I bought this book in paperback in a used book store a number of years ago and read it, thought it was great. When I found in in hardback later, I bought it again because I liked it so much I wanted to own it in hardback. It was one of those rare books that makes me say "That's why I want to be a writer." I said to myself at the time I was going to write the author a letter and tell him how much I liked it, but I never did. So this review is sort of saying it. Good job. A quiet, but very moving book. I read his two Viet Nam books later and thought they were also good. He should be more recognized than he is. I have him on my shelf of favorite modern authors along with Andre Dubus, Russell Banks, James Alan McPherson, Richard Ford (Rock Springs) and Richard Yates.

Richard Currey has a unique writing style that reads like poetry, while keeping the element of story telling intact. His stories of West Virginia living are realistic, ugly, and beautiful.

This is an excellent cross-selection of international erotic artwork. Although pieces from Western civilization are more heavily-weighted, there are still plenty of sculptures/paintings from Asia, South America, and Africa. The time range runs the gamut from thousands of years ago to modern art. The pieces are chosen well, and the colour reproduction is admirable.

Do not expect a meticulously-researched book, though. I don't have a terrific knowledge of general art history, but I do know a bit more about ancient Greek art than the average person. Although the vital statistics are available for each of the pieces shown in the book, the write-ups are occasionally filled with pure conjecture. For example, some of the Greek red-figure artwork is described rather wishfully. One piece, showing an orgy scene, is described as a scene involving men and hetairai (high-class courtesans) at a symposium. In actuality, these women are probably lowly prostitutes, as evidenced by the coarseness of their features and heavyset bodies. Hetairai are depicted as being more refined and beautiful than these particular women.

Another red-figure piece is featured, showing a man and a young woman having sex outdoors. Dr. Westheimer writes, "If he is a considerate lover ... he will turn her around and bring her to orgasm with cunnilingus." Although cunnilingus may have been practiced, it is not represented in ancient Greek art or mentioned in Greek literature. In fact, the Greeks didn't even have a word for it. Since ancient Greece was a very sexist society, and generally speaking, women did not have any rights, I think it's highly unlikely the woman in the red-figure cup ever did receive any sort of oral nookie.

Although I believe Dr. Westheimer makes incorrect assumptions about some of the artwork, her artistic interpretations aren't the purpose of the book. The purpose is to offer light entertainment and to provide artistically-motivated lessons in seduction, a goal she achieves quite well.

Of course I saw this book in a bookstore. I bought it. I read it. I believe it. I don't care if Dr. Ruth is a real doctor. I have to believe that Egon Schiele actually saw everything he painted or drew, even if it was only in his dreams. Am I reading this right?

I originally just got this book because it was thin and about war for my English assignment. 2 chapters into it I was hooked and it is one of the best war stories I have ever read! Coming from a 16 year old, I think this book is a must read!

Simply the best book on the Vietnam War experience i have ever read. i was unable to put it down, even when i was so angry i wanted to throw it across the room, or when i was crying my eyes out. this book touched me in a way none other has. simply a must-read.

Richard Currey's novel The Fatal Light gives an incredibly realistic view of the Vietnam War. Although gut-wrenching at times, the novel is quite intriguing and interesting.

Less then half of the book is about the life or philosophy of this great thinker. More then half the book is leftist propaganda disguised as objective reasoning obviously intended to indoctrinate the novice - its intended audience. One example should suffice. Margaret Thatcher is made to say: "There is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women and there are families." Machiavelli then responds: "Nothing I ever wrote was worse - this is a republican nightmare and a sure recipe for social and political disaster!" If you do not recoil from this exchange then you have already been indoctrinated. Quickly pick up John Locke or the Federalist Papers to recover. Then help the young readers of this book recover.

I picked this up from a sorting shelf this afternoon, and I am very very glad I did so. This book introduces you to Machiavelli's life and ideas, and then deftly compares his writings to contemporary and recent history. The "running commentary" by Machiavell is fascinating. It's opened my eyes to just how switched-on Machiavelli was, and how earnest and well-intentioned. I'm definitely going to be reading more about Machiavelli - indeed, this book was so good I'm considered changing out of science and into arts to pursue the topic more closely!

I knew very little about Machiavelli before reading this amusing illustrated book. I had heard many 'negative' remarks about him, but just like Nietzsche, Machiavelli is not at all that simple. A fascinating character with much to say that is still quite relevant to our world today. I will definitely go on to read Machiavelli's books. The cartoon sequence featuring Mussolini and Gramsci in a dialog moderated by old Nick was great. Go out and get this book!

This book is a compendium of information about Excel that is very poorly organized and presented. For example, most people want to use spreadsheets for doing some form of calculation, but formulas and how to enter and use them in Excel are presented in this book in Chapter 8 (hardcover, Gold Edition) entitled "Creating and Using Formulas" which starts on page 155! Then, a few pages into this Chapter he has a section entitled "Referencing Cells Outside the Worksheet" which is fairly advanced material - before he goes into how to copy a formula to multiple cells (a very basic thing to know). In short, stay away from this book unless you already know the material; it's not a learning tool.

I agree with the previous reviewer that the book is logically organized poorly for referencing certain operations. I think this is a very small drawback for the amount of information that this one source provides.

I've had to read it cover to cover and I find it to be very easy to understand and covers all of the basic and intermediate operations that I would use. It also covers strategies for building your own applications with Excel (both 97 and 2000). It will not gather much dust on my bookshelf.

I believe this book is a great book. However, people who buys it are not aware that the book is for intermediate level. It is assumed by the author that they should have a basic knowledge of how to use excel. Please read the title, and the back cover page to let you know for who it is written. This book was not written for beginners, do not give a bad review about it if you do not know how to use excel at all. Buy a book that is for you. a beginner level book not a beginner to intermediate level.