OK, mabye this book never made it onto the best seller list, but it does contain a wealth of information on spark ignition engines. Though it is a little dated, Hilliard does an excellent job of explaining the igntion process in great detail.

Maly's chapter on spark ignition is one of the finest compilations of theory relating to spark ignition in the known world. This is a good comprehensive book, though a little on the expensive side. I would recommend borrowing it from Mesa College in Grand Junction, CO.

This is not a map. I expected an actual map with points of History listed in the different geographical locations. Instead, this is a chart with the years and what happened. Granted, it is full of information, but with the "HistoMap" I actually expected a map. If you're looking for a map, keep looking. If you're looking for a chart, this is it.

This is an excellent graphical display of quite alot of information. However, the meaning of the the width is unclear, and it would be nice to have an indication of how the OVERALL width should change with time.

My father had this four foot long chart of world history and I remember how neat it was to see a graphic depiction of the ebb and flow of civilization. It was also great to quickly answer questions like, "Which came first, the pyramids at Giza or the Great Wall in China?"

So I was so excited to find an updated edition. Information has been added for the last fifty years - logarithmically so you get much more detail on recent events. I have mixed feelings about this as it distorts the overall "tides of history" sense and gives so much importance to recent events. "Election of Bill Clinton" on the same chart as "Tamerlane the Great" or "Charlemagne crowned Emperor"?

One other thought: the chart depicts civilization as "zero sum." For one civilization to gain space, another must lose. This is not my view of the expansion of human civilization. Nevertheless, no one should be without this handy chart.

If you like previous releases *Message in a Bottle" and *A Bend in the Road*, you would have fallen into this one as well. Consistent with all his novels, Nicholas Sparks conveys the message of the greatest commitment of all: to love someone forever. Volunteer fireman Taylor McAden is driven to horrendous and heroic risks to save lives. When he set out to search for Denise's 7-year-old son Kyle, Taylor never imagined that the encounter with the mother and son would force him to deal with fear, bitterness, and the troubled past in his heart. This resuce requires Taylor to open doors to his past slammed shout by pain. Will Taylor be able to overcome this pain with the help of Denise? Sparks has introduced and developed characters fully as well as their feelings, emotions, and thoughts. Sparks' writing is stirring once again. You'll be deeply moved at the part where Taylor found Kyle after the car accident. Sparks stirs our heart-strings again! Good read. 4.5 stars.

As usual, I'll let you read the synopsis above and just tell you what I liked/disliked about the book. No point in being redundant.

While this book has similar main characters to Message in a Bottle (single mother, loner guy), it definitely carries its own weight. I was so relieved that the author has not fallen into the "formula writing" style that so many bestselling authors have these days.

The plot is new but the author's style of writing is still there. He does an excellent job of introducing the characters and letting us go through their range of emotions with them. The book flows nicely as I was able to finish in a weekend. (I obtained an advance reader copy about a month ago)

If you have enjoyed his previous novels, you'll like this one too. You'll also enjoy it if this is your first Nicholas Sparks book. You should also check his others as they are all available in paperback now.

First off, if I could give this book TEN stars, I would!!! But, the highest we can go, in actuality, is 5... so, it's definitely a "5 Star" read!!! I've read Sparks' other novels, through the years, and have enjoyed them all. They have all touched my heart/life in some way. "The Rescue" touched me more deeply than the others, combined. A storm... a deer... a little boy... a single mother... a man who only lives to punish himself... are all elements that create the setting for an incredible tale of love. As I turned the pages, getting to know all the characters, I found myself lost in emotions... At times, I was nervous -- rocking back n' forth in my seat! Later, I was curious -- wondering what secrets Taylor held within himself. Deeper into the story, I found myself angry -- at Taylor's reluctance to love. And finally, as the relationship came full-circle, I had tears in my eyes. Literally. This is an incredibly written drama. Nicholas has the uncanny ability to make you love his characters. You see them as "real" people, and their emotions become your own. This book will make you feel. This book will teach you that saying "I love you" isn't that hard after all. Enjoy!!!

The strongest part of the book is the history of the naturalists that discovered the behavior. From Aristotle's Historia Animalium to Medieval Bestiaries the interpretation of behavior is tied to the culture of the time. The Phoenix example provides curiously stretched natural history blended with theology. Into more recent times he cites Darwins example of studying behavior as well as Pavlov.

For the behavioral psychologist, the names of Thorndike, James Watson (who curiously left science for advertising), B.F. Skimmer,and Harry Harlow are presented. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of the heyday of ethology research from von Fisch's discovery of honey bee dances, to Konrad Lorenz's imprinted geese, and Niko Tinbergen's study of gulls.

Throughout the book are superb pictures, from all classes of animals, illustrating the animals associated with the researchers or the principles discussed. Perhaps somewhat lacking is the discussion of some of the components of animal behavior, as causation, development, evolution, and function.

This volume is a collection of issues from a comic book miniseries that details some of the background of Jenny Sparks, founder of the superhero group The Authority, and how she recruited its original members. It is not necessary to have read any of the issues from the core series itself (or from its predecessor, Stormwatch), but it is certainly helpful. The first few issues of The Authority are collected in the volumes "Under New Management" and "Relentless".

In any case, the individual tales show Jenny Sparks, who wields the power of electricity, encountering certain critical superheroes (Apollo, the Midnighter, the Engineer, and so forth) and convincing them in her unique way to join her group. Because the ageless Ms. Sparks is the literal Spirit of the 20th Century, she was born on January 1 of 1900 and knows she will die at the approach of the new millenium. Her long lifespan and her key role in world history means that she has been present at practically every critical event over the past few decades and that she wields enormous power in the secret government of the world. (She arranges the election defeat of Gerald Ford because she's angered at the Nixon pardon and makes sure that Reagan "will be taken care of".)

There's a whole hidden history of which we, the plebeian masses, remain unaware, complete with thwarted alien invasions, secret bases, and contacts with parallel worlds, such as Sliding Albion. Thankfully, swashbuckling heroes such as Hemingway and Einstein are around to pitch in to help the lusty Ms. Sparks.

This is a glorious full-color world that's chock full of gadgets, byzantine plots, improbable encounters, thoroughly evil villains, buckets of blood, cigarettes, whisky, and sex. The tales span several decades, and include an encounter with the occult-obsessed Nazis (and a shoutout to a certain Indiana Jones) and a time-travelling sentient city from the future that's come back to our era to destroy humanity for religious reasons.

The irreverent and sloppily-dressed Ms. Sparks hates practically all governments, and since the secret cabals that rule the world are in some cases shown to engage in human sacrifice, it's easy to see why. Primarily, she's out to have a good time, and to kick a lot of butt.

Good stories and great fun, and excellent artwork. A must-have for those who enjoy The Authority or Planetary!

A good review with lessons learned about how to keep the customer happy. A must read for any retail distrbutor or manager.

This book is neither an illustrated guide to parrot species, nor is it a pet owners handbook. It is remarkable compendium of general information on parrots. It covers everything from the age and distribution of parrots in the fossil record, to parrot behavior in the wild. It also summarizes information on extinct and endangered species of parrots and the reasons that these problems arise. (For specific information on species that are extinct or endangered you would probably desire a more current source as this book was published in 1990.)

The information on parrot behavior seems fresh and accurate and unburdened by much of the poor advice and lousy information that many books, particularly those aimed at pet owners, dispense.

This book is a very enjoyable source of general information for anyone that is fascinated by, or has wondered about parrots.

I thought A Bend in the Road was a nice love story that is the perfect read right around Valentine's Day. It even made me cry! A Bend in the Road is about a policeman, Miles Ryan, who lost his wife in a car accident 2 years ago. He can't really get over the loss until a new teacher, Sarah Andrews, comes to town. Sarah is Miles son's teacher. Soon Sarah and Miles fall in love. I don't want to give away the ending but something tragic happens that will test Miles love for Sarah.

If your looking for a mystery this is not the book for you because it's very obvious what is going to happen by the middle of the book. It's great if you want a quick romantic read though. I consider any book that makes you cry or laugh out loud a good read. I was ready to start sobbing when I was reading this so I'd say A Bend in the Road was great.

This is an emotional tale about a couple's new-found happiness & the shocking secret that threatens to keep them apart.

Miles Ryan's life felt like it ended the day his wife was killed in a hit-&-run accident. While Miles struggles with the unanswered question of who murdered his wife, their son suffers with nightmares & is struggling in school. A parent-teacher conference is called & enter Sarah Andrews, Jonah's second grade teacher. Sarah is new to the town & trying to rebuild her own life after a disappointing first marriage.

As Sarah & Miles work together to help Jonah catch up, they fall in love. They discover that their newfound love starts to soothe the pain of their pasts & they begin to think of a future together. But something else binds them together beside their love.

A Bend in the Road is told from a unique viewpoint - that of the driver of the car that killed Missy. Writing in a journal the murderer lives with the guilt & nightmares. When the murderer is unveiled, can Miles' & Sarah's new love withstand the shocking secret?

Nicholas Sparks does it again! This is another example of why he is America's best-loved & bestselling author of stories of the heart. I highly recommend this heart-breaking mystery!

Nicholas Sparks called the book that I read A Bend in the Road. It is a love story with a murder mystery. Any love story lover would absolutely love this book. This book is very dramatic and I would give it 5 out of 5 star any day. Sparks delivers it well with a love story inside a murder with a twist at the end. Not only is it an easy to read book, both the love story and the mystery grab you from the very beginning and keep you turning page after page. So whether you enjoy the mystery of who killed Miles' wife (who writes in italics in every so chapter) or it is the love story between Sarah and Miles and the secret that makes them reexamine everything they believe in, you must read this book.
This book is about a girl named Sarah Andrews who moved to a small town called New Bern. She moved hoping to start over after going through a failed marriage and difficult divorce. In New Bern Sarah worked as a 2nd grade teacher. While teaching one of her second graders is having troubles reading, whose name was Jonah. When Sarah discovered that Jonah was having troubles reading she decided to tutor him after school. When she did this tutoring she meet Jonah's father, Miles Ryan. Miles was the deputy sheriff of New Bern, who is still after 2 years looking for the man who killed his wife in a hit-and-run accident. Miles and Sarah soon get to know each other through Jonah's tutoring. Sarah gets attached to Jonah quickly, but even more attached to Miles. As Miles and Sarah both fall for each other, they start to go on date after date. Soon they are both deeply in love. After they have been together for a while, Sarah discovers a secret that makes a sudden twist to the whole story, which could demolish her happiness with Miles and Jonah.

Muriel Spark's new novel interweaves the story of Lord Lucan, a dissolute English Earl who murdered his children's nanny and tried to kill his wife in 1974, then disappeared, with the story of Hildegard Wolf, a psychiatrist with an unconventional method of treating patients and a secret past of her own.

Rumours of Lord Lucan's whereabouts continue to pop up: noone knows if he is still alive or not. In this book, Spark has two separate "Lord Lucan"'s visit Dr. Wolf for treatment. Before long Wolf is wondering how much they know about her, how much they know about each other, and which if either of them is the real Lord Lucan. Several other people are drawn into the search for Lord Lucan, including an old friend of his, and the daughter of another old friend of his, and Hildegard's long-time lover. The resolution is amusing and unexpected.

Spark considers the complicity of accomplices in crime, and the morality of the "upper classes", and the persistence of guilt. Her writing is as always extremely clever -- dare I say it sparkles? -- and the book is slantingly funny and morally insistent and a thoroughgoing joy to read. At 82, Muriel Spark remains a truly brilliant writer. (Like another reviewer, I can't quite bring myself to rate this 5 stars -- but only because the book is so short. It's better than the average 4 star book, at any rate.)

Muriel Sparks' latest novel "Aiding & Abetting" doesn't take up much shelf space but sure proves the adage that less may be more ! This psychological thriller, based on the unsolved Lord Lucan murder mystery, is so cleverly constructed and seamlessly meshed with the subject of another true story - that of the fake stigmatic Beate Pappenheim - I found myself unable to stop until I finished it in one sitting. Sparks' ingenious plotting is once again evident in the way the pulsating narrative takes unexpected twists and turns that keeps you in total suspense with the unyielding promise of a surprise ending. I felt my heart thumping and my mind racing just watching the two Lucans and Hildegarde and their aiders connive and plot to outwit each other. The novel may have taken class as its starting point but it is blood that binds their fate. Nobody writes like Sparks these days. Her dry wit and rare economy with words make for an eloquence that is both unique and unparalleled. It is also a hallmark of great writing. "Aiding & Abetting" may be her best work in recent times. This slim novel sure packs a wallop. It comes highly recommended.

Muriel Spark hasn't lost her touch. AIDING AND ABETTING isn't one of her very best novels (of her more recent books I prefer REALITY AND DREAMS, although AIDING AND ABETTING is far superior to SYMPOSIUM), but it's still a very good book.

As one reviewer below notes, a curious doubling is one of the tropes of this book--mistaken and overlapping identities mask, I suspect, a concern with lack of identity. Spark handles her various themes with her usual grace, wit, and, most importantly, economy. This book is 166 pages, and Spark uses every one of them well (even when she tells us something twice, we can be sure it is for a good reason).

One final note: AIDING AND ABETTING and DECLARE make for interesting comparison. I have no idea whether Muriel Spark and Tim Powers have much overlap in audience, but perhaps they should. They write very different books, but these two show an interesting coincidence of subject matter. Powers and Spark investigate the possibilities of infamous British aristocrats, in Powers' case Kim Philby, and in Spark's Lord Lucan. The Burgess and Maclean case comes up in both books, and the idea of the decaying English aristocracy as letting them and Lucan escape in a fit of apathy, disbelief, class loyalty, and moral paralysis is important to both writers' aims. Spark conjures up a future for Lucan while Powers' fantasy of history "explains" Philby and indeed the entire Cold War. Doubling, noted above as key to Spark's book, is equally important to Powers, on a more fantastic level. In the end, they take different approaches: Powers' Philby is fascinating, complex, sad and deservedly damned; Spark's Lucan is a study in the banality and triviality of evil. There is mystery, but Lucan is too small to be of great interest to his own story.

Ten years ago, Harding failed to protect a young girl from her sexually abusive father. He went after the man and revenge ended up costing him one-and-a-half years in prison, not to mention his private investigator's license. Nowadays, he does work on the side for his old friend, Donnie Wilson. The case Harding is presently working on consists of getting the goods on one Dr. Stephen Rosenberg, whose wife, Elenya, is looking for a divorce and possibly access to the supposedly two million dollars hidden in a Swiss Bank account. Dr. Rosenberg is an adulterer to the tenth degree. He not only cheats on his wife with other women, but with men as well, getting heavily into S&M and other forms of kinky sex. It doesn't take Harding long to get the pictures that will insure Elenya an easy divorce and a nice settlement. The only problem is that someone else is after the good doctor...someone so despicably evil that he makes the Rosenberg's escapades look like a day at a church picnic. This monster, for want of a better word, calls himself Gaelen, and he is gruesomely killing everyone Rosenberg has been sexually involved with in an effort to set the doctor up for murder. When Harding starts getting too close to what is going on, Gaelen comes after him and his tough kickboxing partner, Alison. After a couple of encounters with this creature, one of which puts Alison in the hospital, Harding, who isn't an easy man to scare, knows that he is going to have to put this demon from Hell down the hard way, even if he has to drive a stake through his heart. Harding will also have to figure out why Gaelen is so interested Dr. Rosenberg and his wife, Elenya, and what the hidden agendas are. THIS FAR, NO FURTHER by John Wessel demonstrates what top quality writing is about. The reader is not a bystander on this journey through the gritty side of Chicago and into the heart of unthinkable evil, but rather a participant. You will literally feel the depraved evil of Gaelen and understand why the fear it generates in our hero makes Harding a more dangerous adversary. Mr. Wessel lets us know that a person never entirely escapes their past, and for Harding, it must come full circle. As he attempts to keep himself, Alison, and the Rosenbergs alive, Harding has to eventually face the results of a passed action, and in doing so, perhaps find redemption for his failure to live up to his own expectations. Few authors are able to write such a compelling novel on their first try out, but John Wessel succeeds wonderfully in THIS FAR, NO FURTHER. Its darkness will remind you of the earlier "Burke" novels by Andrew Vachss and the later "Matthew Scudder" books by Lawrence Block. Buy this book, read it, and then pick up the second novel in the "Harding" series, PRETTY BALLERINA. After that, you going to have pray like I'm doing, that John Wessel will to write more books.

John Wessel's _This Far, No Further_, introduces us to an ex-PI named Harding.

Though he no longer holds a license (because of a sequence of events which are gradually filled in during the course of the book), Harding still does some occasional work for his friend Donnie, an old friend from his Chicago neighborhood who now works in a corporate security office.

As the book opens, Harding is tracking Dr. Stephen Rosenberg, a plastic surgeon, who has some decidedly unsavory sexual practices and preys on the nurses and students at the University of Chicago hospital. Rosenberg's wife, Elenya, is getting tired of the physical abuse she must sustain at her husband's hands and is looking for a way to divorce him.

This decidedly simple premise sets in motion a very complicated chain of events and gruesome murders, which, ultimately, I don't think, was ever satisfactorily solved. When I came to the end, I still had a lot of unanswered questions.

Still, the book was very good in its depiction of winter in Chicago; of the post-graduate hangers-on around campus, including Harding's friend, Boone; and of the unusual relationship Harding has with his former girlfriend, Allison, a woman into Goth and kick-boxing, and who now appears to be a lesbian. Harding is a memorable creation--a very well-educated, moral, romantic detective who loves horror movies. I wouldn't mind spending more time with him, though I hope subsequent books aren't as complicated.

Those who dislike a very dark, grim, at times even grotesque read, will be turned off by this book.

I've read all three of John Wessel's books about Harding, the ex-con PI. All three have kept me up late nights, reading "just one more chapter." I can't put these books down! This Far, No Further is the first book in the trio, Pretty Ballerina is the second, and its latest (but hopefully not last!) installment is Kiss It Goodbye. All three books are fast-paced, loaded with action, and are damn good mysteries that will keep you scratching your head until the end. Harding's cynical world view leads to some hilarious observances, but this guy's no slouch as a PI; he never misses a trick. Well, almost never. His girfriend, Alison, is equally intriguing as a kick-[butt] femme who keeps Harding on his toes and watches his back. She could give Xena a run for her money! All in all, the characters and the stories in John Wessels' novels a well-worth the price of admission. Wonderful books, all!