Personally I have bought many books about C++ Builder and this one interested me a lot. I really consider this book a reference one, not one for learning the programming aspects of C++ Builder. Most of the examples perform wonderful things, but they are done using a very low level API programming with the aid of the VCL components. Examples are very specific to accomplish a single thing like morphing an image to another or making a little animation inside the form's caption (believe it, it's possible). You have the source code there, but unless you understand the API, you will take things explained there by faith. If you are a beginner, wait some time to buy this book, if you are an expert go ahead and buy it

I will recommend this book to the people knowing C++ and the api well if you need to make windows-applications and would like to use Builder to do it. During my final year project, this book has been absolutely essential. I've found very nice solutions to advanced problems. Without it, I would have had severe trouble. Although it covers alot, it doesn't cover everything - there is still need for some fiddeling around. Conclusion : highly recommended for intermediate to advanced programmers.

Not many books are available for Borland C++ Builder (compared to MS Visual C++ and MFC). And as there's not so much to choose from, one has to be happy with what exists.

This book has an interesting form that I personally didn't find in other computer software related books - it's divided into problems and answers. Each problem-answer consists of a question, exact programming steps to solution and explanation of the solution.

The book covers many programming topics, like forms, windows controls, internet, database, custom controls, etc., etc. All solutions are presented in such way that you can freely combine them together. You just implement all that would suit your particular needs in your projects. The book is well structured, so you can find what you're looking for easily.

I find the book VERY readable and easy to understand (I have 2 years of Visual C++ and MFC programming practice and have recently switched to BCB) and I find myself browsing through the pages just reading the contents "offline" many times. And every time I run into something cool, something that will just have to be implemented in my next project...

There are few examples, where not all code is covered in the book - you can get it complete on the included CD. I also found some examples that are based on older version of BCB (I use BCB4), so I had to find the corresponding commands in the menu. But nonetheless I still think it's really a good book and I only wish every software would have a similar how-to book...

Written in the 15th Century and directed towards monks, this is a devotional for Christian living and Monastic life. While noting the time period helps give depth to the historical backdrop of when Thomas was writing this book, it is perhaps more important to know the audience. The intended audience for The Imitation of Christ was monks. This is obvious in the text and it should be kept in mind while reading this work.

This highly influential work has a very simple message: live like Christ. Presented in this book, it is a very strict message. Thomas takes a very strict interpretation of following Christ and the message is very much rooted in the idea of works. It is the actions that one must perform, and not so much the inner state (though he does stress that the inner state is important). This would be a difficult message to take or to give, but again, we must consider the audience: monks living in a monastery. They must live a harsher life and because of their vows, this devotional makes perfect sense.

This can be read as a historical document in Christianity or as a devotional. Either way, one can find great value and and some illumination of the words of Christ through this volume.

Thomas a Kempis was medival monk and priest (1380-1471) who served as chronicler of the monastery at Mt. St. Agnes. During his long life of scholarship, he wrote several biographies of church fathers and a number of devotional works. The "Imitation of Christ" remains his most famous work and the one that has best stood the test of time. Indeed, one of the wonderful things about this work is that it reminds us that the life of the mind is not a creature of the Enlightenment. Even during the so-called Dark Ages there were brilliant scholars with a wide knowledge of both scripture and philosophy. Reflecting its vibrant insight into the human condition, the "Imitation of Christ" remains influential on both sides of the Reformation divide. It reportedly was, for example, one of John Wesley's favorite devotionals.

The "Imitation of Christ" is divided into 4 books, each undertaking a basic theme for development. They are, respectively, the Spiritual Life, the Inner Life, Inward Consolation, and the Blessed Sacrament (i.e., the Eucharist). In turn, each book is sub-divided into numerous chapters, each a page or two long. All of which makes the "Imitation of Christ" a useful book for daily devotionals. One can skip around freely within the book, dipping in as the mood strikes. Yet, I think one is well-served by reading it through at least once. Only then does one see Thomas' thought in its fully-developed form. Do be sure to get a good translation. I am fond of the one by Leo Sherley-Price.

Thomas a Kempis was medival monk and priest (1380-1471) who served as chronicler of the monastery at Mt. St. Agnes. During his long life of scholarship, he wrote several biographies of church fathers and a number of devotional works. The "Imitation of Christ" remains his most famous work and the one that has best stood the test of time. Indeed, one of the wonderful things about this work is that it reminds us that the life of the mind is not a creature of the Enlightenment. Even during the so-called Dark Ages there were brilliant scholars with a wide knowledge of both scripture and philosophy. Reflecting its vibrant insight into the human condition, the "Imitation of Christ" remains influential on both sides of the Reformation divide. It reportedly was, for example, one of John Wesley's favorite devotionals.

The "Imitation of Christ" is divided into 4 books, each undertaking a basic theme for development. They are, respectively, the Spiritual Life, the Inner Life, Inward Consolation, and the Blessed Sacrament (i.e., the Eucharist). In turn, each book is sub-divided into numerous chapters, each a page or two long. All of which makes the "Imitation of Christ" a useful book for daily devotionals. One can skip around freely within the book, dipping in as the mood strikes. Yet, I think one is well-served by reading it through at least once. Only then does one see Thomas' thought in its fully-developed form. Do be sure to get a good translation. I am fond of the one by Leo Sherley-Price.

Jackson - Fielder 1870 - 2000 is a comparison of photographs of Colorado, showing the changes that have occurred geographically and developmentally over the past century. William Henry Jackson took pictures at the end of the 19th century. John Fielder returned to the exact locations a hundred years later to capture the similarities and differences that have taken place. The book is fascinating and nostalgic not only to Coloradans, but to historians, geologists, environmentalists, as well as anyone who just loves to view the beautiful scenery of the Rocky Mountains and the surrounding foothills. I highly recommend this book for hours of enjoyment.

This is a spectacular book! Being a Colorado native I was facinated with the concept of "then and now" photos, looking closely for all changes in natural and man made landscape. I had hoped for a little more front range material, but totally enjoyed the wonderful photo art work Fielder is known for in our beautiful state. My entire family has spent hours viewing the pages. I own several other similar books on Colorado. This is most definitely a star addition to the collection.

A fourth generation Coloradoan, I can appreciate the time and patience it must have taken for John Fielder to assemble this photo archive. Who knows if Jackson left exact notes as to where he was standing when he composed his shots? It looks as if Fielder had taken great pains to get the shot from the same or similar vantage point as Jackson. It was great to see that some aspects remained the same, and the changes were interesting too. My sister had her name on a waiting list for three months before she was able to purchase this book for me, and I'm very glad she did. If the publisher ever gets more, the next one is for my sis. It's a great book for our public libraries, too. What's with the shortage?

This book was given to me when I was a 13 year old living outside of Houston TX. It was the book that launched my fascination with true crime books of high quality (i.e. Darcy O'Brien,Vincent Bugliosi). I am still fascinated by the case and have heard many rumors in the last 20 years about the actual cause of death. Amazing - that this story still haunts me all these years later. It is out of print and I own a copy I have never lent out for fear of never seeing it again! Also interesting was Ann Kurth's Prescription:Murder which is her side of the case. Not even close to the same caliber as Blood & Money but still interesting. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - find it at the library or a used book store immediately!

Thomas Thompson does a fantastic job of re-telling the events surrounding the mysterious death of a Houston socialite, the investigation into the death, the trial of her prominent surgeon husband, and the circumstances surrounding his murder a few years after hers. This is without a doubt the most gripping story I have ever read. Thompson's research on this project was extensive, and I would imagine exhaustive. It is written as if he were a witness to all the events which took place in this story. It is a story so bizarre, it would have to be fiction, but sadly was a very true story of adultery, greed, and vengeance. If you can find the book I highly recommend you buy it. You will have a hard time putting it down.

'Blood and Money' is just about the best book I have ever read regarding true crime. I am an avid Ann Rule fan but Tommy Thompson's tale of murder(s)in Texas was spellbinding. I have read this book probably 20 times and will read it again and again. This book was the best purchase I have ever made at a used book store.

This is considered by some to be Mann's last great work. Great it is, though perhaps not the monumental triumph equal to the Magic Mountain. This novel is a Faustian story--its hero is the German composer Adrian Leverkuhn, a musician who becomes so tormented with his music and so obsessed with creative genius that he makes a pact with the devil and bargains away his soul for twenty-four years of unparalleled musical ability.

As always, Mann's work is full of philosophical and theological debates, and there is also a good deal of musical discussion here as well. Adrian's deal with the dark one is a metaphor for Germany in the period during and between the two great World Wars. Like his homeland, Adrian becomes obsessed with power and glory, and revolutionizes music to such a great extent that the outside world is repulsed by it. In the end, like Germany, his power and glory come to an end, and as Serenus (the narrator of the story) sits writing in the midst of the allied invasion of Germany, Adrian is finally called to pay his debt.

Mann's narrative is always very compelling, and this is no exception. And, as usual, there is much deeper meaning than what is perceived at the surface, and the poignant and important message of the novel is the danger of becoming over-greedy for power, and of falling victim to one's own ambitions (as both Adrian and Germany do). Adrian loses his ability to love, and he can never regain it, not even when he ultimately seeks redemption. This is a great spin on the Faustian concept, and also a very powerful novel about the effects of the German Reich during World Wars 1 and 2.

The German obsession with the legend of Faust is updated richly and memorably in what may well be Thomas Mann's greatest achievement. This is a novel about the exploration of ideas--about the underpinnings of art, music and literature. It is a novel about why art and humanity are inextricably intertwined. And it is a novel about how the death of humanity in art is mirrored in the social death of humanity.

This book is my fantasy of university comes to life. When I was young, I imagined that getting a college degree entailed exploring the meaning behind intelligence, art, philosophy and morality. What I got was a bunch of slackers trying to coast through classes just to have something to put on a resume. Doctor Faustus helps fulfill the dream a younger me had. Rich in subtext and detail, many may find it tough slogging at first. Persevere and you will be richly rewarded.

If I had a major criticism with this book, it would be that some chapters seem more like essays than chapters of a work of fiction. I don't care. The ideas are brilliantly explored and presented for your consideration.

Just a note about the review below: My copy of the hardback didn't contain the musical translation errors noted by this previous reviewer. One page, in particular, clearly delineates the differences between the German scheme of musical notation and our more widely known system. Either the reviewer accidentally skipped over this, or the text was corrected somewhere along the line (although I have the first English edition).

There are certain myths that seem to center a culture, stories that define and create a nation's heritage. The Great Gatsby defines the central american mythos. The Brothers Karamazov centers the Russian canon; and without a doubt the Fausus legend is at the heart of Germany's entire history, both political and cultural. Thomas Mann's retelling of the Faust legend for the twentieth century rarely misses a beat in its probing inquiry into the nature of Aesthetics, Sexuality, and Politics. And while the central questions on the role of power in relation to morality and the limits of artistic freedom that are the center of the Faust legend are here, Mann also manages to bring originality and his literary gifts to this retelling. What is remarkable about this narrative is that it tells you as much about the narrator as our Fausus himself. The narrator, Dr. Serenus Zeitblom, is just as central to this tale. His relation to our Faustian composer provides much of the dramatic tension as well as a human element in the esoteric wars over the nature of artistic power. Mann is among the greatest novelists of our century, and this is an unflinching novel that strives for meaning while within the echo of the Nazi guns that are the testament to the power of Faust and the darkness that the human soul must resist.

Buddenbrooks is an astonishing novel from a 25 year old Thomas Mann, showing deep and mature insight into his characters and the world of a 19th century Baltic city (modelled on his native Lubeck). It is Mann's most directly engaging novel, a pleasure to read and re-read. However, translations of Mann have always been problematic. The early Helen Lowe-Porter translations are clearly inadequate, and more recent translators such as David Luke and John Woods have attempted to remove the layers of obscurity added to the texts by Lowe-Porter (as well as some obvious errors). This recent translation of Buddenbrooks from John Woods succeeds in providing a more direct entry into the world of Buddenbrooks, and removes the linguistic complexities and purple passages that clearly belonged to Lowe-Porter, and not to Mann. However, in doing so, Wood has also removed some of the poetry from the novel. Not the least part of this is the translation of much of the novel into American vernacular, much of which is inappropriate in a novel of 19th century northern Germany. For example, characters who speak in Bavarian dialect are translated into a kind of Texan slang which reminded me more of the wild west than than a Baltic trading town. Wood's choices are often doubtful, and the persistent inappropriateness of some of these detracts from the experience of reading this undoubtedly great novel. In summary, I rate the book as 5 stars, with a star lost for the translation. (By comparison, I rate the Lowe-Porter translation as 3 stars.) We are still waiting for an ideal translator of Mann.

Considered by many to be the greatest German novelest of the 20th Century, Thomas Mann, in his first great novel, Buddenbrooks, chronicles the life and decline of what must be taken to be a typical 19th Century German middle class family. The Buddenbrooks, a conservative and traditional mercantile family (Johann Buddenbrooks, the family patriarch, sells grain for a living), live in a smallish Northern German town in which they, among other characters in the book, figure prominently as both local notables and political players. However, while this is a family chronicle that is reputed to mirror the joys and travails of Mann's own family, what is glaringly absent from Buddenbrooks is any concern or mention of, other than one in passing, any of the great events which forged the fate of modern Germany. While more than likely an intensional omission on the part of Mann, an omission that may be a telling signal to the reader of the insularity of upper middle class life in 19th Century Germany, the chonicle itself seems to suffer somewhat from the fact that the family seems to be relatively unaffected by the wars, the plebian revolutions of the 1940s--or by the great Franco Prussian war of 1870. Beginning in the 1830s, the family sees its business rise in the wake of the chaos brought by Napoleon 25 years earlier: children are born, grow up into different fates and pursuits, and this mirror of the mercantile classes of German hints at the wonders of an essentially modern era that since has been hailed as a national renaissance. Fashionable, comfortable, concerned with reputation, the Buddenbrooks family is not all that unlike many of the upper class families in America. Like the rise of a new nobility that has come to bear upon the ages in the footsteps of industrialization and the democratic impulse, the Buddenbrooks chronicles reveals just how modern in spirit Germany was in an era its people dominated the European spirit.

What carries this novel is its writing. Mann's style is exceptionally malleable: The descriptions are not only evocative, they are often powerfully emotional, full of the spirit of the times and revealing in themselves of the 19th Century German character. The dialogue is impeccable, the characters memorable and, like all family chronicles, the mundane events are not only entertaining and often funny, they are universal as well. All in all, Buddenbrooks was a much more rewarding book to read than I had expected.

LIKE Goethe, to whom he devoted a novel ("The Beloved Returns") and several thoughtful essays, Thomas Mann published his first and most enduringly popular novel at the age of 25. Unlike "The Sorrows of Young Werther" (1774), Goethe's brief epistolary account of the frustrations of life and love leading to the troubled hero's suicide, Mann's "Buddenbrooks" chronicles four generations in the history of a prosperous North German bourgeois family.

The saga picks up the tale of the Buddenbrooks in 1835 at the peak of their financial prosperity and family stability. Old Johann Buddenbrook, son of the founder of the family firm, has just moved the family and the business into one of the most handsome houses in town. By the time the novel ends 42 years later, the aging yet still spirited Tony is almost the only surviving member of the family. Her parents and grandparents, as well as Thomas and a younger sister, have died. Christian is confined to an asylum, and the only male heir is dead. The house has been sold and the firm liquidated. In the course of hundreds of pages we have witnessed a succession of marriages, births, divorces and deaths punctuating the decline of the initially robust family -- a decline brought about by the weakening of business acumen and ethics as the family succumbs to the enticements of wealth, with its inevitable concomitants of sickly religiosity, artistic inclinations and disease.

"Buddenbrooks" constitutes a remarkable achievement for a first novel. Incisive characterizations are achieved through a witty use of German dialects and the adaptation of leitmotif techniques borrowed from Wagner. And the fast-paced narrative is tightly controlled by a structure evident in the parallel between the first chapter and the last: both take place on rainy evenings in the fall, and both feature Tony Buddenbrook in conversations about religion -- first with her rationally skeptical grandfather and at the end with her aged teacher, who has always waged the good fight "against the onslaughts of reason." "Buddenbrooks" encounters a work that is close in style, vocabulary, idiom and tone to the writer's intent and can thus appreciate more fully the monumental achievement of the artist as a young Mann, this is a powerful read!

Louise Hagler's books are excellent. I've been using her recipe books over the last 20 years. The recipes are always down to earth and very easy to prepare. Some vegetarian recipe books are too "gourmet" or "exotic" for my family's tastes. These recipes are great for every day of the week and the ingredients don't have to be purchased at a specialty store, just your neighborhood grocery store. My other favorite book by Louise is "The Farm Vegetarian Cookbook".

This book has lots of great tofu recipes. It has recipes for desserts, main dishes, quick breads, cookies, side dishes, sauces, dressings, soups, and much, much more. Many of the main dishes are variations on traditional American meals like meat loaf (tofu loaf), and there are Chinese, Korean, and Mexican main dishes too, as well as other cultural dishes like Jewish-style stuffed cabbage rolls. I use this cookbook a couple of times a week and make a few different recipes that are my favorite. It's a cookbook that will definitely be used on a regular basis

Many useful recipes, from making basic tofu to a tasty ice cream. Good explanations, good information, very good pictures and easy to follow recipes. The results are splendid ! It is a must in any vegetarian home library.

I read The Pilgrim's Progress as a child and recently reread it in order to do a comparative essay on allegorical journeys for my english class. The other book I read for the assignment was Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, and I found that Bunyan's novel equaled or exceeded Conrad's in every way. While Conrad used far more symbolism and allusions, I felt that Bunyan still did a better job of making the reader identify with his character's journey. The Pilgrim's Progress is a wonderfully written story that inspires hope and confidence in God to help his people though their own journeys.

My Grandmother proferred this book to me at a very early and immature age in my lifetime. I struggled and persevered with it, using a dictionary to decipher most words longer than 6 letters! Eventually I came to the end with with a strong determination to face up to my life with the same courage as Christian! Unfortunately, like Christian, I lost my way,more than once in my later years, lingering in unseemly places,falling into pools of Despondancy,and loosing Hope at one stage. I cant really remember the entire ending to Christian's journey,but as a man of some years now, and finding life a lot less turbulent and more meaningful,then I graciously look forward to the final part of my journey. Praise be to God. Like the book of JOB,John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is impossible to rate with a few stars! I would suggest that such books should be purchased 'mainly' unabridged but nevertheless, intelligible to the reader.

Pilgrim's Progress has been accepted by the world as a classic piece of literature. However, just as Handel's Messiah is recognised as a magnificent work without people really appreciating the message it brings so Pilgrim's Progress can suffer from its own fame. Here we have the stories of believers moving towards heaven. They have ups and downs. They suffer pain and experience pleasure. All the time the christian reader is being led forward into experimental practical christian avenues. Despair, doubt, backsliding, the temptations of the world, helps from above and support from others on the Way all make this work so vital and relevant. Both parts, Christian's journey and Christiana's are wonderful in their own ways. For the past four years I have preferred the second part. Read it every year at least once. If you must read only one other book next to your Bible let it be this one, (Or Thomas Watson on All things for Good) but do read it all. A classic that is beyond review.

Having previously read Wrox's Professional ASP Programming, I tried this book, hoping for something of equal merit.

This volume is has some decent material, but is marred by a tendecy to sloppiness.

Firstly, as other reviewers have noted, there are too many authors (count 'em - 16!), which is unnecessary, and leads to inconsistencies in presentation. The book could quite easily have been authored by a single writer. There are only a few chapters that required specialist knowledge.

For example, the early chapters are quite good at advising the reader on PHP settings. Since there's no option explicit in PHP,the author correctly advises the reader to increase their error setting to report unused variables. Later, however, much of the code uses uninitialised variables. This is particularly the case in the chapter on form handling, the approach to which is too crude, and uses form variables directly in code, whereas a better approach would be to capture them and process them using isset(). The isset() function isn't even covered in this chapter,but is used correctly in other chapters.

Secondly, while the converstational tone of Wrox books is often appealing, it can also be a problem at times. The presentation is not always comprehensive enough, and Wrox authors have a tendency to give overly clever examples.

Strangely, there's no reference section. I found some of the explanations sloppy and confusing, especially the section of session variables. (I still can't get the WAP application to work properly.)

Thirdly, the chapter on OO design leaves the reader stranded. After a decent theoretical discussion, the writer informs the reader that there will be no code examples, as the reader now knows enough theory to work an example out for themselves! If I've paid for the book, I don't really want to have it set homework for me.

Fourthly, there are an annoying number of errors in the code. Many of these are corrected in the online errata, but there are quite a few that aren't at present. Furthermore, some of them are not typos, but seem to be the result of misconceptions on the part of the writer. This tends to reinforce the impression that some of the authors are relatively inexperienced.

Lastly, there are a large number of errors in the downloadable code. I suppose supplied code should be seen as a bonus, but it's poor quality control, and greatly adds to the user's annoyance.

I learnt PHP3 from Leon Atkinson's Core PHP programming, but i had to refer to the manual and the list archives for several problems.I came across this book recently from KY's review corner - I have been able to raise my level of PHP knowledge after reading through this book.This book is an asset for Professional PHP developers who can refresh their PHP knowledge with the excellent case studies. For beginners there are several examples throughout the book that will help them understand how to use PHP to create fully featured active sites.This book also has extensive database treatment - using PHP with MySQL,PostgreSQL and ODBC.
It is a must for anyone wanting to use PHP or make the move from PHP3 to PHP4!

Another excellent red book on PHP. I have learned PHP through several books, extensive articles, tutorials, and now Professional PHP4 tops the list of useful PHP literature.
Things that i found really helpful:
•Explanation for all those buggy installation problems
•Handling files on the server's file system, and how to upload files from the web browser
•Sending e-mail and posting new articles with PHP, working with SMTP, POP/IMAP and NNTP
•An exhaustive case study (76 pages!) on building a shopping cart application for mobile phones
•Using PHP as a command line script interpreter
•PHP with XML
This book has a pretty exhaustive view of most topics, and is the ideal book for PHP developers wanting to add professionalism to their web application development. I shall continue using this as a reference for all topics PHP (till I get another red book with photos).

Here is the message of "Dark Night Of The Soul": God wants our will more than anything else. To get it, he may allow us to stumble on without any sense of his presence or obtaining any pleasure from our spiritual exercises or even our life. All that will be left us is our decision to continue doing our duty despite not receiving any apparent gain from doing so. According to St. John, this is what pleases God more than anything for then we will serve God solely for Himself and not for any good feelings, sensations, or rewards we might experience by doing so. Whatever the validity of this spiritual approach (and I wonder about the value/point of sanctifying depression in this age of anti-depressants), St. John wrote this detailed book to explore it and did it better than anyone else has ever done. That makes it an important contribution to the literature on spirituality. But it also makes it something that most people will not be able to fathom or have any use for. The hours of daily prayer required by the school of thought that produced this book seem to me excessive and to miss the whole point of the Christian life. Most of us would be driven mad by such intensity-and I don't doubt that some have been. I tend to think that doing our duty is sometimes just work (true) but also sometimes will give a great sense of fulfillment and satisfaction because there are intrinsic rewards that come with being a good worker, spouse, parent, friend, etc. There is little point in getting this book unless you live in a cloister or are planning to do so and only if God is calling you to the depths of contemplative prayer. That leaves out 98% of the human race, including me. This is a dry treatise; admirable without being in the least bit inspiring. It is best left to graduate courses in spirituality or medieval Spanish literature (the poem is reportedly excellent Spanish poetry).

Yes, John of the Cross is hard to read. I have not read all translations, and have it in mind as a project, but I don't expect ever to take a book by him to the beach for a quick, entertaining read.
What John is, and the reason he is still read and studied and, in fact, treasured, is a scientist of prayer. If you are genuinely determined to climb Mt. Carmel, to pray and live your way into God, you need to read and re-read John. Like the Gospels, his work is dense and allusive, and full of layer upon layer of meaning. It is well to read present day authors who write about his work, too. But by no means should you leave him aside in your search for information and inspiration. There is no one else like him. He is the real thing.

review by Janet Knori, author of Awakening in God

St. John of the Cross is truly a superb Saint and Mystic. Through his writings You can see how your own spiritual journey may not always be easy. If you are looking for a book that will not only inform you of the dark night, but also give you a self evaluation of your own life, then this is the book for you. In parts it may seem that St. John is peering into your soul and speaking directly to you. The wonderful thing about this book is that no one will have the same experence of it. Everyone who reads it will read it in light of where they are in their own lives. the reflection and thoughts of this Holy man will force you to look inside yourself to find what you need to do to reach the Ultimate union with God. St John of the Cross...Pray For Us!