A reading of Richard Brookhiser's recent (and highly recommended) *America's First Dynasty* sent me back to *Mont Saint Michel and Chartres*, a book I hadn't read in thirty years. I'm glad I returned to it, because a few years have, I trust, put me in a better position to appreciate what's going on in the book.

On one level, the most obvious one, Adam's book is a sometimes idiosyncratic history of Medieval art, literature, and religion that takes as its center of gravity the great Gothic cathedrals of the period--structures that Adams thinks sum up what the middle ages are all about. To read the book on this level alone is fine. It provides intriguing insights into, for example, courtly love and the cult of Mary.

But I now believe that, at a deeper level, the book is disguised autobiography on the one hand and a backhanded history of Adams's own time on the other. An at times overwhelming sense of nostalgia permeates the book. In reading Adams on the 11th century mystics, the debates of the schoolmen, the chansons of the troubadours, and the unified worldview of the middle ages, one can almost hear him sigh with longing to return to a world which, he thinks, was whole, unfractured, and pure--a world, as the medievals themselves would've said, which reflects "integritas." This reveals a great deal about the restless, unquiet nature of Henry Adams the man. But it also reveals the restless, unquiet nature of the modern era which spawned and molded him: the gilded age, the fast-paced first wave of capitalism, secularism, and consumerism, which has no center of gravity, no art, no tradition. And even though we claim to be living in a "postmodern" age, it seems to me that a great deal of the qualities Adams deplored in his own times are still with us and account for our own sense of homelessness.

*Mont Saint Michel and Chartres,* then, is more than a quaint turn-of-the-last-century history. Read correctly, it's also a mirror of our present discontent. Highly recommended.

Twenty years ago, I first read this book and was driven by Adams' compelling study of these two cathedrals to spend a decade studying Medieval and Renaissance literature. Adams at times finds his enthusiasm for his subjects embarrassing, but gives in to it nevertheless and writes a brilliant and joyous paean to these cathedrals and to the spirit that created them. Rereading this book now, twenty years later, I remember the thrill of reading it the first time, and it sparks my own enthusiasm all over again.

This book takes an in-depth lookat genetic variation found in nature. The authors examine the evidence from all the different sides, compare the different theories on the issue, e.g, Darwinism, Punctuated Equilbrium, and Creation. I have read books and articles on this subject from Mayr, Gould, Stanley, Mendel, and others. This book ranks right up there in quality. Moreover it is even better in same cases as it doesn't push its dogma down your throat like some others do, but allows the reader to make up his own mind.

Take a look at this book if you have ever had any questions about speciation or biological variaiton. You may find this book hard to get a hold of but it is well worth it. Definite 5 star book.

This book was a good defense against both Darwinism and punctuated equilibrium. This was the first book I read on the subject of evolution, and although it was a bit technical, it was very explanatory. It is a good book to give to your biology professor or someone who wants a good defense of creationism without unscientific remarks. It was written by two very qualified doctorates in biology and genetics. I would like to see an evolutionist try and analyze this book for its "unscientific" behavior, which many evolutionists claim against creationists.

The "New Jerome Biblical Handbook" remains one of the most important books to come out of religious publishing in some time. It is an absolute essential for the busy clergyman who does not have the time for the in-depth reading and studying required for the far more academic "New Jerome Biblical Commentary". It will also make a worthy addition to the personal shelf of any informed layperson who wishes to become more biblically literate. It should also be found in every parish library.

What the "Handbook" does, is condense and distill the dense and academic material in the "Commentary" and present it in an easily recoverable fashion. The reader will gain insights into every book of the Bible, as well as into the basics of modern critical methodology, without requiring the technical training of the academic or seminarian.

From a theological standpoint, the "Handbook" could best be described as "moderate", rejecting both the anti-intellectualism of the fundamentalist far right as well as the deconstructionist tendencies of the far left. The editors did their work well in presenting a balanced picture of the best of modern biblical scholarship in an easy to read and comprehend format.

Certainly worth 5 stars.

I heartily recommend this book to all those who wanted a quick reference about the Bible! Maybe viewed as a supplementary to the NJBC, I find this book a handy one to bring along during my theology classes, and a useful tool for easy reading. The best handbook made for the best bible commentary!It has charts and visuals not usually found in the NJBC, which I think helps summarize and condense the immense scholarly works found in the NJBC.A great Companion to NJBC!

nigel short challenged garry kasparov for the world title in 1993. this book gives short's best games commented on in detail with wins against karpov , kasparov himself, seirawan, miles gelfand, speelman and timman.

nigel short was a chess prodigy who swept through the ranks of experienced grandmasters including anatoly karpov and jan timman to take on garry kasparov in the 1993 world championship. against kasparov , short was outclassed but he held his own with all the rest and played some wonderful tactical games for example against yasser seirawan. this book is very useful indeed for players who like to play 1e4 and start attacking right from the word go!

This book is indispensible (see above) for anyone who appreciates Carver's work.

I cannot stess enough what a great poet (and short stories writer) Raymond Carver is. In his minimalist writing style and his hidden way of dealing with exsitential issues, he earned his way to be my favorite (and nearly only) male poet. His poetry will not intimmidate those who are not so keen on poetry, and at the same time will touch everybody deeply. The poetry in this book, isn't trying to be anything grand or anything it simply isn't, it's just the plain truth, with no masks.

This book set is perfect for any cartoonist, from 1 to 99. It gives easy-to-follow directions, and many examples. I got this when I was 10, and it impacted my drawing skills a whole lot! This is worth the money you pay for it.

In his own words, my 7 year old "LOVES drawing cartoons. I tried to draw before I got the kit but I love to do it all the time now that I have the kit. It's the bestest book I ever had." His illustrations are detailed and professional, and he has the confidence to draw on his own and create new stories.

(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

Author Wood, a Professor of Anthropology, brings his professional skills to bear on his brother's death at Second Schweinfurt (October 14 1943) and in the process has produced a remarkable example of military research.

In addition to the expected material on context, units, and individuals, Professor Wood's investigations turned up the manufacturing history of the airplane (down to the exact cost), the position of the plane within the ill-fated flight, the probable Luftwaffe pilot who shot it down, eyewitnesses on the ground, and more. Of particular interest is the brief history of the Graves Registration Command and its commendable work in a very difficult but unsung assignment.

Thoroughly researched, beautifully readable, Professor Wood's book is a fitting memorial to Lt. Elbert Wood, navigator of the "Wicked WAAC". With photos, maps, documents, diagrams, sources, bibliography, index. First rate work; highly recommended.

An excellent story of the author's research into the facts concerning his brother's dimly-remembered death during World War II. The author chases down service records, mission histories, eyewitness accounts, and battle participants to reconstruct his brother's story, using that as a window on the broader subject of the infamous "Second Schweinfurt" bomber raid. Especially valuable is the book's appendix, which lists addresses of U.S. Military and other government and private organizations which make available a surprising amount of detailed information about individuals' service careers and the events attending their deaths, recoveries, and post-war "repatriations". This book induced me, with my Father's help, to turn my Uncle's loss over Vienna from a mere War Department telegram into a rich and interesting story, much to the surprise and satisfaction of my family. (See also, 'Wings of Morning: the story of the last American bomber shot down over Germany in World War II' by Thomas Childers for similar content and treatment.)

Don't bother with the 7-volume set by the same author. It covers too many subjects in not enough detail. THIS is THE trauma set to own for the practicing OMF surgeon and residents. There is hardly a question not answered within these large texts. Surgical anatomy is reviewed, the pictures are excellent, it is well written, and it is current. It is a book that you should acquire as one of your first titles while an OMF resident. Useful for ENT and Plastics, as well, but really covers the discipline of OMFS trauma nicely.

The Previous editon (1991) was recommended in "A Basic List of Recommended Books and Journals for Support of Clinical Dentistry in a Nondental Library" in Bulletin Of the Medical Library Association, July 1997.

Kinstler's adroit painterly style reminds me of James Montgomery Flagg [although its been forty years since I've seen a Flagg painting}. I was surprised on rereading the book that a portrait of Flagg can be found on p. 22. Most portrait painting is characterized by a deadly formality. It is, I fear, the nature of the beast. And most portraits in the book are of famous or vainglorious people and are necessarily formal. When he is given leeway with friends such as Thom Wolfe or Katherine Hepburn, his work sizzles. Luckily, he has chosen these very portraits to illustrate his technique. Even the most gifted portrait artist has something to gain from this book.

This is beyond all question the best book on portrait painting ever produced.

Using humor and the author's warm relationship with her son (what a sweet little boy) to provide examples, Ms. Raymond covers everything you need to know about the web, and more. Perfect not only for parents, but for anyone interested in an introduction to the Internet. The sections on web site design are remarkably comprehensive and easy to understand. Very good discussions on ethical and educational issues regarding children and the Internet.
Highly recommended.

I found the book easy to follow, a cornucopia of useful information and a major contribution to my general knowledge and use of the internet.

The book lets the reader follow the author and her children into the wonders and problems of the internet. The book, written in a friendly, conversational style, is a comprehensive tour that begins with the construction of the internet and ends with useful information about filters. The author uses clear, detailed text, complemented by appropriate internet addresses (sites) and illustrations, to take the reader on the tour through the stops necessary to be a successful user of the internet.

E-mail is clearly explained in an entertaining way and the list of abbreviations provides the novice with an opportunity to impress his/her child by using the common email lingo.

Want to enter a chat room or join a discussion group? Chapter 4 will have you 'talking' in no time. Want to save money on long distance phone calls? Read the section describing how to use Instant Messenger.

I recommend this book to any parent who wants to have a shared experience with their internet savvy child. You will be wiser for buying and reading this book. Enjoy it.