The text in this little booklet is much too short, but since it is part of a series of pamphlets called 'Postmodern Encounters,' I suppose its brevity was a requirement set down by the publisher. Basically it is an examination of why theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking has become such a widely recognized cultural icon, even though his field of research (astrophysics and cosmology) is hardly understood by most people. Coles even speculates, correctly I think, that vast majority of those who bought his best-selling 'Brief History of Time' probably did not even bother reading it. Even though Coles never implies that Hawking is anything but a brilliant scientist and top-notch researcher, he also points out that Hawking can hardly be placed in the company of such 'revolutionary' physicists as Galileo, Newton or Einstein ' even though is how he is now perceived in the popular mind. Coles thus explores how this assignment of an almost guru-like status for Hawking came about. Along the way, Coles also provides a summary of the basic ideas underlying relativity theory and quantum physics, geared toward compleat idiots such as myself. This section actually accounts for the bulk of the text, and makes his rather brief investigation of the Hawking phenomenon all the more tantalizing. This subject matter deserves a much more detailed study ' hopefully Coles is working on a more comprehensive book.

This book teaches facts about the Hammerhead shark in a storybook format. The Hammerhead is born, swims away, then begins her life's work : searching for food. We learn why it is practical for Hammerhead to have such widely spaced eyes. Facts about other ocean creatures are included when they fit the story. The illustrations are realistic, including blood when Hammerhead scores dinner. I estimate this book is best for ages 4 - 8; short but informative.

Another great collection of Sci-Fi Novels, a collection of Six stories that join into one big story... All of them have separate storylines which all coincide towards the end.

A great read for anyone on holiday and nothing much to do... Reads easily even if it is a bit on the childish side most of the time, a great read for kids getting into Sci-Fi and I certainly enjoyed it...

A bit of a change from Asimov ;Þ

The assumptions in this book come from alternative medicine--naturapathy, homeopathy, accupuncture. Nonetheless, the 5-10 pages of advice that most readers will be interested in may well be of benefit--certainly nothing here to harm, except possibly the pocketbook. The authors should know full well that most readers' physicians will not be keen on doing the hair analysis, parasite analysis, etc. that are the authors' "recommendations" for "functional" disorders. It just so happens that one of the authors offers these services via mail order, and the other offers consultations, vitamins, and directed detox regimens to readers who might have difficulty without the extra bit of help. Aside from these extras, the book costs too much as it is.

When I finally admitted to myself recently (at age 44) that I had allowed my body to get 'out of hand'; the first step taken was to get a hold of an authoritative source on Detoxification. Whereas most folks would look for the Quick Weight Loss type of diet, what I was after was a more permanent change in everlasting health.

I was looking for an end to chronic headaches, sore joints, and looking forward to seeing my toes again and being able to simpy bend over and touch them. These were not severe problems...most people would not say I was unhealthy, over even very much overweight. But I was doing it for myself - and my future.

Peter Bennett and Stephen Barrie's book on Detoxification came to me at the right place and at the right time. In this book you get not one, but three no-nonsense and practical approaches to creating a healthy lifestyle.

The scientific explanations are there, but if you don't need or care for reading through the medical jargon - you can skip straight ahead to the layman's explanations.

This is the 'Pep Talk' and motivation that will prevent you from chickening out either due to your own weakness or the pressure of others. Finally, there are tried and true recipes and shopping lists, and even a sample Journal of one woman as she was experiencing the effects of the Detox Programme.

I would like to add my own reflections here so you can sense what its like. The advice from the book is represented in my daily routine. It is flexible enough to be adapted under different conditions.

Here is my Journal Entry:

Me? I'm still on the Juice Fast. Have extended beyond Day 7 because haven't lost enough fat. This is the morning of Day 9.

Today I did my special version of a Non-sauna sweatbath. This is done every morning upon arising.

1. Extreme HOT water on the back for 5 min.

2. Extreme COLD water on the back for 1 min.

Repeat (1) and (2) two more times.

Roll myself up in a thick blanket and sweat heavily for 30 minutes.
Take a final COLD shower with soap to rinse it all off.

-----------------------------

Proceed with daily routine:

Drink HERBAL Tea for breakfast.

Fill up (TWO) 1.5 litre bottles of pure mineral water with the FRESH JUICE of 1 LEMON in each.

Sip the LEMON WATER throughout the day.

I allow myself one meal per day;

1. Steamed BROWN THAI JASMINE RICE with steamed BROCCOLI and CARROTs, 1 raw ONION, and sliced FIRM TOFU. The DRESSING is pure unfiltered APPLE CIDER VINEGAR.

2. Other drinks include a WARM BROTH of powdered SOYBEAN & powdered BROWN RICE, with shredded coconut.

3. Take suppliments twice daily: Daily Multi-Vitamin and Antioxident tablets.

--------------------------

Have NOT had any of the following foods for the past 9 days:

1. No chocolate

2. No coffee, coca-cola, black tea (caffeine)

3. No white sugar

4. No oil

5. No meat

6. No wheat (bread)

This is notable because I have been a notorious 'junk food junkie', snacking out and bindging (I called it 'rewarding myself', HAH!) on fast foods.

Benefits:

1. No headaches. Usually had at least one bad headache per week.

2. Lost weight. How much? Unknown, because I don't weigh myself. But am able to watch the clothes get looser.

3. Joints not as sore; ankles, knees, kneck. More limber. I should be swimming daily but instead my exercise consists of a 20 minute walk to and from the supermarket. On the way back am carrying heavy bags including mineral water. This in essence earns me my meals.

4. Less Appetite. In fact, have not even CRAVED any of the 'bad' foods above.

5. Deeper sleep with more dreams.

6. Less stress, shorter temper

End of Day 9

The bottom line is, when you become TRULY SERIOUS about taking responsibility for your health and begin to live the maxim 'You are what you eat', a book like this will take you down the road to recovery.

This guide for a purifying fast and follow up detox diet may seem rather complicated if you do EVERYTHING, but there are some passages that let you know the key supplements to take and although this may seem hard to accept now, following this plan for about a week or so is not impossible. One also needs to be patient with oneself about how perfectly the diet's many recommendations are followed.

I lost four pounds in one week the first time I tried the diet, and found that soon after, when I went back to "regular food" my craving for certain foods was all but gone, and for others, greatlyl reduced. I still maintain some of the supplements but have reduced my intake to once a day to save money (I was faithful about the twice a day requirement on many of them during the initial week).

I have had a series of back and knee injuries and had taken muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories with some regularity for years. I now think these substances had built up in my body, because within about two to three weeks of my weeklong detox (followed up by a less rigid diet that was nonetheless much improved over my usual diet), I felt a real difference, as if something had just gone out of me, not sure how else to express it. It's even helped my mood and energy.

I sympathize with those reviewers who felt that there was just no way for them to work this out because other family members could not support it. It IS an added burden to cook different meals, do special shopping, and yes the food can be boring if one lacks time to make the jazzier versions of the organic veggie meals. Fortunately, I have a flexible spouse and have taken a number of things out of my diet over the years--caffiene, alcohol, esp.

I guess I'd recommend that you ease up to giving up some of these things if you drink coffee, liquor, etc. It might be easier than dealing with a complicated diet and caffeine withdrawal all at once, for example. The supplements really can help you, however, clean out any toxins that come into your system while you are on the diet. Your body will start to try to get rid of the toxins, releasing them into the blood, and it may feel worse before it feels better. If you hang in there, take your supplements--I found NAC, Milk Thistle, and, of all things, Charcoal, especially useful--the discomforts may be somewhat reduced, as they were for me.

Still I highly recommend this and will continue to use it from time to time. The first time through, I found it hard to follow up in terms of adding foods, bit by bit, to detect allergies. But I did figure out I was very sensitive to white sugar, and cut back, with good results. Same a bit with wheat and things like corn chips. I've continued to lose weight (three more pounds in the following month, without any effort) and have fewer cravings, so I think it really works.

I've also done the diet for just six days another time because of family commitments, but still found it very useful and cleansing.

Give it a try at a workable time--but if you are ill, do it sooner, not later.

This novel was just average and it took me forever to get excited about it. I finally started enjoying the last 100 pages. This novel has only three main characters and the plot is pretty straight forward. You have the lawyer and family being harassed by the Intruder and the handyman/mobster who comes to the aid of the lawyer. If you think you know the ending halfway through the book, you are probably right. If you like to read a lot of books, I recommend this one as a change of pace. I did buy Man of the Hour by the same author so I liked Intruder enough to read the same author. If you are choosy about your books, then skip this one.

The best things about this book are how, despite its simplicity of circumstance, its main characters are richly three-dimensional and movingly shaded: John G., the raving homeless man who sets the plot in motion through his therapeutic obsession with Jakes' wife Dana is an extremely empathetic recovering heroin addict whose own family has been torn apart by violence - there has not been an urban homeless character more engaging since the titular fellow of 1993's Free by Todd Komarnicki (Doubleday); Phil is a Brooklyn tough who poorly harbors a guilt-inducing secret; and the book's greatest character, New York City itself, is drawn with a deft versimilitude, full of subtly etched class, race and sex distinctions.

The latter is no surprise coming from Blauner, whose finely textured and harrowing 1992 debut, Slow Motion Riot won that year's Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best First Novel. Blauner's books are as much about sociological observation as about thrills-and-chills. His keen journalist's eye and psychological insight make for terrifically pungent prose. Tricks of social perception amongst the characters make there be not one titular intruder in this book, but at least three as Jake, Phillip and John join in a dance that finds them accidentally and purposely stepping on each others' turf and toes.

I expected the book to be about a wealthy family tormented by the crack-addicted bum from hell, with the cliched deadly confrontation. What I got was something totally unexpected and much more satisfying. The characters were real, the plot was unpredictable, and the tension was suffocating. This is a fluidly written book that stays with you long after you put it down.

I think this would have been a better anthology if the editor had spent more time finding sources. It doesn't really seem like he searched lesser-known documents; just about everything here is pretty well known. The quality ranges from excellent to somewhat pointless.

I purchased this book without having any firsthand knowledge of it as a background source and I haven't been minutely disappointed. Kadzis assembled both primary and secondary sources either from the time of the Civil War or from more modern secondary source writings about aspects of that war. In any case the extracts were singularly well chosen and are valuable for my purposes. I would recommend Kadzis' compilation to any person searching for a single source of Civil War rememberances written at the time or of modern fiction writers using the events of that war around which to build their longer story. The writings he has selected are very useful and interesting.

This book is in a series put out by Adrenaline books and each book contains certain selections chosen by the editor. The selections are generally either excerpts from books, excerpts from diaries and journals, short stories, or an occasional essay. I look at how good the writing is, and how good the stories are.

This is a strong anthology in many ways. It had a variety of civil war literature that helps to give a fuller picture of the civil war experience. There are many letters, stories, and diary entries and even a copy of orders given by a General. We get a picture of the inner workings of the war by people directly involved, as well as a picture of the world outside the war and how it was effected. We hear aspects of the war from multiple points of view. A soldier's fighting experience, a General's commanding view, letters to loved ones back home, the viewpoint of a young southern girl, life in a military prison. The reader gets to see not just the war, but the world it encompassed.

The anthology is made even stronger by the selections of famous people's writings. We get to read the words of General Ulysses S. Grant, Stephen Crane, Generals Pickett and Sherman, Abraham Lincoln, and even Walt Whitman (who worked in the hospitals treating wounded soldiers from both sides).

The only negative thing about this book is that it has no amazing powerful pieces. Almost all the selections are good (with two or three exceptions), but none are outstanding, in terms of either the writing or the story. There are no exceptionally well written pieces and no really incredible stories. This is unfortunate, but does not detract too much from the overall book. And also this volume includes some fiction, which generally does not exist in these series of books. Other than that the book is good and worth reading.

This book may perhaps be of use if you are a beginner. I bought the book because I was misled by the title - "Complete Reference". It is anything but a complete reference. Just one example of why I say this: The section on Word does not even mention anything about field codes. Those topics that it does cover, the coverage is shallow, glossing over many key aspects.

The sales staff at our dealership was calling me a champion on my workmanship. I held up the Book, by Stephen and Peter. I looked them all right in the eye's and told them to go and invest there money. And then I told them where they could Save more money then I paid. Thanks Guys. from the Beautiful Blonde of Bensenville.

Having received 'the software' as a gift from a friend, I installed it immediately. When I attempted to 'use' it, I realized that this was not the 'old' office I was used to and I would need some help. That help was provided in the form of this book and the accompanying CD. Both have proved to be very useful tools. The book is thorough and tabulated to quickly divide each section, and the CD has sample documents and additional templates for use with the software, and also shareware that I have utilized. As I am in the book-selling business, I am always on the lookout for a 'good read' to recommend to friends

I'm working on setting up a corporate intranet web site that will use Site Server primarily for Content Management, Search and Analysis. The book does not adequately explain the process for setting up this type of site. The Membership Server installation is not fully explained and you will probably end up using Access as your database. The example sites that ship with the product are not much help either. The section "Creating a FrontPage Publishing Site" is also lacking necessary detail for this scenario. They try to cover way too much material in one book. Also, there are so many different ways to set up Site Server that you could have a book this size just to cover that topic. Only small sections of this book have been helpful. I'm thinking that when I finish this project I'm going to write my own book.

This book is only good for beginners. The coverage is quite general and lacks many useful technical details. I wonder if the title should be "Beginning MS Site Server 3.0". Many Wrox books are very good except this one. However it is still better than other Site Server books (cos there are not many published yet).

The book is most organized and complete source of Site Server information available. The real life experience of the authors is a real plus. If you're looking for a complete overview of Site Server, with advice from people who've been there, this is the book.

Devoured the beginning, plodded through the middle, & skimmed the last twenty pages just to say I read the whole thing. A very disappointing, unbelievable ending. Read my favorite short scene while you're in the bookstore-- pages 111-114 (the classroom scene with Avery Knowland); if you still have to read it, check it out from the library.

I'm going to try Mr. Carter's non-fiction book, "God's Name in Vain" since I enjoyed his "sideline soapbox passages" more than the dialogue and action. Seems he was trying to reach every possible market with this thriller--rich, poor, middle-class, African-American, white, gay, straight, intellectual, young, happily married, unhappily married, FBI agent, etc. etc. etc.

My worst complaint: didn't like the use of the phrases "paler nation" and "darker nation." Are these the next NEW politically correct ways to describe one's skin color? This verbose "suspense thriller" lost its thrill a page at a time.

Although black influence may be discerned in many strands of modern popular culture, from sports to stand-up comedy, from music to fashion and movies, one couldn't say that this has also been the case for fiction. Professor Carter's book is a welcome first step in populating a compelling plot-driven narrative with characters we haven't heard from before (or at least, not to my knowledge). In "The Emperor of Ocean Park" black university graduates with high-powered jobs and all sorts of material comforts are resolutely center-stage. In Philip Roth's "The Human Stain", the main character must resign his blackness to achieve success and power in the academical world. Carter's characters never resign their race to be successful in the white man's world. The main voice is Talcott Garland's. He is a lawyer in his forties, a professor of law in an ivy-league-ish university, which in spite of Carter's denial in a post-scriptum is a straigth forward rendition of Yale Law School, where the author teaches. Garland is a complex man, not a cypher, surely a cut above the generic "cut-and-paste" renditions typical of modern popular fiction. He is slightly overweight, not very likeable (he is aloof and emotionally remote), very much his father's son. The father, the eponymous "Emperor of Ocean Park", is Oliver Garland, known in the book as "The Judge", a composite of Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Judge Robert Bork and famous intellectual Thomas Sowell. A moderately conservative civil rights lawyer, he is appointed to a federal judgeship in the District of Columbia Appelate Court where he moves increasingly to the right. In the Reagan era he is nominated to the Supreme Court, but he must withdraw his candidacy when certain sordid associations become known to the public. He then joins a Washington D.C. firm as counsel and rakes in fat fees as a very popular public speaker. The Judge has shaped his children sometimes in ways he didn't mean to. The first born, Addison, is a rebel who refuses to be subject to his fathers very exacting standards of emotional self-control. His daughter, Mariah, the cleverest of all, has withdrawn from intellectual life to become wife of a rich white banker and mother of a large brood. Talcott has fled the rough and tumble of political life to become a tenured professor, and is stuck with Kimberley, a woman he adores, although she doesn't love him and may be cheating on him. A third daughter, Abby, died long ago, run over by a car that then fled the scene of the accident. This death is the catalyst of all that happens afterwards. The Judge is dead at the beginning of the book, and Talcott is quickly assailed by all sorts of shady figures who are looking for the Judge's arrangements. Talcott has no idea of what this means, and he struggles till the book's very end to find the arrangements and keep himself and his family alive. There is a complex chess problem (whose relevance is perhaps less clearly conveyed than the author intended) and several sub-plots to keep the reader occupied. Those thinking about buying the book should not be dissuaded by its heft. The book is a page turner and it has the right mixture of plot, action and rumination to keep the reader interested. It is also evidence that a book may be compelling without a single overtly sexual set-piece, without unnecessary profanity and without obsessive concern by fashionable slang or luxury good brands. This book will still be readable in fifty years without a special dictionary.

Many people have commented on the detailed rendition on the specifics of middle class lives. The big surprise is that these lives are similar to those of their white counterparts. Middle class blacks are hard working achievers, sometimes hindered by emotional distance and obsessive self-pondering. Perhaps one key point is that this is not the middle class as such that we are regarding, but the upper-middle class, with their large townhouses in Washington D.C. ("the Gold Coast") and their summer places in the Vineyard and the Hamptons.

We should expect this book to be slaughtered in the movie version, with Denzel Washington as Talcott, Morgan Freeman as the Judge, Hale Berry as Kimberley and Angela Basset as Maxine. Gene Hackman would be a good Justice Worthington. Read the book before you see the inevitable movie. It will only spoil the fun if you do otherwise.

This book is intelligent, complex, and multi-faceted. If you're looking for a quick mystery-read, this isn't the book for you. I had to laugh at the reviews where people have called this book boring, over-written, or "not quite literature yet". If you think Grisham or Patterson is literature, then, well...ignorance is bliss-- so enjoy your lightweight mysteries. This novel is so much more than a mystery yarn. Mr. Carter is obviously an intellectual and keen observer of life for him to have to produced such a complex book. The book twists and turns, making social commentary on many levels simultaneously. He well develops each of his positions such as the morale dilemmas of modern Christianity, the abuse of power, the US justice system, marriage in a 2-career household, money, substance abuse, family complications,friendship and betrayal. Wow. If you haven't read many authors of the "darker nation", to use Mr. Carter's phrase, you might not understand his point of view. However, don't let that restrict your picking up this book and reading it. It was powerfully written, used fabulous prose, and I'm looking forward to his next novel!