This book is the book that everybody working with ENVY should read. From the newbie to the confirmed developer you will still learn a lot. The differents processes of releasing and versioning application is worth reading it, believe me and the authors have really a deep knowledge of ENVY. This is really a pleasure to have an excellent book like that. Do not complain not finding good books on Smalltalk if you do not buy the good ones!

Review written by: Vinay Mutha Director, Technical Services Dynamic Consulting Vinay@DynamicResources.com http://www.DynamicResources.com

Cambridge University Press is publishing a new book named Mastering ENVY/Developer. This book addresses a long-standing need of the Smalltalk developer community. It also proves that, despite claims to the contrary by some vested interests, Smalltalk community is still thriving. Recently I got a chance to look at the manuscript of this book.

This original work is an in-depth exploration of ENVY/Developer, IBM's team programming environment for Smalltalk and Java. This book is written by well-known experts in the area, viz. Joseph Pelrine of Daedalos Consulting, Switzerland, Alan Knight of Cincom and Adrian Cho of OTI (IBM).

In the first part Pelrine, Knight and Cho introduce the basics that a developer or development manager must know to use ENVY in a project setting. The second part covers advanced programming and customization, including detailed information on administering, troubleshooting, and extending the tools. The book presents both introductory and advanced topics with detailed examples. It also includes lot of useful information about the development process and the organization of applications. The authors treat VisualAge for Smalltalk, VisualWorks, and VisualAge Generator in detail. In addition, the concepts and management they present apply to VisualAge for Java. Additional features are code examples, tools, and add-ons, on CD-ROM.

Dave Thomas (of OTI fame and not the Wendy's founder) will be writing a forward to this book. This book will be part of the SIGS Series: Advances in Object Technology. I am certainly looking forward to its publication in 2001. The book price is $39.95, but the publishers are offering it for a discounted price of $31.96.

The CONTENTS of the book include: 1. Getting started 2. Basic concepts and operations 3. Team Development 4. Advanced Development 5. Packaging, testing and delivery issues 6. Extending and customizing the system 7. Administration 8. Goodies 9. Packaging 10. Troubleshooting

The book also has an Appendix containing a Selected Annotated API of ENVY System Classes. Although authors refer to this as an API, many of these classes and methods are not well documented and have changed over time. That is why this appendix becomes very useful, as it gives very useful information needed for advanced programming tasks which is not easily available elsewhere. Another wonderful part is the creation of Glossary of envy terms. As many of these terms look and mean very similar to regular English words but may not have exact similar meaning in the context of ENVY.

It is amazing to see how these authors have compiled so much detailed information and still kept the number of pages down to only 350. What I like most about this book is that it clearly marks things that are applicable to a particular dialect of Smalltalk, say VisualWorks. This allows the developers to concentrate on their project and the applications they are working on in a no-nonsense way. It also gives you knowledge about how to tackle major problem areas in software development throughout the development cycle. E.g. 1. Managing the software components developed by different developers in the team. 2. Software versioning and development history management. 3. Software configuration and the management of the different releases. 4. Properly controlling the changes made by the developers without letting the quality and quantity of the work suffer.

This book is available on amazon.com. On amazon it lists the third author as Jan Steinman, who was initially supposed to co-author this book. Unfortunately, Jan had to drop out for personal reasons, so he was replaced by Adrian Cho of OTI (IBM). This turned out pretty good too, because Adrian has been principle developer of ENVY at OTI for a number of years, and has direct experience with all the code including the internals. The book is scheduled to be published in February 2001. You can reserve your copy even now with either amazon or the publisher directly.

I was a resident of HK for 3 and a half years before the handover. I remember speaking to some obnoxious Australian "journalist" at Christmas time 1996-97 who was absolutely convinced that the Chinese army was going to invade HK and that there would be a Tiananmen Square-style bloodbath. This guy had been sent from Australia to report on the build-up to the hand-over and was simply not interested in hearing any opinions that did not fit into his doomsday nonsense. At the time I was finishing off an MPhil in pol sci at HKU, but this was of no interest to our journo "expert"! I also remember watching the appaling coverage on CNN with some ridiculous American "journalist" making the most innane comments and getting it all wrong. He had obviously been flown in from the States a week before June 30 and was now "the expert" on the handover. I also remember him making continual petty digs at the British. Anyway, what I am saying is that if this book is about exposing the "instant experts" that popular journalism creates and about showing up the pathetic parachute journos (from whom most people get their info from - scary!) then it is an excellent venture and I'm going to buy it!

The book is very attractive for a reader who, like me, did follow the handover of Hong Kong to Communist China by being on the spot. I was one of the reporter mentioned in the book. This work, edited by Alan Knight and Yoshiko Nakano is also due to Barry Lowe, not mentioned on the book cover and who was actually the real motor behind its publication. This is a study on how journalists should not report a complex string of facts and events unfolding under their eyes without adeguate preparation. In few words it speaks against "parachute journalism". During the handover all the televisions and newspapers of the World sent people here to report on facts which they could hardly grasp, because they were too complex, too fast and all interconnected. Most of these parachute journalists ended up interviewing each other and consulting the few residents newsmen. Once a mistake was broadcasted or printed by one of them it was automatically taken up by all and it became the official truth, even if the truth was exactly the contrary. All the awful limitations of the TV are clearly exposed: moving images are good to discribe something spectacular and simple. But for something like the handover the real picture could have been given only by an "old china hand" with a philosophic mind and open eyes. The television created a lot of historical distorsions. It makes a good reading this book and can teach a lot on how not to report facts and news, more than how to report them. Angelo Paratico

Romance of Tristan is a great read. Takes you back to the 11th and 12th Centuries and describes a somewhat tragic love affair between Tristan and the King's wife, Yseut(Isolde). The King is Tristan's uncle, and Tristan is a great knight in King Mark's court, so this adds to the story's impact. Tristan and Yseut are fatalistic lovers, drawn to each other by a 'love potion', and constantly plotting their meetings even under serious auspices of the King and his courtiers. The plots and tales and protocols of that time in history are vividly described and Beroul uses many characters to paint the tale. It appears that Beroul is largely sympathetic to the fugitive lovers and his bias is clearly against the ones who try to harm or plot against them.
I would recommend reading the introduction of this book for some good insight from the translator and for his insights into the original 12th century text. This translation makes for a fast and captivating read.

Though the story of Tristan and Iseult predates even this particular telling of the story, it is the earliest extant version we have, and it suffers not at all from its age. Full of love, battle, humor (and there are some great points of humor in the book), and a visit from Aruthur's knights, this is a classic tale of romance and betrayal. Any fan of Arthurian myth should read this timeless tale that has inspired so many to write books, music, and poetry. Even before there was the story of Romeo and Juliet, there was this story of star crossed lovers.

Harry de Grosmont, love him or hate him you've gotta admit the guy was a looker and one heck of a force to be reckoned with, both on the field of honor AND on the dance floor!
Here he is in all his glory. Is he the brave knight and right hand of the king? Is he the handsome party boy with a taste for downmarket girls? Is he the introspective, soul searching old author of religious musings?
The answer is YES, Harry is all that and MORE!
Read all about Harry, the women, the madness, and the music in this searing Expose which dares to rip the lid off of the royals' best kept secret!

How many journalists who follow the American military have ever noticed that in the last quarter-century more U.S. servicemembers have died in preventable accidents than in combat? Not enough, as Al Diehl's superbly told and provactive book, "Silent Knights," makes absolutely clear. Diehl shows how the American public has been hoodwinked by the military brass into believing that "training accidents" and other non-wartime military deaths are an unavoidable consequence of military service. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you have loved ones serving in America's armed forces, this is a must-read book if you wish to learn the true risks of military service. After you've read it, do something more: write your member of Congress & demand they investigate the problems outlined in this book. You will be doing your loved one, and yourself, a huge favor...

Patrick G. Eddington
Former Associate Director of Government Relations
Vietnam Veterans of America
CIA analyst, 1988-96

As an ardent freemason and avid reader, I found this book extremely riveting. Hard to believe that from a book on medieval history, but believe it. I opened the package from Amazon and immediately started reading. With my wife yelling for me to come to bed two hours later, I answered with the usual, "just a minute!" I couldn't put it down. I finished it that night and finished Unholy Worship the next night. Great books!! I will buy more books from these guys in the near future. If you are in the least bit interested in Templar history or it's ties to modern freemasonary, get this and any of Dafoe's books!!

Warriors and Bankers, by Stephen Dafoe and Alan Butler gave me a sence of pride in my heritage. But more than that it gave me hope that such a noble and courageous order such as the Knights Templar not only survived but had the forsight to make many subtle contributions to our day to day life. Friday the 13th will never have the same meaning for me again, or for that matter my next visit to a bank. Alan Butler and Stephen Dafoe have written a book that lays their research out in an easy to read and comprehensive format. Every page was food for thought and provocative in its implications of the Templar history and subsequent survival. A must read for the etherial and esoteric history buff. From now on I'll seek out other books by the authors. I loved this unexpected little gem of a book and will definatly tell my friends about it. If this site had a six star rating - this book certainly deserves it.

This book is a must-have for those interested in The Templars. In a sea of Nonsense and ancient falsehoods, regarding the order of Knights Templar, this book is a shining gem of common-sense. The authors strive to use Logic, instead of silly fake documents and other ludicrous garbage to speculate about the known and suspected history of the Templars. Instead of quoting long sections of other recent books, the authors simply refer you to the other works, assuming you have probably already read them, anyway (and...they are most-likely correct). If you have read the other works about the Templars--esp., Robinson's "Born in Blood," you will find this book a concise, easy read with some new thoughts on the subject of the Templar's history. If not, this book gives you ample research suggestions.... So, either way, you can't lose. Another benefit of this book is that it is thin-enough (because the authors get directly to the point, instead-of heavy quoting and such) to place it in your jacket or pants pocket. This would be a great book to loan to your friends, if you practice my own method of using clear contact paper (slowly and carefully) over the cover of the book, to prevent it's destruction in transit. Look for their other books, as-well! I loved "Unholy Worship? The Myth of the Baphomet, Templar, Freemason Connection," by Stephen Dafoe. If you enjoy thinking for yourself, you will enjoy their books....if you do not like thinking for yourself read Kah!

This book shows that our country's enemies are not the only people killing our sons and daughters. Dr. Diehl has done an excellent job of stating the facts in a way that is easy to read and understand. His extensive knowledge and political insight opens the reader's awareness that problems with safety, accident investigations, coverups and scapegoating that permeate in the military is a cancer which every citizen should be outraged about. Readers of this book will easily understand that our military leaders are not only wasting billions of dollars of tax payers money but also that more military men and women are being killed in peacetime accidents than in war. All Americans should read this book.

SILENT KNIGHTS is a real eye-opener and should be read by every righteous citizen of this nation. I now realize why there are risks taken by our military everytime they step into an airplane to protect the United States=they are unaware pawns.
We call ourselves a united states but we are NOT united because we are having the "wool thrown over our eyes" by unscrupulous members of our military and by some in the Congress who are more afraid of the dollars spent than by providing safety and reliable on-the-job training for the military men and women who defend us daily.

I am far to familiar with the stories told in this book regarding military accidents and their cover-ups. I found myself right in the middle of one of the largest cover-ups in Naval history. These events happen more often than the American public could possibly ever imagine. I personally have been contacted by hundreds of individuals whose stories could have been added to this long awaited book. Silent Knights is an excellant expose, as well as a legacy told for many heros who can longer speak for themselves. Those of you who read the stories in this book should be outraged! After reading Silent Knights, my sincere hope is that in some way Dr. Diehl's book will initiate the change that all American's, especially we who have lost loved ones in the military so desperately seek! My sincere thanks and appreciation for what you have tried to do.

I've read all of the stories in this Batman TPB, and while the Bat-Mite and Poison Ivy tales are OK, the first tale, "Blades" by Robinson and Sale, is spectacular. If you're a fan of "Starman" or anything else by Robinson, buy this quick. If you like great storytelling and great art by Sale, buy this quick!

I especially liked the story with Bat-Mite! HE is so cute and funny. "Hothouse" is a little confusing though, but I think I pretty mush got it down.

"The Knights," produced in 424 B.C., is clearly an all-out attack on Cleon, the leader of Athens after the death of Pericles. As related by Thucydides, earlier that year Cleon had induced the Spartans to propose peace. Consequently, Aristophanes opens the comedy with two slaves of the crotchety old Demos ("the people of Athens") dressed up to resemble the generals Demosthenes and Nicias. The two slaves complain about how everyone is picking on Paphlagon, a leather seller who is the favorite of Demos and clearly intended to be Cleon. The oracles tell that Paphlagon is going to be replaced by a sausage seller named Agoracritus.

"The Knights" is a second-tier comedy by Aristophanes because it is devoted entirely to making fun of Cleon. Consequently, Aristophanes makes his point early on and by the time Agoracritus the sausage seller beats Cleon at this own game, the comic dramatist is beating a dead horse all the way into the ground. This comedy always struck me as being like a SNL skit that lasts the entire show. In the end Demos, rejuvenated by being stewed in a plot by Agoracritus, takes control and declares he will abolish all innovations and restore the old traditions.

The legend is that the mask makers of Athens, fearing reprisals from Cleon, refused to make a mask of the Athenian leader and that Aristophanes played the part himself. Of course, Cleon would have been in the audience watching the play at the festival that year, but unlike what happened when Socrates stood throughout the production of "The Clouds," we know nothing of Cleon's response aside from the fact that Aristophanes survived to write more comedies.

"The Knights," produced in 424 B.C., is clearly an all-out attack on Cleon, the leader of Athens after the death of Pericles. As related by Thucydides, earlier that year Cleon had induced the Spartans to propose peace. Consequently, Aristophanes opens the comedy with two slaves of the crotchety old Demos ("the people of Athens") dressed up to resemble the generals Demosthenes and Nicias. The two slaves complain about how everyone is picking on Paphlagon, a leather seller who is the favorite of Demos and clearly intended to be Cleon. The oracles tell that Paphlagon is going to be replaced by a sausage seller named Agoracritus.

"The Knights" is a second-tier comedy by Aristophanes because it is devoted entirely to making fun of Cleon. Consequently, Aristophanes makes his point early on and by the time Agoracritus the sausage seller beats Cleon at this own game, the comic dramatist is beating a dead horse all the way into the ground. This comedy always struck me as being like a SNL skit that lasts the entire show. In the end Demos, rejuvenated by being stewed in a plot by Agoracritus, takes control and declares he will abolish all innovations and restore the old traditions.

The legend is that the mask makers of Athens, fearing reprisals from Cleon, refused to make a mask of the Athenian leader and that Aristophanes played the part himself. Of course, Cleon would have been in the audience watching the play at the festival that year, but unlike what happened when Socrates stood throughout the production of "The Clouds," we know nothing of Cleon's response aside from the fact that Aristophanes survived to write more comedies.