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Book reviews for "Lyle-Smythe,_Alan" sorted by average review score:

Gone Native: An Nco's Story
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Ballantine Books (06 June, 2000)
Author: Alan G. Cornett
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The end of black and white
What happens when a soldier learns the language of the people he is living amongst, and paid to kill? What happens when he learns the culture, and decides to adopt it as his own? Gone Native tells the story of a NCO who went too far - at least in the eyes of his own government. Instead of ending up as the most valuable policy-maker in Washington we could have ever had, the author ends up in a stockade. Thank goodness he wrote his book anyway, despite his mistakes, admissions of recreational drug use, etc. Anyone who wants to know what Vietnam was like should read this tome. It's among the ten best books ever written about the Vietnam conflict. It offers valuable lessons for future warriors, like LEARN THE LANGUAGE / STUDY THE CULTURE before you go pointing a gun at someone who may or may not be your enemy. I respect author Cornet more than any other Vietnam warrior I have read. He became a true gentleperson with ethics after starting out as a nineteen year old with a license to kill.

Great Book
I do not like to read all that much but this book I could not put down. I only like watching movies about vietnam but this book isa definatly worth while. Its is wrtting so good that you can not put the book down. It goes from war to lust to love to hatrent and attepted murder. It is a well written book and any one who is intrested in war will ove this book

An amazing story!
Alan G. Cornett's autobiographical account of his multiple tours of duty in Vietnam is one of the most amazing accounts I've ever read of anyone who served in the war. Cornett served with so many Special Operations units (Special Forces, LRRPs, Operation Phoenix and the like) that his credibility (not to mention his candor) puts the rest of us to shame. This is an honest book, sans varnish or gloss, and what you get is a fast-paced glimpse of behind the lines operations from someone who literally has 'been there and done that' and been there a few more times and done it again and again. This could have easily been a series of books simply because there was so much to cover; from his rise to Operation Phoenix and a fall he covers in detail. Ironically, it's the rise again from his own ashes that rekindles his career. Cornett's story will amaze you.


Patent Law Essentials : A Concise Guide
Published in Hardcover by Quorum Books (1999)
Author: Alan L. Durham
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Perfect for the scientific professional
Perfect for the scientific professional or manager who must deal
with U.S. patents. Although technical throughout, I was never
lost or floundering. Well organized, well written, and just the
length and depth, I wish all technical books were of this
quality.

This book does NOT deal with corporate strategy for intellectual
property, nor does it get into much detail on how to write a
patent. There are, however, other books that directly address
these topics.

An excellent warm-up for the real thing
While waiting to find out if my application to the PTO to sit for the next patent bar exam was approved, and prior to obtaining a full-fledged course of study on patent practice, I decided to invest in this book to get a better idea of what I was getting into. I must say that not only did I get a comprehensive introduction to the topic, but it was also an enjoyable read. The author uses subtle humor to get the points across, as exemplified by his use of various, patented mousetrap designs as examples, and his knowledge of patent law is superb. Indeed, there is hardly a page in the book sans footnotes and citations to case law.

Now that I am into the thick of learning the subject in detail in preparation for the exam, I find the subject matter familiar and that the overall perspective gained from Patent Law Essentials is invaluable.

This is a well organized, informative book that should be useful to any technical professional, especially, who wishes to demystify the arcane practice of patent prosecution.

Concise and informative
This book gets to the point and is very well organized. The author apparently put a lot of thought into the flow of the book, making it very intuitive to follow. I've learned more from this small book, than I have from a book 5 times the size. The footnotes all throughout the book are excellent references as well (especially when studying for the patent exam). The author seems extremely knowledgable, and more importantly, does a great job relaying that knowlege onto the reader.


The I Inside
Published in Paperback by Warner Books (1997)
Author: Alan Dean Foster
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excellent scifi
I can only emphasise what other reviewers have already said, this is an excellent book.
What I wanted to point at is the various similarities between this book and the famous Matrix movie.... really makes me wonder if the brothers read this book, there are a few elements in this book which have been used in the movie, which would make it too much of a coincidence.
highly recommendated

Alan Dean Foster's best book
I've read a number of Foster's books and The I Inside is flat out his best book. It's the story of superman who never figures out he's superman.

One of my favorite of Alan Dean Foster's Books
If you like Alan Dean Foster books at all, you will like this one. It is a compelling read from beginning to end. A very unique and interesting story with lots of good plot twists. Giving much more information about the story will probably give things away. I hate that.


Into the Out of
Published in Hardcover by Wildside Press (1986)
Author: Alan Dean Foster
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A good read -- but a few hiccups in the plot
This was an enjoyable yarn, written with Foster's easy touch and sense of character.

My sole complaint was with a few glaring problems with continuity that spoiled the story for me somewhat. (It's hard to give an example without giving away the storyline, but watch for references to the characters' eyes.)

Despite the technical goofs, I still enjoyed the book, as I've enjoyed nearly all of Alan Dean Foster's works.

Foster's best book ever
Fans of Alan Dean Foster are familiar with his "cute" science fiction (Flinx and Pip, Quozl, etc.) and all of his novelizations, but Into The Out Of is a unique, quasi-horror, exploration of an African mythology.

Our protagonist is is pulled into a struggle between light and dark by a tribal wise man. I do not wish to give away any of the plot, but our heroes must fight "demons" from the other side who are trying to enter our world.

The story appears to be very well researched (except the author seems to think that glass eyes are functional and not merely cosmetic (the only real flaw in the story)). Into The Out Of was followed by Foster's Maori, after which the author seemed to leave the dark continent for good (although he did revisit horror with Vanishing Point).

Truely a good book.

One of my favorites.... Excellent Horror/Science Fiction
It's been many years since I've read this book and it still remains one of my favorites. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good horror story. I've tried to read other books by Alan Dean Foster. In general, his type of science fiction books don't generally appeal to me. This book was definitely the exception.


Managing Smart : 325 High-Performance Tips Every Manager Must Know
Published in Hardcover by Gulf Professional Publishing (1999)
Authors: Lynne Milgram, Alan Spector, and Matt Treger
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Smart Managing for Smart Managers
Managing Smart is a book for new and experienced managers alike. It is well organized, has an excellent index, and a comprehensive list of references. It can be read from beginning to end, or can be picked up and used as a quick reference. I found the sections on time management and quality management especially helpful. And, although no one enjoys disciplining an employee, tip #159 offers some positive principles and behavioral approaches. I would recommend this book to anyone in a management position, be it in a large firm or small, from health care to manufacturing.

Forget Drucker and Deming
Forget Drucker and Deming. Drs. Milgram and Spector along with Mr. Treger have provided a succinct summary of most of the important issues that managers at all levels deal with in both day to day operations and stategic thinking. The book is easy to understand and should be required reading for all entry level managers and professional athletes. If John Rocker could read and had read this book before he talked with Sports Illustrated, he would be a guest on Letterman and Nightline rather than the object of public scorn and ridicule. For the security of the future of America, Jesse Ventura should not read this book as it has the potential to make him extremely dangerous.

ALAN SPECTOR FOR PRESIDENT -- NO JESSE, NO DONALD
In today's complex of managerial issues, Alan Spector clearly identifies the roadmap to success. While money might be a destination for some, for Spector, it's about Managaing Smart -- understanding your abilities and the ability to learn from others. Quite an amazing story from a man who has accomplished nearly everything!


Looking for the Lost: Journeys Through a Vanishing Japan
Published in Hardcover by Kodansha International (1995)
Authors: Alan Booth and John Urda
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Journey through Japan
I wish I could write as entertainingly as Alan Booth. This book will not disappoint you, especially if you like traveling and are fascinated with Japan. And if not, it's still a great read anyway.

The most brilliant thing about this book is that the author combines Japanese history into his narratives as he traces three historical figures and/or locations in Japan by foot. The way he makes the characteres he meets along the way of his journey come to life is outstanding. I really enjoy this book and wish that he had written others before he died. The only thing that bothered me somewhat and makes me feel unsympathetic towards him, however, is that he drank too much. But who am I to judge? This is a great book. Highly recommended.

Sadness Over the Horizon
Will some publisher PLEASE print a collection of Alan Booth's outstanding newspaper articles? These would be a wonderful complement to Looking for the Lost and Roads to Sata.

Looking for the Lost is an oddity. A book that I remember few details of, yet I remember with great vividness that I was moved by a intangible sadness that was always just over the next horizon of his journeys. Alan Booth was a writer of invincible good humor. Too much so to speak of his own impending death (though his newspaper writings about his trials with the Japanese medical system are classic). But the alert reader is constantly aware of an impending passing of life, seemingly inseparable from the passing of beauty in this country.

I was in Japan during the final years of Alan Booth's life here, pretty much in the same circles. It is my deep regret that I never took the trouble to make his acquaintance.

an outsider's inside look at Japan
This is a facinating book. You get unusual and fresh perspectives on national/racial identity and the travel book. The story of how Alan Booth came to Japan, and his unique viewpoint as a foreigner who speaks the language, and knows as much or more about Japanese culture than many of the natives, is woven throughout his accounts of walking through different areas of the country. The way the people he meets view him, and the way he reacts and responds to them is often funny, and just as often instructive and meaningful. This a great book, and reveals much upon repeated readings. I only wish there more from him.


Mitch and Amy
Published in Paperback by Avon (2000)
Authors: Beverly Cleary and Alan Tiegreen
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Twins are different...
...but will stick up for each other when they need to. Cleary, herself the mother of boy-girl twins, wrote this book about Mitchell and Amy (they don't call him Mitch in the story so I don't know why he's called Mitch on the cover of the book), two fourth-graders who don't always get along, but help each other in the end. It's a good book, especially for kids who are interested in twin relationships.

Mitch and Amy an awesome book
My b/g twins and I read this book together. They are soon to be 9 and the book describes the life of twins so well. Well we read this book I kept saying boy they sound like you two to my twins. This is a fun book to read. My twins would tell you it's a must have book.
We all know Beverly Clearly is an awesome writer and she wrote this book so well.

Mitch and Amy
REVIEW- Mitch And Amy- Beverly Clearly- ISBN- 0-688-10807-5
"Being twins are harder then you think." Mitch and Amy said in unison. Trying to be able to win the argument over who got the bathroom this morning. I can believe it is. Mitch and Amy is one of my favorite books of all time. It has family life, twin arguments, and school issues. Over their summer vacation, Amy would brag on what page she is on, she knows Mitch has problems with reading. Then on the first day of fourth grade, Mitch brags about multiplication tests on the fist few days of school. Mitch knows Amy has problems with multiplication. , Mitch and Amy would often feel bad for each other.

I found this book tops because I can relate to it. Even though, my two little brothers, (5 and 7) equal one Mitch and my older (15) sister is another Mitch. I, unfortunately (13) am just one Amy. Only, just like Mitch and Amy, we do get along, sometimes. I do believe that it was a page-turner. I just had to know what Amy did at fights. So now when my two Mitches start a fight, like they always do, I will do just what Amy did. I would certainly say that the end of the chapters had a cliffhanger. Examples, "You'd be surprised, Amy." Amy went into her room and put "Mitchell was a pest," before drawing a skull with cross bones below it. Another ending was he did not want them to see him come with a broken skateboard and...


One Deadly Summer
Published in Paperback by Plume (1997)
Authors: Sebastien Japrisot and Alan Sheridan
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Dark Side of Provence
Get this book if you can find it! A real twister of a plot, an atrocity committed 20 years before, a member of the next generation planning total revenge...every time you think you know what's going to happen, you're taken down another road. A plot skilfully woven with everything gradually revealed, up to a gut punch of a horrifying ending. The ramifications of this story are still occurring to me the next day. It's one of the few books I will keep to reread. The setting of the scene is also wonderful--if your idea of Provence is Peter Mayle's Hotel Pastis or Chasing Cezanne, try a taste of Japrisot for different point of view. If you like contemporary French authors, dont miss it.

Marvelous read
This has instantly become one of my favorite reads. I love to happen upon authors who are new to me. This is the first book of Japrisot's that I've read. I was expecting a murder mystery, and ended up with a classic tragic love story and a heart-wrenching ending. Japrisot demonstrates superior story-telling skills in his revelation of the main characters thoughts and intentions as they speak and act. The dialogue is so well presented even the occasional humorous comment is so natural in its presentation and well-timed that you only realize later that of course even a mentally tortured person has the capacity for comic insight.

a classic whodunit, and much more
While one cannot deny the absolute superiority of A Very Long Engagement, I found One Deadly Summer to be the most enjoyable among the rest of Japrisot's oeuvre. This is one instance where his powers come through with a distinctive flair, upon the themes that echo through all of his work: droplets of truth gathering through a confusion of voices, the sheer blindness of love, the eternal mystery that is woman, the infinite sadness of human error, and the surprises and tragedies that is life itself. How much of the world, and others, do we really "understand"?


Science of Breath: A Practical Guide
Published in Paperback by Himalayan Institute Press (1979)
Authors: Swami Rama, Swami Rama, and Alan Hymes
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Superb Start to Yoga
This book is a potential life changer and will make you rethink the way you think about health. Breath as discussed by Rama and the others is revealed as THE center to all life, our life, Yoga, and to how "happy' we are in both body and mind (i.e., OM). What's great is getting a nice Western emprical discussion of the physiology of breath, and then getting Rama's discussion of breath in the context of Yoga. Another cool part is understanding how important the nose is to breathing and health. A very practical and fascinating book and a great beginning to Yoga.

Very Bad Copy
The book is excellent and a good introduction to the basis beginning of Yoga. The current offering of the book is a very bad copy of the original book and is marginal for reading. The original book was obviously copied on a copier and the pages inserted into a soft cover book. Do not buy this book.

Still the Best
I am a lifelong yogini and yoga teacher and originally bought this book when it was first published. In the years since have probably bought at least a half dozen other books on this topic and can honestly say this one is still the best. I recommend it regularly to my students because it's both jam-packed with information and completely accessible and direct in its approach. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.


Swamp Thing: Love and Death
Published in Paperback by Warner Books (1990)
Authors: Alan Moore, Shawn McManus, and Steve Bissette
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