The thing that makes this book great is that it lives up to its title and actually demonstrates practical approaches to using Mathematica. It covers the topics I've seen in other books and many that I haven't seen in other books like optimization and file IO.

This is the only Mathematica book I have seen with enough examples and depth to really show what Mathematica can do. The examples and quizzes are very clever and are a great reference to the subtle kind of tricks you can do to make your programs faster, cleaner, and smaller.

A selection of the diverse examples in the book: Chernoff Faces, Monte Carlo Simulations, Cryptography, 3D molecular-structure renderings, an Eliza program, and a discussion and comparison of functional, rule-based, and procedural programming styles.

Nancy and Colin have brought forward a Mathematica text of exceptional ease in learning. This text is current and has the same easy flow of information that has become the hallmark of this duo. It is well written for a self learning experience or can be adopted to a class setting. Of special note is the presentation of programming techniques, the book starts with the basics and continues to build the readers ability with Mathematica programming.

Colin Rowe's essays are exceptionally insightful and truly enlightening. These essays were written decades ago but they're still enormously valuable and still very fresh. The first essay, from which the book takes its title and probably Rowe's most famous, is an analysis of the geometrical and proportional similarities between Le Corbusier's villa at Garches and Palladio's Villa Malcontenta. A brief but dense tour de force. Perhaps his next most famous essay is "Transparency: Literal and Phenomenal," written with Robert Slutzky. Also a real eye-opener. In other essays he discusses the curious relationship between the Chicago frame and modern architecture; neo-classicism and modern architecture; mannerism and modern architecture; La Tourette; 19th century thinking about architectural character and composition; and the architecture of utopia. These essays make you think, look at things differently, look at things you hadn't noticed, and they ultimately enlarge your understanding of architecture and your architectural field of vision. I'm grateful to Colin Rowe for that. After reading this book I bought his three-volume collection of essays, "As I Was Saying." I just had to have more. The essays in this book put your mind to work but Rowe's writing is also quite engaging. He's a genuinely independent thinker and a rigorous one too. These are wonderful essays and the book is highly recommended.

This collection of essays by Prof. Colin Rowe is considered to be among the most important analytical essays on architecture in this century. Prof. Rowe has won the Gold Medal in Architecture from Queen Elizabeth and was Professor of Architecture at Cornell for over 25 years.

There seems to be very limited information available on the technique of monotype. This book fills that void by demonstrating the incredible variety of effects possible using the monotype method. There are no projects, per se, rather it teaches techniques that help you create your own masterpieces. Many pieces of example artwork are found throughout the book.

A monotype is a one-of-a-kind print made by transferring a painted image to paper. The book starts out with an introduction to materials including plates, mediums, solvents, panting tools and paper as well as hand and press transfer equipment. It also covers studio safety and finding workshop facilities.

Techniques are next including working into a light or dark field and both hand and press transfer.
These include step-by-step instructions accompanied by demonstration photos. Working in specific mediums including watercolor, acrylics, water-soluble writing instruments, monoprint paints (Createx), oil paints, water-based oils and alkyds follows. A section discussing special oil-based printing inks for lithography, etching, printing and serigraphy is also here. There is even a chapter on special techniques including using masks & stencils, embossing and creating collages.

The final chapter gives an overview of monoprints, which combine monotype with other print making processes, and mixed-media monotypes. This includes intaglio, drypoint and engraving, as well as linocut and collagraphic monoprints.

There is a nice list of suppliers as well as interesting biographical notes on the artists featured in the back. This is a great book that displays the great diversity in mediums and results available with monotype.

This book is a valuable resource of methods used in making monotypes. Ms. Ayres reviews every aspect of making a monotype from the tools, the ink or paint, and the process of transferring the image. All the printmaking terms used when describing this art are expertly explained and illustrated. It is clearly not a medium restricted to artists familiar with printmaking. The work of many artists are presented along with the ingenuity they have used to transfer their work. A very valuable resource book both for the artist and those wishing to learn more about this art form.

Mozart's K. 622 is certainly one of his greatest concerti. If you have listened to this work several times, or simply want a better understanding, Lawson's book is ideal. Although I am not a clarinetist, this book has profoundly shaped my listening and appreciation of this masterpiece.

True to this Cambridge series, the concerto is put into its historical context. Did you know that the clarinet used in the late 1700s was toned differently than today's? Did you know there is no cadenza?

The chapter on design and structure is arguably the best set of program notes on the piece. The descriptions are nearly bar-by-bar, so you will need to have a score handy. For example, the development section of the first movement (Allegro) changes tonality from E major to F# minor to D major to B minor to F# minor in about 20 bars. Where the book does justice is to show parrallels both within movements as well as between movements.
Indeed, there are even references to other Mozart works, especially to the esteeemd Clarinet Quintet and even clarinet portrayls in Don Giovanni and Cosi Fan Tutte. Ideally, this book would have been more accessible through an interactive CD-ROM with links to those themes. This then is the reason to get the book--the rich context, both musically and historically, in which this piece is put. In other words, a careful reading of Chapter 6, with a recording and the score, and my finger on the pause button, have given me increased insight into not only this piece, but several other Mozart conerti and arias.

Please note that the book is scholarly and I have onl described a single chapter. For most other books, I would not consider the purchase of a book for a single chapter a good value. Hoewver, bearing in mind that Mozart's Clarinet Conerto is THE definitive clarinet concerto and a piece no Mozart lover should be without, it is a worthwhile investment. To the first time listener, the last movement, with its rapid changes in tessitura, rich textures, and addictive melodies will offer the listener bubbling satisfaction. By reading the book, it will offer increased insight into this masterpeice of this genius.

An excellant book for the clarinet player and Mozart enthusiast. It provides clear concise information regarding the conception of the concerto as well as the various people who helped shape the piece. Included is a comparision of the concerto today and the original version and how it has been modified in the 200+ years of it's existance due to the changes made to the clarinet, etc. A must have piece of literature, as a clarinet player and advancing musician, I highly reccommend it.

Quite objective review of otherwise quite controversial, questionable material. Wilson's able to put on the reporter's hat and report on items that are sensational and speculative and thusly makes for a royally grand tour. Bring this one back to print! Worth the price of admission for his pet theory on the hidden human faculty...

If you are a paranormal buff, a student of para-psychology, or are simply curious as to what this strange science is all about, this is a must read. Mr. Wilson enlightens us as to the theories associated with almost every aspect of para-science. He explains in intricate detail various considerations as to how to interpret strange events, and gives us a thurough understanding of psychic phenomenon. Absolutely outstanding reading material. The finest I have ever found on the subject.

This is a great comprehensive book that provides many ways for the reader to learn about North American Native Culture. It has excellent writing, photographs, art description and explanations regarding clothing, geography, norms, drawings, maps, and visual cultural descriptions of North American indigenous peoples. The writing has tons of information, and the photography is stunning. I first read this book after receiving it as a Christmas gift, and it has stayed on the book shelf ever since so I can go over it from time to time.

I have been collecting Indian books for over thirty years. This book will be one that I will pride in my collection. If you enjoy quality photographs of Native Americans, colored photos of artifacts and printed on the best of paper, you will enjoy this book. I am very pleased with it.

Yes, we all love Avedon, Bourke-White, Capa, Doisneau, etc. But do we all understand how photography evolved from gelatine and silver plates, to Man Ray and then Newton? If you want to have a general perpective of the history of photography, and access to wonderful pictures not previosly divulged to the general public, I would recommend this comprehensive and well organized book

This is a lot of book. A lot, a lot of book. It's essays are well written to be easily accessible, clearly showing that the contributors understand and are passionate about photography. Clever thematic content allows you to browse at topics that interest you rather than get lost in a strictly chronological rendition of photography's development. The essays deftly weave together the various influences on the medium as it mutated over time. But best of all are the hundreds of photos, many that neither I nor other professional photographers I know have ever seen published elsewhere. Serious photographers are interested in the development of photographic representation. This book is the ideal place to begin to get to grips with that whole fascinating topic. Highly recommended.

Norman Cohn has the superb ability to bring together obscure pieces of history and thought in a readable way. This book follows well on from his other books in showing how a particular episode in literature can be viewed differently over time. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in where their current thinking might be coming from.

As a Geographer and an Anthropologist I am thrilled by that book. Norman Cohn's historical analysis of the Deluge interpretations leads to a better understanding of Science, and how the conditions (i.e. contextualization) of its production shapes knowledge. I will put it in my graduate students'reading list, and in my "best books"bookshelf

There is just about every rhyme I remember from being a child in this book. They are easy to read and the illustrations only add to the text. The illustrations are cute and charming and are not too garish in color or drawing. I particularly like that the directions for doing the finger plays are not intermixed with the rhyme itself- so you can just read the rhyme and enjoy it without trying to do the finger part if you so desire. Very enjoyable.

These are EASY rhymes for toddlers to memorize! They are FUN and provide hours of enjoyment. IT is my 2 year old daughters favorite bedtime book.

This is the remarkable story of Dr. Paul Scully-Power, who became the first Australian-born person to fly into space in October 1984. A brilliant student and accomplished athelete during his formative years, he went on to become the first oceanographer to view the world's oceans from the best vantage point of all- Earth orbit. As a youth with a passion for riding his surf board at Sydney's northern beaches, he managed to combine a love of the ocean with his academic studies. This led him on the path to oceanography. Later he went to the United States on a Navy exchange program, where he briefed and debriefed NASA's astronaut crews on what to look for and photograph as they circled the oceans. He continued to be involved in briefing space shuttle crews for many years afterwards. Through a series of circumstances Paul Scully-Power was chosen to fly into space aboard the Shuttle Challenger. He describes the many sights he saw from space, particularly Australia- the land of his birth. Author Colin Burgess's enduring interest in spaceflight history was kindled by the dramatic flight of John Glenn in 1962, and he is a noted and regular contributor to spaceflight magazines. His friendship with Paul Scully-Power began in 1985 when he asked him to pen a suitable foreword for his children's book, 'Space: The New Frontier'. He has authored an impressive variety of books on topics ranging from humorous anecdotes of flying for Quantas Airways through to best-selling books on the Australian prisoner-of-war experience. Join the first Australian-born astronaut on his incredible journey of discovery, and learn how his space flight has changed forever the way scientists regard our oceans- knowledge which should lead to more accurate weather forecasting.

I cannot recommend this book more highly. Colin Burgess has previously written some excellent books on World War Two prisoners of war, and books of aviation humor, and here he writes with great flair on another subject- the first person born in Australia to journey into space. This book offers a fascinating insight into how someone born outside of the USA and Russia managed to make an incredible journey into orbit and study the oceans from above. However, I believe that this book will not only appeal to those interested in astronauts and Australian space achievements- the book also contains a wealth of breathtaking photos taken from orbit, guaranteed to inspire awe in even the most hardened reader. This book will be of immense interest to both adult readers and younger readers who wish to learn about the wonders of spaceflight. It makes a great companion piece to Burgess's fabulous book about Christa McAuliffe. I can't imagine my bookshelf without it, and would urge you to buy a copy if you can.