examples of Monet's work. Other titles in the Famous Artists series look at Cezanne, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Picasso and Van Gogh.

This is a concise, lucid, well written account of Haydn's life and career with a balanced assessment of his works and of his character. It contains a complete list of Haydn's works and a valuable bibliography for further reading and research. It is an excellent introduction to Haydn. Those wanting to learn more about Haydn's life and works will look elsewhere but will want this book for its listing of his works and its bibliography.