Sort of a Filipino(-American) _Crying of Lot 49_, this brisk picaresque novel satirizes Filipino political life..., American slackerdom, and mothers' sexual domination of surrogate sons. Call it "brown humor" rather than "black humor," with a low-to-no-initiative protagonist and a series of strong, focused Filipinas vying for his Angloish body. The flippant narrative, which what a Filipino post-Freudian Jonathan Swift might serve, goes down easily, but is likely to cause heartburn if masticated.

It's written as a satire, but a reader couched in Filipino-American history can't help but think that everything Bacho writes is possible. He successfully gets people to think about the complicated relationship of white-love that the "native" Filipinos and the Filipino diaspora share with white America. It's VERY much worth the read.

Nelson's Run by novelist Peter Bacho is a tongue-in-cheek satire about the protagonist Nelson, a man who, in his fervent desire to escape work or long-term relationships for the heady pleasures of hedonism, finds himself inexorably drawn between conflicting paths and two very attractive tango dancers on the war-stricken Philippine island of Samar. Sexy, funny, but also a darkly twisted work of compelling fiction, Nelson's Run is an engaging ride full of sharp edges and sudden turns.

I live out of this book. A must for anyone going outdoors in the South. I continue to impress my friends with the knowledge I retain from this book. If you are packing on the trail this is the book for you. Don't carry 10 different books. This is the only one you need.

This field guid is really easy to extract information from. My sister-inlaw, who lives on a boat traveling all around the southeastern states, absconded with mine and I was left in the dark. I own many audubon field guides but I truely like the format of this one because all aspects are under one cover. It makes my pack much lighter! Alden and Nelson do a wonderful job for introducing the newcomer to the southern states. Thank you, JE Rifkin

This is the first book I have read in over a year...I enjoy it a lot my favorite Character ( a though dead in this book) is Janet the petite, spunky girl, who demonstrated her spirit many times while they were buried in the darkness together. She hit by a bus in an early book I have yet to read...But if you want a page turner GET THIS ONE!!!

This is book #6 in the Mollie Fox series. In this book Mollie solves the mystery from book#5 (Death Threat). She also encounters characters from the other books, First to Die(#1), Double Dose(#2), The Third Degree(#3), Fourth-Quarter Fix(#4), and Death Threat(#5). In Six Deadly Lies Mollie finds out about a new Mafia gang that is arriveing in the US. She also finds out what really happened to her friend Janet Tze who was "accidently" hit by a bus. But if Mollie dosen't find out who's behind it all in time, she'll be the next to die.

This is an entertaining tale of political intrigue, murder, and nuclear arms. The authors argue that the South African apartheid government developed a highly advanced form of nuclear weapon using "red mercury", and that this technology later found its way to rogue states in the Middle East -- thus mobilising out of control security agencies such as the CIA and Mossad to track down the people responsible. The story is an entertaining one, but the consensus today is that "red mercury" does not exist. It is a hoax. That nuclear weapon technology found its way to countries such as Russia, Iraq, and Syria is much more likely. Much more interesting is the authors' claim that although the South African government was supposed to have destroyed its nuclear weapons arsenal in 1993, many devices found their way into the hands of right-wing groups who have stashed them at secret locations throughout the Transvaal as a way to "blackmail" the communist ANC government. I for one hope this is true, as it gives our white brethren in South Africa a way to fight back against the black communist ANC regime. All in all an interesting book, but I suggest that you take it with a pinch of salt.

This book adds materially to the stock of information on the subject of Red Mercury, something that few publications succeed in doing. See, in this respect, the list of Russian export documents and their associated authorisations on pages 288 to 290. Unfortunately, the headings include 'Volume in Kg.' but, in such an (otherwise) informative account, it is easy to overlook such blemishes. The footnote reference to Dr. Arthur Sleight's report on his synthesis of the Red Mercury base compound, mercuric pyro-antimoniate, which appeared in the Journal of Inorganic Chemistry (volume 7, no.9) has an importance completely out of proportion to the space allocated to it in the thriller, but no other document dealing with the subject cared to mention it at that time (1995). The report was responsible for the key compound acquiring a number in the International Chemical Register: 20720-76-7. The book is unique in drawing attention to the activities of Thor Chemicals' South African branch and there are sufficient scandals exposed in its pages to provide material for several documentaries and many more books.

1978 SOUTH AFRICA TESTS THEIR FIRST NUCLEAR WEAPON. USA AND USSR ARE SURPRISED AND CONFIRM THAT THE TEST OCCURRED.NAZI/FASCIST BOTHA ("THE HOMELAND BLACK IN SOUTH AFRICA IS ONLY IN THIS COUNTRY TO SELL HIS LABOR", 1970's BOTHA'S SPEECHES ) AND THEN DEKLEERK HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS.1993 DEKLEERK ANNOUNCES TO THE WORLD SOUTH AFRICA WILL DISARM AND DISMANTLE THEIR NUCLEAR WEAPONS/ICBM MISSILE PROGRAM. DID THEY?WELL KNOWN BRITISH NEWSPAPER AND TELEVISION INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS, PETER HOUNAM AND STEVE MCQUILLAN RESEARCH AND TRAVEL TO SOUTH AFRICA AND INTERVIEW THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTORS AND OVERSEERS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NUCLEAR WEAPONS DISARMING AND DISMANTLING PROGRAM.QUOTE FROM SOUTH AFRICA'S TOP INSPECTOR, ALSO KNOWN AS "TNE TERMINATOR" OF SOUTH AFRICA'S NUCLEAR STOCKPILE, "THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT OF CHEATING." AND PROFESSOR WYNAND MOUTON(same) IS NOT SURE EVERYTHING IS DESTROYED.NUKES IN IRAQ? NO. WORLD INSPECTORS AGREE.CHINA HAS HAD 12,000 MILE MISSILES AND AT LEAST FIVE HUNDRED NUCLEAR WEAPONS SINCE THE MID-SEVENTIES. IN 1976 A PRINCETON SENIOR WRITES A PAPER ON HOW TO MAKE A NUCLEAR WEAPON AND THE PAPER IS IMMEDIATELY DECLARED "TOP SECRET". NO NUKES PEACE NOWLEO SZILARD (EINSTEIN'S STUDENT)HIS THREE POINTS:1. THERE ARE NO SECRETS2. THERE IS NO DEFENSE3. IT IS A CRIME WHAT WE DO TO EACHOTHER UNTIL WE ALL RID THE WORLD OF THESE WEAPONS.REVELATION - TO REVEALAPOCALYPSE - THE OPPOSITE OF HIDING A GOOD BOOK BUY IT AND INFORM YOURSELF.

Hard to read. It only has a couple of different designs for treehouses. This is for an experienced builder.

This is a book to read before you even decide what type of structure you want to build. This book is not a book of plans or a quick-read instruction manual of how to build tree houses. This is a serious book about the most important part of the process: the planning.

Nelson begs us to realize that first we must select the tree(s) and that the characteristics of the tree(s) will dictate what size and type of structure can be built. Nelson includes information about which trees are best suited for building in, taking their strength and growing characteristics. This is great information to know, and something I think my tree landscaping books don't include. We learn that the growth of some trees will actually crush the structure over time, while others are too weak to safely hold up a structure, let alone one with people inside it.

The key element in this book is safety. Nelson gives detailed information about how to build a structure that is safe to inhabit, whether it is a playhouse for children or an actual house for adults to use to work or live in. I was surprised to see that some of the tree houses in the book are for actually living in and working in!

Several different methods to attach the structure to the tree are outlined in detail. Exactly what type and how many tree "attachments" to use is explained, such as too many direct nailings into the tree will kill it. I think this information is key.

Looking at the plans for the tree houses in the book, I realized the quality of the workmanship surpasses houses that I have lived in. These are not quick slap-up tree houses, not the type where you use scrap wood that you have lying around. The houses featured have fine edgings, safe banisters and ladders for climbing, beautiful doors and windows. Some have balconies!

Anyone considering building a tree house should read this book first lest they waste their time building a tree house that later kills the tree, ends up being not-secure, or is flat out unsafe for people to use. As a non-carpenter, frankly I am feeling intimidated and doubt I have trees on my property that are worthy!

I wish I had this book the first time around. The tree house I built for my wife was tragically destroyed late one summer. We chose a tree on the basis of its strength. It happened to be one of the maple trees flourishing on the edge of our property in Syracuse, the heart of central New York. Unfortunately, there was a mammoth storm on Labor Day in 1998. The treehouse was destroyed, as was the tree and the car beneath it. This book was an incredible asset in the rebuilding process of our dream tree house.

This book might look good on a coffee table, but that's about all. It gives little information on how to build treehouses and lacks the genearal knowledge of other treehouse authors. If you want the best book on treehouses, check-out the original, The Treehouse Book, by David Stiles. His book gives detailed designs on how to build many different treehouses and helps you decide which one is best for you. Mr Stiles has written on the subject for over thirty years and has published several other books on treehouses, including, Tree Houses You Can Actually Build. These books enlighten and inform, rather than just visually stimulate. Anyone interested in learning about or building a treehouse would do well to pass on this book and go straight to the source--Mr Stiles--the treehouse guru.

What a delightful book filled with mystical wonder and beautiful photography. We generally associate treehouses with children and the exuberance of youth, but....I want one! My own space, a private place to recapture lost youth, a place to dream, recollect thoughts, be at one with the stars and the universe - how magical life could be. There is no question my talented husband could build one; though not a professional, he truly is talented at that sort of thing as a hobby. But, there is a chance I would appear in the backyard on a bright summer's morn, only to hear him exclaim, "Treehouse? You wanted a treehouse? I thought you said "birdhouse," and then I do have a problem because how would I ever fit through that that tiny little round hole in the centre? Even if he did get the plans right, there is also the off-chance my family would insist on building a safety net around the treehouse, just in case dear old granny fell OUT of her tree! Possibly, they would insist the resident counsellor also have her own "branches checked out," just in case she was missing a few twigs off the upper branch.

Well, whether you are simply dreaming or actually making a treehouse a reality, this is a wonderful book filled with beautiful photography and treehouses galore of every description. The authors have put extensive research into this intriguing and attractive book, so if you are fascinated by treehouses, this is a book you are sure to enjoy.

I have read every one of Peter Nelson's books, and he is not only a beautiful writer, but also a gifted craftsman. If you want to dream about living in the trees or even make it a reality...each of these books will give you a wonder-filled ride through the pages as well as technical information and all the motivation you might need to build your own. The stories and photographs are breath taking and alive. I have been lucky enough to witness Peter Nelson's craftsmanship in person, but it also comes alive through the pages of all three of his books. Go buy each one of the books right away and see for yourself the wonder of "living out on a limb". Fantastic!

In comparison with Levinson's book on Harry James (superb) this is disappointing. Levinson admittedly has a problem with Riddle himself, who comes across as a dour, insecure, often bitter, man. He turns-out not to be a great subject, which is a pity, given his undeniable influence on some of the best American popular music of the century. There are some interesting insights into his work with Dorsey, Cole and Sinatra in particular, though I felt the book concentrated too much on the difficulties of his relationship with Sinatra. I don't think any Sinatra fan would deny Riddle's enormous influence on Sinatra's work. Without Sinatra, however, it seems unlikely Riddle would be remembered as he is today. Sinatra, probably more than any other performer, took pains to compliment the work of his arrangers, especially on stage. Riddle and Peter Levinson, unfortunately, appear to have undervalued this. It's certainly worth a read as a contribution to the, fortunately, growing body of literature on the swing era and the big bands, but Trumpet Blues is far superior.

This is a long-overdue biography of the greatest of the musical arrangers of the great period of adult pop music in the 1950s and 1960s. Much has been made of Riddle's contribution to the careers of Sinatra, Cole, Fitzgerald in re-issued album liner notes, but little has been said about Riddle the man and musician independently in his own right. This book goes a long way to redressing the balance.

Unfortunately, arrangers are often the unsung heroes of pop music. They received little public recognition for their outstanding work which is often as intrinsically important to the interpretation of a song as the sheet music, lyrics and the singer themselves. It is nice that Riddle receives a lot of praise here.

The information in the book is mostly cogent and informative. Levinson unfortunately makes some errors that indicates that he (and the editor) is not familiar with all Riddle's work i.e. he says that Riddle's arrangement of "When You're Lover Has Gone" for Sue Raney is upbeat in contrast to Keely Smith's 'downer' arrangement. In fact, the opposite is true; mistakes like this are annoying to a music fan as these works are great Riddle arrangements.

Levinson also glosses over certain pieces of work; Nelson's arrangements for Shirley Bassey and Danny Williams are hardly mentioned. Nelson's arrangement of "What Now My Love" played a big part in Bassey's first breakthrough into pop's top echelon.

Generally, however, this book is a good overview of Riddle's life and career. A detailed discography (LP and CD-reissues) would have been a nice touch and certain areas would have benefitted from more detail but on the whole this is a very worthy endeavour.

Few may recall Nelson Riddle, but he produced the music which made Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and other vocalists famous. Peter Levinson's September In The Rain is based on over two hundred personal interviews with Riddle's friends and family and discusses his life and many contributions.

This book wasn't very good because the climax is cut short and they made a dumb ending to the book. The plot is good, but again, the book needs a better ending. The plot starts out great, then it builds up and gets very interesting, but then it just dies out as they wrap up the story. It starts out, Mollie and five other friends, start a call-in Truth Line. A mysterious caller keeps calling in and threatening to ruin the science competition. Then there is destruction of projects and a threatening killer. The killer threats to cut off body parts unless you don't participate in the competition. Everyone thinks it is a joke, projects get ruined and people almost die from an explosion. Mollie and her friends try and tackle the destroyer of the projects and track down this caller. One of Molly's friend's project is on the computer, and somehow is deleted. The winner of the science competition wins $10,000 check. They couldn't believe that the stupidest kid in the school won the competition. Even after the competition, the caller still threats to kill Mollie and her friends. Will they track down this killer and who was behind this?

I loved the book- you have to have been a fan since Book #1 from Peter Nelson on Mollie Fox, then you would understand everything. Great plot, beautiful humor and story. Still trying to find the book that continues from the end of this story- which of course makes you wonder. Gotta keep buying these books!

This book is great. It is book #5 in the Mollie Fox series, that starts with First to Die(#1), Double Dose(#2), The Third Degree(#3), and Fourth-Quarter Fix(#4). In Death Threat Mollie has to try to find out who is sabatoging the school science projects. During the hunt for clues Mollie discovers some shocking secrets about the people she knows. This book ends on a cliff hanger with Mollie in danger of being killed. The story goes on in the next book in the series, Six Deadly Lies(#6), which I belive is the last book in the series.

These four professors are at the top of the historical profession, and their thoughts on the regions in whose histories they specialize will fascinate any reader. Whether it's the newness of the black-and-white New England house facade, the contingency of the identity of a "South," or any of a number of other questions they consider, virtually every point made in this book is made both deftly and with great learning. Ayers and Onuf, in particular, are simply great stylists. Buy it, you'll like it!

I have used the Cooke text in teaching electronics math for a few years now. The treatment is thorough if a bit technical. If you want a good math book without electronics theory look elsewhere. The electronics is rigorous but the book is a good companion to Grob's Basis Electronics.