Just like the distro itself, SuSE Unleashed is a massive volume that explains everything in great detail. Its orginization is such that it also serves as a handy guide for emergencies as well. The CDs that are included come with more than enough programs to enable the beginning Linux user to make that final break from Windows.

This Book had everything I was looking for.

Trying to implement Samba as a Domain server.
It took me a few hours to read all the related chapters.
And then followed the steps in the book and 2 Hours later my server was up and running.

Some minor parts are out of date. But it is still the most valuable book I looked at for Linux.

This is an ideal book for the advanced SuSE user and the beginner. It provides a firm foundation for beginners, and is an excellent reference for the more advanced users. I must agree with one of the previous comments, the TCP/IP section was simply awesome!

I admit I'm a little biased. Richard Robbins was actually a professor of mine at SUNY Plattsburgh, and I had the opportunity to read this book while at the same time taking his global issues class. This book not only changed my mind about a few of the world's issues, it also gave me a broader perspective about the world in general. I now think about things such as 'where do my clothes come from?' and 'how did my fruit cup get here?'. Robbins is an extremely talented man and writer who asks the question, 'Is Disneyland for Everyone?' The answer: a resounding 'No, and here's why!' This book would benefit anyone seeking to gain an understanding about the world and his/her place in it. It truly is a global world, and Robbins' book is the first step to living in it.

At last: a textbook which confronts the cultural power of capitalism. Robbins looks at how capitalism shapes cultures and how it has evolved into the most powerful cultural influence on the planet. A great resource for anthropology, geography, or history. Not your run of the mill textbook, it offers forceful critiques and compelling history. An excellent book for college students.

es un libro muy didáctico, con un contenido secuencial apropiado y con la información requerida por todo profesional para racionalizar sus procedimientos operatorios. lo considero excelente; por esa razón es el libro de texto guia en los seminarios de biomateriales y operatoria en los programas de posgrado de la facultad de odontología de la Universidad de Antioquia

A very interesting exposition of some of the main branches and ideas of mathematics. This is a book for beginners and experts, students and professors. The authors exposes number theory, algebra, geometry, topology and calculus. (For the last topic I recomend the great book of Courant and Fritz, Introduction to Calculus and Analysis.) The mathematical concepts are introduced and motivated by real problems, it seems to me very applied and connected to physics. I have been learning much things with this book. It is very interesting and I recomend for all people that want to read about mathematics.

I read this book while in high school, before enrolling in college. I was captured by the beauty of the subject. Every concept seemed alive: a triumph of imagination, intuition and intelligence. I chose Physics and Mathematics thanks to this book. Without exaggeration, this book had a big influence in my life. Still today it has no equals, and is an enjoyable yet challenging reading for any reader armed with a good hig-school-level math knowledge, and some curiosity.

If you start to read "What is Mathematics?" in order to find a direct answer to the title's issue, forget it! I would like to adapt a piece of "My Brain is Open", by Bruce Schechter, in the following way: "Asking a mathematician to explain exactly what is mathematics is a little like asking a poet what a poem is, or a musician what jazz is. Asked this last question, Louis Armstrong replied, `Man, if you gotta ask, you'll never know.'" On the other hand, if you start to read just to go deeper and deeper in the beautiful, and sometimes magic, structure of Math than I say: Go ahead! Because this book is a perennial source of pleasure. Of course it demands a lot of work to solve some of its problems (at least for me!), but as Courant says, you cannot learn music only by listening! I have reproduced almost all the calculations of this book and I know that it demands a lot of effort, but it is one of the few books I know where each small piece of calculation has its own reward! This book is my definition of perfect guide to Math style! Try it!

If you've got a fair background in beginning Calculus and elementary physics, you may find this book very worthwhile. I wouldn't know.

Don't be fooled, however, by reviewers who claim that Feynman explains things in such a way that even without those basic tools, the book isn't incomprehensible. I've HAD basic calculus, albeit a LONG time ago, and I'm a tad rusty. And I have even less grounding in physics. But I'm far from mathematically illiterate, or incapable. And it isn't true that I got nothing out of my reading of this book; the sixth chapter did, in fact, answer the question that I'd hoped to have answered when I bought it. But by and large, the book was close to impenetrable. Now, clearly, this may well be due to my lack of preparation in the prerequisites for understanding it. But it definitely is NOT the first step in the process of understanding physics, as one reviewer actually called it and others implied. Read "Six Easy Pieces" first, and brush up on first-year Calculus. THEN consider tackling this book.

These lectures where designed to give the student the reasoning behind relativity. Unlike some books, this book does not just explain the results or phenomena of relativity. Feynman actually explains the problems with Newton's laws and actually derives and gives the reasoning for Einstein's theories about relativity. These lectures need only some calculus and basic physics knowledge to appreciate. However, as with most bonfide scientific literature, the more "mathematically and scientifically mature" the reader the better. Feynman uses pieces of calculus (very basic stuff), algebra (symmetry, vector notation, cross products, and dot products), geometry (non-Euclidian), and basic physics knowledge (conservation laws, Newton's laws, Maxwell's equations etc). You don't need all of this to listen and understand the lectures, but obviously the more the better. Feynman also does a good job of explaining some the mathematics involved as well. The lectures pretty much follow the book so you can read along while you listen. These are actual lectures that Feynman gave at Caltech to undergraduates so they are very rigorous. In short, the lectures were clear, very understandable, and offer something to everyone. You don't need anything more than a solid background in calculus and introductory physics to get something out of these lectures.

Six Not-So-Easy Pieces is the sequel to the book Six Easy Pieces. The first book is a collection of six of the easier lectures from Feynman's freshman and sophomore physics classes at CalTech. Six Not-So-Easy Pieces are some of the more difficult lectures from those classes. In contrast to the first book, these lessons are much more mathematical. Freshman calculus is definitely a prerequisite to reading this book. Courses in vector calculus and differential equations will help the reader to more completely understand the works, but they are not absolutely necessary. However, without much mathematical knowledge, one can just take Feynman at his word for all the equations, reading mainly the conceptual explanations, but one will invariably miss out on some of the points. For anyone reading the book, Feynman's teaching style is something that can be enjoyed. He explains the concepts in a comprehensive and not-too-difficult manner and seems to have a full understanding of what the student in the lecture hall is thinking. The six topics (chapters) covered in this book are: Vectors, Symmetry in Physical Laws, The Special Theory of Relativity, Relativistic Energy and Motion, Space-Time, and Curved Space. This book is in no way a survey of physics. It is more of a sampling of Feynman's teaching. However, the common thread that runs through the six pieces is that they all relate to understanding relativity. For the layman who has a mathematical background and wants to understand the concept of relativity, this book is an excellent help. I would suggest reading Six Easy Pieces before reading this book, but it is not necessary. If you enjoyed reading the first book, I would highly recommend this one and vice versa.

I felt a bit of trepidation when approaching this work, as reading a collection of what are considered "The Best Short Works" of a Nobel Laureate Physicist, sounds daunting even for someone trained to some degree in the field. I am not so trained. Mr. Richard Feynman has the additional gift of speaking passionately, and often in a self-deprecating manner, about what he does, with the result that the layperson can enjoy both his originally spoken, and written thoughts. There are terms and concepts that are understood best, and perhaps only, by those who have made the decision to pursue physics to its higher levels. However the vast majority of the book is readable to any that are inquisitive.

Mr. Feynman's Father was also a remarkable man. He was not a trained scientist, and his profession had absolutely nothing to do with science. However as is repeated throughout the book he was the catalyst that recognized and nurtured the talent his precocious son possessed. This topic and the ideas that are expressed about learning and teaching are just one of the topics that is completely accessible to any reader. The topics make for such interesting reading, as the author's enthusiasm combined with his gift for explaining the complex and the abstract, is what allows his thoughts to be accessible, and this is what I enjoyed so much. He was a man of great enthusiasm for the wonders that he sought to understand, and his writing transfers this feeling to his audience.

The quote that titles this review is Mr. Feynman's way of describing his feelings when he learns something new. The feelings translated not only into every recognition that his peers could bestow, but also a gift to the rest of us, for he was able to apply the same mind to questions of religion, morality, teaching, governmental roles in science, the responsibilities scientists have to society, and dozens of other topics.

I enjoyed the entire work but there were some sections that could have justified the entire time spent reading on their own. His lecture at The Galileo Symposium in 1964, and his report on the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster were remarkable. I was unaware of his role as an investigator into the Challenger episode, and was even more surprised that the committee on which he served attempted to suppress his report. Once you have read his report you will understand why many would have liked to see it locked away. He explains what is arguably the most complex piece of equipment assembled by man, and it is elegant in its simplicity. I believe he intended it to be so, as he could have made his case in language that would have been foreign if he had so chose.

I read this book as I enjoyed "Fermat's Enigma" so much. It is not necessary to understand everything that is involved with what these gifted minds have done. It is a pure joy when you can read and gain a glimpse, just a bit, of the ideas that are discussed. It requires a gifted speaker/writer, and this man clearly counted his extraordinary ability to communicate among his skills.

A wonderful enlightening book.

Feynman seems to have something of a cult following, which is a shame, I think. He'd not approve of it. Reading his books, though, it's easy to understand how many people might come to almost worship the man. He was not only a remarkable scientist, he was accessible to the layman by virtue of his clear communication and clear language style. It was his accessibility, his style of communicating in the popular vernacular, and his passion for understanding and explaining things at their most basic level that gained him so much respect. While many academics were busy trying to impress their peers with 50-dollar words and technical mumbo jumbo, Feynman was explaining things with words like "jiggle."

While appreciating Feynman's dislike of cult figures, I count myself among the thousands of individuals that admire the man not only for his intelligence, but also for his earthly mannerisms. Here was a man who was not only very smart ' he was, in a real sense, one of us; part of the mass of humanity. I found this book to be very engaging. In typical Feynman style it is both easy to read, and profoundly enlightening. These are the musings of a citizen scientist, curious intellectual, and genuine genius.

One of the stories I enjoyed most was Feynman's description of things his father taught him about birds. One day one of the other school kids asked Feynman to name a particular bird in the field. Feynman replied that he had no idea what the bird's name was, whereupon the kid jested that Feynman's dad had taught him nothing. But it was just the opposite. Feynman's dad had taught him lots about the bird ' things about its behavior, color, etc. As Feynman recalls his father's lesson: "you know in all the languages you want to know what the name of that bird is and when you've finished with all that you'll know absolutely nothing whatsoever about the bird. You only know about humans in different places and what they call the bird." [See page 4]. This is a most profound observation that many people seem continually confused about: memorizing language-based facts (like the names of birds, lizards, planets, etc.) is not the same as studying those things, and understanding them.

Another of Feynman's beliefs was that understanding things at a mathematical and scientific level does not, and should not, destroy one's ability to appreciate the wonder of the world and universe we live in. In fact, Feynman argues just the opposite; that someone who understands science should find the world an even richer and more amazing place than someone who looks at it with unknowing eyes. This is also a theme in Richard Dawkins' book "Unweaving the Rainbow."

The book is replete with Feynman's musings about the nature of science, and a common thread is that the core of science is the freedom to doubt. He muses that he "believe[s] that one of the greatest dangers to modern society is the possible resurgence and expansion of the ideas of thought control; such as Hitler had, or Stalin in his time, or the Catholic religion in the Middle Ages, or the Chinese today." [See page 99]. He also speaks of the absolute need for full intellectual honesty in science: report all the data, and don't allow personal prejudices to filter it. Lay it all out, keep total commitment to truth, and let the chips fall where they fall.

One chapter describes his ideas regarding the conflict between science and religion. While other authors seem inclined to simply repeat the mantra "there is no fundamental problem between science and religion" Feynman points out that doubt is a foundation stone for science and a frequent taboo in religion. He also (correctly) points out that religion is composed of multiple parts, and that there is not a disagreement between the ethical parts of religion and science, but that a schism does exist between science and much of the mythological base found in religion.

It's not all about philosophy (which Feynman generally disliked). There are chapters that describe the ultimate energy use of computing machines, appeals for the development of nano technology, and Feynman's report on the Challenger disaster. There are also fun chapters, with Feynman describing some of his experiences while working at Los Alamos during development of the atomic bomb. Found throughout these stories are his contempt for figures of authority, and his ever-present need to question things, especially those things we take for granted.

In keeping with Feynman's advice, I resolved to find at least one thing in his book with which I disagreed. After all, Feynman would have wanted it that way. In the chapter that discusses science and religion, Feynman states "' it seems to me that there is no scientific evidence bearing on the Golden Rule." On the contrary, I think evolutionary pressure actually selects for "the Golden Rule," and I believe authors like Dawkins have shown convincingly that what looks like selflessness in some types of altruistic behavior is actually, from an evolutionary point of view, a selfish thing (it promotes the replication of genes responsible for that behavior).

Whether or not you agree with everything in the book is hardly the point. Feynman's point is that we should question and think about everything ' including what he wrote. That's how you find things out. And if you've ever had the pleasure of finding things out, and then sitting back with hands clasped behind your head and a broad smile across your face, this book is for you.

This book is a great introduction to Feynman, though I would still have to recommend "Surely You're Joking..." for the novice. That book was not technical at all, and exposed Feynman's joy in both learning and being a prankster. The Pleasure of Finding Things Out is (slightly) more technical in places, but hardly difficult. It is also much more well-rounded, allowing greater insight into Feynman, who was:
1. Smart as hell
2. Arrogant
3. Happy only when learning
4. Quite a storyteller (in every sense of the word)
5. Thoroughly unconventional

The piece by Freeman Dyson was worth the price of admission, and led me to investigate his works (also highly recommended). I also think the very underrated Challenger Inquiry report was extremely interesting.

Keep in mind, though, that many people I've spoken with really dislike Feynman's arrogance (one person said "he's just a jerk"). I personally feel he had every right to be vain, but over the course of four books, it does get tiring.

As in the Ugly Duckling, things do not always turn out as expected. The subtle theme that beauty of character is more important that outside appearance comes across as well in this book. The language in the book and tape is rich in rhyme. The book is useful for individuals as well as small groups.