After you've peeled back the layers of testing techniques that are better documented and more refined in more recent books, and archaic language that characterized the mainframe lingo that was dying out when this book was first written a decade ago you'll find gold.

First, the way test case management is presented stands the test of time. The author is obviously well versed in managing complex system testing and it shows in his detailed approach to developing a test strategy and managing a large array of test cases. As good as this material is, it isn't a sufficient reason to track down a copy of this book because Rick Craig and Stefan Jaskiel have a more modern book, "Systematic Software Testing" that accomplishes the same goal.

The real gold is in the way that this book integrates testing, issue management and metrics. Although there is a large body of knowledge on these topics, this book manages to sort out the complexities in the clearest terms I've encountered. I also think that the approach change management is excellent, and especially the way this is linked to issue management. On the subject of issue management, the taxonomy of issue types has served me as a model during numerous consulting engagements for service delivery and software engineering process development, and have been proven in the field.

Additional gold is in the chapters on test documentation (especially the treatment of status reporting) and managing management. I also like the way that the author takes economic considerations into account, which was not much in vogue when this book was written in 1992.

If you're an SQA or applications delivery practitioner I strongly recommend tracking down a copy of this book. Look past the archaic parts and you will find one nugget after the other of useful information. I wish this book would be rewritten to reflect today's environment and the lessons that the author learned in the decade since this book was first published because there is much in this book that you will not find elsewhere.

Having worked in the heavy industrial electrical/mechanical field for the past 26 years, I have worked at many facilities similiar to those illustrated in this book. I love them! You can say what you'd like regarding their environmental impact, but I can tell you, these are great places to work. The process is usually very interesting, and the customer most always demands a quality job. So...there's some polution, but not one of you reading this review can say that your purchasing habits, and style of life has not contributed to the very images that you would now turn your nose up at. Sure, the EPA would love to have you believe that they are cleaning up the world, when the fact is, they are only driving real industry out of the USA, only to produce the same if not more 'polution' over the borders. And with our governments blessing. 'Still buying the same products, are you not? Look and see where they were made next time! It makes me sad to see these big industrial sites closed down. I love the book, because I can show my kids, and my grandkids the types of places that used to exist in this country_The type of places that has enabled us to go around as the police department of the world, and enforce what WE deem as right on every continent of the earth. It would have made a nice closing statement though, if you would have included an arial shot of the Pulp & Paper Mill that produced the pages of this book. I am assuming that is, that they were made in the USA.

Prof. Hodge was arguably America's most respected theologian for most of his 56 years teaching at Princeton Theological Seminary. This was laregly due to how he was able to apply his keen insights to such a wide number of cultural interests. Dr. Hodge had his fingers on the pulse of politics, the arts, literature and history. After theology his greatest interest was in science. He enjoyed lively debate and had strong opinions, but he was always fair and gracious to his opponents. Folks often disagreed with Hodge's conclusions, but they always knew he was going to summarized the subject at hand lucidly and insightfully.

This book is chiefly known for its conclusion, *What is Darwinism? It is atheism.* This is unfortunate. He only condemns Darwinism after he has spent more than 100 pages closely defining it. It is not all change that he condemns, or even evolution, but a particular species of evolution -- naturalistic Darwinism.

Hodge rarely made hasty judgments. He wa sone of the first theologians to comment on Darwin's The Origin of Species (1859) in print -- 1861. Hodge spent many years studying all aspects of the theory. He identifies its strengths as well as its philosophical inconsistencies.

This book is of great value not only to those interested in theology and 19th century history and culture, but also to those interested in the contemporary debates over the merits of Neo-Darwinism (Hodge would have surely been fascinated by the exciting new Intelligent Design [ID] theorists -- like William Dembski, Jonathan Wells, Hugh Ross, Michael Behe, etc.).

The God of the Bible is a God on the move. He "comes down" to rescue Israel from Egypt. He "goes before" His people in the wilderness. And He "comes" to the exiles in Babylon, to restore them to their land-and to Himself. David Perry argues that the coming of God is the backdrop to the book of Mark. Mark begins his gospel with Isaiah's announcement of God coming to restore His people: "Prepare the way of the Lord." Then, throughout his narrative, Mark opens scene after scene with the coming of Jesus: Jesus comes to the Jordan, He enters a house, He comes to Jerusalem, He enters the temple. These "arrival references," the author contends, are more than incidental details. They are the key to the story, highlighting Jesus' arrivals as the unfolding fulfillment of God's arrival. And like God coming to the exiles, Jesus comes to restore: He heals the sick, He teaches righteousness, He cleanses the temple, He dies for sinners, and He rises again. He is the coming of God for the restoration of His people-and all peoples. And that is why He is good news.

"Informed, entertaining, and encouraging. Full of thoughtful reflections and earthy anecdotes. This book will give you food for thought and inspiration for worship."
Aled Griffith, Principal
King's Bible College
Oxford, England

"Scholarly and yet easy to read. It speaks to the heart and to the intellect. I highly commend it!"
Barney Coombs, President
Salt & Light Ministries

"The gospel of Mark is pithy and immediate-and so are David Perry's meditations on it. They are scholarly, clear, and devotional all at once-a rare combination."
Steven Thomas, Senior Pastor
Oxford Community Church
Oxford England

David Perry is a graduate of Beloit College and Providence Theological Seminary. He is a teaching elder at Gateway Christian Community and academic dean of The King's Commission Ministry Training Institute. He lives with his wife Velma in Winnipeg, Canada. They have two married children and one grandchild.

This book is wonder and a treasure trove of musical ideas from around the planet. For example, how many music historians are aware of how the Native Amercians used song to identify each of their tribes?
Mr. Titon has provided very interesting facts about music making from many world cultures. He has also produced a 3 CD sound compilation of musical examples for this book that is indispensible.
If you're tired of today's bland market of music that has sadly squashed historical music making of any kind, this book is an excellent journey into the world's most basic roots of song and music.

Book: Chicken Soup Teenage Soul II
Editors: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Kimberly Kirberger
Pages: 351

Chicken Soups are books written by readers of real life stories about either their life or someone else's. There are many Chicken Soup books directed to certain people, mostly by ages. Some of them are Chicken Soup for anyone to read, Chicken Soup for kids, for mothers, for fathers, for parents for Christians, teenagers and many others. This particular book is the second version of the Chicken Soups for Teenagers. It has one hundred and one more stories about the life of teenagers. The writers of stories have written about the following topics: Relationships, Friendship, Love and Kindness, Tough Stuff, Family, Learning Lessons, Making a Difference and Growing Up. All these are topics, which teenagers can relate to as they all experience things connected to the topics. The authors of the topics vary, most of them are written by teenagers. Some of the stories are even written by parents who have teenagers and sometimes celebrities write in a story. In this particular book actress Jennifer Love Hewitt wrote a story about friendship. In addition not only are there stories but there are also poems.
Chicken Soup Teenage Soul II has a story written by Jennifer Love Hewitt, which is known to have attracted many people to read this edition. Her particular story is on the topic of friendship. The title of the story is "A Friend For Life." This story is about Jennifer Love Hewitt meeting a young girl named Nicole who is suffering from cancer. Jennifer Love Hewitt was asked by an organization to help young people with sickness have their dream come true. Nicole's dream was to meet the actress. The story explains the kind of personality Nicole had towards life, even though she was suffering from cancer. Jennifer Love Hewitt explains about her full-of-energy life, how she didn't want anyone to pity her, she just wanted to live a normal life, she was just so positive about everything. Jennifer Love Hewitt mentions that her experience with Nicole is a day she'll never forget and that would affect her forever. Nicole was and always will her inspiration.
This is a book, which teenagers can connect with. By reading it they can realize that they aren't alone when it comes to certain conflicts or struggles in common daily life a teenager could experience. Every story and poem all have life lessons and morals to learn from, take notice of and understand. It is classified as an inspirational book and is very uplifting.

Chicken Soup for the Soul books have always been my favorite. The ones specifically made for teenagers I can relate to a lot. Each time I read one, I understand that I'm not alone and that other people are going through the same things that I am. Each section has a different story that I can realte to in some way.

In the Relationship Section, I related to a story about a girl who had just had her first heartbreak over a crush. It reminded me of my first crush and the knowledge and growth I experienced because of that. Even though you never really get over your first crush, you learn what it's like to love and what pain is. The friendship section talks about the good times and bad between friends. No matter how bad the struggle we face our friends and families with always be there for us. In the section about families, stories were told about what it's like to have someone always there for you.

Stories of how love will always prevail through the worst of times are shared in the power of love chapter. Lessons are the hardest thing to learn in life, as one girl learns that just because her mom has a thick foreign accent, doesn't mean that she's going to be judged by it. Another lesson learned in the lessons section was that you should always tell somebody you love them before it's too late. Tough Stuff happens in life, in this chapter stories are told about the tragedy of Columbine and how to cope with the death of a love one.

Obstacles can be overcome. Even through cancer and anorexia, those you never give up will survive. Self-Discovery talks about how through events and people you will and do discover your true self. The chapter on growing up talks about how we can all face our fears and "grow up."

I thought this was an excellent book and highly recommend it to every teenager. Each person who reads this book will somehow be touched by a story. I have every Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul and cannot wait for the next one to come out.

This book is great. I didn't know there were so many great true stories out there, but the authors of "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul III" have found many more inspirational stories. This book was written to help teens deal with the issues that they face everyday, from first love to heartache, from best friends to enemies. This book will help guide you through the tough times and add happiness to the great times. The best part of this book is that the stories are written by teens for teens. There is something for everyone in it. The variety in this book is great. From the cartoons to the poems, you will never get bored of reading it. I could barely put it down. I learned a lot of great lessons while reading it. Another great point of this book is that you can go back and read different sections over again, depending on your mood. For example if you are depressed and want to read a story to brighten your day you can read one out of the "The Power of Love" chapter. I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.

This is definately one of the better exam prep books out there. I used it to prepare for both Network+ and Net. Essentials, and have done very well on both tests. It's not a particularly easy read, but at the same time the prose flows quite readily and the authors don't waste time with tangents and bad puns like some of the other books I've read (coughA+ExamCramcough. I was familiar with most of the material due to my networking background, and the book seemed remarkably error-free. I recommend this without any reservations whatsoever for anyone who's interested in not only passing the exam, but actually learning the material.

One caveat though: the sample questions are very mediocre, and are completely unlike the questions on the exam itself.

A lot of the study guides are excellent, but this one is one of the best I've ever seen. As a teaching tool, it is great because it organizes the material very succintly and very clearly follows the comptia subjects on the test. also, it tries to anticipate networking trends, especially Windows 2000 (one has to guess that the book was written in very early 1999). The hardest part about this certification is that because it is not vendor specific, an author is reluctant to get too specific about how to do things on each individual platform. This book solves this problem by presenting general information and then assigning "hands-on projects" at the end of the chapter in the respective NOS. These projects go over each specific steps for getting something done in a particular NOS. That is a very good idea even if the reader doesn't have access to the NOS. Perhaps these projects could be useful after taking the test when you do encounter a new nos and are too cheap to buy other books.This book is particularly nice because it gathers a lot of networking information together in a single book and contrasts their implementation in different os. Very useful after the test. A lot of the examples are NT, but it makes sense to do this from a market-share point of view. (I'm a Unix/Linux dude, so I am actually interested in the NT-specific stuff). One quirk that may or may not be good is that the authors put the answers to the chapter test on CD. That is good because it frees more pages of the book up to discussion of material. (sometimes these exam prep books seem to spend 20% of their pages just giving answers). On the other hand, it is a pain to refer to the answers on the CD. In short, this is a very well-written and informative book, both from a technical and pedagogical point of view.

This book is an excellent primer on the world of networks. It was pretty easy to read but covered a real wide range of information, just like the exam. I thought the exam was pretty easy but it did cover a wide range of topics. The book must have prepared me well because I finished the exam rather quickly with a 95%. Either the test just wasn't as tough as I expected or this book was better than I thought. This was a lot of the same stuff as the Networking Essentials too, but with a little more detail and a lot better explanations and samples than the MS book. I wish I had this book for that test I wouldn't have flunked it the first time. The TCP/IP section was real complete too, I may just try the Microsoft TCP/IP exam next. This book is complete and all you'll need for this test and probably a few others too.

I read the original Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz in the early 70's. I read it again last month and then read Bobbe Sommer's version. I think the original is better. Maltz keeps it simple and focuses on the subconscious as the primary goal seeking mechanism. I thought Sommer's book diluted the message with cross messages from other self help techniques. Maltz's method works great. It's simple and effective. It's not a self help book, it's a book about reprogramming yourself. Sommer seems to turn the science into a self affirmation exercise.

This book is so instrumental that I plan order additional copies for family and freinds.The results I have achieved are fascinating.The techniques are simple and effective but you must take action! Just reading the book will not do, you must apply the imformation.I've used this book to improve my self esteem,release stress, improve focus and master the art of goal setting.I highly recommend it for those serious about changing their life.I would also recommend"Psychology of Winning and Nine Empowering Secrets of Successful Living-Dennis Waitley,Think and Grow Rich-Napoleon Hill and Awaken the Gaint Within and Unlimited Power-Anthony Robbins".I would also recommend Using your Brain for a Change-Richard Bandler-a teacher to Anthony Robbins,covers the subject of NLP.Take back your life and read this book!

Napoleon Hill founded the laws of success, Dale Carnegie taught us how to win friends and Maxwell Maltz taught us how to live it all. This book has in my opinion, what 99.9% of books will forever lack - and that's common sense. There is no need for hype, Maltz speaks the truth which is refreshing in this day and age. He teaches (and in my opinion was the first to teach) the art of compassion, self- respect, relaxation, forgiveness and the art of being a professional human being. In this book you will learn that it doesn't matter how many success principles you know, that if you really want to change you must do so through the self-image -the foundation for all success. It is a book filled with wisdom, humor and hope. So if you want to change and live a better life overall, then buy this book. Take a knife and cut through the diddle daddle and motivation found in those other so-called self-help books. After all, how many other authors have 33 million copies in print over a 40 year life span? BUY IT!

Charles Dickens has been one of my favorite authors since I was forced to read him in high school. I had not picked up one of his stories since, but upon reading that David Copperfield was Dicken's personal favorite book he had authored, I decided to try him again. I was not disappointed. Dicken's creates an incredible cast of characters and paints a vivid portrait of 19th-century England. Aside from fulfulling those crucial elements of writing a novel, Dickens tells a terrific story. The initial serialization of the story into 19 monthly parts required Dickens to create many dramatic buildups and twists and turns that kept the audience buying the next installment. When it is all put together the novel is an unexpected roller coaster that has many climbs, dives, loop-the-loops, and sharp curves. In the end everything of course comes together beautifully and the characters all get their just desserts. This is yet another clinic by Dickens in how to write a well organized, though unpredictable, novel that maintains the interest of a reader through approx. 900 pages of writing. It is a wonderful experience that all lovers of good fiction should at least attempt.

David Copperfield, Dickens' favorite child, is an experience. Forget what your high school teacher or college professor told you. Forget all the terribly bad film representations of this book. Forget the glib one-liner reviews about Dickens people being caricatures instead of characters. READ this book. This book is one of the few Real Books in this world.

The great storm scene alone will thunder forever in your memories. You will encounter with Copperfield:
• the evil, chilling Uriah Heep,
• the mental and physical destruction of his mother by a Puritanical,untilitarian step-father,
• the always in-debt Mr. Mawcawber who somehow transcends his economic and egocentric needs into something noble,
• the betrayal of Copperfield by his best friend and Copperfield's shattered emotions by this betrayal,
• the ruination of another close friend's reputation, and her step-by-step climb back out of the mire,
• Copperfield's own passionate step into marriage while too young with an irresponsible, yet innocent child-woman, her death,
• Copperfield's own rise from poverty and orphanhood into worldly success but empty life until mature love rescues him.

Dickens has a real gift for creating people that irritate you, yet gradually you come to love them - just like folks in real life. If you never have read Dickens, come meet David Copperfield. You'll find that your impressions of David from the brief snippets by critics, teachers, reviewers, professors and know-it-alls completely different than the Real Thing.

This is my favourite novel by Dickens and one of my all time favourites.Some of his best known characters are here:the ever optimistic Mr Micawber,the stout hearted Aunt Betsy,the slimy toad Uriah Heep,the troubled Steerforth,faithful Pegotty, honest Ham,the nasty Murdstones, and so on.Even Jip the dog is brought to life with real character.No one has created such characters as Dickens.They are a sheer delight.Dickens has a wonderful sense of humour, which shines in this book.He also has a very readable style of writing.He can be overly sentimental, but this was expected by 19th century readers.Agnes, David Copperfield's second wife and true love is just too good to be believed.We can forgive Dickens these irritations, because he gives us the most memorable characters in literature.Also, there is a great deal of sympathy and affection for ordinary human beings and their foibles in his work.This is a novel which can be read over and over again during a whole lifetime, giving much pleasure with each reading.

When I first began to read Lady Chatterley's Lover I thought it was going to be quite a chore. I'm used to flowery language and all that, but I just wasn't in the mood for what I anticipated to be a sex-charged love story. Much to my surprise I got MUCH more from this wonderful classic.

D.H. Lawrence makes some striking observations about the state of the social classes in post WWI England, as well as providing some good insights into tough individual decisions we make in regard to relationships. I had limited knowledge of the post-war subject beforehand, but I felt that I learned a great deal in the process of reading. At times the book seemed repetitive, as if Lawrence were beating me over the head with his message, sacrificing character and plot in the process, but after all was said and done I couldn't say that it was a bad book. It's a very insightful, multi-layered work and I'm very glad I read it. The fact that the book was widely banned from publication in its early days is just another tempting reason to read it although, by today's standards, what was so risqué then borders on the ridiculous for us now. As long as you remind yourself of the time period in which it was written you'll be just fine...the laughs and raised eyebrows in conjunction with more serious themes are a pleasant mix.

This novel is not the explicit sex book that you have been led to believe. instead it is a flawless masterpiece that tells the story of Charlotte, the sexually deprived wife of an invalid husband and her search for true love and sexual fulfillment. As a woman, I have no idea how Lawrence was able to delve into the female mind so thoroughly, but so he has done. This book is a compelling argument in favor of the belief that sexual attraction is certainly one of the most important aspects when we search for a mate-despite what snobbish types may say about how looks don't matter and good sex and attraction grows with time. Baloney! Charlotte's attraction to Mellors was immediate and we watch her life developing with breathless anticipation. Some may feel the ending is too cute and tidy, but knowing the characters as they are, you feel that it could not have ended any other way. A profound book, thoroughly readable, and shockingly modern for its time.

I did not read this book until ten years ago - age forty for those who count - and found it a brilliant work. It touched on every aspect of life in that era, using a difficult premise at the focus.

One reviewer called it 'sexist.' In that era, women were kept removed from the world, so men were the ones who made the initial contacts with reality and their sexuality. If Lawrence had written about that society in any other way, he would have been inaccurate. Lawrence shows the social conflict with both subtlety and brutality. Yet, Mellor IS a lover. There are sexual descriptions which are explicit, but within the coccoon of emotional bondings.

The way that Lawrence has essayed the class structure of England in that era is brave and accurate in all ways. He makes the posturing of the aristocracy both frivilous and full of assinine criteria at the same time he understands the willingness of those in power to offer their lives in the defense of the general welfare.

Lawrence notes again with unpleasant accuracy the detriments of an unchecked Industrial Revolution on the social structure of the time. He has Constance both witness these effects and suffer the olfactory damage.

This is a literary work which has an effect across the full spectrum of the possible. Finely drawn characters searching for a better way to survive their lives in a scenario that is rife with obstacles and unpleasantness. He has the touch of the finest artist working with the lightest gossamer and the blunt force of an ogre swinging a stone axe.

This was published in an abridged version because it was felt that the societal message it conveyed should be allowed to transit the draconian (by the less filtered standards of today) censorship of the era which DID focus on the sexual descriptions but could NOT stop the voice of social criticism any more than the same group could stop Dickens a few decades earlier.