A long-time fan of Mark Twain, I had still managed to make it past my fortieth birthday never having read this book. But recently, when I needed something to read (you know the kind of days I am talking about), I stumbled across this book and set to laughing.

The story-telling is magnificent. Few writers can take the small things of daily life and make them breathe -- but Twain possessed that gift, and uses it well. How many others went West the same time he did, and never saw the gold dust, sunsets, and taverns the way he wrote them into our consciousness?

And yet, and yet... As much as I loved the stories he told, I see "Roughing It" as important in a different manner. Even when the truth is slightly embellished to make us, his readers (of whom he is always very much aware), laugh out loud, it still truly presents the era and place he put down in black and white. We can be so bombarded with romanticized movies about the gold rush and settlers heading West, that we lose sight of them as genuine people with the same faults and virtues we know in 2001.

But with Mark Twain's keen eye, our history -- our American history -- comes to life. And suddenly, we "get it", we comprehend that all that stuff we had to learn in high school was done by people, not daguerrotypes.

Twain's escapades in the West make fascinating reading. His encounters with the Mormons in Utah are particularly interesting. Anyone afflicted with Mormon missionaries on his or her doorstep ought to bring out a copy of this book and read aloud the chapter in which Twain discusses the absurd Book of Mormon. Nobody can match Twain in skewering foolishness and pomposity dressed up as religion.

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of travel logs, journals, reports, diaries, etc. that tell about the American West in the mid-nineteenth century. This book by Mark Twain, however, is both unique and one of the best. This is travel writing as it should be. Twain, traveling across the plains from Missouri to Nevada in the early 1860's, and spending seven years loafing about Nevada, California, and Hawaii, collected and compiled his experiences into this extraordinary book. One of the best things about Twain, of course, is his unique view on things. This tale is told in Twain's wry, humorous style, and is very enjoyable.

This book is not quite as pessimistic as Twain's other great travel writing, 'The Innocents Abroad,' but it does include some interesting and unorthodox views which often prove hilarious. Twain spends time as a gold and silver seeker, a speculator, a journalist, and a vagabond (as he himself puts it), and puts a unique spin on each of these occupations. As far as travel writing goes, this book is indispensable, and it also proves quite valuable (odd as it may seem) in any thorough study of frontier life in the American West.

As an IT Business Manager who has worked in the UK, the US and Australasia, I was surprised at how little I really understood about politics in the various environments in which I have worked. The book 'Positive Politics' enabled me to step back and, for the first time, come to understand that there are clear signs and indications that can be read, interpreted and used to improve the way you and those around you operate. The author, Mark Holden, uses simple, clear and easy to understand examples and case studies to present his ideas. This book will now take a permanent place on my office bookshelf!

This book is both insightful and inspiring. It offers a new perspective on office politics - how to make it work for you! It is clear that the author has experience in the game of office politics, and provides some very real (and recognizable) examples. A good read and a highly recommended survival guide to all!

From chapter one, I practiced the advise of the author. I stated feeling better about myself and started getting ahead at work.
A must read.

I consider the Eye of the World to be more of a prelude to the Wheel of Time series and indeed can serve as a standalone novel. With The Great Hunt, the story becomes more complex as the true multiple threads begin, the Forsaken become more active, and the Seanchan arrive. Also, Rand's true ancestry is strongly hinted at for the first time, which adds new dimensions to the breadth of the storyline.

The novel maintains the fast pace of the first book, although the story isn't quite as linear anymore! It's hard to put the book down, especially as some characters' loyalties become questionable (i.e. Lord Barthanes in Cairhien and the Shienaran warrior behind the escape of Padan Fain). The ending brings the story to a satisfying close with plenty of loose ends to be tied in the next book. A great read!

I give this book a 4 not 5 because the childish behavior of some of the characters annoys more than in the first book. Aren't these people supposed to be in their 20's? Why do they act like they're 13 years old? Jordan could have portrayed the characters as innocent adults instead of stubborn kids!

And the length of time Jordan spends on some of these immature confrontations is over the top. For example, an entire two chapters or so is devoted to the three girls (Nynaeve, Elayne, Egwene) frustrating themselves in not being able to "sweet-talk" Mat into delivering a letter to Morgase, with Elayne batting her big brown eyes at Mat and Mat complaining to himself that when women are nice they want something. The failed effort at moving a "mulish man" enrages the girls and puts them in a rotten mood, from which they grudgingly decide to give Mat one of Siuan's notes of authority.

Anyway, the book is good, read it! Start with the first one, of course...

I have a confession to make...I started reading Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series out of order, and was instantly hooked by Book 2. The Great Hunt is what brought me back to reading science fiction, and am I glad that I have returned. I have not been so enthralled by a series since Anne McCaffrey took readers to the planet of Pern, and introduced them to dragons. After meeting with some of the main characters(Rand, Egwene, Lan...) and fighting with them from Fal Dara to Tanicho, I was hooked. Robert Jordan's characters seem to come alive as I read through this book page after page, and I was glad that I got to travel with them through their various adventures, as they fought Trollocs, talked to wolves, and met with the Seanchan. Robert Jordan has set the Wheel of Time turning, creating a wonderful new Pattern for readers to follow.I am glad that he is the reigning master of science fiction. I have read several pieces of science fiction while waiting for copies of his series to be returned at my local library, and none come close to his spinning of the Wheel. One of the wonderful things about his books are the fact that it doesn't matter where you begin...the Wheel never stops turing, and according to Thom Merrilin, there is always a story to tell.I hightly recommend The Great Hunt to all lovers of adventure. And while you are at it, feel free to read the rest of the series as well!

I found Jordan's second adventure in the Wheel of Time even better than the first. I didn't think it possible, however, Mr. Jordan pulled it off. I was amazed at the world that the author created around his characters. I really enjoyed the fortress of Fal Dara. Jordan stays with his initial characters, not really introducing any new ones. He gives you a large taste of the Dark One and a glimpse at the forsaken. The characters are so well developed that you can really relate to them. I think Rand is my favorite character with Matrim running a close second. As each character struggles to learn their place in the story, you can feel there emotions and almost understand their thoughts. Jordan has done a fantastic job at brining a world alive as vividly as any author I can think of. The only draw back to this series is as I look ahead, I am not sure how long he can keep it going. I was sceptical that the second book would leave a lot to be desired, however, I think it is better than the first. I urge anyone who enjoys fantasy writing to read the Wheel of Time Series. Off to book 3!

this is a comprehensive but very basic description of start up investing. if you don't know what VC stands for, this is an excellent book. however, if you have some understanding of new ventures and their finance than you won't find much of value. the authors fills 400 hundred pages with such gems as "the tough part about negotiating equity is that at the end of the day, there's only 100%". the prevalence of referenced quotes is also annoying. "whenever possible, try not to back an inflexible, one product firm" is referenced to "Gordon, 1999". is the reference, or even the thought itself, really necessary to include? any angel that needs this sort of advice should just put his money in the stock market. and why bother with the "whenever possible?" last time i chceked investing was at the discretion of the investor. this book is comprehensive, but most sections are overly simple and ignore important subtleties. if you want a much more useful, insightful and informative book, and particularly if the space you're looking at is >$10M, try "high stakes, no prisoners" by charles ferguson

One of the very few books that describes both the entrepreneur and the angel side of early stage deals. Anyone interested in understanding early stage investing will benefit from a thorough read. This book has excellent contact details for matchmakers and others.

"Angel Investing" is a terrific reference for anyone preparing to seek early-round financing for a business. As the co-founder of a start-up, I have been searching for practical, real-world information on the capital market and the differences between the various options.

This book has been useful throughout my research. It contains an eye-opening comparison of Venture Capital groups and Business Angels. It also gives practical advice on what capital investors look for, what to include in your business plan, what to look for in an investor, as well as how to value your company and negotiate with the capital firms. I have found it invaluable and it has saved me countless hours in my search for seed money.

Mastering Team Leadership is a very straightforward guide to mastering communications skills in a group environment. Technology has served to accentuate the need for these skills. Mark Kelly provides and framework for pulling the team together and getting everybody pulling in the same direction. This book is a good read for all team members wishing to develop their team skills.

This book is a good introduction to the idea of 360° feedback, as well as coaching skills. Each of the 7 skill areas have about 10 behaviors or competencies that go with them. And the self assessment makes a good first checklist of skills in a 360° assessment.

All of the managers in our company will go through a 360° feedback process this year for the first time. I'm going to give this book them to warm them up to the idea.

The book is easy to read with practical and memorable examples, tips, personal development suggestions, and even cartoons! I will immediately implement many of the suggestions to improve my team leadership abilities, and I expect both my company and myself to greatly benefit from the wisdom in this how to manual. It's one of the best leadership/coaching books I've read.

After reviewing this book again, talking with many dentists from the US and Europe, and doing even more reading. I am downgrading my opinion of this book.

I still stand by Dr. Breiner's assertion that "silver/mercury" amalgam is bad for you. Not only is the mercury frequently toxic to many people, but amalgams are not bonded to the tooth like composites or ceramics. This requires the dentist to drill out more tooth structure to make the amalgam hold, thus leaving the tooth even weaker. Additionally, since the amalgam is not bonded, amalgam offers less physical support to the tooth (than bonded materials) and the tiny gap between the amalgam and the tooth can sometimes (but not always) lead to secondary tooth decay. (All of which lead to more tooth problems down the road).

The issue on both root canals and fluoride is still up in the air (IMO), but something that we should all pay attention to. From what I've read, topical fluoride is okay, but fluoridated water may not be so great for you. If you require a root canal, ask around about BioCalex as an alternate form of root canal therapy.

As for Electro-dermal screening a.k.a Electo-accupuncture According to Voll (EAV): Voll was a German scientist who did his research in the 50's (if I recall correctly). From my understanding, his research has never been verified or validated. I have many German friends who are medical doctors and they have never heard of this device or methodology of testing. As far as I can tell, EAV is a total scam that is frequently used by naturopaths and homeopaths to drain money out of people's wallets. Outside of that, EAV is completely useless.

In a nutshell, the chapters about amalgam, fluoride, and root canal issue are a good introduction. IMHO, the rest is either completely false, dubious, or a waste of time/money.

Personally, I would skip this book. There are better and more up-to-date sources on the amalgam, fluoride, and root canal issues. Though if you don't know anything about these 3 topics, this book might be a decent primer for you.

This book alerts readers to information traditional dentists don't want you to know. Mercury is a known poison. Mercury in dental fillings, Dr. Breiner explains, appears to leach into your body. Can mercury poisoning cause Alzheimer's Disease? This book, written for the lay person, sets out a convincing case for banning mercury in dental fillings -- and a very convincing case for running to your dentist to have all of your silver fillings quickly replaced.

This well-written book highlights the relationship between "whole-body health" and dentistry. It's a must-read for anyone seeking hidden causes of some serious ailments.

This was the second of two books about the effect of toxic dental work on a person's overall health. Thank you Dr. Breiner for getting the word out. If you have silver fillings and/or root canals in your mouth - - and if you have ANY health issues, this is a MUST READ! It is very well written and thoroughly researched. Hopfully all dentists of the future will care enough about their patients' health to pursue continuing education if the field of holistic dentistry. THANK GOD I had my amagams removed (just after reading this and another great book). Everyone should read this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doty took us to Heavens coast to expore life and death as his partner Wally dying of AIDS. The story evolves the impact/reaction on the author and Wally by Wally's diagnosis and his worsen illness. It also covers other friends struggling with(but not only limited to) AIDS epedemics. It's a memoir of love, companionship, and of course agony.

One doesn't have to be gay or have experienced the loss of loved ones to appreciate this book. Every human being would be touched by the emotions flowing through out the book. The story line is not a typical one, rather, the book is a collection of beautifuly essays or in deed a philosophy book. Doty, a poet, has no doubt mastered the English languish (many times I'd just read out and listen.)

I found, however, the book is somewhat hard to read in the begining. Also some details were repeated as if not neatly organized partialy because they were taken from diffent essays. There is not much "being in love" story (I had hoped more) as the auther emphasized on "living in love"(which is equally great).

There is no doubt that the book is totaly worth reading and I strongly recommend it to everybody!

There are many kinds of ears in this world... it will take every kind of voice to make them listen. In Heaven's Coast, Mark Doty's is a poetic, memorable voice. While writers like Paul Monette and Larry Kramer explore the personal as political, Doty seeks and finds spiritual affirmation in nature, thereby placing him among many of his literary predecessors. For critics who take Doty to task for not writing a book that encompasses all those populations affected by AIDS, this is not a political, medical, or moral treatise, but a memoir. It is an account not so much of AIDS but of love, and how HIV/AIDS impacted that love in life and death. As a writer, a widow, a survivor, Doty eloquently articulates his experience of relationship, illness, and grief. Just as the virus respects no boundaries of race, gender, orientation, income, or age, neither does grief. There may be gleaned from any person's history some meaningful wisdom, emotion, comfort, or inspiration. As a caregiver and survivor of friends lost to AIDS, I found that Doty's words gave me renewed vision and new strength.

Mark Doty's memoir is utterly moving. The aching need to resolve the many issues created by surviving the death of a loved one bond any reader to Doty. His beautiful language is enough to justify reading, but it is his themes and insight which make this tribute to a lover into an even deeper search for why we live and love at all. His sorrow is heavy like fog, but his stirring examination of self, of relationships and of purpose illuminate. The level of awareness which Doty creates and sustains is both frightening and intoxicating. Reading his book was like becoming one of the seals he watches- diving below the surface, discovering a part of the soul that is universal yet often unfathomable. His ability to take a tangle of fears and questions and put them into such precise prose is astounding. An example: "The virus in its predatory destruction seems to underline the responsibilty of the living; life's an unlikely miracle, an occasion of strangeness and surprize, and isn't it appalling to dismiss it, to discard the gift?" The book is like sledding down a hill- a wild, wind-burnt, painfully exhilarating ride to the core of the spirit.

White Wolf has captured the mysticism and uniqueness of the Orient in KotE, and describe an imaginative race of vampires that in no way are a copy of western vampires. In fact, after reading KotE, I think western vampires are quite boring and without purpose. Together with the rest of WW's Asia-oriented books, like Hengeyokai, KotE is a masterpiece. The only downside is that maybe it's not very easy to play KotE compared to Vampire, and it's definitely harder to find the right Asian atmosphere. But other than that, it's perfect.

Well Well. This has got to be one of the best books That Ive ever read. This is ranked up there with the traditions gathered Volume 2 and the Clan Novel Series. White Wolf Produces a new breed of Vampire, and, oddly enough, a Breed who's origin is more beleiveable then the Original Vampire's. A slew of new ( and very cool ) Powers, and Dharmas. You should Pick up the Companion too, its fullof more minority Dharma's and powers.

I think this is the best book that White Wolf has published so far. If you have any interest in "vampires" from Asia, this is the book to get, followed by The 1000 Hells. Even if you never actually play an eastern vampire, this book is a great read.

OK, I have never found a technical book that answers all my questions but this one comes as close as any I have seen. My concern is Windows 2000 security and managing that beast know as Active Directory. Both of these issues have dominated the press as the downside of Windows 2000. Fortunately, this work positively addresses the issues heads-on. The book reviews the major issues in an easy to understand format and then provides proactive actions for effective implementation. While I have several specialized books that address Active Directory and security issues, this book frankly does a better job than these specialized texts. This also is the only book that integrates the concepts. I only wish I had bought this heavy duty book earlier. Hopefully the authors have a Windows .NET book in the works.

I am an IT manager requiring both theoretic and practical guidance on the deployment and management of Windows 2000. Prior to purchasing this book, I bought other "administration guides" from Microsoft Press and several other publishers. While they were reasonably helpful, they lacked real depth and an understanding of what I face. They generally spend hundreds of pages on basic issues like print and file server functions, and ignored more advanced topics By contrast, this book digs-in. For example, it provides an exceptional theory chapter on Active Directory. This is followed by a comphrensive implementation chapter. Another strength is the various chapters on security, Kerberos, PKI, and virtual private networks.This is truly the only book I have seen that handles both basic level and advanced topics in a comprehensive and an easy to read fashion.

First of all, I have no training in A+ or MCSE and I'm not a sysadmin. I was really just looking for a book that completely covered Windows 2000 Professional and Server so that I could set up my home LAN properly (5 machines), and to be able to get some ASP coding done. The book is very well written (as I look at my sagging shelf of telephone-book-sized doorstops, ... each written so poorly you'd think English may have been the author's third or fourth language...) and great for a newcomer. Some of the issues went right over my head, but that's ok...like I said, I'm new. Also I learned a lot about the operating system in general. One would think that after using a computer for years Windows is Windows...which it definitely is not. Lots of attention to the OS as a whole. Good chapter(s) on Active Directory. Some good stuff on basic networking, too. You get it all with this book...light weight to hard-core.

All you anti-Active-Directory NT whiners out there, if I can do it, so can you! Took me about two weeks of reading, planning, studying, and executing my network...which is now on an Active Directory-based domain ... Just go buy it. Thank you Williams and Walla!

This book is a valuable resource for people starting a tech company or running one from the business side. I thought it was worth the money and feel that there are lot's of valuable hints especially in the 'landmines lurking on the net' area. I got great value out of the concepts hidden deep in the pages. The 'links' to online resources are dated and the writing could be better at the start but overall the theory is great.

I can't stand reviews in general but the negative ones on this book suck. This is an unusually good starter book on e-commerce. Note I said starter...not expert (read the title). I like the approach and the content. I can't find more than a couple of references to the authors websites and if you've ever listen to a Comdex keynote, self promotion is the name of this game anyways. The fact that they only made a few references is surprising in this day and age. Here's what's good and bad. The good is the forward looking stuff. The bad is that this stuff dates very fast (it needs an updating especially website references). The basic stuff on business design is good but the stock stuff is maybe better suited for a book on the stock market. It's a bit slow at the start and that's bad but picks up the pace after the first chapter and that's good. If you do e-commerce, buy the book and you'll learn something unless your some kind of freakin e-wonderboy. But then you wouldn't be reading a "Complete Idiot's Guide now would ya?

This book has more depth on e-commerce than most e-commerce books. That is surprising since it is a "Complete Idiot's" series. The applicability to the business side of e-commerce is especially good. The book, taken as a whole, is a great starter's bible on e-commerce and technology businesses in general. If you want to know how to program Java or build a router from scratch then you'll need a different book but if you are building a company (any company) then don't miss some of the gems of wisdom buried deep in the book.