There is an old debate in quantum physics: Do we consider particles or waves? Some believe that debate was concluded by Wigner's work, which says *loosely* that particles are sets of quantum numbers arising as excitations of a given quantum field. The quantum field in turn is an effective structure appearing at low energies due to three fundamental properties of our world: Clustering, relativity, and basic quantum mechanics.

However, the above picture assumes regimes far from strong gravitational fields. In the case of such fields Hawking radiation, and black hole thermodynamics arise, which forces one back to the old question: Do we consider waves or particles. This plot thickens when one considers the fact that in strict general relativity global symmetries, and subsequently conserved quantities such as energy, are special cases within the space of all classical configurations. How do we then go about constructing particle quantum numbers --- which are the origin of the classical conserved quantities --- in a strongly curved circumstance?

Wald's text shows us exactly a method for doing so and more. In Wald's `QFT in Curved Spacetime and Black Hole Thermodynamics' fields are given primary status and explicit consideration of the symplectic spaces, manifolds and geometry associated with the classical space of solutions is made. As an example, the Klein Gordon scalar field is considered in detail. Having completed that task quantization in a geometric manner is possible and carried out in Rindler's geometry --- and others --- where Unruh's effect can be seen. Black hole thermodynamics is derived carefully in this text and its relation to Hawking radiation is precisely shown using all previous techniques presented in the document.

This is a text that is not served by skipping around. Everything here is truly relevant and worth the read. Wald is a true master at conveying in words the tension and solutions of GR and this text clearly describes the motivation, problems and solutions associated with QFT on curved backgrounds.

Stendahl's Le Rouge et le Noir (The Red and the Black) is a classic novel that was very important to me in early formation of directions in life. I found I could identify quite strongly with Julien Sorel, who wanted a better life, a life of meaning and importance, and was torn about which direction in which to go.

The Red (symbolising the church, the scarlet of cardinal's robes) and the Black (symbolising the military, the uniform, etc.) were both options held out to me early; in fact, I rejected both for a while, but have found myself drawn back in the red direction.

The story is one of coming of age as a bookish fellow in a working-class family, then ambition (but not overpowering ambition; in fact, Julien's father wishes he had more), then shifting careers (rare in an era and country where one's path is usually set for life early; however, this was the post-revolution era in France, in which some things were giving way, some more than others, it seems). Julien is pulled by events rather than being the director and creator of realities; Julien finds he loves the affect of various roles in life (more than the substance and responsibilities that come with such roles) -- for instance, he loves the swagger and the horsey-ness of being a soldier, but doesn't particularly like to get dirty or have to fight. He likes the trappings of religious office, but isn't inclined so much to spirituality, and Julien ran up against this in seminary:

The seminary director said to Julien: 'Truth is austere, sir. But our task in this world is austere, too, is it not? You must take care to guard your conscience carefully from this weakness: Excess of feeling for vain exterior charm.'

There is love, a love triangle in fact, romance and thwarted desires, and loves fulfilled, if not completely. It ends with a dramatic homicidal act, trial, an execution, and a most bizarre funeral. The melodramatic performance of Mathilde (re-enacting an earlier story with which she was familiar in which the heroine carried the severed head of her lover to his grave) provided the most animated conversation among ministers and psychologists I have ever witnessed.

Stendahl often built a character's name out of words that were descriptive, which is sometimes lost in translation as the names often don't get translated in the same way, or may have lost the immediacy of their meanings over time. Julien may be a play on Julian the Apostate, enemy of Christianity; Abbe Castanede is decidedly Spanish and inquisitional; Noiroud and Moirod come from words meaning swarthy and mottled; many other examples abound.

This is a very hard book to encapsulate in such a small space. It is not easy reading, but it is rewarding reading.

And again, an interior dialogue of Julien in seminary helps inform me, and keeps me thinking (both for and against in many ways):

'In the seminary, there's a way of eating a boiled egg which declares how far one has progressed down the saintly path....What will I be doing all my life? he asked himself; I'll be selling the faithful a seat in heaven. How will that seat be made visible to them? by the difference between my exterior and that of a layman.'

Choose your path wisely.

I read this book while taking a college American history class. The book was assigned by the Professor. I have read many books on history through school and though they made interesting reading they still felt like work. But from the first page of The Red, White and Black I was hooked. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I read it almost non-stop. I so enjoyed it that after the class was through I wanted to share it with others and loaned it out, but it was never returned. (By the way that was over 5 years ago.) Therefore, I am looking to buy a new one. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in how America was born and the role it's people played in it's development and the effect they had on each other. Great Reading!

Still interested, Coni Young

a review from the author of DREAMING YOUR REAL SELF: A PERSONAL APPROACH TO DREAM INTERPRETATION; and DREAM BACK YOUR LIFE: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DREAMS, DAYDREAMS, AND FANTASIES.

RITUALS FOR OUR TIMES is a well-written and lucid description of the importance of rituals in our lives, regardless of one's spiritual beliefs. In modern, Western, secular culture, many of us have forgotten the value of marking life passages in ways that speak to our individual needs. Well-organized and well-written, with helpful questions to guide us through planning a ritual and whom to include, RITUALS FOR OUR TIMES brings us back to the power and pleasure of even everyday rituals. Through their suggestions, we learn how we can plan rituals with forethought and conscious choice and without rigidity to old ways that no longer work. With touching stories, authors Imber-Black and Roberts demonstrate the potency of ritual to facilitate growth and resolve conflicts--old and new.

A Song Of Faith And Hope: The Life Of Frankie Muse Freeman is the fascinating memoir of a most remarkable African-American woman, who grew up in the Jim Crow era South and, upset at the injustice that surrounded her every day, became an effective St. Louis civil rights attorney who dedicated her personal and professional life to improving justice and equality for all, and which eventually earned her the distinction of being the first woman to be appointed to the U.S. Commission of Civil Rights. A stirring portrayal and highly recommended reading, A Song Of Faith And Hope is an invaluable contribution to personal and academic Black Studies collections.

This book tells the "story" of environmental racism that has and is being perpetuated not only in Atlanta, but in all major cities across America. The magnificent work of the Environmental Justice Center has another, and wider platform to reach the masses. The chapter on public transportation is a defining piece of work. Mr. Torres' use of GIS technology to analyze the issues has taken the tool to new heights. Every school of planning should have this book read by their undergraduate and graduate classes. This is what's missing!!

Robert Black does something unusual in this book; he edits and annotates the life history of a Hopi/Tewa Indian who was not a traditionalist, nor an especially warm or amusing man. Standing Flower - the traditional name of Irving Pabanale - was a Hopi policeman, judge, and negotiator with the white government early in this century. Black sat with him for many summers, recording his story. In this book, he does an outstanding job of writing comprehensive explanations and history to anchor this man's tale. I've studied many life histories, and always find them to be the best way to learn about other cultures. This book offers both the narrative and a scholarly - but readable - education about the Hopi and Tewa of Arizona. Well done!

Digby and Marie are two would-be lovers who stumble and fumble their way into a relationship through whimsical imaginings and fanciful dialogues. Through them we see our own encounters with lovers, current and past, in a new light, slightly off kilter but oddly revealing. The two characters have their own kind of charm, but it is the language that makes the book truly original. Robert Shure creates dialogue that is utterly unique, absolutely one of a kind. It is fanciful but comic, oblique yet precise, funny but right on target. His voice is one we haven't heard before. It penetrates the trivialities of Digby and Marie's situations and gives us a glimpse into the whimsical heart of a very human relationship. Wry, sensitive, slightly askew, The Story of Digby and Marie is at once strange yet vaguely familiar. Readers who appreciate the offbeat in language as well as the ageless dance of lovers will delight in this book.

What I appreciate about these men who wrote the book is the understanding they have of Sukuma culture. The proverbs, parables, and illustrations are priceless. What I like about this book is they share HOW they contextualized the Gospel to the Sukuma. Very practical book with much insights. It was GOLD when I found it. Praise God for these men sharing this helpful info who have served for over 25 years. I plan on using many of the insights as I work in the Mwanza area in the slums and squatter areas.

This collection includes some of Stevenson's greatest works. Treasure Island, published in 1883, was his first major novel. It is a tale of daring, treachery, and greed climaxing ina battle for hidden treasure on a tropical island. First published in 1886 Kidnapped was considered by Stevenson to be his finest work of fiction and is a tribute to his fascination with his Scottish heritage.

The remaining selections place Stevenson as a master of the art of fiction. He was working on Weirof Hermiston when he died while dictating it to this stepdaugher