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Book reviews for "Cassinelli,_Charles_William,_Jr." sorted by average review score:

Ski Europe
Published in Paperback by World Leisure (1993)
Authors: Charles A. Leocha, William Walker, James Kitfield, and Diane Slezak Scholfield
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Covers most major areas in a brief fashion.
Author has included some email and web site information for ski area accomodations, tourist offices, etc, but it just touches the tip of the iceberg.

Verbier, Switzerland, one of the top ski areas in Europe, only gets 5 pages in the book. Does not provide any commentary on accommodations in Verbier other than number of stars in rating and prices. Some other large ski areas get better treatment. The Arlberg region gets 9 pages of coverage.

Book lacks maps of Europe and of ski areas.

Overall the book is a good starting place for researching a trip, but descriptive information is brief and basic. Still this book is the most recently published on the topic as of 10/98, so the currency of the information should be decent.

Good Resource
I live in Munich and use this book often as a reference. It contains very accurate information on lodging, prices, and qualities of the resorts. Very accurately summarizes the differences in the ski experience between the different countries.

Needs more detailed maps of the resorts and slopes with hotels, restaurants, etc. clearly marked. Needs to be more critical of some resorts so the reader can make a better decision about which one to visit.

A very solid skiing guide
Ski Europe was a great book for my winter stay in europe. The thing i liked most about it was that it was the only book i needed. It offered all the skiing info i needed for each resort (even a scection in each resort on snowboarding!), but it didn't stop there. Its an all around guide with info on the night life, hotels, and restaurants. it gave concice information about all the aspects of a skiing vacation, which made my off the slope hours much more productive. i strongly recomend this book for any skier or snowboarder, any level.
=Z


Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs
Published in Paperback by Charles E Tuttle Co (1989)
Author: Charles Alfred Speed Williams
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Europeanized Chinese
There ~are~ reasons to commend this book, like the bountiful illustrations, the charts showing the evolution of Chinese characters, etc. What I fault is that at many points the author departs from accuracy and injects over-Europeanized interpretations of Chinese mythology and symbols (for instance, characterizing Tibetan Lamas as "devil-worshippers" and calling the Chinese place of the dead and its god, "Hades" - repeatedly). To be truthful, some of the illustrations are so poorly drawn that you cannot really make out what they are. The text is easy to read and the topics covered numerous. I would use this book with caution, however, checking Williams' interpretations against other, more recent sources. For the record, I am giving this book a two because the only other reviewer to write about it gave it a five and that is far too high for it. I think this should yield an average of three, which is about right for this book.

An Easy-to-use Reference on Chinese Symbolism A-Z
This book is an A-Z listing of hundreds of Chinese names and symbols, with a brief explanation of the items relevance and importance in Chinese culture and history. Want to know the symbolism behind a bat, or a peach, or a mandarin duck, or other more abstract concepts, this book is for you. A very valuable reference tool for those interested in things Chinese.


The Company of Dogs: Twenty-One Stories by Contemporary Masters
Published in Hardcover by Budget Book Service (1996)
Authors: Michael Rosen, Charles Barsotti, and William Wegman
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Company of Dogs
The only thing I liked about this book was the pictures of Wegmans beautiful Wiems and the cartoons. There were a couple of nice stories but as a whole the book was unmoving. These are not touching stories of lifelong companionship.... This book was quite a disappointment. At least some of my money spent helped needy animals.

Good dogs, excellent stories
When most writing about dogs is of the sappy "Chicken Soup" variety, this collection provides a welcome alternative. It manages to move the reader without resorting to cheap sentimentalism. I read it 9 years ago an still remember several stories that touched me--beautiful pieces of fiction that showed the writers' knowledge of their craft, of humanity and of life in the company of dogs . I don't know if it's still the case, but when the book was first published, a portion of profits went to dog rescue programs. That's real dog care.


The Inklings Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to the Lives, Thought and Writings of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield and Their Friends
Published in Hardcover by Chalice Press (2001)
Authors: Colin Duriez and David Porter
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Not recommended
Not recommended for purchase, especially by academic libraries (this suggestion is from a holder of a 1985 Master of Library Science degree, University of Illinois). I admit that I'd have really enjoyed browsing in this book when I was a junior high school student, though.

Many readers who know a bit about the Inklings, and, certainly, scholars, will not find the book to be satisfactory, whether as regards style or as regards content. There are various usage and even spelling errors that should have been caught in the editing process. There are curious inclusions -- satanist Aleister Crowley? John Macgowan(1726-80), a Baptist minister, who wrote a book the authors think resembles Lewis's The Screwtape Letters -- though they don't think Lewis ever read it? It's weird to include entries such as these, and then leave out people such as Pauline Baynes, whose artwork won raves from Tolkien (she illustrated three of his books in his lifetime) and Lewis (she illustrated all seven of the Chronicles of Narnia)!

The authors really deserve censure for neglecting to discuss the major controversy in Lewis scholarship of the last fifteen years, the possibility of forgeries being offered as unpublished works by CSL. No responsible scholar would "stonewall" such an issue! One cannot understand why their bibliography, while listing some items twice, omits some very important books, such as Scull and Hammond's book on Tolkien's artwork, or Charles Williams's Outlines of Romantic Theology.

I wouldn't have bought this book if I'd known how unsatisfactory it would prove to be when I'd got it.

Highy Recommended
I gave this Colin Duriez and David Porter's book a five because it does exactly what it set out to do: give readers an excellent overview of The Inklings relationship.
I have collected, read and studied the works of C. S. Lewis for the past 30 years. This book filled an empty niche in my collection as it is a clear and concise handbook of the most fascinating group of friends known as The Inklings and the complex elements of the lives they brought to their relationship.
I have been pleased to know and enjoy the work David Porter, one of the authors. His research and that of Colin Duriez is meticulous. They have included an excellent bibiography, including Charles Williams' _Outline of Romantic Theology_ and other important works of The Inklings which will keep you reading and learning about The Inklings for a lifetime. At the end of each article further reading is listed. Pauline Baines, the great illustrator, is mentioned in the Narnia chapter. The entry on Aleister Crowley is much appreciated by those Lewis lovers who also read and enjoy the works of Charles Williams. The style of the book is delighful as authors often include interesting anecdotes and quotes. The book is not overly pedantic, or ostentatiously intellectual. _The Inklings Handbook_ is a must read for those who would begin to learn about the amazing alchemy of The Inklings.
You will find in this book much that is relevant in the 21st century about the spirited exchange of ideas- The Inklings as a model for living with great enthusiasm and vitality.


Portrait of America: From Before Columbus to the End of Reconstruction
Published in Paperback by Houghton Mifflin Co (2003)
Authors: Stephen B. Oates, Charles J. Errico, and William J. Boyes
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It makes me tired just thinking about it!
This was an assigned book for my college History course, and I can say that I pity all those poor students who have to read this book too. While the content is actually pretty decent, each section is far too long. I had to drink two cups of coffee for every essay, and even then if I didn't have notes I wouldn't have remembered a word. All I can say is highlight what's important, and learn to speed-read!

Popular two-volume collection of secondary sources
This popular two-volume collection of secondary sources explores America's social and political history from pre-Revolutionary times through the present. Oates takes a biographical approach, portraying our history as the struggle of real people who have sometimes triumphed and sometimes failed. Each chapter contains two or three articles that provide different perspectives on an historical period or question. Each selection was carefully chosen for its literary merit, importance to historical scholarship, and potential to excite students' interest. Many of the selections and authors represented have won Pulitzer Prizes, National Book Awards, and other honors.


Study Guide for the Florida Law Enforcement Officer's Certification Examination
Published in Paperback by Pineapple Pr (1996)
Authors: William G., Ph.D. Doerner and Charles W. Rushing
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Good Study Guide
If your planning to take the florida examination I highly recommend this study guide to assist you in your preparation. It covers all the necessary areas and provides questions to help you research the areas you need to have knowledge of.

Good for practice; doesn't replace studying
Make sure you get a copy with UPDATES. Otherwise you might get outdated information. Don't substitute this review guide for hard study for the exam. Practice the excellent sample questions as many times as you can prior to the test. Study and test-taking tips are good. Discussion of the format of the exam is good. Needs to be updated re: App. and FDLE info via Internet.


Varieties of Religion Today : William James Revisited
Published in Paperback by Harvard Univ Pr (2003)
Author: Charles Taylor
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What the heck?
Seeking enlightenment? Seek somewhere else? This "update" to the classic is a classic waste of time. Unlike the original, you will give it to your library to write it off on your taxes.

A reflection on religious belief and the state
This book is a collection of a series of lectures Charles Taylor gave reflecting on the legacy of William James. In thinking about James' work, Taylor reflects on the tensions between private religous experience and public religious expression; the problem of belief and unbelief; and the implications our religious beliefs have for our political organization. It is almost impossible to do justice to the richness of Taylor's thought in a short review.

Taylor's first task is to situate James within his own religious context. James inherited the strand of religious belief that was quintessentially Protestant -- with an emphasis on private feeling as against public expression. For James, the ultimate religious experience is private and fundamentally individual. This precludes James from fully grasping the types of religious expression that are more communally-based.

Taylor's second task is to reflect on James personal struggle with the question of belief and unbelief. In James' day a strong argument was being made that religious belief is intellectually dishonest. Taylor offers a good summary of James' defense of belief as a viable choice.

Finally, Taylor integrates James' thought with the question of how our religious belief interacts with our political structures. Taylor offers an invaluable historical narrative of the variety of relationships between religion and state that we have seen in the past. In doing so, he makes our current dilemmas much clearer. We are moving from a country that has a broad consensus in some sort of belief, but which allows individuals to join whatever church best gives expression to that experience, to a country in which there is no such broad consensus. If there is no shared understanding of the sacred, we are forced to ground our political structures in the purely human. It is not yet clear whether the new project will succeed, but in his reflections on the tensions between belief and unbelief and their relationship to our political organization, Taylor can only enhance our discussions as we move forward into this virgin territory.

Taylor's book does presume that the reader has a fairly sophisticated historical sense. And he often makes reference to the situation in France, which can be a bit opaque to those who lack a basic familiarity with French culture. Indeed, he often quotes from French writers without offering a translation. Still, the book offers valuable insights, even to those without the background to fully grasp everything he writes.


Why the Civil War Came (Gettysburg Civil War Institute Books)
Published in Hardcover by Oxford University Press (1996)
Authors: G. S. Boritt, David W. Blight, William W. Freehling, William E. Gienapp, Glenna Matthews, Charles Royster, and Mark Wahlgren Summers
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Try another book
You will not learn anything new in this book that you don't already know. The book consists of 4 or 5 different essays written by 4 or 5 different authors. It isn't a clear book describing the civil war. I was looking for a book that described each of the reasons for the start of the civil war. This book didn't do that. Each essay tried to make a different point - but it was not clear. The book was too scattered for me. So if you want a more in depth, and more straight forward book about the start of the civil war - try another author.

Somehow We'd Forgotten
In the face of recent debates over the Confederate flag flying over South Carolina's capital, a lot has been said regarding the author's subject. Some contend that the war was over state's rights and others contend it was over the issue of slavery. It has even been suggested by many sources that Lincoln came to oppose slavery late. I bought this book hoping to read an author who both knew history and could examine the facts impartially. I clearly found both.

The editor explores pre-Civil War history through the voices of the main figures and groups. In the process I discovered that both states rights and anti-slavery contentions are correct. However, these two are so closely tied that it hardly matters, as you will discover through the eyes of the players. Please read this book. This book should be required reading in every high school history class in America.

I found the book to be the best slice of easy reading history I've ever read, and highly applicable to related debates of the 21st century.

Incidentally, if you are interested in the unique origins of the Republican party, the formation of our two parties, the demise of early parties, the early black leaders, the early womens' movements or even early trends in women's literature, this is an amazing read regarding those topics alone. Can't put it down, highligher in hand stuff.


Charlie D. : The Story of the Legendary Bond Trader
Published in Hardcover by John Wiley & Sons (20 October, 1997)
Author: William D. Falloon
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Can you hold and add to a winning position?
The meat is in Charlie D's lecture, a little foreplay before, nothing later on. The rest of the book looks like it is written for the Sports Illustrated book of the month club.
"The principles of trading are the same if you're trading 10,20,50 or 100 contracts at a time, or if you're simply trading one. But it takes less time to make more money when you're a larger trader."
When Charlie figured out trading calendar spreads was the most consistent way to make money he mastered the concept and started trading 50-lots at a time instead of always living in fear of losing money trading 1-lots.
He took little blips out (of the market) with enormous size.
Everybody's trading price relationships, you have to have a position on to earn a living. The bigger the position the less time it takes and the more you earn. Always challenge yourself to do it bigger and better and with more size.
"The longer time you serve ... with a position on, the more you know about yourself and the more you know about trading."
"One of the most important things you learn with positions on is how to get out of a trade. You have to take losses today so that you can come back tomorrow."
"The time you know you've become a good trader is that first day you were able to win by holding and adding to a winning position."

Nice guy but somewhat disjointed book, but still enjoyable
Charlie D was clearly a great guy. Reading of his struggle with cancer and how he dealt with it was the most inspiring part. Also the testimonial from his former girlfriend was enjoyable. Unfortunately, the writer was very jumpy and didn't consistently tell the story. The parts on trading were particularly boring and not helpful.

I did enjoy the book based on the personality of Charlie D which comes thru along with the anecdotal stories. Be prepared to skim the slow parts.

fun and easy read that gives some perspective
Charlie D is a wonderful biography that I could not stop reading. It helps put things into perspective. Investing and making money is one thing, but you have to live life as well otherwise you won't be able to appreciate your work and money. This book will give some motivation and help your psychological frame of mind, but will not directly help your stock picking and trading like the other books.


On Call Psychiatry
Published in Paperback by W B Saunders (1997)
Authors: Carol A., Md. Bernstein, Brian J.. Md. Ladds, Ann S., Md. Maloney, Elyse D., Md. Weiner, Charles Bernstein, and William Schmitt
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Platitudes.
More platitudes. Needs more time in Comp. 101.

Good spingboard
This is a good book with the basics of how to deal with psychiatric emergencies. It is great for the psych intern just starting out, and for non-psychiatric professionals. However, at times it is a little simplistic and does not offer enough options in terms of treatments.

Emergency Psychiatry for Dummies
It's 3:00 A.M.and you are called into the E.R. to see a patient with a psychiatric problem. What do you do? This book provides a quick but thorough step by step guide for dealing with psychiatric emergencies. It broken down into all the steps anyone working on a P.E.T. (Psychiatric Emergency Team) or provides basic emergency care needs to know. Smaller than the pocket DSM-IV. It is portable and usable.


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