'On the Shoulders of Giants' (which shall hereafter be referred to as OTSOG) is the quintessential study of the nature of academicism. It is thinly disguised as a dissertation into the origin (and originality) of Newton's famous aphorism 'If I have seen farther, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.' However, once the reader finds himself confronted by what might or might not be an attack on Richard Burton (the one that wrote 'The Anatomy of Melancholy'), suspicions grow, and in short order one begins to understand that a leg or two is being pulled.

Of course, it does not end there. Displaying the kind of dazzling scholarship that most academics can only aspire to, Merton zigzags across the intellectual horizon on a quest for the lighter side of truth. In doing so, he exposes many of the pretensions of scholarly work, plagiarism and specious logic. Leaving no stone unturned, we are as likely to find ourselves in pursuit of Tristram Shandy as we are to be wandering through the transept of Chartres Cathedral. All in a mad search to uncover who really used OTSOG first.

It needs to be said that Merton is, on his own, an extremely respected sociologist, one who often has used the scientific and academic world as the focus of his remarkable eye. OTSOG sets out to make points by mimicking its subjects rather than lecturing about them. Whimsical and witty, it still touches on serious issues while exposing a great deal of fascinating minutia. Certainly it is a one of a kind work that enjoys a large cult following among those who are reluctant to take themselves seriously. Look out for Umberto Eco's foreword and Merton's riposte-face as well.

Every scholar should this wonderful, joyous book

with Sterne. He comes off third best. First, of course, is the master himself. Second, comes Umberto Eco for his witty, catholic and erudite Forward. Nonetheless, Merton treads where no others have dared in his re-creation of the "Shandean" style. For this, alone, he deserves credit (and reading.) Because Merton chose real characters it was inevitable he failed to reach the pinnacle achieved in Sterne's fictional master-creation: Uncle Toby--one of the great characters in all literature. Do read Merton, and Tristram Shandy.

I work closly with Bob Crisp in my Network marketing Business, since he is my sponsor, and everything he teaches works when applied. What an incredibble experience to be able to work with this man! Buy the book, and apply the principles like we are!

This book is the same as receiving a degree based on this dynamic industry (if such a degree existed as it should!) Anyone who reads this book will finish with a wealth of knowledge given by the man who is the Bill Gates of the network marketing industry. All success-minded people must have this one on their shelf!

I just saw an interview with the author, Rbert Crisp. This is a "must read" book & is destined to be considered one of the great ones. I have also talked to several people who have been in MLM for 10+ yrs each; they each said that this book is one of the best and will be ranked with "Wave 3..."; "The Greatest Networker..." & the other great MLM books. Get it, read it and use it!

Success in life depends on the level of leadership and guidance which you develop within yourself and then are able to express to others. This book is beyond business principles and has many tried and true systems which can be adopted for everyday peak performance and courageous attitude. His ventures have led him back to the essence of network marketing; help enough people achieve their dreams, develop their talents, and listen to their missions, your life will become richer, more rewarding and encompass enhanced meaning. As a manager and leader in Espial, USA I gift this book to all my new enrollees. Thank you Amazon.com for offering this title.

Espials VP of Marketing and sales tells how he earned over 23 million dollars in the MLM industry in a clear, concise manner that has kept me reading non-stop. This is a must read for people who desire to become successful in life and business.

What a great book!Retold Irish Folklore accompanied by beautiful illustrations.Small glossary to help with the pronunciation of some Gaelic names.The story kept my 4 1/2 yr.old's attention (re-read many times), and made me laugh out loud. We loved it! My favorite line..."Finn overcame with wit and wisdom that which might never have been done by force." Words we should all live by!

Robert Byrd has completely captured the original folklore in this beautifully spun tale! This is such an excellent book to help teach your children at a young age some of the wonderful stories found in Irish Folk Lore! I absolutely love it and so does my 4 1/2 year old son!!!

A bonus 11-track cd comes with this portrait of eighty-eight pioneers and players of jazz piano, from Jelly Roll Morton to Benny Green. Here are insights on lives, techniques, and changing perspectives on jazz piano styles and artistry, enhanced by the author's personal experience as a jazz pianist and his original interviews with many of the players. Avid fans of the genre will find The Giants Of Jazz Piano positively absorbing.

Death in Dodge City, is a great book, with a host of the old west legends. Luke Short, Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp. Clint Adams is their friend, and they help each other out. This was the first Gunsmith novel I read. The author does a great job, combining the real life legends, with his character, Clint Adams. I'm now hooked on the Gunsmith series. Don't pass them up.

This is an awesome book of personal accounts, illustrations, and photographs of magnificent individuals of Pacific coast conifers. Van Pelt knows these trees like no one else, having journied to, measured, and stood in awe at each of the giants depicted. His writes with witty reverence and from a deep understanding of the ecology of giant trees. Featured in the book are the author's beautiful line drawings of the trees, which capture the amazing structural complexity of their crowns in a way not possible with photographs. This book is a must for all tree lovers and those interested in coffee table adventuring into the last great forests of the Pacific coast.

Robert Munsch should be praised for tanscending the typical depictions of God in our society. Through depicting God as a little black girl, Munsch expounds the stereotypical images of God within our society. This book has great literary value for children and adults of all ages and colours. If you promote the current attempts to alter the images of white superiority within children's literature give this book a read! Thank you Munsch, your book represents a large step towards equality within our anglo-saxon society.

The range of Vermeer's genius-encompassing scientific and philosophical investigation, pictorial and painterly virtuosity, musical, philosophical, and literary allusions-was enormous. This is but one of the reasons that those who believe Vermeer did not make extensive use of such devices as the camera obscura are not even wrong. Such arguments entirely miss the point of Vermeer's complexity. Robert Huerta's book should inspire an appreciation of Vermeer in the context of the natural science of his time and "more [as he says] in the tradition of a Durer, a Velazquez, or even a Leonardo...." Huerta's bibliography is extensive, his research exhaustive, and his conclusions are always supported with substantial evidence. Even when he conjectures, he does so in an informed way. Note especially the link he makes with Vermeer's "The Astronomer" and Raphael's "Urania, Prime Mover" at the Vatican.

This book will reward those who have both a working knowlege of Vermeer and an appreciation of the history of science as well as an understanding of scientific methodology. It is an exciting addition to literature about Vermeer and builds upon the insights of Gowing and Steadman as those insights have helped to explain Vermeer's expressive "optical way."

Robert McCloskey's classic children's book, Make Way for Ducklings is just as delightful in the year 2002 as it was back when it was first published in 1941. The timeless story of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their eight adorable ducklings is still a fun read for children and parents alike. The story begins as the prospective parents search for a new home suitable for raising their young ones. Mrs. Mallard is clearly the expert in this endeavor and Mr. Mallard is quite relieved when she finally settles on a spot that is not too dangerous or noisy for their young family. The couple make themselves quite at home on a little island in the Charles River of Boston, a quiet oasis within the busy city. Soon the ducklings hatch and Mrs. Mallard sets about teaching them all they need to know in order to live in the city. By now they have made good friends with some of their human neighbors, especially Michael, the policeman. When the family makes its first trip into the city, Michael calls for backup and literally stops traffic all along their path. The people the Mallards encounter are just as pleased to see the ducks as the Mallards are to be there. The reader leaves the family settling comfortably for the night after a day of happily following the Swan boats in the park and eating the peanunts tossed their way. The charm of this book lies in both the heartwarming story and th realistic but idyllic illustrations. McCloskey is quite gifted at portraying the natural world to children in a way that is authentic and familiar. Most children have seen duck families in a nearby pond and witnessed the way the ducklings learn about the world by waddling along after their parents. The sketched illustrations add to the natural feeling of the book. The depiction of the ducks is terrific because they are visually expressive but still look like ducks. Another engaging facet of the story is the positive interaction between animals and humans. The Mallards find a way to live comfortably within a city full of people and their human neighbors are welcoming and accommodating. Overall, this a warm and timeless book. It is just perfect for a parent and child to read together or for a teacher to read to a classroom of younger kids. This is a good selection for children aged 3 to 7.

Children naturally are interested in understanding a parent's perspective on the family. Mr. and Mrs. Mallard's search for a safe home for their future family makes a wonderful story for children and parents to explore and understand more about parental love. Although the book has a 4-8 age reading level, younger children enjoy having it read to them (based on the experiences of my four children). The illustrations are terrific and draw the child's interest very easily. Older children like to reread the story because of its comfortable connection to their more youthful years and reinforcement of their sense of being wanted, loved, and belonging.

To me, the best part of the book is that the locations are actually easy to find in Boston. So if you live in the Boston area or ever come here, you can also take your children to experience the story. I know my younger daughter thought that her first Swan boat ride in the Public Garden was the ultimate moment in her life (up to that point). She kept wanting to know which duck was Mrs. Mallard, and which one was Mr. Mallard. Then she wanted to spot Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack (my favorite name in the book), Pack, and Quack. I had a ball! There are also statues of Mrs. Mallard and her 8 offspring that the children can touch. There's also an annual parade that you can participate in.

If you don't know the story, here's a summary: Mr. and Mrs. Mallard were looking for a place to live where they could raise a family safely. Whenever Mr. Mallard found someplace he liked, Mrs. Mallard worried about foxes and turtles. Finally they got to the pond in the Public Garden in Boston, and were too tired to go on. So they spent the night on the little island there. The next morning they could not find much food, until the people on the Swan boats began to throw them peanuts. But the Mallards were almost run over by a bicycle, so they felt they needed a safer place. They tried several, but each had a drawback. Finally, they found an island in the Charles River not far from the Public Garden that met all their requirements. Michael, the policeman, fed them peanuts. Soon, Mrs. Mallard laid 8 eggs, and stayed to hatch them. After the ducklings were born, they learned to swim and walk single file behind their Mother. One day, she walked them towards the Public Garden. But they could not get across the highway. Michael spotted them and stopped the traffic so they could cross. He called Clancy at the station and told him to send a car to help Mrs. Mallard and the ducklings cross at the Public Garden. When in the pond there, they met Mr. Mallard on the little island. They decided to live there, and followed the Swan boats for peanuts after that.

I have enjoyed reading this story and reading it to children for almost 30 years. I look forward to reading it to my grandchildren when the time comes. It has also been my favorite book to give as a gift to new parents.

Enjoy the wonderful gift of warm family feeling in this book, and leave your stalled thinking about your cares and worries behind. It will remind you what is really important in your life!

This is a loving tribute to Robert McCloskey, the author and illustrator of the best loved children's books, 'Make Way for Ducklings,' 'Homer Price' and 'Blueberries for Sal.' McCloskey passed away June 30, 2003 at the age of 88 at his home in Deer Isle near Portland, Maine. His books focused on family experiences, small-town life, his island home in Maine and Boston. Boston was the setting for his 1941 book, 'Make Way for Ducklings.' It's about a father and mother duck who leads their eight ducklings thorugh the busy streets of the big city. McCloskey a native of Hamilton, Ohio went to Boston in 1932 to study art when he watched some ducklings waddling through traffic. The book won a Caldecott Medal for best American children's picture book. There is also a bronze sculpture of the mother duck and her eight ducklings as a popular tourist attraction in Boston. McCloskey and his family spent summers on Scott Island in Maine, where he wrote 'Blueberries for Sal,' 'One Morning in Maine' and 'Time of Wonder.' 'Time of Wonder' won a second Caldecott Medal. McCloskey has left behind a rich legacy of stories that woven around American living and families, like those of E.B. White and A.A. Milne. This is one of the best children's classics I'd recommend to any parent.