If you are a seasoned Visual Basic developer with no familiarity with .NET, C#, or Web services, this book will get you where you need to go with a minimum of theoretical explanations and examples that are straightforward and to the point. It provides a quick overview of key concepts and then plunges into practical instruction that brings VB 6 experts up to the latest rev. You don't have to learn a new language to take advantage of .NET services. I work with Deon and have worked with Eric, and they not only have the understanding but the technical chops to back up what they are saying here. Buy the book, don't wait for the movie.

If you are like me, you may have thought that the only good Web service support for ASP.NET was offered through C#. The three guys who wrote this book show that this just isn't true.

The book doesn't spend too much time on the protocols-- instead it explains how to use them from VB. If you need to understand the SOAP and WSDL real deeply, get a different book like Seely's SOAP book from PH-PTR. This book is about writing Web services, nothing more or less. The chapter on SOAP, WSDL, and UDDI is nothing other than an overview. Hey, you've been warned.

I just got this book and more or less tore through it. The book does a great job explaining the ins and outs of creating Web services with VB.NET. I especially appreciated the great coverage of using attributes to shape the WSDL and data used in the Web service. The book really helped me out a lot. Highly recommended.

This book still is valuable for sailors. The technical information is dated, but the prudent, workmanlike approach to the whole business of sailing around the world is timeless. The ocean hasn't changed much in 30 years.

While some of the information is a bit dated (no GPS, for instance)there is good, solid, readable stuff here, everything from sleeping bags to celestial navigation, recipes to emergency repairs. Hiscock had real hands on, been there experience, circumnavigating (with his wife Susan) several times.

Far too many cruising books are of the "Oh, cut loose and have fun" type which can be more than a little dangerous. Collections of carefree cruising stories and anecdotes. Cruising Under Sail something else, serious, proven stuff that Hiscock has collected from among the most successful cruising sailors.

This book is particularly suited to the owner of a cruising yacht .The range of information within the pages is complete i.e. ; if you knew what was contained in this book you would know a lot about sailing and cruising. It covers topics such as :Hull , Rig & Rigging,Sails, Seamanship and Navigation etc. I have an origional First edition(1950),and I read it on a regular basis and I still consider it my favourite book on sailing.The plates and illustrations are beautiful.

Gordy identifies the methods by which the Milosevic regime, which obviously provided few benefits to its people, nonetheless maintained its power. Gordy identifies these methods as the "destruction of alternatives-" the removal of alternative political ideas, or of cultural institutions, such as popular music, that would enable individuals to unite in thought in a manner distinct from, and therefore threatening to, the regime.

This is indeed quite valuable to students of Yugoslavia or Eastern Europe; its broader value, however, is its contribution to the larger issues of power studied by sociologists and political scientists. How is power maintained? We frequently assume that individuals will revolt if conditions are so bad they have nothing to lose. Gordy documents the ability of the powerful to actually take away this option. Most mechanisms, such as cencorship, make revolt more difficult, raising the pain level people will tolerate; however, by keeping the more politically savvy urbanites near starvation, the regime actually compromised their very ability to express dissent.

Gordy provides an academic and, to the degree it is possible in social science, empirical explanation of power that is profoundly disturbing; sometimes it may be impossible to displace the powerful. True, outside forces crippled the regime; but what does this suggest about the American line that local groups should revolt to demonstrate support for democracy and earn military support? Don't throw it out yet, but Gordy presents an important argument. It also helps explain the success of earlier brutal regimes; Haile Selassie used similar techniques far more adeptly, and therefore more brutally, in Ethiopia. This book is both an insightful analysis of the Serbian regime's tactics and a significant study of the nature of power.

Gordy's basic premise is that the rather unpopular, corrupt and war-mongering regime controlled by Slobodan Milosevic in Serbia during the 1990s retained its hold on power by eliminating any meaningful alternatives to itself. He provides a very detailed account of how this was done in the fields of culture, politics, the media and the economy. Since the book was written and published in 1999, when Milosevic was still in power in Serbia, the basic question posed by the study, i.e. how does he manage to stay in power, should be replaced with how did he manage to stay in power so long? Otherwise, this is a vitally important study, as the matters Gordy covers here illuminate many aspects of political culture in Serbia during the 1990s - and help readers understand the country's current political malaise as well. Despite the many changes that have occurred since Milosevic's fall from power, the legacy of the 'destruction of alternatives' he helped institute will continue to dog Serbian society for years to come (and, looking over the fence from Croatia, I have to add: just as the legacy of Franjo Tudjman still haunts and troubles Croatian society today and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future).

Struggling to understand how Slobodan Milosevic managed to tighten his grip on power in Serbia despite a disasterous decade of war and economic decline? Or would you just like to know why authoritarian regimes produce such terrible pop music? Eric Gordy's "Culture of Power in Serbia: Nationalism and the Destruction of Alternatives" is a good place to start for both questions. Though written before the war in Kosovo and Milosevic's subsequent fall from power, the book provides a useful framework for understanding both the durability of his regime and the fragility of its popular support. Prof. Gordy argues that Milosevic maintained power not through any skill in governing (the record on that score is pretty clear), but by systematically dismantling any alternatives that Serbian civil society could muster. As one would expect, Gordy covers in some detail Milosevic's attempts to co-opt, stifle and crush rival political parties and media organizations. What is unique about this book is the long chapter devoted to the underground music scene in Belgrade. The regime rightly perceived a threat to its political as well as cultural dominance, and rallied its forces behind a smarmy concoction dubbed "Turbo Folk".... This musical atrocity does not, of course, compare to those committed in Bosnia and Kosovo, but it is a chilling read nonetheless. Gordy clearly brings a mastery of Serbo-Croatian literary and musical idiom to this section. One wishes only that the book were accompanied by a CD. Though written from a sociological perspective, this book is full of lively if understated prose, and offers much to engage the non-specialist and general reader.

This book is the most informative and best written book I have ever read on politics. It's filled with humor and candid comments about the United States Congress.

This book makes me nostalgic for the days when Members of Congress cooperated & got things accomplished. Great vignettes of Maggie! Very accurate rendition.

The year was 1970, President Nixon was still in office, however, an intern by the name of Eric Redman was on hand in the halls of Congress to witness the fascinating dance of legislation as The National Health Service Corps was attempting to be born. This book provides a personal account of the birth and struggles of the attempt to pass a piece of legislation from within the private confines of who was then the second most powerful United States Senator, Warren Magnuson from the State of Washington. While the names have changed, the struggle for a balance between power, influence, and social consciousness and survival remains the same. This book is as fantastic look behind the scenes of the most influential body of power on earth contains the essential ingredients today as a quarter of a century ago. It is a must read for anyone with an interest in political legislation and stands alone in its own right as a factual story that is as fascinating and compelling as any! fictional novel you will ever read.

Web pages are truly a functional art form. The best are a combination of complex functionality, have a small digital footprint for quick downloading, can easily be deciphered, and are pleasing to the eye. This is a tall order and although design principles have been studied and refined for years, most do not satisfy all of these high requirements. Eaton has written a book that shows you many of the simple features that can make the difference between a site that blocks and a site that rocks.
One very striking feature of the book is the high quality of the pages and the images. The paper is slick, and nearly all pages are in full color. From this, you can see exactly how the pages would appear on the screen. In fact, very few screens would render them in this vivid a form. The advice, sensible, but also artistic in nature, shows you how to appeal to the facets of art appreciation that nearly everyone possesses. As humans, we share a common heritage for forms, some of which attract, others which repel and those which can do both, depending on the context. Eaton understand this very well and does a good job in describing and demonstrating this knowledge. Not all mouse clicks or buttons are created equal, and it is essential that the web interface designers understand the circumstances that make them different.
Packed with essential knowledge, not all of which is obvious, this is a book that should be read by all people who code the parts of a web site that will be seen.

It has tons of ideas for how to go beyond the same-old same-old in Web
design, Eaton gives scores of examples and techniques for designing
interactive interface elements, but without the pedantic, how-to
language that people like me hate. Before you know it, you've learned more
about usability and site design than you would expect. A few too many
pages are spent on the basics, from site architecture to how links work;
but half the book is relevant to advanced interactive Web design. Not

quite as edgy as the stuff he wrote for Webmonkey, it's as humorous as a
useful guide can be. A useful tool for a wide range of designers.

It has tons of ideas for how to go beyond the same-old same-old in Web
design, Eaton gives scores of examples and techniques for designing
interactive interface elements, but without the pedantic, how-to
language that people like me hate. Before you know it, you've learned more about usability and site design than you would expect. A few too many pages are spent on the basics, from site architecture to how links work; but half the book is relevant to advanced interactive Web design. Not quite as edgy as the stuff he wrote for Webmonkey, it's as humorous as a useful guide can be. A useful tool for a wide range of designers.

This is one of the best computer programming books ever written. Eric Wells does a wonderful job of showing how to use Visual Basic for Applications in Excel. He goes beyond the standard detailing language features, and actually shows you how to do useful thing with VBA. I recommend it to anyone wanting to learn Excel, or Visual Basic. I have the version for 5.0, and have read it three times

This is an outstanding reference to Excel Application development. Easy to follow and a must for anyone preparing for Microsoft certification in Excel Application Development. It leads you from the basics of the Excel object model and simple application development right up to using Excel as a front end tool for remote database access

If you already know how to master Excel in the day by day and you want to start developing your personal applications not only to make your spreadsheet more appealing, the author will lead you to master Excel's powerful application language with a winning formula of step-by-step lessons to the building of sample applications. Far more than a simple reference guide.

I have never seen my husband so entralled by a book before. I can never get him to sit down for 5 seconds but on Christmas morning, he forgot the rest of his gifts and sat and read this book! I was amazed! It contains history with great pictures and facts and he was actually enjoying himself while reading it!
I highly recommend this book for any person interested in ducks, duck stamps or duck hunting.

This book is beautiful, interesting, and a pleasure to read. I don't hunt, collect stamps or wildlife art, but this is a great book. I am truly enjoying it. I especially like the section on conservation, which details the history of water fowl degradation and protection in the United States.

This is an incredible book for anyone who is interested in ducks, stamps, history, art, conservation, collectables, or Americana. There's the history of duck stamps as it relates to the entire conservation movement. There are interviews with famous people who are themselves duck stamp collectors and avid conservationists. There are beautiful photographs and artwork of past and present duck stamps, as well as other honorable mentions in the annual duck stamp contests. This book is just chock full of information and illustrations. The author has done a great job of wholistically researching the topic into every tangent of related interests. It is the ultimate coffee table book since there is something to interest just about anyone. You'll find that you meant to just browse through it, when before you know it you've read a whole chapter!

I'm in a band who is currently being produced be Ed Stasium. The other day he excitedly told us he was featured in a new book put out by Billboard. I thought it was cool that he was being recognized. Today he brought the book into the studio and I spent three hours looking through it. Once I got past the thrill of finding people I'd met and even seeing my own band's name (Skypark, listed under the Nicolo brothers)I continued to find more and more fascinating things. This book is definitely worth checking out.

Hats off to everyone involved in this project. It's about time some more attention was paid to record producers. If you're addicted to VH1's 'Behind The Music' then you'll love this book.

This book is for anyone who has even the slightest interest in what goes on behind the scenes in the music business. Great stories from the men and women who helped make music history. I loved being able to read about how some of my favorite music was made and what went into the process of it's creation, from both the producer and the artists prospective. The writing in this well-researched encyclopedia is clever, thought-provoking, and oft-times quite funny. Great reading and reference for music writers, or the public at large.

Poor Ethan.

Orner watches his world carefully and with sympathy and empathy he brings his characters to life and makes me laugh.

A few of things spouted by characters in Ethan's world are direct quotations from my ex-boyfriend (Who now, by the way, has frosted his hair and gained 30 pounds---he looks like a bloated Vanilla Ice. I'm not even vaguely bitter.)

I bought all the Ethan books at once and never tired of his antics.

I will be brief. This book by Eric Orner is often hysterical; but it goes beyond being funny and those who have read Orner's three previous books know this. It is a journey into a world where humor, love, death, and relationships are explored in entirely new and different ways. A book that will make you laugh at loud and then rush to mirror asking is this me? Is this my life? And it is, in all it's saddness, comedy, and moments of bumbling glory.

Ethan Exposed is the third in the published series of the cartoon adventures of thirty-ish gay guy whose life is so instantly recognisable to all of us, and the friends and lovers who share his social circle somewhere in New England, judging by the odd clue - Cambridge Massachussetts, perhaps? The drawings are well draughted (English spelling - I'm English), and the real joy lies in the tiny incidental details, which means that to get the most out of an Ethan Green cartoon, it needs to be revisited constantly, and this is always a pleasure.

The character of Ethan himself, who is sympathetic but by no means perfect, just like the rest of us, is the true reason why these cartoons are so good. We see him coping with his ghastly Jewish family on compulsory visits home, consulting the mercenary (though Eth doesn't realise this) Madam Zolna about the future, trying to persuade his on/off lover Doug to commit himself and buy a house with him, and indulging in cybersex only to be interrupted by a chatty instant message from his adoring mother.

Other joys include the Hat Sisters, supportive of Ethan at all times, Ethan's almost-human cat Lucy, who acts as a kind of Greek chorus on much of the action, and the odd cartoon which does not involve Ethan at all, but is a kind of commentary on other aspects of gay life.

This book, and the other two, are collections of cartoons published in the Washington Blade and elsewhere, and long may Eric Orner continue to draw them, and observe the gay scene so realistically.

Many adults struggle with the acceptance of God's grace and most of those don't even understand it. So, (even though kids probably understand grace better than adults) how does one explain grace to young children? Well, this story based off a part of JONAH does a decent job. It tells about the mean and rotten Ninevites and how God sent Jonah to them to tell them to stop their wicked ways, especially fish slapping. I read this book to the preschool children I teach and they loved it. The illustrations are hilarious and the rhyming of the verses is reminiscent of Dr. Suess. It's a great book illustrating God's grace in a simple way.

I purchased this book for my parochial school 2nd grade class. I try to extend my reading teaching and tap into the personal choices of my students. Students absolutely love Veggie Tales books and movies. I purchased this book after seeing Jonah at the theater and all the current buzz over the movie.

This is a wonderful book in the Veggietales tradition! The rhyme makes it fun and the story is told in such a way the virtues and character lessons, as well as the character of God, shine through! It will remain a favorite for a long time.