Maelstrom was the best book of the series, he jumped right into the intense action that makes his books great from the begining. Book 5 is filled with intense Air Combat Manuvers and thrilling surface ship battles.

I've only read the first five Carrier books, but of those five this is probably the best. Douglas really goes at a blistering pace on this one. Maybe it's because he's already fleshed out the characters in his earlier stories, and thus can jump straight into the action. "Maelstrom" is one of the those books best read in two or three sittings. Intense, hard-hitting, suspensful.

Salute to Keith Douglass. The book is superbly written and it leaves me out of breath after reading the action-packed, fast-paced story. This book is the sole reason that keeps me looking for more of Keith Douglass actions.

There is a software with the book, which has to be used for working on the problems.(The book has no use without the software).
You can register the software only once.
If you buy a used book, you have to pay another $20 to get a new serial # to use the software.
My seller mburns1000 didn't mention about this when I bought the book and I ended up spending another $20.

This exceptional book is worth reading regardless of readers' specialization. A big surprise for those who don't like probability and statistics! This book could be a good introduction to Probability and Statistics with Bayesian approach. Although I cannot point out bad sections, here are some of the topics that could be improved.

Influence Diagram examples are much fewer than Decision Tree diagrams. I'd love to see more complex and elaborate decision model examples for practitioners implementing their own models.

In probability chapter, the authors implicitly assume that Pr(A,B) means Pr(AB) or Pr(A and B) where Pr() is "probability of" and A and B are some events. This is never mentioned in the book (as far as I recall), so it should be fixed for clarity. Also in the same chapter, chain rules and marginalization are not covered explicitly, yet a reader needs to use these general rules in exercises and in some of main contents. These rules are very important in manipulating probability and conditional probability terms.

Although there are few selected answers for exercises, most of the answers are not too hard and they are self-explanatory. So self-study readers shouldn't worry too much.

A curious person who might wonder what decision science and analysis is about, I recommend reading "Smart Choice" by John Hammond, et al. Less math and more compact exposition.

For further study in Influence Diagrams and Bayesian Belief Nets (BBN), a good introduction is "Bayesian Networks and Decision Graphs" by Finn Jensen, et al. There are numerous good sites for BBN on web so search them online. For probability and statistics, "Probability and Statistics" by Degroot, et al. or Feller's Volume 1 are good, which are mentioned in the textbook.

Note: I recommend this blue cover version rather than green one as the former comes with Palisade Decision Tools Suite and is published later.

Understanding Hard Decisions

So that you know where I am coming from: I found this book while selecting a new text for my senior "Decision & Risk Analysis" course. There are numerous books on this subject, but none are perfect: either the presentation of the subject is hard, talking way above the heads of the audience, or too theoretical, or requiring a high level of math skills, or the presentation is at a too low level, or too narrow in focus, or not covering the whole spectrum of Decision Analysis. I chose this book for various advantages it has. The technical level of math that it requires is low, yet the analysis is high. It is written in a very easy way to read, follow and understand manner. It can be used both as a textbook for a course as well as a reference. It makes use of the most common generic tool for calculating and solving problems, the Excel spreadsheet for the suite of software that comes with the book (Palisades Decision tools) are integrated with it. The book offers a rather complete presentation of decision analysis concepts and techniques: there is a whole chapter on the important topic of sensitivity analysis, another chapter on simulation; and risk and forecasting are also presented.

I find the reference section in each chapter excellent, for it helps the reader tie the literature to the concepts presented. The last chapter which gives an annotated decision analysis reading list is also very helpful. All textbooks need to have these two ingredients. It is true that numerous of the references given in the book are fairly old, but the topic is not in the fast changing computer science field, and many of the original articles and books in the decision analysis area are classics and need to be looked at carefully. (Maybe there is a lesson to learn here for those who give a minus when "old" references are included in a scholarly work.)

The book is very modern for the concepts it presents (influence diagrams - a relatively newcomer in decision analysis, issues of recent interest, such as assessment, ecology and AIDS) and because it also ties with the web. The reader is directed to the web page of the Decision Analysis Society of INFORMS and this gives an important tool for keeping the knowledge presented in the book constantly updateable and broadening the spectrum of the interested reader. Another advantage: the book emphasizes structuring decision problems rather the more traditional approach to stress modeling of uncertainty and preference.

I like both the structure of the book (that follows the decision analysis process) and that of each chapter which consist of an introduction, presentation of concepts and techniques, a summary section, challenging case studies accompanied by questions referring to the concepts just presented, references, and an epilogue.

Best qualities of the book: clarity, good structure, interesting real or realistic fictitious case studies - extremely important to keep the student interested in a topic which other books present in a dry way and with just "toy" problems.

Yes, the book is rather expensive, but do not disregard the fact that it comes with a set of software tools which although a student version (with limited-size problems and expiring after a while) it can be time-unlocked for a cost. Most importantly the software does not represent a separate school-only tool, for there exist commercial standard and professional versions that the student will be able to use on real-life problems without the need to go through an additional learning curve, if willing to pay the larger, but non-prohibitive cost. Clear instructions for how to use the software is given in the appropriate sections of the book.

What I would add? A glossary of decision analysis terms, either for each chapter or, with preference, a global one at the end of the book.

A special touch: most chapters end with an epilogue. Each epilogue has a different flavor (a game, a comment on a debated case, etc.) The epilogue does not directly summarize the main "action" of the chapter. It is more like the conclusion section of a musical composition - it brings some additional intriguing element that will keep the interest of the student aroused. This is as artistic in nature as decision science must be!

Review by Ileana Costea, Ph.D. Professor of Engineering, California State University, Northridge Email: icostea@csun.edu

October 18, 2000 Los Angeles

Robert Beverly Hale's three books on Artistic Anatomy should be owned by every beginning and professional artist. Beverly Hale shows the reader that to become an adept draftsman,it is best to learn from the drawing masters of all time. Beverly Hale also tells the reader how the best figure draftsmaen,from daVinci to Degas,learned from the works of past great masters.

Reading and learning from Robert Beverly Hale's three books on Artistic Anatomy is like learning the ways of the Force from Yoda himself.

I am currently in Figure drawing 2 and this book is a wonderful help. I have few figure drawing books that I feel compleatly happy with and this one is the best. It shows you how the masters worked with simple shapes, line, value, mass, and anatomy to represent the figure. It breaks up the chapters into body parts and each chapter deals with that specific part. By presenting works of master artists and disecting them you understand how the human form works and can be expressed. I would reccomend this book to anyone interested in drawing the figure, especially beginers.

Mr Coyle has done great justice to his old mentor Robert Beverley HALE with this magnificent book. The lessons are based on Mr Hales teachings on the techniques and thinking of the great master drawers, and not only are the examples all master works, but innovative use of coloured line overlays makes sometimes difficult concepts abundantly clear. The real point of this book, as with all R.B.Hale books, is that YOU can learn to think in the same highly visually intelligent way as these greats of the past, and learn to apply that thinking to your own creations. BRAVO Messrs Hale et Coyle!

Leo Nolan is at first glance trying to fill a void for his dying mother. In his search for her lost brother he is transported to another time, when troubles ran deep. The characters are easy to grasp, and attention to detail is not necessary. The intermingling of the here and the "then" is inviting. I found this book to be a compelling quick read, worthy of passing onto others.

In this brief and lovely book, the narrator, Leo, goes on a search for his uncle, missing for fifty years. In the process, he travels back in time to depression era Kentucky, a literary device which is beautifully done and does not seem at all out of place. The author's prose is straightforward and moving in its simplicity, and themes of hardship, loss, remembrance and recovery are woven into the story in a way that stays with you. One of the best books I've read in a long time.

I didn't think I'd like this book but it surprised me. The narrator is likeable and the story is easy to follow. This is not a typical romance (which is what I thought when I looked at the cover). Worth reading at least once!

Story of Frank Claymore, Texas cattleman, and the settling of America's western frontier. It spans roughly fourty years, beginning during the Civil War, and subtly shares morality lessons throughout. It paints generational change, both on a personal level and that of greater society's mindsets and needs. Touching and epic, it isn't monumental. In barely three hundred pages, Elmer Kelton takes the reader on a fascinating ride through the fight for and taming of West Texas land as seen through the life of Frank Claymore. The story has an understated tone, yet tugs emotions at deftly plotted moments. Kelton writes to the beat of the human heart. His characters are so real, they could be your neighbors, your family, yourself. I saw a bit of Claymore in myself and am not proud to admit that fact. Claymore isn't a typical hero. He's a rough, difficult, keep-your-emotions-in-check business man. He has high expectations of himself, is a tireless worker, and expects the same of every one else. He's an "A" personality to the nth degree. He has few, but extremely loyal, friends. They're loyal because he is to them. Because he had proven to be a decent, though contentious man, who would put his life on the line and keep it there. Kelton keeps the breadth of this epic to a comfortable size by alluding to many events and stories rather than expositing first hand on every scene. Most of the story is told in flashback sequences which work well with the style Kelton used to tell this tale. By the end of the book, you understand Claymore enough to admire him and feel deeply sorry for him. It's a story of pride, determination, want, and humanity's stoic, unrelenting nature. Elmer Kelton is a writer with tremendous talent. He's a journalist who doesn't write like one. He's loaded with imagination and Stand Proud is one of finer efforts. I didn't give it five stars is because the book didn't take my life over to the degree of being compelled to read it in one sitting. That is a rareity for me to do, so, the books that compel me that way deserve five stars. Stand Proud deserves four and a half.

I had read a lot of Kelton books and if I remember right they have all been pretty good. "Stand Proud" is one of the best. It is the story of Frank Claymore. A man who has nothing but his love for a woman. Does he get the woman?? NO way. This make him a bitter man. The story takes him from the Civil War, to fighting Indians to building a hugh cattle ranch. He finally gets married to another woman but is unable to tell her his true feelings. The story line is very good. Lots of action and true to life cowboy adventures. He is brought before a Judge and jury for killing a man. He did not do it but he cannot make anyone believe he did not. He is now an old man and not in good health. The book goes back and forth between the courthouse and his life as he lived it. The ending is great and very good. Kelton writes so in your mind you can see the valley he calls home. Would like to be there myself. If you like stories about the west of long ago and the hard times people had, you will like this book. A very good western read.

I have had the good fortune to read most of Elmer Kelton's books, however, "Stand Proud" has somehow eluded me until just recently. I have often said that, in my humble opinion, "The Man Who Rode Midnight" was Kelton's finest. Now, I'm not so sure.

As an all-inclusive reference on Drafting theory and practice, this is as good a book as any. However: Having used it as a teaching text, I found an inexcusable number of mistakes in the end-of-chapter exercises. The dimensions simply don't stack up! My advice: Go over them yourself first, time permitting, before assigning them to your classes. Perhaps (hopefully) this has been/will be corrected in later editions. Also: Board drafting is a dying art. Thus, while opening chapters on theory and sketching methods should be retained, more emphasis must now be placed on CAD (not "CADD"); specifically, 3D CAD and downstream processes.

This is not a review. I am the author. Your catalog lists Engineering Drawing and Design by David A. Madsen (Editor). I am not the editor. I am the author. Can you please remove the work (Editor) from this listing?

Thank you.

This book describes it all, gives the rules of the road for the changes that have occured in the last number of years in ANSI callouts, Geometric Tolerancing, ASME, and ISO practices. I've been in this business since '76 on the drafting board, and since '86 with CADD (Computer Aided Drafting & Design) and have watched the skills of knowing how to draft (a distinct language of its own) and the elements of design and engineering fall by the wayside in general as the focus now by our educators and companies is more about learning to and running a CADD program, making a picture than following the skills and practices of drafting, design, and engineering. Students today need to get back to "walking" (learning drafting) before they "run" with a CADD program. This book addresses what is necessary to create drawings and design the parts as they should be. I highly recommend it to anyone conscientiously wanting to really learn to do the job right and/or to hone their skills.

This is a fun book but, I must admit, that I was a bit disappointed. I was hoping for something geared towards adults (or, at the least, towards an intelligent teen). This book is specificially geared towards children (i.e., a bright 8 year old or above). It is certainly a friendly book filled with colorful (if somewhat unimaginative) drawings. As well, it covers many of the issues relevant to the subject (e.g., why movie aliens shouldn't be regarded as realistic). My only complaint, once you correlate it to its intended audience, is that it does speak authoritatively more often then it should for such a speculative topic (e.g., it claims that we can expect that most intelligent species should have a humanoid template which is, to say the least, a debatable position).

Be that as it may, I would certainly recommend it if you want to introduce a child to the topic or if you know of a child that is already interested. For adults, however, I'd give it a miss.

This is the perfect book to use with middle school and high school students. I use this as a reference for cross-curricular projects with science fiction, science, language arts, and government. The background and general information is not too much for students to digest and the illustrations are fabulous. When required to come up with feasible life-forms for various planet types, the breakdown of possibilities for "alien" senses helps students to consider new approaches. The specific planet descriptions are also immensely helpful, giving students something to build on, opening their minds to the limitless possibilities of extraterrestrial life. This is the singlarly essential building block for endless projects. I wish I could afford a class set. Marvelous!

This is not your sci-fi book on aliens. This book is more like "Audbon Society Guide To Birds" of extraterrestrial biology. Dickinson and Schaller start by discussing our contemporary views of aliens and shows the fallicies behind it. They then explore places where life could be found. Then there is a discussion of biology, rules of life that would apply anywhere in the universe. Then, one by one, Dickinson and Schaller discuss possible inhabited worlds and what life might have eveolved there. Everything from gas giants to ocean worlds to ice planets are discussed. Then, inorganic life, like intellegent comets and macronulear life is discussed. Finally, to sum it up, the possibilty of contact is discussed. Throughout the book, a scientific aprouch is used, but the book is still very easy to read. Anybody interested in the possibilty of life on other worlds, and anybody who would like to see what theis life might be like, definatley should read this book.

Please ignore the usual Amazon anti-catholic smear in the editorial review that attempts to insinuate that the church created these orders of military monks to protect its wealth.

The truth is that the church did not create these orders. For example, the Teutonic Knights were created by German merchants in the Holy Land as a hospital for German crusaders.

Anyway, this volume is a good read for both the casual historian and the serious scholar. While it is by no means exhaustive, it is a good place to begin for those who wish to find out more about the selfless, devoted men who dedicated their lives to serving God and his church.
The color plates are average, Osprey has certainly produced better.

Overall, I recommend it.

this book gives an excellent, although very brief, overview of the medieval military orders. All the usual suspects (Teutonic Knights, Templars etc.) are here, but also some of the lesser know (mostly Iberian) orders. My only critique would be that the color plates lack variety in showing almost excusively the three dominant orders.

Generally, I like all of the Osprey Men-At-Arms books, but this is one of my favorites, considering I'm particularly interested in the crusades and knights of the period. This book gives you a very good overview of the history of the templars, providing a lot of nice images to give you a feel for how things looked. I'd definitely recommend it. As with the other books in this series, they're too brief if you're looking for very detailed and in-depth information-- But as an introduction, a suppliment, or just for general interest, it's absolutely wonderful!

This book is essentially about profits, politics, and patronage in Malaysia. Indeed it is a useful detailed study on 'political economy in action' rather than the political economy of Malaysia. Those looking for a survey of previous studies on the political economy in Malaysia shall be disappointed.

Those pursuing major business (or considering pursuit of business) in Malaysia need to read this book. If you are very familiar with Malaysia politics and business, it makes a great read. Otherwise, only of interest to academics in politics, political economy, and perhaps 'Transparency International.' The only caveat is that it mainly applies to very large business efforts - while something of the entire patronage culture obviously permiates many transaction levels here, only the really big (nationally important) stuff draws the kind of attention discussed in this book.

The book basically presents a slightly pessimistic but fairly accurate view of major business efforts and their effects. The book concludes in the midst of the 1997/8 economic melt-down and subsequent political maneuverings, but stops well short of the late 1999 election.

When looking at the political economy of Malaysia many authors are quick in taking an extreme point of view. Gomez and Jomo, on the other hand, focus on the reality of the Malaysian situation. Their analysis of the functioning of Malaysia's political economy is frank and thoroughly backed up. By concentrating on the effects of Mahathir's privatisation policies on the Malaysian economy, they have pinpointed several key structural weaknesses which need to be addressed; especially in view of the pressing politial and economic issues which are currently affecting Malaysia. The book therefore, is an absolute must for people interested in Malaysia's complex economic structure.

People are mysteriously disappearing in the small town of Rapture, Indiana. Rumour has it that it is an act of God, sending the faithful to heaven and leaving the sinners back on Earth, or maybe it's alien abductions? Whatever it is, Owen Keane is on the case to find out what is causing the disappearances and what it has to do with a man he helped convict years before.

This is my first Owen Keane novel, but I found I didn't need to have read the 5 previous Keane novels to know and understand the character. It's very well written and has great elements of mystery. Characterisation was great, and greatly enhanced the misleading factor of the guilty parties for this mystery. The only disappointing aspect was the ending, which seemed a bit too contrived and 'Hardy Boyish' for my liking.

Overall, it was a very satisfying read. RECOMMENDED!!!

This is my third by Faherty, whose quality of writing is superior to that of most mystery authors. This "millenial" mystery involves some people who "disappear" in the small Indiana town of Rapture. Have they been "raptured"? Abducted by aliens? Of course there is an explanation to the disappearances, but in the meantime Faherty gets you thinking about these phenomena, as he explores his hallmark theme: "the problem of evil." For those who like a well-written and thoughtful mystery which is also well-plotted, I recommend Faherty.

It has been two decades since Owen Keane left his Indiana home after involvement with a murder that ended his quest for the priesthood. He returns to his former home state to testify against the state granting parole to convicted murderer Curtis Morell, a man Owen helped send to prison. While in the town of Rapture, founded by a religious group who expected the world to end in 1844, Owen meets Curtis' daughter, Krystal. They immediately hit it off.

However, what attracts Owen is the sudden disappearance of townsfolk, one at a time in a rapture-like environment. Some of the citizens think its aliens while other think Armageddon has arrived. Owen, who once studied for the priesthood, is mystically enraptured with the goings-on until Krystal disappears. Now, he has a personal interest to clearing up the mystery that law enforcement officials feel are simply drug drops.

The sixth Owen Keane novel, THE ORDAINED, is as good if not better than the delightful previous tales. Owen is a great character whose believable struggles with life are of epic proportion. The story line is fast paced and interesting with the secondary players adding much to the pace. Terence Faherty continues to write very entertaining mysteries that are well worth reading.

Harriet Klausner

The sixth Owen Keane novel, THE ORDAINED, is as good if not better than the delightful previous tales. Owen is a great character whose believable struggles with life are of epic proportion. The story line is fast paced and interesting with the secondary players adding much to the pace. Terence Faherty continues to write very entertaining mysteries that are well worth reading.

Harriet Klausner