I took a course from M.C.Howard five years ago at the University of Waterloo, and was pleasantly surprised to see the book appear on my reading list in a graduate Political Economy course at MIT. Not only is it a terrific guide to Marx, easy to read and follow, but having seen it years before saved me from reading a whole book on the syllabus. A must-have in the personal library of anyone interested in Political Economy.

If your interested in Marxism, buy this book, it'll save you the trouble of wasting your money on other explications of Marx which have more to do with the author's beliefs than what Marx actually said. The authors of this book have also written a massive, two volume, scholarly book detailing how the ideas of Marxism, scholarly debate, and the implementation and creation of Marxist and neo-Marxist theory developed from the time of Marx's death to the mid eighties. So they know their stuff, and they demonstrate that continually. It seems that they reference every Marxist theorist sometime in the book, with references to well known authors like Gramsci and the more obscure modern Marxist economists as well. Be prepared to dig in on economics, to understand Marx it's unavoidable. Their style is scholarly, and it's organized like a text book. In fact it is used as a text book in some English Universities. Marx produced a huge amount of work, and it's difficult to get the big picture out of it without trying to do what's impossible--reading it all, but these guys have, and the book is a guide as well. It also includes criticism of Marx, thus presenting him as he really is, not sugarcoating him. This book is valuable to have, it can only clear away the mists, not plunge a person deeper into them.

The book gets confusing at points and the author assumes many concepts which defeat the purpose of being "Elementary". I have struggled at how he comes up with the answers. For example chapter 4 is so confusing!!!

I usually avoid demagogic descriptions of educational texts as they tend to appeal mainly to ignorants but in the case of linear algebra perhaps i can be excused. This book presents a difficult topic, that could be very frustrating, in an easy to understand, well documented manner. Unlike most math textbooks this book does not aim to educate only the top 5% of the class and confute the rest of the students. Rather the author seems to be targeting average to good math students. Also helpful is that he basses the relevant chapter examples on problems that actually appear in the excercises. No silly "discovery learning" or multiple levels of abstraction are required to solve the problems and understand the topics. I appreciate that the author is aiming to educate the bulk of his audiance and not just the mathematical elite. Only if more advanced math books were like this!

This is a great book for beginner courses in Linear Algebra. It covers most of the things you're likely to see in a beginner course (there a few topics that aren't covered in this book but probably you'd only see them in more advanced courses). The book is wonderfully diagrammed with emphasis boxes for definitions and theorems. Most theorems are given formal proofs but always in the simple and easy language of the rest of the book. The more straightforward proofs are left as exercise (and believe me, they're great exercises). The authors did not commit an offensive crime by leaving them out. This omission does not compromise understanding, either. At the end of each chapter it presents a cumulative summary of the most important topics learned so far. This is very important in a subject where the most simple definition learned in the first chapter of the book is the key to a much more difficult definition presented in a more advanced chapter. That's the joy of Linear Algebra!

Written in a very conversational tone, this volume covers 30+ Lovecraftian films. And the author gives his definition of Lovecraftian so you know where he's coming from. An excellent companion to The Lurker in the Lobby. Because of Mitchell's somewhat differing views it isn't a rehash of that title even where the same films are covered. Plus it includes numerous films not covered by the earlier book such as the Quatermass series, The Trollenburg Terror (chill out Mysties!) and many more. A have to get for all HPL fans.

This book is actually divided into four different parts. The first is the introduction which provides an excellent backgroud to Lovecraft, including an overview of his work and a glossary of Lovecraftian terms and ideas. Here the author lists over 60 works influenced by Lovecraft, ranging from a comprehensive adaptation to a work with a throw-away reference to Lovecraft and his work. These films are divided into two categories, depending on whether the level of ifluence is major or minor. Each film has a brief synopsis. The second part is an in-depth treatment of the 30 films in which Lovecraft's influence is most important. These films are then thoroughly analyzed by comparing them to Lovecraft's own writing. In many cases, this section is the most appealing. For instance, Mitchell takes a film seldom considered to be Lovecraftian, such as THE CRAWLING EYE, and proves the Lovecraft connection by quoting four passages from Lovecraft's novel AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS. Utterly brilliant! The third section is the photo essay, which is most enjoyable, but far too short. I enjoy the pictorial comparisons of Lovecraft himelf to actor Christian Heyerdahl, who plays Lovecraft in the picture OUT OF MIND. Finally, the last section are the appendices, which briefly touch upon Lovecraft's influences on television shows such as THE NIGHT GALLERY or THE TWILIGHT ZONE. Then he touches upon AMATEUR Lovecraft productions, a most welcome coverage. The book ends by discussing the difficulties and problems of developng good Lovecraft film adaptations. The author then suggests a dozen novels and short stories by Lovecraft and others who write in his style that would have the best chance to be developed into good films. This last section is most extraordinary and valuable, and i makes the book indispensible for the Lovecraft aficianado. A most excellent book on all counts!

What an excelent film guide to HP Lovecraft. A winner on all counts. (By the way, another reviewer made a mistake. "Lifeforce" the film is NOT based on Colin Wilson's The Mind Parasites. It is based on another Wilson novel "Space Vampires" and it is not a Mythos title. This book correctly omitted it). My favorite part of the book is the last appendix, a listing of books and short stories based on Lovecraft that could easily be adapted to film. This is a FASCIATING BOOK. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I must start by saying I highly respect Howard Hendricks and his incredible impact on Christian thinking over the past couple decades. He's a great man of God who deserves a lot of credit for promoting the Gospel.

I applaud Hendricks' overall philosophy that individuals (particularly Christians) need to embrace the unknown and explore their hidden potential. But of all the books about creativity that I've read, this is one of the dullest. Hendricks stops at nothing to lull the reader into a false sense of mental comfort, rather than truly challenging readers to higher levels of innovation. His "proven methods" and "nine steps" are nothing more than the "tried and true" routines of the past, not revolutionary ideas for expanding the mind's capacity. The book is full of cliches and traditional (ie., old-fashioned) brainstorm activities. Worse, it reduces the creative process to a scientific formula, asserting that creativity is best wrought through some prescribed (and prescripted) convention.

"Color Outside the Lines" may be okay for someone who wouldn't know creativity if it bit them on the nose. But if you want to fuel your brain on the good stuff, try reading "Walking on Water" by Madeleine L'Engle or "Orbiting the Giant Hairball" by Gordon MacKenzie.

Dr. Hendricks has produced a marvelous book that captures an all too often missing ingredient from the skill sets of today's leaders: creativity. In the author's words, this book is about "the newness of life in Christ, the creative, redemptive side of our salvation." Since The Fall, man has been steadily drifting farther and farther away from God. Along with this distancing is the decline of creativity as stale thinking replaced an awareness of God's creative essence. Armed with this recognition, the author illustrates the fact that every creative act ultimately points toward God as The Creator. Hendricks' desire is to produce churches and leaders that are aware of the gift of creativity so they might become fully alive in Christ, ever-growing, driving change within the church, flexible, and unsatisfied with the status quo.

Color Outside the Lines neatly divides into three parts. In the first part Hendricks defines and examines the many facets of creativity. Part two introduces the creative problem-solving process and offers many techniques to accomplish it. Part three concludes the book with several chapters that focus on the application of creativity. The value of this three-step method is its completeness. Hendricks does not stir up a longing for creativity inside the reader, only to leave him to his own devices. At the conclusion of each of twenty-two chapters is a series of short exercises designed to awaken the reader's God-given creativity. By the time the reader arrives at the last page he has come full-circle along side the author's creativity. Not only did the reader participate in a discussion of creativity, he discovered his own repressed creativity, and was given a charge by Hendricks to allow this now awakened creativity to consume the his life.

Long-time leader and professor at Dallas Theological Seminary has written a volume that takes church leadership to new frontiers. . Pelted with quotes by notables (Drucker, Bennis, Nanus, et al), the author, with characteristic lightening flashes, tackles subjects such as personal and organizational creativity, leadership and family principles. Let this generation of Christian leaders rise up and call Hendricks blessed!! Five Stars!!!

Gen Simmons has written a good, but very superficial history of the Marine Corps. If you know nothing of the service's history, this provides a good overview. But if you are interested in anything but a generic overview, based solely on secondary sources, and lacking any critical analysis, than move on to something else.

BGen Simmons' excellent general history of the Marine Corps is just that a general history. I note with distain the comments from the Alexandria reader. Clearly they don't understand the book's purpose and intended audience. It tells the tale. It doesn't twist tails with analyis.

This is the 3rd edition of General Simmons' classic account of the United States Marine Corps. It is very readable and traces the complete history of the Corps. This edition brings his general history up-to-date and covers the Persian Gulf War and other recent conflicts. I highly recommended it.

Another installment to the Great American History Quiz series of books and like the others there is only 101 questions to work with. The book I found was more trivia type of questions rather than questions about History specifics.

As with other book in the series, there is no pictures and for the young readers this may be a drawback as something are better identified by sight.

Overall a good book for those rainy days when you need something to read or that car trip. The book is great for all ages as I found a few questions challenging.

I love history and over the past several months have been reading more and more books on U.S. History. I found this book to be a fast read and be entertaining at the same time.

Like the other in the series the book is limited to 101 questions, and I found it to be written to a younger crowd, although there were a few questions that caught me off guard.

The books covers most American conflicts and wars, but remember there are only 101 questions so it will not delve too deeply to any one area. Overall very good for those wanting to learn about the past.

Two things struck me while reading this book, the first is that I doubt there is a book out there that is truly balanced and not somewhat biased. The second thing was that Gore really got the shaft, not so much by the recount wars, but by the election official that came up with the Butterfly Ballot. In the history of the USA this decision ranks up there with new Coke and the XFL, what a mistake. As far as the reporting in the book it was not bad for a review of all the articles they had in the paper, but it did not really dig into the particular issues very deeply. I wanted more detail and behind the scenes with both the candidates. I also wanted more details on the court cases; I felt like the sky-high overview of the issues of the cases did not do such an important issue justice.

In reading the book I think a little bit of a democratic bias comes out, just a little, but enough to notice. I also thought it interesting that they had far more details of the Gore group then the Bush camp, it follows the perception that the Post is somewhat liberal in its views. The book is an overview that came out almost 10 minutes after Gore hung up the phone on the second concession call so there are a few more details out now that they did not get in the book. Overall it is a good effort and a readable book, but not the end all be all on the subject.

This book, by the editors of the Washington Post, does a good job of describing the events which led to the deadlocked 2000 Presidential election. In addition to detailing the paths which led to the deadlock, the book discusses all the post-election issues in a very readable format. Surprisingly, the books editors seem only slightly tilted towards Gore (especially considering it is the Washington Post, which is noted for its liberal bias), so no matter who you voted for, there is much to be found here for anyone with an interest in contemporary politics.

I personally think the Washington Post and NY Times are liberal rags that are generally not worth the paper they are printed on. However, in fairness, when they do well I think they should be commended. I read the NY Times "36 Days" and still think that book was not worth the paper it was printed on. It was nothing more than a reprint of their articles.

Conversely, though, Deadlock was a well-written book. Two passages are worth noting. The first is about the book itself. About one-third of the way into the first chapter the book says: "These are the ... decisions, alliances, power plays, snap judgments and personality flaws revealed when a flukishly close election is played out for staggering high stakes. Both sides were nimble and brilliant and occasionally shady; both sides were also capable of miscalculations, divisions and blame. The best and worst of politics were on displayed in those 36 days, and both sides trafficked in each. This is how it happened." Although the Post endorsed Al Gore (no surprise) they tried to be equal in their appraisal of how the two campaigns sought resolution in their favor.

As for the two sides' strategy one only has to look within the first three pages of Chapter 2 where the Post records that the Democrats enlisted the services of three authors who wrote "The Recount Primer". The book reads: "Anyone who read and heeded the booklet could predict how the two sides would play America's closest president election -- at least in the broad outlines. Gore would gamble; Bush would stall. Gore would preach a doctrine of uncounted ballots; Bush would extol the dependability of machines. Gore needed more: more counting, more examination, more weighing and pondering of more ballots. Bush needed it over while he was still ahead." The only trouble for the Gore forces with this gospel was that the Republicans knew the same gospel. The book attempted to show how the two sides played out the roles assigned them.

For a behind the scenes objective look at the two sides, I think the Post did a very decent job. This could have been a... job on the Republicans and conservatives, but generally it was not (though I expected it). It could have been a... job on the Democrats and liberals, but it was not (nor did I expect it). I am not accustomed to this degree of fairness from the liberal Washington Post nor do I expect to see it very often in the future.

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood was a pretty good book. I thought it was very intriguing book with a good bit of action. Howard Pyle shows alot of the great adventures of Robin Hood and his merry band. He inlcudes them all, strong and courageous Little John, brave Will Scarlet, musical Allan a Dale, and sly as a fox, good ol' Friar Tuck. Howard Pyle includes all of the great adventures like the time when Robin Hood ran into Little John at the river. They ended up having a fight to see who could knock the other into the river first. They had to fight on a log that was spread across the river. He also includes Robin Hood winning the golden arrow in Nottingham's archery contest. The time after time that Robin Hood and his men out-smarted the sheriff and his men and the time after time that Robin Hood and his men manipulated those rich people into giving them money and the times that they stole it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who first off loves to read, or whoever loves to read about Robin Hood and his Merry Men and anyone who likes action and adventure.

My personal favorite Robin Hood tale. Pyle uses the langauge of the times in a most beautiful and authentic way that sends a thrill through any book-lover and sets the scene for the thoroughly merry and enjoyable adventures of Robin Hood and his companions.
This is no sad or tragic tale (for the most part, the epilogue is enough to draw tears)this story tells of the more lightsome side of medieval life. Full of jesters, bakers, butchers and dishonest jewelers most of which will meet with Robin in some way, either to exchange clothes and be handsomely tipped or to be dealt some of Robin's ironic view of justice.
You won't be dissapointed.

I thought this was a great book! It was exciting and made me want to come back for some more. The story was very easy to follow. I would read this book over and over again and still not get tired of it. I thought the plot was especially good. Though there were many different characters in the same spot at times, I thought that the large amount of characters gave this book a twist. This story in particular is very interesting and is sometimes comical. It is about Robin Hood and his group of Merry Men hiding in Sherwood Forest from the Sheriff of Nottingham.Whenever the sheriff sends someone into Sherwood Forest to catch Robin Hood, the man either ends up converted to the group of Merry Men or he ends up running out of the forest with arrows whizzing by his head. I thought this was one of the best written books that I have read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good book and has a thirst for knowledge.

This book was very basic. It is mostly drawings of different drapery styles with a few drawings of Roman Shades and Balloon Shades. I was looking for something that would give me ideas as to where certain window treatments might look best (what type of shade for each room, types of fabric, etc....)

I now own 2 copies of this book as I am constantly loaning it out and cannot live without it for more than a day. It helps my clients to decide on window treatment ideas and because of its extensive pictures, it can replace hours of thumbing through magazines etc.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WINDOW FASHIONS: 1000 DECORATING IDEAS FOR WINDOWS, BEDDING AND ACCESSORIES is a wonderful picture reference guide for designers when planning a room. It is an easy way to locate the perfect window treatment you are searching for to complete a room and to show the customer an idea of the finished product. It has many types of styles in each category of fabric window treatment and includes many kinds of pillows, bed coverings, etc.. This book includes more styles than I have seen anywhere in any one book. It is wonderful if you are looking for drawings of many, many, many kinds of window treatments.