Related Subjects: Author Index Reviews Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Book reviews for "Schillaci,_Peter_Paul" sorted by average review score:

Functional Training: Everyone's Guide to the New Fitness Revolution
Published in Paperback by Hatherleigh Pr (15 September, 2001)
Authors: Rosemarie Gionta Alfieri, Paul Chek, Vern Gambetta, and Peter Field Peck
Amazon base price: $12.57
List price: $17.95 (that's 30% off!)
Used price: $12.48
Buy one from zShops for: $11.13
Average review score:

Not the best
This book, while offering some good guidelines for general fitness, does not have adaquate, specific, workout plans to address the various areas of fitness. Any book by Stew Smith, especially Maximum Fitness, or The Boot Camp Workout does a better job without all the high-and-mighty "I am a trained professional so just do as I tell you" attitude that these authors show. This book is written by several different people and as such. lacks continuity and a definitive workout plan. Alot of it comes across as the various authors' opinions. Do yourself a favor and buy Stew Smith's books instead.

Based on the Latest In Fitness!
Unfortunately the latest is not the greatest. The author's idea of functional training is that the most important element in any excercise is instability. However, I rarely find myself doing heavy lifting while balanced on an oversized inflatable ball. Sure, there are some good uses for Swiss Balls, but they're more of a supplement to traditional heavy weight routines. This is the type of training that I have always found most "functional". Unless you have very poor balance or you do most of your activities on an unstable surface, then other types of training will probably give you better carryover.
Basically, this book is capitalizing on a recent trend in the fitness industry towards functionality. Unfortunately, nothing in this book will help you move furniture, open a pickle jar, or become a better athlete. Take a look at books by Tsatsouline, Kubik, Bass, Strossen, Siff or others for more thorough books on fitness.

FUNctional FITness is where it is at!
Great book on an important trend in fitness. Whether you want to train for sports or just want to get more out of your workouts, this book details a variety of programs and exercises that add innovation and fun to your routine. Recommended.


Literacy and Deafness: The Development of Reading, Writing, and Literate Thought
Published in Paperback by Pearson Education POD (13 August, 1997)
Author: Peter V. Paul
Amazon base price: $46.60
Used price: $20.00
Average review score:

not for a general audience
This book is packed full of research reviews, and some may want to take the time to read through these along with other current research and then formulate their own ideas regarding literacy and Deafness.

However, for the person seeking straight-forward information and easy-to-understand practical suggestions, this is NOT the book!

A key researcher in his field, one does not doubt the author's expertise. Perhaps future versions will prove more user-friendly.

Literacy and deafness
This book uses very difficult language. It is not easy reading. I found that the author use of language was hard to understand.

Excellent meta-analysis
This book is a compilation of the current research regarding deafness and literacy. This book is geared toward researchers and educators. It is very extensive in nature and contains information necessary to properly educate Deaf children for improved literacy outcomes. Previous reviews of this book have been harsh, I do not know what the purpose of this information was for other reviewers, but all educators of the Deaf should read and know this information. We have (as educators) have been using outdated "user-friendly" and "easy to understand" information regarding deaf-education. It's time to start challenging ourselves and our students.
I would recommend this book for all educators and interpreters of Deaf children.


XML Applications
Published in Paperback by Wrox Press Inc (1998)
Authors: Frank Boumphrey, Chris Ullman, Joe Graf, Paul Houle, Trevor Jenkins, Peter Jones, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Kathie Kingsley-Hughes, Craig McQueen, and Stephen Mohr
Amazon base price: $49.99
Used price: $1.99
Buy one from zShops for: $2.85
Average review score:

XML APPLICATIONS
Have bouhgt many WROX books and found this to be by far the hardest read, made simple things difficult and ponderous (suffering from verbal diarrhoea), referring too much to later content. Go read something else even from the web it'll save you money and time.

Good Book with very LIMITED USE
I liked the book and it's approach in introducing to XML Application Development. Unfortunately, Microsoft has withdrawn msxml.exe on which most of the content of the book is based. I am not sure if there is any plan, by the authors, to help the developers to get around this and yet, refer to the book for it's excellent approach to mastering XML Technology. I, particularly, liked the chapters on XSL, and practical applications (case studies), including CDF application. I, however, did not like the XML-Data chapter so much. This is mainly because it really does not provide the learning steps as much in detail as other chapters. I wish the author had followed the method used in authoring of CDF-chapter. The book does not provide step-by-step procedure (including that of tools required, setting of tools, personal web server etc.) for testing the source codes provided in the book. It is left to the imagination and the exhaustive work, expenses of time and communications for advice etc. of the learner of this new technology. It took me several hours before I could successfully test the case study source codes. Also, the author/publisher should provide after-sales support due to lack of the basic tool (msxml.exe) on which the entire book is based. Publisher should withdraw this book from the distribution/sale. It seems the author is planning to publish another book in lieu of this, later in Year 2000. Hope the publisher will be kind enough to give some discounts to the buyers of the current book.

xml for programers
This is a typical wrox book: covers mostly microsoft material, good code examples. You can read about XML from resources on the web, but this book gives you an idea on how actual applications may be implemented, at a time where there is little published browser support. 4 stars for the material, 1 for the timing.


301 Startling Proofs and Prophecies
Published in Paperback by This Week In Bible Prophecy (1997)
Authors: Peter Lalonde and Paul LaLonde
Amazon base price: $13.95
Used price: $3.47
Buy one from zShops for: $6.95
Average review score:

The Evolution will not be Televised!
This book was the most outlandishly jingoistic,

I'm not a strong proponent of evolution or creationsim; but the subject held enough interest in me to read this book. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed by the convoluted, short-sighted, "preaching to the choir" prose throughout this book. Even I, who sometimes makes Tori Spelling look like Albert Einstein, could see right through the circular logic, misquotes, distortion of facts, and outright lies that are prevalent throughout this book. This book has enlightened me as to the plight in many states, where so-called "creationist" theory is being promulgated, a theory fabricated to fit a preconceived end which is itself the antithesis of science. I'm glad that these "facts" aren't being taught in our schools, because they show an acute lack of scientific understanding. I recommend reading this book, and then reading a case by case refutation using obvious...

ignorant
This book has no intellectual credibility. It is a typical piece of creationist/anti-science propaganda.Fallacies,sloppy thinking and a lack of anything approaching logic/rigour abound. Anyone with even the slightest background in the scientific method (or a lay person with a good general knowledge of science) will immediatelly recognise this dishonest and cynical book for what it is.

a Must For every interested person on their origins!
This book covers the proofs that are obviously intentionally left out in the school textbooks and the major TV scientific programs. It makes one wonder what the hidden agenda is for leaving out facts that pull ones belief away from evolution to one of a creator. This book fills in the gaps that have never been discovered in an evolutionary theory, even after more than 150 years of diligent research for proof of "molecules to man." After reading these facts, there can be no doubt that the direction must be re-directed to a Creator and focus on what an awesome Being this Creator must be to put together such an inspiring life system and a perfectly harmonious universe in which we live.


Francis & Bonaventure (Triumph Christian Thinkers)
Published in Paperback by Liguori Publications (1997)
Authors: Paul Rout and Peter Vardy
Amazon base price: $9.00
Used price: $3.24
Buy one from zShops for: $3.44
Average review score:

Saint Francis
Father Paul Rout's small study of these two seminal figures in Chrisitanity leaves the reader feeling that more is needed. It is a short and fragmented study which may have amounted to something if more time and effort were put into the scholarship.

It seems to be an outline for what could be a great study. However, the current work amounts to rehashed lecture notes.

Two remarkable leaders following same path, different ways
Rout's book is simply the *best* summary of the lives, thoughts, and actions of Francis of Assisi and his second-generation disciple and expositor, Bonaventure. With clarity and agility, Rout traces the lives of both men, showing the former's charismatic personality and the latter's scholarly excellence and how both used their gifts in spreading the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ to the people of their time. Since Bonaventure is the systematic theologian and was the most significant early Franciscan to give shape to Francis' wisdom, Rout concentrates on his writings and thoughts a great deal, but in no way excludes the life of Francis nor its profound impact on people to this very day. Rout's final chapter on Francis encounter with the Sultan as the basis for modern ecumenical dialogue is excellent. There is simply nothing about this book not to like. It is short and to the point, doesn't get lost in theological jargon, is accessible to anyone, and is profound in its reflections on the experience of God these two had and how it relates to living a Christian life today. As an admirer of both, I highly recommend this book to anyone else who does, and who believes there is more to medieval theology than Thomas Aquinas!!

Beautiful, throughful little book...
Every page of this easy-to-read book is inspiring and worth taking a highlighter to! I loved the prayers and quotes that were included; they showed the sensitivity and compassion of these two wonderful saints. A beautiful book for sure!


Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Windows NT 4 Workstation
Published in Paperback by Sams (1996)
Authors: Peter Norton and John Paul Mueller
Amazon base price: $39.99
Used price: $1.40
Collectible price: $21.18
Buy one from zShops for: $1.26
Average review score:

too complex for freshers
i made a mistake by buying this book. too complex for starters. nothing is explained in detail. More description is given on the networking concepts than on the OS(WIN NT4). i would not recommend this book to anybody, there are better books on NT4.

Some false information given...
I want to be clear that I am speeking specifically about information given in chapter one regarding windows 95. The author claimes that Win 95 is not dependent upon DOS, which is totaly false. Win95 and Win98 do, indeed, run on top of DOS which accounts for the backward compatability. Windows NT (New Technology) makes a clean break from DOS. Additionally, the book mentions problems with WinNT repeatedly but fails to point out that none of the problems associated with WinNT are present in Linux.

Great reference with practical experience
A great reference book filled with tips & tricks that are based upon real-world practical experiences. Like most Norton products, this book is "complete" and is a pleasant change of pace from other books that talk about "theory" and pay little attention to "experience."

A must read for computer folks that use and work with NT Workstation.


Change at Work
Published in Hardcover by Oxford University Press (1997)
Authors: Peter Cappelli, Laurie Bassi, Harry Katz, David Knoke, Paul Osterman, and Michael Useem
Amazon base price: $14.95
Used price: $4.65
Buy one from zShops for: $4.69
Average review score:

Don't waste your time!
"Change at Work"
Cappelli, Peter (1997). Change at Work. Oxford University Press. NY
Change at Work is a commissioned study by the Committee on New American Realities that uses available information in an attempt to understand changing employment practices, changing organizations, and evolving employment relationships. The issues discussed in the book are nationwide workplace trends that have important ramifications for employees, employers, and the U. S. economy.

Change at Work is definitely a scholarly work that must be read in manageable, small portions because of the poor linking of chapters and poor data presentation. Fortunately, the final and concluding chapter of this book makes some sense out of the previous six chapters.

The editor tells us that the book was outlined by the group of authors, then individual authors took responsibility for each chapter. The editor also says "the authors made extensive comments on each others chapters along the way." (14). I have no doubt that the authors made comments on each chapter. I only wish they had taken the time to focus these comments on the transition between and the linking of the chapters and the data presentation. A consistent chapter format that used a conclusion or summary section at the end of each chapter would have facilitated the transition and linking of the chapters. This type of section at the end of each chapter could have solidified the authors' conclusions after the data purge that occurs in each chapter. Each data source pertains to a different time period and means of data collection. Some sources use percentage, while others use raw numbers. The authors do a poor job of linking the data; hence, the net effect is confusion to the reader. The authors would have made the book easier to read by using more graphical representation and detailing the significant data necessary to support their arguments.

The one strength of this book is the editor's ability to bring most of the significant findings throughout the book into a logical concluding chapter that is easy to understand and flows quite well. Each of the previous chapters is referenced directly or implicitly as the editor makes sense out of the book.

The authors are definitely working on a timely topic that most people in industry can relate to. Personally, I started working for my current employer, a global consumer products company, a year or two after they went through a large downsizing period. Since employment, I have seen this trend continue in the supervisory level. This is in alignment with the authors data that shows the percentage of supervisory jobs eliminated doubling in four years. My company is not currently going through a large organized downsizing, but rather a slow downsizing through attrition and hiring fewer people. The flattening of my company, coupled with the implementation of high performance work systems has undoubtedly placed the results of doing business on the employees. The book dedicates an entire chapter to these work organizations and the responsibilities that they bring to the employees.

The book describes the changes and brings supporting data, but the authors do not give any significant conclusions or forecasts and does not present the data in a way that the reader can draw his or her own conclusions. The lack of conclusions or forecasts and the poor linking of the chapters leave the experienced reader, someone who has been through downsizing and is involved in high performance work groups, no better off than he or she was before.

Must read for students and new managers.
Change at Work is a must read for high-school students, college students, and those seeking careers in management. Cappelli has a no nonsense approach with detailing those issues impacting our careers, the work environment, and the future. For those wondering if a technical or college education is worthwhile, Cappelli gives you good reasons for furthering your education. Cappelli and his co-authors do an outstanding job detailing those issues and circumstances faced by today's workers and managers of all business, i.e., corporate America, government agencies and other nonprofit entities, and the smallest of ma-and-pa companies. Cappelli does not offer good solutions for any of the issues he raises in this work. Unfortunately for professionals and management already in the work force, Change at Work offers no new knowledge.

Somewhat interesting but inconclusive
Change at Work is based on a study, commissioned by the National Planning Association's Committee on New American Realities (NAR), to evaluate and comprehend changing employment/organizational practices. The study also looked at the impacts of such changes on the employees of the companies reviewed - particularly the skills and adaptation needed to weather this storm. Change at Work is divided into six chapters, each individually authored by NAR committee members. Consequently, one of the main problems with the book is that it does not flow particularly well. The central theme of Change at Work is that the traditional methods of managing employees and developing skilled workers inside companies are eroding, leaving a new employment relationship in which the attachment between employees and employers has declined. Jobs demand more of their workers but offer them less, and these workers now bear more of the risks of doing business through reduced job security and contingent pay (pay based on performance). In addition, what Peter Cappelli calls the "traditional work arrangements," where companies developed skilled employees and worked to keep them, are quickly disappearing. Pressure on the companies for better performance is being applied from foreign competitors and investors and is causing these companies to explore restructuring to cut out "fat." This "fat" has often been interpreted to mean the companies' employees, who have found themselves to be the unfortunate victims of the now famous concept called "downsizing." The strengths of Change at Work are in the chapters contributed by Cappelli. In addition, the book contains an interesting and thorough variety of data, surveys, and other references, although some may not like their breadth or loose assembly. Unfortunately, Change at Work balances its strengths with several weaknesses. The book claims it is the result of a study, but it is actually more of a history lesson with limited background. It is also not particularly useful as a management tool, and may not even be considered interesting by most managers or employees. The book lacks a solid conclusion to the theme, with the exception that employee/employer relationships will become worse before they improve. Change at Work provides several other useless conclusions as well. Examples include the findings that employees need more skills in the new system (which begs the question-at what point throughout business evolution have employees never needed new skills?); managing these issues will be an enormous challenge; and change at work will continue. Big surprises. The variety of data sources and timeframes simply tossed together leaves the reader hoping that the authors will use them to point to some obvious conclusion or develop their own, but in the last paragraph they resign and state they are divided. The currently strong economy and low unemployment rate, albeit temporary, has given employees an opportunity to strike back in the form of being more selective, demanding better compensation packages, etc. We should not ignore the benefits of corporate restructuring as mentioned in Change at Work. Restructuring has given organizations much more flexibility in accomplishing their goals, has empowered employees, and has given them the autonomy that the traditional model could not.


The Origin and Early Diversification of Land Plants: A Cladistic Study (Smithsonian Series in Comparative Evolutionary Biology)
Published in Paperback by Smithsonian Institution Press (1997)
Authors: Paul Kenrick and Peter R. Crane
Amazon base price: $29.95
Used price: $25.99
Buy one from zShops for: $29.95
Average review score:

A good try, but not very satisfying
This is a comprehensive and well written book about the evolutionary relationships among early vascular land plants. The problem with this book is that it is incomplete as far as the actual biology of these plants. The authors seem to spend endless time going over all the various features of these ancient plants but never once tell us why these features might be biologically important. Also, they analyze their plants in cladistic piece meal, that is, they never provide a single global cladistic analysis, which as far as I am concerned is a major methodological problem. This book is for the expert, not for students. And it is certainly not for the average reader.


Songs in Flight: The Collected Poems of Ingeborg Bachmann
Published in Paperback by Marsilio Pub (1995)
Authors: Ingeborg Bachman, Peter Filkins, Ingeborg Bachmann, and Paul Filkins
Amazon base price: $19.95
Used price: $8.98
Average review score:

death-of-poetry styles
I couldn't even begin to speak of the value of Bachmann's poetry, personal and phenomenological as it is; can only be silent on the subject of its beauty. The two stars in this review are all hers, and the three missing are because Peter Filkins has made a tremendous effort to misconstrue and mutilate every line she wrote, leaving a horrible, pedantic, confused and leaden mess of English doggerel to stand in for her richly efficient Austrian-German poetic. If you can read German, all the German is here, so by all means buy the book and treasure it; if you can't, consider her poems as yet untranslated. May not be the worst abuse to good poetry I've seen (neither is the Hamburger Celan, although that's also pretty strange), considering that I don't for instance read Chinese -- but it's the one that has caused me the most genuine anger and frustration.

I don't think Filkins' translation was in poor faith; he appears to be a poet himself, which is surprising, and he does take pains to retain word order from the German and, most jarringly, preserve rhyme schemes. (Remember high school "translations" of Chaucer? Oh, the grief...) But there are just as many flat-out semantic errors in translation as ingenious attempts at preservation, and it's clear he has no intuition for Bachmann's thought patterns and her ear for sound. Here's hoping someone who does eventually replaces this "standard" text with a more sensitive rendering.

For the record, this reviewer has disagreed strongly with everything Susan Sontag has said about Central European literature, notably Peter Nadas' "A Book of Memories."


Peter Norton's Guide to Delphi 2
Published in Paperback by Sams (1996)
Authors: John Paul Mueller and Peter Norton
Amazon base price: $49.99
Used price: $5.95
Buy one from zShops for: $11.40
Average review score:

This book deserves to remain on the shelf at the bookstore.
This book lacks any real substance about the Delphi language and merely glosses over topics. Leave it on the shelf and the money in your pocket.

Rubbish
Tthis is not only the worst technical book I have ever seen, but is worse than I could have ever imagined. It totally fails to meet any of the promises on the cover. It contains a very superficial look at Delphi using a cookbook approach, padded out with long sections of irrelevant material (e.g. descriptions of Windows API functions, a section on writing DLLs in C), some of which are just inaccurate (e.g. the sections on the Registry and OLE). It is quite clear that the author only has a superficial knowledge of Delphi and prefers writing about other subjects he understands or half-understands

Good Info on How to Interact with a Network
While this book is mostly unremarkable, it has an informative chapter on how to interact with a network via the Windows API, dynamically map drives, capture printers, etc.


Related Subjects: Author Index Reviews Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Reviews are from readers at Amazon.com. To add a review, follow the Amazon buy link above.