The book begins with an inspirational and somewhat simplistic insight into lighting design. Simply as a study of lighting contrasts. While this is a very important aspect of LD, it is by far one of many concepts a professional must use. The book refers to many technical aspects of lighting without giving any "meat" or more in depth information, which I would have enjoyed. If you are new to LD or are an architect or engineer who has little experience with lighting, it is a very good lauching point. If you are technically knowledgable about lighting and want some inspiration, read chapter 1 and the last chapter on Design for concepts

This is an overview of investigative reporting and what it means in American society that will help students of journalism and media better understand why it's so essential to dig deeper than the surface of events. People do bad things. Things don't always work right, be they the machinery of government, public and private agencies, schools, hospitals - you name it. And unfortunately, some of the only times those in positions of power look up from their desks (or their play) is when a journalist lays the problem on the table - with all the raw data clearly visible. But outrage can get out of control. And this book comes at the question of pointed journalistic investigation with the unspoken assumption that digging is okay and should be tolerated in the interest of the public good. Many agree with this, but the numbers are rapidly decreasing as journalists of the late Twentieth Century have abused their privilege. This book is excellent reading and study material, but should be taken with a side helping of media law, some snippets of journalism ethics studies (which are increasing, thankfully) and some common sense.

This is is a fine book devoted to famillar mammals of the US and Canada. It shows full-color illustrations and maps that show you where the specific critter lives for many different mammals. Plus it tells you what a specific mammal eats and wether it is dangerous or not. A must for all nature-lovers !

This collection of Foucault's essays, lectures, interviews, and editorials, offers even the casual reader of Foucault welcome insights into his methods, his intellectual biography and the development of his own methods. Most valuable perhaps are interviews collected from various magazines where he is challenged by his interviewers to respond to their criticisms and the criticisms of others. In one, for instance, Foucault tries hard to correct those who read his works as a totalizing critique of capitalism, or the current penal system, or the mental institution. He insists that his works are only intended to be seen as the history of various specific institutions and that those critics and followers who are tempted to project his findings onto current practices distort his intent. Whether or not you believe him, his defense of his method and his avowed intent are compelling. In another, he also quickly and cogently characterizes his two main intellectual influences, Hegelism and phenomenology, explains why he rejected these particular philosophical trends, but how they nevertheless challenged him to arrive at his own agenda and the course of his studies. Throughout Foucault is ruthlessly honest about his own failings -- for instance his lack of knowledge about the Frankfurt School, and thoughtful -- his appraisal of the problems that inhere in national healthcare programs, which he generally supports but with interesting qualifications. The editorials, while they address issues that may seem remote or dated, demonstrate that he was actively engaged in the politics of his time, and show how he applies his analytical methods to current events. Some selections will be of interest only to the Foucault fanatic or to his biographers, which is the reason for the four star, instead of the five-star, rating. Highly recommended.

Recently,I was asked to suggest a suitable Barmitzvah present for a boy who is mad about Sports but not very turned on by religion. Luckily,I remembered this book which is ideal for him. Very cleverly and skillfully,the author,Rabbi and sports fan,uses different sports and famous players as pegs to hang up some underplayed(forgive the pun) spiritual messages. I was not interested in the sports side but enjoyed the religious interjections.

This book consists of 35 essays which describe specific aspects of the presidency or the president's administration during times of the departure of one president and arrival of the next. The essays are written by those who witnessed the transition first hand or those who have studied the events.

The essays are organized by topic. For example, there are sections devoted to The White House, National Security and Foreign Policy Processes, Economy, Science, Congress, Vice-Presicency. Within each section there are several essays describing various historical events or recommendations for future transitioning officials.

The book is an interesting historical account but by nature of the essay format and subject, it can get a little dry.

I enjoyed the book during my first reading in 1989. I think back to some of the essays now which is what prompted me to look for an updated version. Great reading for historical accounts that are often glimpses behind the scenes. Not great reading for pure entertainment.

When I was a kid my uncle gave me a copy of this book and it opened up a world which still intrigues me...reptiles and amphibians. Even today I consult the book for info on some lizzard I don't recognize or to see if salamanders actually spend a lot of time out of water. In fact, I'm sharing it with my own nephew now--age 11--who's discovering this new world of life for himself. This book is well-presented and easy-to-use, as well as full of great illustrations that alone make it worth reading through. Profiles of each reptile and amphibian are thorough withough being overwhelmingly scientific. A timeless classic for young or old...one to share over the generations.

I read the book The Sorcerer of Kings, by Dr. Stein, and have a few comments on it. First of all I found the book very didactic and well organized. It also provides a good source of bibliography for those interested in spiritualism. Some passages are even comic, when you imagine someone in a scene trying to grab a spirit.!

However, in my opinion, the book is highly biased to prove that William Crookes was a fraud. Actually, right from the foreword (by James Randi) one can feel that. The author should rather present the facts, and let the conclusion to the reader. In a book of this sort this is an unforgivable mistake, just because the author tries to show that William Crookes was himself biased to accept spiritual reality.

I feel extremely uneasy to accept that William Crookes was a fraud (being this the main conclusion of the author). At the beginning of the book he appears simply stupid, an easy-to-fool person. His character then slightly changes from stupidity to quackery, which is of course a heavy charge over such a scientific personality. If he was a fraud as a spiritualist investigator, I cannot see why he would be so serious and brilliant as a scientist (before and after those years of spiritualism). I simply can't accept that. I cannot accept either he could have been fooled over and over by the mediums he tested.

So, in my opinion, remains the mystery about Sir William Crookes. I tend to believe that he died convinced about some of the phenomena he investigated, but felt not worth continuing his research, simply because the scientific community wouldn't accept that, and because he had detected trickery in many cases. The book of Dr. Stein does not prove "the truth" about him. Nevertheless, it is a book worth reading by those interested in spiritualism, in general, and in William Crookes.

I.S. Oliveira - Physicist, Ph.D. Oxford/1993

This is a small book packed with some great recipes and but lacking useful information about spices. The sesame roasted tuna and seared salmon in spicy ginger marinade (which we grill instead of bake) is worth the price of the book.

A great book! I didn't think i'd likek it because I had to read a fiction book for a book report so my mom picked this book up at a tag sale for like 25 cents. At first i thought it would be boring because the first couple pages were, but it was real good. I could't put it down. Only complaint was that it swore a little to much, thats why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. But it was a real good book. I suggest it alot!