John Parnell's precise first-hand research + Paul Debois' great close-up photography yield an absolutely indispensible reference book for the serious Mini Cooper buyer + restorer.

With 120 pages featuring over 200 specially commissioned color photos that target specific distinctions between models + international variations, this book will reveal the true history of any car claiming to be an authentic Cooper or S. All those fake Coopers would undermine the value of real ones without this guide to distinguish between them.

Once you own a real Cooper, this book will point out which details are original + which details have been modified over the life of the car. That information should prove invaluable for winning concours events.

THREE CHEERS FOR PARNELL, DEBOIS + THEIR PUBLISHERS!

As a real estate investor I often refer to this book when I am in need help making a decision. It is the next best thing to having a seasoned partner who has been through many market cycles. As a Licensed Commercial Real Estate Appraiser and Broker I am impressed with the material as well as how it is presented. While lifetime of practical knoweledge is somehow reduced to a single 900 page plus book, it is not "dumbed down" for mass appeal purposes. Although I was introduced to this book through a course at Boston University I found it's format more interesting than academic.When investing your money in real estate it is better to read a book like this and learn than, to "just do it" and learn the hard way, believe me. This book is a keeper for your professional library.

A great book for finding and seeing France from another vantage point. There is great detail and information about this country not found in travel guides. The information about French people and their unique life styles is invaluable to the traveler. This book is such a find, outlining marvelous places to experience and know about. The color photography is great, with insight into "hidden" France. I can't wait to use this book in France.

I chose to read this series in chronological order and not the order in which they were written. This being the third to be written but last in order, I read this one last. I must say that I was surprised at how enjoyable a read it was seeing that the last two I read (The Pathfinder and The Pioneers) were pretty disappointing. This novel has excellent descriptions of the prairie setting and the characters involved without weighing the reader down with page upon page of needless descriptions or rhetoric. The story line was very well-conceived, plausable, and coherent; qualities which not many books can boast. Of course, this being the last book in the series, I was concerned about how the author would conclude the saga of Natty Bumpo. Not wanting to spoil anything, I must say that I was very impressed with the way Natty's character was handled. There is nothing worse than reading five or so books and having the author ruin them all by messing up the character at the end. No need to worry here. This novel pretty much has all the ingredients which make The Deerslayer and The Last of the Mohicans exceptional: indian warfare, revenge, some romance, the differences and similarities between Natty's and the American Indian's religious views and philosophy on life, and of course just some good ol' action. I would recommend reading this series in chronological order, but if you do have to skip one of them, The Pioneers can be that one and you would not really miss a beat.

Third in the Leatherstocking Tales series, The Prairie finds Nathaniel Bumppo beyond the Mississippi as the encroachment of civilization pushes him further and further afield. There are five books to the Leatherstocking Tales. Cooper did not write them in chronological order. Accordingly, The Prairie relates the close of Bumppo's career among the Pawnee and Sioux of the Great Plains. As with The Pioneers, The Prairie starts slow and takes time to develop. Additional concessions must be made for a least one plot twist that tickles the limits of plausibility. It should be remembered, however, that the age and the romantic style of writing then in vogue permitted latitude today's novelists are not afforded. Be that as it may, once past this questionable plot development, it matters little for the book is that grand.

Sioux and Pawnee, contesting the plains, find Bumppo, a wagon train of shifty settlers, and a bee-hunting suitor caught between them. What follows is a historical novel which includes every ingredient required for a masterful yarn. Bumppo, in this case "the trapper", represents the ultimate antiestablishmentarian as he longs only for freedom and the space to enjoy it, despising the restrictions of polite society. It is a message that has not lost it's power. Indeed, James Fenimore Cooper, through the Leatherstocking Tales, exquisitely captures a period and place in a manner so evocative that the reader longs to range beside "the trapper" through thick and thin , through the length and breadth of the fledgling American frontier. Having read more than my share of historical fiction, The Leatherstocking Tales rate as one of the finest examples. The Prairie is no exception.

Fare thee well, Natty Bumppo.

This large, very elaborately written book is the first of the Leatherstocking tales Cooper wrote. It is, however, about Natty Bumppo's (aka Deerslayer, Leatherstocking, Hawkeye) final days. In this novel, he's more of a peripheral character, witnessing at least 2 other, very intriguing adventures.

The story is integrated in fantastic descriptions of the prairie; reading it you can almost feel the beauty and power of the unenslaved American wilderness.

This is a good book of inspirations and instructions for mosaic vases, tables, mirrors, and pots. There are lots of illustrations and patterns. However,the title is misleading; there are only a few sources listed, none of which have web site info, toll-free numbers, or a description of what they supply.

Any one with an eye for detail & a creative bone in their body will love this. Much more contempory & fun than the more 'crafty' selection of mosaic making books on the market. Whilst retaining the traditonal format of 'introduction - gallery - techniques - projects - useful addresses, etc' the projects are far from traditional in style if not in technique. This will probably appeal to the more style conscious person because the ideas in the book are more fitting in a modern setting but the principles in making decorative mosaic objects for the home are obviously traditional & well presented. The book has a 'clean' feel to it but I hope that anyone buying it will not stay clean for long as they cover themselves in glue, grout & bits of glass & ceramic (not literally, of course!) This will appeal to anyone who wants to try out a new & rewarding craft but is afraid of that word -"CRAFT" aghhh! This is so stylish you'll be staying in on Saturday night to make a mirror ! I might buy another copy to keep one clean ! Mosaic doesn't have to be folky, religious or in the swimming pool... It is THE up & coming decorative art & these boys have made it their own. Why not have a go ?

This is a great book for the Russel Wright collector who wants to know more of the backstory and history of the man and the pottery. But do not confuse this book with a collector's guide. This book will probably not help you to decide if a piece is RW or not, and certainly will not help in pricing or deciding rarity.

This book is a great compliment to the exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt, but more than that. The information here is not more of the same, of what's already been said about Wright in other books. Although some overlap is necessary to tell his story, there are many new details of his design life and philosophy, and marvelous photos of some of his products and drawings, not seen other books. There are also great pictures of Mary as well. I feel that this book was very sensitively done and that all involved in creating it (and the exhibit) deserve applause. It would be hard to imagine any R.W. fan not loving this book.

Colonel (RET) Jeff Cooper is a controversial figure within the shooting community. His opinions both politically and in technical areas focusing on the deployment of personal weapons, in particular firearms, are subjects for argument among 'experts' as well as laymen. This is, in my opinion, his best work to date. Subjects range from practical pistol and rifle craft to current (1988) perceived political and cultural problems with some proposed controversial solutions. Colonel Cooper relies heavily on his personal experiences in combat and as a weapons instructor. His descriptions of hunting world-wide with emphasis on his African adventures are well worth the price of this book. His experiences during World War Two and more recently as a guest of the U.S. Army provide insight into the historical 'Warrior' mentality of which Colonel Cooper is a living example. If you like books about Teddy (Theodore Roosevelt), or such titles as 'Death In The Long Grass' by Peter Hathaway Capstic you will enjoy this work

Jeff Cooper is known worldwide among shooters as the "Father of the Modern Technique of the Handgun". His contributions to the science of the defensive use of the handgun are legend. Founder of the original GunSite - American Pistol Institute. Trainer of Law enforcement trainers. A director of the NRA. This classic work includes the musings and philosophy of a man many call the "Guru". - Tom Scot

As a former Navy carrier pilot flying F4U Corsairs during the Korean "police action" years, I was particularly interested in Paul L.Cooper's detailed story about being pulled in from reserve inactive duty to suddenly find himself aboard a just-activated carrier, the USS Princeton (CV-37) -- with an almost completely reservist ship's crew, and in a completely-reservist Corsair squadron, VF-871. Based on his personal diary, and extensive research, Cooper brings to life the personal considerations and the doubts and fears about being thrust into a combat zone, and the turmoil of leaving his home and family for an undefined period, and then watching pilots he knew get killed flying missions over Korea. Cooper was not a pilot or aircrewman, but performed one of the many essential tasks provided by the large contingent of enlisted personal that are required to allow the pilots and their planes to fly. Written in plain, uncluttered, easy-reading language, yet filled with incredible detail that pulls the reader into a you-are-there experience, Cooper is to be complimented on his bringing perspective to the "forgotten war" that was so costly in over 50,000 lives during the early 1950s. He describes lessons that SHOULD have been learned, but were later ignored and repeated in the Vietnam War. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the Korean War, and to all who wonder what life aboard a carrier at sea in a combat area is like.

The author, an enlisted man, was activated with his California Bay Area Naval Reserve comrades in 1951 and served with a very active F4U-4 Corsair squadron aboard a demothballed aircraft carrier in the Korean War.
Cooper's work details Navy life in the 1950's, with the minutia of everyday life as well as the more exciting shipboard and aviation action. His descriptions of Navy life, with photos and some historical background, will give readers of the future a good look into the times. Readers wishing to follow the missions of the squadron will have to furnish their own maps.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score' books."

What a great, uplifting book - for all dog lovers! The authors captured great topics with light easy reading paragraphs on each topic. I have read it twice and plan to read it again. The book is like a big Dog Magazine with short interesting chapters!

Briefly speaking, I really enjoyed the information because I have not read this in other dog books. I would recommend this book for all dog lovers :).

Is it safe to let your dog kiss you? *What do dogs think about? *Do dogs get VD? *Embarrassing habits of your dog you've been ashamed to ask anyone about. *6 diseases you can give your dog (and 60 he can give you). *Can your dog see TV? *9 "people foods" never to feed your dog. *Does your dog need Prozac? *Is alcohol or marijuana safe for your dog? *The O.J. Simpson case: What the Akita knows *The 5 most difficult dogs to own. *Should you vacuum your dog? *Do rawhide chews work? *Does your smoking hurt your dog? *Stopping your dog's fear of thunder. *Save your dog with the Heimlich maneuver. *New pills that stop your older dog from acting it. *Are dogs psychic? *Do dogs go to heaven when they die? *19 products that could save your dog's life *Nonshock gadget stops dogs from barking *90 little-known dangers that could kill your dog *Publications that may print photos of your dog. *How to stop a dog from biting you or your child *The most expensive gifts for dogs *How to give your dog pills or brush his teeth *Do electroic flea collars work? *Scary new way to steal your dog *Dogs need sunscreen too. And much much more!

I like Alan Cooper. He is entertaining, thoughtful and has numerous amusing anecdotes and analogies. He is a "voice sounding in the wilderness" in the software community about usability. Unfortunately, I think his point is lost somewhat in the marketing message and sensationalism of this book. Who is the book written for - the software developer or the frustrated user? The first chapter sounds like a Luddite rebellion against computers. It is hard to imagine the person writing that chapter as a computer professional. Using the analogy of a secretary who doesn't know how to save files to a folder as an example of poor design is blaming the programmer for poor training. True, software is often developed by programmers who barely get real requirements, develop in a vacuum and then force feed the end result to the user. And ironically, Alan Cooper invented Visual Basic, which ushered in Rapid Application Development (RAD) programming (good!) but adds the tendency for quick prototype demos to get shipped as "Version 1.0" because the CEO or CIO says,"hey it works now" (bad!).
These shortcomings are not solved by adding a layer of another design person partially disconnected from the user, or making the screen prettier. It is by adapting the Extreme Programming/Agile programming methods of including the user in everything from design to testing, so the software reflects how the user does business.
I still liked the book, just not clear on the message.

Cooper has done a good job of pointing out common problems in software design. The book is well written, with interesting examples and anecdotes to illustrate the author's points. While most of the book focuses on "off the shelf" products, I think the author's arguments are even more relevant to custom software development. If you already believe that software is poorly designed, this book is unlikely to be a revalation to you. It will, however, give you some ammunition to use in discussions with "apologists".

I agree with the earlier reviewer, who said that the people most needing to read it probably won't. This would seem to be a great book for development managers and purchasers of software, but I think the only people likely to read the whole thing are professional developers.

I have two criticisms of the book (for which I give it 4 out of 5 stars): too often it comes across as an advertisement for the author's company; and I would have appreciated more "how-to" information. To this latter point, the author himself says in his preface that he had intended to write a "how-to" book, but was talked into writing a "business case" book instead. I hope that he will soon follow up this effort with the planned "how-to" book.

A final question -- what is with these 1 star reviews? I've read a few of them now, for different books, and I have to question whether the reviewer has even read the book. If so, they seem to have completely missed the point. At the very least, if giving a 1 star review, please provide some detailed criticisms so I can decide whether I am likely to share your opinion.

According to Alan Cooper, the toughest obstacle to overcoming difficult to use computer programs, are the programmers (the inmates) who code those programs. Unfortunately, these programmers are also given almost complete power in the software development process because of the skills they possess. The result is a situation where the inmates are allowed to run the software development 'asylum' because no one else can stop them once they've begun writing code.

The end result of allowing programmers to control the process, says Cooper, has been the creation of two types of computer users: Apologists and Survivors. Apologists are those computer users who can (and do) wade their way through awful software interfaces and designs to get things done despite the environment. Apologists, because they are willing to fight their way through programs to exploit advanced features, then make excuses for bad software design because they can see all of the potential these programs offer. On the other hand, Survivors do just that, survive as best they can as they're forced to use software programs that are not intuitive, hard to navigate and overly complex for the tasks they need to perform. Survivors live in a constant state of fear. Fear of the program, fear of the computer and fear of hitting the wrong button and losing all of their hard work. Survivors do not think using computers are easy and, says Cooper, probably comprise about 90% of the computing community.

Interested primarily in interactive design "...the selection of behavior, function, and information and their presentation to users (22)," Cooper makes the case for changing the role of programmers in the interface design process. The change has programmers writing interface code, not creating interface designs. An ex-inmate himself, Cooper believes that programmers can be good interactive designers and good programmers, but rarely can they excel at both on the same product. Unfortunately, however, that's exactly what Cooper sees happening most of the time in the software design process.

Cooper believes that when programmers have less power in the interaction design process more intuitive programs are the result. These kinds of programs don't test users' patience and drive them crazy with unwanted (or unnecessary) functions and procedures. Cooper proposes that these kinds of friendly interfaces can (and are) quite easy to develop once the programmers are kept in check.

This is an interesting and eye-opening read for anyone interested in computing, or for those frustrated with the entire computing process. A must-read for anyone who wants a fresh perspective on interface design.