C. R. Rao is one of the most famous statisticians living today. He has written many important books and produced fundamental results in mathematical statistics. Helge Toutenburg is well known for his numerous publications on linear models. As is Rao's style this text is jammed packed with useful theoretical results sometimes difficult to digest because of the concise treatment. I found his classic text "Linear Statistical Inference and Its Applications" that way also. Although Rao is famous for his fundamental research work in the 1940s and 1950s this book is very modern. Rao has always kept abreast on new developments in statistics and related fields.

I bought the book based on dataguru's amazon recommendation and a subsequent email correspondence. I was not disappointed. The book starts out covering the classical linear models and regression but then goes on to cover problems involving fixed and stochastic constraints. Also although Chapter 3 starts out with least squares regression it goes on to cover projection pursuit, censored regression and includes various alternative estimation procedures other than least squares. In the case of colinearity, principal components regression,ridge regression and shrinkage estimators are offered. Nonparametric regression, logistic regression and neural networks are all covered in this amazing Chapter 3.

The text provides a very current and thorough list of relevant references. Other nice features of this second edition include a completely revised and updated chapter on missing data, much of the unusual material in Chapter 3 including the restricted regression and neural networks, Kalman filtering in Chapter 6 and the use of empirical Bayes methods for simultaneous solution of parameter estimates in different linear models in Chapter 4.

This book will be a treasured reference source. I may have to search through it carefully to discover hidden treasures. Rao does that with his conciseness. I found that "Linear Statistical Inference and Its Applications" had a lot more to offer than I first thought. It was a required text for my mathematical statistics course at Stanford but served more as a reference than as a course text. When taking the course I did not find time to use it much. But many years later I looked through it and was amazed at all the deep and important theoretical results that were included in it. I expect the same from this book.

I recently got a copy of this book (first edition). While I try to look up some result I need at hand (obviously I find it, the most general and accurate answer, a typical use of Rao's book such as his other classic linear inference book), I find myself digging deeper and deeper into other places of the book. While linear model books and courses are typically boring and contain little new, I find all the new and deep results everywhere in this book, and it's a joy and refreshing experience. For example, the discussion of generalized linear model in the context of heteroscedastic linear model is very natural. The chapter on linear and stochastic constraints is a must read for anybody deals with high-dimensional and complex data. The prediction theory is very novel and general. After closing this book, I'm thinking what more can be said about linear models. Obviously they are useful, not obsolete or unrealistic as being often misconceived. The morale is use in proper context and wariness against violations of model assumptions. There are plenty of tests and remedies in this book for the latter. A modern view is that many nonlinear methods can be treated as extensions of linear models such as nonparametric regression (linear smoothers and local polynomial method), neural networks, etc. and the second edition of this book has added substantial materials in this regard. In all, I recomend this book as an excellent textbook for a seond course on linear models, a must read for researchers dealing with some aspects of linear models, and a must-have reference for anyone who needs to check up the most complete and updated results on linear models.

Having just started working in the area of neural stem cell research at the Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence RI, I turned to Dr. Rao's book as a primer on the field. I was delighted to discover that in addition to having excellent content, the book was consistently well-written. As I started to read the journal literature, I discovered that many of the chapter contributors are heavy-hitters in the field. People like Fred Gage of the Salk Institute and Arturo Alvarez-Buylla of Rockefeller University are contributors. Of course, Dr. Rao himself is a major name in the field and contributes to several chapters. I could not give it a full five-star rating because there are a few weak links, such as the penultimate chapter on transplant therapy, which provides little insight. But I wish I were allowed to give it four-and-a-half stars because, overall, this is a great book. After I got mine, two more people in our lab bought copies. I recommend that anyone in the field do the same!

Dr. Rao has done the neuroscience community a great service in producing this work. Very useful, very well written.

This is a pathbreaking book in Kannada written with a serious purpose. Bhyrappa usually takes up problematic issues and provides a perspective entirely different from the usual and the cliche. Vamshavriksha tackles, or rather tries to tackle the issue of dealing with one's own roots, and the consequential dilemmas and problems one has to face when encountered with situations which are bizarre and shocking to one's own existence. Shrotriya's problems are not because of the truth he encounters regarding his birth and parents, but because of the enormity of the tree that is uprooted - the tree of traditional belief and pride deeply rooted in religious knowledge and common sense. The whole purpose of his religious quest and belief becomes a butt of mockery by the situation he finds himself.

This is the central theme of this lucidly written book around which we find subthemes relating very much to the events and ideological quests regarding one's real roots.

Bhyrappa very evidently asks, though subtly, 'Where do we belong to?'. This question seems to be a very favourite one to Bhyrappa since we see a recurrence of similar questions in his other books 'Parva' and 'Daatu'. Vamshavriksha's seems to be of the most authoritative tone.

The book is a slow moving yet all the more interesting one. The interest is sustained by the amount of details Bhyrappa tries to achieve in each and every page of the book. This is one of those books which try to achieve a confluence of Indian and Western schools thoughts by invoking Indian sentimentalities and views of life in the perspective of existential crises which is a western idea.

The story has been used to make a film by Girish Karnad and B.V.Karanth which tries to hold all the intriguing aspects of the book.

I highly recommend a thorough reading of this book which generates a kind of awe due to the new of seeing an old-fashioned life.

I have read this book three times over the course of last thirty years, first as a teenager, later in my twenties and recently. I did not read the English translation, however. The original book in the Kannada language is considered by many as the most recognized novel of Dr. Bhyrappa. The story is the life of a young, relatively less educated widow from an upper cast tradition bound Hindu family, who evolves into an intellectually liberated person and re-marries her professor belonging to another forward looking intellectual family. But she ultimatley fails to integrate her new life with the past and becomes a victim of her doing, although, the conservative society and her earlier family is largely to be blamed for it including her son from the previous marriage. The story intensely portraits the many problems of Indian society and the impediments to progress by the ingrained traditional values, customs, and the psyche of the elders and even the educated intellectuals. the story ends with the death of the heroine and the stark realization of the family elder that every one is a victim or the product of the circumstances, which are timeless. This story has been made into an award-winning movie by another great Kannada writer, actor, and director Dr. Girish Karnad. I recommend this to any one interested in Indian society, especially the Brahmin families of South India. Dr. Bhyarappa is my most favorite writer in Kannada language and in my opinion, he is the greatest Kannada novelists of all time.

Frank Welsch provides his audience with a clear and comprehensive interperation of the events that have shaped this great city of the world. I would, however, make a few suggestions and warnings before one purchases this book. First, one of the great aspects of this work is its relentless display of primary sources and attention to detail. It might not be the best read for one who is trying to obtain a concise and short history of hong kong. The primary sources are fascinating and makes one feel as if they are watching over the shoulders of colonial officiers and engrossing themselves in the soap opera of creating and maintaining a colony. The second warning would be to expect a majority of the work to focus on the pre-twentieth century development of the colony. Although the author does provide enough of post twentieth century to ensure a satisfied understanding of the events, one who is focusing on modern hong kong, like myself, might want to consider another read. And finally, Mr. Welsch does touch base with social and cultural history, but his main focus is on the polties of hong kong. Do not expect a great emergence into this subject.

Although a little 'dry' at times, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Frank Welsh's analysis of the development of this incredible city, its history and culture is fantastic. What caught my attention was in the Introduction when he remarked that Hong Kong was never a British colony but a Chinese colony administered by the British. From there on, he had my attention.

There used to be a saying that "the sun never sets on the British Empire" because of the incredible number of colonies the Great Britain governed. The internationally-focused handover of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 historically marked the end of both British ruling over the Chinese financial capital and the legend of the once mighty empire.

A British and former international banker, Frank Welsh touched based with both Chinese communist ruler and British officials in the determination of Hong Kong's post-colonial scope. A full account with lucid details on the coming of joint-declaration cosigned by the Bristish and Chinese government in 1984 was included in this one-volume history of the Pearl of the Orient, also dubbed the Heart of Asia.

Upon the end of Opium War and the seizure of Hong Kong by UK more than 150 years ago, the British authority has miraculously turned a fishing village to a world-known financial and business capital. "A Borrowed Place: The History of Hong Kong" is a written account that witnesses the political, social, and economical history of the colony exploited by the Great Britain. The timely release of this volume in July 1996 sets the tone of the fearfully waited handover in exactly one year, on July 1, 1997. The book concludes with speculation on post-handover life and socioeconomic aspects of the city. One of the major concerns of natives, democrats, politicians, and even the Taiwaneses, is whether the highly-proclaimed "One Country, Two Systems" approach will function efficiently for, at least, 50 years, as firmly promised by the Chinese Communist power in Beijing.

This book is about changes. It is a recollection of events that help transforming a fishing town to the busiest port. It is, however, also a witness to whether the promise made by Chinese government will be fulfilled.

I read this book twice and I feel like reading it again. This book is a tour about life and spiritual experiences of Sages and Saints who do pennence in search of the divine light. A must read.

!Happy Reading!

I just love this book. It consists of a collection of short "essays", autobiographical, and philosophical, about the author's life growing up in the Himilayas.

Much of Swami Rama's life seems biblical in it spiritual "magic"--it displays similar themes and miracles that you find in the New Testament. For instance, his father's guru predicted that he and his wife--although he was over 60, and she over 40--would have a son who would follow the father's master. The parents, childless for years, declare that this would be a miracle, but that if it happens, the child is his. 18 months later, they have a child, the Swami. When is three, the Master returns and initiates him by whispering a mantra in his ear.

When the Swami is still young, his parents die, and the master comes for him, and they travel together. Often, the master sends his disciple off to study with another guru for a period of time, but throughout his training into his adulthood, the master is, so to speak, the point around which the Swami Rama orbits in his spiritual peregrinations.

He describes many miracles. We witness a resurrection, a miraculous feeding of the poor, and other bizarre, often familiar, miracles. India seems like a land of magic.

Is all this b.s.? Who knows. One thing is certain...the Swami Rama is not self-promoting in this book. He doesn't present himself, for instance, as the performer of miracles. But he does witness them, and is on at least on occasion the recipient of one.

In any case, this book is a good read--simple, wise, and entertaining. I can't recommend it enough.

One of the greatest books about living the life of a yogi, this book provides great inspiration towards spirituality and devotion towards one's own master(Guru bhakti). Reading this book provided a feeling of living with the great Swami Rama throughout his life in Himalayas. It changed my life and thinking and oriented me towards actions needed to reach one's own goal.

This book is not just the story of a great master. It answers
many questions about spirituality. Many references are given
about the practices that are followed by the himalayan masters.
And its a well written very inspiring book.

I read it many times and will read it many more times.

This book is an outstanding opportunity for anyone who wishes to catch invaluable wisdom that has been handed down a lineage of great yogi's for thousands of years. This book literally has a life force of it's own much in the same way as 'Living with the Himalayan Masters' and 'Autobiography of Yogi', that will continue to reveal many more gifts each time it is read. While Swami Rama was born and raised in the Himalayan cave monastaries, when his master sent him to the west it was not to propagate any religion, "isims", "anities" or other forms of spiritual dogma. His master led him to the west to build a bridge between east and west which he clearly started at the Menninger Foundation in Kansas in the early 1970's by stoping his heart and voluntarily making it max out the limits of the testing equipment at 312 beats per minute. This book takes you through most of the Swami's life history but it's biggest gift is the intimate manner in which it is written, which makes the reader feel like she or he is the one these teachings are being imparted to. For those who are willing to walk the path of real spiritual progress ... this book will prove to be an endless source of inspiration.

An excellent account of Swami's life and his message to the humanity.

This book is one of the best step 2 review books out there...much better than the Prescription (though I guess there's a new edition out) and First Aid. While it doesn't cover every single topic, it's nice and short and has plenty of high yield stuff that actually appeared on the exam.

A very high yield review for Step 2. Certainly not suitable as a sole review book, but as far as step 2 books go, definitely worth the investment.

I think that this ("Advanced Life Support for the USMLE Step 2") is an
excellent text for last minute review. It is not intense enough to study
for subject area boards, but is still useful when you don't have enough time
for a more expansive text. I used this and "Prescription for the Boards" as
my study resources and was able to increase my Step 2 score more than 20
points over my Step 1 score.
The pictorial discussions of disease processes is the best memory aid I have
found in texts like this one. I highly recommend this book for anyone about
to take the step. I can't find anything that compares to this book for
board
review. I give it 5 stars and 2 thumbs up.

or So Much Empty Talk It's Unbearable
or Written Without Real Reason

I thought this book would deal with what happens with us when we die. It does, on pages 126 and 127. I will shortly retell you those pages, so you do not have to buy the whole book: When we die, we are led to a river which we have to cross, river full of crocodiles, dolphins and cows. If we were bad we will be haunted by crocodiles, if we were better we will be aided by dolphins and if we were extremely good a cow will allow us to hold its tail and pull us to the other side. Eventually on the other side, we well go to either heaven or hell, being sent there either by Yamaraja or his bookkeeper. Not to be misunderstood, this is the part I loved, but it's all that I can directly connect with the title of this book. Other pages (about 99 %) are better titled "Randomly chosen tales from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Upanishads".

I do not think it is so much important to note that Kunti was not the mother of the five Pandava princes ("Altogether she was blessed with five mighty and noble sons, ...", page 108) but to the three of them, as also of Karna before her marriage and that Madri was the mother of the two youngest Pandava princes, but I must think that connecting rudra granthi with the navel chakra was only lapsus ("And those who have penetrated rudra granthi (the knot at the navel center) are blessed with the light of the fire of the manipura chakra.", page 211). A spiritual scholar with two doctorates would know that rudra granthi is connected with the ajna chakra. (At least that is what all the internet pages I have consulted say.) It must have been a slip of the tongue. He must have thought "brahma granti" not "rudra granti".

This is a book I wanted to read for a long time and I cannot say how disappointed I am. I expected to enjoy reading something like "Hindu book of the dead" but I was exposed to treatise about yamas and niyamas and karmas, which by itself, is not a bad thing, but you can read about these in numerous yoga primers. From this book I expected to deal more with the after-the-body experiences, not to be full of talk for the sake of mere talking. I managed to come to the end only with the help of the narrator (Dr. D.C.Rao) who was simply excellent in doing his job. I wish he read "Mahabharata" by C. V. Narasimhan instead of this book.

This was a rather emotional review. I am sorry but that is the way I feel after reading (or rather listening to) this book. Such a terrible waste of my time. I should have meditated instead, or chanted, or whatever else. Life is too short to spend it on books like this one.

The term "karma" is almost ubiquitous these days, though it tends to be used in an entirely superficial way. Nevertheless, it seems odd that there is such a paucity of serious works available on the topic of karma, rebirth and reincarnation. Fortunately, this book fills the void most admirably.

While this is a serious book, it is readily accessible to the sincere inquirer. Thankfully, its accessibility is not acquired at price of condescension or superficiality. Best of all, it leaves one with a hunger for further spiritual nourishment.

The Good Doctor must have known we were both ready for and needing this book, which not only puts the central mysteries of Eastern philosophy and religion into a context for the Western mind to fully fathom, but makes seem just that much more beautiful and poetic than we are currently able to even imagine. For those of us who can't help but hear Narcississtic baby boomers in mid-life crisis playing jams from the Doors and the Beatles on out of tune guitars and talking about Woodstock whenever you hear the word "Karma" (and therefore would rather not hear anyone try to explain what it is) this book brings you back to the dignity and profundity of what it realy means--not to mention how important it was that the Baby Boomers embraced it when they did for generations after them!

Not only will you have no question as to what the central tenets of Hinduism and Buddhism refer to and build from after reading this, you will have a better understanding of what it is to be fully, truly human than practically most of the Western religious text we have today is capable of rendering, as well as the philosophy--which is ironcially based on much of this! This book sheds a light on life that is so bright it embraces the light of all others and absorbs it into its own, instead of attempting to extinguish it. It will answer more questions than you even knew you had. It will also put much of everything from the spiritual self-help/New Age/psychological movement of today's culture to the quantum physics/cutting edge philosophy movement of Western society today into the overarching context we all have been intuitively desperate for.

This book teaches your soul to dance.

The concept of karma is so popular now, particularly with the growth of interest in rebirth over the past few decades, that most people think they understand it. This book, however, will open your eyes. Right from the first section, where three very different handlings of karma are clearly outlined, you will realize that there's more to this subject than you thought. After the survey of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain thought on the idea, we are treated to an overview of metaphysical and moral issues and problems, and the solutions that have been offered. Topics include determinism and freedom, evil, and social implications. Also discussed are evidence used to support belief in karma, whether or not it stands up as a consistant philosophy, how it relates to liberation and dharma, and whether it can be considered communal as well as individual. The last section brings it into dialogue with Western concepts of sin, the unconscious, and psychology. If you want a scholarly grasp of karma, in all its shades, this is a good place to start. On the other side, the section on evidences could have been more rigorous (it doesn't directly respond to any major written critique of karma), the section on evil is out of date (as far as its contrast to Christian answers to the issue) and the sections on psychological issues get a bit fuzzy (but that's the nature of the beast). All in all, well worth reading. You'll never again think of this as a simply understood concept.

Commenting on the original edition of 1987, I would like to say that, despite its poor readability, this book is worth the effort. Karma is used now as a household term, and no one can escape its pervasiveness in any discussion of Eastern philosophy. Despite this, no one has the slightest idea as to its workings. Sadly, this is perhaps why it is so widely accepted, for if one was aware of the complexities, it would probably be thrown out with the rest of our ideas. While Westerners can question the Western theology and disbelieve it, it is easy to accept the Eastern Karma, especially since it is deceptively simple. This book goes a long way in clarifying the notion. I liked many articles in the book, and cannot comment individually. Suffice it to say, the origins of the idea of karma is an important thing to observe. The history of acceptance and controversy is of interest. The general audience needs to be made aware that Hinduism is not one homogeneous block, but has its own peculiarities. This is a very good place to study the history of the idea of karma. I would venture to say that even very sophisticated students of Eastern thought are quite often ignorant as to this key construct, so this book is by all means a critical guide. I would have wished that the readability had been more welcome to the reader, who it seems, is assumed to be a scholar rather than a layman. With the right editing, this volume could be made much more appealing and popular, since it is, after all, perhaps one of the most popular words in the English lexicon, it seems to me.

The book is not well organise, and cotains a lot of mistakes. For example, in Chapter 5, the author starts with membrane plate element, switch to 3D solid mechanics, come back to plate bending element again, and finally go on to talk about free vibration problem in rod! Trying to figure out the motivation of each chapter is a pain in the neck.

This book by Dr. S.S. Rao has many COMPLETE programs, a significant departure from all those books which tell you the easy part of the program and leave the rest as an "exercise for the reader". The references provided at the end of each chapter are alone worth the price of this book.