The article gathered here are essentially alexandrian like papers, where general ideas and goals appears clearly, but expressed in a very textual way. So, there is not a lot of stuff on effective design patterns. Hopefully there is some (and even good ones), but it's not obvious that it justify the book size. If you are rather new to patterns (you've just read the "Design pattern" and / or "Pattern oriented software architecture"), consider first the third volume. If you like it, then consider to buy this one. If you REALLY REALLY like it, then consider to buy the first volume

I was at the PLoP conference where the articles in this book were written (mine is number 24). It's a writers' workshop where each paper is metaphorically ripped in shreds and then reassembled, better than before. We worked hard to make these patterns right. Did our work pay off? You better believe it. I've read this book and the first in the series both cover to cover, and the best of this book is equal to the best of the first one. The average quality is higher.

Buy it just for Crossing Chasms, a comprehensive look at all the headaches you get when you try to marry relational databases to object systems. Or buy it just for Demo Prep, which will tell you how to achieve your goals with software demos - happy customers, happy programmers.

Or maybe you need to read my article, Patterns for Classroom Education, which tells you how (and why) to design a course to teach computer programming - or any technical skill.

"Audubon: American Birds" is a not only a wonderful introduction to Audubon's works but a portrait of the birds as seen through the eyes of a great American naturalist. The volume also serves as a good reference source though tempered with an romantic view giving the astute reader an additional insight into the times in which Audubon worked. I would definately recomment this book to both the birder and art lover.

My name is Jack and I am a 7 year old first grader. This book is the first Jigsaw Jones mystery I have read. The mystery solver's nickname is Jigsaw. His nickname is Jigsaw because he solves mysteries like puzzles. I like the book because the mystery is cool. I like it that the kids are about the same age as me. These books are good for active readers.

This book is excellent for any type of baseball fan. It has wonderful photos with excellent information. It is truly a worth-wild buy for baseball fans, no matter what the age!

My son recieved this book as a gift, and it's a good choice for the child aged 3-5. It's a cumulative story, with plenty of repetition as a new animal discovers the hat on each page. It has a really cute surprise ending. The illustrations are really imaginitive, with many odd and tiny details to discover for the inquisitive tot. Actually I'd say the oddness and sophistication of the illustrations may appeal more to adults, but they are beautiful and fun for kids too.

From Russian with Love narrated by an extremely talented voice is well worth the purchase alone. Dr. No didn't quite hold my interest when I tried to listen and I didn't even attempt to listen to Goldfinger but again I highly recommend this for the one tape alone, the Narration is incredible.

This book is definitely the best book on Joyce in recent memory. A must-have on my short list of books on the subject. Rickard's writing style postively electrifies the page. Really written by an expert. Rickard writes as if Joyce were an old friend.

I discovered this book while browsing for quality literature to bring to my classroom. I read this book because it fits my third grade curriculum and has a low reading level. Meet Christopher Columbus is an excellent introduction to biographies and explorers. The format of the book allows for less experienced readers to read small parts of his life without being overwhelmed. The language is simple enough for children to comprehend the main idea and details presented without difficulty. The history is accurate and presented in a logical fashion. I recommend this to parents and teachers to help students learn about Columbus as well as improve their reading!

The Italian philosopher Marsilio Ficino, who was renowned for his Latin translations of all Plato's dialogues, set out to prove that the tenets of Platonism, instead of Aristotelianism, were fundamentally compatible with Christianity. He attempted this not only by acting as the primary mover of the Florentine academy, but also through his magnanimous patron Cosimo de' Medici who apportioned Ficino the leisure to commence his monumental work, "The Platonic Theology," which is offered here for the first time in a long-awaited English translation. Marsilio Ficino's work--from what may be seen from the first of five anticipated volumes--is an artful, straightforward representation of the divine philosophy of Plato, magnificently garbed under a brilliant and definitive medieval synthesis. Of the work itself Ficino says, "the Platonic mysteries are set forth as clearly as possible...so that...we may reveal the Platonic teaching, which is in complete accord with the divine law." Like all Christian-Platonists, Ficino used Augustine as a model for his orthodox amalgamation of the teachings of Plato and Christ, and believed so strongly in it that he said, "the Platonic teaching...is related to the divine law of both Moses and Christ as the moon is to the sun." With this in mind, it may be said that the vision of Marsilio Ficino, so clearly manifested in this work, will come as a relief to anyone ardently devoted to the school of Plato and the religion of Christ. The translated works of Ficino are certainly a great benefit to those confined to the English speaking world, and the other up-and-coming volumes in new I Tatti Renaissance Library (Harvard) are likely to produce the same effects. The value of these newly translated masterpieces of western culture cannot be described.

This cassette presents a excellent variety of thought on the mysterious concept of soul mates. Deepak Chopra, Thomas Moore, Barbara De Angelis, John Gray and Erica Jong all contribute penetrating insights into love, the nature of relationships and how soul mates are manifest into our lives. These top contemporary thinkers provide deep thought provoking ideas into this often mystical area. I find myself discovering something new and moving each time I listen to this tape. A good one to further your spiritual growth.