Many of the Scientific American Library books are gems and this isosemantically titled book by Dr. Snyder is no exception. The books I have read from this series are uniformly short, sweet and to the point. Drugs, per se, are after all essentially what brain function is. Drugs are our personalities, our emotions (not to mention all other vertebrates, especially the class of mammals to which we belong). There is no better way to come to understand psychology, physiology, the cognitive sciences, and one could argue, metaphysics, than by examining the action of drugs and the brain; the primary distinction being intrinsic, naturally produced drugs as opposed to extrinsic, store (or street) bought ones.

Dr. Snyder runs through the litany of the common classes of drugs: the opiates and their natural countersubstance, the endorphins--the stimulants and their action of dopamine reuptake blockage--the hallucinogens and their concomitant serotonergic pathways--and some of the more popular psychopharmcologicals specific to schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety.

This book is a well written, historically informative, crash course in pharmacology for the lay reader, and remains a valuable reference long after its initial reading.

This book is short, accessible, and fully illustrated. It is a particularly compelling technical primer for the intelligent but non-initiated reader. The logical flow of the book reflects the history of drug use and pharmacology research, both increasing in sophistication over time, and is topically organized by the major classes of psychoactives.

Subjects touched upon include the use of drugs in religious ceremony, Freud's cocain habit, the 60s, and the modern era of specialized mood-altering drugs.

The author is chair of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and one of the top three most cited scientists in the life science.

It is a pleasure to read, and a springboard for further investigation in the areas of psychopharmacology, neuroscience or psychiatry.

Jason Aronson Inc. and Avraham Finkel are to be commended for publishing this translation of Ibn Haviv's classic compendium of aggadot from the Babylonian Talmud. The translations are, for the most part, extremely accurate. Finkel generally differentiates the translation of the text from his explanatory comments by placing square brackets around the comments, which he frequently takes from the medieval commentaries. This is crucial to Talmudic translation, as many Talmudic passages are very terse and elliptical. By clearly indicating the commentary, Finkel leaves open to the reader to explain the source in a different way, or at least to appreciate how much has been supplied to make sense of the text.

One caveat: I have noticed that Finkel omits certain stories from the translation, generally stories that present unflattering portrayals of sages. For example, there are several stories of sages seeing attractive women and almost committing a sexual transgression in Qiddushin 81a-b. The stories of Rav Amram and R. Hiyya b. Abba are not translated. Similarly, there is a graphic description of the bodies of several sages in the midst of a long aggadic compilation in Bava Metsia 84a. Those sentences are simply skipped by Finkel (p. 534). In his introduction Finkel states that he omits repetitions of material that appears several times in the Ein Yaakov (p. xxix). But he makes no mention of these omissions. So the translation has been slightly censored by excluding these negative passages. My impression is that the omissions are few and far between, but I have not been over the translation with a fine-toothed comb. One occasionally finds this slight apologetic tendency in the translations themselves. That is, Finkel translates in such a way as to portray the sages in a more favorable light.

It is interesting to note that there actually was an earlier translation of the EinYaakov, by S.H. Glick (4 vols; Brooklyn, 1916-1922). Glick omits some of the same passages as Finkel. Glick also translates the introduction to aggadot of Rabbi Avrham, son of the Rambam, that Finkel provides, pp. xxix-xxvi.

In sum, this is an excellent translation for a popular audience. Scholars should use it only with caution due to its apologetic tendencies.

Dr. Jeffrey L. Rubenstein, Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, New York University

This book is truly a treasure trove, and I am delighted to see it steeply discounted here so that I can recommend it to friends. Rabbi Yaakov ibn Chaviv, who lived about the same time as Columbus, extracted from the Jerusalem Talmud all the portions that were not discussions of the intricacies of the law. What is left is about a quarter of the Talmud known as the aggodot: the ethical and inspirational teachings. For those of us who are not ready to follow the intricacies of debates about legal matters, this is the core of the Talmud we always wished we could dig into.

This is the first complete translation of "The Eye of Jacob," and Avraham Finkel has done more than translate. He has added descriptive titles of each selection, which are listed as a table of contents and then indexed, making the book accessible both for reference and browsing. He has also incorporated several rabbinic commentaries (Rashi, Maharsha and others) into the text, marking them with square brackets. He also provides two introductions to the material, one that he has written and one written three hundred years before Ein Yaakov was compiled by the son of Rambam. Both are instructive, and the older one gives a great deal of insight into interpretation of this kind of text. The whole book is very readable.

The result is a delightful 800 page, small print book, containing more than a quarter of the Talmud, that makes good bed-side reading as well as being a scholarly reference tool. It is expensive, but compared to the bilingual Talmud at about $800, this is a great buy.

Great book, giving sound but unconvential finacial advice. I would recomend this book to anyone. Great chapters, especially the one on taxes. Hope Mr. Solomon will soon more more books, as I would buy them also. 5 stars!!!

Financial Independence is unique in that it lays a foundation for many different methods of wealth creation. Whether you choose to invest in diamonds of use a straddle when purchasing options, you are provided with an overall rundown covering the concept, how to go about it, and what to watch out for. The book will teach you the characteristics of the economy and how to hunt out and profit from imperfections in the world marketplace. Other matters related to wealth are touched on briefly, such as personal health and fitness, one's own character, and God. Financial Independence is highly worthwhile if only as a base for futher research into any given topic of interest.

"Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's documents; so shall you come easily by what others have laboured hard for." - Socrates.

"You require accurate, condensed, reliable standard books, and should make sure that you get them." - C. H. Spurgeon

Excellent pocket refrence for any dietetic student, dietitian or nutritionist. Fits easily into pocket for easy access and provides valuable information for todays healthcare enviroment.

Excellent resource for any dietetic student, dietetic intern, medical intern, registered dietitian- provides accurate and up-to-date information on how medications can affect and be affected by food-which plays a vital role in providing accurate care to for your clients.

I just want to begin this review by saying that this book is a need for any architect's library. The book Frank Gehry, Architect, provides a wealth of knowledge about the architect as well as the structures that he has created over time. Most pages in this book (and there are many) contain full color pictures, sketches, or descriptions about the structure and the architect. This book spans from Gehry's earliest projects to project underdevelopment. Projects range from structures to furniture, and even to art (sculpture like stuff). An aspect that I like most about this book is seeing Gehry develop his ideas and hone his craft. I should also add that this book also contains several models that were created for structures. I think this is essential because it allows beginning architects a chance to see effective model building techniques as well as different ways to convey a feeling which is essential for effective communication with a client. Overall, I would highly recommend this book for all architects and students.

a very interesting look into the life and times of Frank Gehry. Anyone ineterested in architecture or interested in increasing their knowledge of architecture and architecture's past must read this.

Dr. Solomon leades the reader from the milk to the meat of the Word of God. Section I leads the reader to an understanding and intimate relationship with Christ. This is a oneness with our Lord and Savior. Section II asks the counselor and/or church leaders, "Where is the Cross?" How/ where does the Cross of Christ fit into my/your program? I Corinthians 1:18. What am I teaching? What is my/your church teaching? Does it fit with the description that Dr. Solomon gives on pages 165-170? II Corinthians 6:17-18. Are we willing to take a stand? As I read this book, I sensed a care and concern of Dr. Solomon, a care and concern to teach the whole gospel, to encourage the rest of us to take a stand. We are to take a stand on the complete Word of God.

this is the best growth book I have encountered. Every paragraph is noteworthy.

This is a super book for people who want to learn about uses of oils. I've read several of Ms. Solomon's books and they are all MUST READS! I just wish I could find the rest of her catalog at Amazon (hint, hint!!!) I hear she's coming out with a new book soon...hope Amazon carries it.

HELPING YOURSELF WITH MAGICAL OILS,A-Z....If you are seeking ways to create a sense of"magickal bliss" in your life this
is the book for you.

Maria Solomon walks you through an array of concise recipes to help you in all areas of your life. I found this particular book to be quite informative for laypersons, students and practitioners within the new age and spiritual communities.

This is an easy to read guide for anyone who desires to positively enhance their opportunities for success in business, romance, personal and spiritual development. This is a "must have book" for your library from this well-known American spiritual writer.

I used the book as an optional text in a course on the history of higher education. It adds a dimension to the topic that is missed by most text books-yes there were women involved in the history of higher education!!! While most texts mention women, they tend to highlight the unique rather than the norm. This book does an excellent job of explaining how the average American woman faired in higher education beginning in the early 19th century.

This book documents the history of women in education. It is a wonderful resource for those of us who did not run across the obstacles that our mothers and our grandmothers did when they pursued education. I feel that this should be a required text for all women in higher education instituitons.

Have you ever stopped to think how many times we are bombarded by truisms everyday? Get this book and you will get a clue. In the Truisms series over exposure to banality reveals how numbed out we all are. Take a cliche like "Children are the hope to the future" and place beside "Children are the most cruel of all". We say and repeat these truisms but do we really realize that they are empty in themselves ? Do we perceive the contradictions ? How we mold reality to suit our needs ? Truisms sooth us with the cushioned feeling of the "generally accepted truth". Jenny Holzer literally splashes intimate thoughts, truisms, activist slogans over the landscape. These truths, half-truths and huge lies stare out at us in billboards, park benches like a conscience made physical. This is art made on the very border of reality and language.

The book listed on this page, a monograph on Jenny Holzer by Phaidon Press, is fabulous. It contains information on Holzer's wide and influential art career, from her Truisms posters of the 'seventies to her electronic LED signs, carved stone benches, and virtual art pieces of the 'nineties.

This book is also unique, within the Holzer bibliography, because of the "Artist's Choice" section where Holzer provides excerpts from books and writings that have influenced her, along with explanations of why she's moved by them.

If you're interested in modern art, or women artists, this is a must-read

I'm not Jewish, but very interested in Judaism. I found this book to be very affirming, offers hope and generally presents a warm, nurturing and spiritual approach to Judaism. Absent is a negative, blaming or punitive perspective. I highly recommend it!

This is a wonderful book that opens your heart and soul to the possibilities of a richer life as a Jew. What is useful in the 21st century, what is authentic Judaism, and how to deepen your relationship with the Eternal (no matter what comes). What is beautiful will not perish if we all hearken to the wisdom of this work.