Book reviews for "Richard,_Mark" sorted by average review score:
Failing Marks (The Destroyer, 114)
Published in Paperback by Worldwide Mystery (1999)
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Great, if a bit uneven in spots.It's obvious the Destroyer series is back on track. This book isn't the best Destroyer novel I've read, but it is by no means a bad book. There's something for almost everyone here--some great scenes with Remo doing what he does best, some great scenes with Remo and Chiun doing what they do best (whether you feel that's bantering and annoying the hell out of each other or killing, they're both served up in spades here), a treasure hunt, clones, hints of things to come, twists, turns, cave-ins...whew!...) I look forward to reading more from Jim Mullaney. Way to go, Jim, ya dun good.
Remo and Chiun tie up the Neo-Nazis of IV--in classic style.A fitting conclusion to a trilogy that gave us more of the classic Remo and Chiun. An insightful peek into the House of Sinanju, a treasure hunt, clones, Nazis, killings--all are present and served up in the style that true Destroyer fans crave including the Yin/Yang of Remo and Chiun's father/son love/hate relationship. The magic is back in the series--and the ending gives us enough clues to see that more is on the way!
Looks like the destroyer is in good handsIt was iffy for awhile but the new author has got a good grasp of the essence of the series.
Drop Dead: A Paul Turner Mystery
Published in Hardcover by St. Martin's Press (1999)
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Good premise, but tedious executionAs usual, this Zubro mystery is well plotted. Also as usual, it is rather tediously written. It would seem the author was always instructed to give details, to carefully note the appearance of each character. What he comes up with is a detailed description of apparel for each character, from the top down: hair, shirt, trousers (or skirt), shoes. Colors, patterns, and fabrics are always noted. All very good, if or when these are noteworthy. But usually folks are wearing denim and cotton and etc., and giving these details imparts nothing to the reader.
This is just a warning--I shall probably continue to read Zubro's books. But I only WISH he wrote a bit better!
Zubro at his bestI've read most of Mark Zubro's work, and I think that "Drop Dead" is his best effort yet! A mystery that kept me interested and guessing, good descriptions of places in and around Chicago, likeable hero, and a keen, yet dry sense of humor.
Like snappy dialog? You'll love "Drop Dead"!"Drop Dead" features deliciously snappy dialog, along with Zubro's realistically drawn characters and well-paced action. In this latest addition to the Paul Turner mystery series, Zubro gets the balance just right. Read it!
Karel the Robot
Published in Paperback by John Wiley & Sons (1994)
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It's OkayIts concepts are amazing to any programmer but, widely known, I learned just as much from my Instructor in my post-secondary class then I did in this book. The Karel code also gets a little boring. However, to be a good programmer you need to know these concepts through and through, so I do find it useful as an introduction to programming. I don't recommend it to anyone who knows their own logical style well already; it will be useless to you.
Book is quite good, Software does not run.The presentation of the concepts of programming and the building of layers of complexity was handled in a competent and easily read manner. However, the software simulator is completely out of date and does not run under windows 98. For beginning programming students with little or no other computer experience, this would be a good starting point...IF the software worked.
Richard Pattis is a genius!This book is very well written and I highly recommend it. It is interesting to read, and very comprehensive. Richard Pattis is my 15-127 professor. (I hope I get an A on the Mastery! ) Thanks.
Psychology of the Psychic
Published in Hardcover by Promethean Books (1980)
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A Bogus TreatiseLike most skeptics, Kammann and Marks pretend objectivity, when their real mission is to debunk every aspect of the field of parapsychology. For instance, they have zero belief on any level in the possibility of such things as telepathy and remote viewing. For them, it is not possible, so they set out to simply prove this assumption. Yet, simple physics allows for the possibility of some form of thought transference. Just as energy in the form of thoughts transfers from one part of the brain to another part via the neurotransmitters, why wouldn't it be possible for the corresponding molecular frequency to be picked up by another brain? The evidence for telepathy between twins or during dreams is overwhelming, but they ignore it all. See, for instance, Dream Telepathy by Ulmann, Krippner and Vaughan. So, in their attempts to pretend objectivity, Marks and Kammann really set out with the key goal of trying to debunk Uri Geller. They use as their proof photographs that are so blurred that it is impossible to see what the photographs are of, yet these, they assert "prove" that Geller is a fake. It is shameful. Try reading Charles Panati's The Geller Papers if you want the truth about how Mr. Geller did in physics laboratories across the globe. The problem with these types of skeptics is that they live in the mutual admiration society world without realizing that they are not true skeptics but rather narrow thinkers who wall off any chance of discovering anything of value by chanting Groucho Marx' famous credo: "What ever it is, I'm against it!"
Very informative and funny tooI agree with another reviewer that this book is useful even for the staunch believer in ESP. It is a very entertaining reading which is not often the case (I found Martin Gardner`s books rather boring and sometimes arrogant). The two authors are never arrogant. I particularly loved the last chapters that show how common "non-scientific" thinking is among said scientific communities. He gives some examples then concerning psychiatry and medicine. If you remember the Uri Geller craze you will enjoy the opening chapters also.
A critical look at psychic phenomena and human natureIf you're a firm believer in psychic abilities, you may find this book's skeptical stance to be a little disheartening. Read it anyway! It's loaded with useful and fascinating information.
Psychology of the Psychic is a fair and honest look at mentalists, psychics, clairvoyants, "spoonbenders", and others who claim paranormal talents.
Of particular interest to me were the techniques that showmen and charlatans use to convince others of their abilities, and how those techniques may be inadvertently used by those who believe they have experienced psychic phenomena.
If you're a believer, this book will allow you to separate the wheat from the chaff, and identify the outright frauds.
If you're a non-believer, this book will show you why so many people have faith in the paranormal, and will give you lots of ammunition when Aunt Bertha tells you about the marvelous new psychic she's been consulting (and handing over her checkbook to).
A terrific, thorough book, with solid research presented in an easy-to-read and enjoyable manner.
Professional Linux Deployment
Published in Paperback by Wrox Press Inc (2000)
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A hybridActually, 5 stars as a quick reference, 1 star as an administrator manual. This is a somewhat weird book. Heaven help any company when an administrator decides to switch a NT network to Linux, or set up Linux from scratch, with just this book. If everything goes well, the network will run, but if something goes wrong, good luck trying to recover. But curiously enough, it is usually the book I reach for if I can't remember exactly how setting something up works. Short, to the point coverage of how to install or setup things. But if your options don't include nuke-and-reinstall, find an administrator handbook somewhere to supplement it.
What can Linux make for you?The book approaches the principal subjects on Linux, FileSharing, LDPA, WebServer, FTPServer and etc, all very well documented, rich in details and examples. He was lacking documentation on LinuxClient (KDE, Gnome, applications for the user in general) very superficial. But it is a book that should be bought and read, all the topics are very interesting and useful, while I read I was thrilled, because other solutions NON microsoft exist.
Penguin anywhere!It is a great book! It covers a lot of detail in deploying Linux, the consideration, advantage, and most important, the procedure. I have setup my fax server, database server, file-and-print server, web server, e-mail server, all running on Linux, after reading this book!
Using Microsoft Exchange Server 5
Published in Paperback by Que (1997)
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Not bad, but lacking detailed informationThis book has been very helpful in explaining the basics of Exchange server. However, there have been multiple questions that have gone unanswered by this book. If it's intention is to be a complete reference for Exchange, it needs much more detail regarding newsgroups, forms, and client software. I would also like to have seen more detailed instructions on HOW to accomplish something with Exchange. There is a lot of text stating "with Exchange server 5.5, you can do this . . . " fill in the blank, but then there are no follow-up instructions on HOW to accomplish that task. Overall, it is a good beginner's guide, but not very helpful for real-world Exchange administrators who need to use Exchange server to its fullest capacity.
Mixed emotions, but mostly goodThis book is big and it talks about a lot of issues but doesn't get into much detail. Perhaps it was not intended to. It sure gives a good general picture for the beginner, but I would have liked to see more on the Internet features like POP3. In coclusion, it's a good "overall" book on Exchange, but my advice is to supplement it with some smaller specialized books like MS Exchange Server Internet Mail Connector by Spyros Sakellariadis
Don't implement MS Exchange 5 without consulting its advice!Using Microsoft Exchange Server
The Azathoth Cycle: Tales of the Blind Idiot God (Call of Cthulhu Fiction)
Published in Paperback by Chaosium (1995)
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chaosium's best?well, it's hard to find a collection with one theme, where you like most of the stories. the writers here have obviously been into the theme, and the stories are amazingly well written. actually, the anthology starts off with very boring stories, but picks up. Kuttner and Campbell delivers good stories. Campbell's could have been really great if he hadn't ended up with a lot of info about these aliens existence, that were pretty uninteresting. Reiney has a great story. but the two who really impressed me were Glasby and Mackey. amazingly well written stories, challenging even HPL. very interesting. many fine details. the suspence in them is great. among the very best in pulp.
A Must Own for all Mythos fansChaosium prides itself on its ability to uncover and deliver rare stories, poems, and other such works of the Cthulhu Mythos. Their 6th book of the Cthulhu Cycle Books, The Azathoth Cycle, is no exception to this rule.
Robert Price, the series editor, presents a clear and entertaining introduction that has the good fortune to be easily understood by those unfamiliar to the Mythos, as well as providing valuable insights to Mythos veterans.
This book is wisely based around the first passage, Edward Pickman Derby's poem 'Azathoth,' a must read for any aspiring Lovecraftian. Many of the stories, by both obscure and known contributers to the Mythos, deal with the subjects presented in 'Azathoth,' thus allowing the reader to gain a better understanding of the work at large. For a fan to own all the stories presented in this book, they would have had to have begun their Mythos collection years ago, collecting obscure fan-zines and short story publications. 'The Azathoth Cycle' presents an excellent starting point for the newer generation of Lovecraft fanatics, giving them a pointer towards Mythos authors such as Campbell, Carter, Price, and Derby.
All in all, Chaosium has done it again, presenting a valuable Mythos work (though, after reading it, one is inclined to say 'tome') for both those new to the worlds of H. P. Lovecraft, and those who have dwelled in those darker recesses of the human soul for years.
Conversations Beyond the Light: Communication With Departed Friends & Colleagues by Electronic Means
Published in Paperback by Griffin Pub (1995)
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Not for the SkepticInstrumental Transcommunication (ITC) is a bizarre field where researchers purportedly communicate with nonhuman and human spirits using electronic devices, including telephones, tvs, computers, etc... Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The authors present their firsthand exposure to the evidence as well as evidence from other researchers; however, they apparently fail to realize that most readers are going to be scratching their heads incredulously as they turn each page. This is a major weakness of the book and makes it utterly unconvincing. The book would be infinitely better if the authors took the stance of an open, but critical investigative journalist or, at least, an academic where they try to address the justifiable skepticism of the reader. Instead, they give us an account of a strange field without a sensitivity to needs of the typical reader. I wasn't convinced by the book. The contents may very well be true, but the authors don't present their case well. This is too bad because the evidence is so fascinating.
Belief systems are for us to learn here -This book is completely documented and able to convince you that there is such a place as a heaven, a beautiful existence after this life. I would recommend it to those who question their current life values here, whether they believe in a God or a higher self it does not matter. It is most revealing and very informative to your soul and is made for your mind to comprehend too. Highly recommend it as a prerequisite to this life journey here.
Destinos: Workbook/Study Guide 1
Published in Paperback by McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages (1996)
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GreatThis workbook is a wonderful tool when used along with the textbook and the destinos tape series. Each chapter teaches you new vocabulary, gives cultural notes and different tenses, all in context so it is easier to learn than in most books.
Great workbookThis workbook, in conjunction with the Destinos Tapes and Textbook, is a wonderful way to learn Spanish. It gives the reader a working knowledge of Spanish from Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and Puerto Rico. Each chapter gives activities on preparing to watch the Destinos tapes, and activities after you have watched the tapes. It helps with the conjugation of verbs and the use of prepositions. A must have for anyone using the Destinos series.
Radical Innovation: How Mature Companies Can Outsmart Upstarts
Published in Hardcover by Harvard Business School Press (15 January, 2000)
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