This text is perhaps the most accessible yet thorough introduction to type systems I've encountered.

On the one hand, it offers excellent grounding: practical motivation is provided, numerous examples illustrate the concepts, and implementations are provided which can be used to typecheck and evaluate these examples. At various points, extended demonstrations of the type systems under consideration are given (e.g. showing how objects may be encoded). The exercises are well constructed and in many cases, accompanied with answers and detailed explanations in the appendix.

On the other hand, it offers an excellent exposition of the material: Pierce provides a lucid account of the static and dynamic semantics (primarily small-step operational) for various lambda calculi. He proceeds in a stepwise fashion via the gradual accretion of features: from first order (simply typed) systems to higher order systems incorporating bounded subtyping and recursion. He also gives attention to the metatheory of these systems (focusing on proofs of progress and preservation, and for systems with subtyping, of decideability). Internally, the text is well organized, with clear dependencies among the chapters, and the bibliography is extensive.

It should be noted that, while reasonably comprehensive, the text is necessarily limited in scope. For example, aside from the discussion on Featherweight Java, systems other than typed lambda calculus variants are not considered. In my opinion, the focus on these (in some sense "low-level") calculi makes foundational issues more apparent, and the linear progression from simple to complex variants lends a pleasant cohesiveness that would have been lost in a more general survey. However, as object/class encodings were discussed at various points, it would have been nice to see a more integrated presentation, in the spirit of the paper Comparing Object Encodings [BCP97].

Especially helpful for those who have practical experience but don't have strong theoretical background (like Lambda Calculus, Typing Theory ... etc.)

With this marvelous book, Dr Abelow has proven himself to be the proverbial "Bill Nye, The Science Guy" of Acid Base. Understanding Acid-Base is the perfect book for medical students, residents, and anyone hoping to gain a thorough understanding of Acid-Base quickly and painlessly! The text is clear, beautifully written, and surprisingly interesting. It reads fast, and - like Costanzo's Physiology - seems to anticipate your questions as you read along (the sign of a great teacher). Buy this book, AND KEEP IT! You'll find yourself going back to it again and again.

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! The epitome of what an introductory medical text should be. Very clear and concise. This should be required reading for Internal Medicine, Pulmonary/ICU, and Nephrology.

Dreams. Visions. Wealth and Power. Within the pages of this book you will learn about the lives of 100 extraordinary people and their amazing accomplishments. Coming from all walks of life, many were brought forth with very little to their name, and yet each one has possessed an overwhelming desire to be the best. In many cases, they pursued a vision and achieved unimaginable success. Their empires and ideas have revolutionized society and their names will forever be etched in stone with their legacies. If you have ever been inclined to command wealth, here is where you will find out how it was done by those before you.

--Taking Notes

Let me start by saying that I would never have picked up a book on this topic were it not for the fact that one of its authors is my brother. I am so repelled by the "get rich" mentality that is exhibited by a certain segment of our population that I would have avoided the book for fear of being lumped in with them by anyone seeing it open in front of me. Before buying the book, I had prepared myself to dislike it, and had already fired off some ironic messages to my brother by electronic mail on the aspiring Rockefellers who I supposed would be flocking to buy it.

Finally, I got the book home, and, after drawing the shades and closing the blinds, furtively looked inside. A wealth, not of money, but of biographical detail, emerged immediately from the first few pages of text. It became immediately clear that, whatever its political slant, this was a profoundly well-written and researched work. What's more, it painted realistic and, in many cases, quite damning portraits of its 100 plutocratic subjects.

The book orders its collection of mini-biographies according to the wealth of their subjects. Still, the bite-sized pieces are too irresistable to be consumed in a linear manner, and so I found myself jumping from one disciple of mammon to another some chapters away, devouring several at a sitting over a period of many days. I remember the sense of mild surprise that I felt at the time that someone who I have known on a personal level for years had produced something that could truly be appreciated by the greater world (and evidently has been, from the reviews and interviews that have followed).

The reason that this book "only" gets a nine (for me, a 10 would be reserved for a great classic like Howard Zinn's "People's History of the United States," and maybe one or two other titles), is my perception that it pulls its punches slightly on some of its more contemporary subjects. The facts are all there, but there is a sense that the kid gloves are on when examining the negative consequences of more recent fortunes, such as Sam Walton's, on the broader community. Walton's Wal-Mart stores, for example, have been criticized as vacuum pumps that suck money out of small communities, destroying local shops that pay decent wages and recycle their earnings to local economies, while offering only low-paying jobs and marginally lower prices in return. The book brushes this aside as "protests from small rivals," and says nothing more on the subject.

Despite these issues, the book remains one of the most informative and interesting ones that I have read. And if the authors' point of view seems to favor, or at least accept, the system that created these Matterhorns of money, that view isn't imposed upon the reader, and there are plenty of facts and figures from which to derive a competing perspective.

--Carl Gunther

The Spark Plug has done it again with his newest book, When Times are Tough Everybody Needs a Spark Plug. This book is entertaining, but most of all inspirational! And if you haven't heard The Spark Plug speak, you are missing out on an unforgettable and motivational happening. He is a leader and a encourager; this man speaks from the heart whether from the platform or in his books. This book is a celebration of life by two people who set the standard for all of us. Thank you Spark Plug and Jacqueline Benjamin Thomas. Good things happen to people like you!

I am a grandmother of 25 and a great grandmother of 3. I feel like I do not have to run my mouth all the time to get my grandchildren to understand how to live life, and get through the hard times. I can just have them read this book. Sometimes, the things you tell them go in one ear and out the other, because they think that you are just old fashioned. The Sparkplug and his wife, say what I want to say. When young kids hear someone else besides their parents and guardians say something, all of a sudden, everything becomes clear to them. They would listen to him without feeling like they are giving up their right to make their own decisions. This book gives you such great advice. Why it is important to serve others, that you are never too old to get an education, that you can make your life better starting right now. I love the part where he says why do you ask God to do something that you can do for yourself. That is so true. Just get up and do something. The Sparkplug says never give up, and he makes you want to better yourself and not just sit down and feel sorry for yourself. I love the book. I can not believe they have so much wisdom to be so young. I will have all my grandchildren read this book. Thank you Sparkplug and Jackie.

It's true! "When Times Are Tough: Everybody does indeed need a "Spark Plug". So, buckle up and fasten your seat belt as the Spark Plug takes you for an exhilerating ride.

The Spark Plug doesn't use euphymisms or tired phrases, but rather, life experiences and tried and true quotations from others of renown and true stories to rev up our hope factor so that we can accomplish those dreams we've been holding back on for too long.

The energy of this book comes straight from the authors' hearts. The collaborative efforts of the Spark Plug and Jacqueline prove to be the igniting spark that gives each of us courage and promise during really tough times.

Through wisdom, laughter, tears and the healing power of love, one feels the authors hearts as each page comes alive giving new resolve and the strength and courage to continue life's journey, especially during hard and trying times.

I especially appreciate "Spark Plug Points To Ponder" at the end of each chapter as a quick review that enforces the teaching of life changing principles designed to propel us to new heights. This book is not only inspirational but entertaining as well. Ready for a reality check and vital life experience? Go for it...you'll be very glad you did!

BB Warfield is a classic in the field of Theology, Christology and Criticism. This volume is great but don't be fooled this is not the "complete" works of Warfield at best it is only half. However it is a spectacular set.

This Grand set of Warfields works is finally reprinted once again! I hope Amazon will seek to sell them soon! Calvin and Augustine, Tertullian and Augustine,... they're out! The complete set!

Excellent book. This is book has more information to pass the 70-224 MCSE test. Also use the exchange 2000 resouce kit to compliment this book

This book is a gentle and lovely story of a domesticated but resourceful rabbit, Benjamin, and his dear wife Emily. Benjamin goes out fishing one fine day and runs into some trouble. He ends up lost at sea and has a series of wonderful adventures in his quest to return to his beloved home. The characters and lessons he finds along the way are interesting and illuminating. The illustrations are especially fine. The message is reasurring, that despite the termoils one faces along the way, love remains steadfast, guiding one back to port. Drawbacks: For some, it may be a bit out dated in the fact that Emily waits at home and represents all the elements of home; love, companionship, safe harbor, and familiarity and is not on the adventure herself.

While some historians portray Bonneville as an arrogant, contemptuous, bumbling buffoon of the fur trade era, others also denounce the manner in which Irving attempts to place Bonneville on a pedestal. There are certainly subjects open to controversy, such as Irving's treatment (through Bonneville?) of Joseph Walker's "non-authorized" expedition to California, or the building of Fort Bonneville, known to the trappers as Fort Nonsense because of its location, etc. There are well documented accounts of Indian culture; how the trappers coexisted (and didn't) amongst the Native Americans; the never ending feuds between the American Fur Company, the Rocky Mountain Fur Company and the Hudson's Bay Fur Company; the annual mountain rendezvous; the shortages of food; elements of nature; descriptions of geography, geology, etc.; and simply put, survival in the wilderness in the 1830's. This is a classic of the fur trade period, and Irving's writing style is very realistic and expressive of the lifesyles back then.

African Americans is a superb and balanced portrayal of the history and current situation of African Americans in Michigan. The book is well written, objective and extremely well researched. The solutions proposed are realistic and well thougt. The analysis is logical, presented well and understandable. This is the best book I have read concerning African Americans.