A good book to start your field and in hand bird identification specialty book shelf.

The pictures of birds flying over head are much improved over the paperback Peterson series book "Hawks" by Clark and Wheeler.

This is the best photographic guide to north american raptors available. The photos are very clear so you can see details on plumage. It also includes multiple photos of the species that have morphs, which is very helpful in the field. This is not a book I would recommend if you are using it for written reference. But I give it 5 stars for a field reference guide!

This is simply the best field guide for North American diurnal raptors that I have seen. Unlike some other photgraphic guides, it provides several images of each species in poses that one is likely to see in the field: perched and soaring from above and the side (showing field marks of top of wing and tail). It shows several examples of different morphs and ages for most birds. This is critical in understanding the variability in markings within a species. In addition, it has a section on field identification problems, detailing differences between similar looking birds. To my knowledge, there is no substitute.

However, the paperback version is somewhat cheaply produced. The publisher should improve the binding and the quality of paper for this book. Try not to get it wet.

The book is a collection of disjointed but interesting essays on the general topic of equity derivatives. There is a heavy US bias in the material and none of the topics are covered in much depth. Nor does there seem to have been much in the way of editorial control over the way that essays are linked to form a theme (the treatment of covered warrants is a clear case here).

One to get if the company are paying since, in a book this big on a sparsely covered topic, there is some interesting stuff here.

This is an excellent Anthology of an often maligned and misunderstood subject. The forward is written by Fischer Black who is a pioneer in the derivatives industry. These are clearly written essays on the multiple and intelligent methods of using derivatives in varying investment environments. This is a book about financial choices and the opportunities that abound for end users of these products to hedge, diversify, insure against disaster and customize investment positions. This book should be on the desk of every Treasurer or Money Manager who is entrusted with fiduciary responsibilities.

William R. Clark's book is well written and the "technobabble" is kept to a minimum but after awhile the book does get a little boring. All together, very interesting for someone who is new to genetics but old hat for the professional.

Coming from the computer field, but with a strong belief that molecular medicine is the next, and last big human undertaking, this book, in it's short 200 pages, provides an accessible, understandable model for thinking about what molecular medicine is and what it can become to humans. Very clearly written--you'll follow the details even if your last biology or chemistry class was in college. Too bad a book like this doesn't have a web site to which readers could turn for updates (anyone from the publisher listening??) This would be much more useful than some of the websites for the current crop of Java books! If you're tired of wondering what DNA and genetic research is all about--buy and read this book.

I read this book over a decade ago and it stills makes me chuckle. It taught me a lot about Lewis and Clark's Mississippi voyage and kept me laughing along the way. I'd recommend this book to anyone who's craving a relaxed, intelligent, historical read. Enjoy!

This is fascinating reading for all who dream of following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark and "discovering" those parts of the country that we know only in our imaginations. Especially interesting for us "born & bred" Easterners.

Ever since I read a few books about Lewis & Clark, I've been planning (in my head) a journey out west. This story captures the essence of how I envision my trip. Road rules, no highways, mom & pop restaurants, making new friends along the way.

I found this book very well written, fun, and engaging. I was able to feel what I think L&C and Mr. Duncan all felt. The excitement of a new journey, the weariness of such a long trip, and the saddness once the trip ended. I hope I can one-day follow in their footsteps.

Mary Higgins Clark has a countless number of excellently written books, and this one is just another addition to her wonderful collection. In SILENT NIGHT, Clark writes another super Christmas time thriller.

With her husband stricken with Leukemia, Catherine Dornan is about to take her two boys, Michael and Brian, to the hospital to present him with a very special gift. While out on the streets, Catherine accidentally drops her wallet with this special gift, a St. Christopher medal, and Brian chases after the woman, Cally, who picks it up. From there, the novel really takes off as Brian is eventually kidnapped and held captive by an escaped prisoner on a race to the Canadian border in the midst of a heavy snowstorm.

In this ferociously fast-paced story, Clark manages to mesh together an outstanding cast of diverse characters, all of whom tie in to the search for Brian. The well-developed plot is constantly changing, leaving the reader in a pleasant, rapid page-turning frenzy.

Overall, this is a very well-written book that is hard to put down. Clark is an amazing storyteller, and her imagery and detailed writing make for an enjoyable read. The suspense will have you on the edge of your seat, as this is not a calm and silent night.

I loved the novel. It was absolutely prefect. When I read the novel, I couldn't put it down! It keeps you on the edge of your seat through the whole book. Mary Higgins Clark just has a way of keeping you into the novel until you finish one her suspense-filled books. In the novel Silent Night, a lady named Catherine Dornan lost her wallet and her son. Her wallet fall out of her handbag, and her son ran after it. A lady named Cally Hunter stole her wallet and ran with it. However, when Cally got home her bother who is an escape killer, was there waiting for her. Brian, Catherine's son followed Cally home and consequently, Jimmy; Cally's bother, kidnapped him. The only thing Brian Dornan was worried about was getting back to his mother before Christmas and for him to get back the St. Christopher medal to his father, so he can get well. Risking his own life and safety...what a kid! You'll have to read the book to find out how the story ends. In my opinion, all of the characters in the novel are plausible because their actions and reactions are very believable, by how Mary Higgins Clark wrote it. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

Mary Higgins Clark has done it again. Her wonderfully written novel, Silent Night, was as thrilling as a roller coaster ride in a snowstorm. The story starts out by introducing the Dornan family. Mother, Catherine, and her two sons, oldest Michael, youngest Brian. While visiting the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, Brian notices his mother's wallet drop. It is then picked up by a woman, Cally, who runs off to her apartment, followed by ten year old Brian. When at the apartment, Cally's brother, an escaped felon, takes the wallet and the poor frightened Brian. Jimmy and Brian drive(in a stolen car)to Canada, so Jimmy can escape prosecution. This horrifying ride could be Brian's last. From the beginning word to the last, there is never a dull moment in Silent Night. Author, Mary Higgins Clark's words flow from her mind to the page where her readers get hooked. Many times, Clark uses very descriptive words that are combined with great ideas. The mood through out the book is hopeful, yet depressing at the same time. Mary Higgins Clark uses innocent childern, obedient to their mother,and shoves them into a scary, yet real world situations. Many childern, good or bad, are kidnapped in this society. Silent Night shows the happy ending from a particular situation. As the book, Literary Lifelines states, "She [Mary Higgins Clark] often writes stories about childern in danger, as well as stories about woman living in isolated places." The plot seems to pour from the depths of Clark's deepest fears, joys,and opinions. Her idea of characters and their personalities were magical. "[Jimmy]Sideons has a screw loose, sir." During the car ride toward Canada, the young hostage, Brian, had a lucky medal that his ill father gave to him. "...He [Brian] closed his hand over it [the St. Christopher medal] and mentally pictured the strong saint who carried the little kid across the dangerous river, who had taken care of his grandfather, who would make his dad better, and who... he didn't finish but in his mind he could see himself on the shoulders of the saint." Clark shows the faith of a piece of medal. But, that piece of medal, will ultimately affect his outcome. The descriptive words Clark uses are imaginative and magical. "For a moment there was silence and then the quiet was shattered as the sirens screamed and wailed." Her writing suggests she has experienced these situations. Those who have been through it all are the best storytellers. If you enjoy a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, read Silent Night. Mary Higgins Clark's magical words blend together with the real world characters plus the magnificent imagery to create a spellbinding story that ends in suspense.

This book is one in Zondervan's Counterpoints Series, which presents the view of various (mostly) Evangelical writers on theological subjects. This book is sorely needed because Evangelical apologists have had a history of writing critically and polemically of one another (one thinks of the Clark/Van Til debate), with the result of the layman having a difficult time deciding among the various positions.

The problem with this book is either that the writers are too timid or are more irenic than their label would indicate. There are three authors who present variations on the traditional approach: the classical method (Craig), the evidential method (Habermas), and the cumulative case method (Feinberg). These approaches are quite similar, although some differences do arise. When the reader gets to John Frame's presuppositional method, he expects to get a starkly different approach. After all, Van Til was notorious for attacking "traditional" apologetics as "Roman Catholic" or "Arminian." Well, Frame tells us that he agrees with most of what Craig writes. The final writer, Kelly James Clark (who represents the "Reformed epistemological method"), says the same thing.

Perhaps the editor could have selected a follower of Gordon Clark (a rationalist who denied the proofs of God's existence) or a fideist to present a contrasting apologetic method.

Few books have seriously tackled apologetic method, or how Christianity should be defended rationally. The last book I know of that surveyed options in this regard was Gordon Lewis, "Testing Christianity's Truth Claims" (Moody Press, 1976; republished by University Press of America).

This book presents five different approaches, each represented by one of its exponents: Classical Apologetics (William Lane Craig), Evidentialism (Gary Habermas), Culumulative Case Method (Paul Feinberg), Presuppositionalism (John Frame), and Reformed Epistemology (Kelly James Clark).

Much ground is covered concerning the Bible's approach to apologetics, where apologetic arguments should begin, how certain arguments for Christianity are, and so on. I will simply make a few comments.

The presentations by Craig and Habermas are the most worthwhile because they are the most intellectual rigorous and well-documented. They also tend to agree with each on most things and reinforce each others views. While I tend to favor a cumulative case method (influenced by E.J. Carnell and Francis Schaeffer, but with more appreciation for natural theology), Feinberg's comments are the weakest by far. He never mentions the leading exponent of this view in our generation (Carnell) nor Carnell's apt and well-published student (and my esteemed colleague), Dr. Gordon Lewis. Not one word about either one! His comments are brief, his documentation is thin, and he fails to advance anything very creative or helpful, I'm afraid. A better person should have been chosen, such as Gordon Lewis. Frame gives his "kinder, gentler" version of Cornelius Van Til, which still suffers from the same kinds of problems--most notably the fallacy of begging the question in favor of Christianity. Nevertheless, the notion of a "transcendental argument" for theism is a good one, but it should not carry all the weight of apologetics. Clark's material is philosophically well-informed (one would expect this of a student of Alvin Plantinga!), but apologetically timid. Clark almost sounds like a skeptic at times.

A few bones more bones to pick. The editor refers to Francis Schaeffer as a presuppositionalist. This is false; he was a verificationist with more in common with Carnell than with Van Til. Gordon Lewis's fine essay on Schaeffer's apologetic method in "Reflections on Francis Schaeffer" makes this very clear. None of the writers address the great apologetic resources found in Blaise Pascal. I also found at least two grammatical errors.

Nevertheless, as a professor of philosophy at a theological seminary who teaches apologetics, I found this volume very helpful and useful. But let's not get so involved in methodological concerns that we fail to go out in the world and defend our Christian faith as objectively true, existentially vital, and rationally compelling (Jude 3)!

Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Philosophy Denver Seminary

I got my copy from Amazon a few weeks ago and the day I received it I could not put it down. This is a wonderful text. The book covers five various apologetic methods from five well known scholars who promulgate and defend each of their own views. Moreover, once each of these five scholars have written why they use a particular method, the other four have an opportunity to respond. The responses are by far the best part of the book. However, the actual essays that cover the five methods give the reader a better grasp on that particular method. This book is helpful in several ways. First, it provides the reader a fairly exhaustive treatment of each of the various apologetic methods. Second, it allows the reader to actually see what proponents of the each of the various methods are saying about each of the other methods. Third, it includes some of the best, if not the best, scholars in each of the various methodologies covered. The contributors include, William Lane Craig (Classical Method), Gary R. Habermas (Evidential Method), Kelly James Clark (Reformed Epistemological Method), Paul D. Feinberg (Cumulative Method), and John M. Frame (Presuppositional Method). The only downside to the book that I can see is the idea that some may think that their particular method was not accurately covered by the scholar at hand. In other words, the Presuppositionalists may wonder why John Frame was used instead of someone else, etc. However, I believe that each method was given a fair assessment and the initial essays with the responses will make the book a wonderful reference for many years to come.

This is Shakespeare's 2nd last play. Yet, nothing indicates that he was running out of steam. The images are beautiful. Stephano, Caliban, and Trinculo are memorable as the bumbling conspirators. Miranda and Ferdinand are fine as the two young lovers. Ariel is striking as Prospero's loyal servant. Prospero is a magnificent creation. Not only does he offer several beautiful and memorable passages, but he is well drawn as a character who was unfairly forced into exile. He also makes his prison his paradise. In addition, he is a fine representation of Shakespeare himself: "Knowing I loved my books, he furnished me / From mine own library with volumes that / I prize above my dukedom" (1.2.166-168). His speeches in 4.1 and 5.1 also reflect how Shakespeare himself was contemplating the end of his career. The story itself is very well drawn. Shakespeare grabs our attention with a storm at sea. He offers us a reflection of himself, comical touches, beautiful images, profound passages, beautiful language, young lovers, comical villains, and deep messages. If you like this, be sure to read his final play "Henry VIII."

I took this play with me out on my morning walks this week, and I feel that at the same time I was excercising my body I was also giving my mind and my imagination a pretty good workout.

Like any form of excercise, reading Shakespeare isn't always easy, especially when you're just getting started. But if you stick with it, you're apt to find that it gets easier and the benefits become more apparent. Shakespeare's metaphorical language forces your mind to stay nimble and alert and his rich imagery gives you no other choice than to reconnect your soul to the world around you.

"The Tempest" is a lot of fun to read and it's not as weighty or ponderous as some of Shakespeare's dramas. It's a good choice to start with if you haven't read Shaksepeare before, or if you haven't read him since high school. The story involves Prospero, a duke who has been banished to a deserted island, along with his young daughter, Miranda. Propsero uses his magic to shipwreck a party of ex-compatriates who were originally responsible for his ousting. The ensuing drama deals with issues of loyalty, treachery, forgiveness, freedom, and the mind and body dichotomy. But the best part of it all is the vivid imagery. In the play's best moments, the words glow on the page.

Compared to some other works of William Shakespeare, "The Tempest" may be the deepest in meaning. To Shakespeare's credit, this play is also, unlike many of his others, largely original and of his creation. The characters are bloody well developed and the interloping themes bring you into the play. It is also amazing to follow the metaphorical parallelisms in the character of Prospero that reflect on Shakespeare himself. Essentially, Shakespeare announces the end to his writing days in this play. Read how Shakespeare went out like a champ! "The Tempest" is a universal story and its ideals can be placed in our contemporary society and culture.

I loved Clark’s “Sex and the Origin of Death” and “At War Within”. By comparison, I was disappointed in Hardwired. It is a serious , very informative book, and I believe you can trust Clark. The earlier chapters, about one celled animals, a worm, and a fly, were brilliant, and a lot about the basis of human behavior may be learned from them. The material in the first chapter about studies of twins separated at birth is provocative. The problem is that once Clark, or was it Grunstein, got to vertebrates, the material was just not well integrated. Too often the book read as a series of summaries of successive findings, some of which were inconsistent. Yes, Clark had some overarching themes, repeated a number of times, but that doesn’t replace a good synthesis. There is much that is partially understood at best, and a lot of research which casts light only on a small piece of the puzzle, making a good synthesis more difficult for conscientious authors, but that just makes their job harder, not impossible. Bottom line: if you are interested in the subject AND in science, including technical details, read this book, until a better one comes along.

This book takes on the really big questions about human existence: Is our behavior controlled by our genes, our environment or both? Is our behavior genetically dictated? If so, what can (or should) we do about it? This book actually makes some headway in resolving these questions and others like them and has the added attraction of giving you a survey of the science in this area.

This book sat on my coffee table unread for six months because I harbored two opposing fears about reading it: On the one hand, I thought that the technical scientific details would be daunting, and on the other, I feared that this was an area that was not capable of intellectual resolution, that nothing of importance to understanding the human condition could be learned in this area. I was wrong on both counts. This book is a great introduction to what science has learned about the role of genes in human behavior and it is presented in a manner comprehensible to the lay reader.

The first half of the book is devoted to the study of the behavior of comparatively simple creatures, round worms, Drosophila, sea slugs, etc. By analyzing simplified nervous systems, the authors are able to explore some simple relationships between genes and behavior. Then, in the second half, these same relationships are explored in more advanced creatures and in humans. The authors make clear the limits of the extension of these principles to more complex settings, but they were able to convince me of the appropriateness of the application of these studies to more complex species.

The conclusions that the authors draw are not simplistic. The complex interplay of neurotransmitters is effectively developed and the possibility of multiple behavioral and neural antecedents to behavior is acknowledged. Still the same the reader will be awed, both by the genetic and neural science and by the implications for the human condition.

In short, this is exactly the kind of book that will rock you back in your chair, stunned by the complexity and wonder that is the human neurological system.

The authors are not your average community med tech or physician but University research professionals. Dr Clark with UC at Los Angeles' Dept of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology and Dr Grunstein at UCLA's School of Medicine and Molecular Institute. The book is just over 300 pages and cover a variety of issues from the evolutionary origins of behavior, genes and behavior, the evolution of learning and memory, the role of neurotransmitters in human behavior, the genetics of aggression, eating disorders, substance abuse, mental health, sexual preference and the environment and free will.

Chapter 13 which deals with The Genetics Of Sexual Preference is interesting since they wisely note what many of us bisexual women have always known, which is that "Women show a much broader spectrum of preferences, with a much higher percentage of nonheterosexual women showing varying degrees of bisexuality." And I was enthralled with the information about Charles Darwin's cousin Francis Galton who coined the phrase "nature Vs nurture." Galton is someone I greatly admire. The notation of the value of eugenics is valuable.

Page 293 "What if we define the alleles of other genes that play a major role in aggressiveness, or criminality, or homosexuality? Almost certainly there will be at least a few individuals who will want to use this new information to manage their own reproductive affairs. Past history tells us that if such people gain political power, they may also try to impose their views on societies as a whole. How do we stop that from happening? ...."

Was bothered they included homosexuality mixed with issues like aggressiveness and criminal issues since sexual pleasure isn't a crime between consenting adults. Anymore that enjoying fine food, wine and music is.

As a given, the quality of the content is unsurpassed. Even to this day, Shakespeare must surely remain as one of the finest craftsmen (if not the finest) of the modern English language, and all English-speakers would do well to harken to the Bard.

Anyway, this printing (hardcover) is very attractive, at a distance. The leather (if it's genuine) is not of the highest quality, the pages have a tendency to stick together upon first opening of the book, a result of which is the rare white streak in the text. On a more positive note, the glossary at the back is of frequent use, though it lacks some words esoteric to this modern, American reader. I haven't really read their notes that also come in the back, so I can't comment on them.

However, the fact that one can obtain the complete works of Shakespeare, hardcover in leather, for a reasonable price, itself makes this edition desireable.

How dare you question the master's work! Shakespeer is nmot on trial--you are on trial becasue he is the best.

I think the key is that everyone rips him off--Ethan Hawke, Mel Gibson, stanley tucci, and Alley Mac Beel all copy him with their films.

SO buy this book and be edified.

This is a beautifully leather bound book. I was more than pleased with the quality of this book. Was even more amazed at the price. I was not expecting much based on the price because I expected something of this quality to cost much more.

I thought it will give me plenty of programming example atleast. Only last chapter is dedicated on very very premitive sample application. For a person like me in third world country, amount I paid is very high against return I got. I have ordered other book. This book should be titled like "Theory of ObjectARX" or something like that. First few chapters deals with principles of Object oriented programming, etc... etc..., which can not become part book titled "ObjectARX Primer". Refering this book, by no means, can help any one to start learning ObjectARX programming or start writing ObjectARX applications.

I am fairly disappointed.

Good for managers and those who need to understand why custom CAD programming is beneficial.
This book explains how custom programs can help enforce company standards, save time, and cut costs without getting to technical.

It is what I expected. A cursory overview of what the technology has to offer a corporate situation.

You will need a follow up book to write programs with using ObjectARX technology.

This is a great book. I have both of the ObjectARX series from Autodesk press, and although I have read both, this one can really turn the lights on, because it is a concept-driven, rather than code-driven book. In particular, the explanations of derivation from AcDbEntity and the AcGi classes used for entity representation are very well put forth.

You won't find much code here, but great history of how we got here and the concepts for moving forward. Also good explanations of "why" you would want to do things this way.