"Instant Notes in Microbiology" is a cheap and cheerful alternative to the proliferation of glossy microbiology textbooks which the North American market has spawned over the last decade. If cheap and cheerful puts you off, it shouldn't. The book is comprehensive, well written, well illustrated (in black and white), and importantly, reasonably priced. Unashamedly concentrating on a non-medical approach to microbiology (although medical microbiology is covered as well), the book lives up to it's title and presents a wide range of material concisely in an extended note format.
So what's the downside? I wonder if students can be weaned away from the Technicolor extravaganzas which compete for their attention, or if lecturers can be persuaded to adopt this minimalist volume as opposed to the competition? Also, while this is an excellent introduction to microbiology, to progress to a deeper understanding of specific topics, students will need to be persuaded to undertake extra reading and research. As we know, back to basics can have it's pitfalls, but put to the purpose for which it is intended, this is the most useful microbiology textbook it has been my pleasure to read for many years.....

I have been traditionally schooled as a molecular biologist and had not dealt with microbiology since an intro course in college. When a new job landed me in a bacterial research lab, I panicked. This book has provided me with a great review of microbiology and prompted me to remember things I didn't know that I knew! The text is clearly stated and easy to understand. There are many cross references to other sections of the book which help to tie concepts together in a quick and concise manner. The diagrams are well drawn and very concise. I would recommend this book for those who have had some micro, but feel the need to brush up on the basic concepts.

To the person who recommended this book to me--thank you!

The title for my review is taken from a line in the introduction of this book. The line in the introduction refers to a statement made by A. Lincoln. He was referring to the nurses of the Civil War. I use this line because the entire booklet is a tribute.

I was able to learn more from these pages than from hours in a classroom. The authors have a definite flair for writing interesting and informative material. I will be excited to read future works by the MacCaskill/Novak writing team.

First of all--this book was recommended to me--thank you!

I am taking a line from the introduction of this book for the title of this review. In this book, this line refers to the words of Abraham Lincoln, in praise, of the women of the United States during the Civil War.

This booklet is a tribute. Well written and informative, I have learned more in these pages than I ever have in hours in the classroom. I would like to thank the authors of this book. I will look forward to reading any future works by the Libby/Novak team.

I first read the book when I was four. I am now, at the age of ninteen, a fully qualified obstrician/gynecologist, all because of this book. I have now, of course, read this several times, but it is still like reading it for the first time. As the title implies, my father is David Olive, the editor of this book. I fully recommend this book to anyone who is remotely interested in a profession as a gynecologist.

A comprehensive book, essential to every Ob-Gyn resident or clinician. Takes you from the basics of anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive tract to the management of complicated gynecologic conditions.

In Against Holy War, Chicago poet David Novak tackles a subject that is as timely as it is important, as urgent as it is controversial. This compendium of informed and informative verse persuasively argues that love is an appropriate response to the irrational hatred and random violence that seeks to advance political, religious, and sociological agendas. Though There has been declared against us/A holy war,/With peace our Lord has recompensed us/Forevermore.//Though we must die amidst this vale/Of grief and strife,/God gave the gift that cannot fail:/Eternal life.

This book is exactly what the title states: basic mathematics from the very beginning. Each step is very clear, with reinforcing practice and word problems worked in at every step. The index is very well organized for searching a specific concept or to find exactly when it was introduced. As an educator with the dirty little secret of having "Math Anxiety", I have returned to this book time and again when I need a safe atmosphere for reviewing any mathematical concept. Covers the basic four arithmetical operations, then fractions, decimals, ratios, percent, measure ment, geometry, and introduction to algebra. Excellent!

This is an excellent introduction to the art ofStorytelling. Mr. Novak is a skilled storytelling and his choice ofstories is marvelous. He also includes recitations of poetry, which are equally engaging. My children love this tape, and listen to it over and over again.

As scary as the reality of prison is it is something that I have to face. DOWNTIME was highly recommended by my attorney. He made it clear that as much as he knew about the law he was at a loss when it came to what I would be facing after sentencing.

Everybody in my family read this book and although I am still apprehensive the majority of my questions have been answered. David Novak - the author of the book - writes in a way that makes it clear he knows what he is talking about. I highly recommend this book. I also highly recommend speaking with David (I was surprised by how available he was). As strange as it sounds speaking to somebody who has been there has made all the difference for me and my family.

R. Novak attempts to retreive a number of critical Jewish philosophic and religious notions in this work: Choseness, revealation, divinely imposed obligation. He works against the background of Spinoza's pantheism and critical approach. He is strongest in pointing out the weakness of the enlightenment arguements, but nonetheless makes a powerful case for re-intrepeting in contemporary terms traditionalist arguments. A necessary book for any serious student of the modern Jewish philosophic condition.

This is a Fantastic book for any age. My children loved it too.

In September 2000 at the time of the Jewish High Holidays, the editors of this book published a statement in the New York Times titled, "A Jewish Statement on Christians and Christianity." The statement recounted how, in the years following the Holocaust, Christian denominations had expressed sorrow over the Holocaust and over Christian anti-semitism over the ages. The editors believed these outreach and healing efforts by Christians merited "a thoughtful Jewish response" and an attempt by Jewish people to rethink and reconsider their own attitudes to Christianity. They offered eight statements in an attempt to show common grounds for understanding and respect between Jews and Christians.

This book is an outgrowth of the initial statement of September, 2000. The editiors are part of an organization known as the Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies, an organization composed of both Christian and Jewish scholars, with the goal of promoting Jewish-Christian understanding.

The goals of the Statement, the Institute, and this Book are of great importance and worth. The effort which is undertaken in this book (which, as the editors indicate as hardly a new one)should continue to the benefit of both Jews and Christians.

This book is structured essentially as a conversation among Jewish and Christian scholars. Following the Statement and two introductory essays, the book is organized by topic. There is an initial essay on the topic by a Jewish writer followed by two essays, one by by a Jewish writer the other by a Christian writer. The topics chosen for discussion are serious and important for inter-faith understanding and include the Holocaust, concepts of God, Scripture, commandment, the place of Israel, the nature of prayer, the attitutes of Jews and Christians towards suffering, incarnation, redemption, and sin and repentance. There is also a discussion of the meanings each faith finds in the Biblical statement that man is created in the image of God.

These writers treat theses topics with respect, with humility and with depth. One can only be awed by the complexity of the teachings included in each tradition and by the learning shown by the participants in this venture. The essays will teach readers the complexity of the tradition of which they are a part as well as suggesting the overlaps with the sister tradition, the possible agreements, and the core of areas in which Judaism and Christianity simply differ.

As would be expected, the essays are not of uniform quality. In some instances, I thought the writers got sidetracked into discussions of matters such as political activism and feminism which, to me, detract and don't add from the questions Jews and Christians need to discuss one to another. Also, although there is some discussion of Kabbalistic themes in Judaism and attempts to relate these themes to Christianity, the book could have used much more. I think there is room for discussion of how the contemplative tradition in each faith can work to promote a sense of sharedness. As it is, the book is deep, thoughtful, but perhaps too (if this is possible) intellectualized.

I was particularly impressed with Irving Greenberg's essay "Judaism and Christianity: Covenants of Redemption" and the reponses. I liked the impression given to Philo's writings as a source of common ground between Jews and Christians in Hindy Naiman's essay. And I thought Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer's essay "Redemption:What I have Learned from Christians" showed me I had much to learn as well.

This is a book that promotes an attitute of understanding and shared respect that has antecendents but still is long overdue. It encourages one to pursue in one's life the tradition of "prayer and study" common to both these venerable religous traditions.

This is one of the most important books available, not just for those already initiated into J/C relations. Every Christan Pastor in every denomination needs to use this book as a new source of balance as they attempt to nourish their congregations in an accurate understanding of God, scripture, and a host of other central faith topics, note the word "central."

The light that eminates from this collection of writings is profound. This balance is what you will not recieve in Seminary training, except from a very few knowledgable educators. The Christian world must listen, and this book is one of the most important collective "voices" to hear from.

I wish I could give this book six stars. I can't remember the last time a work of Jewish-Christian dialogue seized my mind, challenged me, and opened up new avenues to understanding. It's a series of essays penned by Jewish scholars, each of which is followed by a pair of response-essays, one by another Jewish specialist, the other by a Christian. Topics include the law and ethics, salvation history and covenantal pluralism, liturgy and worship, suffering and martyrdom, incarnation theology, and redemption -- all explicated in Jewish and Christian terms, but with a focus on Jewish origins.

All contributors (thirty-two, by my count) steer clear of the common errors which poison religious dialogue: triumphalism, proselytization, syncretism, relativism. (1) Triumphalists believe that no commonalities can be found between the two religions, Jews claiming that Christianity is a deviant form of its parent faith, Christians that Judaism was only a precursor to (and is now superseded by) its successor faith. The authors affirm many commonalities between the two religions, and that denying them is as much a distortion of one as the other. (2) Proselytizers use Jewish-Christian dialogue as a venue by which to persuade the other side to "convert". The authors, while allowing that either side might naturally wish for the conversion of others, do not approve of using dialogue to realize this hope. (3) Syncretists attempt to construct a new religious reality out of various elements of Judaism and Christianity. The authors reject this as idolatrous and trivializing. (4) Relativists deny that some things are true everywhere for everyone. The authors, while recognizing commonalities between the two religions, also know that the ultimate truth claims of Judaism and Christianity are different and thus mutually exclusive.

The dynamic interactions throughout this book show that authentic Jewish-Christian dialogue can succeed without both sides offending the other and (equally important) without both sides becoming one. As an orthodox Jewish theologian puts it, "True dialogue is dialogue that respects difference and is animated by it." This is essential reading material for any who are actively involved in Jewish-Christian relations, or for any who have an abiding interest in the Jewish origins of Christianity.