I'd like to review the book.

I teach a TOEIC preparation program at Cambridge International College in Melbourne, Australia, and I use this book as part of my program. One of the main problems I encounter with students is a lack of workplace vocabulary. "600 Essential Words for the TOEIC" is a great list of workplace vocabulary that not only gives an explanation to each words, but it also shows examples and the various form of a word depending on its function, e.i., noun, adjective, adverb, verb, etc., with exercises all the way throughout. There is enough material in there to cover a four-week, full-time preparation program. Each chapter is cleverly devided into sections; banking, hospitality, entertainment, medicine, etc. It's worth its price in gold, but beware that this is not a book that should be used as the main tool for preparing for the TOEIC program -- it's an additional text, and it has made a great impact on my students' learning. Highly recommended.

I am eager to read this book

"Both new in concept and timely in publication....Bring together, for the first time, the fundamental of atomic scale crystal structure and chemistry... A cutting-edge text at the forefront of the modern materials revolution"

- Professor David B. Williams, Lehigh University, USA

"Unique...focuses specifically on the intrinsic connections among several crystal structure systems and their evolution behavior...Fills a gap left in the field ... This book will be a basic reference in the domain of oxides which are to be the basis of functional and smart materials"

- Professor C. Boulesteix, Universite Aix-Marseille, France.

"In materials science the spotlight is on functional and smart materials, since they are important components for electronic devices. The textbook by Wang and Kang summarizes all types of known functional materials and describes the structure evolution problems. A large section of the book is devoted to structural characterization focusing on transmission electron microscopy, the main field of expertise of the author. The book is extremely valuable for materials scientists working on functional oxide materials, studying the structure, structure evolution and defects. It may serve also as an interesting textbook for teaching since it gives a good overview of this field which is of increasing importance. The clarity of its writing style should make it ideally suited for graduate students."

- Professor Manfred Ruhle, Institte of Werkstoffwissenschaft, Germany

The authors consider the atomic scale crystal structure and chemistry of oxides with physical and chemical properties that are sensitive to changes in the environment such as temperature, pressure, electric or magnetic fields, pH, and optical wavelength. They explain relationships among different structures and explore approaches to characterizing and synthesizing these important components for electronic devices.

"... this book is a unique, cutting-edge text on smart materials ... it is recommended as an adjunct to device design books used for engineers as well as scientists during the development of smart devices and structures" .

A very well done mystery with wit and suspence

Ilove these boooks. Does anyone know how I can find Ms LIN? Does anyone have her email? Please ask her to contact me at danbloom@reporters.net URGENT

Jonathan Chandler's third Holly Jean Ho mystery is the best in the series so far. Fast-paced, with intriguing characters and a basketful of surprises. I can't wait for the next one.

when two people decide to join hands and make something happen,that kind of unity becomes so powerful. i think that's what makes Liang and Lin memorable. and Mrs. Fairbank's close relationship with them made their life story vivid to the readers. a great book and great people in it.

Lin & Liang are forrunners of contemporary Chinese architecture. Like most idealistic intellectuals of the period, they went out to learn from the west and returned back home to contribute what they had learned.

This is an important trend in modern Chinese history. The long list of intellectuals includes Sun Yat Sen, Liang Qi Chao(the father of Liang)Chao Yuan Ren, Zhou En Lai, Tang Xiao Ping,.... It was a traumatic period for modern China. It was a time of possibilities, opportunities and frustrations.

One could not imagine the archievement and contributions of modern China to the world without these intellectuals.

The stories as told by Madame Wilma Fairbank is descriptive, touching and informative at the same time. Mrs. Fairbank(wife of John Fairbank) is a poet and historian at the same time. The book (text and images)is western journalism at its best.

The most difficult period for Lin & Liang is not Sino-Japanese War period. Although physically, Lin suffered from fleeing around and illness, but their spirit were high and friends were always around.

The most difficult period was after the liberation. Lin & Liang were destined to work with Chairman Mao, the founder of PRC. Based on their fruitful research and intellectual mind, they come up with the conclusion and dedicated their lives to the preservation of Chinese artefacts, and in most cases, Chinese architectural heritage.

As detailed descripted and well put by Madame Fairbank in the book, Lin & Liang travelled all over China and had produced hundreds and thousands of research papers with surveyed plans and photos. Wilma should have known, she joined and lived with them more than once. The Liangs' ideal and proposals to preserve holistically the ancient city of Beijing must had been in conflict with Chairman Mao's ideas. As the founder of PRC, Mao of course, would have his own plans. He believes, to me wrongly, that "Man would defeat Nature". He would like to see factories and other new buildings rising on the horizons of Beijing, Nanjing and everywhere in China.

This should be a matter of opinion. But as we all know, for a long period of time in contemporary China, a different opinion with Mao would be interpreted as a revisionist liner against the Communist Party! That's why Liang suffered so much and Lin died too young to suffer with him.

This is an important historic lesson that we, as a human being should all learn and study. Through the process of modernization, how should we deal with our heritage and nature? Liang proposed to preserve Old Beijing holistically. Beijing, as observed by Liang rightly, is the most complete form of an ancient city in the world! He is not an old man keeping only the 'Olive Tree'. Lin and Liang are genuine Chinese Architects. They proposed to preserve the old city walls and towers so that they could become civi open spaces and landscapes. People can enjoy history and live in history walking through.

Liang's second wife, Madame Lin Zhu said recently,"In the civic society, Liang is respected by many." Well put Madame Lin. (Lin Zhu's piece is included in the book also very moving.)

The problem is, it takes a few thousand years to build a civi society and a civiization, only takes a few second to destroy them. Should we not give deep thoughts to it.

Anyone who want to know more about Liang Si-chen and Lin Hui-yin and their firends should read this book.

To be honest, I feel what make this book so interesting is the life story of Lin and Liang and their friendship with friends, especially the Fairbanks. The Architecture contents are good too, but the life stories of Lin and Liang, two most important pioneers in Ancent Chinese Architecture studies, make the book very charming and worth of reading.

You will know more about the history of 20th century China, before, during and after WWII. You will see how communists grab power in this used-to-be-great country and gradually turn these respectible scholars' life upside down. How they were changed from eager supporter of Chairman Mao's so called 'New China' into losing the minimal hope to live on. This is a great book, written by John F Fairbank's wife, to memorize their true friendship with Liang and Lin.

This is not just another book about architecture. This is a book written with life.

I have never heard of Lin Carter until I stumbled onto a copy of "Callisto" at my favorite bookstore six months ago. For the past month, I have started reading it and to my amazement, enjoyed it. Before this, I never read sword-and-sorcery based fantasies such as this, but was overwhelmed by Carter's Thanator world. What I enjoyed about "Callisto" are the characters, the effective use of first-person narration, and the settings. Carter, as well as Jonathan Dark, have done an outstanding job at conceiving this classic. I just hope that a new generation of readers will embrace "Callisto."

I first read the Calisto series twenty-five years ago when I was a teen ager. I am currently re-reading the books to my twelve year old son (he's a remarkably good reader, but he still loves to be read to --who doesn't) and am delighted to say that he is as enthralled by the adventures of Jonathan Andrew Dark as I was so long ago. These books aren't high art or particuarly thought provoking, but if you allow yourself to suspend your disbelief a bit, the pay off these books will give you is well worth the effort. A princess to be rescued and a kingdom to be won! Who could ask for more from a read.

Lin Carter, of course, didn't write this book; he was merely the editor, transcribing the peculiar parchment delivered from overseas and lands unknown. As an editor, he contributes numerous footnotes and appendixes that help the reader's understanding of this weird alternate-universe Callisto, whose sky is golden during the day, and at night filled with the great orb of Jupiter and its racing moons. If this document were a piece of fiction, one could say it was derivative of Burrough's Barsoom; but there is a verisimilitude to these memoirs of the downed pilot John Dark, who stumbles upon a lost city in Cambodia and is transported to Callisto (called Thanator by the natives). His adventures are vivid and various, full of strange creatures, swordplay, mind control, Romance, super science; perhaps they can only be appreciated by an eleven-year-old boy who has yet to read the Burroughs books, and who wishes to encounter a planetary romance, for once, as it *really* happened. I have always remembered Koja, the insectoid Yathoon warrior; Darloona, the beautiful real-life Dejah Thoris; grizzled Lukor the master swordsman; the nefarious Sky Pirates in their floating galleons, the terrible Mind Wizards; and of course the wise Lankar, who is none other than Lin Carter himself, transported to Callisto in Book Six (the locals have difficulty with complex Earth names; John Dark becomes Jandar, Lin Carter, Lankar). My only regret in this neccessary reissue is the cover, which is grim and dark, and surely depicts nothing on Callisto. The original Dell covers, by Vincent DiFate, were both vividly colorful, pulpish and, of course, accurate.

It's a good book to read and enjoy. Has good recipes too...

This book contains 4 suggested menus, 7 pages of history and customs, and 5 pages of quotes about tea.

teas & beverages: 11 recipes / breads & spreads: 16 recipes / light servings: 13 recipes / sweets: 11 recipes

The recipes are easy, some as simple as "Marinate fresh mushrooms in Italian dressing" if you don't have time to make their marinade.

It's an attractive book with delicate watercolors on every page. If you only want one book of tea-type recipes, I prefer "The Book of Afternoon Tea" by Lesley Mackley or "Totally Teatime Cookbook" by Helene Siegel.

This is a great book with a lot of helpful recipies. I enjoy it immensly.

An excellent book of Taiji Qigong theory. As an instruction manual, you will find that there are many places within the text to get swamped. An instructor to guide you through these pitfalls is an absolute MUST. All in all, it is one of the best Chi theory books I have read. I intend to collect all of Stuart Olson's books. He is a great writer and a very well studied man. Thanks Mr. Olson.

If you do T'ai Chi Ch'uan Just read it ! you will not disagree

Dharma Drum is divided into two parts. Part one is an overview on some of the basic tenents of Buddhism explained fron a Chan (the Chinese origin of Zen) perspective. These teachings include causes and conditions (or interdependence), karma, enlightenment and delusion, the benefits of meditation practices, the stages of meditation, etc. In other words, part one deals with theories, principles, and methods of Chan Buddhist practice. Part two consists of aphorisms or "words of wisdom" for daily reflection and practice. These are like daily excercises or food for the mind. It's best to read them slowly and use them as a mirror to look deeper into our lives. This section is devided into different subsections like "Meditation", "birth and Death," "The Enlightned View," and "Transcending Suffering," etc.

Part two of this book is like something you read daily by flipping to any page. Each teaching is printed on a single page.

What I enjoyed about this book is its clarity and depth--Master Sheng-yen, the author, have the ability to put profound insights of Buddhism and Chan into plain language. His words come from over 50 years of Chan practice as a monk. You can sense the source of his clarity, which comes not from repeating other people's words but, from his own experience.

His writings are not what you may call "meating," or well-packaged by lofty ideas and fancy spiritual jargon. They are rather direct and plain; there is a subdued and seriousness, and yet a kind of warm, light, and humorous tone to his voice. To real Dharma practitioners confronted with internal and external hindrences on their own Paths or to sincere individuals who want to begin their practice, they will surely find clear answers to their doubts and questions. A "clear-eyed" person will quickly spot out Master Sheng-yen's teaching as extremely beneficial.

However, to people who are only "readers" of Buddhism and Chan, or is searching for something that "meets" their idiosyncratic views and styles, they may be turned off by Master Sheng-yen's uncompromising style to present, to us in the West, the authentic Dharma.

I highly recommend Dharma Drum by Master Sheng-yen, and other books by him, to any sincere individual on their way to the Path of self-awakening.

This book is like a pot of tea. Go to Part One if you like to drink deep and savor the heady rush. Part Two if you are in the mood to sip.

Especially worthwhile reading for those times when you feel the need to fortify your practice. It reminds you of what it's all about.

This book is a must for the design professional in the disciplines of landscape architecture, architecture, planning, interior design, and graphic design. Mike Lin is a master of graphic and design expression. The many techniques shown in this book are easy to learn and apply for those who are frustrated with their graphic and design capabilities. This book will definitely strengthen your confidence!

A great book for both beginners and professionals. If you follow Mike Lin's graphic principles in this book, your drawings will improve dramatically. I took his one-day workshop and this book basically follows the workshop in written form.

I think 'Drawing and Designing with Confidence' is an excellent book, especially for those students who are beginning with architecture and landscape architecture, and want more help with their budding abilities. It focuses largely on technique and fundamentals, which is a good basis to quality drafting and drawing, and ultimately convincing presentations. If you are a beginning student, or a more advanced individual who wants to sharpen up on your skills, then this is the book to get.

I bought this book after reading the first few chapters of Shu Lin's "An Introduction to Error Correcting Codes" pub in 1970. Since that was very understandable (but unavailable), I opted for this one. Alas, I got bogged down in the additional math almost immediately. This is a bit heavy duty stuff for learning on your own. Maybe I can find a class some day and get through the wall of fire.

a very detailed book for getting into Galois field arithmetics, cyclic codes, convolutional codes, ... As a very beginner I had no big problems understanding the content. I am not the type of guy who could understand just by reading the theory - this book gives a lot of very useful examples, so you could call it fun reading it!

Lin and Costello produced an excellent text which is targeted towards engineers as opposed to mathematicians. The mathematics behind error correction can be extremely intensive and, with other texts, I quickly become lost in complex proofs. Lin and Costello present error correction in method, with plenty of good examples, which those who need to know how to apply it can understand and the gory details of the theory are not as important. I used this book as my introduction to error correction and it continues to be a great reference book. The only drawback in it is since it was published in '82, it stops at convolutional coding and does not cover trellis-coded modulation or turbo codes.