Sloterdijk adheres to the theories advanced by Immanuel Kant in the Critique of Pure Reason, but begins where Kant left off by exposing the force behind dynamic individualism. In other words, the a priori of Kant becomes the a posteriori here--the experience alone mitigates life. Rather than dwelling endlessly on mathematical knowledge, as Kant did, Sloterdijk's epistemology more nearly resembles David Hume's. Indeed, in shaping his discussion of logical versus factual propositions, knowledge by acquaintance is always knowledge based upon what Hume called "impressions". The 'cynical' aspect of the title derives from the "enlightened false consciousness" Sloterdijk finds in modern society.

Sloterdijk's categorical imperative centers on the phenomenology of reason and judgment, without the excess baggage one finds in Kant. Describing an arc, for example, Sloterdijk reveals the nuances of and reasoning surrounding a curve, bending the parallax of the necessary optical effect.

Sloterdijk's humor is not lost, either, for his critique blends the effusive as well as effective. I highly recommend this book.

"Mistrust is the intelligence of the disadvantaged," or "In any form of erudition, intelligence risks its life" or "emigration has become a fact of mass psychology"--these are among hundreds of aphoristic statements that make Sloterdijk's wide-ranging studies and well-reasoned observations on cynicism, Diogenes and the search for truth, Nietzsche, Marx, and the contemporary human situation so striking. He's had enough of nihilism (and all its intellectual and industrial applications), and tells you why. And the book's illustrated with extraordinary aptness--everything from medieval woodcuts to Pasolini. In short, he clears a space to think--a rare event. To read a present-day Lucian who can shake hands with Kierkegaard, read this book.

I personally luv all the Cheetah Girl books I even wrote my own internet site on the Cheetah Girls: Groups.msn.com/Cheetahgirlsworld. I think ths book is good because I can sort of relate with Dorinda. I mean the boy who I'm in luv with is mixed with everything and people say stuff. But I luv the book and u would too ...

I have read all of the cheetah girls' book all except volume 9-10. They are wonderful books for young girls to read... Dorinda's secret shows that you should be proud of yourself no matter what race religion gender you are. I really like this book, I can relate with Dorinda because my brother is half white.... This book is all that and a bag of chips

The cheetah girls books are so cool. Dorinda's secret is cool because she learns that racism is wrong. It was a touching story. It was DDDDAAAAA BBBBBBOOOOOOMMMMMMMMBBBBBBBBBBB!

The Pinkney couple's biography on Ella Fitzgerald is a delightful read for young children who want to learn more about the talented jazz artist. The use of narrator Scat Cat Monroe as a device to engage children is successful especially due to his use of language. The rhymes and rhythms the authors adopt to tell the story echo the snazziness of the music at the time. Young readers will thoroughly enjoy getting to know more about the artist Fitzgerald through this story.

I found a children's book about her, even better. It was a great book to jive with. Beautiful pictures, and a nice history lesson on this wonderful woman!

"You may think I look like any other cat. But baby, I'm in a class all by myself. Scat Cat's my name. Scat Cat Monroe. A name I've earned. Got my name from knowin' Ella. Ella Fitzgerald. The Queen of Scat. What's scat? you ask. Scat's the sound that don't hold back. Ella's sound-that was scat. Singing so supreme. Music's velvet-ribbon dream..." Narrated by this cool, zoot suited feline, Scat Cat Monroe introduces the incomparable, Ella Fitzgerald, to a whole new generation of fans. From her humble beginnings in Yonkers, New York, to her contest winning debut at Harlem's Apollo Theater at seventeen, to her meteoric rise, singing with the big bands and jazz artists of the 1930s and '40s, Scat Cat was there, stompin' at the Savoy with the Chick Webb Orchestra and jammin' to cloud nine and back with Dizzy Gillespie. "Now, when Ella performed, she let her lyrics go. She took her singing out to play." Andrea Davis Pinkney's engaging, lyrical text swings with imagery, magic, and rhythm. Brian Pinkney's bold, bright, and inventive illustrations dazzle, as they swirl around the pages to the music of the words. Together, word and art create an inspiring and captivating introductory biography starring the First Lady of Song. With an Author's Note at the end to complete the story, Ella Fitzgerald is an energetic, fun-filled tribute, that's perfect for music lovers 8-12, and also works well as a read-aloud for younger children.

Dear Professor:

Befor a few months, I read this book in MIT durring I do visit professor research,It is an excellent book. Now I came back China,I want to buy it, but I don't know how to buy it, and how to pay it. Would you please tell me for it, I will very appreciate your help.

Dr. Xueguang Qiao

I knew nothing about fiber Bragg gratings before I picked up this book. Othonos and Kalli cover just about everything you would want to know about fiber Bragg gratings, from the physics of the fiber itself and how the gratings are created, to applications (including some of the more exotic ones). The material is presented in an understandable manner, with sufficient text descriptions - not just equations that you have to figure out yourself. If you're just beginning to learn about fiber Bragg gratings, I recommend this book highly.

It is an excellent book in the optical fiber communication and sensing!

I have always admired Lambrou's book, 'Fountain Pens of the World', but could not justify the price -- after all the cost of this book could go towards another fountain pen -- I WAS WRONG!!

I wished I bought my copy years ago, it would have saved me so much money in buying pens that were not exactly the model that the seller described (going to a few markets/pen shows and especially on-line auctions).

The history of pens from around the world is well documented. The pen manufacturers are grouped in chapters by country.

Every pen is life size. More than 2,300 pens are shown and the color representation is great. Even a Parker Snake, Aztec, Swastika, Forget-me-not and many, many more I just dream about! Only gripe -- no price list, but Lambrou states that people can abuse the information as the price list is only valid at the time of print.

To date, I 've yet to see any other book as well put together's as this one.

Don't use false economy like I did. Buy this book as soon as you can -- it gives many, many happy hours of pen collecting and reading!

I have always admired Lambrou's book, 'Fountain Pens of the World', but could not justify the price -- after all the cost of this book could go towards another fountain pen -- I WAS WRONG!!

I wished I bought my copy years ago, it would have saved me so much money in buying pens that were not exactly the model that the seller described (going to a few markets/pen shows and especially on-line auctions).

The history of pens from around the world is well documented. The pen manufacturers are grouped in chapters by country.

Every pen is life size. More than 2,300 pens are shown and the color representation is great. Even a Parker Snake, Aztec, Swastika, Forget-me-not and many, many more I just dream about! Only gripe -- no price list, but Lambrou states that people can abuse the information and the price list is only valid at the time of print.

To date, I 've yet to see any other book as well put together's as this one.

Don't use false economy like I did. Buy this book as soon as you can -- it gives many, many happy hours of pen collecting and reading!

My love affair with fountain pens - particularly vintage fountain pens - entered a new stage the day that my copy of Lambrou's Fountain Pens of the World arrived. Covered with a gorgeous dust jacket, weighing in at several pounds and measuring 9" by 12.5", the book made an impression before the first page had even been turned.

This first impression, positive as it was, in no way prepared me for what I was to find inside: over four hundred pages with glorious color plates. Literally thousands of pens - mostly vintage - spectacularly photographed, and presented exactly life size. (Ever wonder whether your newly purchased vacumatic is a sub-deb, debutante, junior, slender, standard, major, oversized, or Maxima? Just lay it over the photographs in Lambrou's book!) Fascinating reproductions of vintage advertisements. Detailed histories - model by model - of all major manufacturers and many lesser-known ones, including Edward Todd, Triad, Diamond Point, Chilton, Stephens, Mentmore, Summit, Wyvern, Burnham, Soennecken, Osmia, Tropen, and so on and so forth, covering the U.S., the U.K., Germany France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Japan. The book is, plain and simple, a work of art and of incredible beauty. I could spend weeks just browsing its pages.

In retrospect, my biggest mistake in fountain pen collecting was to wait for several years before purchasing a copy of Lambrou's Fountain Pens of the World...

Written by a Master Herbalist who has worked with physicians and in her own private practice for the past 25 years, Gentle Healing for Baby and Child is the definitive guide for parents looking for an alternative to common treatments for everyday problems. In an accessible format, this guide includes solutions to ailments that occur both inside and outside the body. Got acne? Try an herbal detoxification, an herbal steam, or some Herbal Zinc Zapper. The Zapper recipe contains a mixture of zinc oxide, peppermint, and comfrey. Got a stressed out teen? Dose him with some Honegar - a mixture of honey and vinegar - to restore his chemical balance. In this book, the authors explain that the "floral nectars that comprise honey contain B vitamins and minerals which are calming to the nervous system." While you've got the honey jar out, don't forget to layer it over your little one's skinned knee before applying a bandage. Honey contains natural "anti-microbial properties."

Also included are sections that address subjects such as "Healing Imagery," as well as instructions for dosing herbs, where to find a local natural health practitioner, how to deal with toxicity, and even testing for food reactions. Herbalist Candee has created a helpful, easy to use guide to natural healing for parents. --Reviewed by Michelle Smith

As a fairly young herbalist myself, i am very pleased with all the informative and varied rememdies suggested in this book. It is very easy to reference and very user friendly; nothing complicated. Andrea Candee offers a gentle manner in her representation of suggested rememdies. I have bought three extra copies to give as baby shower gifts! It's really nice to see such a variation of alternative rememdies/treatment talked about in this book, such as homeopathic, chiropractic, essential oils, onion poultices, and of course herbal preparations. It's nice to be able to make your own decision on a few different suggestions in many cases. It has been a great reference book for myself and other friends with babies as well. I highly recommend this book!!

This book is wonderful! It provides useful alternatives to common everyday ailments that are gentle and effective, and it's easy and fun to read, too. Everything you need to know is clearly presented and referenced. The remedies are simple to prepare or obtain, and because they're made from nature's products, you don't have to worry about their effects being too strong for your child, or even yourself. Andrea Candee provides helpful information on how to decide upon which remedy is best as well as how to help "the medicine go down." This is a wonderful reference for every household. I love it!

From the point of a young high school aged aspiring filmaker- this book is a total success! It is perfect for any girl looking for fun on a rainy day or a film career in her future. Its full of creative, colorful, and informative pages that are bound to inspire any young Girl Director!!

Andrea does a great job of simplifiying the world of film making. A+!

FILLED with information and presented in a fun and entertaining book. Great interviews and profiles on women directors. The most interesting part to me is how much women were involved in the early days of film. As a filmmaker myself, I appreciate the "how to" details which are presented in an easy to understand manner. Great descriptions of all the basics of how to make your first film - or your second film. Photos and illustrations will help the kids enjoy it....

"There have probably been hundreds of books written about surfing, but not one...has been written about women in the sport. Until now, 'Girl In The Curl - a Century of Women in Surfing' by Andrea Gabbard, finally fills the substantial void.

'I could have gone on and on and on,' Gabbard says of her experience writing 'Girl In The Curl,' which begins with a note on the ancient Hawaiian legend of Pele learning to surf, and takes us through the early days at the Makaha International contests, to the 'Gidget' phenomenon, to the birth of the pro circuit, and on through the '90s, when surf culture was changed forever by a clothing company (Roxy), a new magazine (in your hands), a surf shop (Water Girl) and a battalion of courageous women like Izzy 'Surf Diva' Tihanyi who dare live there surfing dreams. Along the way we meet Marge Calhoun (in a rare interview), Linda Benson, Lynne Boyer, Frieda Zamba and others who give historical context to all the rising stars on the WCT today.

The book is graced by the likes of Rell Sunn, whom Gabbard never met but of whom a poignant tribute is included, by Robin 'Zeuf' Janiszeufski. Like Rell, Zeuf was diagnosed with breast cancer. She communicates the thing all surfers know, certainly Rell: 'Surfing removes the need to close my eyes and seek the voice inside.'

Gabbard, author of 'No Mountain Too High: A Triumph over Breast Cancer' (1998), 'Da Bull: Life over the edge' (1990) and others, began writing this book just a year ago at the urging of her publisher, the feminist Seal Press....'I got back in the water when I began writing this book.'

Much of her research was culled from sources like Wahine, 'tons of old surfer mags,' and the vast collection of surf memorabilia amassed by Randy Hild at Roxy/Quicksilver. Along the continuum of women's surfing, 'Girl in the Curl' is an historical moment in itself. It arrives in bookstores around Thanksgiving. --Elizabeth Glazner, Wahine Magazine

"'Despite the organization of a pro tour and the advent offinancial sponsors, professional women surfers have always suffered afate similar to that of other female athletes, pursuing their sportwith far less promotion, prize money, and media coverage.' -Fromthe Intro

While the above statement is inescapably true, I mustadmit I was a little worried that Girl in the Curl was going to be nomore than a feminist tirade on the unfair nature of sexism insurfing-a worthy argument, to be sure, but a battle that needs tobe fought in the water and on the beach, not in a coffee-table book.Fortunately, author Andrea Gabbard understands that a history ofwomen's surfing deserves more than a hundred pages of pettywhining.

The introductory timeline chronicling the major milestonesof women's surfing could give a few folks (men and women alike) a bitof a shock as to the sweeping presence of the Y chromosome in thewater. It ain't just Gidget to Lisa Andersen, dude. While it'sfairly widely known that the first Australian surfer was a woman(Isobel Letham, 1915), not many are aware that Marge Calhoun won theMakaha International Surfing Championships in 1958 or Margo (Godfrey)Oberg won her first world title at age 15. Rich stuff, even for thenon-history-philes.

What follows is essentially a series ofwell-written and relevant profiles on women who've made majorcontributions to the sport. It's put together more like an organicherstory told by the participants than a consecutive series of eventswritten by some third-party narrator up in the sky. From MargeCalhoun to Rell Sunn to Joyce Hoffman to Pam Burridge to LayneBeachley and the rest of the 21st century pros, it's obvious Gabbardhas done her homework.

Each woman profiled has a slightly differenttake on what it means to be a woman surfer, and while some may have alittle bitterness about lack of exposure or unfair financialcompensation, the whole picture is bigger than its parts and if Girlin the Curl is accurate-which I suspect it is-it's worth a hellof a lot more than a thousand words." --Marcus Sanders...

"Girl in the Curl is the book we have all been waiting for-whether we know it yet or not. Never before has such a comprehensive history of the women who have impacted surfing been put together.

Gabbard, the author of the Greg Noll biography, Da Bull, weaves together the women of surfing through insightful interviews of those who have shaped the sport. Starting with the ancient Hawaiian waterwomen, continuing through the likes of Marge Calhoun, Gidget, Mary Setterholm, Frieda Zamba, Lisa Anderson, Layne Beachley, Sofia Mulanovich, and Kirstin Quizon, I think one would be hard pressed to find a woman surfer who has made an impact on the sport of surfing not mentioned.

Girl in the Curl is organized in a series of short, easy to read chapters that explain the hardships and brilliance of each woman. Gabbard does not shy away from the dark side of women's surfing. She presents the chilling inequality of prize money and sponsorship. "The total prize money for the men's 2000 World Championship Tour is $2.1 million; for women, it's just under $500,000." The book does not turn into a man-bashing why aren't things better book. Gabbard simply presents the truths of all aspects of the sport as told by the athletes themselves. Gabbard also does a wonderful job of presenting unusual facts, such as mentioning Pam Burridge recorded a hit single in 1984 called "Summertime all Round the World." The highlight of the book, and very well surfing itself, is the chapter on Rell Sun. Rell's life is celebrated through her wonderful accomplishments for women, children, and surfing.

From the timeline at the start of the book, to the brief biographies of the professional surfers, and those surfers making a career in the industry, to the glossary and index of resources, I can't think of anything the book is missing. I have been wishing someone would write this book for years-I am thrilled my wish has been fulfilled!

Girl in the Curl is a beautifully written and illustrated book of women's surfing. Photographs are mainly the work of Jim Russi and are no doubt some of the best women's shots available today. This book will not only inspire the reader, but also fill wahines everywhere with pride. Women surfers who did not have the advantage of being there for the events of the past century will finally be able to learn of and feel what has happened, and further appreciate their mothers, grandmothers, and sisters of the sea. I would recommend every surfer buy this book and read it again and again. Girl in the Curl is the centurybook of women's surfing. I know I will keep this book with me at all times in hopes of having it signed by all the heroes of women's surfing." --Sunshine Makarow, Editor of Girls Surf Life Magazine

Beutiful pictures with detailed captions. It shows igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks. It tells which rocks we use in our everyday life. Overall it is pretty good. I like the part were they tell the uses of flint.

I bought this book as a gift for a bright young lady who was fascinated with the appearance of the stones themselves, but although I liked the content of the book, I was wholly unable to persuade the recipient even to peruse the text as light reading.

It was enticing enough for me, but I claim the blame for missing the target. Experiences may vary -- if they're readers, they're readers -- if they're not, that's another subject.

This book shows tons of different kinds of rocks. Very great if your child likes rocks or if you want to read up on the subject.

Purchased this book hoping to find kid friendly eats and places to see in Paris. Was a good starting point. My son actually loved a few of the adult things as well. Suggest you try a tour of the area with a one of the red double decker buses for the older kids.

This is a real gem of a book. We used it extensively in planning a trip to Paris with our 9 year old son, and it was amongst the first things packed. The information is useful, the size is wholly convenient. Nothing glossy, no photos, no pictures at all. I have borrowed all the glossy stuff from the library to read ahead of time, and anything useful have put as margin notes in THIS book, because this is the one I plan to have along. It tells you how to get to each place, opening hours, what to see and do there. Includes information on attractions especially for kids, as well as all the conventional tourist sites, museums etc, emphasising the aspects that are most likely to appeal to kids. It tells you which parks in Paris kids can run and play on grass - that alone has to be worth its weight in gold.

If you are a first-time visitor to Paris you may feel more comfortable having a good, conventional guide book along as well, but if you don't need the basics (such as how to buy a metro ticket etc) AND you have children along with you, I reckon you'll want to have this book above all others.

On a recent trip to Paris with my 5 1/2 yr old daughter, I must have referred to this book about a 100 times. Its really geared to what children like, is easy read, well-indexed, and has all the pertinents, like when one can rent sail boats at the Jardin des Tuileries.