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Book reviews for "Gildrie,_Richard_Peter" sorted by average review score:

Criminal Law
Published in Hardcover by Foundation Press (17 February, 1997)
Authors: Richard J. Bonnie, Anne M. Coughlin, John C., Jr. Jeffries, and Peter W. Low
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A Valuable Resource
This textbook is a testament to the fact that Richard Bonnie is truly one of the giants in the field of criminal law. Everything this man writes is valuable; the chapters on mental health and insanity alone make purchasing this book worthwhile (Bonnie is an expert on the insanity defense). This book definitely leant itself to rich and provocative classroom discussions. I enjoyed the book almost as much as I enjoyed his class. I would recommend this text to any professor who is interested in spicing up his or her criminal law classes.


Development Macroeconomics
Published in Hardcover by Princeton Univ Pr (01 November, 1999)
Authors: Pierre-Richard Agenor and Peter J. Montiel
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An illuminating offer for macroeconomics scholars
This book by Agenor and Montiel has succeeded to a large extent in their objective of integrating macroeconomic theory with the issues of the less developed countries. Proves to be an useful book which could be a decent alternative to the various textbooks in macroeconomics which are divorced of the diverse features of the less developed countries. Indeed an asset for the subject and the researchers. Worth possessing. But the cost is a little bit unaffordable for those in the developing world


Disorder in the Court: Legal Laughs, Court Jests and Just Jokes Culled from the Nation's Justice System
Published in Paperback by Natl Court Reporters Assn (30 April, 1996)
Authors: Richard Lederer, Suzanne Marr, and Peter Wacht
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a kick in the pants fun read for lawyers and non-lawyers!
Sometimes people say the darndest things. . .and it happens to oftentimes be in court. A laugh a minute, Disorder in the Court provides hours of reading enjoyment. If it is not dumb witnesses then it's pompous lawyers or snide judges that are making the comments that make people understand why law and lawyers are one of the most joked about fields of work and professions!


Eco-Sanity: A Common-Sense Guide to Environmentalism
Published in Hardcover by Madison Books (1994)
Authors: Joseph L. Bast, Peter J. Hill, and Richard C. Rue
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Very good critique of "mainstream" environmentalism.
This book, out now for almost nine years, has never received the attention it deserves. Bast, Hill and Rue survey the major tendencies among radical environmentalists--"greens"--and have produced the most objective evaluation I've yet to run across that ought to be accessible to the nonspecialist. In fact, considering the scope and complexity of their subject matter, it is amazing that they have produced so brilliantly written and accessible an account of where the human race really stands vis a vis the natural environment.

Guess what? We're not killing the planet!

Bast, Hill and Rue survey air and water quality, forests, global warming, ozone depletion, solid wastes and acid rain among other environmental topics. Bast, Hill and Rue succeed in showing that few if any of the hysterics coming from environmentalist circles are really warranted. The best scientific evidence we have tells us, for example, that our air and water supplies are getting cleaner, not dirtier. Total air pollution emissions in the U.S. today are much lower than they were in 1940, and lower than they were in the 1960s and 1970s. Water quality has shown equivalent improvements. Likewise, there are more acres of forest in the U.S. today than anytime since the 1950s. Regarding global warming, the evidence of a phenomenon that can be traced to human industrial activity is nowhere near as decisive as both the "greens" and the major media would have us believe. Average temperatures fluctuate across the globe for a variety of reasons, some of them too complex to determine exact causes, and we simply have not been keeping records for long enough to map out a direct cause-and-effect connection between warming temperatures and human industrial action. Certainly the science is not decisive enough for the massive changes in the whole economic order being demanded by many "green" activists (many of whom--let's just say it--are socialists who want a "new world order" they can control).

The authors present similar evidence regarding other environmentalist "issues." Consider ozone-layer depletion. Bast et al draw our attention to the fact that global ozone levels have *increased*, not decreased, since 1986. The "hole in the ozone layer" about which "greens" have obsessed was observed back in 1956, long before the man-made chlorofluorocarbons blamed for the phenomenon could have had this kind of effect. Again, real science does not support extravagent "green" claims.

In short, there is no "environmental crisis" in any large-scale sense. The planet is not dying. Nor are we overpopulating ourselves toward extinction. If anything, we are getting healthier because of increased levels of prosperity over the past half-century. Prosperity--created by market-driven and not-command-driven economic systems--leads to a healthier environment because it leads people to adopt more environmentally sound patterns of action. Worries over the depletion of nonrenewable natural resources are exaggerated, because the available reserves dwarf actual consumption. There would be more reserves available, moreover (e.g., in northeastern Alaska), if only the "greens" would let us drill for them. We have the technology to do so in ways that accommodate legitimate calls for environmental protection.

These revelations, important as they are, are not the major strength of this book. Its major strength is to offer a set of principles for *sound reasoning* about environmental issues. These principles do not simply brush the subject off. Obviously we don't want to foul our own nest. There have been environmental problems in the past, but the point is, the situation is under control. Improved technology, the product of human ingenuity that can never be predicted in advance, has consistently provided *solutions* whereas radical environmentalists have provided only prophesies of doom. The real issue, therefore, is "green" hysterics--especially since these hysterics are so often repeated mechanically, like mantras, in the major media.

ECO-SANITY thus offers 36 "rules for eco-sanity" that ought to lead us to a more informed view of how to protect the environment in ways that do not undermine necessary economic liberty. Here is a sampling:

-Correlation is not causation. In eco-systems, cause-and-effect is very complex, and we should never jump to conclusions (e.g., "industrial pollution" is a direct cause of "global warming"), particularly if these conclusions could impact on public policies in ways that could prove to be economically disastrous over the long run.
-We can never avoid risk completely.
-Risks, however, can be measured and ranked.
-It is impossible to prove that something does not exist. (This is that old adage about the logical impossibility of proving a negative.)
-Science is not immune to politics. (Note that the views of climatologists who object to the above global warming thesis are never reported by the major media, much of which is sold on the "green" agenda.)
-Ownership leads to better stewardship. (If land is owned as property, in other words, and protected by private property rights, it is likely to be better taken care of.
-Some environmental groups profit from false alarms.
-Don't react out of fear.

This, as I observed, is only a sampling. For the rest, I recommend getting the book. The point is, we should stop reacting to hysterical claims about a global environmental crisis for which "American capitalism" is almost invariably blamed. And though Bast, Hill and Rue don't dwell on it as much as I would have, we need to question the motives of the "green" movement, especially since this movement now operates at an international level, very well organized, and bankrolled by people with very deep pockets (think of the Rockefellers, for example). There is pretty good evidence that this movement is motivated more by a desire for global power than a sincere belief in protecting the environment. Part of this effort consists of the above-mentioned media blackout on the views of scientists who question the global warming thesis, for example, as well as more recent efforts to destroy the reputations of dissident scientists such as Bjorn Lomborg (author of THE SKEPTICAL ENVIRONMENTALIST) who have presented direct scientific evidence of the flimsiness of the science behind the "green" movement. When efforts are made to ruin dissidents instead of answer them with responsible arguments, watch out! You're dealing with people more interested in an agenda than the truth.


Elvis: The Golden Anniversary Tribute
Published in Paperback by Salem House Publishing (1985)
Author: Richard Peters
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Elvis in his Golden Years
The book Elvis, The Golden Tribute is written by Richard Peters. This is a great book for fans of Elvis Presly. The book comes with a complet list of Elvis' songs from A to Z. This book also contains unique comments by Elvis himself about his life and music. It even has memories of the man from those who worked with him. If you are someone who loves to read about popular artists, then you will love this book! After you get done reading this book, you will feel like you actually knew the King yourself!


Essentials of Surgical Specialties
Published in Paperback by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins (15 March, 2000)
Authors: Peter F. Lawrence, Richard M. Bell, and Merril T. Dayton
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Great for MSIII Students
This is a great book for third year clerkships and board prep. Covers a perfect amount of detail with simple (not layman) terms. Great corresponding imaging pictures and explanations (Xray, CT, MRI etc). This book assumes a basic knowledge of USMLE step 1 material with pertinant reviews of clinically relavent basic science things. Covers Peds surg, anesthesia, Plastics, optho, ENT, CT, ortho, neuro and urology.


Experiencing the Enneagram
Published in Paperback by Crossroad/Herder & Herder (1992)
Authors: Andreas Ebert, Marion Kustenmacher, Peter Heinegg, and Richard Rohr
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Experiencing the Enneagram
If knowing why you do what you do or understanding how you see things the way you see them is important to you, this well-written, in-depth book on the ancient Sufi tradition of self-assessment is a must-have. One of the best parts of this book is the inclusion of an Enneagram Types test, located in the back of the book. It offers a 115-question test along with information on interpreting the results of the test in order to help the reader get a handle on which of the nine personality types most corresponds to their own personality. Those already aquatinted with their Enneagram Type will become more deeply aware of their own patterns, feelings, actions and authentic self as they explore the in-depth explanations presented by the authors. Those who are new to the Enneagram will be impressed with how easy to understand this complex personality tool is presented. An extra added bonus of this Christian-based book includes chapters on mapping a path for personal change, possibilities for use of the Enneagram in pastoral care, and in all relationships. My personal favorite is the chapter, "The Nine Faces of the Soul of Christ". It reflects the nine images of the Christ, and include qualities of being perfect, loveing, creative, beautiful, all-knowing, faithful, alive, almighty and reconciled.


Hands on Vb5 for Web Development
Published in Paperback by Premier Press (1997)
Authors: Rod Paddock, Richard Campbell, John V. Petersen, Peter Aiken, and Peter G. Aitken
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Great book for the beginner
I ordered this book expecting a lot of computer jargon that I would not understand. I am new to programming and this book really helped me learn a few things about VB5 and web development. The instructions were very informative and really explained how everything works. There were lessons to follow that made everything easier for me. The CD that comes with the book was very helpful and made the location of the code in the book easily accessible for reference. I would recommend this book to anyone learning VB5 and web development.


Hideous Progeny
Published in Paperback by RazorBlade Press (2000)
Authors: Peter Crowther, Paul Finch, Gary Greenwood, Ceri Jordan, James Lovegrove, Simon Morden, Chris Poote, Brian Willis, Iain Darby, and Rhys Hughes
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It's alive! It's alive!
Coming out of RazorBlade Press, Hideous Progeny is one monstrously beautiful anthology that explores the world as it would have been if Dr. Victor Frankenstein's gruesome experiments had not gone awry. Writers such as Tim Lebbon, Peter Crowther, Steven Volk, Steve Rasnic Tem, and Rhys Hughes (to name just a few) each donate a small literary organ to the mix, and everything is skilfully stitched together into a marvellous book by first-time editor Brian Willis.

Cosmetically, the book is a two-face: while cover design by Chris Nurse is nothing short of outstanding, the internal layout is not without blemish. For example, outside margins are too wide, story titles are not always at the same height in the page, and the author's name is italicised in some but not all of the instances. Another gripe I have is that page numbers on the right-hand pages are left-aligned; plus, headers have no indication about the stories presented below them: these will give you a bad time if you want to riffle through the book to look up a specific something. There are a few extra typesetting warts and moles as well, as I noticed some characters showing up in a different size than the rest of the text, uneven spacing between words, typos derived from bad OCR, and so on. I sincerely encourage RazorBlade Press to pay more attention to internal design in the future, and run a few spell checks as well. Still, don't let appearances fool you, because the writing on these pages is top-notch.

In the whole, I was not in the least disappointed by Hideous Progeny while expecting quality work. Many short stories surprised me by their original angles, and all are very well written. The subjects are quite varied too, although some do overlap a little - it seems inevitable given the limitations inherent to their collective premise. I have my favourites, of course: Peter Crowther's piece is shocking yet touching at the same time, and the idea behind "Mad Jack" is a simple but nevertheless brilliant one. "The Banker of Ingolstadt" is perhaps the funniest in the book, and I found Steven Volk's "Blitzenstein" to rank among the best.

Whatever shortcomings the book has, they're quickly overwhelmed by the superb fiction it it, not to mention a downright gorgeous cover. For £6.99, it's well worth getting Hideous Progeny: not only will you be adding a fine specimen of a book to your library, you'll also be helping small press business to thrive. Because I want to see more from RazorBlade Press. Oh yeah.


Images in Ivory
Published in Paperback by Princeton Univ Pr (02 April, 1997)
Authors: Peter Barnet, Danielle Gaborit-Chopin, Charles T. Little, Richard H., Jr Randall, Elizabeth Sears, Harvey Stahl, Paul Williamson, and Detroit Institute of Arts
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A very important work, very well done.
Meticulous scholarship, but the text remains readable and interesting to the rest of us. Produced by leading experts, skillfully edited by Peter Barnet, the text is as exquisitely done as an ivory carving itself. The book is generously illustrated throughout with many photographs of the ivories. This book belongs in your collection if you admire fine art and craftsmanship from the medeival period.


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