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Book reviews for "Griffiths,_Brynlyn_David" sorted by average review score:

An Introduction to Genetic Analysis
Published in Hardcover by W H Freeman & Co. (04 February, 2000)
Authors: Anthony J. F. Griffiths, Jeffrey H. Miller, David T. Suzuki, Richard C. Lewontin, and William M. Gelbart
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Not all good...
I agree with some of the comments of the other reviewers: the book seems comprehensive and is very attractively laid out. However I am attempting to read the book on my own, not as the textbook to a course, and I am finding that it is quite badly organized. For instance, the first chapter rushes through a whole lot of stuff which is presumably covered in more detail later in the book, but they don't really tell you that, nor do they simplify it as they should if it's just an overview. In later chapters, several terms are used without being defined, and often it's impossible to tell what's going on in the figures from the captions and the text. I can imagine the book being good if you're taking a genetics course, but if you're just trying to read it and teach yourself, be prepared to be often confused...

Excellent genetics textbook and reference
I've used this book quite extensively in my introductory Genetics class, and I'm sure I'll be using it often as a reference in the future. It is superbly written, with clear explanations of the material.

There are many, many diagrams and photographs which help to solidify understanding, and they are all in full color. It is organized very well, although this organization has changed from edition to edition and any teacher or student using it in their courses should be aware that chapters and problems in this newer version do not always coincide with those in previous editions. The questions are excellent as well, although purchasing the solutions manual is a wise idea (it is also very well done, with long, detailed explanations of the answers to the problems).

Overall, of the 3 or 4 genetics textbooks I've looked at, this is by far the best one. In fact, it's one of the best textbooks I've ever used for any class. This one's a keeper.

Superb
I work in a Mammalian Genetics lab, I have referenced this book numerous times and I have only had it a little over a month. It is those little things we forget, but now that information is at my fingertips. Excellent, would recommend it to anyone in the field.


Coercion
Published in Audio Cassette by Audio Renaissance (1999)
Authors: Douglas Rushkoff, David Griffith, and William David Griffith
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Dectructing the Media Ecology
If you've never read anything about the psychology and dynamics of persuasion or coercion, then this will book will open your eyes to this field. Rushkoff asserts that everything is coercive or persuasive in some manner. (Most people view the former as having a stronger connotation.) He deconstructs such areas as advertising, atmospherics (e.g., layout of a store), public relations, and the psychology of hand-to-hand coercion (e.g., mirror consumer's behavior = better rapport = more likely to buy).

Basically, Rushkoff provides numerous examples in each category of how individuals and organizations take advantage of the psychology of human beings. For example, we are more easily persuaded if we regress to when we were younger (and more susceptible to appeals to authority), transfer our feelings to an authority, or listen to certain music or smell certain smells (e.g., bake bread when trying to sell your home).

All told, this book will help the reader to better deconstruct the capitalistic environment that is built on persuasion or coercion of some sort. I also recommend the "Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini. Read Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death" for a trenchant analysis of the rise of television (and its iatrogenic effects).

How "they" short-circuit our better judgment
Douglas Rushkoff used to be a lot more hopeful that the rise of the Internet would free us from the "arms race" of manipulation and counter-manipulation to which we're subjected through the major media. He's changed his mind, in part because he found that his earlier work (notably the famous _Media Virus!_) was being taught in marketing classes to people who wanted to _create_ media viruses.

But he hasn't turned into a pessimist; he still thinks we can break the cycle, and this book is supposed to help us do it. And given his subject, he writes with a refreshing lack of paranoia: he's well aware that all of these techniques are (a) based on common features of "human nature" that ordinarily serve us just fine, and (b) used all the time, to some degree, by all of us. "We are all coercers," he says," and we are all coerced."

As you read the book, it will help to be aware of something Rushkoff doesn't actually get around to explaining until his closing chapter: by "coercion" he means the sort of "persuasion" that is intended to make it difficult or impossible for us to exercise our better judgment -- as distinguished from genuine, no-scare-quotes persuasion, which engages our reason rather than trying to short-circuit it. Bear that in mind if you think -- as I initially did -- that he's confusing coercion and persuasion.

What he's actually talking about is what people of approximately my generation would at one time have called a "mind-cop." (That term, by the way, has very nearly the same literal meaning as "geneivat da'at," or "stealing the mind" -- a term used in Jewish law for certain sorts of deception.) I assume no reader of this page will need me to explain that there's something ethically wrong with such practices, even though they fall short of physical force or the threat thereof. Indeed, by my lights, the sort of thing Rushkoff writes about, being a violation of the integrity of the mind, seems somehow _more_ wrong than the "initiation of force."

At any rate the subject should be of interest to a wide range of readers. I'll single out two kinds: (1) readers interested in the psychology of judgment and decision-making (and see Scott Plous's excellent book of that title for a good introduction), and (2) law students. (Yes, law students. It's relevant to all sorts of questions that arise in the study of the law: How are juries persuaded? When may a contract be rescinded? Why does the law protect stuff like "brand identities" and "public images"?)

Rushkoff's discussion covers a pretty wide range of methods, from advertising to PR, from "atmospherics" to pyramid schemes. One of his greatest strengths is his ability to draw parallels between, for example, CIA interrogation techniques and Nazi rallies, on the one hand, and sales techniques on the other, _without_ making you feel as though he's pushing a wild-eyed conspiracy theory. The narrative is also peppered with on-point personal anecdotes, and his passages on "cults" are downright spine-tingling. (And if you've ever felt a little funny about the popularity of Dale Carnegie's famous book, you'll like what Rushkoff has to say about it.)

Above all, don't make the mistake of dismissing Rushkoff as a "leftist" (as he says has happened to him). The political division between "right" and "left" is so malleable as to be almost meaningless. The relevant political division is between authoritarians/corporatists/statists and libertarians/populists, and Rushkoff is firmly in the anti-"authoritarian" camp. He's under no illusion that the government is going to Protect Us From All This; indeed some of his own examples demonstrate just the opposite. He's out to free us, not find a new way to enslave us.

Rushkoff's musings on the nature of "coercion" should also lead us to reflect on the nature of the "free market." According to libertarians (including me), the "free market" is simply the society that results when people respect each other's rights/integrity and engage one another only in voluntary relationships. But can a relationship based on "coercion," based on getting the other person to exercise something less than his or her best judgment, indeed based on anything less than full disclosure and fully informed consent, really be called voluntary?

If not, then the old Roman-law-based "caveat emptor" standard doesn't belong in the _real_ free market, and a very great deal of what we've been _told_ is the "free market" is really something else. A genuinely free market, in which all "exchanges" were truly informed and voluntary, would be communitarian rather than corporate-statist -- less, that is, like the military-industrial complex and more like a Grateful Dead concert ;-).

Anyway, Rushkoff's book is very nicely done, and bound to appeal to those of us who think we're skilled in the art of "crap detecting" -- a phrase I first encountered nearly thirty years ago in the brilliant _Teaching as a Subversive Activity_, by Neil Postman and Charles Weingartner. If you've read that book, or even if you just like the title, you'll like Rushkoff as well.

Excellent Introduction To Coercive Mindwars
Rushkoff's most solid and well-written book to date, an excellent introductory overview of the coercive tactics and techniques used by Internet e-commerce merchants, multi-level marketing personnel, car dealers, and the U.S. military (the 'appeal to a general and broad readership audience' hot-button).

Rushkoff offers insights from his own consulting career, revealing that issues aren't as simplistic or ideologically pure as is sometimes portrayed (the 'response to critics' and 'juicy inside gossip' hot-buttons).

The index and bibliography are well worth pursuing, including Philip Kotler's seminal 'atmospherics in shopping malls/casinos' work, Noam Chomsky's de-construction of thought control in 'democratic' societies, Peter Watson and Christopher Simpson's review of psychological warfare techniques used on domestic populations (car salespeople using CIA interrogation manuals to increase sales), or Robert Dilt's study of the neurological basis of NLP (the 'appeal to authority', 'appeal to power', and 'appeal to specialist, esoteric areas' hot-buttons).

In an escalating arms race, it's no longer just persuasion (Vance Packard) or influence (Robert B. Cialdini), but coercion. Buy a copy for yourself and one for your friends! (the 'if all else fails, make the buyer feel fearful' hot-button).

Have I coerced you into pressing 'buy' yet?


The Definitive Andy Griffith Show Reference: Episode-By-Episode, With Cast and Production Biographies and a Guide to Collectibles
Published in Hardcover by McFarland & Company (1996)
Authors: Dale Robinson and David Fernandes
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Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover!
I ordered this book for my father's birthday - sight unseen. When it arrived in the mail, I was initially very disappointed. The cover is an ugly green and looks like it's 30 years old at least! It truley looks like one of those old reference books you find at the library! But after skimming through it, I decided this was a pretty good buy after all. It contains TONS of info on all of the episodes and the cast. My father loved it as well and said that it even came in really handy when he played the Andy Griffith trivia game with some relatives!

Just THE Best...
This book has everything you would need to know and most fans of this show NEED to know a lot! Buy one for you and another for a gift. Then check out the authors book about Mayberry RFD! Again very very good. You can tell the author loves the show and thats the kinda guy I want to read, because so do I!!


The Movies, Mr. Griffith and Me (The Lively Arts)
Published in Paperback by Mercury House (1988)
Authors: Lillian Gish and Ann Pinchot
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Wonderful look into a bygone era
This book was great way to see what the early days of movie-making were like. It was a valuable tool for a history paper on which I received an A. Its richness of detail really helped me with the amount for research I needed to do for the class and it was an entirely enjoyable read to boot. I hope the publisher will reprint this book. I hate to think that people like the fabulous Miss Gish will be forgotten.

An Extremely Entertaining and Extremely Important Work
By today's standards, Lillian Gish's performances in silent film seem mannered--but during the 1910s and 1920s they were nothing short of revolutionary, for unlike most actors of the era Gish was determined to perform in as natural a manner as possible. In doing so, she literally pioneered screen acting technique as we now know it, and it would be extremely difficult to over-estimate her artistic impact.

Although Gish worked with numerous directors over the course of her extremely long career, she is most specifically remembered for her association with D.W. Griffith, whose pioneering silent films firmly established what Gish would describe as "the grammar" of modern cinema. As one might guess from its title, a good portion of THE MOVIES, MR. GRIFFITH, & ME is devoted to Griffith, and it offers a first-hand account of Griffith, the challenges he faced, and the evolution of film from extremely primitive one-reels into a sophistocated art form during the 1910s; those interested in film history will be particularly fascinated by Gish's accounts of the filming of two landmark silents, BIRTH OF A NATION and INTOLERANCE.

Other star autobiographies frequently turn into kiss and tell sagas, but Gish is extremely respectful of those she describes and discreet about her private life to a remarkable degree; consequently, THE MOVIES, MR. GRIFFITH, & ME is less the story of a life than it is the story of a career. But what a career it was! The tone of the book is at once lady-like but extremely readable, and even those who have little interest in the early days of the motion picture industry will find it fascinating stuff. This is an extremely readable book--but it is also an extremely important historical document as well, and the fact that it is out of print is appalling. If you have any interest in the history of motion pictures, you cannot afford to miss this book. Seek it out and keep it handy on the shelf, for it is strongly, strongly recommended.


Edgar Cayce: An American Prophet
Published in Audio Cassette by Audio Renaissance (2000)
Authors: William David Griffith and Sidney D. Kirkpatrick
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AMERICA'S SEER
Edgar Cayce, one of America's well known clairvoyants, is given a thorough examination in this new biography by Sidney Kirkpatrick. Gone is the myth and legend of the man who has captured the hearts and minds of many New Age adherents. In its place, the reader is given an objective overview of this fascinating man whose mystical powers still baffle those of us today. Just who was this Edgar Cayce? What impact if any did he have on the lives of others and of our nation? While reading this book you will be astounded with the answers.

Journey with the author to Hopkinsville, Kentucky where the Cayce clan and related kin provide the foundation for this young seer. We find a family of tobacco growers, misfits and others who share some strange gifts that are known but kept under wraps. Into this environment comes Edgar Cayce who grows up in a conventional lifestyle of his time. Known as a quiet boy and prone to day dreaming there isn't anything extra ordinary about this child.

Kirkpatrick humanizes Cayce. We see the various facets of his life. He has a inferiority complex, a deep love of the Bible, struggles with his gift and is artistic. Cayce struggles throughout his lifetime to help others. We also meet the celeberties, entrepreneurs and government officials who also take an interest in Cayce. Their motivations in using this young man are not always pure or in the best interest of Cayce and the work he is called to do.

I found it fascinating to read the interviews from the entities that possess Cayce's body and give out advice. Even in the written word their presence is frightening and powerful. It is amusing to hear one of them chastise Cayce for not following its advice and its annoyance in answering the "stupid" questions of people who just don't get what is said.

The book also looks at the loves in Cayce's life most notably his relationship with Gladys Davis, his secretary, and a woman he met during his engagement with his fiance. You find a complex man tied up in some strange love triangles. This is an enjoyable work which puts him in the context of his time and also focuses on the investigation of spiritualism, clairvoyance and other mysterious phenomena of the day. You get a clearer historical perspective of what were the attitudes of the day. Oddly enough Cayce was praised and reviled during his day. America was both repelled and attracted to this seer.

Edgar Cayce:An American Prophet is insightful, funny and historical in its presentation of a figure who led an unconventional life during the early 20th century. You will enjoy his story and gain a better perspective on the life of America's greatest Clairvoyant.

The best biography yet about a fascinating and amazing man!
This is the biggest and best book ever written about Edgar Cayce's life. It tells the whole story--and offers insight and compassion about the strange and bizarre lives led by Edgar Cayce and those around him. A must read for anyone interested in Edgar Cayce or great Americans of the 20th century.

Exciting to Read and Spiritually Uplifting
Over and over again, while reading this book, I was amazed at the new information I was receiving about everything from health to past lives to religion. Just when I thought I read the most incredible example of Cayce's psychic ability, something else came along to top it. The great thing about this book is how the story of the man is deftly woven through many factual accounts of his remarkable psychic powers. Very few books about spiritual topics and psychic phenomena give you such detail and hard facts to prove they are more than supposition or wishful thinking. The author's research and attention to detail is mindboggling to say the least but his writing is, at the same time, colorful, descriptive and easy to read. Thousands of lives were deeply affected, changed, and saved as a result of the Cayce readings, and I believe many more people (including me) will change their way of thinking and their way of being in this world after reading this biography. Two warnings though--you need to approach this book with an open mind, and, be prepared for a roller coaster ride of emotions as you follow Cayce's tumultuous life. Just when you think it couldn't get worse, it does. Just when you think it couldn't be more incredible, it takes your breath away. In summary, I highly recommend reading Edgar Cayce, An American Prophet!


Jane Eyre (Classics Illustrated Notes)
Published in Paperback by Acclaim Books (1997)
Authors: David Hoover, Charlotte Bronte, and Harley M. Griffiths
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The Most Romantic Book Ever!!~
I first read "Jane Eyre" when I was entering my sophomore year in high school. I was so fascinated by the beautiful language, expressing the love between Jane and Edward Rochester. I love Edward so much, because he is human. He is depressed with his life, and wishes for another. He searched for another, taking any and every risk he needs to...even adultery or bigamy. His love for Jane is deep and real, as is her love for him. This classic hasn't lost it's details, details about hope, love, and dreams, in the some 150 years since it's been published. I still enjoy it, even after reading it about 100 times!!~ I consider it the greatest love story ever written.....a story that defies the stuffy rules and regulations of 19th century England. It just shows that love can be more powerful than anything. With that, I give this story 5 stars....only wishing I could give it all the stars in the world. Why? Because it deserves that!

Great gothic romance
Jane Eyre is a young woman steadfast in her morals who faces hardships with great fortitude in the early years of the 19th century. Raised by Mrs. Reed, a cruel aunt, she is sent to Lowood, a bleak charity school run by the tyrannical Mr. Brocklehurst, where she endures a lonely and sad life. But even these travails do not disturb Jane's moral sensibilities and Christian virtues, for she puts all trust and faith in God's plan for her life.

Jane becomes the governess at Thornfield and falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester. For the first time since she was a child Jane is truly loved by another, but Rochester harbors a dark secret that threatens their love. Unwilling to yield to her own desires, a heartbroken Jane flees Thornfield and is taken in by a young pastor, St. John Rivers and his two sisters. They become quit fond of Jane and she learns that they are cousins. Needing a wife for his missionary work in India, Rivers asks Jane to be his wife, but she hears Rochester calling her name on the wind.

JANE EYRE is a great gothic romance that will have readers rooting for the heroine to finally find some much deserved happiness. The novel is clearly a critique of Victorian assumptions about both gender and social class, and was one of the most successful novels of its era, both commercially and critically. Basically, JANE EYRE is a romance told in the compelling structure of a gothic horror novel, and should appeal to readers who love either one of those classic genres.

My Opinion of Jane Eyre
Adrienne Zillmann September 12, 2000

My Opinion of JaneEyre

Written in a time when women had no rights, and were not allowed to hold any serious jobs, Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre is a porthole traveling back through history. Charlotte Bronte was a sort of maverick herself, assuming a man's name in order to have her works published. Jane Eyre provides a witty, masterfully written story of a governess trying to overcome the hardships of lower-class life, and her difficult rise to nobility. It's an enjoyable story for all audiences. Bronte's plot renders many twists, provides worthy role models for all ages and genders, and presents a romantic conclusion that is heart-warming enough to make any reader smile. Though she sometimes went off track, Charlotte Bronte eventually leads young Jane along the right path of destiny by using a series of random events to guide her in the right direction. There are two ways of looking at the fluke events that befall Jane throughout the book. Some people might say that Bronte overdoes her use of uncanny coincidences when Jane happens to meet her future employer, Mr. Rochester, on the road, and his horse falls as he is passing Jane. However, the truth is, the world is a small place. Coincidences such as this happen all of the time in every day life, and much of the time, they pass unnoticed. Another such example is when Jane is looking for a job and she happens to stay with St. John and his sisters. She later finds out that they are none other than her very own cousins, and she had thought she had no relatives. This event could be thought of as unrealistic, but many people may enjoy these sly little detours from the plot and Bronte's use of destiny. This quality enhances the book tremendously by making it a far more unique, fascinating, and pleasing book to read. Another positive attribute about Jane Eyre is the happy ending. All too often, things do not turn out the way people want them to in their lives. The novel's joyful solution is a refreshing change to readers who wish their own lives worked out so perfectly. How could the story get any better? Jane, the poor, rejected orphan, finds a man so in love with her that he will forsake his own fortune and reputation to marry one of his own servants. Mr. Rochester, the eccentric, moody man he is, finds a wife so well suited to him, who returns a love so strong, that she marries a blind and crippled husband. The fact that Jane Eyre had a romantic and heart-warming ending will really secure one's opinion on the book. After all, most people do not enjoy books with unhappy or unfinished ends. They leave readers hanging and feeling unsatisfied. Jane Eyre is just the opposite. Its conclusion wraps up the story beautifully and leaves the reader feeling fulfilled. It makes one happy to know that true love does conquer all. Probably the most important virtue of Bronte's whole book is the main character, Jane Eyre. If there had to be only one reason why people should read the book, this would be it. Jane has so many admirable qualities, and her own actions teach the reader many valuable lessons on life and good morals. She provides the perfect role model for readers of any age or sex when she demonstrates such qualities as self-discipline, strength, dignity, humbleness, and faith. She illustrates these traits constantly in the book, but one section that is a particularly good example of her wonderful character is when she leaves Rochester. At this point in the story, Jane has already found out that Rochester is a married man. She knows she can not stay with him because she can not love a married man. That would make her his mistress. She loves him more than words can say, and no matter how painful it is, she decides to sneak away in the middle of the night. By making the choice to abandon her own emotions and do what is morally right, Jane is demonstrating her own self-discipline and strength all at once. Then, when she leaves, taking only what she was wearing, she is retaining her dignity. She wants to show Mr. Rochester that she is strong, and she does not need anything he gave her to lean on or use as a crutch. She is an independent woman who has dignity, but she is also not too proud. She is humble when times demand so. One instance is when she is hungry, and has to go begging for food. It is an embarrassing task to take on, but Jane does it even though she realizes it will affect her own reputation. Lastly, Jane constantly has faith. She not only has religion, but a real faith in herself. When she is sick and living with St. John and his sisters, it is her faith and will to survive that keep her alive. She is definitely a praiseworthy character and an exemplary role model for any reader. As one can see by these bounteous compliments on the book, any reader will enjoy Jane Eyre, and it is earnestly recommended to someone who is looking for a good book to read. It is an enjoyable novel with a good ending, and the book Jane Eyre truly illustrates model human beings that anybody can look up to and learn from.


Adventures With D. W. Griffith
Published in Paperback by DaCapo Press (1900)
Authors: Karl Brown and Kevin Brownlow
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A very personal memoir of a vanished period in film making.
D W Griffith figures as the patron and idol of Karl Brown. There is no doubt that D W Griffith, the director of "Birth of a Nation" and "Intolerance". the supposed inventor of the "close-up" and discover of the Gish sisters, contributed immensely to the development of motion pictures as a distinct art form (perhaps THE art form of this century). Even so, the Griffith which emerges from these pages is half tyrant and "control freak" who ultimately is made obsolete by a public becoming increasingly sophisticated in its tastes. Karl Brown was taken on as a junior camera man by Griffith, and it is through his recollections that the early years of the American cinema comes alive. Still, this is an autobiography so we are treated to a Norman Rockwell account of the early years of this century that illuminates the millieu from which Griffith's work sprung. There is more than an element of defensiveness from Brown as he tries to reconcile Griffith's persona as a "gentleman" with his often reactionary views as exemplified in " A Birth of a Nation" ( afilm that was almost banned in Australia and parts of the US). Griffith does not emerge from this work unscathed. Worth reading for historical interest.

Quite a different account of a long gone era
Many books has been published about the silent movies era, from picture books to great actors to the eternal Chaplin and Pickford. This one is from one of Griffith cameramen's so for once, we stand behind the camera. What is different about Brown's account is the way the narration goes: his autobiographical experience of going through that time where everything was almost new and a lot had to be done. He states the important and not so important anecdotic facts while using a sometimes ironic tone and a semi-chronological pace of remembrance. He even explain, matter-of-factly, some technical aspects of the trend, etc... This book has a lot to offer for the silent movies or Griffith fans, especially if you have seen "Birth of a Nation" and "Intolerance". This is not the typical movie-related-good-for-the -fans-only book with Ohs! and Ahs! and Wow! to sustain you throughout your reading. It is a very specific moment in the life of a guy who was there when movies were at their beginning, a time long gone...

An exciting time during the birth of the feature film
If you are interested in silent films or David Wark Griffith, then you won't be able to put this book down until you are finished! Karl Brown worked for the Kinemacolor company as a teenager in the 1910s. Just when this company went out of business, D.W. Griffith and his stock company arrived in Los Angeles. He quickly became a camera assistant to cameraman Billy Bitzer. He worked on Griffith's THE AVENGING CONSCIENCE, BIRTH OF A NATION, and INTOLERANCE, among other films. His book is funny, exciting, and informative. He is in awe of Griffith and actress Lillian Gish. He works his hardest to satisfy Griffith's demands on the job, but this sometimes makes Bitzer jealous of him. Brown is confused by many of the things that Griffith does while making these films, but he soon learns why Griffith works this way. The book also includes a chapter on Brown's stint in the Army during World War I, where he was given a one-week leave of absence to help Griffith with BROKEN BLOSSOMS. This is the finest memoir by any silent film vetran that I've read, and I've read quite a few.


Switching Technology in the Local Network
Published in Paperback by The Coriolis Group (14 June, 2000)
Authors: Mathias Hein, David Griffiths, Orna Berry, and Ellon Littwitz
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Very hard to follow
Lots of technical detail, but with very little explanation of what it means, so much of this book is incomprehensible. Detailed charts are inserted with no discussion of what they represent or how to interpret them.

The portions which explain networking theory and concepts (such as structured cabling and Manchester coding) are valuable, however, but it is so difficult to get through the rest that many readers might never get there.

Looks to be very Useful in the Computer Classroom.
After reading the summary of this book, I believe it is one that I would want in my arsenal of Computer books while working on the Job. Every student of Computers, and Networking should have a book that will explain the interworkings of Frame Relay and Lans.


The Birth of a Nation (Rutgers Films in Print, Vol 21)
Published in Paperback by Rutgers University Press (1994)
Authors: Robert Lang and D. W. Griffith
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Script After The Fact
Dr. Robert Lang takes David Wark Griffith's un-scripted film (The Birth Of A Nation) and breaks it down shot by shot.


Introduction to Electrodynamics
Published in Paperback by Pearson Higher Education (25 November, 1996)
Author: David J. Griffiths
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nice book. not as a standard textbook.
The author makes you believe that electromagnetism is not that hard. It must be his informal style of writing; but his explanations are not sufficient for tackling questions he presents. I bought this book for self-study. The official textbook at my college was Wangsness and it was just formidable to look at. However, Griffiths did not really help me overcome the kind of phobia i had at the time: my real problem was mathematics. (To come to think of it, a good student does not need ``many'' books.) Well, as I said, this book does not have it all but it is a good book. Except for just one thing: I would be glad if he'd be a little more elaborate on the use of Dirac delta function.

Compared to 2/e, this book is wonderfully typeset. There are some typos but corrections available at the author's homepage.

Great Book for Junior/Senior Undergrad Course
I orignially wrote a review for this book as an undergraduate. In that review, I credited Griffiths with a knack for presenting information in a clever and entertaining way. I still believe this is true. At the time, I also said that Griffiths included precise and complete examples. Looking back, I no longer believe this is true.

When I first started using this book, I was under the impression that Griffiths had discovered a method in the way of writing textbooks that was totally superior to all other authors of similar background. Now, after several years of using Griffiths as a reference, I find that his books serve as a wonderful resource for refreshing one's memory, however they lack a certain comprehensive quality that would make them a solid reference text. I am now a student of John David Jackson, that legendary author with the impossible text (Classical Electrodynamics), and the astounding thoroughness of his book dwarfs the Griffiths E&M text by comparison. Valuable information in the Griffiths text is often left as an exercise. This is very frustrating when one is searching for solutions to much more advanced problems. I contacted Dr. Griffiths and asked him if it would be possible for me to obtain a solutions manual to both his E&M and his Quantum texts, but he informed me that I could not obtain these manuals unless I was an instructor at the insistence of the publisher (Prentice Hall). This is unfortunate.

All in all, the text is a fantastic book for the undergraduate, and a helpful resource for the graduate student. The book is a valuable resource for the intermediate or slightly advanced undergraduate physics student, and I encourage instructors at the undergraduate level to use the Griffiths text.

The Undergrad E&M Standard for Greatness.
Interesting. Insightful. Conceptually Complete. Great Mathematical Notation. Great Explanations. All of these and more could be said about David Griffiths' incredible book on Introductory E&M. David's writing style is next to none, the text is never boring and extremely insightful. The various chapters are structured extremely well. It "flows" extrodinarily well from section to section. He conveys very well the enormous and far reaching applicability of the science of E&M.
Griffiths often uses physical arguments by analogy instead of mathematical rigour to convey many physical ideas. He treats the math like it should be treated in physics, as a language to work with ideas, not as a hindrance blocking their meaning. His mathematical notation is so completely natural and reader friendly, you get used to it very quickly. The examples are insightful and the problems, while challenging, are well thought out.

Every diamond has its fault, and this textbook's fault is its lack of a student solutions manual and answers in the back. However, the quality of writing GREATLY overwealms this fault, hence the 5 star rating. With this textbook, a good instructor, and a little hard work, you WILL learn E&M.


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