The First Electronic Computer: The Atanasoff Story is an excellent historical and technical document of the ABC Computer. It traces the ENIAC lineage directly to the ABC and J.V.Atansoff. If there are any Atanasoff skeptics out there, this book is the definitive prescription to win their minds. A must have book for the personal library.

This book tells the story of Dr. John Vincent Atanasoff (a Bulgarian name; Dr. Atanasoff was native born in Hamilton, New York, 1903. He is credited by court decision in 1973 with the invention of the computer. The case in dispute was between Honeywell and Sperry Rand for claims of the computer invention. If either party have prevailed, the winner might have had patent rights. IBM was worried and introduced JV (as he was called) who showed that he had invented the computer at Iowa State in 1938 when he was in the mathematics department (JV was a 1930 PhD in physics from the University of Wisconsin). The computer invented belonged to JV and his assistant, Charles Berry (hence the name ABC = Atanasoff Berry Computer). There were several versions built, some in 1939 and in 1940.

The court decision was that as there was a prior invention (the ABC) which had not been patented by anyone, no one could patent the computer comcept. I am delighted that that was the decision and told JV that several times (I lived near him, his home was New Market Maryland and I was in Frederick Maryland) until he died about 10 years. He was always grouchy about my view but did concede (mostly by remaining silent) that the speed of computer advances was because there was no patent restriction in effect.

ENIAC owed much to Dr. Atanasoff as Mauchly saw the ABC in visits to Iowa State. Some visits were for several days ("for the better part of a week" was JV's court testimony). Programming and program languages were not part of JV contribution. Dr. Mauchly's own testimony as reproduced in the book shows he grudgedly agreed that he owed ideas and examples to others.

The original case was filed in 1968 as Honeywell v. Sperry Rand and Illinois Scientific Developments. Among the almost 100 issues pushed by Honeywell and the ENIAC, the judge, Earl R. Larsen, ruled "Eckert and Mauchly did not themselves first invent the automatic electronic digital computer, but instead derived that subject matter from one Dr. John Vincent Atanasoff". Other equally strong language was used to assert that JV and Berry held nothing back concerning the machine's theory, design, construction, use or operation; that Mauchly went to Ames Iowa and had correspondence with Atanasoff.

Judge Larsen's decision was not appealed by anyone. A blessing to us all.

Dr. Atanasoff did not realize until late in life that he had done something tremedous. He retired wealthy but not from his computer invention.

"I consider it to be the best presentation of principles of flow cytometry. The text is clearly written, the figures are well chosen." -- Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz, Brander Cancer Research Institute, New York Medical College

A core book designed mainly for the nonspecialist, "Flow Cytometry: First Principles" is addressing in ten chapters the essential issues in flow-cytometry, from flow machines to reagents, techniques and their applications in fundamental research and clinical settings. The first chapters conveys us as back as the beginning of the century, when the concept of flow-cytometry germinated. Light microscopy, cell counters and ink jet technology are standing at the grounds of flow-cytometry and their merging paved the way toward the modern, "black box", flow cytometers. However, "beyond the black box", the instrumentation and the technical aspects are comprehensively described in several chapters. a discussion on data acquisition and analysis is provided, along with the most used cell staining procedures, fluorochromes, lenses, mirrors and lasers. A widespread application in flow-cytometry is cell labelling, particularly leukocyte subpopulations identification with monoclonal antibodies binding cell surface specific markers. Although lymphocytes are the prototype, methods presented here -dot-plot, histogram, quadrant analysis and gating are applicable to many other cell types , including bacteria or algae. With the advent of some "state of the art" machines, DNA and chromosome analyses become feasible by flow-cytometry. It is foreseeable that molecular biology on flow-cytometer will not stop to cell cycle, ploidy and apoptosis investigation, but even chromosomal translocations or point mutations would be detectable with enough precision for diagnosis. Beside fundamental research applications, flow-cytometry is now an indispensable technique in the clinical laboratory, too. Oncology, immunology, hematology and pathology are fields where flow diagnosis has sometimes the last word to say. Cross-match analysis and HLA phenotyping can now rapidly be performed by flow-cytometry, with usefulness in organ and bone-marrow transplantation. The final chapter is intended to present the flow-cytometry of the future, as seen in 1992, with an emphasis on the functional assays which are gaining now an increasing interest. However, a precedent, "out of the stream" chapter is preparing us on what this future could look alike. It approaches some of the border-line pplications, in fields where flow-cytometry is becoming a current tool of research. These are microbiology -prokaryotic DNA and drug resistance determination-, ecology -aquatic environment, plankton, algae-, developmental biology or the functional studies -Ca2+influx. The book is highly recommended for flow-cytometry and sorting beginners, but it is an equally pleasant lecture for people working in many life sciences fields, eager to find out how flow-cytometry is shaping current biological research.

A must have for everyone interested in American Folk Art. Great color prints. Excellent essays.

This is an unbelievable price for a book so full of high-quality black-and-white and color plates. Not much text, but an excellent source of patterns for very appealing american folk-art motifs.

My friends and I just returned from Maui and this book was sent from the heavens! If you are thinking of traveling to Maui or Lanai, this is the guide for you. It is very detailed and extremely helpful from where to stay, where to eat, where the best beaches are and how to get to them, to even what type of vehicle to rent so that you get the most from your vacation. I have purchased guide books in the past and have been a little disapointed on the lodging portion; but this book was very accurate and gives you plently of choices. We stayed at several that were in the book and we were thrilled! And as far as what to see or where to go while your in Maui or Lanai, this book is right on the money. It will even let you know to which locations you should pack a lunch!

This is the best,most comprehensive and accurate guide book for the Hawaiian traveler. The book is easy to read and makes planning your vacation activities a breeze. The dining guide in particular is outstanding.If your time on the island is limited,the itineraries section can be very helpful,with 1,3 or 5 day "must see" ideas. The book is reasonably priced and worth every penny !

Alice Bailey wrote this book under the tutelage of the Master Djwhal Khul (the Tibetan), a Master of the spiritual "Hierarchy", headed by the Christ. These books comprise genuine, albeit advanced teachings about the Ancient Wisdom (this book however was written by Alice Bailey herself, and is a good introduction/less complex).Spiritual advancement can be expedited by these teachings to those willing and able to learn and grow spiritually. Most of what we know and have been taught about spirituality, the after-life, God, angels, souls, and spiritual evolution is basically erroneous information (analagous to children realizing their is no santa claus or easter rabbit when the higher truth is revealed). This has been further distorted by misguided zealots of all faiths, who accept as dogma the distorted and biased teachings of man-made theologies, and not the one true universal Religion of the Ancient Wisdom (as revealed in the Bailey books). The spiritual truth and reality has been kept alive (besides the Ancient Wisdom) by the mystics and secret esoteric shools throughout the ages. However, even they only have portions of the whole spiritual truth. if you read the Alice Bailey books and are unable to comprehend them fully, another (intermediate) area of study is recommended- Rosicrucian/AMORC (800 88-AMORC).
Also recommend reading (besides all the Alice Bailey books)- Vera Stanley Alder; Zachary Lansdowne; Douglas Baker; Cecil A. Poole; Raymund Andrea; Henry Guy ("Saving the World"); Three Initiates ("KYBALION").

Trained in psychology, I tended to take an intellectual view of the world and the people in it, and to put aside what is known as "female intuition." Of course, this is NOT what this book is all about. Here we're talking of the fruits of meditation, the work of the Soul, so to speak. In this book Alice Bailey explains the mental training we have all experienced, both in the East and in the West, due to our education and socialization. We have been using our brains the way society wants us to use them...without having access to the truths that we can discover by using the brain in meditation so that Universal Truths may be recognized as they are. A good primer for learning meditation, FROM INTELLECT TO INTUITION brings us through the stages and helps us make the necessary mental and emotional adjustments, albeit with practice and not only with reading.

You won't want to miss this one!

The inspiring words in this books will absolutely reach down, touch your soul and remind you of the most important things in life. You will have a difficult time reading through this book without doing a great deal of reminiscing and without shedding a tear or two. But don't be surprised if you find yourself laughing when you read the next poem.

The author has taken everyday life experiences that we take so much for granted and has given them a new meaning. God has truly given her the gift of poetry so she can share it with others.

I want to give this one five stars!

This book of poems is the best book I have read in a long time. It will make you laugh, cry and think about your life. If you are looking for a uplifting, spiritual, easy reading book, you should order this one.

Listening to this tape is like sitting across the table having tea with these three wise and wonderful women. They bring their insights into life from different cultures, and yet show how much we all share. You will absolutely love this tape. Listening to any one of these women is a fabulous experience, and here that is compounded.

One does not have to be Alice Walker's, Isabel Allende's or Jean Bolan's admirer to listen to this tape. The language, sincerity and humor are simply irresistable. I would recommend this tape to everyone - not only women. Men can learn a lot from these three wonderful writers.

I may be 12, but this book was a lot of fun! The actions scene were fun to read and look at, a lot of fun! This is also a great book for little kids, duh! I have some little cousins, and this would probably help them like Godzilla, I'm sure it'd be good for all little kids. I liked the kaiju that were in here. Godzilla, Rodan, Hedorah, and Gigan make a great cast! If you like Godzilla, and you need a short, fun book to read, this is it!

This was a great book! The illustrations were great! Who ever thought the Smog Monster and Gigan would team. I enjoyed this book a lot!

I first read this in high school and I fell in love with her words and the power that she has in her writting. After going through a difficult break up... I re-read her poems and was filled again with her honesty and strenght and I can unclench my teeth long enough to tell him so.

Alice Walker not only writes astounding books, but her poetry is real, familiar, and powerful. This book was originally published in 1975, one of her earlier works, but rings with the same truth today as then. Soft-spoken, Walker nonetheless is sure of her truths, and diligent in communicating them. Love poems for her people, for all people, and for the men she has been accused of hating. Thanks, Alice, for your spirit.

Ever heard the joke about the city planner who married his wife just so he wouldn't have to explain what city planning is on another first date again? Community development is often even harder for the general masses to comprehend, and yet we are a part of it all the time. CD is basically what happens when neighbors get together and decide they want a better neighborhood, where people can afford to live and still feel safe, still find economic opportunity and a sense of community. Over the last generation, a whole industry and profession has grown around this simple idea. CD is something you can now get a masters degree in. Most people in the CD field entered it through a back door. Today's CD professional is more than a person with good intentions. He/she has skills in real estate development, group facilitation and strategic planning, public policy analysis, and finance. This book is the first of its kind--an actual front door into the field--and it's a godsend for anyone considering a challenging and meaningful career in making neighborhoods better. The book gives great background on the industry, has real case studies with leaders--as well as everyday joes--in the field, lists common job titles and responsibilities, and even estimates pay scales. It's an ambitious, yet slim, readable book that delivers what it promises.

Excellent guide for anyone considering or already starting out working or volunteering in the field of community development (CD) human services, economic development, planning, banking, politics. Comprehensive, well written, reader friendly, up to date, with specific tips and examples. Features: Concise overview of broadly interpreted CD industry and movement in U.S. of community renewal, organizing, planning, construction, financing, managing in lower income or disinvested communities. Great profiles of those working in the field from many walks of life, levels of formal education. Numerous profiles of nonprofits, for-profits, congregations, and public agencies leaders in CD. Good section on figuring out if this field for you and listing of pros and cons. Best ever appendices featuring texts, web sites, job hunting resources, schools, and portals, and organizations. Read in one one hour what has taken many several years to figure out. Great for guidance counselors, career services departments at universities. Useful too to educate board members and interns or philanthropists.