One would think that the last thing the world needs is another book about Michel Foucault. With much relief, I discovered that this collection of essays is not simply another exegesis of the late philosopher's work but instead focuses rather specifically on his implied political theory. This volume seeks to introduce the reader to several political themes running through Foucault's writings and to offer "an analysis of political reason itself, of the mentalities of politics that have shaped our present, the devices invented to give effect to rule, and the ways that these have impacted upon those who have been the subjects of these practices of government" (p.2). This is ambitious agenda, and, on balance, the book succeeds well, despite some of its jargon and abstractions. The focus of the twelve chapters is the "ethical" and "technical" character of liberalism and neo-liberalism as a form of governing. The chapters are a mix of more or less accessible and relevant theoretical papers and ones addressing particular topics such as schooling, urban government, the insurance industry, and forms of communication technologies

Too simplistic for the audience. For people that are trying to refine their knowledge of temporal bone anatomy, this program is not sophisticated enough.

George Trinkaus is author and publisher of some half-dozen books on Nikola Tesla, and related subjects. While I have written this review specifically for Trinkaus's, "Tesla - the true wireless," some observations apply to Trinkaus's other books as well.

This is a softbound book - a booklet really - of about 24 pages. The book is moderately priced (well under ten dollars). And while Trinkaus's books do have a slightly primitive, self-published look, the printing and production quality are adequate - no color or photos, though.

This booklet is mainly a reprint of Tesla's article of 1919, "The True Wireless," with introduction by Trinkaus. The Tesla article is very interesting, but sadly shows the great scientist in decline. It begins with Tesla describing a trip he took to Bonn to see Heinrich Hertz. That he was coolly received is not surprising, in view of the fact that Tesla's mission was to tell Hertz that he (Hertz) was completely wrong on how radio works. Curiously, while Tesla claims that his version of radio is capable of transmitting power "billions of times greater than with the Hertzian" version of radio, he is concerned with developing "the most delicate wireless detector known." (Why would he need it? Or is it to help out Hertz with his anemic version?) There are also some errors. For example Tesla claims that, unlike Hertzian radio, mountains have no effect on his radio. But this is not true. If Tesla radio works by conduction through the earth (as he claimed), a mountain would act like an antenna/receiver, thereby influencing other nearby receivers.

Certainly Heinrich Hertz was only human and capable of his share of mistakes. But science requires that theories be constantly tested and re-examined. We may thus be certain that subsequent reviews have noted Hertz's share of mistakes. But to say - as Tesla cultists do - that Hertz led radio completely down the wrong path is not reasonable. How could engineers possibly communicate with a spacecraft at the edge of the solar system based on a completely erroneous theory? Isn't it much more likely that Tesla, outstripped by his colleagues in the race to develop radio, was overcome by rancor and lashed out at them?

Lots of poor writing, and imaginary dialog by the author, but very little to satisfy curiosity about Tesla, to my mind. What are we to learn about how his noted accomplishments, such as the ac polyphase power system, came about? Very little indeed. ZERO STARS from me. Not recommended.

OK, so maybe I'm drawn to more technical information than the author wanted to risk. Or, maybe I harbor a deep suspicion that there's more to Tesla the person than incessant maniacal ranting. Or, maybe I just wanted a gripping read to get me through the airport. For any or all of those reasons, I finished the book and set it aside with the feeling that I had been given sizzle, not steak. Nevertheless, I recommend the book--go figure. Shortcomings aside, the book WAS intriguing and I find myself sparked (ok, pun intended) to run down to the Colorado Springs library and newspaper's morgue to discover where the biography left off and the novel began. Read it, but only as an appetizer

Upon discovering there was actually a book on this subject, Tesla's famous earthquake machine; I was amazed. Tesla is my favorite inventor and I have been interested in building his device for years. But I was sadly disappointed when I read this book. The stories and information are repeated multiple times throughout the book, the instructions are only really a set of diagrams, and overall - this book was a complete letdown. Hopefully someone will someday redeem this poor account for Tesla's technology.

The first part of the book covers Tesla's mechanical oscillator (principle of operation, etc.). Later, a series of blueprints are presented to detail the construction of a small oscillator. A knowledgable person with access to machining equipment should be able to construct one with the information provided. It will not, however, guide you through the proccess! It simply presents the "bare bones" info. After that, the book strays from its title. There is some rather strange talk about alternative religion and some Zen philosophy stuff. Then, were shown text and construction info for some other neat devices (heat pump, motors, etc.). Anyone who enjoys science or wants to build an "Earthquake Machine" will probably be satisfied with the content. Be prepared for some of the off topic discussion though.

Adam Parker

There is some good info in the book, like how to construct the oscalator, and a related heat pump. However, the problem is, you have to dig somewhat to find it. I was under the impression that it would focus on classical vibrations and resonance, but it was mostly ZPE related SVP stuff. I don't have anything against that sort of thing, but it seems to me that the title was missleading. Instead of some additional construction tips for the tesla oscalator, for instance, it instead talked about circular waves collecting ZPE. Make sure you already have SVP and ZPE refrences availible to you if you want this book.

Lately, I have been trying to read everything I can on Tesla. I was intrigued by a special on one of the television networks. I had heard of Tesla before but didnt realize that he had accomplished so much in his life, or that he was fascinated with the signals he claimed to be receiving from outer space (possibly the planet Mars he thought). For this reason, you can imagine my disappointment on trying to gain any new knowledge from the pages of this tome. There is absolutely nothing new here. Its not even put together in a presentable format.Oh well, maybe others will get into this work. I guess I just could not!

This is not a very good book. It is simply a reprint of Tesla's early writings with some added comments and packaged to look like a new book. If you are interested in the subject, look for The Lost Journals of Nikola Tesla, which is a much better book with a lot of good info.

In The Tesla Papers, David Childress has compiled the writings of Nikola Tesla into a comprehensive, informative, and down right fascinating volume of material that provides background and insight into Tesla's amazing inventions. Divided into seven parts the reader is treated to Tesla: Humanitarian; The Problem of Increasing Human Energy; The Wireless Transmission of Power; Tesla's Electric Car; The Tesla Papers; Tesla's FBI Files; The Marconi-Tesla Trial Transcripts. The Tesla Papers is enhanced with some of the papers on Tesla's thoughts and work regarding wireless power, anti-gravity, robotics, free energy, advanced solar power system, patents, and material collected on Tesla at the Colorado Springs Tesla Symposium. The Tesla Papers is a "must" for all Nikola Tesla enthusiasts, as well as students of alternative science, iconoclastic technology, and suppressed history.

Tesla, The Modern Sorcerer, is not what I expected. I wanted an biography of the scientist, but the dialogue with his father at the start led me to believe that it was a children's book, assuming details of actual dialogue were not recorded for posterity. However, after a more careful inspection of the jacket, I found that although the book is labeled Science / Alternate Technology, it is none too clearly also identified as a novel. This is not bad in itself. However, the writing is terrible! Names, dates and place are given and dropped as quickly without having any kind of cohesion. It became apparant to me that the author had writen an outline to help him structure his story, but then he copied the outline and filled in nothing. Details and dialogue are stacatto and stilted. He references, at one point, a machine that runs at so many Webers, without defining what a Weber is or even mentioning it again. Details appear to be decently researched, but the "novel" concept allows these to be manufactured. The authors other works are novels about UFO abductions, and he uses this book to tout his UFO theories. A waste of time to read, but perhaps interesting to a child without previous knowledge of science.

Though what you may learn of the subject matter is facinating, the novelization approach and contrived dialogue sometimes borders on annoying.

As well, the amount of background information (on Edison, J.P. Morgan, etc.) provided sometimes is more distracting than helpful.

I purchased this book wanting a good biographical account of Nikola Tesla. Though it is that, what I didn't realize was that it is really aimed at young readers (ages 9-12). Nothing on the cover or the introduction mentions that fact. The odd book size(wide format), the larger font size and the limited vocabulary give it away as a juvenile selection. I would recommend it highly for that age group. However it was not the adult biography I looking for. I think I will give my copy to my son. I believe he will enjoy it.

As the other two reviewers noted, the book is difficult to get through. I made it past page 65, but I had to push myself. I actually purchased the book over 10 years ago, tried to read it, and became bored. I picked it up again recently, wanting to give it a second chance. I just couldn't stay with it. I am pretty well versed in Arthurian myth, Welsh mythology, etc., and the obscure references to gods, people, and places left me totally confused.

I checked out the reviews here to see if others were having the same experience.

I think this book looks good on a shelf, but not to read.

...but the reason for the book's dullness is interesting. The entire story (I did read the whole book, but cannot for the life of me remeber why...) is told as a history, as if the action is not happening as the reader reads, but has already happened long ago, and the narrator is simply relating ancient events.

This device lends a bit of interest at the beginning of the book, but it gets terribly dull by about the twelfth page of the book, and the author never shifts the narrative to the present, but continually reminds the reader (through verb conjugation and other devices) that this stuff has already happened.

"The Lord of the Rings", on the other hand, is told as if the action is taking place as the reader reads, and this helps to hold the readers' attention, keeping them interested in what is going to happen 'next'.

In Tolstoy's book (and a case could be made that an Authurian book should be more engrossing than a modern tale) however, there is no 'what happens next', since the whole thing was over long ago--and Tolstoy never lets his readers forget it, and thus one never really 'gets into' the story.

Tolkein suffered from this device in 'The Silmarillion', and Tolstoy should have learned from that epic history that this device makes drama and mystery nearly impossible.

And both drama and mystery are required of any writer wishing to hang onto his audience's attention much past page 65.

Keith Russell

While this book is a hard read, I loved it, and appreciated its authentic feel. It is of a much higher quality that much other modern Arthurian trashy fantasy novels. And, in my opinion, should not be compared to them. If you want an easy, simple story to read featuring Merlin, etc, there's lots more to choose from. If you want something with an edge, is more real, and substance, then get this book.