This book breaks down the complex world of data communications very well. As someone who has had virtually no experience in this field I was able to capture a massive amount of information in a manner that was easy to understand. This complex topic was made easy by Dr. Bidgoli. His easy to read writing style was aided by helpful lists, photographs and a comprehensive glossary of terms. Another great feature of this book are the real life examples of how companies use data communications technology. I would recomend this textbook to anyone who wants to learn about data communications.

Finally a data communications book that everybody understands is published!

Dr. Hossein Bidgoli, in his 2000 publication, Handbook of Business Data Communications: A Managerial Perspective, addresses a wide range of Data Communications and networking topics ranging from the OSI Model to an in-depth discussion of Local Area, Metropolitan Area, and Wide Area Networks. Professor Bidgoli uses his extensive knowledge of the educational process to convey critical data communications information to managers, as well as future managers, of both large and small businesses. The book covers a broad range of topics ranging from basic information to in-depth technical data communications information in an easy to understand format. Basic topics include: Intranets, Extranets, Network Topologies, the OSI Model and many other important data communications topics and applications. Through in-depth discussion and accompanying case examples, Professor Bidgoli presents the information in an easy to comprehend manner. The Handbook of Business Data Communications: A Managerial Perspective is a must read for both IT managers and IT students. Professor Bidgoli gives an in-depth easy to follow presentation of both basic and complex data communications technologies. This book is highly recommended for both professional and educational use. *****

Perhaps Professor Bidgoli's greatest strength is his ability to break difficult and complex information systems issues down into understandable terms. This book takes all the mystery and confusion out of communications issues and makes sense of what is otherwise very difficult material to master. His approach, backed up by solid industry examples and thorough end-of-chapter learning resources has made a true believer out of me! I can tell you that even after 20 years in the information systems industry, Dr. Bidgoli's book still presented an incredible amount of new and interesting information in a very creative way! I highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to "demystify" the entire topic of data communications.

It is an excellent peace of comprehensive MIS work. As an IS professional, I have used this book as a reference on several occasions. The subject matter comprises all aspects of managing an Information Systems environment. It covers complete IS industry from the core database principles to front end applications. The book also includes advanced topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Genetic Algorithms and Neural Networks, examples of which are becoming prevalent in this industry. I would highly recommend this book for IS managers and students who intend to have a thorough understanding and knowledge of information systems.

I have read Bidgoli's publication, Handbook of Management Information Systems: A Managerial Perspective: This book provides an thorough coverage of major information systems topics. The book steers clear of technical details by emphasizing the managerial perspective of information systems issues. Written for those who are just entering the management field or for seasoned veterans, this book is the bible of information systems management. If you are looking for an easy to understand information systems book that covers all the critical areas of the technology field, this is the one! I highly recommend this book to students, managers, and executives of both public and private organizations.

Hossein Bidgoli, in his 1999 publication, Handbook of Management Information Systems; A Managerial Perspective, addresses a wide range of MIS topics ranging from Information Systems Basics to an in-depth discussion of emerging artificial intelligence technologies such as Fuzzy Logic, Expert Systems, Natural Language Processing and Neural Networks. The author uses his extensive knowledge of the educational process to convey critical information to managers, as well as future managers, of both large and small businesses. Through in-depth discussion and accompanying real life examples, Professor Bidgoli presents the information in an easy to comprehend manner. Just like his other publications, it is comprehensive, easy to follow and a real learning experience. The Handbook of Management Information Systems; A Managerial Perspective is a must read for both IT managers and IT students. I have read this book and have learned a worldview of this fascinating field. Try it yourself! I highly recommend this book for both professional and educational use. *****

Being a Shia and an avid student of Shiaism, it has always been a frustration for me to read books which are written by half-baked authors who don't even bother scratching the surface of a religion and its ideals and write about it.

I have read several books by authentic Shia scholars from Iran and Iraq. Some of them are very good books, but unfortunately, are not always available to readers in the desired translation and presentation.

I, being a student of this religion and a practising Shia, would highly recommend this book, for anyone who really wants to gain an insight into the religion. Very balanced views, without any prejudices and biases and a "zoomed out" view of shiaism, which despite the breadth it covers, does not neglect the "Depth" and is a complete book in every respect.

My compliments to Syed Hussein Nasr and all contributors of this book, for completing a "complete" and "correct" picture.

I have read many books written on Shi'sm by crank theoretician 'scholars', but this book is an exception. Usually books written by scholars of religion are not worth reading, mainly due to the fact that Scholarship and religion do not mix. But a few seem to be an exception to this general rule and Mr. Nasr and a few others such as Corbin and Chittic are among them. Usually these so called Scholars of religion are as ignorant as they are arrogant as the following comment by one of the 'critics' would indicate. Mr. Fathi of the Middle east Journal tells us ' At least half of the subjects discussed in the book are highly abstract and hair-splitting fine points unlikely to be understood even by a university-educated Shii in Tehran, let alone by an American or British reader'. Apparently Mr. Fathi had hard time understanding the book, and due to inherent self flattery, he is under illusion that everyone else from Tehran to England and America wouldn't 'comprehend' the context of the book either. Not everyone would subscribe to Mr. Fathi's arrogant and self-glorified approach, but one has to remind these geniuses that we are not living in dark ages anymore( as surprising as this might be to these people) and contrary to Mr. Fath's misconception, people are very intelligent and capable of understanding ' abstract' topics. One should remind Mr. Fathi that just because one person has hard time understanding ' abstract', doesn't mean that the rest of the world shares that inability as well.

This marks the first volume of an ambitious anthology project headed by Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Mehdi Aminrazavi. The goal is eventually have 4-5 volumes. What is impressive about this work is that for the first time, many of the most important philosophical texts will be made available in contemporary and scholarly translations. While there is no shortage of books on Islamic philosophy, it has been very difficult to find accurate translations of Islamic philosophical texts. One would imagine that this project would be of interest to students of Islamic thought, as well as Aristotelian and Neoplatonic philosophy. We look forward to the future volumes which will deal with Isma'ili and Kalam texts as well. Highly recommended.

It is the best book. If you are studying Islamic Law, GET THIS BOOK. I am a master at this subject. I wish to meet the author. It is AWESOME! How did the uthor do this, I have NO clue! A masterpiece!

Hossein Bidgoli's Electronic Commerce: Principles and Practice is a comprehensive reference and analysis of a phenomenon that has globally revolutionized economics as we know it: e-commerce, the buying and selling of goods and services over the Internet, potentially to anywhere in the world. Among the many specific issues addressed by this fantastic guide are marketing and advertising on the World Wide Web, security issues, legal and tax issues, and how to build a successful e-commerce site. Projects and exercises to test your understanding conclude each chapter. The text's wording is straightforward, deliberately geared toward people who have had little or no experience with the Internet, and clear enough for the lay person to easily understand; anyone with a little spare time can use Electronic Commerce to teach themselves the same basic knowledge offered in entry-level seminars for hundreds of dollars of tuition. Electronic Commerce covers everything except how to create a webpage in HTML or write programs with specific computer languages/softwares, and is an invaluable, basic primer for anyone who is new to the art and skill of doing business over the Internet!

Iraqi chilled with the best of 'em.
a dervish that wandered into the same konya that was home to Rumi. a student of Rumi's friend Sadruddin Qunyawi(disciple to Ibn Arabi). Iraqi's Flashes are the synthesis of Ibn Arabi's metaphysics and the love theory from Ahmed Ghazali's Sawanih(the oldest persian work on sacred love by Abu Hamid Ghazali's younger and more mystical bro). while Chittick's great prose translations may never compare to the beauty of the persian originals, the powerful ideas expressed in the poetry trigger enlightening thoughts and awaken the soul.
so...while Muslim philosophers say technical things like:"GOD IS THE NECESARRY EXISTANT" or "ALL EXISTANCE IS a Manifestation of DIVINE ATTRIBUTES". the poet Iraqi says NOTHING EXISTS BUT LOVE.
You are a LOVER, you just don't know it YET.
The book is smack in the face of all who say Islam is a religion of Hate that believes God as a distant vengeful one to obey out of fear.
peace.

My name is Ali Torkamani--THIS dude has one cool-a** name

This little work by Dr. Nasr is an excellent little introduction to the life of the Beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) which concentrates on the spiritual nature of his perfect life. In this manner it is different from most other biographies which concentrate on the political events. This book is important also in that it relays a little of the awe and total respect in which Muslims have traditionally held their Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Also, though Dr. Nasr, is a Shia he does not allow that to cloud his objectivity.

Commenting on one of the earlier reviewers I will say that orthodox Sunnis too believe the Prophet of Islam to be perfect, and infallible and sinless both before the proclamation of Prophethood and after it.

This book is a good introduction, especially for younger readers or those who do not have the time to read a longer book.

I respect the Author very much, and I really like this little short book about the Prophet. I also find the comments written about this book equally interesting and enlightening. Unfortunately growing up in Middle East we don't get to question our faith or our understanding of our faith. Only when we leave that environment we get a chance to really reflect about some very fundamental issues about Islam and history. Realizing the collapse of Islamic world, I have often wondered about the truthfulness of Islam, and been struggling with this question for a few years. The usual answer of " America did it" doesn't make it either, at least not for me. Reading the history of Islam I really don't see anything divine about our Islamic empire. Islamic empire was like any other empire, and finally, like any other empire collapsed under its own weight. I cannot see anything divine about it. Sure we made some progresses in Math, astronomy, medicine etc, but so did other empires in the history. We had some ugliness associated with our Islamic Empire and so did other Empires. I see nothing special and divine about the inner workings of our Islamic Empire that could clearly distinguishes us from others in the history. So what difference did Quran make except in uniting us Arabs into one nation, which ended up in creating our Empire? If Quran was supposed to create a Divine Utopia, I have no other choice but to say that Quran has failed in this regard and again this failure can not be blamed on " Amercia" since the history of this failure pre-dates America.
It seems to me that Shia philosophy does provide some answer to this question and it makes me wonder. Their "claim" is that it is not Quran that has failed but rather "we" have failed in understanding Quran, it is our understanding of Quran that has failed. I very much like to read more about what Shiism has to say and to my surprise I found out that there aren't many books by Mr. Nasr on Shiism. My question to Mr. Nasr is why doesn't he write about what Shia has to say about Islam. Given the current situation on Islam, and the fact that many people like me are struggling with some serious questions about our faith, I think an alternative way of looking at Islam is a welcome news.

Often my friends ask me why I chose to become a Shia. My answer is very simple, if Quran is a "Perfect" book, then we need a "Perfect" teacher, otherwise Quran by its virtue of being Perfect will become useless and of little practical significance for Moslems. The fact that so many contradictory philosophies had emerged in the history of Islam, all relying on Quran as their primary source, indicates that Quran by itself could not be of much guidance. The fact that Islamic world collapsed, as did Communism, indicates that Quran was not in charge of our mind and lives.

Quran is a book of "Light" of "Clear Guidance" and yet Islamic world is so confused and lost. Obviously something is very seriously wrong, and I don't believe it is Quran. Rather it is our approach to Quran is wrong and has been wrong for centuries. Yes, I was a Sunni and I got tired of not knowing what Quran is all about, what is its inner meaning, what is its "True" message. I got tired of hearing all kind of speculations about the True meaning of Quran and knowing all too well that we all just guess and not a single one of us can say for sure what Quran means. Even the most fundamental principles of Quran which Al-Tawhid is a subject of dispute between philosophers, Sufis, theologians, all pointing fingers at each other and blaming each other for having missed the "True" meaning of divine unity. Enough is enough. I thought all this is Prophet's fault. How can he expect us to figure out what Quran is all about? If he did expect us to figure it out, then obviously he was mistaken as centuries of history is a witness.

I always thought that Prophet was the only one who knew was Quran was all about, and after his death, Quran too died, or should have died and saved us from so much pain. As long as he was alive, his was the last word, there was no maybe, could be, "God knows best" answers to questions put to him about verses of Quran, there was no uncertainty, no confusion. Only if he could live forever among us. But later I came across some books written by Shia authors, such as Dr. Nasr, and I realized that Prophet did leave us a point of reference someone whose views of Quran wasn't a whole bunch of best guesses. I don't blame Prophet anymore for the mess we are in, or have been in for centuries, I blame us. We did what Jews did to Isa- Jesus- in spite of his greatness, and having been promised by previous Prophets, his people decided to push him aside or attempt to kill him. The fact that history repeats itself was no mystery to me, it was just that I was too arrogant or stupid to see the truth and blamed Prophet of Islam for our misery and confusion instead of blaming ourselves for it.

I no longer believe that the "as is" Islam is the Islam that Prophet had in mind. The Islam of Prophet would have brought us Light, Clarity, Guidance, Peace, instead of confusions, darkenss, misery, which finally resulted in a total collapse and to this day we moslems are trying to figure out a way out.

This book has entrancing photos, and skips through a large number of countries and studs. If you are looking for in depth information on Arabians in any particulary part of the world this book is not for you. It looks at selected studs only. If you want lovely pictures you wont be unhappy.

This book is a necessity for the library of any Arabian lover. The text and photographs take you around the world and through the passages of time. Fabulous photographs and wonderful attention to detail. What a worthwhile purchase!

This is a great title to add to your ever growing arabian horse book collection. It's excellent reading, as it contains everything that you need to know about this magnificant breed and is fully illustrated with beautiful graphics.