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Book reviews for "Ragan-Reid,_Gale" sorted by average review score:

Unicorn Moon
Published in School & Library Binding by E P Dutton (1984)
Author: Gale Cooper
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Unicorn Moon
I have been a lover of fantasy since I was a small child, and Cooper's unicorn books have kept me coming back to him even as an adult. The story of Unicorn Moon is one of a princess who meets a prince in her dreams and finds out what true love is all about. The story all comes down to a moral - one has to love one's self before one can love another. The story is beautiful in itself, but Cooper's illustrations are the real prize in my eyes. Bright and beautiful artwork will catch almost any child's eyes...It certaintly did mine. While not as beautiful as One Unicorn (also by Cooper), this book has a magic all of it's own.


The Virtuous Therapist: Ethical Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy
Published in Paperback by Wadsworth Publishing (22 September, 1998)
Authors: Elliot D. Cohen and Gale Spieler Cohen
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The Virtuous Therapist by Cohen & Cohen
Cohen and Cohen provide a refreshing alternative to rule-based approaches to the ethical practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Their backgrounds in philosophy, ethical theory, and mental health practice combine to yield a solid foundation for arriving at ethical decisions in the delivery of mental health services. While the first chapter on ethical theory is quite dense, especially for those not trained in the field, subsequent chapters are reader friendly. The authors clearly outline the basic tenets of virtue ethics and the seven major principles that guide this type of ethical decision making. Each chapter includes case studies that illustrate the authors' analyses of the degree to which therapists acted in accordance with virtue ethics. This book is especially useful for mental health practitioners who need to earn continuing education credits relevant to ethical practice of counseling and psychotherapy.


World of Chemistry
Published in Hardcover by Gale Group (1999)
Authors: Robyn V. Young, Suzanne Sessine, and Gale Group
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Excellent resource
Review Submitted to Lerner & Lerner, LLC. July 22, 2001

A comprehesive delight! Many advanced topics, including sophisticated atomic stucture, presented in language that good students will appreciate! We purchased this book and World of Physics for our AP prep studies and debate teams. Both are excellent. Frank H. Stevens, M.Ed.


World of Physics
Published in Hardcover by Gale Group (2001)
Authors: Kimberley A. McGrath and Gale Group
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A universal coverage
Our library purchased World of Physics and found that it had a wider audience that the publisher probably intended. Many students and readers in general want explanations of complex ideas in physics. The book is well organized and many of the articles are very well written and provide a good introductory overview of physics.

There are also good explanations of hard-to-understand modern theories such as Einstein's relativity theory and articles on atomic/quantum physics. There are many biographies that contain information not available elsewhere.

This is a very good addition to any library -- or bookshelf of anyone interested in science. JK Fran, Ph.D Houston, Texas.


Worldmark Encyclopedia of the States
Published in Hardcover by Worldmark Pr (1995)
Authors: Timothy L. Cal, Susan Bevan Gall, and Gale Group
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it gives very good information
this is one of the best books avialable for research on any state. the info is very conclusive ,detialed,and up to date.


Greenhouse: The 200-Year Story of Global Warming
Published in Paperback by Penguin USA (Paper) (05 June, 2000)
Author: Gale E. Christianson
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Science as storytelling
Gale Christianson has made the science of global warming and climate change accessible to the general public with his book "Greenhouse." He has a knack for bringing the quirky personalities of the many scientists involved in the discovery of the greenhouse effect to life. He helps the reader easily understand the significance of each scientist's contribution and makes their scientific inquiries read like a great mystery novel.

Gale's synthesis of material is creative. He includes the story of the Anasazi of the American southwest, the Viking settlement in Greenland and others when discussing the impact changing climactic conditions have had on humans in the past. The author includes profiles of scientists who theorized and then later documented the greenhouse effect (such as Svante Arrhenius) as well as the entrepreneurs whose inventions have contributed significantly to the problem (such as Ford).

The author addresses the issue of why the earth experienced a slight cooling trend from the 1940s to the early 1970s, prior to the more recent period of steadily rising temperatures: the period in question witnessed twice the normal amount of volcanic activity, which helped block sunlight from reaching the earth.

The evidence cited by the author strongly suggests that the earth is warming due to human activity. Yet, Christianson inexplicably accords the well-known greenhouse skeptic Fred Singer's criticisms of greenhouse theory more respect than this coal and oil industry-funded mouthpiece deserves. If the author did this in order to appear objective, he did so at the cost of confusing corporate propaganda with real science.

In fact, my criticism of the book is that it contains precious little analysis. Christianson is a gifted storyteller, and no doubt many will enjoy his entertaining narrative. But the reader who seeks insight and understanding into why our society privileges technology at the expense of nature will need to look elsewhere.

Still, I think Christianson has succeeded in his mission of writing a great book for the general interest science reader. It should help further the cause of making the science of global warming an increasingly popular topic of conversation in our society.

A great synopsis...
Gale Christianson gives a wonderful, dynamic historical account of global warming. Gale addresses so many aspects of the controversy we now know as global warming its difficult to summarize them. She explores 16th and 17th century scientists and their discoveries about the world, from evolution to the impacts of pollution, to the creation of the coal-burning engines that caused England to erect higher and higher smokestacks believing that the smoke would simply float away into the atmosphere. Gale also speaks of the global climate changes that have occurred across the history of humankind as we know it. She explains the tortuous trip that brought the Vikings to settle in Greenland, and the climate shifts that ceased their existence on the frosty continent. She explores the history of the Anasazi and the changes in their biospheres that chased them from their homes built high in the Southwestern US. Gale explains all the differing theories that address the effects of global warming, ending with the fact that we don't really know what the impact will be in the future. She dialogues the negotiations that occurred in Kyoto Japan and the political atmosphere that makes reductions in emissions so difficult. A wonderful account, reads like a novel with dynamic characters, interesting plot changes, and mysteries that may never be solved. Although it does not bring to light anything new to explain global warming, it is a superb overview of global warming as we know it, and why it is such a controversy today.

Such a great book, so little interest...Why?
A beautiful book full of understanding and love for the planet. Somehow I had a sense of dread going into this that what I would find would confirm many of the ideas in Al Gore's great "Earth in the Balance," and in fact they site many of the same research studies and conclusions.

And the last chapter of the book details why it is so necessary for government to be responsive and take a leadership role in caring for what we have left of our great inheritance of land, air and water.

I loved the fascinating history of our planetary environment from back in the 18th and 19th century when men were sure that the answer to bad air was simply building a taller smokestack, all the way to Kyoto, where the Oil companies, in tandem with Republican Congressonal majority maneuvers, tried to sabotage any efforts at cleaning up the environment, and largely succeeded.

Now all we have left are the powerful forces of greed: Big Oil and Chemical money (read how they pandered scientists to join them against the Kyoto accords) against the fishes, the animals, the trees, and the health of humanity and our children and grandchildren. How can fish fight Big Oil company money and the politicians they control?

I fear for our planet. We are on a slippery slope and big money--the attitude of "get yours and get out" may carry the day.

"Nature never deceives us. It is always we who deceive ourselves." Rousseau


Discover What You're Best At
Published in Paperback by Fireside (1998)
Author: Linda Gale
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This has potential.
Well, I'm in the midst of a career search, fresh out of college...so I decided to check out this book and what it could tell me.
I took all of the six tests (about 30 minutes each) which score your business, clerical, logic, mechanical, numbers, and social aptitude. You are required to stay within the time limit (if you want an accurate result). You are supposed to keep in mind your highest 2 or 3 scores and then look at the categories that they correspond with.

For example, I scored very superior in three areas: Clerical, Logic, and Numbers. I then looked at the CLN category to see what jobs I have the aptitude for. I was happy to see that some of the jobs they listed were ones that I was at least marginally interested in. I then looked at similar categories, like LN, CL, and CN...and some of those careers also looked appealing. My lowest score was also the category that was less appealing to me (although it was a category I'd have considered as a younger person.)

While this book does not profess to give definitive answers on what you should do, it would be a nice guide for someone who has NO idea what they'd be good at (note: this does not measure interest, just aptitude) or for someone like myself who'd like affirmation or redirection.

Excellent resource for career direction
This book is excellent not only for those who are changing careers but also for those beginning college and unsure of what area to study. For example, I took these tests as a senior in high school. The results reaffirmed my choice of major and provided a wide range of choices for career paths that I would be good at. My lowest score occurred in an area I did not like and did not feel I was good at. At the back of the book an excellent career directory provides detailed descriptions of all the career choices. The directory is very comprehensive and informative. This book is an excellent resource for guidance and career counselors. The only areas it cannot test are special skill areas such as music and art, but for everything else it is great. An emphasis on skills, and not changing interests, provides the books main strength.

This Book Made An Impact On My Life!
Once in awhile a book comes along that impacts one's thinking and decisions long-term. Finishing my second year at a liberals arts university I was desperate for focus. I took a series of tests and read other books designed to help me gain clarity into the career I should choose. Of all the tests I completed this was the least time consuming and I believe most accurate. Some of the other evaluations concentrated on interests (I knew them already) others on aptitude, this book blended both remarkably. The career this book pointed me toward was so unique I had to research it. After eleven years of excelling in my field and enjoying my job everyday I'm often grateful to Linda Gale. I can highly recommend this book to individuals looking to identify and use their talents more efficiently. I give this book to potential employees before hiring and I bought copies for my entire church youth group.


Vedic Astrology: A Guide to the Fundamentals of Jyotish
Published in Paperback by Red Wheel/Weiser (1997)
Author: Ronnie Gale Dreyer
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Disappointing book
I had written a review before but it was removed. Why??
I remember two other negative reviews that were removed.
Oh well....I am simply writing this to guide people like myself...

I made a BIG mistake buying this book.
I have read a number of Jyotish books including books written by Indian authors. I would not recommend you to buy this book.
Its not good at all. Mostly just a mechanical reproduction of some principles without explaining them properly.
The main thing that bothered me was that the author has not shown the use of navamsha at all. Most astrologers in India
dont even start analysing unless they see the navamsha also.
In other words, your predictions will be incorrect if you use this book. If you are a beginner read, "Light On Life by Hart Defaouw" . Its the best for beginners!
After reading "Light on Life" , read "Elements of Vedic astrology 1 & 2 by Dr.Charak". The book by Dr.Charak is one of the most comprehensive book in English (other than classical texts).

Point is that there are numerous great Pandits and scholars
who have written books on astrology and these books are a thousand times better than this one.

Thats my frank opinion.....

Ample Treasure in This Book For Western Minds
I am exceedingly happy to see a beautifully written and constructed book,by a Western author on rudiments of Vedic Astrology.The way to elucidate the concept(s) of fundamental Vedic Jyotish(Indian Astrology)is admirable.Dreyer has justly used her over two decades of experience as Vedic Jyotish soothsayer to explain to the Western readers the complex concept(s)of fundamental Vedic Jyotish.Being a North American teacher who teaches Vedic Jyotish from the beginners level,Dreyer knows exactly "What and How",to explain to the occidental reader.Highly recommended for Western readers.
(Dr.Parihar)

Finally able to understand vedic astrology
I thought this book was exceptionally clear and for the first time I think I really might be able to start learning the subject. It is clearly for the beginner but also enables anyone I think to learn something new. The author obviously spent many years studying the subject and has written a wonderful introduction outlining her intense studies in India. But this book is clearly written for people at any level and is written in a most enjoyable and engaging style and it is also very knowledgeable and very clear. I would recommend it highly. There are many good Vedic astrology books out there meant for the beginning student. and this is one of the best. I have studied myself for many years with some good Indian teachers.


1 AABUU ACAMAC I OFFICIAL BLACK BELT RANK of Martial Arts Sports
Published in Paperback by Aristo Agon Brun LLC (28 January, 2000)
Author: Martin Gale
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Just another Fraud
his Guy constantly causes problems out and about within the martial arts community, deals in illegitamite products and only advertizes by way of Spamming in the extreme. I encourage anybody considering these products to write to have them removed (...) altogther. They are bogus products and a terrible misrepresentation of any respecteable martial art.

This is absolute garbage
Anyone noticed that all the reviews were by the same person? It is the author.

This garbage is not worth owning. The writer is borderline insane. His ideas are that boxing is the only way to fight, and his broken English is next to impossible to follow. The author or his representitives are online over on Yahoo and plague the clubs with SPAM and obnoxious posts even after being asked to stop repeatedly. The material that we have viewed is poorly made and the instruction is of very poor quality. You would be better off going to a third grade playground and learning to fight from the class bully. Do yourself a favor and do not waste your money on these books. He has further made reference that America deserved the attack on the 9/11. I would not give this man ANY American money.

Magnific for all without new ACAMAC -do Center in your city
Magnific educational resource usefull to introduce in the way to open a Martial Art Center ACAMAC Defensive Ofensive Center as new martial art are not available worldwide , However under the worldwide introductory campaign the AristoAgon Brun Universal Union ACAMAC have this great resource ; to diference of standard gym you not need see a good bad or mediocre teacher ; here you see the BEST WORLD EXPERT in ACAMAC AristoAgon ; YOUR OWN ACAMAC MARTIAL ART CREATOR IN PERSON ! The diference is OBVIOUS ! NOT Best available in the World ! Now too the Tae Kwon -Do CREATOR IN PERSON General Choi Hong Hi TOO have a Great 4 CD-ROMs that cost a few 150 Am Dolar General Choi born in Korea in November 9 of 1918 He not have material at young years however But now he introduce in Gym of TKD DOJAN your own personal teaching via CD-ROM ! The ACAMAC is the PIONER in this way and your creator have videos at 20s and 30s years old Type Age of Oscar de la Hoya at maximum young phisical posibilities fortunely for ACAMAC Video Teaching material of the WorldWide Intrioductory Campaign


Stop Abusing Bernoulli!: How Airplanes Really Fly
Published in Paperback by Regenerative Press (01 January, 1998)
Author: Gale M. Craig
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Circulation Theory No Physical Lift Explanation!
This book describes and corrects many misunderstandings that can be found in most aerodynamic books for pilots and schools. The book shows a lot of examples where "The Bernoulli effect?" is said the create forces on wings, rotating balls/cylinders, papersheets. The "longer airflow path over the curved wing theory" and "halfventuri theory" is shown here how false the are. That's very good. These facts must be repeated over and over again to get results.

However the author makes a big mistake by mixing an theoretical, mathematical calculation model and the 3D airflow around a finite wing. Real air does not circulate like the author shows on page 129. Its impossible for the real airflow to pass TE that way.

The Circulation on page 111 Figure 8.7 Biplane Circulation Interference, would make the big frontfan on Boeing 777 GE90 engine work very bad in a real world airflow.

I have always been taught, that the mathematical applied Circulation around a wing in a "perfect, hypotetic, non existing fluid" only was superpositioned to adjust the physical unreal Potential calculated flow field showed on page 43, Figure 3.7 A Concept of Non-viscous Flow Passing an Airfoil.

From 1754-1904 The Potential calculated flowfield could not be corrected to look like real fluid flow Field until a mathematical superpositioned Circulation flowfield was invented And applied.

The mistake the author also makes is to say the all wings are infinite and all airflow thereby will be 2-dimensional and upwash will be equal to the downwash.

The Circulation in real air is spanwise, not flowwise like the author writes.

Where I live I can see and hear every morning how Bae146 flies over at 800 feet. After some 50 seconds "the wake turbulence"= (wingtipvortices and the downwash from the wing together) comes down to the ground, hitting my hat. But there is no upwash lifting my hat before the aircraft arrives.

If I make a quickroll and fly inverted, what happens to the direction of the Circulation? The mixing of Calculation Theory Models and real air behavior is very common in many books, especially in the US.

I hope that the author in the next edition of the book, changes his Lift explanation to a physical more real one, explaining how "pressuregradients" are created by centrifugal forces and how these pressuregradients "sucks" in air from higher pressure regions.

A wing is just an airflow deflector. A Sail makes the same for a boat. By disturbing the free airstream (changing it's direction) pressure gradients appear.

A Long Overdue Book
Stop Abusing Bernoulli! properly presents aerodynamics of airfoils, wings and airplanes in terms of Newtonian physics. In 1972, NASA scientist Norman K. Smith wrote in The Physics Teacher: "For explaining dynamic lift, the result of an encounter between a fluid and a lifting device, Newton's laws must be used. Consolidation of all dynamic forces produced in a fluid-- propulsion, lift, control, etc.-- under Newton's third law is not only correct physics but also makes the whole business far easier to teach and to learn." More recently, in a paper presented to the 2001 meeting of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Dr. Jaako Hoffren, of the Helsinki University of Technology, also proposed teaching more directly in Newtonian terms.

This reader concurs with the review provided by Erik Zapletal from Maroota, Australia. It is complete, factual and extensive, and favors Newtonian based aerodynamics teaching. However, some of the other reviews are not accurate, and deserve comment. A few reviewers have not really read the book, are incapable of understanding it, or are prejudiced with vested interest. Richard Asher's review has mostly only vague generalities, with only one specific but erroneous statement-- that the author claims Bernoulli's laws are contradicted by Newton's laws. In fact, the author derives Bernoulli's equation from Newtonian principles, beginning on page 139. Asher should have found this if he really read the book. Also, beginning on page 129, the lift equation is derived logically and methodically from Newtonian principles, producing exactly the same result as classically derived from Bernoullian considerations. Contrary to Asher's claim, these derivations confirm agreement between Newtonian and Bernoullian concepts.

The Scott Johnson review, applauded by Asher, and the Jan-Orlov and Jeff Noall reviews, deny the reality of circulation, claiming it to be a fiction of classical aerodynamics for mathematical purposes. Although the classical explanation of how circulation is produced is fictional, the circulation is in fact real, as Newtonian principles and common sense demand. Reacting to force of pressure difference, air ahead of a lifting wing accelerates upward around the leading edge, away from higher pressure below and toward lower pressure above. This upward movement is the basis of stall warning systems. Above the leading edge, air accelerates rearward into reduced pressure, while below the leading edge air accelerates forward, away from increased pressure. Behind the wing, air following the surfaces is left with downward movement. Thus instantaneous air movements occurring in still air around a passing wing include upward movement ahead, downward movement behind, rearward movement above and forward movement below. Overall, this movement is of circulatory nature around the wing, and is appropriately referred to as "circulation." Pitot instrumentation evidence on page five of the book supports circulation as fact. The classical explanation, using fictional induction to explain circulation, rather than Newtonian principles of force, mass and acceleration, apparently leaves Asher and others believing circulation is not real.

Aerodynamics must be treated open-mindedly as science, not as dogma or unquestionable religion. The most popular layman-level theory of wing operation, religiously taught to pilots and public school students for about 100 years, falsely claims transit time of flows above and below a wing must be equal. This, if true, would require flow over a curved upper surface to be faster than that at a more flat, and therefore shorter, lower surface. Hence, Bernoulli's law would require pressure above to be less than that below so as to produce lift. Indeed upper surface flow is faster, but much faster than equal transit time would require or even permit. This most popular but false teaching of lift is an abuse of Bernoulli's law. That abuse is alluded to in the book title.

Reply to Richard Asher's Review
Mr. Richard Asher's pompous negative "review" of "Stop Abusing Bernoulli!" consists of generalities with nothing specific other than stating that the book's author "claims" Bernoulli's laws contradict Newton. He says "It is thus absurd to suggest that a explanation of wing theory using Bernoulli's laws contradicts a Newtonian explanation as the author of this book claims."

Clearly this person has not really read the book. There is no such claim. The author only demonstrates that wing operation can be described in Newtonian terms without involving Bernoulli. This in no way suggests Bernoulli's law is wrong.

Asher also complains vaguely about the mathematics. In the book the lift equation is produced from Newtonian momentum considerations, rather than from Bernoulli. The result coincides precisely and logically with the derviation involving Bernoulli. Without proper mathematics, and physics, this result would be quite improbable.

Mr. Asher is the second "expert" to publish a pompous and erroneous review after perhaps glancing through the book and finding it contains material beyond his understanding.


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