My stereotype of accounting texts before taking an accounting class and using this book was they were all focused on the mechanics of accounting, which are dull to most students. This textbook, on the other hand, emphasizes the usefulness of accounting in the real world before delving into all the rules and regimentation. Therefore, some subjects, like debts and credits, receive less attention than they might deserve, especially for serious accounting students. The textbook's diagrams are quite colorful and useful, and its language is simple enough for your average student to understand. Hence, I recommend the book to any introductory-level business student, but I think that more serious accounting students might prefer a more advanced or in-depth textbook.

This book is a really excellent choice, it teaches you the fundamentals of ADA programming which has been developed by the US Militrary.

The author reviews the basic operation of diodes, transistors (both bipolar and CMOS) and basic transistor building blocks in a simple yet complete manner. To understand IC's, one has to understand the PN junction and this guy did the world a service by giving a top notch intutitive treatment without any calculus. I'm very sorry that this book is out of print but I'm trying to order it from Amazon to give to some new grad BSEE's we've just hired. Just thumbing thru my own old copy to refresh my memory on some bipolar IC issues made my weekend ! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that the last section on circuits and technology is a little old. But this is an excellent basic primer for any Design, Product, Test, Fab Process, Apps. or Reliability Engineer or Tech who didn't completely master basic device physics when they zipped thru it in their AA or BS classes (if they really got a solid class in that at all). The only comparable literature I've seen is the Technology Associates IC Seminar notes, and this is a lot more readable and complete though a bit less technical.

There are many books on the market that deal with mechanical behavior of materials. Two of the better ones I've seen are Hertzberg and this one by Courtney. What distinguishes Courtney's book from the others is that I feel that he's written his book with a certain sympathy toward the student, and he covers nonmetallic materials, as well as metals, in depth. To illustrate the first point, Courtney's figure captions are extensive, about a paragraph long on average. This makes it easier to study the figures, since they're all described in depth in the captions. You don't have to look at the text to find the information relevant to the figure. This makes it easier on the reader. Also, in some sections his writing style takes on an informality that's refreshing, as if he were in the room lecturing to you. Too many textbooks resort to stilted phrases such as "The reader should . . ." or studiously avoid using the word "you" for fear of bridging some imagined wall between author and reader. Professor Courtney would have none of that. As for my second point, Courtney covers metals, ceramics and polymers, as well as composite materials and cellular solids. I would fault the book only for the poor reproduction quality of many of its figures; they're legible but look as though they've been scanned in at very low resolution. I would also have liked a more comprehensive subject index. But overall, I recommend this book as one of the best in a field loaded with textbooks.

This is an excellent reference text for the beginner or experienced practitioner. It is well organized and offers quick and concise information.The self-assessment sections at the end of each chapter are particulaly useful for the student and when preparing for examinations.

Its a "choose your own adventure" book so I can't tell all of the story. Of what I read so far, you go back in time and your head gets put onto a table and someone tries to chop it off. You escape into the woods and meet an Indian named Tomah. Then you go back to find the secret of the talking table your head was on earlier. I really liked this book it was interesting and the "choose your own adventure" was fun.

There was something about this book that I just didn't like. Even though its a true story, it seemed a little exaggerated, especially in regard to the king.

I don't know what the English translation is like, but the book was great in the original French. Anouilh does a wonderful job with the psychology of his characters. It's not for historical purists, though, because there are several historical inaccuracies. (For example, Thomas was not a Saxon; this is a persistant legend but he was actually a Norman. Also, his personality was somewhat different in real life.) This play served as the basis for the 1964 movie Becket.

Becket is a marvelous dramatical production. Often, it's deep and complicated nature does not entertain average audiences. However, the play deals with the drastic conversion, already brewing within Thomas, spurred by a childish king. Henry is truly the most remarkable character in the play to portray. His childishness and regality class in a torent of anguish with his best friend, and worst enemy, Thomas Becket! This play is a must read for everyone!

This book is sandwiched by two excellent beginning chapters that focus on the social and historical context of Jesus ("the world before") and by two very finely done final chapters on the impact of Christ's message up to our own time ("the world after"). I didn't find the material in between, in particular the chapters on Paul and Luke, to be as satisfying. This material seemed more theologically-oriented, and I came away with the impression that Mr. Cahill is not quite at home with theology. An established scholar could very easily pick apart his arguments and points of reference. I didn't feel that Mr. Cahill had much of credible substance to add about Paul, the most controversial and fascinating of the apostles. For that reason I gave the book 3 stars (whereas I'd give How the Irish Saved Civilization 5 stars in a heartbeat) although I hasten to add that Desire... is definitely worth reading. Mr. Cahill's writing is always eloquent and insightful.

. . . although it doesn't miss by much. As part of his Hinges of History series, Cahill places the Jesus story in its historical setting. Whatever your view of Jesus' divinity, there's no gainsaying the importance of his followers in the stream of history. Not only the history of Europe, but given the migrations of his adherents, throughout the world. Although the book is filled with the message of love and peace, Cahill's opening statement about hills lists all battle sites. Not an auspicious beginning for a study of a "new word" supplanting the turmoil of the age. Like nearly all Christian historical writers, Cahill's description of the pagan world is bleak. Only by making the social environment of the era as desolate as possible does the arrival of the "good news" concept work. Cahill would have us believe the pre-Christian civilization offered no solace, had no love, no joy, people suffering empty lives with no hope. It's difficult to believe that the Mediterranean world was that much different from any other.

This being an historical treatise, Cahill must rely on his sources. These are naturally scant, since Jesus went unnoticed by contemporary commentators. Another agitator in a backwater Roman colony was of little import. Cahill must, perforce, turn to the Gospels for his relation of this vital historical character. He omits reference to the long history of critiques of these documents. Instead, he grants them high validity. This is surprising in light of the long duration between the events and their written recording. The time lapse is decades, not just weeks or a few years. He uncritically credits the accounts as being retrieved from the memories of those who supposedly witnessed the events. This is startling. Anyone who's ever played Gossip, passing a whispered message from person to person, knows how garbled the original statement becomes in but minutes. What quirks of memory can occur over decades? Of course, as Cahill stresses, it's the message in the Gospel that's important. True enough, but we're supposed to be dealing in history here, not evangelism.

Cahill examines each of the Gospels in turn, relating them with an easy wit. The chapter on Saul/Paul as a Jewish/Greek intellectual is the high point of the book. Cahill presents in modern language the various stilted texts Christians are subjected to. The effect is charming. Readers unfamiliar with Cahill's style may be jolted, but he's trying to convey a complex story without sinking into a prolix academic style. He deserves credit for his courage in doing this. He's clearly trying to widen his audience with the message. The message from the Gospels lacks unity, of course. Given the diversity of times and authors, with texts further modified by attentions from later contributors, his task is daunting but not insurmountable. Accepting these problems in pinpointing sources, Cahill is able to impart the theme of each Gospel clearly. He doesn't get bogged down in academic trivia. For Cahill, the value of the message far outweighs other considerations.

Cahill believes in the message. He stresses that Jesus sought justice, suggesting this was a novelty in the era. It's a novelty in any era, and others have pursued the same goal. Even that Roman Empire so maligned by Christians [and Cahill] tried various means to achieve it. In Rome, Consuls were given authority for but one year to prevent accumulation of power leading to injustice. It eluded them, it eluded Jesus, and it's eluded Christians as Cahill points out in his discussion of anti-Semetism through the ages. He spends some time on this particular form of Christian injustice. It's disappointing that he can move out of his declared time span in addressing this issue while ignoring many others equally significant. Christians have displaced or eradicated peoples throughout their history. The Incas are gone. The Maya likewise, their vast story of holy books torched by priests. Hearts and minds can be won at swords' point - the history of Christianity confirms it.

The question arises - who should buy and read this book? If you want a concise history of Jesus' era, this is a good start. If you don't want to wade through the King James, New English or Vulgate bibles but wish to understand what the fuss is about, this is a good review of the Gospels and their writers. If you wish to assess whether Jesus has a message for you, perhaps you'll gain some insight from Cahill's presentation. If you're not a Christian, Cahill, although he's firmly convinced, isn't likely to make you one. If you're already a Christian, Cahill may give you a fresh insight into the people who got Jesus' message out to the world. You decide. This copy was bought to complete the set.

So much intellectual discourse has been written in these reviews about this book. Allow me to give you a layman's review! Thomas Cahill's book is a smart, collegiate look at the times that surrounded Jesus, and it doesn't disappoint.

He examines the different Gospels and their approach to the story of the Jesus, and how each author tailor made the stories to suit a different audience (hence, the sometimes contradictions within the Gospels themselves), which I found delightfully enlightening.

His section on Paul was riveting, painting a picture of how a simple man could be so transformed by an event to change his life entirely. He also works to dispel some myths about Paul, particularly his sexist bias in his letters. He also bravely takes on some church doctrines that are apparently "Bible based", more power to him!

I did find the first chapter difficult to get through at times. I felt that Cahill was using terms and historical names that I wasn't too famililar with, and therefore, left the reader in the dark by failing to explain these people/events/terms. The muddy water soon clears, so just steer a course through the words and trust that your comprehension will come back!

Overall, Cahill's book summed up and affirmed much about what is known about Jesus and his times, and provides an inspiring look at Biblical events in the contexts of world history, leading to a deeper understanding of the Son that has transformed much of our own world.

I bought this book with the misconception that I would be able to build the canoe shown prominently on the cover.
The boat shown on the cover is only mentioned as a set of plans offered for sale by the author. There are no plans included with the book, although several sets of plans (for sale) are mentioned. The book appears to be primarily an advertisement for the Author's boat plans, which are not included and nothing can actually be constructed from the information in the book.
Thumbs down on this one. Carl Platt..

My husband enjoyed the book but is having problems obtaining the design plans. The book refers to Redmond Designs of Burlington, Vermont. He is unable to locate this company - any assistance your author or readers can give will be appreciated.

After reading many of the 'classics' on building small boats, I relied on Hill's Ultralight Boatbuiling extensively to construct my first boat--a Chamberlain Dory Skiff in Gardner's Classic Small Craft. Hill helped resolve many of the mysteries of how to achieve tight lapstrake construction with entry-level woodworking skills and a little patience. The result was very rewarding. I created a light, seaworthy, beautiful craft that proved very durable. I used it for many years before selling it. Now I'm considering another project, but can't find my copy of Hill's book, so I'm back for another.

One caveat: the designs Hill uses in his book to illustrate his techniques are beautiful, but you'll probably need more complete plans for your first project.