These guys wrote the book on DSL by creating the products, standards, processes, and applications for broadband in the copper loop. As active participants in the DSL Forum and other standards bodies, Starr, Sorbara, Cioffi, and Silverman have been there, done that. They know their stuff, and it shows in this detailed work on the state of the art of DSL in 2003. While not being shameful to get down into the nitty gritty of "Iterative Water-Filling" or "Duplex clear-down sequences", there is good coverage of the business side of DSL and simple questions like "What is Voice over DSL?" For marketers like me, there are great pictures and diagrams throughout the book about all of the stuff they are talking about! Overall, there's something in here for everyone, just don't feel bad if there's a section or twenty that you don't understand -- these guys are the geniuses who thought it all up!

This book describes the state of the art by the folks defining it. Cioffi of Stanford developed much of the original technology, Sorbara and Starr have led the industry's key technical committee, and Silverman's been a leader in the DSL Forum. A good book by pros for pros, that goes far deeper than anything else published. 01/05/02

This is the book we have all waited for. For almost 30 years we have waited; and MAN!!! Was it ever worth the wait. This book is at first glance; one of the most beautiful books I've ever held in my hands. The paper used is thick, heavy, and smooth as silk. It's a rather large book, which gives the photographs an impact few books have offered before. Even the shots I've seen before are striking. This is by far the most comprehensive document ever published on the "Fab Four". So many surprises, so many "little" details that only the boys could know. Everything about the "Anthology" project has been done with such loving care, and this book is no exception. The beatles have given the world so much over the past four decades; and now, with this rich impressive chronicle, they give us their own personal recollections of a time when the world was just beginning to learn how to ROCK!!! Thank you, John, Paul, George, Ringo, George Martin, Neil Aspinall, Mal Evans, Derek Taylor, Klas Voorman, and Yoko Ono. This is without doubt; the "Ultimate" book on "The Beatles". Still the most influential band in the history of Rock n' Roll.

So very many books were written about the Beatles, and so many TV documentries were made about them. Anthology is definitely the best one yet, and I don't think there will ever be another book as complete and sincere as it. For the first time the Beatles tell their own story (yes, even John - material from old intreviews with him are beautifuly collected and edited into the book), along with some help from George Martin, Derek Taylor and Neil Aspinall and some old quotes from Brian Epstein, Mel Evans, Pete Best and others, and that makes Anthology a truly unique experience. The story is told from such a personal viewpoint that you will feel like you're part of the band. George, Ringo, Paul and John will become your closest friends for the period of reading the book.

Anthology covers every (well, probably almost every) aspect of the Beatles' life and musical career. It starts as four seperate stories as every band member describes his childhood, then melds into the story of the band. All the interviews from the wonderful Anthology TV series are in the book, but so are many more. There are far more details - especially about the music itself, which was neglected in the series. While in the series some albums were hardly mentioned, in the book the Beatles refer to almost every song, telling a thing or two about its background. Also, more touchy subjects which were avoided in the series appear here - such as, the (phony) death of Paul McCartney, the (real) death of Stuart Sutcliffe, the unfortunate Hell's Angels incident and the terrible case of Charles Manson and his connection to the White Album. The photographs and documents shown in the book are facsinating as well.

And no, it's NOT too long. The only problem with the book is its weight, which makes it quite uncomfortable to read. Anthology is a superb book, which reminded me why I used to love the Beatles so much and got me to hear all their albums again - twice.

This past weekend, my copy of The Beatles Anthology came from Amazon.com. The deliverer was glad she didn't have to go to the front office with it since it's so heavy!

This book is special because the Beatles themselves are the authors! There are also contributing quotes from Pete Best, Stuart Sutcliffe, George Martin, Mal Evans, Neil Aspinall and others.

The stories are great, from their childhood (John being an avid reader in grade school, Paul's father supporting his music skills, George mastering the guitar at a young age, and Ringo being shuffled in and out of hospitals) to their days in Hamburg (John claims that's where he truly grew up!).

In Hamburg, John, Paul, George, Pete, and Stu play various taverns (and meet Ringo) until Stu falls in love and abandons the Beatles. It seems like Ringo fits in better so they eventually sack Best for Ringo.

Funny stories include Mal breaking a windshield on a cold day while driving the Fab Four to their next gig and the Beatles hiding like school kids from an angry George Martin after missing a recording session!

They meet celebrities like Fats Domino, Little Richard, the Queen, and the King (Elvis).

John discusses "Help", "Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds", and "Revolution 9", Paul discusses "Yesterday", "Eleanor Rigby", "Yellow Submarine" and the Abbey Road Medley (particularly its highlight "The End"), George discusses "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Taxman", and Ringo discusses "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus' Garden".

There are the sore subjects, too, like Manilla (Paul claims they were the 1st to snub Marcos), John's comments about Jesus, the death of Brian Epstein, the breakup coming close on the White Album and later on Let It Be.

Although some of the photos and interviews here can be seen and heard in the Anthology video series and some perhaps read in other books, this brings most everything you need to know about the Beatles in full circle.

And of course, the Beatles experiment with drugs (and later both John and George get
busted by Sgt. Pilcher for possession of them), seek spiritual guidance from the Maharishi (is he as "cosmic" as they think?), fall in love (John with Yoko, Paul with Linda). Unlike in the video series, there is mention of Paul being "dead" and the final nail in the coffin for the Beatles in late 1969 and 1970.

You can't tell it all even in this one (no mention of the Christmas singles, save for a poem by John called "Wonsapon a Pool Table"), but since the Beatles themselves (and their closest comrades) speak for the Beatles, a lot of myths and legends are put to rest. If you're a Beatles fan, you won't want to pass this by!

I finished reading this book recently and I have to say it is an excellent book. When Hunter Davies first interviewed the Beatles for this book from 1967-1968, it was before all the bickering and fighting started and before Yoko came into the picture. Davies takes an inside look in thier home and family life, the songwriting process, and recording sessions. It also gives a pretty good background on their childhoods and how they all met. Not to mention a lot of great pictures, including some I never seen before. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because it is not a totally definative bio. Lots of things were left out because it upset thier family members. For example, it is not mentioned that Brian Epstein was homosexual because it upset his mother at the time. And some things were left out of John's childhood because it upset his aunt Mimi. Other than that, I reccomend that you read this book. It is smart and thouroughly researched. A must have for all Beatles fans!

As a 14 year old Beatle fan I read this book in its original release in 1968. (I think just about everyone in my Catholic girl's school in Queens was reading it). I loved reading about the birth of the Beatles; their days in Liverpool and Hamburg, their early influences, etc. I have always remained a fan and recently reread the book. I loved it just as much the second time around -- it brought me back to a time I loved and I remembered how great it was the grow up in the 60's and the Beatles were a big part of that great decade. My 14 year old daugher (also a Beatles fan) loves it as well. I never expected this reaction - I was suprised that the Beatles still have a huge amount of young fans. Suprised and happy because we certainly have found some common ground. She loved learning about the Beatles and the decade they came to represent. I do think this is the best book on the Beatles to date I (and the only authorized one as far as I know)- although I hear there will soon be an autobiography by Paul, George and Ringo. It's a must read for any Beatles fan!

I'm sure there were books about the Beatles written before this, but this book was written with the Beatles (complete with interviews). Hunter Davies includes some of his own opinions in later editions but this is about the Fab 4, their rise, and where they were in 1968 when this book originally came out (John admits to be bored with life as Yoko Ono had not yet been a household name to us and George was already sick of being a Beatle at the time). The later editions have a section about the breakup, what they did individually in the 1970's, the tragedy of John Lennon in 1980 and more recent interviews with Paul, George, and Ringo. You can trust Davies since he got the Beatles' authorization and respected their privacy (he mentions that George Harrison asked that certain things not be printed). As Davies points out, this story is about the rise and not the fall.

This book is considered an introductory overview to China. Well, I have a master's degree in East Asian studies and I still found this book enlightening. The book does an excellent job at explaining China's societal and political structures and how those structures effect the state's decisions and policies. In doing so, the author does not get much into the culture and history of the nation. In this way the book is unusual and, dare I say, unique. To some, the book may seem rather mechanical, but its structural approach serves to reduce bias and prejudice. Too many books purport to explain the entire Chinese nation culturally, but the country is simply too heterogeneous for that approach to be very effective. Other books define China as a slave to its history, but history is just one of many variables. That is why I appreciate the rather mechanical approach this book takes to explaining China's politics and society. That said, however, it might serve the newcomer to Sinology well to read other texts on Chinese culture and history as a primer to this book.

Mr. Starr does a good job of covering the economics, politics, and geography of China. It is a great introduction to this developing country. Having recently spent a year in China as a teacher, I agree with most of Starr's findings. Starr demonstrates how China's economy is rapidly growing, but perhaps not fast enough to head off future problems such as food production.

Tht book examins all levels of China's society. From problems in the economy to how problems are dealt with by the government. The author also summarizes the basic structure of the Chinese government. The range of issues dealt with in this book are an excellent beginning to further investigate China's situation.

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!

This is a good introduction to xDSL technologies IF you already are experienced in digital communications. If you aren't versed in topics such as Decision Feedback Equalization, the treatments here are too terse, and you will need a back up reference. On the other hand, if you have some education in the given topic, (QAM, trellis coding...) this book shows nicely how it fits into the DSL picture.

If you come from outside the telecom industry, this book also gives a nice low level explanation of the telephone network and how DSL technologies overcome its impairments to deliver high data raes.

There is a myriad of information here, but it never discusses SDSL, the flavor that is becoming the choice of businesses. The CD included with the book has 3 file drawers worth of white papers, etc from the IEEE T1 committee. It is worth buying the book just for what is on the CD, but do not expect every flavor of DSL to be discussed.

Starr and Cioffi's book was enormously valuable as we wrote our own book, DSL, a Wiley Tech Brief. It's not easy going, but this is the primary source. Cioffi developed the DMT standard that is nearly universal in the ADSL world, and Starr has led the leading technical committee. Their knowledge makes a difference. The CD enclosed has thousands of pages of original technical documents.

The problem with this guide is it was written in the 30's and the trailhead info is not totally reliable. For hardcore JMT fans this is a must-read.

Having grown up in the John Muir Wilderness as a Boy Scout, I can attest to the greatness of the guide. Its size and intricate, step ny step trial guidance is second-to-none. An absolute must-read for anyone even remotely contemplating a trek between Mount Whitney and Yosemite. Despite the fact that the information in the guide originates in the 1930's, it is still relevant today and provides a very sound planning tool for Scouters and "civilians" alike. I recommend it highly for another reason: It fits in the outer pocket of my backpack!

This book is terrible. It was written by John Brandon based on interviews with Alice In Chain's ex bassist Mike Starr. Mike quit AIC around 1992. This book repeats its self over and over again. Mike is constantly telling us how much women like him.
This book is so blantantly biased I don't know how they could expect anyone to take him serious!
When they weren't referring to how much of a lady's man Mike was they talk about how jealous Jerry Cantrell (guitarist) was of Mike. For some reason I have a really hard time buying that one. There were obviously other things going on if Mike quits one day and then changes his mind that next and they don't let him back. I don't think it was Jerry's jealousy either. Mike also claimed that Jerry wanted to kick Layne out of the band. This is absolutely ridiculous. It has always been apparent that Jerry and Layne were close at least at one time and had respect for each other.
I am glad that I read this book only because I am a huge AIC fan and I would read about any book about them. If you read this book just take everything Mike says with a grain of salt.
The worst part of the book is when Mike admits he hasn't talked to the any of the band members in years, yet continues to comment on their wellbeing. I have a hard time believing that Jerry is a crackhead when he has been on tour supporting his album and is going to release a double disc cd. So Mike lies blantantly right there. In his book his dad says that no record company will drop a dime on Jerry because he is so messed up. I live in Seattle and I have actually seen Jerry around town on 3 different occasions and not once did he appear to be on crack or extremley messed up on any drug. If he was as messed up with drugs as Mike says he is I think you would be able to tell by looking at him. I think it is quite obvious that he had this book written because he was hoping to make a few bucks off of his time with AIC.

I have been a fan of alice in chains since they first came out 12 years ago. It's a shame Michael Starr really blew it so badly...but thank God he was replaced by an even better bass player. All in all, this book is definitely worth reading. I found out what really happened to Layne Staley (the book predicted his death, meanwhile I couldn't get the truth about his real drug addiction anywhere, from anyone) and Jerry Cantrell (I hear he's now with Roadrunner Records...who in the world are they? and why was he shut out of Sony?) but who really cares about Michael STarr. It is definitely inside, and seemingly quite accurate, and if you're a serious fan I recommend it *****...

I honestly never read an entire book from start to finish but I read with great interest John Brandon's "Unchained. The story of Mike Starr and his rise and fall in Alice in Chains." Great book. From the moment I started reading, I did not set the book down until I was finished. I was extremely into learning the life of an outstanding bass player addicted to heroin and how it can destroy anyone. The final chapter was a great addition to fully understand the dead end road to heroin as described by Dr. Irving Schwartz. I highly recommend this book.

Mr. Starr seems know a lot about China, but I don't think he understand China based on what he wrote in his book. His conclusion that "an abrupt collapse of the Party-state" is unlikely to happen. Just like those who predict Hong Kong will be a chaos after return to China's rule, Mr Starr failed to realize the fundermental change in China these days which will lead to a more stable China.

The book tried to cover a lot of areas, which I think, has done quite superficially. And it seems to me that the author wrote the book to prove his points, and not exactly as the title suggested, to help understand China.

He gave a comparison of data between China and USA (which is good for american readers), however, as soon as the comparison does not support his point anymore, he would happily omit the data on the US and jump to his "conclusion" on China. As an example, to show his point that China's "huge" defense budget might be a concern for the stability of the region, he omitted the US defense budget to prove his point, as opposed to explain why/why not China needs such as budget. One has to look at the geographical size, and complexities of borders of China to see why China's defense budget is not that huge after all, as compared to the US's.

And there are a lot of areas like this in the book, or presented in a way that made Chinese people look like aliens, or made the country looks like it's FUBAR.

It is true that China has its fair share of problems. However, objective presentation is still in rigueur, especially for academic research.

It is disappointing, as you consider Starr's background, and the institution he is associated with. I'm not saying that he does not understand China, but he does not portray China in a way that help readers to understand China. Instead, it will just perpertuate the stereotyping.

This is a typical book, written by a "westerner", to prove a point. Readers who have very little knowledge of China should take it with a big grain of salt.

For those intrigued by or concerned with the roles China will play in the geopolitical, economic, and cultural arenas in the near future, it is imperative to learn more about this huge nation characterized as a "Sleeping Dragon." Understanding China: A Guide to China's Economy, History and Political Culture provides a thankfully succinct "backgrounder" for beginners as well as a thoughtful, provocative review for armchair "China Hands."

Written by John Bryan Starr, the text is based on a seminar he taught at Yale for 17 years. As well as basic textbook data such as climate, topography, population figures, and gross national product, Starr traces the historical impetus that has led to this country's current condition. He talks about feudal systems and their inherent rule by dynastic clout and fiat, yet he points out that unlike European feudalism, "status was ultimately based on achievement." This tradition of mobile, fluid leadership eventually set the bloody stage for Mao to wrestle control of the country from Chiang Kai-shek during and following World War II.

Now, after over half a decade in power, the Communist Party is in deep trouble. It no longer attracts a youthful, zealous cadre eager to take its turn at the helm. Instead, a savvy, new generation of entrepreneurs are poised to re-invent China as a high roller in world trade as well as a vast, prosperous land of consumers rather than a bastion of socialistic ideals.

Starr concludes that due to the emergence of these entrepreneurs, and the weakening of the Communist Party, "Intellectuals have not recaptured the preeminent position their forbears enjoyed in traditional society." So who will lead China if the CP implodes as it did in the Soviet Union? The author reports that "Many Chinese people see the economic chaos and near anarchy of Russian society today as resulting from the collapse of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union." Apparently, they are willing to put up with a tattered, dysfunctional government to avoid that fate.

There is also evidence to suggest that the formidable People's Liberation Army is waiting in the wings of history. Currently dependent on the PLA to crush internal protest and orchestrate foreign policy, the CP may eventually be forced to step aside allowing China to return to rule by military elite.

Another of Starr's concerns is the degradation of China's ecosystem. He laments, "In the trenches where the war between economic development and environmental protection is being fought, economic development is winning most of the battles." For example, he points to the massive Three Gorges Dam project on the Yangtze River. Estimated to take 16 years to complete at a cost of over $10 billion, this hydroelectric monster will destroy a scenic area as well as potentially wipe out agricultural valleys and river ports. In spite of looming eco-disasters, current unrest, virulent corruption, and significant changes in leadership, the venerable dragon lumbers along. Yet Starr gloomily predicts that China will suffer even more dramatic turmoil, whoever or whatever is in charge.

Bud Lea used his notes and articles published during his years covering the Packers as a Milwaukee newspaperman to put together this book. Also featured is Vernon Biever's excellent photography from the Packer Glory Years.

This is fairly light-weight in content (large print and lots of pictures). But if you were a fan of the Pack during the Lombardi years, you probably will enjoy this book. There are a LOT of photos, many of which I've not previously seen, so the book gives a fairly good feel for the atmosphere at each game.

However I wish the text had been more in depth. The background given for each of the seven games is sketchy at best, unfortunately. There are lots of quotes from the men who played those games, but overall I would have liked more meat. Still, a "good get" for Packer fans.