In his 13th Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov adventure, author Stuart Kaminsky once again takes us inside the "new" Russia with a realism that is at times stark, amusing, tragic, and even romantic. Kaminsky has the unique ability to write of modern day Russia with a "feel" that is at once real and compelling. The Curtain has fallen on the political system of the Soviet Union and out of the depths of the ashes rises not the Phoenix but a complex, confusing, and dangerous atmosphere that indeed is alarming to its citizens, who, naturally, long for breaths of freedom. Who will rule out of this rubble is the mystery! The collapse of communism merely has opened up another evil--organized crime. However, enter Inspector Rostnikov and his team of crime fighters of the Moscow police.. Throughout the series, readers have come to respect the wily, one-legged Inspector (known as "The Washtub," due to his weightlifting in his freetime), who is a realist at heart, yet both a sentimentalist and a romanticist. In "The Dog Who Bit A Policeman," Rostnikov's squad faces the destructive forces of two Mafia gangs, hell- bent to kill each other and to control the country, one precinct at a time. Kaminsky's books always carry parallel campaigns and Sasha Tkach and Elena Timofeyeva are assigned to hound out the perpetrators of illegal dog fighting, a fast rising and highly profitable "business." Elena's romantic interests with Rostnikov's policeman son continue to expand while the "Vampire" Emile Karpo's task follows more the political line of crime fighting. He and the Inspector try to solve a series of gang-related murders but which also involve high level political figures. Kaminsky has the ability to invoke the power of description and episode of modern Moscow and of the feelings of the general Muscovite. One doesn't have to know first-hand Mother Russia to appreciate this series as the author's ability to bring out the landscape and atmosphere is outstanding and noteworthy. For a great mystery read, this series, and especially this book, is superb. Dos vidanya!

Stuart Kaminsky's characters are so real that I welcome their return as I wowuld an old and dear friend. Life never seems to get easier in post-communist Russia, and crime still runs rampant, but our team of detectives (the only ones in the police department seemingly incorruptible) plod slowly along until the crimes are solved. Each character has his or her style, but my favorite, is Inspector Porfity Rostnikov -- philospher, master detective, sometime psychologist, lover of fine music, weight lifter, husband, father and friend. Intrigued with American mystery books (Ed McBain is his favorite writer), he has the uncanny ability to tap into criminal minds to solve the crimes. This is a definite read for lovers of intelligent mystery books with interesting quirky characters.

Stuart Kaminsky's characters are so real that I welcome their return as I would an old and dear friend. Life never seems to get easier in post-communist Russia, and crime still runs rampant, but our team of detectives (the only ones in the police department seemingly incorruptible) plod slowly along until the crimes are solved. Each character has his/her own style, but my favorite, is Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov -- philospher, master detective, solver of problems, lover of fine music, weight lifter, husband, father and friend. Intrigued with American mysteries (Ed McBain novels), he has the uncanny ability to tap into the minds of criminals to solve the crimes. This is a definite read for lovers of intelligent mystery books with interesting quirky characters.

This book by Slack et al is an excellent introductory text to the subject of Operations Management. The book is well structured, clearly written and provides good coverage of the subject including operations strategy, design, planning and improvement. To enhance the learning process, each chapter contains numerous practical examples and illustrations.

In this textbook the writers learn the reader every step of the operation management from the design of the product, the needed design for a factory, layout and flow and job design, to all steps of planning and control, till the first product is created and from then on improvements on the system and the production process. A thick book that provides minor information of a lot of different subjects, but still the writers succeed in giving the reader the idea to read and learn new thinks. Especially for people new in production industry this book is useful for a first introduction in the jargon used and the problems encountered.

Dr Boyd makes things so easy to understand in this informative, helpful book on every skin disorder imaginable. It's a worthwhile purchase and very handy.

This book is properly titled "The Skin Sourcebook". I purchased "The Skin Sourcebook" after spending some time in Guatemala working with some doctors. I found I needed to know more about certain skin conditions and diseases. This book was exactly what I was looking for. It covers every possible skin condition, has tips on taking proper care of your skin, discusses modern medications used by doctors, and takes an in-depth look at all types of skin cancer. After reading this book I have been able to discuss with many people certain prevention's they can practice to take care of their skin and (Thanks to Dr. Boyd) I have recognized the risks I have been taking with my own body. Trying not to sound too cheesy, I must say that this book is a life savor. I suggest to anyone with skin to pick this book up and spend some time taking care of yourself.

I have opportunity to read the last issue, and I am so happy for new issue becouse I as proffesor of the economics will learn the applied economics from the best teachers of the world. Thank you for the gift Ms.Alan Grifiths and Ms.Stuart Wall.

I've been reading the general linear model section all day today, and it is just so nicely written I thought I needed to write a review. I can't imagine a clearer and more succinct description of this difficult topic. Entirely understandable, but be prepared to read chapters from beginning to end as unexpected abbreviations are often introduced and carried throughout the chapter.

As with all of the Kendall Advanced Theory books, a moderate degree of mathematical sophistication is assumed.

John Stuart Mill sets the stage for all liberal political thought. He discusses such topics as the role of society over the individual, the role of the individual over society, the death penalty, the importance of the individual, the ideal voter, the ideal citizen, the role of women in society, and the importance of personal liberty. Alan Ryan superbly organizes this edition by also including some constructive criticisms of Mill's thought in the last partition. This book is an excellent edition for any student of political philosophy.

The scheduled maintenance is easy to perform without much initial start-up cost for tools. I have a modest garage-based work shop, (Workbench, vice grip, electric drill, and a few common hand tools hanging on the peg board) and I have been able to perform almost all of the maintenance routines unassisted, right here at home. Although, a decent set of ratchets would facilitate greatly.

Whether you jut out, stand out, stick out, poke out, stick up, bristle up, shoot up, swell over, hang over or bend over (Severe, but fortunately rare) you will find a perfect maintenance routine for your Schnozzle, Honker, Gibbosity, Hump, Beak, Hooter, Bulb, Node,. . . I have removed 30 years off my Wafter and can now flair my nostrils like a tyke of 20. Check out the chapter on "Chiseling the Dashing Profile." Stuart shows you how you can have that Gablesque profile for less than the cost of the book!

This book puts a high value on clarity and logic. Time invested with this book is repaid with UNDERSTANDING.

Because I enjoy medical thrillers, I decided to see what newcomer Stuart Rice had to offer. I was blown away by the intricate plot and the depth of the characters. Molly could be any person at any time facing the great monolith of managed care. At a time when our nation is considering moving toward more managed care in health care, this book gives the reader an inside look at the mechanisms of managed care.

I love to read and discover new authors. I wasn't disappointed by Stuart Rice's first novel. In fact, his is a career I expect to follow and enjoy for many years to come. I can't wait to read his next one--Covenant with Eternity.

A Three Five-StaR-rating....ER Riveting, OR Ratcheting, doctoR Reviving, HMO Racketing, gReed Retching, health-caRe Revolting, blood Rushing, action Rousing, lawyeR Rivaling, couRtRoom Rattling, tRuth Riddling, stoRyline Raving, attention Reeling, ReadeR Reveling and finally....FRagile X syndRome Refuting! A humbling lesson for legal and medical ethics. Dr. Rice, I presume? Or perhaps, CEO Rice? Or possibly, Atty. Rice?....ah yes, the writer portrays a young woman victimized and nearly devoured by a health maintenance organization we normally trust today, yet so sinister and profound to conspire a wave of future "cleansings" targeted at the care dependent. With the support of a small troupe of various skills, this story gives the famous chronicle in the Old Testament a new angle of significance. It's not the pebble....it's the sling!

I think Fragile X is an awesome piece of work. The description of the "business" of managed care is very enlightening. The frightening practices of denying claims, accumulating market share, physician incentives and cutbacks to improve profit margins are presented candidly. The plot thickens with an adequate mixture of religion, politics and relationships as the story unravels amid the legal consequence. The characters are realistic and identifiable. Molly is the perfect "Plain Jane" heroine. The computer whiz (Reggie) seems like the next door neighbor's rambunctious teenager. We all wish for a few more humanitarian, rebellious Dr. Colder's in this world. The novelist, Mr. Rice, writes with the medical insightfullness of Robin Cook, the riveting suspense of John Grisham and the Midwestern flair of Tami Hoag. I predict for him a bright future in the literary world.

This is collection of short stories that offers a wide mix of speculative genres. Fantasy, SF, horror, and just plain weird. The stories run the gambit and most are good. "Jeo Defined" and "Moon Warrior" were excellent stories and well worth purchasing the book. Even just the so-so stories were enjoyable and all the authors are names to keep a look out for. In the end, this is a book of up and coming writers and a few of them will no doubt be big names someday.

I didn't know what to expect from this collection of short stories but I was happily surprised. The stories cover a wide range from fantasy, science fiction, and horror to those hard to classify strange stories. Each one is worth reading. My favorites were the one about a radio personality who was singing the Siren's song and the one about a criminal who is forced to undergo "augmentation" to control him. Some wild stuff for a great read.