Written by the precursors of modern seismic isolation technology, "An Introduction to seismic isolation" is one of the most challenging treatments in structural dynamics so far. Skinner et al first introduce the reader to the concept of seismic isolation as a whole, explaining the philosophy behind this technique, followed by a brief review of the structural dynamics theory needed for the basic understanding of the more specifically mathematical explanations in chapter 4, where the equations of motion for the theoretical models are explicitly derived. Here, the authors make the difference, providing a good treatment in which a high mathematical understanding level is required. Chapter 3 is a complete description of the different seismic isolation systems available, describing their controlling parameters, composition, tested performance and analytical models for design. Chapter 5 is an excellent guide for analysis and design, from a more practical point of view. Chapter 6 is simply a description of some of the more prominent seismic isolation projects worldwide. Until now, the best reference, sophisticated yet understandable bibliography about seismic isolation.

Skinner et al. book on seismic isolation is much more than an introduction, is a must to anyone interested on the subjects of seismic isolation and passive energy dissipation. The book is quite complete, and it is easy to read (if you do not mind NZ English), both for students or experienced professionals or professors. All chapters have basic and advanced material. The book is not married with a single base isolation system, a difference with other books available on this topic. I am looking forward to a second edition of this book that may add some new material on the development of other isolation devices and design methods that have been proposed during the last seven years.

If you enjoy reading about the Kiowa tribe you'll love this book. It provides an interesting insight into the life of Chief Satanta (White Bear), his family and all those involved trying to bring peace between the Kiowas and the white man. It is also very informative about the Native Indian culture. My fastest read yet!

Seeing Beyond: Movies, Visions, And Values is a compilation of twenty-six essays by William R. Robinson and an assortment of his personal friends on the subject of film theory and offering a wide range of commentary and criticism of American and foreign films. In addition to Robinson the contributors include Annie Dillard, Frank Burke, R.H.W. Dillard, George Garrett, Armando Jose Prats, A. Carl Bredahl Jr., Seve Snyder, Vincent B. Leitch, David Lavery, Elaine Marshall, J.P. Telotte, Walter C. Foreman Jr., and Susan Lynn Drake. Each essay is a small gem. Taken together as a whole they form a persuasive argument that movies are a fundamentally revolutionary moral force in contemporary life. Seeing Beyond: Movies, Visions, And Values is an invaluable contribution to film theory and criticism, and a highly recommended addition to both academic and community film library reference collections.

I really enjoyed this story. I really liked it when her family felt sorry for her and let her have that cat. It's about a little girl on her way to Missouri with her family, Ma, Pa, Kate, Benjy, Duffy, and Doris.

My 7 yr. old advanced reader found this book not only reasonable to read, but it held her excitement at wanting to know what would happen to each of the characters as the wagon train progressed on its journey and met real dangers. It was not too scary, but filled with the concerns of real life in the pioneer days. The story developed the unfolding of a girlhood friendship in such a way as to show a young reader ways to ease into a relationship. It was a delight to read with a child and educational in many ways.

The authors - two pastors and a college chaplain - write from personal experience of the new "post-liberal" perspective emerging within the Protestant mainline churches. Thoughtful and readable, the book is particularly suited to the lay person who has felt that the church should be more than a well-intentioned institution dedicated to "making the world a little nicer," but has not been able to identify where the problem lay, or what the solution might be.