PRETTY GOOD - IT'S A CLIFFHANGER. ANYTHING MORE IT'S RATINGS WOULD GO DOWN. OTHERWISE A GOOD INTERPRETATION OF THE SITUATION - COULD HAVE BEEN A TEENY BIT BETTER

A VERY GOOD BOOK...A MUST READ...IT VERY WELL DEPICTS THE ARTICLES & HOW AMERICA GREW SINCE THE 1700S'. A REAL WORTHWHILE BOOK - MY SUGGESTION-BUY IT - PERFECT FOR THE HISTORIAN IN UR LIFE

I inititally bought this text in my second year of medical school. It was both an exceptionally detailed text and also a good reference on a wide variety of subjects. I have continued to use it into my surgical residency and expect to do so until I finish. My only detractions are that on occasion it is too densely packed with information, and that the section on peptic ulcer disease and the surgical treatment of the same is a little dated. Otherwise, any topic that a student needs to know about on a general surgical service is _well_ covered by this text.

Hinkle and Montiel have written a very good book. The book is very comprehensive and detailed. Understanding exchange rate issues is not an easy task, but dealing with exchange rate issues in developing countries is more daunting. In this connection, the authors do a very good job in trying to explain the various concepts of exchange rate misalignment in these emerging countries. One particular important aspect of the book is that it lays before the reader the various methodological approaches to measuring exchange rate misalignment in developing countries, and thus makes it easier for the reader to compare the relative merits and demerits of each methodology. In this wise, the reader is saved the trouble and time of having to glean through a slew of literature (very large indeed) in this subject area. The books thus becomes a mini-library of exchange rate related issues in developing countries. The book couldn't have come out in a more opportune time than this when issues of exchange rate crises in developing countries have assumed a center stage in international finance. It is a very good book for graduates students and other researchers interested in exchange rates issues in developing countries.

A CD-Rom jammed with articles from EXECUTIVE EXCELLENCE. I actually got my copy as a bonus for subscribing a couple of years ago. Many of the articles are interesting, but they are all quite short, almost MTV-ish. This seems to be the preferred style for this publication. If you are a fan of Warren Bennis, or one of the writers who regularly contribute to that publication, this is a good way to pick up some new material from your favored writer. The articles are on a variety of topics, which means that there will probably be something for everyone with an interest in this subject, but by the same token, there will be a lot that won't interest you. The CD includes a search engine that is workable. I benefitted from the magazine and the CD, but they didn't set my world on fire.

Maas is a good story teller and he keeps your attention the whole while as he takes you from the beginnings of Wilson's thirst for money at age 8 to his acquisition of prime property in the Washington, D.C. area as a result of his secretive and illegal dealings with foreign powers. Though CIA senior officers were members along with him in phoney corporations he set up to conduct his "import-export" business), any official connection to the CIA while all this was going on isn't clear. Yet the prospect of any CIA connection to Wilson's shipments of thousands of pounds of C-4 (plastique) to Libya and Mohamar Kaddafi is, indeed, very troubling. As the author pointed out, when jets started falling out of the air (Lockerbie) and discos blowing up (Rome), you couldn't help but feel that if not for Wilson, many of these things might not ever have happened. It seems that whereever 20th century evil was to be found, the CIA was either right there, or not too far behind.

This doesn't give you any great insights into the inner workings of the world of spooks, but it is certainly an interesting read and does afford at times a look at how the Justice and State Departments work--or fail to work.

This handsome book is a great introduction to the planets for the young reader. The pages are hard, cardboard-like, each with a clear plastic "window" that contains a drawing of the planet being discussed. When the book is closed, then all of the planets are visible at the same time. Each planet is covered with about a page worth of information.

This book is very attractive, and is a good resource for young children. However, I must make clear that there is very little information here, which means that older students will not find this book useful. Contrary to the recommended reading level of 9-12, I would suggest that this book would be most valuable for reader between the levels of 7-9; my seven-year old son enjoyed this book immensely. So, I would give this book a qualified recommendation.

We are still awaiting a truly great biography of T. E. Lawrence. Easily one of the most fascinating and complex individuals of the past century, Lawrence remains in many ways a cipher and an enigma. I found Peter Brent's volume in a used bookstore, and bought it for the superb illustrations as much as for the text. Luckily, the text provides a solid and useful treatment. Brent doesn't dissipate the mystery of Lawrence so much as introduce the reader to it. For instance, he juxtaposes Lawrence's apparent asexuality and revolt at physical contact with others with his pleasure in physical masochism, without a serious attempt to provide a solution to this mystery. He makes several suggestions that many of Lawrence's difficulties in life may have been related to a sense of being an illegitimate child and a consciousness of being rejected by his father's family, but he is not able to systematically relate this to specific instances of his life. At the same time, the book doesn't degenerate into psychobiography, something that could happen all too easily with someone as complex as Lawrence.

The bulk of the book deals with the Arab Revolt against Turkey, and Lawrence's role in it. The discussion is solid without being outstanding. Brent does a fine job of outlining the major issues in the conflict, describing the major figures in the conflict, and depicting the difficulties in any happy resolution. He treats Lawrence fairly, not minimizing his role, but not buying uncritically into the Lawrence legend. He neither tries to erect an idol nor destroy an icon. He also deals with Lawrence's life before WW I, and to a much lesser extent, his life after it. I wish the latter part of the book had been a bit fuller. I found the final years of Lawrence's life to be dealt with far too brusquely.

The illustrations make the book. There are photographs of nearly all the key figures, color reproductions of many of the illustrations from the original private edition of THE SEVEN PILLARS OF WISDOM (including a number of cartoonish depictions of Lawrence), and fascinating photographs of Lawrence from all stages of his life. Even if one did not wish to read the text, I could recommend this volume as a great visual companion volume to anyone reading THE SEVEN PILLARS OF WISDOM.

This book was recommended through the Amazon "Book Finder" based on my interest in intrigue/spy, etc. titles. I bought it, but wish I hadn't. I never really understood what the author was trying to tell us about Peter or his situation. Although it's a quick read, I actually forgot to finish it and found it several days later in my study, face down, with about 5 pages left to read. I won't try this author again.

My name is Jeff Richmond. I'm the kind of guy who goes through libraries asking, "Is this all there is?"

Finding Lawrence Sander's "The Seduction of Peter S" was like picking up the perfect girl in the most average place--a bar, a supermarket, or a library for that matter. Perfect not because of any great or lasting beauty, or any real depth of character, but because I didn't have to pretend to be anyone but who I really am--an average reader who craves an above-average read.

And an above-average read is exactly what this book is. Not Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, or even Hemingway. But a quick-moving, captivating story of one sorry actor's thankless performance to his most devoted audience--himself.

Peter Scuro may not be Broadway's finest, nor its most in-demand actor. But he's "always on," as they say, and with at least enough skill to fool himself, along with a good number of fellow out-of-work actors, into thinking he can turn woman's oldest profession into a new form of theater, reaping not only money and booty, but aesthetic satisfaction as well. The result is mostly comic--but as in all good comedies a certain seriousness grounds the narrative, otherwise as light as an episode of "Frasier."

The prose not only clips along. With sentences chopped up. Into their respective grammatical elements. Providing a certain theatrical effect. (Much better than this.) But also the sentences flow along naturally, wonderfully, from descriptions as sparse yet effective as stage directions to thoughts on life rendered as precise theatrical images and analogies. There are even moments of Joycean epiphany--a certain poetry, I mean--though, granted, "epiphany (very) light."

"Think of God as a clown," Peter says on the first page of the book. "A bridge collapses? Slapstick. A thousand people drown when a boat sinks? A great schtick." Not an exact quote, but you get the gist. Peter's spiritual and ontological views justify his actions; they also are justified through them. In the end, God, or at least poetic justice, has the last laugh.

I could go on and on. And I have. I've read this book twice, that's twice as many times as I ever read this sort of novel--I'm an average reader, yes. OF Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, Hemingway and company. The book is no Classic, but it's a classic, for what it is. A five-star above-average average read.

"The Seduction of Peter S" stood my test of time, however; the encore read was well rewarded and I know I'll read it again. Probably the next time I'm relaxing on a beach somewhere in the mood for the literary equivalent of a summer affair.

I highly recommend this book to any and all readers. The only disappointment is that it made me want to read other books by the author, but it was the ONLY one of Sander's novels I've been able to finish (ie. get past page 3).

I guess I'm looking for a younger type.

I have read just about all of Lawrence Sanders' work and just like the rest, i find myself rereading this book. I think his greatest secret to his writing is the way he can be descriptive without being boring. I highly recommend this novel along with the authors other works.

I thought I was buying a book written by Mary Higgins Clark. I am one of her biggest fans. The short stories were pointless and poorly written. One story was written by Mary Higgins Clark and even that was pointless. On a scale of 1 to 5, this rates a 0.

This twelve-story anthology loosely focuses on the title, MURDER IN THE FAMILY. Though the tales are well written, they lack the suspense and cutting edge expected of this famous group of popular authors that contributed to the collection and that of previous short story books produced by the Adams Round Table. For most mystery readers, previous Adams Round Table editions are stronger (see MURDER AMONG FRIENDS, etc.). However, die hard fans of Lawrence Block, Mary Higgins Clark, Stanley Cohen, Dorothy Salisbury Davis, Mickey Friedman, Joyce Harrington, Susan Isaacs, Judith Kelman, Warren Murphy, Justin Scott, Peter Straub, and Whitley Strieber will want to read the tales. Yet even the strongest of loyalists need to keep the expectations a bit lower than usual as the gaggle of writers fall short of what each one usually provides.

Harriet Klausner

Lawrence Block, et.al.'s Murder In The Family packs in high-profile mystery writers whose new presentations have not seen print elsewhere. Mary Higgins Clark probes a father's motivation for revenge, Susan Isaacs presents a chilling portrait of a family which should not be in business, and Dorothy Davis tells of a letter which transforms lives in this excellent collection.

This book seems to cover most of the right topics for explaining how MIDI works. However, I find the organization of the book very confusing and the advertised "plain English" missing. Where was the editor when this book was being written? Just a little more organization and better writing clarity could have made a huge difference.

The title of the book is "How MIDI Works" but the first three chapters barely mention MIDI as the system requirements of computers are explained. Eventually, when we get to Chapter 4, we see a discussion of "Multiport MIDI Devices". However, even at this point, MIDI has not even been defined. Only when we get to Chapter 9 do we start to see a definition and a real discussion of the MIDI interface and its data and control formats. However, I still have not found a concise summary of the MIDI format as it is sprinkled throughout the book but never really summarized. I would expect a book with this title to function well as a reference source for MIDI information. I looked for MIDI in the index but found there is no index!

It appears that the title of the book should have been "How to Build a PC-based Recording Studio" since that is what the book actually attempts to deliver. MIDI is just one technology that gets discussed among all the other ins and outs of putting together a PC-based audio system. I'll need to look elsewhere for a good reference on MIDI.

This book was "OK" at best. Like others have mentioned, it is kind of organized oddly as MIDI isn't even mentioned until a third of the way through. The title is semi-misleading because it strays from MIDI quite a bit from time to time to explain other things. And also as someone mentioned, he has a bad tendency to mention terms and concepts well before he actually explains them.

Also, it's already seriously outdated as far as system specs, software, etc...

One more complaint: This book is full of blatant advertisments for the author's other business ventures as well as the music school where he teaches, and also for Gigasampler/Studio which is mentioned SEVERAL (I mean SEVERAL) times in every chapter and shown in nearly all diagrams, and even goes as far as having an entire chapter dedicated to Gigasampler/Studio. If you were a complete newbie reading this, you would be convinced that having Gigasampler was the only way you could make music on your computer.

But, I'd say that the information is mostly straight forward, easy to understand and finally when it gets into actually talking about MIDI, has some good info. This book had potential, but the little things really add up to make it sub-par in my opinion.

I'd give it 2.5 stars if I had the option.

I am so excited that I found a music book that could help me with all the midi stuff. I needed somthing and this book is it. I gives you list and pictures of equipment that you could buy to make systems that work. It explains all the reasons for each piece of hardware and what their use is in the computer. For me it shows me how to buy the correct type and how much computer hardware. This book really has been great!