I would rate this book ****** if it were possible. If you are looking for material on how to start a "software metrics program", look no further. This is the ultimate reference on software measurement initiatives. The PSM method is compatible with the CMMI (Measurement & Analysis Process Area) and the foundation for the ISO/IEC 15939 standard. All of the authors are recognized authorities in software measurement and process improvement. Dr. Barry Boehm (COCOMO author) has written the foreword. The PSM process is sponsored by the DoD and the U.S. Army. The book itself is comprehensive, well-written, and easy to read. It provides ready-to-use templates such as "Measurement Construct Template", "Project Measurement Plan Outline", and "Data Verification Checklist". Chapter outline:

1 - Measurement: Key Concepts and Practices
2 - Measurement Information Model
3 - Plan Measurement
4 - Perform Measurement
5 - Analysis Techniques
6 - Evaluate Measurement
7 - Establish and Sustain Commitment
8 - Measure for Success
Appendix A - Measurement Construct Examples
Appendix B - Information System Case Study
Appendix C - Synergy Integrated Copier Case Study

Note: Appendix A provides 14 detailed, complete examples of measurement constructs ("metrics"). Appendixes B and C provide 2 comprehensive case studies (approximately 60 pages).

It would require at least a 2-day workshop to address all the information provided by this book (probably at 10 times its price). You can't afford to miss it if you are more than casually interested in software measurement. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

There is a wealth of material available from the PSM site, including the PSM Insight application and PSM Guidebook. However this book is not redundant because it is structured as a clearly written introduction to practical software measurement, that includes excellent guidance for implementing it into your organization. In addition, the 304 pages that comprise this book manages to convey the information contained in the existing PSM documentation, and does so much more succinctly.

I found the most valuable parts of this book to be the clearly described measurement model, and the way the authors distinguish between data that is useful to projects and organizational data collection and analysis. This material places PSM in context and is a sound starting point for an organizational SQA initiative.

The case studies reinforces the mechanics of PSM, and also contain advice and pointers for implementing enterprise-wide measurement. Although I've been following the PSM initiative almost since its inception and have read all of the copious materials available, I still gained much from this book. If you're establishing an SQA function or striving for CMM level 4 or above you'll find this book invaluable. The URLs provided will lead to even more material, including a free Windows-based software tool that fully supports the practical software measurement process.

Now in a newly expanded and updated second edition that includes the portion of the quest east of the Mississippi River, Barbara Fifer and Vicky Soderberg's Along The Trail With Lewis And Clark is detailed travel and tourist guide to recreating the path first blazed by these justly famous 18th Century American explorers. Approved by the National Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Council, and packed with maps by Joseph Mussulman, hotel listings, and a detailed text recounting the historical journey of the famous explorers, Along The Trail With Lewis And Clark is a memorable "keepsake" book and the perfect planning guide for vacationers seeking to follow in the footsteps of this famous expedition of exploration!

It's a great reviwm for the A.P. History examn

Jungle Wedding is an often brilliant, often scary look at American life. "Public Burning" is one of the finest stories I've read in recent memory and serves as a wake-up call to the people who think Columbine and "American Beauty" were the first harbingers of doom for the 21st Century. My only question is why we haven't seen more from this talented writer.

Justice Brennan spent more than thirty years on the Supreme Court. He joined the Warren Court, decried by some as "liberal activists". He served with distinction there, on the Burger Court, and finally the Rehnquist Court (which some decry as reactionary conservative activists). On all three, he regularly was the man who spoke for the Court on many of the important issues of the times.

The enduring question is "How could this man mold and shape such disparate groups of Justices to the point where he wrote some of the most significant majority opinions of our time?" With typical modesty, Justice Brennan said, that he learned early how to count to five.

Rod Clark does a masterful job in his chronicle of the life, the influences, the context and the enduring legacy of Justice Brennan. He was a trail blazer in a host of areas of jurisprudence: First Amendment law, criminal defendants rights and women's issues. He has authored dozens of opinions affirming rights which we now take for granted. All this from the man who said "I don't expect to distinguish myself on the Court".

A true American original. The kind of person who helped make this country great. A wonderful and easy read.

I got this book for my 10 year old daughter, but I picked it up and found I couldn't put it down. It was a wonderfully entertaining story full of historical detail, and as told from the 2 points of view, Clark and Sacagawea, it just came alive in my mind. Joseph Bruchac tells a fascinating story and educates at the same time. I highly recommend this book for teens as well as adults.

Sacajawea was the Indian teen that acted as guide and translator to Louis and Clark's expedition across the north-western territory that would soon become part of the United States with the Louisianna Purchase. Read about Sacajawea's early years, how she was pledged in marriage as a child. Stolen by a raiding party when only eleven and subsequently lost to a traveler while the new tribe was gambling with her. Married soon there after and giving birth all before the age of sixteen. And the interesting part of her life was yet to come.

The book also covers the expedition and its encounters while exploring the new land and the many Indian tribes the met. It is told in alternating view points of Sacajawea and Captain Clark. Their views on the happenings around them are very interesting. It is apparent how time and time again Sacajawea, or Janey as the expetition named her, was indespensible. Read between the lines to see the bond that formed between Sacajawea and Captain Clark.

This is an outstanding book that I recommend to adults as well as teens. Very informative and easy to read. The chapters were short and it was interesting how they altered from one view to the other and back.

I think one of the best things about this version of the Lewis and Clark story is the way the author alternated chapters by Sacajawea and Captain Clark. The whole book is told as a collections of stories for Sacajawea's son, Pomp, who was a favorite of Captain Clark. Their separate characters and backgrounds, American and Indian, shine through their versions of the memorable moments of the voyage to the Pacific Ocean and back.

This may be listed as a book for children, but it should not be labeled for any particular age group. Adults will enjoy it too.

The book so clearly points out the great optimisim of the early explorers that led them through dangerous situations with such confidence. The reliance upon actual texts from the participants of the voyage make this a very authentic story.

A friend and I took this guide and some others on the L&C trail last summer. This is a good guide and it has fantastic information on camping as well as very good maps. I agree with others who have criticized the ads- I bought mine in 2001 and also found ads. Additionally, the binding in my copy was weak and pages frequently fell out. If you are getting a number of guides, I recommend getting this one. However, if you're looking for only one guidebook, I found Julie Fanselow's book more helpful than this one.

Nightguy is right--the book shouldn't have ads. And, coming out next year, the 2nd edition WON'T have them. Also, Joseph Mussulman has been updating maps, Vicky Soderberg the touring information, and I've been fixing historical boo-boos. Glad to say there aren't too many, but our 2nd edition will be sharper. We will say again, right up in the front matter, that the maps and text are intended to be used with STATE HIGHWAY MAPS that give the detail we unfortunately don't have room for.

We just finished our trip using this book as a guide. Most of the book was very helpful. The maps were good, but we were misled a few times because roads were either marked improperly on the maps or not shown on the maps at all. If you do plan on using this book as a guide for your adventure, and I recommend that you do, be careful to check maps. For instance, Spirit Mound is on Highway 19, but the book's map said Highway 12. And we never did find the Gass Election site. The only directions given in the book were "about one mile south of town." We spent about 2 hours trying to find it. With all that said, we still had a great time!

I am currently using this book in my AP history class and would not recommend it for any high school student. The text is wordy and confusing and often misleads the reader. Another problem is the fact that there is no glossary of terms, self-test questions, or chapter summaries. It is very hard to slog through and even harder to study from. Unfortunately, the Board of Education in my town has made this the required textbook of AP History students. I would not recommend it to anyone attempting to have a clear understanding of US history.

I am using this book as a reference in my high school history class, and it is clearly a well-researched, well-written, and easy to use resource. It is obvious that many people think it is too wordy and difficult to understand, but it is a college text and should be treated like one. I would definitely recommend it to anyone preparing for a college American history class.

Lets face it a lot of history texts are prozaic and they do not have to be. Boyer and the other contributers deliver a text that is well written in the sense that it is somewhat enjoyable. The most important aspect of a text book is the information and The Enduring Vision does not fall short here either. I have used this book for background information in American history as a serious history student. It is a great source for quickly refreshing your mind on seldom visited topics. This would also make an excellent high school history text, but was really written for introductry college courses in American history from the colonial era to the present.

If you are taking American History and are using the Enduring Vision text, you MUST get this book to accompany it. Not only does it have a summary, but also key terms and sample questions to help you pass the tests in class. I would deffinately recomend it!

Those of you who cannot understand chemistry either because the teacher does not know how to teach or you really do not want to listen...THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. The book is a nice manual for those who cannot comprehend chemistry. It will be like your virtual teacher in print. My only complain about this book is that it is too long. But at least it is comprehensive. And what I like most in this book is it is divided into many sections which made it easier to digest.