After taking yet another one of Prof. Figueira's courses on the ancient world, I was pleased to read something that was less overpowering to my mind. I think that Profs. Figueira and Brennan were able to capyture the similarities between our modern world and that of the ancient. They were able to apply concepts that we readily know now, to a world that we won't understand immediately. In particular the emphasis on ancient coinage was employed well.

Caution: Some of the translations here are pretty raw in describing sexual matters. If such things offend you, this book may not be the ideal way for you to learn about better business practices.

The ancient Greeks and Romans were very concerned with political, military, and financial effectiveness. Since human nature changes slowly, if at all, we should not be surprised to learn that many ancient leaders and authors had quite a lot to say that is of relevance today. The book's subjects relate to many of the tricky areas of human interaction and psychology. There are sections on leadership, building and losing constituencies, consulting and decision making, strategy, competition, collegiality and teamwork, risk taking, recognizing opportunity, communications, management-employee relations, motivation, hiring and firing, delegation, and handling success and coping with mistakes.

I found the ancient materials very interesting, learning about classical figures I had not heard of before. I would have enjoyed the book even if it had not been presented as a business management book. Since the work is done by classicists, the ancient references are numerous, well chosen and spicy.

As a management guide, the book is not nearly as big a success. However, I did not find it any less good than any of the books I read which regurgitate what other writers have had to say before.

There were no big "ah-ha's" for me. Maybe I've been reading too many management books.

On the other hand, I didn't read anything here that was a bad idea for a business person to think about.

There's some very fine humor in several sections. For example, the "consultants" are usually seers, interpreters of oracles, and advisors. The explanations given for bad advice by the "consultants" are often pretty funny.

Many people report knowing better when they make a mistake in these areas . . . but taking the wrong path anyway. Now I wonder what the ancients would have had to say about that?

Think carefully, especially when you feel caught up in an emotional reaction!

After reading A. Julius Fazekas' African Diamond, a book about travel and adventure, I was completely transformed and experienced first-hand in his description the wilds and beauty as well as his vision of South Africa. There are many good moments in this book, especially the author's unabashed love of nature and feeling of oneness with Africa.

The beautiful geographic locations and their protrayal is very well outlined and makes one want to see even more of this truly marvelous place. In other words, this is also a literary travel book and is much more than just a hunting story.

Historical topics are also mentioned and there are numerous references and quotes from previous hunters and travellers of Africa past, such as Frederick Selous, Adulphe Delagorgue and John Campbell and others which gives us an even more insightful glance at the experience.

The safari and nature premise is also very well depicted and gives big game hunting the merit it deserves, and not only the experience of killing animals at random which is often the distorted view. Of special note is the author's full explanation regarding the hunt and the particular role hunting plays in conservation techniques in well regulated hunting ranches that were travelled.

The coloured photos of which there are 80, are also quite delightful and one can clearly see the beauty of the country as well as the wild life and hunt. The impressive artistic illustrations of wild game are also worth a mention.

Therefore, the first effort of this author should be commended, since the book was written from the heart of one man's love of travel and adventure in the wilds of Africa. Read it you will enjoy it tremendously. A good read!

This book truly lives up to it's title. If you are looking for cutesy jokes, DO NOT buy this book! BUY IT if you like twisted adult, ethnic & off-the-wall jokes. Really Enjoyed It!

This book is great for the imgination! I have read this several times and have never been bored. The characters are amazing and the stories are wonderful.

Zimmerman creates an entertaining graphic novel for adults with Blind Squirrel vol. 1. This fine book boasts great artwork featuring b/w near realistic drawings with a textured feel and excellent expressions from the well drawn characters. The stories are setup as vignettes with comedic twists at the end. The scenes are explicit and although geared towards a male audience, they are not likely to offend female readers.

The title says it all. This book contains jokes that are twisted, sick & VERY GROSS! I truly enjoyed it! My only complaint is that there aren't enough pages. Guess I'll have to buy some other books from this collection!

Theodore H. White became known for his three versions of "The Making of the President," one of which won a Pulitzer Prize. So when one of the more astute political observers of his day writes a play about power politics and a pivotal moment set a half-century before the birth of Christ the work has to be of at least passing interest. "Caesar at the Rubicon" seeks to explore the psychology behind the decision that has become a political shorthand term for making an irrevocable decision that sets a fateful course.

As Caesar sat with his legions on the far side of the Rubicon, Rome was a city where mobs rioted in the streets, murder was a political tactic, and extermination a foreign policy. But for White the figure of Julilus Caesar stands out because the author sees the general as seriously questioning the limits of force and first tentatively exploring mercy as a governmental policy. After all, Ceasar treated his captive Vercingetorix, leader of the Gauls, with a respect and consideration that amazed his political foes. But from our contemporary perspective, whether we are talking 1971 when the play was first produced at Princeton's McCarter theater or today, the paradox of a world power trying to deal with force and mercy is painfully important.

"Caesar at the Rubicon" takes place in the year 50 B.C.E., when Caesar has returned to Italy after a nine-year campaign beyond the Alps. With 50,000 legionnaires he has conquered the three parts of Gaul with its 15 million barbarians. Caesar expects a triumphal welcome at which point he plans to run for the office of Consul. Then he will be in a position to impose on Rome the unwelcome reforms he knows are necessary to turn the corrupt capital on the path to true greatness. Caesar is a man of poltiics, who understands the way to sway votes and to mobilize the ordinary citizens of Rome against the "factio paucorum" ("faction of the few") who rule. But as long as Caesar wears the scarlet cape of Imperator, supreme military commander of the Republic, he is forbidden to cross the river Rubicon with his legions unless he receives permission from the Senate. This permission is about to be denied.

This play focuses on the political debate, not only between Caesar's earnest suporters for the benefit of their leader, but the internal struggle that is revealed in Caesar's monologues where the future dictator repeatedly declares he does not want to be a god. But when his envoys are forced to flee the city and word comes that Pompey's men are patrolling the streets while the citizens gather and speak in whispers, Caesar is forced to make his fateful decision. The result would be the end of the Roman Republic.

What is most fascinating about this play is the way White makes it speak to two totally different worlds. Students of Roman history will argue about the playwright's fidelity to the people and details of that time while those interested in the power politics of the late 20th century will be equally provoked to debate White's implicit assumptions about how the United States should be flexing its international muscles. Ultimately, "Caesar at the Rubicon" is neither history nor drama, but a creative exercise in political rhetoric. The play ends with the announcement of Pollio the historian "We cross the Rubicon at dawn," and while we know the consequences of that action to that time and place, it is the political calculus that the play constructs that you continue to go over in your mind.

The ability to convert data into a form that is readable only by a selected group has been a matter of utmost importance for thousands of years. The fate of entire nations has rested on the ability of a nation to keep their messages secure or accurately unravel the messages of opponents. The most celebrated cases involve instances of war, where the messages sent by the Germans and Japanese were intercepted and decrypted by the allies. While not decisive in the outcome of the war, the knowledge gained was of enormous value and did a great deal to assist in the victory. By far, the most well known case is that of the Enigma machine used by the Germans in world war two. The British were able to break the code and the knowledge they obtained made a significant difference in the early years of the war.
Encryption is now a foundation pillar of modern society. Trillions of dollars are now electronically exchanged over the course of a year, and the entire world economy is now dependent on the ability of computers to exchange data in a manner that is accurate and secure from fraud. While security over the Internet is the most widely cited example, most of the data is exchanged over private lines.
The first documented case of encryption being used in war is when Julius Caesar used a simple substitution cipher to send orders to his troops. That and all similar codes is where the book begins. After that, there is a very detailed examination of the Enigma and Hagelin machines, right down to how the wheels interact. This part of the book was by far the most interesting, as well as the descriptions of how it was possible for the allied cryptographers to break the Enigma code. It turns out that the breaking of the codes was not due to a flaw in the machine, but in the way it was used. The remaining part of the book is filled with a description of public key cryptography and the applications for the Internet.
The sections on the substitution ciphers and public key cryptography are good but fairly standard. Problems are given at the end of each chapter and solutions are in the back of the book. What makes this book unique is the mechanical descriptions of the Enigma and Hagelin cipher machines. If you are interested only in the mathematics of encryption, then you will most likely not find them interesting. However, if you are like me and are interested in the mechanical aspects of the machines, then you will like it.

The experience of pilot test and commercial applications of column flotation. The first book to consider column floation design and operation experience and to present data on column parameters.

This is one of a pair of books by Johnson which gives detailed information for cruising the coast of Maine. The companion book is Cruising Guide to Maine Vol II Rockport to Eastport. The books provide an excellent set of discriptions of the various ports and thier attractions including restaruants, marine supplies, fuel water etc. The books are loaded with charts that show prefered routes into tricky harbors with rocks and other obstructions clearly identified. A must for the cruising sailor who wants to explore the mysteries and splendor of the Maine coast.